Drywall installation apparatus

Abstract

A drywall installation apparatus includes a support for holding a piece of drywall to be installed on a stud wall, an extension to adjust the length of the drywall installation apparatus, and a base to which a lifting mechanism may be coupled to raise the drywall installation apparatus and the piece of drywall being supported into a desired position for installation on a stud wall. The drywall installation apparatus further includes an alignment member to assist in orienting properly the piece of sheetrock to be installed on the stud wall.

1 . A drywall installation apparatus, comprising: 
 an extension section;    a support coupled to the extension section, the support sized to receive and support a piece of drywall;    a base coupled to the extension section opposite the support, the base being engageable by a lift mechanism to lift the drywall installation apparatus and the piece of drywall to install the piece of drywall on a stud wall.    
     
     
         2 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 1   , further comprising an alignment member coupled to the extension, the alignment member engaging a stud in the stud wall to ensure proper alignment of the piece of drywall.  
     
     
         3 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 1   , further comprising an alignment member coupled to the extension, the alignment member comprising a pair of spaced guides which straddle a stud of the stud wall to align the piece of drywall.  
     
     
         4 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 1    wherein the extension is adjustable to vary the length of the drywall installation apparatus according to a desired installation height for the piece of drywall.  
     
     
         5 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 1    wherein the extension is telescopically adjustable to vary the length of the drywall installation apparatus according to a desired installation height for the piece of drywall.  
     
     
         6 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 1    wherein the support comprises a support shelf.  
     
     
         7 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 1    wherein the support comprises a generally U-shaped cradle.  
     
     
         8 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 1   , further comprising a stand coupled to the extension, the stand supporting the drywall installation apparatus.  
     
     
         9 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 1    wherein the base comprises an aperture for receiving an end of a lifting device used to lift the combined drywall installation apparatus and piece of drywall.  
     
     
         10 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 1    wherein the base comprises an aperture for receiving an end of a roll jack used to lift the combined drywall installation apparatus and piece of drywall.  
     
     
         11 . A drywall installation apparatus, comprising: 
 a support shelf to support a piece of drywall to be installed on a stud wall;    a telescoping extension rod coupled to the support shelf;    a base coupled to the extension rod, the base having a location for coupling a lifting device.    
     
     
         12 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 11   , further comprising an alignment member coupled to the extension rod, the alignment member engaging a stud in the stud wall to ensure proper alignment of the piece of drywall.  
     
     
         13 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 11   , further comprising an alignment member coupled to the extension rod, the alignment member comprising a pair of spaced guides which straddle a stud of the stud wall to align the piece of drywall.  
     
     
         14 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 11    wherein the extension rod is adjustable to vary the length of the drywall installation apparatus according to a desired installation height for the piece of drywall.  
     
     
         15 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 11    wherein the extension rod is telescopically adjustable to vary the length of the drywall installation apparatus according to a desired installation height for the piece of drywall.  
     
     
         16 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 11    wherein the support comprises a support shelf.  
     
     
         17 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 11    wherein the support comprises a generally U-shaped cradle.  
     
     
         18 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 11   , further comprising a stand coupled to the extension rod, the stand supporting the drywall installation apparatus.  
     
     
         19 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 11    wherein the base comprises an aperture for receiving an end of a lifting device used to lift the combined drywall installation apparatus and piece of drywall.  
     
     
         20 . A drywall installation apparatus according to    claim 11    wherein the base comprises an aperture for receiving an end of a roll jack used to lift the combined drywall installation apparatus and piece of drywall.  
     
     
         21 . A method of installing a piece of sheet rock, comprising: 
 providing an adjustable drywall installation apparatus, the drywall installation apparatus comprising an extension section, a support, and a base;    placing a piece of sheet rock on the support;    positioning a lifting device in an operable condition on the support;    exerting a lifting force on the installation apparatus to lift the piece of drywall to a desired position for installation.    
     
     
         22 . The method of    claim 21   , further comprising using exclusively a foot of an installer to lift the piece of drywall.