US20090107367A1

US20090107367A1 - Portable power tool rest

Info

Publication number: US20090107367A1
Application number: US11/982,008
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephen Edward Smythe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-31
Filing date: 2007-10-31
Publication date: 2009-04-30

Abstract

A platform, of generally rectangular configuration and of a size to accommodate a portable power tool, such as a rotary saw, includes a longitudinal slot extending from an upper surface of the platform through a lower surface of the platform. The slot is sized and configured to receive the tool device (rotary saw blade and guard for example) so that, the portable power tool can be placed upon and support the rotary power tool after it has been turned off and until its further use is required. A base support, such as a tripod that might be used to support a camera, is provided for the platform, to support the platform for ready access by a user of the power tool, to place the portable powered tool thereupon and retrieve the power tool there-from. The platform and base support are attached together to facilitate collapsing and re-erection of the combined platform and base support to provide a power tool rest for a portable power tool.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Application
This invention relates to power tools; and more particularly to portable hand-held and operated power tools.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Portable, hand-held and operated, power tools are extensively used by amateurs, hobbyists, craft persons, professionals, and the like; for crafts, cabinetry, building, maintenance and repairs around the home, at work places and in new home, work-place and other constructions. Some such power tools may be connectable, by electrical cables, to sources of electric power; while other such power tools may be battery powered.
In general such portable, hand-held and operated power tools include a power device which may include a handle, motor, on/off switch and a chuck or other device for holding and facilitating operation of an operating tool. The operating tool may be a saw blade (rotary and otherwise), screw driver, nail driver, etc. Appropriate guards and guides may also provided with, or as part of, or accessory to, the power device.
Especially where the work to be done with the power tool is of lengthy duration, such as in new constructions, there is usually a considerable amount of taking the tool in hand, turning on the power and using the tool, and shutting off the tool and setting it down, to fit, measure, attach, etc. the work. That is where the problems arise. Where to set down the tool between such powers on/powers off and uses. In general the power tool is set down nearby on the floor, or a part of the scaffolding if such are in use, or wherever it is handy and/or convenient.
The placement of such power tools on the floor or other nearby, floor-like surfaces, however, requires bending to put the tool down and more bending to pick the tool up; all of which may result in tiring the user and often a certain amount of back and other pain. In addition even when the tools power is shut off the operating tool (saw blade, etc.) may still be rotating causing the tool to walk and possibly damaging the tool and/or its operating tool or even possibly injuring the user or other nearby person.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and novel power tool rest for a portable, hand-held, power tool.
It is another object of this invention to provide a new and novel tool rest for a portable, hand-held, powered saw;
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a rest for a portable electric powered, hand-held, power tool wherein the tool rest positions the power tool at a raised level for easy access by the user.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a rest for a portable electric powered, hand-held, power tool wherein the tool rest is readily positionable in selectable positions and positions the tool at a raised level for easy access by the user.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a rest for a portable electric powered, hand-held, rotary saw wherein the tool rest positions the saw at a raised level for easy access by the user.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a power tool rest for an electric powered, portable, hand-held, rotary saw tool that is sized and configured to position the tool for ready access and use even when the tool is equipped with a base plate and saw blade guard.
It is yet still another object of this invention to provide a new and novel power tool rest for an electric powered, portable, hand held, power tool wherein the power tool rest itself is readily portable.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention in its details of construction and arrangement of parts will be seen from the above and from the following description of the preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, front elevation view of an electric powered, hand-held, portable, rotary saw, power tool positioned on a power tool rest incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, side elevation view of the electric powered, hand-held, portable, rotary saw, tool of FIG. 1 positioned on the power tool rest of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the power tool rest of FIGS. 1 and 2 incorporating the instant invention, but without a tool resting thereon to better show details of the power tool rest;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the power tool rest of FIGS. 1-4 without a power tool resting thereon and positioned upside down to better show details of the power tool rest;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the power tool rest platform, incorporating the instant invention, of the power tool rest of FIGS. 1-4, removed from its supporting base; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the underside of the power tool rest platform of FIGS. 1-5, incorporating the instant invention, removed from its supporting base to better show details thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is generally shown at 20 a power tool rest upon which there has been positioned an electric powered, hand-held, power tool 30. In this instance power tool 30 is a conventionally available, electric powered, rotary saw that includes a rotary saw blade 32 (FIG. 1) secured to and powered by an output shaft 34 of a rotary power device 35. Rotary power device 35 is conventionally available and also includes a saw blade guard 36 (FIGS. 1 and 2), a handle 38, and a motor 40 with a housing 42. An electric power cord 44, also of conventional construction, extends from motor 40 for connection to a suitable source of electric power. A base plate 46, also of conventional construction, is carried by housing 42 of rotary power tool 30.
It should be understood; that while power tool rest 20 has been shown as supporting a rotary power saw, that is connected by a power cord to a source of electric power, that power tool rest 20 may also position and support a battery powered rotary saw of conventional construction. For that matter, power tool rest may support any portable hand-held, power tool as might be used for cutting, drilling, or otherwise forming, or attaching. material.
Power tool rest 20 (FIGS. 1-4) includes a power tool platform 60 connectable to and carried by a support base 61, which, in this embodiment is a tripod-like base 62. Tripod-like base 62 is of conventional construction, such as of the type which might be used to support a camera, or the like. A mount 64 (FIG. 4), also of conventional construction, is carried at the top of base 62 and includes an attaching device 63, which, in this embodiment, is an externally threaded member (not shown) that extends upwardly from or through mount 64. It should be understood that support base 61 is sized and configured to support the power tool at a conveniently near position and at a level which facilitates relatively easy user access to place and securely position a power tool upon platform 60 and for retrieving a power tool for further use. Other embodiments for support base 61 might include: multiple (3 or 4) legs of proper height and strength that screw into, or are otherwise attached to platform 60; scissor like attached legs, such as utilized for snack tables, with a platform carried by or supportable by such legs; and/or, one, or a spaced pair, of saw-horse like supports that platform 60 might be clamped, or even nailed to the tops of, as long as the nails are readily removable; all so as to permit placement of the power tool rest 20 into a compact configuration and to facilitate returning power tool rest 20 to its power tool support position.
Platform 60 (FIGS. 1-6) is generally of rectangular configuration with an upper surface 70 (FIGS. 1-3 and 5), an undersurface 72 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 6), and side surfaces 73, 74, 75 and 76, extending there-between. Platform 60 is preferably fabricated from wood, but it should be understood that platform 60 may just as well be fabricated from metal, plastic, combinations thereof or other suitable material or materials. An internally threaded attachment member 80 (FIG. 6) constitutes a part of attaching device 63 and is carried by undersurface 72. Internal threads of attachment member 80 and of the externally threaded attaching device 63 of mount 64 are sized to co-act one with the other to facilitate securing power tool rest platform 60 and tripod-like base 62 together, as shown in FIGS. 1-4). Other appropriate attaching devices may just as well be utilized to secure platform 60 on top of support base 61.
A slot 90 (FIGS. 3-6) is formed through platform 60 and positioned in proximity to one of the sides, 73-76, such as side 73 (FIGS. 5 and 6), to facilitate placement of a power tool, such as rotary saw 30, upon power tool rest 20. When so positioned the base plate, such as base plate 46 of the power tool if provided with a base plate, will rest upon upper surface 70 of platform 60 and the tool carried by the power tool, such as saw blade 32 and its guard such as blade guard 36, will extend into slot 90 to facilitate the positioning of tool base plate 46 upon upper surface 70 of platform 60 and the secure positioning of the power tool upon power tool rest 20.
Slot 90 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is preferably formed with side- walls 92, 94, 96 and 98 tapered outwardly from upper surface 70 of platform 60 towards undersurface 72 of platform 60, to facilitate the entry of, and disposition of the tool guard, such as blade guard 36, into slot 90. It should be understood, nevertheless, that the side-walls of slot 90 may just as well be straight instead of tapered as long as the spacing of the side-walls permits and facilitates entry of any guard provided with the respective power tool into slot 90. A tool rest slot extension, (not shown), may be secured to undersurface 72 and surrounding slot 90 to provide for tools and guards which might extend below slot 90 when positioned on rest 20. Alternatively a tool slot extension may be fabricated as an open top box, with sides and a bottom wall (not shown), which may be slid beneath slot 90 and/or hingedly connected to undersurface 72 and pivotable between positions covering the bottom of slot 90 and removed from covering the bottom of slot 90. In addition the configuration of slot 90 may be other then as shown but may instead correspond to that of the tool device utilized by the power tool and any guard therefore to facilitate the safe and secure disposition of the power tool on the power tool rest. As such the length, width and depth of slot 90 would be such as to accommodate the respective power tool and its tool device.
From the above description it should be readily seen that power tool rest 20 is new and innovative and greatly facilitates the disposition of the respective power tool during intervals between use of the tool, and placement of the power tool between such uses at a position that provides a safe position for the power tool in proximity to the user. for ready re-acquisition and further use.
It is understood that although there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention that various modifications may be made to the details thereof without departing from the spirit as comprehended by the following claims.

Claims

1. A portable power tool rest for supporting a portable power tool in its turned off condition: comprising

(a) a power tool platform sized and configured to facilitate relatively secure disposition of a power tool thereupon; and

(b) a support base supporting said power tool platform at a location for ready access by a user of the power tool to place the power tool thereupon and remove the power tool there-from;

(c) said power tool platform and said support base being easily collapsible to facilitate movement, transport and storage thereof and being easily erectable to facilitate use thereof to support a portable power tool.

2. The portable power tool rest of claim 1, wherein

(a) the portable power tool includes a power mechanism and a power tool device of predetermined size and configuration; and

(b) said power tool platform includes an opening of a size and configuration to receive at least a portion of the power tool device.

3. The portable power tool rest of claim 2; wherein

(a) said power mechanism also includes a guard disposed to co-act with the power tool device to protect the power tool device and the user of the power tool;

(b) and wherein said opening is of a size and configuration to receive at least a portion of the power tool device and at least a portion of the guard.

4. The portable power tool rest of claim 3; wherein

(a) said power tool mechanism also includes a base plate; and

(b) said platform and said opening are respectively of sizes and configurations to permit the base plate to rest upon an upper surface of said platform when the power tool device and the guard are at least partially disposed in said opening.

5. The portable power tool rest of claim 4; wherein said opening is a slot through the platform from said upper surface thereof through a lower surface thereof.

6. The portable power tool rest of claim 5; wherein an extension of predetermined height is carried by said platform and surrounds said opening.

7. The portable power tool rest of claim 1 wherein said support base comprises a tripod like mechanism of the type that might be used to support a camera.

8. A portable power tool rest for supporting a portable power tool in its turned off condition: comprising

(a) power tool platform means sized and configured to facilitate relatively secure disposition of a power tool thereupon; and

(b) support base means for supporting said power tool platform at a location for ready access by a user of the power tool to place the power tool thereupon and remove the power tool there-from;

(c) said power tool platform means and said support base means being easily collapsible to facilitate movement, transport and storage thereof and being easily erectable to facilitate use thereof to support a portable power tool.

9. The portable power tool rest of claim 8, wherein

(b) said power tool platform means includes opening means of a size and configuration to receive at least a portion of the power tool device.

10. The portable power tool rest of claim 9; wherein

(b) and wherein said opening means is of a size and configuration to receive at least a portion of the power tool device and at least a portion of the guard.

11. The portable power tool rest of claim 10; wherein

(a) said power tool mechanism also includes a base plate; and

(b) said platform means and said opening means are respectively of sizes and configurations to permit the base plate to rest upon an upper surface of said platform means when the power tool device and the guard are at least partially disposed in said opening means.

12. The portable power tool rest of claim 11; wherein said opening means is a slot through the platform means from said upper surface thereof through a lower surface thereof.

13. The portable power tool rest of claim 12; wherein extension means of predetermined height is carried by said platform means and surrounds said opening means.

14. The portable power tool rest of claim 8 wherein said support base means comprises a tripod like mechanism of the type that might be used to support a camera.

15. A method for supporting a portable power tool in its turned off condition: comprising

(a) providing a power tool platform sized and configured to facilitate relatively secure disposition of a power tool thereupon; and

(b) providing a support base to support said power tool platform at a location for ready access by a user of the power tool to place the power tool thereupon and remove the power tool there-from;

(c) fabricating said power tool platform and said support base to be easily collapsible to facilitate movement, transport and storage thereof and to be easily erectable to facilitate use thereof to support a portable power tool.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein

(b) providing said power tool platform with an opening of a size and configuration to receive at least a portion of the power tool device.

17. The method of claim 16; wherein

(b) and providing said opening with a size and configuration to receive at least a portion of the power tool device and at least a portion of the guard.

18. The method of claim 17; wherein

(a) said power tool mechanism also includes a base plate; and

(b) providing said platform and said opening with respective sizes and configurations to permit the base plate to rest upon an upper surface of said platform when the power tool device and the guard are at least partially disposed in said opening.

19. The method of claim 18; including providing said opening as a slot through the platform from said upper surface thereof through a lower surface thereof.

20. The method of claim 15; including providing tripod like mechanism, of the type that might be used to support a camera, to be used as a support base for said platform.