WORK BENCH FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract: A work bench or table for erecting to the rear of a van comprises a first supporting arrangement (14, 16) at one end of the bench and for resting on the ground, and a second supporting arrangement (26, 28) for securing to the vehicle floor and serving to support the other end of the bench at adjustable height.

Description: WORK BENCH FOR A VEHICLE This invention relates to a work bench or table for erecting to the rear of a van or similar vehicle. There is often a need for a table-height working surface adjacent the opened rear of a parked van or simi- lar vehicle, for example to enable workmen to carry out assembly or other operations on goods and materials for example being off-loaded from the vehicle. In accordance with this invention, there is pro¬ vided a work bench or table for erecting to the rear of a van or similar vehicle, comprising a first supporting arrangement at one end of the bench or table for resting on the ground, and a second supporting arrangement for securing to the floor of the van or other vehicle at its rear, the second supporting arrangement serving to support the other end of the bench or table at an adjustable height above the vehicle floor. Preferably the first supporting arrangement compri¬ ses a leg or legs which can be folded up to the underside of the bench or table, and the bench can either be pivoted up on the second supporting arrangement until in e.g. a vertical position, or it can be detached from the second supporting arrangement. Preferably when erected, the bench can be securely clamped to the second supporting arrangement, which in turn is securely mounted to the vehicle floor, so as to impart a high degree of rigidity to the bench. The second supporting arrangement may have a series of different vertical positions for engagement by the bench, for selecting its height at this end. The first supporting arrangement may have adjustable feet to take up any additional adjustment that may be needed between adjacent vertical positions of the second supporting arrangement. The bench or table may be erected at the open rear of a van or similar vehicle (or at the side of the vehicle if its goods compartment has a side door) to provide a very useful horizontal working surface. Vices or other work tools may be clamped to the bench if desired. An embodiment of this invention will now be des- cribed by way of example only and with reference to the 'accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is perspective view of a work bench erected to the rear of a van; Figure 2 is a side view of a pivot bracket for a leg of the bench; and Figure 3 (comprising Figures 3 and 3B) shows the opposite ends of a tightening arrangement at the vehicle- end of the bench. Referring to the drawings, there is shown a work bench or table erected to the rear of a van. The bench comprises a rectangular or square-section tubular metal frame 10 and a panel 12 of e.g. plywood. At one end, the bench is provided with a first supporting arrangement which comprises two tubular metal legs 14,16 preferably tied by a horizontal rail 18 and having feet 15,17 which may be adjustable as shown. The two legs 14,16 are pivoted to the underside of the frame 10 in the manner shown in Figure 2. Thus, the pivot 19 is offset from the legs themselves and offset from the end of the bench. The pivot pin 19 for each leg is journalled in the opposite sides of a U-section bracket 20 which is welded or otherwise fixed " to the underside of the frame 10. When the bench is not in use, the legs may be folded up against the underside of the frame 10, but then when pivoted down for use, a latch 22 (provided on one or both legs) cams on the brack¬ et 20 and finally assumes the position shown in Figure 2, serving to latch the legs in their required position. The legs 14,16 stand on the ground to support one end of the bench. The other end of the bench is supported at a selected height by a second supporting arrangement which is secured to the floor 24 of the van or other vehi¬ cle. This second supporting arrangement comprises two uprights 26,28.which provide a series of different vertical positions for selectable engagement by a bar 40 (shown in Figure 3) which extends through the tubular metal element ' 10a_ forming the rear of the bench frame 10. Each upright 26 or 28 comprises two L-shaped metal elements e.g. 26a_, 26JD and 28 _, 28b_ arranged as shown and having a space or slot 27 between the elements of each pair. The edge of one element 26b_, 28b_ is formed with a series of inclined slots 26(2, 2δ£ for receiving the bar 40. At the bottom of each upright, a base plate 32 is welded or otherwise secured across the ends of the pair of elements e.g. 28a_, 28b_. This base plate 32 is wider than each element e.g. 28a_, 28jb so as to slide into a sock¬ et formed in the end of a mount 34 which is secured to the floor of the vehicle. Two mounts 34, one for each upright 26, 28 may be provided ' on a plate 36 arranged for bolting to the vehicle floor. A catch may be provided for enhanc- ing the secure arrangement of each upright into its mount 34. Referring to Figure 3, the bar 40 is shown extending through the tubular metal element 10a_ at the rear of the bench frame 10 and it furthermore projects at each end through the slot 27 which runs the full height of each upright 26, 28. Plastics bearing pieces 41, 42 are inser¬ ted in the ends of the metal frame element 10a and the bar 40 extends through these also. An element 43 is provided for preventing rotation of the bar 40 when a knob 44, en- gaged over a threaded end of the bar, is turned. The other end of the bar is fitted with a stop element 45 and, adja¬ cent each end, the bar is provided with a pair of washers 46, 47 and 48, 49 spaced apart so as to lie either side of the L-shaped elements 26a, 26jb and 28a_, 28b_ which make up the respective uprights 26, 28. In use, the bar 40 can be engaged in any selected one of the spaced slots 26c., 2δ in the uprights, approp¬ riate to the particular vehicle concerned and so that the - bench will be horizontal when the legs 14, 16 are standing on the ground. The adjustable feet 15, 17 provide for 'any final degree of adjustment that may be required. By tightening the knob 44 on the bar 40, the two uprights are clamped tightly to the opposite ends of the frame ele¬ ment 10a (and therefore to the opposite sides of the bench at this end), providing a very rigid structure. " It will be appreciated that the top ends of the legs 14, 16 butt against the underside of the frame 10 to relieve the pivots 19 of stress. When no longer required for use, or for transit, the legs 14, 16 are unlatched from the brackets 20 and folded up to the underside of the bench. Also, the knob 44 is looseneS slightly and the bench then pivoted up about the bar 40, e.g. to a vertical position. In this position it may rest against a tie running between the two uprights 26, 28. If desired, the bench may be disengaged altogether from the uprights and further the uprights may if desired be disengaged from their mounts 34, leaving just the plate 36 with its mounts 34 bolted to the floor. As another alternative, the knob 44 may be loosened and the bar 40 disengaged from the inclined slots 26c_, 28_c and then low¬ ered to the bottom of the slots 27 which extend the height of the uprights 26, 28, the bench also being pivoted to a vertical position: this is particularly useful " if the space between the roof and floor of the vehicle is rela¬ tively small. Various modifications may be made to the work bench which has been described with reference to the drawings. For example, the tubular metal frame 10 may be other rect¬ angular or square in section. The uprights 26, 28 may be of alternative constructions and for example each of them may comprise a channel element having the lengthwise slot 27 and the inclined slots 2δ£ or 2δ£ punched out of it, the slot 27 perhaps terminating short of the top or bottom or both ends of the element. The slots 26£ and 8£ need not in any event be inclined as shown but can be of alternative configurations providing they serve the same functions. Also in any event the slots 2δ£ and 2δ£ may be formed to the other side of slots 27 as well as or instead of being in the side shown (i.e. in the example shown they may be in the edges of L-shaped elements 26 _ and 2δa_ as well as or instead of in elements 26b_ and 2δb_) . Among other possible modifications, the mounts 34 for the uprights may be formed as parts of the plate 36. It will be appreciated that the work bench offers considerable utility as a universal table or bench able to cope with differing van floor heights. •

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A work bench or table for erecting to the rear of a van or similar vehicle, comprising a first support¬ ing arrangement (14, 16) at one end of the bench or table for resting on the ground, and a second supporting arrangement (26,28) for securing to the floor of the van or other vehicle at its rear, the second supporting arrangement serving to support the other end of the bench or table at an adjustable height above the vehicle floor. 2. A work bench or table as claimed in claim 1 , in which the first supporting arrangement (14, 16) comprises one or more legs which are foldable up to the underside of the bench or table. 3. A work bench or table as claimed in claim 1 or 2, which is pivotable upwards on the second supporting arrangement (26,28). 4. A work bench or table as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means (40-49) for clamping the bench or table to the second supporting arrangement (26,28) and means (32,34) for mounting the second supporting arrange- ment rigidly to the vehicle floor. 5. A work bench or table as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the second supporting arrangement (26,2δ) comprises a series of different vertical locations (2δ£, 2δ£) for engagement by the bench or table, for selecting its height above the vehicle floor. 6. A work bench or table as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first supporting arrangement comprises feet which are adjustable for height.

Inventors: BARTMAN NICHOLAS, CRAMPHORN COLIN RONALD, BARTMAN, NICHOLAS, CRAMPHORN, COLIN, RONALD
Applicants: STANWRIGHT LTD, STANWRIGHT LTD.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B25H1
IPC codes: B25H1, B25H5