US20040046091A1

US20040046091A1 - Workbench for bicycles

Info

Publication number: US20040046091A1
Application number: US10/237,907
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis Chuang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-09
Filing date: 2002-09-09
Publication date: 2004-03-11
Also published as: DE20214820U1

Abstract

In a first aspect, a workbench includes a stand, a rack and a positioning device. The rack is pivotally mounted on the stand. The positioning device is used to selectively retain the rack in one of several positions relative to the stand. In a second aspect, a workbench includes a stand, a rack and a clamping device. The rack is mounted on the stand. The clamping device is used to clamp an article such as a bicycle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1.Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a workbench for bicycle.

2. Related Prior Art

Taiwan Patent Publication No. 323488 discloses a conventional device for displaying a bicycle. This conventional displaying device includes a

post

11, a rail 12, an upper beam 2 and a lower beam 3. The post 11 is installed on the ground or a platform. The rail 12 is secured to the post 11 and extends horizontally. The upper beam 2 is mounted on the rail 12 in a sliding manner. The lower beam 3 is secured to the post 11. Braces 22 and 25 are mounted on the upper beam 2.

Braces

31 and 32 are mounted on the lower beam 3. A bicycle can be mounted on the upper beam 2 and the lower beam 3. However, the upper beam 2 and the lower beam 3 cannot be folded for storage. In addition, the

braces

21, 22, 31 and 32 cannot adequately hold a bicycle in position for maintenance.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a foldable workbench. To this end, a workbench includes a stand, a rack and a positioning device. The rack is pivotally mounted on the stand. The positioning device is used to selectively retain the rack in one of several positions relative to the stand.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a workbench capable of adequately holding an article in position.

To this end, a workbench includes a stand, a rack and a clamping device. The rack is mounted on the stand. The clamping device is used to clamp an article.

Other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of embodiments referring to the attached drawings. [0010]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a workbench according to the present invention. [0011]
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the workbench according to the present invention. [0012]
FIGS. [0013] 3-5 are partially cross-sectional views of the workbench in different positions according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 1 but showing the workbench in a different position. [0014]
FIGS. [0015] 7-11 are cross-sectional views of the workbench in different positions according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the workbench marked up in FIG. 11. [0016]
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the workbench supporting a bicycle.[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. [0018] 1-6, according to the present invention, a workbench includes a stand 10, a rack 20, a positioning device 30 and a clamping device 40.
The [0019] stand 10 includes a hollow post. Two opposite apertures 11 are defined in the hollow post of the stand 10. The stand 10 is conventional and therefore will not be further described in detail.
The [0020] rack 20 includes a neck 21 with two plates (not numbered). An aperture 211 extends through each of the plates of the neck 21. Two recesses 212 are defined in each of the plates of the neck 21 so as to face the recesses 212 defined in the other one of the plates of the neck 21.
The [0021] positioning device 30 includes a cap 31, a spring 33, a collar 32 and a ring 34 and a pin 35. The cap 31 includes a visor 310 formed at a lower end and two opposite apertures 311 defined therein near an upper end. A thread 312 is formed on the visor 310. The collar 32 includes a reduced portion 321 formed at an upper end and a thread 322 formed on an internal face at a lower end. The thread 322 cannot be tapped into the internal face of the collar 32. The ring 34 includes two U-shaped slots 341 defined therein so as to form two tabs 342.
In assembly, the [0022] cap 31 is mounted on the post 10. The spring 33 is mounted around the sleeve 31. The collar 32 is mounted on the spring 33. When the thread 322 reaches the thread 312, the former is engaged with the latter. The collar 32 is rotated relative to the sleeve 31. Thus, the thread 322 can be located below the thread 312, and the collar 32 can rotate and slide relative to the sleeve 31. The spring 33 is compressed between the visor 310 and the reduced portion 321 of the collar 32. The ring 34 is mounted around the reduced portion 321 of the collar 32. The ring 34, the collar 32 and the spring 33 are located below the apertures 311 so that the pin 35 can be inserted through the apertures 211, 311 and 11. Thus, the neck 21 of the rack 20 is pivotally mounted on the post of the stand 10.
Referring to FIG. 1, in use, the [0023] rack 20 is located in a perpendicular position relative to the post of the stand 10. The tabs 342 can be inserted in recesses 212 of a first pair so as to retain the rack 20 the perpendicular position relative to the stand 10. Referring to FIG. 3, the post of the stand 10 can be rotated so that the rack 20 can be swung in a horizontal plane. Referring to FIG. 4, the ring 34 is moved downwards in order to move the tabs 342 from the recesses 212 of that first pair, thus allowing rotation of the rack 20 on the stand 10 to a parallel position relative to the post of the stand 10. Referring to FIG. 5, when recesses 212 of a second pair are aligned with the tabs 342, the spring 33 moves the collar 32 upwards. The tabs 342 are inserted in the recesses 212 of the second pair so as to retain the rack 20 in the parallel position relative to the stand 10 as further shown in FIG. 6.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7-[0024] 12, the clamping device 40 includes a first jaw 401 and a second jaw 402. The first jaw 401 is secured to the rack 20. The second jaw 402 is mounted on the rack 20 in a sliding manner to be described in detail.
The [0025] clamping device 40 includes a beam 23, a mount 43, a nut 24, a bolt 45, a controller 46, a paw 47, a handle 41, a spring 42 and a cover 44.
The [0026] mount 43 includes a tube 431, a plate 432 projecting upwards from the tube 431, two plates 433 (only one is shown in FIG. 8) projecting downwards from the tube 431 and a rod 434 extending between the plates 433. The tube 431 includes an axial tunnel extending the entire length thereof and a peripheral aperture in communication with the axial tunnel. Each of the plates 433 defines an aperture.
The [0027] bolt 45 includes a first section 451 formed with a thread, a second section 452 with a circular profile, a third section 453 formed with a thread and a fourth section 454 with a non-circular profile.
The [0028] controller 46 includes an axial tunnel 462 extending the entire length thereof and a peripheral aperture 463 in communication with the axial tunnel 462. A groove 462 is defined in an external face of the controller 46.
The [0029] paw 47 includes two side portions, an intermediate portion formed between the side portions and a top portion formed between the side portions. Several teeth 471 are formed on the top portion of the paw 47. The teeth 471 are sections of a thread corresponding to the thread of the third section 453 of the bolt 45 so that the teeth 471 can be engaged with the thread of the third section 453. An aperture 472 extends through each of the side portions of the paw 47.
A [0030] spring 473 includes a helical section and two linear sections each extending from an end of the helical section.
The [0031] handle 41 includes a first axial tunnel 411 with a circular profile, a second axial tunnel 412, a peripheral aperture 413 in communication with the second axial tunnel 412 and a flange 414 formed thereon.
The [0032] cover 44 includes an opening 441 defined therein and a rim 442 formed around the opening 441.
In assembly, the [0033] beam 23 is in a telescopically inserted in the rack 20 that is hollow. The tube 431 of the mount 43 is secured to the beam 23. The second jaw 402 is secured to the plate 432 of the mount 43. Thus, the second jaw 402 is movable relative to the first jaw 401.
The [0034] nut 24 with a thread formed on an internal face is secured to an internal face of the rack 20. The thread of the first section 451 of the bolt 45 is engaged with the thread of the nut 24. Rotation of the bolt 45 relative to the nut 24 is continued until the thread of the first section 451 is disengaged from the thread of the nut 24. Now, the second section 452 of the bolt 45 is inserted in the nut 24. Thus, rotation of the bolt 45 relative to the nut 24 does not cause movement of the bolt 45 relative to the nut 24. The controller 46 is inserted in the tube 431 so as to ring the third section of the bolt 45. The controller 46 is inserted in the first axial tunnel 411 of the handle 41. A pin 464 is inserted through the aperture 413 into the groove 461. Thus, movement of the handle 41 causes movement of the controller 46, but rotation of the handle 41 does not cause rotation of the controller 46. The fourth section 454 of the bolt 45 is inserted in the second axial tunnel 412 of the handle 41. Thus, rotation of the handle 41 causes rotation of the bolt 45, but movement of the handle 41 does not cause movement of the bolt 45. The spring 42 is mounted on the handle 41. The handle 41 is inserted through the cover 44 that is secured to the plate 432 of the mount 43. The spring 42 is compressed between the flange 414 of the handle 41 and the rim 442 of the cover 44.
The peripheral aperture of the tube [0035] 431 is aligned with the peripheral aperture of the controller 46. A pin 474 is inserted through the apertures defined in the plates 433, the apertures 472 and the helical section of the spring 473. Thus, the paw 47 is pivotally mounted on the mount 43. One of the linear sections of the spring 473 contacts the intermediate portion of the paw 47 and the other one of the linear sections of the spring 473 contacts the rod 434. Thus, the teeth 471 are forced to engagement with the thread 452 due to the spring 473.
Referring to FIGS. [0036] 7-10, adjusting of the position of the second jaw 402 relative to the first jaw 401 will be described. To move the second jaw 402 from the first jaw 401, a user pulls the handle 41 so as to pull the controller 46. The controller 46 pivots the paw 47 so as to disengage the teeth 471 from the thread 452, thus allowing movement of the mount 43 relative to the bolt 45. The user can continue to pull the handle 41 so as to pull the cover 44. The cover 44 pulls the mount 43 so as to move the second jaw 402 from the first jaw 401. To push the second jaw 402 towards the first jaw 401, the user pushes the handle 41 so as to push the mount 43. The mount 43 pushes the paw 47. The paw 47 can be pivoted due to the spring 473 so that the teeth 471 can be disengaged from the thread 452. Thus, the mount 43 can be moved relative to the bolt 45. The user can continue to push the handle 41 so as to push the mount 43. The mount 43 moves the second jaw 402 towards the first jaw 401.
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, fine-tuning of the position of the [0037] second jaw 402 relative to the first jaw 401 will be described. The user can rotate the handle 41 so as to rotate the bolt 45. The bolt 45 moves the paw 47 due to the engagement of the thread 452 with the teeth 471. The paw 47 moves the mount 43 that in turn moves the second jaw 402 towards or from the first jaw 401.
FIG. 13 shows the workbench adequately holding a bicycle in position. [0038]
The present invention has been described through detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive many variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the, preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined in the attached claims. [0039]

Claims

1. A workbench including:

a stand;

a rack pivotally mounted on the stand; and

a positioning device for selectively retaining the rack in one of several positions relative to the stand.

2. The workbench according to claim 1 wherein the rack includes a neck extending from a lower face and including two plates each defining at least one recess for receiving the positioning device when the rack is substantially perpendicularly to the stand.

3. The workbench according to claim 2 wherein the positioning device includes a collar mounted on the stand in a sliding manner between a first position wherein it is received in the recesses and a second position where it is outside the recesses.

4. The workbench according to claim 3 wherein the collar includes two protrusions for insertion in the recesses of the plates of the neck of the rack.

5. The workbench according to claim 2 wherein the positioning device includes a collar mounted on the stand and a ring mounted on the collar and formed with two protrusions each for insertion in the recess of one of the plates of the neck of the rack.

6. The workbench according to claim 3 wherein the positioning device includes a spring compressed between the collar and the stand.

7. The workbench according to claim 3 wherein the positioning device includes a spring compressed between the collar and a stop formed on the stand.

8. The workbench according to claim 3 wherein the positioning device includes:

a cap including a stop formed thereon, wherein the cap is mounted on the stand; and

a spring mounted on the cap and compressed between the collar and the stop.

9. A workbench including:

a stand;

a rack mounted on the stand; and

a clamping device mounted on the rack.

10. The workbench according to claim 9 wherein the clamping device includes a first jaw mounted on the rack and a second jaw mounted on the rack in a sliding manner.

11. The workbench according to claim 10 wherein the clamping device includes a beam telescopically inserted in the rack, and the second jaw is mounted on the beam.

12. The workbench according to claim 11 wherein the clamping device includes:

a bolt including a section formed with a thread and a section formed with a non-circular profile, wherein the bolt is rotationally mounted on the rack;

a mount secured to the beam, wherein the second jaw is secured to the mount; and

a paw including at least a tooth formed as a portion of a thread corresponding to that of the bolt, wherein the paw is pivotally mounted on the mount between a first position where the tooth is engaged with the thread of the bolt and a second position where the tooth is disengaged from the thread of the bolt.

13. The workbench according to claim 12 wherein the clamping device includes a spring mounted on the mount in order to force the paw to the first position.

14. The workbench according to claim 12 wherein the clamping device includes a handle connected with the bolt so that rotation of the handle causes rotation of the bolt but movement of the handle does not cause movement of the bolt.

15. The workbench according to claim 14 wherein the clamping device includes a controller mounted on the mount in a sliding manner between an idle position leaving the paw in the first position and a working position moving the paw to the second position.

16. The workbench according to claim 15 wherein the handle is connected with the controller so that movement of the handle causes movement of the controller but rotation of the handle does not cause rotation of the controller.

17. The workbench according to claim 16 wherein the clamping device includes a connector including a first end secured to the mount and a second end connected with the handle so that pulling of the handle does not cause pulling of the connector until the handle moves the paw to the second position via the controller.

18. The workbench according to claim 17 wherein the clamping device includes a spring connected between an end of the handle and an end of the connector so as to bias the handle in order to force the controller to the idle position.

19. The workbench according to claim 12 wherein the clamping device includes a controller mounted on the mount in a sliding manner between an idle position leaving the paw in the first position and a working position moving the paw to the second position.

20. The workbench according to claim 19 wherein the clamping device includes a handle connected with the controller so that movement of the handle causes movement of the controller but rotation of the handle does not cause rotation of the controller.

21. The workbench according to claim 20 wherein the handle is connected with the bolt so that rotation of the handle causes rotation of the bolt but movement of the handle does not cause movement of the bolt.

22. The workbench according to claim 21 wherein the clamping device includes a connector including a first end secured to the mount and a second end connected with the handle so that pulling of the handle does not cause pulling of the connector until the handle moves the paw to the second position via the controller.

23. The workbench according to claim 22 wherein the clamping device includes a spring connected between an end of the handle and an end of the connector so as to bias the handle in order to force the controller to the idle position.