Multi-Stage Drywall Hydraulic Lift System

Abstract

A multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system for efficiently lifting a drywall panel while providing increased precision in positioning of the drywall panel. The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system generally includes a telescoping drywall lifter, a hydraulic actuator connected to the telescoping drywall lifter to extend and retract the telescoping drywall lifter. A hydraulic pump is fluidly connected to the hydraulic actuator. A valve unit is fluidly positioned between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic actuator to control the flow of fluid to the hydraulic actuator based upon a desired vertical lift velocity.

1 . A multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system for efficiently and precisely lifting a drywall panel, comprising:
 a telescoping drywall lifter to lift and lower a drywall panel, wherein said telescoping drywall lifter includes a plurality of legs, a lower lifting member, a plurality of telescoping lifting members extending upwardly from said lower lifting member and an upper support;   a hydraulic actuator mechanically connected to said telescoping drywall lifter to selectively extend and retract said lower lifting member and said plurality of telescoping lifting members;   a hydraulic pump fluidly connected to said hydraulic actuator, wherein said hydraulic pump provides pressurized fluid to said hydraulic actuator;   a valve unit fluidly positioned between said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic actuator to adjustably control a flow rate of said pressurized fluid to said hydraulic actuator based upon a desired vertical lift velocity; and   a control unit in communication with said valve unit to control said flow of said pressurized fluid.   
   
   
       2 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 1 , wherein said valve unit has a normal state and an activated state, wherein said normal state allows a first flow rate of fluid and wherein said activated state allows a second flow rate of fluid that is different from said first flow rate. 
   
   
       3 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 2 , wherein said second flow rate is significantly less than said first flow rate. 
   
   
       4 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 2 , wherein said activated state is activated by closing an activation switch in said control unit. 
   
   
       5 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 1 , wherein said control unit communicates with said valve unit via wireless communications. 
   
   
       6 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 1 , wherein said control unit is attached to said telescoping drywall lifter. 
   
   
       7 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 1 , wherein said valve unit is comprised of a valve block. 
   
   
       8 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 1 , wherein said control unit is in communication with said hydraulic pump to control the operation of said hydraulic pump. 
   
   
       9 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 1 , wherein said hydraulic pump is electrically connected to a battery. 
   
   
       10 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 1 , including a reservoir fluidly connected between said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic actuator. 
   
   
       11 . A multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system for efficiently and precisely lifting a drywall panel, comprising:
 a telescoping drywall lifter to lift and lower a drywall panel, wherein said telescoping drywall lifter includes a plurality of legs, a lower lifting member, a plurality of telescoping lifting members extending upwardly from said lower lifting member and an upper support;   a hydraulic actuator mechanically connected to said telescoping drywall lifter to selectively extend and retract said lower lifting member and said plurality of telescoping lifting members;   a hydraulic pump fluidly connected to said hydraulic actuator, wherein said hydraulic pump provides pressurized fluid to said hydraulic actuator;   a valve unit fluidly positioned between said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic actuator to adjustably control a flow rate of said pressurized fluid to said hydraulic actuator based upon a desired vertical lift velocity;   wherein said valve unit is comprised of a first valve controlling flow of fluid through a first path and a second valve controlling a flow of fluid through a second path to said hydraulic actuator, wherein said first path has a first flow rate and wherein said second path has a second flow rate, wherein said first flow rate is greater than said second flow rate; and   a control unit in communication with said valve unit to control said flow of said pressurized fluid.   
   
   
       12 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 11 , wherein said valve unit has a normal state and an activated state, wherein said normal state allows said first valve to remain open with said second valve closed and wherein said activated state includes said first valve closed with said second valve open. 
   
   
       13 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 12 , wherein said activated state is activated by closing an activation switch in said control unit. 
   
   
       14 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 12 , wherein said second flow rate is significantly less than said first flow rate. 
   
   
       15 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 11 , wherein said control unit communicates with said valve unit via wireless communications. 
   
   
       16 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 11 , wherein said control unit is attached to said telescoping drywall lifter. 
   
   
       17 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 11 , wherein said valve unit is comprised of a valve block. 
   
   
       18 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 11 , wherein said control unit is in communication with said hydraulic pump to control the operation of said hydraulic pump. 
   
   
       19 . The multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system of  claim 11 , wherein said hydraulic pump is electrically connected to a battery. 
   
   
       20 . A multi-stage drywall hydraulic lift system for efficiently and precisely lifting a drywall panel, comprising:
 a telescoping drywall lifter to lift and lower a drywall panel, wherein said telescoping drywall lifter includes a plurality of legs, a lower lifting member, a plurality of telescoping lifting members extending upwardly from said lower lifting member and an upper support;   a hydraulic actuator mechanically connected to said telescoping drywall lifter to selectively extend and retract said lower lifting member and said plurality of telescoping lifting members;   a hydraulic pump fluidly connected to said hydraulic actuator, wherein said hydraulic pump provides pressurized fluid to said hydraulic actuator;   a reservoir fluidly connected between said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic actuator;   a valve unit fluidly positioned between said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic actuator to adjustably control a flow rate of said pressurized fluid to said hydraulic actuator based upon a desired vertical lift velocity;   wherein said valve unit is comprised of a valve block;   wherein said valve unit is comprised of a first valve controlling flow of fluid through a first path and a second valve controlling a flow of fluid through a second path to said hydraulic actuator, wherein said first path has a first flow rate and wherein said second path has a second flow rate, wherein said first flow rate is greater than said second flow rate;   a control unit in communication with said valve unit to control said flow of said pressurized fluid and with said hydraulic pump to control the operation of said hydraulic pump;   wherein said valve unit has a normal state and an activated state, wherein said normal state allows said first valve to remain open with said second valve closed and wherein said activated state includes said first valve closed with said second valve open;   wherein said activated state is activated by closing an activation switch in said control unit;   wherein said second flow rate is significantly less than said first flow rate;   wherein said control unit communicates with said valve unit via wireless communications; and   a battery electrically connected to said valve unit, said hydraulic pump and said control unit.