FOLDING SAWHORSE

Abstract

A folding sawhorse includes a first frame, a second frame and a folding shelf. The first frame includes a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, and an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member. The second frame includes a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member. The shelf includes a first shelf interconnected with a second shelf with a central hinge, wherein the first shelf is interconnected with the first frame with a hinge formed along a lower strut of the first frame and the second shelf is interconnected with the second frame with a hinge formed along a lower strut of the second frame, and wherein the first frame and the second frame pivot about a vertical hinge to form a “V” shape when the shelf is in a closed position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sawhorses, scaffolds and trestles. In particular, the present invention relates to sawhorses that are opened for use and folded to collapse for storage. The sawhorse includes a locking shelf and three legs.

Sawhorses are used as racks or trestles to support construction materials and other objects. With their wide base, sawhorses provide stable support for a work piece while being portable. Non-folding sawhorses, however, require a substantial amount of space for storage and transportation. To ameliorate this problem, sawhorses were designed to fold and collapse.

Unfortunately, many current folding sawhorses are unable to withstand sideways motion in the load they support. In particular, folding sawhorses with legs positioned on a common side are not in rigid contact with each other which results in the legs pivoting with respect to the upper central member of the sawhorse when the sawhorse is under load.

Other folding sawhorse designs require the use of two sawhorses to support working materials or equipment in a horizontal position. While providing adequate support, the necessity of having two separate sawhorses is cumbersome and onerous.

Therefore, what is needed is a single folding sawhorse that easily unfolds and supports a variety of working materials. What is further needed is a folding sawhorse that is capable of supporting a load while withstanding the effects of lateral movement of the particular load. Finally, what is needed is a folding sawhorse that is constructed from lightweight materials.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding sawhorse including a first frame, a second frame and a shelf. The first frame includes a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member, a pair of parallel spaced apart legs extending from and integrally formed with the lower horizontal brace, and a lower strut formed along a top edge of the lower horizontal brace member. The second frame includes a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member, a pair of parallel spaced apart legs extending from and integrally formed with the lower horizontal brace, and a lower strut formed along a top edge of the lower horizontal brace member. The generally trapezoidal folding shelf includes a first shelf interconnected with a second shelf with a central hinge, wherein the first shelf is interconnected with the first frame with a hinge formed along the lower strut of the first frame and the second shelf is interconnected with the second frame with a hinge formed along the lower strut of the second frame. The first frame and the second frame pivot about a vertical hinge to form a V-shape when the folding shelf is in a locked position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a folding sawhorse with a first frame, a second frame and a shelf. The first frame includes a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, and an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member. The second frame includes a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member. The shelf is attached along a first edge to the first frame and attached along a second edge to the second frame, and the shelf is orthogonal to the first vertical members of the first and second frames when the shelf is in an open locked position. The first frame and the second frame pivot about a vertical hinge to form a V-shape when the shelf is in the open locked position.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a folding sawhorse including a first frame, a second frame and a shelf. The first frame includes a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, and an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member. The second frame includes a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member. The shelf includes a first shelf interconnected with a second shelf with a central hinge, wherein the first shelf is interconnected with the first frame with a hinge formed along a lower strut of the first frame and the second shelf is interconnected with the second frame with a hinge formed along a lower strut of the second frame, and wherein the first frame and the second frame pivot about a vertical hinge to form a “V” shape when the shelf is in a closed position. Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon review of the drawings, detailed description of the device, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

A clear understanding of the various advantages and features of the present invention, as well as the construction and operation of conventional components and mechanisms associated with the present invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to the exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in the following drawings which accompany and form a part of this patent specification.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a sawhorse according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of a sawhorse according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a sawhorse according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sawhorse in a closed position according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a sawhorse in a closed position according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a load bearing support member of a sawhorse according to present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a frame of a sawhorse according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a hinge of a sawhorse according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a frame of a sawhorse according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a load bearing support member of a sawhorse according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a frame of a sawhorse according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is side view of a hinge of a sawhorse according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a frame of a sawhorse according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a top view of a shelf according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a shelf according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a hinge according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a hinge according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a top view of a shelf according to the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a shelf according to the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a hinge according to the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a hinge according to the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a tubular member of a hinge according to the present invention; and

FIG. 23 is a side view of a tubular member of a hinge according to the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, a generally V-shaped sawhorse 10 includes a first trestle frame 12 and a second trestle frame 14 connected to one another with a central hinge 16 along a vertical leg edge 18. A center folding shelf 20 controls the opening and closing movements of frames 12 and 14. Shelf 20 is attached to a lower strut 22 on frame 12 and a lower strut 24 on frame 14. In particular, shelf 20 is interconnected with strut 22 with a shelf hinge 26 and with strut 24 with a shelf hinge 28. Shelf 20 further includes a central shelf hinge 30 and is generally trapezoidal. Shelf 20 locks sawhorse 10 in an open stable position while also providing a surface upon which a user may place tools and parts associated with a particular job.

In operation, the sawhorse is opened from a closed position (FIGS. 4-5) by slightly spreading apart frames 12 and 14 to an unfolded working position. Sawhorse 10 remains in a locked open position without any additional latching mechanism until frames 12 and 14 are returned to a closed position by applying light upward pressure on central shelf hinge 30. Shelf 20 then moves upwardly, thereby causing frames 12 and 14 to pivot inwardly towards each other until frames 12 and 14 are in a closed position.

In the preferred embodiment of the current invention, frame 12 includes a first vertical member 32 opposite and parallel to a second vertical member 34 having an upper horizontal brace 36 and a lower horizontal brace 38 orthogonally configured therebetween. A pair of parallel spaced apart legs 40 extend from and are integrally formed with lower horizontal brace 38. A load bearing support 42 is formed along the top edge of upper horizontal brace 36.

Similarly, frame 14 includes a first vertical member 44 opposite and parallel to a second vertical member 46 having an upper horizontal brace 48 and a lower horizontal brace 50 orthogonally configured therebetween. A pair of parallel spaced apart legs 52 extend from and are integrally formed with lower horizontal brace 50. A load bearing support 54 is formed along the top edge of upper horizontal brace 48.

Frame 12 and frame 14 pivot about hinge axis 16 along vertical leg edge 18 parallel to both legs 40 and 52 and perpendicular to braces 36, 38, 48 and 50. Trapezoidal shelf 20 includes a first side 56 interconnected via hinge 26 to lower horizontal brace 38 of frame 12, and a second side 58 interconnected via hinge 28 to lower horizontal brace 50 of frame 14.

In the open position, trapezoidal shelf 20 is perpendicular to central hinge 16 that interconnects frames 12 and 14, thereby resulting in a “V” shaped configuration between frames 12 and 14 connected at hinge 16. In a closed storage position, frame 12 is generally parallel to frame 14 with trapezoidal shelf 20 folded therebetween. In the open position, shelf 20 rigidly secures legs 40 and 52 in position so they do not move with respect to one another. The rigid positioning of legs 40 and 52 combined with central hinge 16 securing frame 12 to frame 14 prevents relative motion between the components of sawhorse 10, resulting in a rigid support structure designed to accommodate a substantial load.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate the separate components of frame 12. As discussed above, load bearing support 42 is formed along top edge of upper horizontal brace 36. Central hinge 16 interconnects frame 12 with frame 14.

Similarly, FIGS. 10-13 illustrate the separate components of frame 14. As discussed above, load bearing support 54 is formed along the top edge of upper horizontal support 48. Central hinge 16 interconnects frame 12 with frame 14.

FIGS. 14-17 illustrate the components of shelf side 56 of shelf 20. Central shelf hinge 30 connects side 56 to shelf side 58. Hinge 26 interconnects side 56 to frame 12. Similarly, FIGS. 18-21 illustrate the components of shelf side 58 of shelf 20. Central shelf hinge 30 connects side 56 to shelf side 58. Hinge 28 interconnects side 58 to frame 14. FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate a tube member 60 which is a part of hinge 16.

The scope of the application is not to be limited by the description of the preferred embodiments described above, but is to be limited solely by the scope of the claims that follow. For example, instead of manufacturing sawhorse 10 from a lightweight plastic material, sawhorse 10 may be manufactured from other materials including wood. As another example, shelf 20 may be other than generally trapezoidal while still functioning as a locking mechanism between frame 12 and frame 14 without departing from the scope of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, frames 12 and 14 may be constructed as a single continuous panel without separate vertical members and horizontal braces.

Claims

1. A folding sawhorse comprising: a first frame having a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member, a pair of parallel spaced apart legs extending from and integrally formed with the lower horizontal brace, and a lower strut formed along a top edge of the lower horizontal brace member; a second frame having a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member, a pair of parallel spaced apart legs extending from and integrally formed with the lower horizontal brace, and a lower strut formed along a top edge of the lower horizontal brace member; a generally trapezoidal folding shelf including a first shelf interconnected with a second shelf with a central hinge, wherein the first shelf is interconnected with the first frame with a hinge formed along the lower strut of the first frame and the second shelf is interconnected with the second frame with a hinge formed along the lower strut of the second frame; wherein the first frame and the second frame pivot about a vertical hinge to form a V-shape when the folding shelf is in a locked position.

2. The folding sawhorse according to claim 1, wherein the folding shelf is permanently attached to the first frame and the second frame.

3. The folding sawhorse according to claim 1, wherein the sawhorse is formed from a lightweight plastic material.

4. A folding sawhorse comprising: a first frame having a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, and an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member; a second frame having a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member; a shelf attached along a first edge to the first frame and attached along a second edge to the second frame, wherein the shelf is orthogonal to the first vertical members of the first and second frames when the shelf is in an open locked position; wherein the first frame and the second frame pivot about a vertical hinge to form a V-shape when the shelf is in the open locked position.

5. The folding sawhorse according to claim 4, wherein the first frame further includes a pair of parallel spaced apart legs extending from and integrally formed with the lower horizontal brace.

6. The folding sawhorse according to claim 4, wherein the first frame further includes a lower strut formed along a top edge of the lower horizontal brace member.

7. The folding sawhorse according to claim 6, wherein the second frame further includes a pair of parallel spaced apart legs extending from and integrally formed with the lower horizontal brace.

8. The folding sawhorse according to claim 7, wherein the second frame further includes a lower strut formed along a top edge of the lower horizontal brace member.

9. The folding sawhorse according to claim 4, wherein the shelf is a generally trapezoidal folding shelf.

10. The folding sawhorse according to claim 4, wherein the shelf is removably attached to the first frame and the second frame.

11. The folding sawhorse according to claim 4, wherein the shelf is permanently attached to the first frame and the second frame.

12. The folding sawhorse according to claim 8, wherein the shelf further includes a first shelf interconnected with a second shelf with a central hinge.

13. The folding sawhorse according to claim 12, wherein the first shelf is interconnected with the first frame with a hinge formed along the lower strut of the first frame and the second shelf is interconnected with the second frame with a hinge formed along the lower strut of the second frame.

14. The folding sawhorse according to claim 4, wherein the sawhorse is formed from a lightweight plastic material.

15. A folding sawhorse comprising: a first frame having a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, and an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member; a second frame having a first vertical member spaced apart from and opposite a second vertical member, an upper horizontal brace member opposite and parallel to a lower horizontal brace member interconnecting the first vertical member to the second vertical member; a shelf including a first shelf interconnected with a second shelf with a central hinge, wherein the first shelf is interconnected with the first frame with a hinge formed along a lower strut of the first frame and the second shelf is interconnected with the second frame with a hinge formed along a lower strut of the second frame, and wherein the first frame and the second frame pivot about a vertical hinge to form a “V” shape when the shelf is in a closed position.

16. The folding sawhorse according to claim 15, wherein the shelf is a generally trapezoidal shelf.

17. The folding sawhorse according to claim 15, wherein the sawhorse is formed from a lightweight plastic material.

18. The folding sawhorse according to claim 15, wherein the first frame and the second frame are generally rectangular.

19. The folding sawhorse according to claim 18, wherein the first frame and the second frame include a load bearing support member formed along a top edge of the upper horizontal members of the first and the second frames.

20. The folding sawhorse according to claim 15, wherein the shelf folds between an open and the closed position.