Sheet-rock lifter

An apparatus for lifting a panel for a ceiling, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one post having an upper end and extending along a longitudinal axis;
• a post spring in the post between the upper and lower ends for at least limited longitudinal compression of the post against a spring force;
• a foot pivoted on the post on the lower end about a foot axis transverse to the longitudinal axis;
• a handle pivoted on the post between its ends about a handle axis generally parallel to the foot axis;
• a bar assembly pivotally mounted on the upper end of the post for pivoting about a bar-pivot axis generally parallel to the foot and handle axes, extending generally in a plane perpendicular to said bar-pivot axis, and having a crossbar having opposite ends, one of the crossbar ends being provided with an outwardly directed cleat, whereby an upper surface of said crossbar defines a panel support plane and can be positioned under the panel for support thereof with the cleat abutting an edge of the panel;
• and
• at least one bar spring attached to the upper end of the post and having opposite ends operatively connected to the crossbar for biasing the crossbar into a substantially horizontal position extending along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the post.