Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6688350
-
Patent Number
6,688,350
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, March 26, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 10, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Ostrager; Allen
- Self; Shelley
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 144 285
- 144 2865
- 144 2861
- 083 477
- 083 4772
- 312 281
- 312 237
- 312 277
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A power tool workstation for mounting one of a series of different power tools includes a top plate with a flanged opening therein for receipt of an insert upon which any one of a number of power tools is mounted.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the principal aspect the present invention relates to a power tool workstation construction and, more particularly, to a modular tool work station capable of receiving and mounting any one of a series of distinct tools, most especially, power tools.
Woodworking shops as well as home hobbyists typically use a variety of woodworking tools such as routers, band saws, drill presses, planers, table saws, vices, and the like. Most often each of these separate tools are permanently mounted on their own support table or bench. The worker or craftsman will then move the various work pieces to the bench or station where the desired tool is located. Often however, there is restricted space for placement of work benches or stations and, typically, some equipment or power tools are needed only on certain, minimal occasions. Further, with respect to such tools it is desirable to insure minimum dust pollution while at the same time providing a sturdy support or bench for the work tool. Additionally, the cost of a separate workbench for each tool can be excessive. Finally, many workbenches for each of a number of separate tools may have a different height thus requiring the worker to adjust the height of the workbench or the tool in some manner as the worker moves from station to station. That is, worker comfort is facilitated by maintaining the separate tools at a generally constant height or work level. Further, it is often desirable to move the tools. Most workbenches are not easily movable. Also, with most workbenches it is difficult to replace or remove the tool for repair or service.
With the aforesaid needs and desires in mind, the present invention was developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention comprises a power tool workstation construction that is used for mounting any one of the series of distinct tools or power tools. The workstation includes a rectangular, parallelepiped, sheet metal cabinet or base having an open top with a special tool support plate fixed or attached to the open top. Wheels are provided along one side of the cabinet at the floor level so that the cabinet may be tilted and easily moved. The tool support plate, affixed to the open top of the cabinet, overlaps or extends beyond the edges of the cabinet or base to facilitate lifting, tilting and moving of the cabinet. The cabinet includes a front door for access to the contents and for access to a dustbin that is positioned beneath the open top and accessible to a dust exhaust discharge system. The tool support plate includes an opening or passageway with a flange for support of an insert panel or insert. A separate tool is mounted on each separate insert and the insert may then be positioned in the opening in a tool support plate of a bench or work station. Because the inserts for the support plate are equally sized, any one of a number of separate tools may be supported and used in combination with the workstation. The insert rests on the flange in the opening and a fastening mechanism retains the insert and the tool attached thereto on the support plate. With this construction any one of a number of tools may be mounted, each on a separate insert, and each maintained in a storage cabinet to be available for placement on the support plate. Because the inserts for the support plate are equally sized, any one of a number of separate power tools may be supported and used in combination with the workstation. The insert may, itself, include a removable insert plate for mounting, by way of example, a router wherein the router blade would project upwardly through the insert plate with the router itself positioned within the interior of the cabinet. Optional table top extensions which include a horizontal support bracket and a vertical support leg may be attached to the main workstation cabinet to provide an additional work surface on either side of the workstation. Typically the corners of the support plate of the workstation are radiased or chamfered for purposes of safety. Differently shaped and sized work plates may be attached to the top of the cabinet. For example, a corner cabinet construction with an angled sided support plate may be provided.
Thus it is an object of the invention to provide an improved power tool support cabinet construction.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a power tool support construction which is capable of supporting any one of a number of distinct power tools.
Another object of the invention is to provide an economical, rugged, easily assembled, easily transported workstation for power tools, which is stable, yet capable of movement.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the detailed description, which follows reference, will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:
FIG. 1
is an isometric view of the improved workstation of the present invention in combination with a power tool;
FIG. 2
is an exploded isometric view of the workstation of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is an isometric view of a workstation having a support plate constructed for use with a router;
FIG. 4
is an isometric view of a supplemental support platform extender or extension for use in combination with a workstation of the type shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 5
is an isometric view of a workstation having an alternative style support plate mounted thereon for use in a corner;
FIG. 6
is an isometric view of a storage cabinet for use in combination with the work station of the present invention wherein the storage cabinet is constructed to receive and support multiple power tools and other tools mounted on separate support plate inserts; and
FIG. 7
is an isometric view illustrating the backside of the workstation of FIG.
1
.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The workstation of the invention is comprised of a rectangular, parallelepiped sheet metal cabinet
8
which includes a front side or panel
10
, a first lateral side panel
12
, a second lateral side panel
14
, and a back panel
16
. The panels
10
,
12
,
14
, and
16
define a rectangular parallelepiped cabinet with an open front to which a hinged door
18
is preferably attached. A bottom panel
20
reinforces the connected side panels
10
,
12
,
14
,
16
. The first lateral side panel
12
includes first and second wheels
24
and
26
attached thereto. Affixed to the bottom panel
20
on each of the bottom corners of the cabinet is an adjustable foot, for example foot
28
, which may be used to adjust the height of the cabinet.
The top of the cabinet
8
is open and is four sided with a generally rectangular profile. Attached to the open top of the cabinet is a tool support plate
30
. The support plate
30
is typically a wood or composite material rather then a metal material inasmuch as the plate
30
may be drilled with holes for attachment for a power tool such as the circular saw
32
in FIG.
1
. Preferably, the plate
30
has a generally rectangular shape or profile as illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 3
, for example, and is preferably in the range of ½ to 1 inch thick.
In the preferred embodiment, the plate
30
includes a rectangular or four-sided insert
34
on which a tool
32
is mounted. The insert
34
rests on a flange
36
defined in and extending around the periphery of a congruent opening
38
in the plate
30
. The opening
38
typically is four sided or rectangular in shape and the flange
36
extends inwardly about the periphery of the opening and is likewise four sided or rectangular to thereby support the congruent insert
34
. Manually actuated fasteners
40
and
42
are provided to retain the insert
34
in place in the opening
38
on the flange
36
. The insert
34
has a thickness, which renders the top of the insert
34
coplanar with the top surface
29
of plate
30
when placed in the opening
38
. This is the preferred embodiment of the invention.
The insert
34
, as well as the plate
30
, are typically fabricated from wood, or composite material which may be drilled or otherwise worked in order to facilitate attachment of a power tool and in order to provide openings therethrough for passage of dust to a bin
44
within the interior of the cabinet. The bin
44
is attached by means of a flexible hose
46
to a dust recovery system of the type typically found in wood shops and the like.
The insert
34
may itself include a further auxiliary panel insert
50
for support of a tool such as a router thereon, or alternatively the plate
30
may include a special panel insert
52
with a centered opening
54
therethrough. A router (not shown) could then be mounted on the underside of the panel insert
52
with a router blade extending through the opening
54
for exposure to work a work piece passing over the surface of the plate
30
and panel insert
52
.
As depicted in
FIG. 6
a number of separate power tools and other tools such as a vice, drill press, etc. may each be mounted on a separate insert
34
and stored on separate shelves of a cabinet
60
. The cabinet
60
is typically an open sided cabinet with multiple spaced horizontal shelves
34
comprised of separate plates or inserts
34
. Access to the tools stored in the cabinet
60
is thus rendered easy and the tool desired for use in combination with a workstation may be easily removed for placement in the congruent opening
38
of plate
30
. Sawdust or other material resulting from a power tool operation can then be collected in the bin
44
, for example, and directed through a tube
46
to the work shop exhaust system and dust collection system.
Preferably the plate
30
extends beyond the edges of the cabinet
8
defined by the panels
10
,
12
,
14
, and
16
. This provides a handhold for tilting of the cabinet
8
when movement of the cabinet
8
is desired. Additionally, this provides for protection of the worker that is using the tool and also provides improved access around the sides of the cabinet
8
. Further, since the corners
33
,
37
of the plate
30
are radiused or chamfered, a worker will not be exposed to a sharp corner when moving about the circumference of the workstation as the tool at the station is being used.
The shape of the plate
30
may be varied in other respects to accommodate needs of the workstation operator and the tool room in which the work stations are situated. For example, as shown in
FIG. 5
, a specially configured plate
35
is designed to permit placement of a workstation cabinet in a corner. Thus the plate
35
includes five sides with the backsides
64
and
66
at right angles for placement in a corner. The front side
68
is parallel to the cabinet front panel
69
and the lateral sides
70
and
72
of plate
35
define an angle so that an adjacent rectangular work station plate
30
will fit against the side
70
or
72
.
Latch
42
typically comprises a rotatable stem
43
mounted in plate
30
with a projecting lug
45
for holding insert
34
in place upon rotation by griping handle
47
.
Further features of the modular cabinets include a plate
30
or insen
34
which includes a pattern of passages or openings
79
to facilitate collection of sawdust, grit and shavings in a dust collection bin on the inside of the cabinet
8
from a sander, for example, or a drill. Additionally, the openings
79
may receive dogs or stops that maintain a work piece. Thus, an insert
34
may include a pattern of openings or recesses
79
for mounting work piece dogs or stops
82
which are adjustable.
The tool storage cabinet
60
may or may not include access doors. Storage cabinet
60
may include adjustable opposed support flange members
85
in
FIG. 6
for support of inserts
34
with a tool mounted thereon. The tool storage cabinet
60
and a plurality of cabinets
8
in combination with inserts
34
may be arrayed in a workroom in a desired and efficient array which is adjustable inasmuch as the cabinets
8
are mounted on wheels
24
,
26
and the inserts
34
with assorted tools may all be moved easily.
As depicted in
FIG. 4
, a supplemental work support stand
90
may be attached to a cabinet
8
by bolting support arms
92
to the top bolt openings
94
of cabinet
8
. The stand
90
thus includes a vertical leg
96
, horizontal arms
92
and a top work platform
98
.
Various modifications of the construction may be implemented. That is, the height of the sheet metal cabinet may be varied. The arrangement and position of doors and shelves may be varied. The particular plate fastener such as fasteners
40
and
42
may be varied. Thus the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
Claims
- 1. A modular tool workstation for mounting any one of a series of distinct tools, said work station comprising, in combination:a rectangular, parallelpiped, sheet metal cabinet having an open top, an open front and a first lateral side with a bottom edge, said open top having a first, four-sided profile; a tool support plate attached to and covering the open top, said tool support plate including a generally four-sided opening to the interior of the cabinet with a flange in and extending about the periphery of the four sided opening; said flange recessed in the opening of the plate and extending inwardly from the periphery of said four sided opening; a tool support insert having a shape congruent with the opening of the plate and supported on the flange of the plate in the opening coplanar with the top surface 29 of the plate; first and second retention latch members on the tool support plate on opposite lateral sides of the opening, said latch members moveable between an insert retention position and an insert release position for holding the insert in position in the opening when in the retention position; and a tool mounted on the insert.
- 2. The workstation of claim 1 wherein the cabinet includes a base and further includes an adjustable length foot in each corner of the cabinet at the base thereof.
- 3. The workstation of claim 1 including a port in the cabinet for access to the interior of the cabinet and a dust collection bin positioned beneath the opening in the plate.
- 4. The workstation of claim 1 wherein the top support plate extends outwardly from the cabinet to provide a hand hold for engaging and tilting the cabinet onto the wheels for transport.
- 5. The work station of claim 1 in combination with an extension station, said extension station including a horizontal support bracket, a vertical leg extending downwardly from the horizontal support bracket, and a top plate mounted on the horizontal bracket, said bracket extending from the top plate for attachment to the cabinet, said vertical leg supporting the top plate level with the top support plate of the cabinet.
- 6. The work station of claim 1 wherein the insert includes an opening for a power tool to project into.
- 7. The work station of claim 1 wherein the corners of the support plate are radiused or chamfered.
- 8. The work station of claim 1 in combination with a plurality of equally sized inserts, each insert including a different power tool mounted thereon.
- 9. The work station of claim 8 in combination with a multiple shelf storage cabinet for storage of a multiple member of inserts having different tools mounted on each insert.
- 10. The work station of claim 1 wherein the first four sided profile is rectangular.
- 11. The work station of claim 1 wherein the insert opening is rectangular.
- 12. The work station of claim 1 including an access door on the front of the cabinet.
- 13. The work station of claim 1 including wheels affixed to one side of the cabinet and a hand hold mechanism on the opposite side to permit tilting of the cabinet for movement on the wheels.
- 14. The work station of claim 1 wherein the plate includes a pair of intersecting sides on the back of the cabinet for placement of the cabinet in a corner with the front of the cabinet forming an acute angle with the pair of sides and wherein the plate further includes a front edge parallel to the front side of the cabinet.
- 15. The work station of claim 1 wherein the plate projects over the first profile and the sides of the cabinet.
- 16. The work station of claim 15 wherein the insert opening is rectangular and the sides of the cabinet define a rectangular parallelepiped.
US Referenced Citations (12)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0 913 230 |
May 1999 |
EP |
0031414 |
Jul 1981 |
FR |
2244670 |
Dec 1991 |
GB |