Apparatus for installing structural frame members

An apparatus for use in positioning and installing building frame members as part of a framing procedure in the construction of a building, said apparatus comprising:

• freely moveable support means for supporting simultaneously a plurality of building frame members in hanging suspension therefrom;
• attachment means for attaching the plurality of building frame members to the support means such that said building frame members are caused to hang in suspension beneath said support means when said support means is lifted upwardly a sufficient distance, and such that movement of the support means from a first location to a second location causes corresponding movement of the plurality of building frame members;
• wherein the support means comprises a freely moveable support frame having four frame arms releasably attached to each other so as to form four sides of the support frame;
• wherein the frame arms include intersecting opposing ends forming four corners, the support frame further comprising corner connecting means for fixedly and releasably securing the intersecting opposing ends of the frame arms to each other;
• wherein the corner connecting means comprises:
• a support plate having upper and lower opposing surfaces;
• first and second opposing channel walls extending outwardly from the upper surface of the support plate to form an upper channel configured and dimensioned for receiving a frame arm therein;
• third and fourth opposing channel walls extending outwardly from the lower surface of the support plate to form a lower channel configured and dimensioned for receiving a frame arm therein;
• and
• securing means for releasably securing two of the frame arms within the upper and lower channels, respectively.

An apparatus for positioning and installing building frame members as part of a framing procedure in the construction of a building, said apparatus comprising:

• freely moveable support means including load-bearing members for supporting simultaneously a plurality of building frame members, at least one of said load-bearing members having compressed gas contained therein;
• pneumatically-actuated attachment means responsive to fluidic communication with the compressed gas contained in the at least one load-bearing member of the support means for attaching the plurality of building frame members to the support means such that said building frame members are held thereby beneath said support means, and such that movement of the support means from a first location to a second location causes corresponding movement of the plurality of building frame members;
• and
• actuation means for selectively exposing the attachment means to fluidic communication with the compressed gas contained in the at least one load-bearing member of the support means.

An apparatus for positioning and installing building frame members as part of a framing procedure in the construction of a building, said apparatus comprising:

• freely moveable support means for supporting simultaneously a plurality of building frame members, at least a portion of said support means having compressed gas contained therein;
• Pneumatically-actuated attachment means responsive to fluidic communication with the compressed gas contained in the support means for attaching the plurality of building frame members to the support means such that said building frame members are held thereby beneath said support means, and such that movement of the support means from a first location to a second location causes corresponding movement of the plurality of building frame members;
• and
• actuation means for selectively exposing the attachment means to fluidic communication with the compressed gas contained in the support means;
• said attachment means comprising a plurality of hydraulic pistons each comprising a cylinder and a reciprocating piston head disposed within said cylinder, said cylinder having first and second ports formed therein on opposing sides of the piston head, the actuation means comprising:
• first and second conduit means coupled to the first and second ports, respectively, for placing said ports in fluidic communication with the compressed gas contained in the support means;
• and
• selectively operable valve means disposed in fluidic communication with the first and second conduit members for blocking and releasing fluid flow within said conduit members;
• wherein the valve means comprises a pressure-reducing valve disposed in fluidic communication with the second conduit means for releasing compressed gas from the support means into the cylinder at a pressure which is substantially lower than gas pressure within the support means.

An apparatus for use in positioning and installing building frame members as part of a framing procedure in the construction of a building, said apparatus comprising:

• a freely moveable support frame having four frame arms releasably attached to each other so as to form four sides of the support frame;
• and
• attachment means for attaching the plurality of building frame members to the support frame such that said building frame members are caused to hang in suspension beneath said support frame when said support frame is lifted upwardly a sufficient distance, and such that movement of the support frame from a first location to a second location causes corresponding movement of the plurality of building frame members;
• wherein the frame arms include intersecting opposing ends forming four corners, the support frame further comprising corner connecting means for fixedly and releasably securing the intersecting opposing ends of the frame arms to each other
• wherein the corner connecting means comprises:
• a support plate having upper and lower opposing surfaces;
• first and second opposing channel walls extending outwardly from the upper surface of the support plate to form an upper channel configured and dimensioned for receiving a frame arm therein;
• third and fourth opposing channel walls extending outwardly from the lower surface of the support plate to form a lower channel configured and dimensioned for receiving a frame arm therein;
• and
• securing means for releasably securing two of the frame arms within the upper and lower channels, respectively.