Woodworking – Workbench
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-08
2001-05-29
Bray, W. Donald (Department: 3725)
Woodworking
Workbench
C108S059000, C144S001100, C144S286500, C248S121000, C409S173000, C269S2890MR
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237659
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention pertains to the general field of work benches and more particularly to a work bench that can be selectively rotated to provide either a first, second or third work surface.
BACKGROUND ART
Humans have long had a need to manufacture, build or otherwise create. From mankind's earliest origins the most fundamental need has been to provide means of survival. These means have included dwellings, tools and weapons, and other implements. One of the first type of items our ancestors learned to make were tools which have remained an essential part of our development and growth.
Today, there are tools for every imaginable purpose. It has been estimated that in over 80 percent of all homes in America there is at least one hammer and two screwdrivers. There have also been developed tools that assist a person who is using other tools. For people who must work in confined areas there is often space limitations and difficulty providing a suitable work area.
A solution to the confinement problems was provided with the introduction of the all-in-one work bench. These benches are designed to offer a suitable horizontal surface on which a person can hammer, cut, stabilize or simply observe a project. Many of the benches can be folded into a compact size for easy transportation and storage. Some can also be customized with add-on items such as a power supply, vice or other specialized tool.
While these benches do offer an improvement over previous solutions, such as two sawhorses with a piece of plywood on top, there were still deficiencies in their designs. First off, there was usually no storage space available on the bench. Whenever a person did decide to use a particular tool on the bench, he/she would have to take time attaching and securing the tool. For a tool that was used consistently in a particular trade, such as a grinder, it become a burden to repeatedly attach and remove the tool. Even though current workbenches have drawbacks, they continue to be very popular and widely used. Obviously, if there was some type of work bench that could accomplish all of the functions of currently available benches, while also providing improvements, it would be a great benefit.
A search of the prior art, which included U.S. patents and industry catalogs, did not disclose any workbenches that read on the claims of the instant invention.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The rotatable work bench is designed to provide a stationary work surface that can be rotated to one of three positions. In its basic design, the rotatable work bench consists of:
A bench support structure consisting of:
(1) a front frame having attached a front pillow block,
(2) a rear frame that is in alignment with the front frame and that has attached a rear pillow block in alignment with the front pillow block,
A triangular bench support structure consisting of:
(1) a front assembly having a first member, a second member and a third member, wherein the three members are attached to form an equilateral triangle. From substantially the midpoint of each member of the equilateral triangle extends inward a shaft support rod. The inward ends of the three shaft support rods are rigidly attached to a shaft having a front end and a rear end, wherein the front end is rotatably inserted into the front pillow block,
(2) a rear assembly that is in alignment with the front assembly and which has a first member, a second member and a third member. All three members are also attached to form an equilateral triangle. From substantially the midpoint of each member of the equilateral triangle extends inward a shaft support rod. The inward ends of the three shaft support rods are rigidly attached to the shaft. The rear end of the shaft is rotatably inserted into the rear pillow block,
A first bench attached to the first members of the front and rear assemblies of said triangular bench support structure, a second bench attached to the second members of the front and rear assemblies of the triangular bench support structure, and a third bench attached to the third member of the front and rear assemblies of said triangular bench support structure, and
Means for selectively releasing and locking the triangular bench support structure to a selectable first, second or third bench position.
To at least one of the benches can be attached an electric power tool such as a grinder or a router or, a bench can be used as a flat work surface. In the above basic design electric power is individually connected to the electric power tool. Alternately, the rotatable work bench can be designed with an internal power distribution system that is connected to a 120-volt a-c utility power source and that distributes the power to any electrical power tool attached to the benches. A master power, switch is included to control the application of the a-c power.
To enhance the utility of the invention, a drawer assembly and a shelf assembly can be placed adjacent or rigidly attached to a first side and a second side respectively. Also, to provide mobility the rotatable work bench can include a set of casters.
In view of the above disclosure, it is the primary object of the invention to provide a work bench which includes three work surface that can be easily and quickly selected.
In addition to the primary object of the invention it is also an object of the invention to produce a rotatable work bench that:
can be manufactured from various materials including steel square or round tubing that is attached by a MIG welding process,
can include adjustable leveling feet,
conserves space, and
is cost effective from both a consumers and manufacturers point of view.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1506154 (1924-08-01), Berthelsen
patent: 2653634 (1953-09-01), Mott
patent: 3316947 (1967-05-01), Lyche et al.
patent: 4497353 (1985-02-01), Sproat et al.
patent: 4523617 (1985-06-01), Tiedemann
patent: 4665962 (1987-05-01), Ordonez
patent: 4921378 (1990-05-01), Kytola
patent: 5564483 (1996-10-01), Sacchi
Bray W. Donald
Cota Albert O.
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