One person drywall machine

Abstract

This device is a complete drywall installation machine and finishing platform. It consists of a simple mechanism that raises the sheathing from floor level to the top platform of the machine where it is then raised to the rafters and held securely in place for attachment, by stepping on to the elevated platform to be at the perfect working height to apply fasteners. In it's auxiliary configuration this machine also lifts and places wallboard into position on wall studs for attachment with absolute minimum effort. This machine is portable, mobile, and light weight enough to allow one worker to install drywall up to 12 ft. in lenght to walls and/or ceilings with less effort than is normally exerted by each of 2 or more workers. Once the installation is complete the machine serves as a mobile work platform to do the taping and finishing. The entire process is executed by one worker and requires no addional equipment such as ladders, stilts, or support devices.

1 . A complete drywall installation machine and finishing platform, Consisting of a generally rectangular expandable/contractable frame base, mounted on casters located at each corner, so as to be mobile. This base shall have mounted on the top side at each of four corners, a vertical telescoping post with a lifting mechanism to extend said post vertically upward. On top of these four post rest a generally rectangular shaped rack in a flat horizontal position. Within the confines of these post and elevated approximently eighteen inches from floor level is a working platform. Attached to one long side of this machine in temporary fashion is a loading device that consist of a base laying parallel to and approximately 12 inches from the frame base with angle iron guides attached to the outermost top corners and extending inward and upward to the top of the two telescoping post on that side of said frame base. This loading device also has a medal channel 1 inch wide by 2 inches deep that may be moved up and down said angle iron guides by means of a strap and crank system. Whereas construction sheathing may be placed in this medal channel and hoisted to the rectangular shaped rack on top of the machine; where it is then lifted verticaly by means of the telescoping post lifting mechanism to ceiling height for installation; by stepping on to the finishing platform and nailing or screwing the sheathing to the rafters.  
   
   
       2 . I further claim as my invention the afore mentioned machine in it's entirity (Not withstanding any previously invented device or apparatus that may be an integral part of my machine, such as threaded devices, fasteners, cables, pulleys, cranks, or winches, etc.) and not limited to any number of decribed parts. ie. Vertical post may have two or more sections, machine may have one or more manual and/or electric winches and/or may be operated hydrauliclly or pneumaticly and/or any combination thereof.