GB2478318A

GB2478318A - A workbench including wood supporting portions

Info

Publication number: GB2478318A
Application number: GB201003504A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Alan Morton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-02
Filing date: 2010-03-02
Publication date: 2011-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 2030-03-02
Also published as: GB201003504D0; GB2478318B

Abstract

Apparatus for creating a sawhorse (10, fig 3) from a workbench (12, fig 3) particularly of the type having two table portions (14,15, fig 3) which can be moved towards and away from each other. A pair of wood supporting portions 2 are releasably attached to the workbench at longitudinally spaced position. Each portion 2 has a "V" recess 6 to receive a piece of wood such as a log. In one arrangement each wood supportingportion 2 rests on the surfaces of the table portions (14,15, fig 3) and has a base portion 22 extending between and gripped by the table portions (14, 15, fig 3). The base portion 22 terminates in a pair of lateral flanges 26 below the table portions (14, 15, fig 3). The opposed sides of each "V" recess 6 may be provided with steps 27, 28 that can serve as teeth to grip a log (34, fig 8) or can provide flat portions 29 to support flat pieces of timber (31, fig 7).

Description

Sawhorse Apparatus This in invention relates to sawhorse apparatus, and in particular but not exclusively to such apparatus intended for use in sawing logs.

A known type of sawhorse consists of a pair of "X" shaped supports, interconnected by one or more ongitudinally extending portions. The lower two legs of each "X" shaped support stand on a surface such as a floor or the ground, and are of a sufficient size to support a log at a working height. The upper two legs of each "X" define a "V' shaped receiving space so that logs of different cross sections can be received. Such an arrangement is particularly suitable for supporting a log of wood which is to be cut into shorter lengths, and whose cross section may vary along its length. A typical use of such a sawhorse would be to cut a log up into firewood. A sawhorse of this type, sometimes referred to as a "sawbuck", is shown for example in United States Patent 1,092,974. Such structures are relatively bulky to store and are useful only for sawing wood.

Viewed from one aspect, the present invention provides a workbench having a table defining a generally planar upper work surface and a support structure for holding the table at a working height above the ground, wherein there are releasably attached to the workbench, extending above the work surface, two longitudinally spaced wood supporting portions having respective receiving spaces, each receiving space having an upwardly directed opening and downwardly converging sides, so that a piece of wood may extend between the supporting portions and be received in the respective receiving spaces.

Thus, instead of there being a stand alone sawhorse, a sawhorse can be created by the attachment of the wood supporting portions to a workbench. The holding of the wood supporting portions at a working height for sawing a piece of wood such as a log, is achieved by the support structure of the workbench rather than by a dedicated support structure. The workbench provides a work surface on which other tasks can be carried out when not being used as a sawhorse. The space required for storage of the wood supporting portions when not in use, and detached from the workbench, is much less than that taken up by a complete sawhorse as in United States Patent 1,092,974, for example.

Viewed from another aspect, the invention provides a method of creating a sawhorse from a workbench having a table defining a generally planar upwardly facing work surface, and a support structure for holding the table at a working height above the ground, the method comprising the step of releasably attaching to the table, extending above the work surface, two longitudinally spaced wood supporting portions having respective receiving spaces, each receiving space having an upwardly directed opening and downwardly converging sides, so that a piece of wood may extend between the supporting portions and be received in the respective receiving spaces.

Viewed from another aspect, the invention provides sawhorse apparatus for creating a sawhorse from a workbench, the workbench having a table defining a generally planar upwardly facing work surface, and a support structure for holding the table at a working height above the ground, wherein the sawhorse apparatus comprises a pair of wood supporting portions having respective receiving spaces, each receiving space having an upwardly directed opening and downwardly converging sides, the wood supporting portions having fastening means for releasably attaching the supporting portions to the table, extending above the work surface, at longitudinally spaced positions so that a piece of wood may extend between the supporting portions and be received in the respective receiving spaces.

Viewed from another aspect, the invention provides a wood supporting portion for creating a sawhorse from a workbench, the workbench having a table defining a generally planar upwardly facing work surface, and a support structure for holding the table at a working height above the ground, wherein the wood supporting portion has a receiving space having an upwardly directed opening and downwardly converging sides, the wood supporting portion having fastening means for releasably attaching the supporting portion to the table, extending above the work surface, and the arrangement being such that in use a pair of said wood supporting portions may be releasably attached to the table at longitudinally spaced positions -.3-so that a piece of wood may extend between the supporting portions and be received in their respective receiving spaces.

In a preferred arrangement, the workbench is of a type in which the table comprises two work table portions which can be moved towards and away from each other by relative linear motion, so that not only can items be placed on or affixed to the work surface, they can also be gripped between the two table portions. Many workbenches of this type do not just provide for purely linear relative movement of the table portions, but also for relative rotational movement about vertical axes. In this way not only can there be a variable width gap between the table portions, but the gap at one end can be larger than at the other. A workbench of this type is disclosed in, for example, United States Patent 3,615,087. Workbenches of this type may be collapsible for storage or transport. Commercially available versions are marketed under the WorkmateTM brand by Black & Decker.

In such an arrangement, means for releasably attaching a wood supporting portion to the table may include a part adapted to engage the upper surface of at least one of the table portions, and a part adapted to extend between and be clamped by the two table portions. Thus the wood supporting portion will be clamped against horizontal movement and will also resist downwards movement by engagement with the upper surface of a table portion. The part extending between the table portions may be connected to a laterally extending part which engages the underside of at least one of the table portions, so as to resist upwards movement also.

In some embodiments, each wood supporting portion has a base which rests on both the table portions, the base being provided with a downwardly projecting central portion to extend between the table portions. This central portion terminates in a pair of laterally extending flanges, which can contact the underside of the two table portions to restrict upwards movement.

The wood supporting portions may be such that they may attached to other types of workbench. For example, they could be provided with clamps so that they may be attached to the edge of a workbench or to the edge of another suitable structure.

They may be provided with one or more apertures so that they can be attached to a -.4-workbench or other structure by a releasable fastener such as screw or a nut and bolt, wing nut and bolt and so forth. In the case of a wood supporting portion provided with one or more apertures to receive a fastener, the arrangement may be such that the wood supporting portion may also be located on a workbench having two table portions, by being clamped between the table portions as described above.

In some embodiments, each wood supporting portion comprises a plate, for example of steel or another suitable material, in which the receiving space is defined. In some embodiments, each wood supporting portion comprises two such plates which are spaced apart and connected together. In one embodiment of this type, the bases of the two plates are connected together by a member which provides the means for releasably attaching the wood supporting portion to the table. Thus, for example the connecting member may be provided with one or more apertures so that the wood supporting portion can be attached to the table by means of a suitable fastener such as a screw or bolt. Additionally or alternatively, the connecting member may provide a downwardly projecting portion which can be clamped between two table portions. In one embodiment, the connecting member is a substantially "U" shaped member which has one leg connected to one plate, the other leg connected to the other plate, and the bottom part of the "U" being beneath the bases of the plates. Preferably a flange extends laterally from each side of the bottom part of the "U" shaped member. One or more apertures for receiving a fastener may be provided in the bottom part of the "U" shaped member, so that the member can either be clamped between two table portions, or can be attached to a table by means of one or more fasteners.

In arrangements in which the wood supporting portion comprises two plates, these may be separate items which are joined together, for example by fasteners or by gluing, welding or the like, or the two plates could be parts of a member which is bent to define the spaced plates.

The receiving space of a wood supporting portion may be of substantially "V" shape to provide the converging sides. The sides may be straight or they may follow a different profile, such as a curve. The sides may be provided with teeth to assist in gripping a piece of wood whilst it is being sawn. The teeth may penetrate the outer surface of a piece of wood and in any event will increase the friction between the wood supporting portion and a piece of wood being sawed thereby decreasing the likelihood that the piece of wood will slip and move while being sawn. The teeth could be provided sporadically or continuously along the sides of the receiving space. The teeth could comprise a number of different shapes, e.g. square or triangular. The apex angle of the teeth could be any angle, but in some preferred embodiments the teeth are triangular with an apex angle of 90 degrees.

In a preferred arrangement, there are aligned teeth on the two sides of the receiving space, defining aligned steps with horizontally extending portions, and upwardly extending portions. For a given step on one side of the receiving space, there will be a corresponding step on the other side of the receiving space. The facing upwardly extending portions define a space which can receive a piece of prepared timber of rectangular cross section, with a flat surface of the timber lying on the horizontally extending portion of the step. The width of the space to receive prepared timber increases from the bottom of the receiving space to the top of the receiving space, as the steps on opposite sides of the receiving space become further apart. The steps can therefore be arranged so that the widths between the opposing upwardly directed portions of the steps varies to accommodate different widths of prepared timber, such as timber with a width of about 5 cm, about 7.5 cm, about 10 cm and so forth. The vertical spacing between steps could be about 1.25 cm or about 2.5 cm, for example. Thus, by arranging the teeth in an appropriate manner, the sawhorse will be suitable for handling either rough logs or planed timber. Rough logs will be gripped by the teeth, whist planed timber will not be marked by the teeth and will instead rest on the steps provided by the teeth.

The upwardly extending portions of the steps do not have to extend vertically in a perpendicular sense, although in preferred embodiments this is the case. In such an arrangement, the teeth will be triangular and have an apex angle of about 90 degrees.

The ability to handle both logs and planed timber in this manner is considered to be novel and inventive in its own right, irrespective of whether the sawhorse is provided by adaptation of a workbench or is of a known stand alone type.

Accordingly, viewed from another aspect, the invention provides a sawhorse comprising two longitudinally spaced wood supporting portions having respective receiving spaces, each receiving space having an upwardly directed opening and downwardly converging opposing sides, so that a piece of wood may extend between the supporting portions and be received in the respective receiving spaces, wherein the sides of a wood supporting portion are provided with teeth defining steps with horizontally extending portions and upwardly extending portions, the steps on the opposing sides being aligned so that the horizontally extending portions of each aligned pair of steps can support a flat surface of a piece of timber, and the spacing between the upwardly extending portions of an aligned pair of steps defines the maximum width of timber that can be accommodated by that pair of steps.

The steps on the opposing sides of the receiving space will be aligned in terms of their vertical position, and the height of the upwardly extending portions. The horizontal extent of the aligned steps may differ, although in preferred embodiments the steps of an aligned pair will have the same horizontal extent. Whilst the profiles of the steps could vary, in preferred embodiments, all steps have the same profile and the same dimensions.

Preferably a sawhorse in accordance with all aspects of the invention has wood supporting portions whose receiving spaces are of sufficient width to accommodate wood of at least about 20 cm in width, e.g. a log with a diameter of 20 cm, preferably at least about 30 cm in width, preferably at least about 40 cm in width, or preferably at least about 50 cm in width.

A sawhorse in accordance with any aspect of the invention may have nor more than two of the wood supporting portions, or may have three or more of the wood supporting portions so as to support a piece of wood at a number of locations along its length.

Certain preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a sawhorse in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is view of the sawhorse of Figure 1, supporting a piece of wood; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of sawhorse in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 is an end view of a wood supporting portion of a sawhorse in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a top view of the woOd supporting portion; Figure 6 is a side view of the wood supporting portion; Figure 7 is an end view of the wood supporting portion, in one mode of use as a sawhorse; and Figure 8 is an end view of the wood supporting portion, in another mode of use as a sawhorse.

Referring now to the figures in detail, Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of a sawhorse 1 in accordance with the present invention.

The sawhorse 1 comprises two main longitudinally spaced wood supporting 2 which have the same shape, supported on an upper work surface of a table 3 of a workbench 4 having a structure 5 for supporting the table at a working height. The wood supporting portions 2 have upwardly opening recesses 6 with downwardly converging sides 7 and 8, in this case forming a substantially "V" shape. Figure 2 shows how a log 9 can be supported in the aligned recesses 6. The wood supporting portions 2 are releasably secured to the table 3, for example by means of threaded fasteners.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of another embodiment of sawhorse 10. In this case the two wood supporting portions 2 have base portions 11. In this case, a workbench 12 has a supporting structure 13 on which are mounted two table portions 14 and 15 which can be moved towards and away from each other to vary a gap 16 between them. The wood supporting portions are attached releasably to the workbench 12 by having their base portions 11 clamped between the table portions 14 and 15.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are detailed views of one of the wood supporting portions 2, in somewhat diagrammatic form. The wood supporting portion comprises a pair of plates 17 and 18, made from sheet steel or another suitable material. The plates have matching recesses 6. The plates have top portions 19 and 20 joined together by a fastener indicated at 21. The plates 17 and 18 diverge in the downwards direction and there lower ends are connected together by a generally "U" shaped junction member 22 in a central region. This junction member is secured to the plates by fasteners indicated at 23 and 24. The junction member serves as the base 12 which can be clamped between the table portions 14 and 15 as shown in Figure 7. The bottom part of the "U" of the junction member 22 is also provided with apertures 25 for fixing the wood supporting portion to a workbench in an alternative fashion. The bottom part of the "U", which is spaced below the lower edges of plates 17 and 18, is also provided with a pair of laterally extending flanges 26. As can be seen in Figure 7, these flanges engage the underside of table portions 14 and 15. Thus, the lower edge of the plates 17 and 18, which are level and extend horizontally, rest on the upper surfaces of the table portions to restrict downwards movement, and the flanges 26 engage the underside of the table portions 14 and to resist upwards movement. The junction member 22 is clamped between the table portions, thus providing a solid mounting for the wood supporting portions.

The sides of each recess 6 on each plate 17 and 18 are provided with matching sets of steps 27 and 28. Each step has a horizontal portion 29 and an upwardly extending portion 30, in this case extending vertically upwards and thus perpendicular to portion 29. For a given step A in set 27, there is a corresponding step B at the same level in set 28. The horizontal portions of these steps provide support for a flat piece of timber 31 of rectangular cross section, as shown in Figure 7. At any level, the distance (d) between the upwardly extending portions of a step A and a step B define the maximum width of timber that can be accommodated at that level. The arrangement is preferably such that the various distances (d) are slightly larger than standard widths of timber, so that there will be a level at which a -9.-piece of timber of standard width can be located securely. The steps also act as teeth that can grip the surface of a log.

Figure 8 shows an alternative arrangement for attaching the wood supporting portion 2 to a workbench. In this case the junction member, with flanges 26, rests on a table 32 of a workbench. Fasteners indicated at 33, such as bolts, pass through apertures 25 in the junction member so as to attach the member to the table. In Figure 8, instead of a piece of prepared timber of rectangular cross section, there is indicated a log 34 of generally circular cross section. Each step 27 and 28 provides a sharp apex 35, in this embodiment with an angle of 90 degrees.

These serve as teeth to assist in gripping the log.

Normally, the wood supporting portions would be used in pairs, although it would be possible to have three or more. A consumer would purchase a pair of the wood supporting portions, which are relatively compact and easy to store. When it is desired to do some sawing, an existing workbench of the consumer which has movable table portions, is accessed. The wood supporting portions are then gripped between the table portions, at longitudinally spaced positions, to form the sawhorse. When sawing is finished, the wood supporting portions can be detached from the workbench and stored, thus freeing up the workbench for other tasks. If the workbench can be folded up, it too can be stored.

Many variations are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, instead of there being two separate wood supporting portions which are attached to the fable of the workbench, there could be a member on which the two wood supporting portions are supported, and that member could then be attached releasably to the table. There could be such a member with two supporting portions, and a third separate supporting portion spaced longitudinally from the member. Instead of a supporting portion made from two plates, there could be a single plate..

It will be appreciated that expressions such as "upper" or "lower" are with respect to the orientation of items when in normal working use. Items can be stored of transported in any desired orientation. -10-

The preferred embodiments of the invention as described above provide apparatus for creating a sawhorse 10 from a workbench 12, particularly of the type having two table portions 14,15 which can be moved towards and away from each other. A pair of wood supporting portions 2 are releasably attached to the workbench at longitudinally spaced position. Each portion 2 has a "V" recess 6 to receive a piece of wood such as a log. In one arrangement each wood supporting portion 2 rests on the surfaces of the table portions 14,15 and has a base portion 22 extending between and gripped by the table portions. The base portion terminates in a pair of lateral flanges 26 below the table portions. The opposed sides of each "V" recess 6 are provided with steps 27, 28 that can serve as teeth to grip a log 34 or can provide flat portions 29 to support flat pieces of timber 31.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A workbench having a table defining a generally planar upper work surface and a support structure for holding the table at a working height above the ground, wherein there are releasably attached to the workbench, extending above the work surface, two longitudinally spaced wood supporting portions having respective receiving spaces, each receiving space having an upwardly directed opening and downwardly converging sides, so that a piece of wood may extend between the supporting portions and be received in the respective receiving spaces.
2. A workbench as claimed in claim 1, wherein the table comprises two table portions which can be moved towards and away from each other, and each wood supporting portion is attached releasably to the workbench by being gripped between the table portions.
3. A workbench as claimed in claim 2, wherein a portion of the wood supporting portion engages the upper surface of at least one of the table portions, to restrict downwards movement of the wood supporting portion.
4. A workbench as claimed in claim 3, wherein a portion of the wood supporting portion extends laterally beneath the underside of at least one of the table portions, to restrict upwards movement of the wood supporting portion.
5. A workbench as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein each wood supporting portion comprises a pair of spaced members whose lower ends are connected by a junction member, the junction member extending between and being gripped by thetable portions.
6. A workbench as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the converging sides of each receiving space are provided with teeth for use in gripping a piece of
7. A workbench as claimed in claim 6, wherein the teeth define a series of steps having horizontally extending portions and upwardly extending portions. -12-8. A workbench as claimed in claim 7, wherein the horizontally extending portions of the steps are adapted to provide support for a flat surface of a piece of 9. A method of creating a sawhorse from a workbench having a table defining a generally planar upwardly facing work surface, and a support structure for holding the table at a working height above the ground, the method comprising the step of releasably attaching to the table, extending above the work surface, two longitudinally spaced wood supporting portions having respective receiving spaces, each receiving space having an upwardly directed opening and downwardly converging sides, so that a piece of wood may extend between the supporting portions and be received in the respective receiving spaces.10. Sawhorse apparatus for creating a sawhorse from a workbench, the workbench having a table defining a generally planar upwardly facing work surface, and a support structure for holding the table at a working height above the ground, wherein the sawhorse apparatus comprises a pair of wood supporting portions having respective receiving spaces, each receiving space having an upwardly directed opening and downwardly converging sides, the wood supporting portions having fastening means for releasably attaching the supporting portions to the table, extending above the work surface, at longitudinally spaced positions so that a piece of wood may extend between the supporting portions and be received in the respective receiving spaces.11. A wood supporting portion for creating a sawhorse from a workbench, the workbench having a table defining a generally planar upwardly facing work surface, and a support structure for holding the table at a working height above the ground, wherein the wood supporting portion has a receiving space having an upwardly directed opening and downwardly converging sides, the wood supporting portion having fastening means for releasably attaching the supporting portion to the table, extending above the work surface, and the arrangement being such that in use a pair of said wood supporting portions may be releasably attached to the table at longitudinally spaced positions so that a piece of wood may extend between the supporting portions and be received in their respective receiving spaces.12. A wood supporting portion as claimed in claim 11, wherein the converging sides of the receiving space are provided with teeth for use in gripping a piece of 13. A wood supporting portion as claimed in claim 12, wherein the teeth define a series of steps having horizontally extending portions and upwardly extending portions.14. A wood supporting portion as claimed in claim 13, wherein the horizontally extending portions of the steps are adapted to provide support for a flat surface of a piece of wood.15. A wood supporting portion as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14, comprising a pair of spaced members whose lower ends are connected by a junction member, the junction member extending beneath the lower ends of the spaced members and the arrangement being such that the wood supporting portion can be positioned on a workbench having a pair of table portions which can be moved towards and away from each other, with the lower ends of the spaced members resting on the table portions and the junction member extending between, and being gripped by, thetable portions.16. A wood supporting portion as claimed in claim 15, wherein the junction member is provided with at least one laterally projecting flange which is spaced below the lower ends of the spaced members, the arrangement being such that the flange will extend beneath the lower surface of a table portion..17. A sawhorse comprising two longitudinally spaced wood supporting portions having respective receiving spaces, each receiving space having an upwardly directed opening and downwardly converging opposing sides, so that a piece of wood may extend between the supporting portions and be received in the respective receiving spaces, wherein the sides of a wood supporting portion are provided with teeth defining steps with horizontally extending portions and upwardly extending portions, the steps on the opposing sides being aligned so that the horizontally extending portions of each aligned pair of steps can support a flat surface of a piece of timber, and the spacing between the upwardly extending -14-portions of an aligned pair of steps defines the maximum width of timber that can be accommodated by that pair of steps.18. A workbench serving as a sawhorse, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.17. A method of creating a sawhorse from a workbench, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.18. Sawhorse apparatus for creating a sawhorse from a workbench, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.19. A wood supporting portion for creating a sawhorse from a workbench, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.20. A sawhorse substantially as hereinbelore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.