GB2282343A - Improvements in or relating to benches - Google Patents

Abstract

A workbench comprises a rear support 26 adapted for permanent fixing to a wall, a work top 10 hingedly attached to said rear support 26 and a front support member 30 hingedly attached to the work top 10. When the work top 10 is not in use the front support 30 can be hinged against the work top 10 and the work top 10 hinged from a working position to a storage position. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements in or Relating to Benches The present invention concerns improvements in or relating to benches, especially but not exclusively, workbenches.

Presently benches and especially workbenches fall into two main categories, that is static workbenches in the form of robust tables which are permanently located in workshops and work areas and portable workbenches which may be collapsible and are movable by the craftsman from job to job. Both existing arrangements have disadvantages, for example static tables which may not be regularly used occupy a considerable space, often in a domestic garage which can prevent or hinder the parking of a car. Portable workbenches have the disdintage that because of their relatlvels small 517e and light weight (essentials for portability they do not provide a stable working platform.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is a workbench comprising a rear support adapted for permanent fixing to a wall, a work top hingedly attached to said rear support and a front support member hingedly attached to the work top such that when not in use the front support can be hinged against the work top and the work top hinged from a working position to a storage position.

Preferably the rear support comprises a substantially horizontal batten attachable to the wall.

It may also include two vertical battens extending downwardly from the horizontal batten.

Preferably the forward support comprises a framework including two legs and a cross member each leg being hingedly attached at its upper end to the underside of the worktop. A cross-strut may be provided between the legs.

Preferable locking means are provided to fix the front support i n lts in-use position relative to the worktop. The locking means comprises a sliding bolt assembly fixed to the front support and a bolt receiving hole in the underside of the worktop adapted to receive the bolt when the worktop and front support are in their in-use positions.

Preferably the construction and positioning of hinges connecting the worktop to the horizontal batten of the rear support are such that the worktop can be pivotted upwardly to a storage position.

Preferably the vertical battens of the rear support have a thickness which is greater than that of the horizontal batten such that when the worktop is in the in-use position its underside rests on the top of the vertical battens.

Preferably holding means adapted for attachment to the wall above the rear support are provided corresponding locating means are provided on the worktop such that the worktop can be fixed in its raised storage position.

The worktop may comprise thickened regions along its front and rear edges. The worktop may also include removable and repositionable work locating means on its upper surface. The worktop may also be provided with a vice.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying illustrations, in which: Fig. 1 shows a front perspective view of a workbench in the in-use position; Fig. 2 shows a top perspective view from the front of a workbench in the in-use position; Fig. 3 shows a view of the workbench in its in-use position trom one end; Fig. 4 shows a view of the workbench in its in-use position from the other end: and Fig. 5 shows a perspective view from the front and one side of the workbench n its storage position.

A workbench comprises a rectangular work top 10 made from wood, chipboard, blockboard or any other suitable material. The work top has a planar member 12 having thickened portions 14,16 along its front and rear edges respectivelv; the forward thickened portion 14 1 4 being of greater width thn the rear t hickeried portion 16. The worktop supports b ice 18 'thigh dues rut 1 rear part of the present invention and consequentlx will riot be described in detail.It is provided also with removable work positioning stops 20 which can be of any suitable construction and can be repositioned on the worktop in suitable locating holes (not shown).

The worktop is attached by three hinges 22 to a horizontal batten 24 which is permanently attached to the wall against which the table has to be erected. Two vertical battens 26 which with the horizontal batten 24 complete a rear support structure are also fixed to the wall. The vertical battens 26 have a thickness greater than the horizontal batten and extend from floor level to the level of the lower edge of the horizontal batten which, when the worktop is in the in-use position as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is coincident with the underside of the worktop. It will be realised therefore that the underside of the work top rests on the top of the vertical battens so that in the in-use position its weight is supported on the vertical battens rather than by the hinges 22.

The bench has a front support structure hingedly mounted to its underside by hinges 28 (Fig. 5) near its front edge. The front support structure is preferably manufactured from square section steel and comprises two vertical legs 30 and a cross-strut 32.

To prevent movement of the front support relative to the worktop when in the in-use position a sliding spring loaded bolt assembly 34 is fitted to the upper end of at least one of the legs 30. A bolt receiving aperture 36 (Fig. 5) is provided in the underside of the worktop such that by sliding the bolt into the aperture and with the bolt fixed in the extended position by the spring loading the front support is locked against pivotal movement about its hinges.

A holding assembly is provided to hold the worktop in its storage position ss illustrated in Fig. 5. To move the worktop from its in-use position to its storage position it is necessary only to withdraw the bolt 34 from the hole 36, ensure that the upper surface of the worktop is free of obstacles and hinge it upwardly about the hinges 22 into the substantially vertical position against the wall shown in Fig. 5. This upward pivotal movement causes the front support 30,32 to pivot downwardly alongside the underface of the worktop under its own weight. Holding means are provided to fix the workbench in its storage position, the holding means comprising a bracket 40 permanently fixed to the wall and carrying a movable bolt 42 engageable, when the worktop is in its storage position in a keeper plate 44 fixed to the thickened edge member 14 of the worktop.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for example, the worktop can take any convenient shape and form. It is not essential to provide a horizontal support batten as in certain circumstances, for example where the wall is wooden, the hinges 22 can be affixed directly to the wall.

The vertical battens 26 need not extend from floor to the underface of the worktop in the in-use position but could be shorter provided that they provide a support for the underside of the worktop in the in-use position. In a further modification a further or alternative horizontal batten of a suitable shape to allow hinging of the worktop could be provided below the in-use level of the worktop to support it in its in-use position.

The front support could also take a modified form, for example, the legs could be idependent of each other, there could be more than two legs and the legs themselves couldbe further collapsible.

In a further modification, especially where the legs and front support assemblies are collapsible it could be arranged that the work top p iv ott ed dowrlwdrdls lnto a storage position but such an arrangement would rely on the hinges supporting the worktop in the upper in-use position this modification therefore is not so desirable as the embodiment described with reference to the illustrations.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (15)

Claims

1. A workbench comprising a rear support adapted for permanent fixing to a wall, a work top hingedly attached to said rear support and a front support member hingedly attached to the work top such that when not in use the front support can be hinged against the work top and the work top hinged from a working position to a storage position.

2. A workbench according to Claim 1 wherein the rear support comprises a substantially horizontal batten attachable to the wall.

3. A workbench according to Claim 2 wherein the rear support includes two vertical battens extending downwardly from the horizontal batten.

4. A workbench according to Claim 3 wherein the vertical battens of the rear support have a thickness which is greater than that when the work top is in the working position its underside rests on the top of the vertical battens.

5. A workbench according to any preceding Claim wherein the front support comprises a framework including two legs and a cross member each leg being hinged 1 y attached at its upper end to the underside of the work top.

6. A workbench according to Claim 4 wherein a cross-strut is provided between the legs.

7. A work bench according to any preceding Claim where in locking means are provided to fix the front support in its working position relative to the work top.

8. A work bench according to Claim 6 wherein the locking means comprises a sliding bolt assembly fixed to the front support and a bolt receiving hole in the underside of the work top adapted to receive the bolt when the work top and front support are in their working positions.

9. A workbench according to any preceding Claim wherein the construction and positioning of hinges connecting the work top to the horizontal batten of the rear support are such that the work top can be pivotted upwardly to a storage position.

10. A workbench according to Claim 8 wherein holding means adapted for attachment to the wall above the rear support are provided, and corresponding locating means are provided on the work top such that the work top can be fixed in its raised storage position.

11. A workbench according to any preceding Claim comprising thickened regions along its front and rear edges.

12. A workbench according to any preceding Claim wherein the work top includes removable and repositionable work locating means on its upper surface.

13.. A workbench according to any preceding Claim wherein the work top is provided with a vice.

14. A workbench substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

15. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.