Abstract:
A positionable top for operatively positioning a power tool by adjusting the position of the top in relation to a frame. By utilizing multiple engaging slots on the frame and a matching projection on the square top, the top may be rotated, inverted, horizontally adjusted, and vertically positioned within a frame to support various portable power tools in a variety of positions. The power tools are locked to the top by clamps which utilize “T” shaped grooves as both clamp rails and miter guide grooves.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to power tool mounting tables and workbenches. More particularly, this invention pertains to multiple tool mounting platforms for mounting various power tools. 
     Several United States Patents have been directed towards systems for mounting powered tools. These include U.S. Pat. No. 2,767,747, issued to Burrows on Oct. 23, 1956; U.S. Pat. No. 2,786,500, issued to Unterfranz on Mar. 26, 1957; U.S. Pat. No. 2,803,275, issued to Ruben on Aug. 20, 1957; U.S. Pat. No. 3,036,608, issued to Weber on May 29, 1962; U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,623, issued to Damijonaitis on Jan. 19, 1971; U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,665, issued to Decker on Sep. 19, 1978; U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,239, issued to Snyder on Feb. 24, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,420, issued to Michell on Jul. 15, 1997; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,473, issued to Tucker on Mar. 3, 1998. A general overview of these patents shows the limitations associated with the prior art systems. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,767,747 issued to Burrows on Oct. 23, 1956 discloses a conversion unit for portable saw. This invention is directed to converting a portable circular saw into a fixed position bench-type or relatively fixed power driven circular saw. This invention utilizes a table with a work supporting platform to hold a circular saw in an upside down position to allow for the portable circular saw to be used like a table or fixed position circular saw. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,786,500 issued to Unterfranz on Mar. 25, 1957 discloses a combination carrying case and table for portable power tool. This invention is directed towards the combination of the carrying case and mounting stand for a portable power driven tool to allow for the tool to be utilized as a stationary positioned tool. This case may then be converted to supply a carrying case for protection of the tool during transportation. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,803,275 issued to Ruben on Aug. 20, 1957 discloses a portable power table saw. This invention describes the use of a portable motor driven tool assembly which is included in a storage box body adapted to receive a saw blade which extends outside of the box. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,036,608 issued to Weber on May 29, 1962 discloses a portable supporting and mounting device for power tools. This invention discloses a portable device which may be disassembled for carrying and transportation. The device may also be assembled to provide a stable platform to mount an angular positioned power saw unit. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,623 issued to Damijonaitif on Jan. 19, 1971 discloses a combination carrying case and tool holder for portable power tools. This invention discloses a combination carrying case and tool holder for portable power tools such as a router. The device uses a slidable cover and base assembly for mounting a power tool in a fixed manner. Thus, a portable saber saw sander, or similar power tool, such as a router, may also be used and installed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,665 issued to Decker on Sep. 19, 1978, discloses a woodworking bench for portable motor driven hand tools. This invention discloses a portable woodworking bench which utilizes collapsible legs to provide a stable surface with a vertical wall or fence for mounting power tools. The device is directed towards the mounting of a power driven hand operated belt sander. However, additional motor driven hand tools including saws and routers are also described as being attached to the woodworking bench. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,239 issued to Snyder on Feb. 24, 1981 discloses a carpenter&#39;s combination portable power-operated hand and table saw. This invention again describes a portable hand carrying case for carrying a circular saw and mounting the circular saw within the case for providing a table saw type operation. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,420 issued to Michell on Jul. 15, 1997 discloses a cantilevered linear hand-held power tool attachment apparatus. This device is directed towards an attachment device for releaseably mounting a hand held power tool. This device describes a method for attaching a power tool above and yet in a planar relationship to the top of a work table. The device allows for connections of hand held circular saws, routers and jig saws. This allows for the hand held power tool to be operated on the work piece that is contained between the upper plane holding the power hand saw and the lower table surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,473 issued to Tucker on Mar. 3, 1998 discloses a wood bench-based interchangeable power tool mounting and operating apparatus. This invention describes a work bench frame which includes a base. The base supports at least one main support pallet which mounts an electrical power tool. Thus, this bench provides a way to mount particular power tools for use in a stable operating environment. 
     These patents fail to recognize the need for multiple mounting heights, the different sizes and mounting systems necessary for mounting various power tools, and a fence rail system. What is needed, then, is a compact, portable, multiple tools system which allows for utilization of portable tools in a stable work environment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, an improved power tool mounting apparatus and method are provided which addresses the drawbacks of the prior art devices and in one of its exemplary form includes a positionable top for operatively positioning a power tool by adjusting the position of the top in relation to a frame. By utilizing multiple engaging slots on the frame and a matching projection on the square top, the top may be rotated, inverted, horizontally adjusted, and vertically positioned within a frame to support various portable power tools in a variety of positions. The power tools are locked to the top by clamps which utilize “T” shaped grooves as both clamp rails and miter guide grooves. 
     In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a power tool mounting apparatus is provided comprising a frame with a top for fixably positioning a power tool within the frame. The top may be adjusted and positioned within the frame to position the power tool for operation. The power tool is locked into position by a clamp system that utilizes a clamp base that may be positioned within a clamp rail to fit the size and configuration of the power tool being used. A clamp arm is pivotally connected to the clamp base and is used to engage the power tool. Pressure is applied to the clamp arm through a pressure bolt that is inserted through the clamp arm and connected to a pressure base. The clamp base and pressure base slide within a t-groove until the pressure from the pressure bolt frictionally engages the pressure base and clamp base against the t-groove. 
     In accordance with another example of the present invention, a method is disclosed for adjusting a top in a power tool mounting stand which includes rotating the top to re-orient the portable power tool. 
     A further example of the present invention is shown in a method for adjusting a top in a power tool mounting stand which includes sliding the top to re-orient the portable power tool. 
     A still further example of the present invention is disclosed in the method for adjusting the top in a power tool mounting stand which allows one to invert the top to vertically position the portable power tool. 
     Yet another example is shown in the method for adjusting a top in a power tool mounting stand by selectively inserting the top into a selected vertical adjustment position to vertically position the portable power tool. 
     Other objects and further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of the power tool mounting apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a back view of the power tool mounting apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the power tool mounting apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the power tool mounting apparatus of the present invention with the top oriented in a first direction. 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the power tool mounting apparatus of the present invention with the top oriented in a second direction. 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the power tool mounting apparatus of the present invention with supporting ribs and mounting areas. 
     FIG. 7 is a end view of the top shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the power tool clamp system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is an end view of the power tool clamp system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of the power tool clamp system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the power tool mounting apparatus with a circular saw in first orientation with a table fence guide. 
     FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the power tool mounting apparatus with a circular saw mounted with the top in a second orientation. 
     FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the power tool mounting apparatus with a router in a first orientation with a table fence guide. 
     FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the power tool mounting apparatus with a saber saw mounted with the top in a second orientation. 
     FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the power tool mounting apparatus with a compound miter saw mounted with the top vertically adjusted to support the bottom of the miter saw. 
     FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the slot and projection mounting system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the inverted top utilizing the same slot to adjust the vertical height of the top. 
     FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the top utilizing a second slot to further adjust the height of the top. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a power tool mounting apparatus  10  is constructed from an accessory table top  26  which is supported on a frame  20 . The top  26  is adjustable within the frame  20  and may be fixably positioned within the frame  20  to support a power tool. The frame  20  is constructed on a base  12  with a side support system which extends from the base  12  and includes a first side  14  and a second side  16 . The first side  14  and the second side  16  are supported by braces  18  which stabilize the sides  14  and  16  on the base  12 . The first side  14  is connected to a first extension  22  by a brace  18 . Likewise, a second extension  24  is supported off of the second side  16  by another brace  18 . The first extension  22  and second extension  24  each form a work surface which extends the available work area of the apparatus. The extensions  22  and  24 , sides  14  and  16 , base  12  and braces  18  form a frame  20  which supports the accessory tabletop  26 . The accessory tabletop  26  is supported by a projection  25  on the top  26 . This projection  25  inserts into a projection slot  30  which is formed into the first side  14  and second side  16  of the frame  20 . 
     Also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings are the main fence  32  attached to the first fence extension  60  and the second fence extension  62 . This forms the back and guide fence which is standard in tabletop configurations of power tools. An additional item shown in FIG. 1 is the use of wings shown as the folding first wing  34  and the folding second wing  36  which are attached to the first extension  22  and second extension  24  to allow for an extended work surface for utilizing long pieces of material. FIG. 2 of the drawings shows how a handle  38  may be attached to the folding second wing  36  so that the folding first wing and folding second wing will come together to allow the handle  38  to attach to the handle latch  40 . The handle latch  40  is attached to the folding first wing  34 . This allows for the unit to be compacted and utilize the handle  38  to carry the unit for easy transportation purposes. 
     Returning to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a power tool  46  is shown clamped to the top  26 . The power tool  46  is illustrated as a circular saw which utilizes a saw plate  44  for positioning the blade  48 . As shown in this illustration, the clamp  42  is utilized to hold the saw plate  44  in a fixable position by clamping the saw plate  44  against the top  26 . This allows for the blade  48  to extend through the top  26  and be utilized on a work piece. When a smaller tool such as a router is used, the fence clearing aperture  50  allows for the fence  32  to be utilized to control the edge of the material being worked upon. 
     The accessory table adjustment lock  52  extends through the first side  14  in order to clamp the top  26  in position within the frame  20 . As shown in FIG. 1, the accessory table adjustment lock  52  may also be an extended piece which allows for the lock  52  to extend through the first extension  22  for easy access and adjustment by the operator. In contrast in FIG. 3, it is shown that the accessory table adjustment lock  52  may also be utilized with minor saw table adjustment stops  64  which do not require the lock  52  to extend through the first extension  22 . For the position shown as the adjustment stop  64  in FIG. 3, it is only necessary that the lock  52  extend through the first side  14 . Thus, a lock  52  is shown which fixably positions the top  26  within the frame  20 . 
     An additional feature shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings is the electrical box  54  which is used to supply power to the power tool. The electrical box  54  contains an electrical plug receptacle  56  which is controlled by an electrical switch  58 . This allows for the portable power tool to be plugged into the electrical plug receptacle  56  and operatively controlled by the electrical switch  58 . The power for the electrical box  54  is supplied through the electrical plug  59  which is attached to a normal power receptacle. 
     Also shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings is the attachment method for the fence  32  to the frame  20 . Wing nuts  72  are utilized to removable attach the fence so that it may be used for applications requiring a fence  32 , but may also be removed from the frame  20  when not required. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings illustrate the reorientation of the top  26  within the frame  20  by rotating and repositioning the top  26  within the frame  20 . As shown in these FIGS. 4 and 5, the top  26  is formed as a square with a slot projection  25  that extends around the perimeter of the top  26 . This slot projection  25  is inserted into the sides  14  and  16  for supporting the top  26  in the orientation that is chosen. Thus, because the top  26  is formed as a square, the top  26  may be removed and rotated in relation to the frame  20  for insertion into the sides  14  and  16 . This allows for the power tool that is mounted to be oriented in the manner chosen by the user. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a solid top  26 , FIG. 6 shows how the top  26  may be manufactured from a molded or cast piece. In the preferred embodiment  26 , the power tool is supported by a T-groove  74  which is molded or cut into the top  26 . This groove  74  may also be used as a miter guide groove when the tabletop is inverted. An important consideration for molding or casting the top  26  is to supply a circular saw base plate mounting area  67  or possibly a saber saw or router mounting area  69 . These areas are necessary to allow for the clamping system to properly lock and hold the power tool in the proper position on the top  26 . Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the necessary T-grooves and miter grooves  74  and  68  will need to be formed into the top  26  during the manufacturing process. In order to allow for different configurations of power tools, a circular saw and belt sander insert  66  and a saber saw and router insert  70  are envisioned to be separate pieces which may be attached to the top  26  for mounting of various styles and configurations of power tools. The top  26  as envisioned in the cast or molder process would also utilize reinforcement ribs  76  to further support the top  26 . 
     FIG. 7 of the drawings shows the top  26  with the projection  25  cut away to allow one to properly see the orientation of the clamp grooves  74  and the miter grooves  68 . Note that the clamp and miter grooves  60  and  74  are interchangeable for various uses. Thus, if the top is in one orientation, the bottom grooves will be utilized as clamp grooves while the upper grooves will be utilized as miter guide grooves. FIGS. 8-10 of the drawings show the clamp system utilized by the present invention. As previously noted, the top  26  contains a clamp T-groove  74  which is utilized to position the clamp system  77  in position. The clamp system  77  comprises a clamp base  78  which is inserted into the T-groove  74  for slidable position to properly orient the clamp system  77 . This clamp base  78  supports a clamp swivel  80  which supports the clamp arm  82 . The clamp arm  82  extends from the clamp base  78  to the opposite end which utilizes a hard rubber cushion  84  for connection with the power tool to be stabilized. Pressure is placed against the clamp arm  82  by a pressure bolt  88  which screws into the pressure base  86 . The pressure bolt  88  is tightened against the pressure base  86  to allow for the clamp arm  82  to be forcibly pressed towards the T-groove  74 . The pressure bolt  88  utilizes a washer  90  and a lock washer  92  to allow for the rotation and locking of position of the clamp system  77 . 
     FIG. 11 of the drawings shows an isometric view of the power tool mounting apparatus  10  of the present invention. For this drawing, the top  26  has been horizontally positioned by sliding the top  26  within the frame  20  to allow for the power tool to be moved closer to the fence  32 . Thus, the slot projection  25  has been adjusted within the side slot  30  to horizontally position the top within the frame  20 . 
     FIG. 12 of the drawings shows the top  26  rotated within the frame  20  to allow for the power tool to be placed in a different orientation. 
     FIG. 13 of the drawings shows how a router  96  may be positioned within the top  26  to allow for it to be positioned within the fence clearance aperture  50  of the fence  32 . Note also that the top  26  has been horizontally positioned within the frame  20  to allow for the router  96  to be utilized along with the fence  32 . 
     FIG. 14 of the drawings shows how a saber saw  98  may be mounted within the top  26  with the fence  32  removed. 
     FIG. 15 of the drawings shows how a compound miter saw  94  may be mounted on the top  26  within the frame  20 . This allows for the apparatus  10  to be utilized as a work support station for other power mounting tools. 
     FIGS. 16-18 of the drawings shows how the vertical adjustment of the top  26  within the second side  16  may be constructed. FIG. 16 of the drawings shows the top  26  in alignment with the second extension  24  such that a flat planar work surface may be utilized. In this orientation, the projection  25  is sized as a half-thickness projection that is sized to engage the side slot mounting  30 . This allows for the projection  25  to engage the slot profile of the side slot  30  to allow for the top  26  to be properly oriented to form a planar work surface. Thus, the first surface  27  of the top  26  is in alignment with the top of the second extension  24 . As shown in FIG. 17 of the drawings, the top  26  has been inverted such that the first surface  27  of the top  26  is now in a lower position. Thus, the second surface  29  has become the upper surface of the top  26  for utilization as a work surface. Here, once the top has been inverted, the slot projection  25  is still utilized within the side slot  30  that was utilized for alignment of the top  26  with the second extension  24 . However, since the top  26  has been inverted, the actual physical location of the upper surface of the top  26  has been reduced to be equivalent to the upper portion of the side slot  30  that is being utilized. Thus, the same side slot  30  allows for two different height adjustments for the top  26 . As shown in FIG. 18 of the drawings, the additional of a plurality of further side slots  30  with the slot profile allows for the top  26  to be further positioned in another vertical adjustment. Thus, the total number of vertical adjustments for the top  26  will be controlled by the number of side slots  30  multiplied times two for allowing the inversion of the top  26  when mounted within the side slot  30 . 
     Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Power Tool Mounting Stand, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.