Abstract:
A tool support unit includes a first portion that is attached to a tool, such as a power saw or the like, and a second portion that is attached to a support, such as a table or the like. A telescoping connection between the two portions of tool support unit permits the first portion to be attached to and detached from the second portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to the general art of support surfaces, and to the particular field of work surfaces. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Most workmen have a plurality of tools that are used for various jobs. These tools range from simple hand tools to heavy tools that must be supported on a table, such as a power saw, drills, and the like. Often, a job requires the use of several of these heavy tools. In such cases, the workman must move from station to station to complete a job if the job is being done in a shop or factory. This is inconvenient and time consuming, especially if several people are working in a common shop in which case, the worker may have to wait for a previous worker to complete his or her work before completing his or her task, or the shop must have duplicates of the same tool which can be expensive especially for a small shop. 
   While the above situation is somewhat inconvenient, it is tolerable. However, the multiple tool problem is quite difficult if the worker must carry tools to a work site. Thus, if a worker travels to a job site, and must carry his or her tools in a vehicle, and then must use various power tools at the work site, he or she must place one tool on a tool support, use the tool, then remove the tool from the tool support and replace that tool with another tool. This is very time consuming and wasteful of effort. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a tool support system that is easy and efficient to use whereby tools can be quickly and efficiently moved onto and off of the support. 
   Still further, no power tool should be used without ensuring that the tool is securely anchored in place. However, if a worker must change tools, the possibility of improperly securing the tool increases. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a tool support system that is easy and efficient to use whereby tools can be quickly and efficiently moved onto and off of the support and still be securely anchored in place. 
   If a power tool is not stored in place on a support, there may be a possibility that the tool may sustain some sort of damage during storage. This may occur in particular with saws and the like. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a tool support system that is easy and efficient to use whereby tools can be quickly and efficiently moved onto and off of the support and the tools can be protected while in storage. 
   A further problem with tools such as sanders, saws, drill presses, and the like, is that such tools take up work space on a workbench when the tool is not being used. Most workmen like as much free work space as possible. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a means for supporting a tool in a manner that is out of the way when the tool is not in use, but is readily and quickly located for use when desired. 
   PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a main object of the present invention to provide a tool support system that is easy and efficient to use whereby tools can be quickly and efficiently moved onto and off of the support. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a tool support system that is easy and efficient to use whereby tools can be quickly and efficiently moved onto and off of the support and still be securely anchored in place. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a tool support system that is easy and efficient to use whereby tools can be quickly and efficiently moved onto and off of the support and the tools can be protected while in storage. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a means for supporting a tool in a manner that is out of the way when the tool is not in use, but is readily and quickly located for use when desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   These, and other, objects are achieved by a tool support unit that includes a first portion that is attached to a tool, such as a power saw or the like, and a second portion that is attached to a support, such as a table or the like. A telescoping connection between the two portions of tool support unit permits the first portion to be attached to and detached from the second portion whereby the first portion, with a tool mounted thereon, can be mounted on a support, such as a table or the like, via the second portion of the unit. 
   Using the tool support unit embodying the present invention will permit a tool to be securely anchored to a base at all times, with the base being moved to mount and dismount the tool as needed. The tool will be easily and quickly moved and will be securely mounted at all times. With the support unit of the present invention, one tool can be moved from one work area to another whereby the same tool can be shared by several workers. This will save money as duplicates of the same tool are not needed. Furthermore, the tool can be protected by the portion of the tool support unit attached thereto and can be stored out of the way when not in use to free work space for a worker. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable work table embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the portable work table embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 3A  shows the portable work table of the present invention supporting a tool and in an initial position. 
       FIG. 3B  shows the portable work table in  FIG. 3A  in a use position. 
       FIG. 4A  is an elevational view of the portable work table in a condition where a tool supporting portion is assembled with a supporting element engaging portion. 
       FIG. 4B  shows one form of a tool mounted on the portable work table of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4C  shows one form of a tool mounted on the portable work table of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
   Referring to the Figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a tool support unit  10  which achieves the above-stated objectives. 
   Tool support unit  10  comprises a first portion  12  which includes a base  14  on which a tool, such as a saw, a drill press, or the like, is mounted when in use. Base  14  includes a first surface  16 , which is a top surface when base  14  is in use, and a second surface  18 , which is a bottom surface when base  14  is in use. Base  14  further includes a first end edge  20 , a second end edge  22 , and a longitudinal axis  24  which extends between first end edge  20  and second end edge  22 . Base  14  further includes a first side edge  26 , a second side edge  28 , and a transverse axis  30  which extends between first side edge  26  and second side edge  28 . 
   A first cross beam  40  is fixedly mounted on second surface  18  and extends in the direction of transverse axis  30 , and a second cross beam  42  is also fixedly mounted on second surface  18  at a location spaced apart from first cross beam  40  along longitudinal axis  24 . Second cross beam  42  extends in the direction of the transverse axis  30  parallel to and co-planar with first cross beam  40 . 
   A handle  50  is fixedly mounted on first cross beam  40 . Handle  50  is used to carry first portion  12  as will be understood from the teaching of this disclosure. 
   A second portion  60  is fixedly mounted on a support, such as a table, a workbench, a truck tailgate, or the like, when in use. Second portion  60  includes a first hollow tube  62  which has a first end  64 , a second end  66 , and a longitudinal axis  68  which extends between first end  64  and second end  66 . A bore  70  is defined in hollow tube  62  and extends from first end  64  toward second end  66 . Bore  70  can be a blind-ended bore if suitable. An outer surface  72  is defined on first hollow tube  62 . Bore  70  has an inner diameter  74 . 
   A second hollow tube  80  has a first end  82 , a second end  84 , and a longitudinal axis  86  which extends between first end  82  and second end  84 . A bore  88  is defined in second hollow tube  80  and extends from first end  82  toward second end  84 . Bore  88  can be a blind-ended bore if suitable. Second hollow tube  80  has an outer surface  90  defined thereon and is spaced apart from first hollow tube  62  in the direction of transverse axis  30  of base  14 . Bore  88  has an inner diameter  92  and is co-planar with first hollow tube  62 . 
   A first cross beam support  100  has a first end  102  fixedly attached to outer surface  72  of first hollow tube  62  adjacent to first end  64  of the first hollow tube  62  and a second end  104  fixedly attached to outer surface  90  of second hollow tube  80  adjacent to first end  82  of the second hollow tube  80 . 
   A second cross beam support  110  has a first end  112  fixedly attached to outer surface  72  of first hollow tube  62  adjacent to second end  66  of the first hollow tube  62  and a second end  114  fixedly attached to outer surface  90  of second hollow tube  80  adjacent to second end  84  of the second hollow tube  80 . Second cross beam support  110  is spaced apart from first cross beam support  100  in the direction of longitudinal axis  24  of base  14  of first portion  12 . Second cross beam support  110  is co-planar with first cross beam support  100 . 
   A connection unit  120  releasably connects first portion  12  to second portion  60  when in use. Connection unit  120  includes a first arm  122  which has a proximal end  124  fixedly mounted on second cross beam  42  adjacent to first side edge  26  of base  14 , a distal end  126  spaced apart from proximal end  124  in the direction of longitudinal axis  24  of base  14 . First arm  122  has a longitudinal axis  128  which extends between proximal end  124  and distal end  126  and an outer dimension  130  that is smaller than inner diameter  74  of first hollow tube  62  so first arm  122  can be telescopingly received in bore  70  of first hollow tube  62  when connection unit  120  is in use. Longitudinal axis  128  of first arm  122  is co-linear with longitudinal axis  68  of first hollow tube  62  when connection unit  120  is in use. First arm  122  is slidably accommodated in bore  70  of first hollow tube  62  when connection unit  120  is in use connecting first portion  12  to second portion  60 . 
   A second arm  140  has a proximal end  142  fixedly mounted on second cross beam  42  of first portion  12  adjacent to second side edge  28  of base  14 , a distal end  144  spaced apart from proximal end  142  in the direction of longitudinal axis  24  of base  14 . Second arm  140  is spaced apart from first arm  122  in the direction of transverse axis  30  of base  14  and is co-planar with first arm  122 . Second arm  140  has a longitudinal axis  146  which extends between proximal end  142  and distal end  144  and an outer dimension  150  that is smaller than inner diameter  92  of second hollow tube  80 . Longitudinal axis  146  of second arm  140  is co-linear with longitudinal axis  86  of second hollow tube  80  when connection unit  120  is in use. Second arm  140  is slidably accommodated in bore  88  of the second hollow tube  80  when connection unit  120  is in use. 
   Further support for base  14  can be provided by support braces  160  and  162  if desired. Braces  160  and  162  extend in the direction of longitudinal axis  24  of base  14  and are spaced apart from each other in the direction of transverse axis  30  of base  14 . Braces  160  and  162  are located to be co-linear with arms  122  and  140  respectively. If suitable, braces  160  and  162  can be continuations of arms  122  and  140  respectively so that the braces  160 ,  162  and the arms  122 ,  140  are one-piece with each other and extend through second cross brace  42 . Braces  160  and  162  can be fixedly attached to second surface  18  of base  14  to add further support. 
   If suitable, locking elements, such as a locking pin  180 , or the like, can be used to lock the hollow tubes  62  and  80  to arms  122  and  140  respectively. The locking pins can be accommodated in holes  190  and  192  defined in the cross beams  40  and  42  respectively with holes being defined in the arms  122  and  140  to be aligned with the holes defined in the cross beams as will be understood by those skilled in the art based on the teaching of this disclosure. 
   Use of unit  10  can be understood from the foregoing and from  FIGS. 3A–4C . A tool T, such as a saw S is fixed to base  14 , and arms  122  and  140  are slidably placed in the bores  70 ,  88  of hollow arms  62  and  80  respectively as indicated in  FIG. 3A . Second portion  60  is firmly anchored on a support element, such as a work bench B, a trailer, a tailgate, a truck bumper, or the like. First portion  12  is then forced toward the support element and arms  122  and  140  are forced into the bores  70 ,  88  of hollow tubes  62  and  80  respectively until the first portion  12  with the tool thereon is securely held on the second portion  60  with arms  122  and  140  fully accommodated in bores  70  and  88  of hollow arms  62  and  80  respectively as shown in  FIG. 3B . The first portion  12  can be removed from the second portion  60  by reversing the above-described steps. 
   An assembled unit  10  is shown in  FIG. 4A  and a unit having a sander or a grinder SA thereon is shown in  FIG. 4B  while a unit having a vise V thereon is shown in  FIG. 4C . Other tools such as sewing machines, miter saws and the like can also be mounted using unit  10 . These Figures show the versatility of unit  10  to accommodate any form of tool, and are intended as examples and are not intended as limitations. 
   The first portion  12  can be hung on a wall using appropriate hooks and handle  50  if desired. In this manner, any tool that is mounted on unit  10  can be easily and safely stored, yet will be quickly and easily mounted on a workbench or other such support when needed. 
   It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.