Abstract:
The multipurpose sawhorse end frame has a top section defining center and lateral slots for receiving 2″×4″ beams and central slots for 2″×12″ planks, a central section with center slots for receiving 2″×4″ beams and lateral support bars for supporting 2″×12″ planks, and a bottom section having feet for supporting the frame. A plurality of diagonal braces maintain rigidity of the end frame and provide the end frame with structural strength. Two or more end frames may be configured as a sawhorse, a scaffold, a workbench, a table, or other temporary construction accessory using scrap lumber and without fasteners. The multipurpose sawhorse end frame may be made from lightweight aluminum or other suitable material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/907,196, filed Mar. 26, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Filed of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to construction tools, and more particularly to a multipurpose sawhorse end frame that can be configured into a sawhorse, scaffolding, workbench, table, or other temporary structure. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    During the construction of buildings or other projects, it is often necessary to support boards so that the boards can be cut with a portable saw, such as a jig saw or portable circular saw. Similarly, it may become necessary to use scaffolding so that the construction worker can reach windows, roof gutters, and the like from the exterior of the building or other structure. The construction worker may also find a workbench or table useful for supporting tools, boards, fasteners, and other tools or workpieces that may be required during the construction project. 
         [0006]    The transport and setup of so many accessories can become both burdensome and time-consuming. Therefore, there is a need for a single accessory that can be configured into any of the desired accessories with the use of boards or scrap lumber that would otherwise be disposed of, and which can be quickly set up and broken down for compact storage and transport. Thus, a multipurpose sawhorse end frame solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The multipurpose sawhorse end frame has a top section defining center and lateral slots for receiving 2″×4″ beams and central slots for 2″×12″ planks, a central section with center slots for receiving 2″×4″ beams and lateral support bars for supporting 2″×12″ planks, and a bottom section having feet for supporting the frame. A plurality of diagonal braces maintain rigidity of the end frame and provide the end frame with structural strength. Two or more end frames may be configured as a sawhorse, a scaffold, a workbench, a table, or other temporary construction accessory using scrap lumber and without fasteners. The multipurpose sawhorse end frame may be made from lightweight aluminum or other suitable material. 
         [0008]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is front view of a multipurpose sawhorse end frame according to the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an environmental perspective view of a pair of multipurpose sawhorse end frames according to the present invention configured as a sawhorse with center support. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an environmental perspective view of a pair of the multipurpose sawhorse end frames according to the present invention configured as a sawhorse. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an environmental perspective view of a pair of the multipurpose sawhorse end frames according to the present invention configured as a mid-duty scaffold. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an environmental perspective view of a pair of the multipurpose sawhorse end frames according to the present invention configured as a heavy-duty scaffold. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an environmental perspective view of a pair of the multipurpose sawhorse end frames according to the present invention configured as a cantilever work support. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an environmental perspective view of a pair of the multipurpose sawhorse end frames according to the present invention configured as a worktop with seat. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an environmental perspective view of a pair of the multipurpose sawhorse end frames according to the present invention configured as a two-stage scaffold or workbench with seat. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    The present invention is a multipurpose sawhorse end frame that can be easily assembled or disassembled and reconfigured for a variety of purposes. A sawhorse or trestle can be erected using a pair of the end frames  200 , which are constructed from ¼4″×2″ aluminum stock, and scrap lumber for the beams. As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the end frame  200  has a top section  201  having an elongated horizontal top bar  206  and an elongated horizontal bottom bar  207 . Vertical bars  208 ,  209  and  210  are welded to the top bar  206  and bottom bar  207  at a first end to form a first pair of lateral slots  211  and  212  for receiving 2″×4″ beams. Vertical bars  213 ,  214  and  215  are welded to middle portion of the top bar  206  and bottom bar  207  to form a pair of center slots  216  and  217  for receiving 2″×4″ beams. Vertical bars  218 ,  219  and  220  are welded to the second end of top bar  206  and bottom bar  207  to form another pair of lateral slots  221  and  222  for receiving 2″×4″ beams. 
         [0019]    A horizontal bar  223  is welded to vertical bars  210  and  213  to form a pair of central slots  224  and  225 , respectively, for receiving 2″×12″ planks. Another horizontal bar  226  is welded to vertical bars  215  and  218  to form another pair of central slots  227  and  228 , respectively, for receiving 2″×12″ planks. 
         [0020]    A first leg bar  203  is welded at its upper end to the first end of the top section  201  and welded at a lower end to a diagonal brace  243 . A second leg bar  204  is welded at an upper end to the second end of the top section  201  and welded at a lower end to a diagonal brace  244 . An elongate base bar  202  is welded at a first end to a lower portion of first leg bar  203  a predetermined distance from diagonal brace  243 . Base bar  202  is welded at a second end to a lower portion of second leg bar  204  a predetermined distance from diagonal brace  244 . Base bar  202  is longer than the top section  201  so that leg bars  203  and  204  extend outwardly at a slight angle. 
         [0021]    A vertical center bar  205  is welded at an upper end to the center of bottom bar  207  of top section  201  and welded at a lower end to the center of base bar  202 . A top wall  229  and bottom wall  230  are welded to a sidewall  231  and to the center bar  205  adjacent the center of the center bar  205  to form a center slot  232  in a central section of the end frame  200  for receiving a  2 ″× 4 ″ beam. A top wall  233  and bottom wall  234  are welded to a sidewall  235  and to the center bar  205  adjacent the center of the center bar  205  to form a second center slot  236  in the central section for receiving a second 2″×4″ beam. 
         [0022]    A top end of a first diagonal brace bar  237  is welded to a first end of bottom bar  207 . A bottom end of first diagonal brace bar  237  is welded to one end of top wall  229 . A top end of a second diagonal brace bar  238  is welded to a second end of bottom bar  207 . A bottom end of second diagonal brace bar  238  is welded to one end of top wall  233 . A top end of a third diagonal brace bar  239  is welded to one end of bottom wall  230 . A bottom end of brace bar  239  is welded to base bar  202  adjacent to a first end of the base bar  202 . A top end of a fourth diagonal brace bar  240  is welded to one end of bottom wall  234 . A bottom end of brace bar  240  is welded to the base bar  202  adjacent to a second end of the base bar  202 . 
         [0023]    Fifth diagonal brace  243  is welded at a top end to the base bar  202  adjacent to the first end of the base bar  202  and welded at a bottom end to the center of footplate  245  in the bottom section of the end frame  200 . Sixth diagonal brace bar  244  is welded at a top end to the base bar  202  adjacent the second end of base bar  202  and welded at a bottom end to the center of footplate  246 . 
         [0024]    A first horizontal support bar  241  is welded at a first end to a center portion of first leg bar  203  and welded at a second end to the center of sidewall  231 . A second horizontal support bar  242  is welded at a first end to the center of sidewall  235  and welded at a second end to a center portion of second leg bar  204 . 
         [0025]    To configure the end frame  200  as a sawhorse with a center support, a pair of end frames  200  are provided with 2″×4″ beams in slots  210 ,  211 ,  216 ,  217 ,  221  and  222 , as best seen in  FIG. 2 . A panel  253  may be supported upon the planks, either as a workpiece or to serve as the worktop. 
         [0026]    In  FIG. 3 , the end frames  200  are shown configured as a sawhorse, trestle, or for light duty scaffolding, where the 2″×4″ beams are placed in slots  211 ,  222  and  235 . Panel  253  may be placed upon the upper sawhorse to serve as a scaffold. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  shows the sawhorse end frames  200  configured for medium-duty scaffolding. Beam  250  is place in slot  211 , beam  251  is placed in slot  217 , beam  252  is placed in slot  222  and beam  254  is placed in slot  236 . Panel  253  is placed upon the upper planks to serve as the scaffold platform. 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 5 , beam  255  is placed into slots  216  of a pair of end frames  200 , beam  256  is placed in slots  217 , beam  259  is placed in slots  232 , while 2″×12″ plank  257  is placed in slots  224  and 2″×12″ plank  258  is placed in slots  227  to form a heavy duty scaffold. 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 6 , 2″×4″ beams  260 , 261  and  262  are passed through slots  211 ,  217  and  222 , respectively, of a pair of end frames  200  and a panel is place on the extended portion of the planks to form a cantilevered work support. 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 7 , 2″×4″ beams  264  and  265  are placed in slots  211  and  222 . A panel  253  is place upon the beams  264  and  265  to serve as a worktop. A 2″×12″ plank is laid across horizontal support bars  242  to serve as a tool storage area. 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 8 , 2″×4″ beams  266  and  267 are placed in slots  212  and  216 , respectively, and a 2″×12″ plank  268  is placed in slots  224 . A 2″×12″ plank  269  is laid across horizontal support bars  242 . In this configuration the sawhorse end frames  200  serve as a two-stage scaffold or a tabletop and bench for an eating area. 
         [0032]    It will be noted that the provision of side-by-side or double slots  210  and  211 ,  216  and  217 ,  221  and  222 , and  232  and  236  effective allow two 2″×4″ beams to placed side-by-side whenever a 4″×4″ beam is needed to support a load. It will be noted that the recitation of particular dimensions is exemplary, and not by way of limitation. In particular, the end frame may have slots dimensioned to accommodate, e.g., 2″×6″ beams and planks from 2″×8″ to 2″×12″, if desired. 
         [0033]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.