GB2542550A

GB2542550A - Positioning device

Info

Publication number: GB2542550A
Application number: GB1512722.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Grimshaw Stephen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-07-20
Filing date: 2015-07-20
Publication date: 2017-03-29
Also published as: GB201512722D0

Abstract

A device 1 for positioning a panel comprises a support structure 2 and a supporting member 14. The support structure is attached to a mount, such as a joist, beam or stud, by at least one anchor 12. Once attached to the mount, the support structure is moveable between a first position and a second position, and may be held in the second position by the supporting member. The support structure may be a rectangular frame formed from releasably connected bars. One or more of the bars may be extendible in length. The support structure may additionally comprise a tab 9, lip or flange extending from the support. The at least one anchor may be connected to the support structure by a hinge or via a cylindrical rod 13. The supporting member may be extendible and may be releasably connected to the support structure, and may be provided with a foot.

Description

Positioning Device

Field of Invention

The invention relates to a device for the positioning of panels. In particular the invention relates to a device for the positioning of plasterboard panels on wall and ceiling structures.

Background

Plasterboard, also known as drywall, wallboard, or gypsum board, is a type of panelling that is commonly used to construct the interior of houses, offices and other buildings. To install plasterboard, each panel is cut into the desired shape and size and then secured to wall or ceiling structures with screws, nails, glue, or other suitable fasters.

Multiple plasterboard panels are generally required to cover a single interior wall or ceiling. The installation of plasterboard panels is manpower intensive. Typically, one or more workers are required to hold the panel in position, while another worker secures the panel to the underlying wall studs or ceiling joists. Requiring multiple workers to install each plasterboard panel inevitably leads to high construction costs. Furthermore, such work may require the use of multiple ladders, thereby subjecting the workers to off-balance positions and potential falls.

In addition, the manual handling of plasterboard panels for the construction of interior walls and ceilings has been found to be the leading cause of musculoskeletal disease (MSD) in the UK construction industry (Reid, A., Pinder, A.D.J. and Monnington, S. HSL/2001/13). MSDs include any injury, damage or disorder of the joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, or tendons in the upper/lower limbs or the back.

An investigation performed by the UK Health and Safety Executive in 2010 found that when installing plasterboard panels, workers are exposed highly repetitive and awkward postures, such as bending forward, trunk twisting, and reaching with the hands above shoulder height. Furthermore, it was shown that workers often have a poor grip on the panels, as they are generally bulky and difficult to handle, and that workers are frequently required to lift the panels over a large vertical lift region.

Lifting and holding plasterboard panels into position while fitting them to ceilings was identified as having an even higher level of MSD risk compared to fixing to walls, since the worker is required to support the weight of the board, above head height, while manoeuvring the board into position, and maintain their posture until the board can be fixed into position.

In order to overcome these problems, a variety of handling aids and lifting/positioning devices exist that reduce the amount of manual handling workers must perform. However, such devices are typically expensive, difficult to install, and cumbersome to use. Further, such devices are generally only suitable for use on either a wall or a ceiling, not both.

Summary of Invention

Aspects of the invention provide a positioning device for positioning a panel of material adjacent a mount to which the panel is to be fixed, the device comprising a support structure for supporting the panel, the support structure being provided with at least one anchoring means for attaching the support structure to the mount; and a supporting member; wherein, in use, once attached to the mount, the support structure is moveable between a first position and a second position and may be held in the second position by the supporting member.

One use of the positioning device is for positioning a panel of plasterboard against a wall or ceiling to which the plasterboard is to be attached. The positioning device comprises a support structure for supporting the panel in position. The support structure can be any suitable frame or board capable of supporting the panel. It is preferably substantially rigid, so as to be able to hold the panel in position. The support structure may be any suitable shape, such triangular, square or rectangular, and has a number of sides. The support structure is generally planar, or has at least one planar face against which the panel may be placed. In one embodiment, the support structure is rectangular, having two sides, two ends and two planar faces.

When the support structure is a frame, it may generally comprise a number of bars that make the frame. Any appropriate material may be used to make the bars, for example, metal, such as steel, plastic or wood. The bars may be joined together, or the frame may be made up of one long bar that is bent into the appropriate shape. Where the frame comprises more than one rod or bar and they are joined together, any appropriate joint may be used. The joints may be permanent, for example metal bars could be welded together, or may be releasable, allowing the frame to be broken down. Releasable joints have the advantage of making the device easier to transport. In one embodiment, the joints are push sockets, provided between the bars and into which the ends of two bars can be pushed to temporarily connect them together.

The support structure may be fixed in size or may be variable in size. For example, the support structure may be extendible in one or more directions. This allows the support structure to be used with panels of different sizes. When the support structure is a frame, made up of bars connected together, the bars may be extendible, allowing the support structure size to be changed.

The panel may rest directly on the support structure, or the support structure may have any number of raised projections on which the panel can rest. Such raised projections may be taken to include stubs, blocks, or ridges.

The support structure may have one or more holding means to assist with holding the panel in place once it is placed onto the support structure. For example, the support structure may be provided with a tab or lip or flange, which extends from the support structure and against which panel can rest. In one embodiment, the support structure is provided with one or more tabs that may be extended from one side of the support structure, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the planar face of the support structure. The tab or tabs may be moveable into a position perpendicular to the plane of the planar face, or may be fixed in that position.

In order to position the panel, the positioning device is provided with at least one anchoring means to allow it to be temporarily attached to the wall or ceiling to which the panel is to be fixed. In particular, the positioning device may be temporarily attached to a mount within the wall or ceiling, such as a joist, beam or stud. The anchoring means may be any suitable attachment means, such as a screw plate, loop or other anchor that may be screwed, stapled or otherwise temporarily attached to the mount.

The anchoring means is preferably provided on or linked to one side or end of the support structure. The anchoring means is preferably linked to the support structure in such a way that, once the anchoring means is attached to the mount in the wall or ceiling, the support structure may be moved from a position in which its planar face is away from the wall or ceiling into a position in which it is parallel to the wall or ceiling. For example, the anchoring means may be linked to the support structure via a hinge or other joint about which the support structure may pivot or rotate.

In one embodiment, the anchoring means is linked to the support structure via a cylindrical rod. The anchoring means is connected to the rod. The support structure is provided with at least two hooks or loops on one of its sides, through which the rod is passed. The rod may rotate within the hooks or loops, which in effect allows the support structure to be pivoted in relation to the anchoring means. This embodiment provides the advantage that the support structure may be slid along the rod, allowing it to be moved, in the direction of the axis of the rod, in relation to the anchoring means. This allows the user to position the support structure in the most appropriate place for attaching the panel, without having to move the anchoring means. The rod, hooks or loops may then be provided with stoppers to releasably lock the support structure in place on the rod, once the optimal position has been found.

In use, once the anchoring means are attached to the joist, the panel is placed against the planar face of the support structure. The support structure is then moved into position so that the panel is between the planar face of the support structure and the wall or ceiling to which it is to be fixed. In order to allow the support structure to be held in that position, the device is preferably provided with a prop. The prop is preferably connected to one end or side of the support structure, particularly a different end or side to the anchoring means. Where the support structure is rectangular, the prop is preferably provided on the opposite side or end to the anchoring means.

The prop is preferably connected to the support structure by a joint that allows movement of the prop in relation to the support structure. Any appropriate joint may be used. For example, the prop may be attached to the support structure via a cylindrical rod, in a similar manner to the anchoring means. Preferably the prop may be connected to and detached from the support structure, to allow for easy storage of the device. In use, once the support structure is in the desired position in relation to the wall or ceiling, the prop is moved such that it rests against the floor, propping the support structure in place. The panel will then be positioned against the wall or ceiling, allowing the user to attach it to the wall or ceiling, without having to hold it in place themselves.

The prop is of such a shape and size that is able to reach between the ceiling or wall to which the panel is to be attached and the floor of the room. It may be of fixed length, or may be of variable length. In one embodiment it is an extendible pole. The prop may be provided with a foot to rest against the floor, which may help to prevent the prop from slipping.

An example of the invention will now be described in detail, with reference to the figures. Although the invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and structures, this description is not to be construed in a limiting sense.

Figure 1 shows the component parts of the positioning device 1 prior to assembly and attachment to a ceiling joist or wall stud.

Figure 2 shows frame 2 after assembly and attachment to a ceiling joist 20.

Figure 3 shows frame 2 after assembly and attachment to a wall stud 22.

Specific Description

According to figure 1, the positioning device 1 comprises a rectangular-planar frame 2 that is assembled from four frame members or bars 3, 4, 5 and 6. Frame members 3 and 5 are each provided with two studs 10, one at each end. Frame members 4 and 6 have openings 11 at both ends. The frame 2 is assembled by slotting the studs 10 of frame members 3 and 5 into the openings 11 of frame members 4 and 6.

Frame member 4 is provided with two hooks 7 positioned along one side. At least one of frame members 5 and 6 is provided two loops 8 positioned along one side and two supporting feet 9 positioned on the opposite side. In the embodiment shown in figure 1, both frame members 5 and 6 are provided with the loops 8 and feet 9; however in other embodiments, the loops and feet are only provided on one of the frame members (as shown in figure 2).

Positioning device 1 also comprises an anchoring means, comprising three loop anchors 12, which consist of a metal loop attached to a screw plate, and a cylindrical rod 13. The cylindrical rod 13 may be placed within hoops 7 to connect the frame 2 to the anchoring means.

Positioning device 1 further comprises a supporting member or prop 14, which comprises an outer beam 15 having a base 16, and inner beam 17, which can be joined to a second cylindrical rod 18 via a screw attachment. The length of the supporting member 14 can be adjusted by sliding the inner bar 17 relative to the outer bar 15. A bolt 19 thread through a fixed threaded hole present in the outer bar 15 is used to clamp the inner bar 17 in position within outer bar 15, in order to maintain a desired overall length of the supporting member 14. The second cylindrical rod 18 may be positioned in the hoops 8 on the frame member, to connect the supporting member to the frame.

To attach the positioning device 1 to a ceiling joist 20 as shown in figure 2, the user screws the loop anchors 12 into the ceiling joist 20 at spaced intervals adjacent to the ceiling area to which the panel is to be fixed. Cylindrical rod 13 is threaded through the three loops of the loop anchors 12. The user hangs frame 2 from cylindrical rod 13 using the two hooks 7 positioned on one side of frame member 4.

The user threads cylindrical rod 18 through the two loops 8 positioned on one side of frame member 6. The supporting member 14 is then attached to cylindrical rod 18. The user places the panel of material onto the supporting feet 9 of frame member 6, so that it rests against frame 2. The supporting member 14 is then used to rotate and push frame 2 upwards towards the ceiling until frame 2 is parallel with the ceiling and the panel of material lies flat against the ceiling joists 20 to which it is to be mounted.

If necessary, the position of frame 2 relative to the ceiling can be adjusted by using the supporting member 14 to slide the frame 2 in a lateral direction along cylindrical rods 13 and 18. Once the user is satisfied with the positioning of frame 2, the length of the supporting member 14 is adjusted so that it fits between frame 2 and the floor, thereby holding frame 2 in place. The user can then fix the panel of the material to the ceiling without needing to hold any part of the positioning device 1.

Once the panel of material has been fixed to the ceiling, the worker reduces the length of the supporting member 14 and carefully lowers the frame 2 back to its initial position, in which it hangs from cylindrical rod 13 at a right angle to the ceiling. The supporting member 14 is disconnected from cylindrical rod 18, and cylindrical rod 18 is removed from the two hooks 7. Frame 2 is lifted off cylindrical rod 13 and put to one side. Cylindrical rod 13 is removed from the loop anchors 12, and the loop anchors 12 are removed from the ceiling joist 20.

To fix another panel of material to the ceiling, the loop anchors 12 are screwed into the ceiling joist 20 at the next position along adjacent to where the panel is to be fixed. Alternatively, frame 2 is disassembled to the four frame members 3, 4, 5 and 6, so that it can be readily packed away and transported.

As illustrated in figure 3, it is also envisaged that a slight modification in the design of positing device 1 will allow it to be used to for positioning panels on a wall or other nonhorizontal surface. One of the three loop anchors 12 is substituted with a rod holder 21, which consists of metal cup attached to a screw plate. Alternatively, the rod 13 is provided with one or more stoppers that may rest against the hooks or loops to hold the rod in position.

The user screws the rod holder 21 and two loop anchors 12 and into the wall stud 22 at spaced intervals adjacent to the wall area to which the panel is to be fixed. The rod holder 21 is attached to the lowermost end of wall stud 22, with the two loop anchors 12 fixed in positions higher up the wall stud 22. Cylindrical rod 13 is thread through the loops of the two loop anchors 12 and placed into rod holder 21.

Having been assembled from frame members 3, 4, 5 and 6, frame 2 is connected to cylindrical rod 13 using the two hooks 7 positioned on one side of frame member 4. The worker threads cylindrical rod 18 through the two loops 8 positioned on one side of frame member 5. The supporting member 14 is then attached to cylindrical rod 18. The worker places the panel of material onto the supporting feet 9 of frame member 5, so that it rests against frame 2. The supporting member 14 is then used to swing frame 2 inwards towards the wall until frame 2 is parallel with the wall and the panel of material lies flat against the wall studs 22 to which it is to be mounted.

If necessary, the position of frame 2 relative to the wall can be adjusted by using the supporting member 14 to slide the frame 2 in an upwards direction relative to the wall along cylindrical rod 13. Once the worker is satisfied with the positioning of frame 2, the length of the supporting member 14 is adjusted so that it extends at an angle between frame 2 and the floor, thereby holding frame 2 in place. The worker can then fix the panel of the material to the wall without needing to hold any part of the positioning device 1.

Once the panel of material has been fixed to the wall, the worker disconnects the supporting member 14 from cylindrical rod 18, and removes cylindrical rod 18 from the two hooks 7.

Frame 2 is detached from cylindrical rod 13 and put to one side. Cylindrical rod 13 is removed from the loop anchors 12 and rod holder 21, and the loop anchors 12 and rod holder 21 are removed from the wall stud 22.

To fix another panel of material to the wall, the loop anchors 12 and rod holder 21 are screwed into the wall stud 22 at the next position along adjacent to where the panel is to be fixed. Alternatively, frame 2 is disassembled to the four frame members 3, 4, 5 and 6, so that it can be readily packed away and transported.

Claims

1. A positioning device for positioning a panel of material adjacent a mount to which the panel is to be fixed, the device comprising a support structure for supporting the panel, the support structure being provided with at least one anchoring means for attaching the support structure to the mount; and a supporting member; wherein, in use, once attached to the mount, the support structure is moveable between a first position and a second position and may be held in the second position by the supporting member.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the support structure is a frame.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the support structure is rectangular.

4. A device according to any preceding claims, wherein the support structure is a frame made up of bars connected together by releasable joints.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein one or more of the bars is extendible in length.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support structure additionally comprises a tab, lip or flange, which extend from the support.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises at least one anchoring means to allow it to be temporarily attached to a mount.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the anchoring means is linked to the support structure via a hinge or other joint about which the support structure may pivot or rotate.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the anchoring means is linked to the support structure via a cylindrical rod.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a prop which may be releasably attached to or connected with the support structure.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the prop is extendible.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the prop is provided with a foot.