U.S. patent application number 12/125745 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-26 for sawhorse.
This patent application is currently assigned to ZAG Industries, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Eitan LANDAU.
Application Number | 20090288914 12/125745 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40862749 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090288914 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LANDAU; Eitan |
November 26, 2009 |
SAWHORSE
Abstract
A sawhorse includes a pair of identical support members and a
connector structure. Each support member includes a pair of spaced
apart legs, and an upper work surface for supporting a work-piece.
The upper work surface is integrally formed with the legs. Each
support member includes an integrally formed hinge portion directly
connectable with the hinge portion of the other support member. The
connector structure is arranged to connect an intermediate portion
of the support members to one another.
Inventors: |
LANDAU; Eitan; (Ramat Gan,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP
P.O. BOX 10500
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
ZAG Industries, Ltd.
Rosh Ha'Ayin
IL
|
Family ID: |
40862749 |
Appl. No.: |
12/125745 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
182/225 ;
182/224 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25H 1/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
182/225 ;
182/224 |
International
Class: |
E04G 1/32 20060101
E04G001/32 |
Claims
1. A sawhorse, the sawhorse comprising: a pair of identical support
members, each support member comprising a pair of spaced apart
legs, and an upper work surface for supporting a work-piece, the
upper work surface being integrally formed with the legs; and each
support member having an integrally formed hinge portion directly
connectable with the hinge portion of the other support member; and
a connector structure that is arranged to connect an intermediate
portion of the support members to one another.
2. The sawhorse of claim 1, wherein the upper work surface is
flat.
3. The sawhorse of claim 1, wherein the upper work surface
comprises a generally planar portion.
4. The sawhorse of claim 1, wherein the hinge portion of each
support member comprises a plurality of openings and a plurality of
projections.
5. The sawhorse of claim 4, wherein the projections and the
openings of one support member are configured to engage with the
openings and projections of the other support member.
6. The sawhorse of claim 4, wherein the projections and the
openings of one support member are spaced apart so that the
projections and the openings of the other support member are
configured to fit therebetween.
7. The sawhorse of claim 4, wherein the support members are offset
with respect to each other to align the openings and the
projections of one support member with the projections and the
openings of the other support member.
8. The sawhorse of claim 7, wherein the aligned openings and the
projections are secured to each other by sliding support members
horizontally in opposite directions with respect to each other.
9. The sawhorse of claim 4, wherein the projections and the
openings are spaced apart alternatively along each support
member.
10. The sawhorse of claim 4, wherein a group of projections that
are spaced apart from each other are followed by a group of
openings that are spaced apart from each other.
11. The sawhorse of claim 1, wherein the identical support members
are each constructed as a unitary, molded plastic structure.
12. The sawhorse of claim 1, wherein the connector structure
includes a first portion foldably attached to a second portion.
13. The sawhorse of claim 12, wherein the connector structure is
configured to move between a folded position and an operative
position.
14. The sawhorse of claim 13, wherein the first portion and the
second portion are generally parallel and disposed between the
support members, when the connector structure is placed in the
folded position.
15. The sawhorse of claim 12, wherein one end of the first portion
is configured to connect with the intermediate portion of one
support member and the other end of the first portion is configured
to connect with the second portion via a hinge.
16. The sawhorse of claim 12, wherein one end of the second portion
is configured to connect with the first portion via the hinge and
the other end of the second portion is releasably connected with
the intermediate portion of the other support member.
17. The sawhorse of claim 12, wherein the second portion is
releasably connected with the intermediate portion of the other
support member by a snap connection.
18. The sawhorse of claim 17, wherein the connector structure is
configured to prevent the lateral movement between the pair of
support members, when the connector structure is in the operative
position.
19. The sawhorse of claim 18, wherein the connector structure is
configured to provide a generally planar surface that can support a
plurality of articles, when the connector structure is in the
operative position.
20. The sawhorse of claim 18, wherein the end of the second portion
that releasably connects with the intermediate portion of the other
support member includes a plurality of bosses that are configured
to engage with a plurality of tube connectors on the intermediate
portion of the other support member.
21. The sawhorse of claim 20, wherein each tube connector is
connected with the intermediate portion of the other support member
at opposite ends of the tube connector.
22. The sawhorse of claim 1, wherein the sawhorse is pivotally
movable about the hinge portions, when connected, between a folded
storage position and an expanded operative position.
23. The sawhorse of claim 22, wherein the upper work surfaces of
the two support members are disposed in substantially the same
plane when the sawhorse is in the operative position.
24. The sawhorse of claim 1, wherein the upper work surfaces of the
support members form a V-shaped notch.
25. The sawhorse of claim 23, wherein the upper work surfaces of
the support members form a V-shaped notch.
26. The sawhorse of claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion
comprises a cross member.
27. The sawhorse of claim 25, wherein the upper work surfaces
comprise at least one transverse notch.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a sawhorse.
[0002] A sawhorse is a movable frame or trestle for supporting wood
or another work-piece while it is being sawed or for supporting
plates to provide working spaces. With their wide base, sawhorses
provide stable support for a work-piece. Traditionally sawhorses
were made of wood or metal, however, following the technological
progress of the plastic industry, sawhorses are nowadays also
available from plastic materials. The present invention provides
several improvements over the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One aspect of the present invention provides a sawhorse. The
sawhorse includes a pair of identical support members, and a
connector structure. Each support member includes a pair of spaced
apart legs, and an upper work surface for supporting a work-piece.
The upper work surface being integrally formed with the legs. Each
support member includes an integrally formed hinge portion directly
connectable with the hinge portion of the other support member. The
connector structure is arranged to connect an intermediate portion
of the support members to one another.
[0004] These and other aspects of the present invention, as well as
the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of
structure and the combination of parts and economies of
manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the
following description and the appended claims with reference to the
accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this
specification, wherein like reference numerals designate
corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly
understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of
illustration and description only and are not intended as a
definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the
specification and in the claims, the singular form of "a", "an",
and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a side view of a sawhorse in an operative position
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support member with a
connector structure attached to the support member in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of hinge
members, including a plurality of projections and a plurality of
openings, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a top view of two support members being offset
with respect to each other before being connected to each other in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 4a is a partial cross-section view of the two support
members shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a top view of two, offset support members being
pushed towards each other to connect the two support members with
each other in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 5A is a partial cross-section view of the two support
members shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a top view of two support members sliding against
each other to connect the two support members in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 6a is a partial cross-section view of the two support
members shown in FIG. 6 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a side view of the sawhorse in folded position, in
which the connector structure is shown (partially in phantom lines)
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of the sawhorse in an operative
position with the connector structure being moved from a folded
position to an operative position in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a side view of the sawhorse in the operative
position with the connector structure being moved from the folded
position to the operative position in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 10A is a cross-section view of the connector structure
attached to one support member in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 10B is a partial perspective view of the connector
structure with a pin and engagement members in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the releasable connection
between the connector structure and the other support member in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a sawhorse 10 in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention. The sawhorse 10 may generally include a
pair of identical support members 12 and 14, and a connector
structure 16. Each support member 12 or 14 includes a pair of
spaced apart legs 18 and 20 (as shown in FIG. 2), and an upper work
surface 22 for supporting a work-piece (not shown). The work
surface 22 is integrally formed with the legs 18 and 20. Each
support member 12 or 14 includes an integrally formed hinge portion
24 directly connectable with the hinge portion 24 of the other
support member 14 or 12 respectively. The connector structure 16 is
arranged to connect an intermediate portion 26 of the support
members 12 and 14 to one another.
[0021] The sawhorse 10 may be configured to move between a folded
position (as shown in FIG. 7) to an operative position (as shown in
FIG. 1). In the operative position, the sawhorse 10 is configured
to support work-pieces or plates that provide working spaces. In
the operative position, the first and the second support members 12
and 14 are diverging (e.g., outwardly and downwardly) away from
each other to form an A-shaped structure. In this operative
position, the support members 12 and 14 are pivoted to an unfolded
or expanded configuration. The extent of unfolding may be limited
by interengaging surfaces between the support members 12 and 14,
such as toward the hinge portions 24, or by the connector structure
16. In the operative position, in one embodiment, the work surfaces
22 of each support member 12 and 14 may include portions 68 thereof
that lie in substantially the same plane to define a two-portion
planar work surface. Such planar work surface defined by surfaces
68 may be substantially horizontal when the support members 12 and
14 are unfolded or expanded to the configuration illustrated in
FIG. 1. In addition work surfaces 22 may additionally provide a
pair of surface portions 70 (one on each support member 12 and 14)
that together define a 90.degree. V-shaped notch disposed to
receive the orthogonal surfaces of a work-piece (such as the corner
of a 2'.times.4' piece of wood). The sawhorse 10 may be moved into
the folded position simply by pivoting the connector structure 16
about hinge 44 (by moving hinge 44 upwards), and then by
manipulating the sawhorse 10 so that the first and the second
support members 12 and 14 pivot about the hinge portion 24 and come
in close proximity to each other due to gravity or by manually
pivoting them closed. In another embodiment, the sawhorse 10 may be
moved into the folded position by releasing the connector structure
16 from the intermediate portion 26 of the support member 14, and
then manually folding the sawhorse 10 to bring the first and the
second support members 12 and 14 come in close proximity to each
other (e.g., see FIGS. 8 and 9). In the folded position, the first
and the second support members 12 and 14 are generally placed in a
side by side contacting relation with each other to form a compact
structure that may easily be transported from one place to another
or stored.
[0022] Also, as will be clear from the discussions later with
respect to FIGS. 7, the first and the second support members 12 and
14 may easily be disconnected from each other, thus, enabling the
first and the second support members 12 and 14 to be stored
separately. The first and the second support members 12 and 14 that
are stored separately may easily be connected back to each other,
without the need for any tools or additional fasteners.
[0023] The first and second support members 12, 14 are each
individual integral structures and are generally each made of a
suitable molded plastic (e.g., by injection molding). As the first
and the second support members 12, 14 can be formed from the same
mold, the first and second support members 12, 14 are generally
identical to each other.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows the first support member 12, which includes the
pair of spaced apart leg members 18, 20, the upper work surface 22,
the intermediate portion 26, and the plurality of integrally formed
hinge portion 24. In one embodiment, the spaced apart leg members
18, 20 may generally be parallel to each other. In another
embodiment, the spaced apart leg members 18, 20 may generally be
angularly diverging (e.g., outwardly, downwardly or otherwise) with
respect on each other. In one embodiment, each leg member 18 or 20
may generally include a C-shaped or channel cross-sectional
configuration. It should be appreciated, however, that this is but
one example of different types of leg member shapes, configurations
and/or constructions that can be provided.
[0025] In one embodiment, the thickness of each leg member 18 or 20
may increase as the leg member 18 or 20 joins an upper member 62.
In one embodiment, the thickness of each leg member 18 or 20 may
increase near the lower free end 152 thereof so as to provide
stability and balance to the sawhorse 10 when the sawhorse 10 is in
the operative position.
[0026] The upper member 62 is a cross member that connects the leg
members 18 and 20 at an upper portion thereof. The intermediate
portion 26 ("intermediate portion" refers herein to a region on the
legs 18, 20 between the free ends 152 and the hinge portion 24) of
each leg member 18, 20 defines a region that includes some
structure that allows a connector structure to be connected
thereto. As one example, the intermediate portion 26 of the legs
18, 20 may accommodate a cross-member 29 as shown in FIG. 2. This
is but one example, and in another arrangement, any structure, pin,
opening or connector can be provided at the intermediate portions
26 to permit a connection therebetween. The cross member 29 or
other structure may optionally be considered to be part of the
intermediate portions 26. However, the connector structure 16 can
take any form to prevent spreading of the support members 12, 14 or
additional structural support for support members 12, 14 and need
not utilize cross member 29 for accomplishing this. In addition
there is no need for connector structure 16 to be able to provide
any support surface for supporting articles, although it is an
option to provide such connector structure 16 with such article
supporting functionality.
[0027] In one embodiment, the upper member 62, the cross member 29,
and the leg members 18 and 20 define an opening 64 therebetween. In
one embodiment, the opening 64 may be configured to receive the
connector structure 16, when placed in a folded configuration (as
shown in FIG. 7). In one embodiment, a structure 200 that includes
a pair of inwardly protruding members is located on each leg member
18 or 20 to support a cord. In one embodiment, the structure 200 is
in the form of a hook.
[0028] The hinge portion 24 may be located along the length of the
upper member 62. The hinge portion 24 may include a plurality of
first hinge members 102 and a plurality of second hinge members
104, as seen in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the plurality of first
hinge members 102 may include projections 28, and the plurality of
second hinge members 104 may include openings 30. In one
embodiment, the first hinge members 102 with the projections 28,
and the second hinge members 104 with the openings 30 are spaced
apart alternatively along the length of each support member 12 or
14. In the illustrated embodiment, a group of first hinge members
102 with the projections 28 that are spaced apart from each other
are followed by a group of second hinge members 104 with the
openings 30 that are spaced apart from each other. The spacings may
generally be equidistant in one embodiment.
[0029] In one embodiment, the hinge portion 24 (e.g., with the
openings 30 and with the projections 28) are integrally molded with
the inner surface 66 of the upper portion 62 of the first support
member 12. In another embodiment, as noted above, the integrally
molded hinge portion 24 may be accommodated in a notch 65.
[0030] The upper work surface 22, for supporting a work-piece (not
shown), is also integrally formed with the legs 18 and 20 of the
support members 12 or 14 in the upper portion 62 thereof. The upper
work surface 22 may optionally include the two separate portions 68
and 70, so that the two support members 12, 14 can provide both a
planar work surface portion as well as a notched 90.degree. work
surface portion. The horizontal surface 68, the angular surface 70
and an adjacent vertical surface 72 may be joined to each other
along the length of their adjacent edges. Referring back to FIG. 1,
when the sawhorse 10 is in the operative position, the vertical
surface 72 of the first support member 12 is placed in a side by
side contacting relation with the vertical surface 72 of the second
support member 14. In this embodiment, the surfaces 72 may operate
as stop surfaces to limit the amount of outward expansion of the
support members 12, 14. In one embodiment, the surfaces 72 are
disposed at a right angle (90.degree.) with respect to the surfaces
68. When the sawhorse 10 is placed in the operative position, the
angular surface 70 of the first support member 12 and the angular
surface 70 of the second support member 14 together form the
90.degree. V-shaped notch 76 as previously described. When the
sawhorse 10 is placed in the operative position, the angular
surfaces 70 and the horizontal surfaces 68 are configured to
support the loads applied by a work-piece (not shown).
[0031] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper work
surface 22 may include one or more transverse notches 74 located in
the upper work surface 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper
work surface includes two notches 74. The notches 74 may be
configured to support and secure a work-piece on a lateral cut-out
surface 75 of the upper work surface 22. In another embodiment, the
upper work surface 22 may include only one notch or may not include
notches. Similarly the work surface 22 may only include the planar
work surface formed by surfaces 68, or only the V-shaped notch
76.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector structure 16
includes a first portion 40 and a second portion 42. The first
portion 40 of the connector structure 16 may be foldably attached
(as will be seen in FIG. 7) to the second portion 42 by the hinge
44. The operation of the connector structure 16 between a folded
position (as shown in FIG. 7) and an operative position (as shown
in FIG. 1) will be clear from the discussions with respect to FIGS.
8-11.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the second portion 42 of the connector
structure 16 includes peripheral wall portions 48 and 50, an
inwardly sloping wall portion 52 and a support surface 54. The
peripheral wall portions 48 and 50 are attached on either side of
the second portion 42. The inwardly sloping wall portion 52 is
disposed along a portion of the second portion 42 on a side that is
away from the hinge 44. The peripheral wall portions 48 and 50 and
the inwardly sloping wall portion 52 are configured to surround the
support surface 54 along three sides of the second portion 42 to
define an area 58 to support articles, such as tools, or the like.
As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the second portion 42 may
include an opening 56 located on the support surface 54. The
structure of the first portion 40 of the connector structure 16 is
the same as the structure of the second portion 42, and hence will
not be discussed in detail here. However, in one embodiment, the
way in which the first portion 40 is connected to the support
member 12 or 14 is different from the way in which the second
portion 40 is connected to the support member 14 or 12, as will be
explained in the discussions later with respect to the FIGS.
8-11.
[0034] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the hinge 44 of the
connector structure 16 may include a plurality of cylindrical
members 76 and a plurality of hollow members 78 integrally formed
on the first portion 40, and a plurality of cylindrical members 76
and a plurality of hollow members 78 integrally formed on the
second portion 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of
cylindrical members 76 and the plurality of hollow members 78 that
located on the first portion 40 or the second portion 42 are
constructed and arranged such that a group of cylindrical members
76 are followed by a group of hollow members 78. In another
embodiment, the plurality of cylindrical members 76 and the
plurality of hollow members 78 located on the first portion 40 are
constructed and arranged such that cylindrical member 76 and hollow
member 78 are placed alternatively along the length of the first
portion 40 or the second portion 42. The plurality of cylindrical
members 76 on one portion 40 or 42 are configured to connect with
the plurality of hollow members 78 on the other portion 42 or 40 to
foldably and pivotably connect the first portion 40 and the second
portion 42. In this embodiment, the cylindrical members 76 may
include solid cylindrical cross-section. In another embodiment, the
hinge 44 may include a plurality of cylindrical members 76
integrally formed on both the first portion 40 and the second
portion 42. In this embodiment, the first portion 40 and the second
portion 42 are foldably and pivotably connected to each other using
a pin (not shown), which passes through an opening (not shown) in
the cylindrical members 76 to foldably and pivotably connect the
first portion 40 and the second portion 42. It should be
appreciated, that different types of hinge shapes, configurations
and/or constructions are contemplated as long as the hinge 44
foldably and pivotably connects the first portion 40 with the
second portion 42.
[0035] As the structure and construction of the second support
member 14 is identical to the structure and construction of the
first support member 12, the structure and construction of the
second support member 14 is not discussed in detail here. However,
the connection between the intermediate portion 26 of the second
support member 14 and the connector structure 16 is different from
the connection between the intermediate portion 26 of the first
support member 12 and the connector structure 16, as will be
explained in the discussions later with respect to the FIGS. 10 and
11.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows the detailed view of the hinge portion 24
integrally formed on the first support member 12. As noted above,
in one embodiment, the hinge portion 24 includes the plurality of
first hinge members 104 with the openings 30, and the plurality of
second hinge members 102 with projections 28. Each first hinge
member 104 may be in the form a boss with opening 30 extending
therethrough in a side portion thereof. Each second hinge member
102 may include a connector member 106 and the projection 28. The
projection 28 is constructed and arranged to be extending from the
connector member 106 in a side portion thereof. In the illustrated
embodiment, the connector member 106 may be in the form of a boss.
The projections 28 and the openings 30 attached to the first
support member 12 are configured to engage with the openings 30 and
projections 28 on the second support member 14 to connect the first
and second support members 12 and 14. In one embodiment, each
projection 28 is formed on the first support member 12 at the
connector member 106. In one embodiment, the projections 28 and the
openings 30 formed on first support member 12 are spaced apart so
that the openings 30 and the projections 28 attached to the second
support member 14 are configured to fit therebetween.
[0037] FIGS. 4-6A show the process of connecting two identical
support members 12 and 14 of the sawhorse 10 with each other. As
shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the first support member 12 and the second
support member 14 are longitudinally offset by a distance A with
respect to each other so that the first hinge members 102 are
configured to be received in spaces 114 between two consecutive
second hinge members 104, or the second hinge members 104 are
configured to be received in spaces 112 between two first hinge
members 102. Once the first support member 12 and the second
support member 14 are offset with respect to each other, the first
support member 12 and the second support member 14 are moved or
pushed towards each other in the direction of the arrow A as shown
in FIGS. 5 and 5A. When the first support members 12 and the second
support member 14 are pushed towards each other, each second hinge
member 104 is configured to be received in the space 112 between
two first hinge members 102, and/or each first hinge member 102 is
configured to be received in the space 114 between two consecutive
second hinge members 104. After the first hinge members 102 and the
second hinge members 104 are received in the spaces 114 and 112
respectively, the first support member 12 and the second support
member 14 are slid in opposite direction as shown with an arrow B
away from each other as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A. The sliding
movement of the first support member 12 against the second support
member 14 causes the projections 28 of the first hinge members 102
to be received in the openings 30 of the second hinge members 104,
thus, connecting the first support member 12 and the second support
member 14.
[0038] In one embodiment, the projections 28 are received in
openings 30 with little frictional engagement therebetween. In
another embodiment, a friction fit may be formed, wherein the
friction nevertheless permits frictionally damped pivoting
movement. In another embodiment, the projections 28 may form a snap
type connection with openings 30.
[0039] In one embodiment, when connector structure 16 is connection
between the intermediate portions 26 (e.g., via cross member 29),
the connector structure 16 can serve to prevent relative
longitudinal displacement between the two support members 12, 14 so
as to prevent the projections 28 from being moved out from openings
30.
[0040] FIG. 7 shows the sawhorse 10 in the folded position with the
first support member 12 and the second support member 14 connected
to each other. In this embodiment, the connector structure 16 is in
folded position and is shown partially in phantom lines.
[0041] Referring FIGS. 4-7, in one embodiment, the sawhorse 10 may
be disassembled easily (after the connector structure 16 is
disconnected, in one embodiment) by sliding the first support
member 12 and the second support member 14 in opposite directions
(e.g., in a direction opposite to arrow B in FIG. 6). When the
first support member 12 and the second support member 14 are slid
in opposite directions (e.g., in the direction opposite to arrow B
in FIG. 6), the projections 28 and the openings 30 on the first
support member 12 are disengaged from the corresponding openings 30
and projections 28 on the second support member 14. After the
projections 28 and the openings 30 on the first support member 12
are disengaged from the corresponding openings 30 and projections
28 on the second support member 14, the first support member 12 and
the second support member 14 are moved apart from each other and
stored separately. When a user wants to use the sawhorse 10, the
first support member 12 and the second support member 14 may be
easily connected back to each other, as explained in detail with
respect to FIGS. 4-6A, without the need for tools or additional
parts (e.g., fasteners).
[0042] FIGS. 8 and 9 show the sawhorse 10 in the operative position
and the connector structure 16 being moved from the folded
configuration to an operative configuration. The connector
structure 16 is pivotally connected between the intermediate
portions 26 of the first and second support members 12 and 14. In
one embodiment, the connector structure 16 is operatively
associated with the support members 12 and 14 such that movement of
the sawhorse 10 between its folded and operative positions moves
the connector structure 16 between the folded position and the
operative position.
[0043] In the operative position, as shown in FIG. 1, the first
portion 40 and the second portion 42 of the connector structure 16
generally lie in a same plane to provide a flat surface 46 (e.g., a
shelf) to support the plurality of articles, such as tools or the
like. When placed in operative position, the connector structure 16
also limits or prevents any lateral movement between the support
members 12 and 14.
[0044] When the connector structure 16 is in the folded position
(as shown in FIG. 7), the first portion 40 and the second portion
42 are generally disposed in side-by-side contacting relation to
each other. In one embodiment, the first portion 40 and the second
portion 42 are generally disposed parallel to each other.
[0045] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10A, the first portion
40 of the connector structure 16 is permanently connected to the
intermediate portion 26 (e.g., cross member 29 thereof) of the
first support member 12 using a pin 120. As shown in the
illustrated embodiment, the first support member 12 may include an
opening 122 to accommodate the pin 120, thus, attaching the first
portion 40 to the intermediate portion 26 of the first support
member 12. In one embodiment, the connector structure 16 may
include two pins 120 that are located on each side of the first
portion 40 of the connector portion 16 to attach the connector
structure 16 to the cross member 29 of the intermediate portion 26.
In one embodiment, the first portion 40 of the connector structure
16 may include a plurality of attachment members 86 that are
constructed and arranged to connect the first portion 40 of the
connector structure 16 with the intermediate portion 26 (e.g.,
cross member 29 thereof). FIG. 10B shows a partial perspective view
of the connector structure 16 with the attachment member 86 and the
pin 120 that are used to attach the first portion 40 of the
connector structure 16 to the cross member 29 of the intermediate
portion 26 (as shown in FIG. 10A). It should be appreciated,
however, that this embodiment is but one example of different types
of retainer or fastening structure shapes, configurations and/or
constructions that can be provided. In another embodiment, the
first portion 40 of the connector structure 16 is permanently
connected to the intermediate portion 26 of the first support
member 12 by other fastening mechanisms as would be appreciated by
one skilled in the art.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 11, the second portion 42 of the connector
structure 16 is releasably connected to the intermediate portion 26
(e.g., cross member portion 29 of intermediate portion 26) of the
second support member 14 by a snap connection. The second portion
42 includes an end 80 that is away from the hinge 44. The end 80 of
the second portion 42 includes a plurality of mating members 82,
which are configured to engage with a plurality of engaging members
84 on the cross member portion 29 of intermediate portion 26 of the
second support member 14. In one embodiment, each mating member 82
may include a bent (e.g., hook-shaped) portion 86. The engaging
member 82 is integrally formed on the cross member portion 29 of
intermediate portion 26. In one embodiment, each engaging member 84
of the cross member portion 29 of intermediate portion 26 is in the
form of a solid cylindrical member 88, that are separated from one
another by a plurality of ribs 90. The plurality of bent portions
86 are separated from each other by a recess 92 having a length d
that is slightly more than the length of the separation ribs 90.
Each cylindrical member 88 of the cross member portion 29 of
intermediate portion 26 is configured to engage with the bent
portion 86 of the mating member 82, and each rib 90 is configured
to engage with the recess 92 to releasably connect the second
portion 42 of the connector structure 16 with intermediate portion
26 of the second support member 14 by a snap connection. It should
be appreciated, however, that this embodiment is but one example of
different types of mating and engaging member shapes,
configurations and/or constructions that can be provided. It is
contemplated that a pin and a hole connection, a hook and a loop
connection, friction fit or other releasably connections as would
be appreciated by one skilled in the art may be used to connect the
second portion 42 of the connector structure 16 with the
intermediate portion 26 of the second support member 14.
[0047] Although in the illustrated embodiment discussed above, the
connector structure 16 is permanently attached to the first support
member 12 and releasably connected to the second support member 14,
it is contemplated that in another embodiment the connector
structure 16 may be permanently attached to both support members
12, 14 by a pin as previously described to prevent disassembly by
the user. In another embodiment, the connector structure 16 is
releasably attached to both support members 12, 14 as previously
described.
[0048] In one embodiment, the entire structure associated with
first support member 12 is integrally molded as a single or unitary
plastic piece, including the upper work surface 22 thereof,
including the hinge portion 24 thereof, and the legs 18, 20
thereof. The same is true for the identically formed second support
member 14.
[0049] Although the invention has been described in detail for the
purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be
the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be
understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the
contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent
arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present
invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more
features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more
features of any other embodiment.
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