Drywall lift

Abstract

A foot-actuated lifter for drywall sheets comprises a base with a rocker between a foot-engaged toe. The device can be locked in any of several height positions.

1 . Apparatus for supporting a panel at a desired elevated position for sheathing a wall with said panel, said apparatus comprising:
 a base disposed in use upon at the base of said wall;   a rocker mounted to said base for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, the rocker having a toe end which operatively supports, in use, a lower end of said panel, and   a heel portion, the heel portion being for manipulation, by the foot of a user, of the rocker about said axis;   a restraint mechanism to permit a user to selectively lock the rocker at a desired pivotal position which corresponds to said desired position.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support mounted to the toe end of the rocker and terminating in a channel for supportingly receiving said lower edge of said panel. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according  claim 1 , wherein the restraint mechanism comprises: a pawl defined by the rocker; and a toothed bar pivotally mounted to the base, wherein:
 the pawl and bar are configured such that the bar engages the pawl in a ratchet arrangement; and the bar is positioned such that it can be manipulated by the foot of the user to release the rocker for movement.   
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the support is mounted to the toe end of the rocker for limited pivotal movement. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the restraint mechanism further includes a spring operatively coupled to each of the bar and rocker and biased to urge the bar into engagement with the pawl. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the support comprises a post and a post end, the post end defining the channel and the post extending between the rocker and the post end. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the post is releasably couplable to the rocker. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the post end is releasably couplable to the post. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the post is adjustable in length. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a strap coupled to the rocker to overlie the foot of the user in use.