Workbenches are well known; they are used for many purposes and may vary in shape and size. If they are required to accommodate large objects for the purpose of working on them they cannot be easily transported.

Transportable work benches have been used for a long period of time.

Initially, saw horses were used by carpenters and joiners and more recently it has been known to provide transportable work benches which comprise a foldable leg structure associated with a binder platform vice. In such circumstances, it is difficult for these work benches to accommodate large articles such as removed doors, etc. Furthermore, where a temporary work bench is required for a short time period of a few days only it is not possible with such transportable work benches to readily accommodate bench tools such as grinding wheels and bench vices as desired. It will also be understood that a degree of flexibility with respect to the configuration of the work bench would be advantageous in order to allow that bench to be used in a number of different ways dependent upon operationa ! requirements.

The present invention seeks to address this problem by a workbench that is collapsible, so that it can be easily transported, and adjusts for many tasks.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a work bench comprising a swivel combination and arm members extending from spaced positions on the swivel combination to respectively present a pillar member, the arm members able to swivel about the spaced positions to selectively present the pillar members and the swivel combination including locking means to lock the arm members in the selective presentation of the pillar members to define a fan

support plane to accept a work piece and/or work platform.

Typicaliy, the swivel combination comprises two tubes secured together with a spacer member between them. Normally, the spacer member enters the tubes for greater resilience. Advantageously, the spacer member extends across the swivel combination. Typically, the spacer member enters a slot in the swivel combination. Generally, the slot is elongate to allow longitudinal movement of the swivel combination with a spacer member in place. Generally, the arms are secured upon collars to allow swivel about the spaced positions.

Preferably, the locking means comprises a locking member which extends through the swivel combination with a clamp at one end and a tightener at the other whereby the arm members are clamped by compressive tightening of the clamp with the tightener. Generally, the tightener comprises a knob upon a screw thread. Normally, the locking member includes apertures for the spacer member.

Typically, the bench includes two pillars extending upon arms from each spaced position on the swivel combination. Advantageously, the pillars provide a swivel mount for platform arms which can extend between adjacent pillars.

Further advantageously a foldable platform may be secured between the platform arm and the arm between the swivel combination and the pillar.

Generally, the fan support plane is formed upon the arms between the swivel combination and the pillars. Alternatively, the fan support plane is formed between outer pillars and the swivel combination.

Advantageously, the arms include a kink in their length to allow substantially flat folding of the work bench.

Generally, the arms secured upon the same spaced portion of the swivel combination have a stepped mounting to provide a consistent height and so

provide that the fan support plane is substantially flat.

Advantageously, the pillars include upstanding clamps to secure a work piece or a platform or both.

Possibly, the pillars include height adjustable feet to allow the work bench to present the. fan support plane substantially level.

Normally, the work bench includes a platform secured to the fan support plane. Generally, that platform is configured to accommodate bench tools or act as a table.

A framework is made from tubular or square section tubing. Four sets of legs are made to swivel on an axis around two central pillars, which have locking arrangements to secure the legs in various positions so that the operator can place and fix objects on the framework that are required to be worked on.

Although the following specification shows the frame welded together, provisions can also be made to screw it together.

The framework has facilities to fix objects in various positions for this purpose, and also fit appliances to the framework, for example a wood vice or metal vice, or other types of machinery that may be required. The corners of the framework have clamps to hold objects and the bottom of the legs are adjustable to allow the frame to sit on uneven surfaces. The frame can also be fitted with a top shaped to fit. This could also be made to fold on hinges for easy transportation with the frame.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a work bench.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the work bench depicted in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a work bench frame depicted in Figs. 1 and 2 in an unfolded or opened out state.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the work bench depicted in previous figures in a folded state.

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the frame depicted in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the frame depicted in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the frame with a vice fitted.

Fig. 8 illustrates in a plan view clamping of a house door to a work bench.

Fig. 9 is a front view illustrating a stepped mounting.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a work bench fitted with a top platform and various tool fitments.

Fig. 11 is a front perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a work bench incorporating a foldable platform.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the work bench depicted in Fig. 11 in an unfolded state.

Fig. 13 is a front view of the platform depicted in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of a work bench in a first configuration in accordance with the present invention; and, Fig. 15 is a schematic view of a work bench in a second configuration.

Fig. 1 provides a front view of a framework made of tubular steel or aluminium to form a work bench 10 in accordance with the present invention. A front section consists of two tubular pillars 11 and 12, which are connected by tubular arms 13,14, 15,16 to a swivel combination formed from tubes 27,28.

These arms 13,14, 15,16 are welded at each end 17, 18, 19 and 20, to the tubular pillars 11 and 12. The other ends of the tubular arms 13,14, 15,16 are welded to four sections of swivel tubing 21,22, 23 and 24 which can swivel upon the tubes 27,28 of the swivel combination as described later. End sections of swivel tube 21 and 22 are supported on a length of lock tubing 25, which runs down their centre of the tube 27 to allow them to swivel. Similarly, end sections of swivel tubes 23,24 are supported by the lock tubing 26, which runs down the centre of tube 28 to allow them to swivel.

The two longer sections of tube 27 and 28 which form part of the swivel combination, are also fitted over the lock tube sections 25,26 and are retained on them. Bolts 29,30 are fitted through apertures in all the tube sections 25,26, 27,28 and two spacer members 31, 32 are used to separate the two tubes 25 and 26 to form the swivel combination. Retainer nuts 33,34 are fitted to the bolts to secure the tubes 25, 26 in position.

The tube sections 27, 28 are not rigidly fixed by the bolts 29,. 30 or the two spacers 31,32 as the holes in each of. these are much larger at least in a longitudinal direction to allow for up or down movement of the lock tubes 25,26.

The nuts 33,34 and bolts 29,30 and spacers 31,32 only secure lock tubes 25, 26.

A respective boss 35,36, 37,38 is welded or fixed in some other manner into and on the end of the pillar tubes 11,12. The centre of each boss 35,36, 37, 38 is threaded to allow for two adjusting screws 39,40 which act as height adjustment feet at the bottom of the pillar tubes 11,12. Each screw 39,40 has at the bottom a locknut 200 to retain the height adjustment. These can be screwed

in or out to allow for uneven surfaces. The top bosses 36,37 allow retainer screws 41,42 to be screwed into them, and these pass through gripper plates 43,44.

At the top of pillar tubes 11,12 platform plates 45,46 are welded along with arm tubes 13,15. The platform plates 45,46 have holes in them to allow the retainer screws 41,42 to pass through. Clamp plates 47,48 are welded to the top of the lock tubes 25,26. A work piece or platform is clamped down by tightening screws 41,42 on the gripper plates 43,44, with the work piece or platform underneath sandwiched with and upon the platform plates 45,46 and the clamp plates 47, 48 allow the work piece or platform to be held level.

The bottom of lock tubes 25,26 have an internal thread to allow threaded lock rods 49,50 to be screwed into them. Locking knobs 51, 52, which are threaded centres, are screwed onto the bottom of the threaded rods 49,50.

Thus, the knobs 51,52 can be tightened such that the clamp plates 47, 48 engage one end of the swivel combination including tubes 27,28 and the knobs 51,52 at the other to retain the position of arms 13, 14, 15,16 for presentation of the pillars 11, 12.

Fig,. 2 shows.. a rear vie f the frarnework which is rrwade of-tubular steet- or aluminium to form the work bench 10. Two further tubular pillars 53,54 behind those pillars 11,12 of Fig. 1 are connected by tubular arms 55,56, 57, 58, and these are welded at each end 59,60, 61,62 to the tubular pillars 53,54. The other end of the tubular arms 55,56, 57,58 are welded to four swivel mounting plates 63,64, 65,66, which in turn have been welded to four sections of mounting tube 67,68, 69,70. These tubes 67-70 are secured on the locking tubes 25,26 between the tubes 27,28 and swivel mounting tubes 21-24 (Fig. 1).

By using the step mounting provided by plates 63-66 the arms 55,56, 57,58 are presented on the same level as the arms 13,14, 15,16 shown in Fig 1.

End sections of the mounting tubes 66,67 are supported on the length of lock tube 26, which runs down the centre of the tube 28 to allow them to swivel.

End sections of mounting tube 68,69 are supported by lock tube 25 which runs down the centre of tube 27 to allow them to swivel on it.

Similar fixings and supports as detailed in Fig. 1 are used at the top and bottom of the pillar tube sections 53,54 depicted in Fig. 2. Thus, a level orientation can be achieved and a work piece or platform clamped using gripper plates and retainer screws 78,79.

When the sections of mounting tubes 21,22, 23,24 (Fig. 1) and 67, 68, 69,70 along with tubes 27 and 28 are assembled on the lock tubes 25,26, their total length is slightly longer than tubes 25,26. This allows them to be compressed when knobs 51, 52 are tightened on the screw threads of rods 49, 50. By slackening the knobs 51, 52 it will be understood that the tubular pillars 11,12, 53,54 can be moved to various positions and then locked again in position by tightening knobs 51,52 on the screw thread of the rods 49,50.

In principle, a work bench should be as flexible as possible in terms of the potential configurations upon which a work piece or platform can be supported.

In accordance with the present invention and in particular referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that a fan support plane 90 is provided upon which work pieces and a platform can be secured as described above. This fan support plane is generally flat and comprises the arms 13,15, 55,58 which fan out from the swivel combination in order to provide trusses upon which a work piece or platform can be secured. In such circumstances as described above, the arms 13,15, 55,56 are arranged to be substantially level in order to create this substantially flat plan support plane. 90. In Fig. 3 the fan support plane 90 is again shown in broken line, but as can be seen, each of the arms 13,15, 58,55 fan out substantially perpendicular to each other in order to create other upper surface truss supports for a platform or work piece secured by the retainers 11, 12,54, 53. Similarly, in Fig. 7 the piece 75 of angle iron secured between

retainers 41,42 is supported upon fanned arms 13,15 in the fan support plane defined by those arms 13,15 as well as arms 55, 58. In Fig. 8 the door 77 essentially is retained upon a fan support plane defined by arms (not shown) beneath that door 77. The door 77 is retained by the retainers 41,42, 78,79 which should be understood emanate from the respective pillars located by the underlying arms swiveled about the swivel combination as described previously.

Fig. 10 again shows the platform 81 secured in the fan support plane defined by the arms and pillars (not shown) of a work bench framework 100. Additionally, pieces 75,84, 85 of angle iron secured between the pillars provide more robust mountings in the slots 86, 87 for tools such as a vice 90. Again, the platform 81 and pieces 75,84, 85 are all supported in the fan support plane defined by the arms and pillars above. In Figs. 11 to 13 it will again be appreciated that the fan support plane defined by the arm 320 and pillars 311, 312 in association with the swivel combination including tubes 327, 328 when deployed and unfolded allow a fan support plane to be defined upon the top edges of these elements upon which the platform 301 is supported in order to create a workbench or table.

Fig. 3 shows in plan view the pillar arms 13,15, 55,58, when the bench framework 10 is unfolded.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view-of the pillar. llar arms 13, 15, 55, 58 when the bench framework 10 is folded. Thus, the framework 10 has the knobs 51,52 (not shown) slackened to allow the framework 10 to be folded and transported. In order to facilitate substantially flat folding the tubes 55,58 have been bent slightly at a kink 71, to allow the bench framework 10 to fit closer together for transportation.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 illustrate in bottom view of the work bench framework 10 depicted in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. In Fig. 5 the lower tubular arms 14,16, 56,57, are viewed in an unfolded state whilst in Fig. 6 the bench framework 10 is folded with the knobs 51,52 slackened to allow the framework to be folded and transported.

It also shows how tubes 56,57 have been bent slightly at a kink 73,74 to allow

the framework 10 to fit closer together for such transportation.

Fig. 7 illustrates the bench framework 10 arranged to support a bench vice 76. The framework 10 is unfolded with a section of angle iron 75 presented across two pillar tubes (not shown). The vice 76 is secured to the angle iron 75 and presented for use. The angle iron 75 has two holes in it to allow the retainer screws 41,42 (Fig. 1) to secure the angle iron 75 to the pillar tubes.

Fig. 8 illustrates a bench frame in accordance with the present invention supporting a house door 77. The house door 77 is secured by the retainer screws 41,42 (Fig. 1), 78,79 (Fig. 2). The framework 10 can be turned on its side, for example to plane one edge 80 of the door 77 as required.

As indicated above, in order to properly retain and present a work piece or platform for the present framework 10, advantageously has a substantially flat support plane formed by the fanned out arms 13 to 16 in Fig. 1 and 55 to 58 in Fig. 2. To achieve this with stacked swivel mountings for arms or upon the other, it is necessary to provide a stepped mounting. Fig. 9 shows in larger perspective one stepped mounting for the arms 55-58 which are welded to the sections of swivel mounting tube that are located on tubes 25,26 (Fig. 2). All tubes 55,56, 57, 58 use the same arrangement but only ar-n 55. is shown for illustratioi1. The section of arm tube 55 is welded to an upright section of steel or aluminium plate 63, which in turn is welded to a section of swivel/mounting tube 67.

Fig. 10 shows in plan view a work top or platform 81 fitted on the top of a bench frame 100. The work top or platform 81 is fixed to the frame by two screws 82, 83, and it is also trapped between three pieces 75,84, 85 of metal angle which themselves are retained by nuts 101. These pieces 75,84, 85 also have slots 86,87 cut in them for the purpose of mounting further machinery or bench tools 90.

The work top or platform 81 has hinges 88,89 to allow it to be folded and

transported.

As indicated above, a detachable work top or platform may be utilised in accordance with a work bench to provide a surface support in the fan support plane as required. Clearly, a detachable work surface or platform may be inconvenient. Thus, as illustrated in Figs. 11 to 13, a work bench 300 may be provided which has a foldable platform 301 secured to it.

A work bench frame 300 is formed as previously with a pair of tubes 327, 328 arranged such that arms 314, 316 extend to pillar tubes 311, 312. Upper arms generally extend from respective tubes 327, 328 as a swivel combination and the pillar tubes 311,312 which splay out when displayed. However, normally with the embodiment depicted in Figs. 11 to 13 there will only be one arm and one pillar tube extending from each swivel combination tube. In such circumstances the work bench framework 300 is deployed in a similar fashion to that as described previously, that is to say there is swivel or pivot motion about the tubes 327,328 in the direction of arrowheads A such that the pillar tubes 311, 312 diverge and the platform 301 itself swivels about the top parts of the arm tubes 311, 312, 327, 328 in an upward motion in the direction of arrowhead B.

That upward motion continues until the platform 301 is substantially flat. It will be appreciated that centra ! ! y within the pfatform 301 extending from the front to the back there is a hinge to allow folding of the platform 301.

In accordance with the embodiment depicted in Figs. 11 to 13 each pillar tube 311,312 incorporates or acts as swivel mountings for their own platform arms 320. One or both pillar tubes 311, 312 may incorporate a swivel arm 320, but in any event, upon deployment each swivel arm 320 will rotate in the direction of arrowhead C in order that a support tube 321 is generally located below the platform 301 about the hinge joint between folded sections of that platform 301 or at any other appropriate location. In such circumstances, the bench framework 300 can be folded and transported relatively easily with the platform 301 readily

formed as described above.

Generally, as shown in Fig. 13, the platform 103 will be raised above arms 313,315 such that there is a pivot arrangement about the tops of the tubes 327, 328 and 311,312, whilst the support tubes 321 engage the platform as shown at positions 313 in order to provide a robust platform 31 supported at the six positions dictated by the tops of tubes 311,312, 327,328, 321. Similarly, the support tubes 321 are braced by arms 333,335 from the pillar tubes 311,312 to those support tubes 321. In such circumstances, a relatively robust cross member frame is created between the relative pairings of tubes 327, 328 with pillar tubes 311,312 and also between those pillar tubes 311,312 with the support tubes 321 through the cross members provided by the arms 313,314, 315,316, 320,333, 335.

In order to retain deployment normally the tops of support tubes 321 will be secured to the bottom of parts of the platform either with a locking member or simply by location into a receptive recess or clip to retain position despite activity upon the workbench.

As previously, ends of the tubes 336, 337, 338 will each normally be relatively adjustable in order to provide a stable workbench 300 upon an uneven surface, and also to enable deployed presentation of the platform 301 in a relatively flat orientation.

Clearly, it is necessary for the arms in accordance with the present invention to swivel about their respective tubes. Thus with regard to arms 314, 320 it will be noted that a swivel mounting 339 is provided to the swivel tube 328 of the swivel combination whilst a swivel mount 340 is provided between that arm 314 and also with regard to arm 320 at the pillar tube 311. In such circumstances, the swivel mount 340 as previously must accommodate arm movements at stepped levels in order to avoid collision and conflict when the

bench 300 is folded. In such circumstances, in reality the arms 314,320 will be secured upon mounting plates in a stepped relationship at the swivel mounting 340 to accommodate such conjunctive swivel at the spaced location on the tube 311 required for such operation. The support tube 321 incorporates a swivel mounting 341 for the end of arm 320 to allow relative positioning of that support tube 321 such that it is appropriately positioned for contact with the bottom of the platform 301 at position 330 in order to create a robust presentation of that platform 301 required for work bench or table operation. As indicated above there will normally be a locking arrangement or mechanism to retain this position and so deployment of the workbench 300.

It will be noted from the plan view depicted in Fig. 12 that advantageously the platform 301 may be arranged upon the various tubes in order that it has a substantially right angular relationship 342 to enable the workbench 300 to be located in the corner of a room as required, and so take up as little space as possible.

It will be understood that a workbench in accordance with the present invention has particular advantages with respect to temporaly worArs who require access to a workbench for a relatively short period of a few days, such as a Joiner or plumber upon a-building site to enable-manipulation of work pieces upon the workbench. As indicated above, generally previous transportable workbenches have been more suited to so called do-it-yourself activities performed by home owners with relatively small workpieces, etc. The present invention allows a more sophisticated workbench to be readily transported which can incorporate a number of professional tools such as a bench vice or height bending tool or grinding wheel, etc such that the workbench can be set up for relatively short periods as indicated of a few days by professionals on site.

Figs. 14 and 15 schematically illustrate two differing configurations of a workbench framework 400 in accordance with the present invention. Thus, in

Fig. 14 a swivel combination formed by upstanding tubes 401,402 provides at spaced locations mountings for arms 403,404, 405,406 which extends to pillars 407, 408,409, 410. The swivel combination of tubes 401,402 along with pillars 407 to 410 are each arranged to operate as described previously and particularly with respect to Figs. 1 and 2. Thus there can be height adjustment of the framework 400 as well as presentation of the arms 403 to 406 in a substantially flat plane. This substantially flat plane constitutes the fan support plane upon which a platform generally shown by broken line 411 can be supported or alternatively edge mountings can be formed between respective adjacent pillars 407 to 410 as described with respect to Fig. 7 in order to provide mountings for bench tools 412 or to secure a work piece. In such circumstances a relatively robust and lightweight workbench framework 400 can be provided which can be easily transported but which can also accommodate bench tools 412 as well as provide a relatively large work piece/platform support area.

Fig. 15 illustrates a second configuration of the workbench framework 400.

This configuration is suitable for supporting a house door 414. It would be appreciated that such house doors 414 are relatively cumbersome in terms of work pieces, but nevertheless are quite common items upon which work must be performed. In the configuration depicted in Fig. 15 the swivel combination comprising tubes 401, 402-is arranged such that the-arms 403, 404 ; 45, 406 are locked in the position shown such that pillars 408,409 act as feet for the workbench 400 appropriately spaced for robust presentation of the work bench upon a ground surface 415. The arms 403,406 in association with pillars 407, 410 along with the swivel combination in the form of tubes 401, 402 provides a fan support plane upon which the door 414 is supported. It will be understood that the arms 403,406 will generally be in tandom with further arms which extend from different spaced positions upon the swivel combination comprising tubes 401,402 such that all these arms along with pillars 407,410 and the swivel combination constitute truss supports in the fan support plane upon which the door 414 is appropriately supported for work. It will be understood that clamps

416 then engage the arms 403,406 and a top surface of the door 414 in compressive engagement to retain such positioning during work operations, In such circumstances a relatively long and wide fan support plane is provided for a large cumbersome item such as door 414 using the same work bench framework 400 as that described with respect to Fig. 14 and the whole is readily transportable. It will also be understood that the support plane defined by the arms 403,406, pillars 407,410 may also allow the door to be presented on its edge, that is to say with the frame 400 on its side with all its arms on that side in contact with the ground 414 in order to present an edge of the door 414 for planing, etc.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings, whether of not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.