EP1057595A1 - Collapsible work bench apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The workbench consists of a bench top and/or clamp (10) connected to a supporting structure (12) which can occupy deployed (working) and a folded (storage) positions. The supporting structure incorporates a storage casing (14) for the workbench in which both the bench top and supporting structure are housed when in the folded position, and with the casing forming an upright hinged to the bench top in the deployed position. The casing (14) and a second upright (16) are also articulated to a spacer (18) so they form, together with the bench top, a four member articulated structure with opposite sides parallel in the deployed position and all sides parallel when folded.

Description

The invention relates to folding workbenches, also called portable workbenches, intended more particularly for domestic uses.

It relates in particular to a folding workbench of the type comprising a work and / or clamping plate connected to a collapsible supporting structure, which can be brought selectively either in an unfolded position (working position), either in a folded position (storage position).

We already know workbenches of this kind in which the plate is generally equipped with clamping means, such that for example elongated beams forming the jaws of a vice, and likely to be brought closer or apart mutually by cranks or the like.

The advantage of such workbenches is that they can be easily transformed to go from one to the other from their position at their storage position. In the position of work they can be used as a normal workbench while in the storage position they can be stored in a space of low volume.

This is the reason why these workbenches have experienced a great success with individuals, DIY enthusiasts or not, with limited space for their DIY activities.

However, it was found that these workbenches are not always easily transportable, especially in their folded storage position, and moreover their structure offers unused dead spaces.

In addition, when a user wishes to use his established, it needs to be able to have a number of tools, which are usually stored in one or more tool boxes that he must also transport with the workbench.

In addition, these tool boxes take up extra space whether or not next to the workbench when folded.

The object of the invention is in particular to overcome the drawbacks cited above.

It aims in particular to offer an improved folding workbench which is more easily transportable than workbenches known folders, and which is also likely to provide storage volumes.

The invention proposes for this purpose a folding workbench of the type defined in the introduction, in which the supporting structure foldable incorporates, as a structural element, a storage box in which the tray and the structure are able to retract at least partly in the folded position.

Thus, in the unfolded position, the workbench can be used normally, the storage box constituting an element of the supporting structure.

In the folded position, the tray retracts into the storage box, along with the rest of the supporting structure, to constitute an assembly having the appearance of a box or the like which can be transported easily and easily stored in a small volume.

This storage box can accommodate either only the platform and the rest of the supporting structure, i.e. other extra things, like tools, for example.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage box is suitable to constitute, in position unfolded, a first upright hinged to the tray, while it is provided a second amount also articulated to the plate.

To provide better stability, it is preferable that the storage box and the second upright are additionally articulated with a spacer. In this way, the plateau, the storage box, the second upright and the spacer form an articulated structure with four elements in which the elements are substantially parallel two to two in the unfolded position and substantially parallel them in the folded position.

In particular, in the unfolded position, the tray and the spacer are substantially parallel to each other and therefore in a horizontal position, while the body of storage and the second upright are substantially parallel between them and in a substantially vertical position.

In this preferred embodiment, it is advantageous that the tray has a first end connected by first means of articulation at an upper end of the body (considered in a standing position) and a second angled end connected by second means articulation at an upper end of the second upright, while the spacer has a first end angled connected by third means of articulation to a lower end of the body (considered in the standing position) and a second angled end connected by fourth means of articulation at a lower end of the second upright, said first articulation means, second means of articulation, third means of articulation and fourth means of articulation defining respectively four parallel axes of articulation between them.

Advantageously, the second end of the tray is bent substantially at right angles, the first end of the spacer is bent substantially at right angles and the second end of the spacer is bent at an obtuse angle.

The presence of these bent ends allows the elements to the supporting structure to extend parallel to each other in the folded position.

Advantageously, each of the first articulation means, second means of articulation, third means of articulation and fourth means of articulation is double and includes two spaced coaxial joints.

Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plate is connected, on the one hand, to two walls spaced from the body respectively by the first two joints coaxial and, on the other hand, with two beams spaced from the second amount by two second coaxial joints, while that the spacer comprises two connected spaced beams, on the one hand, to the two walls spaced apart from the body by two third coaxial joints and, on the other hand, to both beams of the second upright by two fourth joints coaxial.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the box of storage includes a bottom wall which, in position unfolded, is suitable for resting on the ground, while the second upright is equipped with feet which, in the unfolded position, are suitable for lying on the ground to form the seat of the workbench together with the bottom wall of the storage box.

Preferably, transport wheels are carried by the bottom wall of the storage box, which facilitates transport of the workbench in the folded position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the legs of the second upright are swivel and movable between a retracted position facilitating their insertion into the storage box in the folded position of the structure load-bearing and a deployed position suitable for widening the seat of the workbench in the unfolded position of the supporting structure.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the storage box comprises a first clean compartment to accommodate the tray and the structure carrier in the folded position and a second compartment forming storage for tools, accessories and the like.

Advantageously, the second compartment is divided into bins of storage.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the box of storage includes at least one clean electrical connector to be connected to the mains by an electric cable, thus that a set of electrical outlets, which can receive the connection of one or more portable electric machines.

The workbench tray advantageously includes two beams clamp, forming vice jaws, at least one of which is mobile, as well as control means with cranks retractable to move said reciprocating or apart beams.

• la figure 1 est une vue de face d'un établi pliant selon l'invention représenté en position dépliée ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté correspondant à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue partielle de dessus correspondant à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de face analogue à la figure 1, l'établi étant représenté en position repliée ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de côté correspondant à la figure 4 ; et
• les figures 6A à 6G sont des vues de face de l'établi pliant montrant des positions successives de l'établi depuis la position repliée de rangement (figure 6A) à la position dépliée de travail (figure 6G).

In the description which follows, given solely by way of example, reference is made to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a front view of a folding workbench according to the invention shown in the unfolded position;
• Figure 2 is a side view corresponding to Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a partial top view corresponding to Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a front view similar to Figure 1, the workbench being shown in the folded position;
• Figure 5 is a side view corresponding to Figure 4; and
• FIGS. 6A to 6G are front views of the folding workbench showing successive positions of the workbench from the folded storage position (FIG. 6A) to the unfolded working position (FIG. 6G).

We first refer to Figures 1 and 3 which show a folding workbench according to the invention which comprises a tray of work and / or tightening 10 connected to a supporting structure foldable 12. This structure 12 comprises a box of storage 14 forming an integral part of the structure and constituting a first amount, a second amount 16 and a spacer 18.

The plate 10 includes two parallel support beams 20 between them and interconnected by two crosspieces 22 (figure 3) to define a frame which supports a beam of fixed clamping 24 and a movable clamping beam 26, this the latter being able to slide on the two crosspieces. These clamping beams 24 and 26 are arranged flat and at the horizontal and they form the two jaws of a vice; These two beams can be brought closer or apart mutually under the action of two threaded rods 28 (figure 3) capable of being rotated independently one from the other, by two cranks 30 provided with handles retractable. Each of the worms 28 cooperates with a tapped block 31 (Figure 2) secured to the movable beam 26.

The general structure of such a clamping plate, with two elongated beams forming a vice, which can be placed in parallel positions or not, is in itself known.

The support beams 20 of the plate 10 have a first end 32 connected by first articulations 34 to a upper end of the body 14 shown in position standing (Figures 1 to 3).

The joints 34 are double and coaxial and carried respectively by two vertical walls spaced 36 from the storage box 14. Each of these walls 36 has a reinforcement leg 38 (Figure 1) which may or may not be integrated into the wall. This jamb extends from the end top of storage box to its end lower. The two legs 38, which are parallel between them, thus extend to a bottom wall 40 of the box 14, which is suitable for resting on the ground.

The storage box 14 is made of a material resistant, for example in ABS plastic or a metallic material such as an aluminum alloy.

In addition, the storage box 14 includes an open face 42 which extends vertically in the standing position of the box 14 (figure 1). This open face is intended for accommodate the tray 10 as well as the upright 16 and the spacer 18 in the folded position of the workbench, as shown will see further. The storage box 14 has one side opposite 44 which also extends vertically in the upright position of the storage box (Figure 1).

The storage box 14 has openings made in the vertical face 44 to accommodate different bins or storage drawers. In the example, there is a tray 46 placed in the upper part and suitable for receiving, for example hand tools, a tray 48 placed below and intended to receive for example electric portable devices and a tray 50 placed in the lower part and intended to accommodate a set of electrical sockets 52. These are intended to be supplied by an electric cable 53 of preferably arranged around a reel, and suitable for being connected to the electrical sector by an electrical connector 55. The electrical outlets 52, advantageously numbering three, can receive the connection of one or more portable electric machines. Bins 46 and 48 are preferably completely extractable.

The storage box 14 further comprises a wall upper 54 provided at its upper part with a lock 56 mounted pivoting about an axis 58 (Figure 1) and whose function will be explained later.

Thus, the storage case 14 constitutes in itself a element of the supporting structure 12 and it allows more contain different mechanical or electrical tools.

Each of the support beams 20 of the plate 10 has a second end 60, bent at right angles, and connected by two second coaxial joints 62 at one end amount 16.

The amount 16 is essentially composed of two beams vertical 64 connected by a horizontal cross 66 to define an H-structure (Figure 2).

The bent ends 60 of the support beam 20 are articulated respectively to the two vertical beams 64 by the two coaxial joints 62 (Figure 2).

The spacer 18 itself is made up of two elements parallel 68 each comprising a first end 70 bent at right angles and a second end 72 bent at forming an obtuse angle, in the example close to 135 °.

The two bent ends 70 are articulated respectively by third joints 74 at the lower end of the storage box 14, that is to say respectively two walls 36. The two joints 74 are coaxial and carried respectively by the two legs 38 of the body storage, in the lower part of this box.

The two bent ends 72 are connected respectively by two fourth coaxial joints 76 to the beams 64 upright 16 at their lower end. Between the two joints 76 is further provided a horizontal cross 78 (figure 2) which is also part of the second upright 16 and which is parallel to the crosspiece 66.

The second upright 16 is further equipped with two feet retractable 80, provided respectively at the two ends of cross member 78 and likely to pivot each around a vertical axis (the body being in a standing position). These feet 80 are intended to rest on the ground to constitute the seat of the workbench, in cooperation with the bottom wall 40 of the storage box 14. The legs 80 can pivot between a deployed position (shown in solid lines on the figure 2) to widen the seat of the workbench and a position retracted (shown in broken lines in Figure 2) to facilitate the storage of the workbench in the box, as we will see it later.

Furthermore, the storage box 14 has two wheels transport 82 recessed at least partially in the wall bottom 40 and located at the junction of this bottom wall with the open face 42.

The double joints 34, 62, 74 and 76 define axes which are parallel to each other and which, in the position Figures 1 to 3 are horizontal.

In the unfolded position of the workbench, the four double above-mentioned joints constitute the vertices of a quadrilateral which approaches the shape of a square. Support beams 20 of the plate 10 as well as the elements 68 of the spacer 18 are articulated to the walls 36 of the storage box, the inner side of it, so that it can be folded and retract at least partially inside the body storage, as we will see later.

The storage box defines a first compartment 84 (Figure 1), located on the side of the open face 42 and suitable for accommodate the plate 10 and the supporting structure 12 in folded position (Figures 4 and 5).

In the folded position (Figures 4 and 5), the plate 10, as well as the upright 16 and the spacer 18 retract to inside the storage box, the tray 10 coming close the open face 42. In this position, the beams clamps are directed towards the outside of the storage and in a substantially vertical position. Of fact that the support beam of the plate 10 has a angled end 60 and that the spacer 18 has two angled ends 70 and 72, the support beam 20, the upright 16 and the spacer 18 extend in planes substantially parallel as seen in Figure 4, which provides a collected structure, in which the elements of the structure are mainly arranged along the walls 36 of the storage box and inside it. It should be noted that the open face 42 could be closed by a removable or pivoting wall so as to hide the tray 10 completely in the folded position of the workbench.

We will now describe with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6G the different stages of unfolding the workbench.

In the position of Figure 6A, the workbench is completely folded into the storage box, the locking member 56 being in the locked or closed position.

In the position of FIG. 6B, the locking member is open, allowing the workbench to unfold. All first, as shown in Figure 6C, we rotate the plate 10 around the joints 34, the amount 16 remaining in a position substantially parallel to the plate 10. Next, we continues to raise the platform to bring it into a position inclined, while spreading the upright 16 from the plate 10 by pivot around the joints 62 and at the same time time pivot down the spacer 18 around the joints 74. Then, we rotate the tray down to bring it first in the position of figure 6E then in the position of FIG. 6F in which the feet 80 come to touch the ground. Then just rotate these feet outward to move them from their position retracted to their extended position to widen the seat of the workbench.

To move the workbench from its unfolded position to its position folded, just perform the operations above described, but in reverse.

The workbench joints can be of the self-locking type or it is also possible to provide means of particular locking or knee pads.

When the workbench is in its folded position, it constitutes a storage box which takes the place of a suitcase and can be easily transported and stored in position standing or lying down. The wheels 82 facilitate the transport of the box. It is possible to predict by example one or more handles to facilitate these operations.

The workbench of the invention can be produced in different dimensions, the plate 10 having to define a work plan lying at a height of the order of 70 cm to 80 cm per report to the ground.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the form of realization described above and extends to other variants.

Thus, it will be understood that the storage box and the supporting structure, as well as the platform are susceptible many variations.

It is essential that the storage box is part of integral to the supporting structure. It is possible, as in the previous embodiment, to make sure that the storage box constitutes a vertical amount of the supporting structure. However, it could be considered to remove the spacer 18 and to provide means for stabilization connecting the tray 10 to the storage box 14 and the amount 16.

It is also possible to use the cash register storage as a horizontal base resting on the floor, the tray can then be connected to the storage box by amounts or the like.

Also, the means of connection between the plate and the other structural elements, including the body storage, may include articulation means, and sliding means.

This provides a folding workbench, also forming a case storage, which can be easily transported and stored, occupying a minimum volume.

Claims (14)

Folding workbench comprising a work and / or clamping table (10) connected to a folding support structure (12), which can be selectively brought either into an unfolded position (working position) or into a folded position (storage position ),
characterized in that the folding supporting structure (12) integrates, as a structural element, a storage box (14) in which the plate (10) and the structure (12) are able to retract at least in part in the folded position. Folding workbench according to claim 1, characterized in what the storage box (14) is capable of constituting, in the unfolded position, a first post hinged to the plate (10), while a second upright (16) is also provided articulated to the plate (10). Folding workbench according to claim 2, characterized in what the storage box (14) and the second upright (16) are further articulated to a spacer (18) so that the tray (10), the storage box (14), the second upright (16) and the spacer (18) form an articulated structure with four elements in which the elements are substantially parallel two by two in the unfolded position and substantially parallel to each other in the folded position. Folding workbench according to claim 3, characterized in that the plate (10) has a first end (32) connected by first articulation means (34) to a upper end of the storage box (14) (considered in a standing position) and a second end angled (60) connected by second articulation means (62) at an upper end of the second upright (16), and that the spacer (18) includes a first end angled (70) connected by third articulation means (74) at a lower end of the storage box (14) (seen in the standing position) and a second angled end (72) connected by fourth means hinge (76) at a lower end of the second upright (16), said first articulation means (34), second articulation means (62), third means articulation (74) and fourth articulation means (76) defining respectively four axes of articulation parallel to each other. Folding workbench according to claim 3, characterized in that the second end (60) of the plate (10) is bent substantially at right angles, the first end (70) of the spacer (18) is bent substantially at a right angle and the second end (72) of the spacer (78) is bent following an obtuse angel. Folding workbench according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that each of the first means of articulation (34), second articulation means (62), third articulation means (74) and fourth articulation means (76) is double and includes two coaxial joints spaced. Folding workbench according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the plate (10) is connected, on the one hand, with two spaced apart walls (36) of the storage box (14) respectively by the first two coaxial joints (34) and, on the other hand, two spaced beams (64) from the second upright (16) by two second coaxial joints (62), and in that the spacer (18) comprises two spaced beams (68) connected, on the one hand, to the two spaced walls (36) of the storage box (14) by two third joints coaxial (74) and, on the other hand, to the two beams (64) of the second upright (16) by two fourth joints coaxial (76). Folding workbench according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the storage box (14) comprises a bottom wall (40) which, in the unfolded position, is clean to rest on the ground and in that the second upright (16) is fitted with feet (80) which, in the unfolded position, are clean to rest on the ground to form the seat of the workbench jointly with the bottom wall of the storage box. Folding workbench according to claim 8, characterized in that transport wheels (82) are embedded in the bottom wall (40) of the storage box (14). Folding workbench according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the legs (80) of the second upright (16) are swivel and movable between a retracted position facilitating their insertion into the storage box (14) in the folded position of the supporting structure (12) and a extended position suitable for widening the seat of the workbench in the unfolded position of the supporting structure. Folding workbench according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the storage box (14) includes a first compartment (84) suitable for accommodating the tray (10) and the supporting structure (12) in the folded position and a second compartment forming storage for tools, accessories and the like. Folding workbench according to claim 11, characterized in that the second compartment is divided into storage bins (46, 48, 50). Folding workbench according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the storage box (14) comprises at at least one electrical outlet (52) suitable for being connected to the sector by an electric cable. Folding workbench according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the plate (10) comprises two beams clamp (24, 26) forming the jaws of a vice, of which at least one is mobile, as well as control means with retractable cranks (30) for moving closer or apart mutually said beams.

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