GB2166682A

GB2166682A - Folding work bench

Info

Publication number: GB2166682A
Application number: GB08427404A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward David Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-10-30
Filing date: 1984-10-30
Publication date: 1986-05-14
Also published as: GB2166682B; GB8427404D0

Abstract

The work bench, which is intended to be anchored to a wall or other rigid structure, comprises a solid work top 13 and a pair of folding legs 16. Pivotally mounted to the undersurface of the work top 13 is a pair of pivotable channel section securing brackets 17 having a pair of slots 21 each engaging with projections 20 from the legs, so as to restrain the work top from vertical movement. The brackets 17 fit snugly around the legs 16 so as to restrain the work top from horizontal movement. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Folding work bench The present invention relates to folding work benches.

Work benches have been used professionally for many decades, these being sturdy, heavy, immobile work benches. More recently, collapsible and portable folding work benches have been designed and these have sold on a very large scale. While such benches are very useful indeed, they do have one defect, which is, they are not secure against vertical movement and it is often necessary for the operator to put his weight on the work bench when using it for operations such as sawing and using a vice. I have now developed a work bench, which has some of the characteristics of the known immobile bench, and some of the characteristics of the known portable folding bench.

According to the invention, there is provided a work bench, intended to be anchored to a wall or other rigid structure, which comprises a solid work top which, in its operating position, is supported by a pair of sturdy folding legs; pivotably mounted to the pair of legs, or the undersurface of the work top, is a pair of pivotal channel section securing brackets capable of engaging with complementary formations in, respectively, the undersurface of the work top or the leg, so as to restrain the work top from vertical movement. The securing brackets, by virtue of the fact that they fit snugly around the folding legs, also restrain the work top from horizontal movement in use of the work bench.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pivotable securing bracket is pivotally mounted on support arms for the work top, and is provided with a pair of slots capable of engaging corresponding projections from the folding legs.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the work bench in its operational position; Figure 2 shows the work bench in its stowed position; Figure 3 illustrates the securing bracket in a operational position; b open position; c stowed position; Figure 4 shows in perspective a securing bracket used in the work bench of Figure 1 to 3.

Referring to the drawings the work bench comprises a sub-frame 10 which is anchored to a wall or other rigid structure; attached to its top rail 11 by means of angled hinges 12 is a folding work top 13; attached to the sides of the sub-frame supports 14 by means of straight hinges 15 are two folding legs 16.

In order to erect the work bench to its operational position the folding work top 13 is lifted from its stowed position (Figure 2) to its operational position (Figure 1) and held manually. Securing brackets 17 (pivotally mounted on pivot axes 19) are then swivelled outwards from their stowed position (Figure 3c) to their open position (Figure 3b). The folding legs are opened outwards from their stowed position (Figure 2) to line up vertically with bench support arms 18 to the work bench operational position (Figure 1).

The folding work top is released from the manually held position to rest on the folding legs 16 the securing brackets 17 are then swivelled to the fixed position Figure 3a, in which the brackets 17 fit snugly around respective legs 16. Projections 20 from the legs 16 slide into slots 21 in the brackets 17; the slots 21 and projections 20 are such that the work top 13 is held securely in use so as to restrain the latter from vertical movement.

To fold work bench back to its stowed position the steps described above are carried out in the reverse sequence.

As mentioned, the engagement of projections 20 in slots 21 restrains the work top 13 from vertical movement; the engagement of legs 16 in the channel section securing brackets 17 restrains the work top 13 and the legs 16 from horizontal movement.

Of course, it is not necessary for the bracket to be pivotally attached to the undersurface of the work top 13 (as illustrated it is attached at pivot axes 19 on support arms forming part of the undersurface); the brackets may alternatively be pivotally mounted on the legs 16 for engagement of slots 21 with projections provided in, say, support arms for the work top).

The projections 20 are typically in the form of screws into the legs; the legs 16 and the work top 13 are preferably of timber construction (preferably hardwood), while the channel section brackets 17 may be of metal or plastics material. Formed sheet metal is currently preferred. In some embodiments, the legs 16 may be of materials other than timber, for example, where weight is a consideration, the legs may be of metal (for example, box-section aluminium members).

1. A foldable work bench, which comprises a solid work top which is pivotable between a first position in which its working surface is substantially vertical and a second position in which said working surface is substantially horizontal, and a pair of legs each being pivotable between a foldedaway position and a position in which said legs can support said work-top, wherein the work bench is provided with a pair of channel section securing brackets each pivotably mounted either on one of said legs or on the undersurface of said work top, each of said brackets being capable of engaging with complementary formations in either the undersurface of the work top, in the case where the respective bracket is mounted on a leg, or the leg, in the case where the respective bracket is mounted on said undersurface, so as to restrain the work top from vertical movement.

2. A work bench according to claim 1, in which each of the brackets fits snugly around a respective leg so as to restrain the work top from horizontal movement.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Folding work bench The present invention relates to folding work benches. Work benches have been used professionally for many decades, these being sturdy, heavy, immobile work benches. More recently, collapsible and portable folding work benches have been designed and these have sold on a very large scale. While such benches are very useful indeed, they do have one defect, which is, they are not secure against vertical movement and it is often necessary for the operator to put his weight on the work bench when using it for operations such as sawing and using a vice. I have now developed a work bench, which has some of the characteristics of the known immobile bench, and some of the characteristics of the known portable folding bench. According to the invention, there is provided a work bench, intended to be anchored to a wall or other rigid structure, which comprises a solid work top which, in its operating position, is supported by a pair of sturdy folding legs; pivotably mounted to the pair of legs, or the undersurface of the work top, is a pair of pivotal channel section securing brackets capable of engaging with complementary formations in, respectively, the undersurface of the work top or the leg, so as to restrain the work top from vertical movement. The securing brackets, by virtue of the fact that they fit snugly around the folding legs, also restrain the work top from horizontal movement in use of the work bench.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pivotable securing bracket is pivotally mounted on support arms for the work top, and is provided with a pair of slots capable of engaging corresponding projections from the folding legs. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the work bench in its operational position; Figure 2 shows the work bench in its stowed position; Figure 3 illustrates the securing bracket in a operational position; b open position; c stowed position; Figure 4 shows in perspective a securing bracket used in the work bench of Figure 1 to 3. Referring to the drawings the work bench comprises a sub-frame 10 which is anchored to a wall or other rigid structure; attached to its top rail 11 by means of angled hinges 12 is a folding work top 13; attached to the sides of the sub-frame supports 14 by means of straight hinges 15 are two folding legs 16. In order to erect the work bench to its operational position the folding work top 13 is lifted from its stowed position (Figure 2) to its operational position (Figure 1) and held manually. Securing brackets 17 (pivotally mounted on pivot axes 19) are then swivelled outwards from their stowed position (Figure 3c) to their open position (Figure 3b). The folding legs are opened outwards from their stowed position (Figure 2) to line up vertically with bench support arms 18 to the work bench operational position (Figure 1). The folding work top is released from the manually held position to rest on the folding legs 16 the securing brackets 17 are then swivelled to the fixed position Figure 3a, in which the brackets 17 fit snugly around respective legs 16. Projections 20 from the legs 16 slide into slots 21 in the brackets 17; the slots 21 and projections 20 are such that the work top 13 is held securely in use so as to restrain the latter from vertical movement. To fold work bench back to its stowed position the steps described above are carried out in the reverse sequence. As mentioned, the engagement of projections 20 in slots 21 restrains the work top 13 from vertical movement; the engagement of legs 16 in the channel section securing brackets 17 restrains the work top 13 and the legs 16 from horizontal movement. Of course, it is not necessary for the bracket to be pivotally attached to the undersurface of the work top 13 (as illustrated it is attached at pivot axes 19 on support arms forming part of the undersurface); the brackets may alternatively be pivotally mounted on the legs 16 for engagement of slots 21 with projections provided in, say, support arms for the work top). The projections 20 are typically in the form of screws into the legs; the legs 16 and the work top 13 are preferably of timber construction (preferably hardwood), while the channel section brackets 17 may be of metal or plastics material. Formed sheet metal is currently preferred. In some embodiments, the legs 16 may be of materials other than timber, for example, where weight is a consideration, the legs may be of metal (for example, box-section aluminium members). CLAIMS

3. A work bench according to claim 1 or 2, in which each of the brackets is pivotably mounted to the undersurface of the work top and is provided with a pair of slots capable of engaging corresponding projections from said legs.

4. A work bench according to claim 3, in which said projections comprise screws or pins secured in said legs.

5. A work bench according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which said brackets are of formed sheet metal.

6. A work bench according to any of claims 1 to 5, in which the legs and the work top are of timber.

7. A work bench according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which the work top and the legs are anchored to a wall or other rigid structure.

8. A foldable work bench, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings.