GB2376914A

GB2376914A - Workpiece support

Info

Publication number: GB2376914A
Application number: GB0213883A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ralph Walter Horrocks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-20
Filing date: 2002-06-18
Publication date: 2002-12-31
Also published as: GB0114982D0; GB0213883D0

Abstract

A workpiece support 10 comprises a plurality of generally rectangular frames 12 pivotally connected at common sides 18, whereby the frames are orientable relative to each other to form a configuration suitable for supporting a selected workpiece. The sides of the frames may be tubular and may have tubular extensions 20 which are lockable in an extended position. The frames may be provided with clamping jaws (34, Fig. 4A) for fixing to the workplace.

Description

Title : Workpiece support DESCRIPTION This invention concerns a workpiece support.

Various types of portable workbenches are available but they all have the drawback of being inadequate for supporting large workpieces, such as doors either laid flat or on an edge.

An object of this invention is to provide a workpiece support that is capable of supporting larger workpieces.

According to the present invention there is provided a workpiece support comprising a plurality of generally rectangular frames pivotally connected at common sides, whereby the frames are orientable relative to each other to form a configuration suitable for supporting a selected workpiece.

The frames each have a top rail, bottom rail and common sides except at ends of the support. Except at ends of the support, the top and bottom rails of each frame are preferably pivotally mounted on a side that is common to adjacent frames. Ideally the sides of the frames are circular in section and are preferably tubular. The support of the invention may be folded up with adjacent frames overlying each other for ease of storage and transportation.

Each side rail preferably includes a lockable telescopic extension. The extensions preferably have resilient material tops to prevent damage to workpieces thereon. The pivoting connections of the frames are preferably friction resistant to pivoting movement, so that the support can be arranged to a

desired configuration and be held. For example, spring washers or the like may be provided between top rails and between bottom rails mounted on the same common side. Additionally or alternatively, the pivoting connections of the frames may be lockable.

The support of the invention may be arranged with the frames in vertical planes in line, angled relative to each other or in a combination thereof. Alternatively, the frames may be arranged in transverse planes with side rails of two or more frames contacting the ground. Preferably the support comprises four generally rectangular frames pivotally joined end to end in a line.

Sides of the frames may be provided with clamping means thereon. The preferred clamping means comprises first and second jaw members mounted on a side rail. One of the jaws may be fixed and the other movable relative thereto. Alternatively, both jaws may be relatively movable on the side rail. Preferably the jaws have protective covers or coatings thereon to avoid damaging a workpiece held thereby. Protective covers or coatings may also be on ends of the jaws to protect workpieces supported on ends of the jaws. One of the jaws may have a height adjustable foot facing the other jaw for fine adjustments and quick release of workpieces. The foot is preferably screw threadedly adjustable.

This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a workpiece support according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the workpiece support of Figure 1 with raised extensions;

Figure 3 shows detail of the workpiece support of Figures 1 and 2 with clamping jaws added; Figures 4A and 4B are top and side views of one clamping jaw; Figures 5A and 5B are top and side views of the other clamping jaw; and Figures 6 to 11 show examples of configurations for the workpiece support of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a workpiece support 10 comprises four open rectangular frames 12 joined end to end at their sides.

Each frame 12 has a top rail 14, a bottom rail 16 and sides 18. The sides 18, except at ends of the support, are common to two adjacent frames. The frames are pivotable relative to each other, so that the support can be configured in a variety of ways, which will be described later. Each common side 18 has top and bottom rails 14,16 respectively of adjacent frames pivotally mounted thereon. Thus, the top and bottom rails of one frame overlie the top and bottom rails respectively of the adjacent frame at the common side. Between the top rails 14 and between the bottom rails 16 at this point are spnng washers 24. Upper and lower ends of the sides 18 are externally screw threaded and have thereon correspondingly screw threaded upper and lower locking rings 26,28, whereby two adjacent frames can be locked in a desired relative position. The support 10 can be folded flat by overlaying adjacent fames on each other, so that the support is easy to transport and store.

The side members 18 are tubular and have telescopic extension tubes 20 fitted therein. The extension tubes 20 have a rubber pad or ring 21 on their free

ends. Each side of a frame 12 also has a foot 22 that is in the form of a rubber ring or pad.

The top of each side member 18 has a compression fitting 30 and a locking ring 32 thereon for locking the extension tube 20 at a desired extension.

The upper locking ring 26 acts against the compression fitting to lock adjacent frame top rails against relative movement and the lower locking ring acts against a foot 22 in respect of the adjacent frame bottom rails Side members 18 can have attached thereto clamping jaws 34, 36, which are movable up and down the side member to vary the clamping space according to the workpiece. First clamping jaw 34 (see Figures 4A and B) comprises two parts 38,40 that are mounted on opposite sides of the side member 18 and drawn together by locking screws 42, 44. The two parts 38,40 have semi-circular section slots 46,48 near one end thereof to fit either side of the side member 18. At their free ends, the two parts 38,40 have a protective covering 50 thereon, such as of rubber or synthetic elastomeric material The protective covering extends not only on the side of the jaw facing the other clamping jaw 36 but also onto the end of the clamping jaw 34, so that it can also provide a support point for a workpiece. The two parts 38,40 have second smaller semi-circular slots 52,54 intermediate their ends to form a passage 56 for fitting of an extension bar, if required.

The other clamping jaw 36 is similar to clamping jaw 34 except for the addition of a fine adjustment means in the form of a screw 58 through a bush 60 near the free end of the clamping jaw. The screw has on its end facing the other

jaw 34 a foot 62 with a protective cover 64 thereon, such as of rubber or synthetic elastomeric material. A protective pad 51 is also provided on the end of the clamping jaw 36, again to provide another workpiece support point. At its other end the screw has a knob 66 for adjustment of the screw.

The two clamps 34,36 can be spaced apart by a desired distance to accommodate a particular workpiece and the screw 58 used to fix the workpiece finally and for quick release thereof.

The workpiece support 10 can be used in a variety of configurations depending on the workpiece to be supported and the work to be carried out thereon. Figures 1 and 2 show the support on its frame bottom rails, in Figure 1 without the extension being used and in Figure 2 with the extensions raised to provide a higher platform. The frames are arranged in a generally Wconfiguration, which is both stable and provides support over a reasonable length.

In Figure 6 of the drawings, the support 10 is again given a Wconfiguration but is floor mounted on sides of alternate frames. In Figure 7 of the drawings, the support has been inverted from the configuration of Figure 6 to give an M-configuration.

Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings show the support again in configurations where the frames are floor mounted on their bottom rails. In Figure 8 an Lshaped configuration is shown and in Figure 9 a U-shaped configuration.

Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings shoe the support 10 again in a Ushaped configuration but floor mounted on sides of frames, in Figure 10 as a Ushape and in Figure 11 as an inverted U-shape.

Workpieces can be rested on the pads 21 when the support has its frames vertical and can be rested on both the pads 21 and the feet 22 when the support has side members floor mounted.

It will be appreciated that the workpiece 10 may be arranged in many more different configurations to support a variety of workpieces In different orientations even without the use of clamping jaws. With the use of the clamping jaws, the workpiece support 10 can be even more versatile.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A workpiece support comprising a plurality of generally rectangular frames pivotally connected at common sides, whereby the frames are orientable relative to each other to form a configuration suitable for supporting a selected workpiece.
2. A workpiece support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frames each have a top rail, bottom rail and common sides except at ends of the support.
3. A workpiece support as claimed in claim 2, wherein except at ends of the support, the top and bottom rails of each frame are pivotally mounted on a side that is common to adjacent frames.
4. A workpiece support as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the sides of the frames are circular in section.
5. A workpiece support as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sides of the frames are tubular.
6. A workpiece support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support is foldable with adjacent frames overlying each other.
7. A workpiece support as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein each side rail includes a lockable telescopic extension.
8. A workpiece support as claimed in claim 7, wherein the extensions have resilient material tops to prevent damage to workpieces thereon.
9. A workpiece support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein pivoting connections of the frames are friction resistant to pivoting movement.

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10. A workpiece support as claimed in claim 9, wherein spring washers or the like are provided between top rails and between bottom rails mounted on the same common side.
11. A workpiece support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pivoting connections of the frames are lockable.
12. A workpiece support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising four generally rectangular frames pivotally joined end to end in a line.
13. A workpiece support as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein sides of the frames are provided with clamping means thereon
14. A workpiece support as claimed in claim 13, wherein the clamping means comprises first and second jaw members mounted on a side rail.
15. A workpiece support as claimed in claim 14, wherein one of the jaws is fixed and the other movable relative thereto.
16. A workpiece support as claimed in claim 14, wherein both jaws are relatively movable on the side rail.
17. A workpiece support as claimed in claim 14,15 or 16, wherein the jaws have protective covers or coatings thereon to avoid damaging a workpiece held thereby.
18. A workpiece support as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein protective covers or coatings are provided on ends of the jaws to protect workpieces supported on ends of the jaws.

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19. A workpiece support as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein one of the jaws has a height adjustable foot facing the other jaw for fine adjustments and quick release of workpieces.
20. A workpiece support as claimed in claim 19, wherein the foot is screw threadedly adjustable.
21. A workpiece support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.