WO2011104537A1

WO2011104537A1 - Accessory system and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2011104537A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/050346
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcus Nicholson
Original assignee: 7Rdd Limited
Priority date: 2010-02-26
Filing date: 2011-02-23
Publication date: 2011-09-01
Also published as: GB201003268D0

Abstract

An accessory system is provided for use with clamp means (2). The system includes one or more locating members (12a-12e) attachable to and/or mountable on a body portion (14) of the clamp means in at least one position in use. The one or more locating members are provided with location means thereon for location of an accessory (341, 34", 28, 36, 50, 52, 56, 60, 62, 66) therewith in use. The location members and/or location means are arranged such that the position of the locating member when mounted on the clamp means is adjustable, an accessory can be located in one of two or more different positions with respect to the location member and/or two or more accessory or accessory portions can be located with the location member.

Description

Accessory System and Method of use Thereof

The present invention relates to an accessory system suitable for use with clamp means and a method o f use thereof.

Although the following description refers to an accessory system for a clamp, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the accessory system of the present system can be used with other equipment such as vices, jaws, workbenches, stands, horses, legs for equipment and/or the like and is not limited to clamp means per se.

Examples of a clamp on which the accessory system of the present invention can be used are shown in EP2060366, CN 100339185 and US5524872. The disclosed clamps include an elongate support structure carrying a fixed jaw and a movable jaw. An advancing mechanism allows the movable jaw to be advanced towards the fixed jaw in a longitudinal direction in use. The clamp can be moved between a sub stantially folded transportation position and a substantially erect in-use position.

The use of accessories with clamps is known. Accessories can, in one example, be attached to a body of a clamp via two extending tube members which locate in complementary shaped apertures defined in side walls of the clamp body. Two different spaced apart positions are typically defined on the side walls of the clamp body for location of the accessories in two different positions on the clamp body. In this example, the tube members extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the clamp body. A problem with this arrangement is that the position of the accessories is limited to the two pre-set positions on the clamp body. In addition, the accessories are provided a preset distance on the extending tube members and thus a preset distance from the clamp body. This limits the use and versatility of the clamp and clamp accessories.

In a second example, the accessories can be clamped directly or indirectly between the clamping jaws of the clamp. For example, a piece of plywood can be clamped between the clamping jaws of the clamp to provide a work surface for a user. However, a problem with this arrangement is that the clamping jaws are used to hold the plywood work surface in place and thus cannot easily be used to clamp further obj ects therebetween. Alternatively, accessories can be clamped to a runner of the clamp on which at least one of the clamping jaws are mounted, thereby reducing the functionality and/or range of movement of at least the jaws and/or the clamp in use.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an accessory system for use with clamp means which addresses the above mentioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide clamp means with an accessory system.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using an accessory system for clamp means.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using clamp means including an accessory system.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an accessory system for use with clamp means, said system including one or more locating members attachable to and/or mountable on a body portion of the clamp means in at least one position in use, said one or more locating members provided with location means thereon for location of an accessory therewith in use, characterised in that the location members and/or location means are arranged such that the position of the locating member when mounted on the clamp means is adjustable, an accessory can be located in one o f two or more different positions with respect to the location member and/or two or more accessory or accessory portions can be located with the location member.

By enabling an accessory to be located in more than one position on a location member, by enabling two or more accessories or parts of accessories to be located on a location member and/or by enabling the po sition of the location member when mounted on the clamp means to be adjustable (i. e. the mounting position is the same but the position of the location member with respect to the mounting position is adjustable) , this significantly increases the versatility and functionality of the accessory system, the clamp means and/or the accessory itself and does not hinder use of the clamping jaws and/or any other component of the clamp means.

In one embodiment the location means typically includes a groove, recess, channel and/or the like provided on or associated with one of the location member or accessory or accessory part, that locates with a protrusion provided on or associated with the other of the location member or accessory or accessory part. The inter-engagement of the protrusion with the groove, recess, channel and/or the like allows engagement of the accessory or accessory part with the location member.

Preferably the protrusion is slidingly mounted in the groove, recess, channel and/or the like.

In a preferred embodiment the location means includes or is in the form of at least one groove, recess, channel and/or the like. The accessory or accessory part(s) can be located directly or indirectly in said groove, recess, channel and/or the like to allow engagement of the accessory or accessory part with the location member.

Preferably the location means, protrusion, groove, recess and/or channel is defined along and/or is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the locating member. Further preferably the location means, groove, recess and/or channel is provided along sub stantially the entire length of the locating member.

The location means, protrusion, groove, recess and/or channel typically assists in attaching one or a plurality of accessories to the locating member.

In one embodiment a single location means is provided on the locating member. In an alternative embodiment a plurality of location means are provided on the locating member.

The plurality of location means can be provided on the same side or surface of the locating member or can be provided on different sides or surfaces of the locating member. For example, location means can be provided on two or more sides of the locating member. This greatly increases the number of possible positions and/or orientations of an accessory relative to the clamp.

In one embodiment the locating member is sub stantially triangular in cross section and the location means can be provided on one, two or three different surfaces of the triangular cross sectional member. It is to be noted that the locating member can have any suitable cross sectional shape and locating means can be located on any or any combination of surfaces of said locating member.

In one embodiment the locating member has a substantially T- shaped cross sectional configuration.

Preferably the locating member is slidingly mountable on the clamp means. The locating member is mounted in such a manner that it protrudes outwardly or substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the clamp means.

In one embodiment a body portion of the clamp means has a number of different engagement po sitions defined thereon to allow engagement of a locating member in one of a number o f different positions with respect to the clamp means. This preferably forms an independent aspect of the present invention, irrespective of whether the locating members allow the location of an accessory in a number of different positions relative thereto and/or the po sition o f the locating member in a particular mounting position on the clamp means.

Preferably there are two or more, and further preferably at least three different engagement po sitions defined on the body portion of the clamp means to which the locating members are attachable and/or mountable.

Preferably each different engagement position is provided a spaced distance apart on the body of the clamp means.

Further preferably the different engagement po sitions are spaced sub stantially longitudinally along the body of the clamp means. Preferably the longitudinal spacing of the engagement positions is substantially parallel to the movement pathway of the one or more clamping jaws.

Thus, it can be seen that in one embodiment of the present invention, the position of the locating member along the longitudinal axis of the body portion of the clamp can be selected by a user, the position of the locating member transverse to the body portion of the clamp can be selected by a user and the po sition of an accessory on the locating member can be selected by a user.

In one embodiment at least one engagement po sition is provided on at least one side wall of the clamp means.

In one embodiment an engagement position includes one or more apertures defined in the clamp means.

Typically the apertures are located substantially below a runner or channel portion of the clamp means and/or preferably below one or more clamping jaws and/or movement pathway of the clamping jaws of the clamp means.

In one embodiment at least a pair of apertures or engagement positions is defined on sub stantially opposing sides of the body portion of the clamp means. Typically the apertures form part of a channel defined through the body portion.

Preferably at least part of a locating member can be inserted or slidably inserted, and preferably slidingly inserted, through an aperture or pair of apertures to allow engagement/mounting and preferably detachable engagement/mounting with the clamp means. With the locating member engaged through apertures on both sides of the clamp means, this provides a relatively strong and secure arrangement. This is important if the workpiece supported by the clamp is heavy and/ or large.

In one embodiment the engagement positions or at least a pair of apertures located on substantially opposing sides of the body portion are sub stantially offset and/or non-aligned in respect to one another when viewed along a latitudinal axis of the clamp means.

In one embodiment the clamp means includes one or more leg means for supporting the clamp means on a surface in use and/or for providing the clamp means with stability. At least one engagement position can be defined on the one or more leg means to allow a locating member to be attachable to the leg means in use.

Preferably the locating members are typically elongate in form and preferably are sub stantially linear or straight in shape.

In one embodiment the locating member includes at least one hollow portion. Typically the locating member is hollow sub stantially throughout the length of the same, such as for example in the centre thereof.

In one embodiment the locating members are substantially preformed or extruded. Further typically the locating members are preformed from extruded lengths of material, such as plastic and/or metal. In a preferred embodiment the locating members are formed from extruded lengths of aluminium.

The locating means are preferably arranged so as to position the accessory or accessory portion a spaced distance from the body portion of the clamp means in use. However, typically the locating means are arranged so that the accessory or accessory portion can be positioned at one or a plurality or different points along the length or longitudinal axis of the locating member. For example, the accessory or accessory portion can be positioned at any user selected or arbitrary position on the locating member. The locating means are preferably arranged so that the position of the accessory is adjustable in a direction sub stantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the clamp means and/or the height of the accessory with respect to the clamp body is adjustable (i.e. in a sub stantially vertical axis) .

In one embodiment the locating member is arranged to extend outwardly from the body portion of the clamp means in use, and further preferably extends in a sub stantially horizontal plane. Preferably the locating member extends substantially transverse or perpendicularly from the body portion, and preferably from a side wall of the body portion, of the clamp means in use.

Preferably the position of the locating member can be adjusted with respect to the body portion of the clamp means and further preferably the locating member can be adjusted in a transverse direction so that the length of the locating member protruding from the side of the body portion is adjustable.

In one embodiment the clamp means and/or the locating members include one or more attaching means. Typically the attaching means are used to attach and/or mount a locating member to the clamp means in use.

In one embodiment the attaching means includes a socket portion locatable on one of the clamp means or the locating member, which is engageable with and an insert or protruding portion provided on the other of the clamp means or the locating member. In one embodiment engagement means are used to join a first locating member to at least a second locating member, thereby allowing length extension of a locating member. Typically the locating members are extended by joining the same in an end-to- end manner via the engagement means.

In one embodiment locking means are provided to lock the attaching means and/or the locating members to the clamp means in use.

In one embodiment the locking means includes any or any combination of one or more bars, pins, detents, locking nuts, apertures, sprung locks and/or the like. The one or more bars, pins, detents, locking nuts, sprung locks, apertures and/or the like can be located on the locating member and/or accessory member.

The locating member and/or the clamp means can include one or more apertures shaped to receive the locking means, bars, pins, detents and/or the like in use.

In one embodiment the locking means are positioned on or with the locating members or location means to act as a stop.

Typically the stop can prevent the locating members being pushed, pulled or otherwise withdrawn from the body portion of the clamp means and/or the attaching means in at least one direction. Further typically the stop can be selectively positioned on the location members so that it abuts against the body portion of the clamp means and/or attaching means.

The stop means can be used to lock or limit movement of the accessory or accessory part with respect to the location means in one embodiment. In one embodiment a location member can be arranged to extend from the body portion of the clamp means by a preselected or user selected arbitrary distance. The location member can include at least one scale, graduations, metering and/or the like to assist in po sitioning a location member relative to the clamp means and/or assist in positioning the end stops and/or the accessory or accessory portions on a location member relative to the clamp means in use.

In one embodiment the accessory or accessory portions are integrally formed with the locating members.

In one embodiment the accessory or accessory portions are detachably attached with the locating members.

In one embodiment the locating members and/or the accessory or accessory portions are attached together via at least one intermediate portion.

In one embodiment the intermediate portion includes one or more sleeve portions. Typically the sleeve portions are shaped to receive at least part of a locating member and/or accessory member. The sleeve portion can be arranged so as to allow adjustment of the position of the locating member and/or accessory member therewith.

Further preferably an intermediate portion includes at least two sleeve portions positioned sub stantially at an angle in respect to each other. Preferably one sleeve portion allows adjustment of the position of the accessory or accessory part relative to the intermediate portion, such as for example the vertical po sition of the accessory or accessory part relative to the intermediate portion or locating member. Preferably the other sleeve portion allows adjustment of the po sition of the locating member relative to the intermediate portion, such as for example the horizontal or transverse position of the locating member relative to the intermediate portion and/or the clamp body.

In one embodiment the two or more sleeve portions are positioned substantially perpendicularly (i.e. the central axes of the sleeve portions are substantially perpendicular or orthogonally arranged) to each other or orthogonally to each other on the intermediate portion.

In one embodiment the accessory or accessory portion includes an arm member. Preferably said arm member is received by an intermediate portion and/or the locating means and preferably in a sleeve portion of the intermediate portion to allow attachment of the same to a locating member in use.

In one embodiment the arm portion is substantially linear in shape. Preferably the arm portion is hollow. Further preferably the accessory is located at at least one end of the arm means.

In one embodiment the position of the arm member is movably mounted relative to the sleeve portion or intermediate portion so that it can be used to adjust the height or vertical position of the accessory or accessory part relative to the locating member and/or the clamp means in use.

In one embodiment the intermediate portion functions as the engagement means hereinbefore described.

The clamp means can be a foot operated clamp, vice, workbench and/or the like. In one embodiment the clamp means includes one or more clamp jaws for clamping a workpiece thereto to use. Preferably at least two clamp jaws are provided for clamping one or more workpieces therebetween.

Preferably one of the clamp jaws is fixed and one of the clamp jaws is movable relative to said fixed j aw.

In one embodiment the body of the clamp means is equipped with at least one runner or channel portion. The one or more clamp jaws can be mounted in said runner or channel portion to allow movement of the same relative to the clamp body in use.

Preferably the body portion is substantially elongate in form and at least one of the clamping jaws is movable parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body portion.

The accessory or accessory part can include any or any combination of:

support means (intended to hold a workpiece in a fixed relationship in respect to the clamp means) ;

- glide means (intended to function similarly to a support means wherein at least part of the surface in contact with the workpiece includes a low-friction material to enable the workpiece to be easily moved in relation to the clamp means) ;

abutment or stop means (intended to provide a surface against which a workpiece can be abutted) ;

- roller means (intended to provide a movable surface in respect of the clamp means whereby one or more workpieces can be easily rolled and or slid into a required position) ;

- holder and/or tray means (intended to provide a location and/or surface on which to place one of more items) ; and

- workbench means (intended to provide a work surface sub stantially adjacent to the clamp means) . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the accessory system is essentially modular. Typically once the one or more locating members are in place, any number of accessories can be interchanged therewith.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a clamp with an accessory system.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using an accessory system for use with clamp means, said system including one or more locating members attachable to and/or mountable on a body portion of the clamp means in at least one position in use, said one or more locating members provided with location means thereon for location of an accessory therewith in use, characterised in that the method includes the step of adjusting the position of the locating member with respect to the clamp means when mounted therewith, selecting one of two or more different positions for mounting an accessory with the location member and/or mounting two or more accessory or accessory portions with the location member.

The method preferably includes the steps of attaching and/or mounting one or more locating members to the body of the clamp means; and/or attaching and/ or mounting one or more accessories or accessory portions to said locating members.

In a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a clamp with an accessory system, said clamp having a number of different engagement positions defined thereon to allow engagement of a locating member in one of a number o f different positions with respect to the clamp. Specific embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the following figures wherein:

Figure 1 shows a locating member attached to a clamp in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2a-2c show locking means in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 4-5 show different accessories fitted to locating members in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a locating member according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 7a-7c show examples of different accessories for use with or forming part of the present invention; and

Figures 8a and 8b, and 9a and 9b show further examples of accessories for use with or forming part of the present invention.

The present invention provides a modular accessory system for clamps and/or the like. A number o f different accessories can be selectively positioned with respect of the clamp to assist a user using the clamp. Typically the accessories enable the user to work in a safer and/or more efficient manner. Accessories fitted to a clamp are useful for supporting and/or holding a workpiece, for allowing a workpiece to be moved and/or manipulated easily by the user and/ or for providing additional functionality to the clamp.

Turning firstly to Figure 1 , there is shown a foot operated clamp 2 suitable for securing and holding a workpiece between clamping jaws 4', 4" provided on the clamp. A foot pedal 6 is provided to allow one of the jaws 4" to move towards the other jaw 4' along a runner portion 8 defined on the clamp to provide a clamping force on the workpiece.

The clamp 2 is supported on a floor surface by three legs 10', 10" and 10"' which are sub stantially splayed apart to increase the stability of the clamp 2 in use. The clamp is also equipped with a number of locating members 12a-e which depend outwardly and substantially horizontally from different spaced apart engagement positions on the body 14 of clamp 2. The engagement positions are provided at spaced distances apart along the longitudinal axis of the side walls of the clamp.

The locating members are typically formed from lengths o f extruded material, such as aluminium, and are arranged so as to allow an accessory to be joined to the same or to act as an accessory. The different engagement positions of the locating members on the clamp and/or the different positions of the accessory on the locating member allows an accessory to be provided at a user selected arbitrary position relative to the clamp.

In the illustrated example, each of the locating members 12a-e is engaged with the clamp by passing the same through apertures defined in oppo site side walls of the body portion 14 of the clamp 2. The length of protrusion of each locating member 12a- 12e from a side of the body portion 14 is selected by the user as a result of the user sliding the locating member through the apertures until a required position is achieved.

A stop 16 is provided at an end of the locating members 12a-e to prevent the entire length of the locating member 12a-e passing through the apertures. The stop 16 typically abuts against the surface of the body portion 14 in use. The stops can be provided at one or both ends of the locating members or at any suitable position along the length of the locating member to limit or prevent movement of the locating member with respect to the clamp once the required position of the locating member in the aperture has been achieved.

The structure of a stop 16 is shown in more detail in figures 2a- 2c. The stop can be placed on or removed from the locating members 12a-e at any position along the length thereof. This allows the extent or distance which the locating member protrudes from clamp body 14 to be selected and/or controlled by the user (i. e. the length of protrusion of the locating member with respect to the clamp body portion is therefore arbitrarily selectable by the user) . As can be seen in figure 2a, the end of a locating member 12d is located so as to protrude or extend a relatively short distance form the side wall of the clamp body 14. The lockable stop is locked to the end of the locating member 12d by passing a first cover portion 18 over a top part of the locating member and securing the same using a T-nut 20 inserted through a groove 24 in the locating member 12d and an inset plate 22 inserted inside the locating member. The cover portion 1 8 or inset plate 22 prevents the end of locating member 12d from passing through the aperture in body 14.

The T-nut 20 can be resiliently biased to a locked position via biasing means to allow stop 16 to be moved to any suitable position along the length of the locating member. For example, the T-nut can comprise a nut head with a top of a spring engaged to on an underside surface of the nut head, thereby biasing the nut head away from a base of the spring.

In figures 1 -5, the locating members 12a-e are substantially T- shaped in cross section with a first arm located substantially centrally of and protruding at sub stantially right angles from a second arm. Location means in the form of channels 24 and 26 are defined along the length of the first and second arms of the T-shaped locating members to allow an accessory to be provided at two different possible orientations with respect to the clamp. The channels 24 and 26 are sub stantially elongate in form to allow an accessory to be located at any user selected arbitrary position along said channel (i.e. at any position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the locating member) .

Figure 3 shows how an accessory 28 can be located in channel 24 at on one end of the locating member 12c and can be slidingly moved along the length of member 12c, as shown by arrow 28, to any suitable position. Figure 3 also shows complementary T-shaped apertures 30, 32 defined in the side wall of the clamp through which the locating members can pass. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the apertures defined in the clamp provide a plurality of different possible positions at which the locating members can be engaged to the clamp, thereby increasing the versatility of the accessory system and the clamp. The accessory shown in figure 3 is an example of an abutment accessory which provides a surface up to which a workpiece can be abutted during use of the clamp.

Figure 4 shows an example wherein roller accessories 34', 34" have been placed on each end of a single locating means 12 engaged with the clamp. The use of roller accessories are particularly advantageous when cutting one or more sections from a large workpiece, as the workpiece can be easily moved through the clamp jaws via the rollers. The accessory in figure 5 is a support accessory 36 which is positioned at a suitable location along the locating member 12 to provide support to a workpiece. Although the apertures in the examples discussed thus far are associated with one or more channels that pass though the body of the clamp, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the apertures could define the opening of a socket, which does not pass the entire way through the body, into which the locating members can be inserted.

Figure 6 shows an alternative example of a locating member 38 which is substantially triangular in cross section with locations means in the form of grooves 40', 40", 40"' defined along each face of the triangular member 38. The grooves are arranged sub stantially longitudinally of the elongate member 38 and allow at least part of an accessory or stop to engage with the locating member.

In one example, the accessory is fitted to the locating member via an intermediate member 42, as shown in figures 7a-7b. In the illustrated example, the intermediate member includes two sleeves 44 and 46, positioned orthogonally to each other. The first sleeve 44 is shaped to receive a locating member therethrough and the second sleeve 46 is shaped to receive an arm member 48 of an accessory. Engagement means can be associated with the intermediate member and/or sleeves to allow the position of the accessory and/ or locating member to be fixed in use.

Movement of sleeve 46 relative to arm member 48 allows the height or vertical position of the accessory to be adjusted relative to the locating member and/or clamp. Movement of sleeve 44 relative to the locating member allows the distance or horizontal position of the accessory from the clamp body to be changed. Figure 7a shows a roller accessory 50 mounted to an intermediate portion, whilst figure 7b shows a support accessory 52 including a low friction coating on a surface 54 (typically PTFE) thereof to allow workpieces supported thereon to be easily manipulated relative to the accessory. The accessory shown in figure 7c is a roller support 56 with a stop portion 58. The stop portion 58 can be fixed in position or alternatively can be resiliently biased to the upright or stop position shown.

Figures 8a and 8b show an example of a tray accessory 60 supported between two locating members 12a and 12b. The edges of the tray are engaged with location means in the form of longitudinal grooves, 40'a, 40'b defined in an upper surface o f the locating members, thereby slidingly mounting the tray with respect to the clamp.

Figure 9a shows a further embodiment of an accessory in the form of a tray 62. The tray is fitted with an intermediate member 64 shaped to attach the accessory to a leg 10" of the clamp 2, as shown in figure 9b. Also shown in figure 9b is a cup holder accessory attached to a further leg 10"'. These examples demonstrate the flexibility and the adjustable, modular nature o f the present accessory system whereby various accessories can be secured in a number of positions relative to the clamp 2.

Claims

1. An accessory system for use with clamp means, said system including one or more locating members attachable to and/or mountable on a body portion of the clamp means in at least one position in use, said one or more locating members provided with location means thereon for location of an accessory therewith in use, characterised in that the location members and/or location means are arranged such that the position of the locating member when mounted on the clamp means is adjustable, an accessory can be located in one of two or more different positions with respect to the location member and/or two or more accessory or accessory portions can be located with the location member.

2. A system according to claim 1 characterised in that the location means typically includes a groove, recess or channel provided on or associated with one of the location member or accessory or accessory part, that is locatable with a protrusion provided on or associated with the other of the location member or accessory or accessory part in use.

3. A system according to claim 2 characterised in that the location means, groove, recess, channel or protrusion is defined along a substantially longitudinal axis of the locating member.

4. A system according to claim 2 characterised in that the location means, groove, recess, channel or protrusion is defined along substantially the entire length of the locating member.

5. A system according to claim 1 characterised in that the two or more different accessory positions are provided on the same surface or side of the locating member and/or on different surfaces or sides of the locating member.

6. A system according to claim 1 characterised in that the locating member is sub stantially triangular in cross section or is sub stantially T-shaped in cross section.

7. A system according to claim 6 characterised in that location means are provided on all three sides of the locating member having a substantially triangular cross section.

8. A system according to claim 1 characterised in that the locating members are elongate and linear in form.

9. A system according to claim 1 characterised in that attaching means are provided for allowing the locating members to be attached and/or mounted to a clamp means in use.

10. A system according to claim 9 characterised in that the attaching means includes a socket portion locatable on one of the clamp means or locating member, which is engageable with an insert portion provided on the other o f the clamp means or locating member.

1 1. A system according to claim 1 characterised in that engagement means are used to join a first locating member to at least a second locating member to form an extended locating member.

12. A system according to claim 1 or 9 characterised in that locking means are provided to lock the attaching means and/or the locating members to the clamp means in use and/or to lock the accessory or accessory part with respect to the location means.

13. A system according to claim 12 characterised in that the locking means includes any or any combination of one or more bars, pins, detents locking nuts, sprung locks and/or apertures.

14. A system according to claim 1 characterised in that the location member includes at least one scale, graduation and/or metering to assist in positioning a location member relative to clamp means and/or for po sitioning an accessory or accessory part on a location member.

15. A system according to claim 1 characterised in that that accessory or accessory portion is integrally formed with the locating member, is detachably attached with the locating member or is attached to the locating member via at least one intermediate portion.

16. A system according to claim 1 5 characterised in that the at least on intermediate portion includes one or more sleeve portions, said sleeve portions shaped to receive at least part of a locating member and/or accessory or accessory part therewith.

17. A system according to claim 1 6 characterised in that at least two sleeve portions are provided, a first sleeve portion for allowing adjustment of the height or vertical position of the accessory or accessory part with respect to the locating member or intermediate portion, and at least a second sleeve portion for allowing adjustment of the horizontal or transverse position of the locating member with respect to the intermediate portion or clamp means.

18. A system according to claim 1 6 characterised in that two sleeve portions are positioned sub stantially perpendicular or orthogonally to each other on the intermediate portion.

19. A system according to claim 1 or 16 characterised in that the accessory or accessory part includes an arm member for locating with the intermediate portion or the location means.

20. A system according to claim 1 9 characterised in that the arm member is movably mounted relative to a sleeve portion or the intermediate portion to allow the height or vertical position of the accessory or accessory part relative to the locating member and/or clamp means to be adjustable in use.

21. A system according to claim 1 characterised in that the accessory or accessory part includes any or any combination of workpiece support means, glide means, abutment or stop means, roller means, holder and/or tray means or workbench means.

22. A system according to claim 1 characterised in that the clamp means forms part of the system, a body portion of the clamp means has a plurality of different engagement positions for allowing engagement o f a locating member with one of said different engagement positions, said locating member protruding outwardly from the body portion in a sub stantially transverse or perpendicular direction.

23. A system according to claim 22 characterised in that at least three different engagement positions are provided on the body portion of the clamp means to allow engagement of a locating member in one of said at least three positions, said at least three different engagement positions spaced apart along a sub stantially longitudinal axis of the body portion of the clamp means.

24. A system according to claim 23 characterised in that the engagement po sitions include a pair of apertures located on substantially opposing sides of the body portion of the clamp means through which a locating member is slidably inserted in use.

25. A system according to claim 24 characterised in that the pair of apertures are substantially offset and/or non- aligned in respect of one another when viewed along a latitudinal axis of the clamp means.

26. A system according to claim 22 characterised in that the clamp means includes one or more support legs for supporting the clamp means on a surface in use and one or more engagement positions for a locating member is defined in said one or more support legs.

27. A system according to claim 22 characterised in that the clamp means is a foot operated clamp, a vice or workbench.

28. A system according to any preceding claim characterised in that the position of the locating member along the longitudinal axis of a body portion of the clamp means can be selected by a user, the position of the locating member transverse to a body portion of the clamp means can be selected by a user and the position of an accessory on the locating member can be selected by a user.

29. A method of using an accessory system for use with clamp means, said system including one or more locating members attachable to and/or mountable on a body portion of the clamp means in at least one position in use, said one or more locating members provided with location means thereon for location of an accessory therewith in use, characterised in that the method includes the step of adjusting the po sition of the locating member with respect to the clamp means when mounted therewith, selecting one of two or more different positions for mounting an accessory with the location member and/or mounting two or more accessory or accessory portions with the location member.