Patent Publication Number: US-2021187724-A1

Title: Collapsible support

Description:
FIELD 
     The invention relates to the field of mechanical accessories, and more specifically to collapsible supports to facilitate work bench or press brake storage and transportation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable press brakes are commonly used by specialized contractors to finish different aspects of exterior finishes on all types of buildings and structures. The portable brake industry has been the same for many years with limited accessories that can be offered either with the brake or as an “add-on” or “retrofit” to improve the efficiency, accuracy, productivity, storage or transportation of the conventional portable brake. The lack of accessories means that many unnecessary steps need to be completed to achieve a result that could be otherwise realised in a timelier manner. 
     One accessory that offers some of those added benefits is a stand to facilitate the transportation and storage of the press brake. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a collapsible support comprising: a securing clamp to secure the support to a surface; at least two legs secured to the securing clamp, the at least two legs to support and transport the surface; at least two telescopic arms, each one of the at least two telescopic arms secured to each one of the two legs to allow the at least two legs to pivot about an axis; and, an actuating mechanism connected to the at least two telescopic arms to lock and release the at least two legs, wherein the support has a range of motion in between a first extended position to a second folded position. 
     In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a sliding bracket for use with a press brake comprising: a hook portion to hook into a portion of the press brake; a base portion extending from the hook portion to mate with the portion of the press brake; and, a front portion attached to the base portion, the front portion further comprised of a dowel portion extending therefrom, the dowel portion configured to receive a handle. 
     In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides an improved tool holder comprising: a lower clamp to tighten onto a press brake; a main body secured to the clamp to provide various positions of the improved tool holder; and, an upper hook secured to the main body, the upper hook further comprised of at least one catch to receive at least one accessory of the press brake. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following figures serve to illustrate various embodiments of features of the disclosure. These figures are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stand secured to a press brake according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an underside perspective view of the stand secured to the press brake according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of an actuating mechanism of a collapsible support of the stand in an extended position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the actuating mechanism of the collapsible support of the stand in a folded position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5A  is an enlarged perspective view of a releasing bracket of the collapsible support in a locked position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5B  is an enlarged perspective view of a releasing bracket of the collapsible support in an unlocked position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the collapsible support secured to the press brake in the folded position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the collapsible support secured to the press brake in the extended position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8A  is an enlarged perspective view of a claw of the collapsible support, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8B  is an enlarged underside perspective view of a claw of the collapsible support having the stationary portion shown transparently, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a wheel secured to a leg of the collapsible support, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the wheel of the collapsible support, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a bracket secured to a handle for a press brake, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10A  is an enlarged perspective view taken along the lines in  FIG. 10 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view of the bracket for a press brake, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bracket secured to the press brake and the handle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view of a bracket secured to a press brake and a handle, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and, 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an improved tool holder for a press brake, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. It will be appreciated that various modifications and/or alterations to the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the disclosure and any modifications and/or alterations are within the scope of the contemplated disclosure. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a stand  10  is shown secured to a press brake  12 . Although the stand  10  is shown secured to a press brake, a worker skilled in the art would appreciate that the stand could be secured to other types of surfaces, such as a work bench, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As shown, the stand  10  is further comprised of two collapsible supports  15 ,  17 . A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that although two collapsible supports  15 ,  17  are shown, only a single collapsible support  15  could be possible. Where only a single collapsible stand  15  is provided, the press brake  12  would need a means to support and transport it at the other end, such as a pair of wheels. As the collapsible supports  15 ,  17  are identical, the present disclosure will describe the components of the first collapsible support  15 , with a worker skilled in the art understanding that the components are mirrored on the second collapsible support  17 . The collapsible support  15  is further comprised of a pair of securing clamps  20 ,  22  to clamp onto and secure the collapsible support  15  to the press brake  12 . A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that although two securing clamps  20 ,  22  are shown, a single longitudinal clamp could also be utilized without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The collapsible support  15  is further comprised of a pair of legs  25 ,  27  that are secured to the securing clamps  20 ,  22 , each of the legs  25 ,  27  having its own removable wheel  30 ,  32  to transport and support the press brake  12 . A pair of telescopic arms  35 ,  37  are provided, with one end of the telescopic arms  35 ,  37  secured to the legs  25 ,  27 , while the other opposite end of the arms  35 ,  37  secured to an actuating mechanism  40 . The actuating mechanism  40  serves to quickly and easily releasably lock the pair of legs  25 ,  27  from the collapsible support  15 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3, 4, 5A and 5B  and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the actuating mechanism  40  is shown preferably comprised of a pair of handles  50 ,  52 , each handle  50 ,  52  having apertures  55 ,  57 , respectively, through which wires (not shown) are fitted. The first end of the wires (not shown) terminates at a pair of releasing brackets  60  (only a single releasing bracket  60  is shown), while the second, opposite end of the wires (not shown) terminates at a plungers (not shown) of claws  90 ,  92 . While the releasing bracket  60  is shown secured to the arm  35 , a worker skilled in the art would appreciate that there is a second releasing bracket identically secured to the arm  37 . The releasing bracket  60  is further comprised of an angular slider  70 , spring  72  and locking peg  75 . A worker skilled in the art will appreciate that the releasing bracket  60  is shown in a locked position in  FIG. 5A  and an unlocked position in  FIG. 5B . When the handles  50 ,  52  are pulled, they pivot about dowels  65 ,  67 . Pivoting of the handle  50  pulls on the wire (not shown) in apertures  55 , which correspondingly pulls on the releasing bracket  60 . As the wire (not shown) is secured to the slider  70  within the releasing bracket  60 , the slider  70  moves in the direction of arrow  74 , which compresses the spring  72  until the peg  75  moves upwardly and into the space behind the sloped surface  77  of the slider  70  as specifically shown in  FIG. 5B . The releasing bracket  60  is no longer in its locked position, and an inner rod  78  can slide into or out of the telescopic arm  35 . A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that  FIG. 3  shows a portion of the collapsible support in a first extended position, while  FIG. 4  shows a portion of the collapsible support in a second folded position. Other positions in between those shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are possible. Indeed, the inner rod  78  is comprised of a plurality of grooves  79  along the length of the inner rod  78 . The grooves  79  are designed to mate with the locking peg  75  to lock the arm  35  in a desired position. As such, a user can pull on the handle  50  and slide the inner rod  78  in and out of the arm  35  until a desired position is achieved. Once the handle  50  is released, the locking peg  75  is pushed downwardly into one of the grooves  79 , and therefore locks the arm  35  in place. A bolt  81  is provided, fastened through a ring  82  of the arm  35  and into the actuating mechanism  40 . As such, the arm  35  pivots about bolt  81  relative to the actuating mechanism  40  when the handle  50  is pulled. As the arm  35  is also pivotally connected to the leg  27 , compression and retraction of the arm  35  will necessarily fold and extend the leg  27 , respectively. A worker skilled in the art would appreciate that although only the functioning of handle  50  in relation to releasing bracket  60  and arm  37  is described, handle  52  would function in exactly the same manner with a second releasing bracket (not shown) and arm  35 . As such, each one of the arms  35 ,  37  can compress and retract independently one from the other, and correspondingly fold and extend legs  27 ,  25 , respectively. This allows a multitude of advantageous positions of the collapsible supports (not shown). 
     With further specific reference to  FIG. 4 , two securing clamps  20 ,  22  are shown, each of the clamps  20 ,  22  comprised of first and second plates  80 ,  82 . In turn, the first and second plates  80 ,  82  are have a longitudinal groove  85 . To attach the collapsible support (not shown) to a press brake (not shown), the longitudinal grooves  85  are aligned with a portion of the press brake (not shown), and the plates  80 ,  82  are tightened one to the other like a vise. Bolts  86  positioned on the clamps  20 ,  22  tighten the plates until the collapsible support (not shown) is secured to the press brake (not shown). 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6, 7, 8A and 8B  and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the collapsible support  15  is shown secured to a portion of a press brake  12  in a folded position (in  FIG. 6 ) and an extended position (in  FIG. 7 ). To properly fold and store the collapsible support  15 , adjustable claws  90 ,  92  are provided to receive each one of the legs  25 ,  27 . Each of the claws  90 ,  92  are comprised of a pivotable portion  100  and a stationary portion  102 . A plunger  103  is positioned inside of the stationary portion  102  of the claws  90 ,  92 , the plunger  103  to receive and secure the second end of the wire (not shown). The plunger  103  is biased by a spring  104 , which forces the plunger  103  in or out of an aperture  106  of the track  107  of the pivotable portion  100 . As was earlier described, one end of the wire (not shown), which is fitted through handle  50 , travels through an opening  108  of the clamp  20  and into another opening  109  of the stationary portion  102 . As an operator pulls on the handle  50 , the wire (not shown), which is attached to the plunger  103 , is pulled backwardly and therefore compresses the spring  104 . In turn, this moves the plunger  103  from a locked position in the aperture  106  to an unlocked position as specifically shown in  FIG. 8B . The pivotable portion  100  is then no longer locked in place and can pivot with the plunger  103  travelling along track  107 . This narrows the space  105  of the claw  90  and allows for the leg  25  to be locked therein. Once the handle  50  is released, the spring  104  biases the plunger  103  back into a locked position in the aperture  106  and the claw  90  is locked in place as best shown in  FIG. 6 . Once the legs  25 ,  27  are pivoted into the folding position, the claws  90 ,  92  are locked to in turn lock the legs  25 ,  27  into the spaces  105  created by the claws  90 ,  92 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9A and 9B  and according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the removable wheel  30  is shown in greater detail. Specifically, the removable wheel  30  is further comprised of a fastening mechanism  120 , the fastening mechanism  120  preferably comprising front and rear portions  125 ,  127  that serve to tighten and clamp around the leg  30  by means of a screw or bolt  130 . Indeed, the bolt  130  or other similar device is screwed into both of the front and rear portions  125 ,  127 , such that continuous turning of the bolt  130  tightens the front portion  125  to the rear portion  127 . Once the wheel  30  is secured to the leg  25 , the bolt  130  can be loosened for the fastening mechanism  120  and wheel  30  to slide along the length of the leg  25  to quickly and easily transport the press brake (not shown). 
     With reference to  FIGS. 10, 10A, 11 and 12  and according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a sliding bracket  210  is shown to quickly and easily connect a handle  215  to a section of a press brake  230 . The bracket  210  is generally C-shaped, having a dowel portion  220  extending from a front portion  222 . The bracket  210  is also comprised of a hook portion  225 , which serves to hook into the section of the press brake  230 , and a base portion  232  separating the hook portion  225  from the front portion  222 . As best shown in  FIG. 12 , the front portion  222 , base portion  232  and hook portion  225  combine to fit flushly on the underside of the press brake  230 . Once the bracket  210  is positioned in this manner underneath the press brake  230 , an L-bracket  235  is inserted into the dowel portion  220  of the bracket  210 . A lip portion  237  of the L-bracket  235  fits flushly over an upper wall of the press brake  230 . Such lip portion  237  is required to trap the press brake  230  in between the bracket  210  and the L-bracket  235  during operation of the handle  215 . Once the L-bracket  235  is in place, the handle  215  is inserted over the dowel portion  220  and a pin  240  is inserted into an aperture of both the handle  215  and dowel portion  220 . The handle  215  is then locked into place relative to the bracket  210  and the handle  215  can be manipulated to slide the bracket  210  along the press brake  230 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 13  and according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a bracket  310  is shown without the L-bracket. In this embodiment, the handle  315  is further comprised of a lip portion  337  extending outwardly and over an upper portion of the press brake  330 , to trap the press brake  330  in between the bracket  310  and the handle  315  during operation of the press brake  330 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 14  and according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an improved tool holder  410  is shown preferably constructed for use with a press brake (not shown). The improved tool holder  410  is preferably comprised of a lower clamp  415 , a main body  420  and upper hook  425 . The lower clamp  415  is further comprised of two opposed plates  430 ,  432 , the plates  430 ,  432  constructed to be tightened together like a vise by means of bolt (not shown) fastened into each of the plates  430 ,  432  through aperture  433 . Each of the plates  430 ,  432  are comprised of an inner longitudinal slit  435  that serves to mate with a corresponding shape of the press brake (not shown). The lower clamp  415  is further comprised of a joint  440  that is in pivotal engagement with the main body  420  by means of a first pin  442 . As such, during use of the tool holder  410 , the main body  420  can pivot independently from the upper joint  440 . In turn, the lower clamp  415  can pivot about pin  442 . The main body  420  is in pivotal engagement with the upper hook  425  by means of second pin  443 . Therefore, the main body  420  can itself pivot independently from the upper hook  425 . The upper hook  425  is further comprised of two opposed catches  450 ,  452  to mate with various tools of other equipment used in the field. 
     Many modifications of the embodiments described herein as well as other embodiments may be evident to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is understood that these modifications and additional embodiments are captured within the scope of the contemplated disclosure which is not to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed.