Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6712180
-
Patent Number
6,712,180
-
Date Filed
Friday, March 1, 200223 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, March 30, 200421 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 182 153
- 182 151
- 182 155
- 182 1811
- 182 224
- 182 225
- 182 1861
- 182 1862
- 182 1865
- 182 1824
- 182 1825
- 182 165
- 182 163
- D67 25
- D25 64
- D25 65
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A sawhorse includes an elongated workpiece supporting structure and a pair of leg assemblies joined to the workpiece supporting structure, which enables the leg assemblies to be moved between a folded position for storage and transportation purposes and an operative position. Connecting structure connects the leg assemblies to retain the leg assemblies in the operative position thereof and to allow movement of the leg assemblies between the operative and folded positions thereof. Each leg assembly includes a pair of separate lower leg members and is mounted for independent movement in a generally vertical direction and adjusted to a plurality of different positions with respect to the associated leg assembly and the connecting structure while the pair of the leg assemblies are retained in the operative position thereof by the connecting structure. A releasable locking member for each leg member is mounted in the connecting structure for movement between a releasing position and a locking position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sawhorse and, more particularly, to a height adjustable sawhorse. The present invention further relates to a sawhorse having independently moving leg members that allow height adjustment to be readily and easily accomplished.
2. Description of the Related Art
A sawhorse is a movable frame or trestle for supporting wood or another workpiece while it is being sawed or for supporting plates to provide working spaces. A sawhorse typically includes two leg members hingedly connected at the tops thereof and a spread limiting mechanism which defines the working spread at their bottom.
Traditionally sawhorses were made of wood or metal, however, following the technological progress of the plastic industry, sawhorses are nowadays also available from plastic materials.
For whatever purpose it is employed, it is advantageous for a sawhorse to be adjustable in height because it enables users of different heights to adjust the height of the sawhorse to be most comfortable for them. Sawhorses capable of height adjustment can be used in a wider variety of applications than sawhorses without this capability.
Prior art sawhorses are known which are height adjustable. Such devices have extendible/retractable extensions housed by the lower ends of their leg members. One such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,413. This device suffers a limitation because the process of adjusting the height is highly demanding. It requires a user to both adjust individual vertically-adjustable extensions in each sawhorse and secure each vertically-adjustable extension with a respective locking pin during height adjustment all the while holding the vertically-adjustable extension in the adjusted position.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved adjustable sawhorse.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sawhorse comprising an elongated workpiece supporting structure and a pair of leg assemblies. The pair of leg assemblies supports the workpiece supporting structure. Said pair of leg assemblies is movable between a folded position for storage and transportation purposes and an operative position. Connecting structure connects with the leg assemblies below the workpiece supporting structure. The connecting structure is constructed and arranged to retain the leg assemblies in the operative position thereof and to allow movement of the leg assemblies between the operative and folded positions thereof. Each leg assembly includes a pair of separate lower leg members having lower portions. The lower portions are constructed and arranged to engage a horizontal support surface for the sawhorse when the pair of lower leg assemblies is retained in the operative position by the connecting structure thereof. This enables the workpiece supporting structure to be supported at a predetermined height above the horizontal support surface. Each of the lower leg assemblies is mounted for independent movement in a generally vertical direction and can be adjusted to a plurality of different positions with respect to the associated leg assembly and the connecting structure while the pair of the leg assemblies are retained in the operative position thereof by the connecting structure. A releasable locking member for each leg member is mounted in the connecting structure for movement between a releasing position and a locking position. In the releasing position, the releasable locking member is operable to release the associated leg member from movement into a selected one of the plurality of adjusted positions thereof. In the locking position, the releasable locking member is operable to lock the associated leg member within the adjusted position selected.
In another embodiment of the invention, the releasable locking member is spring biased into the locking position thereof for movement between the releasing and locking positions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a height adjustable sawhorse according to the principles of the present invention shown in a height retracted position;
FIG. 2
is a second perspective view of the sawhorse of
FIG. 1
, two leg members of which are shown in a deployed (vertically extended) position;
FIG. 3
is a side view of the height adjustable sawhorse of
FIG. 1
in the operative position;
FIG. 4
is a side view of the height adjustable sawhorse of
FIG. 1
in the folded, closed position;
FIG. 5
is a front view of the height adjustable sawhorse of
FIG. 1
in the operative position;
FIG. 6
is a detail view of a releasable locking member encircled in
FIG. 5
;
FIG. 7
is a cross-sectional view of the height adjustable sawhorse taken through line
7
—
7
of
FIG. 1
shown a releasable locking member in its locking position; and
FIG. 8
is a cross-sectional view of the height adjustable sawhorse shown in
FIG. 7
, but showing the releasable locking member in its releasing position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a height adjustable sawhorse which can be height adjusted for different users and/or applications. The present invention is further directed to a sawhorse having independently moving leg members that allow height adjustment to be readily and easily accomplished even while the sawhorse is in an operative position.
The principles and operation of a sawhorse according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.
Referring now to the drawings,
FIGS. 1-8
illustrate one embodiment of a sawhorse, generally indicated at
10
, according to the principles of the present invention. The sawhorse
10
includes a pair of leg assemblies
12
,
14
that are pivotally connected at their upper ends along a pivot axis
16
. The leg assemblies
12
,
14
are pivotally connected to be moved between a folded position for storage and transportation purposes (
FIG. 4
) and an operative position (FIGS.
1
-
3
). An elongated workpiece supporting structure
18
having an upwardly facing workpiece supporting surface
17
is located generally at the upper ends of the leg assemblies
12
,
14
and is supported at a predetermined height above a horizontal support surface
19
for the sawhorse
10
. The workpiece supporting structure
18
may include indicia
21
, such as measurement indicia, printed or formed thereon.
Connecting structure
20
is connected with the leg assemblies
12
,
14
below the workpiece supporting structure
18
. The connecting structure
20
is constructed and arranged to retain the leg assemblies
12
,
14
in the operative position thereof and to allow movement of the leg assemblies
12
,
14
between the operative and folded positions thereof. The connecting structure
20
includes a releasable locking member, generally indicated at
22
, operable to allow movement between a releasing position and a locking position to at least partially control height adjustment of the workpiece supporting structure
18
, as will be described in further detail below.
The leg assemblies
12
,
14
may be substantially identical in construction and operation and accordingly, a description of the leg assembly
12
will suffice for an understanding of both leg assemblies
12
,
14
. The leg assemblies
12
,
14
can be formed of the same construction such that only one die or mold can be used to manufacture both leg assemblies
12
,
14
. Accordingly, like reference numerals designate similar elements of the leg assemblies
12
,
14
.
The leg assembly
12
includes an upper connecting member
24
that extends along the workpiece supporting structure
18
and may be pivotally connected thereto, for example, by pivot rod
26
. Other pivot mechanisms or hinges can be employed as well, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,498, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The upper connecting member
24
, which may be formed of plastic, for example, may further include a manually engageable handle
27
for storage and transporting purposes when the sawhorse
10
is in its folded position or for assisting in the height adjustment of the workpiece supporting structure
18
. Alternatively, the upper connecting member
24
can be formed of metal or any other suitably rigid material.
The leg assembly
12
further includes a pair of upper leg members
28
,
30
spaced from one another by the upper connecting member
24
and a pair of lower leg members
32
,
34
(
FIG. 2
) associated with respective upper leg members
28
,
30
. The upper leg members
28
,
30
and the lower leg members
32
,
34
can each be formed of metal, plastic or another suitably rigid material. However, it may be preferable for the upper and lower leg members
28
,
30
,
32
,
34
to be formed of a relatively strong and light weight material, such as extruded aluminum. It may also be preferable for the lower leg members
32
,
34
to be formed of an extruded or molded polymer material.
The upper connecting member
24
is of elongated hollow cross-sectional configuration sized with respect to the upper leg members
28
,
30
. The upper leg members
28
,
30
are received in respective downwardly extending end portions
36
,
38
of the upper connecting structure
24
. The upper leg members
28
,
30
are fixedly secured to the downwardly extending end portions
36
,
38
with a plurality of fasteners
40
so to extend generally downward therefrom when the leg assemblies
12
,
14
are in the operative position thereof. The fasteners
40
may be, for example, rivets, screws, bolts or some other fastening device capable of fixedly securing the downwardly extending end portions
36
,
38
of the upper connecting structure
24
to the upper leg members
28
,
30
.
A tool carrier member (not shown) could be provided on an outside surface of the upper connecting structure
24
and attached thereto via the fasteners
40
, for example. An example of such a tool carrier member is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,498, incorporated by reference above.
The connecting structure
20
includes a lower connecting member
42
associated with each leg assembly
12
,
14
that is connected to lower portions
39
,
41
of the upper leg members
28
,
30
thereof. The lower connecting members
42
each have downwardly extending portions
44
,
46
, which are of elongated hollow cross-sectional configuration sized with respect to the upper leg members
28
,
30
, so as to receive therein the lower portions
39
,
41
of the upper leg members
28
,
30
. The lower portions
39
,
41
of the upper leg members
28
,
30
extend through interiors of the downwardly extending portions
44
,
46
, respectively, and are fixedly secured thereto with a plurality of fasteners, such as the fasteners
40
, for example. A cross brace
43
extends from the downwardly extending portion
44
, along the underside of the lower connecting member
42
and to the downwardly extending portion
46
to support the leg assemblies
12
,
14
. An opening can be formed through the lower connecting member
42
to provide a handle portion
45
for manual engagement or gripping by a user. It is contemplated that the connecting structure
20
may be formed of any suitable material, such as polymer or metallic material. It may be preferable, however, for the connecting structure
20
to be formed by molding a polymer material, for example.
FIGS. 2 and 3
show a foldable tray assembly
48
that can be pivotally connected between the lower connecting members
42
with a hinge structure
49
(FIG.
3
). The foldable tray assembly
48
is associated with the leg assemblies
12
,
14
such that movement of the sawhorse
10
between its folded and operative positions moves the foldable tray assembly
48
between an inoperative, folded position and an operative limiting position. In the operative limiting position, as shown in
FIG. 3
, the foldable tray assembly
48
acts both as a shelf and to limit the operative spread of the leg assemblies
12
,
14
in the operative position thereof. In other words, when the foldable tray assembly
48
is in its operative limiting position, the foldable tray assembly
48
limits the outward movement of the leg assemblies
12
,
14
in their opening direction. One example of such a foldable tray assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,946, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
As best shown in
FIG. 3
, the lower connecting members
42
are configured to secure the sawhorse
10
in the folded position. More particularly, each lower connecting member
42
has a bayonet pin portion
51
and a barrel portion
53
extending inwardly from the cross brace
43
at opposite ends thereof. As illustrated, each bayonet pin
51
engages the associated barrel portion
53
upon convergence of the leg assemblies
12
,
14
when the leg assemblies
12
,
14
are moved into the folded position, as shown in
FIG. 4. A
press fit between the bayonet pins
51
and the associated barrel portions
53
can retain the leg assemblies
12
,
14
in the folded position for storage or transportation purposes.
Another option (not shown) for retaining the leg assemblies
12
,
14
in the folded position might be to include a hook-and-eyelet latch. The sawhorse might have one or more such hook-and-eyelet latches. One leg assembly, e.g.
12
, may have a hook member extending toward the other leg assembly, which may have an eyelet member that the hook member engages when the sawhorse is in the folded position.
The upper leg members
28
,
30
are of elongated hollow cross-sectional configuration sized with respect to a cooperating lower leg member
32
,
34
, respectively, so as to telescopically receive the same therein for relative rectilinear movement in opposite substantially vertical directions (FIGS.
7
and
8
). As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, the lower leg members
32
,
34
have lower portions
50
,
52
, in the form of cantilevered foot portions, that are constructed and arranged to engage the horizontal support surface
19
for supporting the workpiece supporting structure
18
at a predetermined height above the horizontal support surface
19
. The lower portions
50
,
52
may be supplemented with anti-slip rubber insets (not shown) to prevent slippage of the sawhorse
10
when in use, or may themselves be formed of a non-slip material, such as rubber.
A securing structure
55
(
FIG. 2
) may be used to secure the lower portions
50
,
52
to the lower leg members
32
,
34
. The securing structure
55
may be constituted by, for example, a protrusion projecting from the lower portions
50
,
52
and received in a recess formed in the lower leg members
32
,
34
. Other forms of securing structure may be used as well, such as, fasteners, adhesives and press-fit engagements, for example.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, each lower leg member
32
,
34
is mounted to an associated upper leg member
28
,
30
for independent movement in a relative rectilinear vertical direction while the sawhorse
10
is in the operative position thereof. This construction enables a user to extend or retract one or more of the lower members
32
,
34
independently relative to the upper leg members
28
,
30
to readily adjust the height of the workpiece supporting surface
17
relative to the horizontal support surface
19
(FIG.
1
). In this manner, the sawhorse
10
may be adjusted, for example, according to heights of different users or needs of a particular application. Additionally, the lower leg members
32
,
34
may be adjusted individually to allow the angle and level of the workpiece supporting surface
17
to be adjusted relative to a level and/or contour of the horizontal support surface
19
.
The fasteners
40
connecting the upper leg members
28
,
30
and the downwardly extending end portions
44
,
46
extend through the lower leg members
32
,
34
to secure the lower leg members
32
,
34
to the upper leg members
28
,
30
. The lower leg members
32
,
34
can be adjusted to a plurality of different positions with respect to the associated upper leg member
28
,
30
and the lower connecting member
42
. Adjustment of the lower leg members
28
,
30
is performed while the leg assemblies
12
,
14
are retained in the operative position thereof by the connecting structure
20
in response to movement of the releasable locking member
22
, as will be described in greater detail below.
FIG. 2
shows each lower leg member
32
,
34
including stop structure in the form of a vertically elongated slot
62
formed through opposite sides (e.g., an exterior side and an interior side) thereof. The stop structure of the lower leg members
32
,
34
engages the fasteners
40
associated with the upper leg members
28
,
30
. The fasteners
40
constitute cooperating stop structure to the vertically elongated slot
62
. The vertically elongated slot
62
has a lower end
63
and an upper end
65
defined by end surfaces of the respective lower leg members
32
,
34
. The upper and lower ends
63
,
65
of the vertical slot
62
cooperate with the fasteners
40
to limit the rectilinear movement of each lower leg member
32
,
34
with respect to the respective upper leg member
28
,
30
. The upper end
63
of the elongated slot
62
limits downward movement while the lower end
65
in combination with the lower portions
50
,
52
limits upward movement of each lower leg member
32
,
34
.
The upper leg members
28
,
30
include a pair of openings
54
,
56
formed on opposite ends thereof (openings
54
,
56
are shown in FIG.
6
). Similarly, the lower leg members
32
,
34
include a series of openings
58
,
60
(
FIGS. 6-8
) integrally formed therein. The openings
54
,
56
,
58
,
60
, (as shown in
FIGS. 6-8
) are constructed and arranged to accept and lockingly engage portions of the releasable locking member
22
. The lockingly engaged portions of the releasable locking member
22
are provided by a pair of locking pins
61
positioned in the access openings
58
,
60
of the lower connecting members
42
. As discussed above, the upper leg members
28
,
30
can have identical structure and the lower leg members
32
,
34
can have identical structure for easy manufacture.
Each lower connecting member
42
includes a pair of opposing outwardly facing receptacles
64
formed therethrough within each of which one releasable locking member
22
for each upper leg member
28
,
30
is mounted. Each lower connecting member
42
also includes a pair of exteriorly facing access openings
67
to allow manual operation of the releasable locking members
22
. Each releasable locking member
22
is operable for movement between a releasing position and a locking position. In the releasing position, the releasable locking member
22
is operable to release an associated lower leg member
32
,
34
from movement into a selected one of the plurality of adjusted positions thereof (as determined by the series of openings
58
,
60
formed therein). In the locking position, the releasable locking member
22
is operable to lock the associated lower leg member
32
,
34
within the adjusted position selected (where the locking pins
61
engage the openings
58
,
60
). Movement of each released lower leg member
32
,
34
into a selected adjusted position while the pair of leg assemblies
12
,
14
is retained in the operative position thereof by the connecting structure
20
allows the workpiece engaging structure
18
to be supported at different heights (selected by the user) above the horizontal support surface
19
.
As shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8
, each receptacle region
64
is defined by an end wall
66
and a pair of oppositely facing side walls
68
. The end wall
66
and side walls
68
of each receptacle region
64
are configured so that each receptacle region
64
has an open portion
70
facing the respective upper leg member
28
,
30
. The side walls
68
have a recess
72
formed therein, which is configured to slidably receive a flange portion
74
of the releasable locking member
22
. Each releasable locking member
22
is slidably mounted in each receptacle region
64
to allow relative horizontal rectilinear movement of the releasable locking member
22
. Alternatively, the side walls
68
can slidably engage the releasable locking member
22
without forming the recess
72
in the side walls
68
.
The open portion
70
is positioned to align with the openings
54
,
56
in the upper leg members
28
,
30
and with the series of openings
58
,
60
in the lower leg members
32
,
34
, respectively. In this manner, each releasable locking member
22
may slide within each receptacle region
64
to effect generally horizontal rectilinear movement through the open portion
70
. In doing so, the locking pins
61
of the releasable locking member
22
can engage the openings
54
,
56
in the upper leg members
28
,
30
and can engage one of the series of openings
58
,
60
in the lower leg members
32
,
34
to support the workpiece engaging structure
18
at different heights (selected by the user) above the horizontal support surface
19
.
The releasable locking member
22
includes a manually engageable portion
76
, in the form of a circular portion or tab, that is manually engageable by a user through the access opening
67
to slide the releasable locking member
22
between its releasing and locking positions. A spring
78
, as shown in
FIG. 6
, may be mounted between each releasable locking member
22
and each end wall
66
of the lower connecting structure
42
for biasing the locking pins
61
of the releasable locking member
22
toward and into the locking position thereof.
The height of the workpiece supporting structure
18
can, therefore, be easily adjusted by selectively adjusting the position of the lower leg members
32
,
34
with respect to the upper leg members
28
,
30
. The lower leg members
28
,
30
are normally placed in their lowermost position (
FIG. 1
, for example) when the sawhorse
10
is stored. To raise the position of the workpiece supporting structure
18
, the user lifts the same, while standing on the lower portions
50
,
52
and releasing a selected releasable locking member
22
, for example, thereby causing the locking pins
61
of the selected releasable locking member
22
to move outwardly against the bias of the spring
78
. When the locking pins
61
are released from the aligned openings
54
,
56
and
58
,
60
, as shown in
FIG. 6
, rectilinear movement of the lower leg members
32
,
34
with respect to the associated upper leg member
28
,
30
is allowed. A user needs to release only one or more of the releasable locking members
22
at a time, or alternatively, may simultaneously release all of the releasable locking members
22
, because the lower leg members
32
,
34
may be independently extended and need not be extended at the same time.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
For example, workers using sawhorses typically use power tools in conjunction therewith. It is therefore frequently necessary to have a source of electrical power at the work site where the sawhorses are being used. Electrical power is usually provided at a work site by electrical outlets and by electrically conductive extension cords. In alternative embodiments not shown, a plurality of attachments could be provided by the invention for use with the sawhorse
10
to mount an electrical power cord on the sawhorse
10
for power cord storage and used, for example. In other alternative embodiments not shown, a plurality of attachments could also provided by the invention to mount a power strip to the sawhorse
10
to provide a plurality of electrical outlets at the work site.
Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A sawhorse comprising:an elongated workpiece supporting structure; a pair of leg assemblies that support the workpiece supporting structure, said pair of leg assemblies being movable between a folded position for storage and transportation purposes and an operative position; connecting structure connected with said leg assemblies below said workpiece supporting structure constructed and arranged to retain said leg assemblies in the operative position thereof and to allow movement of said leg assemblies between the operative and folded positions thereof; each leg assembly including a pair of separate lower leg members having lower portions constructed and arranged to engage a horizontal support surface for the sawhorse when said pair of lower leg members are retained in the operative position by said connecting structure thereof so as to enable said workpiece supporting structure to be supported at a predetermined height above the horizontal support surface, each of said lower leg members being mounted for independent movement in a generally vertical direction and adjusted to a plurality of different positions with respect to the associated leg assembly and said connecting structure while the pair of said leg assemblies are retained in the operative position thereof by said connecting structure; and a releasable locking member associated with each lower leg member, wherein each releasable locking member is mounted in said connecting structure for movement between a releasing position wherein said releasable locking member is operable to release the associated lower leg member for movement into a selected one of the plurality of adjusted positions thereof and a locking position wherein said releasable locking member is operable to lock the associated lower leg member within the adjusted position selected.
- 2. The sawhorse of claim 1, wherein a spring is mounted between each releasable locking member and said connecting structure for biasing said releasable locking member toward and into the locking position thereof.
- 3. The sawhorse of claim 2, wherein each releasable locking member is mounted for generally horizontal rectilinear sliding movement in said connecting structure.
- 4. The sawhorse of claim 3, wherein each releasable locking member includes a manually engageable portion manually engageable by a user to slide said releasable locking member from the locking position thereof to the releasing position thereof against the bias of the associated spring and manually releasable to allow the spring to bias the releasable locking member from the releasing position for movement under the bias of said spring toward the locking position thereof.
- 5. The sawhorse of claim 2, wherein each leg assembly includes an upper connecting member pivoted to said workpiece supporting structure and a pair of spaced upper leg members fixed to said upper connecting member and extending generally downwardly therefrom when said leg assemblies are in the operative position thereof.
- 6. The sawhorse of claim 5, wherein each upper leg member is of elongated hollow cross-sectional configuration sized with respect to a cooperating lower leg member so as to telescopically receive the same therein for rectilinear movement in opposite directions.
- 7. The sawhorse of claim 6, wherein each upper and lower leg member is formed of metal.
- 8. The sawhorse of claim 7, wherein said upper connecting member and said connecting structure are formed from a plastic material.
- 9. The sawhorse of claim 6, wherein each lower leg member includes a cantilevered foot portion constructed and arranged to be engaged to assist in the movement of the lower leg member.
- 10. The sawhorse of claim 6, wherein said connecting structure includes a lower connecting member associated with each leg assembly connected with the upper leg members thereof and a foldable tray assembly pivotally connected between said lower connecting members.
- 11. The sawhorse of claim 10, wherein each lower leg member includes stop structure engageable with cooperating stop structure associated with the upper leg member telescopically receiving the same for limiting the rectilinear downward movement of each lower leg member.
- 12. The sawhorse of claim 1 wherein each lower leg member includes stop structure engageable with cooperating stop structure associated with the associated leg assembly for limiting the downward movement of said lower leg member and preventing the separation thereof from the associated leg assembly.
- 13. A sawhorse comprising:an elongated workpiece supporting structure; a pair of leg assemblies that support the workpiece supporting structure, said pair of leg assemblies being movable between a folded position for storage and transportation purposes and an operative position; connecting structure connected with said leg assemblies below said workpiece supporting structure constructed and arranged to retain said leg assemblies in the operative position thereof and to allow movement of said leg assemblies between the operative and folded positions thereof; each leg assembly including a pair of separate lower leg members having lower portions constructed and arranged to engage a horizontal support surface for the sawhorse when said pair of lower leg members are retained in the operative position by said connecting structure thereof so as to enable said workpiece supporting structure to be supported at a predetermined height above the horizontal support surface, each of said lower leg members being mounted for independent movement in a generally vertical direction and adjusted to a plurality of different positions with respect to the associated leg assembly and said connecting structure while the pair of said leg assemblies are retained in the operative position thereof by said connecting structure; and a releasable locking member for each lower leg member mounted in said connecting structure for movement between a releasing position wherein each said releasable locking member is operable to release the associated lower leg member for movement into a selected one of the plurality of adjusted positions thereof and a locking position wherein said releasable locking member is operable to lock the associated lower leg member within the adjusted position selected, wherein a spring is mounted between each releasable locking member and said connecting structure for biasing said releasable locking member toward and into the locking position thereof, wherein each leg assembly includes an upper connecting member pivoted to said workpiece supporting structure and a pair of spaced upper leg members fixed to said upper connecting member and extending generally downwardly therefrom when said leg assemblies are in the operative position thereof, wherein each upper leg member is of elongated hollow cross-sectional configuration sized with respect to a cooperating lower leg member so as to telescopically receive the same therein for rectilinear movement in opposite directions, wherein said connecting structure includes a lower connecting member associated with each leg assembly connected with the upper leg members thereof and a foldable tray assembly pivotally connected between said lower connecting members, wherein each lower leg member includes stop structure engageable with cooperating stop structure associated with the upper leg member telescopically receiving the same for limiting the rectilinear downward movement of each lower leg member, and wherein each lower connecting member is connected with each associated upper leg member by an end portion of said lower connecting member of elongated hollow cross sectional configuration sized to receive therein a lower portion of the associated upper leg member and a fastener fixedly connecting said end portion with said lower portion.
- 14. The sawhorse of claim 13, wherein the stop structure of each lower leg member comprises an end surface defining an upper end of a vertically elongated slot formed in said lower leg member.
- 15. The sawhorse of claim 14, wherein the fastener associated with each upper leg member extends through the slot in the associated lower leg member to constitute the cooperating stop structure for engaging the stop structure defined by the end surfaces of said slot.
- 16. The sawhorse of claim 15, each releasable locking member is mounted for generally horizontal rectilinear sliding movement in said connecting structure.
- 17. The sawhorse of claim 16, wherein each releasable locking member includes a manually engageable portion manually engageable by a user to slide said releasable locking member from the locking position thereof to the releasing position thereof against the bias of the associated spring and manually releasable to allow the spring to bias the releasable locking member from the releasing position for movement under the bias of said spring toward the locking position thereof.
- 18. A sawhorse comprising:an elongated workpiece supporting structure; a pair of leg assemblies that support the workpiece supporting structure, said pair of leg assemblies being movable between a folded position for storage and transportation purposes and an operative position; connecting structure connected with said leg assemblies below said workpiece supporting structure constructed and arranged to retain said leg assemblies in the operative position thereof and to allow movement of said leg assemblies between the operative and folded positions thereof; each leg assembly including a pair of separate lower leg members having lower portions constructed and arranged to engage a horizontal support surface for the sawhorse when said pair of lower leg members are retained in the operative position by said connecting structure thereof so as to enable said workpiece supporting structure to be supported at a predetermined height above the horizontal support surface, each of said lower leg members being mounted for independent movement in a generally vertical direction and adjusted to a plurality of different positions with respect to the associated leg assembly and said connecting structure while the pair of said leg assemblies are retained in the operative position thereof by said connecting structure; and a releasable locking member associated with each lower leg member, wherein each releasable locking member is accessible through said connecting structure and mounted thereto for movement between a releasing position wherein said releasable locking member is operable to release the associated lower leg member for movement into a selected one of the plurality of adjusted positions thereof and a locking position wherein said releasable locking member is operable to lock the associated lower leg member within the adjusted position selected, said locking member being spring biased into said locking position thereof.
US Referenced Citations (12)