GB2498511A - A workpiece support apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A workpiece support apparatus which is arranged to support a workpiece such as timber or a wooden log so that the piece can be safely cut or sawed to the required length by a single user. The workpiece support has a clamp arrangement 3, 6 for retaining a workpiece and a support structure for supporting the clamp arrangement. The support structure has a plurality of support legs 14, 15, 16 and a further support element 20 projecting from one of the support legs 14. The support element 20 has a workpiece supporting portion 22 for providing further support to the workpiece, which is configurable to be positioned in a plurality of different positions relative to the support leg 14. Preferably the support element is extensible, and the supporting portion is moveable in multiple planes. The supporting portion may also have a roller 30. An engagement arrangement 36 may be provided to allow the support element to slide along the leg 14, comprising an actuator and contact member to allow clamping at different positions, as well as a releasable locking element 39 to allow it to be folded flat against the leg.

Description

Workpiece Support The present invention relates to a workpiece support. In particular but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a support which is arranged to support a workpiece such as a log in order that the log can be safely cut to the required length.

GB2385556 describes a work support for supporting a workpiece which comprises a tripod including a clamp which is mounted for movement height-wise and a lock arrangement for locking the clamp in a desired position. Accordingly, an end portion of a workpiece may be held in position. The workpiece extends outwardly and can be, for example, cut to length. This apparatus secures a workpiece and thus prevents it from moving or falling when bcing cut.

In certain circumstances, however, it may be difficult for a user who may be a lone operator to manipulate the workpiece into position, for example, when the workpiece is of significant weight. Additionally, in some circumstances, the length of the workpiccc means that the clamp arrangement cannot sufficiently support the workpiece. The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problems.

According to the present invention there is a workpiece support comprising a clamp arrangement for retaining a workpiece and a support structure for supporting the clamp arrangement, the support structure comprising a plurality of support legs, the worlcpiece support further comprising a support clement projecting from a first support leg, the support clcmcnt having a workpiccc supporting portion for providing ffirthcr support to thc workpiece, the workpiece supporting portion configurable to be positioned in a plurality of different positions relative to the first support leg.

There are significant advantages associated with the present invention. As the workpiece supporting portion is configured to be positioned in a plurality of different positions relative to the first support leg, the workpiece supporting portion provides a support for the workpiece which enables workpieces of increased length and also weight to be manipulated. For example, a workpiece comprising a log of greater than 1 Sm in length may be a cut by a single user. Furthermore, a single user can manoeuvre such a large workpiece into position in the clamp arrangement by using the workpiece supporting portion as a guide dudng location onto the workpiece support.

S The workpiece supporting portion is preferably at a distal end of the support element. The proximal end of the support element is preferably secured in communication with the first support lcg.

The workpiece supporting portion is preferably spaced apart from the clamp arrangement.

This spacing or separation ensures that the workpiece receives sufficient support along its length.

The support element is preferably moveable such that the distance between the workpiece supporting portion and the clamp arrangement can be changed. The support element is preferably arranged to be moveable in at least one plane relative to the first support leg. It is beneficial that the distance between the workpiccc supporting portion and the clamp arrangement can be changed which accommodates workpieces of different lengths. In the case of log cutting, for example, this also ensures that the correct lengths can be cut without the user cutting into the workpiecc supporting portion.

The support element preferably comprises a first member and a second member, the first and second member extending parallel to each other wherein the second member is movcablc relative to the first member between an extended and contracted configuration.

The height of the support element can be effectively changed, again thereby accommodating workpieces of different lengths.

A securing arrangement is preferably provided for securing the second member relative to the first member in at least the extended configuration and preferably in a plurality of positions intermediate the contracted and extended configurations. This enables the support element to be mounted at different longitudinal positions along the longitudinal length of the first support leg meaning that the workpiece can be maintained in a generally horizontal configuration.

The workpiece supporting portion preferably comprises a roller and a retaining structure, the roller being arranged to rotate relative to the retaining structure.

A roller is preferably provided as this increases usability by assisting a user positioning the workpiece into the clamp arrangement. The present invention is designed to accommodate large workpieces of significant weight and length and a roller and corresponding retaining structure improve usability in this regard.

An engagement arrangement is preferably provided for engaging the support element with the first leg, the engagement arrangement enabling movement of the support leg in an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal length of the first leg. This provides a significant benefit in that the support element and thus the workpiece supporting portion are moveable in an axis substantially parallel to the longitudina' length of the first leg. Accordingly, different lengths of workpiece can be accommodated, however, the workpieces are always supported in a generally horizontal axis and importantly, supported such that the longitudinal axis of the first support leg projects in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the workpiece. The workpiece is therefore supported extremely well.

The engagement arrangement preferably includes a collar for sliding engagement with the support leg.

The engagement arrangement preferably includes an actuator and a contact member, wherein the contact member seats against the first support leg and the actuator communicates with contact member such that positioning the actuator in a close configuration causes clamping of the first support leg between a wall of the collar and the contact member. This provides the benefit that the actuator, such as a threaded screw, presses against the contact member and not directly into the first support leg.

The collar preferably extends about the peripheral edge of the first leg.

The workpiece supporting portion is preferably moveable between a raised configuration spaced away from the first support leg to a lowered configuration where the workpiece supporting portion is closcr to the first leg. The support element is preferably pivotally mounted relative to the first leg. The support element is preferably mounted to the engagement arrangement.

The support element preferably rotates in a substantially vertical plane.

A releasable locking element is preferably provided for securing the support element relative to the first support leg. The locking element is preferably retractable from the lockcd to a relcased configuration, and is preferably biased to thc locked configuration, preferably by a spring.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the workpiccc support according to an exemplary embodiment of thc present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a support element forming part of the workpiece support according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the engagement arrangement forming part of the support element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 there is an apparatus as generally provided in GB2385556 and comprises a clamp arrangement generally designated with reference numeral 2 arranged to receive a workpiece such as a log onto the lower clamp portion 3 between jaws 4. An upper clamp portion 6 is provided which is movcablc up and down upright 8. Both the lower and upper clamp portions 3,6 preferably include one or more protrusions 10 such as spikes arranged to communicate and retain the workpieee. In use the workpieee is placed onto the lower clamp portion 3 and the upper clamp portion 6 is lowered onto the workpiece. Upper clamp portion is locked into position via a rotatable handle assembly 12 which secures a collar of the upper clamp assembly 6 against the upright 8.

It will be appreciated that the present invention has been described with reference to a tripod however it will be appreciated that additional supporting legs may be provided. In the embodiment shown, the apparatus has a first leg which extends generally parallel to the workpiece when a workpiece is secured by the clamp assembly. The first leg 14 is of significantly greater longitudinal length than the second and third legs 15,16 in order to provide sufficient support for a workpiece which may be greater than I.5m in length. A tripod arrangement is beneficial as a tripod may be utilised on ground that is not flat. A ground engaging clement 18 is provided to accommodate uneven surfaces. Such ground engaging element 18 stabilises the tripod.

A support element generally designated reference numeral 20 includes a workpiece supporting portion 22 at a distal end of a support element 24. The workpiece supporting portion 22 is spaced apart from the clamp assembly such that effective support is provided for a workpiece both as the workpiece is manoeuvred into position and also once the workpiece is in position. The distance of the workpiece supporting portion from the clamp assembly is changeable meaning that different length workpieces may be manipulated.

This may be achieved by various adjustment mechanisms.

The height of the support clement is beneficially adjustable and is achieved by the provision of a first member 26a and a second member 26b, whereby the first member 26a is moveable relative to the second member 26b. The first member 26a is beneficially received by the second member 26b and is beneficially slidably engaged. A locking element 28 is provided which secures the first and second member relative to one another.

The workpiece supporting portion 22 is secured to an end of the first member 26a and extends generally transverse to the longitudinal length of the support element 24. The locking member 28 may comprise a biased pin that is biased to engage corresponding recesses provided in the first member 26a. Alternatively, the locking element 28 may provide a threaded boss having a knob for user actuation which includes a screwthread which again engages with the first member in order to secure the first member in position.

The locking element 28 is positioned spaced apart from the workpiece supporting portion 22. A suitable distance is 100mm as in the event that the workpiece supporting portion is utilised in ordcr to load a workpiece, and it is subscquently necessary to cut the work piece S then it may be beneficial to move the workpiece supporting portion 22 away from the workpieee. Tn this event an operators hand would not be injured by release of a locking element 28.

The workpiece supporting portion beneficially comprises a roller element 30 rotatably mounted relative to a support 32. Provision of a roller aids an operator in rolling a workpieee onto the workpieee support apparatus. The operator can then lock the workpiece in the jaws and drop thc workpiece supporting portion to draw the workpiece supporting portion away from the workpiece.

When the workpiece is loaded on the workpiece supporting as described above, the workpiece supporting portion 22 may be lowered away from the workpiece. It is further beneficial that the support element 24 incorporating the workpiece supporting portion further moves away from the workpiece in order to avoid communication with a saw, for example. Accordingly, as more clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3, a first end 34 of the second member 26b is secured to a collar 36. It is beneficial to provide a collar 36 which is moveable relative to the third leg 14 for reasons as described below. However, it will be appreciated that in one embodiment, the first end of the second member 26b could be secured directly to the first leg 14. With reference to the Figures 2 and 3, the first end 34 is hingedly mounted to the collar 36. In the embodiment shown, the support element 24 rotates about a pin 37 which extends through a first portion of the support element and through a corresponding support 38 extending from the collar 36. The collar preferably forms the engagement arrangement for engaging the support element with a first leg. In a preferred embodiment, the pin 37 extends through the support element 24 and also through the support 38. The engaging portion of the support element 24 is preferably provided with two parallel extensions effectively enclosing the support 38 therein. The support 38 further comprises an engagement portion 40 which is arranged to receive a locking member 39 shown in figure 1 but removed from figure 2 for clarity purposes. This locking member 39 extends through a projection 42, extending outwardly from the support element and receives a sprung-loaded locking pin for maintaining the support element in a generally upright configuration. Release of this locking pin through movement by an operator enables pivoting of the support element to a lowered configuration. This support S element 38 is angled such that when the first leg 14 is extended and the support element is moved to its upright configuration, then the locking member extends into the receiving portion 40 in order to maintain the support element substantially vertical. This ensures significant support for a workpiece.

The engagement arrangement or collar 36 is slidably engaged with the first leg 14. This means that workpieces of different lengths can be accommodated by moving the collar 36 with rcspcct to the first leg 14. As the collar is moved up the first leg 14, then accordingly the height of the workpieee supporting portion is reduced in order to maintain it in a substantially horizontal configuration. The collar preferably includes a first leg contact member 46 which is forced by screwthread knob 48 into communication with the first leg 14 thus ensuring that the collar 36 will not slip relative to the first leg 14.

The present invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that variations and modifications may be made without departing from scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims: I. A workpiece support comprising a clamp arrangement for retaining a workpiece and a support structure for supporting the clamp arrangement, the support structure S comprising a plurality of support legs, the workpiece support further comprising a support element projecting from a first support leg, the support element having a workpiece supporting portion for providing further support to the workpiece, the workpiece supporting portion configurable to be positioned in a plurality of different positions relative to the first support leg.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A workpiece support according to claim I, wherein the workpieee support portion is at a distal cud of thc support clemcnt.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A workpiece support according to any of claims I to 2, wherein the workpiece supporting portion is spaced apart from the clamp arrangement.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A workpiece support according to any preceding claim, wherein the support element is moveable such that the distance between thc workpiece supporting portion and the clamp arrangement can be changed.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A workpiece support according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support element is arranged to be moveable in at least one plane relative to the first support leg.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A workpiece support according any preceding claim, wherein the support element comprises a first member and a second member, the first and second member extending parallel to each other, wherein the second member is moveable relative to the first member between an extended and a contracted configuration.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A workpiece support according to claim 6, further comprising a securing arrangement for securing the second member relative to the first member in at least the extended configuration and preferably in a plurality of positions intermediate the contracted and extended configurations.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A workpiccc support according to any prcccding claim, whcrein thc worlcpiccc S supporting portion comprises a roller and a retathing structure, the roller arranged to rotate relative to the retaining structure.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A workpiece support according to any preceding claim, comprising an engagement arrangement for engaging the support element with the first leg, the engagement arrangement enabling movement of the support element in an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal length of the first leg.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A workpiece support according to claim 9, wherein the engagement arrangement includes a collar for sliding engagement with the first support leg.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A workpiece support according to claim 10, wherein the engagement arrangement includes an actuator and a contact member, wherein the contact member seats against the first support leg and the actuator communicates with contact member, such that positioning the actuator in a closed configuration causes clamping of the first support leg between a wall of the collar and the contact member.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A workpiece support according to any of claims 10 to 11, wherein the collar cxtcnds about the pcriphcral cdgc of the first leg.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A workpiece support according to any preceding claim, wherein the workpiece supporting portion is moveable between a raised configuration spaced away from the first support leg to a lowered configuration where the workpiece supporting portion is closer to the first leg.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A workpicce support according to claim 13, wherein the support element rotates in a substantially vertical plane.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A workpiece support according to any preceding claim, wherein the support element is pivotally mounted relative to the first leg.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A workpiecc support according to claim 9, wherein the support clement is mounted to the engagement arrangement.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A workpiecc support according to any of claims 13 to 16, comprising a releasable locking element for securing the support element relative to the first support leg.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A workpiece support according to claim 17, wherein the locking element is retractable flxm a locked to a released configuration, and is biased to the locked configuration.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A workpiece support as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>