AU2004101033A4 - Multi-task work bench and tool attachments for metal working - Google Patents

Description

1 o Title NMULTI-TASK WORK BENCH AND TOOL ATTACHMENTS CFOR METAL WORKING S 5 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to work benches or tables for industrial or n domestic use. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a 0portable or relocatable work bench suited for use in a variety of metal working, 0mechanical assembly and repair tasks, including but not limited to, steel fabrication, engine overhaul, tyre changing and welding.

0The present invention also relates to tool attachments for metal working tools suited to industrial or domestic use. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a measuring assembly suited to an adjustable circular type cut-off saw for in situ measurement of elongate metallic members, including but not limited to, members of tube, channel, angle or strip section, immediately prior to cutting to a desired length.

Discussion of Background Art Workshops, whether domestic or industrial, typically include a work bench or table for supporting a work piece. Such work benches or tables are mainly provided as a fixture and/or are purpose built out of necessity to perform specialist tasks required in different industries. One such example is the high precision mechanical fabrication table described by Demmeler et al in US Pat.

No. 5,318,284 table which utilises a combination of cylindrical openings and cooperating mountings to secure work pieces for welding.

Work stations or work benches are a dominant feature in many factories, and command a substantial portion of the available work area. In particular, tooling provided on work benches or tables such as vices, drills, grinders, cut-off saws and the like, are normally provided as fixtures at different work stations along a work bench. These tool fixtures usually occupy a considerable amount of space on the bench that quite often renders the bench space inflexible in terms of alternative usage.

2 O Furthermore, most benches are of a fixed height which often may not be suited to a particular task. In steel fabrication tasks, for example, assembly is C) often conducted with work pieces spread over a floor area and workers obliged to take up uncomfortable crouching or bending positions. These working S 5 positions can in turn cause additional fatigue and perhaps long term health problems due to muscular-skeletal stress.

It is also clearly desirable for provision of a suitable working surface to 0undertake tasks in the field away from a workshop, such as at a construction 0site or remote installation requiring maintenance or repair. Accordingly, a portable or at least conveniently relocatable work bench or table would be 0advantageous. However, many currently available portable work benches are of light construction better suited to carpentry or wood working applications, rather than for metal working and welding use.

On the domestic front, the available work benches are typically adapted for wood working usage, including for routing, planing, routing, sanding, sawing and like activities, such as the "Triton" work bench as produced by Triton Manufacturing Pty Ltd of Adelaide, South Australia. Although portable, many domestic type work bench products are also typically application specific, for example providing multiple position wood sawing or ripping configurations.

Another example of a portable wood working table is described in US Pat. No.

5,067,535 to Wolff, which is adapted for mounting of various saws and a router or wood turning machine.

Turning to consider examples of work benches and tables potentially suited to light or medium mechanical construction and fabrication applications, US Pat. No. 6,019,359 to Fly describes a lightweight welding table wherein a top plate is welded to a support frame having a lattice structure. However, the table must be mounted on a separate work stand or table and there is no discussion of tooling other than for work piece clamping purposes. US Pat. No.

5,018,563 to Yoder describes a mobile tool table having a variety of tool mounts and particularly adapted for pipe fitting operations such as threading or grooving, but does not provide a flat work surface.

3 Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a work bench for Nmechanical applications which offers the flexibility to be used either as a C substantially uninterrupted flat work surface or as a workstation for selectively mounting one of a plurality of different workshop tools, for light to medium S 5 repair, maintenance or fabrication of metallic articles and equipment.

The work bench would desirably be suited to either commercial or edomestic applications, conveniently facilitating use of many metal working tools 0required for construction and related tasks.

S 10 Further, the inappropriate use of power tools, such as those with 0sufficient power to cut metallic objects, can create a safety hazard for tool operators, difficulties in achieving accurate results during cutting, and may also lead to wastage of materials. Power tools are often heavy and cumbersome to use, due to their weight, the high speed inertia of moving, especially rotating, parts and reaction caused by non-homogeneous work pieces during the cutting process.

It is recognised that securing a power tool with respect to a work surface provided for cutting operations, such as described in US Pat. No. 5,884,681 to Nickles, is desirable for convenient and safe operator control of power tools.

However the trade-off is that securing a power tool will typically reduce the ability of an operator to conveniently arrange a work piece in a desired position for cutting, especially where an angled cut across an elongate work piece is required.

A further drawback with circular cut-off saws employing an economical reinforced fibre disc type cutting blade, is that the disc has a tendency to follow the least path of resistance in a work piece and will flex and warp during an angled cut. A typical outcome where a 45' is desired in a steel work piece (to produce a right angle join between two pieces) is a blade entry angle of 45" but an exit angle of around 48'. This result makes it awkward to join the cut work pieces at a neat right angle to one another.

This drawback may be distinguished from the situation with steel cutting blades, particularly those toothed blades typically used for wood working, since the blades are more rigid relative to the material of the work piece and the teeth remove more material during cufftting which helps to reduce lateral pressure on N the blade. Whilst steel cutting blades are available for metallic work pieces, C) they are an order of magnitude more expensive to acquire.

Gilmour describes, in International Publication No. WO 01/78950, a S 5 mobile saw bench mounted on castors and having a universal coupling whereby the bench to which a saw is attached may be pivotally moved relative to an n elongate work piece. The work piece is apparently intended to be supported by 0a member designated as a stationary measuring staff that is attached to the 0coupling. This is disadvantageous, since the entire bench must be pivoted and accuracy will depend largely on the floor surface being true, especially relative to the support for the measuring staff, otherwise the blade may not be perpendicular to the work piece. The adjustable stop on the measuring staff must also be set using a separate measuring tape or the like, which can also contribute to inaccuracy.

Another saw bench is described in Australian Patent Application No.

44488/02 by Jones. The Jones bench differs from Gilmour in that both the work piece support stands and saw bench are stationary and a turntable is provided for supporting the cut-off machine or saw for movement relative to the bench and stands. However, the Jones bench does not provide any measuring arrangement for work pieces.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a tool attachment incorporating a measuring assembly for a power tool that is economical and offers improvements, such as to adjustability and convenient measurement of work pieces, to deliver ease of use for accurate and safe cutting operations. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention the warping or distortion of a cutting blade may be eliminated or at least reduced by pivotally mounting the saw relative to a work piece guide such that the saw may be pivoted around the centre line of the cutting blade when positioned to substantially coincide with the centre of the work piece.

It is to be appreciated that the background documents referenced above are not to be construed as an admission by the applicant that any one or more of the documents forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia relevant to the field of technology of the present invention.

Summary of the Invention C In one broad form of the work bench aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work bench for metal fabrication purposes, said work bench including: a substantially flat working surface; n a support frame for the working surface; a plurality of tool holders adapted for attachment to a respective metal 0working tool, each tool holder having a spigot member; and a plurality of sockets provided under said working surface, each socket 0adapted for removably receiving a cooperating spigot member of a tool holder; whereby one or more tools may be mounted to the work bench by engagement of the spigot of a respective tool holder with a selected socket.

Suitably, the flat working surface is composed of a sheet of rigid material, such as a metallic plate.

The support frame may be arranged to facilitate adjustment of said working surface to a desired height.

Preferably, the support frame is collapsible and includes an upper subframe and a lower sub-frame, which sub-frames are spaced apart by a plurality of removable upright leg members.

Alternatively, the support frame includes only an upper sub-frame, which sub-frame may be supported by either a plurality of upright leg members or any available fixture. If required, clamping means may be provided for removably attaching the upper sub-frame to said fixture.

Suitably the leg members are adjustable relative to a respective subframe, most suitably providing adjustment of the working surface in a range from about 915 mm to 1215 mm in height.

Preferably the sockets are provided in the support frame, and most preferably said sockets are integral with the upper sub-frame and provide for insertion of spigot members therein. Accordingly, the spigot members provided on each tool holder preferably project laterally outwardly from said tool holder.

In preference, each socket includes an open end adjacent a periphery of Nsaid working surface, allowing a tool attached to a tool holder to be conveniently C used in proximity to the working surface.

If required, said plurality of sockets may further include auxiliary sockets providing under bench storage for tools when not in use. The auxiliary sockets are suitably disposed on the lower sub-frame.

Suitably the spigot members and sockets employ a substantially regular 0polygonal cross-section, such as a substantially square cross-section, and 0preferably have a tubular configuration dimensioned for inter-engagement.

In some instances, the tool holder may include a plurality of spigot 0members arranged for inter-engagement with cooperating sockets disposed at predetermined spacings along the bench.

Preferably the inter-engagement provided between cooperating spigot members and sockets has a relatively close tolerance, in order to obviate a requirement for auxiliary clamping or otherwise fixing the tool holder to the bench. Preferably sliding engagement is provided between spigots and sockets. If required, securing pins may be located in apertures provided in each of said spigot members and cooperating spigots, which apertures extend transversely to said sliding engagement between spigots and sockets. Most preferably, the securing pins include a threaded portion which engages with a threaded aperture provided in the bench. In the case of spigot members having a square or rectangular cross-section, the securing pins are orientated to extend at a diagonal to the spigot members.

It will be appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment of the bench, the spigot members and sockets may instead be provided on the work bench and tool holder, respectively. Further, whilst a socket provided on the bench will receive a tool holder spigot internally within the socket; such a socket may also function as a "spigot" where formed by a tubular member. Suitably an appropriately dimensioned cooperating tool holder spigot member is provided with an open end portion functioning as a "socket", which open end portion telescopes over the outer surface of the bench socket.

The lower sub-frame may include rollable transport members, such as wheels or castors, to facilitate movement of the work bench. The transport members may be supported by a bracket which facilitates movement of the Ctransport members between a lowered operating position supporting the lower C sub-frame and a raised storage position. Most suitably, the brackets are pivotally attached to the lower sub-frame whereby the brackets may pivot the S 5 transport members between lowered and raised positions.

In another broad form, there is provided a portable work bench for metal n fabrication purposes, said work bench including: 0a substantially flat working surface; 0a collapsible support frame for the working surface; a plurality of tool holders adapted for attachment to a metal working tool, 0each tool holder having at least one first tubular member; and a plurality of second tubular members provided under said working surface, each second tubular member is adapted for engagement with a first tubular member of a tool holder; whereby one or more tools may be mounted to the work bench adjacent to the working surface by engagement of the first tubular member(s) of a respective tool holder with selected second tubular member(s).

In a further form of the invention there is provided a method for demountably attaching tools to a work bench, which work bench includes a substantially flat working surface and a support frame for the working surface; said method including the steps of: providing at least one tool holder having at least one first tubular member; and providing a plurality of second tubular members under said working surface of the work bench, each second tubular member adapted for engagement with a first tubular member of a tool holder; whereby one or more tools may be mounted to the work bench by engagement of the first tubular member(s) of a respective tool holder with selected second tubular member(s).

Preferably the first and second tubular members are configured for sliding engagement, most preferably telescopic engagement, with one another.

Most suitably the first tubular members function as spigots and the second tubular members function as sockets.

In one form of the tool attachment aspect of the invention, there is Nprovided an adjustable support assembly for a cutting tool, said support assembly including: a base having a pivotal mount; a tool carrier for supporting a rotational cutting tool, which tool carrier is disposed on the pivotal mount; and eat least one guide for directing a work piece into position for cutting by 0the cufftting tool; 0whereby the tool carrier may be pivotally adjusted into a selected position enabling the work piece to be cut at a desired angle, wherein the pivot for the 0pivotal mount is arranged to substantially align the work piece with the axis of rotation of the cutting tool.

Preferably, said adjustable support assembly comprises a tool holder having tubular members for mounting on the portable work bench.

In another broad form of the tool attachment aspect of the invention, there is provided a measuring assembly for a power cutting tool, said measuring assembly including: a work piece support assembly having guides for directing a work piece into position for cutting by the cutting tool; a movable stop member for limiting travel of said work piece beyond a preselected distance beyond a blade of the cutting tool; and a measuring means associated with the work piece support assembly whereby the distance between the blade and the movable stop member may be determined.

Suitably the measuring means includes a graduated rule provided on a fixed portion of the work piece assembly relative to which the stop member is movable, wherein the distance between the cutting blade and the movable stop member is indicated by the rule.

Alternatively, the measuring means may include a contactless electronic measuring device, whereby the distance between the cutting blade and the movable stop member is determined automatically. Preferably the result of said determination is displayed in a selected format, such as a numeric display in units of millimeters.

In another broad aspect there is provided a tool support assembly for Nadjustably supporting a rotational cutting tool, said tool assembly including: C a base having a pivotal mount; a tool carrier for supporting the rotational cutting tool, which tool carrier is disposed on the pivotal mount; and at least one guide for directing a work piece into position for cutting by n the cutting tool; 0whereby the tool carrier may be pivotally adjusted into a selected position 0enabling the work piece to be cut at a desired angle, wherein the pivot for the pivotal mount is arranged to substantially align the work piece with the axis of 0rotation of the cutting tool.

Suitably the work piece is elongate and a longitudinal axis thereof is arranged to be vertically aligned with the axis of rotation of the cufftting tool when in use.

Preferably, said adjustable support assembly comprises a tool holder having tubular members for mounting on the portable work bench.

Most suitably, the tool support assembly further includes a measuring assembly including: a work piece support assembly having guides for directing a work piece into position for cutting by the cutting tool; a movable stop member for positioning a free end of said work piece a preselected distance from a blade of the cutting tool; a measuring means associated with the work piece support assembly whereby the distance between the blade and the movable stop member may be determined.

Brief Details of the Drawings In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein: FIG. 1 is a side elevational diagram of a work bench of a first embodiment of the invention; b FIG. 2 is an end elevational diagram of the work bench of the first N embodiment; o FIG. 3 is a top plan diagram of the working surface and upper sub-frame of the work bench of the first embodiment; o 5 FIG. 4A is a top plan view of an auxiliary guide tool for mounting to the work bench of the first embodiment; FIG. 4B is a top plan view of a base portion of a further auxiliary guide 0tool; FIG. 4C is a further top plan view of the auxiliary guide tool of FIG. 4B; S 10 FIG. 4D is a partial front elevational view of the guide tool showing the 0measuring arrangement; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a work bench of a second of the invention, showing all tooling demounted; FIG. 6A is perspective view of the work bench of the second embodiment, showing tooling mounted for operational use; FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an end portion of the bench of the second embodiment, showing the tyre removal apparatus; FIG. 7 is a further perspective view of the work bench of the second embodiment, showing tooling mounted for operational use; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the work bench of the second embodiment, showing tooling re-mounted in an under bench storage position; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the work bench of the second embodiment in an inverted and collapsed configuration; FIG 10 is a bottom plan diagram of a work bench of a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. 11 is a front elevational diagram of the work bench of the third embodiment; FIG. 12 is an end elevational diagram of the work bench of the third embodiment; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a work bench of a fourth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the work bench of the fourth embodiment in an inverted position; 11 FIG. 15 is an overhead perspective view of the adjustable tool support assembly incorporating a measuring assembly of a first embodiment; C FIG. 16 is an end elevational view of the adjustable tool support assembly; FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the graduated measure associated with a adjustable stop provided on a work piece support member; eFIG. 18 is an overhead perspective view of the tool support assembly 0with the work piece removed; 0FIG. 19 is a schematic top plan view of a tool support assembly of a second embodiment, wherein the cutting tool has been removed therefrom; 0 FIG. 20 is a schematic front elevational view of the tool support assembly of the second embodiment, wherein the spark shield has also been removed therefrom; FIG. 21 is a schematic end elevational view of the tool support assembly of the second embodiment, including a cutting tool; FIG 22 is a bottom perspective view of a work bench of a fifth embodiment of the invention in an inverted and collapsed configuration; and FIG. 23 is a detailed view of lateral support members of the work bench of the fifth embodiment.

It is emphasized that the drawings are merely illustrative of how the invention might be put into effect, and are not to be treated as being exhaustive.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments A work bench 10 of a first embodiment of the invention is represented diagrammatically in FIGs 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. The bench 10 includes a substantially flat working surface 11 provided by a rigid sheet, such as a 5 mm thick steel plate, of about 1150 mm long x 850 mm deep. The sheet of the working surface is supported by an upper sub-frame 12 comprised of a plurality of tubular members, such as 50 mm x 50 mm steel RHS sections having a 4 mm wall thickness. The upper sub-frame 12, and includes both longitudinal members 13 and lateral members 14, as evident from the hidden detail representing these members in FIG. 3. Individual members 13, 14 of the upper sub-frame 12 are affixed together and to the rigid sheet, desirably by welding.

Each upper sub-frame member 13, 14 has an open ended portion Nforming an outwardly opening socket 15, as shown in FIGs 1 and 2, which C socket is suitably flush with the periphery of the working surface 11. The upper sub-frame 12 also includes dependent members 16 adjacent a respective S 5 corner of the working surface 11. The dependent members are suitably each affixed to a junction 17 between a longitudinal member 13 and an endmost elateral member 14'. The endmost lateral members 14' extend the full depth of 0the working surface 11 in the embodiment, as seen in FIG. 3. Each dependent 0member 16 may include a series of apertures 19 for working surface height adjustment purposes.

0An upright leg member 18, suitably formed by a length of 40 mm x mm steel RHS having 4 mm wall thickness, has one end inserted into a lower end of a respective depending member 16. An opposite end of each leg member 18 is similarly inserted into a respective upper end of an upstanding member 21 of a lower sub-frame 20. The lower sub-frame 20 further includes longitudinal members 22 and full depth lateral members 23 affixed to respective side walls of the upstanding members 21. The lower sub-frame includes several non-structural or auxiliary lateral members 24 having outwardly open end portions or sockets 15' which provide for under bench storage, which will be further described hereinbelow.

The lower sub-frame 20 further includes a number of castors or wheels 26 rotatably mounted on brackets 25, providing for selective rollable transport of the bench 10, at least when the wheels are in a lowered operating position. The brackets 25 are pivotally attached to the lower sub-frame 20 by attachments 27, allowing the wheels 26 to be raised through an arc (indicated by the dashed line 28) to a storage position. The attachments 27 allow the wheels 26 to be retained in the raised storage position by engagement of the attachments 27 with retaining means 29 provided, in the present embodiment, on adjacent leg members 18.

An optional tyre changing assembly 30 is attached to the left hand end of the work bench 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, although it will be appreciated the assembly may be attached to a leg of any corner of the bench as desired. The tyre changing assembly 30 includes an upright member 31 slidably mounted to O one leg member 18 of the support frame. The upright member is provided at a C lower end thereof with a wheel holder 32, for holding a wheel 50 carrying a tyre o 51 in predetermined relation to a lever 33. The lever is configured to assist with demounting the tyre 51 from the wheel 50 by forcing the bead 52 of the tyre S 5 away from the wheel rim. The tyre changing assembly is described in more detail in relation to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6B, absent the wheel n and tyre.

0Turning to FIGs. 4A, 4B and 4C, there is shown a tool holder, wherein othe tool holder includes a tool carrier 60 for receiving a cutting tool and includes a work piece guide 40. As depicted in FIG. 4A, the work piece guide is adapted 0 for mounting in the sockets 15, provided integrally in the upper sub-frame 12, located around and under the periphery of the working surface 11. The guide tool includes a working surface extension 41 which is supported by lateral members 42 having free ends 43 extending outwardly from a rear edge 44 of the surface extension 41. The free ends 43 of the lateral members 42 constitute spigots that are adapted to engage with two of the sockets disposed at the appropriate spacing on the bench 10, suitably by insertion therein (as indicated by hidden detail in the drawing) into sockets provided in end portions of lateral frame members 14.

The base portion of the tool holder is shown in FIG. 4B, upon which base portion is pivotally mounted a surface extension 41 including a tray portion for receiving the base of a tool, such as a rotational cutting tool or cut-off saw 136 (see FIG. The work piece guide 40 further includes guide portions 40a, 40b with guide post 40c and an adjustable clamp 45 for an end stop 47 used to locate the end of a work piece, such as an elongate piece of steel rod, flat or tubing (shown in phantom in FIG. 4D). The clamp 45, suitably of the eccentric cam type, incorporates a graduated measure 46 for pre-measurement of the work piece when in use, for example with a cut-off saw (see FIG The work piece guide further includes a pivotal mount, here in the form of an upstanding spindle 48, about which an adjustable tool carrier portion 60 (see FIG. 4C) of the tool holder may pivot. There is also provided an aperture 49 for receiving a locating o pin (not shown) for locating the tool carrier 60 at a number of predetermined Nangles relative to the work piece.

C Referring to FIG. 4C, the tool carrier portion 60 incorporates the surface extension 41 which includes a tray 61 and a spark shield 62. Indexing holes 63 are provided in the surface extension 41 to receive a locating pin when one of the indexing holes is in registration with the aperture 49 provided in the eunderlying base 40. A mounting hole 64 is provided for receiving the spindle 48 0to facilitate rotation of the tool carrier 60. Desirably the pivotal mount, provided 0by the spindle 48 and mounting hole 64 is aligned with a cutting line of the cutoff saw, and preferably with the axis of rotation in a rotational cutting tool.

0The spark shield is pivotally mounted 65 to a rear corner of the tool tray 61 to allow for re-positioning of the shield when the tray carrying the cutting tool is rotated. An auxiliary stand, such as that as seen in FIG. 7, may also be furnished, for supporting elongate work pieces, as required.

A work bench 100 of a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in each of FIGs 5 to 9 of the accompanying photographs, wherein each photograph shows the bench in a different configuration. In FIG. 5, the bench 100 is shown devoid of any tooling, including the tyre changing assembly 130, or tool holders 140. The work bench 100 in this configuration provides a working surface 101 that is substantially uninterrupted and flat, thereby providing maximum working space at a convenient bench height, which may be adjusted as described below.

The upper sub-frame 102 of the bench 100 includes lateral members 104, each member being tubular and having outwardly opening ends forming sockets 105. The outwardly open ends of the longitudinal members (not visible) which intersect with the endmost lateral members 104', also form sockets 105' at such intersections. The lower sub-frame 120 includes an upstanding member 121 at each corner, which upstanding members are spaced apart by longitudinal members 122 and lateral members 123 affixed thereto.

Opposite ends of upright leg members 118 of the support frame are inserted into open ends of opposing depending and upstanding members 116, 121 of the upper sub-frame 102 and lower sub-frame 120, respectively. End portions of the leg members 118 further include holes (not shown, see FIG. 9) which may be brought into registering alignment with one of the series of o apertures 119 provided in the depending members 116, whereby a pin 107 may be selectively inserted through the registered holes and apertures 116 to S 5 support the working surface at a desired height.

The lower sub-frame 120 also includes a central longitudinal member tn 122' which member includes a plurality of auxiliary lateral members 124 spaced 0there along. These auxiliary members 124 are provided for convenient under 0bench storage of tools, as will be further described below in relation to FIG 8. In S 10 other embodiments, the auxiliary lateral members may be fixed to the 0longitudinal members 122 of the lower sub-frame 120, as shown for example in FIGs 13 and 14.

In order to move the work bench 100, the lower sub-frame 120 further includes brackets 125 that are pivotally attached thereto by attachments 127.

Wheels 126 are mounted on respective brackets 125, which are shown in a raised storage position in FIG. 5 wherein the attachment is shown engaged with retaining means 129 provided on a leg member.

Turning to FIG. 6A, the work bench 100 is shown populated by a variety of tools and their respective tool holders. A dual wheel bench grinder 131 is attached to a simple tool holder 141 comprising a spigot 142 fixed to a support plate 143 for the grinder. A free end of the spigot 142 is inserted into a socket 105 provided on the frontmost corner of the work bench 100. A securing pin 107' is then passed through apertures provided in each of the spigot 142 and socket 105, to prevent inadvertent dismounting. Moving along the working surface 101, there is next a clamping tool 132 attached to a further simple tool holder 141. At the next work station along the bench 100, a larger tool holder 144 includes two spigot members 142 to which is attached a base 143 for a drill press 133.

A portion of a work piece guide 135 which includes spigots 142 of a large tool holder 144 is visible at a rear corner of the work bench 100. This guide tool 135, which is obscured by an upright spark shield/tool caddy 134 in FIG. 6A, is also visible in the end view of FIG. 7. The guide tool allows an elongate work piece, such as hollow steel tubing 150, to be supported for convenient feeding Sand measuring, prior to cutting with the cut-off saw 136 to a desired length. An N auxiliary stand 145 is provided for supporting a remote end of the work piece.

0 The tyre removal device 130 is depicted without the wheel 50 and tyre 51 in place in FIG. 6B. The tyre removal device includes an upright member 151 S 5 slidably mounted to one leg member 118 of the support frame. The upright member 151 is provided at a lower end thereof with a wheel holder 152 ecomprising a plate section 153 having an upstanding lip 154, for holding a 0wheel 50 carrying a tyre 51 in predetermined relation to a lever 155.

oThe lever 155 comprises a handle portion 156 pivotally mounted to the upright member 151 and a depending member 157 with an angled wedging 0portion 158 at a distal end of the depending member. The lever 155 is configured to assist with demounting the tyre 51 from the wheel 50 by forcing the bead 52 of the tyre away from the wheel rim 53 or "breaking the bead", as shown in FIG. 6A.

In FIG. 8, the work bench 100 is again shown with the working surface 101 devoid of tooling. In this photograph the tool supports for each of the cutoff saw 136 and the grinder 131 have been re-mounted in an under bench location. In particular the spigots 142 of the tool supports 141, 144 have been removed from sockets 105 provided in lateral members 104 of the upper subframe 102, and engaged with the auxiliary sockets 124 provided on the lower sub-frame 120 (see also FIG. The work bench 100 of the second embodiment is shown in a collapsed configuration in FIG. 9, in readiness for removal to a remote location. The upper sub-frame 102 has been inverted, and the working surface 101 is in contact with the floor surface supporting the bench. The leg members 118 have been removed from the depending members 116 and upstanding members 121 of the upper sub-frame 102 and lower sub-frame 120 respectively. The lower sub-frame 120 is also inverted and free ends of the upstanding members 121 rest against the underside of the steel plate forming the working surface 101.

Accordingly, in the collapsed configuration ready for transportation to a remote site, the work bench components are in a compact package having a height of only about 265 mm.

O A work bench 200 of a third embodiment of the present invention is 0 N illustrated in FIGs 10, 11 and 12 of the drawings. The working surface 201 of 0 the work bench, which is more compact than the earlier embodiments, is provided by a 5mm thick steel plate 202. The sub-frame supporting the plate S 5 202 includes a longitudinal member 203 and a plurality of lateral members 204 affixed to the plate and longitudinal member by welding. The members of the esub-frame are suitably tubular, taking the form of 50 mm steel RHS, and have 0open outer ends forming sockets 205 for reception of spigots of tool holders (not oshown). The sockets 205 are disposed flush with a front peripheral edge of the working surface, as seen in FIG. 11.

oThe sub-frame further includes, adjacent a rear edge of the working surface 201, an angle member 206 which abuts and forms a channel 207 with a wall of the longitudinal member 203 as seen in FIG. 12. The channel 207 is adapted for engagement with a cooperating support member or fixture, such as may be provided by an upright wall, such as combing rail of truck or utility vehicle. In one form, a suitable fixture could be anchored to the tow hitch of a vehicle.

A work bench 300 of a fourth embodiment is shown in FIGs 13 and 14, and the description will focus on the points of difference compared with earlier embodiments. This work bench 300 includes a modified lower sub-frame 320 wherein longitudinal members 323 are disposed inwardly of the upright members 321, which upright members are abutted by ends of each lateral member 322. The auxiliary lateral members 324, for under bench storage of tools, are affixed directly to the longitudinal members 323.

The wheels 325, which may be provided for convenient movement of the bench, are shown in the deployed position supporting the bench in FIG. 13, whilst they are in the storage position in FIG. 14 wherein the support brackets 326 have been released from retaining means 327. It will be appreciated that it is desirable for the work bench to be put to use with the wheels in the storage position.

A work bench 600 of a fifth embodiment is depicted in FIGs 22 and 23.

From FIG 22, which shows the bench in an inverted collapsed configuration, it will be appreciated that the embodiment is devoid of wheels or other transportation members. The fifth embodiment also includes an alternative means for securing the spigots of tool holders (not shown) into the sockets 615 Cformed in the free ends of the lateral support members 614. The securing means comprise an aperture provided in a corner of the sockets which apertures are each provided with a screw thread, here in the form of a nut 616 welded across the corner of each lateral support member 614. A securing pin e, 607 includes a cooperating screw-thread and a T handle 608 to facilitate tensioning of the pin which extends diagonally into the interior of the socket 615 to engage a socket inserted therein. In this way the RHS tubular spigots of the embodiment may be secured both laterally and vertically by abutment by the 0 threaded pin 607 that extends diagonally across the socket 615.

This work bench of the invention is only limited in its use by the imagination of the user. Careful planning and designing have been used to make work bench as flexible and user friendly as possible. Tooling can be mounted and de-mounted as required, suitably using slidably engaging spigot and socket arrangements with securing means. The tooling can be for any of cutting, holding, grinding, drilling, measuring, supporting, and bead breaking for changing tyres.

In FIG. 15 there is shown an overhead perspective view of the adjustable tool support assembly 400 incorporating a measuring assembly 420 of a first embodiment. The view also shows a tubular steel work piece 402 positioned by guides 404 ready for cutting by the blade of a rotational cutting tool, here in the form of a cut-off saw 430. A spark shield 450 is pivotally mounted to the rear of the tool support assembly 400.

An end view of the tool support assembly 400 is depicted in FIG. 16, from which the measuring assembly 420 has been detached for clarity. The tool support assembly 400 of the embodiment includes a plurality of guides 404 and a base 406 that is detachably mounted to a bench 200, which bench is of the type described in the earlier application. The base 406 has an upper surface 408 arranged to be coextensive with an upper surface of the bench 200 when attached thereto. The base includes tubular spigot members which are received by cooperating sockets provided on the periphery of the bench 200.

0 The base 406 further includes a pivotal mount (not visible), here in the C form of an upstanding spindle fixed to the upper surface 408 of the base 406 o which fits into a cooperating sleeve provided under a tray 410. The tool support assembly 400 further includes a tool carrier, here in the form of the tray 410, to S 5 which the sleeve is fixed whereby the sleeve engages with the spindle (not visible) to facilitate relative pivotal movement between the base 406 and tray en 410 of the tool support assembly. A removable support pin 407, for preventing 0the work piece being flicked through to the spark shield 450 by the blade after it 0has been cut, may be inserted into a further sleeve 412 provided on an external surface of the tray 410.

oThe tray 410 is sized in the embodiment to receive a pedestal 432 of the cut-off saw 430, which is more clearly depicted in FIG. 18. The cut-off saw 430 has a bracket 434 for pivotally mounting an arm 436 which carries the saw drive motor 438 and disc type cutting blade 440. An operators hand grip 442 is provided at a distal end of the saw arm 436 together with a switch 444 for actuating the drive motor 438. The pedestal 432 of the cut-off saw 430 includes a clamp 446 for retaining the work piece 402 in place during cutting operations.

Further guides 404 are provided on an elongate support member 422 of the measuring assembly 420, shown in situ in FIG. 18.

In the embodiment, the measuring assembly 420 further includes a movable elongate member 424 slidably disposed in a sleeve member 426 fixed atop the elongate support member 422, as shown in FIG. 15. A stop plate 428 is fixed across one end of the movable elongate member 424, against which stop plate a free end of the work piece 402 may be abutted (see FIG. 15). A graduated measure or rule 423 is provided along a surface of the movable elongate member 424, whereby an index mark provided on the sleeve conveniently indicates the distance between the saw cutting blade 440 and the stop plate 428.

The sleeve member 426 also incorporates a clamp 425 for releasably securing the movable elongate member 424 and thus the stop plate 428, whereby sections of pre-determined length may be conveniently cut from the work piece 402 by the cut-off saw 430. The clamp 425 is suitably of the eccentric type having a manual operating lever 427. The arrangement of the graduated rule 423 provided on the moveable elongate member 424 having the stop plate, which elongate member is telescopically received in the sleeve o member 426 affixed to the elongate support member 422 is shown in more detail in FIG. 17.

S 5 A second embodiment of the measuring apparatus of the invention is depicted schematically in FIGs 19, 20 and 21 which show a top plan view, a efront elevational view and an enlarged end view, respectively, of a tool support 0assembly 500. A base 501 includes two spigot members 502 (shown in hidden 0detail in FIG. 19) that are received by sockets (see FIG. 20) provided in an upper sub-frame of a bench 300. A tool carrier 503 is pivotally mounted to the 0base 501 and includes a recessed portion 504 for receipt of a pedestal 532 of a cutting tool 530 (see FIG. 21).

The pivotal mount includes a pivot pin 505 between the tool carrier 503 and the base 501, which base includes a raised central portion 506 and a bearing 507 to support and facilitate rotation of the tool carrier (and thus the cutting tool 530) relative to the base. A sector shaped portion of the tool carrier includes an indexing arrangement 508, whereby the tool carrier may be locked into pre-selected angles to allow angled cutting of a work piece 402. A spark shield 510 is also pivotally mounted to a rear portion of the tool carrier.

The base 501 further includes a guide 509 against which the work piece may rest. The pedestal 532 includes a clamp 535 having a fixed jaw 533 and a movable jaw 534 for securing the work piece 402 during cufftting operations, and a bracket 536 for supporting a pivoting arm 537 which carries a rotational cutting blade, here in the form of a fibre cutting disc 538. The cutting tool is disposed, as can be seen in FIG. 21, such that the axis of rotation 539 of the cutting disc is substantially vertically aligned with a longitudinal axis 403 of the work piece 402. This arrangement assists in reducing the lateral load applied to the cutting disc 538 during cutting operations. It can also be seen that the pivot pin for rotational adjustment of the toll carrier 503 is also in alignment.

Returning to FIGs 19 and 20, the measuring assembly 520 further includes an elongate support member 511 that is retained to the base 501 by a retaining pin 512 so as to provide a support surface for the section of the work piece 402 to be cut to a desired length L. It can be seen that L comprises the distance between the notional cut line 513 of the cut-off saw blade 538 and an Nadjustable stop plate 514 fixed to an end of a movable elongate member 515.

The movable elongate member 515 is telescopically received in a sleeve 516 attached to the elongate support member 511. A series of measuring graduations 517, such as millimeters, are marked on an upper surface of the movable elongate member 515 in order to provide a rule for the distance L. An eindex mark 518 is provided by the sleeve 516 for this purpose, and a clamp 519 0with an operating lever allows the operator to conveniently adjust the stop plate 0514 to provide the desired length section by merely reading the rule.

In the present embodiment the rule is 600mm long, the sleeve 516 and 0 stop plate 514 may also be moved together along the elongate support member, such as in increments of 500 millimetres, and secured by a spring loaded pin 521 thereby allowing sections of several metres to be measured.

Apertures for the pin 521 are provided on the underside of elongate support member 511 at such increments for this purpose. In an alternative embodiment, the pin 521 may include external screw-threads for cooperation with threaded bores in the apertures.

In other embodiments of the invention, the cutting tool may include a blade which rather than being pivotally mounted may slide in a vertical plane.

Further, the axis of rotation of the cutting blade may be arranged to be movable in order to better accommodate different work piece sizes.

It is to be understood that the above embodiments have been provided only by way of exemplification of this invention, further modifications and improvements thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the present invention as set out in the claims which follow.

Claims (3)

1. 2. A portable work bench for metal fabrication purposes, said work bench including: a substantially flat working surface; a collapsible support frame for the working surface; a plurality of tool holders adapted for attachment to a respective metal working tool, each tool holder having at least one first tubular member; and a plurality of second tubular members provided under said working surface, each second tubular member is adapted for securable telescopic engagement with a first tubular member of a tool holder; whereby one or more tools may be mounted to the work bench by engagement of the first tubular member(s) of a respective tool holder with selected second tubular member(s).
2. 3. A tool support assembly for adjustably supporting a rotational cutting tool, said tool assembly including: a base having a pivotal mount; a tool carrier for supporting the rotational cutting tool, which tool carrier is disposed on the pivotal mount; and at least one guide for directing a work piece into position for cutting by the cutting tool; whereby the tool carrier may be pivotally adjusted into a selected position Nenabling the work piece to be cut at a desired angle, wherein the pivot for the C pivotal mount is arranged to substantially align the work piece with the axis of rotation of the cutting tool.
3. 4. The tool support assembly of claim 3 further including a n measuring assembly, said measuring assembly including: _a work piece support assembly having guides for directing a work piece 0into position for cutting by the cutting tool; S 10 a movable stop member for positioning a free end of said work piece a 0 preselected distance from a blade of the cufftting tool; and a measuring means associated with the work piece support assembly whereby the distance between the blade and the movable stop member may be determined. A portable work bench or tool support assembly therefor, substantially as hereinbefore described and/or illustrated with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings. Dated this SEVENTH day of DECEMBER 2004 IAN A. McCLYMONT by PIZZEYS Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys