| JP2005199372 | HOLDER FOR HAND TOOL |
| JP3490665 | PULL CORD LOCKING IMPLEMENT FOR MANUAL TOOL |
| JP10286787 | RACK |
Claims
[1] CLAIMS
1. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) for carrying a plurality of articles, the apparatus (1, 21, 71) comprising at least two members (2, 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 27, 72) being operably engaged to allow relative movement there between, at least one member (2, 23, 72) being formed for carrying two articles (100) and the members (2, 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 27, 72) being movable relative to one another between an article storage position where the members (2, 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 27, 72) are proximal one another and an in use position where free ends of the members (2, 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 27, 72) are separated from each other allowing user access to at least one article (100).
2. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one member (2, 23, 72) has two main article support surfaces (101).
3. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one member (2, 23, 72) is an elongate arm.
4. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one member (2, 23, 72) has protrusion means extending from each side of the member (2, 23, 72) for carrying an article (100) on each side of the member (2, 23, 72).
5. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the protrusion means (4, 24) extend outwardly from both sides of the member (2, 23, 72) at an oblique angle.
6. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two members (2, 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 27) are pivotally coupled together.
7. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one member (5, 25) comprises a rear cover member (5, 25) formed for at least partially encircling and displaying an article (100).
8. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in claim 7, wherein a second member (7, 27) comprises a front cover member (7, 27) formed for cooperating with the rear cover member (5, 25) for enclosing one or more articles (100) in the storage position.
9. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein hinge means (9, 14, 37, 36) are provided intermediate the at least two members (2, 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 27).
10. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein lock means (51) are provided intermediate the at least two members (2, 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 27).
11. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the rear cover member (5, 25) has a single protrusion means extending outwardly from an article support surface of the rear cover member (5, 25) at an oblique angle.
12. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one member (2, 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 27, 72) has means for carrying gloves.
13. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one member (2, 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 27, 72) has means for carrying tools for changing an article.
14. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least two members (72) are pivotally coupled to rack means (73).
15. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in claim 14, wherein one end of each member (72) is pivotally coupled to the rack means (73).
16. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein a clamp means (81) is provided to sandwich the free ends of the members (72) together in the storage position.
17. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein guard means (77) are provided on the free end of each member (72).
18. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in claim 17, wherein the guard means (77) comprises an arcuate barrier member (77) extending laterally from both article support surfaces of the member (72).
19. An apparatus (1, 21, 71) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus (1, 21, 71) has mounting means (61) for mounting the apparatus (1, 21, 71) to a rigid surface.
20. A member (72) for carrying articles (100), the member (72) having means (74, 70) for movably mounting the member (72) to another object and protrusion means (4) extending laterally from both sides of the member (72) for engaging the articles (100), the member (72) having guard means (77) on the end of the member (72) distal to the movable mounting means (74, 70).
21. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as show in the accompanying drawings.
22. A member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as show in the accompanying drawings. |
Description AN APPARATUS FOR CARRYING ARTICLES
[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying articles and in particular to an apparatus for storing and displaying circular saw blades to facilitate easy access to and storage of a range of blades.
[2] Since their development, circular saws have become one of the most useful and consequently one of the most widely used tools in industrial woodwork organizations as well as by tradesmen, especially carpenters working in the same field. Furthermore, a large percentage of DIY enthusiasts would have at least one circular saw in their workshop, garage or home because of their utility in a wide variety of DIY jobs. The circular saw works on the basic principle of securely mounting a circular saw blade on the drive shaft of the motor of a circular saw via a saw blade bore which extends through the centre of the circular saw blade. When an operator switches the motor of the circular saw on, the drive shaft spins the circular saw blade at high rpm's so that the rotating cutting edge of the saw blade easily cuts through any work piece which is offered up to it. A range of diameters of circular saw blades can be mounted on the same circular saw as well as a range of circular saw blades made of different materials to suit different cutting tasks.
[3] Sooner or later, the operators of circular saws, whether they are working in industry in large engineering companies, in private practice as tradesmen or as DIY enthusiasts all encounter the same problem when it comes to finding, changing and/or storing circular saw blades for their circular saws. The problem encountered is that there is no useful arrangement to store and display a range of circular saw blades having different diameters or materials such that separate circular saw blades can be individually accessed and stored whilst the circular saw blades remain in plain view of the operator. The current trend is that operators of circular saws will continue using a worn circular saw blade or will use an inappropriate saw blade rather than searching for a sharper saw blade or the correct saw blade type because the circular saw blades are generally stored in a haphazard way. Circular saw blades are commonly found lying around the workbench or still in packaging in workshop cupboards or drawers. The fact that the circular saw blades are out of sight or the saw blades are scattered in an unorganized way lends itself to inappropriate use of circular saw blades and consequently the circular saw. This can lead to shoddy workmanship and eventually to deterioration of the motor of the circular saw.
[4] Although the present invention is described in the main in relation to circular saw blades it will be appreciated that the apparatus can be used for any range of products which would be improved by central storage and display.
[5] It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problems of storage and display of circular saw blades or other articles to facilitate easy visual and physical access to a range of blades or articles for the operator.
[6] Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for carrying a plurality of articles, the apparatus comprising at least two members being operably engaged to allow relative movement there between, at least one member being formed for carrying two articles and the members being movable relative to one another between an article storage position where the members are proximal one another and an in use position where free ends of the members are separated from each other allowing user access to at least one article. Advantageously, the articles such as circular saw blades are stored on the apparatus in one location which can be adjacent a workbench or adjacent the mounting position of a circular saw or alternatively mounted on a wall and protruding there from for ease of storage of circular saw blades and ready access to circular saw blades by the operator and for increased visibility to encourage correct usage and replacement of worn blades.
[7] Preferably, at least one member is an elongate arm.
[8] Ideally, at least one member has two support surfaces for articles.
[9] Ideally, at least one member has protrusion means extending from both sides of the member for carrying an article on each side of the member.
[10] Ideally, the protrusion means extend outwardly from each side of the member at an oblique angle. Advantageously, the inclined protrusion means causes the article to slide into contact with an article support surface of the member stabilising the article in position against the member.
[11] Preferably, the protrusion means comprises a pair of hooks extending from opposing sides of the member in mirror image. Advantageously, the hooks extend at the same oblique angle of inclination and in the same direction which is upwards in use. The hooks ensure that the central bores of a pair of articles such as circular saw blades slide down the inclined surfaces of the hooks under gravity and are urged against the contact surfaces such as the main planar surfaces.
[12] Preferably, stabilising means is provided on at least one arm for stabilising the articles against the arms.
[13] Ideally, the stabilising means comprises magnet means spaced apart from the protrusion means to hold the article about at least one position.
[14] Ideally, at least two members are pivotally coupled together.
[15] Preferably, one member comprises a rear cover member formed for at least partially encircling and displaying an article.
[16] Ideally, the rear cover member comprises a circular plate member.
[17] Ideally, the rear cover member has a single protrusion means extending outwardly
from a article support surface of the cover member at an oblique angle.
[18] Ideally, a second member comprises a front cover member formed for cooperating with the rear cover member for enclosing one or more articles in the storage position.
[19] Preferably, the rear cover member and the front cover member are manufactured from any one of any suitable metal material, any suitable metal alloy material and any suitably rigid plastics material or any combination thereof.
[20] Ideally, the rear cover member and the front cover member are manufactured from high density polyethylene.
[21] Preferably, hinge means are provided intermediate the rear cover member and the front cover member.
[22] Ideally, one cover member has a first hinge member.
[23] Preferably, the first hinge member comprises a pair of spaced apart tubular lugs defining a pair of aligned through bores formed for receiving a hinge pin.
[24] Ideally, the other cover member has a second hinge member formed for operable engagement with the first hinge member.
[25] Preferably, the second hinge member also comprises a second pair of spaced apart tubular lugs defining a pair of aligned through bores formed for receiving the same hinge pin.
[26] In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises one elongate arm mounted intermediate the hinge members of the front cover member and the rear cover member. In this embodiment, the apparatus is capable of storing three articles such as circular saw blades, two on the elongate arm and one on the rear cover member.
[27] Preferably, the elongate arm has a hinge member at one end of the arm.
[28] Ideally, the elongate arm hinge member is a tubular hinge member having a through bore formed for receiving the hinge pin.
[29] Preferably, the tubular hinge member fits between the first and second pairs of spaced apart tubular lugs of the cover members so that all of the through bores are in substantial alignment for receiving the same hinge pin.
[30] In a second embodiment, the apparatus comprises two elongate arms mounted intermediate the hinge members of the front cover member and the rear cover member. In this embodiment, the apparatus is capable of storing five articles such as circular saw blades, two on each elongate arm and one on the rear cover member. Advantageously, an operator can easily separate the two elongate arms by pressing one arm away from the other arm using a small force applied by their hand. The required article such as a circular saw blade is then readily lifted off the hook of the elongate arm and is mounted onto the drive shaft of the circular saw. The circular saw blade which has been replaced can be located onto any empty hook.
[31] In the second embodiment, one cover member has a hinge member comprising a pair
of spaced apart lugs defining three pairs of aligned through bores formed for receiving three hinge pins. [32] In the second embodiment, the other cover member has a second hinge member formed for operable engagement with the first hinge member comprising a second pair of spaced apart tubular lugs defining a pair of aligned through bores formed for receiving a cover member hinge pin. [33] In the second embodiment, both elongate arms have a tubular hinge member having a through bore formed for receiving two different hinge pins. [34] Preferably, each tubular hinge member fits between one pair of aligned through bores formed in the spaced apart tubular lugs of the cover member having three pairs of aligned through bores. [35] Ideally, lock means is provided intermediate the rear cover member and the front cover member. [36] Preferably, the lock means is mounted between the cover members substantially opposite the location of the hinge means.
[37] Ideally, the lock means comprises a releasable snap fit locking arrangement.
[38] Preferably, the releasable snap fit locking arrangement comprises a releasable snap fit latch mounted on one cover and an aperture, ramp and catch member mounted on a mutually opposing location of the other cover member.
[39] Ideally, mounting means are provided for mounting the apparatus to a rigid surface.
[40] Preferably, the mounting means comprises a pair of angle brackets mechanically coupled to the rear cover member via apertures therein and to the rigid surface by fastening members.
[41] Ideally, one member has means for carrying gloves.
[42] Preferably, clamping members integrally formed with the front cover member are provided for releasably gripping an operator's gloves. Advantageously, the operator of a circular saw or other similar tool does not have to search for their gloves every time they have to change a circular saw blade or other article. [43] In a third embodiment, at least two members are movably and preferably pivotally coupled to rack means. [44] In the third embodiment, at least one member has protrusion means extending from each article support surface of the member for carrying an article on each support surface of the member. [45] Ideally, the protrusion means extend outwardly from the article support surfaces of the member at an oblique angle. [46] In the third embodiment, one end of each member is pivotally coupled to the rack means via hinge means. [47] In the third embodiment, each member has a hinge component at one end of the
member. [48] In the third embodiment, the rack has a plurality of hinge components spaced along the length of the rack for operable engagement with the hinge components on the end of each member.
[49] In the third embodiment, each member has guard means provided on their free ends.
[50] In the third embodiment, the guard means comprises an arcuate barrier element extending laterally from both article support surfaces of the member. Advantageously, the arcuate barrier member prevents sharp edges of articles such as circular saw blades hitting off children's heads as they run past the housed blades for example and also safeguards experienced users from accidental injury whilst changing blades. [51] In the third embodiment, clamp means is provided to sandwich the free ends of the members together in the storage position. [52] In the third embodiment, the clamp means comprises a flexible bracket releasably mountable onto the outermost members. [53] In the third embodiment, the apparatus has mounting means for mounting the apparatus to a rigid surface.
[54] Ideally, the articles are of the type having a bore.
[55] Preferably, the circular saw blades are of the type having a central bore.
[56] Preferably, the elongate arms comprise panel members. Advantageously, the panel members provide a flat substantially planar article support surface for the main planar surfaces of circular saw blades to be supported against.
[57] Ideally, the apparatus comprises means for changing an article, said means being releasably coupled to the apparatus. The article can be a saw blade of a circular saw. [58] Ideally, the arms of the apparatus are manufactured from any one of any suitable metal material, any suitable metal alloy material and any suitably rigid plastics material or any combination thereof. [59] Ideally, at least one arm has anti-abrasion means to prevent damage to the articles.
Advantageously, the anti-abrasion means prevents damage to articles such as circular saw blades as a result of insertion and/or removal of the blades. [60] Preferably, the anti-abrasion means comprises an anti-abrasion member to be fitted along at least a portion of one or more arms. [61] Ideally, the anti-abrasion member is a channel section fitted along a longitudinal edge of one or more arms.
[62] Ideally, one cover member is permanently secured to a vehicle.
[63] Advantageously, the cover members are useful when the apparatus is attached to a vehicle especially whilst the apparatus is being transported. The apparatus may be subjected to strong forces as a result of the movement of the vehicle and the case prevents the arms of the apparatus swinging open with the possibility of sharp blades
flying off the protrusion members and being damaged or more seriously injuring passengers in the vehicle. [64] Preferably, the front cover comprises a substantially circular plate member having a wall member protruding from the circumference of the circular plate member substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the circular plate member. [65] Preferably, the wall member and circular plate member define a cavity for receiving articles such as circular saw blades and for covering the edges of the blades in a storage position preventing an operator injuring themselves against sharp edges of the exposed blades. [66] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a member for carrying articles, the member having means for movably mounting the member to another object and protrusion means extending laterally from both sides of the member for engaging the articles, the member having guard means on the end of the member distal to the movable mounting means. [67] Ideally, the protrusion means extend outwardly from both sides of the member at an oblique angle. [68] In this further aspect of the invention, the member is the member described in the third embodiment. [69] The invention will now be described with reference to the ace ompanying drawings which show by way of example only, three embodiments of an apparatus for storing articles such as circular saw blades in accordance with the invention. In the drawings :- [70] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of apparatus for holding articles such as circular saw blades; [71] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of apparatus for holding articles such as circular saw blades; [72] Figure 3 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of apparatus for holding articles such as circular saw blades; [73] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a member of the third embodiment of apparatus for holding articles such as circular saw blades; [74] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of elongate arm of the first or second embodiment of apparatus for holding articles such as circular saw blades; [75] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of elongate arm of the first or second embodiment of apparatus for holding articles such as circular saw blades; [76] Figure 7 is an end view of a first embodiment of elongate arm of the first or second embodiment of apparatus for holding articles such as circular saw blades; [77] Figure 8 is an end view of a second embodiment of elongate arm of the first or second embodiment of apparatus for holding articles such as circular saw blades; [78] Figure 9 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of apparatus for holding
articles such as circular saw blades;
[79] Figure 10 is a detail view of protrusion members of the second embodiment of elongate arm; and
[80] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the inside of a front cover.
[81] Although the following detailed description is described in the main in relation to circular saw blades and circular saw blade holders, it will be appreciated that the holder can be used for any range of products/articles which would be improved by central storage and display.
[82] Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown an apparatus for carrying a plurality of articles indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 having at least two members 2 coupled together to allow relative movement between the members 2. At least one member 2 is formed for carrying two articles and the members 2 are movable relative to one another between an article storage position where the members 2 are proximal one another and an in use position where free ends of the members 2 are separated from each other allowing user access to one or more articles. Advantageously, articles such as circular saw blades 100, see especially Figures 9 and 10, are stored on the apparatus 1 in one location which can be adjacent a workbench or adjacent the mounting position of a circular saw or alternatively mounted on a wall and protruding there from for ease of storage of circular saw blades and ready access by the operator and for increased visibility to encourage correct usage and replacement of worn blades.
[83] Referring to the drawings and now to Figures 1, 5, 7, 9 and 10, at least one member 2 is an elongate arm 3 and this elongate arm 3 has protrusion members 4 extending from each main planar face 101 of the elongate arm 3 for carrying an article on each main planar face 101 of the arm 3. The protrusion members 4 extend outwardly from the main planar faces 101 of the elongate arm 3 at an oblique angle. The angle is in the range of 20° and 50° and is most preferably 30°. Advantageously, the inclined protrusion members 4 causes the articles which are circular saw blades 100 see Figure 9 and 10, to slide into contact with the main planar surface 101 of the elongate arm 3 stabilising the circular saw blades 100 in position against the elongate arm 3. The protrusion members 4 comprise a pair of hooks 4 extending from opposing main planar faces 101 of the elongate arm 3 in mirror image. Advantageously, the hooks 4 extend at the same oblique angle of inclination and in the same direction which is upwards in use. The hooks 4 ensure that the central bores of a pair of articles such as circular saw blades 100 slide down the inclined surfaces of the hooks 4 under gravity and are urged against the main planar surfaces 101 of the elongate arm 3. The inclination of the hooks 4 act to stabilise the circular saw blades 100 in position.
[84] Referring now to Figures 6 and 8, an alternative arrangement for stabilising circular saw blades 100 is shown. In this arrangement, stabilising members 103 are provided on
the arm 3 for stabilising the circular saw blades against the arms 3. The stabilising members 103 comprise magnets 103 spaced apart from the substantially orthogonally extending protrusion members 4 to hold the articles in place against the planar surface 101 of the elongate arm 3. The substantially orthogonally extending protrusion members 4 have a cap member 49 to prevent the circular saw blades 100 slipping off the end of the protrusion members 4. Both embodiments of elongate arm 3 have a length greater than the diameter of the largest circular saw blade 100 or the overall length of any article to be mounted on the arm 3 to ensure an operator can grip the end 105 of the elongate arm 3 with a circular saw blade 100 mounted thereon.
[85] Referring now to Figure 1, one member 2 comprises a rear cover member 5 formed for encircling and displaying an article and comprises a circular plate member 6. The rear cover member 5 has a single protrusion member 4 extending outwardly from an article support surface face of the cover member 5 at an oblique angle of between 20° and 50° and most preferably 30°, upwards in use. A second member 2 comprises a front cover member 7 formed for cooperating with the rear cover member 5 for enclosing one or more articles in the storage position. The rear cover member 5 and front cover member 7 are preferably manufactured from high density polyethylene. A hinge is provided intermediate the rear cover member 5 and the front cover member 7. The rear cover member 5 has a first hinge member 9 comprising a pair of spaced apart tubular lugs 10 defining a pair of aligned through bores 11 formed for receiving a hinge pin 12. The front cover member 7 has a second hinge member 14 formed for operable engagement with the first hinge member 9.
[86] The second hinge member 14 also comprises a second pair of spaced apart tubular lugs 15 defining a pair of aligned through bores 16 formed for receiving the same hinge pin 12.
[87] In the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 1 has one elongate arm 3 mounted intermediate the hinge members 9, 14 of the front cover member 7 and the rear cover member 5. In this embodiment, the apparatus 1 is capable of storing three articles such as circular saw blades, two on the elongate arm 3 and one on the rear cover member 5. The elongate arm 3 has an elongate arm hinge member 18 at one end of the arm 3. The elongate arm hinge member 18 is a tubular hinge member 18 having a through bore 19 formed for receiving the same hinge pin 12. The tubular hinge member 18 fits between the first 10 and second 15 pairs of spaced apart tubular lugs of the cover members 5, 7 so that all of the through bores 11, 16, 19 are in substantial alignment for receiving the same hinge pin 12.
[88] Referring to the drawings and now to the second embodiment shown in Figure 2 and
9, the apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 21 comprises two elongate arms 23 mounted intermediate hinge members of the front cover member 27
and the rear cover member 25. In this embodiment, the apparatus 21 is capable of storing five articles such as circular saw blades 100, see especially Figure 9, two on each elongate arm 23 and one on the rear cover member 25. Advantageously, an operator can easily separate the two elongate arms 23 by pressing one arm away from the other arm using a small force applied by their hand. The required article such as a circular saw blade 100 is then readily lifted off the hook 24 of the elongate arm 23 and is mounted onto the drive shaft of a circular saw. The circular saw blade which has been replaced can be located onto any empty hook 24. The hooks 24 of apparatus 21 also extend outwardly from the main planar faces 101 of the elongate arm 23 and the rear cover member 25 at an oblique angle of between 20° and 50° and most preferably 30°, upwards in use.
[89] In the second embodiment, the rear cover member 25 has a hinge member 37 comprising a pair of spaced apart lugs 28 defining three pairs of aligned through bores 29, 30, 31 formed for receiving three hinge pins 33, 34 and 35. The front cover member 27 see especially Figure 11 has a hinge member 36 formed for operable engagement with the rear cover member hinge member 37 comprising a pair of spaced apart tubular lugs 39 defining a pair of aligned through bores 40 formed for receiving cover member hinge pin 35. Both elongate arms 23 have a tubular hinge member 41 having a through bore 42 formed for receiving the hinge pins 33, 34. Each tubular hinge member 41 fits between one pair of aligned through bores 29, 30 formed in the spaced apart tubular lugs 28 of the rear cover member 25.
[90] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a lock arrangement 51 is provided intermediate the rear cover members 5, 25 and the front cover member 7, 27. The lock arrangement 51 is mounted between the cover members 5, 25, 7, 27 opposite the location of the hinge members 36, 37. The lock arrangement 51 is a releasable snap fit locking arrangement with a releasable snap fit latch 52 mounted on the front cover 7, 27 and an aperture, ramp and catch member 53 mounted on a mutually opposing location of the rear cover member 5, 25.
[91] A mounting arrangement 61 is provided for mounting the apparatus 1, 21 to a rigid surface. The mounting arrangement 61 is a pair of angle brackets 62 mechanically coupled to the rear cover member 5, 25 via apertures 63 therein and to the rigid surface by nuts 64 and bolts 65. The front cover members 7, 27 have attachment members 111 see especially Figures 9 and 11 for carrying gloves provided by clamping members 111 integrally formed with the front cover members 7, 27. Advantageously, the operator of a circular saw or other similar tool does not have to search for their gloves every time they have to change a circular saw blade or other article. The apparatus 1, 21 has magnetic attachment members 68 for attaching the likes of spanners and/or an alan key for a chuck to allow an operator to readily change a circular saw blade.
[92] Referring to the drawings and now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a third embodiment of apparatus for carrying articles indicated generally by the reference numeral 71 where six members 72 are pivotally couplable to a rack 73. One end of each member 72 is pivotally couplable to the rack 73 via a hinge component 74. In the specific embodiment shown, the hinge component 74 has a pair of paced apart tubular members 79 each having a through bore 70 in alignment with each other. The rack 73 has six hinge components 75 spaced along the length of the rack 73 also having pair of paced apart tubular members 90 each having a through bore 91 in alignment with each other for operable engagement with the hinge components 74 on the end of each member 72. In use, the hinge component 74 on the end of each member 72 is offered up to a hinge component 75 along the rack 73 until the through bores 70, 91 in the hinge components 74, 75 are in alignment. A hinge pin is dropped into the apertures 70, 91 to secure each member 72 onto the rack 73.
[93] Each member 72 has a guard device 77 provided on its free end 78. The guard device
77 is an arcuate barrier element 77 extending laterally from both main planar surfaces of the member 72 a sufficient depth to cover the thickness of a circular saw blade for example. Advantageously, the arcuate barrier element 77 prevents sharp edges of articles such as circular saw blades hitting off children's heads as they run past the housed blades and also safeguards experienced users from accidental injury whilst changing blades. The arcuate barrier element 77 is supported at one end by the free end
78 of the member 72 and about the other end by a support member 94 extending laterally from and coplanar to the member 72. The support member 94 has a ruler 95 indicating the size of articles housed on the member 72. Either embodiment of protrusion member 4 shown in Figures 5 or 6 can be used with this member 72 although the inclined protrusion member 4 is shown here. A handle 96 is provided on each member 72 for readily moving the member 72.
[94] A clamp element 81 is provided to sandwich the free ends 78 of the members 72 together in the storage position. The clamp element 81 comprises a u-shaped bracket 82 movably mounted on the rack 73 about pivot mounting points 85 allowing the bracket 82 to be raised or lowered relative to the members 72 to allow them to be spread apart. Alternatively, a flexible bracket simply releasably mountable onto the outermost members 72 is provided avoiding the requirement for mounting the bracket 82 onto the rack 73. In the third embodiment, the apparatus 71 has mounting members such as nuts and bolts for mounting the apparatus 71 to a rigid surface.
[95] The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention
in diverse forms thereof as outlined in the appended claims.