Construction panel positioning and support system and tools

Abstract

A construction panel positioning tool includes a ramp member having a support platform to support a panel edge, and a downwardly inclined ramp section configured to slidingly engage and guide a panel edge placed thereon toward the support platform. A stabilizing member coupled to the ramp member engages a structural building component to support the ramp member in position. A construction panel support tool includes a suspension frame having guides that slidably engage a ceiling joist, and a support member cantilevered thereto, which has a top surface spaced from the bottom of a ceiling joist to provide clearance for a construction panel. A system includes one or more of each tool. The positioning tool(s) is/are installed to position and support a first panel edge. The opposite panel edge is then lifted against the ceiling and then supported by the support member of a support tool that is moved into place.

1 . A construction panel positioning tool to position and support at least one edge of a construction panel relative to a panel installation site, the positioning tool comprising:
 a ramp member, having:
 a support platform disposed at an upper end thereof, the support platform further including an upper surface configured to receive and support at least an edge portion of a construction panel; and 
 a ramp section disposed adjacent the support platform and extending downwardly at an angle therefrom, the ramp section further including a substantially planar upper surface having an upper edge in common with the upper surface of the support platform, the upper surface of the ramp section being configured to slidingly engage and guide an edge portion of a construction panel placed thereon toward the support platform; and 
   a stabilizing member coupled to the ramp member and configured to engage a structural component of a building structure, thereby supporting the ramp member in a predetermined position relative to the installation site.   
     
     
         2 . The positioning tool of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the support platform is horizontally disposed when the stabilizing member is engaged with the structural component. 
     
     
         3 . The positioning tool of  claim 1 , wherein the angle of the upper surface of the ramp section relative to the upper surface of the support platform is within a range of 20 to 60 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The positioning tool of  claim 3 , wherein the angle of the upper surface of the ramp section elative to the upper surface of the support platform is within a range of 35 to 45 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The positioning tool of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing member is coupled to the support platform. 
     
     
         6 . The positioning tool of  claim 5 , wherein the common edge of the upper surfaces of the ramp section and the support platform is a forward edge of the upper surface of the support platform, and wherein the stabilizing member includes a elongate vertical brace extending downward from the support platform and having a rear surface that is configured to engage a wall joist of the building structure or a construction panel installed thereto. 
     
     
         7 . The positioning tool of  claim 6 , further including one or more rearwardly extending arms disposed on the vertical brace, the one or more arms adapted to engage one or both sides of a wall joist of the building structure. 
     
     
         8 . The positioning tool of  claim 5 , wherein the common edge of the upper surfaces of the ramp section and the support platform is a forward edge of the upper surface of the support platform, and wherein the stabilizing member includes one or more arms extending, respectively, to one or both sides thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The positioning tool of  claim 8 , wherein one or more of the arms includes a vertically-disposed rear surface that is either even with or protrudes rearwardly beyond a rearward edge of the upper surface of the support platform and that is adapted to engage and be temporarily secured to a wall joist of the building structure or a construction panel installed thereto. 
     
     
         10 . The positioning tool of  claim 9 , wherein the vertical brace includes one or more tabs extending rearwardly therefrom and that are adapted, respectively, to engage one or both sides of a wall joist of the building structure. 
     
     
         11 . The positioning tool of  claim 5 , wherein the common edge of the upper surfaces of the ramp section and the support platform is a forward edge of the upper surface of the support platform, and wherein the stabilizing member includes an elongate horizontal brace configured to extend generally rearwardly of the support platform. 
     
     
         12 . The positioning tool of  claim 11 , wherein the elongate horizontal brace includes one or more horizontally-disposed upper surfaces adapted to engage and be temporarily secured to a ceiling joist of the building structure or a construction panel installed thereto. 
     
     
         13 . The positioning tool of  claim 1 , wherein the common edge of the upper surfaces of the ramp section and the support platform is a forward edge of the upper surface of the support platform, and wherein the ramp section extends perpendicular to the forward edge of the support platform. 
     
     
         14 . The positioning tool of  claim 1 , wherein the ramp member is hingedly coupled to the stabilizing member. 
     
     
         15 . A construction panel support tool to temporarily support a construction panel relative to a panel installation site, the support tool comprising:
 a suspension frame adapted to movably mount the tool on a ceiling joist, the suspension frame further including elongate top and bottom guide members respectively configured to slidably engage the top surface and the opposing side surfaces, and the bottom surface, of the ceiling joist, wherein the top and bottom guide members are coupled to maintain a predetermined spaced relation therebetween;   an elongate support member coupled to the suspension frame and configured, when the suspension tool is suspended from a ceiling joist, to extend away from the suspension frame in a plane substantially parallel to, and spaced below, that of the bottom surface of the ceiling joist.   
     
     
         15 . The panel support tool of  claim 15 , wherein the top and bottom guide members are adjustably coupled to allow adjustment of the distance therebetween to thereby accommodate ceiling joists of different heights. 
     
     
         17 . The panel support tool of  claim 15 , wherein the elongate support member extends away from the suspension frame substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The panel support tool of  claim 15 , wherein the suspension frame further includes one or more struts rigidly coupling the top and bottom guide members, and wherein the elongate support member is mounted to a portion of one or more of the struts that extends below the bottom guide member. 
     
     
         19 . The panel support tool of  claim 15 , wherein the elongate support member is mounted for pivotable movement within a limited range relative to the plane of the bottom surface of the ceiling joist. 
     
     
         20 . A construction panel support system to position and temporarily support a construction panel relative to a panel installation site, the panel support system comprising:
 one or more construction panel positioning tools, each positioning tool further including:
 a ramp member having a support platform at an upper end thereof configured to receive and support a portion of a construction panel and a ramp section adjacent the support platform and sharing a common edge therewith, the ramp section including a substantially planar upper surface configured to slidingly engage and guide a portion of a construction panel placed thereon toward the support platform; and 
 a stabilizing member coupled to the ramp member, the stabilizing member being configured to engage a structural component of a building structure to support the ramp member in a predetermined position relative to the installation site; and 
   one or more construction panel support tools, each support tool further including:
 a suspension frame adapted to movably mount the support tool on a ceiling joist, the suspension frame having elongate top and bottom guide members configured to collectively slidingly engage the top, bottom, and side surfaces of a ceiling joist; and 
 an elongate support member coupled to the suspension frame and disposed to extend in a plane substantially parallel to, and spaced below, that of the bottom surface of a ceiling joist to which the support tool is movably mounted.