GB2147499A - Improvements relating to workbenches - Google Patents

Abstract

A workbench has a base (1) which supports a work top (2) by a telescopic leg (3) at each end. The amount of telescoping, and thus the height of the work top (2) is governed by a pin entered through selected apertures (6) in the lower part (5) of each leg and on which the bottom of the upper part (4) rests. Raising and lowering is achieved by a lever (11) pivoted on the lower parts (5) of the legs and coupled by links (12) to the work top. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to workbenches This invention relates to workbenches.

A workbench is generally of a fixed height, and consists of a flat top on a sturdy underframe. However, a fixed height is not always suitable for every job or for every user. For example, when a large workpiece is being operated on, it might well be convenient to have it on a low workbench so that the part in question can be at a convenient height. Also, handicapped people, particularly those confined to wheelchairs, need a low bench adjusted to their particular level. A bench with easily adjustable height would therefore be useful.

According to the present invention there is provided a workbench comprising a work top, a base, telescopic legs supporting the top on the base, a lever device for raising and lowering the top, and thereby telescoping the legs to a lesser or greater degree, and stop means co-operable with the legs to arrest further telescoping when the top is at a selected height.

Conveniently, the stop means is a pin for each leg, insertable in a selected cross aperture in the lower, larger diameter part, the upper part bearing with its lower end upon it.

The lever device preferably comprises a lever at each end pivoted on a bracket on the lower part of an associated leg, operable from one side of the bench and acting on the top through a generally vertical link on the other side.

For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a work bench, and Figure 2 is an end elevation of the bench of Fig. 1.

The workbench has a base 1 which supports a worktop 2 by legs 3 at each end. Each leg is telescopic and the upper part 4 is sleeved into the lower part 5, which has two series of apertures 6 at regular intervals over most of its length, on opposite sides. Any one opposed pair of these apertures can receive a pin 7, loosely captive to the bench by a cord 8. The lower end of the upper part 4 bears on this cross pin, which thus determines the height of the top 2.

The height can be adjusted with the aid of a lever mechanism. Each lower part 5 of a leg 3 has a bracket 9 which provides a pivot 10 for a lever 11 offset to one side of the bench.

The levers are parallel and each is joined to the underside of the top 2 on the other side of the bench by a generally vertical link 1 2. It will be seen that downward pressure on the free ends of the levers will raise the top, enabling the pins 7 to be re-set.

If the bench is short, both levers can be operated by one person, and then one of them held while one pin is adjusted, and then the other. However, with a long bench, the levers will be too far apart, and the top will be correspondingly heavier. An extension 1 3 is therefore provided, as shown in outline in the drawing, this being a shallow U-form member with at least the arms tubular and spaced so that they will simultaneously fit over the free ends of the levers. There is then a bar running parallel to the length of the bench, giving greater mechanical advantage and ensuring that both levers work together.

It will be understood that even a short bench may have this extension.

The telescopic legs 3 may simply be two steel tubes of different diameter. However, since such tubes from stock tend to have lateral play however closely the outside diameter of one is matched to the inside diameter of the other, it will be preferred to fit a bush 14 at the top of the lower part 5 and a plug 1 5 at the bottom of the upper part 4, as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 2.

Although reference is made above only to a workbench, it should be understood that the top can take many different forms and provide many different uses. For example, it could be a drawing board, a games table, a dining table or serve as a base for machine tools.

A further development could be the provision of locking castors on the base 1, enabling it to be manoeuvred easily.

1. A workbench comprising a work top, a base, telescopic legs supporting the top on the base, a lever device for raising and lower ing the top, and thereby telescoping the legs to a lesser or greater degree, and stop means co-operable with the legs to arrest further telescoping when the top is at a selected height.

2. A workbench as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stop means is a pin for each leg insertable in a selected cross aperture in the lower, larger diameter part, the upper part bearing with its lower end upon it.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lever device comprises a lever at each end pivoted on the lower part of an associated leg and operable from one side of the bench, and a generally vertical link on the other side coupling the lever to the work top.

4. A workbench substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to workbenches This invention relates to workbenches. A workbench is generally of a fixed height, and consists of a flat top on a sturdy underframe. However, a fixed height is not always suitable for every job or for every user. For example, when a large workpiece is being operated on, it might well be convenient to have it on a low workbench so that the part in question can be at a convenient height. Also, handicapped people, particularly those confined to wheelchairs, need a low bench adjusted to their particular level. A bench with easily adjustable height would therefore be useful. According to the present invention there is provided a workbench comprising a work top, a base, telescopic legs supporting the top on the base, a lever device for raising and lowering the top, and thereby telescoping the legs to a lesser or greater degree, and stop means co-operable with the legs to arrest further telescoping when the top is at a selected height. Conveniently, the stop means is a pin for each leg, insertable in a selected cross aperture in the lower, larger diameter part, the upper part bearing with its lower end upon it. The lever device preferably comprises a lever at each end pivoted on a bracket on the lower part of an associated leg, operable from one side of the bench and acting on the top through a generally vertical link on the other side. For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a work bench, and Figure 2 is an end elevation of the bench of Fig. 1. The workbench has a base 1 which supports a worktop 2 by legs 3 at each end. Each leg is telescopic and the upper part 4 is sleeved into the lower part 5, which has two series of apertures 6 at regular intervals over most of its length, on opposite sides. Any one opposed pair of these apertures can receive a pin 7, loosely captive to the bench by a cord 8. The lower end of the upper part 4 bears on this cross pin, which thus determines the height of the top 2. The height can be adjusted with the aid of a lever mechanism. Each lower part 5 of a leg 3 has a bracket 9 which provides a pivot 10 for a lever 11 offset to one side of the bench. The levers are parallel and each is joined to the underside of the top 2 on the other side of the bench by a generally vertical link 1 2. It will be seen that downward pressure on the free ends of the levers will raise the top, enabling the pins 7 to be re-set. If the bench is short, both levers can be operated by one person, and then one of them held while one pin is adjusted, and then the other. However, with a long bench, the levers will be too far apart, and the top will be correspondingly heavier. An extension 1 3 is therefore provided, as shown in outline in the drawing, this being a shallow U-form member with at least the arms tubular and spaced so that they will simultaneously fit over the free ends of the levers. There is then a bar running parallel to the length of the bench, giving greater mechanical advantage and ensuring that both levers work together. It will be understood that even a short bench may have this extension. The telescopic legs 3 may simply be two steel tubes of different diameter. However, since such tubes from stock tend to have lateral play however closely the outside diameter of one is matched to the inside diameter of the other, it will be preferred to fit a bush 14 at the top of the lower part 5 and a plug 1 5 at the bottom of the upper part 4, as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 2. Although reference is made above only to a workbench, it should be understood that the top can take many different forms and provide many different uses. For example, it could be a drawing board, a games table, a dining table or serve as a base for machine tools. A further development could be the provision of locking castors on the base 1, enabling it to be manoeuvred easily. CLAIMS

1. A workbench comprising a work top, a base, telescopic legs supporting the top on the base, a lever device for raising and lower ing the top, and thereby telescoping the legs to a lesser or greater degree, and stop means co-operable with the legs to arrest further telescoping when the top is at a selected height.

2. A workbench as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stop means is a pin for each leg insertable in a selected cross aperture in the lower, larger diameter part, the upper part bearing with its lower end upon it.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lever device comprises a lever at each end pivoted on the lower part of an associated leg and operable from one side of the bench, and a generally vertical link on the other side coupling the lever to the work top.

4. A workbench substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.