Abstract: The invention comprises a panel lifting apparatus having at least three telescoping elongated sections telescoping into one another and all telescoping into a non-telescoping elongated frame member. Three separate chain length segaments not directly connected to one another act to raise and lower the telescoping sections. The first chain segament has its upper and lower end mounted to the upper and lower end of the first telescoping section. The second chain segament has its upper end connected to the upper end of the non-telescoping section and its lower end connected to the lower end of the second telescoping section. The third chain segament has its upper end connected to the upper end of the first telescoping section and its lower end connected to the lower end of the third telescoping section. The non-telescoping section has a gear drive with its output gear engaging the first chain segament to raise and lower the first chain segament to thereby raise and lower the first telescoping section.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a panel to a ceiling has a post having an upper end and a lower end, a spring in the post between the upper and lower ends for at least limited longitudinal compression of the post against a spring force, and a foot pivoted on the lower end about a foot axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. A handle is pivoted on the post between its ends about a handle axis generally parallel to the foot axis and a panel-engaging support bar is pivoted on the upper end of the post about a bar-pivot axis generally parallel to the foot and handle axes, extends perpendicular to this bar-pivot axis, and has one end provided with an outwardly directed cleat. Thus this bar can be engaged under the panel with the cleat against an edge of the panel. At least one bar spring is operatively engaged between the bar and the post for biasing the bar into a position extending perpendicular to the post.

Abstract: A device for hoisting and positioning drywall panels and the like comprising a maneuverable base, a raising and lowering mechanism extending from the base, and a panel supporting arrangement pivotally connected to the mechanism and including a pair of curved, resilient panel supporting elements each of which contacts the panel as spaced-apart locations. The raising and lowering mechanism includes three cylinders in a telescopic arrangement extending from the base, a rack and pinion combination for extending and retracting one cylinder relative to the other, and a coupling line connected at one end to a third cylinder, at the other end to the fixed one of the other cylinders, and operatively engaging the cylinder moved by the rack and pinion arrangement. Operation of the rack and pinion arrangement extends and retracts the one cylinder relative to the other and the coupling line simultaneously causes the third cylinder to be extended and retracted relative to the one cylinder.