GB2364949A

GB2364949A - Portable, collapsible workbench

Info

Publication number: GB2364949A
Application number: GB0017474A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Muil; Peter Mckeever
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-18
Filing date: 2000-07-18
Publication date: 2002-02-13
Also published as: GB0017474D0

Abstract

A portable, collapsible workbench has a work surface 1 supported by three pivotable legs 2,3,4 forming a tripod, so that the workbench may be readily folded and carried, and the three legs positioned for optimum stability. The workbench has a tool shelf 5 near the lower end of the legs. Two of the legs 2,3 are pivotally attached to the work surface 1 at one end and are attached to a respective corner of the tool shelf 5 at the other end, while the other leg 4 pivots independently. This third leg 4 is secured by two struts 6,7 which are also secured to the underside of the work surface 1. The third corner of the tool shelf 5 is also connected to the third leg 4. The workbench may be folded by disconnecting the struts 6,7 and the tool shelf 5 from the third leg 4 (see figures 2 to 5).

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> PORTABLE, COLLAPSIBLE WORK BENCH This invention relates to a portable, collapsible workbench. Portable workbenches are well-known devices which enable builders, carpenters and people in related trades to carry out a wide range of tasks by providing a work surface in the absence of a fixed workbench. Many portable workbenches can be folded up and carried by one person. Many act also as a surface on which to place tools and to aid such processes as sawing and hammering, sometimes with the assistance of a vice mounted on the surface. Such workbenches suffer from the disadvantage of a tendency to wobble or to rock back-and-forth during certain types of vigorous work, particularly sawing and sanding, on any surface which is not absolutely flat and even. This looseness can undermine the precision of such work.

An objective of this invention is that of providing a portable, collapsible workbench which enjoys comparative stability with regard to the types of work described above. Accordingly, this invention provides a work surface with a three-legged support structure, whereby the three legs form a tripod under the work surface, all three legs being secured by means of a pivot device attached to the underside of the work surface, two of the legs being secured, just under the surface, to one pivot within this device, and further secured by one side of a flat, triangular tool shelf close to their lower ends, near the ground, and the third leg being secured to a separate pivot within the pivot device attached to the underside of the work surface, and further secured by two struts which extend from the underside of the work surface, forming a triangle, the apex of which joins the leg at a point close to its end, near the ground and level with the connection between the other two legs, the workbench being further secured by the joining to the third leg of the apex of the triangular tool shelf at a point on the third leg opposite the apex of the two struts. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 shows a diagonal view of the workbench standing up with a11 relevant points secured. Figure 2 shows a side view of the workbench standing up with all relevant points secured. Figure 3 illustrates the separation of the struts from the third leg and the separation of the tool shelf from the third leg.

Figure 4 shows the workbench prior to being completely folded, with the tool shelf raised toward the connected two legs, and the struts raised toward the underside of the work surface.

Figure 5 shows the workbench fully folded.

Referring to the drawing, the workbench comprises a work surface 1, three supporting legs 2, 3 and 4, a flat tool shelf 5, and two supporting struts 6 and 7.

In order to fold the workbench, the means of securing the struts 6 and 7 are detached from the leg 4, as shown in Figure 3. Similarly, the flat tool shelf 5 is detached from the leg 4 as shown in Figure 3. The struts 6 and 7 are then raised toward the underside of the work surface 1, as shown in Figure 4; and the leg 4 is moved toward the two connected legs 2 and 3 as shown in Figure 4.

When the various parts are in the position shown in Figure 5, the workbench is folded. The flat tool shelf 5 may also be folded, along a line formed by a hinge which runs across the shelf some two-thirds of the way toward the apex of the triangle, parallel to the edge which runs between the legs 2 and 3, the folded part being secured against the underside of the shelf. To remount the workbench the steps described above are carried out in reverse order.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A work surface with a three-legged support structure, whereby the three legs form a tripod under the work surface, all three legs being secured by means of a pivot device attached to the underside of the work surface, two of the legs being secured, just under the surface, to one pivot within this device, and further secured by one side of a flat, triangular tool shelf close to their lower ends, near the ground, and the third leg being secured to a separate pivot within the pivot device attached to the underside of the work surface, and further secured by two struts which extend from the underside of the work surface, forming a triangle, the apex of which joins the leg at a point close to its end, near the ground and level with the connection between the other two legs, the workbench being further secured by the joining to the third leg of the apex of the triangular tool shelf at a point on the third leg opposite the apex of the two struts. 2 A portable, collapsible workbench substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5.