AND EQUIPMENT

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to portable work stations and associated assemblies and more particularly relates to improvements such work stations. The invention further relates to portable work stands of the type which include opposing clamps or jaws for gripping articles. More particularly the invention relates to improvements in the opposing clamps and to an attachment assembly which is capable of engaging clamping jaw supports on the work stand. The invention is applicable to work stands used in domestic, industrial and other applications. The invention further relates to an assembly attachable to a portable work stand and which enables a user to attach a variety of tools and implements to the portable stand thereby providing increased user versatility and choice.

PRIOR ART

The prior art is replete with a number of different portable work stands. Portable work stands of various types have been inexistence for at least 20 years. Once popular variety of work stand comprises four ground engaging legs which support a work station which has a platform which is adjustable by a worm screw winder to enable gripping of articles by the platform to enable the user to work on timber and other items.

Another known portable work station is disclosed in United States patent No. 4583724 and comprises a multiple-purpose vice for wood working. The device includes a lead screw and two guide bars slidingly defined by two bench clamps on a bench, two center-rest clamping jaws mounted on two jaw bases slidingly inserted with the lead screw and the two guide bars for clamping flat-surface work piece. Two universal clamping jaws are rotatably mounted on the jaw bases for clamping irregular-shaped work pieces and an outside-span clamping base clamped on the bench beyond the span between the two bench clamps for clamping larger work pieces not able to be clamped within the span of two bench clamps. Another versatile workbench is disclosed in CA 1265181 has a frame including splayed tripod legs and further including a pair of horizontally disposed parallel guide rails. A movable jaw is carried on a threaded rod disposed between the guide rails. The movable jaw cooperates with a fixed jaw on the frame for clamping a work piece therebetween. The jaws have respective faces provided with threaded recesses. A plurality of support rods may be removably received in the threaded recesses. A pair of clamps may be removably secured to a respective support rod, and a screw threaded means is carried by one of the clamps for moving the clamps towards and away from one another. With this overall arrangement, variously shaped work pieces may be clamped within the workbench. None of the above work stations have a clamp arrangement in which one of the clamps can be incrementally adjusted along a support arm to adjust as required, the distance of travel between clamp jaws. There is a need to provide improvements in the known work stations to increase versatility and to provide more options for users.

INVENTION

This invention provides improvements in portable work stands of the type which include legs and a work platform on which a user can perform tasks such as but not limited to cutting planning sawing dripping routing, sanding and other functions. More particularly the invention provides a clamp assembly in which the home position of one clamp can be reset to increase or decrease the distance of travel of the moving clamp. The invention further provides an assembly attachable to a portable work bench and which enables a user to attach a variety of tools and implements to the portable stand thereby providing increased user versatility and choice. The invention is applicable to work stands used in domestic, industrial and other applications. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to its application to a portable work stands of the type having four ground engaging legs supporting a work station but it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that application and may be adapted to alternative stands. In one broad form the present invention comprises: a portable work stand comprising at least one ground engaging support member, a work station supported by the at least one support member, a clamp assembly mounted at the work station and comprising opposing clamping elements at least one of which is slidable along mounting members to enable advance and retraction of at least one said clamp elements to enable clamping of an article disposed between the clamping elements; wherein the clamping assembly further comprises means to enable one of said clamping elements to be incrementally adjusted and re set on the mounting members to enable an increase or decrease in the travel distance between the clamp elements depending upon the setting of the incrementally adjustable clamp element.

Preferably each of said the support members is a ground engaging leg which supports the work station. According to a preferred embodiment the mounting members which receive and support the clamping elements are elongated spaced apart rods or rails at least one of which includes incrementally spaced openings which selectively receive and retain a locking member which enables a user to lock one of the clamping elements against a supporting rail at a selected location therealong, thereby allowing an increase or decrease in the distance of travel between a fixed clamping element and a moveable element. The advantage of this arrangement is to decrease the amount of mechanical action required to advance and retract one of the clamping elements relative to a fixed element. If a large article is to be clamped, the adjustable fixed clamp can be set so the distance is wide enough to accommodate it but ensuring that the moveable clamp has a smallest distance to travel. If a small article is to be clamped, the adjustable clamp element can be re set to minimise the travel of the moveable clamp element relative to the fixed clamp.

In another broad form the present invention comprises: a portable work stand comprising at least one ground engaging support member, a work station supported by the at least one support member, a clamp assembly mounted at the work station and comprising opposing clamping elements at least one of which is slidable along mounting members to enable advance and retraction of at least one said clamp elements to enable clamping of an article disposed between the clamping elements; the work stand further comprising; a support assembly which enables detachable attachment to and from the work stand of a tool, device or implement so that the work station can be used for at least one function other than clamping.

Preferably the support assembly comprises at least one support arm including an engaging member which engages the mounting members for the clamp elements. According to a preferred embodiment the clamping assembly further comprises means to enable one of said clamping elements to be incrementally adjusted and re set on the mounting members to enable an increase or decrease in the travel distance between the clamp elements depending upon the setting of the incrementally adjustable clamp element.

The present invention provides an alternative to the known prior art and the shortcomings identified. The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying representations, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying illustrations, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to a metal section in the present exemplary application. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention may be constructed from other materials. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail according to a preferred but non limiting embodiment and with reference to the accompanying illustrations.

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a work bench including adjustable clamp elements and an attachment assembly according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of an attachment arm according to a preferred embodiment.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a portable work stand with opposing clamps and support rails.

Figure 4 shows the portable work stand of figure 3 with attachments arms mounted on the rails supporting a mitre saw.

Figure 5 shows the work stand of figure 3 with a work bench mounted thereon.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a portable work stand according to an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention to be described below according to a preferred embodiment provides an alternative to the known portable work stands.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to its application to a portable work stand having rails along which clamping elements of a clamping assembly may extend and which receive an attachment assembly but it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that application and may be adapted to alternative constructions. Referring to figure 1 there is shown an exploded view of a portable support stand 1 comprising support leg assemblies 2 and 3 which receive and retain thereon a stand skirt 4. Leg assembly 2 includes legs 5 and 6 secured by leg brace 7. Leg assembly 3 includes legs 8 and 9 secured by leg brace 10. Each leg includes a foot 11. Leg brace 10 is secured by a hex nut 12 and washer 13. Skirt 4 engages bridging member 14. Bridging member 14 receives and retains skirt 15. Work stand 1 further comprises a power board assembly 16 which is fastened via screws 17 to skirt 4. An optional wheel assembly 18 is secured to skirt 15. Wheel assembly 18 comprises a pair of wheels 19 and 20 mounted on wheel bracket 21 which engages axles 22 and 23. The wheel assembly 18 is secured by lock washer 24 and fastening screw 25. Associated with bridging member 14 is a first material support assembly 26 including a support rail 27 and upright 28 which are mutually engaged. At opposite end of bridging member 14 is a second material support assembly 30 including a support rail 31 and upright 32 which are mutually engaged via a locking nut 33. Assembly 30 has a T support 34, roller 35 and material stop 36. A decoration board 37 locates on bridging member 14. Located on bridging member 14 at end 40 is an abutment support 41. At opposite end 42 is an abutment support 43. Abutments 41 and 43 receive and retain slide rails 44 and 45. Mounted on rails 44 and 45 are respective opposing jaws 46 and 47 which are associated with respective clamps 48 and 49. Clamp 48 is adjustable along rails 44 and 45 by selecting an opening from a plurality of incremental openings along rail 45. Clamp 48 receives locking pin 50 which retains clamp 48. Locking pin 50 engages a selected opening 51 in rail 45 which enables selection of a distance between clamps 48 and 49 so as to minimise as required the distance that clamp 49 would have to travel in the direction of clamp 48 to clamp an article ( not shown) between jaws 46 and 47. Opening 51 is one of a series of openings along rail 44 which allows adjustment of clamp 48 which is secured to rail 44 via fastening assembly 52. Also mounted on rails 44 and 45 are spaced apart mounting arms 60 and 61. Arm 60 has a recess 62 which includes a formation 63 which is adapted to allow conformity between the mounting arm 60 and rails 44 and 45. Arm 60 is locked against rails 44 and 45 using locking handle 64 which engages a locking rubber 66. Arm 60 also receives mounting spring 67 which co operates with locking handle 64 to provide a positive engagement with rails 44 and 45. Arm 61 is similarly attached to rails 44 and 45. An enlarged view of an attachment of a support arm is shown in figure 2. Once arms 60 and 61 are mounted and locked on rails 44 and 45, a work tool or other implement may be connected to arms 60 and 61.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of an attachment arm 70 according to a preferred embodiment. Arm 70 has a recess 71 which includes a formation 72 which is adapted to allow conformity between the mounting arm 70 and rails of a work stand. Arm 70 is locked against rails 75 and 76 ( not shown) using locking handle 73 which engages a locking rubber 74. Arm 70 also receives mounting spring ( concealed) which co operates with locking handle 73 to provide a positive engagement with rails guide rails 75 and 76.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a portable work stand 80 having a work station 81 which includes opposing clamps 82 and 83 mounted to support rails 75 and 76. Work station 81 is mounted on leg assemblies 84 and 85. The distance between clamps 82 and 83 is adjustable by rotation of arm 86

Figure 4 shows the portable work stand 80 of figure 3 with attachment arms 87 and 88 mounted on the rails 75 and 76 and supporting a mitre saw 89. Located on bridging member 90 at end 91 is an abutment support 92. At opposite end 93 is an abutment support 94. Abutments 92 and 94 respectively receive and are retained by slide rails 95 and 96 which enable support of timber 97 for cutting by mitre saw 89.

Figure 5 shows with corresponding numbering, the work stand of figure 3 with a work bench 100 mounted thereon.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a portable work stand 110 according to an alternative embodiment. Stand 110 comprises support leg assemblies 111 and 112. Leg assembly 111 comprises legs 113 and 114 which are retained by skirt 115. Likewise leg assembly 112 comprises legs 116 and 117 which are retained by skirt 118. Spanning between skirts 115 and 118 is bridging member 119. Associated with bridging member 119 are mounting rods 120 and 121 which retain thereon clamping elements 122 and 123. Clamping element 122 is fixed and clampmg element 123 is moveable along rods 120 and 121. Rod 120 has space there along openings 124. Knob 125 allows selective adjustment of clamping element 123 so that the distance between clampmg elements 122 and 123 for clamping objects of different sizes. Rod 120 and 121 have connected at one end is a first material support assembly 126 including a support rail 127 and upright 128 which are mutually engaged. At opposite end of rods 120 and 121 is a second material support assembly 129 including a support rail 130 and upright 131.

Also mounted on rods 120 and 121 are spaced apart transverse mounting arms 132 and 133. Arm 132 has a recess 134 which includes a formation 135 which is adapted to allow conformity between the mounting arm 132 and rods 120 and 121. Arm 132 is locked against rods 120 and 121 using locking handle 136 which engages a locking rubber 137. Arm 132 also receives mounting spring 138 which co operates with locking handle 136 to provide a positive engagement with rods 120 121. Arm 133 is similarly attached to rods 120 and 121. An enlarged view of an attachment of a support arm 132 is shown in figure 2. Once arms 132 and 133 are mounted and locked on rods 120 and 121, a work tool or other implement may be connected to a platform mounted on arms 132 and 133. Sand 110 also includes a foot operated pedal 140. Pedal 140 allows a user to activate clamping while holding an article to be claimed. Rollers 141 and 142 allow a user to support a member spanning between the rollers.

The assembly hereinbefore described has wide versatility in comparison to the prior art work stands. In particular, opposing clamps can slide along rails to adjust the distance between clamps to accommodate a variety of materials and elements of different sizes. To reduce the amount of travel of one clamp relative to the other clamp, as shown in figure 1 clamp 48 can be selectively adjusted along rail 44 by removal and resetting in an alternative opening along rail 44 of fastening assembly 52. This can fix clamp 48 closer to clamp 49 so clamping articles requires less turning of arm 86 ( see figure 3). It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modification may be made to the invention broadly described herein with out departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention.