Work holders – Relatively movable jaws – With means to align coacting jaw faces
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-10
2001-11-20
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Work holders
Relatively movable jaws
With means to align coacting jaw faces
C269S017000, C269S088000, C269S901000, C269S004000, C206S216000, C206S736000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318713
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to portable workbenches.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Persons working in the construction trades and homeowners doing home remodeling or repair often do carpentry and similar types of work at the site of the construction or the repair. A variety of hand tools such as saws, hammers and the like are required for most jobs, and these tools must be carried to the work site. Hand tools are usually stored in and transported to the work site in a tool box. Most construction and repair jobs are easier and faster to perform if the worker has a stable and convenient work surface available. Because much construction and repair work is done on site and therefore outside of a workshop, a workbench is often carried to the work site. Although portable workbenches are widely available, they are usually bulky and heavy. Often, because of the size and weight of most portable workbenches, it is necessary for the worker to transport a tool box and a portable workbench to the work site separately, which adds to the inconvenience of and to the time required for, a particular job.
A need exists for a lightweight, durable workbench that is readily convertible between 1) a storage position in which it is easily transportable and provides storage space for storing and transporting hand tools and 2) an operative position in which it supports a workpiece.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An objective of the present invention is to meet the need expressed above. Accordingly, the invention provides a portable workbench comprising a molded plastic base structure and a molded plastic upper work structure. Wheels are rotatably mounted on the base structure and a transport handle is connected to the base structure. The transport handle is constructed and arranged to be manually engaged to move the base structure between a) a storage operative position wherein the base structure is stabily supported on a horizontal surface and b) a storage transport position wherein the wheels rollingly contact the horizontal surface so that the base structure can be moved along the horizontal surface using the handle. The upper work structure is constructed and arranged to be supported on an upper portion of the base structure in a storage operative position. The upper work structure and the base structure cooperate when in the storage operative positions thereof to define a storage space. The workbench also includes releasable securing structure to releasably secure the upper work structure to the base structure. The releasable securing structure is movable between a) a securing position wherein the upper work structure is fixedly secured to the base structure in the storage operative position thereof and b) a released position wherein the upper work structure can be moved with respect to the base structure from the storage operative position to allow access to the storage space. The upper work structure defines a generally horizontal work surface when it is in its storage operative position. The work surface is constructed and arranged to support a workpiece. The upper work structure embodies therein a clamping assembly for clamping a workpiece in fixed relation with respect to the work surface.
Optionally, a support structure can be provided to mount the upper work structure above the base structure. The support structure raises the level of the work surface on the upper work structure so that the work surface is at a convenient height for a user standing by the workbench. Accordingly, it is another object of the invention to provide a portable workbench comprising a molded plastic base structure, a molded plastic upper work structure having an upper surface constructed and arranged to support a workpiece and a support structure constructed and arranged to support the upper work structure on the base structure. The workbench is convertible between a) an extended operative position and b) a storage position. In the extended operative position, the support structure extends between the base structure and the upper work structure and mounts the upper work structure on the base structure in vertically upwardly spaced relation to the base structure so that the upper surface is disposed at a height which enables a user to comfortably work on a workpiece supported by the upper surface while the user is standing. In the storage position the upper work structure is secured to the base structure and cooperates with the base structure to define a storage space. The support structure is constructed and arranged to be carried in storing relation to the base structure and the upper work structure in the storage position. The workbench includes a handle that is constructed and arranged to be manually engaged to facilitate transporting the workbench when in the storage position.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3118685 (1964-01-01), Jordan
patent: 4571740 (1986-02-01), Kirby et al.
patent: 4706817 (1987-11-01), Greathouse
patent: 5224531 (1993-07-01), Blohm
patent: 5551558 (1996-09-01), Bureau
patent: 5730282 (1998-03-01), Bureau
patent: 5803472 (1998-09-01), Lien
Hail III Joseph J.
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
Wilson Lee
ZAG Industries Ltd.
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