Patent Publication Number: US-4733844-A

Title: Sheet rock support devise

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to sheetrock support that is conveniently adjustable to various working areas, heights and loads. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     One prior art device used for supporting sheetrock to be nailed to ceiling beams contains an operation of reloading sheetrock by pulling down platform against an already compressed support spring and clutch friction spring, to allow space for the next sheet. Then sheetrock is raised by two operators almost to ceiling, and made ready to be spring launched to ceiling. The problem with this spring launching is its tendancy to damage the lighter materials as it is slammed against the ceiling under the main body battering force of the device, which is sprung with the sheetrock. 
     This rigid platform structure and base makes it difficult to make final adjustments to sheetrock and often requires pulling down against loaded springs a second time and often a third time. Note* Friction clutch is used only to keep table or platform in the down or collapsed position. It cannot be used to hold the sheetrock in the up position. 
     The value and efficiency of prior art have been greatly diminished when adapting to varied working areas, heights and loads. 
     It would be of great value to the art to provide a support device light enough in weight to be easily adjusted to heights and desired pressures in one step. It would be of great value to the art also to eliminate any rigid base and platform to reduce weight and attain maximum ease of maneuverability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of this invention to provide a support for sheetrock that can handle equally well wide varations in ceiling heights, sizes and weights of sheetrock and be operated from floor, stilts, scaffold or step ladder with equal ease. 
     It is also an object of this invention that when set in close proximity, it can be easily released and moved to support position by an operator using one hand. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational drawing of a sheetrock support device constructed in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional, exploded view of the upper portion of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3. is an exploded and isometric view of the springless friction-clutch. 
     FIG. 4. is an elevational and cross-section view of the lower portion of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a sheetrock support device in accordance with the invention, pin 16 fastens foot compression step lever 12 to lower support tube 18 and also acts as stop and guide for spring support tube 10 along slot 14. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, Compression spring 72 bears to spring stop 74 which is fastened to lower support tube 18 by retaining pin 24. 
     Referring back to FIG. 1, lower support tube member 18 is received by middle support tube 28 and is connected by adjusting stages 30, by pin and clevis 26. Middle support tube member 28 is received by upper support tube 34 and is connected by pin and clevis 32. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, hand piece 40 is used for pushing down on main support column of 18, 28, and 34 and compresses support spring 72 of FIG. 4, while height adjusting rod 52 is being raised up. Clutch 76 slides down and bears on flanged bushing 42. Friction clutch lever 44 clamps clutch pieces 46 together and binds them between friction clutch levers bearing points 48 and 70 of FIG. 3. Pin 50 bears on and keeps level pieces 46 together and binds them between friction clutch levers bearing points 48 and 70 of FIG. 3. Pin 50 bears on and keeps level piece 46 when sliding down adjusting support member 52. Adjusting support member 52 is guided by flanged bushing 42, stops 38 and guides 36, in upper support tube 34. 
     Shoulder bolt 62 goes through spring 60 and bracket 58 and shoulders on bracket support 56 and is torqued into support rod 52, on which platform 64 is mounted.