GB2223441A - A woodworker's sawblock - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a woodworkers sawblock of a new construction, which enables it to be regularly dismantled for packaging and transportation. The sawblock has the usual worktop 30, and four substantially straight legs 38 each located in a recess 42 of the worktop, the angle of which determines the outward lateral inclination of the leg, there being means such as a bolt and wing nut 44, for releasably securing each leg to the worktop and struts basing the four legs both laterally and longitudinally. In the preferred construction, the leg-locating recesses are formed at a compound angle so that the legs are inclined outwardly in both the transverse and longitudinal directions. Also the longitudinal strut may take the form of a box 48 which is releasably attached to transverse struts 40, the box being able to accommodate the four legs when the latter are detached from the worktop and folded on each other. <IMAGE>

Description

A Woodworkers Sawblock For many centuries, woodworkers have used some form of sawblock or sawhorse and this is particularly true of Joiners and carpenters who have to work "on site", that is away from the workshop where an ordinary workbench Is available. Essentially, a woodworkers sawblock comprises a horizontal worktop which Is usually nothing more than a substantiai timber beam, supported on two pairs of splayed apart legs, usually each palr having a cross-strut, so that there is an "A" frame at each end.

The uses to which the sawblock can be put are leglon, but some of the maln uses are: I) As a portable bench on which timber can be supported whilst It is sawn, planed, chopped, chisel led, assembled or glued.

ii) As a work locator, by means of which a relatively large Item such as a door can be located whilst it is resting on the ground, or an operation such as planing.

ill) As a tressle, which in combination with a second similar sawblock and a plank can be used to provide a portable low scaffold.

It will be understood that this Is not a comprehensive ilst of possible uses, and Indeed one of the virtues of the conventional sawblock is that It lends Itself to a multiplicity of uses, according to the ingenuity of the user. Hence, although the term "sawblock" Is well understood - and consequently will be employed throughout this specification - It Is not intended to have any limiting effect, since clearly, the device can be used for many purposes additional to sawing. Also the term "woodworkers" is used herein to describe the type of apparatus and not as any limitation on the Intended usages, since of course, woodworkers sawblocks are in fact used by a variety of tradesmen: bricklayers; plumbers; electricians and decorators to name a few.

The conventional woodworkers sawblock Is made by nailing together pieces of timber and the intention Is that when it Is badly worn, It Is discarded. It Is however, relatively bulky and tradesmen tend to leave them on site because they are not readily portable.

Consequently, they are frequently lost or stolen. It Is the object of this Invent ion to provide a woodworkers sawblock which is capable of being readily dismantled and which can be easily packed and transported. This opens up the possibility of the sawblock becoming part of the tradesman's tools which he carries from Job to Job and removes from a site at the end of a working period.

According to this invention a woodworkers sawblock comprises a worktop formed with a pair of transversely aligned angled leg-locating recesses near to each end; four legs substantially straight throughout their lengths, and each adapted for location In a respective one of the angled recesses, the angle of which determines the outward lateral inclination of the leg; means for releasably securing each leg to the worktop, and struts bracing the four legs both laterally and longitudinally.

Preferably the means for securing the legs to the worktop comprises two bolts or studs each extending through the worktop between a respective one of the pairs of leg-locating recesses and through the two legs located In those recesses, and manually operable nut means for engagement with the bolt or stud to lock both legs to the worktop.

It will be appreciated therefore, that the invention provides a dismountable woodworkers sawblock, the supporting structure of legs and struts, being readily separable from the worktop, so that the whole assembly can be taken apart quite easily.

According to a preferred construction, each leglocating recess Is formed at a compound angle such that the legs are Inclined outwardly In both the transverse and longitudinal directions. It is further preferred that the two legs at each end are secured to a transverse strut by means which, when the legs are removed from the worktop, permit folding of the legs one on the other.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, there is a longitudinal strut in the form of a box which is releasably attached to the transverse struts and which can accomodate the four legs when the latter are detached from the worktop and folded on each other.

Further, it is preferred that the worktop Is adapted to form a lid closing the box, and that there are means for releasably securing the worktop to the box In the lid position. Thus, one component of the sawblock is the longitudinal strut in the form of a box, but this box is able to contain the leg structure, when that structure is collapsed, and the worktop provides a lid for the box, so that the complete sawblock can be dismantled and accomodated within the box closed by the lid.

According to another preferred feature, the worktop comprises a beam and a workplate mounted on the beam to provide a horizontal working surface. Preferably the beam Is made of timber and the workplate is made of a harder material than the beam. It Is further preferred that the legs when secured to the worktop do not project beyond the ends of the worktop. This Is an important feature, because It enables the sawblock to be located with its worktop engaging with a wall of a building, so that it Is able to resist motion In the direction towards the wall, and can therefore be used to locate large Items such as doors or planing operations.

According to a still further preferred feature of the Invent Ion, removable transverse partitions are provided in the box. This enables the box to be used to contain items which have to be kept separate from each other such as screws and nails. Each partition may be received in a palr of vertical grooves In the front and rear walls of the longitudinal box.

Preferably each of the legs Is provided with a rubber or rubber-like foot.

Other preferred features of the invention will appear from the following descriptlon of a sawblock In accordance with the Invention, aqnd certain possible modifications thereof, which Is given by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, In which::- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional woodworkers sawblock, Figure 2 Illustrates the use of a conventlonal sawblock, for the planing of the edge of a relatively large obJect such as a door, Figure 3 Is a front elevatlon of a sawblock In accordance with the Invent Ion, Figure 4 Is an end view looking In the direction of arrow IV In Figure 3, Figure 5 is a plan vIew, partly broken away, of the sawblock shown in Figure 3, Figure 6 is a perspective detailed view of one end of a worktop beam used in the sawblock shown in Flgures 3 to 5, Figure 7 is a detailed view to a larger scale showing one end of the sawblock Illustrated In Figures 3 to 5, Figure 8 is a detailed perspective view of part of a longitudinally extending box, Figure 9 Is a perspective view of a stabillser for use with the sawblock Illustrated in Figures 3 to 8, Figure 10 is a detailed view of a connector used In the construction of the stabilises shown In Figure 9, Figure 11 Is an elevation of the sawblock shown In Figure 3, with the stabiliser of Figure 9 fitted to It, Figure 12 Is an end view of the sawblock Illustrated In Figure 11, Figure 13 Is a detailed view to a larger scale, showing a location arrangement for part of the stabilises shown in Figure 9, Figure 14 shows a method of using the sawblock illustrated In Figure 11, Figure 15 Is an end view of the arrangement shown In Figure 14, Figure 16 Is an elevation showing another method of using the sawblock Illustrated In Flgures 3 to 8, Figure 17 Is an end view of the sawblock illustrated in Figure 16, Figure 18 is a detailed view to a larger scale showing the location of part of the retainer when the sawblock is being used as Illustrated In Figure 16 and 17, Figure 19 Is a perspective view of the longitudinally extending box, but showing also the manner In which a worktop of the sawblock can be used as a lid for the box, Figure 20 Is a perspective view showing the fitting of the worktop to the box, Figure 21 Is an end view of the box and worktop combination shown in Figure 20, Figure 22 is a perspective view of an alternative construction of retalner, Figure 23 Is a longitudinal section through the retalner shown In Figure 22, Figure 24 Is a perspective view of an alternative form of pedal, and Figure 25 is a perspective view of a stabillser employing a retainer as shown in Figures 22 and 23 and a pedal as shown In Figure 24, Figure 26 Is a plan view of the worktop of a modifled form of the Invent Ion, Figure 27 is a side view of the worktop shown In Figure 26, Figure 28 Is a view from underneath of the worktop shown in Figure 26, and Figure 29 Is a diagrammatic elevation of a mod if led sawblock Incorporating the worktop shown in Figures 26 to 28.

Before describing the sawblock in accordance with the Invention, reference will be made to the construction of a conventional sawblock, which is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. This particular sawblock comprises a worktop 10, which is simply a substantial timber beam, supported by four legs 12, each leg 12 being received in a recess in the worktop 10, and being splayed outwardly In a transverse direction. The legs 12 are secured to the worktop 10 by nailing. The structure is completed by two longitudinal lower rails 14, and two lower transverse rails 16. Each of the longitudinal' rails 14 extends between and is nailed to the legs at one side of the sawblock, and each of the lower transverse 16 extends between and is secured by nailing to the two legs at one end of the sawblock.Thus, the rails 14 and 16 provide struts for the legs 12, which ensure the structural stability of the sawblock. Whilst these lower rails 14 and 16 are desirable from a structural polnt of vlew, It has to be admitted, that they sometimes obstruct the use of the sawblock, and In particular, they are a hindrance to a user placing his feet wlthin the boundaries of the four legs of the sawblock. Hence, some very simple sawblocks omit the lower rallys 14 and 16, or at least omit the lower longitudinal rails 14, there being in effect an "A" frame at each end of the sawblock. It will be noted that the worktop 10 extends beyond the two "A" frames provided by the pairs of legs 12 and transverse strut 16 at each end, and this Is a significant feature of a traditional sawblock as will be hereinafter descrlbed.At one end, a "V" notch 18 Is formed In the worktop 10.

It is probably true, to say that when building a house for example, a carpenter would be severely handicapped, without a sawb lock such as the one Illustrated In Figure 1. This Is because when the ' sawblock Is used "on site" It is extremely versatile, and it is possible to use It as a simple bench on which to chop, chisel, plane, assemble, nail, screw, glue or carry out almost any other operation for which some kind of bench-l Ike support is required. Furthermore, the sawblock provides a simple tressle, and if two sawblocks are placed side-by-side with a plank resting across their worktops, a very simple scaffold is provided on which a workman can stand to carry out many of the operatlons required on a building site.Also, a sawblock such as that Illustrated In Figure 1 can be used by other tradesmen besides carpenters and Joiners, simply because It provides a working surface at a very convenient height.

Turning now to Figure 2, there Is Illustrated a sawblock which is of even simpler construction than that shown in Figure 1, in that the lower ralls 14 and 16 are omitted. This sawblock Is shown being used by a Joiner for the planing of a door 20. For this purpose, the sawblock is placed adJacent to a wall 22, and the end of the worktop 10 which Is not notched, Is placed In abutting relationship with the wall 22. This Is permitted, because the legs 12 at that end are located inwardly of the worktop 10, and Indeed so far inwardly, that they will readily clear items such as the skirting board 24 illustrated In Figure 2. It Is then possible to stand the door 20 on one of Its vertical edges, and to push one end of the door into the notch 18.The end of the door 20 Is then located by the sawblock, and It Is possible to plane the then top edge of the door towards the wall 22, because the door is prevented from moving longitudinally by means of the sawblock. This Illustrates the manner in which the sawblock in effect provides an extra pair of hands for the workman, since It Is possible for one workman to plane a door using the sawblock In the manner illustrated in Figure 2.

The foregoing description of the conventional sawblock has emphasised Its versatility and advantages.

Concomitant with that versatility Is the Inherent Instability of the sawblock. For Instance, if a Joiner rests a piece of timber on the worktop 10, with part of the work piece proJecting beyond one end of the worktop, so that he can carry out a sawing operation on the workplece, It is usually necessary to restrain the sawblock, and generally this Is achleved by the Joiner lifting one leg, and placing his foot on the worktop 10, or on the workpiece placed on the worktop 10 (depending upon the size of the workplece) and then applying as much downward pressure as can be obtained in this somewhat unnatural posture. This downward pressure on the sawblock Is intended to press the sawblock against the ground on which it is supported, so as to restrain from longitudinal, transverse or rocking motions. It has to be admitted that this technique Is not always successful.

With a view to retaining all the versatility of the traditlonal woodworkers sawblock, and Indeed extending that versatility to some extent, and at the same time overcoming the problem of Inherent Instability, a sawblock is constructed as illustrated In Figure 3 to 8.

Agaln, there Is a worktop, but this comprises a substantlal timber beam 30 which provides the load bearing structural element, and a workplate 32 which is secured to the top surface of the beam 30 by countersunk screws (not shown). In this particular construction, the workplate 32 Is slightly wider than the load bearing beam 30 but it Is substantially shorter, and is secured to the beam 30 In a longitudinally central position, so that an outwardly directed shoulder 34 is provided on the worktop at each end of the workplate 32. Furthermore, a pair of transverse shallow grooves 36 is formed In the workplate 32, one near to each end thereof.

Whilst the beam 30 can be made In softwood, the works late 32 may be made In other materlal, and preferably in more durable material. For Instance, it could be made in hardwood, In metal, or even a suitable grade of plastics material. It will be appreciated however, that the provislon of a workplate 32 which can be removed when it has become badly worn, and replaced by a fresh workplate, Increases the working life of the sawb lock, because when the worktop 10 of the conventional sawblock becomes badly worn, It is usual to scrap the entire sawblock. Other advantages of using the workplate 32 will appear hereinafter.

The sawblock Illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, also has four legs 38, and as can be seen from Figures 3 to 5, each of these legs Is substantially straight throughout its length, and the two legs 38 at each end of the sawblock are splayed apart downwardly, and bridged by a strut 40 at a lower position, so that an "A" frame Is formed at each end of the sawblock. The strut 40 is connected to the two legs 38, by means of a single bolt at each end, there being a wing nut (or other manually operable nut) engaging on the bolt. This method of connecting the strut 40 to the palr of legs 38 at one end of the sawblock plays an important role In the packaging and transportation of the sawblock as will become apparent hereinafter.

It will also be observed from Figure 3, that the two "A" frames one at each end of the sawblock are themselves splayed apart downwardly In the longitudinal direction. Hence, each leg 38 Is at a compound angle to the horizontal, being Inclined downwardly and outwardly In both a longitudinal and a transverse direction.

A pair of notches 42 is formed In the beam 30 near to each end of the beam, as Illustrated In Figure 6.

Ecah of these notches Is formed at a compound angle, such that the upper end of one of the legs 38 can be accomodated In the notch 42, and the engagement of the sides of the leg 38 with the bottom and sides of the notch 42 has the effect of setting the leg 38 at the correct compound angle. For the purpose of securlng the legs 38 to the beam 30, two screw-threaded studs 44 are provided. Each of these studs 44 extends through the part of the beam 30 between a pair of aligned notches 42, and then passes through a clearance hole formed In the upper end of each leg 38, where the leg is received in the respective notch 42. A pair of manually operable nuts, such as wing nuts (not shown) Is provided, for each of the studs 44, and these nuts are engaged on the extremities of the stud 44, which proJect on the outs Ides of the legs 38.Thus, when the nuts are tightened, the two legs 38 at one end of the sawblock are pressed tightly Into their respective notches 42, thus fluxing the angle of inclination of each leg, and securing It firmly to the beam 30. It will be appreciated however, that It Is relatively easy to dismantle the legs 38 from the beam 30, simply by removing the manually operable nuts. It should also be understood, that Instead of using a stud screw-threaded at each end, a long bolt could be employed, in which case only a single manually operable nut would be required.

Each of the legs 38 Is fitted with a rubber foot 46 (see particularly Figure 7) for engagement with the floor or the ground on which the sawblock stands).

Whilst it might be sufficient to rely on the notches 42 and the struts 40, for ensuring the stability of the two "A" frames, the construction I I lustrated in Figures 3 to 8, also Incorporates a lower longitudinal beam 48, which extends between the two transverse struts 40, and in Itself acts as a strut bracing the two "A" frames. Turning now to Figure 8, which Illustrates the construction of the lower beam 48, this beam Is in fact constructed as an open-topped channel, and It is preferably made in metal. It might be formed by bending sheet material, or indeed by an extrusion process. The cross-sectional shape of the channel Is clearly shown in Figure 8, and provides a bottom web 50, and upstanding front and rear flanges 54 and 52, each of which has a substantial Inwardly convex portion 56.At longitudinally spaced apart positions along the length of the beam 48, a pair of longitudinally aligned slots 58 is formed in the Inwardly convex portions 56 of the flanges 52 and 54.

These aligned slots 58 provide effective vertical grooves, and a vertical partition 60 can be dropped Into each pair of aligned slots 58, and will then be retained In that position, resting on the bottom web 50. in effect, therefore, the beam 48 comprises an open-topped box, which can be divided If required into a series of separate compartments, by simply dropping loose partitlons 60 into aligned pairs of slots 58, wherever a partition Is required. In Figure 5, the partitions are Illustrated being provided in each of the pairs of aligned slots 58.

Although the primary objective of the lower beam 48 is to provide a strut extending between the two "A" frames, it therefore has a secondary obJective, In that it provides a series of open-topped boxes, which are extremely useful to a user of a sawblock. Quite obviously, they can be used to contain nails, screws or other small items of equipment which may be required on site.

For a painter, he will be able to locate paint cans, brushes and other equipment In these open-toppped containers provided within the beam 48.

As shown In Figure 7 a hooked bolt 80 Is hooked under each of the transverse struts 40 and extends upwardly through a hole In the base of the box 48. A wing nut Is fitted to the top end of the bolt Inside the box to complete the securing of the box between the two struts 40.

It will be observed from Figure 4, that the beam 48 Is in fact offset to the rear of the sawblock, and is located In the angle between the rear legs 38 and the struts 40, and completely to the rear of the central vertical plane 62 Illustrated in Figure 4. As an accessory to the basic sawblock Illustrated In Flgures 1 to 8, a stabilises which is shown In Flgures 9 and 10 Is provided. Essentlally, the stabillser comprises a pair of straight metal bar retainers 62 and 64, a strong cord connector 66 and a straight metal pedal 68. Each of the retainers 62 and 64 may be formed from a solid block of metal, but bored as. Indicated at 70 throughout its length.The .strong cord 66 Is formed into a loop 72 at each end, and part of the loop passes through the bore 70 In the retainer 62 or 64 as the case may be. The loose end of the loop may be secured to the main part of the cord 66 by any firm securlng device.

However, Figure 10 Illustrates a simple connector, comprising a pair of clamp plates 74 and 76, each of which has two arcuate recesses to accomodate sectlons of the cord 66, and a pair of screws 78, which pass through clearance holes in one of the plates 74 and 76, and engage In screw-threaded holes In the other of these plates. It will be appreciated, that by simply fitting the palr of plates over the loose end of the cord, and an adJacent part of the main portion of the cord, and then tightening the clamp, a secure loop is formed on the connecting cord 66.The pedal 68 is also made from a solid block of metal, bored throughout its length, but the pedal 68 may be provided with bushes at each end, so that the cord 66 which passes through the bore of the pedal, is able to slide through the pedal, or to express It another way, the pedal 68 Is able to slide to some extent on the cord 66.

The manner in which the stabiliser Illustrated In Figure 9 Is used, will now be described. Referring to Figures 11, 12 and 13, the stabilises is used in conjunction with the sawblock Illustrated In Figures 3 to 8, and as shown, each of the retalners 62 and 64 Is laid on the beam 30, near to the respective ends of that beam, and the loops 72 of the connecting cord 66 are passed around the outsides of the beam 30. This causes the pedal 68 to lie centrally of the sawblock as shown In Figure 11. If downward pressure is applled to the pedal 68, the cord 66 applles a force to the retainer 62 and 64 which has both vertical and horizontal components.If the horizontal component of this force Is sufficient to overcome friction, the retainers 62 and 64 will be drawn inwardly due to engagement wlth the shoulders 34 formed on the ends of the workplate 32. If not, then the retainers 62 and 64 should in any case be placed In abutting contact with the shoulders 34. The length of the cord 66 is such, that with the retainers 62 and 64 held against the shoulders 34, the pedal 68 is still clear of the ground or floor on which the feet 36 of the sawblock are standing. The location of one of the retalners 62 Is more clearly Illustrated In Figure 13.

It would be possible now to omit the actual pedal 68 so that the user would tread directly on a central portion of the cord 66, using that part of the cord as an effective "pedal" and the expresslon "pedal" when used herein Is to be construed as Including any pedal-i Ike element including part of the cord.

Supposing now that It is required to carry out an operation on the sawblock such as chopping timber wedges from a workplece, this action requires the user to employ both his hands, one for holding the workplece, and the other for holding the axe. However, the user can place one of his feet on the pedal 68, and then exert as much downward pressure as possible on the pedal. This applies downward pressure to the beam 30 of the sawblock at the two spaced apart positions where the retainers 62 and 64 are located, and since the downward force Is substantial, because It is the cosine of the angle between the vertical and the angle adopted by the cord 66 multiplied by the force In the cord - the said angle belng relatively small, giving a large cosine value.In effect, this provides a clamping force clamping the whole of the sawblock to the floor or ground on which the sawblock is standing, and the application of this force at two positions one near to each end of the beam 30 provides much greater stability than could be obtalned by a user pressing his foot or knee on top of the workplate 32.In addition, It is possible for the operator to apply a much greater force through the pedal 68 than he could through a foot placed on the workplate 32, because in order to place his foot on the workplate, the foot must be lifted through a distance of about 0.6 metres, giving a very unnatural stance, whereas for applying pressure through a foot to the pedal 68, the user can adopt a very natural stance, and substantlally his entire body weight can be applied to the pedal simply by leaning forward so that his weight Is carried by the foot resting on the pedal.Thus, one can obtain a greater clamping force on the sawblock than Is possible if the stablilser were not provided, and moreover, the force is appi led In a balanced manner, so that there is no tendency for the sawblock to rock or twist, as sometimes occurs, when using a traditlonal sawblock.

This arrangement whereby It Is possible to stabilise a sawblock utilising the stabillser illustrated in Figure 9, represents a significant feature of the invention. Although it Is intended to supply the sawblock as Illustrated In Figures 3 to 8 together with a stabiliser, it will be appreciated, that It would be possible to use the stablilser on existing sawblocks, excepting that it would be preferable to provide some kind of abutment on the worktop, against which each of the retainers 62 and 64 could be engaged.

Reference to Figure 12 shows that the main sectlons of the cord 66 hang vertically down the central plan 62 of the sawblock, and In front of the lower beam 48 - this belng the reason why that beam is offset to the rear of the sawblock, so that It does not Interfere with the cord 66.

In Figures 14 and 15, there Is shown the method of using the sawblock and stabillser, when work Is being carried out on a relatively long workplece such as a plank 74. The workpiece 74 is simply laid on the workplate 32, and the retainers 62 and 64 are placed on the workpiece 74, the loops 72 still belng taken around the complete worktop comprising the beam 30 and the workplate 32. It will be appreclated, that when downward pressure is applied to thepedal 68, downward force is exerted by the two retainers 62 and 64 on the workpiece 74, and this has two effects. First of all, it clamps the workplece 74 on to the workplate 32, and secondly, it still provides the stabilising force for the sawblock Itself.It has been found In fact, that the clamping action on the workplece 74 is very good, and means that It is strictly speaking unnecessary for the user to apply a controlling force on the workpiece through one of his hands. Consequently, it is possible for the user to employ equipment such as a power saw, which requires the use of both his hands. This is a significant advance over the use of the conventional sawblock, where a workplece can only be retained if clamping pressure is applied either through the foot or the hand of the user.

It will be noted in Figures 14, that the two retainers 62 and 64 have moved inwardly from the positions they would occupy when abutting the ends of the workplate 32 (as seen In Figure 11), but they are prevented from moving further inwardly from the positlon Illustrated, because the loops 72 on the cord 66 engage In the corners between the underside. of the beam 30 and the Inside faces of the legs 38. The loops therefore take up a vertical orientation, in which there is no component of the applied force tending to move the retainers 62 and 64 Inwardly.

The effect of using the stabiliser in the manner illustrated in Figures 14 and 15 Is very similar to that of clamping the workplece 74 In a vice. It will be appreciated however, that release of the workplece 74 either to remove it entirely from the sawblock or to move it along to another position is much easier to achieve than If a conventional vice were provided, because it is only necessary for the operative to cancel the pressure on the pedal 68, and the workpiece Is instantly released.

It has been found, that It is more convenient for the operative, If he can rest the heel of the foot which engages with the pedal 68 on the floor or ground. This is not essential, but the engagement of the heel wlth the floor provides more control over the foot than if it is simply suspended on the pedal 68. In the case illustrated in Figure 11, the pedal 68 will in any event be very close to the floor, so that the operative can place his heel on the floor. With the arrangement Illustrated In Figure 14, the pedal Is lifted somewhat from the floor, because of the thickness of the workpiece 74, but it possible for the pedal 68 to be slid along the cord 66 to one side of the central position, so that it takes up the inclined position illustrated in Figure 14, where one end is quite close to the floor.The operative can still therefore keep his heel on the floor, provided his foot Is resting on the lower end of the pedal 68.

Turning now to Figures 16, 17 and 18, there is illustrated another mode of using the sawblock shown in Figures 3 to 8, and the stabilises shown In Figure 9. It will be noted that the righthand end retalner 64 has been placed on the beam 30, in the position where It engages with the shoulder 34 formed at the end of the workplate 32, but the lefthand retainer 62 is located in the groove 36 In the workplate at the lefthand end of the workplate.

It should be noted in passing, that the metal bar which forms the retainer 62 Is a snug fit between the flanks of the groove 36. Since the groove 36 is shallower than the depth of the retainer 62, the latter projects from the top surface of the workplate 32. The arrangement is shown in greater detail in Figure 18. With this arrangement, pressure applied by the foot of the user to the pedal 68 has the effect previously noted of stabilising the sawblock itself. In additlon however, the retainer 62 now provides an excellent planing stop, agalnst which a piece of timber can be placed resting on the workplate 32 for a planing operation. One of the problems of attempting to use a conventional sawblock for planing, is that It is not provided with any kind of planing stop.It is usual therefore to drive one or two nails Into the worktop of the sawblock, leaving their heads projecting above the top surface of the worktop. Clearly, such nails do not provide a planing stop as effective as that provided by the retainer 62 when in the position shown in Flgures 16 and 18, and moreover, constantly driving nails Into the worktop of the sawblock eventually damages the worktop to such an extent that the sawblock has to be discarded.

One of the advantages of the invent Ion is that the sawblock can be completely dismantled and easily transported. This is In complete contrast to the conventional sawbiock, which takes up a relatively large amount of space, and frequently has to be left on site, where it is liable to be stolen.

The lower beam 48 is shown in Flgures 19, 20 and 21 dismantled from the remalnder of the sawblock. This Is easily achieved, by removing the wing nuts from the hooked bolts 80 (see Figure 7) and then simply lifting the box section beam 48 off the transverse struts 40. The wing nuts securlng each of the two "A" frames to the worktop beam 30 are then removed from the studs or bolts which pass through the beam 30, and this enables the two "A" frames to be detached from the worktop. Then the nuts on the bolts which secure the transverse struts 40 to the legs 38 are slackened, to an extent which allows the legs 38 to turn relatively to the strut 40. Each "A" frame is then collapsed on Itself, turning one of the legs completely around so that the two feet 46 point in opposite directions, and the two legs 38 lie In abutting relationship.The partitlons 60 are then removed from the slots formed in the walls of the box beam 48, and these partitlons can then be placed within the box. Then the two col lapsed "A" frames are placed within the box. A pair of long bolts 82 is provided, there being wing nuts 84 for engagement wlth opposite ends of each of these bolts. The two bolts 82 are passed through holes formed In the base of the box beam 48, and project upwardly out of the top of the box. The worktop is then inverted, so that the beam 30 Is above the workplate 32, see Figure 19, and the workplate 32 is then lowered into the opentop end of the box, there being holes (not shown) formed through the worktop and beam 30, which accept the upwardly proJecting bolts 82.The worktop 32 Is a close fit within the open-top end of the box 48, and therefore provides a location for the "lid" formed by the inverted worktop. Of course, the beam 30 proJects beyond the ends of the box 48 as Is clearly shown in Figure 20, but this Is no detriment. Finally, the wing nuts 84 are applied, and the worktop Is secured to the box. Hence, the entire sawblock is then contalned within the box 48, as closed by the "lid" provided by the beam 30. This represents a very compact arrangement, which can easily be carried, for Instance in the boot of a vehicle, or strapped to a roof rack. It will also be appreciated, that this is In effect a flat-pack arrangement, which Is very useful for storing the sawblock at a builders merchants or for transportatlon purposes prlor to sale.

Figure 22 shows an alternative form of retainer 90 which Is of the same outside dimensions as the retainer 62 and 64, and which could be formed as an extrusion for example in rubber or plastics. It is provided with a series of castellatlons 92 on all four faces, which could be useful when the retainer Is used to provide a locating surface. As Illustrated In Figure 23, the rubber retainer 90 is bored throughout Its length, but a metal liner 94 extends through most of the length of the bore of the retainer, the ends of the bore being outwardly flared as indicated at 96 to avoid chaffing the cord. This provides an arrangement, whereby the retainer is freely slldable on the cord 66.

Figure 24 Illustrates an alternative form of pedal 100. This is simply made of sheet steel bent Into a shallow "S" formation as Illustrated, and formed Into a roll 102 at its rear edge or It may be made in the same shape as an aluminium moulding. The cord 66 is passed through the roll 102, and the lower front portion 104 of the pedal can rest on the ground or floor, and provides fulcrum on which the pedal can rock, when pressure is applied by the foot of the user to the rear portion.

Figure 25 Illustrates the combination of two retainers 90 as illustrated in Flgures 22 and 23, and a pedal 100 as Illustrated In Figure 24, the cord 66 being shown in dotted lines.

A modified woodworkers sawblock is Illustrated in Figures 26 to 29. This sawblock has a worktop comprlsing a timber beam 110, and a workplate 112. As in the previously described constructlon, the workplate 112 Is releasably connected to the beam 110 by countersunk screws (not shown) so that it can be replaced when it becomes badly worn. It will also be observed, that as wlth the previously described construction, the workplate 112 stops short of the ends of the beam 110, so that shoulders are formed at the ends of the workplate, against which retainers such as the retainers 62 and 64 can engage if the stabilises is used In the position illustrated in Figure 11.

The sawblock also Includes four legs 114, but the arrangement and mounting of these Is precisely the same as that described with reference to Figures 3 to 8, so that the legs 114 have only been Illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 29, and It is unnecessary to decribed their constructlon and arrangement in detail.

A significant feature of the modified construction illustrated in Flgures 26 to 29 is that the workplate 112 overhangs the beam 110, and is formed wlth notches 116 in its longitudinal edges, these notches being arranged In transversely aligned pairs. Another difference from the previously described construction Is that the lower beam 48 which comprises the open-toppped box, is not offset to the rear, but Is mounted centrally of the two "A" frames.

A stabiliser Is provided, and this comprises two bar-like retainers 118 and 120, and a pedal 122. However, each retainer 118 or 120 Is connected to the respective end of the pedal 122 by two cords indlcated diagrammatically at 124 in Figure 29. These cords are so arranged, that they can be looped around the outsides of the legs 114 at the respectlve end of the sawblock, and with the retainers 118 and 120 engaged with the shoulders at the ends of the workplate 112, the pedal 122 is Just clear of the ground.

The arrangement Illustrated In Figures 26 to 29 is particularly useful however, where relatively thick workpleces are to be used on top of the workplate 112. It will be appreciated, that since the retainers 118 and 120 have to be placed on top of the workpiece, this has the effect of raising the pedal 122. However, with the arrangement Illustrated In Figures 26 to 29, if It is necessary to place the retainers 118 and 120 on top of a relatively thick workpiece, they are moved inwardly, so that the top portlons of the two cords 124 connected to each retainer can be engaged In the notches 116. The position occupied by the cords 124 is Illustrated by way of example in chaln dotted lines in Figure 29 and it Is assumed that a workplece of substantial thickness has been placed on top of the workplate 112. This arrangement still allows the pedal 122 to lie adJacent to the ground, even when relatively thick workpleces are being s

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS 1. A woodworkers sawblock comprising a worktop formed with a pair of transversely aligned angle leg locating recesses near to each end; four legs substantlally straight throughout thelr lengths, and each adapted for location In a respective one of the angled recesses, the angle of which determines the outward lateral inclination of the leg; means for releasably securing each leg to the worktop, and struts bracing the four legs both laterally and longitudinally.

   2. A woodworkers sawblock as clalmed in Claim 1, in which the means for securlng the legs to the worktop comprises two bolts or studs each extending through the worktop between a respective one of the pairs of leglocating recesses and through the two legs located in those recesses, and manually operable nut means for engagement with the bolt or stud to lock both legs to the worktop.

   3. A woodworkers sawblock as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which each leg-locating recess is formed at a compound angle such that the legs are inclined outwardly in both the transverse and longitudinal directions.

   4. A woodworkers sawblock as clalmed In any one of Clalms 1 to 3, in which the two legs at each end are secured to a transverse strut by means which, when the legs are removed from the worktop, permit folding of the legs one on the other.

   5. A woodworkers sawblock as claimed in Claim 4, In which there Is a longitudinal strut in the form of a box which is releasably attached to the transverse struts and which can accomodate the four legs when the latter are detached from the worktop and folded on each other.

   6. A woodworkers sawblock as claimed in Claim 5, In which the worktop Is adapted to form a lid closing the box and there are means for releasably securing the worktop to the box In the lid position.

   8. A woodworkers sawblock as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, in which the worktop comprises a beam and a workplate mounted on the beam to provide a horizontal working surface.

   9. A woodworkers sawblock as clalmed In Claim 8, in which the beam Is made of timber and the workplate is made of a harder material than the beam.

   10. A woodworkers sawblock as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, In which the legs, when secured to the worktop, do not proJect beyond the ends of the worktop.

   11. A woodworkers sawblock as claimed in Claim 5 or any one of Claims 6 to 10 so far as they depend from Claim 5, In which removable transverse partitions are provided in the box.

   12. A woodworkers sawblock as claimed in Claim 11 In which each partition Is received In a pair of vertical grooves in the front and rear walls of the longitudinal box.

   13. A woodworkers sawblock as claimed In Claim 12, In which the front and rear walls of the longitudinal box are inwardly convex and slots are formed in them to provide the vertical grooves.

   14. A woodworkers sawblock as clalmed In any one of Claims 1 to 13, in which each of the legs is provided wlth a rubber or rubber-like foot.

   15. A woodworkers sawblock constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to Flgures 3 to 8 and 19 to 21 of the accompanying drawings.