U.S. patent application number 12/152186 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-19 for metal-top welding table.
Invention is credited to Harry Wong.
Application Number | 20090283021 12/152186 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41314918 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090283021 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wong; Harry |
November 19, 2009 |
Metal-top welding table
Abstract
A welding table used in welding industry and woodworking
applications comprises a metal table top with retractable carrying
handle and elongated slots for insertion of clamping tools, a
protrusion-adjustable angle flange with V-notch mounted to at least
one edge of the table top, a support structure having an angle and
height adjusting mechanism, and a foldable base frame with
casters.
Inventors: |
Wong; Harry; (South
Pasadena, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PAUL WANG
7141 PARAMOUNT BLVD.
PICO RIVERA
CA
90660-3769
US
|
Family ID: |
41314918 |
Appl. No.: |
12/152186 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/116 ;
108/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25H 1/18 20130101; B25H
1/16 20130101; B25H 1/04 20130101; B23K 37/0461 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/116 ;
108/115 |
International
Class: |
A47B 9/06 20060101
A47B009/06; A47B 3/083 20060101 A47B003/083 |
Claims
1. A welding table comprising a flat table top with at least one
protrusion-adjustable angle flange and more than one elongated
slots, a support structure having angle and height adjusting
mechanism, and a foldable base frame with casters.
2. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said table top
is made of sheet metal.
3. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said table top
has four fold-down edges with at least two screw holes on each said
fold-down edge.
4. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said angle
flange is a metal angle bar.
5. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said angle
flange is equipped with at least two elongated holes on one side
for mounting screws and equipped with one or more elongated slots
on the other side for clamping tool insertion.
6. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein the position of
said angle flange is adjustable and fixed by loosening and
tightening wing screws so that its top edge can be set below said
table top or above said table top to form a guide rail to hold a
workpiece.
7. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein two of said
angle flange may be mounted to two adjacent fold-down edges of said
table top to form a right angle guide rail to align two workpieces
at 90 degree spatial relationship.
8. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein one edge of said
angle flange is equipped with at least one V-notch.
9. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said table top
is equipped with at least one elongated slot for the insertion of
clamping tools.
10. The welding table according to claim 9, wherein the straight
edge of said elongated slot is bent downward to a proper depth to
increase the strength of said table top and to create a suitable
thickness of said table top for the mounting of clamping tools.
11. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said support
structure comprises two straight shanks, two semicircular plates
with semicircular slots, two mounting plates, and two locking
handles; each said semicircular plate is mounted to one edge of
said table top through each said mounting plate.
12. The welding table according to claim 11, wherein each said
semicircular plate is equipped with a semicircular slot with
notches at 0-degree, 30-degree and 80-degree positions, each said
semicircular plate is pivoted to each said straight shank so that
said table top can be rotated about said straight shank and latched
at 0-degree, 30-degree or 80-degree relative to the horizontal
position with said locking handles.
13. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein said base frame
comprises two U-shape frames and two square tubes with triangular
plate at one end.
14. The welding table according to claim 13, wherein the internal
size of each said square tube is big enough to accept the insertion
of said straight shank and allow the sliding of said straight shank
inside said square tube; a plurality of holes of the same size are
made on the body of each said square tube and each said straight
shank for the insertion of a locking pin to hold said straight
shank at certain position relative to said square tube so that the
height of said table top is adjustable relative to said base
frame.
15. The welding table according to claim 13, wherein each said
U-shape frame is pivoted to said triangular plates on said square
tubes.
16. The welding table according to claim 13, wherein one of said
U-shape frame is equipped with two casters.
17. The welding table according to claim 1, wherein a retractable
handle is equipped on one said fold-down edge of said table top.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a class of portable
workbench in general, and particularly to a metal-top welding table
used in welding industry and woodworking applications. The present
invention comprises a metal table top with retractable carrying
handle and elongated slots for insertion of clamping tools, a
protrusion-adjustable angle flange with V-notch mounted to at least
one edge of the table top, a support structure having an angle and
height adjusting mechanism, and a foldable base frame with
casters.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A portable workbench used in welding industry and
woodworking applications typically comprises a flat table top with
a number of round holes for inserting clamping tools. The flat
table top is either made of plastic material to reduce the weight
for portability in the expense of strength and rigidity or made of
heavy solid metal plates for rigidity but too heavy for
portability. The table tops of most workbenches are flat without
flanges. Some prior arts equipped with flanges to hold the
workpiece but the flanges are not adjustable. On the other hand,
almost all the portable workbenches are designed for holding flat
or rectangular workpieces. For cylindrical workpiece, a special
clamping tool is required to hold it easily and firmly. It is the
intention of the present invention to solve these problems or
inconvenience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention comprises a flat table top with
protrusion-adjustable angle flanges and elongated slots, a support
structure having an angle and height adjusting mechanism, and a
foldable base frame with casters.
[0006] The rectangular flat table top is made of sheet metal for
rigidity without adding too much weight to the present invention.
The four edges of the table top are bent downward to form four
fold-down edges. At proper location of the flat table top, a
plurality of elongated slots are equipped for the insertion of
clamping tools. Elongated slots accepts clamping tools with
cylindrical shanks as well as most other types of clamping tools,
say C-clamps, bar clamps, etc. This will increase the flexibility
and convenience of the present invention. The straight edge of each
elongated slot is bent downward to a proper depth to increase the
strength of the table top and to create a thickness of the table
top for clamping tool usage.
[0007] At least one fold-down edge of the table top is made with
two or more screw holes for the mounting of the angle flange. The
angle flange is equipped with two or more elongated holes on one
side for mounting to one of the fold-down edge of the table top
with wing screws. The angle flange is equipped with one or more
elongated slots on the other side for the mounting of additional
clamping tool if necessary. The position of the angle flange
relative to the table top is adjustable so that the upper edge of
the angle flange is below the table top or protrude above the table
top. The amount of protrusion is variable utilizing the elongated
holes on the angle flange and the wing screws. When the upper edge
of the angle flange protrudes above the table top, workpiece can be
held against the angle flange by clamping tool. When adjacent
fold-down edges of the table top are equipped with angle flanges,
then the two protruded adjacent angle flanges form a right angle
guide rail to align two workpieces at 90 degree spatial
relationship easily. At least one V-notch is formed on the upper
edge of the angle flange to hold cylindrical or bar shape workpiece
firmly and easily on the table top. This feature adds more
flexibility to the present invention.
[0008] The flat table top is mounted on a support structure which
comprises two straight shanks, two semicircular plates with
semicircular slots, and locking handles. The two straight shanks
are square in cross section and equipped with holes along its
length. These holes are used to adjust the height of the flat table
top when the two straight shanks are inserted to the foldable base
frame. The two semicircular plates are fixed to two opposite edges
of the flat table top through two mounting plates, and pivoted to
the two straight shanks so that the table top may be rotated about
the pivots with the semicircular plates. On each semicircular
plate, a semicircular slot is equipped. Along the semicircular
slot, notches are made at 0-degree, 30-degree and 80-degree
positions. This enables the table top to be rotated and positioned
at 0 degree, 30 degrees and 80 degrees relative to the horizontal
position. At 0 degree, the table top is positioned horizontally for
normal working condition. At 30 degrees, the table top is under
special inclined working position. The table top is folded at
80-degree position for storage or transportation. Once the table
top is rotated to the desired angle, it can be locked in position
by turning the two locking handles.
[0009] The foldable base frame consists of two sets of U-shape
frames and two square tubes with triangular plates. The internal
size of each square tube is big enough so that the straight shank
of the support structure can be inserted and slidable inside the
square tube. Holes are made on two opposite sides of the square
tubes for inserting pins to adjust and fix the height of the table
top. One set of the U-shape frame is pivoted to one corner of the
triangular plates and the other set of the U-shape frame is pivoted
to the other corner of the triangular plates. Hence the U-shape
frames are pulled open to form a sturdy stand for the table top and
pushed close for easy storage and portability. Two casters are
fixed to one set of the U-shape frames for easy transportation of
the present invention. To enhance the easy handling of the present
invention, a retractable handle is equipped on one fold-down edge
of the table top. With this retractable handle, the present
invention can be carried or pulled on casters with one hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention showing the
table top and the foldable base frame at partially folded
position;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one design of the angle
flange;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative design of the
angle flange;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention
holding a cylindrical workpiece utilizing an alternative design of
the angle flange with V-notches;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective bottom view of the table top;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a top view of the table top; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the table top taken
along section A-A in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] With the help of the drawings and the detail description
below, the features of the present invention will be apparent and
fully understandable.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a
rectangular flat table top 1 with protrusion-adjustable angle
flange 11 and elongated slots 12, a support structure 6 having an
angle and height adjusting mechanism, and a foldable base frame 7
with casters 251.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the flat table top 1
is made of sheet metal for rigidity without adding too much weight
on the present invention. At proper location of the flat table top
1, a plurality of elongated slots 12 are equipped for the insertion
of clamping tools with cylindrical shanks as well as other types of
clamping tools such as C-clamps, bar clamps, etc. Cylindrical tool
holes on table top cannot accept C-clamps or bar clamps. The
straight edge 121 of each elongated slot is bent downward to a
proper depth to form a thickness of the table top for clamping tool
usage and strengthen the rigidity of the flat table top 1. The four
edges of the table top 1 are bent downward to form four fold-down
edges. At least one fold-down edge of the table top 1 is made with
two or more screw holes or slots 13 for the mounting of angle
flange 11. The angle flange 11 is equipped with two or more
elongated holes 111 on one side and at least one elongated slot
112A on the other side as shown in FIG. 4. The elongated holes 111
are used to fix the angle flange 11 to the fold-down edge of the
table top 1 with wing screws 115 as shown in FIG. 2. With the
elongated holes 111, the position of the angle flange 11 relative
to the working surface of the flat table top 1 is adjustable. If
the upper edge of the angle flange 11 is placed lower than the
working surface of the table top 1, a completely flat working
surface free of obstruction is available. When the upper edge of
the angle flange 11 protrudes above the working surface of the
table top 1, a guide rail is formed for the workpiece. A second
angle flange may be fixed to the adjacent edge of the flat table
top 1 as shown in FIG. 1 to form a right angle guide rail to align
two workpieces at 90 degree spatial relationship. The elongated
slot 112A is used for the inserting of clamping tools including
C-clamps or bar clamps. FIG. 5 shows an alternative design of the
angle flange 11B with two or more elongated holes 111 on one side
and at least one round holes 112B on the other side for the
insertion of clamping tools with cylindrical shank. Referring to
FIG. 6, at least one V-notch 114 can be formed on the upper edge of
the angle flange 11C. The V-notch provides a convenient and sturdy
means to hold cylindrical workpiece 3 or bar shape workpiece.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the flat table
top 1 is mounted on a support structure 6 which comprises two
straight shanks 23, two semicircular plates 22 with semicircular
slots 221, and two locking handles (not shown). The two straight
shanks 23 are square in cross section and equipped with holes 231
along its lengths. The two straight shanks 23 are inserted to the
foldable base frame 7 and these holes 231 are used to adjust the
height of the flat table top 1 and locked in position when the
desired height is reached. The two semicircular plates 22 are fixed
to two opposite edges of the table top 1 through mounting plates
21. And each semicircular plate 22 is pivoted to each straight
shank 23 so that the table top 1 may be rotated about the pivots
and hence the angle of the flat table top 1 relative to the
straight shank 23 is adjustable. Each semicircular plate 22
consists of a semicircular slot 221 with notches at 0-degree 2213,
30-degree 2212 and 80-degree 2211 positions. These enable the flat
table top 1 to be rotated and locked in position at 0 degree, 30
degrees or 80 degrees relative to the horizontal position. At
0-degree position, the flat table top 1 is positioned horizontally
for normal working condition. At 30-degree position, the flat table
top 1 is under special inclined working position. And the flat
table top 1 is folded at 80-degree position for storage or
transportation. Once the flat table top is rotated to the desired
angle, it can be locked in position by turning the two locking
handles (not shown).
[0023] Still referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the foldable
base frame 7 comprises two sets of U-shape frames 25 and two square
tubes 26 with triangular plate 24. The internal size of each square
tube 26 is big enough so that the straight shank 23 can be inserted
and slidable inside it. Holes are made on two opposite sides of
each square tube 26 for inserting of a pin to hold each straight
shank 23 at certain position relative to the square tube 26. This
design provides a means to adjust the height of the flat table top
1. One set of the U-shape frame 25 is pivoted to one corner of the
triangular plates 24 and the other set of the U-shape frame 25 is
pivoted to the other corner of the triangular plates 24. Hence the
U-shape frames can be pulled open to form a sturdy stand for the
flat table top 1 and pushed close (partially folded as shown in
FIG. 3) for easy storage and portability. Two casters 251 are
mounted on one set of the U-shape frame 25 for easy transportation
of the present invention. To enhance the easy handling of the
present invention, a retractable handle (not shown) is equipped on
one edge of the flat table top 1. When the present invention is in
folded condition, the retractable handle provides a convenient
means for the present invention to be carried or pulled on casters
with one hand.
* * * * *