WO2006117554A1

WO2006117554A1 - Worktable

Info

Publication number: WO2006117554A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/001614
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank M. J. Kent
Original assignee: Kent Frank M J
Priority date: 2005-05-03
Filing date: 2006-05-03
Publication date: 2006-11-09
Also published as: GB0508900D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-function worktable comprising worktop sections (1) having cooperating leading face profiles adapted to provide integrated clamping and machining-tool supporting and guiding means. At least one of the leading faces is displaceable and each leading face is provided with integral mutually perpendicular planar surfaces adapted to selectively guide and support a machining-tool (P) over a work-piece (W) In use, the base of the tool (P) is supported on the upper planar surface of each lower support (4) whilst the side of the tool (P) abuts the other planar surface (2). The mutually perpendicular surfaces may be contiguous (as in Figs. 4-7) or displaceable relative to each other (as in Figs. 8-11). The invention avoids the need for the tool (P) to be supported by the work-piece (W) whilst minimising set-up time and material costs and eliminating the need for additional parts.

Description

Worktable

The present invention relates to raulti-function worktables and particularly, but not exclusively, to multi-function worktables comprising worktop sections having cooperating leading face profiles adapted to provide integrated clamping and machining-tool supporting and guiding means.

Conventional worktables are provided with means for adjustably displacing two or more worktop sections towards and away from each other to allow clamping of a work-piece. The clamping leading face profile of each worktop section is normally formed as a vertical planar surface. It is also known to incorporate a lengthwise arcuate concavity into each vertical planar surface to facilitate the clamping of a work-piece having a generally cylindrical surface profile, for example, a pipe or log.

In the context of the present invention, the term "leading face" is to be understood as a side of a worktop section which faces a corresponding side on an opposing worktop section, the respective leading faces moving together and finally touching when the respective worktop sections are fully tightened.

Whilst clamping has been the primary function of the worktop leading faces, it has also been proposed to use the leading faces for a different purpose. For example, European Patent No. EP1504853B discloses a worktable system wherein the cooperating leading faces of two worktop sections are adjusted to be in spaced parallel alignment to assist in guiding a machining tool between the two along their length. The work-piece in EP1504853B is clamped from below to the underside of each worktop section and acts a supporting surface for the base of the guided machining tool .

Such an arrangement prevents undesired lateral movement of a machining tool by guiding it in a desired direction over a work-piece. This is achieved by ensuring that the separation of the respective leading faces matches the width of the machining tool such that the tool continuously abuts the end faces during its movement along their length.

This configuration operates satisfactorily when the work-piece is both firmly clamped to the underside of both work-top sections and completely spans the space between their respective leading faces. However, it is not suitable in circumstances where the work-piece is clamped to the underside of only one worktop section and therefore does not completely span the respective leading faces . The latter situation occurs relatively frequently, for example when trimming the edge of a work-piece. In particular, there is a risk that the base of the machining tool will distort the work-piece out of the horizontal plane and adversely affect the accuracy of the machining process . This problem is especially evident when the work-piece is relatively thin and/or flexible.

In an effort to overcome the aforementioned problem, an alternative arrangement is also proposed in EP1504853B whereby the work-piece does not support the base of the machining tool. Instead, the base of the machining tool is supported by a tool plate that is itself supported for slidable movement on the worktop sections . The tool plate is guided by the leading face of the worktop section.

However, this alternative arrangement is not without its significant downsides. Firstly, the process of setting up the apparatus is time consuming and involves adjustment of the worktop sections to a suitable parallel width and the subsequent attachment and alignment of the machining tool onto the tool plates. A further downside is the cost implication of providing separate tool plates together with means for attaching various machining tools to the tool plates. Moreover, the tool plates and attachment means represent additional separate elements that must somehow be carried by, and stored with, the worktable without losing them.

A further known alternative arrangement consists of machining tool support guides that are removably attachable within grooves formed in the respective leading faces of the spaced worktop sections . Accordingly, it will be appreciated that this alternative arrangement goes some way to allowing accurate machining even when a work-piece does not completely span the space between the respective leading faces .

However, this alternative arrangement still requires a user to spend time inserting the separate attachment plates into grooves formed in the leading faces. Like the arrangement described previously, these extra components also have cost implications and are an encumbrance in terms of their safe carriage and storage.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a worktable system comprising a supporting framework, at least two worktop sections having opposing upper and lower surfaces mounted on the supporting framework wherein at least one of said worktop sections is displaceable to allow cooperating leading faces of the respective worktop sections to be moved towards and away from each other, characterised in that each leading face is provided with integral first and second mutually perpendicular planar surfaces adapted to selectively support a machining tool or a work-piece.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of guiding and supporting a machining tool over a work-piece, said method comprising the steps of: (i) (i) providing a worktable having at least two worktop sections, each having cooperable leading faces and opposing upper and lower surfaces, wherein at least one of the worktop sections is displaceable towards the other; (ϋ) providing each leading face with integral first and second mutually perpendicular planar surfaces; (iii) displacing the worktop sections into a spaced parallel arrangement corresponding to the width of the machining tool; (iv) positioning the machining tool on the leading faces such that a portion of the base of the tool is supported by one of the planar surfaces, whilst a portion of at least one side of the tool abuts the other of the planar surfaces .

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig.l is a schematic end view showing the cooperating leading faces of two prior art worktop sections operating as conventional jaws to clamp a work-piece; Fig.2 is a schematic end view of the cooperating leading faces of two prior art worktop sections operating as conventional jaws to clamp a substantially cylindrical work-piece;

Fig. 3 is a schematic end view of the cooperating leading faces of two worktop sections used as parallel guides to machine a work-piece clamped to the underside of one of the worktop sections in a fashion known in the prior art;

Fig. 4 is a schematic end view of the cooperating leading faces of two worktop sections each having a projecting step profile to provide the dual function of supporting and guiding a machining tool over a work-piece clamped to the underside of one of the worktop sections;

Fig. 5 is a schematic end view of the same cooperating leading faces shown in Fig. 4 but this time employed to support and clamp a work-piece at a level parallel with the upper surface of the worktop section;

Fig. 6 is a schematic end view of the same cooperating leading faces shown in Figs. 4 and 5 with added plastic inserts transforming the projecting step profile to one more suitable for conventional clamping;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a schematic end view of an leading face comprising a lower integrated support means in an extended position in readiness for supporting a machining tool ;

Fig. 9 is a schematic end view of the same lower integrated support means of Fig. 8 in a retracted position in readiness for conventional clamping;

Fig. 10 is a partial schematic plan view of the end of a worktop section showing the retractable lower integrated support means in an extended position; and

Fig. 11 is a schematic end view of an alternative retractable lower integrated support means showing its attachment to the underside of a worktop section.

Fig. 1 shows conventional worktop sections (1) operating as jaws to clamp a work-piece (W) between their cooperating leading faces (2) . In the context of the present invention, a worktop section of a worktable is a primary planar element which spans and rests on the supporting structure of the worktable. The worktop section is therefore a means of primary support for all further elements added to its surface whether resting on, or suspended from, the surface.

The leading faces (2) are planar surfaces which extend in a plane of direct vertical descent between the leading edges of the horizontal upper surface (3) and the opposing lower surface of each worktop section (1) .

A variation of the conventional leading faces (2) are shown in Fig. 2 whereby the planar surfaces are each provided with an arcuate concavity to facilitate the clamping of a work-piece having a generally cylindrical surface profile, for example, a pipe or log.

In Fig.3, the conventionally shaped leading faces of two worktop sections (1) are arranged in parallel at a set distance apart to facilitate the guidance of the base of a machining tool (P) . In the particular example illustrated, the machining tool (P) is a jig saw represented only by its base and saw blade. The base of the jig saw is supported directly on the upper surface of the work-piece (W) which is clamped at the midpoint (not shown) of the underside of the right hand worktop section (1) . Since the base of the jig saw (P) is only partly bearing on the work- piece (W) over its entire width, it will be appreciated that there is a risk that the uneven distribution of its weight and/or the downward force applied by a user will distort the work-piece (W) out of its horizontal plane and adversely affect the accuracy and/or angle of the cut. This risk is especially evident where the work-piece (W) is relatively thin and/or flexible. Fig. 4 illustrates the worktable apparatus of the present invention whereby the conventional cooperating planar leading faces of each worktop section (1) are replaced with leading faces having a stepped profile comprising substantially planar and mutually perpendicular surfaces . Each leading face is formed from a length of aluminium which is connected to the body of the worktop sections (1) by means of rivets (7) . In viewing the left stepped profile of Fig. 4, and moving from left to right, it comprises the an upper horizontal surface (3) terminating in a planar vertical surface (2) which itself terminates at its lowermost edge in an integrated support member (4) in the form of a projecting step.

In the terms of this invention the lower integrated support member (4) can be defined as a machining tool supporting surface positioned below the plane of the upper surface (3) of the worktop section (1), either as an integral projecting part of the cooperating leading face of the worktop section (1) or as a separate projectable element which is designed to be permanently integrated into the leading face. In addition, the lower integrated support member (4) is a supporting surface that, in use, directly or indirectly supports the base of a machining tool (P) .

The planar vertical surface (2) and the upper horizontal surface (3) are each provided with channel portions (5, 6) respectively, the purpose of which will be described in further detail below.

It should be noted that the channels (5, 6) formed in the worktop sections (1) do not fall within the definition of lower integrated support members because they are incapable of directly supporting the base of a machining tool (P) .

The two worktop sections (1) in Fig. 4 are set at a parallel distance apart such that the planar vertical surface (2) guides the jig saw (P) whilst the lower integrated support member (4) provides an integral supporting surface for the lateral portions of the base of the jig saw at a small distance above the work-piece (W) . As in Fig. 3, the work-piece (W) is clamped at the midpoint (not shown) of the underside of the right hand worktop section (1) .

Fig. 5 shows the same apparatus as shown in Fig. 4, but used for a different purpose. Instead of clamping the work-piece (W) to the underside of one or more worktop sections (1) , the work-piece is clamped between the cooperating planar vertical surfaces (2) whilst having its underside supported by the supporting surfaces of the lower integrated support members (4) . The supporting surfaces of the lower integrated support members (4) are co-planar and hence a work-piece (W) having planar surfaces such as the one illustrated can be clamped in a position whereby its lower planar surface is supported in a perfectly horizontal orientation whilst the opposing upper planar surface extends above the upper horizontal surface (3) of the leading face at a regular height around its perimeter.

Whilst the cooperating leading faces of Fig. 2 are adapted to hold a work-piece having a generally cylindrical surface at a consistent height above their upper horizontal surfaces (3), they can only do so for work-pieces having a radius of curvature within certain limits. In particular, they are unable to fulfil this requirement when the work- pieces have surfaces which are planar or near planar. Accordingly, a principal benefit of the lower integrated support members (4) is that a work- piece (W) can be instantly and reliably aligned with the upper horizontal surfaces (3) of the apparatus.

Fig. 6 shows the same apparatus as Figs. 4 and 5 where normalising elements (8) are resiliently held within the channel portions (5) formed in the planar vertical surfaces (2) and supported at their lower ends by the lower integrated support members (4) . The normalising elements (8) change the function of the apparatus from a "machining mode", whereby the principle function is that of guidance and support of a machining tool, to a conventional "clamping mode" whereby a work-piece (W) is held between two vertically descending planar end faces. The normalising elements (8) need not extend along the full length of the channel portions (5) and may consist simply of two or more plastic blocks approximately 4 cm in length (see Fig. 7) . The plastic blocks (8) are also provided with arcuate concavities in a similar fashion to those formed in the leading faces (2) of Pig. 2 and can act to protect the aluminium surfaces (2, 4) from potential damage caused by the clamping of steel tubes etc.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of Fig. 6 showing four normalising elements (8) which can be slid anywhere along the length of each channel (5) to provide a planar vertical face to assist conventional clamping of a work-piece (W) .

Figs. 8-10 show an alternative embodiment of the invention whereby the fixed lower integrated support member (4) illustrated in Figs. 4-6 is replaced by a retractable lower integrated support member (4) positioned for slidable movement into and out of the channel (5) . In Fig. 8, the retractable lower integrated support member (4) is shown in its fully extended position whereby the apparatus is placed in "machining mode". Conversely, in Fig. 9 the retractable lower integrated support member (4) is shown in its fully retracted position whereby the apparatus is placed in conventional "clamping mode" .

Fig. 10 shows a partial plan view of the retractable lower integrated support member (4) in an extended position. An actuating member (4a) of the retractable integrated support member (4) projects through a lateral end plate (9) which is fitted to the worktop section (1) by means of screws (10) . Manual displacement of the ends (4a) (as indicated by the arrows) on either side of the worktop section (1) allow the retractable lower integrated support member (4) to be extended and retracted within the channel (5) .

Fig. 11 shows an alternative retractable lower integrated support member (4) that, instead of being positioned within a channel (5) is slidably attached to the underside of a conventional worktop section (1) . In the example shown, support members (11) are fixed to opposite ends of the worktop section (1) by means of bolts (12) . The retractable lower integrated support member (4) may be extended for "machining mode" or retracted for "clamping mode" in a similar fashion to that described above with respect to Figs. 8-10. It is to be noted that although the retractable lower integrated support member (4) is located beneath the worktop section (1) it is nevertheless integrated with it. Moreover, when viewed in the context of the present invention, the vertical planar surface of the retractable lower integrated support member (4) still forms part of the planar vertical leading face (2) by virtue of the fact that it represents a continuation the planar vertical surface (2) when in its retracted position.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides several advantages over the prior art. In particular, the invention provides a guidance means for a machining tool which is independent of any support from the work-piece, which minimises the time taken to fit the machining tool to the guidance means , and which eliminates the need for additional parts and their associated costs and inconvenience.

Moreover, it will also be appreciated that the present invention provides a means whereby the lower integrated support member for supporting a machining tool may be readily adapted for conventional clamping of a work-piece.

In addition to the above improvements over the prior art, the present invention also provides a novel clamping function whereby the lower integrated support member having the primary function of supporting and guiding a machining tool may also be employed to accurately and quickly clamp a work- piece having planar or near planar sides at a regular set level above the upper surfaces of the worktop sections.

Modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the leading face components (2, 3, 5, 6) shown in Figs. 4-11 may be formed integrally with the worktop sections (1) instead of being separate components fixed thereto by rivets (7) .

Instead of being fitted within channel (5), the normalising elements (8) which change the function of the apparatus between "machining mode" and "clamping mode" could be releasably fitted into channel (6) or other suitable apertures formed in the upper horizontal surface (3) of the worktop section (1) . The normalising elements (8) would then overhang the upper leading edge of the worktop section (1) .

Claims

1. A worktable system comprising a supporting framework, at least two worktop sections having opposing upper and lower surfaces mounted on the supporting framework wherein at least one of said worktop sections is displaceable to allow cooperating leading faces of the respective worktop sections to be moved towards and away from each other, characterised in that each leading face is provided with integral first and second mutually perpendicular planar surfaces adapted to selectively support a machining tool or a work-piece.

2. A worktable system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second planar surfaces extend vertically and horizontally respectively.

3. A worktable system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the plane of said second surface intersects the plane of said first surface below the plane of the upper surface of the worktop section.

4. A worktable system according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the second integral horizontally extending planar surface permanently projects beyond the plane of the first surface.

5. A worktable system according to any preceding claim, wherein the respective first and second planar surfaces are contiguous.

6. A worktable system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein normalising elements are selectively attachable to the leading faces to provide vertically extending coplanar surfaces extending between the opposing upper and lower surfaces of the worktop sections.

7. A worktable system according to claim 6, wherein a channel is provided in the first vertically extending planar surface and is adapted to selectively receive and retain said normalising elements.

8. A worktable system according to claim 2, wherein the first and second planar surfaces are relatively displaceable with respect to each other to define both an extended state in which the second surfaces project beyond the respective planes of the first surfaces and a retracted state in which the second surfaces do not project beyond the respective planes of the first surfaces.

9. A worktable system according to claim 8, wherein the second horizontally extending planar surfaces are displaceable whilst the first vertically extending planar surfaces are fixed relative to the worktop sections.

10. A worktable system according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein the second integrated horizontally extending planar surfaces are located between the upper and lower surfaces of the worktop sections.

11. A worktable system according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein the second integral horizontally extending planar surfaces are located below the lower surfaces of the worktop sections .

12. A worktable system according to any preceding claim, wherein clamping means are provided to clamp a work-piece to the underside of one or more of the worktop sections.

13. A worktable system according to any preceding claim, wherein the worktable is adapted to clamp a work-piece between the respective vertically and horizontally extending surfaces of the opposing leading faces.

14. A method of guiding and supporting a machining tool over a work-piece, said method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a worktable having at least two worktop sections, each having cooperable leading faces and opposing upper and lower surfaces, wherein at least one of the worktop sections is displaceable towards the other; (ii) providing each leading face with integral first and second mutually perpendicular planar surfaces; (iii) displacing the worktop sections into a spaced parallel arrangement corresponding to the width of the machining tool; (iv) positioning the machining tool on the leading faces such that a portion of the tool is directly or indirectly supported by one of the planar surfaces, whilst a portion of at least one side of the tool directly or indirectly abuts the other of the planar surfaces .