GB2063755A - Saw bench - Google Patents

Abstract

Bench top halves 12, 13 are connected together by hinges 14 to provide therebetween a gap 15 for the blade of a portable power saw (not shown) to pass therealong, the hinges 14 being shaped to avoid being obstructions to the saw blade. A first fence 34 for guiding the saw comprises a pivoted fence member 35 which, in a working position, in which peg 42 fits into hole 43, extends parallel to the gap 15 and rests down onto the workpiece (not shown) being sawn. The arrangement may comprise a further spring-loaded fence arrangement 44 which presses the saw against the first fence 34. It may also have an aperture 60 for accommodating a portable saw after the manner of a conventional saw bench, as well as a mitre fence 64 including a key 65 adjustably located in a groove 67 and carrying a guide member 66; as well as a squaring fence 70; and a locator clip 80 for a flexible dust extractor pipe (not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Saw bench This invention concerns saw benches used for supporting workpieces whilst sawing operations are carried out thereon.

Saw benches are conventionally substantially stationary structures incorporating a bench top through which a vertically-disposed saw blade projects upwards, so that a workpiece can be severed by causing it to move in a pass across the bench top and past the blade. Such saw benches are relatively expensive and normally are only economic propositions for professional people such as joiners and carpenters; as a general rule they are usually too expensive for acquisition by amateur or "do-it-yourself" woodworkers requiring only to carry out a relatively small number of sawing operations at relatively infrequent intervals.

An object of the present invention is to provide a construction of saw bench which is primarily intended for-use with a portable power saw (such as that forming the subject matter of my co-pending British Patent Application No. 7932486) thereby affording greatly increased versatility in the use of such portable power saws and enabling owners of such saws to have the equivalent of a conventional bench at a cost considerably lesser than that of the conventional benches.A further object is to provide a saw bench as aforesaid which can be constructed in a form which is readily portable so that it can be used for the rapid setting up of a portable power-sawing workshop, for example at or on a worksite where carpentry or joinery is to be carried out, e.g. in domestic premises when installing or refitting fitted furniture, in commercial and industrial buildings or shops for installing bespoke fittings and equipment.

With these objects in view, the present invention provides a saw bench, for use with a portable saw, comprising a bench top supported by legs at an appropriate working height, characterised in that said bench top has therein a gap in which the blade of the potable saw may run for sawing a workpiece resting on the bench top.

The gap conveniently extends transversely of the bench top. It may then extend from side-to-side across the entire width of the bench top, in which case the bench top will comprise two separate parts defining the gap therebetween.

To provide for the saw bench to be portable, the two parts of the bench top are conveniently connected together by hinges shaped to avoid obstruction of the gap; each part of the bench top is then conveniently supported by respective collapsible legs.

These legs may be tubular metal legs, and stay pairs may be provided between the legs of the two table top parts, to ensure stability of the bench in its erected condition.

To provide a guide for a supporting shoe or base plate of the portable saw, to guide the latter with the saw's blade registering with the gap as the portable saw is moved across the bench top, the saw bench of the invention conveniently includes a first fence which, in a working position, extends parallel to the gap.

This first fence may be adapted to be moved between a rest position and its said working position, the arrangement being such that, in the rest position, it rests upon a straight edge extending along one longitudinal side of the table.

For convenience of use, the first fence is preferably pivotally connected at one end to the straight edge, locator means being provided at the other end for engaging with the bench top and locating said fence in its working position. This locator means may comprise a peg engageable in an aperture in the bench top.

The first fence, at the said one end, advantageously is also hingedly connected to the straight edge to permit it to be lowered onto or lifted from a workpiece.

Further to increase the versatility of the saw bench of the invention, it preferably further includes a second fence which, in a working position, provides a resilient-loaded fence member which extends parallel to the gap and which is spring loaded towards the gap. This second fence may comprise a non-yielding member which extends substantially parallel to the resiliently-loaded fence member, springs between these two members providing the requisite resilient loading.

The second fence may be swingable between a rest position and its working position, for instance by the non-yielding member being pivotally secured by one end to a base board extending along a side of the bench top and on which said non-yielding member lies in the rest position of the second fence.

The saw bench of the invention may, if desired, be so constructed that the portable saw can be fitted thereto with its blade projecting upwards at the bench top. To achieve this there may be provided, in the bench top, an aperture to accommodate the saw in a fixed position. The saw including a rectangular base plate, the aperture in the saw bench is conveniently square, a fillet then being provided to fit with the base plate into said aperture, thereby to enable the saw to be accommodated either transversely of or longitudinally of the saw bench.

To enable cuts to be made at specific angles, the saw bench of the invention preferably further includes an adjustable mitre fence associated with said aperture. This mitre fence conveniently comprises a key located in a groove extending across the bench top adjacent said aperture, and an adjustable guide member pivotally mounted on said key.

To facilitate accurate cutting operations when the saw is mounted fixedly in the aperture with its blade longitudinally of the bench top, the saw bench preferably further includes a detachable squaring fence having at one end a locator or abutment against an end or side of the bench top and its other end a tongue for engaging either in a groove extending transversely of the saw bench or against the opposite side of the bench top. The saw bench advantageously further includes a dust extractor comprising a flexible extraction pipe which connects with a dust collector on the saw.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, it will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view, from the front, of a preferred embodiment of the saw bench of the invention, this figure illustrating a first fence, a second fence and a squaring fence of the saw bench separated from the bench top for clarity of illustration; Figure 2 is a view comparable with Fig. 1 but to a reduced scale and showing the first fence, the second fence and the squaring fence in operative positions; and Figure 3 is an elevation illustrating the saw bench of Figs. 1 and 2, after removal of its fences, in a collapsed condition.

The illustrated preferred embodiment of the saw bench of the invention comprises a bench top indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 supported by two leg units which are indicated generally by the reference numerals 11. The bench top 10 comprises two approximately square halves 12, 13 which are connected to one another by a pair of hinges 14 in such a manner that there is a gap 15, about half-an-inch in width, extending transversely across the bench top 10 from front to back, about half way along the length of said bench top 10. As can be seen from Figs. 1 and 3, each hinge 14 comprises angled leaves 16 which provide for those portions of said leaves which are below the gap 15, as well as the pivots 17 of said hinges 14, to be spaced away from the gap 15.This ensures that the hinges 14 do not constitute obstructions to a saw blade (not shown) when the latter is moved along the gap 15 as will later be described.

The two halves 12, 13 of the bench top 10 are constructed with a hardwood top surface veneer and set into the longitudinal margins thereof, at a spacing of about five centimetres (two inches) from the respective adjacent edges are respective steel calibrating rules or measures 18. a further similar rule or measure 19 being set into the half 12 adjacent to its end edge remote from the gap 15.

Each leg unit 11 is of tubular metal construction and comprises a respective quadrilateral leg frame 20 providing a respective cross-member 21 which is pivotally clamped to the underside of the respective bench top half 12, 13 by bridge clamps 22, and a respective pair of limbs 23 which are connected at their bottom ends by a horizontal footpiece 24. Each leg unit further includes a respective outrigger 25 of inverted - U configuration providing a cross-piece 26 which is pivotally clamped to the underside of the respective bench top 12, 13 by respective releasable lamps 27, and limbs 28 the lower ends of which are pivotally connected to the limbs 23 near the lower ends of the latter at 29.For collapsing the saw bench, as will later be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 3, the cross-pieces 26 are released from their clamps 27, which can be effected by snap action, and the outriggers 25 can then be swung to lie against their respective leg frames 20.

The two leg frames 20 are joined, at each side of the bench, by pairs of limited-action or toggle-like stays which are indicated generally by the reference numerals 30. Each such stay 30 comprises a pair of links 31 which are pivotally connected to the respective limb 23 at 32 and to one another at 33. The pivotal connection 32 of each of these stays 30 is such that the links 31 cannot swing lower than their positions illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 in which the pivots 32 and 33 are substantially in a straight line, and the arrangement as illustrated provides for the saw bench to be particularly stable in use. For collapsing the bench, after the outriggers 25 have been swung to lie against the leg frames 20, each stay 30 is collapsed by moving its middle pivot 33 upwards.

Detachably fitted to the bench top half 13 is a first squaring fence which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 34. 7 his fence 34 comprises a fence member 35 connected by a hinge 36, having substantially horizontal axis, to a mounting block 37 which is mounted pivotally by a peg 38 on a straight edge member 39 having downwardly-projecting pegs 40 engageable into respective holes 41 provided at intervals along the bench top half 13 ajdacent its rear edge. At its end remote from the hinge 36 the fence member 35 has a downwardly-projecting peg 42 and from Figs. 1 and 2 it will be appreciated that the fence member 35 can be swung about a vertical axis provided by the peg 38 between a rest position wherein it is disposed upon the straight edge member 39 and a working posif tion extending across the bench top parallel to the gap 15, with the peg 42, serving as locator means, engaging in a hole 43 near the front edge of the bench top.

Also detachably fitted to the bench top half 12 is a second fence arrangement which is indicated qenerally by the reference numeral 44. This comprises a straight-edged base board 45 detachably engageable with the bench top half 12 by pegs 46 thereof engaging into respective hles 47 so that the board 45 extends accurately longitudinally of the bench top. A non-yielding member 48 of the second fence is pivotally mounted by one end by a pivot 49 on the base board 45 and this has, adjacent its other end, a respective peg, not visible, engageable in a hole 50 adjacent the front edge of the table top to locate the member 48 in its working position (shown in Fig. 2) overlying the back top half 12 adjacent the gap 15. Springs 51 between the non-yielding member 48 and a movable fence member 52 loads the latter resiliently.

The manner of use of the saw bench will readily be understood from the foregoing description. For sawing a workpiece (not shown), with the rests 34 and 44 in their inoperative positions, this workpiece is arranged in position abutting the straight edge member 39 and is appropriately adjusted using the rules 18, as appropriate to bring the desired cutting location of the workpiece over the gap 15.

Thereupon the first fence 34 is brought to its operative position, shown in Fig. 2, by swinging the fence member 35 about its pivot peg 38 and engaging the peg 42 down into the aperture 43. This fence member 35 rests down on the workpiece and enables the latter reliably to be held stationary on the bench top. The resiliently-loaded fence arrangement 44 is correspondingly swung to its operative Fig. 2 position for the resiliently-loaded movable fence member 52 to face towards the fence member 35.

The workpiece having been so arranged, it can now be sawn accurately and readily, using a conventional portable power saw, having a base plate or shoe through which a circular saw blade projects. The saw is caused to move in a pass across the bench top with the blade moving along the gap 15 and cutting the workpiece. This is assured, of course, by the corresponding edge of the saw's base plate or shoe locating against and sliding along the first fence member 35 and being spring biassed into engagement with said first fence member 35 by the opposite edge of the saw's base plate or shoe being engaged by the resiliently-loaded fence member 52.For cutting hard-melamine-faced and like boards, use may be made of a portable saw as described and claimed in my copending Patent Application No. 79 32486 which is adapted upon one pass to make a shallow face-scoring cut, which may be made slightly wider than the thickness of the saw blade by the latter being arranged in a skew disposition, and in another pass to saw the full thickness of the workpiece.

The entire saw bench is relatively light in construction and is easily portable. It can be collapsed to occupy a small space, as illustrated in Fig. 3, after removal of the two fences 34 and 44, by disengaging the outriggers 25 and swinging these against the leg frames 20, folding the struts 30 and hinging the bench top halves 12, 13 towards one another. Accordingly, it lends itself conveniently to being carried to a worksite, e.g. to a room of a house or office where joinery or fitting is to be effected, to a shop where fittings are to be installed, and like environments.

It will be evident from the figures of the drawings that the illustrated embodiment of the saw bench incorporates further features enhancing its versatility. Thus, in the bench top half 12 there is provided an aperture which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 60. As has been shown, this aperture is square and is dimensioned so that it will accommodate a base plate or shoe 61 of a portable power saw with its blade (not shown) projecting upwards through a slot 62 in this base plate or shoe 61. Such a base plate or shoe 61 is conventionally rectangular, and accordingly a complementary fillet 63 is provided so that the shoe 61 and fillet 63 together fully occupy the aperture 60.With this arrangement the aperture 60 being square, the saw can be arranged with the slot 62 (and the saw blade) extending either transversely of the bench top 10 (as shown) or longitudinally of the bench top 10, as may be desired or convenient for any particular sawing operation. This arrangement enables the saw bench of the invention to be used in a manner comparable with a conventional saw bench.

Associated with the aperture 60 is an adjustable mitre fence indicated generally by the reference numeral 64. This comprises a key 65 adjustably locatable in a groove 67 extending transversely across the bench top half 12 adjacent the aperture 60 and carrying a guide member 66 which is clampable in any desired angularly-orientated disposition. This arrangement, of course, permits angular location of a workpiece whilst being cut by a saw clamped into the aperture 60.

A further detachable squaring fence arrangement indicated generally by the reference numeral 70 is provided for the saw bench. This comprises a straight member 71 having at one end a locator bar 72 and at the other end a tongue 73. The distance between the tongue 73 and the locator bar 72 is substantially equal to the front-to-rear width of the bench top 10, and provided in the bench top half 12 is a groove 74 spaced a corresponding distance from the respective end of the bench top 10. A fixing mechanism, including knurled knobs 75, enables the distance between the tongue 73 and the locator bar 72 to be shortened for gripping the squaring fence in a desired disposition for guiding workpieces relative to a saw mounted in the aperture 60.Such disposition may, as illus trated in Fig. 2, be longitudinal of the bench top from the end of the half 12 to the groove 74, or it may be across the bench top, from front to back.

Also shown in Fig. 1 is a spring wire locator 80 which may be employed to hold clear of the edge of the bench top, a flexible dust extractor pipe (not shown) of an extractor assembly which is preferably employed with the saw bench, to conduct sawdust away from the saw.

This locator 80 clips into a respective buckle or bracket 81 secured to the underside of the bench top and enables the extractor pipe, which extends from an aspirator (not shown) beneath the saw bench to a dust collector forming part of the power saw.

The invention is not restricted to the precise details of the foregoing example and variations may be made thereot. Thus, for instance it is not essential to the invention that the bench top should be foldable as described, and the saw bench may comprise a bench top having therein a gap which extends only part way across the width of the top. In the case where the top is made in two parts as described, these parts do not have to be substantially equal halves as shown but may be of unequal sizes. The fences provided with the saw bench may, of course, be the same as or different from those described. Other variations are possible.

Claims (23)

1. A saw bench, for use with a portable saw, comprising a bench top supported by legs at an appropriate working height, characterised in that said bench top has therein a gap in which the blade of the portable saw may run for sawing a workpiece resting on the bench top.

2. A saw bench as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gap extends transversely of the bench top.

3. A saw bench as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the bench top comprises two separate parts defining the gap therebetween.

4. A saw bench as claimed in claim 3 wherein the two parts of the bench top are connected together by hinges shaped to avoid obstruction of the gap.

5. A saw bench as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein each part of the bench top is supported by respective collapsible legs.

6. A saw bench as claimed in claim 5 wherein stay pairs are provided between the legs of the two table top parts, to ensure stability of the bench in its erected condition.

7. A saw bench as claimed in any preceding claim further including a first fence which, in a working position, extends parallel to the gap.

8. A saw bench as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first fence is adapted to be moved between a rest position and its said working position.

9. A saw bench as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first fence, in the rest position, rests upon a straight edge extending along one longitudinal side of the table.

10. A saw bench as claimed in claim 9 wherein the first fence is pivotally connected at one end to the straight edge, locator means being provided at the other end for engaging with the bench top and locating said fence in its working position.

11. A saw bench as claimed in claim 10 wherein the locator means comprises a peg engageable in an aperture in the bench top.

12. A saw bench as claimed in claim 10 or 11 in which the first fence, at the said one end, is also hingedly connected to the straight edge to permit it to be lowered onto or lifted from a workpiece.

13. A saw bench as claimed in any preceding claim further including a second fence which, in a working position, provides a resiliently-loaded fence member which extends parallel to the gap and which is spring loaded towards the gap.

14. A saw bench as claimed in claim 13 wherein the second fence comprises a nonyielding member which extends substantially parallel to the resiliently-loaded fence member, springs being provided between these two members.

15. A saw bench as claimed in claim 14 wherein the second fence is swingable between a rest position and its working position.

16. A saw bench as claimed in claim 14 and 15 wherein the non-yielding member is pivotally secured by one end to a base board extending along a side of the bench top and on which said non-yielding member lies in the rest position of the second fence.

17. A saw bench as claimed in any preceing claim characterised by the provision, in the bench top, of an aperture to accommodate a saw in a fixed position.

18. A saw bench as claimed in claim 17 in which the saw includes a rectangular base plate, the aperture in the saw bench being square, and a fillet being provided to fit with the base plate in said aperture, thereby to enable the saw to be accommodated either transversely of or longitudinally of the saw bench.

19. A saw bench as claimed in any preceding claim further including an adjustable mitre fence associated with said aperture.

20. A saw bench as claimed in claim 1 9 in which the adjustable mitre fence comprises a key located in a groove extending across the bench top adjacent said aperture, and an adjustable guide member pivotally mounted on said key.

21. A saw bench as claimed in any preceding claim further including a detachable squaring fence having at one end a locator for abutment against an end or side of the bench top and at its other end a tongue for engaging in a groove extending transversely of the saw bench or against the opposite side of the bench top.

22. A saw bench as claimed in any preceding claim further including a dust extractor comprising a flexible extraction pipe for extending to a dust collector provided on the portable saw.

23. A saw bench substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.