US4483524A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Unitary latching and release means for portable foldable workbench
Assignee: Black and Decker Inc
•
Filing: 1984-01-31
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Granted: 1984-11-20
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Expires: 2004-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A pair of manually-manipulatable spring-loaded buttons are accessible outwardly of the side walls of a pair of respective vise brackets secured beneath the table of a portable foldable workbench. When the buttons are pressed laterally inwardly, respective latching mechanisms are released to enable the workbench to be raised from a lowered storage position into an erected working position, and vice-versa. The buttons facilitate a rapid movement of the workbench from one position to another, and the buttons are conveniently located on the workbench for improved ergonomics.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Basten
- 👤 Peter Oxley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:40
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25H; B25H1/00; B25H1/02; B25H1/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S269/00; Y10S269/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
In a portable workbench having an erected position and a storage position, the combination of a base, a table formed integrally with a vise and including a pair of vise jaws movable relative to each other for clamping a workpiece therebetween, a supporting structure between the base and the table, the supporting structure including a pair of spaced vise brackets, means including a pair of independently-operable screw-threaded rods carried by the brackets, respectively, for moving the vise jaws relative to one another, means for collapsing the supporting structure to enable the workbench to be moved from its erected position into its storage position, first latching means to retain the workbench in its erected position, second latching means to retain the workbench in its storage position, and a single unitary means selectively operable in either the erected or storage position of the workbench to release the first and second latching means, respectively, to thereafter enable the workbench to be moved from one position into another position, said last-named means including a single manually-manipulatable member extending laterally outwardly of each bracket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a portable workbench having an erected position and a storage position, the combination of a base, a table formed integrally with a vise and including a pair of vise jaws movable relative to each other for clamping a workpiece therebetween, a supporting structure between the base and the table, the supporting structure including a pair of spaced vise brackets, means including a pair of independently-operable screw-threaded rods carried by the brackets, respectively, for moving the vise jaws relative to one another, means for collapsing the supporting structure to enable the workbench to be moved from its erected position into its storage position, first latching means to retain the workbench in its erected position, second latching means to retain the workbench in its storage position, and a single unitary means selectively operable in either the erected or storage position of the workbench to release the first and second latching means, respectively, to thereafter enable the workbench to be moved from one position into another position, said last-named means including a single manually-manipulatable member extending laterally outwardly of each bracket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination claimed in claim 1, wherein: the supporting structure further including two transverse pivoted supporting struts, each one connected to a respective vise bracket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination claimed in claim 2, wherein: the first latching means being automatically operative between a pivoted supporting strut and a respective vise bracket as the workbench is raised into its erected position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination claimed in claim 3, further comprising: first resilient means, having a bias force, for maintaining the first latching means in an engaged position in the erected position of the workbench.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination claimed in claim 4, wherein: the single manually-manipulatable member including a button adapted to be pressed laterally inwardly of the vise bracket and against the bias force of the first resilient means to release the first latching means, thereby enabling the supporting strut to be pivoted relative to the vise bracket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination claimed in claim 2, wherein: the second latching means being automatically operative between a vise bracket and the base as the workbench is folded into its lowered position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination claimed in claim 6, further comprising: second resilient means, having a bias force, for maintaining the second latching means in an engaged position in the lowered position of the workbench.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination claimed in claim 7, wherein: the single manually-manipulatable member being movable laterally inwardly against the bias force of the second resilient means to release the second latching means, thereby disconnecting the bracket from the base and enabling the workbench to be raised.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination claimed in claim 2, further comprising: first resilient means for maintaining the first latching means in an engaged position in the erected position of the workbench; and second resilient means for maintaining the second latching means in an engaged position in the lowered position of the workbench.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
121 words
The combination claimed in claim 9, wherein: each vise bracket having a side wall defining a slotted opening having an end; said first latching means including a raised emboss formed on one side of each vise bracket side wall near said slotted opening end, and a shouldered stud connected to one end of each supporting strut and being slideably movable in said slotted opening, whereby the supporting strut is carried conjointly with the stud, said stud further being normally located at said one end of the slotted opening adjacent to said raised emboss in the erected position of the workbench; and each manually-manipulatable member including a button secured to the stud on the other side of the vise bracket side wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination claimed in claim 10, wherein: said first resilient means including a spring finger connected to the button and bearing against the side wall of the vise bracket, the stud being cleared from the raised emboss responsive to depression of the button laterally inwardly against the bias of the spring fingers, whereby the stud is enabled to slide in one direction within the slotted opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination claimed in claim 11, wherein: the stud being received at the other end of the slotted opening in the lowered position of the workbench.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination claimed in claim 12, wherein: the second resilient means including a spring latch connected to each vise bracket transversely of the slotted opening and overlying the stud in the lowered position of the workbench; and the second latching means including an opening formed in the base, and an end portion formed on the spring latch engageable with said base opening to retain the workbench in its lowered position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination claimed in claim 13, wherein: the latch end portion being cleared from the base responsive to laterally inward depression of the button to push the stud against the bias of the latch, thereby enabling the workbench to be raised.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination claimed in claim 14, wherein: the workbench being retained in its erected position responsive to sliding movement of the stud in the opposite direction within the slotted opening until said stud slides over the raised emboss with a snap-action.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-11-20 | 1988-05-21 | 1988-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-20 | 1992-05-21 | 1992-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-20 | 1996-05-21 | 1996-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |