Apparatus for use with power tools
AssigneePower Box AG
InventorsRobert Firth, Marcus Nicholson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for use with at least one module comprising a base with, or for the receipt of, a power tool. The module base is received in a recess, aperture or slot defined in a frame. Engagement means are provided to allow the module to be releasably engaged in position, and guide means to allow the accurate introduction and removal of the module from the frame is provided. A plurality of support legs is also provided, movable between a first extended position holding a top surface of the frame at a first distance from a support surface on which the legs are located, and a second position in which at least a portion of the legs are folded or retracted such that the top surface is positioned with a gap at a reduced distance from the support surface.
Claims17
Apparatus (2) for use with at least one type of power tool to perform a power tool operation on a workpiece, said apparatus (2) comprising a frame (12) defining a slot, recess or aperture (14) in which is selectively received one of a plurality of modules,
- each module including a base (60) for the reception of or carrying at least one power tool thereon, said base (60) is received in said slot, recess or aperture (14) and engaged with the frame (12) to secure one of the plurality of modules in position to thereby form, in combination, a work surface on which the workpiece is positioned during the operation of the at least one type of power tool,
- wherein the frame (12) includes a plurality of support legs (4, 6, 8, 10), said support legs movable to a first extended position holding a top surface (66) of the frame (12) at a first distance from a support surface (26) on which the legs are located and a second position in which the legs (4, 6, 8, 10) are folded or retracted towards the base, out of contact with the support surface (26),
- the apparatus (2) being supported by feet portions (4′, 6′, 8′, 10′) in the second position such that the said top surface (66) is positioned with a gap (28), defined between an underside of the frame (12) and the support surface (26), which is a reduced distance compared to the first distance in the first position, thereby allowing the apparatus (2) to be used at the first distance and also at the reduced distance, and
- wherein said reduced distance (28) is sufficiently large so as to allow said at least one power tool received on or carried by the at least one module base (60) to be used when the support legs (4, 6, 8, 10) are in the second position and the apparatus (2) is supported by the feet portions (4′, 6′, 8′, 10′).
A method of using an apparatus for use with at least one type of power tool to perform a power tool operation on a workpiece, said method including the steps of:
- providing an apparatus having a frame (12) defining a slot, recess or aperture (14) in which is selectively received one of a plurality of modules, selected by a user, each including a base (60) for reception of or carrying at least one power tool thereon;
- positioning said base (60) in said slot, recess or aperture (14) and engaging the frame (12) to secure the module in position thereby forming, in combination, a work surface on which the workpiece is to be positioned during the operation of the power tool, wherein the frame (12) includes a plurality of support legs (4, 6, 8, 10), said support legs being selectively moved by a user between a first extended position holding a top surface (66) of the frame (12) at a first distance from a support surface (26) on which the legs are located, and a second position in which the legs (4, 6, 8, 10) are folded or retracted towards the base, out of contact with the support surface (26), the apparatus being supported by feet portions (4′, 6′, 8′, 10′) such that the said top surface (66) is positioned with a gap (28), located between a frame underside and the support surface (26), which is a reduced distance compared to the first distance in the first position, thereby allowing the apparatus (2) to be used at both the first distance and also at the reduced distance, and wherein said reduced distance (28) is sufficiently large so as to allow said at least one power tool received on or carried by the at least one module base (60) to be used when the support legs (4, 6, 8, 10) are in the second position and the apparatus is supported by the feet portions (4′, 6′, 8′, 10′).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.