Multi-position workbench

The present invention relates to workbenches and is particularly concerned with a workbench for the clamping of workpieces in different positions or orientations.

The object of the present invention is to provide a workbench for clamping irregularly-shaped workpieces in different positions or orientations.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a workbench for the clamping of workpieces, characterised in that it comprises a support structure with a fixed stock, at least one support arm releasably engageable with the fixed stock, and clamping jaws carried by the or each support arm for angular and/or translational movement on the arm into positions determined by the shape and size of a workpiece to be clamped, so as to clamp the latter in a chosen working position. The workbench may have a plurality of support arms with clamping jaws, which are selectively engageable with the fixed stock at different relative angular orientations.

The workbench may further include a movable stock which is displaceable relative to the fixed stock on guide means of the support structure, at least one support arm releasably engageable with the movable stock, and clamping jaws carried by the or each support arm for angular and/or translational movement on the arm into positions such as to clamp a workpiece, either in association with the jaws on the support arm or arms of the fixed stock or independently thereof. A plurality of support arms with clamping jaws may be selectively engageably with the movable stock in different relative angular orientations.

The support arms may be engageably on spigots, threaded studs or the like carried by the fixed stock and/or the movable stock but in preferred embodiments are engageably in holders or threaded sockets in the fixed stock and/or movable stock. It will be appreciated, however, that other means of engagement of the arms on the stocks may be employed as appropriate.

The workbench according to the present invention has a greater degree of adjustability of the position and orientation of the clamping jaws than prior-art workbenches and therefore has the operational flexibility which enables it securely to clamp irregularly-shaped workpieces.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is perspective view of a workbench according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
• Figure 1-1 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1;
• Figure 1-2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1;
• Figure 1-3 is a cross-section along the line 1-3 of Figure 1-2;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of a workbench according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2-1 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 2;
• Figure 2-2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 2;
• Figure 2-3 is a cross-section along the line 2-3 of Figure 2-2;
• Figure 2-4 is a perspective view of a first variant of a support arm for the workbench of the invention;
• Figure 2-5 is a partially sectioned side view of the arm of Figure 2-4;
• Figure 2-6 is a perspective view of a second variant of a support arm;
• Figure 2-7 is a cross-section of the arm of Figure 2-6;
• Figure 2-8 is a perspective view of a third variant of a support arm;
• Figure 2-9 is a partially sectioned side view of the arm of Figure 2-8;
• Figure 2-10 is a perspective view of a fourth variant of a support arm;
• Figure 2-11 is a partially sectioned side view of the arm of Figure 2-10;
• Figure 2-12 is a perspective view of a fourth variant of a support arm;
• Figure 2-13 is a cross-section of the arm of Figure 2-12;
• Figure 2-14 is a perspective view of a fifth variant of a support arm;
• Figure 2-15 is a sectional view of the arm of Figure 2-14;
• Figure 2-16 is a perspective view of a six variant of a support arm;
• Figure 2-17 is a sectioned side view of the variant of Figure 2-16;
• Figure 2-18 is a perspective view of a seventh variant of a support arm;
• Figure 2-19 is the sectional view of the arm of Figure 2-18;
• Figure 2-20 is a scrap perspective view of a third embodiment of the workbench of the invention;
• Figure 2-21 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 2-20;
• Figure 2-22 is the side view of the embodiment of Figure 2-20;
• Figure 2-23 is a cross-sectional view along the line 2-23 of Figure 2-22;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a workbench according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 3-1 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 3;
• Figure 3-2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 3;
• Figure 3-3 is a cross-sectional view along the line 3-3 of Figure 3-2;
• Figures 3-4 and 3-5, 3-6 and 3-7, 3-8 and 3-9, and 3-10 and 3-11 are perspective and end views of respective variants of the fixed stock of the workbench of Figure 3;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of a workbench according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 4-1 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 4;
• Figure 4-2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 4;
• Figures 4-3 and 4-4, 4-5 and 4-6, and 4-7 and 4-8 are perspective and sectional views of respective variants of the fixed stock of the workbench of Figure 4;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a detail of a further variant of a support arm for the workbench of the invention;
• Figure 5-1 is a plan view of the detail of Figure 5;
• Figure 5-2 is a cross-sectional view along the line 5-2 of Figure 5-3;
• Figure 5-3 is a side view of the detail of Figure 5;
• Figure 6 is a sectional view along the line 6 of Figure 6-2, showing a pair of clamping jaws for the workbench of the invention;
• Figure 6-1 is a plan view of the clamping jaws of Figure 6;
• Figure 6-2 is a view of the clamping jaws from the right of Figure 6;
• Figure 7 is a sectional view of a first variant of the clamping jaw;
• Figure 7-1 is a plan view of the clamping jaw of Figure 7;
• Figure 7-2 is a view of the clamping jaw from the right of Figure 7;
• Figure 8 is a sectional view of a second variant clamping jaw along the line 8 of Figure 8-1;
• Figure 8-1 is a plan view of the clamping jaw of Figure 8;
• Figure 8-2 is a partially sectioned end view from the left of Figure 8;
• Figure 9 is a sectional view of a third variant clamping jaw;
• Figure 9-1 is a plan view of the clamping jaw of Figure 9;
• Figure 9-2 is a view from the right of Figure 9-1;
• Figure 10 is a sectional view of a fourth variant clamping jaw along the line 10 of Figure 10-1;
• Figure 10-1 is a plan view of the clamping jaw of Figure 10;
• Figure 10-2 is a view from the right of Figure 10;
• Figure 11 is a sectional view of a fifth variant clamping jaw;
• Figure 11-1 is a plan view of the clamping jaw of Figure 11;
• Figure 11-2 is a view from the right of Figure 11;
• Figures 11-3, 11-4 and 11-5 are perspective views of three alternative versions of the clamping jaw of Figure 11;
• Figure 12 is perspective view of a sixth variant clamping jaw;
• Figure 12-1 is a plan view of the clamping jaw of Figure 12;
• Figure 12-2 is a section of the jaw along the line 12-2 of Figure 12-3;
• Figure 12-3 is a view from the right of Figure 12-2;
• Figure 13 is a perspective view of a seventh variant clamping jaw which is a rotatable version of the jaw of Figure 12;
• Figure 13-1 is a plan view of the clamping jaw of Figure 13;
• Figure 13-2 is a sectional view along the line 13-2 of Figure 13-1;
• Figures 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 are perspective views of a parallel joint, an auxiliary support arm, an elbow joint, a first three-way joint, and a second three-way joint, respectively;
• Figures 19, 19-1 and 19-2 are a perspective view, a plan view and a partially-sectioned end view, respectively, of an auxiliary support plate useable with the workbench of the invention, and
• Figures 20 to 27 show examples of the modes of use of workbenches according to various embodiments of the invention illustrated in the preceding Figures.

With reference to the drawings, Figures 1, 1-1, 1-2 and 1-3 show a workbench comprising a support structure formed by front and rear connection blocks 1503, 1504 which have respective pairs of legs 1506 with feet 1507, and are connected by two tubular guide rails 1501. A multi-faceted fixed stock 1101 is provided on one side of the rear connection block 1504, and a multi-faceted movable stock 1201 is mounted on the tubular guide rails 1501 for movement relative to the fixed stock 1101. A drive screw 1502 for the movable stock 1201 extends between the connection blocks 1503, 1504 and passes through a correspondingly threaded hole in the movable stock 1201. The drive screw 1502 has a concave ring-shaped slot which cooperates with a positioning screw 1508 on the front connection block 1503 to enable the range of movement of the movable stock 1201 to be adjusted. The turning of a hand-wheel 1505 connected to the drive screw 1502 effects, by means of the drive screw 1502, the movement of the movable stock 1201 towards or away from the fixed stock 1101 along the guide rails 1501, within the limits set by the screw 1508.

Threaded holes or sockets 1301 provided at a number of angular orientations in the fixed stock 1101 and the movable stock 1201 are engageable by the threaded ends of support arms 1401 which carry respective rotatable clamping jaws 1601. The jaws 1601 can slide independently and axially along their support arms and can also effect reciprocating movements axially along the support arms. The arms 1401 have end stops 1403 for retaining the clamping jaws thereon.

In use, the workbench is set up by the engagement of the support arms 1401 in selected holes 1301 in the fixed and movable stocks 1101, 1201 in positions determined by the shape and size of the workpiece to be clamped. As a result, the support arms 1401 on each stock may be aligned horizontally with each other as shown in Figure 1, or they may be inclined relative to each other to form, for example, an L or V shape. The clamping jaws 1601 are then moved into appropriate positions and angular orientations on the support arms 1401, and the movable stock 1201 is moved into the appropriate clamping position relative to the fixed stock 1101. In this way, the workbench of the present invention enables the firm clamping of irregularly-shaped workpieces, for example, blocks, plates, rods, or spheres.

The embodiment of Figures 2, 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3 differs from that of Figure 1 to 1-3 in that the two connection blocks 1509, 1512 (which have respective pairs of legs) support respective rotatable coupling blocks 1510, 1513 between which the two guide rails for the movable stock 1202 extend. The fixed stock 1102, the movable stock 1201, the guide rails and the coupling blocks 1510, 1513 thus constitute a structure which can be rotated relative to an axis defined by the connection blocks 1509, 1512 to adjust the orientation of a workpiece after it has been clamped. The connection blocks 1509, 1512 have respective locking screws 1511 for firmly locking the workpiece in its adjusted orientation adjustments.

In the above embodiments, the support arms are screwed into and thus fixed to the fixed stocks 1101, 1102 and movable stocks 1201, 1202, whereby the support arms cannot be adjusted relative to the stocks. In order to allow the positions of the support arms to be adapted to various working conditions, several alternative stock and arm variants may be provided a follows.

Figures 2-4 and 2-5 show a variant for the through connection of a square support support arm 1404 with a movable stock 1204 having a transverse through-hole 1302 of square section for accommodating the arm 1404. The stock 1204 has a hole 1206 communicating with the hole 1302 to accommodate an adjustment screw 1205 which can be loosened to allow sliding of the arm 1404 and tightened to lock the arm.

Figures 2-6 and 2-7 illustrate a staggered through-type adjustable support arm engageable in a movable stock having a two-part structure. The movable stock comprises an upper part 1220 with two transverse support arm coupling slots 1304 in its lower face, and a lower part 1221 with a central screw hole 1207 aligned with a similar hole 1222 in the supper part and two transverse support arm coupling slots 1304. The square support arms 1404 are placed in the respective coupling slots 1304 and an adjustment screw 1205 passes through the holes 1207, 1222. The screw 1205 enables the adjustment and locking of the arms 1404.

Figures 2-8 and 2-9 show a parallel multi-arm structure, in which threaded ends of two pairs of arms 1401 are engaged in respective pairs of threaded holes 1301 provided on opposite sides of the movable stock 1203. Clamping jaws 1601 are slidable on the arms 1401 and the latter are provided with end stop members 1403.

Figures 2-10 and 2-11 show a through-type adjustable parallel multi-arm structure in which an arm 1407 with forked ends has a central portion slidably and rotatably housed in a transverse coupling slot 1305 defined by upper and lower parts 1213, 1214 of a movable stock. The upper and lower parts 1213, 1214 have respective pairs of aligned holes 1211, 1212 for fixing screws 1210, and the upper part defines a central hole 1206 for a locking screw 1205 for clamping the arm 1407 in a given position of adjustment relative to the stock.

In Figures 2-12 and 2-13 an example of a staggered through-type adjustable parallel multi-arm structure is shown. In this example, two U-shaped support arms 1406 are mutually slidably engaged in coupling slots 1305 defined by the upper and lower parts 1208, 1209 of a movable stock. The two parts 1208, 1209 have aligned central holes 1222, 1207 for a screw 1205 which interconnects the parts and serves as a locking screw for the arms 1406.

Figures 2-14 and 2-15 illustrate a slidable adjustment structure for through-type parallel support arms 1408 of circular section. The arms 1408 pass through the upper and lower parts 1208 of a movable stock of the type shown in Figures 2-12 and 2-13. The slackening and tightening of the support arm adjustment screw 1205 allows the sliding adjustment or firm locking of the support arms 1408 which may comprise an elongate closed ring or two parallel rods.

Figures 2-16 and 2-17 show a through-type support arm 1409 with guide rails for a pair of clamping jaws 1609. The support arm 1409 has two parallel guide rails and two movable clamping jaws 1609 are provided on the arms 1409, one on each side of the movable stock 1218. Each jaw 1609 is mounted on a respective guide screw which passes through a corresponding side of the arm 1409 and is engaged in the stock 1218. Each guide screw projects from the respective free end of the arm and a handle is provided on the free end of each screw. The screws may be staggered but parallel to each other. The turning of a guide screw in one sense or the other causes a corresponding movement of a respective clamping jaw 1609 along its portion of the guide rails. The movable stock 1218 has transverse hole 1306 in which the support arm 1409 is slidably adjustable, and a hole for a locking screw 1205 for the support arm 1409.

Figures 2-18 and 2-19 illustrate a movable stock 1223 with a transverse circular through-hole 1303 which houses a rod-like support arm 1410 capable of translational and rotational adjustments relative to the stock. The stock 1223 has a hole 1206 which communicates with the support arm coupling hole 1303 and accommodates a support arm locking screw 1205.

Figures 2-20, 2-21, 2-22 and 2-23 show a further embodiment of the workbench with a rotatable support arm structure. The movable stock comprises a hub member 1219 slidable on guide rails under the action of a guide screw, an inner annular support arm coupling member 1307 rotatable on the hub 1219, and an outer support arm coupling member 1317 rotatable on the hub relative to the inner member. The inner and outer members 1307, 1317 are retained on the hub 1219 by a threaded locking ring 1319. The inner and outer members 1307, 1317 have threaded seats 1318 engageable by respective support arms, the threading of the seats 1318 being shorter than the threading of the arms so that the latter bear on the hub 1219 when they are screwed fully home and thus lock the arms in their chosen relative orientation obtained by the rotation of the members 1307, 1317.

From Figures 2-20 to 2-23, it will be appreciated that the fixed stock has a similar structure to the movable stock, the sole difference being that its hub member 1112 is, of course, fixed relative to the support structure.

Figures 3, 3-1, 3-2 and 3-3 show an embodiment of the workbench having an elongate fixed stock 1103 with a plurality of threaded holes 1301 at different angular orientations for engagement by an number of support arms 1401. The stock 1103 has a plurality of faces with respective sets of holes 1301. The arms 1401 are screwed into holes 1301 in positions determined by the shape and size of the workpiece to be clamped by the clamping jaws (not shown) thereon, and can thus adopt a variety of relative angular orientations.

The multi-faceted form of the stock 1103 with several sets or rows of support arm coupling holes forms the body of the workbench, and is supported by a support structure with four legs.

In variants of this embodiment, the elongate fixed stock may have a triangular section as indicated 1104 in Figures 3-4 and 3-5, a square or rectangular section as indicated 1105 in Figures 3-6 and 3-7, a hexagonal section as indicated 1106 in Figures 3-8 and 3-9, a cylindrical section as indicated 1107 in Figures 3-10 and 3-11, or any other sectional shape with a plurality of sets of holes 1301 enabling the selection of different positions and angles for the support arms 1401.

Figures 4, 4-1 and 4-2 show an embodiment of the workbench having a block-like fixed stock 1108. The fixed stock 1108 has a number of angled faces with respective threaded holes 1301 for engagement by the support arms 1401. The positions of the particular holes 1301 in which the arms are screwed depends, of course, on the shape and desired orientation of the workpiece or workpieces to be clamped by the clamping jaws (not shown) on the arms. The fixed stock 1108 is supported by four legs.

Figures 4-3 and 4-4, 4-5 and 4-6, and 4-7 and 4-8 illustrate examples of variant fixed socks 1109, 1110, 1111 of the embodiment of Figures 4 to 4-2.

Figures 5, 5-1, 5-2 and 5m3 show a universally adjustable support arm 1411 which engages a movable stock 1217 by means of a ball and socket joint 1308 provided with a locking ring 1310 for locking the arm in its chosen orientation relative to the stock. As illustrated, the socket is provided on the movable stock 1217 and the ball is provided on the arm 1411; clearly the opposite arrangement may be employed equally well.

Although commercially available clamping jaws can be used with the support arms of the workbenches of the invention, subject to modification to render them slidable on and lockable relative to the arms, various clamping jaws are provided by the present invention for particular applications or to increase the convenience and versatility of the workbench.

Figures 6, 6-1 and 6-2 show a clamping jaw arrangement for use with, for example, arms of the type shown in Figures 2-8 and 2-9 or 2-18 and 2-19. As shown, there are two jaws 1612, one on each side of a stock 1215. Each jaw 1612 is rotatable about a pivot pin 1613 on a respective base 1603, 1604 slidable on the support arm and lockable by means of a screw 1605. One jaw is provided with tightening means comprising a block 1611 slidable parallel to the arm on a guide rail 1610 of the base 1604 under the action of a guide screw 1606 with a handle 1607. The jaw 1612 itself is pivoted to an appendage 1609 on the block 1611 by its pin 1613 which engages a hole 1614 in the appendage.

The jaws 1612 can rotate relative to their bases 1603, 1604 into engagement with a workpiece, the locking screw 1605 enables adjustm the bases along the support arm, and the guide screw 1606 enables the firm clamping of the workpiece. The shape of the holes in the bases 1603, 1604 can be varied in dependence on the arm profile employed, as shown in the preceding drawings.

Figures 7, 7-1 and 7-2 illustrate a rotatable disc-shaped clamping jaw 1621 useable with a circular support arm 1413 having rotational guide threads for the jaw. The jaw 1621 has a central thread hole 1620 and a friction plate 1619 on its active or frontal face. The jaw 1621 can move forwards and backwards along the support arm 1413 to clamp a workpiece.

Figures 8, 8-1 and 8-2 show a rotatable disc-shaped clamping jaw 1621 mounted on a retractable support arm whose inner section 1415 is engaged with a through-hole 1303 of a movable stock 1216 and has a number of positioning holes 1417. An outer section 1414 of the support arm, which has rotational guide threads for the jaw, is slidable on the inner section 1415 for longitudinal adjustments. A positioning pin 1416 is passed through one of the positioning holes 1417 and positioning pin hole 1418 in the outer section 1414, and then is screwed into the rotatable jaw 1621 on the outer section 1414 of the retractable support arm to clamp and hold a workpieces. The jaw 1621 is adjustable along the outer section 1414.

Figures 9, 9-1 and 9-1 and 9-2 shows a disc-shaped clamping jaw 1625 with a positioning seat for coupling to a round or multi-faceted support arm. An annular friction plate 1625 is provided on the frontal face of the jaw 1625 and the latter has a central hole so that it can slide on a cylindrical sleeve 1622. One end of the sleeve 1622 has an outer slide surface and its other end is threaded and has an opening. A handle 1624 is screwed onto the threaded section of the sleeve 1622 and a nut 1623 is screwed onto the sleeves at its open end. The sleeve 1622 is fitted onto the support arm 1401 and is adjustable therealong. The tightening of the nut 1623 firmly locks the sleeve 1622 to the support arm 1401, while rotation of the handle 1624 drives the jaw 1625 to clamp and hold a workpiece.

Figures 10, 10-1 and 10-2 show a clamping jaw 1612 with a positioning block for coupling to a round support arm 1419. The jaw 1612 is pivoted about a pin 1613 on slidable base member 1627 with a slide hole 1618 and a fixing screw 1628. An adjustable locking block 1629 is coupled to the support arm inwardly or outwardly of the jaw and has a fixing screw 1630. The block 1629 fixes the jaw in position on the support arm. The support arm has a longer thread than usual, which is screwed into a threaded hole in the said jaw, and the arm has a handle at its outer end for rotation. When a user wants to clamp a workpiece he firstly loosens the fixing screw 1628 of the slidable jaw 1612, 1627 to push the jaw towards the workpiece, and he then loosens the fixing screw 1630 of the adjustable locking block 1629 and pushes it against the base member 1627 before firmly relocking the fixing screw 1630. When the handle is turned to rotate the support arm, the arm urges the locking block 1629 against the member 1627 to clamp and hold the workpiece. If the user wants the jaw to be urged outwardly, he places the locking block 1629 inwardly of the member1627.

Figures 11, 11-1 and 11-2 illustrate a disc-shaped clamping jaw with multiple sets of separate drive clamp blocks 1635, for coupling to a round support arm 1410. The jaw 1631 has a central hole by which it is fitted slidably onto the support arm 1410, and a lateral screw 1632 for locking it in position on the arm. A screw hole 1633 passes through the disc to accommodate the drive handle 1634 of a movable clamp block 1635 provided at the inner end of the handle 1634. Each block is movable independently by its handle. When the user wishes to use the jaw 1631 to clamp a workpiece he firstly loosens the screw 1633, pushes the disc-shaped jaw 1631 towards the workpiece, tightens the screw 1633, and then turns each handle 1634 to clamp the workpiece.

Figure 11-3 shows a disc-shaped clamping jaw with two separate drive blocks, Figure 11-4 shows a disc-shaped clamping jaw with six separate drive blocks, and Figure 11-5 shows a rectangular clamping jaw with the two separate drive blocks.

Figure 12, 12-1, 12-2 and 12-3 illustrate a clamping jaw 1640 with a stabilization hole. A locking block 1636 of the jaw has a hole for its fitting onto a support arm, and a threaded hole 1638 parallel to the support arm for accommodating a guide screw 1639 with a handle at its outer end. The jaw is slidable on the support arm and has a central coutersunk hole in which one end of the guide screw 1639, provided with a buckle ring 1641, is captive. The screw 1639 reacts against the block 1636 which is clamped on the support arm by a locking screw 1637.

Figures 13, 13-1 and 13-2 illustrate a rotatable jaw similar to that of Figures 12 to 12-3. In this case, the jaw 1612 itself is pivoted about a pin 1613 on a base member 1615 slidable on the support arm 1617 in the manner of the jaw described above.

The support arms can be provided with multi-direction joints, connection pipes or other auxiliary components. Examples of these auxiliary components are described briefly below.

Figure 14 shows a parallel joint useable with an auxiliary support arm as shown in Figure 15 to extend a support arm or to connect two workbenches alongside each other.

Figure 16 shows an elbow joint useable with the aforesaid auxiliary support arm to form a cranked support arm.

Figures 17 and 18 show three-way joints which can further extend a support arm to set up a plurality of clamps for workpieces. A number of such joints can be combined according to a user's needs.

Figures 19, 19-1 and 19-2 show a support plate 1642 with an X-shaped locking slot 1643 and two parallel sockets 1644 on its underside. The sockets 1644 are fitted onto respective support arms and fixed by locking screws 1637. The plate 1642 can be used with drills jig-saws and the like for working a clamped workpiece.

Figures 20 to 27 show examples of the workbench of the present invention in various modes of use.