Swing-out workbench extension apparatus

[0001] This continuation-in-part patent application claims priority based on a non-provisional patent application, specifically on patent application Ser. No. 11/122,041 filed May 5, 2005 now abandoned.

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to workbench accessories. More particularly, the present invention relates to a workbench extension for supporting tools which includes a rectangular swinging platform and four swinging upright members having equal lengths and each pivotably connected at the lower ends thereof to the rectangular platform, two on each side thereof. The four swinging upright members are pivotably mounted on the underside of a bench top of a workbench so that the rectangular swinging platform is movable between a stored position hanging below the bench top and an upper extended position generally adjacent a bench top. The rectangular platform extends at all times in a generally horizontal plane whereby tools mounted on the rectangular swinging platform are retained thereon, and a latch is provided for releasably locking the rectangular swinging platform in the upper extended position.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] The use of workbench top space in limited areas for supporting such power tools as saws, is undesirable since workbench top space is at a premium for carrying out many tasks. It is known to provide a swing-away work surface addition. Known structures are complex and subject to failure and are not designed to carry heavy loads between a storage position and an extended position for use. It would be desirable to provide a workbench extension which is simple in design and sufficiently strong to support a power saw or other tool which can be moved to a storage position, out of the way of use of the workbench top, or moved into a position for use when need. Such a workbench extension could also be useful for additional work space when needed.

[0006] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a swinging shelf extension solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

[0007] The swing-out workbench extension of the present invention includes a rectangular swinging platform having a front member, a rear member, and opposed side members and forming four corners. Four lower axle supports are attached to and depend from the side members at the four corners thereof and include two lower forward axle supports and two lower rear axle supports. Four upper axle supports are attached to and depend from a workbench top vertically aligned with the four lower axle supports and including two upper forward axle supports and two upper rear axle supports. Four swinging uprights extend between respective upper and lower axle supports and include two front swinging uprights and two rear swinging uprights of such length that the rectangular swinging platform is swingable from a stored location below the bench top to an upper extended location substantially even in height with the bench top. Four front swinging axles rotatably connect the front swinging uprights with the respective front upper axle supports and front lower axle supports. Four rear swinging axles rotatably connect the rear swinging uprights with respective rear upper axle supports and rear lower axle supports.

[0008] The rectangular swing platform has at least one and preferably two tool support cross members extending between the respective opposed side members thereof. A latch is provided for releasably locking said rectangular swing platform in its said upper extended position. A heavy tool is connected to at least one cross member of the rectangular swing platform and is swingable outward from a stored position to an upper extended position and locked in place for use. The tool mounted on the rectangular swinging platform is also swingable downward to a stored position upon release of the latch.

[0009] These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

[0020] The present invention is a swing-out workbench extension for holding or mounting items such as power tools. The power tool on the extension swings out to a locking position and swings inward and downward underneath the workbench when not in use.

[0021] Referring to the Figures, swing-out workbench system 10 includes a workbench top 12 having legs 14 at least its corners and lateral leg supports 16. Swing-out shelf extension 20 includes swinging uprights 22 supporting a swinging platform portion 24 having side members 26, a front member 28, and a rear member, platform portion 24 being free to swing forward and upward on front swing axles 32 and rear swing axles 34 at respective upper and lower ends of the swinging uprights 22. Platform front, side, and rear member are conveniently made of angle steel stock welded or otherwise attached to form the rectangular swinging platform 24.

[0022] Tool support cross members 36 are mounted at spaced locations to the side members 26 to support a tool such as saw S. Saw S as mounted on tool support cross members 36 of swinging platform portion 24 is shown in FIG. 1 in its lower, stored position, and in FIG. 2 in its upper extended position for use. The swinging platform 24 may be a solid surface for additional work surface for the workbench top 20 if desired. It is noted that the respective lengths of the swinging uprights 22 must be of such length relative to the depth of the workbench top 10 and rectangular swing platform 24 so as to not interfere when platform 24 is in the upper extended position while providing adequate depth for storage of the saw S.

[0023] Crankshaft locking block 38 is mounted to the underside of workbench top 12 and receives the tapered end 56 (see FIG. 5) of threaded crankshaft 44 of locking crank operated by crank handle 42. Threaded crankshaft 44 has threads 50 along its length and is mounted in crank screw sleeve 46 having inner threads corresponding to the threads 50 such that crankshaft 44 moves axially inward and outward upon turning locking crank 40 with crank handle 42. Crank screw sleeve 46 is centrally attached under a tool support cross member 36 as by welding. Crankshaft 44 is further supported by front bearing 48 centrally mounted under platform front member 28. A handle 49 is attached to the platform front member 28 for ease in manually raising the swinging shelf extension 20 to the upper extended position and for lowering to the stored position (see FIGS. 1 and 2). As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, upper axle supports 52 depend from the underside of workbench top 12 and lower axle supports 54 extend upward from the front and rear corners of the swinging platform portion such the swinging uprights 22 are free to swing on front swing axles 32 and rear swing axles 34, respectively. The upper axle supports 52 may be angle supports bolted or welded to the bench top surface 12.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown a cutaway view showing tapered end 56 of threaded crankshaft 44 aligned for locking into crankshaft locking block 38, and a detail view of the tapered end 56 of crankshaft 44 engaged with crankshaft locking block 38, respectively. The crankshaft locking block 38 has a partial bore 58 therein for positively receiving tapered end 56, thereby locking swinging platform 24 in the upward, extended position for use. FIGS. 4 and 5 also show a workbench extension surface 60 mounted on rectangular swing platform 24 of a thickness and configuration to evenly extend the work surface of top 12.

[0025] Although the swinging shelf extension 20 as shown and described is manually lifted and locked, other means may be employed for the lifting, locking, and retracting of the swinging shelf extension 20. Such means may include an electrically driven lift having a screw drive or being gear driven; a hydraulic lift; an air or pneumatic lift; and a spring assist lift employing torsion springs, torsion bars, compression springs or extension springs or a combination thereof. The swing arms may be equipped with a ratcheting mechanism to lock them in the upright, extended position. A one-way shock absorber can be attached for a smooth return of the shelf extension to the down or stored position.

[0026] The swing-out shelf extension or appliance shelf can easily be made vertically adjustable as desired to align with the bench top as desired. The swing-out shelf extension may be constructed of steel or other appropriate materials.

[0027] FIGS. 6-10 disclose another alternative embodiment of the present invention which is generally similar to that disclosed previously, but includes several additional features which are believed to improve the functionality of the present invention. Specifically, the embodiment includes a longitudinally extended releasable latch pin member 70 which has a pin 72 movably mounted within the swinging platform 24 which extends from the forward wall of the swinging platform 24 to and through the rear wall and further includes a biasing spring 74 as shown in FIG. 10 which forces the pin 72 rearwards. When the swinging platform 24 is in its elevated position, the pin 72 engages plate 80 which includes a latch member receiving structure which in the preferred embodiment would be a pin-receiving hole 82 through which the pin 72 may extend, thus securing the swinging platform 24 in the elevated position without engaging the threaded crankshaft 44, although, of course, this may be engaged as discussed previously to further secure the swinging platform 24 in the elevated position. The swinging platform 24 may then be released from the elevated position by pulling pin 72 forwards to disengage the pin 72 from the pin-receiving hole 82, and now the swinging platform 24 can be returned to its storage position beneath the bench top surface 12.

[0028] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

[0029] It is to be understood that numerous additions, modifications and substitutions may be made to the swinging shelf extension 20 of the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of the appended claims. For example, the size, shape and construction materials used in connection with the swinging shelf extension 20 may be modified or changed so long as the intended functional features are neither degraded nor destroyed. Furthermore, although the present invention has been described as being generally designed for use in connection with workbenches and the like, it should be noted that the swinging shelf extension 20 may be used with virtually any type of elevated table-like structure to which the swinging shelf extension 20 may be affixed. Finally, it should be noted that the swinging shelf extension 20 may further include various tool mounting structures on the platform portion 24 in order to more securely mount power tools and the like thereon, and the inclusion of such structures would be understood by one skilled in the art of mounting tools on workbench structures.

[0030] There has therefore been shown and described a swing-out workbench system 10 which accomplishes all of its intended objectives.