GB2484256A

GB2484256A - Portable folding workbench

Info

Publication number: GB2484256A
Application number: GB1015447.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Dean Gibbens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-09-16
Filing date: 2010-09-16
Publication date: 2012-04-11
Also published as: GB201015447D0

Abstract

A portable folding workbench comprises a plurality of supports 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 which are hinged at alternate ends so that when deployed a separate workbench 31 may be placed on the upper ends. A locating pin 32a is provided to secure the workbench to the supports. A shelf system 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 is provided which is hinged at alternate ends and connecting to the first vertical support so that it is deployed at the same time as the supports and which reinforces the structure. A clamping device 50 may be attached to each end to fix the height of the bench.

Description

I

Title: Portable Workbench The present invention relates to a portable workbench.

It is often desirable to use a workbench when building, e.g. when a carpenter needs to cut long lengths of wood, cut sheet material, or work on doors. It is known to provide portable trestles or small workbenches, but these do not always provide a useful or big enough structure to work on.

The invention seeks a portable workbench which can collapse for transport and which provides a substantial bench when in use.

According to the present invention there is provided a portable workbench comprising: a) a base structure formed from at least four frames hinged sequentially together top and bottom to that they concertina from a first contracted position to a second expanded position, and b) a work top adapted to be supported on the top of each frame when the frames are in the second expanded position.

Preferably the worktop is formed from first and second work top components. Preferably the first and second worktops each connect to and slide on an end frame from a first position adjacent to a frame to a horizontal position on the top of the frames when the frames are in the second expanded position.

Preferably ties are provided between adjacent frames to limit hinged movement as the frames move from the first contracted position to the second expanded position. Preferably the ties are in the form of shelves hinged together which concertina together when the frames move to the first contracted position and concertina apart when the frames move to the second expanded position.

Preferably six frames are provided providing three pairs of tops of frames. Preferably the worktop is formed from first and second work top components and when in the second horizontal poison the join between the worktops is supported on the top of a middle pair of frames.

Preferably at least one top of the frames supports a vice device to hold length of material.

Preferably adjustable brackets are provided on the sides of at least one frame to support planar objects vertically.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the workbench in a second expanded position, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the workbench in a first contracted position, and Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the workbench in a position between said first and second positions.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a portable workbench 1.

Workbench 1 has a comprising a base structure formed from six generally rectangular frames 10,11,12,13,14,15. Frames 10,11,12,13,14,15 are hinged sequentially together top and bottom.

As shown, the top of frame 10 is hinged to the top of frame 11, the bottom of frame 11 is hinged to the bottom of frame 12, the top of frame 12 is hinged to the top of frame 13, the bottom of frame 13 is hinged to the bottom of frame 14, the top of frame 14 is hinged to the top of frame 15. Frames 10,11,12,13,14,15 can concertina from a first contracted position (see Figure 2) to a second expanded position (see Figure 1).

Ties are provided between adjacent frames to limit hinged movement as the frames move from the first contracted position to the second expanded position. The ties are in the form of rectangular shelves 20,21,22,23,24,25 hinged together which concertina together when the frames move to the first contracted position and concertina apart to form a flat bed when the frames move to the second expanded position (see Figure 1). Shelf 20 is a half size shelf pivoted at one edge to frame 10 about pivotal axis 20A. Shelf 21 is pivoted at its centre to frame 11 about pivotal axis 21A. Shelf 22 is pivoted at its centre to frame 12 about pivotal axis 22A. Shelf 23 is pivoted at its centre to frame 23 about pivotal axis 23A. Shelf 24 is pivoted at its centre to frame 24 about pivotal axis 24A. Shelf 25 is a half size shelf pivoted at one edge to frame 15 by pivotal axis 25A. Side edges of frame 10 have recessed slots lOA,1OB and side edges of frame 15 have recessed slots 1 5A,1SB.

A work top 30 is adapted to be supported on the three pairs of tops of the six frames 10,11 and 12,13 and 14,15 when the frames are in the second expanded position shown in Figure 1.

Worktop 30 is formed from first and second rectangular work top components 31,36. Worktop 31 has a pair of flanges 32,33 depending from opposing side edges each with an inwardly directed projection 32A,33A which engage in slots 1OA,1OB respectively. A pair of link pins 34A34B project from an end edge of worktop 31. Worktop 36 has a pair of flanges 37,38 depending from opposing side edges each with an inwardly directed projection 37A,38A which engage in slots l5A,1 SB respectively. A pair of link recesses 39A,39B project from an end edge of worktop 31. Worktops 3 1,36 can each slide on an end frame 10,15 from a first position adjacent to a frame (see Figure 2) to a horizontal position on the top of the frames (se Figure 1) when the frames are in the second expanded position. When in the horizontal posItion the join between the worktops is supported on the top of a middle pair of frames and the link pins 34A,34B engage in the link recesses 39A39B.

Workbench can be folded into the first contracted position shown in Figure 2 for transport and storage. Clips 40A,40B are provided to secure the workbench in the folded position. it can be unfolded into the second expanded position shown in Figure 2 when used as a workbench. In the second expanded position, the shelves 20,21,22,23,24,25 form a bed for storage of tools and the like as well as adding rigidity to the workbench.

When in the first contracted position, a four pins (not shown) may be provided to pass through holes (not shown) in an end of flanges 32,33,37,38 and through holes (not shown) in tops of frames 10 and 15 to secure the tops 31,36 to the frames 10,15 and prevent them from sliding relative to the frames 10,15. When in the second expanded position, the four pins may be provided to pass through holes in an end of flanges 32,33,37,38 and through holes (not shown) in the tops of frames 12 and 13 to secure the tops 31,36 to the frames 12,13 and prevent them from sliding relative to frames 12,13.

At least one top of the frames supports a vice device to hold length of material. The vice device may be in the form of a block 41 with a threaded shaft 42 which extends through the gap between hinged tops of pairs of frames and which supports a wing nut 43 which can be tightened to fix the block 41 to the tops of a pair of frames. The block can be used wedge material between the block and the projecting end at the top of the frames. It is envisaged that the vice device is particularly useful in holding lengths of timber which need cutting, e.g. when erecting stud walls.

Pairs of adjustable brackets 50 may be provided (only one bracket shown) on the sides of at least one frame to support planar objects vertically. Each bracket has a bracket body 51. Each bracket body has a top groove 52 to receive flange 32,33,37, or 38 and a bottom groove 53 to receive the bottom of a frame. A slot 54 in the bracket body to receive a pair of blocks 55 each with a threaded shaft 56 which extends through the slot 54 and which supports a wing nut 57 which can be tightened to fix the block 55 to the bracket body 51. The blocks can be used wedge material such as doors between the blocks. Alternatively the upper block may be removed and replaced with a "6-Clamp" to secure the top of material to the top of bracket body 51. This would allow material such as a door to project above the work top 3 1,36. It is envisaged that the bracket is particularly useful in holding doors vertically when working on a door edge, e.g. when planning a door edge or applying hinges or locks to a door edge.

The workbench of the invention may be made of any suitable material such as plastics, metal or wood. If made of plastics the hinged frames may be formed from inter-engaging castellations on the edges of the frames. The workbench when in the second expanded may typically have a worktop area of around 6ff x 3ff to take 8x4ft sheet material. If desired, extension worktops could be provided to fit adjacent worktops 31 and/or 36 to increase the overall worktop area.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example extensions could be added to the worktops to make the workbench longer and/or wider.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

VClaims 1. A workbench unit comprising means to concertina, incorporating a worktop comprising means to slide at an angled plane and pivot in a vertical plane relative to the attachment means, a shelf comprising means to pivot in a vertical plane relative to the attachment means, a unit incorporating a support and clamping device in the vertical plane comprising means to attach to the workbench, a clamping unit in the horizontal plain comprising means to attach to the workbench.
2. A workbench unit according to claim 1, in which the concertina means is provided by a hinge mechanism..
3. A workbench unit according to claim 1, in which the worktop sliding means and pivot in a vertical plane means is provided by a peg on the worktop engaged in a slot on the workbench leg.
4. A workbench unit according to claim 1, in which the shelf pivot means is provided by a hinge mechanism.
5. A workbench unit according to claim 1, incorporating a support and clamping device in the vertical plane which the attachment means to the workbench is provided by brackets at either end of the unit.
6. A workbench unit according to claim 1, in which the support and clamping device in the vertical plane is adjustable so that the degree of elevation can be varied.
7. A workbench unit according to claim 1, in which the support and clamping device in the vertical plane is detachable so that it can be stored in a non support and clamping position.
8. A workbench unit according to claim 1, incorporating a clamping unit in the horizontal plane which the attachment means to the workbench is provided by threaded spindle and nut.
9. A workbench unit according to claim 1, in which a clamping unit in the horizontal plane is r' adjustable in a horizontal plain.* r °
10. A workbench unit according to claim 1, in which the clamping unit in the horizontal plane is detachable so that it can be stored in a non clamping position. * * * ** * * .,* * * S..