Panel hoist

A hoist for raising and positioning panels, comprising:

• a tubular main mast piece having at least one side aperture formed therein, and a bottom end and top end;
• a tubular secondary mast piece slidably received within the tubular main mast piece;
• the secondary mast piece having a bottom end and a top end;
• the secondary mast piece having at least one secondary mast sheave rotatably mounted near the bottom end;
• a top mast piece slidably received within the tubular secondary mast piece;
• the top mast piece having a top end and a bottom end;
• at least one secondary mast pulley mounted near the top end of the secondary mast;
• the secondary mast pulley having a top mast cable extending thereover which is connected to the main mast piece and arranged to support the top mast;
• a base framework connected to the main mast piece for supporting the mast pieces in an upright position upon a supporting surface;
• the base framework including casters for allowing the hoist to be rollably positioned upon a supporting surface;
• the base framework also being adjustable between extended positions wherein the casters are extended outwardly and a contracted position wherein the base framework is collapsed against the main mast piece for compact portability;
• a head assembly detachably connected to the top mast piece and having extension arms adjustable between extended positions wherein the extension arms extend outwardly and collapsed positions wherein the extension arms extend downwardly along the mast pieces;
• and
• winch means mounted upon the main mast piece, and having a winch cable which extends beneath the secondary mast sheave and upwardly to the opposed side of the main mast piece, to lift the secondary and top mast pieces as the winch means takes up the winch cable.