U.S. patent application number 11/405767 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-18 for assembly for supporting at least one power tool.
Invention is credited to Robert W. Borgstede.
Application Number | 20070240937 11/405767 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38603778 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070240937 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Borgstede; Robert W. |
October 18, 2007 |
Assembly for supporting at least one power tool
Abstract
An adjustable support assembly for at least one power tool for
moveable and stationary assembly for engagement with a ladder in
which the ladder has two parallel rails with a width therebetween,
each such rail having an upper, lower and outer portion. The
adjustable support assembly has a platform for moveable engagement
with the ladder, a slideable assembly for movement upon the
platform, and an engagement device for engagement of at least one
power tool on the platform. The platform is expandable through an
interconnected structure between the sides of the platform to
accommodate varying widths of the ladder. The width of the ladder
is between 12 and 18 inches, and preferably 13 and 3/4 inches. A
clamp or screwable engagement is also provided to affix the
assembly to the ladder at a determined location for use of the
power tools. The engagement device has a plurality of wheels for
movement upon the each of the upper, lower and outer portions of
the rails. The engagement device also includes a platform having at
least two opposing sides, one of said sides affixed to the
platform, and the other affixed to the at least one power tool,
preferably screwably mounted. A multiplicity of tools are also
provided for sequential operations upon a piece of wood, plastic or
other material to simplify and improve the speed of the process of
manufacturing.
Inventors: |
Borgstede; Robert W.;
(Moriches, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mitchell A. Stein, Esq.;STEIN LAW, P.C.
Suite 4
24 Woodbine Avenue
Northport
NY
11768
US
|
Family ID: |
38603778 |
Appl. No.: |
11/405767 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
182/129 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23D 47/02 20130101;
B25H 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
182/129 |
International
Class: |
E04G 3/00 20060101
E04G003/00 |
Claims
1. An adjustable support assembly for at least one power tool for
moveable and stationary assembly for engagement with a ladder in
which the ladder has two parallel rails with a width therebetween,
each such rail having an upper, lower and outer portion,
comprising: (a) platform mean for moveable engagement with the
ladder; (b) slideable means for moveable of said platform; (c)
engagement means for engagement of said at least one power tool
with said platform means.
2. The platform of claim 1, wherein said platform means comprises
expansion means.
3. The platform of claim 2, wherein said platform means comprises a
series of interconnected side elements, wherein at least two of
said side elements have, therewithin, an expansion means for
expanding said side elements to accommodate the width.
4. The platform of claim 1, wherein said width is between 12 and 18
inches.
5. The platform of claim 1, wherein with is 13 and 3/4 inches.
6. The platform of claim 1, wherein said platform means comprises
clamping means to accommodate the stationary status assembly.
7. The platform of claim 1, wherein said platform means comprises
screwable elements to accommodate the stationary status
assembly.
8. The platform of claim 1, wherein said engagement means comprises
mounting said at least one a plurality of wheels for movement upon
the upper portions of the rails.
9. The platform of claim 1, wherein said slideable means comprises
a plurality of wheels for movement upon the lower portions of the
rails.
10. The platform of claim 1, wherein said slideable means comprises
a plurality of wheels for movement upon the outer portions of the
rails.
11. The platform of claim 1, wherein said engagement means
comprises a platform having at least two opposing sides, one of
said sides affixed to the platform means, and the other of said
sides affixed to the at least one power tool.
12. The platform of claim 1, wherein said platform is screwably
mounted to said platform means.
13. The platform of claim 1, wherein said at least one power tool
is screwably mounted to said platform.
14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one power tool
comprises a multiplicity of power tools for sequential use.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of power tools
and more particularly to portable adjustable devices that safely
and securely and support at least one power tool at a height
appropriate for use by, in this case, incorporating material and/or
equipment commonly found at a worksite (e.g. ladders, saw horses,
etc.) rather than traditional stands or tables while providing for
a multiplicity of sequential operations and accuracy and
convenience associated therewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The instant invention relates to a device used to secure and
support power tools, and more particularly concerns a slidably
mounted adjustable portable power tool support assembly which fits
directly on material commonly found at a work site, such as a
ladder, scaffold, etc.
[0003] Power tools such as a table saw or drill press ordinarily
incorporate various types of devices to raise the tool to a height
suitable for use built-in to the tool itself, such as a table. Such
power tools are typically quite expensive relative to those tools
sold without such devices.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,836 to Wise shows a mobile saw stand
which essentially combines a hand truck with a power saw to improve
the portability of said power saw, as well as to provide a
mechanism to adjust height. U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,229 to Brazell, et
al., provides for a foldable stand which is affixed directly to
table power tools to allow the user to bring the power tool to a
height suitable for use.
[0005] Also known in the art are devices which are themselves a
platform for use with a power tool, yet fail to incorporate
material commonly found at a work site in the creation of the work
surface. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,279 to Stecker, Sr. shows
a foldable table saw stand. U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,941 to Rousseau
provides for a foldable table suitable to support a bench saw. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,106,381 to Kreitz provides for a foldable extension for
extending the work surface of a table saw. U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,348
to Ransom, et. al., shows a portable saw table for supporting a
portable saw. U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,053 to Robison shows a work
surface mounted on a frame adapted to support power tools. U.S.
Pat. No. 6,209,597 to Calcote shows an adjustable surface to
support portable power tools during use. U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,987 to
Birkeland provides for a foldable table for supporting power tools,
designed to increase portability. U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,318 to
Underwood shows a foldable power tool support, also designed to
increase portability. U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,306 to Huang shows a
collapsible adjustable power tool support.
[0006] It is thus an object of the instant invention to provide an
assembly which can safely secure and support at least one power
tool at a height appropriate for use by, in this case,
incorporating material and/or equipment commonly found at a work
site (e.g., ladders, saw horses, etc.) rather than through use of
separate stands or tables, and without permanently affixing the
assembly to the tools themselves.
[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide a device
which can be used in tangent with an identical device to support
multiple power tools which can then be used for simultaneous and
accurate cutting, drilling, etc. thereby obviating the need to move
the target object or the multiple power tools, and seek realignment
to avoid inaccurate cuts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The various features of novelty which characterize the
present invention are expressly and unambiguously delineated in the
claims annexed to and forming part of the disclosure. For a better
understanding of the present invention, its practical advantages,
and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had
to the drawings and descriptive matter in which there are
illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the
invention.
[0009] The power tool support of the present invention is
adjustable to fit a number of materials and/or equipment ordinarily
used in association with power tools and/or in fields where power
tools are ordinarily used such as carpentry, masonry, etc. The
prior art teaches away from the instant invention in that it
provides either for work surfaces affixed directly to a power tool
or for work surfaces which fail to incorporate material and/or
equipment commonly found at a worksite (e.g. ladders, saw horses,
etc.) in the creation of said work surface. As a result, the
instant invention will obviate the need for a user of power tools
to purchase or transport a separate table for use as a work
station, or to purchase power tools with a work surface already
attached. For practicality, the instant invention can be used in
combination with various materials already found at a work
site.
[0010] The power tool support assembly of the present invention is
adjustable to fit any ladder (standard equipment typically found at
a work site), eliminating the need for transporting extraneous
equipment to the work site.
[0011] The power tool support assembly of the present invention can
be made of light weight, yet sturdy, materials.
[0012] In particular, an adjustable support assembly for at least
one power tool for moveable and stationary assembly for engagement
with a ladder in which the ladder has two parallel rails with a
width therebetween, each such rail having an upper, lower and outer
portion. The rails are used in novel manner such that the platform
can move upon them, and also support a multiplicity of organized
tools to improve action upon the work surface and manufacturing.
The ladder is generally available for all those skilled in the art,
and thus has a new and useful utility, without the need for
bringing another support mechanism. The apparatus herein does not
change the functionality of the ladder when not used in the manner
indicated herein. In other words, when the tools are removed, the
ladder will work in normal fashion.
[0013] Likewise, the ladder is supported generally by normal saw
horses when the workman is in the field. When used in a shop, the
ladder can be mounted upon a surface and used in the manner
described herein.
[0014] A key is the combination of an adjustable support assembly
that has a platform for moveable engagement with the ladder upon
the rails, a slideable assembly for movement upon the platform, and
an engagement device for engagement of at least one power tool on
the platform. The platform is expandable through an interconnected
structure between the sides of the platform to accommodate varying
widths of the ladder.
[0015] The width of the ladder is between 12 and 18 inches, and
preferably 13 and 3/4 inches. Thus, the width of the platform
conforms therewith.
[0016] A clamp or screwable engagement is also provided to affix
the assembly to the ladder at a determined location for use of the
power tools.
[0017] The engagement device has a plurality of wheels for movement
upon the each of the upper, lower and outer portions of the rails.
The engagement device also includes a platform having at least two
opposing sides, one of said sides affixed to the platform, and the
other affixed to the at least one power tool, preferably screwably
mounted.
[0018] A multiplicity of tools are also provided for sequential
operations upon a piece of wood, plastic or other material to
simplify and improve the speed of the process of manufacturing.
[0019] Other features will become apparent from reading the
disclosure and claims of the instant invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote
similar elements throughout the several views:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective environmental view of a power tool
support assembly secured to an ordinary ladder and having a rotary
power saw mounted thereon in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the subject invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded isometric perspective view of
a power tool support assembly as shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with
a preferred embodiment of the subject invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 is an end view of a power tool support assembly as
shown in FIG. 1 secured to an ordinary ladder in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the subject invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a prior art device dissimilar to that of the
instant invention, presented for comparison with a preferred
embodiment of the subject invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is an end view of an alternative embodiment of the
power tool support assembly as shown in FIG. 1 atop an ordinary
ladder depicting, in an exploded manner, with moving means to move
said power tool support assembly along the support structure, in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject
invention;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of an alternative
embodiment of the power tool support assembly as shown in FIG. 1
depicting, in an exploded manner, clamping means to secure the
power tool support assembly in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the subject invention;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective, exploded view of the base portion
of the power tool support assembly as shown in FIG. 1 depicting the
variable width of the assembled device to accommodate a
multiplicity of ladders of varying widths (despite general industry
commonality) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
subject invention;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a perspective environmental view of two power
tools supported on the assembly as shown in FIG. 1 secured to an
ordinary ladder in parallel, each having a rotary power saw mounted
thereon in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject
invention; and
[0029] FIG. 9 is a perspective environmental view of the power tool
support assembly as shown in FIG. 1 secured to an ordinary ladder
and having a drill mounted thereupon, in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the subject invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is directed to an
adjustable portable power tool support assembly 2 with base 3. As
shown and described hereinbelow, base 3, typically comprised of a
single piece of hollow aluminum, steel or other material, is
generally rectangularly cuboidal, with either a platform having an
upper and lower planar surface and planar connections therebetween
(as shown in greater detail hereinbelow), in which the width of
said base 3 is adjustable to conform with the typical dimensions of
ladder 16. In particular ladder 26 has both an inside and outside
railing wherein the outside railing is generally of size 16 to 20
inches, typically 161/4 inches and the inside railing is generally
of 133/4 inches. The instant invention comprises inside railing of
between 12 and 18 inches, preferably the typical dimension of 133/4
inches.
[0031] Ladder 26, as shown in FIG. 1, while comprising on outer
portion 29 has inner portion 27 riding therebetween, such that the
ladder can be extended to various lengths depending upon usage in
accordance with the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.
The instant invention utilizes the structure of ladder 26 such that
assembly 2 is placed upon inner portion 28 of inner railing 27 in a
manner that permits movement, attachment and use as more fully
described hereinbelow.
[0032] Ladder 26, as shown in FIG. 1, is supported by normal saw
horses 34 which are generally available to one of ordinary skill in
the art, and are placed in a manner to provide support to ladder 26
and assembly 2 thereupon.
[0033] Further as shown in FIG. 1, base 3 contains a plurality of
upper rollers 14 on opposite lateral ends which rest atop upper
portion 28 of inner railing 27 of ladder 26 for moveability
thereupon. Upper rollers 14 rotate about threaded roller axle 15
allowing the user to move adjustable portable power tool support
assembly 2 along ladder railing 28, as shown by the arrow in FIG.
1.
[0034] In order to attach base 3 and prevent its further movement
along upper portion 28 of ladder 26, base 3, as shown in FIG. 1,
base unit 33 of power tool 32 is shown and is screwably mounted via
screws 25 through base unit 33, through mounting bracket 22 and
into base 3 for secure attachment.
[0035] Also shown in FIG. 2 is at least one clamp assembly 18 used
to securely fasten adjustable portable power tool support assembly
2 to upper portion 28 of ladder 26 to support power tool 32 and to
prevent adjustable portable power tool support assembly 2 from
moving along ladder railing 27, especially in use but also in
assembly. The particular clam assembly 18, in this embodiment shown
in FIG. 1, is comprised of a springable clamp, although other
attachment means are described hereinbelow.
[0036] Thus, it can be observed in FIG. 1 that, for example,
standard ladder 26 is used in a novel manner as a support for at
least one tool 32 via inner ladder portion 27 which rests upon
outer portion 29 and is supported by normal saw horses 34. The
assembly, as shown, comprises rollers 14 for movement as well as
clamping means 18 for securing against the inner ladder portion 27
when the proper location is achieved. Thus it can be observed that
a working material, like wood beam 54 can be placed upon upper rail
to engage tool 32 in its normal state with accuracy. In this
manner, the worker no longer must place tool 32 on a bench or other
work surface, ensure that it is rigidly mounted and that cuts made
to beams like beam 54 are accurate and that no slippage occurs. It
is thus an object of the invention to simplify set up and use of
power tools while incorporating already present and utilized
equipment that one of ordinary skill in the industry would have in
accompaniment with virtually any job.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of assembly 2 and the various
components thereof. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, adjustable
portable power tool support assembly 2 also comprises mounting
bracket 22 which also attaches to the bottom portion of power tool
32 and which acts to secure a power tool, such as rotary power saw
32 as shown in FIG. 1, to base 3. Threaded fasteners 25 secures
bracket 22 to base 3 and mounting bracket 22, thereby safely
securing the object power tool.
[0038] In FIG. 2, a partially exploded isometric perspective view
of adjustable portable power tool support assembly 2 is shown with
mounting bracket 22 separated from base 3, not having a power tool
therebetween as with FIG. 1, to show the various features
thereof.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows an adjustable version of base 3, comprising
small extendable base bracket 4A which extends from portion 4 to
portion 6 thereby rendering the entire length a solid structure. As
shown in FIG. 7, pins 8 connect through apertures 12 and 10 to
facilitate solidity. Base 3 contain a plurality of threaded
cylindrical abscesses 20 to receive screws 25 through apertures 24
in mounting bracket 22 and thread into receiving threads 20 in base
3 to provide structural assembly. To secure a power tool using
adjustable portable power tool support assembly 2, the user first
engages assembly 2 by placing base 3 upon the inner ladder railing
28 and then engages mounting bracket 22 via screws 25. Once this is
complete, the user then places a power tool atop the upper planar
portion of base 3, and attaches that tool at any location desired.
Thus, it can be observed by one of ordinary skill in the art that
mounting bracket 22 can be comprised of a multiplicity of materials
that can be drilled for mounting one or more power tools, like tool
32 (see FIG. 1), thereupon. Once the location along inner ladder
railing 27 is determined, clamp assembly 18 is engaged such that
the assembly 2 can no longer traverse along inner ladder railing 27
and is, instead, rigidly engaged for use of the power tool
selected.
[0040] FIG. 2 further shows a plurality of upper rollers 14 which
are connected to base 3 through a plurality of threaded roller
axles 15 which are threaded into the threaded cylindrical abscesses
21 of base 3. Upper rollers 14 rotate about threaded roller axle 15
to move adjustable portable power tool support assembly 2 to the
desired location along inner ladder railing 27 of ladder 26. The
user threads threaded roller axle 15 into threaded cylindrical
abscesses 21 of base 3 for both rigidity and, if desired, sizing,
dependent upon the width of inner ladder railing 27 along inner
ladder railing surface 31. Preferably the width is determined using
various extensions 4A of extendable base bracket 4.
[0041] Also shown in FIG. 2 is a plurality of lower rollers 16
which are connected to based 3 through a plurality of threaded
roller axles 17 which are threaded into the threaded cylindrical
abscesses (not shown) on the underside of base 3. Lower rollers 16
rotate about threaded roller axle 17 to move adjustable portable
power tool support assembly 2 to the desired location along the
chosen material, in this case ordinary ladder 26. The addition of
lower rollers 16 enables assembly 2 to be additionally structurally
supported and moved, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 3.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows an end view of adjustable portable power tool
support assembly 2 secured to ladder 26. Lower rollers 16 connect
to base 3 (in this case, the combination of extendable base bracket
4 and extendable base bracket 6 via extension 4A) through a
plurality of threaded roller axles 17 which are threaded into the
threaded cylindrical abscesses (shown in FIG. 2) on the underside
of base 3 (in this case, the combination of small extendable base
bracket 4 and large extendable base bracket 6).
[0043] When adjustable portable power tool support assembly 2 is
attached to an ordinary ladder 26, as shown in FIG. 3, lower
rollers 16 are intentionally designed to seat flush against ladder
railing 27 thereby facilitating movement along said ordinary ladder
26 as well as providing additional support and stability.
[0044] FIG. 4 shows a heretofore utilized device wherein a separate
unit is required to provide some sort of cantilevered structure for
a power tool which shows that rigidity, nor use of a ladder and its
structural support are not involved, nor normal saw horses, leaving
the unit hopelessly geared for a single power tool in an unstable
format.
[0045] Shown in FIG. 5 is an end view of an alternative embodiment
of adjustable portable power tool support assembly 2 atop ladder 26
depicting, in an exploded manner, moving and mounting means which
serves to move and mount adjustable portable power tool support
assembly 2 along the inner ladder railing 28 of ladder 26. The
alternative embodiment of adjustable portable power tool support
assembly 2 as shown in FIG. 5 shows upper rollers assemblies 36
attached via bracket 36A to base bracket 4 and 6 respectively
(connected via phantom view of extension 4A). The combination of
elements shown in FIG. 5 permits movement of assembly 2 to a
desired location along ladder 26, while providing rigidity such
that upon placement and use of one or more power tools, the device
remains stable. Thus, the results of assemblage shown in FIG. 3 are
achieved via assemblage shown in FIG. 5 via a different arrangement
of rollers, as shown.
[0046] In FIG. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of an
alternative embodiment of springable clamp assembly 18 as shown in
FIG. 1. In particular, knob 42 engages a screwable element 46 which
passes through a screw receiving recess in bracket 40 which
attaches via trapezoidal bracket 44 to base assembly 3. Thus it can
be observed that when 42 is turned and 46 extended, platen 48 is
pressed against inner surface 31 of inner railing 27 to provide
attachment.
[0047] FIG. 7 shows a perspective, exploded view of base 3 of
adjustable portable power tool support assembly 2 depicting the
variable width of device 2, when assembled to accommodate the
ranges of widths of differing ladders. When extension 4A of base
bracket 4 is inserted into the end of base bracket 6 the width of
adjustable portable power tool support assembly 2 decreases
inversely. Bracket pin 8 is inserted through aperture 12 and one of
apertures 10 to enable the device to be assembled to prevent base
bracket 4 from separating from brack 6. As can be seen, a plurality
of apertures 10 and 12 are provided thereby accommodating different
sizes for the assembly to accommodate different sizes of the ladder
(used as support structure).
[0048] Shown in FIG. 8 is a perspective environmental view of two
adjustable portable power tool support assemblies 2 secured to
ordinary ladder 26 in parallel, each having a rotary power saw 32
mounted thereon. As demonstrated in FIG. 2, securing two adjustable
portable power tool support assemblies 2 to an ordinary ladder 26
or other material in parallel allows for simultaneous multiple cuts
of piece of lumber 54 at varying angles, thereby increasing
efficiency. The same elements have the same numbers and function in
the same manner. The difference, however, is that once a
multiplicity of devices 32 are integrated via the assemblage
herein, it is easier to make more accurate cuts. Indeed, wood 54
can be moved rapidly from one region to the next, and armatures for
devices 32 manipulated to create more exactly cuts to occur, while
minimizing the time otherwise necessary to readjust or reposition
multiple devices and the wood (or other material) 54 for cutting,
drilling and other like kind actions.
[0049] In order to show the full facility of the inventive device
herein, FIG. 9 reveals the use of power drill 52. All other
elements are the same as in the other drawings. In the instance,
spacer 56 is shown to support wood (or other material) 54 so that
54 can be moved rapidly and spaces between drill holes quickly
established. It should be appreciate by one of ordinary skill in
the art that a multiplicity of devices can be employed in tandem,
such that drilling, cutting, and the like actions can occur
sequentially without the need to set up each individual piece of
equipment. Thus, for example, if a large job requires a
multiplicity of different actions, the within invention can be set
by once and all such actions sequentially occurring on a plurality
of materials 54 in rapid and exacting fashion.
[0050] It should be further appreciated by one of ordinary skill in
the art that while an essentially rectilinear, cubicular base
assembly 3 is shown, a circular, semi-circular, elliptical or other
configuration may be utilized without deviation from the letter,
spirit or claims of the invention herein.
[0051] While there have shown, described and pointed out
fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred
embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions
and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device
illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in
the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is
the invention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the
scope of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *