WO2010040230A1

WO2010040230A1 - Workbench with bi-directionally adjustable workpiece supports

Info

Publication number: WO2010040230A1
Application number: PCT/CA2009/001445
Authority: WO
Inventors: Norman D. Edelmann
Original assignee: Edelmann Norman D
Priority date: 2008-10-10
Filing date: 2009-10-09
Publication date: 2010-04-15

Abstract

A portable workbench has horizontal extension beams at one or both ends, with the extension beams carrying one or more slidable and height-adjustable workpiece supports. The extension beams are horizontally retractable into the workbench, and when extended may cantilever from the workbench or may be vertically supported by retractable auxiliary support legs. Each extension beam may comprise multiple telescoping tubular members, each carrying a separate workpiece support. The workbench preferably incorporates a wide-jaw vise having a movable jaw assembly with inner and outer ends, with the front face of the workbench serving as a fixed vise jaw. The movable jaw assembly is movable relative to the workbench, and its inner end is movable relative to its outer end. To accommodate irregularly-shaped workpieces, the position of the movable jaw assembly is differentially-adjustable relative to the workbench, and its inner end is preferably is differentially adjustable relative to its outer end.

Description

WORKBENCH WITH BI-DIRECTIONALLY ADJUSTABLE WORKPIECE SUPPORTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to workbenches, and in particular to workbenches that are adaptable for supporting power tools while also being able to accommodate large workpieces and, more particularly, to workbenches incorporating multi-positionable, wide- jaw bench vises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is commonly necessary or desirable for workers in the construction trades, as well as non-professional handymen, to bring one or more power tools to a work site to perform various types of tasks, particularly including but not limited to cutting and drilling lumber workpieces. Such manual tasks are easier to perform with the aid of a flat and stable work surface for power tool support, and at a convenient working height. In addition, it is desirable for the work surface to be large enough to support large workpieces, such as plywood sheets and long pieces of lumber. Furthermore, it is desirable for the work surface to be easily transportable to and around the work site.

In the past, it has been common for workers to support power tools on crude temporary set-ups such as a plywood sheet supported by a pair of saw horses. This method is far from ideal for a number of reasons, including the fact that it does not provide convenient portability. As well, the effective working level of the power tool in use (for example, the work surface of a miter saw supported on the plywood sheet) will be higher than the plywood sheet, necessitating the use of temporary supports (or the assistance of additional workers) to support large or lengthy workpieces.

Alternatively, workers may use proprietary single-purpose support stands or workbenches that are designed to support a narrow group of power tool types. However, such known types of stands and workbenches typically lack a functional work surface for tasks that may not require the use of an attached power tool, so their utility is limited. The majority of known workbenches designed to support power tools have material supports that are poorly designed and limited in their functionality. Many have only one support on each side of the work area, resulting in poor workpiece support such that the workpiece or a portion cut therefrom will fall from the stand after a task (such as sawing) is completed. Also, most known types of workbenches designed for tool support require the use of specific tool mounts that grip the workbench in a mechanical manner, because they do not provide a suitable planar surface or an integral method for clamping tools thereto. Such workbenches may require one or more tool-specific mounts to accommodate each particular power tool.

Examples of prior art workbenches designed to accommodate power tools may be found in U.S. Patent No. 3,734,151 (Skripsky); U.S. Patent No. 4,265,284 (Taylor); U.S.

Patent No. 4,335,765 (Murphy); and U.S. Patent No. 5.518,053 (Robison). The prior art also discloses various approaches to the problem of supporting large or lengthy workpieces in conjunction with a workbench or tool support stand, including U.S. Patent No.

4,328,846 (Hanson); U.S. Patent No. 4,757,849 (Morris); and U.S. Patent No. 5,363,893 (Grochowicz).

Unfortunately, the prior art does not teach a workbench that: (1) is adaptable for supporting a variety of power tools without the need for tool-specific mounting hardware; (2) incorporates laterally-extendable workpiece supports that are also vertically adjustable to suit the working level of a particular power tool mounted on the workbench; (3) is self- contained, without detachable components necessitating field assembly; and (4) is readily transportable to and from and around a work site.

It is also common in the woodworking trade for woodworkers to use bench vises to secure workpieces or tools. For those familiar with the trade, it is often necessary or desirable to be able to quickly open or close the vise jaw with one hand in order to insert or remove a workpiece with the other hand. Generally, wide-jaw vises that require more than one rack to maintain near uniform pressure along the full width of the jaw have not included a means for quick adjustment. Furthermore, most known wide-jaw vises have been too heavy for use with portable workbenches or have not supported jaws that incorporate a sizable vertical surface. For these reasons, there is a further need for a portable workbench that incorporates a wide-jawed, multi-positionable bench vise having a single movable jaw that can be quickly adjusted using only one hand.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a portable workbench comprising a core structure, the upper side of which defines a planar and typically (but not necessarily) rectangular workbench surface. The workbench surface will typically have a generally horizontal orientation during normal use of the workbench. The core structure is adapted to house and provide structural support for at least one (and preferably two) extension beams which are laterally extendable from one end of the core structure, for purposes of supporting a workpiece. Except as may be otherwise noted, this patent specification describes and illustrates preferred embodiments of the workbench in which extension beams are provided in parallel pairs, for optimal stability. However, persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that alternative embodiments using single extension beams may be devised in accordance with the concepts of the present invention.

Provided in association with each pair of extension beams will be one or more workpiece supports each having a generally horizontal upper surface, with each workpiece supports preferably being slidable along its associated pair of extension beams for optimal lateral adjustability. In one embodiment of the invention, the upper surfaces of the workpiece supports will lie in the same plane as the workbench surface. In preferred embodiments, however, the workpiece supports are vertically adjustable relative to the extension beams, such that the elevation of their upper surfaces can be adjusted to match the working level of a power tool (for example, the bed of a miter saw) mounted on the workbench. The workpiece supports can be quickly and easily adjusted, either jointly or individually, at the same level as the workbench surface or at a higher level to suit the requirements of a workbench-mounted tool.

In preferred embodiments, the workbench has extension beams and associated workpiece supports at each end, thus increasing the length of workpieces that can be effectively supported using the apparatus. Also in preferred embodiments, the extension beams are laterally extendable in a telescopic fashion, with the core structure of the workbench defining horizontal bores which house the beams when retracted and which provide substantially rigid cantilever support when the beams are partially or fully extended. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, however, that other or analogous means for making the beams laterally extendable from the core structure may be readily devised in accordance with known technology, and without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The extension beams are preferably designed to cantilever from the core structure. However, for enhanced strength and stiffness, preferred embodiments of the workbench also incorporate one or more support legs each having a first end pivotably connected to a, support housing mounted to the extension beams, and having a free end which is horizontally disposable within the core structure. Accordingly, as the extension beams are withdrawn from the core structure, the support leg will also be withdrawn from the core structure. Upon being withdrawn to a sufficient extent, the free end of the support leg will come clear of the core structure such that it can be pivoted downward to a generally vertical position with its free end on the ground or other supporting surface, thus providing supplemental vertical support to the extension beams.

In particularly preferred embodiments, each support leg comprises two or more telescoping sections, in order to minimize the total length that needs to be disposed within the core structure. In these embodiments, locking means of any suitable type will be provided to secure the telescoping sections to each other when in load-bearing use.

In preferred embodiments, each support housing is associated with a material support and is configured to protect the material support and associated components from damage. The support housings may be configured to extend below the lowermost extent of travel of the material supports, such that the support housings can be used for direct support of the workbench, when the workbench is used independently of a supporting substructure.

The top surface of the workbench preferably presents a planar workbench surface, which in preferred embodiments will have a number of sockets to accommodate work stop abutments. The workbench surface may overhang the rear of the core structure to facilitate mounting of power tools (as will be described later herein). The front vertical surface may be planar, for purposes to be described.

After completing a work task using the workbench, it is a simple matter for a worker to lower any raised workpiece supports toward their extension beams, and then slide the extension beams (and the support legs, if present) back into the core structure. The workbench, in this compact configuration, is now readily transportable.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the workbench of the present invention also incorporates a wide-jawed, multi-positionable bench vise including a movable jaw assembly, which comprises an outer housing and a movable inner member, with the face of the inner member being in juxtaposition with the front face of the workbench. The inner member has a vertical face and serves as the moving jaw of the bench vise. The moving jaw is movable relative to the outer housing by means of a pin or pawl indexing mechanism (or any other functionally equivalent means). In this embodiment, the front face of the workbench defines a vertical surface which acts the fixed jaw of the vise. The movable jaw assembly and indexing mechanisms can be mounted to a lower region of the workbench without interfering with the installation or operation of the workbench's extension beams. In fact, the movable jaw assembly and indexing mechanism (described in greater detail below) are readily adaptable for mounting to other types of workbenches not having laterally-extendable extension beams, either during original manufacture or as a retrofit.

The position of the movable jaw assembly may be coarsely adjusted by manually actuating a release mechanism associated with the indexing mechanism, thus allowing the movable jaw assembly to be quickly and easily pulled away from the fixed jaw in order to set the vise gap to receive a workpiece. The moving jaw (i.e., inner member of the movable jaw assembly) may be moved away from the outer housing and toward the fixed jaw (thus clamping a workpiece disposed therebetween) by means of a jaw actuation mechanism incorporated wholly within the movable jaw assembly.

In one embodiment, the jaw actuation mechanism uses a rack-and-pinion apparatus to laterally shift a pair of movable wedges in sliding contact along a pair of complementary stationary wedges fixed to the moving jaw, thereby causing the moving jaw to move toward the fixed jaw, in a direction perpendicular to the fixed jaw (at a rate determined by the slope of the wedges). The pinion gear is rotated on a vertical shaft mounted to the outer housing, by turning a handle having an internal ratchet that engages the shaft during operation but is able to turn freely in either direction when not in the engaged position. The pinion gear engages a rack connected to the movable wedges, such that rotation of the pinion gear causes lateral movement of the movable wedges and resultant transverse movement of the moving jaw away from the outer housing. As the pinion is rotated, a spring-loaded pawl engages the pinion gear teeth in a ratchet action to lock the moving jaw in an engaged position. To release the moving jaw, the pawl is disengaged from the gear (such as by a manual release lever), whereupon a tension spring connected between the movable wedges and the outer housing will return the movable wedges to their original position, thus retracting the moving jaw toward the outer face of the movable jaw assembly and away from the fixed jaw of the vise (thereby releasing any workpiece clamped in the vise). The moving jaw may also be biased toward the outer housing by one or more additional tension springs extending between the moving jaw and the outer housing.

In an alternative embodiment, the jaw actuation mechanism uses two threaded rods, each having a first end projecting from the outer housing of the movable jaw assembly but restricted from moving perpendicular thereto, and a second end engaged in a matched threaded receptor connected to the moving jaw. Rotation of the threaded rods (using suitable handle means connected to the projecting first ends thereof) will force the moving jaw toward or away from the outer housing (depending on the direction of rotation), at a rate determined by the thread of the rods. The front of the moving jaw can move in an asymmetrical fashion by rotating one rod more or less relative to the other rod.

In a further alternative embodiment, the jaw actuation mechanism comprises two scissor jack mechanisms mounted between the moving jaw and the outer housing of the movable jaw assembly. The scissor jack mechanisms can be configured for either joint or independent operation, such that the movable jaw can be moved either symmetrically or asymmetrically.

The top surface of the movable jaw will preferably be provided with two or more sockets to receive removable work stop accessories. These can be used in conjunction with work stops on the workbench surface to clamp material or tools on the top surface of the vise and workbench.

Embodiments of the workbench/vise combination are preferably adaptable to receive elongate tool support members having holes and/or slots to receive bolts for mounting a power tool. Each tool support member has a rear end adapted to retainingly engage the rear edge of the workbench and a front end adapted to be clamped within the jaws of the bench vise. By mounting two or more such tool support members to the workbench/vise apparatus, at lateral spacings to suit the mounting holes of a given power tool, it becomes possible to securely mount many different types and styles of power tools to the workbench without requiring specialized or tool-specific mounting hardware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which numerical references denote like parts, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a workbench in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, with extension beams and adjustable workpiece supports at each end of the core structure.

FIGURE 2 is an elevation of one set of three adjustable work supports as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the workpiece supports in a nested configuration at a first height above the workbench surface. FIGURE 3 is an elevation of a set of adjustable workpiece supports at a second height above the workbench surface, and laterally separated from each other by telescopic extension of their respective extension beams..

FIGURE 4 is an elevation of a set of adjustable workpiece supports adjusted at different heights and laterally separated from each other, and illustrating the workpiece supports' lateral adjustability along their respective extension beams.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective end view of a "master" workpiece support height adjustment mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIGURE 6 A is a plan detail of the "master" mechanism of FIG. 5, in a locked position in which vertical movement of the associated workpiece support is prevented.

FIGURE 6B is a plan detail of the "master" mechanism of FIG. 5, in a released position in which vertical movement of the associated workpiece support is allowed.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective end view of a "slave" workpiece support height adjustment mechanism for use in conjunction with the "master" mechanism of FIG. 5. FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a workbench as in FIG. 1, with a demountable workpiece support mounted to a pair of extension beams.

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional elevation illustrating a demountable workpiece support in accordance with a first embodiment.

FIGURE 10 is a detail illustrating the installation of a demountable workpiece support as in FIG. 9.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a workbench in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention and incorporating a wide-jaw vise.

FIGURE 12A is a partial cut-away end view of the workbench and vise of FIG. 11, illustrating a vise mounting and indexing means in accordance with a preferred embodiment, with the indexing means shown in a locked position.

FIGURE 12B is a partial cut-away end view of the workbench and vise of FIG. 11, with the indexing means shown in a released position..

FIGURE 12C is a cross-section through the release mechanism of the vise mounting and indexing means of FIG. 12 A.

FIGURE 13A is a plan view of a workbench and vise generally as in FIG. 11 with the vise opened to receive a workpiece, and with vise actuation means in accordance with a first embodiment. FIGURE 13B is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 13 A, with a workpiece clamped in the vise after actuation of the vise actuation means.

FIGURE 14A is a plan view of a workbench and vise generally as in FIG. 11 with the vise opened to receive a workpiece, and with vise actuation means in accordance with a second embodiment.

FIGURE 14B is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 14 A, with a workpiece clamped in the vise after actuation of the vise actuation means.

FIGURE 15 is a plan view of a workbench and vise generally as in FIG. 11 with the vise opened to receive a workpiece, and with vise actuation means in accordance with a third embodiment.

FIGURES 16A, 16B, and 16C are plan views of a fourth embodiment of the vise actuation means in different operational configurations.

FIGURE 17 is a perspective view illustrating optional tool support brackets mountable to a workbench / vise combination as in FIG. 11. FIGURE 18A is an elevation illustrating in further detail how a tool support bracket may be mounted to a workbench and vise as in FIG. 17.

FIGURE 18B is an elevation similar to FIG. 18A, showing a tool support bracket secured to the workbench and vise, and further illustrating how a power tool or other item may be mounted to tool support brackets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a workbench 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Workbench 10 comprises a core structure 20, which may be of any suitable construction and materials, and which has a substantially planar horizontal workbench surface 22, a front side 24, a rear side 25, a first end 26A and an opposing second end 26B. Core structure 20 may be supported on a suitable substructure 5, which may be provided in any suitable form, and which does not constitute part of the broadest embodiments of the present invention. For this purpose, core structure 20 may optionally have a base frame 28 of some suitable type.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, and as best appreciated from FIG. 11 (which illustrates an alternative embodiment described later herein), core structure 20 defines two pairs of closely-adjacent horizontal channels 21 for telescopically receiving corresponding extension beam assemblies 30, one of which is extendable from first end 26A of core structure 20, and the other being extendable form second end 26B of core structure 20. In this embodiment, each horizontal channel 21 of each pair of horizontal channels 21 is adapted to receive an extension beam from a different end of core structure 20. In alternative embodiments, workbench 10 may have extension beam assemblies 30 at one end only, in which case core structure 20 can have single rather than paired horizontal channels 21.

Each extension beam assembly 30 may comprise only a single extension beam 32.

In preferred embodiments, however, extension beam assemblies 30 each comprise a pair of parallel, laterally-spaced extension beams 32, each of which preferably comprises two or more telescoping sections. In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1, workbench 10 features a pair of parallel, laterally-spaced extension beams 32, with each extension beam 32 comprising an inner section 32A (which is telescopingly retractable into a corresponding horizontal channel 21 in core structure 20), a middle section 32B (which is telescopingly retractable into inner section 32A), and an outer section 32C (which is telescopingly retractable into middle section 32B). Each co-extensive pair of inner sections 32A, middle sections 32B, and outer sections 32C are yoked or otherwise interconnected so that they will move together as they are being extended or retracted. One or more workpiece supports 40 may be mounted to each extension beam assembly 30 as shown in FIG. 1 , with each workpiece support 40 having a horizontal upper member 42 for supporting a workpiece. In a simple (and unillustrated) embodiment, upper members 42 of workpiece supports 40 are set at a fixed height. In preferred and illustrated embodiments, however, at least one of workpiece supports 40 includes height-adjustment means for adjusting the height of upper member 42, as may be appreciated from FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. Workpiece supports 40 may be laterally fixed relative to their associated extension beams 32, but will preferably be horizontally slidable along their extension beams 32, as representatively illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 2-5, 6A, 6B, and 7 illustrate a height-adjustment mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Each material support 40 comprises an upper member 42 mounted to a vertical rack member 60 having a rack gear 62 with rack teeth 62A. Rack member 60 also has a primary vertical slot 63 to accommodate a rotatable cylinder (described later herein), plus a secondary vertical slot 65 adjacent each side of rack member 60 for slidingly retaining engagement of a generally flat mounting bracket 50 by means of bolts 53 which pass through secondary vertical slots 65 to retain rack member 60 while permitting relative vertical sliding movement. A rotatable cylinder 80 is mounted to mounting bracket 50 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis parallel to extension beams 32. Cylinder 80 has a helical flange 82 which is disposed within a vertical groove 85A in a spring-biased key member 85 which is disposed within a horizontal slot 84A in a key block 84 fixed to mounting bracket 50. Key member 85 is horizontally movable to engage rack teeth 62 A of rack gear 62. When cylinder 80 is rotated, helical flange 82 slides within vertical groove 82A in key member 85, it causes key member 85 to disengage from rack teeth 62A, thus allowing vertical adjustment of upper member 42 of workpiece support 40.

In the illustrated embodiment, and as particularly shown in FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B, the height-adjustment mechanism associated with the middle sections 32B of the extension beam assembly 30 is a "master" mechanism which is generally as described immediately above, but as shown in FIG. 6 A, an elongate horizontal tongue member 81 is fixed to and co-axially extends from one or both sides of its rotatable cylinder 80. In this embodiment, the height-adjustment mechanisms associated with inner and outer sections 32A and 32C of the extension beam assembly 30 are "slave" mechanisms in which, as shown in FIG. 7, each of the associated rotatable cylinders 80 has a tongue slot 83 configured for operable engagement with tongue member 81. Accordingly, when one or both of the inner or outer (or "slave") workpiece supports is positioned adjacent to the middle workpiece support, with tongue member 81 engaging of the tongue slots 83 of the slave workpiece supports, rotation of tongue member 81 (using any suitable handle means) will enable vertical adjustment of all of the workpiece supports. After one slave workpiece support has been vertically adjusted, it can be slid lateral away from the master workpiece support, which can then be adjusted to a different height than the slave workpiece support if desired.

FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 illustrate an auxiliary roller-type support 90 which may optionally be mounted onto extension beam assemblies 30. Support 90 includes a roller 97 rotatably mounted onto a roller frame 96, which has a vertical support arm 94. Support arm 94 is slidably mounted to a mounting plate 92, in conjunction with a clamping screw 95 for clamping support arm 94 in a desired position relative to mounting plate 92. Mounting plate 92 has a pair of recesses 93 each sized to permit convenient installation upon an extension beam 32 as shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 and the remaining Figures illustrate an alternative embodiment 110 of the workbench of the present invention, comprising a multi-positionable bench vise apparatus. For simplicity and clarity, the extension beams and workpiece supports of the previously- described embodiments of the invention are not shown in FIG. 11 and the remaining Figures. However, it is to be understood that such features may be included in alternative embodiment 110, with their operability as described above being unaffected by the incorporation of the bench vise apparatus.

Figures including a movable jaw assembly 120, which comprises an outer housing 122 and a movable inner member, with the inner face member side being in juxtaposition to the front face of the workbench. The inner member has a vertical face and serves as the moving jaw 124 of the bench vise. Front side 24 of core structure 20 of workbench 110 has a vertical face which serves as the fixed jaw of the bench vise.

Movable jaw assembly 120 is mounted to core structure 20 using suitable vise mounting means allowing movable jaw assembly 120 to be moved away from or toward workbench 110 (and the fixed jaw of the vise). In the illustrated embodiment, the vise mounting means comprises a pair of slide rails 130 mounted to a lower region of movable jaw assembly 120. Slide rails 130 are slidably received in corresponding tracks or sleeves 135 mounted to core structure 20. Each slide rail 130 has a series of spaced indexing holes 132 for receiving a vertically-oriented indexing pin 142 retained in a pin-retainer bracket 140 which is fixed relative to core structure 20, all as may be seen in FIGS. 12 A, 12B, and 12C. Each indexing pin 142 preferably has a helical spring 143 for biasing pin 142 toward an engaged position. Engagement and disengagement of indexing pins 142 may be accomplished in any number of ways, and the present invention is not limited to any particular indexing or pin engagement and disengagement apparatus or method. FIGS. 12 A, 12B, and 12C illustrate an exemplary pin disengagement means comprising a pair of lever members 144 each of which engages the lower end of an indexing pin 142, and release bar 146 which is connected to both lever members 144 such that depression of release bar 146 will cause lever members 144 to retract pins 142 from indexing holes 132.

Moving jaw 124 is movable relative to outer housing 122 using a vise actuation means of any suitable type. FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate a first embodiment of a vise actuation means comprising a pair of stationary wedges 150 fixed to the outer side of moving jaw 124, with their inclined faces 152 disposed toward outer housing 122. Two movable wedges 160 associated with the inner side of outer housing 122 are laterally movable relative outer housing 122, with each having its inclined face 162 in sliding engagement with one of the inclined faces 152 of stationary wedges 150. Movable wedges 160 moved by rotating a pinion gear 164 which engages a rack gear 162 connected to and moving with movable wedges 160. Movable wedges 160 are preferably provided with a tension spring 166 which biases moving jaw 124 toward outer housing 122.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate a second embodiment of a vise actuation means using scissor jacks of generally known type. A drive rod 170 has clockwise external threading on one half of its length and counterclockwise external threading on the other half. Internally-threaded collars 174 are threaded onto drive rod 170. A pair of elongate brackets 172 are pivotably connected at one end to each of collars 174, with their other ends pivotably connected to either outer housing 122 or moving jaw 124. Rotation of drive rod 170, such as by using a crank handle 176, causes moving jaw 124 to move toward the fixed vise jaw in order to clamp a workpiece WP, as shown in FIG. 14B, or to release a workpiece WP, depending on the direction of rotation.

FIG. 15 shows a third embodiment of a vise actuation means having two sets of scissor jack mechanisms so as to enable differential or asymmetric movement of moving jaw 124.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C illustrate a fourth embodiment of a vise actuation means having first and second scissor jack mechanisms. The first mechanism comprises a threaded tube having a longitudinal bore, an inner end, and an outer end. The second scissor jack comprises a threaded rod having an inner end and an outer end, said threaded rod being co-axial with the threaded tube, and having its inner end in spaced adjacent relationship to the inner end of the threaded tube. The vise actuation means further comprises an elongate drive member extending through the bore of the threaded tube, said drive member having an inner end and an outer end. The inner end of the drive member has an inner collar adapted for rotatable engagement with only the inner end of the threaded rod only when the drive member is in a first lateral position, and for simultaneous rotatable engagement with the inner ends of both the threaded rod and the threaded tube when the drive member is in a second lateral position. The outer end of the drive member has an outer collar adapted for rotatable engagement with only the outer end of the threaded tube when nism the drive member is in a third lateral position.

FIG. 17 illustrates a pair of tool support members 200 which can be mounted to workbench / vise combination 110 as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B. In the illustrated embodiments, tool support members 200 are channel-shaped, with longitudinal slots for receiving mounting bolts 205 for securing the base plate 210 of a power tool or other item to tool support members 200.

It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications of the present invention may be devised without departing from the scope and teaching of the present invention, including modifications which may use equivalent structures or materials hereafter conceived or developed. It is to be especially understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to any described or illustrated embodiment, and that the substitution of a variant of a claimed element or feature, without any substantial resultant change in the working of the invention, will not constitute a departure from the scope of the invention. It is also to be appreciated that the different teachings of the embodiments described and discussed herein may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results.

In this patent document, any form of the word "comprise" is to be understood in its non-limiting sense to mean that any item following such word is included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one such element. Any use of any form of the terms "connect", "engage", "couple", "attach", "fix", or any other term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the subject elements, and may also include indirect interaction between the elements such as through secondary or intermediary structure. Relational terms such as "parallel", "perpendicular", "coincident", "intersecting", and "equidistant" are not intended to denote or require absolute mathematical or geometrical precision. Accordingly, such terms are to be understood as denoting or requiring substantial precision only (e.g., "substantially parallel") unless the context clearly requires otherwise. The terms "vertical" and "horizontal" are to be interpreted assuming that the working surface of the workbench of the present invention is in a horizontal orientation (notwithstanding that other orientations are conceivably possible depending on how the workbench is used in particular applications).

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A workbench comprising:

(a) a core structure having a substantially planar horizontal workbench surface, a front side, a rear side, and opposing first and second ends;

(b) an extension beam assembly horizontally extendable from, and retractable into, the first end of the core structure, said extension beam assembly comprising one or more extension beams; and

(d) a workpiece support mounted on the extension beam assembly, and having a generally horizontal upper member.

2. The workbench of Claim 1 wherein the horizontal upper surface of the workpiece support is substantially co-planar with the workbench surface.

3. The workbench of Claim 1 or 2 wherein the workpiece support is horizontally slidable along the extension beam assembly.

4. The workbench of any of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising height adjustment means whereby the workpiece support is vertically adjustable relative to the extension beam assembly.

5. The workbench of Claim 4 wherein:

(a) the extension beam assembly comprises a pair of parallel extension beams interconnected for joint movability;

(b) the workpiece support includes a mounting bracket engageable with the extension beam assembly; and

(c) the height adjustment means comprises:

c.1 a vertically-oriented rack gear fixed to and extending downwoard below the upper member of the workpiece support; c.2 a key block fixed to the mounting bracket, said key block housing a movable key adapted for releasably locking engagement with the rack gear; and

c.3 key actuation means operable between a locked position in which the movable key is in locking engagement with the rack gear, such that vertical movement of the upper member of the workpiece support relative to the mounting bracket is prevented; and an open position in which the movable key is retracted away from the rack gear, such that the upper member of the workpiece support is free to move relative to the mounting bracket

6. The workbench of Claim 5 wherein the key actuation means comprises:

(a) a rotatable cylinder mounted to the mounting bracket and having a horizontal rotation axis parallel to the extension beams, said rotatable cylinder having a helical flange in slidable engagement with a slot in the key block; and

(b) handle means for rotating the cylinder;

wherein rotation of the cylinder in a first direction and resultant movement of the helical flange through the slot in the key member will retract the key member away from the rack gear.

7. The workbench of Claim 6, further comprising biasing means for biasing the key member toward engagement with the rack gear.

8. The workbench of any of Claims 4 to 7 wherein each extension beam comprises two or more telescoping sections, such that the extension beam assembly comprises two or more pairs of co-extensive telescoping sections.

9. The workbench of Claim 8 wherein the telescoping sections are of a cross-sectional configuration selected from the cross-sectional shape group consisting of obround, round, oval, square, and rectangular.

10. The workbench of Claim 8 wherein a workpiece support is mounted on each pair of co-extensive telescoping sections, each workpiece support having height-adjustment means in accordance with Claim 5.

11. The workbench of Claim 8 wherein:

(a) each extension beam comprises first and second pairs of co-extensive telescoping sections;

(b) mounted on the first pair of telescoping sections is a first workpiece support having first height-adjustment means as recited in Claim 5;

(c) mounted on the second pair of telescoping sections is a second workpiece support having second height-adjustment means as recited in Claim 5;

(d) the first height-adjustment means further comprises an elongate tongue member fixed to and co-axially extending from the rotatable cylinder of the first height-adjustment means;

(e) the rotatable cylinder of the second height-adjustment means has a tongue slot for operably engaging said tongue member; and

(f) handle means engageable with the tongue member;

whereby the first and second workpiece supports may be positioned adjacent to each other with the tongue member of the first height-adjustment means operably disposed within the tongue slot of the second height-adjustment means whereupon rotation of the handle means will enable vertical adjustment of both first and second workpiece supports, whereafter the second workpiece may be moved laterally away from the first workpiece support whereupon rotation of the handle means will enable vertical adjustment of the first workpiece support independently of the second workpiece support.

12. The workbench of any of Claims 1 to 11 , further comprising one or more support legs each having a first end pivotably connected to a support housing mounted to the extension beams, and having a free end which is horizontally disposable within the core structure.

13. The workbench of Claim 12 wherein each support leg comprises two or more telescoping leg sections, with locking means for releasably locking adjacent telescoping leg sections.

14. The workbench of any of Claims 1 to 13 wherein the front end of the workbench defines a planar vertical front face, and wherein the workbench incorporates a vise assembly comprising:

(a) a movable jaw assembly comprising an outer housing an a moving jaw, said moving jaw having a planar vertical inner face;

(b) mounting means, for mounting the movable jaw assembly to the core structure of the workbench with the vertical inner face of the moving jaw in juxtaposition with the vertical front face of the workbench, said mounting means incorporating indexing means for adjusting the position of the movable jaw assembly relative to the workbench; and

(c) vise actuation means, for moving the moving jaw relative to the outer housing of the movable jaw assembly.

15. The workbench of Claim 14 wherein the mounting means comprises a pair of mounting rails, each having a first end connected to the movable jaw assembly and a second end slidably receiveable in corresponding sleeve members mounted to the core structure, such that the movable jaw assembly is horizontally movable relative to the front face of the workbench.

16. The workbench of Claim 15 wherein the mounting rails are independently movable relative to the workbench, such that the movable jaw assembly is positionable with the moving jaw non-parallel to the front face of the workbench.

17. The workbench of Claim 15 or 16 wherein each mounting rail has spaced indexing holes, and the core structure comprises indexing means associated with each mounting rail, each indexing means being releasably engageable with a selected indexing hole in the associated mounting rail.

18. The workbench of Claim 17 wherein each indexing means comprises a spring- biased pin.

19. The workbench of Claim 18, further comprising manually-operable pin-release means, for disengaging the indexing pins from their associated mounting rails.

20. The workbench of any of Claims 14 to 19 wherein the vise actuation means comprises:

(a) a pair of stationary wedges fixed to the outer side of the moving j aw, with the inclined faces of the stationary wedges being disposed toward the outer housing of the movable jaw assembly;

(b) a pair of movable wedges associated with the inner side of said outer housing so as to be and jointly laterally movable relative thereto, with the inclined face of each movable wedge being slidingly engageable in co- planar contact with the inclined face of a corresponding one of the stationary wedges; and

(c) wedge actuation means, for laterally moving the movable wedges relative to the stationary wedges;

whereby operation of the wedge actuation means will result in movement of the moving jaw perpendicularly away from the outer housing and toward the workbench.

21. The workbench of any of Claims 14 to 19 wherein the vise actuation means comprises first and second scissor jack mechanisms disposed between the inner and outer sides of the movable jaw assembly.

22. The workbench of Claim 21 wherein the scissor jack mechanisms are independently operable, such that the moving jaw is positionable non-parallel to the outer housing of the movable jaw assembly.

23. The workbench of Claim 22 wherein the scissor jacks mechanisms have a common threaded drive rod with rotatable handle means.

24. The workbench of Claim 22 wherein the scissor jacks mechanisms have separate threaded drive rods and separate rotatable handle means.

25. The workbench of Claim 22 wherein:

(a) the first scissor jack mechanism comprises a threaded tube having a longitudinal bore, an inner end, and an outer end;

(b) the second scissor jack comprises a threaded rod having an inner end and an outer end, said threaded rod being co-axial with the threaded tube, and having its inner end in spaced adjacent relationship to the inner end of the threaded tube;

(c) the vise actuation means further comprises an elongate drive member extending through the bore of the threaded tube, said drive member having an inner end and an outer end;

(d) the inner end of the drive member has an inner collar adapted for rotatable engagement with only the inner end of the threaded rod only when the drive member is in a first lateral position, and for simultaneous rotatable engagement with the inner ends of both the threaded rod and the threaded tube when the drive member is in a second lateral position; and

(e) the outer end of the drive member has an outer collar adapted for rotatable engagement with only the outer end of the threaded tube when the drive member is in a third lateral position.

26. A vise apparatus comprising;

(a) a core structure having a planar vertical front face;

(b) a movable jaw assembly comprising an outer housing an a moving jaw, said moving jaw having a planar vertical inner face;

(c) mounting means, for mounting the movable jaw assembly to the core structure of the workbench with the vertical inner face of the moving jaw in juxtaposition with the vertical front face of the workbench, said mounting means incorporating indexing means for adjusting the position of the movable jaw assembly relative to the workbench; and

(d) vise actuation means, for moving the moving jaw relative to the outer housing of the movable jaw assembly.

27. The vise apparatus of Claim 26 wherein the mounting means comprises a pair of mounting rails, each having a first end connected to the movable jaw assembly and a second end slidably receiveable in corresponding sleeve members mounted to the core structure, such that the movable jaw assembly is horizontally movable relative to the front face of the workbench.

28. The vise apparatus of Claim 27 wherein the mounting rails are independently movable relative to the workbench, such that the movable jaw assembly is positionable with the moving jaw non-parallel to the front face of the workbench.

29. The vise apparatus of Claim 27 or 28 wherein each mounting rail has spaced indexing holes, and the core structure comprises indexing means associated with each mounting rail, each indexing means being releasably engageable with a selected indexing hole in the associated mounting rail.

30. The vise apparatus of Claim 29 wherein each indexing means comprises a spring- biased pin.

31. The vise apparatus of Claim 30, further comprising manually-operable pin-release means, for disengaging the indexing pins from their associated mounting rails.

32. The vise apparatus of any of Claims 26 to 31 wherein the vise actuation means comprises:

(a) a pair of stationary wedges fixed to the outer side of the moving jaw, with the inclined faces of the stationary wedges being disposed toward the outer housing of the movable jaw assembly;

33. The vise apparatus of any of Claims 26 to 31 wherein the vise actuation means comprises first and second scissor jack mechanisms disposed between the inner and outer sides of the movable jaw assembly.

34. The vise apparatus of Claim 33 wherein the scissor jack mechanisms are independently operable, such that the moving jaw is positionable non-parallel to the outer housing of the movable jaw assembly.

35. The vise apparatus of Claim 34 wherein the scissor jacks mechanisms have a common threaded drive rod with rotatable handle means.

36. The vise apparatus of Claim 34 wherein the scissor jacks mechanisms have separate threaded drive rods and separate rotatable handle means.

37. The vise apparatus of Claim 34 wherein: (a) the first scissor jack mechanism comprises a threaded tube having a longitudinal bore, an inner end, and an outer end;