GB2359040A

GB2359040A - A transportable workbench

Info

Publication number: GB2359040A
Application number: GB0002833A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Manning
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-02-09
Filing date: 2000-02-09
Publication date: 2001-08-15
Also published as: GB0002833D0

Abstract

A transportable workbench comprises a work surface with at least two locations on the work surface being adapted to receive and retain a power tool. The workbench also comprises an adjustable stop means, eg fence 13, demountably attached to the workbench relative to each location to enable a workpiece in contact with the stop means to be machined by way of a power tool retained at one of the locations. Each location may have a recess or aperture adapted to demountably receive a plate to which a powered tool can be secured. The power tool may be a router with cutting head 17, a circular saw with blade 18, a jig saw with cutting head 20, a plane 31, a belt sander 36, a drill, an air extraction device for removing dust or filings, or a light.

Description

2359040 1 This invention relates to a workbench. It is particularly

concerned with a transportable workbench to which a power operated tool can be demountably attached to facilitate use of the tool at a temporary location. Such a workbench provides a stable location for the power tool.

According to the present invention there is provided a transportable workbench comprising: a work surface; at least two locations on the work surface each location being adapted to receive and retain a powered tool and an adjustable stop means demountably attached to the workbench relative to each location to enable a workpiece while in contact with the stop means to be machined by way of a powered tool retained at one of the locations.

According to a first preferred version of the present invention each location comprises a recess or aperture adapted to receive demountably a plate to which a powered tool can be secured so that when the plate on which the powered tool is mounted in the location the powered tool is presented relative to the work surface to enable the tool to provide a machining operation on a workpiece positioned on, or by means of, the work surface.

According to a second preferred version of the present invention or of the first preferred version thereof the bench is equipped with an electrical coupling means to which a power tool retained on the workbench can be demountably attached. Typically the electrical coupling means includes switch means whereby a power tool attached to the coupling means can be electrically isolated from a source of electrical power attached to the coupling. In addition the electrical coupling means can include a voltage or current sensitive device adapted so that in the event operation of a power tool attached to the coupling means, and thereby to a source of electrical power, results 2 in an operating voltage or current or a rate of change of operating current or voltage exceeding a predetermined value then the sensitive device acts to cause isolation of the power tool from the source of electrical power.

According to a third preferred version of the present invention or of any preceding preferred version thereof at least two of the locations are equipped with power tools to provide a first and a second work stations; the workstations being juxtaposed so that machining of a workpiece can be carried out sequentially with a first machining stage at the first work station; and a second machining stage at the second work station. Typically the positioning of a workpiece for, or during, machining at a work station., or transferring a workpiece between the first and second work stations, is regulated by way of the stop means.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing of a work bench of which the sole figure is a perspective view of an upper part of the bench.

Work bench 11 comprises a work top 12, with a back plate B, mounted on a folding leg frame which for the sake of clarity is omitted from the drawing to avoid undue complexity.

The work top 12 includes three locations V1, V2, V3 extending through it. Each location V1-V3 includes a vertical aperture and is adopted to demountably receive and retain a powered tool by way of a mounting plate as will be described hereafter.

Work fence 13 has end 13A located on the bench 11 by way of a clamp 14. The end 13 can be displaced along side 15 of work top 12 to allow for ready variation in, and securing of, position of the fence 13 on the work top 12.A given position ca., n. if necessary, be established or identified with reference to scale S1. The fence '13 is 3 similarly equipped at end 13B with a clamp 16 for establishing the position of the end 13B if necessary with reference to scale S2.

Locations V1V3 each comprise an aperture through work top 12 in which a metal plate (respectively plates P1-P3) can be demountably attached so that the upper surface of each plate Pl-P3 is flush with the upper surface of work top 12.

Location V1 is fitted with plate P1 which has mounted on it a router (lying mainly beneath the plate PI) whose cutting head 17 is shown projecting above work top 12. The router is coupled to a power supply block S located beneath the work top 12. The supply unit S is coupled to a mains power supply by cable 19. The power supply to and from block S can be regulated by buttons 21.

Location V2 is fitted with plate P2 which has mounted on it a circular saw (lying beneath the plate P2) whose saw blade 18 is shown projecting above work top 12. The saw is powered by way of the power supply block S.

Location V3 is fitted with plate P3 which has mounted on it a jig saw (lying beneath the plate P3) whose cutting head 20 is shown projecting above work surface 12. The jig saw is powered by way of the power supply block. S.

BACK PLATE B The back plate B has two locations H1, H2 each adapted to demountably receive and retain a powered tool by way of a mounting as will be described hereafter.

Location H1 is fitted with a mounting 30 for the demountable retention of a plane 31 whose cutting rotor 32, rotatable about vertical axis Al, can be varied in its degree of projection into side area of the work top 12 by means of controls on the plane 31. The plane is coupled to the power supply block S.

4 Location H2 is fitted with a mounting 35 for the demountable retention of a belt sander 36 whose sanding belt 37 projects into the side area of the work top 12.

The proposed work bench 11 provides for the ready mounting of a plurality of power tools on a rigid work top so that they can be used separately or more usually in combination in a selected workplace. The fence 13 can readily be positioned and secured so as to be usable to align a workpiece with any one or more of the power tools located in any of the positions provided in locations V1 to V3 and /or 1-11, H2.

In addition the fence 13, with any other added guides can be used to facilitate a sequence of operations involving the transfer of a work piece from a first machining operation carried out by a power tool at one location to a second location for a further machining operation. If necessary further or alternative guide members can be added to facilitate the carrying out of machining operations on a work piece. Typically the work top can be equipped with a pattern of slots, holes or recesses to provide for the optimal alignment of a work piece on any part of the work top 12.

The invention is not limited to the power tools described in the exemplary embodiment. Typically a drill stand can be incorporated to enable a drill to be accurately aligned with a workpiece. Indeed any power tool which can usefully be located to present a tool or tools to a support surface provided by the work bench for operation on a work piece can be readily accommodated in the work bench of the present invention.

The term 'power tool' is to be interpreted widely. It includes devices such as sources of compressed air to help blow clear the work top or items or nearby locations being worked on. It can include an air extraction device for drawing dust, chips, filings or other waste material from the working area which can become intrusive particularly when more than one tool is in use. Lighting can also be provided.

The work bench of the present invention provides a major safety benefit in ensuring that electrical power and its control dealt with in a safe manner which can be particularly significant in the context of portable tooling. Apart from providing for the safe alignment of power cables supplying the individual tools from a central power supply block it also provides for a single clearly evident switch to be operable to isolate all the power tools when in use. Thus a passer-by while having no clear idea of what is in use and how controlled can, in the event of an accident to a user of the work bench, can by operating a clearly marked button isolate the workbench from a mains power supply.

6

Claims

A transportable workbench comprising: a work surface; at least two locations on the work surface the each location being adapted to receive and retain a powered tool and an adjustable stop means demountably attached to the workbench relative to each location to enable a workpiece while in contact with the stop means to be machined by way of a powered tool retained at one of the locations.

A workbench as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each location comprises a recess or aperture adapted to receive demountably a plate to which a powered tool can be secured so that when the plate on which the powered tool is mounted in the location the powered tool is presented relative to the work surface to enable the tool to provide a machining operation on a workpiece positioned on, or by means of, the work surface.

A workbench as claimed in any preceding claim equipped with an electrical coupling means to which a power tool retained on the workbench can be demountably attached; the coupling being adapted for attachment to a source of electrical power.

A workbench as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the electrical coupling means includes switch means whereby a power tool attached to the coupling means can be electrically isolated from a source of electrical power attached to the coupling.

A workbench as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the electrical coupling means includes a voltage or current sensitive device adapted so that in the event operation of a power tool attached to the coupling means, and thereby to a source of electrical power, results in an operating voltage or current or a rate of 7 change of operating current or voltage exceeding a predetermined value then the sensitive device acts to cause isolation of the power tool from the source of electrical power.

6 A workbench as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawings.

A workbench as claimed in any preceding claim wherein two of the locations are equipped with power tools to provide a first and a second work stations; the workstations being juxtaposed so that machining of a workpiece can be carried out sequentially with a first machining stage at the first work station; and a second machining stage at the second work station.

8 A workbench as claimed in Claim 7 wherein positioning of a workpiece for, or during, machining at a work station, or transferring a workpiece between the first and second work stations, is regulated by way of the stop means.