Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a jig for use with a circular power saw, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the jig could be used with any manually operated or electrically powered tool, such as for example, an electric drill, jigsaw, router, planar, dowel joiner, angle grinder, biscuit joiner, sanding machine and/or the like.

Conventionally, if a user wishes to cut a workpiece, such as a length of timber, with a circular power saw, they would typically use a conventional workbench in the form of a table, having a substantially horizontal support surface with one or more support legs for supporting the horizontal surface at a pre- determined height. Clamping means, such as vices, can be provided on the workbench to clamp the workpiece, if it is relatively small, to prevent movement of the workpiece during use of the saw. Larger workpieces are typically balanced on the horizontal support surface with the user supporting the article using their hand and/or body weight to clamp the article in a required position, whilst they use their other hand to operate the saw.

A problem with the above arrangement is that it is typically unstable and it may be awkward for a user to position themselves relative to the wood to both support and cut the wood simultaneously. In addition, since the user typically bears the entire weight of the saw they may quickly become fatigued which may limit the time period for which the user can operate the saw for. Furthermore, if a user accidentally drops or loses control of the saw, this may result in injury to the user.

Further problems are that conventional workbenches are typically restricted to supporting workpieces in a substantially horizontal plane and for allowing use of the saw in said substantially horizontal plane and, as such, are of only limited use. They typically require a large surface area for their use, particularly when workpieces being supported thereon are also large. Thus, conventional workbenches are often not usable in confined spaces, such as for example, at the location at which the work on the workpiece is required. Full and free access of a user to the workbench may also be restricted.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a jig for use with one or more tools which overcomes the abovementioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a jig, said jig including location means for allowing selective location of a tool therewith, and support means for supporting one or more items which are required to be worked on using the tool in a required position in use, and wherein the location means is capable of undergoing movement longitudinally of the jig to bring at least a portion of the tool located therewith into contact with the items for work to be performed on the items in use.

Thus, the jig supports both the tool and the one or more items or workpiece in use and allows movement of the tool relative to the workpiece, thereby reducing the fatigue experienced by a user using the jig since the user is not required to support the entire weight of the tool. In addition, the jig of the present invention increases the ease with which a user can work on the item supported on the jig using the tool and also reduces the risk of injury to a user as a result of the tool slipping or being dropped during use.

Preferably the location means is movably mounted on the jig for recti-linear movement in a substantially vertical plane in use.

The distance through which the location means is movable typically depends on the size of the one or more items supported on the jig.

In one embodiment the location means is resiliently biased in a direction away or opposite from the support means. In use a user is required to overcome the resilient bias of the location means to move the same and thus the tool towards the workpiece supported on the support means.

In an alternative embodiment, the location means is movable under gravity due to the weight of the tool and location means.

In this embodiment, the tool could be moved towards the one or more items on the support means automatically without the requirement of further movement means, thereby increasing the ease with which the apparatus can be used and reducing the energy required by the user to operate the tool. However, in practise, a user may wish to manually control the movement of the tool for safety reasons and to ensure accuracy of the work being undertaken.

Preferably handle means are provided on the tool and/or location means for controlling movement of the same in use. A user typically grips the handle means to guide movement of the tool and to prevent any rapid movement of the tool, particularly after the item being worked on is cut in two if the tool is a saw.

Preferably the jig includes a frame and the location means is movably mounted on said frame for movement relative thereto in use. The support means can be attached to the frame, integrally formed therewith, or provided separately to the frame.

Further preferably one or more guide rails or channels are provided on or integrally formed with the frame for guiding movement of the location means in use. A portion or portions of the locations means is slidably mounted in or on the guide rails or channels for movement therealong.

In a preferred embodiment two guide rails are provided at spaced intervals apart and along at least a part of the longitudinal axis of the jig to allow movement of the location means in a substantially vertical plane.

Preferably movement means are provided in association with said support means, thereby allowing the one or more items to be easily moved onto, off and relative to the support means.

The movement means can include one or more rollers, ball bearings and/or the like. The movement means are typically located on an upper surface of the support means, and preferably either side of the guide rails and/or location at which the tool will work on the items supported on the jig in use.

Preferably clamping means are provided on the jig for supporting the one or more items in a required position in use, thereby preventing any movement of the items during working which may reduce the accuracy of the work being undertaken.

The clamping means can be provided either side of the guide rails and/or location at which the tool will work on the items.

In one embodiment the guide rails are provided in pairs and one or both of the rails in each pair can be moved relatively, thereby allowing an item to be located between the guide rail pairs for clamping.

In one embodiment the location means is in the form of a plate member or skate to which a tool is attached in use. Preferably the tool is detachably attached to the plate member or skate via securing means. As such, the tool can be used independently of the location means and jig if required. Alternatively, the tool can be integrally formed with the plate member or skate.

The securing means can include any or any combination of one or more magnets, screws, nuts and bolts, clamping plates, clips, eye holes and/or the like.

Preferably peripheral edge portions of the plate member or skate are located with the guide rails or channels of the frame and are movable relative thereto. The peripheral edge portions can include a channel in which a guide rails located or a protrusion portion which locates in a guide channel.

Cover means can be provided on the tool, frame and/or on a part of the support means. The cover means is typically provided adjacent any areas on the jig or tool where a working part of the tool may be accessible to a user, thereby ensuring that a user does not accidentally come into contact with said working parts. Thus, cover means can be provided at the rear of the frame, substantially along the length of the guide rails or channels, around the whole or part of the support means, around a working part of the tool and/or the like. In addition, the cover means acts to confine any dust and/or debris generated by the action of the working part of the tool with one or more items to the space within the cover means.

Preferably dust extraction means can be provided in conjunction with said cover means to allow the extraction of dust or debris accumulating in the cavity defined by the walls of the cover means.

The dust extraction means can include a suction pump, vacuum cleaner arrangement, centrifugal extraction fan and/or the like which is connected to a part of the tool adjacent the working part of the tool, thereby removing dust generated when the same is in use.

In one embodiment a dust flap is provided for location above the location means between side walls and rear of the cover means, thereby defining a dust box between the cover means and location means.

Securing means can be provided for securing the dust flap to the location means, cover means and/or further dust extraction members. These securing means can include any conventional attachment device but in a preferred embodiment the securing means includes one or more magnets. Thus, when secured the dust flap follows the movement of the location means longitudinally of the jig.

Preferably the dust flap is releasably attached to the location means, such that when the location means is adjacent the workpiece, the dust flap disengages the location means. This typically takes place as a result of the dust flap engaging with further engagement means provided on the jig which prevents further movement of the dust flap. These further engagement means can also include any conventional engaging means but in a preferred embodiment the further engagement means includes one or more rnagnets.

In a preferred embodiment the tool is a cutting device having one or more cutting members as the working parts thereof. The cutting members are preferably vertically orientated or orientated with respect to the longitudinal axis of the jig in use.

Further preferably the cutting device is in the form of a circular saw. The jig can be adapted to fit any size or make of saw, circular saw, jig saw and/or the like.

The frame means has a base portion and movement means can be provided thereon to allow the jig to be easily moved across a surface. The movement means can include any or any combination of rollers, wheels and/or the like.

One or more feet members can be provided on the base portion and said feet members are typically adjustable in length, thereby allowing the jig to be levelled at a required location. This is advantageous since it allows the jig to be used on a variety of different surfaces, including-uneven surfaces, whilst providing the jig with stability.

One or more levelling means, such as a spirit level can be provided on the jig to allow the same to be levelled.

Adjustment means are preferably provided on the frame for allowing the height of the jig to be altered. For example, if the jig is being used in a confined space, the height of the jig can be lowered. The adjustment means, in one example, include telescopic arm members or guide rails which are slidable relative to each other and which can be secured at a required height in use.

Preferably the jig is provided with one or more power supply sockets thereon to which an electrical power tooL, light or other electrical device can be connected, typically via a plug provided on the tool. The power supply sockets are typically connectable to a mains power supply and allows a user to easily and quickly switch the power supply off to the powered tool (s) in the event of any problems. An emergency stop button can be fitted to the jig if required.

One or more hooks can be provided on the jig to allow the electrical cable associated with the tool or power supply to be wound therearound or located thereon, thereby allowing the cable to be kept clear of the working part or parts of the tool.

In one embodiment, rechargeable power supply means are provided on the jig and/or tool so that the same can be used when mains power supply is not available, such as for building site work.

Preferably the tool is capable of being positioned with the location means or skate in a substantially vertical or horizontal position or at any angle therebetween (i. e. 45 degrees). The securing means used for securing the tool to the location means can be moved or changed accordingly. Suitable dust extraction means can also be provided to allow the tool to be angled with respect to the location means and function normally without dust escaping from the working part of the tool into the surrounding atmosphere. This allows the orientation of the working part of the tool to be moved with respect to the workpiece. For example, if the tool is a saw, the saw blade can be moved from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position, thereby allowing a workpiece to be cut horizontally.

In one embodiment the location means can-be moved through one or more angles with respect to the jig, thereby allowing the location means to be positioned in different orientations.

Preferably the location means can move through any angle between 0-360 degrees with respect to the jig. In a preferred embodiment the location means can be moved through 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 or 360 degrees. Thus, for example, the location means can be removed from the jig, turned through 90 degrees and be relocated with the jig. As such, the working part of the tool located with the location means can be moved into one or more different orientations, angles or directions by moving the location means with respect to the jig.

Additional clamping means can be used to clamp the workpiece in a required position with respect to the jig and/or tool depending on the direction in which the working part of the tool is required to operate on the workpiece.

In one embodiment a support device is provided for use with the jig to extend or provided further support for the items being worked on in the jig in addition to the support means of the jig.

The support device is typically positioned a pre-determined spaced distance from said jig to support a part or whole of the one or more items which are to be worked on.

Preferably the support device includes a frame having a base portion with movement means for allowing movement of the device and/or adjustment means for allowing levelling of the device. The support device can further include clamping means for clamping a portion or portions of said items in the jig. A support surface can also be provided for supporting a portion or portions of the items on the device.

The support device can include any feature or combination of features of the jig as previously described.

In one embodiment the jig and/or support device comprise a plurality of components which are detachably attached to each other, thereby allowing dismantling of the apparatus or device if required to aid transport and/or storage. Attachment means for detachably attaching the components together can include any conventional attachments, such as rivets, bolts, screws, taped screws and/or the like. When dismantled, the jig and/or s upport device can fit in an average car boot if required.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an extension support device for use with the jig of the present invention.

According to further aspects of the present invention there are provided location means, such as in the form of a skate and a frame for the jig, each of which is an independently claimable aspect of the present invention.

Preferably the tool is in the form of a circular saw but can include any other type of tool available in the marketplace.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a jig, said jig including location means for allowing selective location of a tool therewith, said method including the steps of locating one or more items which are required to be worked on using said tool on support means on the jig in a required position, and moving said location means longitudinally of the jig to bring at least a portion of the tool located therewith into contact with the items for work to be performed on the same.

In one embodiment the location means can be moved longitudinally of the jig to a required position and secured in place, the item on which is to be performed on them being moved into location with the working part of the tool.

Thus, the advantages of the jig of the present invention are that it is a free standing, mobile, vertical jig that allows one or more items or workpieces to be supported and worked on in a substantially vertical direction. The height of the jig is greater than the width thereof, thereby reducing the floor surface area required for use of the same. The jig is compact and can be used in confined spaces, such as in the interiors of domestic premises and allows a user to move around the jig without any obstructions. Since the jig does not need to be attached to any wall surface for operation thereof, it is extremely versatile.

The applicant makes the following points with regard to the present invention : The jig is a mobile vertical circular saw jig.

The jig can be used on any uneven floor because it has self levelling means. In addition self levelling instruments can be used in conjunction with the levelling system.

The vertical circular saw jig of the present invention saves vast amounts of space when assembled and during operation in comparison to prior art horizontal orientated saw work benches.

Thus the present invention can be used in a small kitchen-or any other confined space and does not need to be in a room on its own as typically required by horizontal prior art devices. The vertical circular saw jig can cut a 4 metre work surface inside a kitchen with plenty of room to work in. The work top can be angled through any kitchen door and fixed to the jig in the kitchen with access through the door to the kitchen maintained.

The vertical circular saw jig can cut any size door up to 48"in width.

The vertical mobile circular saw jig can cut any timber up to 6" in depth, with no effect to the safety of the user.

The circular saw can be of a rechargeable type and is ideal for use in building sites where there is no electricity.

The jig can have its own power socket and plug which can be connected to a power supply. This gives a safety advantage as the plug for the circular saw can be removed quickly if it is needed to be turned off quickly. In addition the power socket is sited in the frame of the jig within easy reach of the operator.

The jig is provided with a safety cover box to protect a third party in the locality of the jig.

The skate is unique as it is the only skate for use with a vertical jig which can be used to fit one or more circular saws available in the market place.

The extension roller guide or support device is the only roller guide which has a clamp which can be adjusted to fit any size of material, such as wood. The clamp slide can be secured in any required position by rotation of one or more wing nuts or adjustable bolts.

The extension roller guide has its own levelling frame and its own adjustment feet or locking wheels. As such, the roller guide can also be used on any uneven floor surface in conjunction with the jig.

The jig can support any material, such as wood, MDF and/or the like. Other tools can also be used on the workpiece when the workpiece is clamped/supported in the jig, such as screwdrivers, wood chisels and/or the like.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures wherein: Figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of a circular saw jig according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2A and 2B show detailed views of the skate and the circular saw shown in figure 1 ; Figure 3A and 3B show examples of skates according to different embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4A is a perspective view of a roller support device for use with a jig according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4b is a plan view of the roller support device in figure 4A ; Figure 5 shows a simplified view of the circular saw jig and roller support device in use with an article in the form of a work top prior to cutting ; Figure 6 is an exploded view of the circular saw jig according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is an exploded view of the circular saw jig showing in detail the clamp arrangement and cover box without the support means shown for clarity; Figures 8a-8c illustrate an example of a light and locking mechanism that can be attached to the skate according to further embodiments of the present invention; Figure 9a illustrates dust extraction means provided on the circular saw in one embodiment; Figure 9b illustrates an enlarged end view of part of the dust extraction means when fitted shown by dotted circle in figure 9a ; Figure 10 illustrates the circular saw dust extraction means in conjunction with dust cover means on the jig ; Figure lla shows a side elevation of the dust extraction means and cover means ; Figure lib shows a detailed view of part of the dust extraction means and cover means in figure lla ; Figure 12a is a side view of the jig including the dust extraction means and cover means ; Figure 12b is a detailed view of a sliding mechanism for use in fitting dust shield plates to the dust extraction box; Figure 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the circular saw with dust extraction means; Figures 14a-c illustrate an alternative embodiment of the skate in which the skate can be positioned in different orientations with respect to the jig to allow the jig to be used for work in a substantially horizontal plane; Figure 15 illustrates an example of clamping means which can be used with the skate when the jig is used for working in a substantially horizontal plane; Figure 16 is an exploded view of part of the jig showing an example of the type of rollers that can be used in one embodiment; Figure 17 is a plan view of the rollers used on the support members of the jig in one embodiment; Figure 18 is a perspective view of use of the jig for undertaking work in a substantially horizontal plane; Figure 19 is an example of a tool guide for use in the present invention; Figure 20 is an example of a guard plate which can be used with the tool to reduce dust escaping from the dust box; Figure 21 is a perspective view of a lower part of the jig in one embodiment with additional strengthening and stability means provided; Figure 22 is a plan view of a template which can be used with the skate in one embodiment ; and Figure 23 is a perspective view of a simplified jig showing the support members and template in one embodiment only. Referring firstly to figure 1, there is illustrated a jig 2 for supporting and guiding a power tool in the form of a circular saw 8 with respect to a workpiece supported on the jig.

The jig 2 comprises a frame 4 and location means in the form of a skate 6. Circular saw 8 is detachably attached to skate 6 via securing means which are described below.

The frame 4 includes two pairs of upright support members 10, 12 and 14, 16 respectively and base portion members 18, 20. Support members 10,12 and 14,16 are parallel and spaced a distance apart substantially equal to the width of skate 6 located therebetween.

The distance between adjacent support members of each pair 10, 12 and 14, 16 can be altered to allow a workpiece to be clamped therebetween. Thus, adjacent members of each pair can be moved into abutting relationship with other and/or a required distance apart by adjustment screws 114 located transversally of jig 2. An article or workpiece to be clamped which is to be supported on jig 2, which in figure 5 is a plank of wood 7, is located between support members 10,12 and 14,16 for clamping therebetween. In this position, the depth'x'of the wood is substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of support members. The width'y'of the wood is substantially parallel and adjacent the support members (with the distance y being greater than the distance x).

A plurality of wheel members 22 are provided on base portion members 18,20 which allow the jig to be moved between required locations in use, thereby making the jig mobile and easily transportable.

Once the jig has been moved to a required location, adjustment feet 24,26, 28 and 30 are moved into contact with a floor surface on which the jig is located. The adjustment feet allow levelling of the jig and also prevent movement of the jig via wheel members 22. Each adjustablment foot, in this example, has an external screw thread provided thereon which is located in an aperture on the base portion, the walls defining the aperture being provided with a complementary screw threaded portion for engagement with the external screw thread of the adjustment foot. Turning of the foot allows the height of the foot relative to the base portion to be adjusted.

A spirit level 32 is provided on the jig to allow levelling thereof.

In this example, the spirit level 32 is provided on horizontal strengthening bar 33 which is used to support and strengthen upright members 10, 12,14, 16. Bar 33 also acts as a stopper to prevent travel of the saw 8 beyond a pre-determined point in the vertical plane.

A stabilising arm or bar 35 is provided between base portion members 18,20 and substantially at right angles thereto. Bar 35 can be positioned so as to contact the floor surface on which the apparatus is located to provide the jig with stability or bar 35 can be provided above the floor surface.

The jig 2 is provided with support means in the form of a roller support guide comprising a sub frame 34 secured to upright support members 10,12, 14,16 and protruding both outwardly and inwardly therefrom. The roller support guide is used to support the article which is to be cut by circular saw 8 in use, as shown in figure 5. A plurality of rollers 36 are rotatably mounted on sub-frame 34 on an upper surface thereof to allow the article to be easily moved transversely of jig 2, thereby allowing a user to easily position a large or heavy article relative to saw 8. Once the article is in a required position on rollers 36, adjustment screws 114 can be thightened to clamp the article in position between the support members 10,12, 14,16.

A safety cover 40 is provided at the rear of frame 4 to prevent a user or other object from coming into contact with the blade of saw 8. In this example, safety cover 40 comprises a back panel 42 and side wall panels 44,46 defining a channel 48 therebetween. The blade of circular saw 8 is positioned within channel 48 in use. The cover is connected to frame 4 via arm members 150, 152, 154 adjacent the top of upright members 10, 14, as shown in figure 6, and to cross member 33 provided at the lower end of the jig. Cover 40 is provided along a substantial portion of the length of the jig equivalent to the possible path of travel of the saw 8 in use.

As mentioned previously, support members 10,14 are parallel with each other and provided a pre-determined spaced distance apart which is slightly larger than the width of skate 6, thereby allowing skate 6 to be located between said support members.

Guide channels 50,52 are defined in support members 10, 14 respectively on opposing inner surfaces thereof. Peripheral edges 54,56 of skate 6 are slidably located in channels 50,52 in use. Thus, skate 6 and therefore saw 8 is capable of undergoing slidable recti-linear movement in a vertical plane.

When a user is ready to begin cutting an article with saw 8, the user grips a handle portion on saw 8 and gently pulls the saw, and therefore the skate, in a downwardly direction from a parked position, wherein the saw is a spaced distance above the articles located on the roller support guide, to a working position, wherein the saw blade is in contact with the article.

Since the skate 6 is freely slidable in the channels of support members 10,14, the weight of the skate and saw move the same in the direction of the article-under gravity, such that little effort is required on the part of the user to move the skate and saw towards the article.

A lock and key arrangement or other conventional attachment means can be used to secure skate 6 in the parked or inactive position when the saw is not in use. In the embodiment shown in figure 1, a securing rod 58 is provided adjacent the base of skate 6 between the support mernbers to prevent skate 6 from moving in a downwardly direction when use of the s aw is not required (i. e. to allow a user to remove wood from the roller support guide). A plurality of apertures can be defined in support members 10,14 at spaced apart intervals along the length thereof to allow the securing rod to be located therethrough in use at any required position on the frame. The apertures are typically provided at corresponding positions on support members 10,14. A free end of securing rod 58 is provided with a flange portion 60 to prevent the rod from becoming accidentally dislodged from the apertures. Securing rod 58 can be in the form of an eye bolt to allow a user to easily remove and replace the rod relative to the frame as required.

If required, spring biasing means can be provided on the jig to bias the skate in an upwardly direction, thereby returning the skate and the saw to a raised position a spaced distance apart from the article/support means when a user is not holding onto the skate or saw.

Referring to figures 2A and 2B, a detailed view of the circular saw 8 and skate 6 are shown. Circular saw 8 comprises a base plate 63 and a blade member 61 protected by blade cover 38.

Base plate 63 of the circular saw is clamped to front surface 58 of skate 6 along a first side thereof via a clamping plate 62.

Clamping screws in the form of wing nuts 64 are located in apertures on the clamping plate to clamp base plate 63 against clamping plate 62.

An appropriately sized and shaped aperture is provided in skate 6 to allow base plate 63 and saw 8 to be located therewith and to allow blade member 61 to protrude through the rear of the skate and cut the wood.

A magnetic clamping member 66 is provided on a second side of base plate 63 to clamp base plate 63 to the magnetic surface of skate 6 at any required position thereon. A further engagement member in the form of a sliding latch devic e is provided adjacent the base of saw base plate 63 and clamping screws in the form of wing nuts 64 are provided thereon.

The edge of the circular saw along the cutting edge is held in position on the skate by a clarnp 62 which fits on top of the saw base 63 and is made secure by bolts 64, as shown in figure 2a.

Runners 68, 70 are provided on peripheral edges 54,56 of skate 6 for location in guide channels 50,52 defined in support members 10,14. The runners are shaped so as to provide efficient movement of the skate in the channels.

A cutting guide 74 protrudes from base surface 7 6 of skate 6 to allow a user to determine the point at which cutting blade 61 will contact the article just prior to cutting. A m-etal slide 78 is provided for use as part of the latch device between bolt housing 72 with wing nut 64 and the housing and wing nut of the circular saw, thereby securing the saw to the skate.

Referring to figures 3A and 3B, there are illustrated further examples of means via which skate 6 can be movably located with support members 10, 14 Referring to Figures 3a and 3b, there are illustrated further examples of means by which the skate can be movably located with support members 10 or 14.

In figure 3a, an inner tube or conduit 202 is attached to support member 10 and extends from the top of the support member to a position just below the support rollers on the jig. Skate 6 is attached to outer sleeve member 200 which is movably located on tube 202. Sleeve member 200 is provided with a groove or slot along the length thereof to allow member 200 to slide past the bolts which attach inner tube 202 to support member 10.

Referring to figure 3b, there is shown a skate 6 having wheels 100 on a peripheral edge thereof. Wheels 10 are located in guide channel 50 on the support member 10. The wheels allow the skate to move up and down on the frame of the jig.

Referring to figures 4A and 4B, there is illustrated a support device 102 which can be provided as an integral extension to jig 2 or can be provided a spaced distance apart and separate therefrom. Support device 102 supports a part or parts of an article which are also supported on sub frame 34 of jig 2. Thus, the support device 102 is particularly advantageous for long or large articles which protrude from jig 2 to a sufficient degree to require additional support.

Support device 102 comprises a frame 104 having a base portion 106, an adjustable stand portion 108 and support means 110.

Base portion 106 comprises side frame members 103,105, front frame member 107, rear frame member 109 and a substantially central frame member 111. Adjustable feet 112 are provided on base portion 106 to allow levelling of device 102 on a surface on which it is located, in a similar manner to feet members 24,26, 28, 30 on jig 2. More particularly, adjustable feet 112 are provided on an intermediate frame member 113 attached between side frame members 103,105 of base portion 106. Wheels can also be provided on the support device to allow easy transport and positioning of the device. Brakes 109 can be provided in association with the wheels to secure the jig in a required position.

Stand portion 108 comprises a first channelled member 114 located in socket 115 and welded thereto, and a second member 116 of slightly smaller dimensions than first member 114, having a first end 120 telescoped in said channel and a second end 122 secured to base 124 of support means 110. The second member 116 is slidable relative to first channel member 114 and adjustment screws or bolts 118 are provided to secure the second member 116 to the first member in a required position.

Support means 110 includes two upright support members 126, 128 with a roller 130 supported therebetween. The roller allows the part of the article being supported to be easily moved onto and off the device. Two arm members 132 and 134 are also provided between upright members 126, 128 which have elongate apertures 140,142 defined therein. A clamping slide 136 has clamping bolts with attached wing nuts 138 provided thereon. Wing nuts 138 are slidably mounted in apertures 140 142, thereby allowing clamping slide 136 to be moved relative to support member 126. As such, an article located on roller 130 can be clamped between a surface of clamping slide 136 and a surface of support member 126.

In using jig 2, a user (i. e. the joiner or operator) first levels the jig on the surface on which it stands by screwing the levelling feet up or down as required. The user then separates upright support members 10 from 12 and 14 from 16 using screw r bolt members 114 a sufficient distance apart to allow an article for cutting to be located therebetween. The article is moved on rollers 36 on sub frame 34 so that the point requiring sawing is located inwardly of the support members. The bolt members 114 are then tightened to clamp the article in the required position. At the same time, a protruding end of the article is located on roller 130 of support device 102 and clamped in position between support member 126 and clamping slide 136. The power supply to the saw is switched on and the securing means for preventing vertical movement of the skate in the form of rod 58 is removed. The user then controls movement of the saw 8 and skate 6 in a downwardly direction by gripping a handle portion of the saw to begin sawing of the article. Once the user has finished sawing, the user moves the skate in an upwardly direction and secures the same in a raised position above the article using rod 58. The user can then unclamp the sawed portions of the article and remove the same from the jig.

The jig and support device of the present invention can be made from any required material, such as plastic, metal or wood but is typically made from a lightweight, strong and corrosive resistant material, such as aluminium.

Referring to figures 8a-8c there is illustrated further embodiments of the present invention in which a light 302 and locking mechanism 304 are provided on the skate 306.

Specifically, figure 8a shows a side elevation of the light 302 attached to the skate 306. Figure 8b shows a plan view of a saw guide 308 and light 302 from above. The saw guide 308 and light 302 are provided on a bracket 310 which is detachably attached to the skate 306 via a bolt 312. The light is typically battery powered, thereby allowing operation independently of a mains electricity supply and is positioned to allow light to be directed onto the working area of the saw and article being cut in use.

The light has the advantage that it can be used by a user when working at a building site without an electricity supply and can also operate using the electrical supply of the circular saw if required.

Locking mechanism 304 can be used to secure the skate in a parked position relative to the frame of the jig in use, which is important for safety reasons. Mechanism 304, shown from the side in figure 8c, includes a barrel latch lock which locks in a clockwise direction using a key 314. The barrel lock 316 is attached to a plate 318 via a backing nut 320 and plate 318 is attached to the frame of the jig, typically by rivets. When a user wishes to unlock the mechanism, they turn the key 314 which rotates latch 322 located at an end of barrel lock 316, thereby removing latch 322 from a correspondingly shaped channel in the frame. The user can then remove safety rod 58 (if in use) in order to move the skate to a required position. The locking mechanism is an additional or alternative security feature which prevents an unauthorised person from stealing, using or removing the circular saw/tool from the jig.

Referring to figures 9a-13, there is illustrated a further embodiment in which dust extraction means are provided on the circular saw 8. The safety cover 40 provided at the rear of the jig in the above described embodiment is adapted in this further embodiment to include a dust cover or flap 502 located above skate 6, thereby providing a dust box in conjunction with cover 40 which substantially encapsulates the blade of saw 8. This prevents dust from escaping into the area surrounding jig 2.

Additional dust shields can be provided in the form of dust shield plates 504, shown in figure 12, located either side of the dust box. These plates are typically made from a light alloy material, plastic, wood and/or MDF (medium density fibreboard).

The dust flap typically protrudes outwardly from the front of the jig by a pre-determined distance, as shown in figure 10.

Dust shield plates 504 are located on top of the article or wood 506 which is to be cut to prevent or at least reduce any gap between the dust box and the wood. The plates 504 also provide an additional safety feature for when the saw first starts to cut the wood.

Dust shield plates 504 are fitted to cover 40 by a sliding mechanism as shown in figure 12b. More particularly, a sleeve 507 on plates 504 is slidably located on square rod 508, which in turn is attached to a movable bolted slide on the support members 10,12, 14,16. The sliding mechanism allows the dust shield plates to be moved with respect to the cover into abutment with any sized article to be cut on the jig.

Dust flap 502 is held in place with respect to skate 6 via magnetic means 510, of which there are two, provided on dust flap 502, as shown in figures lla and llb. Sealing means in the form of a flexible membrane 512 made from rubber contacts the sides and rear edges of the cover 40 or dust box, as shown in figure 10. These sealing means prevent dust or small particles of saw dust escaping from the dust box when the dust flap 502 moves longitudinally of jig 2.

The magnetic means 510 make contact with the pick up arm 633 which is fixed to skate 6 along a top edge thereof. Figure lla shows an example of a starting point of the arrangement where the skate 6 is located on top of the wood 506 to be cut.

As the circular saw is moved in a downwardly direction towards wood 506, the magnetic means 510 and pick up arm 633 remain engaged. When the dust flap 502 becomes level with wood 506, as shown in figure llb, magnetic me ans 514 provided on a lower rear surface of dust flap 502 engages with magnetic means provided on an upper surface of movable contact bracket 516.

The bracket is movably attached to the jig and can be moved to any required height or position on the jig as required, normally in alignment with the upper edge of the workpiece being cut.

Engagement between the magnetic means on the dust flap and the movable contact bracket maintains the dust flap in position above the wood. As the circular s aw continues to move in a downwardly direction, the pick up disengages from the dust flap which remains seated on top of the workpiece and the pick up moves with the skate. The dust box is sealed sufficiently so as to prevent dust from escaping into the atmosphere.

A dust manifold in the form of a hollow conduit 518 can be connected to circular saw 8, as shown in figure 9a. A dust extraction pipe 522 is attached at one end 524 to conduit 518 and at a further end 525 to an outlet of the circular saw 8. A vacuum cleaner suction pipe 526 is located over an outlet 528 of pipe 522 in use. The outlet of circular saw 8 is typically in the form of a flexible pipe 530. Any gaps between the piping can be sealed using tape or other sealing means.

Before cutting is commenced, the vacuum cleaner or other suction means can be switched on and this activates suction in the suction pipe to suck dust from the circular saw, along flexible pipe 530, along dust extraction pipe 522 and through outlet 528. This greatly reduces or eliminates dust created during sawing of the workpiece or wood.

It is noted that the dust extraction pipe can be provided in any form and can be attached to any suitable part of the tool in the skate and is not limited to the example shown in figure 9a. For example, the pipe can be a flexible hose including a single channel or a number of channels.

If required one or more guard plates 649 can be located adjacent the front surface of saw 8 to prevent dust escaping from the front of the tool. The guard 649 can be attached by any suitable means but in this example Velcro 651 is used on the front surface of skate 6 and rear surface of the guard, as shown in figure 20, thereby allowing the guard to be easily removed and replaced. An appropriate recess 652 is formed in the guard plate for location around the handle of the tool. The reason for the recess is to maintain the handle of the circular saw down to hold up the saw guard so that the circular saw can cut freely whilst allowing the circular saw to be encapsulated by the dust box and plate 649. It also allows the circular saw to be angled to any acute angle (i. e. 45 degrees) whilst limiting the saw dust escaping into the surrounding atmosphere.

In conjunction with guard plate 649, a small flexible pipe can be provided which can fit most makes of circular saw and can be sealed around any connections with sealing means, the other end of the pipe being fitted to suction means or a vacuum cleaner.

It is noted that the device can be used without the guard plate 649 if required.

Backing timber or material can be used if the thickness of the workpiece being cut is less than 0.5 inches or is of insufficient thickness. This is because the skate would otherwise hit the roller guide at the bottom of the jig if no packing was used.

The present invention has the advantage that it can be used to cut timber and any other materials, such as metals, plastics, boards and/or the like up to 48 inches in width and/or 6 inches in depth, thereby providing a significant improvement over prior art devices. For example, conventional horizomtally arranged workbenches can typically only be used to support articles slightly bigger than the workbench. However, with the present invention, objects can be supported which are substantially larger than the support apparatus. The jig of the present invention can also be used in confined areas.

In order to provide the jig with greater versatility, the jig of the present invention can also be adapted to allow operation or the tool in a substantially horizontal orientation or plane (i. e. for cutting horizontally if the tool is a saw). In this embodiment, as shown in figures 14a-14c, skate 600 has engagement means provided along all peripheral edges thereof in the form of runners 602. Thus, any of the edges of skate 600 can engage with the frame of the jig such that the tool located in the jig can be moved into different positions with respect to the frame of the jig.

The skate 600 can be provided with substantially equal length sides to allow fitting in the jig in any orientation of the skate or the support members 10,12 of the jig can be moved together and/or apart to allow different shaped or sized skates to be located therebetween.

The cutting guide 74 is detachably attached to skate 600 to allow it to be placed in any suitable location on the skate if the skate is moved with respect to the frame. An example of a cutting guide 74 is shown in figure 19. A slot 604 is provided on cutting guide 74 to allow the same to be fitted to skate 600. A bolt aperture 606 can also be provided to allow alternative or further engagement if required.

In order to secure the skate in a required position with respect to the frame when the jig is used for cutting in a horizontal plane, the skate is secured in position using securing means. An example of suitable securing means in the form of clamp 608 is shown in figure 15. Clamp 608 has a U-shaped portion 6 10, a magnetic head portion 612 and a screw portion 614. Magnetic head 612 engages a ferrous strip 616 provided on skate 600 and an end of screw portion 614 engages support member 10. The clamp is shown in position with the jig in figure 18.

In use of the jig for cutting in a horizontal orientation-, the article to be cut is located on rollers 3 6 of the roller support guide in the same manner as with the vertical jig embodiment described above. The skate 600 is positioned with respect to the frame in a required position depending on the size and shape of the article being cut, as shown in figure 18 (i. e. with the cutting saw blade horizontal). If required, dust extraction means are also fitted as described above. A user 618 switches the power to the tool on and then pushes the article to be cut, such as wood 7, in a required horizontal direction shown by arrow 620 along rollers 36. Support device 102 can be used to support an end of wood 7 if required. A further support device 102'can be provided at the opposite side of the frame to support the opposite end of-wood 7. The blade of the saw 8 cuts horizontally through the woo d.

In order to aid movement of the wood or workpiece on the rollers 3 6 and relative to the support members 10,12 and 14, 16 of the frame between which it is located, a movement mechanism can be provided, as shown in figures 16 and 17. In this exarnple, a pair of upright support members 622, 62-4 are shown positioned a spaced distance apart. A substantially circular roller member 626 is provided on opposing inner surfaces 628,630 of support members 622, 624 respectively- The roller members 626 are typically provided substantially longitudinally of the support members (i. e. parallel with) and are supported on a rod 632 passing through each roller member.

Rod 632 is attached to the support members 622,624 adjacent a top and base thereof.

In use, the workpiece or wood 7, engages the surface of the rollers when located between the support members and the rollers rotate upon application of a substantially horizontal force applied by a user to the wood. This greatly imcreases the ease with which a user can move the workpiece with respect to the working part of the tool, such as a saw blade, in use of the jig for undertaking horizontal work. Further substantially horizontally positioned rollers 627, wheels or other movement means can be attached to the jig via a detachable outrigger 629, as shown in figure 16 In some instances the applicant has found that the weight of the wood being cut when the jig is being used in a horizontal orientation might cause the saw blade to jam, thereby preventing any further cutting. In order to overcome this problem a clamping wedge 689 is provided for use with the wood, as shown in figure 17. Clamp wedge 689 supports the wood 7 at one end thereof and is secured to support member 630 in use.

Horizontal roller mernbers 696 are used to aid movement of the wood in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the jig or transversally thereto.

It is noted that the shape of the skate of the present invention can be adapted to fit any tool having a battery pack associated therewith or which is motorized and powered by mains electricity.

A further embodiment of the jig of the present invention is illustrated in figure 23, wherein a template 702 or"marking out" apparatus is used with the frame in place of the skate.

Alternatively, the template 702 can be fitted to the skate in the same manner as a tool. The template 702 allows lines, holes and/or other calibration marks to be made on a workpiece which is clamped in the jig 700. Runners 704 are provided along the peripheral edges of template 702 as with the skate. The runners engage with complementary engagement means provided on the support members 706.

Any suitably shaped or sized template can b e located with the skate and figure 22 illustrates a template 710 located with a skate 712 via screws 714. The template has a circular cut out portion 716 therein for allowing circular shapes to be drilled or cut into a workpiece clamped in the jig. However, one or more apertures of any suitable shape or size can be defined in the template as required.

Rulers 708 can be provided on the skate, ternplate 702 and/or support members 706 if required to allow measurements to be recorded and/or calculated when the skate or template is moved with respect to the frame. These rulers 708 can be detachably attached to the frame or integrally formed therewith.

Figure 23 further shows an example of the jig having telescopic support members, with an upper support member 718 being slidably located in a lower outer support member 720. Wing nuts 722 can be used to secure the support members 718 and 720 at a required height. The telescopic capabilities of the jig allow it to be more easily transported, stored and adapted according to the size of the working space available when in use.

In one example the rollers 36'which support the workpiece in use can be detachably attached to the jig frame as shown in figure 16, thereby allowing the rollers to be removed when a user is adjusting the telescopic support members. Screws 625 can be used to attach the rollers together in a required arrangement.

It has been found in some cases that a substantial amount of stress passes through upright support members 10,14 and also horizontal base portion members IS, 20 of the jig in use. In order to overcome this problem, additional strengthening members can be provided to spread the weight of the jig over a larger surface area and to provide the jig with increased stability.

The additional members 802 are attached at one end thereof, typically by welding, to the underside of strengthening member 33 as shown in figure 21. The other end of members 802 are attached to upright strengthening members 804.

Upright members 804 can also be telescopic if required and a fixing bolt 806 can be used to secure telescopic members 804 at a required height. The lower telescopic member typically has an elongated slot 808 passing longitudinally thereof and the fixing bolt can be located therethrough in use.

Further rollers can be used with the jig of the present invention. if required in the horizontal embodiment in addition to the rollers between the support members to increase the ease with which a user can push or pull a workpiece through the jig. These rollers can be arranged substantially vertically and to the outer or inner side of the support members- It is noted that braking means can be provided in association with the movement means or wheels on the base of the support device or the jig. The support device can also have telescopic support members if required.

It will be appreciated that any of the abovementioned features can be used alone or in combination with any other feature described herein and the invention is not limited to the arrangement of features shown in the figures.

The jig and tools used with the jig can work on any suitable material, such as wood, plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, concrete and/or the like.