Patent Publication Number: US-9415502-B2

Title: Multi-use tool tables

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to rotatable multi-use tool tables (i.e., rotatable multi-use workbenches). In particular, rotatable multi-use tool tables having a supporting column and rotatable plates for attachment of table tools, power tools, other tooling devices, and/or a work pieces are described. 
     Electrically powered table tools are often used in wood working, metal working, and/or other machine tooling activities. Such devices are often large and require a table or workbench to provide support of the tool and a space for a work piece being worked on by the tool. Tool tables and workbenches can occupy a great deal of space, especially if multiple tools are set up and ready for use. Alternatively, when work space is limited, a limited number of tools can be set up and/or ready for use. In this example, each tool can be taken down or “switched” out for a different tool, which can be cumbersome and can require time for moving the large tools, thereby slowing down the working and/or manufacturing process. 
     Known tool tables and workbenches are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, as described above, existing tool tables and workbenches can have insufficient work surface space for accommodating multiple table tools. In this example, a user must disassemble and/or detach a first tool that is currently set up for operation, move the first tool off the table, move a second tool onto the table, and assemble and/or attach the second tool to the table. This can greatly slow down the working and/or manufacturing process, especially if the user has to switch tools several times during the working and/or manufacturing process. Further, moving of the large tools can require more than one user and/or can cause physical strain to the users. 
     In another example, existing tool tables and/or workbenches have a large foot print. Therefore, a user must have a large workspace in order to accommodate a tool table and/or workbench. Further, in order to have more than one tool set up and ready for use, a user must have a very large workspace in order to accommodate more than one tool table and/or workbench. Furthermore, conventional tool tables and/or workbenches are stationary and do not allow easy rearrangement of a work space. 
     Thus, there exists a need for tool tables and/or workbenches that improve upon and advance the design of known tool tables and/or workbenches. Examples of new and useful tool tables and/or workbenches relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below. 
     Disclosure addressing one or more of the identified existing needs is provided in the detailed description below. Examples of references relevant to tool tables and/or workbenches include U.S. Patent References: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,319,025, 2,851,068, 3,570,564, 4,105,055, 5,431,206, 5,570,641, 5,924,827, 5,957,472, 6,237,659, 6,345,829, 7,089,980, 7,648,155, and 8,539,870. The complete disclosures of the above patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to multi-use tool tables configured to support table tools and allow selective rotation of the table tools between an upright position and an inverted position. The multi-use tool tables each include: one or more rotatable plates having a first surface for receiving a first tool and a second opposing surface for receiving a second tool, a perimeter edge of the one or more rotatable plates being attached to a rotatable shaft; a column with a first attached to a support mechanism and a second attached to a sleeve, the sleeve being configured to receive the rotatable shaft; and a stop mechanism configured to selectively resist movement of the rotatable shaft within the sleeve. The one or more rotatable plates are rotatable between a first surface upright/second surface inverted position and a second surface upright/first surface inverted position. In some examples, the support mechanism is a stationary support mechanism. In other examples, the support mechanism is a portable support mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a first example of a multi-use tool table with first and second plates in a first horizontal position. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the first example of a multi-use tool table shown in  FIG. 1  with first and second plates in a second horizontal position. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first example of a multi-use tool table shown in  FIG. 1  with first and second plates in an intermediate position. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the first example of a multi-use tool table shown  FIG. 1  with first and second plates in a vertical position. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the first example of a multi-use tool table shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of the first and second plates and the rotatable shaft for the first example of a multi-use tool table shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the first and second plates, the rotatable shaft, and the column for the first example of a multi-use tool table shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the column for the first example of a multi-use tool table shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the column for the first example of a multi-use tool table shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are perspective and exploded views, respectively, of a second example of a multi-use tool table. 
         FIG. 11  is a front elevation view of a third example of a multi-use tool table. 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the third example of a multi-use tool table shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIGS. 13A and 13B  are side elevation views of a first example handle for the third example of a multi-use tool table shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  are side elevation views of a second example handle for the third example of a multi-use tool table shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosed multi-use tool tables will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description. 
     Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various multi-use tool tables are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-14B , first, second, and third examples of a multi-use tool tables, multi-use tool tables  100 ,  200 , and  300 , respectively, will now be described. Each of the presently described multi-use tool tables each includes a column, a rotatable shaft, and cooperatively rotatable first and second plates each having first and second surfaces for support and/or attachment of table tools, power tools, and/or work pieces. 
     The presently described multi-use tool tables are selectively rotatable between first and second horizontal positions. Further, multi-use tool tables  100  and  200  can additionally or alternatively be selectively rotatable into first and second vertical positions. Therefore, using the multi-use tool tables, multiple tools are set up and readily available for use during a working and/or manufacturing process while taking up a minimal amount of workspace. Additionally or alternatively, the third example multi-use tool table is portable and can be used to easily move the table (i.e., work bench) from a first location to a second location within a workspace and/or to a different work space as desired by a user. 
     Multi-use tool tables  100 ,  200 , and  300  address many of the shortcomings existing with conventional tool tables and/or workbenches. For example, using the presently described multi-use tool tables, one or more tools are readily available and set up for use during a working and/or manufacturing process. Therefore, a user is not required to disassemble, detach, and/or move a first tool and then assemble, attach, and/or move a second tool into place to switch to use of a different tool, as may be required with conventional tool tables. Further, the user can easily switch back and forth between use of different tools during the working and/or manufacturing process, thereby saving the user time and allowing greater flexibility in the working and/or manufacturing process. In another example, the presently described multi-use tool tables have a smaller foot print as compared to conventional tool tables, and require less work space for use. Furthermore, in the example of multi-use tool table  300 , the table is portable and allows a user to easily rearrange a work space and/or move the table to a new work space. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , multi-use tool table  100  includes a column  102 , a rotatable shaft  104 , a first plate  106 , and a second plate  108 . First plate  106  includes first surface  110  and second opposing surface  112 . Second plate  108  includes first surface  114  and second opposing surface  116 . Each of the surfaces ( 110 ,  112 ,  114 , and  116 ) is configured to receive and/or be coupled with a table tool, power tool, and/or work piece. In the present example, tool  118  (i.e., a bench grinder) is attached to surface  110 , tool  120  (i.e., a vice) is attached to surface  112 , tool  122  (i.e., a chop saw) is attached to surface  114 , and tool  124  (i.e., a pipe vice) is attached to surface  116 . 
     It will be appreciated that the various depicted tools can be selectively attached a different one of the surfaces (e.g., tool  118  can be attached to surface  116 , tool  124  can be attached to surface  110 , etc.). Additionally or alternatively, different types of tools may be attached to one or more of the surfaces. The different types of tools can include but are not limited to drill presses, ban saws, planers, router tables, belt sanders, tile saws, mortising machines, bench top lathes, scroll saws, etc. Further, the various tools may be selectively detached from one or more of the surfaces (i.e., one or more of the surfaces can be “empty”). It will be farther appreciated that in other examples the multi-use tool table can include only one of the first and the second plates. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , plates  104  and  106  of multi-use tool table  100  are rotatable between a first horizontal position  126  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and a second horizontal position  128  (shown in  FIG. 2 ).  FIG. 3  shows plates  104  and  106  in an example intermediate position, intermediate position  130 . In other words,  FIG. 3  shows plates  104  and  106  being rotated and/or moved between positions  126  and  124 . It will be appreciated that in some examples the first and second plates can be rotated 360° around a central axis of the rotatable shaft (i.e., shaft  104 ). In other examples, the first and second plates can be rotated 180° around a central axis of the rotatable shaft. In both of these examples, it will be further appreciated that the first and second plates can be selectively disposed in various intermediate positions around the central axis of the rotatable shaft. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in position  126 , first plate  106  has first surface  110  in an upright position and second surface  112  in an inverted position, while second plate  108  has first surface  114  in an uptight position and second surface  116  in an inverted position. Thus, in the example of  FIG. 1 , tools  118  and  122  are in an operable position and tools  120  and  124  are in a generally inoperable position. Further, in position  128 , first plate  106  has first surface  110  in an inverted position and second surface  112  in an upright position, while second plate  108  has first surface  114  in an inverted position and second surface  116  in an upright position. Thus, in the example of  FIG. 2 , tools  120  and  124  are in an operable position and tools  118  and  122  are in a generally inoperable position. 
     It will be appreciated that in some instances it may be desirable to use a tool in a position other than an upright position. In one example, it may be desirable to use a tool in an inverted position. In this example, an inverted position can be an operable position. In another example, it may be desirable to use a tool in a vertical position (i.e., first and second plates in a vertical position). In this example, the first and second plates can be rotated from either of horizontal positions  126  and  128  into a vertical position  132  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). In this example, the vertical position can be an operable position. It will be further appreciated that in some examples the plates can be rotated and secured in any desired position for operation of a tool (e.g., an angled position, a horizontal position, a vertical position, etc.). 
     In the present example, first and second plates  106  and  108  are cooperatively rotatable. As shown in  FIGS. 1-7  a portion of a perimeter edge  134  of first plate  106  is attached to a first end  136  of shaft  104 . A portion of a perimeter edge  138  of second plate  108  is attached to a second end  140  of shaft  104 . Therefore, rotation of shaft  104  drives cooperative rotation of first and second plates  106  and  108 . Also in the present example, the first and second plates are fixedly attached to the shaft (e.g., welded and/or otherwise permanently attached). It will be appreciated that in alternate examples the first and second plates can be releasably attached to the shaft via a releasable attachment mechanism (e.g., threaded attachment members inserted through complimentary holes, a complimentary flange and groove slide locking mechanism, a spring-biased member locking mechanism, etc.). 
     Rotatable shaft  104  is disposed within a horizontal sleeve  142  attached to an upper end  144  of column  102 . In the present example, an external wall  176  of sleeve  142  includes an electrical outlet  178  for electrical coupling of one or more power tools to provide power to operate the one or more power tools. It will be appreciated the electrical outlet is electrically coupled to a power input cable (not specifically shown) that is further coupled to a power source (e.g., generator, wall power outlet, etc.). In alternate examples, the multi-use tool table can exclude an electrical outlet. 
     Shaft  104  is rotatable within sleeve  142 . A stopping mechanism  146  is configured to selectively resist movement of rotatable shaft  104  within sleeve  142 . In the present example, stopping mechanism  146  includes a locking pin  148  that is selectively insertable through a hole  150  in sleeve  142 .  FIG. 5  shows an exploded view where locking pin  148  is entirely removed from and/or free of sleeve  142 /hole  150 . In the present example, locking pin  148  is a bolt that can require a tool for loosening and/or tightening of the bolt. In other examples, the locking pin can have a “T”-shaped hand grip for hand operation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , shaft  104  includes a plurality of holes  152  that can be aligned with hole  150  for selective insertion of locking pin  148  through the aligned holes. In the example of  FIG. 6 , holes  152  include a pair of opposing holes  152   a  and  152   b  for locking the first and second plates in position  126  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and position  128  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), respectively. In the present example, holes  152  further include hole  152   c  for locking the first and second plates in vertical position  132  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     It will be appreciated that the rotatable shaft may include any number of holes in any desired location for locking of the first and second plates into a position (e.g., a hole between holes  152   b  and  152   c  for locking the first and second plates in an angled position as depicted position  130  shown in  FIG. 3 ). Further, in some examples, the locking pin is entirely removed from the sleeve in order to allow rotation of the rotatable shaft. In other examples, the locking pin is only partially removed in order to allow rotation of the rotatable shaft. 
     In the present example, locking pin  148  is a threaded locking pin and holes  150  and  152  are complimentarily configured threaded holes. Thus, in the present example, stopping mechanism is a threaded engagement mechanism. In alternate examples, the locking pin can have a different engagement mechanism (e.g., a spring-biased locking pin, turnkey-fit locking pin, etc.). In even other alternate examples the rotatable shaft may include an alternately configured stop mechanism (e.g., a slideable flange locking mechanism, a magnetic locking mechanism, etc.). It will be appreciated that any known or yet to be discovered locking mechanism can be used to resist movement of the rotatable shaft and the plates. 
     Returning to  FIG. 5 , each of the tools is attached to the first and second plates via a plurality of tool attachment members  168 . Specifically, attachment members  168   a  (including two attachment members) are configured to attach tool  118  to surface  110 , attachment members  168   b  (including three attachment members) are configured to attach tool  120  to surface  112 , attachment members  168   c  (including four attachment members, although only three are shown in  FIG. 5 ) are configured to attach tool  122  to surface  114 , and attachment members  168   d  (including three attachment members) are configured to attach tool  124  to surface  116 . It will be appreciated that alternate examples the various sets of tool attachment members (e.g.,  168   a ,  168   b ,  168   c , and  168   d ) can include more or fewer attachment members. 
     Each of tool attachment members  168  is configured to be inserted through a hole in one of the first or the second plates (i.e., one of plurality of holes  170 ). As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , holes  170   a  are configured to receive attachment members  168   a , holes  170   b  are configured to receive attachment members  168   b , holes  170   c  are configured to receive attachment members  168   c , and holes  170   d  are configured to receive attachment members  168   d . It will be appreciated that in alternate examples where the sets of tool attachment members include more or fewer attachment members, the corresponding set of holes in the first or second plate can have a corresponding number of holes. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , each of the tools include tool holes  172  that are configured to receive an end of each of tool attachment members  168  that projects through holes  170  in the first and second plates. Specifically, holes  172   a  are configured to receive attachment members  168   a , holes  172   b  are configured to receive attachment members  168   b , holes  172   c  are configured to receive attachment members  168   c , and holes  172   d  are configured to receive holes  168   d . It will be appreciated that in alternate examples where the sets of tool attachment members include more or fewer attachment members, the corresponding set of holes in the each of the tools can have a corresponding number of holes. 
     Also depicted in  FIG. 5 , each of attachment members  168  can be secured by a securing member  174  (e.g.,  174   a ,  174   b , and  174   d  configured to secure attachment members  168   a ,  168   b , and  168   c , respectively). In the present example, attachment members  168   c  for attaching tool  122  to surface  114  do not include securing members. It will be appreciated that in alternate examples where the sets of tool attachment members include more or fewer attachment members, the corresponding set of securing members for each tool can include a corresponding number securing members. Further, it will be appreciated that the multi-use tool table can include or exclude securing members as is desired and/or required for securing the attachment members. 
     In the present example, each of the attachment members is a threaded attachment member, and plate holes, tool holes, and securing members can be complimentarily configured to receive the threaded attachment members. It will be appreciated that the threaded attachment members allow the tools to be releasably attached to the surfaces of the plates. In alternate examples, the tools can be permanently fixed to the plates (e.g., the tools can be welded to the plates). Further, in some other alternate examples, the sets of holes in the plates for tool attachment and the corresponding holes in the tools are standardized such that any tool can be attached to any desired surface of the multi-use tool table. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 1-5  and as described above, sleeve  142  is disposed at upper end  144  of column  102 . Column  102  is a vertical column and has a lower end  154  opposing upper end  144 . Lower end  154  includes a support mechanism  156 . In the example of multi-use tool table  100 , support mechanism  156  is configured to anchor the multi-use tool table to a floor of a work space. Accordingly, support mechanism  156  is characterized as a “stationary” support mechanism. 
     Specifically, support mechanism  156  includes a base plate  158 , angled support members  160 , and attachment members  162 . As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 , support members  160  are disposed at an angle between base plate  158  and column  102 , thereby being configured to support column  102 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 9 , support members  160  includes four support members. In alternate example, the support mechanism can include more or fewer support members. 
     Also shown in  FIGS. 4 and 9 , attachment members  162  include four attachment members each attached to one corner of base plate  158 . As depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , attachment members  162  are disposed below base plate  158  and are configured to be embedded in a ground surface (e,g., embedded in a cement floor) and project upwardly from the ground surface through holes  164  in base plate  158 . Securing members  166  are fitted over exposed ends of attachment members  162  to secure base plate  158  to attachment members  162 . In the present example, attachment members  162  are threaded attachment members and securing members  166  are complimentarily configured threaded securing members. 
     In the present example, multi-use tool table  100  can be selectively detached from the ground surface by releasing securing members  166  from attachment members  162  and removing base plate  158  from attachment members  162 . In alternate examples, the base plate and/or the bottom end of the column can be fixedly secured directly to a surface (e.g., welded directly to a metallic surface). Further, in the present example the base plate and the support members are fixedly attached to column  102  (e.g., the base plate and the support members are welded to the column. In alternate examples, the support mechanism can have a releasably attached base plate and/or support members (e.g., support mechanism  256  shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B ). 
     Turning attention to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , a second example of a multi-use tool table, multi-use tool table  200 , will now be described. Multi-use tool table  200  includes many similar or identical features to multi-use tool table  100 . Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of multi-use tool table  200  will not be redundantly explained and/or shown in the figures. Rather, key distinctions between multi-use tool table  200  and multi-use tool table  100  will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the two multi-use tool tables. 
     Specifically,  FIGS. 10A and 10B  depict only a portion of multi-use tool table  200  (i.e., an alternative configuration for a support mechanism that can be used with a multi-use tool table). It will be appreciated that other features (e.g., upper end of the column, the sleeve, the rotatable shaft, the stop mechanism, the first and second plates, etc.) of multi-use tool table  200  are identical to the features of multi-use tool table  100 . Therefore, the description above in reference to other features (e.g., upper end of the column, the sleeve, the rotatable shaft, the stop mechanism, the first and second plates, etc.) of multi-use tool table  100  also applies to multi-use tool table  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , a column  202  includes a support mechanism  256  at a bottom end  254  of the column. In this example, two interlocking base plate pieces  258   a  and  258   b  are fitted together to form a base  258 . Base  258  is attached to column  202  via an attachment member  259  that is insertable through aligned holes  259   a  and  259   b  in interlocking base plate pieces  258   a  and  258   b  and a central hole in column  202  (not specifically shown). In the present example, attachment member  259  is a threaded attachment member and holes  259   a ,  259   b , and/or the central hole of the column can be complimentarily configured threaded holes. Thus, base  258  can be selectively and releasably attached to column  202 . Base  258  includes holes  264  where attachment members can be inserted for attachment of the base to a ground surface (e.g., attachment to attachment members embedded in cement). Thus, similar to support mechanism  156 , support mechanism  256  is a “stationary” support mechanism. 
     Further, in the example shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , each of support members  260  are attached to multi-use tool table  200  via attachment members  261 . More specifically, holes  265  at opposing ends of each support member are attached to column  202  via attachment members  261   a  and attached to base  258  via attachment members  261   b . Further, base plate piece  258   a  includes attachment fixtures  263   a  and base plate piece  258   b  includes attachment fixtures  263   b  for releasable attachment of attachment members  261   b , and an outer surface of column  202  includes attachment fixtures  263   c  for releasable attachment of attachment members  261   a . Securing members  267  are fitted over exposed ends of attachment members  261  to secure attachment of the support members to the column and the base. In the present example, attachment members  261  are threaded attachment members and securing members  267  are complimentarily configured threaded securing members. Thus, support members  260  can be selectively and releasable attached to column  202  and/or base  258 . 
     Turning attention to  FIGS. 11-14B , a third example of a multi-use tool table, multi-use tool table  300 , will now be described. Multi-use tool table  300  includes many similar or identical features to multi-use tool tables  100  and  200 . Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of multi-use tool table  300  will not be redundantly explained and/or shown in the figures. Rather, key distinctions between multi-use tool table  300  and multi-use tool tables  100  and  200  will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the multi-use tool tables. 
     Specifically,  FIGS. 11-14B  depict only a portion of multi-use tool table  300  (i.e., an alternative configuration for a support mechanism and a column that can be used with a multi-use tool table). It will be appreciated that other features (e.g., the rotatable shaft, the stop mechanism, the first and second plates, etc.) of multi-use tool table  300  are identical to the features of multi-use tool table  100 . Therefore, the description above in reference to other features (e.g., the rotatable shaft, the stop mechanism, the first and second plates, etc.) of multi-use tool table  100  also applies to multi-use tool table  300 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , multi-use tool table  300  includes a column  302  having an upper end  344  that is a location of attachment to a sleeve  342  and a lower end  354  that is a location of attachment to a support mechanism  356 . Support mechanism  356  includes a base  357  having a generally stepped cylindrical configuration. Base  357  is comprised of a heavy material and/or includes an internal chamber that is weighted with a heavy material. In one specific example, is a steel drum (e.g., a brake drum from a semi-truck). In other examples, the base can be comprised of a steel drum filled with cement, sand, water, and/or any other suitably weighted material known or yet to be discovered. Additionally or alternatively, the base can have a different shape (e.g., squared, non-stepped cylindrical, pyramidal, etc.). A bottom wall  367  of base  357  is configured to rest on and be abutted to a ground surface (e.g., floor of a work space). 
     A cross bar  359  is attached to an outer wall  361  of base  357 . Further, two L-shaped supports  363  are attached to outer wall  361  and cross bar  359 . In the present example, cross bar  359  and supports  363  are fixedly attached (e.g., welded) to outer wall  361  and supports  363  are fixedly attached (e.g., welded) to cross bar  359 . In alternate examples, one or more of the cross bar and the supports can be releasably attached to the outer wall and/or the supports can be releasably attached (e.g., attached via attachment members) to the cross bar. 
     Wheels  365  are rotatably attached to opposing ends of cross bar  359 . In operation, multi-use tool table  300  can be tipped so that bottom wall  367  is lifted away from the ground surface and the weight of multi-use tool table  300  generally rests on wheels  365 . Multi-use tool table  300  is configured to be “rolled” from a first location to a second location. Thus, support mechanism  356  is characterized as a “mobile” and/or “portable” support mechanism. 
     In some examples, a handle can be useful for steering multi-use tool table  300  during movement from one location to another location. A handle can be disposed on the column and/or the sleeve. In one specific example shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , a handle  369  is attached to column  302 . Handle  369  includes a slidable bar  371  and a handle anchor  373 . Handle  369  is moveable between an inoperable position  375  (shown in  FIG. 13A ) and an operable position  377  (shown in  FIG. 13B ). 
     In inoperable position  375 , slidable bar  371  is in a downward position so that a hand grip  379  is proximal to handle anchor  373 . To move handle  369  into operable position  377 , hand grip  379  is pulled upward so that slideable bar  371  is slid upward through handle anchor  373  (i.e., hand grip  379  is moved so that it is distal relative to handle anchor  373 ). Bar  371  is then moved outwardly, away from column  302  via a pivotable locking mechanism (not specifically shown). It will be appreciated that the handle can be moved into the inoperable position during use of the various table tools and moved into the operable position during transport of the multi-use tool table from one location to another location. 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  show a second example of a handle, handle  379 , that can be used with multi-use tool table  300 . In this example, handle  379  includes are pivotable bar  381  with a hand grip  383  and a handle anchor  385 . The handle anchor is a pivotable attachment point on the column for the pivotable bar. Handle  383  is moveable between an inoperable position  387  (shown in  FIG. 14A ) and an operable position  389  (shown in  FIG. 14B ). 
     In inoperable position  387 , pivotable bar  381  is in a generally downward angled position and hand grip  383  is proximal to lower end  354  of column  302 . To move handle  379  into operable position  389 , hand grip  383  is pulled upward so that pivotable bar  381  is pivoted upward around handle anchor  385  (i.e., hand grip  383  moved to a position proximal to upper end  344  of column  3020 ). It will be appreciated that the handle can be moved into the inoperable position during use of the various table tools and moved into the operable position during transport of the multi-use tool table from one location to another location. 
     It will be appreciated that for each of the above described multi-use tool tables, the various components (i.e., first and second plates, shaft, sleeve, column, and support mechanism) are comprised of a heavy height metallic material. In one specific example, the components are comprised of steel. In alternate examples the components can be comprised one or more other suitable materials. Examples of other materials can include but are not limited to heavy gauge aluminum, dense plastic, carbon fiber, etc. Further, in some alternate examples, the multi-use tool tables can include additional features. For example, the column can include a system (e.g., a hydraulic system, a manual crank system, etc.) for raising and lowering a height of the first and second plates. In another example, the first and second plates can have extension plates that can be added to adapt the plates for use with specific tools (e.g., a wood guide for use with a circular saw). In even another example, the first and second plates can be attached to separate rotatable shafts within the sleeve so that the first and second plates are independently rotatable. 
     The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
     Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.