GB2325193A - Folding workbench - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable workbench 1 includes means 3 for securing the workbench to a wall or other fixed structure. A worktop 5 is pivotally connected to the securing means for movement between a horizontal and vertical position. At least one leg 7 is pivotally connected to the support means tor movement between a folded-in position and a folded-out position. Means are provided for connecting together the worktop in its substantially horizontal position with the or each leg in its folded-out position. The connection means include one or more threaded members (23,29 Fig 5), each arranged for threaded engagement to both a leg and the worktop to achieve secure connection therebetween. The legs may have a screwthreaded attachment 31 to vary the length of each leg.

Description

WORKBENCH The present invention relates to workbenches and in particular workbenches which, when not in use, may be folded so that they will take up less space than in their working conformation.

Non-folding workbenches have been known for many years. They are traditionally made of strong and heavy materials which provide the necessary stability. Such workbenches may additionally be bolted to the floor and/or a wall against which they are positioned.

More recently, portable folding workbenches have been available. Although of substantial benefit, particularly when work is to be carried out at different sites, they are inherently much lighter structures than the traditional workbench. Force applied to a workpiece which is clamped to a portable workbench will tend to cause the workbench to move and this can make accurate operation on the workpiece a matter of difficulty. Often the operator has to do his best to secure the workbench by applying his own weight to it.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable workbench which, in its in use conformation, provides a stable structure for the support of a workpiece and in particular which does not have to be secured against movement by the operator.

According to the present invention there is provided a foldable workbench including means for securing the workbench to a wall or other fixed structure, a worktop pivotally connected to said securing means for movement between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position, and at least one leg pivotally connected to said support means for movement between a folded-in position and a folded-out position, and means for connecting together the worktop in its substantially horizontal position with the or each leg in its folded-out position, said connection means including one or more threaded members, each threaded member being arranged for threaded engagement to both a leg and the worktop to achieve secure connection therebetween.

Preferably the or each leg is provided with means for adjusting the length of the leg to enable firm ground engagement to be achieved when the workbench is in its in use conformation.

The present invention provides a foldable workbench which combines the advantages of small space requirement, when not in use, and the rigid stable structure of the traditional nonefoldable and secured workbench.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a workbench in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a view on 'A' of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view on 'B' ofFigure 1; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the workbench of Figure 1 in its folded conformation; and Figure 5 shows detail of a leg and the worktop of the workbench of Figure 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a workbench 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises securing means 3 worktop 5 and legs 7. All the structural elements of workbench 1 are formed from hollow square-section metal tubing.

Securing means 3 are in the form of two elongate uprights 9, each of which is for securing to a rigid structure such as a wall by means of bolts or other fixings (not shown). The two uprights 9 are each provided with three integral horizontally extending arms 11, 12, 13.

Uppermost arms 11 are each pivotally connected to the worktop 5. Arms 12 and 13 are somewhat shorter than arms 11 and the arm 12 is located a short distance below arm 11 and arm 13 is located at a position just above the bottom of upright 9. Each pair of arms 12, 13 is pivotally connected to a respective leg 7.

Each leg 7 includes an upright 15 and two vertically spaced apart arms 17 each of which connects to an appropriate arm 12, 13 of securing means 9. Arms 17 each have a length which is not far short of the width of the table top, as best seen in Figure 1. As a result table top 5 rests on the uppermost surface of upright 9 of legs 7 at a position fairly close to the free edge 19 of worktop 5.

Worktop 5 includes elongate elements 5a interconnected by a further elongate element 5b. Together they provide a support for a panel 5c, the upper surface of which provides the work surface of the worktop.

Depending downwardly from the lower surface of elongate elements 5a of worktop 5, and integrally attached thereto, are two short arms 21 for resting on a respective arm 17 of leg 7 and each being for attachment to a respective upright 9 of leg 7 when the workbench is in its foldedout condition, as shown in Figure 1. The form of attachment is seen in detail in Figure 5 and comprises a threaded hand-wheel 23 with a shank 29 which extends through an insert 25 (known as a "rivnut" or "nutsert") which is pneumatically crimped into engagement with the metal tubing of upright 15. Shank 29 extends through upright 15 and its arm 21, engaging therewith via a further threaded insert if attached to arm 21. The arrangement is such that, when legs 7 are in their fully folded-out positions, insert 27 in short arm 21 is aligned with insert 25 in upright 9.

Turning of handwheel 23 in the appropriate direction causes its threaded shank 29 to engage with insert 27. The turning of handwheel 23 may be continued until a firm connection is made with short arm 21. Securing both uprights 15 to the table top in this way will result in a very secure and firm connection between leg 7 and the table top 5.

Also illustrated in Figure 5 is the detail of the bottom of each upright 15 of the legs 7.

Each upright 15 is provided with a threaded adjustable floor glide 31 including a lower glide member 33 and, extending upwardly therefrom, a threaded shank 35 The bottom of upright 15 is fitted with an end element or cap 37 which includes a threaded bore 39 within which shank 35 is located. With legs 7 in their folded-out position floor glides 31 may be rotated in the appropriate direction to cause the glide element 33 to make full contact with the floor and, if desired to raise the table top 5 slightly to, for instance, an accurately horizontal position.

In order to fold the workbench, when not required for use, hand-wheels 23 are rotated in the appropriate direction to disengage them from short arms 21. If necessary floor glides 31 are then rotated to space slightly the bottom of glide elements 33 from the floor. Legs 7 may then be moved inwardly and towards uprights 9 and, finally, worktop 5 may then be lowered to a vertical position, and the whole assembly being then in the position illustrated in Figure 4.

In the above described embodiment, the structural elements are made of hollow square section metal and the panel of the worktop is made of wood. However, it should be appreciated that other suitable materials may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (6)

1. A foldable workbench including means for securing the workbench to a wall or other fixed structure, a worktop pivotally connected to said securing means for movement between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position, and at least one leg pivotally connected to said support means for movement between a folded-in position and a folded-out position, and means for connecting together the worktop in its substantially horizontal position with the or each leg in its folded-out position, said connection means including one or more threaded members, each threaded member being arranged for threaded engagement to both a leg and the worktop to achieve secure connection therebetween.

2. A workbench according to Claim 1 wherein each leg is provided with means for adjusting the length of the leg to enable firm ground engagement to be achieved when the workbench is in its in use conformation.

3. A workbench according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the structural elements thereof are made of square-section metal tubing.

4. A workbench according to any of the preceding claims wherein the worktop includes support elements made of square-section metal tubing and a panel secured thereon which provides a work surface.

5. A workbench according to Claim 1 and substantially as herein described.

6. A workbench substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.