GB2613134A

GB2613134A - Cutting station

Info

Publication number: GB2613134A
Application number: GB2110367.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Brown Michael
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-07-19
Filing date: 2021-07-19
Publication date: 2023-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2041-07-19
Also published as: GB2613134B; GB202110367D0

Abstract

Cutting station 10 comprising supporting framework, work surface 16 supported by the framework having opposing lateral sides with a width dimension of the work surface extending there-between; and a hood 26 extending over said work surface 16 so as to partially enclose a volume defined between an interior of said hood and the work surface 16, wherein the hood 26 comprises a roof 28 and a rear wall, the roof 28 extending in the width direction above the work surface 16, a spacing between the roof 28 and the work surface 16 defining a height dimension of an open frontal area of the cutting station 10 through which an operator can access the work surface 16; a power supply for power tools to be used on the work surface 16, wherein the roof 28 is actuatable between first and second conditions so as to vary the spacing between the roof 28 and work surface 16, the first condition defining an open frontal area that is less than that defined by the second condition, wherein actuation of the roof 28 to the first and second condition respectively permits and denies power via the power supply.

Description

Cutting Station The present invention relates to a cutting station. More particularly but not exclusively, the invention relates to a mobile cutting station providing a work surface at which an operator can carry out engineering work, e.g. on a work site.

General-purpose work benches are used for supporting tools and workpieces in an elevated position to allow a user easily to work on a workpiece without needing to bend to ground level. Such benches are commonly used in a variety of situations, ranging from use in a domestic home workshop to a commercial factory selling, and are typically sturdy in construction comprising a supporting framework and a planar bench top forming a work surface.

Cutting stations provide a specific form of work bench for which it is intended that an operator will be able to carry out cutting operations on wood, metal or plastic parts that create additional health and safety concerns. Problems are therefore encountered using conventional work benches, in that such operations on a workpiece tend to produce environmental pollutants. Such pollutants include physical contaminants such as noxious fumes, dust, material shavings and sparks, in addition to non-physical contaminants such as high noise levels and vibration.

The pollutants can be particularly problematic at a worksite or commercial manufacturing environment, in which a large number of cutting stations may be employed, each work bench producing pollutants such as dust and noise. On worksites there may be a number of workers in relatively close proximity performing very different operations or moving equipment around the site in an ad-hoc manner.

It is common practice in such environments for workers to be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) over eyes, ears, nose and mouth, to avoid exposure to the pollutants generated, even if the worker is not currently working at a cutting station. However, such PPE is rarely convenient and comfortable and can bring its own problems. A general principle of modem health and safety is to employ PPE as a last line of defence and to try to avoid or reduce exposure to contaminants by other means.

One feature of conventional cutting stations is that they employ a canopy or hood extending around the rear and top of the cutting station, as well as having side walls extending along the side edges of the work surface, to at least partially contain pollutants produced by operations performed thereon.

An example cutting station comprising a hood is disclosed in United Kingdom Patent No. GB2546551. In such examples, the front portion of the hood is left mainly open so as to allow an operative easily to load a workpiece on to the work surface and to work on the workpiece thereon. The side walls of the hood may incorporate 'cut-out' sections to allow workpieces with a length greater than the width of the cutting station to be placed on the work surface. The hood may additionally include deformable strip curtains to partly close the open front to assist with containment of pollutants.

However, the open front hood of cutting stations of the type disclosed in 0B2546551 may still present a problem insofar as there remains a relatively large frontal opening which can be detrimental to the containment of pollutants.

Moreover, such existing forms of cutting station require that the cut-outs formed in the side walls of the hood are enlarged to extend from the front edge of the side wall rearwardly to a sufficient depth to allow a long and deep workpiece to be positioned approximately centrally depth-wise of the work surface. It will thus be appreciated that the design of work benches of this existing form requires a balance to be struck between minimising the size of openings to the hood, so as to allow effective containment of pollutants, whilst not unduly inhibiting access to the work surface, and loading of a workpiece on to the work surface by an operator.

Furthermore, whilst a cutting station may be used for other operations, such as drilling, sanding, welding and hammering of a workpiece, the suitability of the workstation for cutting operations is an overriding consideration, and such cutting operations can cause sparks, swan f and the like to be flung through the open front of the cutting station towards the operator and beyond.

It is an aim of the invention to mitigate or resolve one or more of the above-identified problems associated with existing cutting stations. It may be considered an additional or alternative aim to provide a safer mobile cutting station, e.g. offering reduced health and safety risks.

According to the invention, there is provided a cutting station comprising a supporting framework; a work surface supported by the framework having opposing lateral sides with a width dimension of the work surface extending there-between; and a hood extending over said work surface so as to partially enclose a volume defined between an interior of said hood and the work surface, wherein the hood comprises a roof and a rear wall, the roof extending in the width direction above the work surface, a spacing between the roof and the work surface defining a height dimension of an open frontal area of the cutting station through which an operator can access the work surface, wherein the cutting station comprises a power supply for power tools provided on the work surface in use and the roof is actuatable between first and second conditions so as to vary the spacing between the roof and work surface, the first condition defining an open frontal area that is less than that defined by the second condition, wherein actuation of the roof to the first and second condition respectively permits and denies power via the power supply.

The first condition may be an in-use or down condition. The second condition may be an open or up condition. The height dimension of the open frontal area in the first condition may provide an area through which an operator can perform cutting operations at the cutting station. The height dimension of the open frontal area in the first condition may be at least 30cm, 40cm or 50cm.

The hood and/or rear wall thereof may be of fixed height and the roof may be actuable relative thereto. In the first condition the roof may extend below the fixed height. In the second condition the roof may extend above the fixed height.

The roof may have a front edge. The front edge of the roof may be actuatable between the first and second conditions, e.g. to vary the spacing thereof from the work surface.

In the first condition, the roof, the actuable portion of the roof and/or front edge may be below the eye level of an operator/user of the cutting station. In the second condition, the roof, the actuable portion of the roof and/or front edge may be above the eye level of an operator/user.

In the first condition, the roof or actuatable portion thereof may be obliquely angled downwardly and/or towards the work surface. In the second condition, the roof or actuatable portion thereof may be angled (e.g. obliquely angled) upwardly and/or away from the work surface.

The roof, or a portion thereof, may be transparent or see-through. At least a portion of the roof in the vicinity of a front edge thereof may be transparent.

The roof, or the actuatable portion thereof, may comprise a cut-out. The cut-out may be provided in the leading edge of the roof. The cut-out may be generally centrally arranged relative to the width of the work surface, hood or cutting station.

The work surface may comprise a benchtop member. The work surface may have a generally planar upper surface.

The work surface may have width-wise opposed first and second side edges. The work surface may have depth-wise opposed front and rear edges.

The hood may comprise first and second side walls. The roof may extend width-wise across substantially a full width of the worksurface between its first and second side edges. The roof may extend depth-wise across a part of, a majority or all of a depth of the work surface between its front and rear edges.

The side walls of the hood may be joined to or about with respective width-wise opposed side edges of the work surface. The rear wall of the hood may be joined to or abut with the rear edge of the work surface.

In the first condition, the hood may enclose the volume defined between the hood and the work surface to a greater extent than when in the second condition, thus improving in the first condition the containment of pollutants generated within the volume. In the first condition, the roof of the hood may extend generally upwardly from a front edge disposed in closer proximity to the work surface adjacent its front edge, extending depth-wise rearwardly over the work surface towards a line aligned with and extending above the work surface.

The front edge of the roof may be parallel with the work surface in either or both of the first and second conditions. The front edge of the roof may be contained in the same plane as a front edge of the work surface in the first and/or second condition.

The side walls of the hood may extend depth-wise along respective side edges of the roof and/or work surface, e.g. along substantially a full depth thereof or part of 20 the depth thereof. The side walls of the hood may extend downwardly from the roof to respective lower edges at or above the work surface.

The side walls may comprise cut-outs, e.g. above the work surface or directly above the side edges of the work surface. A first section of the lower edge of each side wall may be spaced above the work surface to define a gap there-between. A second section of the lower edge may comprise an intermediate edge extending between the first section and the work surface.

The roof may be hingedly movable relative to the support surface. The roof may be hingedly moveable about an axis that is parallel with the work surface and/or disposed above the work surface.

A moveable portion of the roof may be hingedly/pivotably mounted to a fixed portion of the roof and/or hood, e.g. a rear wall of the hood or a fixed roof portion depending therefrom.

The roof, e.g. a moveable portion thereof, may be biased to the first and/or second condition. The hood may comprise one or more biasing member, such as a gas strut.

The roof, e.g. the moveable portion thereof, may be latched in the first and/or second condition.

The hood/canopy may comprise a switch or cut-out for connecting/disconnecting the power supply. The switch may be actuated by actuation of the roof.

Preferably, the roof of the hood comprises a pitched roof. The roof may extend obliquely upwardly from a front edge thereof and/or obliquely upwardly from a rear edge thereof. The roof may comprise a flat roof section, extending generally horizontally and/or parallel with the work surface, and one or more pitched roof section. The flat roof section may be flanked by front and rear pitched roof sections, e.g. of which one may be actuatable. The flat roof section may be of fixed height.

The moveable portion of the roof may comprise two adjoining surfaces, e.g. with an oblique angle formed therebetween. A first surface may be a frontal surface and may lie substantially in a plane with the front edge of the work surface in the first condition. The first surface may be substantially perpendicular to the work surface in the first condition.

The supporting framework may define an enclosure beneath the work surface.

Preferably, said supporting framework defines an enclosure including a base member, a back wall member, and side wall members.

Advantageously, the cutting station may further comprise one or more closable door, e.g. on the supporting framework beneath the work surface and/or as part of the enclosure.

The enclosure may comprise a further power supply. The further power supply of the enclosure may not be affected by the actuation condition of the roof.

The cutting station may comprise first and second power supplies. The first power supply may be disposed on or above the work surface, e.g. within the hood. The first power supply may be for power tools to be used on the work surface. The second power supply may be located beneath the work surface, e.g. within the enclosure. The second power supply may be for charging power tools stored within the enclosure. Additionally or alternatively, the second power supply may power a dust extractor for the cutting station, e.g. mounted below the work surface and/or within the enclosure.

The/each power supply may comprise an electrical connector, e.g. a socket.

Preferably, the cutting station further comprises a pair of horizontally-extendable supporting arms, e.g. being arranged to be slidably deployable width-wise outwardly from the supporting framework. The support arms may be configurable to provide additional support to a workpiece disposed on and extending beyond the upper surface of the worksurface.

Preferably, the front edge of said roof is moved generally upwardly away from said work surface into the second condition.

The cutting station may comprise a free standing and/or portable cutting station.

The cutting station may comprise a plurality of wheels, such as castors. The cutting station may comprise one or more lockable wheel. The wheel may be lockable against rotation and/or swivelling.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work bench comprising: a supporting framework; a work surface supported by said framework, the work surface having a generally planar upper face and having width wise opposed first and second side edges, and depth wise opposed front and rear edges; and a hood extending over said top member arranged to enclose a void defined between an interior surface of said hood and said work surface; in which said hood comprises a roof part and first and second side wall parts, said roof part extending width wise substantially the full width of said work surface between said first and second side edges thereof and depth wise at least partly the depth of the work surface, and said first and second side wall parts being joined to width wise opposed side edges of said roof part; and said hood is movable relative to said top member between a first condition and a second condition, wherein in the first condition the hood closes the void defined between the hood and the work surface to a greater extent than when in the second condition to thereby improve containment of pollutants generated within the void; and in said first condition, the roof part of said hood extends upwardly from a frontal edge arranged in closest proximity to said work surface and/or said front edge thereof and depth wise rearwardly over the work surface, and in which said first and second side wall parts extend depth wise along respective side edges of the roof part substantially the full depth of said roof part and downwardly therefrom to respective lower edges at or facing the work surface.

In said closed condition, at least a first portion of the lower edge of each said first and second side wall part may be spaced from the work surface, and a second portion of the lower edge of each said first and second side wall extends from the first part to the work surface.

Any optional feature defined in relation to the first aspect may be applied to the second aspect wherever practicable.

Any reference to a hood herein may be considered to be a reference to a canopy or vice versa.

Workable embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below by way of example only reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a cutting station according to a first examples of the invention; Figure 2 shows a front view of the cutting station of figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of the cutting station of figure 1; Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional view of a cutting station according to a second example of the invention; Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional view of a further cutting station with the roof in a lowered condition; Figure 6 shows the cutting station of figure 5 with the roof in a raised condition; Figure 7 shows the cutting station of figure 5 in use; and Figure 8 shows an example of a dust extraction system for a cutting station.

Turning firstly to figures 1 to 3, there is shown a free-standing and/or self-supporting cutting station 10 suitable for use in temporary, ad-hoc semi-permanent locations on a site. The cutting station 10 will typically be manoeuvred into a desired position, where it can be used for a period of days, weeks or months.

However the cutting station is not attached to a building for support, e.g. as a fixture or fitting, but is instead free-standing. The cutting station can be moved around as required to new locations quickly and simply, e.g. to reconfigure a workplace or to avoid inhibiting movement around a site.

Cutting stations of this kind are bought or hired for use on sites. As such their use is often ad-hoc or short-term, meaning that a single cutting station may be used at a number of different sites and must be durable to withstand such handling and use.

The cutting station 10 comprises wheels, e.g. castors, 12 in this example to allow the cutting station to be manoeuvred manually to a desired location/orientation on site. At least two of the wheels may be pivotable, e.g. about a vertical axis. One or more wheel 12 may be lockable to fix the cutting station at a desired location. In other examples, the wheels 12 could be omitted and the cutting station could be manoeuvred using a suitable machine, such as a forklift or powered armature/boom. The cutting station comprises channels 14 at its base for lifting in this manner. The channels 14 comprise a box section tubing in this example. The wheels 12 are mounted underneath the channels 14.

The cutting station comprises a work surface 16 upon which cutting operations can be performed. The work surface is typically metallic, e.g. comprising a generally planar/sheet metal surface. The work surface is arranged generally horizontally.

The work surface 16 is supported at a desired height above the ground by a support structure 18. The support structure comprises an enclosure beneath the work surface 16. Th enclosure is formed of sheet metal walls which run approximately beneath the edges of the work surface, although a slight overhang of the work surface 16 may be provided.

The work surface 16 and supporting enclosure 18 are generally rectangular in plan, e.g. having front, rear and opposing side edges.

The enclosure may be formed of a sheet metal fabrication, e.g. with the sheets being suitably coated. A suitable construction of the cutting station, as well as a method of fabrication, is disclosed in the applicant's co-pending UK patent application GB2016373.9, details of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The supporting enclosure 18 comprises fixed walls on three sides and a closure 20 on the fourth side. The closure 20 takes the form of a hinged door, which may span substantially the whole width/height of the side of the enclosure 18. The closure is hinged at one edge/side thereof and comprises a handle 22 and lock 24 towards the opposing edge/side. Any suitable type of conventional lock may be used, such as a key or combination lock, as well as alternatives such as electronically controlled locks.

The enclosure 18 provides a secure storage space for tools, equipment or the like within the cutting station.

A pair of supporting armatures 23 are located on either side of the enclosure 18.

The support armatures may be configured or configurable to provide additional support to a workpiece disposed on and extending beyond the upper surface of the work surface 16. The armatures 23 are horizontally-extendable in this example, e.g. being arranged to be slidably deployable width-wise outwardly from the supporting enclosure 18.

Each support armature 23 has a support member 25 at its upper end, which in this example takes the form of a roller. Other support members could take the form of a surface profiled to support a workpiece at a desired orientation. A low friction surface could be used such as a rounded metal surface arranged to maintain minimal point or line contact with a workpiece.

The support armatures have ground-engaging feet 27. The support armature 23 and/or its feet 27 may be height adjustable to ensure correct engagement with the ground when deployed. In this example, the feet are telescoping within the armatures 23.

As best shown in figure 2, the support armatures 23 comprise an upright part from which the feet and support member 25 depend and an intermediate arm 23A which extends generally horizontally from the upright to the enclosure 18. The intermediate arm 23A extends beneath the work surface into the upper portion of the enclosure and may be received on the underside of the work surface 16 by a correspondingly shaped tube or similar, i.e. to maintain the correct orientation of the armature 23 relative to the work surface 16.

By extending the intermediate arms 23A out from beneath the work surface 16, the lateral position of the support member 25 can be adjusted as required. The support armatures 23 may be stowed by pushing them up against the side wall of the enclosure 18. The height of the support member 25 may also be adjusted so that the member 25 is level with, or below, the height of the work surface 16 at least in a stowed condition. The support member 25 may be raised in use to be level with the desired height for a cutting tool, e.g. a saw, atop the work surface.

A hood 26 extends upwardly from the work surface 16 and comprises a roof 28 extending over the work surface 16 so as to partially enclose a working area/volume above the work surface.

The hood 26 comprises a rear wall 30 extending upwardly from the rear edge of the work surface 16, e.g. substantially perpendicular to the work surface 16. The hood also comprises a pair of side walls 32 extending upwardly from the side edges of the work surface. The rear 30 and side 32 walls may be substantially continuous with the corresponding walls of the enclosure 18. However in this example, they are offset slightly from the corresponding walls of the enclosure. In this regard, the hood is supported upon the periphery of the work surface 16. The lower ends of the hood walls are shaped to define a flange that sits upon and/or partially around the corresponding edges of the work surface.

The side walls 32 in this example comprise partial side walls that are shaped to define a cut-out in the side wall above the work surface 16. The side walls 32 each define an overhang towards the front edge of the work surface 16. That is, each side wall contacts the work surface 16 along the rear portion of each side edge of the work surface but is spaced from the work surface towards the front edge. Each side wall has an intermediate edge 34 extending upwardly from the work surface part-way along the side edge thereof, the intermediate edge extending between a lower edge 36 of the side wall and the work surface so as to define a cut-out of height H. The cut-outs in the side walls allow front loading of longer lengths of a workpiece to be cut in use, i.e. such that the workpiece can protrude from either/both sides of the cutting station.

The cut-outs in the side walls 32 are provided with flexible covering in the form of curtains 36 which hang down from the lower edge of the side wall to the work surface 16. The curtains may be transparent.

The volume above the work surface 16 is therefore enclosed on three sides by walls and from above by the roof 28 but is open along the front face, e.g. above the front edge of the work surface. This open front face defines an area through which an operator can perform cutting operations on the work surface in use. The open area has a height H and extends the full width between the side walls 32 in

this example.

The roof 28 spans the upper edges of the opposing side walls 32 and extends forwardly from the upper edge of the rear wall 30 of the hood.

The roof 28 has slanted front and rear faces that flank a flat central section. This profile of the roof is best shown in figure 3.

The frontal face of the roof comprises a moveable portion 38. The moveable portion 38 is attached to the remaining fixed roof portion by hinges 39 such that the moveable portion 38 can pivot/rotate about an axis that is generally parallel with the work surface 16. In the condition shown in figure 1, i.e. the first/down condition, the moveable portion slopes obliquely down from the hinges 39 towards the front edge of the work surface.

The moveable portion 38 comprises a transparent sheet material, i.e. a plastics/Perspex material. This is in contrast to the remainder of the roof 28 and hood walls which are sheet metal construction, i.e. like the enclosure 18.

The moveable portion 38 comprises a major surface and a shorter surface/flange along its frontal edge. The shorter surface is integral with and obliquely angled to the major surface so as to define a partial front wall. The shorter surface is arranged generally perpendicular to the work surface in the first condition shown in figure 1. The profile of the side walls may be shaped to correspond with the shape of the roof and/or moveable portion 38 thereof when in the first condition.

Either or both of the side walls comprise an abutment formation against which the moveable portion can rest in the first condition. Either or both side wall may comprise a latch to retain the moveable portion 38 in the first condition, i.e. such that movement of the moveable portion 38 away from the first condition requires release of the latch.

In figure 2, a schematic of an electrical power supply system for the cutting station is shown in phantom. The electrical system comprises a power supply point 40 located above the height of the work surface 16, i.e. within the hood 26. In this example, the power supply point 40 is located in the rear wall 30 of the hood 26, e.g. adjacent the right-hand or left-hand side wall 32. Alternatively, the power supply point could be located on either of the side walls 32, e.g. towards the rear of the hood.

A further power supply point 42 is provided beneath the work surface 16, e.g. inside the enclosure 18. The further power supply point could be located at any suitable location on the rear wall or side walls of the enclosure.

The power supply point 40 and/or point 42 may be provided in a recess or opening in the respective wall.

The power supply point 40 and point 42 each comprise a wired/electrical connector, such as an electrical socket.

A cable 44 runs to/from the power supply point 44, e.g. internally through the enclosure 18 and/or the wall of the hood. A further cable 46 runs to/from the power supply point 42 within the enclosure 18. A common power supply 48 supplies power for the cutting station, including the power points 40, 42 thereon. The common power supply 48 may be a mains connection or may provide for connection to a generator or other local power supply externally of the cutting station, e.g. on-site. In other examples, the cutting station could comprise an onboard power supply, e.g. in the form of an energy store.

The common power supply may also supply power to any other equipment on-board the cutting station, such as a dust extraction system (to be described below). Users of the cutting station can store tools, equipment and personal possessions in the enclosure, with the availability of the power supply point 42 meaning that electrical equipment can be charged whilst being stored. The power supply point 42 could comprise a plurality of sockets for this purpose, e.g. a plurality of different types of sockets (e.g. conventional sockets such as 3-pin, 2-pin, USB, etc). The power supply point could comprise any required power electronics for delivery of DC or AC power as required at conventional power delivery settings.

The power supply point 40 in the hood 26 has a switch 50 associated therewith, e.g. in the path/cable 44, such that the switch selectively controls the supply of power to the power point 40 only and not the point 42 or other on-board equipment. The switch 50 may provide a cut-out for the power point 40 such that the power point 40 is denied power or incapable of supplying power to any equipment/tools connected thereto based upon the switch condition.

The selective supply of power to the point 40 is controlled by the position/orientation of the moveable roof portion 38. In the example shown, the lowering of the roof portion 38 to the position shown in figures 1-3 closes the switch 50 and enables supply of power via point 40. In various other examples, different types of switch/cut-out may be used to connect/disconnect the power point 40 from the available power supply, i.e. to permit or deny power supply via point 40.

In one example, the abutment for the moveable portion 38 may comprise the switch, e.g. as a mechanical switch or other contact/proximity sensor. In other examples the switch may be more discrete or less prone to tampering, for example being located in the hinge mechanism 39. In another example, the contact between the roof portion 38 and the abutment in the canopy could be magnetic or an electrical contact such that it can be triggered only by the correct lowering of the roof portion 38. In other examples, the enabling of the power supply could require a multipoint contact or else could be controlled by a plurality of different mechanical/electrical sensors to ensure tamper-safe operation.

When the roof portion is moved away from the condition shown in figures 1-3, the power to the point 40 is shut off. The operation of the cutting station will be described further below.

Turning to figure 4, there is shown a further embodiment of the cutting station 100. This cutting station 100 is the same as described above, save that the cutting station 100 is wider than that of figures 1-3. As such, common features of the cutting station will not be repeated for brevity. The increased width of the cutting station 100 provides a wider work surface 16A and a wider/larger enclosure volume 18A. As such the enclosure 18A has a plurality of closures 20A and 20B, which may be hinged at opposing sides of the cutting station. Each closure 20A and 20B may have its own independent lock and/or handle. The internal volume of the enclosure may be separated into a corresponding plurality of compartment, e.g. with one compartment being accessible by one door 20A and the other being accessible only using the other door 20B.

In such an example, each compartment may have its own power point 42 or may house its own dedicated/powered equipment.

Also shown in figure 4 is a discontinuity or cut-out in the moveable portion of the roof, e.g. in the front edge thereof. The cut-out may extend part-way into the moveable portion of the roof, e.g. approximately half-way. A discontinuity or window of this type may improve the visibility of the work surface for a user of the cutting station and may optionally be provided on any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

Turning now to figures 5-7, the use of the cutting station will be described. It is to be noted that the cutting station 10A in figure 5-7 is the same as that of figures 13, save for the differences discussed below.

A turntable 52 is provided in the work surface 16. The turntable 52 allows mounting of a cutting tool thereon, such as chop saw. The cutting tool mounted on the turntable can be pivoted by rotation of the turntable to a desired orientation. The turntable can be locked and released as required. A plurality of pre-set orientations may be defined as stop points for the turntable, e.g. at 30°, 45° or otherwise to allow easy selection of a desired cutting angle.

A dust extraction system is provided in the enclosure 18. The dust extraction system has an inlet opening 54 in the work surface 16 which leads to a dust extractor unit mounted within the enclosure. An example dust extractor unit 56 is shown in figure 8, which is mounted beneath the work surface in a moveable manner to allow access/emptying of the dust extractor unit. The dust extractor unit 56 in this example is mounted to the rear of the closure 20, e.g. on a dedicated bracket 58. The dust extractor unit itself may be conventional in form and may comprise a flexible hose or rigid duct connecting the unit (i.e. a fan system in the unit) to the inlet opening 54. The outlet for the dust extraction unit may be on a side or rear wall of the enclosure 18 (not shown).

It can be seen that the dust extraction unit 56 occupies only a part of the width/area of the closure 20. As such, part of the internal space of the enclosure 18 remains available for storage of tools, equipment, etc. even when the dust extraction system is in place.

Any of the turntable 52 and/or dust extraction system features described above in relation to figures 5-8 may be applied to any other example of the invention described herein. As such the inclusion or omission of any such features is entirely optional and does not impact on the general mode of use described below.

In figures 5 and 7, the moveable portion 38 of the roof 28 is in the first, lowered condition. In this condition, power supply via supply point 40 i.e. above the work surface 16, is enabled. In this condition, it can be seen that there remains an open frontal area of the cutting station, through which a user 60 can access the work surface 16 and the volume/space inside the hood 26.

The height of the open frontal area in the first condition is typically at least 30cm, 40cm or 50 cm. It can be seen that front/lowermost edge of the moveable portion 38 is below the eye level of the user 60, e.g. being less than 150cm, 145cm or 140cm above ground level.

In the first condition, any powered equipment/tool that is plugged into the power supply point 40 above the work surface can be used on the work surface 16. The cutting station is typically used for cutting operations and so the tool will typically be a powered saw, such as a chop saw, mitre saw or the like. However other power tools can also be used for other machining operations.

Turning now to figure 6, when the moveable portion 38 is raised, e.g. to an upwardly sloping oblique angle as shown, the power supply via supply point 40 is denied. In this condition, the user may safely plug/unplug equipment, arrange a workpiece, mount equipment (e.g. to the turntable) or perform other operations in preparation for a machining operation or else after a machining operation. In this condition the cut-out for power to the power supply point 40 means that any such operations are made safe. However any electrical equipment beneath the work surface 16 can operate in a normal, powered state.

When a subsequent machining operation is to be performed, the user 60 must first bring down the moveable roof portion 38 into the first condition again.

In the second condition, the front edge of the moveable portion 38 is above its axis of rotation and/or above fixed roof portion 28. In this condition the front edge of the moveable portion is typically above the eye level or head height of the user 60.

The height of the front edge of the moveable portion 38 may be for example greater than or equal to 160cm, 170cm, 180cm, 190cm or 200cm.

The height difference in the open frontal area of the cutting station and/or frontal edge of the moveable portion 38 between the first and second conditions may be at least 20cm, 30cm, 40cm or 50cm. The angular orientation difference of the moveable portion 38 between the first and second conditions may be at least 30°, 40°, 50° or 60°. The angular orientation difference may be an acute angle or an obtuse angle.

Regardless of the condition of the moveable roof portion 38, the power supply to the point 42 beneath the work surface 16 (i.e. within the enclosure 18) can continue uninhibited. This is so that charging of any tools/devices or personal electronics stored in the enclosure 18 is uninhibited by the operational condition above the work surface.

The lockable closure 20 means that a user cannot typically plug a power tool into the power supply point 42 beneath the work surface with the expectation of using it for a machining operation atop the work surface. Furthermore, the power supply point 42 in the enclosure 18 can be located such that the path length required for any cable to reach the correct mounting position for a saw or other tool upon the work surface is greater than the conventional cable length on such tools. One or more baffle or shield could be implemented in the enclosure 18 to ensure the path length is sufficient.

In further examples, the closure 20 could be fitted with a further switch/cut-out of the type described above for the moveable roof portion 38. In this way, operation of either or both power supply points 40 and 42 could require the closure to be in the closed condition.

As can be seen in figures 5 and 6, the moveable roof portion 38 may be biased by one or more biasing member 62 into the first or second condition. In this example, the biasing member(s) take the form of gas spring(s). In the even that the biasing member biases the moveable portion 38 into the second condition, latching means may be used to hold the moveable portion in the first condition, such as a mechanical or magnetic latch.

Where biasing means are used, a sensor for sensing the condition of the moveable portion 38 could be comprises in the biasing means, e.g. arranged to sense the angular orientation or elongation of the gas spring or piston thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A cutting station comprising: a supporting framework; a work surface supported by the framework having opposing lateral sides with a width dimension of the work surface extending there-between; and a hood extending over said work surface so as to partially enclose a volume defined between an interior of said hood and the work surface, wherein the hood comprises a roof and a rear wall, the roof extending in the width direction above the work surface, a spacing between the roof and the work surface defining a height dimension of an open frontal area of the cutting station through which an operator can access the work surface; a power supply for power tools to be used on the work surface, wherein the roof is actuatable between first and second conditions so as to vary the spacing between the roof and work surface, the first condition defining an open frontal area that is less than that defined by the second condition, wherein actuation of the roof to the first and second condition respectively permits and denies power via the power supply.
2. A cutting station according to claim 1, wherein the first condition is an in-use or down condition and/or the second condition is an open or up condition, the first condition defining a minimum height of the open frontal area.
3. A cutting station according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the height dimension of the open frontal area in the first condition is sufficient to provide an area through which an operator can perform cutting operations at the cutting station and is at least 30cm, 40cm or 50cm.
4. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the hood and/or a rear wall thereof is of fixed height, the roof being actuable relative thereto such that in the first condition the roof extends below the fixed height and in the second condition the roof extends above the fixed height.
5. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein a front edge of the roof is actuatable between the first and second conditions so as to vary the spacing thereof from the work surface.
6. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the roof is of fixed height and a portion of the roof is actuatable.
7. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein, in the first condition, the roof extends below the eye level of a user of the cutting station and/or in the second condition, the roof extends above the eye level of an operator/user.
8. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof or a portion thereof is obliquely angled downwardly towards the work surface and/or in the second condition, the roof or said portion thereof is obliquely angled upwardly and away from the work surface.
9. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof or a moveable portion thereof is transparent or see-through.
10. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the hood comprises first and second side walls, the roof extending width-wise across substantially a full width of the worksurface between the first and second side walls.
11. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the hood comprises a rear wall and the roof extends depth-wise across a part of, a majority or all of a depth of the work surface between a front edge thereof and the rear wall.
12. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the hood encloses a working volume defined between the hood and the work surface to a greater extent in the first condition than in the second condition, thus improving in the first condition the containment of pollutants generated within the volume.
13. A cutting station according to claim 10, wherein the side walls comprise cut-outs directly above opposing side edges of the work surface.
14. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof is hingedly movable relative to the work surface, e.g. about an axis that is parallel with the work surface and/or disposed above the work surface.
15. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof is biased to the first and/or second condition by one or more biasing member.
16. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof is latchable in the first and/or second condition.
17. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the hood comprises a switch for connecting/disconnecting the power supply, said switch being actuated by actuation of the roof.
18. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the power supply comprises a power supply point above the work surface and/or within the hood.
19. A cutting station according to claim 18, wherein the cutting station comprises a further power supply below the work surface.
20. A cutting station according to claim 19, wherein the further power supply is not affected by actuation of the roof between the first and second conditions.
21. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof of the hood comprises a pitched roof.
22. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the supporting framework defines an enclosure beneath the work surface haying a base/floor, a back wall member, and side wall members.
23. A cutting station according to claim 22, wherein the enclosure comprises a lockable door.
24. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, wherein the supporting framework defines one or more shelf beneath the work surface.
25. A cutting station according to any preceding claim, comprising a free standing and/or portable cutting station haying a plurality of wheels.