GB2075904A - Multi-clamp for supporting a worktop/tool holder - Google Patents

Abstract

A worktop/toolholder which has holes, slots and hooks for tools is supported by an adjustable clamping system consisting of clamping sections, clamping bars of different lengths and thickness, spacing bars, slotted clamp spacers, wing nuts, slotted support bars with clamping tabs, outrigger support leg and base section. The clamping system works vertically, horizontally, or at angles in order to attach to various equipment, plant and work surfaces such as ladders, folding steps, trestles, worktops, table tops, bench tops or can attach to a base section. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION 'Multi-clamp' variable purpose worktop/toolholder Purpose To provide easier working conditions when tools or utensils are used at a height from the ground on ladders and folding steps or to position a convenient toolholder near to a workbench.

Description The 'Multi-clamp' is a portable horizontal worktop and toolholder with detachable clamps which fix vertically onto the rungs of a ladder or horizontally onto the tread of a pair af folding steps, or horizontally onto bench tops of 5" or more width and of between " and 1" thickness, (the angle to the bench front can be varied). It can also be free-standing when clamped vertically onto a base.

The invention differs from other forms of toolholder in that it can be used in various-situations by the use of a versatile horizontal or vertical clamping system and detachable parts which include 'worktop/ toolholder', 'clamping sections', 'clamping bars' of different lengths, 'spacing bar', 'clamp spacers', 'support bars' and 'outrigger support legs'.

The use of the 'Multi-clamp' enables a person working on a ladder or steps to have a number of tools to hand, or provides a horizontal top on which items such as a paint kettle, smaltbucket-etc.-can be stood (edging strips prevent items slipping off). It provides a toolholder near to a workbench,:thus keeping the workbench clear and tidy and when not in one of the other uses it can be stored and used as a free standing toolholder.

Note 1 The unit is not basically intended as a-standihg platform for an operative or for heavy loads exceeding lobs. (and a safety label to the above effect will be attached to each worktop), but a further developed model constructed of metal and having further support bars can supply a platform mode.

Note 2 Although clamping as described above (i.e. horizontal clamping onto step tread and vertical clamping onto ladder rung) is the best modes a further development-and second mode of fixing can be obtained by side clamping onto the 'styles' (or sides) of the steps or ladder, this is obtained by the use of differently shaped clamping sections.

Specification The 'Multi-clamp' unit can be constructed of wood, metal, plastic or fibreglass, it consists of the following parts: List of Parts One 'WorktoplToolholder'-top made offlatsheet material aproximately V"'thick any size upto 14" x 10".

The shape can vary, but rectangular is the best mode. It has a series of holes varying in diameter and hooks which hang from the edge (these are for tools to fit into and hang from). Holes for bolt fixing are provided and it has four edging strips fitted. (see Figure 1. Drawing sheet 1.) Two 'Clamping Sections'- made of flat sheet material approximately 5/16" thick, having holes provided to take wing nuts (one clamping section is fitted with a length of rubber or plastic strip). (See Figure 2. Drawing sheetI--and Drawing sheet 3).

One 'Long Clamping Bar'- approximately 15" long and 11/4" x 3/4" d ril l ed with holes for bolt fixing and clamping. (See Figure 3 Drawing sheet 3).

One 'Short Clamping Bar'- up to 10" long, 1" x 1" with holes as above plus counter-sunk holes. (See Figure 4. Drawing sheet 1.) One 'Spacing Bar'- up to 10" long, 1":: ", one hole for bolt clamping (See Figure 5. Drawing sheet 1).

One 'Base plate'- with fixed slotted clamping bar (See Figure 6. Drawing sheet 2).

Two 'Slotted Support Bars'- (See Figure 7. Drawing sheet 1).

One 'Ladder Rung Spacing Rod' < - (See Figure 8. Drawing sheet 1)..

Four 'Slotted Clamp Spacers' - 1" x 1" and 1/4" thick. (See Figure 9. Drawing sheet 3).

Two 'Wire Hooks'- (See Figure 10. Drawing sheet 1).

Two 'Outrigger Support Legs'- one fitted with 'L' bracket; one 2' 3P long and one at 3' 6" long, both 3/4" X ". (See Figure 11. Drawing sheet 4).

Two 'Outrigger Clamp Bars'- 31/2" long drilled with clamping holes (See Figure 12. Drawing sheet 4).

One 'Small items container' (with fixing rod) - consisting of an open- topped box or tin etc, which fixes ontp the top of the 'Worktop/Toolholder' by slotting a rod (projecting from the container base) into a small hole in the worktop (See Stage 4. Drawing sheet 1).

In addition to the above parts, boltsiof various types!ahd length are usedforfixing together sections and used with washers for clamping.

Note:- 'The Outrigger Support Leg' can alternatively be constructed of a long rod which slides up and down a tube and is fixed to required length with a 'grub screw'.

Uses:- The 'Worktop/Toolholder' is fixed to a 'clamping bar' and 'clamping sections' with wing nuts. The length and type of clamping bar vary according to use.

Use No. 1. Ladder Clamping Worktopl Toolholder Stage 1 The 'Worktop/Toolholder' top is bolted to the 'short clamping bar' approximately 81/2" long and 11/4" x 1" girth, using two flat headed bolts through the two end countersunk holes, the projecting bolt being upwards through the worktop. (See Stage 1. Drawing sheet 1-).

Stage 2 The two 'slotted support bars' are bolted together and bolted to one of the rectangular 'clamping sections'.

(See Stage 2. Drawing sheet 1).

Stage 3 The two rectangular 'clamping sections' are bolted to the centre-hole of the 'short clamping bar' using-a long wing nut bolt and washer. Two wire hooks are fitted into small holes in the 'WorktoplToolholder'. (See Stage 3. Drawing sheet 1).

Stage4 The unit is now fitted to the ladder by slipping the 'clamping sections' vertically over the ladder rung until the 'clamping bar' and worktop rest on top of the rung. (note for easier fitting the gap is increased between the clamping sections slightly by slackening off the wing nuts then tightening up when in place). (See Stage 4. Drawing sheet 1).

The two 'slotted support bars' are adjusted by sliding the slots along the bolts, vertically and horizontally until the bottom bar is in a horizontal position opposite the ladder rung below the unit. With the end of the bottom 'slotted support bar' over the ladder rung, the 'ladder rung spacing rod' is pushed vertically through one of the small holes in the support bar. (the nearest hole to the ladder rung being used to obtain a close fit).

(See Stage 4. Drawing sheet 1). Finally all wing nuts are tightened into position with washers in place.

Stage 5 The 'Small Items Container' can if required be fitted to the 'Worktop/Toolholder' by slotting the fixed rod into a hole in the worktop. (See Stage 4. Drawing sheet 1).

Note: When using the ladder 'clamping worktop/toolholder' on thicker rung ladders such as aluminium 'D' rung type, a spacing clamp bar' is added when bolting the sections together. (See Stage 5. Drawing sheet 1).

Use No.2. Free Standing Toolholder When the ladder clamping worktop/toolholder is not in use it can be converted and stored as a free standing toolholder unit by the following adjustments: Stage 7 The long wing nut bolt holding the 'clamping sections' to the 'short clamping bar' is slackened off slightly then the bottom wing nut bolt and the two 'slotted support bars' are removed (See Stage 1. Drawing sheet 2).

Stage 2 A long wing nut bolt is replaced through the same bottom hole. (See Stage 2. Drawing sheet 2).

Stage 3 The two vertical 'clamping sections' are then slipped over a 'base plate clamping bar'. The bottom long wing nut bolt slides down a slot in this bar and is tightened into position (See Stage 3 and 4. Drawing Sheet 2).

Use No.3. Bench, Table, Shelf etc. Clamping Toolholder Stage 1 The 'worktop/toolholder' top is bolted to one end of the 'long clamping bar' using the two flat headed bolts (the bolts should project downwards below the bar). (See Stage 1. Drawing sheet 3).

Stage2 The two rectangular 'clamping sections' are bolted to the other end-of the 'long clamping bar' (using the larger end hole in the bar). (See Stage 2. Drawing sheet 3).

Note:- The clamping section fitted with the length of rubber packing strip should bb the bottom one, with the strip facing upwards between the two 'clamping sections'. (See Stage 2. Drawing sheet 3).

Stage3 The unit is then fixed to the bench by sliding the two 'clamping sections' horizontally over and under the bench edge. (See Stage 3. Drawing sheet 3).

Stage 4 The wing nut bolt that holds the long 'clamping bar' between the two 'clamping sections' is then tightened with the 'long clamping bar' at whatever angle to the bench that is required. (See Stage 4. Drawing sheet 3).

Stage5 It is possible to clamp onto benches of various thickness between and 13/4" thick by using one or more 'slotted clamp spacers' which slide in between the-top 'clamping section' and the 'long clamping bar'. (See Stage 5. Drawing sheet 3).

The range of bench thicknesses which can be clamped onto are obtained as follows: Bench Thickness 3/4" down to " - use Long clamping bar only 1" - use Long clamping bar + 1 'clamp spacer' 1 1/4t " tt + 2 11/2" - " " ,, + 3 13/4" - " " + 4 Use No.4. Worktopl Toolholder Which Clamps Onto-Foldihg Steps - Stage 1 The 'worktop/toolholder' top is bolted to any wend of-the 'long clamping bar' using the two flat headed bolts, used downwards so that they project below the bar. (See Stage -1. Drawing sheet 4).

Stage2 The two rectangular 'clamping sections' are bolted through the centrai hold of the set of three holes along one edge of the clamping section and through the hole at the other end of the 'long clamping bar'. (See Stage 2. Drawing sheet 4).

Stage3 A second wing nut bolt is passed through either the right front or left front corner holes in the clamping sections, depending whether the unit is to be used on the right or left of the pair of steps. (See Stage 3.

Drawing sheet 4).

Stage 4 The unit is now slotted horizontally onto one of the flat treads of the folding steps (easing the front wing nuts and tightening as necessary). Then a third long wing nut bolt is passed through the single hole at the back of the clamping sections (beyond the step tread) and tightened in place, this causes the clamping sections to grip the step treads. (See Stage 4. Drawing sheet 4).

Stage 5 The 'adjustable outrigger support leg' (fitted with the 'L' bracket) is attached to the underside of the 'long clamping bar' and worktop by boiting through the 'L' bracket, using the outer of the two existing bolts which fix the worktop to the 'long clamping bar'. (See Stage 5. Drawing sheet 4) StageG The second 'adjustable outrigger support leg" is placed with one end touching the floor and the other end touching and overlapping the first 'outrigger support leg'. The two overlapping sections are clamped together using two 'outrigger clamp bars' fitted with two wing nut bolts. (See Stage 6. Drawing sheet 4).

Safety Note:- Although it is possible to use the 'worktop/toolholder' on folding steps without the 'outrigger support legs' it is not recommended except for lightweight tools).

Note:- When using the 'worktop/toolholder' on thicker type step tread such as certain aluminium 'trunk' section treads, the 'long clamp bar' is packed with two or more 'slotted clamp spacers' (these slide in between the 'clamping sections' and the 'long clamping bar' at the points of the centre hole and the side corner hole. (See Stage 7. Drawing Sheet 4).

Claims (1)

1. A Worktop/Toolholder with holes or slots and hooks for tools, which can adapt to attach to various equipment plant and work surfaces such as ladders, folding steps, trestles, worktops, table tops, bench tops, wide shelf or attach to a base section.

Characterized by an adjustable clamping system which can fix horizontally, vertically or at angles onto 'rungs', 'steps' or 'styles' or the edge of flat work surfaces. (Alternatively a hook on system can be used).

Parts consist of 'claming sections', 'clamping bars of various length and thickness', 'spacing bars, 'slotted clamp spacers with fixing pins', 'support bars' and clamping tabs, 'outrigger legs' and 'bolts' (in particular wing nut bolts) and base section. Hooks for tool hanging can be fitted to the Worktop/Toolholder also small items containers can be fixed.

Appendant Claim 1 A 'Worktop/Toolholder' which clamps, slots or hooks onto ladders as claimed in Claim 1.

Appendant Claim 2 A 'Worktop/Toolholder' which clamps, slots or hooks onto folding steps or trestles as claimed in Claim 1.

AppendantClaim 2 A 'WorktopiToolholder' which clamps, slots or hooks onto the edge of a wide flat surface such as a worktop, bench, table or shelf as claimed in Claim 1.

Appendant Claim 4.

A 'Worktop/Toolholder' which clamps and bolts or slots onto a base unit to create a freestanding toolholder as claimed in Claim 1.

Appendant Claim 5 A clamping system which supports a 'Worktop/Toolholder' as claimed in Claim 1. which consists of two or more flat or curved or angled clamping sections bolted or screwed or slotted either side of a clamping bar which can vary in length, width or thickness according to the width required to clamp various objects, also slotted clamp spacers (with fixing pin) can be used to vary the clamping width when attached to the bolts near the clamping sections. A slotted support bar fitted with clamping tabs and bolts can hold the 'Worktop/Toolholder' and clamping system in place on ladders and an adjustable outrigger leg with locking clamp can be used to support the unit when used on lightweightfolding steps.