Storage Apparatus for Woodworking Clamps

Abstract

A woodworking clamp storage apparatus provides storage and organization for one or more woodworking clamps. The storage apparatus stores the clamps in a manner that allows for convenient accessibility while protecting the clamps from damage. The storage apparatus organizes the clamps so that woodworking projects may be completed more efficiently. In one embodiment, the storage apparatus comprises an upper and lower support having two or more openings. The upper and lower support may be attached to one or more side supports. A stop may be located below the lower support. Woodworking clamps may be inserted through the openings of the upper and lower support and be held off the ground by the stop. The clamps may be held substantially vertically to allow easy accessibility. A variety of shaped openings may be used to categorize or organize the woodworking clamps in the storage apparatus.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates generally to woodworking and in particular to method and apparatus for storing woodworking clamps.[0003]2. Related Art[0004]Woodworking clamps are essential tools to carpenters, woodworkers, and other craftsman. As is known, such clamps may be used to hold one or more pieces of wood in place for cutting or shaping. In addition, clamps may be used to hold pieces of wood together as they are attached together such as by glue, staples, nails, and screws. Clamps also increase safety because they prevent wood from inadvertently slipping or moving which may cause a tool to slip and injure its user.[0005]Because woodworking clamps have so many uses, it is common for one person or workshop to have numerous clamps of various shapes and sizes. When attaching pieces of wood together, each clamp typically holds a relatively small portion of the wood and this is another reason it is common to have numerous clam...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The woodworking clamp storage apparatus disclosed herein provides convenient storage and organization for a plurality of woodworking clamps. The woodworking clamps stored in the storage apparatus are protected from damage and are easily accessible. Woodworking clamps are also organized and held up off the floor. In one or more embodiments, the storage apparatus organizes the woodworking clamps according to their size, type, or other characteristic. This makes woodworking more efficient because individual woodworking clamps are readily located and easily accessible even in large collections of clamps. In addition, workshop clutter is reduced which increases safety as while reducing the likelihood of damage to woodworking clamps and other tools.

[0012]The one or more of the plurality of first openings at a front of the storage apparatus may be a first shape, and one or more of the plurality of the first openings at a back of the storage apparatus may be a second shape. The first shape and second shape may help organize storage of one or more woodworking clamps by accepting only certain of the one or more woodworking clamps. For example, the plurality of first openings may be larger than the plurality of second openings to accept woodworking clamps that the second openings cannot.

[0013]The storage apparatus may include one or more upper reinforcing members between the first side support and the second side support. If included, a top edge of the one or more upper reinforcing members may be attached to the upper support to increase the rigidity of the upper support. One or more lower reinforcing members between the first side support and the second side support may also or alternatively be provided. Similar to the upper reinforcing members, a top edge of the one or more lower reinforcing members may be attached to the lower support to increase the rigidity of the lower support. It is noted that one or more sides of the one or more lower reinforcing members may be attached to the stop such as to further increase support of the stop.

[0014]In mobile variants, the storage apparatus may include one or more wheels attached to the stop. The wheels may be under rather than on one or more sides of the storage apparatus to reduce the floor area occupied by the storage apparatus and to prevent tipping.

Problems solved by technology

This adds to the weight of the clamps making it difficult to move a large number of the clamps easily.

In addition, clamps can be long or large exacerbating problems when moving or storing the clamps.

However, these and other traditional clamp storage devices generally require more effort than necessary to securely store clamps, especially when the storage device is mobile.

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