The invention broadly relates to extension tables for stationary power tools with small built-in tables. 2. Prior Art
Stationary power tools, such as sewing machines, drill presses, jig saws, etc., are typically provided with a built-in table under or around the tool bit for supporting a work piece. Such tables are generally too small for supporting anything except small work pieces. Larger work pieces are more difficult to be positioned stably or maneuvered on the small tables. For example, on a drill press, a larger rigid work piece will tend to wobble on the table. On a sewing machine, a larger piece of fabric will drape down the sides of the table and be difficult to rotate on the table and stitch in a different direction. Some stationary power tools, such as floor standing models, are provided with larger tables, but such tables cannot be compacted or disconnected for storage. Although add-on extension tables are known, they are each made to fit a predetermined power tool, so that they are relatively expensive to manufacture and stock, and they are only available for a limited number of stationary power tools.
Accordingly, the primary object of the present extension table is to provide an enlarged work area around the built-in table of a stationary power tool.
Another object is be retrofittable to a conventional stationary power tool.
Another object is to be adjustable to fit stationary power tools of different sizes and shapes.
Another object is to provide storage space for tools and supplies.
Still another object is to illuminate the work piece from below.
The present stationary power tool extension table includes a transparent support plate for being positioned against a first side of a built-in table on a stationary power tool. Side plates are connected to an edge of the support plate for being positioned against adjacent sides of the built-in table. The support plate is hinged to a frame with an open top and an open bottom. Height adjustable legs are attached to the frame for positioning the support plate level with the built-in table. Slide connectors on the frame and the side plates connect the side plates to the support plate, and enable the side plates to slide horizontally against the sides of the built-in table. A removable tray with divided compartments is supported within the frame by a flange around the bottom of the frame. When the tray is removed, a light may be positioned under the support plate to illuminate a work piece from below.
A preferred embodiment of a stationary power tool extension table 10 is shown in an exploded view in FIG. 1. It includes a support plate 11 hinged to a frame 12 with an open top 13 and an open bottom 14. Support plate 11 is preferably translucent for passing light, and may be diffusing or completely transparent. First and second side plates 15 and 16 are arranged for connecting to a side of support plate 11 in coplanar positions. In this example, the first and second side plates are respectively shown as the left and right side plates, but they may be reversed. First slide connectors 17 and 18 are attached to the side of frame 12 for connecting with second slide connectors 19 and 20 on respective side plates 15 and 16. In this example, slide connectors 17 and 18 are generally L-shaped brackets, and slide connectors 19 and 20 are generally down-turned brackets. Side plates 15 and 16 are thus connected to support plate 11 and horizontally movable relative to support plate 11. A storage tray 21 is for being detachably supported within frame 12 by a flange 22 around open bottom 14 of frame 12. Tray 21 is preferably provided with divided compartments 23 for storing tools and supplies. Height adjustable legs 24 are attached to frame 12 for adjusting the height of support plate 11. Support plate 11 is thus connected to legs 24. Legs 24 preferably include threaded shafts 25 which are threaded through threaded holes 26 in flange 22.
Alternatively, support plate 11 may be fixedly attached to frame 12, or it may be completely removable from frame 12. Support plate 11 may be opaque. Slide connectors 17 and 18 may be attached directly to support plate 11 for connecting supporting plate 11 directly to side plates 15 and 16. One of side plates 15 or 16 may be fixedly attached to support plate 11, and other one may be movably connected to support plate 11 with horizontal slide connectors. Legs 24 may be attached directly to support plate 11. The bottom of frame 12 may be closed. Also, slide connectors 17-20 may be of any suitable shape.
In
Extension table is shown in
Extension table 10 is shown in
Although the foregoing description is specific, it should not be considered as a limitation on the scope of the invention, but only as an example of the preferred embodiment. Many variations are possible within the teachings of the invention. For example, different attachment methods, fasteners, materials, dimensions, etc. can be used unless specifically indicated otherwise. The relative positions of the elements can vary, and the shapes of the elements can vary. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, not by the examples given.
I claim the benefit of provisional application 60/348,206 filed on Oct. 29, 2001.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1012856 | Irving | Dec 1911 | A |
2483106 | Santley et al. | Sep 1949 | A |
2569729 | Lewis | Oct 1951 | A |
2958304 | Arbib | Nov 1960 | A |
3062605 | Cannon | Nov 1962 | A |
3745952 | Giesselmann | Jul 1973 | A |
4044700 | Aeschliman | Aug 1977 | A |
4058072 | Ishikawa et al. | Nov 1977 | A |
4114548 | Kasahara et al. | Sep 1978 | A |
5368266 | Allen | Nov 1994 | A |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
01317478 | Dec 1989 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60348206 | Oct 2001 | US |