US3502174A - Sawhorse or trestle - Google Patents

Description

March 24, 1970 J. w. CANNON 3,502,174

SAWHORSE 0R TRESTLE Filed Jan. 16, 1969 4 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 c/o'me: W. Cannon INVENTOR BY zvk. 5.5%

March 24, 1970 J. w. CANNON 3,502,174

SAWHORSE 0R TRESTLE Filed Jan. 16, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEINTOR James W Cannon BY 201 &.Zm

' ATTORNEY March 24, 1970 J. w. CANNON 3,502,174

SAWHORSE OR TRESTLE Filed Jan. 1 1969 r s Sheets-Sheet a James W Cannon 1 N VEN TOR ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,502,174 SAWHORSE 0R TRESTLE James W. Cannon, 5714 Los Angeles, Houston, Tex. 77026 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 678,838, Oct. 30, 1967. This application Jan. 16, 1969, Ser.

Int. Cl. E04g 1/34 US. Cl. 182155 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an improved sawhorse or trestle of the type disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 678,838, filed Oct. 30, 1967 and now abandoned, of which this application is a continuation-in-part, the sawhorse or trestle having hinged pairs of legs including braces hinged thereto, the sawhorse being positively, releasably latched in erect or operative position and also positively, releasably latched in folded position in a manner to stand firmly when in operation, and to take up a minimum space when folded; also, when folded, the sawhorse may be easily hung on suitable pegs upon a wall, without any unlatched, awkwardly dangling, unsecured parts.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a sawhorse or trestle which is readily latched in standing or operative position and readily latched in folded position.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a sawhorse or trestle which will stand firmly when latched in standing or operative position and which will occupy a minimum space when folded; and which may be readily hung up when folded, as upon a wall, and which, when folded, will have no awkwardly dangling, unsecured parts.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a sawhorse or trestle so constructed that the parts making connection with the pairs of legs may be easily disconnected from, or connected to, the bench or beam member, thereby permitting easily replacement of the bench or beam member, as when such member may become too marred or scarred in operation.

The part of the application added as new has the important object of providing a sawhorse or trestle of the type disclosed in which the connections of the brace open ends to leg cross-member comprise the recurved ends of the brace.

Also the new part has, as another important object, the provision of a latch assembly with latch lever releasably latched to anchor screw head by a member that is resistably yieldable in plane normal to the bench so that the latch lever may be swung a minimum angle in plane generally parallel to the bench to effect latch engagement.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a sawhorse or trestle which is of simple construction, which may be inexpensively fabricated, and which is efficient and dependable in operation.

Patented Mar. 24, 1970 ICC Other and further objects will be apparent when the specification herein is considered in connection with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a sawhorse or trestle embodying this invention shown in standing or operative position;

FIGURE 2 is a plan or bottom view showing such a sawhorse or trestle in folded position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the latching mechanism thereof;

FIG. 4 is a plan view, part in section, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the slidable, pivotal, or hinged connection of a brace end to the crossmember of a pair of legs;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, isometric view of another and preferred form of latch, with associated parts in folded, latched position;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the latch shown in isometric view in FIG. 6, as taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, part in section, of a third embodiment of latch with latched parts in folded position, being indicated in cross-section;

FIG. 10 is a plan view, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a transverse elevational view, part in section, taken along line 1111 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view, part in section, of a simplified modification of the latch shown in FIGS. 9- 11.

Referring in detail to the drawings of the parent application in which like reference numerals are assigned to like elements in the various views, a sawhorse or trestle 10 is shown in FIG. 1 in operative or standing position, the beam or bench member -11 thereof being supported at either end by pairs of legs 12 which are connected to bench 11 near either end thereof by means of hinges or pivot brackets 13, while braces 14 for the leg members are connected to the bench 11 longitudinally inwardly of the hinges by latch mechanisms or latches 15.

The drawings comprising additionally figures directed to the part added as new, which:

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view, part in section on an end portion of a sawhorse in raised position, showing a recurved brace end portion replacing the sleeve type end connection shown in FIGS. 2 and 5; the latch being of the type shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary isometric view of the sawhorse end portion shown in FIG. 13, in inverted position, again to show the recurved brace end portions, the latch being of the type shown in FIGS. 14, inclusive;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a recurved brace end portion, as shown to smaller scale in FIGS. 13 and 14;

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of still another form of latch; and

FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional elevational view of the latch lever anchor shown in FIG. 16.

Referring in detail to the drawings of the parent application in which like reference numerals are assigned to like elements in the various views, a sawhorse or trestle 10 is shown in FIG. 1 in operative or standing position, the beam or bench member 11 thereof being supported at either end by pairs of legs 12 which are connected to bench 11 near either end thereof by means of hinges or pivot brackets 13, while braces 14 for the leg members are connected to the bench 11 longitudinally inwardly of the hinges by latch mechanism or latches .15.

In larger detail in FIG. 2, the pairs of legs 12 are shown to be of substantially V-shape in construction, and formed of pipe or hollow rod, the sides of the V constituting leg members 16, which are joined by an apex part 17 which extends transversely of the longitudinal axis of the bench and is clamped thereto by the hinge, clamp, or pivot bracket 13 comprising a sleeve part 18 to receive the apex part therein and a flange part 19 on either side of the sleeve 18 through which connection is made to the bench 11, as by suitable bolts, screws, or corresponding connection means 20.

Suitable foot pads or foot pieces 21 are provided for the ends of the legs 16, and the legs are cross-braced by a transversely extending rod or cross-member 22 which cross-connects the leg members 16. The brace 14, also of substantially V-shape in construction, has sleeves 24 on the ends of its arms 25, as best shown in FIG. 5, by which such brace 14 is pivotally mounted upon the crossrod or cross-member 22, the arms 25 of the brace member 14 being joined by an apex portion 26 (FIG. 2) which thereby completes the V.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the latch mechanism of latch 15 is shown in larger detail. Such mechanism includes a latch bracket 23 comprised of angle stock with one leg of the angle connected to the underside of the bench 11, as by suitable bolts or screws 20, while the other leg of the angle extends downwardly and provides two longitudinally spaced apart, downwardly opening notches 27, 28 therein. A latch member or lever 29 is pivotally mounted to the longitudinally inner end of the latch bracket 23, and such pivotal mounting will be herein described.

As shown in FIG. 4, aligned holes 31 and 32 are provided in the latch member or lever 29 and latch bracket 23, respectively, and a bolt extends through these holes, with the threaded end extending on the latch lever side of the latch bracket and transversely outwardly of the latch lever. On the opposite side of the latch bracket 23 a spring 33 is provided to extend around the bolt 30 and to bear at one end against the side of the latch bracket 23 opposite the latch lever side thereof, and at the other end to bear against a washer 34 which in turn bears under the head of the bolt 30.

In assembly the spring 33 is placed in position, the washer 34 is placed on the bolt 30, the bolt with washer thereon is extended through the spring 33 and the opening 32 and 31, and through a lock washer 35, and a nut 36 is then threaded upon the threaded end of the bolt 30. Thus the spring 33, which bears outwardly against the washer 34, urges the bolt in direction to draw the lock washer 35 firmly against the latch member or lever 29 so that the latch lever 29 in turn bears against the side of the latch bracket 23 adjacent thereto.

A lug 36 is provided on the lower edge of the lower leg of the latch bracket 23 and extends transversely outwardly. The latch lever 29 which has the bore 31 in its pivoted end to receive the bolt 30 therethrough, has an enlargement 38 on the end thereof opposite the pivot end to serve as a handle.

In the position shown in FIG. 1 the apex part 26 of the brace 14 at each end of the beam or bench member 11 is connected to the latch mechanism 15 nearest or adjacent thereto by pivoting the brace 14 on the cross-connecting rod or cross-member 22 to place the apex portion 26 of the brace in the notch 28 of the latch bracket 23. Then the latch lever 29 is pivoted upwardly to effectively enclose the apex portion 26 when the end 38 of the lever 29 is engaged over the latch lug 36.

In order for this latching to be accomplished by positioning the latch lever 29 above the lug 36 it has to be pivoted transversely outwardly with the inner corner thereof bearing at 39 upon the latch bracket 23. This urges transversely outwardly against the lock washer 35 so that the axis of the bolt 30 must extend at some small angle to the axis of the holes 372, so for that reason these holes have to be a bit oversize with relation to the bolt diameter.

Thus the handle end part of the latch lever 29 opposite the pivot end may be grasped and the lever 23 pivoted in an are about the pivot point 39 to clear the lug 36 as it is also pivoted upwardly to elevation above the lug. Then the latch lever 23 may be released and the force of the spring 33 will urge the latch lever against the latch bracket 23 for the length thereof to firmly latch the apex portion 26 of the brace member 14 within the latch bracket notch 28.

Considering the folded position shown in FIG. 2, the braces 14 are pivoted to cross each other so that the apex portion 26 of one brace member is positioned in the notch 27 of the latch bracket 23 of the latch mechanism on the opposite end of the bench 11 from the end of the bench on which the pair of legs 12 including such brace is pivoted. At the same time the cross rod or cross-member 22 of such brace is positioned in the notch 28 of the latch bracket 23 of the latching mechanism 15 adjacent the end of the bench on which such pair of legs 12 is pivoted.

When folded the sawhorse or trestle 10 has no dangling or unsecured parts, as all members are in firm engagement with other contacted parts, and thus it can be hung on variously arranged and variously sized pegs which extend from a wall spaced in a manner that the sawhorse or trestle is firmly anchored when it is hung up. An example of such a peg arrangement is indicated by the dotted line, five sided pegs 40 indicated in FIG. 2. Additionally, as thus folded, the sawhorses or trestles can be readily and easily stacked one upon the other for transportation so as to occupy a minimum of space.

As a feature of construction it should be noted that the braces 14, near their apices, are turned at a slight angle at 41, as shown in FIG. 1, and this permits enough spring in these members so that they can be crossed, one over the other, when folded, and still there is permitted the proper engagement with the notches 27 of the latch brackets 23.

The foot pieces or pads 21, referred to generally hereinabove as being on the legs 16 of the pairs of legs 12, are indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 as having the foot pieces or pads 21 rigidly affixed at predetermined angles to the ends of adjustment rods or bars 37 which may be inserted into the lower ends of the legs 16. Bars 37 for each leg 16 may then be inserted in an inter-telescoping arrangement, whereby a setscrew 39 through the wall of each leg, may be threaded inwardly to bear firmly against each rod 37, thus to determine the elevation of the sawhorse beam or bench 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, inclusive, an embodiment of latch 40 is shown, which includes a substantially rectangular shaped base 91 with a housing member 42 to seat thereon, the housing member 42 appearing as a modified V in cross-section with a flattened apex 43 forming the top of the housing, side members 44a, 44b forming the sides of the housing, and flanges 45a, 45b completing the legs or sides of the V-shaped housing member 42. The housing member 42 has its sides and top cut away at two spaced apart distances to provide slots 27a and 28a, comparable in function to the slots 27 and 28 in FIG. 3.

A latch member 29a is best shown in FIG. 7 generally of round rod or bar stock 46 with the right hand part thereof within the latch housing 42 and having two spaced apart latch angles or latch fingers 47, 48 mounted on the upper part thereof and rigidly connected thereto. The apex portion 26 of a brace 14 is shown extending across the slot 27a with the upright or vertical legs 49a of the latch finger 47 bearing against the left side of the brace apex 26 and the horizontal leg 49b of such latch finger 47 extending thereabove and to the right thereof and restrained within the latch housing 42 under the flattened top 43, thereby to latch the brace apex 43 within the latch housing.

To maintain the latch finger 47 urged against the apex member 26, and in releasably latching position, a spring 33a is provided within the latch housing 42 with the right end thereof centered about a projection from the up right leg 49a of the latch finger 47, and with the left end to bear against a left end closure plate 51 of the latch housing 42, and below which the latch rod 46 extends outwardly to the left. A projection or guide member 52 extends inwardly or to the right from the closure plate 51, to guide and restrain the left end of the spring 33a. In the position shown in FIG. 7 the recurved handle 53 of the latch rod or bar 46 has been drawn to the left to permit the brace apex 26 and cross-member 22 to be disposed in the respective slots 27a, 28a, and then released so that the spring 33a has urged against the left latch finger 47 to urge it into latching position about the brace apex 26, at the same time urging the right latch finger 48 into latching position about the cross-member 22.

In this regard latch finger 48 is constructed similarly as the latch finger 47, the upright leg 49c bearing against the left side of the cross-member 22 and the horizontal leg 49d of the latch finger 48 bearing on the upper side of the cross-member 22 and extending to the right thereof, as restrained under the latch housing top 43 and within the latch housing 42. When the latch bar 46 has been released, but with the brace apex 26 and crossmember 22 not in the respective slots 27a, 28a, the right end of the latch rod 46 will be stopped against a right closure plate 54 across the right end of the latch housing 42. As a special feature of construction the base 41 of the latch housing 42 may be omitted, as in light construction and small sizes. In such cases, conventional connection means as wood screws or machine screws 20,

indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 8 will pass through only the flanges 45a, 45b and into the bench or beam member 11, rather than through the respective flanges 45a, 45b and the base 91 below, and into the bench =11, as indicated in FIG. 7. g

In a third embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 9-11, a latch 55 is shown which includes a latch rod or bar 56 connected at its right end 57 to the under side of the extended leg 58 of a spring steel Z-bar 60 having a vertical leg 59 which connects the extended leg 58 to a base leg 61. The beam or bench 11 is bored and the bore 66 is spot faced therearound, the bore 66 then receiving the base flange 62 of a pivot post 65 with a shank 64 extending centrally vertically from the base flange 62 and having its outer end threaded as indicated by the threads 63 in FIG. 9. A hold-down ring or washer 67 is then inserted over the post shank 64 to seat in the spotface 68 with flathead machine screws or wood screws 69 rigidly connecting the hold-down ring 67 to the beam or bench 11.

The base leg 61 of the Z-bar 60 is drilled through, as

indicated in FIGS. 9 and 10 and the pivot post shank 64 extends vertically through the bore in the base leg 61 and through a washer 70 which seats around such bore, and a nut 71 is threaded upon the threaded end 63 of the pivot post 65 to bear upon the Z-bar base leg 61 to hold the latch bar 56 in pivotally or swingably assembled relationship with the aforesaid pivot post 65.

The bore 66 is so located with relation to the points where the adjacent cross-member 22 and the brace apex 26 from the opposite side brace 14 are disposed with relation to the bench 11 and to each other when the sawhorse is in folded position, that a centering plate 72 on the bench side of the latch bar 56 will be disposed as shown in FIG. 9 when the brace apex 26 and the crossmember 22, are crossed over in latch folded positon, to be further described hereinbelow.

Also, a stop plate '81 is provided, in the plane of, and to the right of, the centering plate 72, and connected centrally of the underside of the latch bar 56, such to serve, when the sawhorse 10 is in erected position, as a stop against the brace apex 26 sliding in direction away from the adjacent bench end.

The latch bar 56 is of bar spring stock and tempered naturally to extend above a latch channel 75 adjacent the outer end 73 of latch bar 56. Thus, in unlatched position the outer end 73 of the latch bar 56 would tend to take the dotted line position above the latch channel 75. Such outer end 73 can then be disposed as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 10 and then depressed, or urged toward the bench 1 1, and then swung clockwise so that the end of the latch bar passes under the lip 74 just above the entrance into the channel. Then the handle may be released to flex upwardly responsive to the tendency to return to its originally tempered shape, with the consequence that the end part 73 of the latch bar 56 bears with substantial force against the underside of the outer flange 76 to the latch channel 75, thus to releasably latch the latch bar 56 and latch channel 75 together with the centering plate 72 disposed between the brace apex 26 from an opposite side brace and the cross-member 22 of an adjacent pair of legs 12.

As best shown in FIG. 11, the latch channel outer flange 76 is connected, by means of the channel web 77, to the base flange 78, which is indicated as connected by conventional wood screws or small bolts 79 to the bench or beam 11. A socket wrench may be used for access to the bolts or screws 79 to tighten the connection of latch channel 75 to the bench or beam 11.

A modification 55a of the embodiment of latch 55, is shown in FIG. 12, which eliminates the spring steel Z-bar 60. In this form of the invention a pivot post flange 62a seats in a bore 66a in the bench or beam 11, and the shank 65a extends through a hold-down ring 67a which is bolted, or connected by screws 20, to the bench 11. A threaded bore 80 is provided through the outer part of the shank 64a. Thus the threaded right hand end 57a of the latch bar 56a may be adjustably threaded into such bore 80 to a position properly to space a centering plate, corresponding to the centering plate 72 shown in FIG. 9, in latching position when a cross-member 22 and brace apex 26, are crossed over in cross-folded position of the sawhorse 10.

In reference to the three forms of latches 15, 40 and 55 (55a in the alternative), it should be noticed that the functions of the latch in each case is to latch over the brace apex 26 and adjacent cross-member 22 in the folded position to dispose these two elements in desired relationship, also to latch the brace apex 26 in the erected position. In the form of latch 15, the lever29 is pivoted outwardly to clear the lug 36, as moved in opposition to the tension of the spring 33, and then pivoted in vertical plane about the bolt 30 to yieldably latched position against the member 23. In the form of latch 40 the handle 53 is retracted to the left (FIG. 7) against the tension of a spring 33a to permit the respectively involved brace apex 26 and cross-member 22 to take position. Then later the handle 53 is released to let the spring 33a urge the latch fingers 47 and 48 into latching position with relation to the aforesaid elements, as brace apex 26 and crossconnection 20. Then, in the form of the invention 55, 55a, no coil spring is needed. In the first form 55, the latch bar 56 is pivotal about the pivot post 64 and then it may be depressed against the tempered tension thereof to pass under the channel lip 74, and released to latch in the latch channel 75. In all cases there is spring resisted movement combined with pivotal movement (FIGS. 1-5 and FIGS. 812), or simply spring-resisted movement. \(FIG. 6-8).

Considering now the added part of the invention, an end portion of a sawhorse or trestle 10a is shown in FIG. 13 in the raised position with the brace apex portion 26a of the brace 14a engaged by the outer latch finger 47 of a latch 40 of the type shown in FIGS. 6-8 inclusive. The brace 14a is constructed identically on each side and in correspondence with the brace 14, FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, as

to the offset angles 41a and as to the arms 25a thereof, but with the exception that no sleeves are provided on the open ends of the brace, but rather each end of the brace has a terminal part 82 which is re-curved to extend around the cross member 22 between the legs 16a. Thus the brace members 14a may be inexpensively but positively and slidably connected to the cross members 22 by this novel change which eliminates the necessity of providing separate sleeve parts for each end of a brace resulting in problems of greater complexity in assembly. In the view of FIG. 13, the adjustment rods at the ends of the legs 16a are eliminated and instead a pad 21a is shown installed immediately at the lower end of each of the two leg members 16a comprising a pair of legs 12a. As shown in FIG. 14, the brace 14a is constructed identically with the brace 14a hereinabove described with relation to FIG. 13, and also the pair of legs 12a, including pads 21a, are exactly identical in construction with the pair of legs 12a and its individual leg members 16a hereinabove described with relation to FIG. 13. Also, in each case, the leg apex member 17a is pivotally mounted on the under side of the bench or beam member 11 by a pivot bracket 13, as hereinabove described. In the modification of FIG. 14, a latch 15, of the type shown in FIGURES l-4, inclusive, is shown installed under the bottom of the bench with the latch lever 29 latching the brace apex 17a in the outer notch thereof.

FIG. 15 shows in enlarged detail a leg member 160, cross member 22 and re-curved end 82 of a brace arm 25a. This illustrates the detail of construction of the recurved brace end 82 with relation to the cross member 22.

In FIGS. 16 and 17, a latch 83 discloses a distinct modification of the latches hereinabove described. Such a latch includes a latch lever 88 with free end 98 to latch under the latch lug 102 of a latch casting or unit 90. At the latch lever end opposite the free end 98 the latch lever 88 is connected to a leaf spring 89 which fits in a slot 87 in a round head 86 which is mounted, as by welding 99, upon a flange 85 from which downwardly extends the tapered woodscrew threaded shank 84, .of conventional woodscrew construction. The slot 87 extends downwardly to an elevation slightly above the flange 85 and two such screws 94, in transversely bored holes 96, are threaded through the metal of the round head 86 to bear against the flat leaf spring 89 to hold the lever 88 anchored with relation to the anchor member 95.

The latch unit 90, with relation to which the free end 98 of the latch lever 88 is releasably latched, is shown as comprising a base 100 which is connected by screws 101 to the underside of the beam or bench 11. For an end portion of the base 100 the latch lug 102 extends arcuately outwardly to provide a concave under surface 103 into which may be inserted the lever end 98 which is normally tensioned by the leaf spring 89 and by the relative position and elevation of the latch lug 102 with relation to lever end 98. Thus the latch lever end 98 is normally tensioned to remain in releasably latched contact with the surface 103 until it is ready to releasably unlatched.

In such case the lever end 98 is moved slightly downwardly and to the right as indicated in FIG. 16 thus to release it from engagement with the latch casting surface 103 and to clear the latch lug 102, whereby the tension of the leaf spring 89 holds the latch lever 88 at normal unlatched position.

In FIG. 16, with a sawhorse or trestel or 102 in folded position, an adjacent cross-member 22 would be disposed in the space 942 adjacent the anchor assembly 95, while the apex 26 or 262 of an opposite end brace 14 or 14a would be disposed in the space 94. Or, with a sawhorse or trestle 10 or 102 in raised or operative position the apex 26 of an adjacent end brace 14 or 1411 could be selectively disposed in either the space 94 or 94a, the space not se ec ed being left vac nt.

In reference to the latch form 15 (FIGS. 3 and 4); the latch form 40 (FIGS. 6-8); the latch form 55 (FIGS. 9-l1)-, the latch form 55a (FIG. 12); and the latch form 83 (FIGS. 16-17); it should be noticed that the latch function in each case is to latch over the brace apex 26 and adjacent cross-member 22 in the folded position to dispose these two elements in desired relationship, also to latch the brace apex 26 in the erected position. In the form of latch 15, the lever 29 is pivoted outwardly to clear the lug 36, as moved in opposition to the tension of the spring 33, and then pivoted in vertical plane about the bolt 30 to yieldably latched position against the member 23. In the form of latch 40 the handle 53 is retracted to the left (FIG. 7) against the tension of a spring 33a to permit the respectively involved brace apex 26 and cross-member 22 to take position. Then later the handle 53 is released to let the spring 33a urge the latch fingers 47 and 48 into latching position with relation to the aforesaid elements, as brace apex 26 and cross-connection 20.

In the latch forms 55, 55a and 83, no coil springs are required. In FIGS. 9-11, the latch bar 56 is pivotal about the pivot post 64 until its end portion clears the channel lip 74, then the latch bar 56 is depressed against the inherent tension therein to clear below the channel lip 74; and then to be swung back under the lip member 74 and channel leg 76 and released to latch upwardly, as best shown in FIG. 11. Alternatively, in FIG. 12, the latch bar 56a pivots the pivot post 64a with relation to the bench member 11. Then the latch bar 56a is pivoted downwardly to clear under the latch member, then pivoted slightly in reverse and released to revert toward its normal position in elevation, and thereby into latched position. Correspondingly, as best visualized from a consideration of FIG. 16, the latch bar 88 is swung about the leaf spring 89 to clear the latch member 90, depressed to pass below the latch surface 103, then swung back slightly and released to latch against the aforesaid latch surface 103, as moved in that direction in an effort to return to its originally tensioned position.

The appended claims complete this application, with a full or independent claim in terms to read upon all forms of the invention, and with dependent claims to the features of the various forms. The drawings are presented as being exemplary of the invention in its variations, embodiments and forms.

What is claimed is:

1. A sawhorse comprising a bench member, a pair of flattened apex, V-shaped legs under each end of the bench member, transverse pivot axis means under each end to receive a flattened axis therein, a horizontal cross-member tying the legs of each pair together, a brace for each pair of legs with brace ends pivotally and slidably mounted on the cross-member between said legs, said bench member mounting a latch means thereunder on the side of each pivot axis means opposite the bench end adjacent thereto, each latch means providing two longitudinally spaced apart latching positions and including means yieldably movable into a yieldably releasable latching position, thus to employ both latching positions for latching an adjacent cross-member and opposite brace apex with brace apex in the position nearest the adjacent bench end when the sawhorse is folded, and to employ the respective latching positions farthest from the adjacent bench ends to latch the respective brace apices when the sawhorse is erected.

2. A sawhorse as claimed in claim 1 in which the latch means comprises a latch angle providing said latching positions and a latch lug, and a latch lever yieldably pivotally movable from said latch angle to clear said latch lug and then pivotally movable toward said bench and releasable to latching position.

3. A sawhorse as claimed in claim 1 in which the latch means comprises a latch housing providing said latching positions and housing resilient means, and a latch rod mounting a latch finger for each position, said latch rod having a handle extending from said housing for manipulation to compress said resilient means by at least one latching finger to attain a releasing position, said resilient means returning said latch rod to latching position upon release of said handle.

4. A sawhorse as claimed in claim 1 in which the latch means comprises a pivot post to extend from said bench, a yieldably returnable latch including leaf spring means pivotally mounted on said pivot post and a resilient latch bar extending from said leaf spring means and providing said latching positions, and a latch channel into which the free end of said latch bar may be yieldably entrapped as said latch bar disposes said latching positions in latching relationship.

5. A sawhorse as claimed in claim 1 in which the latch means comprises a pivot post to extend from said bench, a yieldably returnable latch including a resilient latch bar extending from said post and providing said latching positions, and a latch channel into which the free end of said latch bar may be yieldably entrapped as said latch bar disposes said latching positions in latching relationships.

6. A sawhorse as claimed in claim 1 in which the legs of each pair of legs have lower parts comprising foot pads for support contact when said sawhorse is erected, and bar means to extend upwardly from said pads for intertelescoping into the upper parts of said legs, and setscrew means threadable through said upper parts to adjustably bear upon said bar means t9 adjust sawhorse height.

7. A sawhorse as claimed in claim 1 in which said brace ends comprise sleeves pivotally and slidably mounted on the respective cross-member adjacent the legs between which the cross-member extends.

8. A sawhorse as claimed in claim 1 with wall pegs on which to hang when the sawhorse is in folded position, the wall pegs extending horizontally from a wall into the space between brace end, the cross-member adjacent thereto, and an edge of said bench.

9. A sawhorse as claimed in claim 3 in which said latch housing is of modified V-shaped cross-section with flattened apex and wing flanges in parallel plane.

10. A sawhorse as claimed in claim 3 in which said latch housing is of modified V-shaped cross-section with flattened apex and wing flanges in parallel planes, said latch housing also including a substantially rectangular base on which said wing flanges seat.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,474,450 6/1949 Woodruff 108132 2,485,178 10/1949 Weinkauf 182155 2,784,042 3/1957 Clapper 108-l32 2,785,936 3/1957 Cvikich 108132 3,024,160 3/1962 Bisp 248-439 REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner

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