Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Field of the Invention
! The present invention relates to workpiece supporting
and clamping devices. More particularl~, the present in-
vention pertains to workpiece supporting and clamping
devices which are mountable on a vertical support surface
and wherein the workpiece supporting and clamping devices
are adjustable between substantially vertical and horizontal
positions.
li Background of the Invention
,!
Workbenches of the type having a workpiece clampin~
device as part of its basic structure, as taught in U.S.
Patent No. 3,615,087, dated Oct. 26, 1971 to R. P. Hickman,
l,l have enjoyed substantial economic success. Workbenches of
, this variety generally include a pair of coplanar top
-bers, one a stationary member, the other top member being
adjustable toward and away from the first member by means of
;independently actuable screw type clamping devices which
, permit angular adjustment of the moveable member, relative
to the fixed member to permit secure clamping of tapered
workpieces.
~he workbenches of this type known in the prior art are
generally bench top structures, adapted to be emplaced on a
,table or bench top, or comprise standing units which may be
Illprovided with foldable support structures. However, both
^~1et~es of workbenches require substantial storage space.
7~ited work areas, the table top workbenches must be
p -ally ~v~d and anv work in progress disturbed in order
I to clé~ th~ w~ktable or bench for other uses. Similarly
1I standifl~ kb~ches require substantial amounts of space
liand disa~emk~ ~a~ be time-consuming and difficult.
Il i
' i
.. _ .. __. - ... ...
1 11~1~28~i
.
In general, while a great variety of hinge mechanisms ~or
pivoted surfaces have been used in the past, they have been
inlendeo for light duty uses or else have been supported by
additional elements such as leg structures. Many such devices
are not exposed to events which might cause accidental collapse
or, if collapse does occur, the likely results are not of
serious concern. For these various reasons, the hinge
assemblies known in the prior art have generally been
relatively light in construction. Those devices which have, in
some instances, been of stronger construction are often very
complicated or use supplementary supports such as legs or
overhead hangers which are not always desirable.
The present invention overcomes these difficulties in the
prior art by providing a workpiece supporting and clamping
device which is adapted to be wall-mounted to provide rigid,
stable and sturdy support for heavy duty work and tools without
use of complicated structures or supplementary supports, and to
store in a space-saving, generally vertical position adjacent
the wall. In this manner, the present invention provides a
workbench which requires neither table space nor floor space
or use or storage and which may be stored compactly without
disassembly or substantial physical effort.
I
il ~
286
SUMMA~Y OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a
workpiece supporting and clamping assembly particularly adapted
to be mounted on a wall or similar support structure and
comprising a workp~ece supporting and clamping device, mounting
bracl<ets and a pair of parallel, spaced apart hinge assemblies,
, each hinge assembly having a dual locking means and a release
1 lever associated therewith.
The w~rkpiece ~orting and clamplng device hereof is preferably a
workbench device of the type which comprises a generally rigid
base frame having a pair of elongated, coplanar top members
which are mounted generally transversely across the spaced
apart frame members. In this configuration, the upper surfaces
of the top members define a work support surface and their
opposing, side surfaces define workpiece clamping surfaces. A
first top member is fixedly mounted to the frame and the second
top member is ad~ustably mounted and is movable toward and away
from the first member by means of independently actuable
screw-type devices which permit angular ad~ustment of the
movable member, relative to the fixed member to provide secure
clamping of tapered or irregularly shaped workpieces.
The workbench device is pivotally mounted at a first end
thereof to a pair of mounting brackets by which means the
workbench is mounted on a wall or similar support structure.
A particular feature of the invention is a uniquely rigid
and stable hinge assembly whereby the workbench may be
-4-
8ti
locked securely and rigidly in its extended, working position.
Once locked into working position, generally perpendicular to
the wall, the workbench will not collapse under a substantial
weight or pressure exerted by a worker, and cannot be collapsed
accidentally by inadvertent jarring of the hinge mechanism.
Once locked into working position, the workbench can be
returned to its storage position only by release of both hinge
assemblies by means of their respective release levers.
The hinge assemblies are pivotally coupled at a first end
thereof with the mounting brackets at a point thereon remote
from that at which the workbench is mounted, and, at a second
end thereof, are pivotally coupled with the workbench at
positions remote and equally spaced from the points at which
the workbench is mounted to the brackets. Each hinge assembly
is provided with an over-center locking means and a
self-actuating locking means which retain the workbench rigidly
in its working position, and which are released by means of
release levers associated therewith. Once in its working
position, the workbench may be lowered to its storage position
only by collapse of both hinge assemblies by actuation of their
respective release levers. The locking means hereof precludes
collapse of the hinge mechanism by jarring of the hinges and
each hinge mechanism has sufficient rigidity to retain the
workbench securely in working position alone, if the other
hinge assembly is released.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide
a work supporting and clamping assembly which is wall mounted,
requires little storage space and which may be set up in
working position and returned to its storage position without
inconvenience or physical exertion.
I, 11bi828t~` ``
It is a further object of the present invention to
provide a wall mounted work supporting and clamping device
which is rigidly supported, which locks securely into
working position, and which is not susceptible to accidental
, collapse under substantial weight, pressure, or inadvertent
jarrinq.
It is a further object of the present invention to
provide a sturdy, stable and rigidly braced workbench,
amenable to heavy duty work, which is vertically suspended
,l and does not require the placement of legs or other obstruc-
tions beneath the work area.
It is still a further object of the present invention
to provide a wall mounted work supporting and clamping
device with novel, locking hinge assemblies which permits
the device to be stored in place on the wall, substantially
vertically, adjacent thereto.
It is still a further object of the present invention
" to provide a vertically suspended workbench with novel,
locking hinge assemblies, each assembly being independently
2n operable to lock the device securely in its working position,
~ that the assembly will not collapse even upon the
.a~vertent jarring or release of one hinge assembly, and
each assembly having a release lever associated therewith so
'~ that only by actuation of both levers may the device be
~Icoll~psed to storage position.
Additional objects and advantages of the present
inventlon wi~l become apparent when the following description
ilof the p~eferred embodiment is read in conjunction with the
Idraw~g in which:
--6--
!1 ~16~28~`
1l! Description of the Drawings
I ~
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of
1 the work supporting and clamping assembly hereof
1l in its working position;
i F'IG. 2 is a top plan view hereof;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the locking means and release
lever hereof;
Ii FIG. 4 is a side view hereof;
~ll FIG. 5 is a side view of the assembly hereof, released
I from working position;
, FIG. 6 is a side view hereof in storage position;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view hereof taken along line 7-7
Il of FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a side view of the locking means and release lever
hereof in locking position;
. 9 is a sideview of the locking means and release lever
hereof in release position.
!
,'. I
Il ~7-
11~8Z86
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Now and with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, there is denoted
generally at 10 a work supporting and clamping assembly. The
assembly 10 comprises a work supporting and clamping device or
workbench indicated generally at 12, mounting brackets 14, and
a pair of parallel hinge assemblies 16.
The workbench 12 of the preferred embodiment comprises a
rigid, base frame 18, defined by a pair of spaced apart channel
members 20. The channel members 20 are constructed from a
relatively heavy gauge sheet metal or similar material in order
to provide a strong and durable frame that is not susceptible
to distortion under stress. The workbench 12 further comprises
a pair of elongated, coplanar top members 22, 24 which are
mounted across and generally transverse to said channel
members 20. The top members 22, 24 may preferably be somewhat
longer than the distance between the channel members 20 and may
extend a short distance on either side thereof. Normally, the
top members 22, 24 are coextensive.
The coplanar top members 22, 24 may comprise laminated
wood beams or planks formed from a similar, suitable material
and preferably have relatively broad, rectangular top planar
surfaces which define table-like working surfaces. The top
members 22, 24 further define a pair of opposed clamping ~aws,
the first member 22 being a stationary ~aw, fixedly mounted to
the channel members 20 and the second member 24 being an
-8-
`, 11~i82~i
adjustable jaw, movably mounted on the channel members 20 for
movement toward and away from the stationary jaw member 22.
The opposing side portions 26, 28 respectively, of the top
members 22, 24, define the clamping surfaces between which a
workpiece may be secured. Excellent results are achieved where
the opposing, clamping surfaces 26, 28 are provided with
longitudinally extending, V-shaped channels 30, 32
respectively, therein to facilitate secure gripping of articles
having concave surfaces, such as pipes and the like,
¦i therebetween. To facilitate clamping of irregularly shaped
workpieces not susceptible to clamping between the clamping
sufaces and channels hereinabove described, the top members 22,
24 may further be provided with a plurality of apertures 34,
preferably spaced apart on the two surfaces, forming a
mirror-symmetrical array therebetween, extending therethrough,
substantially perpendicular to the work surfaces. The
apertures are configured to securely receive clamping pegs (not
shown) or similar, workpiece engaging supports.
The movable jaw 24 is moved toward and away from the
stationary member 22 by means of two screw actuated clamping
means 36, each of which is independently actuable to move its
respective end of the movable jaw toward or away from the
stationary member. As best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, each channel
member 20 has an integral, rectangular, box beam type
construction defined by a pair of parallel side walls 38, 40
connected by a bight portion 42 extending therebetween. Each
bight portion 42 is provided with a longitudinally extending
cut out portion 44 for receiving the clamping means 36
I therethrough. Each channel member 20 is further provided with
an end piece 48 which encloses the end of the channel members
nroxlmate the stationary member 22.
With particular reference to Fig. 8, the clamping means 36
are mounted to the lower surface of the movable member 24 by
any suitably secure mounting means such as screws 37, and
extend down into the channel members 20 through the cut out
portions 44. Each clamping means comprises a support
structure 50 and an internally threaded, tubular member 52.
~ The movement of the top member 24 is effected by means of
' threaded shafts 54 which extend longitudinally through the
channel members 20 and, through the end pieces 50. Each
shaft 54 is provided with a crank 56 which is operable by
manual rotation to turn the shaft. The shafts 54 are
dimensioned to fit telescopingly within the tubular members 52
of the clamping means 36 and the threading of the shafts 54 is
complementary to and interengageable with that of the tubular
members 52 such that rotation of the shafts 54 in a clockwise
or counterclockwise direction by means of the cranks 56 will
cause the clamping means, along with the movable top member 24
mounted thereto, to ride along the threaded shafts 54 thereby
selectively moving the top member 24 toward or away from the
stationary member 22 to effect the clamping or release of a
workpiece therebetween.
It is to be appreciated that each clamping means 36 is
independently actuable and that rotation of only one crank 56
will effect angular movement of the movable member 24 relative
to the stationary member. Each clamping means is adapted to
; permit each end of the movable top member 24 mounted thereon
.
-10-
28~i
to pivot with respect to the other end, and is configured to
permit sufficient latitude in movement for said clamping means
to converge and diverge in accordance with the pivotal, angul%r
movement of said movable member.
5 ; This capacity for angular adjustment is particularly
advantageous in circumstances wherein it is desired to clamp a
tapered workpiece in that it permits rigid abutting engagement
between the clamping surfaces and areas of the workpiece having
sloping sides. Moreover, said capacity for angular adjustment
enables workpieces clamped at positions proximate the ends of
the top members to be held more securely by angular adjustment
of the movable member 24 to reinforce the clamping grip thereon.
The workbench 12 is mounted on a wall or similar,
substantially vertical support structure by means of the
mounting brackets 14. Each mounting bracket 14 comprises a
downwardly extend$ng base member 57 including a first,
substantially vertical portion 58 having a width slightly
smaller than that of the frame channel members 20 and an
integral, outwardly directed extension 60 which preferably
2 tends from its associated vertical portion 58 along a
substantial portion of the length thereof. Each extension 60
is provided with mounting apertures 62 which may comprise
substantially horizontal slots adapted to receive mounting
hardware such as screws 64 therethrough.
The brackets 14 hereof are formed from high gauge metal to
insure adequate strength and durability. Each downwardly
extending base member 57 has an integral, upstanding wall 66
formed about its perimeter and mounting means, comprising a
,, pair of integrally formed, opposing tabs 68 formed
-11-
28~
at the upp~r portions thereof. The pairs of mounting tabs
68 are parallel and are generally perpendicular to their
respective base members 57, and are thus dimensioned to
'i extend into their respective frame channel member 20. The
mounting tabs 68 and the sidewalls 38, 40 of their respective
frame channel members 20 are each provided with an aperture,
(not shown) said apertures being deployed such that they
will be brought into alignment when the mounting tabs 68
¦¦ are emplaced within the frame channel members, in accordance
I herewith. The aligned apertures of each channel member 20,
; and associated mounting tabs 68 are adapted to receive a
roll pin 70 therethrough to form a joint indicated generally
, at 72 between the bracket 14 and the frame to effect a
strong, pivotal interconnection therebetween.
When the workbench 12 is in its vertical, storage posi-
tion, the pivotal joint 72 will be open and the roll pin 70
expo~ed due to the open end of the channel frame member 20.
Accordingly, to prevent foreign objects or an operator's
l~ fingers from entering the joint and being caught therein, a
shield 74 is provided to enclose the open joint. The shield
74 hereof comprises a molded member which may be formed from
plastic or other suitably durable materials and which is di-
men~loned and curved to traverse the open area between the
I channel frame member and the mounting bracket 14 when the
Iworkben¢h 1~ i~ in its horizontal, working position as well
as when i~ ~s vertical, storage position. The molded
jshield me~ber 14 further comprises downwardly depending,
resilie~t~ 1d~klng key holes 76 adapted to engage the roll
¦ pin 70 to` ~r~V~e means for mounting the shield thereon. If
¦¦ desired, ~e s;~eld 74 may c~,1prise metal strips or other
. .
,
Il =12_
11~ 8~ 1
materials or configurations adaptable to this function.
It is to be appreciated that the outward extension 60 of
the bracket 14 forms a curve radius with the associated,
vertically extending portion 58 sufficiently removed from the
mounting tab 68 to permit the respective, pivotally connected
frame channel members to be pivoted about the axis defined by
the roll pins and to be brought into substantially vertical
position adjacent said vertically extending portions 58.
The mounting brackets 14 are further provided, at a point
remote from said pairs of mounting tabs 68, with integrally
formed lower mounting tabs 78 which are deployed on the outer
sides of the brackets 14 below the outward extensions 60,
perpendicular to the base members 57. Each lower mounting
tab 78 is adapted to mount an associated hinge assembly 16
hereof and to provide a pivotal interconnection between said
hinge assembly 16 and bracket 14.
As best seen in Figs. 4-6 and 8, the hinge assemblies 16
hereof are identical and disposed in parallel planes. For
simplicity, only one hinge assembly will be described.
2~ Each hinge assembly has a first, upper end 80, which is
pivotally interconnected with a frame channel member 20, and a
second lower end 82 pivotally interconnected with the mounting
bracket 14 to which its associated channel member 20 is
mounted. Each hinge assembly 16 comprises an upper arm 84 and
a lower arm 86, the lengths of the arms being selectively
determined such that the diagonally extended hinge assembly
defines the hypotenuse of the right triangle defined by the
channel member 20 and the bracket 14. Each hinge assembly 16
has a bracing means, herein a weld pin and sleeve assembly 110,
328~
associated therewith which limits the movement of the extended
hinge assembly past the center position in which it defines the
hypotenuse of the said right angle. In this manner when fully
extended to a position slightly past center, the bracing means
will support the assembly rigidly in position to provide a
rigidly supportive, over-center lock for the workbench 12.
Thus, the hinge assemblies are dimensioned to support the
workbench 12 rigidly in its work position, perpendicular to the
mounting bracket by means of an "over-center lock" indicated
generally at 89 and, moreover, to collapse to permit the
workbench 12 to be brought into a substantially vertical
position, adjacent the brackets 14 for storage.
The upper and lower hinge arms 84, 86 are constructed from
metal of suitably heavy gauge. The upper hinge arms 84
comprise integrally formed, generally U-shaped, channel members
haviny upstanding wall portions 90 interconnected by a bight
member 92. The upper hinge arm 84 is pivotally connected to
its associated frame channel member 20 by means of a rivet 94
or other suitable mounting means, extending through
: complementary, aligned apertures (now shown) provided in the
frame channel members and upper hinge arms.
_ ,.
-14-
i8Z86 ~
he lower hinge ~ 86 comprise integrally formed,
generally U-shaped channel members having upstanding wall
'I portions 96 interconnected by bight portion 98. The upper
and lower hinge arms 84, 86 are pivotally interconnected,
each arm being provided with an aperture (not shown) through
; its bight portion, the apertures on the upper arm 84 being
Il positioned to be brought into alignment with the aperture on
il its associated lower arm, said apertures receiving coupling
l means such as rivets 102 therethrough to effect a pivotal
1 interconnection therebetween.
It is to be appreciated that each hinge assembly 16 is
of sufficient strength and rigidity, due to its material,
composition and configuration, to maintain the workbench 12
in its perpendicular, working position alone, independent of
the condition of the other hinge assembly. The over-center
locking configuration of the hinge assemblies 16 defines a
first locking means for providing said rigid independent
support. Moreover, each hinge assembly is provided with
econd locking means, which coact with means provided on
~, a~sociated release levers 106 to provide a self-actuating
lock mechanism, indicated generally at 104 to prevent
j accidental release of the over-center locked hinge assembly
! by jarring or similar events.
~'l As best seen in Figs. 8 and 9, each upper hinge arm 84
!1 is provided with a locking pin 108, proximate the upper end
thereof. Eaah locking pin extends perpendicularly from its
l! hinge ar~ ~4 and may be integrally formed therewith or
I mounte~ i~ an aperture prov~ded in the hinge arm and affixed
~I by such ~eafl3 a~ spot welding.
Each rele~s~ leve~ l~C ls pivotally mounted to its
~l -15-
il
8~
associated frame member 20 by pivotal mounting means, herein
the weld pin and sleeve assembly 110, extending through
complementary aligned apertures (not shown) provided therein.
Each lever 106 comprises a first, sidewall portion 112,
extending in a plane generally parallel to the plane of its
associated hinge assembly, and a second, upper member 114 which
extends out from the first portion 112 and is generally
perpendicular thereto. It is intended that the upper
portion 114 define a handgrasp, accessible from the front or
10 ~ sides of the workbench 12 to lift the lever 106, pivotally
about the axis defined by the weld pin and sleeve assembly 110.
Each release lever is further provided with a protrusion
such as a bent back tab 116, as best seen in Fig. 5, which tab
may be formed integrally with or welded to the sidewall
portion 112 of the lever 106. Each release tab 116 is
positioned to urge against its associated upper hinge arm 84
when the release lever 106 is pivotally lifted to bring the
associated hinge assembly out of its over-center locking
position and, thereby, to allow the hinge assembly to be
collapsed and the workbench 12 lowered, as will be explained
more fully hereinbelow.
The sidewall portion 112 of the lever 106 is further
provided with a latching slot 118. The latching slot 118 is
positioned in alignment with the locking pin 108 and is
configured to receive same. More particularly, the latching
slot hereof is generally tapered having a wide mouth cam
surface 120 and terminating in a narrowed, irregularly shaped
locking portion 122. Locking portion 122 is positioned to
receive locking pin 108, and is provided with an inwardly
il~;it3286
extending locking shoulder 124.
It is to be appreciated that the locking pin 108 extends
transversely of the lever sidewalls 112 and so limits the
downward path of the release levers 106.
As the hinge assembly 16 is extended, the locking pin 108
enters into the latching slots 116, following the cam
surface 120, and is received into the locking portion 122
thereof. The locking pin 108, positioned within the locking
portion 122, supports the release lever 106 which rests thereon
and is, in turn, supported in position by the shoulder 124
which extends partially therebeneath about the forward portion
thereof. Thus, the locking pin 108 is locked rigidly within
the locking portion 122 by means of the shoulder 124 which
extends therebeneath to provide said self-actuating locking
mechanism 104; inadvertent jarring of the hinge assembly 16 or
simila~ events will not free the locking pin as collapsing,
pivotal movement of the upper hinge arm 84 will merely urge
said locking pin 108 downward into a more rigid engagement with
the shoulder 124 extending therebeneath.
Release of said self-actuating lock 104 of hinge
assembly 16 is achieved by lifting the associated release
lever 106. When lifted, the release lever pivots upwardly
about the axis defined by its weld pin and sleeve
ssembly 110. This pivotal movement causes the shoulder 124 of
the locking portion 122 of the latching slot 118 to be urged
around and lifted clear of its associated locking pin 108 to
free same for downward movement, thereby permitting the hinge
assembly 16 to be collapsed.
The rigidity of the self-actuating lock 104 hereof is
-17-
~6~'?86
further augmented by providing spring means 126 for urging the
release lever 106 into its generally horizontal, locked
position, bearing against the locking pin 108. The spring
means 126 may comprise a wire spring, extending along the
release lever and along and through the associated channel
frame member, and is configured to urge the release lever 106
against the locking pin 10!3. In this manner, the spring 126
acts to oppose lifting of the release lever 106 and so requires
directed action to effect said lifting, thereby to prevent
inadvertent, accidental release of the locked hinge assembly.
The upward, pivotal movement of the release lever 106
brings its release tab 116 into abutment with its associated
upper hinge arm 84. As each lever 106 is raised, the release
tab 116 urges against the upper hinge arm 84 causing said arm
to pivot about its weld pin and sleeve assembly connection with
its respectlve frame member 20. This pivotal movement of the
upper arm 84 causes the upper arm to pivot about its
interconnection with its lower arm. Accordingly, the hinge
sembly 16 knees up at the connection between the upper and
~er arms, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and the hinge assembly
is brought out of its over-center, locking position and through
the center position, thus permitting the workbench 12 to be
lowered.
However, if either hinge assembly is locked, collapse of
the workbench in accordance herewith is precluded even though
the other hinge assembly may be unlocked. Therefore, to effect
collapse of the hinge assemblies and lowering of the workbench,
both assemblies must be released and lowered by means of
Il release lever 106.
-18-
Z86
.
Moreover, it is to be noted that release of both the
over-center lock 89 and the self-actuating locking means 104
' is achieved by action of the release lever lQ6. In this
manner, the workbench 12 may be lowered to its storage
position easily and conveniently, by grasping the hand
jl grasps 114 of the release levers 106 and lifting both levers
¦! 106 up to release the self-actuating locks 104 and the over-
center locks 89 of their respective hinge assemblies, and
then allowing the workbench 12 to return under gravity to
!1 its substantially vertical position. When grasping the
release levers, an operator will further be in an excellent
position wherein his hands will be safely removed from the
collapsing hinge assemblies and wherein he can control the
lowering of the workbench under gravity.
When collapsed in accordance herewith, the workbench 12
i5 brought into a generaliy vertical position, as shown in
FIG. 6, closely adjacent the mounting brackets 14. In this
position, the workbench 12 may be easily and conveniently
st~re~ requiring no floor or table space. When it is desired
'I to use the workbench, 12, the workbench may be brought into
~1 its working position simply by raising the forward portion
¦I thereof until the workbench is substantially perpendicular
jl to the mounting brackets and the hinges, fully extended and
locke~ ~er center.
~ hë vertically mounted worXbench hereof provides a
¦I sturdy w~r~pl~ce supporting and clamping device which requires
i no floo~ ~r t~ble space for use or for storage. Many modifica-
l'l tions and a~ ti~n~ of the preferred embodiment described
!i hereina~ W ë ~ bè i~plem~nted, al} falling within the scope
` of ~h8 a~&~e~ claims.
--19--
