FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention generally relates to workbenches and tables, and in particular to portable and foldable workbenches and tables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Many sophisticated and challenging tasks are carried in field environments such as building sites, construction projects, combat scenes, and disaster areas. There is a need for workbenches, tables, and other work surfaces, which are transportable, simple to deploy, fit various fields and ground conditions, firm, flat, rigid, and stable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[003] According to embodiments of the invention, there is provided a workbench comprising a panel with two folding parts, each having two side wings; a support structure having two folding leg structures, coupled to the two folding parts; wherein respective side wings of the two folding parts are connected, for example with hinges.

[004] The two folding parts may each have an edge and, in an open position, one edge may be pressed against the other edge.

[005] The two folding parts may each have an edge and may further have a stiffening element extending from the edge and perpendicular to the edge. In an open position, one stiffening element may be pressed against the other stiffening element.

[006] The panel parts, in a folded position, may encapsulate other parts of the workbench.

[007] The two folding parts and optionally other parts may be made of one or more materials from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, titanium, wood, rigid plastic.

[008] The width of the wings may vary along the wing's length axis.

[009] The wings may be (1) welded to the respective folding part, (2) cut together with the folding part from a metallic foil and bend, or (3) molded together with the folding parts.

[0010] The folding leg structures may comprise telescopic posts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] For a better understanding of embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals designate corresponding entities throughout, and in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable and foldable workbench according to embodiments of the invention, shown in a folded state;

[0013] Figure 2 is a side view of a portable and foldable workbench illustrated in FIGURE 1, shown in a folded state;

[0014] Figure 3 is a layout in perspective of a folding part of the portable and foldable workbench of Figure 1, shown during an interim stage of manufacturing;

[0015] Figure 4 is a top view of a folding part of the portable and foldable workbench of FIGURE

1, shown during another interim stage of manufacturing;

[0016] Figure 5 is a front side (or backside) view of the portable and foldable workbench of

FIGURE 1, shown in an open state;

[0017] Figure 6 is a right/left side view of the portable and foldable workbench of FIGURE 1, shown in an open state;

[0018] Figure 7 is a bottom view of the portable and foldable workbench 10 of FIGURE 1, shown in an interim, folding state;

[0019] Figure 8a is a front/back perspective view of a hinge area of a portable and foldable workbench according to an embodiment of the invention, shown in an open state;

[0020] Figures.8b-8c are other schematic illustrations of the portable and foldable workbench 10 of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a portable and foldable workbench (table) 10, shown in a folded state (close position). The workbench comprises panel 12 with folding parts 12a and 12b. The panel folding parts 12a and 12b each have two side wings 14. Shown in

Figure 1 are wing 14bl of folding part 12b and part of wing 14al of folding part 12a. The folding parts 12a and 12b are connected by hinges 16.1 (shown in Figure 1) and hinges 16.2. (not shown in Figure 1). A handle 18 allows a user to efficiently carry around the portable and foldable workbench. [0022] Figure 2 is a backside view of a portable and foldable workbench illustrated in Figure 1, shown in a folded state. Wing 14a2 with hinge 16.2 is shown.

[0023] The workbench 10 is foldable between a folded state (close position), as illustrated in Figures. 1 and 2, and an open state, as illustrates in Figure 5. In its folded state, the workbench

10 has low space requirements and can be easily traveled with, for example, for field sites. When the workbench is folded, the panel parts 12a and 12b are encapsulating all the other parts of the workbench. As a result, the workbench can be stacked horizontally (one workbench above the other) or vertically (one workbench standing near the other).

[0024] According to an embodiment of the invention, the portable and foldable workbench

(table) 10 is made of one or a combination of materials such as steel, aluminum, titanium, wood, plastic, and any other suitable rigid material. According to embodiments of the invention, the portable and foldable workbench (table) 10 is designed to carry loads of 200Kg., 300Kg., 400Kg, and more.

[0025] For simplicity, panel 12 is shown in Figure 1 as a flat and whole panel. The panel may comprise a plurality of holes, apertures, openings, boreholes, guides, fixtures, and any type of connecting units adapted to receive a variety of tools.

[0026] Figure 3 is a layout in perspective of one of the folding parts 12a (or 12b) of the portable and foldable workbench of Figure 1, shown during an interim stage of manufacturing. According to an embodiment of the invention, side wings 14al and 14a2 are cut from the same material sheet as folding part 12a. The wings 14 are pressed into shape, for example, by bending and form a straight angle with the folding part. According to other embodiments, the wings are attached to the folding part by bolts, rivets, or any other fastening means. According to yet other embodiments, the wings are welded to the folding parts. The wings can be added to the folding parts upon manufacturing or during use, as needed. Hinge holes 16al and 16a2 are drilled and formed in the side wings.

[0027] According to embodiments of the invention, one or two stiffening elements 15al , 15a2 are added. The stiffening elements may be part of the same sheet used for the folding part and wings or added by welding or fastening.

[0028] Figure 4 is a top view of one of the two folding parts 12a (or 12b) and an element of its wings 14al and 14a2 (or wings 14bl and 14b2) of the portable and foldable workbench of Figure

1, shown during another interim stage of manufacturing. Wings 14al and 14a2 extend perpendicularly (or at an angle) to the plane defined by folding part 12a. Stiffening elements 15al, 15a2, if used, extend perpendicularly (or at an angle) to the plane defined by folding part

12a.

[0029] Figure 5 is a front (or a back) side view of the portable and foldable workbench 10, shown in an open state. Figure 6 is a right (or a left) side view of the portable and foldable workbench

10. Panel 12 is supported by a support structure 18. In the embodiment shown in FIGURES. 5-6, support structure 18 is composed of leg structures 18a and 18b. The support structure 18 is connected to panel 12 by four hinges 20.

[0030] Leg structures 18a and 18b are composed of telescopic posts 18al, 18a2, 18bl, 18b2.

Each telescopic post 18al, 18a2, 18bl, 18b2 consists of an inner cylinder IC and an outer cylinder

OC. The inner cylinder IC has a plurality of latch holes ICH opened in it with a fixed interval, and a bolt B, which fits into the latch holes ICH is screwed into the outer cylinder OC. The height of the post is changed by inserting the bolt B into the desired latch holes. According to other embodiments, the telescopic legs are realized with infinite adjustment. According to other embodiments, the legs may be collapsible legs. Depending on specific needs, the legs may have fixed lengths.

[0031 The Leg structures 18a and 18b may further comprise a support arm. Collapsible support arms SA, each with a lock SAL, are shown in Figure 5. The support arms SA may be fixed to panel

12 and the telescopic posts by fasteners.

[0032] The support arms may be realized as non-collapsible braces. The braces may be connected to the panel via a track or a slider that allows the braces to be moved with the legs, such that the braces are generally parallel to the panel and the legs when the legs are stowed, and such that the braces are at an angle (e.g., a 45° angle) to the panel and the legs when the legs are extended. In the extended position, the location of the braces within the horizontal track can be fixed, for example, by a threaded fastener.

[0033] Leg structures 18a and 18b each optionally comprise a horizontal bar 22.

[0034] Leg structures 18a and 18b may optionally comprise additional bars and elements adapted to receive a variety of tools.

[0035] The Telescopic posts have peds 20 at the bottom ends. The peds P may each be adapted to move around the inner cylinders in various directions and angles to fit the floor, the ground, or any other surface. For example, the peds may be attached to the inner cylinder IC through a bearing arrangement. Any other type of footing can be used. [0036] The support structure 18 may include 1-4 casters at the bottom ends. Any type of casters may be used, for example, casters with individual or central braking or locking, casters with no braking or locking, rigid casters, or swirl casters.

[0037] Depending on the intended use of the workbench, peds or casters made of stainless steel, rubber, or other materials may be used.

[0038] The invention is not limited by the specific design and implementation of the support structure.

[0039] Figure 7 is a bottom view of the portable and foldable workbench 10, shown in an interim, folding state. The workbench can be folded easily: for example, the workbench is placed upside down on the upper side of panel 12 or rested on the side wings 14. The support arm locks

SAL are unlocked; the support legs 18 are led toward panel 12. If needed, one or more of the inner cylinders of the telescopic posts are returned to their original position. Connecting elements 24.1-24.4 are used for affixing panel 12 to the support element 18 (alternatively, panel

12 is placed on the support element 18.

[0040] In the position shown in Figure 7, stiffening elements 15al and 15bl are used and are pressed one against the other.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the invention, the support element - for example, element 18 of Figures. 5-6 or another support element - is not affixed to the top panel 12. Upon use, the top panel is placed above a separate support element.

[0042] Figures. 8a is a front/back perspective views of the mid-section and hinge area of a portable and foldable workbench prototype according to an embodiment of the invention, shown in an open state. In this embodiment, no stiffening elements (such as 15al and 15bl shown in Figure 7) are used. The edges of plates 12a and 12b are pressed against each other.

[0043] Figures. 8b-8c are schematic illustrations of the alignment options of plates 12a and 12b.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8b, plate 12a is identical to plate 12b in shape. On one side (the front side), wing 12al is the outer wing, and wing 12bl is the inner wing. On the other side (the backside), wing 12al is the inner wing, and wing 12bl is the outer wing.

[0044] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8c, on both sides, the wings of plate 12a are the inner wings, and the wings of plate 12b are the outer wings. In this embodiment, plate 12a is not identical to plate 12b, at least in its width.

[0045] Figure 8a further illustrates in perspective the hinge 16 area of a portable and foldable workbench. The hinge 16 is shown from the outside in Figure 9 and from the inside - in Figure 8a. In the example shown, hinge 16 is realized as a pin secured with a bolt or snap ring. The invention is not limited by the manner of hinge realization. The hinge may be realized as a pin fastened by a screw or nut.

[0046] The invention is not limited by the shape of the wings. As shown, for example, in Figures.

1-2, wings 14 have a varying width along their long axis. The decrease of wing width along its long axis from the hinge area to the wing end allows for reducing the overall workbench weight for given payload requirements.

[0047] The term 'workbench' was used throughout this specification and claims to describe units intended for use as a bench, for example, in a workshop or a field site. The invention is not limited by the type of use and the environment of use. Units implementing the invention may be used as benches, tables, and support platforms in various environments. For example, the units may be used in a business environment, domestic environment, or any other environment.

[0048] The workbench may be construed to serve a singular purpose; for example, the top panel may be designed to receive specific tools. The workbench may serve multiple purposes, for example, by designing the top panel to receive a variety of tools. The invention is not limited by the intended purpose.

[0049] The invention is not limited by the design of the top panel, the support structure, and other parts. Any part of the workbench may be designed to support or carry work tools as needed. The top panel may be construed as a frame. The frame may comprise additional support elements or tool attachment means adapted to receive one or more mounting elements (for example, plates) for tools and other machines. The top panel may be designed as a surface having various elements that are useful for receiving various tools and hardware. The elements may be shaped as part of the design of the surface. The elements may be movable or collapsible.

[0050] The workbench was described herein as a self-supported unit, but thi smay not be so nacessarily.

[0051] For specific applications, the workbench may be supported by or connected to additional workbenches - for example, a line of workbenches placed near to each other and optionally connected to each other. The workbench may be affixed to a wall, a rail, a floor, or any other heavy or fixed element.

[0052] A method of manufacturing the parts of the top panel is also provided herein. According to an embodiment of the invention, the method includes providing a single sheet of material and one or more template guides or other manufacturing guides having guide features with a geometry and dimensions that correspond to the dimensions and geometry of the folding parts, the side wings, the wing apertures and optionally, the stiffening elements. The wings are pressed into shape, for example, by bending. According to other embodiments, the wings are attached to the folding part by bolts, rivets, or any other fastening means. According to yet other embodiments, the wings are welded to the folding parts. The wings can be added to the folding parts upon manufacturing or during use, as needed. Hinge holes or apertures are drilled or otherwise formed in the wings.

[0053] In the case of identical folding parts (as in the example of FIGURE 8b), a single template guide may be used. In the case of different folding parts (as in the example of FIGURE 8c), two template guides may be used.

[0054] According to other embodiments of the invention, the folding parts are formed by flat plates and side wings welded thereon. According to other embodiments, for example, using plastic, the various parts of the top panel and/or other parts are molded or formed using 3- dimensional printing. The invention is not limited by the method of manufacturing of the top panel and other parts of the workbench.

[0055] It will thus be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited by way of example and that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not disclosed in the prior art.