GB2537133A

GB2537133A - Support apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2537133A
Application number: GB1505920.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dinsmore James
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-04-08
Filing date: 2015-04-08
Publication date: 2016-10-12
Also published as: GB201505920D0

Abstract

A support apparatus 1 for supporting one or more pieces of timber to be cut, having a frame 2, a plurality of panels 30 mounted on one or more sides of the frame, and a plurality of slots 21 between the panels. A cutter can be inserted through the slots to cut through the pieces of timber. The panels may define a front 29, rear 31 and base wall 27, defining a U-shaped trough 40 for supporting the timber. A portion 33 of the rear wall may be moveable to allow removal of timber after cutting, and may include a handle 34 and an actuator controlled locking arrangement 37. The panels may be made from wood. The frame may include a set of wheels 16, the wheels being mounted upon an axle (18, fig 4) extending through the frame. The apparatus may be used to cut into logs using a chainsaw.

Description

Support Apparatus

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a support apparatus and in particular to a timber support apparatus.

Background to the Invention

It is common practice to use a chainsaw when cutting significant amounts of timber. This is typically performed using a timber support apparatus or sawhorse to increase efficiency. A number of timber logs are generally placed in the sawhorse which has a number of openings which enable a chainsaw 10 blade to pass through and thereby cut said logs. There are a number of problems with the sawhorses currently available such as the material which they are typically made of. Sawhorses are typically made from metal and a problem arises when a user makes contact with the apparatus with the blade of a chainsaw. This contact not only damages the blade of the saw and the apparatus itself but also has the potential to cause the chainsaw to kick back towards the user posing a significant health risk. Previous attempts have been made to solve this problem and they typically include making the sawhorse entirely out of a sacrificial material such as wood or plastic. However if a saw comes in contact with these types of sawhorses there is the potential for it to cut through the entirety of the structure thereby making the apparatus unusable.

Further disadvantages of the sawhorses currently available include the difficulty unloading the cut timber. Some of the sawhorses available release the timber as soon as it is cut resulting in a disarray of cut timber in the immediate area surrounding the apparatus. Furthermore a number of the sawhorses currently available are not readily repositionable as they have fixed support legs and/or are mounted to a support surface and this makes them overly cumbersome to move especially when loaded with one or more pieces of timber timber.

It would be desirable to obviate or mitigate the problems typically associated with timber support apparatus by providing an apparatus which is made of a material which limits the potential damage when a chainsaw blade collides with the apparatus, helps to prevent kickback of the saw and allows 30 for accurate placement of cut timber whilst also being readily repositionable when loaded with timber.

Summary of the Invention

A support apparatus for supporting one or more pieces of timber to be cut comprising a frame, a plurality of panels being mounted on one or more sides of the frame, a plurality of slots being defined 35 between said plurality of panels whereby a cutter can be inserted through said slots to cut through said one or more pieces of timber.

Ideally, the plurality of panels typically define a front wall, a rear wall and a base wall defining a substantially U-shaped trough therebetween for supporting said one or more pieces of timber 40 therein.

Preferably, the respective slots in said front wall are typically substantially aligned with respective slots in said rear wall.

Ideally, the base wall typically slopes downwardly from said front wall to said rear wall.

Preferably, the front wall typically has a cross member mounted along an upper edge thereof.

Ideally, the panels typically comprise a non-metallic material. Preferably, the panels are typically made from wood. Alternatively the panels may be made from plastic or any other suitable material 10 thereof.

Preferably, typically at least a portion of said rear wall is moveable between a closed position and an open position to facilitate removal of said timber from the apparatus after cutting.

Ideally, an upper portion of said rear wall is movable. Alternatively, an upper portion of said front wall may be movable.

Preferably, the moveable portion of said rear wall is typically pivotably mounted to said frame at an upper edge thereof. Ideally, the moveable portion typically has a handle portion mounted thereon.

Preferably, a locking arrangement is typically mountable to said moveable portion.

Ideally, the locking arrangement typically comprises corresponding male and female portions.

Preferably, the locking arrangement is typically controllable via an actuator.

Ideally, the frame typically has a plurality of wheels coupled thereon. Preferably, the wheels are typically mounted to at least one axle which extends through the frame.

Ideally, the panels typically define an opening which is capable of receiving a plurality of timber into said trough.

Preferably, said frame typically comprises a base which has first and second sides and at least one end, the first and second sides being substantially parallel to each other and the at least one end being coupled between said first and second sides in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to that of the first and second sides such that the base is substantially u-shaped.

Ideally, at least one support member is typically coupled between said first and second sides.

Preferably, said cutter typically comprises a saw. Preferably, said saw may comprise a motor powered saw.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame of a support apparatus; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the support apparatus which has a plurality of panels mounted thereon; Figure 3 is a front view of the support apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the front of the support apparatus of Figure 2 in its opened position; 10 Figure 5 is a perspective view of the rear of the support apparatus of Figure 2 in its opened position; Figure 6 is a side view of the support apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 7 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of support apparatus having an alternative locking arrangement.

Detailed description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a frame of a support apparatus for supporting one or more pieces of timber (illustrated in Figure 2) which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 2. The frame 2 typically comprises a base 4. Typically the frame 2 comprises metal. Typically the frame 2 is made from steel. Alternatively the frame 2 may comprise iron or any other suitable metal. Further alternatively the frame 2 may comprise plastic or any other suitable material. Typically the base 4 comprises a frame structure having an open bottom and/or top face and/or end face. The frame typically has a plurality of sides and/or ends. In a preferred embodiment the base 4 typically comprises a frame which has first and second sides 6, 8 and at least one end 10 with said first and second sides 6, 8 being substantially parallel to each other and said at least one end 10 being coupled between said first and second sides 6, 8 in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to said first and second sides 6, 8 such that the frame is substantially u-shaped. In the preferred embodiment the first and second sides 6, 8 comprise an elongate member. Typically said elongate member has a reinforcing flange. Typically said elongate member has a substantially L-shaped cross-section. In an alternative embodiment the base 4 may comprise a frame which has first and second sides 6, 8 and first and seconds ends 10, (not shown) with said first and second sides 6, 8 being substantially parallel to each other and said first and second ends 10, (not shown) being substantially parallel to each other such that the frame has a substantially rectangular shape. The base 4 may comprise any other suitable shape such as cuboidal.

The base 4 may have at least one support member 14 coupled between said first and second sides 6, 8. Typically said at least one support member 14 is coupled between said first and second sides 6, 8 in a direction substantially parallel to said at least one end 10.The support member 14 may further comprise first and second ends which extend parallel to said first and second sides 6, 8. In a preferred embodiment the support member 14 comprises a substantially u-shaped bracket.

Additionally, the base 4 may have further support members (not shown) coupled between the plurality of support members 14 in a direction which is substantially parallel to said first and second sides 6, 8. The base 4 typically has at least one set of wheels 16 coupled thereon. The wheels 16 are typically coupled to opposite ends of at least one axle 18. The at least one axle 18 typically extends through said first and seconds sides 6, 8 in a direction substantially parallel to the end 10. The at least one axle 18 may extend through at least one support member 14. In the preferred embodiment the frame 2 has first, second axles 18 coupled through both first and second sides 6, 8 at opposite ends of the base 4 with wheels 16 coupled thereon. In an alternative embodiment the wheels 16 may be directly or indirectly coupled to the exterior faces of the first and/or second sides 6, 8.

The frame 2 typically has a plurality of supports coupled to the base 4. The supports are typically coupled to the base 4 at discrete locations along the length of the first and/or second sides 6, 8. Further supports may be coupled to the at least one end 10. In a preferred embodiment the supports comprise first and second set of supports 22, 23. The supports 22, 23 are typically coupled at such locations along said first and second sides 6, 8 such as to define a plurality of apertures between each adjacent support. In the preferred embodiment the supports 22, 23 are typically coupled at discrete locations along the length of both first and second sides 6, 8. The supports 22, 23 are typically positioned so that when coupled on both sides the apertures between each adjacent support on both sides align. At least one support member 14 may be coupled between first and second supports 22 and 23 such that the at least one support member 14 extends between the first and second sides 6, 8 of the frame 2. The at least one support member 14 may be coupled at discrete locations along the length of the supports 22, 23.

The supports 22, 23 typically extend longitudinally from the body of the frame 2 along an axis which is substantially perpendicular to that of first and/or second sides 6, 8. The supports 22, 23 typically extend in a substantially longitudinal direction from the base 4, along an axis which is substantially perpendicular to that of the ground surface. Typically the supports 22, 23 extend in a substantially longitudinal direction from the base 4 before extending at an angle in a substantially lateral direction relative to the base 4. In a preferred embodiment the supports 22, 23 typically extend longitudinally from the base 4 along an axis which is perpendicular to the ground surface before extending at a substantially 45 degree angle. The supports 22, 23 may extend from the first and/or second sides 6, 8. The supports 22, 23 typically extend to a greater height from one side of the base 4 relative to the other. The supports 23 typically extend to a greater height from the second side 8 than the supports 22 which extend from the first side 6. Alternatively the supports 22 may extend to a greater height from the first side 6 than supports 23 extending from the second side 8. Typically the supports 22, 23 extending from first and second sides 6, 8 are coupled together. Typically the supports 22 are coupled via a plate 24 which extends transverse first and second sides 6, 8. The plates 24 are typically coupled at an angle forming a downward slope of the plate from the second side 8 to the first side 6. In an alternative embodiment the supports 22, 23 extending between first and second sides 6, 8 may comprise a single support member (not shown) which is shaped to transverse between first and second sides 6, 8. The frame 2 typically has a female member 25 coupled thereon. The female member 25 may be coupled directly or indirectly to the frame 2. In the preferred embodiment at least one support 22 and/or 23 typically has a female member 25 coupled thereon.

Typically the female member 25 is coupled to the exterior face of the at least one support 22, 23. Typically said female member 25 comprises a bracket which incorporates an aperture.

The frame 2 typically has at least one support strut 26 coupled to the base 4. The support struts 26 are typically mounted to first and/or second sides 6, 8. Alternatively the support struts 26 may be mounted to the at least one end 10. In the preferred embodiment the support struts 26 are mounted to either first and/or second sides 6, 8. In the preferred embodiment the support struts 26 are typically mounted at opposite ends of second side 8 (as illustrated in Figure 1). The support struts 26 typically extend longitudinally from the base 4 in a direction substantially perpendicular to that of second side 8. The support struts 26 are typically shaped to incorporate a bracket 28 at one end. The bracket 28 typically extends laterally from the body of the upper end of the strut 26 along an axis substantially parallel to that of end 10. The bracket 26 may extend substantially across the width of the base 4 as defined by the distance between the first and second sides 6, 8.

In the preferred embodiment (as illustrated in Figure 2) the timber support apparatus which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1 comprises the frame 2 which typically has a plurality of panels 30 mounted thereon. The panels 30 may be of various dimensions. The panels 30 are typically substantially rectangular in shape however may comprise any other suitable shape. The panels 30 are typically mounted to the frame 2 via a screw arrangement. The plurality of panels 30 mounted to the frame 2 define rear and front walls 29, 31 and a base wall 27. The plurality of panels 30 further define an opening 35. The rear and font walls 29, 31 and base wall 27 typically define a U-shaped trough 40 therebetween which supports one or more pieces of timber. The rear and front walls 29, 31 are typically substantially parallel to each other. Typically the panels 30 are coupled to the exterior and/or interior faces of the frame 2. In the preferred embodiment panels 30 are coupled to the exterior faces of the base 4 and/or the exterior faces of the supports 22, 23 and/or support struts 24 and/or plates 24 in-use. In the preferred embodiment a plurality of slots 21 are defined between said plurality of panels 30. Typically the slots 21 in the front wall 31 are substantially aligned with respective slots in the rear wall 29 (see Figure 3). A cutter (not shown) is insertable through the slots 21 located on the rear and or front walls 29, 31. Typically the cutter comprises a saw. Typically the saw is a motor powered saw such as a chainsaw. The cutter may alternatively comprise any other suitable cutting device.

The panels 30 typically comprise a non-metallic material. The panels 30 may comprise wood or plastic or any other suitable material. Advantageously the panels 30 being of a non-metallic material will limit the damage done upon the cutter if it accidentally comes in contact with said panel 30. At least one portion 33 of the front and/or rear wall 31, 29 is moveable between a closed position and an open position in-use (see Figures 2 and 4). In an alternative embodiment the side walls of the apparatus 1 may comprise a moveable portion (not shown). The moveable portion 33 facilitates removal and/or insertion of said timber from the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 typically comprises at least one moveable portion 33. The moveable portion 33 is typically pivotably mounted to the frame 2 at an upper edge thereof. A pivotable cross member 32 is typically mounted to frame 2. In the preferred embodiment the pivotable cross member 32 is coupled to the brackets 28 of the support struts 26. The movable portion 33 typically comprises the pivotable cross member 32 which has a plurality of panels 30 mounted thereon. In the preferred embodiment a portion of the rear and/or front 29, 31 wall of the apparatus 1 comprises the moveable portion 33. In the preferred embodiment a portion of the rear wall 29 comprises the moveable portion 33. The remaining portions of the corresponding rear and/or front walls 29, 31 comprise panels 30 coupled to the first and/or second supports 22, 23. In an alternative embodiment the moveable portion 33 may comprise a lower portion of the rear and/or front walls 29, 31.

A handle 34 is typically coupled to the apparatus 1. The handle 34 may be coupled to the exterior faces of the panels 30. In an alternative embodiment the handle 34 may be coupled to the frame 2. In a preferred embodiment the handle 34 is coupled to the moveable portion 33. The handle 34 typically comprises an elongate member. Typically the apparatus 1 has at least one male member 36 coupled thereon. Alternatively the male member may be coupled to the frame 2. Typically the handle assembly 34 has at least one male member 36 coupled to a panel 30. In the preferred embodiment the male member 36 is coupled to the handle assembly 34. The male member 36 is mateable with the female member 25. The female member 25 may be coupled to the frame 2. The female member 25 is typically coupled to at least one of the supports 22, 23. In the preferred embodiment the female member 25 is coupled to the panels 30 mounted upon the supports 22, 23 The engagement of the male and female members 36, 25 forms a locking arrangement 37 which prevents the movement of the moveable portion 33 when it its locked position (see Figure 6). The male member 36 typically comprises a fastener. Typically said fastener 36 is mateable with the bracket 25. Typically said fastener 25 comprises a pin. In alternative embodiments the fastener 25 may comprise a cam lock, mortise lock or any other suitable locking arrangement 37. Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the support apparatus which may be the same or substantially the same as the support apparatus 1 and in respect of which similar descriptions apply. In the alternative embodiment the operation of the male and female members 36, 25 is controlled via an actuator 50 (see Figure 7). The actuator 50 may be coupled to the apparatus 1. Alternatively the actuator 50 may be located remotely from the apparatus 1. The actuator may comprise a lever. Alternatively the actuator may be electrically operated. In an alternative embodiment (as illustrated in Figure 7) the locking arrangement 37 may be coupled to the interior faces of the supports 22/23 with an actuator 50 being coupled to the base 4, the actuator 50 and the locking arrangement 37 may be coupled via a cable 52. The actuator 50 is typically operable between an open and closed position corresponding to an open and closed position of the locking arrangement 37. When said locking arrangement 37, actuator 50 are in their locked position the cable 52 will be under tension, when the actuator 50 is varied to its open position the cable 52 will under tension remove the male member 36 from the female member 25 and the locking arrangement 37 will adopt an open position.

The front wall 31 typically comprises a plurality of panels 30 coupled to the frame 2. In the preferred embodiment the front wall 31 comprises a plurality of panels 30 mounted to the plurality of supports 22, 23 and/or the support struts 26. Typically the panels 30 are coupled to the supports 22, 23 and support struts 26. In the preferred embodiment the panels 30 are mounted to the supports 23 and the support struts 26 located along the front wall 31 of the apparatus 1. Typically a cross member 38 is mounted to the front wall 31 along an upper edge thereof. The cross member 38 is typically mounted to the plurality of panels 30. The cross member 38 may be mounted to the plurality of panels 30 and the frame 2. The cross member 38 typically comprises at least one non-metallic panel. In an alternative embodiment the rear wall 29 may have the cross member 38 mounted thereon.

Typically the base wall 27 comprises the plurality of plates 24 which have a plurality of panels 30 mounted thereon. The base wall 27 typically slopes downwardly from the rear and/or front wall 29, 31 to aid in the removal of one or more pieces of timber from the apparatus 1. In the preferred embodiment the base wall 27 typically slopes downwardly from the front wall 31 to the rear wall 29. Conveniently, the mounting of panels 30 to the rear and front walls 29, 31 and base wall define a trough 40 therebetween. Typically said trough 40 is substantially U-shaped. The trough 40 may be further divided by at least one dividing wall (not shown). Advantageously the trough 40 is operable to receive and support one or more pieces of timber. Typically said timber may be insertable into the apparatus via the moveable portion 33 and/or via the open top of the apparatus 1 in-use.

In use the moveable portion 33 is variable between its open and closed positions. Once open the trough 40 can receive and support one or more pieces of timber. In an alternative embodiment the apparatus can receive one or more pieces of timber into the trough 40 via the opening 35. Once timber is received in the trough 40 a cutter (not shown) is then insertable through the plurality of slots 21. In the preferred embodiment the cutter is insertable through the slots 21 located on both rear and front walls 29, 31 of the apparatus 1 simultaneously. Conveniently the slots 21 provide a guide for the cutter (not shown) to cut through the one or more pieces of timber contained within the trough 40. Once cut and with the moveable portion 33 in its open position the user is able to remove a plurality of discrete timber sections (not shown). Conveniently the downward slope of the base wall 27 which extends from the front wall 31 to the rear wall 29 aids in the removal of timber from the trough 40 in-use. The apparatus 1 is readily re-positionable via the wheels 16. Advantageously when the apparatus 1 is in-use the positioning of the cross member 38 and the pivotable cross member 32 means that any unexpected upward displacement of the cutter will result in the cutter colliding with at least one of the cross members 32, 38 in-use.

In the preferred embodiment the first and second sides 6, 8 of the frame 2 are approximately 1325mm in length, 85mm in height and 50mm in width. The at least one end 10 is typically 300mm in length corresponding to the width of the frame 2 and 80mm in height. The at least one support member 14 may also be approximately 300mm in length and 80mm in height with the end portions of the support member 14 extending parallel to the first and second sides 6, 8 being 80 mm in height and 50mm in length. The first set of supports 22 are typically 500mm in height and 65mm in length. The second set of supports 23 are approximately 706mm in height and 65 mm in length. The plates 24 are approximately 300mm in height and 65 mm in length. The support struts 26 are approximately 1250mm in height and 65 mm in length. The panels 30 coupled to the frame 2 vary in dimension. In the preferred embodiment the panels 30 coupled to the first set of supports 22 are typically 500mm in height and 150 mm in length. The panels 30 coupled to the second set of supports 23 are typically 1250mm in height and 150mm in length. The panels 30 coupled to the plates 24 are approximately 300mm in height and 150mm in length. The panels 30 coupled to the pivotable cross member 32 which comprise the moveable portion 33 are approximately 730mm in height and 150mm in length. The cross member 38 is approximately 1250mm in length and 150mm in height. Optionally the frame 2 and panels 30 may have greater or smaller dimensions as those previously described.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

20 25 30 35

Claims

Claims 1. A support apparatus for supporting one or more pieces of timber to be cut comprising: a frame, a plurality of panels being mounted on one or more sides of the frame, a plurality of slots being defined between said plurality of panels whereby a cutter can be inserted through said slots to cut through said one or more pieces of timber.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of panels define a front wall, a rear wall and a base wall defining a substantially U-shaped trough therebetween for supporting said one or more pieces of timber therein.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein respective slots in said front wall are substantially aligned with respective slots in said rear wall.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said base wall slopes downwardly from said front wall to said rear wall.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said front wall has a cross member mounted along an upper edge thereof.
6. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said panels comprise a nonmetallic material.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said panels are made from wood.
8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of said rear wall is moveable between a closed position and an open position to facilitate removal of said timber from the apparatus after cutting.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a upper portion of said rear wall is movable.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein said moveable portion of said rear wall is pivotably mounted to said frame at an upper edge thereof
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the moveable portion has a handle portion mounted thereon.
12. The apparatus of any of claims 8 to 11, wherein a locking arrangement is mountable to said moveable portion.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said locking arrangement comprises corresponding male and female portions.
14. The apparatus of claims 12 and 13, wherein said locking arrangement is controllable via an actuator.
15. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said frame has a plurality of wheels coupled thereon.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the wheels are mounted to at least one axle which extends through the frame.
17. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said frame defines an opening which is capable of receiving a plurality of timber into said trough.
18. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said frame comprises a base which has first and second sides and at least one end, the first and second sides being substantially parallel to each other and the at least one end being coupled between said first and second sides in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to that of the first and second sides such that the base is substantially u-shaped.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one support member is coupled between said first and second sides.
20. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said cutter comprises a saw.
21. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said saw comprises a motor powered saw.