Abstract: A device and method that allows the installation of construction materials, such as drywall, by a single person, is described. The device includes an extension (or hoist) section coupled at one end to a support that can receive and support a piece of drywall during installation. The extension section is further coupled to a base portion at the end opposite to the support. The base portion includes a pivot feature that serves to lift the construction materials into an elevated position once it has been positioned on the support. The extension is adjustable to install construction drywall on a stud wall at various heights. A stand member allows the drywall to be supported in the elevated position. The base portion is foldable between a transport position and an operating position to facilitate transport and shipping.

Abstract: A utility tool, such a putty knife, includes an elongated handle for manual handling of the utility tool, a blade and a screw bit mechanism. The handle extends substantially along a longitudinal axis, and has front and rear portions. The blade has an anchoring portion anchored within the handle and an operating portion extending out from the front portion of the handle. The screw bit mechanism is rotatably mounted about the rear portion of the handle, has a screw bit, and is operable between a non-operating configuration where the screw bit is nested within the handle, and an operating configuration where the screw bit is drawn out of the handle and securely maintained in a fixed configuration so as to be positioned at a slanted angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

Abstract: A scraper for manually scraping a layer of material, such as wallpaper for example, off a given surface. The scraper includes a handle, front and rear portions, a roller assembly and a scraping tool. The handle is used for manual handling of the scraper, and has front and rear extremities. The front portion extends forwardly from the front extremity of the handle, at an angle from the handle, and has a top part connected to the front extremity of the handle and a bottom part used for operatively resting the scraper against the given surface to be treated with the scraper. The rear portion extends rearwardly from the rear extremity of the handle, at an angle from said handle, and has similar top and bottom parts. The roller assembly is operatively mounted to the bottom part of the rear portion for facilitating displacement of the scraper over the given surface to be treated.