US3434436A - Collapsible workbench - Google Patents

Description

March 25, 1969 AIJ. SOLO 3,434,436

COLLAPSIBLE WORKBENCH Filed Jan. 20, 1967 Sheet March 25, 1969 A. J. SOLO 3,434,436

COLLAPSIBLE WORKBENCH I Filed Jan. 20, 1967 Sheet 2 of 2 F/Gi IN VEN TOR. 4114/ 5M0 fTaeA/E 45 United States Patent U.S. Cl. 108-128 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention and this disclosure are directed to a new and improved type work bench particularly useful for apartments and small homes which do not have sufiicient space available to accommodate a permanent type work bench. More particularly, this invention and this disclosure are directed to an improved collapsible and convertible work bench generally in the form of an A frame hinged at the top and on each side provided with collapsible bench tables balanced against one another. This invention and this disclosure are further directed to such a convertible and collapsible work bench provided with tool and fastening means storage facilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field the invention This invention is in the work bench field and, more particularly, is directed to a work bench which is portable, collapsible and convertible to an easily movable structure. More particularly, this invention is directed to such a portable and convertible work bench provided with plentiful tool and accessory storage facilities.

Discussion of the prior art Generally speaking, a work bench is an article which has heretofore been for the medium and large homeowners only. That is to say, the small homeowner and the apartment dweller have not been able to afford in terms of space the convenience of a work bench which, in addition to accommodating tools and accessories, e.g., nails, screws, nuts and pins, is a convenient and handy place to perform the work. This is due to the fact that most work benches heretofore provided were of the permanent and stationary type, and as such were not convertible, collapsible and portable to a form occupying substantially less space. Any device of a semi-collapsible nature has been structurally poor and unsound and wholly inadequate to withstand the forces imposed by the working operation, particularly hammering.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a work bench which occupies little space.

It is another object of this invention, therefore, to provide a work bench which occupies little space, is collapsible to a form permitting work thereon, and is structurally sound.

It is still another object of this invention, therefore, to provide such a work bench which has means for accommodating and containing a substantial quantity of tools and work accessories, e.g., nails, bolts, nuts, pins and screws.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following more complete description of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION This invention broadly contemplates a portable, col lapsible work bench in the form of an A-frame provided with a pair of oppositely disposed work tables balanced against one another, one of said tables being disposed pivotally against the outside face of a side of said A- frame, the other of said tables being disposed pivotally against the outside face of the other side of said A-frame, each of said tables pivoting about a pin, each of said pins having substantially the same vertical height as the other of said pins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the collapsible, convertible and portable work bench of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation of the work bench of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the work bench of FIGURE 1, showing the balancing work tables in working position, and with the supporting legs in down and supporting position;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the work bench showing the shelf connection as discussed below;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the work bench shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional elevation 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation of the work bench in completely folded, portable and collapsed position;

FIGURE 8 is a partially broken-away partial side view of the work bench shown in FIGURE 7, which figure illustrates the arrangement of eyes and 152 in recesses and 162;

FIGURE 9 is a partial end elevation showing the pegboard and tools held thereto by hooks; and

FIGURE 10 is a sectional elevation taken along lines 10-10 of FIGURE 9 showing pegboard hook in position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings in which work bench 10 comprises tool and table supports 12 and 14 hinged by two butterfly hinges 16 and 18 at one end. Supports 12 and 14 extend downwardly from hinges 16 and 18 and away from one another. A notched cross-member 20 having notches 22 and 24 is aflixed by fastener 26 to support 14 pivotally. One of the notches 22 and 24 fits over pin 28 on the side of support 12, thus bringing the supports 12 and 14 together but not in abutting relationship. Member 20 can 'be swung clockwise upwards to permit supports 12 and 14 to be drawn in abutting relationship together as shown in FIGURE 7, in which case the supports are fastened using hook 30 on support 14, engaging eye 32 on support 12. Each support 12 and 14 is provided with a caster assembly 34 and 36, each assembly having a wheel on both sides of the work bench, said Wheels operating in unison.

To each support there is affixed a chain 38 and 40 connected to a pin 42 and 44 adaptable to lock tables 46 and 48 to the supports by passing through holes 50 and 52 in pieces 54 and 56, and thence through holes 58 and 60 on the sides of tables 46 and 48 respectively when the holes 50 and 52 are in registry with holes 58 and 60. Tables 46 and 48 are balanced against one another and are each pivotally connected to the piece 54 or 56 on its side. They pivot about pins 62 and 64 and in upright position are received on the inside of pieces 54 and 56 as shown in FIGURE 5. Lateral braces 66 and 68 are provided between the two sides of the supports 12 and 14. Each table 46 and 48 has affixed thereto on the underneath side a pair of collapsible work table supporting legs 70 and 72 which are hinged by hinges 74 and 76 taken along the line so as to be foldable inwardly toward supports 12 and 14. On the sides of supports 12 and 14 and connecting the said supports are shelves 78 and 80 running parallel, as seen in FIGURES 3 and 4, the latter in a partially broken-away view. Shelf 78 is hung using pins 82 and 84, pin 82 in support 12 and pin 84 in support 14, which pins engage eyelets 86 and 88 on shelf 78. Shelf 80 is similarly hung using pins 90 and 92 engaging eyelets 94 and 96 on shelf 80. Shelves 78a and 80a are similarly attached.

On the bottom sides of each table when in collapsed position there are a pair of shelves, as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2. These are shelves 102 and 104 mounted to table 46, and 106 and 108 mounted to table 48. This provide-s a place to store accessories, etc. when the apparatus is partially collapsed. These shelves are detachable due to the fact that they are fastened onto the tables using the same pin and eyelet arrangement used to affix shelves 78 and 80 to supports 12 and 14.

On the lower portion of supports 12 and 14 there are pegboards 110 and 112 to which curved S-shaped hooks 114 are afiixed. The pegboard provides a means for storing tools using the hooks 114 which pass through the holes 116.

A pair of shelves and 122 are hooked to the inside portions of supports 12 and 14 where they abut, as in FIGURE 7. Shelves 120 and 122 are hooked using hooks 126, as shown in FIGURE 6, which engage eyes such as eye so that edge 154 and 156 are brought into abutting relationship with the inside walls 164 and 166 of supports 12 and 14. Thus shelves 120 and 122 can be readily removed by disengaging books 126 from the eyes 150 and 152. The entire collapsible work bench can be brought together in fully collapsible and portable position due to provision for recesses and 162 into which fit eyes 150 and 152, as shown in FIGURE 8. Thus, a similar hook, eye and recess arrangement is provided on the opposite side of the A-frame. Thus nail boxes 170 and 172 can be placed into shelf 120 or shelf 122, providing a convenient storage place while the work is being performed on table 46 and 48.

It should be noted that my A-frarne portable and collapsible work bench is structurally sound, due particularly to the combined arrangement of the respective parts which balance themselves one against the other without sacrificing tool storage facilities, accessory storage facilities, or working table space. The provision of two tables balanced against one another when in extended and operating position enables force distribution throughout the work bench and enables the full utilization of the apparatus for certain tasks, e.g., hammering, which entail addition of substantial forces.

Obviously my invention is the answer to the problems faced by apartment and small home dwellers who have not heretofore had the space for a fully complete work bench not lacking in any essential. My work bench improves on the prior art work benches of conventional construction.

The apparatus is simply used. It is stored in a closet or in the corner of a room or in a small garage or basement in the form shown in FIGURE 7. It is fully collapsed or folded and "provided with the caster assembly 34 and 36. It is wheeled out to a working place proximate the place where the household repair, etc. is being done. The hook 30 is dislodged from eye 32, and the supports 12 and 14 are withdrawn to a fully open position, pivoting action being obtained or facilitated by virtue of butterfly hinges 16 and 18. Pins 42 and 44 are removed from holes 58 and 60, permitting removal or revolution of the folded tables 46 and 48. The supports are opened no further than guide chain permits, e.g., to the position shown in FIGURE 1, with the tables 46 and. 48 folded against supports 12 and 14 and with the hinged legs 70 and 72 folded toward the A-frame but protruding downward when tables 46 and 48 are abutting supports 12 and 14.

Tables 46 and 48 are brought downward to the position shown in FIGURE 3, and hinges 74 and 76 which connect tables 46 and 48 to legs 70 and 72 are adjusted to the position shown in FIGURE 3. The width of the A-frame work bench is adjusted by using notches 22 and 24 on cross-member 20 to engage pin 28, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3.

Of course, prior to opening the structure up, shelves 120, 104, 106 and 108 are temporarily removed to permit revolution of tables 46 and 48 about pins 62 and 64 without spilling the contents. The removal of the shelves is optional. These shelves are replaced on the apparatus or shelves 78, 78a, 80 and 80a since the distance between the engaging hooks on the bottom of tables 46 and 48 is the same as the lateral distance between supports 12 and 14, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 5. The shelves 120 and 122 are inserted on the apparatus by the hook and eye mechanism shown in FIG- URE 6. The apparatus is thus ready in a matter of minutes to assist in the task to be performed.

The foregoing is set forth for the purposes of illustrating the invention and the manner of constructing and utilizing the same, and not for purposes of limiting the invention, as it is recognized that various modifications and changes are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable collapsible work bench comprising an A-frame, said A-frame being comprised of a pair of side supports hingedly secured to each other along their top edges thereby defining sides of said A-frame adapted to be moved between an open and collapsed position, said A-frame being provided with a pair of oppositely disposed work tables balanced against one another, one of said tables being adapted to be disposed pivotally against the outside face of a side support of said A-frame, said one table being provided with first pivot means mounting said table on said side of said A-frame for pivotal movement between a working position and an upright position, said pivot means being disposed at a predetermined vertical height, the other of said tables being disposed pivotally against the outside face of the other side of said A-frame, said other table being provided with second pivot means mounting said other table on said other side of said A-frame for similar pivotal movement between a working position and an upright position, said second pivot means being disposed at substantially the same vertical height as the second of said pivot means, each of said tables being provided with a pair of support legs hingedly mounted to said table at its end remote from the pivot means associated therewith, each pair of said legs being hinged to its associated table in folding relation, said legs being foldable inwardly towards the sides of said A-frame, and caster assemblies provided at the bottom of each of said side members of said A-frame.

2. A portable collapsible work bench according to claim 1, wherein on the bottom of each of said tables there is provided a pair of removable shelves adaptable to be affixed two on each side of said A-frame so as to run laterally from one side of said A-frame to the other side of said A-frame, said shelves being balanced against one another.

3. A portable collapsible work bench according to claim 1, wherein on the outside face of each side of said A-frame there is a pegboard positioned beneath each of said tables, said pegboards adaptable to hold tools.

4. A portable collapsible work bench according to claim 1, wherein means are provided for maintaining each of said tables in upright position.

5. A portable collapsible work bench according to claim 1 wherein said side supports of said A-frame are adapted to be selectively disposed in a fully open, partially collapsed or fully collapsed position and means are provided for selectively retaining them in said positions.

6. A portable collapsible work bench comprising an A-frame provided with a pair of oppositely disposed work tables balanced against one another, one of said tables being disposed pivotally against the outside face of a side of said A-frame, the other of said tables being disposed pivotally against the outside face of the other side of said A-frame, each of said tables pivoting about a pin, each of said pins having substantially the same vertical height as the other of said pins, each of said tables provided with a pair of support legs to support the table at its end remote from said A-frame, said support legs being hinged to the table in folding relationship, a pair of removable shelves on the bottom of each of said tables adaptable to be afiixed two on each side of said A-frame so as to run laterally from one side of said A-frame to the other side of said A-frame, said shelves being balanced against one another, a removable shelf affixed against the inside face of both of the sides of said A-frame, each of the shelves having a hook adaptable to engage an eye on the side of the support, the opposing support being provided with a recess substantially opposite said eye to accommodate said eye when said work bench is in fully collapsed position, the outside faces of each side of said A-frame accommodating a pegboard positioned beneath each of said tables, means for maintaining each of said tables fully collapsed, said means comprising a pin passing through a hole in the side of said table when said hole is in registry with a permanent hole on a member on the side of said A-frame, a caster assembly on the bottom of each side of said A-frame and on one side of said A-frame adjacent said caster assembly, a pin for engagement by one of a plurality of notches on a cross-member pivotally connected to the other side of said A-frame and a guard chain positioned midway up the height of said A-frame and joining said sides which restrains moving said sides away from one another greater than a predetermined distance.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 348,510 8/1886 Brooks 211-78 443,866 12/1890 Pauli 108-108 575,711 1/ 1897 Haley. 1,981,268 11/1934 Heiser 211-178 2,002,128 5/ 1935 Reidenbaugh. 2,107,579 2/ 1938 Ouellette 108-9 2,503,359 4/1950 Smith 211-178 XR 2,598,798 6/1952 Kerr 211-178 XR 3,067,975 12/ 1962 Wilcox 108-135 3,148,746 9/ 1964 Juculano. 3,226,776 1/ 1966 Van Wormer 108-42 XR 3,258,237 6/1966 Beiman 248-225 3,318,269 4/1967 Kinn 108-112 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner. G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 211-78

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