GB2348621A

GB2348621A - Support assembly/structure

Info

Publication number: GB2348621A
Application number: GB0002270A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mik Houldsworth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-03
Filing date: 2000-02-02
Publication date: 2000-10-11
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-02
Also published as: GB0002270D0; GB9902249D0; GB2348621B

Abstract

A support assembly/structure includes two mainframes which are pivotally interconnected in such cruciform manner as to be erectable to provide support for a work piece and/or work table/surface and which are foldable for the purposes of storage and/or transportation. The assembly is operationally positional in two working positions, one for horizontal support of work pieces and or worktable/surface and the other for non-horizontal support of work pieces.

Description

SUPPORT/ASSEMBLY STRUCTURE This invention relates to facilitating handling of supports for working surfaces such as work benches, and operator supports and for work pieces.

In particular, the present invention is concerned with work tables that are foldable between an erected working position and a stored or folded position.

Executable work table constructions are known and in may cases have found great favour with work persons and for the so called do it your self markets and activities.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a framework which is foldable and erectable to provide support for a work piece and/or work surface arrangement which at least reduces some of the difficulties which have been met in the use of systems linowll to the Applicants.

According to the invention there is provided a support assembly/structure including two mainframes which are pivotally interconnected in such cruciform manner as to be erectable tu provide support for a work piece and/or work table/surface ancl which are foldable for the purposes of storage and/or transportation.

Conveniently the main frames are adapted to enable the assembly to be operationally positional in two working positions one for horizontal support of work pieces and or worktahleisurface and the other for non-horizontal positioning support of work pieces Preferably each said main frame incorporates two leg forming members interconnected by upper and lower spacing bars, and wherein the main frames are pivotally coupled one to the other by pivot arrangements to be foldable one against the other for stowage, and opened to so as effectively tu locate the teg forming members at the corners of a rectangle.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how to carry the same into effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure) is a perspective view of the work surface support assemhlyr'structure of the invention, the Figure showing the support in a first orientation of an erected setting ; Figure 2 illustrates the asseml ly/structure when folded for storage ; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the assembly/structure of Figure I showing the assembly/structure in its alternative orientation; Figure 4 schematically illustrates the use of assemblies as shown in Figure 1, as differing level support platforms, Figure 4A illustrates to an enlarged scale a detail of the construction of a support assembly.

Figures 5 and 6, each schematically illustrate a mode of using a support assembly as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the work surface support assembly/structure of the invention, the Figure showing the support in a first orientation of an erected setting ; Referring now to Figure I this Figure illustrates work surface support assembly 1 as comprising a pair of main frames 2 and 3 so constructed as to be foldable flat together and openable by relative pivotal movement about a centrally located pivot 36 into the position as shown in Figure) when it is required for the assembly to be able to support a work piece or work surface (not shown in FiL ure 1).

As will be noted from Figure I the main frame 2 essentially comprises a first rectangular framework comprising upper bar/rod like members 4 and 5 extending outwardly from a central boss 6, lower bar/rod like members 7 and 8 extending outwardly from a lower boss 9. The free ends of the upper and lower members 4 and 8 (those remote from the associated bosses) connect with a main support leg 10.

Similarly the free ends of the members 5 and 7 connect with a second main support leg 11. The second main frame 3 is of a similar construction and includes upper bar/rod like members 12, 13, a central boss 14, lower bar/rod like members 15,16, a central boss 17 and main support legs 18, 19.

The two main frames 2 and 3 are pivotally interconnected by means of their central bosses 6,9; 14, and 17 so that the upper members 4 and 5 of the first main frame 2 are positioned above the upper members 1 ?, 13 of the second main frame 3 and so that the lower members 7 and 8 of the first mentioned frame 2 are located below the lower members 15, 16 of second frame 3.

In other words the main frames 2 and 3 are arranged in a cruciform manner so that they can be pivoted together for storage and transport requirements or can be relatively pivoted into the p sition shown in Figure 1 when the support is required for supporting a work piece or work surface (not shown in Figure 1).

The support legs 11 and 18 each includes a positionally settable load spreading platelfoot 20 and the support legs 10 and 19 each includes, a load spreading plate/foot 37 which is provided with means (not shown in Figure 1) whereby the support assembly can be height wise positionally adjusted so that any support surface mounted to the support frames can be accurately set into a horizontal plane and/or any unevenness of the ground can be eliminated so that all four load spreading plates 20 and 37 can make even contact with the ground. The undersides of the p) ates 20 and 37 are provided with projecting tips or convex form which afford point like contact with the ground. These tip or convex forms are not shown in Figure I but are indicated at 49 in Figure 4A.

One of the main support legs of each main frame i. e., the support legs 10 and 19 are each provided at the upper ends thereof with a C-clamp 23 which includes a conventionally threaded portion 24 engaging within the interior of the upper end of the associated one of the support legs 10, 19. The C-clamp 23 is freely rotatable and positionally settable by means of a C-clamp hand wheel 38 either to effect closure or opening of the clamp.

The upper ends 25 of the main supr) ort elements I I and 18 are provided with top pieces 26 which provide an extended area extending transverse to the axial direction of the associated main support leg 11, 18. These top pieces 26 have an axially located recess 26A.

A so-called rotational support member 27 is pivotally mounted to the central plot member 36, the latter being provided with a fifth positionally adjustable foot piece 29 whose lowermost surface as seen in Figure 1.

With this arrangement it will be appreciated that the framework as so far discussed is supported not only by the four main support legs 10, 1 1, 18 and 19 but additionally by means of the positionally settable foot piece 29 at the central pivot for the main frames 2 and 3.

Turning now to the construction of the rotational support 27 it will be noted from Figure) that the rotational support 27 comprises a single piece framework, so formed as to provide rigidity radially and axially of its pivot. An upstanding support rod 21 is provided at the outer free end of the rotational support 27, this rod 21 is referred to in this specification as a candle. The candle 21 comprises a sott point that can be positionally adjustably set so that the tip thereof lies in the plane (schematically shown in the Figure t by the chain dashed line 26A) defined by the upper surfaces of the top pieces 26 provided on the main support lcgs. The height adjustment of the candle 21 can he used, for example, to accommodate wear) It \vile understood that the tip of the candle 21 is movable in a circle defined by the dashed circular line 21A In the position shown in Figure) of the support assembly as shown in Figure 1 it is intended that the work piece or work surface to be supported should rest upon any or all the tops of the main support legs 10, 11, 18 and 19 and additionally upon the candle 21. If required, the rotational support 27 can be adjusted to give the best support needed depending on workplace shape and size.

A centrally positioned and freely rotating clamp 35 is mounted upon the central pivot. This clamp 35 incorporates a screw threaded opening/closing member 36.

A positionally adjustable annular member 39 serves to provide a circumferential shoulder around the main frame support member 19. A similar shoulder is provided upon the main frame support member 10. Each shoulder is both rotatable about and axially slidable lengthways of the associated member 10, 19 and is lockahle in a desired position relative to its associated member by a lobe knob shown at 40. Each such shoulder formed by the members 39, in conjunction with the C-clamp mounted to the associated leg support member, provides an extended length cramping arrangement commonly called a sash cramp. It will be understood that the relative angle between the two main frames allows for change of the length to width aspect ratio of any work surface mounted upon the support frames. This aspect ratio will be effectively set by the relative angles between the main frames 2 and 3. Figure 2 schematically illustrates the size of an embodiment of the support assembly main frames 2 and 3 of the embodiment of Figure I when in their folded positions in comparison with human scale, the latter being represented by an outline Figure of a person. The support frame assembly as so far described can be regarded as providing a standard height facility together with the variable aspect ratio for the work surfaces. Such an arrangement can be considered as being particularly useful in the supporting of doors work tops as used in kitchens sheet materials large planks and large section materials and large and irregular shapes.

Referring now to Figure 3 this Figure illustrates the support frame assembly of Figure 1 when oriented so that two of the support legs instead of being vertical as in the setting of Figure 1 are arranged horizontally whereby the other pair of main support legs 10 and 19 extend horizontally to provide the uppermost part of the support assembly. With the support frame orientation of Figure 3 the work surface (not shown) is supported by the pair of legs 10 and 19.

As may be noted from Figure 1 with a view to controlling the extent of annular pivoting of the main frames 2 and 3 relative to each other and also to provide an adequate degree of stiffness to the angularly displaced main frames relative one to the other bracing assemblies 30 are provided. The bracing assemblies 30 are of a similar construction with each assembly including a main vertical bar 31 pivotally connected at one end 32 to a main support leg 11 and 18 and at its other end to a cross piece 33 provided with U-shaped slide members 34 engageable one with the underside of the upper member of the other frame and the other with the lower member of the same frame at pins 28. With a view to providing for the establishment of a number of standard angular relationships between the frames the bracing assemblies 30 can be such as to be engageable with locating means 28 provided at spaced intervals on the upper and lower members of the main frames. In practice, the separation between the successive locating means 28 defines the possible locatable angular separations of the main frames.

It will be appreciated that the possible working surface/support surface dimcnslonal aspect ratios will be variable between a maximum and minimum and will be set solely by the angular separation of the main frames. Also this aspect ratio will be effectively set by the overall heights of the main frames 2 and 3.

Referring now to Figure 3 this illustrates the embodiment of Figure I when arranged so that it is supported by the legs 11 and 18. The construction of the support assembly is unchanged.

Referring now to Figure 4, this Figure schematically illustrates using support assemblies as shown in the Figures) to 3, work person support surfaces affording different support levels. In particular, the Figure illustrates mounting one support assembly A upon a second lower support assembly IB. The assembly IA is placed upon the assembly B so that the floor engaging tips the base of each one of the support legs of the upper assembly rest in corresponding holes in the top of the support legs of the lower assembly The two assemblies are held together by a clamping/attachment clamp device 47 which clamps together the two centra ! pivot arrangements in such manner that the upper assembly IA is pulled towards the lower assembly lI3 thereby ensuring that the support legs of the upper assembly are pulled into very firm co-operation with the upper ends of the support legs of the lower assembly. Lateral linking together of adjacent units as shown in the Figure 4 can bc effected suitable clamping arrangements 48. Figure 4A illustrates the manner in which the base plate tips 49 engage into the recesses 26A in a top plate 26.

The Figure 4 illustrates also the mode of arranging a support assembly 1C side by side with a further support assembly, namely the assembly 1 B.

In Figure 4 the platform heights obtained is illustrated by the use of outlines of a person A standing on the ground in comparison with persons B and C respectively standing upon the support assemblies 1C and the two tier arrangement of the assemblies lAand IB.

Referring now to Figures 5A to 5F and to Figures 6A to 6D, these Figures schematically illustratc various possibilitics in mounting work pieces WP to the support assembly as discussed in relation to Figures 1 to 3 It is thought that a description of the modes positioning of work pieces WP shown in these Figures is not necessary since the work pieces involved are shown transparent whereby the positional relationship between each such the work piece WP and the associated support assembly can be clearly seen. It will be observed that the size of the work piece has a bearing upon the extent of support required. In other words it will be noted that in some cases it is not necessary to support a work piece WP from all of the support positions possible.

Referring now to Figure 7 this Figure illustrates in a mode similar to that of Figure I a second embodiment of a support assembly. Those elements of the support assembly of Figure 7 that are similar to those discussed in relation tu the assembly of Figure I are identifie by the same reference numerals.

The principal difference between the two embodiments is that the central pivot and pivot bosses arrangements are climinated. In the embodiment of Figure 7 the upper and lower members of each main frame comprise continuous length rodoars rather than two bars connecting with a central boss. Thus in the embodiment of Figure 7 the bars 4, and 5 form a continuous length of material. This is also the case for the bar pairs, 7 and 8; 12 and 13; and 15 and 16. In the Figure 7 embodiment the upper members of the two main frames are pivotally connected by a pivot arrangement 45 and the lower members of the main frames by a pivot arrangement 46. It will be understood that the axes of pivoting for these pivot arrangements are coaxially arranged. If desired, a single pivot rod may be used in place of the two separate pivots 45 and 46. In addition, the clamping assemblies of the Figure 1 embodiment are replaced by clamping arrangements of a ! ess comptex construction m practice, the clamping arrangements used can take any convenient form such as for example those commonly known as quick clamps (not shown) which commonly include a support for engaging in the tops of the legs any or all of the tops of the legs 10,1 1, 18 and 19, and a simple over centre clamping arm that is height ways ajustable lengthways of the support.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A support assembly/structure including two mainframes which are pivotally interconnected in such cruciform manner as to be erectable to provide support for a work piece and/or work table/surface and which are foldable for the purposes of storage and/or transportation.
2. A support assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the main frames are adapted to enable the assembly to be operationally positional in two working positions one for horizontally support of work pieces and or worktable/surface and the other for non-horizontal positioning support of work pieces.
3. A support assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and wherein each said main frame incorporates two leg forming members interconnected by upper and lower spacing bars, and wherein the main frames are pivotally coupled one to the other by pivot arrangements to be foldable one against the other for stowage, and opened to so as effectively to locate the leg forming members at the corners of a rectangle.
4. A support assembly as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, and wherein means are provided for enabling the main frames to bc positionally set into a selected one of a plurality of possible prescttabic angular settings one to the other.
5. A support assembly as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the means for enabling the frames to be set to a selected angular relationship includes for at least one main frame member a position locating means including an elongate main element pivotally connected at one end to a leg of one of the main frames, and at its other end to a member slidable lengthwise of the upper and lower elements of the other frame, and wherein means are provided for positionally locking the slidable member to its associated frame at a selected one of a plurality of possible locking positions thereby to prevent angular relative displacements of the main frames.
6. A support assembly as claimed in 4, and wherein the means for enabling the frames to be set to a selected angular relationship includes for each said main frame positon locating means including an elongate member including a elongate main element pivotally connected at one end to a leg of one of the main frames, and at its other end to a member slidable lengthwise of the upper and lower elements of the other frame, and wherein means are provided for positionally locking each said slidable memUer to its associated frame at a selected one of a plurality of possible locking positions thereby to prevent angular relative displacements of the main frames.
7. A support assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, and wherein the pivotal connection between the two main frames includes a first pivot interconnecting the upper members of each main frame and a second pivot member interconnecting the lower members of each main frame
8. A support assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, and including a fifth support leg, and wherein the upper and lower members of the main frames are pivotally interconnected to the fifth lcg.
9. A support assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, and wherein the one or more of the upper ends of the support legs are utilise to mount clamping means for securing a work piece to the support assembly.
10. A support assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9, and wherein the assemblies are adapted for mounting one above the other to provide an elevated support.
11. A support assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 10, and wherein the assemblies are adapted for side by side interconnection.

19. A support assembly as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 11, and including means for providing a sash clamp capability on the associated support assembly.

13. A support assembly, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures I to 6, and Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows I. A support assembly/structure including mainframes which are pivotally interconnected in such manner as to be erectable to provide support for a work piece and/or work table/surface and which are foldable for the purposes of storage and/or transportation and wherein the main frames include means for enabling a surface and/or other article to be supported to be secured to the frames in any selected one of alternative orientations/positions.

2. A support assembly/structure including two mainframes which are pivotally interconnected in such cruciform manner as to be erectable to provide support for a work piece and/or work table/surface and which are foldable for the purposes of storage and/or transportation and wherein each the main frame includes means for enabling a surface and/or other article to be supported to be secured to the frames in selectable alternative orientations/positions.

3. A support assembly/structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the main frames are adapted for relative positioning in such manner as to enable the assembly to be operationally positioned in selected ones of possible working positions including one for horizontal support of work pieces and and/or a worktable/surface and another for non-horizontal positioning support of work pieces.

4. A support assembly/structure as claimed in claim l, 2 or 3, wherein each said main frame incorporates a leg forming member connected by upper and lower bars to a pivot arrangement in such manner as to be foldable for stowage, and openable as effectively to provide support for a work piece and/or work surface.

5. A support assembly/structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein selected ones of the leg forming members is/are provided with means for securing a work piece and/or work table/surface to the associated main frame. 6. A support assembly/structure as claimed in claiml, 2,3,4 or 5, wherein each said main frame incorporates two leg forming members interconnected by upper and lower bars, and wherein the bars intermediate the ends thereof of one main frame are pivotally connected to the bars of another main frame, the arrangement being such that the main frames are relatively angularly positionable so as effectively to locate the leg forming members in positions appropriate for supporting a workplace and/or work surface in a required plane and/or orientation.

7. A support assembly/structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and including means for enabling the main frames to be positionally set into a selected one of a plurality of possible presettable angular settings relative to each other 8. A support assembly/structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for enabling the frames to be set to a selected angular relationship includes for at least one main frame member a position locating means including an elongate main element pivotally connected at one end to a leg forming member of one of the main frames, and at its other end to a slide member slidable lengthwise of the upper and lower elements of the other frame with which it is required to be positionally set, and wherein means are provided for locking the slidable member to its associated frame at a selected one of a plurality of possible locking positions thereby to set a required angular relationship between the main frames and also to prevent angular relative displacements of the main frames.

9. A support assembly/structure as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, and wherein the pivotal connection between the two main frames includes a first pivot interconnecting the upper members of each main frame and a second pivot member interconnecting the lower members of each main frame.

10. A support assembly/structure as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9, and wherein the one or more of the upper ends of the leg forming members is/are utilise to mount clamping means for securing a work piece or work surface to the support assembly/structure in a desired orientation/position.

It. A support assembly/structure as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 10, and including a fifth support leg forming member, and wherein the upper and lower members of the main frames are pivotally interconnected to the fifth leg forming member.
12. A support assembly/structure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fifth leg forming member is provided clamping means, said clamping means being axially rotatable about the fifth leg forming member whereby the clamping means can be rotationally positionally adjusted to facilitate the clamping of a work piece and/or work table/surface to the assembly/structure in a desired orientation/position.
13. A support assembly/structure as claimed in claim 10 or 21, wherein the fifth leg forming member rotatably mounts a further means for supporting a work piece and or work table/surface.
14. A support assembly/structure as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 13, and wherein the one or more of the upper ends of the leg forming members is/are utilised to mount clamping means for securing a work piece to the support assembly/structure.
15. A support assembly/structure as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 14, and including means for providing a sash clamp capability on the associated support assembly/structure.-
16. A support assembly/structure including mainframes which are pivotally interconnected in such cruciform manner as to be erectable to provide support for a work piece and/or work table/surface and which are foldable for the purposes of storage and/or transportation, and wherein the interrelationship of the main frames is such that the assembly/structure is operationally positionable in orientations transverse to each other and incorporates means for clamping a support surface thereto whereby the work piece and/or work table/surface is supportable in said orientations/positions.
17. A support assembly/structure as claimed in claim 16, wherein the main frames are of such construction that in one orientation the pivotal axis of the main frames is vertical, and in its second orientation the pivotal axis is horizontal.
18. A support assembly/structure as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein each main frame incorporates two leg forming members interconnected by upper and lower spacing bars, and wherein the main frames are pivotally coupled one to the other by pivot arrangements to be foldable one against the other for stowage, and openable to so as effectively to locate the leg forming members at the corners of a rectangle, and wherein a support surface clamping means is provided.
19 A support assembly/structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, and wherein the assemblies are adapted for mounting one above the other to provide an elevated support.
20. A support assembly/structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, and wherein the assemblies are adapted for side by side interconnection.
21. A support assembly/structure, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, and Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
22. A method of using a support assembly/structure as claimed in any one of claims I to 21, including the steps of deciding which orientation of the assembly/structure is appropriate to the work piece and/or work table/surface to by supported, angularly displacing the main frames to a required angular separation, securing the main frames in the required angular setting, and actuating the appropriate clamping means to clamp the work piece and/or work table/surface to the assembly/structure.
23. A method as claimed in claim 22, in which when mounting a work piece , work table/surface for use in a horizontal plane the assembly/structure is erected so that the main frame pivot axis is vertical.
24. A method as claimed in claim 22, in which when mounting a work piece , work table/surface for use in a non-horizontal plane the assembly/structure is erected so that the main frame pivot axis is non-vertical.
25. A method of using a support assembly/structure, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures I to 6, and Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.