GB2038172A - Saw blocks - Google Patents

Abstract

The elongate top of a saw block is supported at each end by a pivotal pair of legs, the pivot axis of one pair (left end) being lower than that of the other pair (right end). Each pair of legs are joined by a stretcher which limits the unfolding action of both pairs of legs, and the folding action of one pair of legs (right end). U shaped rods pivoting in the legs and clipping under the top prevent inadvertent collapse. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to saw-blocks This invention relates to saw-blocks.

It is well known for professional carpenters and amateur handymen to use saw-blocks to facilitate sawing operations. Traditionally such saw-blocks comprise a horizontal timber balk supported at a convenient height above the ground by splayed legs which ensure stability during sawing. The components of the saw-block are interconnected by groove and tongue joints and the construction of a sawblock is therefore a skilled carpentry operation. In consequence, the expense of fabricating traditional saw-blocks is prohibitive and no retail trade has been established in this product.

Afurther disadvantage of traditional saw-blocks is that they are bulky, particularly because of their splayed legs.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a saw-block having an elongate top supported at each end by legs which are pivotal to a position adjacent the top.

Preferably, the legs at one end of the top lie level with the top when folded. The pivot axis for the legs at the other end of the top is then preferably offset to a location belowthetop so that these legs overlie the first mentioned legs when both pairs of legs are folded.

The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of saw-block in accordance with the invention in an upright position; Fig. 2 is an end view of the saw-block looking from the left in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on the line Ill-Ill in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an underneath plan view of the saw-block in the folded condition, and Fig. 5 is a side view of the saw-block in the folded condition.

The exemplary saw-block comprises a timber balk supported at each end by a pair of legs. The two legs of each pair are downwardly divergent and the two pairs of legs also diverge downwardly so that their feet contact the ground at points lying beyond the ends of the timber balk as seen in plan view. This arrangement of the legs is traditional in saw-blocks and enhances the stability of the saw-blocks during sawing operations.

Each pair of legs is pivotal about a respective pivot axis defined by a pivot pin. In the case of the right hand pair of legs shown in Fig. 1 the respective pivot pin is shown in Fig. 3 as transversely penetrating the timber balk adjacent one end thereof. The pivot axis for the lefthand pair of legs shown in Fig. 1 is offset to a location below the timber balk and is defined by a respective pivot pin supported in two timber blocks screwed to the underside of the timber balk. By virtue of this arrangement, the pair of legs at the right hand end of the saw-block of Fig. 1 can be folded into a position in which they are flush with the timber balk as shown in Fig. 5. The lefthand legs fold into an overlapping position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.By suitably dimensioning the timber balk and the legs relative to each other a neat and attractive appearance of the saw-block in the folded condition is achieved.

Each pair of legs is strengthened by a respective stretcher in the form of a wooden board screwed to and extending between the legs of each pair. The upper edges of these boards serve as end stops for limiting the unfolding movement of the legs. In the case of the righthand pair of legs the wooden board defines the limit of the folding movement of the leg when it comes to lie on the underneath side of the timber balk.

Inadvertent collapse of the saw-block by inward folding of the legs during use is prevented by the provision of stays each of which consists of a metal rod bent into the shape of a U with outwardly directed limb ends pivotally engaging the two legs of a respective pair as best seen in Fig. 4. The bight portion of each stay is engageable in a respective spring clip forming part of a bracket centrally secured to the underside of the timber balk. In the folded condition of the saw-block the stays lie on the underneath surface of the timber balk. In the erected position of the saw-block the stays are disposed as shown in Fig. 1 to resist inward folding movement of the legs.

1. Each pair of legs are pivotal about a respective axis defined by a pivot pin, figures 1,2, and 3.

2. Afurther claim as claimed in claim 1. Each pair of legs are independantly joined by a timber or metal stretcher to prevent outward movement of the legs and to limit the unfolding and folding action of the legs by engaging on the underside of the timber baulk, figures 1. and 4.

3. Afurther claim as claimed in claim 1. Each pair of legs are prevented from inward movement by a U shaped metal rods pivoting in each pair of legs and engaging in a metal clip secured to the underside of the timber baulk. figures 1. and 3.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to saw-blocks This invention relates to saw-blocks. It is well known for professional carpenters and amateur handymen to use saw-blocks to facilitate sawing operations. Traditionally such saw-blocks comprise a horizontal timber balk supported at a convenient height above the ground by splayed legs which ensure stability during sawing. The components of the saw-block are interconnected by groove and tongue joints and the construction of a sawblock is therefore a skilled carpentry operation. In consequence, the expense of fabricating traditional saw-blocks is prohibitive and no retail trade has been established in this product. Afurther disadvantage of traditional saw-blocks is that they are bulky, particularly because of their splayed legs. It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages. According to the present invention there is provided a saw-block having an elongate top supported at each end by legs which are pivotal to a position adjacent the top. Preferably, the legs at one end of the top lie level with the top when folded. The pivot axis for the legs at the other end of the top is then preferably offset to a location belowthetop so that these legs overlie the first mentioned legs when both pairs of legs are folded. The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of saw-block in accordance with the invention in an upright position; Fig. 2 is an end view of the saw-block looking from the left in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on the line Ill-Ill in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an underneath plan view of the saw-block in the folded condition, and Fig. 5 is a side view of the saw-block in the folded condition. The exemplary saw-block comprises a timber balk supported at each end by a pair of legs. The two legs of each pair are downwardly divergent and the two pairs of legs also diverge downwardly so that their feet contact the ground at points lying beyond the ends of the timber balk as seen in plan view. This arrangement of the legs is traditional in saw-blocks and enhances the stability of the saw-blocks during sawing operations. Each pair of legs is pivotal about a respective pivot axis defined by a pivot pin. In the case of the right hand pair of legs shown in Fig. 1 the respective pivot pin is shown in Fig. 3 as transversely penetrating the timber balk adjacent one end thereof. The pivot axis for the lefthand pair of legs shown in Fig. 1 is offset to a location below the timber balk and is defined by a respective pivot pin supported in two timber blocks screwed to the underside of the timber balk. By virtue of this arrangement, the pair of legs at the right hand end of the saw-block of Fig. 1 can be folded into a position in which they are flush with the timber balk as shown in Fig. 5. The lefthand legs fold into an overlapping position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.By suitably dimensioning the timber balk and the legs relative to each other a neat and attractive appearance of the saw-block in the folded condition is achieved. Each pair of legs is strengthened by a respective stretcher in the form of a wooden board screwed to and extending between the legs of each pair. The upper edges of these boards serve as end stops for limiting the unfolding movement of the legs. In the case of the righthand pair of legs the wooden board defines the limit of the folding movement of the leg when it comes to lie on the underneath side of the timber balk. Inadvertent collapse of the saw-block by inward folding of the legs during use is prevented by the provision of stays each of which consists of a metal rod bent into the shape of a U with outwardly directed limb ends pivotally engaging the two legs of a respective pair as best seen in Fig. 4. The bight portion of each stay is engageable in a respective spring clip forming part of a bracket centrally secured to the underside of the timber balk. In the folded condition of the saw-block the stays lie on the underneath surface of the timber balk. In the erected position of the saw-block the stays are disposed as shown in Fig. 1 to resist inward folding movement of the legs. CLAIMS

1. Each pair of legs are pivotal about a respective axis defined by a pivot pin, figures 1,2, and 3.

2. Afurther claim as claimed in claim 1. Each pair of legs are independantly joined by a timber or metal stretcher to prevent outward movement of the legs and to limit the unfolding and folding action of the legs by engaging on the underside of the timber baulk, figures 1. and 4.

3. Afurther claim as claimed in claim 1. Each pair of legs are prevented from inward movement by a U shaped metal rods pivoting in each pair of legs and engaging in a metal clip secured to the underside of the timber baulk. figures 1. and 3.