WO2004101229A1

WO2004101229A1 - Multi-purpose workbench

Info

Publication number: WO2004101229A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/002053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald Arthur Wightman
Original assignee: University Of Wolverhampton
Priority date: 2003-05-16
Filing date: 2004-05-13
Publication date: 2004-11-25
Also published as: GB0311264D0; GB0524481D0; GB2417458A; GB2417458B

Abstract

This invention relates to a multi-purpose workbench (10; 110) comprising a base unit (12; 112) and an upper unit (14; 114), the upper unit having a clamping means (64, 66; 164) for clamping a work piece. The base unit and the upper unit each have a working platform (32, 30; 130) and are separable from each other. When separated the base unit and upper unit are of substantially equal height so that they can provide a pair of sawhorses/tressles or an enlarged working platform. The base unit and upper unit each have a number of treads (30, 92, 32, 46; 130), with the working platforms providing at least one of the treads on each unit. Together the units can be used as a stepladder, and separately as stepping stools. The workbench also includes a removable toolbox (34).

Description

MULTI-PURPOSE WORKBENCH

This invention relates to a multi-purpose workbench.

In this description, orientational terms such as horizontal, vertical, upper and lower etc. refer to the workbench in its normal "as used" attitude.

"Workmate"(RTM) type workbenches are well known items of workshop / DIY equipment, having one fixed jaw and one adjustable jaw, together forming an elongated vice, at least one of the jaws being adjusted by means of two screw mechanisms. The jaws, which are mounted on metal legs, form a substantially rigid workbench at a convenient working height. The legs normally fold, enabling the "Workmate"(RTM) to be stored in a flat condition.

The "Workmate"(RTM) type workbench is only useful for a limited number of specific tasks and does not have any storage facilities. It is not readily adaptable for any other purpose. Moreover, the workbench has to be folded down to be easily transportable.

Stepladders are well known items of DIY / household equipment, having a number of steps or treads mounted in a folding A frame. Stepladders provide a safe means of working in an elevated position.

A stepladder, however, is only useful for one specific task. It is not readily adaptable for any other purpose. Moreover, a stepladder has to be folded down to be easily transportable.

Sawhorses / trestles are also well known items of workshop / DIY equipment, normally consisting of two A frames, strong enough to support timber or other material at a convenient height for carrying out the work required.

Sawhorses / trestles, however, are only useful for one specific task. They are not readily adaptable for any other purpose. Stepping stools are also well known items of DIY / household equipment, consisting of one or two steps in a lightweight structure, and used for gaining easier access to elevated locations around the home.

A stepping stool, however, is only useful for one specific task. It is not readily adaptable for any other purpose.

Toolboxes are also well known items of workshop / DIY equipment, consisting of a substantially rigid container for storing tools.

Large toolboxes, however, can be heavy and so difficult to lift and manoeuvre.

To summarise, all of the above well-known pieces of equipment will only perform specific functions, and so to carry out all of the listed functions, a lot of separate pieces of equipment need to be purchased, carried around, and stored.

Prior art document GB 2,025,831 discloses a workbench having a working platform with a pair of vice jaws, and a set of treads so as to provide a combination workbench and stepladder. Prior art document GB 2,279,332 discloses a workbench to which a separable toolbox can be secured.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a single piece of equipment which can carry out a larger number of tasks so avoiding the requirement to use separate pieces of equipment for each task. According to the present invention, therefore, there is provided a multi-purpose workbench. In its most basic form the multi-purpose workbench comprises a base unit and an upper unit, the upper unit having a clamping means for clamping a work piece, the base unit and the upper unit each having a platform and being separable from each other and of substantially equal height when separated, the base unit and upper unit being connectable together with the upper unit mounted upon the base unit.

When connected together the base unit and the upper unit can form a workbench of a desired height with means to clamp work pieces. The clamping means can comprise a fixed jaw and a movable jaw of a "Workmate"(RTM) type vice. When separated and placed in line, the base unit and the upper unit can form either a pair of sawhorses / trestles, or can provide a single large working platform.

Preferably, the base unit and the upper unit each have a number of steps or treads, and preferably also when connected together the base unit and upper unit together provide a three-tread stepladder. Desirably, the working platform of the upper unit provides one of the treads.

Desirably, at least one of the base unit and the upper unit, (preferably the base unit) includes a toolbox. Preferably, the toolbox is removable from the base unit, and is preferably in the form of a drawer of the base unit. Preferably also, the toolbox is portable independently of the base unit. Desirably, the toolbox has wheels which can engage the ground when the toolbox is removed from the base unit, the wheels also engaging runners in the base unit when the toolbox is located thereupon.

Preferably, the base unit has two treads, so that (with the toolbox removed), the base unit can be used as a lightweight stepping stool. The upper unit can be used without the base unit as lower-height workbench.

Desirably, the base unit has a pair of wheels affixed to the rear of the base unit. Preferably, the wheels are positioned so that they only contact the ground when the base unit is tipped back into a "porter's trolley" position, allowing the base unit (and preferably the complete workbench comprising the base unit and the upper unit) to be pushed / pulled along.

Preferably, the clamping means includes a part which is movable in a substantially vertical direction. Preferably also, the part can be locked in a chosen position, suitably by way of a locking bar provided for this purpose. By virtue of its substantially vertical movement, the part can be additionally used as tool rest / steady, and can also provide an adjustable handle for manoeuvring the workbench on its wheels. In certain embodiments the part comprises a clamping frame which can be lowered onto a work piece so as to clamp the work piece from above. There can be provided on the base unit or upper unit a platform to hold and retain a separate toolbox for storing smaller tools. This separate toolbox can be lifted out of the unit when required.

A specific explanation of various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 shows in perspective, a front view of the workbench, with the base unit and the upper unit connected together;

Fig. 2 shows in perspective, a rear view of the workbench of Fig.1 ;

Fig. 3 shows in perspective, a rear view of the workbench with the vertically movable clamping part raised into an elevated position;

Fig. 4 shows the base unit of the workbench, without its toolbox, and also shows in a larger scale, the raised end to the runners for the toolbox;

Fig. 5 shows the upper unit and the direction of travel of its two clamping parts;

Fig. 6 shows the upper unit separated from base unit, the units being placed together to form a larger working platform;

Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the mechanism to lock the legs of the vertically movable clamping part in a chosen position;

Fig. 8 shows the wheel arrangement of the base unit;

Fig. 9 shows a sectional view of the clamping parts;

Fig.10 shows in perspective, a front view of an alternative embodiment of workbench according to the invention, with the base unit and upper unit connected together; and Fig.11 shows a view as Fig.10 with the vertically movable clamping part raised into an elevated position.

Referring to the drawings, the multi-purpose workbench 10 comprises a base unit 12 and an upper unit 14. The units when separated are shown in Figs. 4 and 5 respectively, and when connected together into the complete workbench 10 are shown in Figs. 1-3.

When connected together as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the feet 16 of the upper unit 14 are retained in position upon the base unit 12 by means of recessed location points 20 in the base unit 14. In addition, the front legs 22 of the upper unit 14 locate in respective L- shaped channels 24 of the base unit 12. The upper unit 14 is secured to the base unit 12 by means of two spring-loaded catches 26, one to either side of the workbench 10.

When the catches 26 are released, the upper unit 14 can be lifted off the base unit 12. The upper unit 14 has a working platform 30 and the base unit 14 has a platform 32, and the units 12, 14 are designed so that when separated the working platform 30 and the platform 32 are the same or very similar height, enabling the units 12, 14 to be used as a pair of trestles / sawhorses in which a work piece (not shown) can be supported upon the platforms 30 and 32.

Additionally, the units 12 and 14 may be placed together as shown in Fig.6, wherein the working platform 30 of the upper unit 14 and the platform 32 of the base unit 12 together provide an enlarged work surface.

Alternatively, the units 12 and 14 may be placed apart allowing the platforms 30, 32 to support respective ends of a substantially flat panel which can provide a more enlarged work surface, which might for example be used during wallpapering or the like, or which can provide staging upon which the user can stand whilst working at an elevated height.

Contained within the base unit 12 is a large toolbox 34 (see also Fig.6), which is mounted on four wheels 36. The wheels 36 roll upon runners 40 of the base unit 12, the toolbox 34 acting as a tool drawer which can be withdrawn from the runners 40 to allow access to the tools contained therein. Also, the toolbox 34 can be removed from the base unit 14 to provide a separate toolbox, with the wheels 36 engaging the ground and allowing the toolbox 34 to be pulled along the ground, ideally using the towrope 42 provided (see Fig.6). The toolbox 34 is normally retained within the base unit 14 by means of the raised ends 44 of the drawer runners 40 (see the enlarged portion of Fig.4).

Also provided within the base unit 12 are two steps or treads 46, 32 (the platform 32 providing the upper tread). The treads 46, 32 are provided with grip-enhancing grooves, in known fashion.

The tread 46 of the base unit 12 is extended to provide a further platform 50 for storing a removable toolbox 52 (see Fig.3), which is suitably retained in place by a raised lip at the rear of the platform 50.

Attached to the rear of the base unit 12 are two wheels 54, mounted on respective axles 56. When the base unit 12 is oriented normally all of its four legs 60 engage the ground and the wheels 54 are held out of engagement with the ground. Accordingly, the legs 60 of the base unit 12 provide a stable and secure foundation for the base unit 12 or complete workbench 10. However, when the base unit 12 (or more usually the complete workbench 10) is tilted backwards the wheels 54 engage the ground and all four legs 60 are lifted clear of the ground, allowing the base unit 12 (or more usually the complete workbench 10) to be pushed or pulled along.

Fig.8 shows two orientations of the base unit 12 (or complete workbench 10), the left hand representation showing the normal working orientation in which the leg 60 (and the other three legs 60 which are not shown in this representation) engage the ground and the wheels 54 do not engage the ground. The drawing shows the wheel 54 just engaging the ground but importantly in this orientation substantially all of the weight of the workbench 10 is supported by the legs 60 so that there is little or no tendency for the workbench to move in use. The right hand representation on Fig.8 shows the base unit 12 tilted back into a "porter's trolley" position in which none of the legs 60 engage the ground and the weight of the workbench 10 is fully supported by the wheels 54. In this orientation the workbench 10 can be pulled or pushed across the ground. In the embodiment of Figs. 1-9 the working platform 30 of the upper unit 14 comprises a clamping means in the form of a pair of "workbench" type vice jaws. Thus, as shown in Fig 9, the upper unit 12 houses two screw mechanisms 62 which control the horizontally adjustable jaw 64. In common with other workbenches, each screw mechanism 62 can be controlled independently of the other, so that the clamping part or vice jaw 64 can be clamped at an angle as well as parallel to the other clamping part or jaw 66. The jaw 64 has a downward facing lip 70, which acts against the upper surfaces of the two screw housings to maintain the jaw 64 in a substantially horizontal attitude as it is moved and tightened against the other jaw 66, or against a work piece between the two jaws 64, 66.

Whilst the workbench 10 could be fitted with one horizontally movable jaw 64 and one fixed jaw, in preferred embodiments such as that shown in Figs. 1-9 of the drawings, the other jaw 66 is vertically movable. The vertically-movable jaw 66 is secured in position by means of a locking bar 72 (Fig.7). The locking bar 72 includes a screw mechanism 74 so that rotation of the bar 72 in one direction causes the bar to extend into locking engagement with the legs 76 of the vertically movable vice jaw 66, securing the jaw 66 in a chosen position. The vice jaw 66 also carries a bar 80 (see especially Figs. 1-3) which can be used as a handle when pushing / pulling the workbench 10. The gap provided between the vice jaw 66 and the bar 80 can also be used to house power tools.

There are three holes 82 in each jaw 64 and 66. These holes 82 can either be used for locating pegs to clamp work pieces, or for holding small tools. There are also holes 82 at the edges of tread 46 which can also be used for holding smaller tools.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the upper unit 14 also provides a storage tray 84, suitably for screws, nails etc, the tray 84 being secured between the two rear legs of the upper unit 14, thus also providing stiffening to the upper unit.

Fig.10 shows an alternative embodiment of workbench 110 which has a different clamping arrangement to the embodiment of Figs. 1-9. In this embodiment the working platform 130 of the upper unit 114 is fixed securely to the upper unit 114 so as to provide a large fixed tread. Embodiments in which a part of the working platform is movable may not always be suitable, and it may be desirable to provide a fixed tread so as to avoid the possibility that the workbench is used as a set of step ladders with the movable jaw 60 spaced a considerable distance from the other jaw 66.

The clamping means in this embodiment is provided by a clamping frame 164 which is movable in a substantially vertical direction relative to the working platform 130. The clamping frame 164 extends across the rear and to the sides of the working platform 130. The clamping frame 164 incorporates a handle 180 and a tray 182 for storage of small tools, fasteners, or the like.

Fig.11 shows the workbench 110 with the clamping frame 164 in a raised position, which is achieved by release of the locking device (not shown) which secures the legs 176 of the clamping frame 164 in position upon the upper unit 114. When the locking device is released, the clamping frame 164 may be raised by way of the handle 180.

To use the clamping frame 164 of this embodiment, the clamping frame 164 is raised and a work piece (not shown) is placed upon the working platform 130 underneath a chosen part of the clamping frame. The clamping frame 164 is then lowered down onto (or close to) the work piece, the locking device providing only small resistance to movement of the clamping frame in this direction. The clamping frame 164 is subsequently tightened against the work piece by rotating one or both of the clamping knobs 184 (the clamping knobs 184 being free to rotate about their respective axis relative to the clamping frame 164, such rotation causing the legs 176 to rotate and be pulled down through the locking device by way of a threaded or cam form connection) so as to clamp the work piece between the working platform 130 and the clamping frame 164.

In other embodiments, other clamping arrangements could be used, preferably allowing rapid movement of the clamping frame into engagement with (or proximity to) the work piece then slower movement to clamp the work piece, it being recognised that mechanisms to provide such action on vices and the like are well known.

The vertically movable clamping frame 164 shown incorporates a shaped groove 186 along its rear edge for conveniently holding pipes or other non-flat work pieces, and incorporates side elements 190 extending forwards, the side elements 190 being designed to enable powerful clamping over a small area. If desired, the clamping frame 164 can be removed entirely from the upper unit to provide an entirely flat working platform 130.

In an alternative embodiment it is arranged that the clamping frame 164 can be fitted to the upper unit at two or more alternative locations so that the clamping frame 164 might be mountable at different positions relative to the working platform. In a further alternative embodiment the clamping frame can be fitted to the unit is an orientation substantially perpendicular to that shown in Figs. 10 and 11, and so be able to clamp a work piece in a substantially horizontal direction.

The workbench can be manufactured in a number of suitable dimensions. For example, the height above the ground of the working platform 30, 130 in the complete workbench 10, 110 should be in the range 725 - 950 mm, and preferably around 750 mm. The overall width should be in the range 400 - 700 mm, and preferably around 550 mm. The height of the working platform of each unit when separated should be 480 - 620 mm, and preferably around 500 mm. In the Fig 10 embodiment, the depth of the working platform 130 should be between 200 and 300 mm, and preferably around 250 mm. The depth of the treads 32, 46 on the base unit should be 70 - 300 mm, and preferably around 180 mm.

It will be understood from Figs 4, 5 and 1 that the base unit 14 has two treads 46, 32, the upper unit 12 has two treads 92 and 30, and the complete workbench 10 has three treads. Thus, in the complete workbench 10 the lower tread 92 of the upper unit 14 overlies the upper tread 32 of the base unit 12. Whilst in other embodiments it would be possible to dispense with the tread 92 it is preferable to retain this as it both adds rigidity to the upper unit 12, and also enables the upper unit to be used as a stepping stool without requiring the user to step all the way from the ground onto the tread (or working platform) 30..

Claims

1. A multi-purpose workbench (10; 110) comprising a base unit (12; 112) and an upper unit (14; 114), the upper unit having a clamping means (64, 66; 164) for clamping a work piece, the base unit and the upper unit each having a platform (32,

30; 130) and being separable from each other and of substantially equal height when separated, the base unit and upper unit being connectable together with the upper unit mounted upon the base unit.

2. A multi-purpose workbench according to claim 1 in which the base unit (12) and the upper unit (14) when connected together provide a number of treads (30, 32, 46; 130).

3. A multi-purpose workbench according to claim 2 in which when connected together the base unit (12) and upper unit (14) provide a three-tread stepladder, the treads being substantially equally spaced.

4. A multi-purpose workbench according to claim 3 in which the base unit (12) has two treads (32, 46).

5. A multi-purpose workbench according to claim 3 in which the platform (30) of the upper unit (14) provides one of the treads.

6. A multi-purpose workbench according to claim 1 in which the base unit (12) includes a toolbox (34).

7. A multi-purpose workbench according to claim 6 in which the toolbox (34) is slidably mounted upon the base unit (12) and is removable from the base unit.

8. A multi-purpose workbench according to claim 6 in which the toolbox (34) is portable independently of the base unit (12).

. A multi-purpose workbench according to claim 8 in which the toolbox (34) has wheels (36) which can engage the ground when the toolbox is removed from the base unit (12), the base unit having runners (40) for the wheels.

10. A multi-puφose workbench according to claim 1 in which the base unit (12) has a pair of wheels (54).

11. A multi-puφose workbench according to claim 10 in which the wheels (54) are positioned so that they only contact the ground when the base unit (12) is tilted.

12. A multi-puφose workbench according to claim 1 in which the clamping means includes a part (66; 164) which is movable in a substantially vertical direction.

13. A multi-puφose workbench according to claim 12 in which the clamping means comprises a clamping frame (164) which is moveable relative to the platform

(130).

14. A multi-puφose workbench according to claim 12 having locking means (72) for securing the part (66; 164) in a chosen position.