US 200800O8561A1

(19) United States

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2008/0008561 A1
Hontz, JR. (43) Pub. Date: Jan. 10, 2008
(54) SELF-ADJUSTING DRYWALL CRANE (52) U.S. Cl. ................................................................ 414/11
(76) Inventor: Carl Obid Hontz JR., Newark, DE
(US) (57) ABSTRACT
Correspondence Address: A device for positioning drywall at any angle to a 12 ft
CARL OBD HONTZ, JR height. Comprised of a cradle (7) on which drywall is
235 SMALLEYS DAM RD loaded, the cradle (7) floats and rotates, utilizing the self
NEWARK, DE 19702-3007 (US) adjusting head. The cradle is pinned to a boom (5). The
boom (5) is pinned to the boom assembly (4), which is
(21) Appl. No.: 11/143,466 hinged to the tower (1). A scissor-jack (3) is bolted to the
1-1. tower (1). The Scissor-jack (3) is manually cranked, acting
(22) Filed: Aug. 17, 2005 upon the boom assembly (4), raising or lowering it. The
Related U.S. Application Dat cradle (7) will maintain nearly the same angle from loading
e pplication Uata to highest position. Drywall is held secure by lugs. When the
(60) Provisional application No. 60/577,041, filed on Jun. drywall touches the Surface, the rotating head will automati
7, 2004. cally adjust the cradle (7) to the wall or ceiling angle. The
s cradle (7) design allows for safely working beneath the
Publication Classification entire sheet. The stability of the device allows for maximum
maneuverability. Cradle (7), boom (5) and legs (2) can be
51)
(51) Int. C. detached for ease of disassembling9. and transport.
p A single
9.
Et)4G 2L/14 (2006.01) person can install drywall.
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US 2008/0008561 A1 Jan. 10, 2008

SELF-ADJUSTING DRYWALL CRANE as a stabilizing device to hold up to 6500 pounds when

not raising or lowering the drywall.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION 0013 (e) A device that is easily maneuverable when
empty or when loaded with drywall and with the
0001) This application claims the benefit of PPA Appl. platform in any position. It can be easily pushed or
No. 60/577,041 filed Jun. 07, 2004, by the present inventor. pulled over rough surfaces or wires and cables.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 0014 (f) Adevice which allows the drywall to be lifted
only approximately 20 inches to place on the platform.
0002) Not Applicable The platform can be raised to a more comfortable
height for a taller person.
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
0003) Not Applicable 0015 (g) A device which holds the drywall securely in
place, but allows for maximum maneuverability of the
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD
drywall sheet into the desired position within 2 inches.
OF INVENTION 0016 (h) A device which lifts and holds a sheet of
drywall or lowers the drywall, if necessary, safely and
0004. This invention relates to drywall lifting devices, without fear of freefall. It provides a safe environment,
specifically to an improved craning mechanism and self even when standing under the platform and drywall.
adjusting platform.
0017 (i) A device that can lift both 8 feet and 12 feet
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION panels and can install panels on a 12 feet high wall or
ceiling.
0005. In the process of building a new home by myself,
I was in need of a drywall lift that could be used for 11 feet 0018 () A device that embodies a floating, self-ad
high walls and ceilings. The standard lifts currently on the justing head, which allows for installation of a panel on
market would only reach 10 feet. The model designed to walls or ceilings at any angle and with no adjustments
reach 14 feet required the drywall to be lifted 7 feet to place necessary to any part of the device.
on the platform, which is difficult even for two people. I 0019 (k) A device that can be loaded, operated and
needed something that I could maneuver easily myself, that allows for installation of a drywall panel by a single
would reach the desired heights and that was inexpensive to person.
make. Safety was foremost in my mind, a factor I found
lacking in the current market devices. My 30 years of SUMMARY
experience as a crane operator helped me to realize this goal.
0006 U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,299 issued on Jan. 4, 2000 to 0020. This is a drywall lifting crane that enables a single
Ronald Jesswein discloses a Lifting and Positioning Device person to apply drywall to higher ceilings and walls, as
(Prior Art FIG. 1) that has a large number of parts and found in most currently built homes. It is easily maneuver
utilizes an indexing arrangement for positioning the drywall able and safe to operate.
platform. It appears to be heavy and cumbersome, utilizing BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
a floor jack that alone can weigh approximately 65 pounds.
A common floor jack also routinely displays cautions on 0021 FIG. 1 shows the drywall crane platform in the
their labels to not get under the object or load being lifted. maximum lowered position.
0007 U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,810 B1 issued on Jun. 12, 2001 0022 FIG. 2 shows the drywall crane platform in the
to Guadalupe Reyes discloses a Drywall Handyman (Prior fully raised position.
Art FIG. 3), which utilizes a friction brake. If a panel should
need to be lowered, pressure must me applied to a brake DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS 1 AND
handle. Since there is no racheting system to gently lower 2. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
the panel, the platform and drywall are subject to freefall. I 0023 The device consists of a tubular steel tower 1.
have spoken to many drywall handlers who do not trust these which is welded to a tubular base that has 2 sets of wheels
devices.
attached. Two tubular legs 2. are inserted into the tubular
0008 Accordingly, several advantages of my invention base. The legs have a third set of wheels attached to the front
a. to stabilize the device and to make it highly maneuverable.
0009 (a) A device that has only 7 parts 0024. The lifting device 3. is a scissor-lift, capable of
hoisting 6500 pounds. It is bolted to the tower 1. frame. The
0010 (b) A device that is lightweight, tubular steel, tubular steel boom assembly 4. is attached to the top of the
used in building lightweight, strong, load-bearing scaf lifting device 3. with a pin. The top of the boom assembly
folding. The total weight is approximately 74 pounds. 4. is attached to the top of the tower 1... with a 5 inch hinge.
0011 (c) A device that can be completely assembled in 0.025 The tubular steel boom 5. with the attached drywall
one (1) minute and disassembled in 30 seconds. cradle 7. is inserted into the boom assembly 4. The drywall
cradle 7. is a balanced, pivoting platform, which has been
0012 (d) A device that uniquely utilizes a scissor-lift pinned to the base of the boom 5. A tension spring 6. is
device (FIG. 1), which is manufacture-rated at a maxi hooked to the drywall cradle 7. and to the boom 5. to hold
mum lift capacity of 6500 pounds and can also be used the drywall cradle 7. at an approximate 40 degree angle.
US 2008/0008561 A1 Jan. 10, 2008

OPERATION FIGS. 1, 2 ADVANTAGES

0026. You need to lift a sheet of drywall approximately 0032. From the description above, it is evident that the
20 inches to place on the cradle 7. lugs, which keep the sheet process of hanging a sheet of drywall can be done by a single
securely against the drywall cradle 7. person, with ease of assembly and ease of maneuvering.
0027. The lifting device 3. is activated by a hand-crank to Above all, this device embodies a high level of stability
the desired height. The lifting device 3. will act upon the which enables this process to be done safely.
boom assembly 4. to raise or lower the drywall cradle 7. I claim:
1. A self-adjusting drywall lifting device comprising:
0028. When the drywall cradle 7. touches the wall or a) a detachable, rotating, self-adjusting cradle on which to
ceiling to which the drywall is to be secured, the drywall place a sheet of drywall,
cradle 7. will automatically pivot and level itself off to the
pitch of the wall or ceiling. b) a detachable boom for Supporting and positioning said
drywall cradle,
0029. The entire device can then be rolled to facilitate c) a Scissor-jack lifting device for raising or lowering said
closer placement, within 2 inches of the nailing position.
You can also safely work beneath the entire 8 or 10 foot boom,
drywall sheet, since there is no center post to impede d) a tower, which houses said Scissor-jack, and
maneuverability as in other drywall lifts. e) a detachable legs assembly having rotatable wheels
0030) The boom 5. can be lowered safely by reverse thereunder, for enabling the drywall lifting device to be
cranking the lifting device. 3. rolled to the desired location,
0031. The device can be disassembled in seconds and whereby a sheet of drywall can be attached to a wall or
broken down into 4 parts: The base containing the tower 1. ceiling at any angle to a height of twelve (12) feet by
and Scissor-lift, the two (2) stabilizing legs 2, and the boom means of said self-adjusting cradle and whereby the
5. containing the drywall cradle. 7. The largest part of the process can be safely done by a single person.
disassembled device will fit through a 20 inch doorway. k k k k k