Patent Publication Number: US-9416550-B2

Title: Work bench support bracket

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an improved support bracket which may be releasably attached to lumber pieces to form a variety of structures. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Support brackets may be used in conjunction with pieces of dimensional lumber to form a number of structures. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,565 issued Mar. 5, 1985 discloses a support bracket, two of which may be releasably attached to pieces of dimensional lumber to form a variety of four-legged structures, such as work benches, tables, saw horses, scaffolds etc. Each bracket has a pair of opposed, generally upright sockets. A piece of dimensional lumber is passed through each of the four upright sockets of the two brackets, and a single spring-loaded clamp secures each piece of lumber in place to form the legs of the structure. The horizontal displacement between the tops of the upright sockets may be adjusted, and one or more planks are laid atop the opposed pair of brackets. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,634 issued Jun. 4, 1991 discloses an improved support bracket. The support bracket further comprises two brace members with a right-angled Z shape to brace the sides of one or more planks laid atop the support brackets. The shape of the brace members is intended to increase the torsional strength of the brace members. The brace members are further notched to straddle the generally horizontal sockets of the support bracket. The horizontal sockets are interconnectible and may receive opposed ends of a wood extension member. 
     The devices of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,502,565 and 5,020,634 have a number of shortcomings. For example, although a piece of dimensional lumber is secured to each of the upright sockets using a spring-loaded clamp to form a leg of the structure, this clamp can unexpectedly fail if the leg is kicked or otherwise impacted. This can result in the leg sliding within the upright socket, destabilizing the entire structure. 
     The present invention provides an improved support bracket that overcomes this and other shortcomings of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a work bench support bracket comprising first and second opposed, generally upright sockets, first and second interconnectible, generally horizontal sockets joined to the first and second generally upright sockets, respectively, and first and second clamping sets joined to the first and second generally upright sockets, respectively. The first and second clamping sets each comprise an upper releasable clamp and a fixed lower brace member. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the upper releasable clamp comprises a grip pivotably attached to each of the generally upright sockets, with the grip resiliently urged in an upward position, a connector, with one end of the connector attached to the grip, a joint pivotably attached to another end of the connector, and a handle pivotably attached to the joint. 
     In a further aspect of the invention, the rotation of the handle with respect to the connector about the joint is limited. The connector&#39;s length may also be less than the handle&#39;s length. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the upper releasable clamp comprises a grip pivotably attached to each of the generally upright sockets at an axis of rotation, with the grip resiliently urged in an upward position, a handle pivotably attached to each of the generally upright sockets at the axis of rotation, and a stopper attached to the handle for limiting rotation of the handle with respect to the grip. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, each of the generally horizontal sockets comprises two sides walls, each of the side walls of the first generally horizontal socket comprises one or more first horizontal indentations, and each of the side walls of the second generally horizontal socket comprises one or more second horizontal indentations. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the first horizontal indentations slide within the second horizontal indentations when the first and second generally horizontal sockets interconnect. 
     In one aspect of the invention, one of the side walls of the first horizontal socket comprises an aperture and a corresponding one of the side walls of the second horizontal socket comprises a pull pin. 
     The foregoing was intended as a broad summary only and of only some of the aspects of the invention. It was not intended to define the limits or requirements of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the drawings thereof, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a work bench support bracket in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the work bench support bracket; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the work bench support bracket; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken with respect of line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken with respect of line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the work bench support bracket; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the work bench support bracket with wood members connected; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a portion of the work bench support; and 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the second embodiment of a portion the work bench support bracket. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a work bench support bracket  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment comprises first and second opposed, generally upright sockets  12 ,  14  for receiving first and second leg members  16 ,  18  (which may be cut from readily available 2″×4″ lumber). Joined to, and extending generally perpendicular to the generally upright sockets  12 ,  14  are first and second telescopically interconnectible, generally horizontal sockets  20 ,  22  for optionally receiving opposed ends of an extension member  28  (which may also be cut from 2″×4″ lumber). The work support bracket  10  further comprises first and second upwardly extending end members  24 ,  26  projecting transversely atop the generally horizontal sockets  20 ,  22  respectively to brace the sides of one or more planks  30  laid atop the generally horizontal sockets  20 ,  22  (and atop any extension member  28  placed between the generally horizontal sockets  20 ,  22 ) to form a working surface. 
     A pair of work bench support brackets  10  may be used to form a variety of four-legged structures, such as work benches, tables, saw horses, scaffolds or the like, as generally shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     The work bench support bracket  10  further comprises first and second sets of releasable clamps  32 ,  34  for releasably securing the first and second leg members  16 ,  18  within the generally upright sockets  12 ,  14  respectively. Each of the two sets of releasable clamps  32 ,  34  comprises an upper clamp  36  and a fixed lower brace  38 . The clamp  36  comprises a grip  40  extending from a pivotal mounting  42  on a shaft  44  pivotally engaged in lugs  46  on the generally upright sockets  12 ,  14 . The grip  40  is generally U-shaped and extends around the front of the generally upright sockets  12 ,  14 . The grip  40  is urged to its upward position, in which it grips leg members  16 ,  18 , by a spring  48  provided at one of the lugs  46 . The grip  40  may further comprise teeth  50  to facilitate gripping of the leg members  16 ,  18 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 6 , one end of a connector  52  extends inwardly from the pivotal mounting  42 . The other end of the connector  52  is pivotably attached to a joint  54 . The joint  54  may be formed using a rivet or some other appropriate connection mechanism. In one embodiment, the ends of the connector  52  are in a staggered configuration, such that the joint  54  is closer to the longitudinal middle of the shaft  44  than the pivotal mounting  42 . A handle  56  is also pivotably attached to the joint  54  and extends further inwardly. The handle  56  and the connector  52  are able to rotate relatively freely about the joint  54  to a maximum angle. In one embodiment, this maximum angle is approximately 220°, although other maximum angles may also be possible. Further rotation is prevented by the presence of a limiter or stopper  53  in the joint  54 . The degree of the freedom of rotation of the handle  56  should be such that, when the first and second leg members  16 ,  18  are not present, the handle does not impede placement of the generally upright sockets  12 ,  14  on a flat surface to better facilitate assembly and disassembly. The length of the handle  56  should be greater than the length of the connector  52 . Because of the staggered configuration of the connector  52  the handle  56  lies substantially underneath the horizontal sockets  20 ,  22 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the spring  48  is located on the end of the spring  44  closest to the handle  56 . 
     The brace  38  is generally U-shaped and extends around the front of the generally upright sockets  12 ,  14 . The brace  38  may be attached to the generally upright sockets  12 ,  14  by welding, although other fastening mechanisms may be used as well. The brace  38  may also comprise teeth (not shown) to facilitate gripping of the leg members  16 ,  18 . In another embodiment, the brace  38  may be integrally formed with the side walls of the generally upright sockets  12 ,  14 . In yet another embodiment, the brace  38  need not span the entire width of the generally upright sockets  12 ,  14 . The brace  38  provides a secondary surface of contact to the leg members  16 ,  18 . 
     Operation of the sets of releasable clamps  32 ,  34  will now be described. In particular, operation of the first set of releasable clamps  32  will be described, although it is to be understood that the second set of releasable clamps  34  operates in a similar manner. When at rest, the grip  40  is urged to its upwind position because of the spring  48 . As a result, the connector  52  extends at an angle downwardly from the pivotal mounting  42 . Because of the joint  54  and the effect of gravity, the handle  56  will extend substantially vertically downward from the joint  54 . 
     In order to insert the first leg member  16  into the first generally upright socket  12 , the grip  40  must be positioned away from its upward position in order to allow the first leg member  16  to slide into place within the first generally upright socket  12 . In order to do so, the handle  56  is moved upward from its substantially vertical position. As it is moved upward, the handle  56  rotates about the joint  54  until the angle between the handle  56  and the connector  52  reaches approximately 220°, at which time further rotation about the joint  54  is prevented. Further upward movement of the handle  56  will now cause the connector  52  to rotate upwards (with respect to the pivotal mounting  42 ), which in turn results in the grip  40  rotating downwards with respect to the pivotal mounting  42 ) against the spring  48 . When the grip  40  has moved sufficiently away from its upward position, the first leg member  16  may be inserted into the first generally upright socket  12 . The first leg member  16  will also slide within the brace  38 . 
     After the first leg member  16  is in place within the first generally upright socket  12 , the handle  56  may be released. The spring  48  urges the grip  40  back towards its upward position. The teeth  50  on the grip  40  will contact the side of the first leg member  16  and hold it in place within the first generally upright socket  12 . As the grip  40  moves back towards its upward position, the connector  52  will rotate downward about the pivotal mounting  42 . The handle  56  will also rotate downward about the joint  54  and will again assume a substantially vertical position. 
     If the first leg member  16  is to be removed from the first generally upright socket  12 , the handle  56  is again moved upward from its substantially vertical position. As it is moved upward, the handle  56  rotates about the joint  54  until the angle between the handle  56  and the connector  52  reaches approximately 220°, at which time further rotation about the joint  54  is prevented. Further upward movement of the handle  56  will now cause the connector  52  to rotate upwards (with respect to the pivotal mounting  42 ), which in turn results in the grip  40  rotating downwards (with respect to the pivotal mounting  42 ) against the spring  48  and losing contact with the side of the first leg member  16 . When the grip  40  has moved sufficiently away from its upward position, the first leg member  16  may be slid out of the brace  38  and out of the first generally upright socket  12 . 
     The presence of the joint  54  causes the handle  56  to rotate downward to a substantially vertical position when the sets of releasable clamps  32 ,  34  are at rest. This makes it more difficult for a person to accidentally knock the handle  56  and cause the grip  40  to unexpectedly release the leg members  16 ,  18  from the generally upright sockets  16 ,  18 . In order to do so would require rotation of the handle  56  sufficient to achieve an approximately 220° angle with the connector  52 , plus a further rotation about the pivotal mounting  42 . This would be difficult to do with an accidental impact on the handle  56 . Because of the relative lengths of the handle  56  and the connector  52 , in order to move the grip  40  using only the connector  52  (without the assistance of the handle  56 ) would require a great deal of torque. Furthermore, because the handle  56  is located substantially underneath the horizontal sockets  20 ,  22 , there is less likelihood of an accidental impact on the handle  56 . 
     The presence of the brace  38  provides an additional surface of contact and provides additional safety. Without the brace  38 , the leg members  16 ,  18  would be held in place against the generally upright sockets  12 ,  14  by the grip  40  only. However, any accidental impact on the leg members  16 ,  18  could result in the leg members  16 ,  18  shifting or rotating about the grip  40 . This may result in the associated structure collapsing. By having a brace  38 , the likelihood of such movement is reduced, since the brace  38  provides an additional surface of contact, with additional stability. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , in an alternative embodiment the connector  52  is not used. Instead, in support bracket  100 , grip  400  extends from pivotal mounting  420  on shaft  440  pivotally engaged in lugs  460  on generally upright sockets  120 ,  140 . The grip  400  is urged to its upward position, in which it grips leg members by a spring  480 . Handle  560  is pivotably attached to pivotal mounting  420  and is able to rotate about the pivotal mounting  420  with respect to the grip  400 . Stopper  530  attached to the handle  560  limits the maximum amount of rotation. In this embodiment, spring  480  is located on the shaft  440  on the opposite end as the handle  560 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  show half of the support bracket  100 , but the other half would be substantially a mirror image. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the first horizontal socket  20  comprises a first upper surface  58  and first vertical surfaces  60 . The second horizontal socket  22  comprises a second upper surface  62  and second vertical surfaces  64 . The first vertical surfaces  60  of the first horizontal socket  20  comprise one or more first horizontal indentations  66 . One or more aligned and corresponding second horizontal indentations  68  are formed on the second vertical surfaces  64  of the second horizontal socket  22  such that the first horizontal indentations  66  slide within the second horizontal indentations  68  when the first horizontal socket  20  and the second horizontal socket  22  telescope, as best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In  FIGS. 3 to 5 , each of the first vertical surfaces  60  has one first horizontal indentation  66 , and each of the second vertical surfaces  64  has one second horizontal indentation  68 . 
     The horizontal indentations  66 ,  68  may be formed by stamping and may extend either for a substantial portion of the length of the horizontal sockets  20 ,  22 . In  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the horizontal indentations  66 ,  68  extend from the open end of the horizontal sockets  20 ,  22 . Each of the horizontal indentations  66 ,  68  has a convex portion on one side and a corresponding concave portion on the other side of the vertical surfaces  60 ,  64  of the horizontal sockets  20 ,  22 . The horizontal indentations  66 ,  68  serve to increase the strength and rigidity of the horizontal sockets  20 ,  22 , both alone and when telescopically connected. 
     As discussed above, the horizontal sockets  20 ,  22  telescope and may slide within one another. An aperture  70  is provided on one of the vertical surfaces  60  of the first horizontal socket  20 . A pull pin  72  is provided on the corresponding vertical surface  64  of the second horizontal socket  22 . When the horizontal sockets  20 ,  22  telescope and when the aperture  70  is aligned with the push pin  72 , the pull pin  72  will be biased toward its extended position, at which time it will pass through the aperture  70 . This prevents any further movement of the horizontal sockets  20 ,  22  with respect to each other and locks their positions in place. The pull pin  72  can be deactivated by pulling on it in order to allow the horizontal sockets  20 ,  22  to again telescope. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiment has been described in some detail but that certain modifications may be practiced without departing from the principles of the invention.