GB2068828A - Apparatus for supporting a workpiece - Google Patents

Abstract

A large log is supported in a horizontal position by two upright supports (1, 2). One support includes an X-shaped 10 cross brace, in the groove of which the log is rested, the other support is spaced from the first in the direction of the length of the log and includes a pivoted restraining bar 11. This bar is pulled down to engage the top surface of a log and can be locked in position. A number of small logs can be sawn from the large one without requiring the large one to be moved. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for supporting a workpiece This invention relates to apparatus for supporting an elongate workpiece in a generally horizontal position.

In certain circumstances it is required to support an elongate workpiece near one end so that it is disposed generally horizontally.

Such a support imposes strain on the supporting apparatus when the workpiece is heavy.

One circumstance where such a support is particularly useful is as a support for a large log which is to be sawn into smaller logs.

Traditionally the large log is balanced by resting it on two supports in its middle region.

This arrangement is unsatisfactory both since it requires the workman to apply a downwards force to prevent the log tilting, and since the large log has to be moved often to keep it balanced and so that a length is available for sawing.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved form of apparatus for supporting an elongate workpiece.

Accordingly, the present invention provides: apparatus for supporting an elongate workpiece in a generally horizontal position, the apparatus including first and second spaced apart, upstanding support structures, adapted respectively to engage the upperside and underside of the workpiece; one of the support structures including a restraining member pivoted thereon for movement in a generally vertical plane and operative to provide one of said engagements of the workpiece, and means for securing the pivoted restraining member in a fixed position.

Said one support structure preferably has means for securing the pivoted restraining member in a plurality of fixed positions.

The support structure on which the restraining member is pivoted is preferably said first support structure.

In one embodiment of the invention the first support structure includes two upstanding members, which in use are located one on each side of the supported workpiece, and the restraining member is pivoted to one of the upstanding members, the other of the upstanding members including said means for securing for fixing one end of the restraining member.

The restraining member preferably extends beyond its pivot point with said one of the upstanding members to form a lever arm for operating the restraining member.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view from above and to the side of a log-supporting apparatus, and Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus.

Referring to the Figures, a log-supporting apparatus includes two upright support structures 1 and 2. The structure 1 includes two upright lengths 3 and 4 of iron each being Lshaped in cross-section and the structure 2 includes two shorter upright lengths 5 and 6 of the same cross-section. These lengths are disposed in a rectangular pattern. The basal ends of the upright lengths 3-6 are welded to horizontal lengths of iron 7, 8 and 9 having Lshaped cross-sections. These lengths provide a stable base for the apparatus. Horizontal length 7 connects upright lengths 3 and 5, and horizontal length 8 connects upright lengths 4 and 6 of the two support structures.

The remaining horizontal length 9 extends at right angles to the lengths 7, 8 and connects and extends beyond both the upright lengths 3 and 4 of the first support structure 1.

Angles brace members, which for clarity are omitted from the Figures, connect the horizontal lengths 7 and 8 with the upright lengths.

At their upper ends each of the upright lengths of iron 5 and 6 of the second support structure 2 are bent over and downwardly towards the facing upright. A slot is formed in one of the bent over portions to accommodate the other, so forming an X-shaped cross brace 10 between the upright lengths 5 and 6.

The support structure 1 also includes a restraining bar 11 which is pivoted intermediate its ends on the upright length of iron 3.

The pivot mechanism comprises a pivot pin 1 2 fixed to the length 3 which passes through a hole 1 3 in the restraining bar 11. A further pivot pin 14 may be provided at a position on the length 3 below the pin 1 2 on to which the restraining bar may be pivoted as an alternative to the pin 1 2. The restraining bar 11 spans the distance between the upright lengths 3 and 4 of the first support structure and its end 1 5 can be secured to the upright length 14.

The means whereby the end 1 5 of the restraining bar is secured comprises a series of downwardly angled projections 1 6 which are vertically spaced on the upper portion of the upright length of iron 4. The restraining bar 11 extends considerably beyond the pivot pin 1 2 to provide a lever arm, and at the end of this arm it is provided with a handle 1 7.

Between the end 1 5 and hole 13, the restraining bar has a pair of downwardly extending wedge-shaped projections 1 8 whose inwardly facing edges diverge.

The apparatus is used to support a log which is required to be sawn into smaller pieces. The two support structures 1 and 2 are spaced apart by a relatively short distance, approximately the length of a log to be sawn.

This is shown in Fig. 2, where a large log 19 is shown supported and the chain-dotted lines indicate the positions where the log is required to be sawn into smaller logs.

One end region of the large log 1 9 is placed over the cross-brace 10 and under the restraining bar 11, which has been pre-set in its engagement with one of the angled projections 1 6 to suit the size of log concerned. The weight of the log 1 9 is then released on to the apparatus to engage with the cross-brace 10 and the wedge projections 1 8 of the restraining bar 11. Thus secured the log 1 9 is firmly fixed allowing small logs to be sawn from it without requiring the large log to be moved axially.

In an alternative arrangement the restraining bar is pivoted at one end on the upright length of iron 4 and the downwardly angled projections are located on the upright length 3 so that the bar is secured intermediate its ends. In this version the restraining bar preferably extends slightly beyond the upright length 4 where it is connected by a coiled spring which extends downwardly to a position on the length 4.

It will be appreciated that the support structures may be rearranged so that the fixed cross-brace is located on the support structure closest to the end of the workpiece and the restraining bar is located on the other support structure. In this case however the cross-brace will need to bear on the upper surface of the workpiece while the restraining bar will pivot upwardly into engagement beneath the workpiece.

Although in the above described embodiment the apparatus is used to support a large log for sawing it may be applied to many other types of elongate workpieces with equal facility.

Claims (6)

1. Apparatus for supporting an elongate workpiece in a generally horizontal position, the apparatus including a first and second spaced apart, upstanding support structures, adapted respectively to engage the upperside and underside of the workpiece; one of the support structures including a restraining member pivoted thereon for movement in a generally vertical plane and operative to provide one of said engagements of the workpiece, and means for securing the pivoted restraining member in a fixed position.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said one support structure has means for securing the pivoted restraining member in a plurality of fixed positions.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the support structure on which the restraining member is pivoted is said first support structure.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first support structure includes two upstanding members which in use are located one in each side of the supported workpiece, and the restraining member is pivoted to one of the upstanding members, the other of the upstanding members including said means for securing operative to fix one end of the restraining member.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the restraining member extends beyond its pivot point with said one of the upstanding members to form a lever arm for operating the restraining member.

6. Apparatus for supporting a workpiece substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.