GB2397269A

GB2397269A - Portable workbench with at least one slidable carriage

Info

Publication number: GB2397269A
Application number: GB0324323A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence George Bridgman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-17
Filing date: 2003-10-17
Publication date: 2004-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2023-10-17
Also published as: GB2397269B; GB0324323D0

Abstract

A portable workbench 1 comprises a pair of end supports 2 interconnected via at least one cross-member 3 , the end supports being adapted to pivot between a support position and a retracted position. At least one carriage 8 is slidable along the cross-member and a support table 6 mounted on the carriage is adapted to be reciprocated in a direction orthogonal to the cross-member and to be rotatable about an axis orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the cross-member. Preferably, the cross-member is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and is releasably lockable at a plurality of desired angular positions. One of the support tables may be adapted to be a vice, and each support table may include a plurality of locating holes for receiving one or more plug-in attachments.

Description

A PORTABLE WORKBENCH

This invention relates to workbenches. Specifically, but not exclusively, it relates to a portable workbench for use with large workpieces such as kitchen worktops.

Conventionally, especially in the home and DIY environments, if a workpiece is too large to be held in place, or supported by a workbench of the Workrnate variety, then a user is constrained to employ one or more trestles to support the workpiece; this is especially the case when a user is working with a large door, architrave, kitchen worktop, or the like.

A problem with trestles is the difficulties inherent in securely clamping a large, cumbersome, heavy workpiece (eg a large kitchen worktop), prior to routing, sawing or sanding etc. In situations where the workpiece is very long, a third or fourth trestle may be required to give support at various points along the length of the workpiece. The larger the workpiece, the more trestles that are required. Consequently, more space is required to store these trestles, and transportation becomes significantly more difficult.

Once the workpiece is clamped to the trestles at the desired locations, it is not possible to easily re-orientate the workpiece in order to work on a different section. For example, if a user needed to plane opposite edges of a large door, he or she would be - 2 required to clamp the door in one orientation, and subsequently unclamp the door and turn it 180 by hand, and clamp it in the opposite orientation.

The present invention attempts to address some or all of the aforementioned problems.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable workbench comprising: a pair of end supports interconnected via at least one cross- member, the end supports being adapted to pivot between a support position and a retracted position; at least one carriage supported on and slidable along the cross-member; and a support table mounted on each carriage for reciprocated movement in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cross-member and for rotary movement about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cross-member.

Preferably, the workbench includes a plurality of carriages surmounted by support

tables.

Preferably, the carriages include a sleeve section via which the carriages slideably engage with the cross-member.

Preferably, the cross-member is articulated and adapted to fold in on itself.

Preferably, the cross-member includes a releasable locking hinge mechanism. - 3

Preferably, the releasable locking hinge mechanism comprises biasing means and a key member, wherein the biasing means and the key member are adapted to cooperate so as to releasably restrain pivotal movement of the hinge mechanism.

S Preferably, the key member includes a screw thread portion for mating with a locking knob.

Preferably, each support table includes a tongue and groove arrangement disposed around the outer peripheral edges of the table for mutual mating with an adjacent support

table.

Preferably, one of the support tables is adapted to be a vice.

Preferably, the or each support table includes a plurality of locating holes for receiving one or more plug-in attachments. The plug-in attachments may include one or more: a right-angled end-stop or abutment member; a G-clamp; a retractable roll of protective covering; a circular saw; a mitre-block or mitre-box; a band-saw, scroll-saw or flexible saw; a router; a variable speed motor.

Preferably, the or each support table includes a lip section located on the underside of the or each support table and disposed at an outer peripheral edge thereof to releasably receive one or more clip-on attachments. The clip-on attachments may include one or more of: a bridge table adapted to releasably engage with and bridge adjacent support tables; a G - 4 clamp; a retractable roll of protective covering; a circular saw; a mitre-block or mitre-box; a band-saw, scroll-saw or flexible saw; a router; a variable speed motor.

Preferably, the or each support table is reciprocated in a direction orthogonal to the cross-member via a hand-operated gearing mechanism integral to the or each carriage.

Preferably, the or each support table is in releasable snapshot engagement with the or each carriage.

Preferably, the cross-member is adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the cross-member can be releasably locked in any one of a plurality of desired angular positions.

According to the present invention there is further provided a portable workbench including any one or more of the novel features described herein.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a workbench according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows the workbench in a partially collapsed position; Figure 3 shows the workbench in a fully collapsed position; Figure 4 is a plan view of a support table adapted to be a vice; Figure 5 shows a carriage; Figure 6 is a partial view of a cross-member hinge in a locked position; Figure 7 is an exploded view of the cross-member hinge; Figure 8 is an underside view of a bridge table clip-on attachment; Figure 9 is a plan view of the attachment of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a partial side-on view of the attachment of Figure 8 in operation; Figure 11 shows an attachment roll of protective covering in a retracted position; Figure 12 is a side elevation view of the attachment roll of Figure 1 1; Figure 13 shows the attachment roll of Figure 11 in an extended position; Figure 14 is a side-on view of the attachment roll of Figures 11 to 13 in operation; Figure 15 is a right-angled end-stop plug- in attachment; Figure 16 is a side elevation view ofthe end-stop of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a clip-on G-clamp attachment; and Figure 18 is a workbench according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a workbench 1 comprises a pair of each supports 2 interconnected via a cross-member 3. Each end support comprises two legs 2a connected by a crossbar 5. Connected to the ends of the cross-member 3 are sleeve portions 4 that encircle a crossbar 5 of each end support 2. The sleeve portion 4 enables the end supports 2 to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the crossbar 5 between a support position and a retracted position. - 6

Supported on and spaced along the cross-member 3 are a plurality of carriages 8 on which are mounted work support tables 6. The support tables are rotatable through 360 about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cross-member. Figures 1 to 3 show an example of a workbench that includes an arrangement of four carriages and four support tables, but in practice there may be more or less than this number, depending on the specific requirements of a given situation. Each support table is interchangeable with any other of the support tables employed in the workbench.

The cross member 3 is of non-circular cross-section and each carriage 8 includes a non-circular sleeve section 12 through which the cross-member 3 passes; in this way each carriage 8 is supported on the cross-member, and can be slidably reciprocated along the length of the cross-member.

As best shown in relation to the embodiment of Figure 18, a column member 25 for supporting a support table 6 passes through the carriage member 8 in an orthogonal direction to the longitudinal axis of the cross-member. The column member 25 includes a toothed portion 13 which mates with gearing (not shown) housed within the carriage member and connected to a distal end of a handle 9. This arrangement allows for reciprocated movement of the column member 25 to adjust the extent to which the upper end 26 of the column member 25 is exposed by operation of the handle 9 to raise or lower the support table in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cross-member.

The upper end 26 of the column member 25 releasably mates with an engaging portion 27 disposed on the underside of the support table 6 (see Figure 18). The column member 25 and the engaging portion mate in a force- fit manner. This can be achieved, for example, by the use of retractable bearing elements (not shown) disposed around a peripheral edge of the engaging portion 27. These releasably mate with female sections 28 located around the column member 25 in the vicinity of the end 26. Also, the engaging portion 27 includes a rotational bearing (not shown) that allows the support table 6 to freely rotate about the longitudinal axis of the column member 25 after it has been mated with the engaging portion 27. It will be understood that any suitable rotating bearing arrangement may be employed.

In a preferred embodiment, the workbench includes a modified work table 7 that is adapted to function as a vice (see also Figure 4). This modified work table (hereinafter referred to as the vice) operates via a handle 7' in a known fashion.

To facilitate a clamping action, the workbench also includes end-stops 23. Each end-stop 23 comprises a right-angled plate from which locating lugs 29 protrude. The lugs 29 mate with locating holes 30 disposed at regular intervals around the outer periphery of the upper surface of each support table 6 or vice 7. Although Figure 4 shows locating holes disposed around only the periphery of the vice 7, in practice each support table 6, or vice 7, may include a more extensive grid pattern of locating holes.

The support tables 6 (and vice 7) include a tongue and groove arrangement 32 disposed around all four lateral edges. Such an arrangement allows each support table to - 8 securely mate with adjacent support tables in close abutment (see Figure 18). Additionally, disposed on the underside of each support table is a lip 31. Figure 18 shows a lip 31 running the length of one side of the support table only. However, in practice this lip may run continuously around all four sides of each support table.

With reference to Figure 1, the cross-member 3 includes rotational bearing arrangements 11 that allow the cross-member to rotate about its longitudinal axis X (in the figures only one bearing arrangement 11 is shown, but a corresponding one exists at the opposite end of the crossmember). The bearing arrangements, through which the cross member axle (not shown) passes, comprise a circular race for rotational engagement with a two-ball ball-bearing in which the balls are diametrically opposed to one another. Located at angular intervals around the race are paired recesses for receiving the two balls. The rotational force required to overcome the paired recesses is greater than the normal torque exerted on the bearing from the carriages, supports, workpiece etc. Thus once a particular angular position is chosen, the bench will remain at that inclination unless the user exerts a rotational force to overcome the bearing/recess resistance. In this way a user may set the workbench to any desired inclination.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, 6 and 7, the cross-member 3 is articulated and includes a hinge 14 situated mid-way along its length. The hinge 14 is lockable via a knob 15 and enables the workbench 1 to be collapsed and folded in on itself for easier transportation and storage. - 9 -

The hinge 14 comprises interlocking elements 14a and 14b through which a cross- shaped key 16 is inserted via slots 21 and 22. The key 16 includes wing portions 20 that are biased by coil spring 19 to reside partially within the confines of the slot 22 of hinge element 14a, and partially within the confines of the slot 21 of hinge element 21. In this state, the hinge 14 is not free to move and the cross-member 3 cannot be pivoted about the hinge axis. The key 16 includes a screw thread 17 which threads into a corresponding screw thread 18 within the shank of the knob 15.

To disengage the key 16, a user pulls the knob 15 in an outward direction so as to compress the spring 19. Consequently, wing portions 20 are moved from a position partially within slot 22 to a position in which the wing portions reside completely within the slot 22. Thus rotational movement of the hinge 14 is then possible. Figures 1 and 6 show the hinge 14 and cross-member 3 in a locked position.

In use, the workbench 1 provides a series of moveable support tables 6 and vice 7.

The support tables 6 and vice 7 are free to slide along the length of the cross-member 3 between the end supports 2 and the hinge 14 via operation of the respective carriages 8.

Each carriage 8 is provided with a releasable latch (not shown) which is adapted to engage and disengage with recesses 10 provided along the length of the cross-member 3.

In this way each carriage 8 can be moved between, and locked in place at, any one of the series of predetermined positions. Thus the support tables 6 can be locked in positions where they abut one another, or in positions where a gap of a desired width exists between - 10 adjacent tables. Alternatively, if the desired gap is large, one or more support tables may be removed entirely.

The carriages also facilitate raising and lowering of the support tables 6 and the vice 7. This is achieved by operation of the handle 9. In addition, the support tables and vice are rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective supporting column member 25. In a preferred embodiment the support tables and vice releasably lock into place at each successive 90 position from the position shown in Figures l to 3. This is achieved by using any one of the known bearing arrangements suitable for this purpose.

In a preferred embodiment, the engaging portion 27, situated on the underside of the support table, is in an off-centre position; this allows for the off-set positioning of successive support tables as shown in Figure 18. It is envisaged that alternative embodiments will have the engaging portions located in a central position.

In circumstances where a power tool is needed (for example a circular saw, a router, a drill etc.), a user can introduce a bridge table 40 to which a power tool is attached, as shown in Figures 8 to 10. For simplicity, the relevant power tool (which may be mounted on a turntable) is shown as a circle 40a. The bridge table 40 includes four resiliently biased clips 41. The clips are biased inwards due to resilient elements 42 which are linked between opposing clips via a release rod 43. The bridge table is secured in place between two adjacent support tables 6 by pushing inward the release rod 43 to extend the clips outward. Once in place between two adjacent support tables, and with clips aligned behind - 11 the opposing lips 31, the rod 43 is released and the clips resile inwards to clamp the bridge table 40 in place. As with the support tables 6, the bridge table 30 also includes a tongue and groove arrangement 32 around its lateral edge; this ensures close mating between bridge table and support tables. s

The workbench can be collapsed into a portable configuration as shown in the Figures I to 3. In order to collapse the table, a user releases a locking mechanism via button 24; the end supports 2 can then be moved to the retracted position as shown in Figure 3 where the locking mechanism (not shown) automatically locks them in place. To erect the workbench, the locking mechanism is again released via button 24 and the end supports are moved into the support position as shown in Figure 1.

To collapse or erect the workbench the hinge 14 needs to be unlocked or locked via operation of the knob 15 as described above.

Figures 11 to 13 show a clip-on retractable roll device 50 for use with the workbench 1. The roll device includes a cylindrical housing 51 enclosing a roll of protective material 52 that is resiliently extendable over one or more support tables (see Figure 14). The housing is attached to a lip 31 of one end of the workbench via clips 54.

The protective material, which is preferably a vinyl fabric or similar such plastic sheeting, is extended across the support tables and fastened to a lip 31 at the other end of the workbench via clips 53 which are attached to the exposed end of the protective material 52.

The roll will preferably be biased to retract, thus supplying sufficient tension to ensure that - 12 the protective material lies smoothly over the support tables 6. When in place (as shown in the partial side elevation view of Figure 14), the protective covering adapts the workbench to be used as a wallpaper pasting table or the like.

The inclusion of locating holes 30 and underside lips 31 advantageously facilitate the use of a variety of attachments. For example, Figures 17 and 18 show a clip-on G clamp 60 that can be utilised with the workbench. The function of a G-clamp is well known, this G-clamp however includes a hinged clip 61 for locking engagement with any one of the lips 31 running around the periphery of the underside of each support table 6 (or vice 7). Instead of a clip-on G-clamp, a plug-in G-clamp may be used that includes a locating lug for mating with one of the locating holes 30 disposed about the upper surface of the support tables 6.

Other attachments that are envisaged, that may be of the clip-on and/or plug-in IS variety, include: a circular saw; a band saw; a scroll-saw or flexible saw; a router; a drill device; a mitre-block or mitre-box; and a variable speed motor, which in some embodiments may be used to provide power to any of the aforementioned attachments that may require it.

Figure 18 shows an alternative embodiment of the workbench of the present invention. Here, rather that a single cross-member, there are a pair of cross-members 63 and 64. Also, the carriages 65 include two sleeve sections for engagement with the two-cross members. - 13

All of the aforementioned attachments, which represent examples only, are considered to be features that are novel and inventive, either in combination with the workbench, or as separate entities in themselves, or in any combination. And as such may be independently claimable. - 14

Claims

1. A portable workbench comprising: a pair of end supports interconnected via at least one cross-member, the end supports being adapted to pivot between a support position and a retracted position; at least one carriage supported on and slidable along the cross-member; and a support table mounted on each carriage for reciprocated movement in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cross-member and for rotary movement about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the crossmember.

2. A portable workbench as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cross-member is adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

3. A portable workbench as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the cross-member can be releasably locked at a plurality of desired angular positions.

4. A portable workbench as claimed in any Claim 1 to 3, wherein the crossmember is articulated and adapted to fold in on itself.

5. A portable workbench as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the cross-member includes a releasable locking hinge mechanism.

6. A portable workbench as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the releasable locking hinge mechanism comprises biasing means and a key member, wherein the biasing means and the i - 15 key member are adapted to cooperate so as to releasably restrain pivotal movement of the hinge mechanism.

7. A portable workbench as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the carriage includes a sleeve section via which the carriage slideably engages with the cross-member.

8. A portable workbench as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support table includes a tongue and groove arrangement disposed around the lateral edges of the table for mutual mating with an adjacent support table.

9. A portable workbench as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the workbench includes a plurality of carriages surmounted by support tables.

10. A portable workbench as claimed in Claim 9, wherein one of the support tables is adapted to be a vice.

11. A portable workbench as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each support table includes a plurality of locating holes for receiving one or more plug-in attachments.

12. A portable workbench as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each support table includes a lip section located on the underside of the or each support table and disposed at an outer peripheral edge thereof. 16

13. A portable workbench as claimed in Claim 12, wherein, the lip section is adapted to releasably receive one or more clip-on attachments.

14. A portable workbench as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each support table is adapted to be reciprocated in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cross-member via a hand- operated gearing mechanism integral to the or each carriage.

15. A portable workbench as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each I O support table is in releasable snap-fit engagement with the or each carriage.

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