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  Mechanical load bearing deviceUSPTO Application #: 20080056853Title: Mechanical load bearing device Abstract: A load bearing device for supporting ceilings during repair, said load bearing device including: a base having at least one support; a lifting means connected to said base, said lifting means including an operating mechanism used to operate said lifting means and an elongate extension means having a lower end and a upper end; a pressure plate mounted on said upper end of said elongate extension means to apply a load to and raise a portion of said ceiling when said lifting means is operated; said lifting means being arranged to move through a predetermined distance, the distance being substantially equivalent to a typical sagging distance, the lifting means being arranged to indicate to a user when it has moved through the predetermined distance. (end of abstract) Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C. - Philadelphia, PA, US Inventor: David WILLIS USPTO Applicaton #: 20080056853 - Class: 414 11 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080056853. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]The present invention is related to a mechanical load bearing device, in particular a mechanical load bearing device for the vertical hoisting of ceilings by a single person. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]There are many designs available for vertical lifting equipment, however much of the equipment available is not readily manoeuvrable with a load in place and many require the operator to use both hands to lift and manoeuvre the device, whereby the load being lifted is either unattended or additional people are required to complete the operation. [0003]In the construction industry, by way of example, it is often required to repair ceilings which over time have sagged. When such a ceiling sags over time, the plasterboard ceiling will typically set (goes hard) in the position to which it has sagged. If the plasterboard and ceiling are not repaired the ceiling will eventually fall down causing major damage to other sections of the ceiling and the contents below. To lift the ceiling back to the desired horizontal position and hold it in place while the ceiling is repaired would require several workers. It is firstly apparent that such workers are not effectively used. Secondly it takes several workers to place props in position to hold the ceiling in place and this requires substantial physical effort to push a sagged ceiling back into place. The props are normally used to hold the ceiling once it is in the required position to be repaired so further substantial physical effort is required to lift and hold a ceiling prior to placement of the props. [0004]There are also several devices known which allow the overhead installation of plasterboard panels and cornices. In the construction of a ceiling, a plasterboard panel is lifted into place and supported by a panel hoisting and positioning device. The device allows the panel to be held effectively and positively in place while the panel is fixed to the rafters in the ceiling. These devices are designed to place and support a sheet of plasterboard in a position to be fixed to the ceiling rafters, they do not require the device to be able to apply substantial force to the plasterboard as it is only required to support the plasterboard while it is fixed to the ceiling. [0005]With the installation of cornices it is generally recognised that the process requires the use of at least two operators in order to install a standard ceiling cornice. However, it is possible to install a lightweight cornice using only one person. This installation is carried out by means of driving a large 4 inch nail into the wall at the opposite end of the cornice which would have normally been held by the other operator to hold the cornice in place. This method of installing lightweight cornices is not acceptable for solid plaster walls as it causes extensive damage to wall and requires the wall to be repaired once the cornice has been installed. There is also the problem that the nail which is holding the cornice may come out before the cornice is properly installed and thereby damage the cornice. As stated above this method of installation is only appropriate for lightweight (gyprock) cornice, it cannot be used for heavier (plasterglass) cornice. [0006]Also known in the construction industry are vertical lifting devices which allow materials such as kitchen cabinets to be installed along vertical walls. The devices are used to lift and support the materials while the materials are fixed in place to the wall, they are not required to apply a substantial force to the materials as they are only required to support and hold the materials. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. [0007]Any discussion of documents, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008]The present invention provides a load bearing device for supporting ceilings during repair, said load bearing device including: [0009]a base having at least one support; [0010]a lifting means connected to said base, said lifting means including an operating mechanism used to operate said lifting means and an elongate extension means having a lower end and a upper end; [0011]a pressure plate mounted on said upper end of said elongate extension means to apply a load to and raise a portion of said ceiling when said lifting means is operated; [0012]said lifting means being arranged to move through a predetermined distance, the distance being substantially equivalent to a typical sagging distance, the lifting means being arranged to indicate to a user when it has moved through the predetermined distance. [0013]In another embodiment the present invention provides a load bearing device for supporting ceilings during repair, said load bearing device including: [0014]a tripod base having a plurality of legs each having an upper end and a lower end, a wheel connected to the lower end of each leg to allow the device to be manoeuvrable; [0015]a support having a top end and a bottom end, said plurality of legs attached to said support; [0016]a lifting means including an operating mechanism used to operate said lifting means and said lifting means is connected to said top end of said support, said lifting means including: [0017]a release mechanism to allow the lifting means to retract after use; [0018]an elongate extension means having a lower end and a upper end, said lower end connected to said lifting means; [0019]a pressure plate attached to said upper end of said elongate extension means to apply a load to and raise a portion of said ceiling when said lifting means is operated; [0020]wherein said lifting means being arranged to move through a predetermined distance, the distance being substantially equivalent to a typical sagging distance, the lifting means being arranged to indicate to a user when it has moved through the predetermined distance. [0021]The present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art by providing a mechanical load bearing device which is easily operated by a single person. The device allows a single operator to repair a sagging ceiling without the requirement of an assistant. For example, once a ceiling has been re-positioned by the mechanical load bearing device the single operator is then easily able to use such devices as an auto-collating screw gun to fix the ceiling back to its original position. The device also allows the repair to be carried out using less physical effort as the device is used to hoist the sagging ceiling and also hold the ceiling while the repair is carried out. Finally the device allows the operator to perform the repair in substantially less time than had previously been required to repair a ceiling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0022]The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which, however, should not be taken to be limitative to the invention, but are for explanation and understanding only. Continue reading... Full patent description for Mechanical load bearing device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Mechanical load bearing device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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