Working device with transportable working support

Abstract

The invention relates to a working device (1) having a working support (2) which can assume a working configuration for the use of the working support according to the specification and can assume a transport configuration for the transport of the working support. The working support (2) has a support body (4) suitable for placing an object and a leg structure (8, 9) arranged on the support body (4) in a position-variable manner. According to the invention, during transport of the working support (2), a transport container (3) with a carrying handle (13), which can be related to separate device components with respect to the working support (2) or can be related to direct components of the working support (2) forming the support body (4), acts together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a working device having a transportable working support.

[0002] The working support comprises a support body extending in the longitudinal direction of the support and defining an object support surface, and two leg structures which are variably mounted or can be mounted on the support body at leg fixing interfaces arranged at intervals from each other in the longitudinal direction of the support.

[0003] And wherein the working support can be selectively brought into a working configuration for realizing its prescribed use, having a leg structure protruding from the support body transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support into a use position, or brought into a transport configuration provided for transporting the working support, having a leg structure moving close to the support body into a non-use position. Background Art

[0004] A working device of this type, known from US 2007 / 0131306 A1, comprises a working support having a beam-shaped support body and two leg structures, each consisting of two legs, which are pivotably supported on the support body at leg fixing interfaces arranged spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the support body. The leg structures can be positioned in a use position tilted away from the support body, defining a working configuration of the working support, in which the working support, placed on any bottom surface, can be used for work, wherein an object to be processed can be placed on the upward-pointing object support surface of the support body. The object can, for example, be a workpiece to be processed by a machine. For simplified transport between different locations of use, the working support can be reconfigured into a transport configuration by tilting the leg structures closer to the support body into a non-use position. A handle can be provided on the support body. An extension arm that can be pulled out can be used to increase the object support surface of the working support.

[0005] US Pat. No. 4,155,386 discloses a foldable workbench having two wooden boards defining a work surface and two leg structures mounted on the wooden boards at a distance from one another. Each leg structure has two legs that can be pivoted relative to one another and can be fixed in a mutually spaced apart position.

[0006] From EP 2 450 156 B1 it is known to equip foldable sawing stands with a locking mechanism, by means of which the two sawing stands can be coupled to one another for joint transport.

[0007] EP 0 555 533 B1 discloses a stackable box that can be used as a transport container and is equipped with a coupling system that allows a plurality of boxes stacked on top of each other to be detachably coupled to one another to obtain a stack that can be transported together. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing a working device equipped with a transportable working frame, which has a working frame that can be transported in a space-saving manner and easily by hand.

[0009] In order to achieve this object, in a working device in combination with the features mentioned at the outset, it is provided that the support body can be reconfigured to shorten the working frame so that the distance between the two leg fastening interfaces is smaller in the transport configuration of the working frame than in the working configuration.

[0010] The working device also has a transport container with a container interior, in cooperation with which the working support can be transported in a transport configuration that is shortened compared to the working configuration, wherein the transport container has at least one carrying handle that can be grasped for transporting the working support by hand.

[0011] The working device according to the present invention allows for space-saving and convenient transport of the associated work stand. The handling required to transport the work stand is comparable to that required when using any transport container used for other transport purposes, which facilitates simple interaction with the work stand. For transport, the work stand can be shortened relative to its operating length through simple reconfiguration, allowing the dimensions of the transport container used to transport the work stand to match those of common storage containers used for transporting power tools or other tools. This allows for space-saving integration into a system using stackable and uniformly transportable containers, if required. For manual transport of the work stand, at least one carrying handle of the transport container associated with the working device can be used. In the transport configuration of the work stand, not only is the stand length shortened, but the lateral dimensions of the work stand are also reduced due to the leg structure moving closer to the support body. This gives the working device extremely compact dimensions in this transport configuration, simplifying both manual transport and placement in a service vehicle, along with other transport containers, as needed. To implement the working device, the work support can be combined with a separate transport container, for example, so that the work support can be used as intended without the transport container and is to be combined with the transport container to form a transport unit only for the purpose of transport. However, the transport container can also function directly as a support for the work support in other cases, so that it forms an integral component of the work support both during its intended use and during its transport.

[0012] Advantageous developments of the invention are revealed in the dependent claims.

[0013] In order to keep the dimensions of the transport container as small as possible and nevertheless to achieve a conveniently usable height distance between the object support surface and the bottom surface (on which the work stand is placed) in the working configuration when using the work stand, it is expedient that the height of the leg arrangement measured vertically in the working configuration is greater than the height of the transport container placed on the bottom surface as required.

[0014] Independent of whether it functions simultaneously as a transport container or not, the support of the work stand advantageously has a multi-part design, i.e., two support elements, each of which has one of the two leg fastening interfaces and can be moved relative to one another to change the spacing between the two leg fastening interfaces. The two support elements can be displaced relative to one another, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the stand, wherein telescopic properties can be provided. In another embodiment, the two support elements can be pivotable relative to one another, so that the support can be flipped together for the purpose of shortening the length for reconfiguration.

[0015] Each leg structure is advantageously arranged at its associated leg attachment interface so that it can pivot relative to the support body. This allows the leg structure to be tilted away from the support body in its operating position when the work stand is in its working configuration, and to be tilted toward the support body in its non-operating position when the work stand is in its transport configuration. The leg attachment interface is preferably designed as a pivoting bearing. Because the leg structure preferably has a permanent connection to the support body, inadvertent loss, such as on a construction site with endless space, can be avoided. Furthermore, operations for reconfiguring the work stand can be performed very quickly and easily.

[0016] The two leg structures can be implemented as structures that can be operated in a unified manner. For example, each leg structure includes a single leg with a relatively large vertical surface to obtain high vertical stability. For example, a T-shaped design includes a T-shaped crosspiece as a lowering section that can be lowered onto the bottom surface. In another preferred embodiment, each of the two leg structures includes two independent legs, which, due to correspondingly designed leg securing structures, can be pivoted relative to the support body between a non-use position and a use position, and can be pivoted relative to each other in a transverse direction of the support perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support for tilting toward and away from each other. Each leg structure advantageously includes a stabilizing mechanism for releasably securing the diverging position, such as a pivotable reinforcement strut or a latching mechanism.

[0017] Instead of being mounted via a pivoting support, the leg structure can also be fastened to the support body by means of a plug-in connection, wherein the leg fastening interfaces are designed as plug-in interfaces. In the working configuration of the work stand, each leg structure is plugged onto the support body via the associated leg fastening interface when in its operating position, and is removed from the support body in the transport configuration of the work stand to assume its non-operating position. In the transport configuration, the removed leg structure is moved closer to the support body by being placed next to or in the support body after removal, for example by being placed in a transport container of the work stand.

[0018] Preferably, each of the two leg structures is designed to be telescopically variable in length, wherein in the use position they are extended from one another and in the non-use position they are pushed together and have a shorter overall length than in the use position. In this way, the leg structures can be shortened for a particularly space-saving transport configuration of the work stand, that is, independently of the height level of the object support surface when the leg structures are extended from one another in the use position.

[0019] Independent of whether the transport container is designed separately from the work stand or forms a support for the work stand, it is advantageous if the transport container has two container elements arranged opposite each other in the height direction of the container, which can be pivoted relative to each other to preset either a closed position, which closes the container interior, or an open position, which allows access to the container interior. When the transport container is used as a support, the container height direction can be oriented, depending on the design of the work stand, in particular in a vertical height direction of the stand or in a horizontal transverse direction of the stand. At least one carrying handle is arranged on the outside of one of the two container elements, by which the work stand can be grasped for manual transport of the transport container. Preferably, the carrying handle, which is designed as a bow-shaped handle, is located on the outer side of the other container element, opposite the one container element.

[0020] For combined use with transport containers for other transport tasks, it has proven particularly advantageous if the transport container of the work device has a rectangular plan view with, in particular, sides of unequal length, preferably in a format of approximately 40 cm to 30 cm.

[0021] Preferably, a transport container that can be used to transport the work supports is equipped with a coupling system that is designed to stack the transport container on top of at least one additional storage container having the same type of coupling system and to couple the containers to each other so that they cannot be detached from one another to form a stack of containers that can be transported together. This opens up the advantageous possibility of transporting and storing the work supports in combination with storage containers (which, for example, contain tools typically used on construction sites) in a space-saving and loss-proof manner. Such additional storage containers can, for example, be equipped with power tools such as cordless screwdrivers, saws, or grinding machines.

[0022] The coupling system for the transport container preferably comprises an upper coupling mechanism in the region of the container's upper side and a lower coupling mechanism in the region of the container's lower side. The two coupling mechanisms are adapted so that by coupling the upper and lower coupling mechanisms facing each other, stacked containers can be detachably connected to one another in a non-removable manner. In the coupled state, a pull-resistant assembly is formed in the stacking direction, which can be detached by uncoupling the associated coupling mechanisms. By lifting the topmost container, which can be a transport container of a work stand or other storage container, the entire container stack assembly can be lifted and transported.

[0023] In a simple design, the working device only comprises a working support with an integrated or additional transport container. In an improved embodiment, the working device additionally comprises one or more storage containers, which have the same type of coupling system as the transport container and can be detachably coupled to the transport container of the working support.

[0024] As explained at the outset, the work stand can be a separate device component of the working device relative to the transport container. In the working configuration, it is separated from the transport container and can be used independently of the transport container as required. For transport, the work stand is coupled to the transport container in the transport configuration to form a transport unit that can be transported by grasping at least one carrying handle of the transport container. This design has the advantage that commercially available transport containers can be used without or with minimal modifications to implement the working device.

[0025] A particularly simple implementation of the basic concept of a transport container with separate work supports is to use the interior of the transport container to accommodate the work supports in the transport configuration in order to form a transport unit. The work supports in the transport configuration can then be placed into the interior of the transport container using a simple handle to form a transport unit.

[0026] In this regard, it is advantageous if the transport container has two container elements, already mentioned above, that are pivotally articulated to one another, one of which forms the container bottom and the other forms the container lid arranged on the container bottom. To preset the closed or open state of the transport container, the container lid can be selectively positioned between a closed position, which seals the container interior and can be releasably locked, and an open position, which allows access to the container interior. At least one, and preferably only one, carrying handle is expediently arranged externally on the container lid, in particular on the upper side of the container lid facing away from the container bottom.

[0027] In the case of transport containers that are separated with respect to the work supports, it is advantageous if the transport container has external retaining structures to which the work supports in the transport configuration can be detachably fixed or fixed to form the aforementioned transport unit. This opens up the possibility of using the container interior of a transport container that is externally equipped with work supports in the reduced transport configuration for other storage purposes, for example, for accommodating power tools or other processing machines.

[0028] To realize the transport unit, the same transport container can be designed so that it can be used alternatively to either place the work support in the container interior or to fasten it to the outside of the container. In this way, it is also possible, in particular, to transport two work supports brought into the transport configuration simultaneously by having one arranged in the container interior and the other arranged externally on the container housing.

[0029] The holding structure for the work stand for external attachment to the transport container is expediently arranged on an outer surface of the transport container oriented orthogonally to the height direction of the container, wherein the transport container has at least one carrying handle, in particular on the upper side of the container oriented in the height direction. The dimensions of the work stand in the transport configuration are preferably reduced such that the work stand attached to the transport container extends only within the contour of the outer surface of the container on which the holding structure is provided.

[0030] As also mentioned at the outset, in a preferred embodiment of the working device, the transport container is a directly integrated component of the working support, wherein the transport container forms the support body of the working support. In other words, the transport container and the support body represent the same component of the working support. This eliminates the need for a separate transport container. In this way, the working device can be implemented with a particularly small number of components. Furthermore, the transport container cannot be lost during use of the working support.

[0031] A possible improvement of the working device is that the leg structure is arranged externally on a support body that also serves as a transport container in the transport configuration of the working stand. The leg structure is, for example, flipped toward the support body or, after previously being removed from the support body, is externally fixed to the support body in another way. The container interior of the transport container or the support body can then be used for other storage purposes. However, a preferred improvement of the working device is that in the transport configuration of the working stand, the container interior of the transport container forming the support body defines a storage space for accommodating the two supporting leg structures in the non-use position, so that the leg structure is placed in the support body when the working stand is transported. This results in a particularly space-saving arrangement, in which the leg structure does not protrude beyond the outer contour of the transport container in a disruptive manner.

[0032] Advantageously, the accommodation space for the working support has a rectangular outline. Preferably, the entire interior of the container is used as accommodation space for the working support. Optimal space utilization is achieved when the leg structure, in its non-use position, is accommodated in the accommodation space in an orientation diagonal to the rectangular outline. If the supporting leg structure is constructed in a multi-component manner to enable a change in its length in the longitudinal direction, in particular as a telescopic leg structure, the available diagonal length of the accommodation space makes it possible to accommodate only a two-component leg structure, the two leg elements of which are long enough to define a leg length in the use position, which leg length ensures a sufficient working height of the support surface of the support body.

[0033] Preferably, the transport container, which simultaneously functions as a support, has two container elements fixed to one another in a swinging manner, which respectively form one of the two support elements of the support. In the working configuration of the working support, the two support elements occupy a flipped-open position arranged one after another in the longitudinal direction of the support and in the transport configuration of the working support, they occupy a flipped-closed position arranged side by side orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the support. Each support element has one of the two leg fixing interfaces. The swing angle for changing the configuration is preferably 180 degrees. The two support elements expediently have the same length in the longitudinal direction of the support. When the support is flipped open, the length of the support is particularly doubled.

[0034] The two leg fixing interfaces are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the support in the working configuration of the working support. This can also be the case in the transport configuration, however, with a smaller spacing than in the working configuration.

[0035] The leg fastening interfaces are advantageously arranged side by side in the transport configuration of the working stand transversely to the longitudinal direction of the stand, which means, depending on the orientation of the pivot axis, that the leg fastening interfaces are positioned side by side in the transverse direction of the stand or in the height direction of the stand. Preferably, the leg fastening interfaces are at the same height relative to the longitudinal direction of the stand in the folded-up configuration of the support.

[0036] Each of the two support elements advantageously has two mutually opposing axial end faces oriented in the longitudinal direction of the stent, which in particular have at least a substantially rectangular contour. In successive positions of the support elements, one of the end faces of one support element faces the end face of the other support element, wherein the end faces in particular abut against one another, thereby supporting the two support elements and providing a high degree of stability for the unfolded support. In the region of the two end faces, which face one another in successive positions, the two support elements are advantageously fixed to one another in a pivotable manner by means of a hinge mechanism, wherein the hinge mechanism defines a pivot axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the stent.

[0037] The support body is particularly dimensioned such that it has outer sides of varying lengths, with its maximum length extending in one direction. Preferably, when the support elements are folded together, the support body has an at least substantially square outline, with one of the three edges of the square being longer than the other two and defining the aforementioned maximum length of the support body. The support bodies are preferably arranged such that (when viewed side by side) their maximum length extends in the longitudinal direction of the stent, so that when the support elements are folded open, the length of the support body increases in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the maximum length. In particular, the maximum length doubles in length.

[0038] The pivot axis, defined in particular by the hinge mechanism, about which the two support elements can be pivoted relative to one another for a position change, preferably extends in a horizontal support transverse direction perpendicular to the support longitudinal direction or in a vertical support height direction perpendicular to the support longitudinal direction. In the case of a support having a maximum length according to the above explanations, it is advantageous if the pivot axis runs perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the maximum length.

[0039] When the work support is positioned in its working configuration and ready for operation, the two support elements can be mounted on each other in a pivotable manner, in particular either with a horizontally oriented pivot axis or with a vertically oriented pivot axis. In this way, it is possible to influence in particular which outer side of the support elements defines the object support surface in successive positions.

[0040] Each of the two supporting elements preferably has an object support surface section on its upper side, which is oriented in a support height direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support and perpendicular to the transverse direction of the support. When the working support is ready for use, each object support surface section points vertically upwards. In the unfolded, successive positions of the two supporting elements, the object support surface sections complement the strip-shaped object support surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the support. The object support surface sections of the two supporting elements can, for example, be arranged on the outsides of the two supporting elements, so that when the two supporting elements are positioned side by side, they are side by side and point in the same direction, or they face away from each other when the two supporting elements are positioned side by side. In this way, for example, it is possible to influence whether the strip-shaped object support surface has a narrow shape or a relatively wide shape.

[0041] Each object support surface section can be configured on a replaceable support plate of its associated support element. This allows for replacement in the event of damage. It is also possible to selectively mount support plates of differently configured object support surface sections.

[0042] Each object support surface section can have a fastening structure for fastening an external object, for example in order to be able to clamp a workpiece to be processed by means of a clamping device.

[0043] Advantageously, the support body has at least one locking mechanism that allows the two support elements to be releasably fixed against pivoting relative to one another both in a position adjacent to one another and in a position adjacent to one another. The locking mechanism can have a respective locking unit for securing the two positions. Each locking unit can be designed, for example, as a tensioning lock.

[0044] Preferably, the two support elements each have a receiving deepening that is open on the side facing the respective other support element when the support elements are positioned side by side, and the receiving deepenings jointly delimit the container interior when the support elements are positioned side by side. To realize the receiving deepenings, the support elements in question are expediently designed in a hood-like manner.

[0045] The container interior bounded by the two receiving deepenings can form a receiving space for the support leg structure as a whole. However, for optimal use of the container interior, it is advantageous if the receiving deepening of each support element is divided into a plurality of receiving compartments by at least one partition wall, so that the container interior formed when the support elements are positioned side by side has a plurality of interior compartments, one of which forms a receiving space for the support leg structure in its non-use position, and at least one further interior compartment is provided for receiving additional objects, such as tools.

[0046] Advantageously, one of the two supporting elements has at least one carrying handle on its outer side facing away from the other supporting element when the two supporting elements are arranged side by side. Advantageously, the other of the two supporting elements has a lowering foot structure on its outer side facing away from the other supporting element when the two supporting elements are arranged side by side, which lowering foot structure can be used to lower the transport unit onto the base. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0048] Figure 1 A preferred first embodiment of a working device according to the invention is shown, which has a transport container separated from the working support, wherein the formation of the functional unit consisting of the working support and the transport container is explained in the operating sequence explained by the figures (a) to (f).

[0049] Figure 2 Corresponding to Figure 1 The present invention shows another working device with a working support and a transport container separated therefrom,

[0050] Figure 3 A further preferred embodiment of the working device according to the invention is shown, which has a transport container which is integrated into the working support while forming a support body, wherein the working support is shown in a ready-to-use condition in which it is lowered in a working configuration onto a base surface formed, for example, by a building floor.

[0051] Figure 4 Shown in perspective bottom view from Figure 3 The working support is again in the working configuration, wherein the region of the locking mechanism framed by a dot-dash line is further illustrated separately in an enlarged detail.

[0052] Figure 5 Based on the Figure 3 A side view of the sight direction of arrow V is shown in the middle configuration Figure 3 and Figure 4 The working support, in the intermediate configuration, the leg structure is compared to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , into a non-use position folded close to the still unfolded support body, wherein additionally, some areas of the support body or transport container with respect to the locking mechanism are depicted in separate detail enlargements (a), (b) and (c) in an alternative embodiment,

[0053] Figure 6 Use corresponding to Figure 4The relative sight direction of arrow VI shows the direction from Figure 5 Components,

[0054] Figure 7 Show Figures 3 to 6 the working device in the ready-to-transport transport configuration of the working stand,

[0055] Figure 8 The working device is shown in the ready-to-use condition of the working support relative to the Figures 3 to 7 , wherein an advantageous possibility for designing and arranging the leg arrangement is shown, wherein, in addition to the usage position, a non-usage position is also shown by dashed lines,

[0056] Figure 9 Shows the working device relative to Figures 3 to 8 The embodiment is modified to have a similar Figure 3 The work stand is shown in a ready-to-use condition, wherein, compared to Figures 3 to 8 a design in which the support body formed by the transport container has an orientation rotated by 90 degrees, wherein the leg arrangement is preferably not pivotable and is instead removably fastened to the support body via a plug-in interface, wherein a leg of one of the leg arrangements is additionally indicated by a dash-dotted line in the state removed from the support body,

[0057] Figure 10 an exploded illustration of a container stack assembly showing a transport container including a working device, wherein the transport container is shown in a position arranged vertically between two storage containers used for other purposes, and

[0058] Figure 11 Shown from Figure 10 FIG. 1 shows a container stack composite in a state where the individual containers are stacked on top of each other, wherein some details of a coupling system provided for coupling the containers can be seen in a modular manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Unless otherwise specified in individual cases, the following description relates to all exemplary embodiments of the working device according to the invention, which are designated in their entirety by the reference numeral “ 1 ”.

[0060] The working device 1 comprises a transportable working support 2 and a transport container 3 which can be used when transporting the working support 2. The working support 2 has a support body 4 on which an object to be processed (not illustrated in detail in the drawings) can be placed when the working support 2 is used as intended.

[0061] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2In the working device 1, the working support 2 and the transport container 3 are constructed as separate device components of the working device 1, which are only combined to form a work support 2 for transporting the working support 2. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The transport unit 5 can be seen in Figure (f). Figures 3 to 9 In the embodiment of the invention, the transport container 3 is a directly integrated component of the work stand 2, wherein it forms the support 4, so that the transport container 3 and the support 4 are the same object. When referring to the transport container 3 below, it corresponds to Figures 3 to 9 The work stand 2 with the integrated transport container 3 is also referred to as the support body 4 .

[0062] exist Figure 10 and Figure 11 In the embodiment, the transport container 3 that can be coupled to one or more further containers, referred to as storage containers 7, to form a container composite 6 can be not only a transport container that is separate from the working support 2 but can also be a transport container 3 that is integrated into the working support 2 as a support body 4.

[0063] The work support 2 can be switched manually between two design configurations that are particularly relevant for its operation. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Figure (a) and from Figure 3 、 4 , 8 and 9, and involves the working configuration from Figure 1 and 2 Figure (f) and from Figure 7 、 10 and 11. The working configuration is provided for the intended use of the working stand 2, wherein the working stand 2 is lowered in a ready-to-use position with its two associated leg structures 8, 9, hereinafter also referred to as first and second leg structures 8, 9, onto any desired, in particular horizontal, bottom surface 12. Figure 1 and 2 In Figure (a) and in Figure 3 、 8 and 9. The bottom surface 12 belongs, for example, to a building floor or to any free surface outside the building.

[0064] The transport configuration is provided for simple and compact transport of the work stand 2, wherein the transport can be carried out by hand in conjunction with the already mentioned transport container 3, that is to say manually, i.e. using a carrying handle 13 that can be grasped by hand, which is a particularly integrated component of the transport container 3.

[0065] The transport container 3 can have a plurality of carrying handles 13 which can be used alternatively or cumulatively for transport purposes, wherein the present description relates to an embodiment with a single carrying handle 13 and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0066] In its ready-for-use state, the working stand 2 in its working configuration has a stand longitudinal axis 15a extending along the stand longitudinal direction 15, a stand transverse direction 16 perpendicular to the stand longitudinal direction 15, formed by the axial direction of a stand transverse axis 16a, and a stand height direction 17 perpendicular to both the stand longitudinal direction 15 and the stand transverse direction 16, the stand height direction being the axial direction of a stand height axis 17a. In the ready-for-use state, the stand longitudinal direction 15 and the stand transverse direction 16 regularly run at least substantially horizontally, while the stand height direction 17 is oriented vertically. Unless otherwise specified in individual cases, the following embodiments relate to this orientation of the working stand 2 in its working configuration or ready-for-use state.

[0067] The support body 4 extends in the longitudinal direction 15 of the stent. Preferably, it has a longitudinal extension with a maximum length extending in the longitudinal direction 15 of the stent. The support body 4 corresponds, for example, to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Constructed into a beam shape or corresponding to Figure 3 and Figure 9 Constructed into a plate shape.

[0068] In two areas spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction 15 of the support, one of the two leg fastening interfaces 18, 19 is formed on the support body 4, which are also referred to below as the first and second leg fastening interfaces 18, 19. The first leg structure 8 is mounted on the first leg fastening interface 18, and the second leg structure 9 is mounted on the second leg fastening interface 19 in a positionally variable manner. "Positionally variable" is to be understood as meaning that the leg fastening interfaces 18, 19 allow the relative position between the leg structures 8, 9 and the support body 4 to be changed.

[0069] In the working configuration of the working support 2, the two leg structures 8, 9 each assume a use position protruding from the support body 4 transversely to the support longitudinal direction 15. In the ready-for-use state, the leg structures 8, 9 extend downward from the support body 4. Each leg structure 8, 9 has an upper end section, hereinafter referred to as a coupling section 21, associated with the leg fastening interface 18, 19, and an opposite lower end section, which forms a lowering section 22, with which the leg structure 8, 9 can be lowered onto the base 12.

[0070] By the above-mentioned position change of the leg structures 8, 9, the transport configuration of the working stand 2 can be established. In this case, the leg structures 8, 9 each assume a non-use position moved closer to the support body 4, which can be obtained, for example, from Figure 1 (c) Figure 2 (d) Figure 5 、 Figure 7 and (dashed line) Figure 8 It can be seen in.

[0071] Suitably, the leg structures 8, 9 each have a longitudinal extension between the coupling section 21 and the lowering section 22, wherein in the transport configuration they extend along the longitudinal direction 15 of the support, either essentially parallel thereto or at an angle of inclination which is smaller than in the use position and which in particular involves an acute angle.

[0072] The support body 4 has an object support surface 23 which, when ready for use, points upward in the support height direction 17 and extends in the support longitudinal direction 15. The object support surface 23 has a strip-shaped outer shape, being narrower in the support transverse direction 16 than in the support longitudinal direction 15. The object support surface 23 is suitable for placing an object to be processed, such as a workpiece.

[0073] The object support surface 23 can be provided with a fastening structure 24 for releasably fastening a workpiece or other object to be processed and / or a processing machine. Figures 3 to 7 The fastening structure 24 can be a hole structure consisting of a plurality of fastening holes, in which the tensioning element is detachably fastened.

[0074] In the transport configuration, the working support 2 has a shorter length in the support longitudinal direction 15 than in the working configuration. This shorter length is due in particular to the shortening of the support body 4, which is designed for a corresponding length reconfiguration. The change in the length of the support body 4 is accompanied in particular by a change in the spacing between the two leg fastening interfaces 18, 19 arranged on the support body 4. The spacing between these is shorter in the transport configuration of the working support 2 than in the working configuration.

[0075] Advantageously, the two leg fixing interfaces 18, 19 are arranged at a maximum distance from one another in the longitudinal direction 15 of the support in the working configuration of the working support 2. In contrast, the mutual distance between the two leg fixing interfaces 18, 19 is smaller in the transport configuration, which also includes the case where there is no longer any distance between the two leg fixing interfaces 18, 19 in the longitudinal direction 15 of the support, because the two leg fixing interfaces 18, 19 are arranged side by side transversely to the longitudinal direction 15 of the support and accordingly are at the same height in the longitudinal direction 15 of the support. By way of example, the latter applies to Figure 1and Figures 3 to 9 In contrast, in Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, in the transport configuration, there is also a certain length distance between the two leg fixing interfaces 18 , 19 in the longitudinal direction 15 of the support.

[0076] If the support body 4 is constructed in multiple parts according to the illustrated embodiment, the length of the support body 4 can be changed particularly easily. For this purpose, it has two support elements 25, 26, which are hereinafter referred to as first support element 25 and second support element 26 for better differentiation. At least in the operating configuration, the two support elements 25, 26 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction 15 of the support.

[0077] Each support element 25, 26 has one of two object support surface sections 23a, 23b. Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 9 In the embodiment of the present invention, the object support surface 23 is supplemented. Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 , an extension element 32 with a further object support surface section can additionally be present to form the object support surface 23 .

[0078] One of the two leg fastening interfaces 18, 19 is arranged on each of the two support elements 25, 26. Advantageously, the leg fastening interfaces 18, 19 are located on the underside 27 of the support 4, opposite the object support surface 23 in the support height direction 17. Each support element 25, 26 has an end section 28 facing the front of the other support element 26, 25 in the operating configuration, and a rear end section 29 opposite thereto. The leg fastening interfaces 18, 19 are advantageously located in the region of the rear end section 29.

[0079] In order to vary the length of the support 4, the two support elements 25, 26 are displaceable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction 15 of the stent, which involves Figure 2 , and is indicated therein by a double arrow 31. The two support elements 25, 26 can be joined to each other, for example, in a telescopically displaceable manner. An extension element 32 inserted between the two support elements 25, 26 can optionally be present, which also forms a surface section of the object support surface 23. In the working configuration, the two support elements 25, 26 are pulled out of each other while maintaining the continuous structure, while in the transport configuration they are pulled apart according to the Figure 2 The arrows 31a drawn in (b) are pushed together. Figure 2 (c) shows the relative position of the two supported elements 25, 26 pushed together in the transport configuration.

[0080] In the other exemplary embodiments described, the two support elements 25, 26 can be pivoted relative to one another about a pivot axis 34 within the scope of a pivoting movement 33 indicated by a double arrow for changing the configuration. In the operating configuration, the two support elements 25, 26 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction 15 of the support, which for better differentiation is referred to as a successive position. In the transport configuration, the two support elements 25, 26 are arranged according to Figure 1 (d) and Figure 7 are placed side by side with each other, so that we can talk about their positions side by side with each other. Figure 1 (d) The two supporting elements 25, 26 are arranged horizontally next to each other, and according to Figure 7 They are arranged vertically next to each other, in other words, one above the other. It can be mentioned that the two support elements 25, 26 can be folded open into a position next to one another or folded together into a position next to one another, depending on the direction of the swiveling movement 33. The swiveling angle for the swiveling movement 33 being performed here is, by way of example, 180 degrees.

[0081] exist Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 9 In the exemplary embodiment, each support element 25 , 26 has, at its two axial end sections 28 , 29 , axial end faces 35 , 36 oriented in the stent longitudinal direction 15 . These are referred to as the front end face 35 in the case of the front end section 28 , and as the rear end face 36 in the case of the rear end section 29 . In the successive positions found during the operating configuration, the front end faces 35 of the two support elements 25 , 26 face each other and, in particular, rest against each other. This involves, in particular, a large-area contact. At the same time, the two rear end faces 36 point in opposite directions in the stent longitudinal direction 15 .

[0082] The pivot axis 34 is expediently located in the transition region between the two adjacent front end faces 35, that is, in particular, at the edge of the respective front end face 35. To define the pivot axis 34, a merely schematically indicated hinge mechanism 37 is provided, by which the two support elements 25, 26 are pivotably fixed to one another in the region of the front end faces 35. The hinge mechanism 37 comprises, for example, two hinge elements, each attached to one of the two support elements 25, 26, having mutually aligned hinge ears, through which a hinge pin is inserted, the longitudinal axis of which defines the pivot axis 34.

[0083] The preferred position of the pivot axis 34 can best be explained based on the position of the two support elements 25, 26 tilted together next to each other, for example Figure 7 As can be clearly seen in FIG. Due to the folded-together state of the two support elements 25 , 26 , the two front end faces 35 and the two rear end faces 36 are oriented in the same direction relative to one another in the longitudinal direction 15 of the support. The two front end faces 35 are at least substantially at the same height in the longitudinal direction 15 of the support, preferably lying in a common plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 15a of the support. The pivot axis 34 extends in the transition region between the two front end faces 35 , which is achieved by appropriately positioned hinge mechanisms 37 .

[0084] Each support element 25, 26 has two first and second element outer surfaces 38, 39 that lie opposite and facing away from one another. In the operating configuration, the two first element outer surfaces 38, 38, on the one hand, and the two second element outer surfaces 39, 39, on the other hand, are connected to one another and, in particular, lie in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction 15 of the support. The two first element outer surfaces 38, 38 jointly define a first side surface 42 of the folded-out support 4, while the two second element outer surfaces 39, 39 jointly define a second side surface 43 of the support 4 that lies opposite the first side surface 42 transversely to the longitudinal direction 15 of the support. In the folded-out position next to one another, the support elements 25, 26 rest their second element outer surfaces 39, 39 facing one another, so that they can support one another.

[0085] Figure 7 It is explained that the two leg fastening interfaces 18 , 19 , which are indicated here only by dashed lines, are preferably at the same height with respect to the longitudinal direction 15 of the support in the folded-together position next to one another.

[0086] The support 4 is designed in particular so that it is located between the two support elements 25, 26, for example Figure 1 (d) and Figure 7In the position of the support elements 25, 26 lying side by side, as can be seen in the figure, the support 4 has a maximum length "Lmax", which extends in the longitudinal direction 15 of the support. In any direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 15 of the support, the dimensions of the support 4 are smaller than the maximum length "Lmax" in question. This situation has the advantage that when the support elements 25, 26 are folded open, the length of the support 4 increases in the longitudinal direction of the maximum length "Lmax", which, by way of example, is actually a doubling of the length. In the folded-open position of the support elements 25, 26, the support 4 thus has a length corresponding to twice the maximum length "Lmax" of the folded-open support 4. This, combined with a support 4 that can be folded up very compactly for transport, results in a maximum usable object support surface 23 in the working configuration.

[0087] In addition to the front and rear end faces 35, 36 and the first and second element outer faces 38, 39, each carrier element 25, 26 also has two mutually opposing third and fourth element outer faces 44, 45, which are respectively oriented perpendicularly to the two end faces 35, 36 and the first and second element outer faces 38, 39. Although the first, second, third, and fourth element outer faces 38, 39, 44, 45 have the same length relative to one another in the carrier longitudinal direction 15, they differ in their width perpendicular to the carrier longitudinal direction 15. In particular, the first and second element outer faces 38, 39 have a greater width than the third and fourth element outer faces 44, 45.

[0088] Depending on how the orientation of the pivot axis 34 is selected, it can be predetermined whether one of the first and second element outer surfaces 38, 39 or one of the third and fourth element outer surfaces 44, 45 forms an object support surface section 23a, 23b which contributes to the formation of the object support surface 23. Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 8 In the embodiment, the pivot axis 34 is oriented in the vertical support height direction 17 , which causes the third element outer surfaces 44 , 44 to point vertically upward and to jointly define a relatively narrow strip-shaped object support surface 23 in the unfolded, successive positions of the support elements 25 , 26 .

[0089] In contrast, in Figure 9 In the embodiment of the embodiment of the present invention, the pivot axis 34 runs in the transverse direction 16 of the support, wherein, in the folded-over position of the support elements 25, 26, their first element outer surfaces 38, 38 are directed vertically upwards and together form the object support surface 23. In this case, the object support surface 23 also has a strip-shaped longitudinal shape, but in contrast to the Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 8 In the embodiment of the present invention, the width of the bracket is larger along the transverse direction 16 of the bracket.

[0090] That is to say, when Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 8 In the embodiment of the invention, the object support surface sections 23a, 23b of the two support elements 25, 26 are located outside the two third element outer surfaces 44, 44 (which are located next to each other and point in the same direction in the side-by-side position), so that the object support surface sections 23a, 23b are located outside the two third element outer surfaces 44, 44. Figure 9 In the embodiment of the present invention, it is arranged so that it is located between the two supporting elements 25, 26. Figure 7 In the position alongside one another as can be seen in FIG, they are arranged facing away from one another on the outer sides opposite one another, namely on the two first element outer faces 38 , 38 .

[0091] On each support element 25 , 26 , an object support surface section 23 a , 23 b can be formed on a support plate 94 , which can be replaced if necessary.

[0092] The support 4 is expediently equipped with at least one locking mechanism 46 , which enables the two support elements 25 , 26 to be fixed against pivoting relative to one another both in a position adjacent to one another and in a position following one another.

[0093] Preferably and exemplarily, the stopping mechanism 46 includes separate first and second stopping units 46a, 46b for positions side by side and positions successive to each other, wherein, exemplarily, a first stopping unit 46a for stopping positions side by side and a second stopping unit 46b for stopping positions successive to each other are constructed.

[0094] Each locking unit 46a, 46b preferably has two locking components that can be detachably locked with one another, one of which is arranged on the first support element 25 and the other on the second support element 26. For example, the locking units 46a, 46b are designed as tensioning locks according to the illustrated embodiment, which have a tensioning hook as a first locking element and a movable tensioning clip as a second locking element, wherein the tensioning clip can be manually brought into engagement with the tensioning hook and can be moved out of engagement in order to activate or deactivate the respective locking unit 46a, 46b.

[0095] In the illustrated embodiment, the locking units 46a, 46b are arranged on the outer sides of the respective support elements 25, 26. They can be placed directly on, so that they protrude beyond the outer surface of the associated support element 25, 26. However, in accordance with Figure 5The details illustrated in (a), 5(b) and 5(c) have the advantageous possibility of being arranged so as to be recessed in the wall deepening 47 of the associated support element 25, 26.

[0096] Corresponding to Figure 5 As shown in the dashed illustration 48 in FIG, it is possible to arrange one or more of the locking units 46a, 46b on the inner surfaces of the support elements 25, 26. This is particularly true in conjunction with the preferred embodiment also shown, in which the two support elements 25, 26 each have a receiving recess 51a, 51b, the open sides of which are associated with the second element outer surface 39, so that when the two support elements 25, 26 are arranged side by side, they face each other and thus jointly delimit the support interior 52 enclosed by the support 4. In this regard, it is advantageous if, according to the illustrated embodiment, the two support elements 25, 26 are each designed in a hood-like manner. In this case, the second element outer surface 39 is delimited to the edge surface of the wall section of the respective support element 25, 26 that frames the receiving recess 51.

[0097] Alternatively, there is the possibility that the locking mechanism 46 for the adjacent position and the successive position is constructed integrally with the hinge mechanism 37. Advantageously, the hinge mechanism 37 is constructed so that it can be locked both in the adjacent position and in the successive position.

[0098] As already mentioned at the outset, the working device 1 has a transport container 3 equipped with a carrying handle 13, with which the working support 2 can be transported easily and space-savingly by hand in its transport configuration. Figure 1 and 2 In the embodiment, the transport container 3 is a device component separated from the working support 2. Figures 3 to 9 In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , it is configured as a structural unit together with the support body 4 .

[0099] The transport container 3 has a first container element 53 and a second container element 54. Figures 3 to 8 In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the first container element 53 represents the first support element 25 and the second container element 54 represents the second support element 26 .

[0100] The transport container 3 has a container height axis 55a extending in a container height direction 55. The two container elements 53, 54 are located opposite one another in the container height direction 55 and can be pivoted relative to one another about a pivot axis, which is referred to as a container pivot axis 56 for the sake of clarity, in order to achieve a pivoting movement 57 indicated by a double arrow (which is also referred to as a container element pivoting movement 57 for the sake of clarity).

[0101] The two container elements 53, 54 jointly delimit a container interior space 58, which is e.g. Figure 2 (e) or from Figure 5 The container interior can be accessed from the outside in the open state as can be seen in FIG. 1 , and the container interior can be accessed from the outside in the open state as can be seen in FIG. Figure 1 (f) Figure 2 (f) and Figure 7 In the closed state shown in FIG. 1 , the housing is closed in a manner not accessible from the outside.

[0102] Preferably, the second container element 54 forms a container bottom part 54a, while the first container element 53 forms a container lid 53a. Within the scope of the container element pivoting movement 57, the container lid 53a can be moved closer to the container bottom part 54a so that the container interior 58 is closed, thereby defining the closed state. Furthermore, the container lid 53a can be pivoted upward relative to the container bottom part 54a into an open position that allows access to the container interior 58, in which the transport container 3 is in an open state.

[0103] In the closed state, the transport container 3 can be grasped for transport purposes at the carrying handle 13. Suitably, the carrying handle 13 is located externally on the first container element 53 so that it can be easily grasped from above when the transport container 3 is positioned with a vertical container height axis 55a.

[0104] The carrying handle 13 is expediently an at least substantially U-shaped bow handle which is pivotably arranged on the first container element 53 according to the double arrow 50 so that it can be folded toward the first container element 53 when not in use and can be folded upward relative to the first container element 53 for its use.

[0105] The transport container 3 is expediently equipped with a locking mechanism 61 which enables the first container element 53 to be locked in the closed position in a pivotally and non-detachably manner relative to the second container element 54. In this way, a secure connection of the two container elements 53, 54 is achieved when the transport container 3 is grasped by the carrying handle 13 arranged on the container top side 62 oriented upward in the container height direction 55.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment, the transport container 3 corresponds to the transport container 3 further described above. Figures 3 to 9 The embodiment here therefore also directly relates to the transport container 3, wherein Figures 3 to 9 In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 , the container pivot axis 56 corresponds to the pivot axis 34 , and the container element pivot movement 57 corresponds to the pivot movement 33 .

[0107] When the transport container 3 forms the support body 4, the locking mechanism 61 can be formed by the locking mechanism 46 and in particular by the first locking unit 46a, which relates to Figures 3 to 9 Example of .

[0108] In accordance with Figures 3 to 8 In the working device 1, the transport container 3, which acts as a support 4, is arranged in a horizontal orientation with the container height axis 55a when the working stand is ready for use. The carrying handle 13 is located on one of the two element outer faces 38. In order to transport the working stand 2, the support 4 or transport container 3 that has been turned together is preferably placed in a horizontal position. Figure 7 The spatial orientation visible in FIG is used, wherein the container height axis 55 a is oriented vertically.

[0109] During transport of the work stand which has been turned over together, Figure 9 The same container orientation is also obtained in the embodiment of . However, here, the opened support body 4 or transport container 3 is oriented so that the container height axis 55a is oriented vertically.

[0110] exist Figures 3 to 9 In the exemplary embodiment, the container interior 58 of the transport container 3 delimits the support body interior 52 formed by the two receiving deepenings 51 a , 51 b .

[0111] Transversely to the container height direction 55, the transport container 3 and thus also the support body 4 expediently have an at least substantially rectangular plan. The outer dimensions of the plan are, in particular, approximately 40 cm as the maximum length "Lmax" and 30 cm at right angles thereto. With such a container format, optimal use can be achieved in conjunction with other storage containers 7 that have a comparable plan and are used, for example, for storing and transporting machines to be used with the work stand 2. As already mentioned, such a storage container 7 is Figure 10 and 11 was explained in .

[0112] according to Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment, the work supports 2 occupying the transport configuration can be connected to the transport container 3 to form a transport unit 5 that can be transported in a unified manner by being placed into the container interior 58 of the transport container 3 according to arrow 64 . Figure 2 (d) shows the working stand 2 in the transport configuration, and Figure 2 (e) illustrates how the work support 2 configured in this manner is introduced according to arrow 64 into the container interior 58 accessible due to the first container element 53 pivoted into the open position. Figure 2 (f) shows the completed transport unit 5 with the work support 2, indicated only by dashed lines, in the container interior 58 of the closed transport container 3, which is locked by the locking mechanism 61. The pivotable carrying handle 13 is folded upward according to the double arrow 50 into the use position, indicated by dashed lines, so that it can be grasped by a person to carry the transport container 3 containing the work support 2.

[0113] according to Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment, the work supports 2 in the transport configuration can be releasably fixed externally to the transport container 3 to form the transport unit 5. In this case, the transport container 3 has a retaining structure 65 on its readily accessible outer surface, which allows for releasable fixing of the folded-together work supports 2.

[0114] The holding structure 65 comprises, for example, a latching or locking mechanism that is coordinated with a complementary structure of the working support 2, thereby enabling a simple and, if necessary, easily releasable fastening. For example, the holding structure 65 can have one or more retaining straps, by using which the working support 2 can be releasably fastened.

[0115] Figure 1 (d) shows the working stand 2 brought into the transport configuration according to Figure 1 (e) is attached to the holding structure 65 according to arrow 66 for coupling to the transport container 3 . Figure 1 (f) shows the completed Figure 2 (f) Transport unit 5 with upwardly folded carrying handle 13 for transport by hand.

[0116] Because in Figure 1 In the design of the container, the inner space 58 is not necessary for the transportation of the work stand 2, so the inner space 58 of the container is provided for other uses at the same time.

[0117] The holding structure 65 can be arranged externally on the transport container 3 at any desired location. It is preferably placed on a container outer surface 67 oriented orthogonally to the container height direction 55, particularly a front container outer surface 67a opposite the position of the container pivot axis 56, on which the locking mechanism 61 is also expediently arranged. The work support 2 and the transport container 3 are particularly coordinated with one another so that, in the transport configuration, the work support 2, which is fixed to the holding structure 65, extends only within the contour of the container outer surface 67 on which the holding structure 65 is provided.

[0118] In order to be able to move the transport unit 5 beyond the In the case of Figure 10 and 11 When stacked vertically with other storage containers 7, it is advantageous if the contour of the transport unit 5 in a plane orthogonal to the container height direction 55 is at least substantially the same as or smaller than in the other storage containers 7. Figure 2 and 3 In the embodiments of FIG. 9 , transport containers 3 with corresponding floor plan dimensions can be used without any problems. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the invention, it is recommended to use a transport container 3 having a reduced floor plan compared to the storage container 7, wherein the saved space can be used for accommodating the work supports 2. In this way, despite the work supports 2 being located outside the transport container 3, the floor plan of the transport unit 5 corresponds at least substantially to the same base grid as the receiving container 7.

[0119] The transport container 3 or the support body 4, which also represents the transport container 3, expediently has a lowering foot structure 68 on its outer side, by means of which the transport container 3 or the folded support body 4 can be lowered in a tilt-proof manner on a base, for example, on the bottom surface 12, when not in use. In the support body 4, the lowering foot structure 68 is expediently located on the first element outer surface 38 of the second support element 26. Thus, the carrying handle 13 and the lowering foot structure 68 are arranged on mutually opposite outer sides of the folded support body 4, facing away from each other.

[0120] exist Figure 1 and 2 In the embodiment with a divided transport container 3 , the optional lowering foot structure 68 is located on the underside of the second container element 54 facing away from the first container element 53 in the container height direction 55 .

[0121] The lowering foot arrangement 68 is expediently composed of a plurality of lowering feet 71 which are divided by associated outer surfaces of the transport container 3 or the support body 4 and are designed to be raised in the manner of a projection relative to the aforementioned outer surface.

[0122] The working device 1 is expediently designed so that the height "HS" of the leg structures 8, 9 measured vertically in the ready-to-use state (which corresponds to the distance between the bottom surface 12 of the support body 4 and the lower edge 73) is Figure 8 )) is greater than the height "HB" of the transport container 3 measured along the container height direction 55 ( Figure 7 ), that is, when the optional foot-down structure 68 is included.

[0123] Based on the corresponding Figures 3 to 9 Object consistency of the transport container 3 and the support body 4 in the design of In the closed state of the transport container 3 or the support 4, the support interior 52 is formed by the container interior 58. The support interior 52 delimits a receiving space 72 in which the leg structures 8, 9 occupying their non-use position are arranged during the transport of the work stand 2. To this end, the leg structures 8, 9 are either tilted towards the support 4 according to a first embodiment variant while maintaining their existing mechanical connection with the support 4 so that they occupy a position within the receiving space 72, or the leg structures 8, 9 are removed from the support 4 after the mechanical connection is released and are placed into the receiving space 72 as independent components according to a second embodiment variant. By way of example, in the first embodiment variant Figures 3 to 8 In the embodiment of the present invention, the second embodiment variant is implemented in Figure 9 is implemented in the embodiment of .

[0124] In order to realize the first embodiment variant mentioned above, each leg structure 8, 9 is supported on the support body 4 so that it can be pivoted at the leg fixing interface 18, 19 assigned thereto. For this purpose, each leg fixing interface 18, 19 is constructed as a pivot support mechanism 74, which defines at least one pivot axis, which is called the leg pivot axis 75 for better distinction, and about which the associated leg structure 8, 9 can be pivoted relative to the support body 4 in order to switch between the use position and the non-use position. The pivot movement that can be implemented accordingly by the leg structure 8, 9 and is called the leg pivot movement 76 for better distinction can be identified in the figure by a double arrow. Figure 5 In FIG. 4 , the non-use position of the leg structures 8 , 9 folded toward the support body 4 is clearly indicated by a solid line, and the use position folded away is indicated by a dashed line.

[0125] Preferably, the leg pivot axis 75 is oriented at the respectively associated support element 25, 26 such that, when the working stand 2 is ready for use, it extends in a plane parallel to the stand longitudinal axis 15a and parallel to the stand height axis 17a. The leg pivot movement 76 thus takes place transversely to the stand longitudinal direction 15. However, other orientations of the leg pivot axis 75 are also possible, in particular such that the leg pivot movement 76 takes place in a plane orthogonal to the stand transverse axis 16a, which is not particularly advantageous in the case of a work stand 2. Figure 1 This is the case in the embodiment of .

[0126] The pivot bearing 74 can be realized, for example, in that a web arrangement is formed on the respective support element 25 , 26 , to which a bearing bolt is fixed which passes through the leg structure 8 , 9 and about which the leg structure 8 , 9 can be pivoted.

[0127] By appropriately selecting the pivot axis inclination angle 77 present between the stand height direction 17 and a reference plane 70 orthogonal to the leg pivot axis 75 in the ready-to-use state (the pivot axis inclination angle is Figure 5 and 8 ), it is possible to influence the orientation of the leg structures 8, 9 relative to the associated support elements 25, 26 in the pivoted, closed non-use position by taking into account the shape of the leg structures 8, 9.

[0128] As regards the design of the leg structures 8 , 9 , they can have a simply curved longitudinal profile with a relatively short bearing section 78 associated with the pivot bearing 74 and a main length section 79 extending between the bearing section 78 and the lowering section 22 .

[0129] exist Figures 3 to 7 In the embodiment of the present invention, the following design is adopted, namely that the leg structures 8, 9 extend at least essentially and in particular with their main length section 79 within the accommodating space 72 in the non-use position along the accommodating space longitudinal direction 82 identifiable by the dotted line, and the accommodating space longitudinal direction runs parallel to the support longitudinal direction 15 in the working configuration of the working support 2.

[0130] When the tilting angle 77 of the pivot axis and the design of the leg structures 8 and 9 correspond to Figure 8 The exemplary embodiments are coordinated with one another in such a way that a particularly efficient spatial utilization of the receiving space 72 results when the leg structures 8 , 9 extend in the receiving space 72 in a non-use position oriented diagonally with respect to the rectangular contour of the receiving space 72 . Figure 8 In FIG, the non-use position of the first leg structure 8 is indicated by a dotted line.

[0131] The receiving space 72 is formed by the support interior 52, either entirely or as a portion thereof. Accordingly, it is preferably assembled from the two receiving deepenings 51a, 51b, each formed in one of the support elements 25, 26. Advantageously, each of the two leg structures 8, 9 is accommodated in one of the two receiving deepenings 51a, 51b in the non-use position.

[0132] In its use position, the leg structures 8, 9 extend beyond the downwardly directed fourth element outer surface 45 in the support height direction 17. When pivoted into the non-use position, they sink into the receiving deepenings 51a, 51b open there in the region of the second element outer surface 39.

[0133] In principle, each leg arrangement 8, 9 can be constructed from only one single leg, as is the case in Figure 2 As shown in the embodiment of . It is then only necessary to design the lowering section 22 so that it ensures sufficient uprightness. For example, the legs can be constructed in a T-shape, wherein the transverse webs of the T define the lowering section 22. This applies not only to the pivotable leg arrangements 8, 9, but also to the following design of the working support 2, in which each leg arrangement 8, 9 can be arranged in a plug-in manner at the leg fixing interface 18, 19 assigned to it. However, it is considered more advantageous if each leg arrangement 8, 9 has two independent legs 8a, 8b or 9a, 9b, which are arranged in pairs at a respective one of the two supporting elements 25, 26 by means of the leg fixing interface 18, 19 there.

[0134] In the case of pivotable leg arrangements 8, 9, the two legs 8a, 8b; 9a, 9b of each leg arrangement 8, 9 are expediently pivotable about a common leg pivot axis 75, so that the legs, despite their independent existence, can be pivoted between the non-use position and the use position using a unified pivoting process. The common leg pivot axis 75 also allows, in particular, the two legs 8a, 8b; 9a, 9b belonging to the same leg arrangement 8, 9 to be pivoted relative to each other in the transverse direction 16 of the support frame in order to tilt toward each other and away from each other, as indicated in the figure by the double arrow 83.

[0135] In this case, the legs 8a, 8b; 9a, 9b can be arranged offset relative to one another, in particular along the leg pivot axis 75, as in Figure 8 As shown in FIG, or arranged one after another in the support transverse direction 16, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As indicated in .

[0136] In order to be able to detachably plug the leg structures 8, 9, the leg fixing interfaces 18, 19 correspond to the Figure 9 The illustration in FIG is constructed as a plug-in interface. For example, each leg fixing interface 18, 19 for each associated leg 8a, 8b; 9a, 9b comprises a plug-in receptacle 84 indicated by a dashed line, into which the associated leg 8a, 8b; 9a, 9b is inserted in the use position. A locking device, not further explained, ensures a releasable, anti-loss fixation in the use position. In order to reposition the legs 8a, 8b; 9a, 9b to the non-use position, the legs 8a, 8b; 9a, 9b can be manually deactivated according to the locking device in the non-use position. Figure 9 The double arrow 85 in FIG. 8 is simply pulled out of the associated plug receptacle 84 , thereby removing it from the support body 4 .

[0137] The leg structures 8, 9 can each have a multi-part structure with an integrated tilting mechanism, by means of which the leg structures can be tilted together and outwards for changing the size. Figure 2 This is the case in the implementation of Figure 2 In FIG. 8 , different arrows 81 illustrate possible flipping processes.

[0138] In order to easily achieve particularly compact dimensions for the transport configuration of the work stand 2, it is advantageous for the two leg structures 8, 9, according to all of the described embodiments, to be of telescopically variable length. For this purpose, each leg structure 8, 9 is constructed in multiple parts and can be selectively moved within the scope of a telescopic movement 89 indicated by the double arrows into a state in which it is pulled apart from one another for a use position, or into a state in which it is pushed together and has a shorter overall length than in the use position for a non-use position. If the leg structures 8, 9 are each constructed from a plurality of individual legs, the aforementioned embodiments apply to each individual leg 8a, 8b; 9a, 9b.

[0139] When converting the working stand 2 from the transport configuration to the working configuration, the leg arrangements 8, 9 or the individual legs 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b are advantageously brought from the non-use position into the use position while being pushed together, and are then pulled apart to adjust the desired leg length. In the reverse reconfiguration, the leg arrangements 8, 9 are advantageously brought into the pushed-together position before being brought from the non-use position into the use position. However, pulling apart or pushing together can also occur before the change of position.

[0140] Independent of the leg structures 8 and 9 is the corresponding Figure 2Whether the embodiment has only one single leg or, according to other embodiments, multiple legs 8a, 8b; 9a, 9b, each leg 8a, 8b; 9a, 9b advantageously comprises only two telescopic elements 86, 87 that can be displaced relative to one another during a telescopic movement 89, one of which is associated with the leg fastening interface 18, 19 and the other forms the lowering section 22. However, each leg 8a, 8b; 9a, 9b can also have more than two telescopic elements 86, 87. The telescopic elements 86, 87 that can slide into one another can advantageously be releasably locked in a relative position pulled out of one another by means of manually actuatable locking means 88.

[0141] Corresponding to Figure 5 , the receiving recess 51a, 51b of each support element 25, 26 can be divided into a plurality of receiving compartments 92, 93 by at least one partition wall 91, which in pairs each form one of a plurality of interior compartments 92a, 93a when the support elements 25, 26 are positioned next to one another. One of the interior compartments 92a represents the receiving space 72 for the folded-in leg structure 8, 9, while at least one further interior compartment 93a can be used to receive additional objects, such as tools, for example.

[0142] The above embodiments regarding the fixing and design of the leg structures 8, 9 apply in a similar manner to Figure 1 and 2 In the embodiment of Figure 1 and 2 , the direction of the curved arrow then intuitively illustrates how the work stand 2 occupying the working configuration can be converted into the transport configuration by corresponding actuation of the support body 4 and the leg structures 8 , 9 , so that it can form a transport unit 5 together with the transport container 3 .

[0143] As already mentioned at the outset, it is advantageous if the transport container 3 which can be used to transport the work support 2 is equipped with a coupling system 95, independently of whether it is designed separately from the work support 2 or forms the support body 4, which enables the transport container 3 to be connected to the work support 2. Figure 10 and 11 The transport container 3 is coupled to one or more additional containers, referred to as storage containers 7, to form a container stack assembly 6 that can be transported together. The aforementioned additional storage containers 7, which can be any number of device components of the working device 1, are in particular equipped with the same type of coupling system 95, so that in the stacked state or directly when stacked on top of each other, the transport container 3 can be detachably coupled to the storage container 7 directly below it and / or to the storage container 7 directly above it in a manner that cannot be removed from each other.

[0144] Expediently, an upper coupling means 95a arranged in the region of a container top side 96 oriented in the container height direction 55 and a lower coupling means 95b arranged in the region of a container bottom side 97 opposite the container top side 96 belong to the coupling system 95. Each storage container 7 also has a corresponding arrangement with upper and lower coupling means 95a, 95b.

[0145] The upper and lower coupling means 95a, 95b are matched to each other so that by their interaction the containers 3, 7 stacked directly on top of each other can be coupled to each other in a manner that they cannot be removed from each other. Figure 11 3 and the upper storage container 7 stacked thereon. With regard to the lower storage container 7, although there is a stack, the coupling system 95 is deactivated, so that there is the possibility of removing the transport container 3.

[0146] When all containers 3, 7 are coupled to one another in a manner that they cannot be removed from one another, the present container stack 6 can be transported together by means of the handle 98 of the uppermost container, wherein the uppermost container can be a storage container 7 or directly a transport container 3. In the latter case, the handle 98 is formed by the carrying handle 13.

[0147] Preferably, the locking mechanism 61 explained further above is at least partially subordinate to the coupling system 95 .

[0148] For example, the coupling system 95 can have a rotation lock 61a, which can be twisted to Figure 11 In the coupling position shown in the middle rotary locking element 61a, in which it couples the transport container 3 with the storage container 7 stacked thereon in the region of the container front side so that they cannot be removed from one another. The rotary locking element 61a can also be a component of the locking mechanism 61.

[0149] As further components of the coupling system 95, for example, a coupling projection 99 formed on the container bottom side 97 and a coupling recess 100 formed on the container top side 96 are provided. When the transport container 3 and the storage container 7 are stacked one on top of the other, the coupling projection 99 and the coupling recess 100 at least partially engage with each other, so that they overlap transversely to the container height direction 55 and bring about a joint that prevents the two containers 3, 7 from being removed from one another. The coupling projection 99 expediently also forms a lowering foot 71 for lowering the transport container 3.

Claims

1. A working device having a transportable working support (2), in, The working support (2) comprises a supporting body (4) extending in the longitudinal direction (15) of the support and defining an object supporting surface (23), and two leg structures (8, 9), the leg structures being variably arranged or positionable on the supporting body (4) at leg fixing interfaces (18, 19) arranged at intervals from each other in the longitudinal direction (15) of the support, and wherein the working support (2) can be selectively brought into a working configuration for implementing its prescribed use, with the leg structures (8, 9) protruding from the supporting body (4) into a use position transversely to the longitudinal direction (15) of the support, or brought into a transport configuration provided for transporting the working support (2), with the leg structures (8, 9) moving into a non-use position close to the supporting body (4), It is characterized in that The support body (4) can be reconfigured in order to shorten the working support (2) so that the distance between the two leg fixing interfaces (18, 19) is smaller in the transport configuration of the working support (2) than in the working configuration. The working device (1) also has a transport container (3) having a container interior space (58), with the cooperation of which the working support (2) can be transported when it occupies a transport configuration that is shortened compared to the working configuration, wherein the transport container (3) has at least one carrying handle (13) that can be grasped in order to transport the working support (2) by hand.

2. The working device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vertical measured height (HS) of the leg structures (8, 9) of the working support (2) with the leg structures (8, 9) resting on the bottom surface (12) in the working configuration is greater than the height (HB) of the transport container (3).

3. The working device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The support body (4) of the working support (2) is constructed in multiple parts, wherein it has two support body elements (25, 26), each of which has one of the two leg fixing interfaces (18, 19), and the support body elements can move relative to each other in order to change the spacing between the two leg fixing interfaces (18, 19), wherein they can be displaced relative to each other along the longitudinal direction (15) of the support or can be swung relative to each other in order to flip the support body (4) together.

4. The working device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Each leg structure (8, 9) is arranged at its associated leg fixing interface (18, 19) so as to be pivotable relative to the support body (4), wherein in the working configuration of the working support (2) when occupying its use position, it is tilted away from the support body (4) and in the transport configuration of the working support (2) when occupying its non-use position, it is tilted toward the support body (4).

5. The working device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Each of the two leg structures (8, 9) has two independent legs (8a, 8b, 9a, 9b) arranged on the support body (4) by means of one of the two leg fixing structures (18, 19), and the legs can be swung relative to the support body (4) between the non-use position and the use position on the one hand, and the legs can be swung relative to each other in a support transverse direction (16) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (15) of the support in order to flip closer to each other and spread apart from each other.

6. The working device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Each leg structure (8, 9) is arranged at its associated leg fixing interface (18, 19) in a pluggable manner relative to the support body (4), wherein in the working configuration of the working support (2) it is plugged onto the support body (4) when occupying its use position and in the transport configuration of the working support (2) it is removed from the support body (4) to occupy its non-use position.

7. The working device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: Each of the two leg structures (8, 9) is designed to be variable in length in a telescopic manner, wherein in the use position they occupy a state pulled away from each other and in the non-use position they occupy a state pushed together and having a shorter structural length than in the use position.

8. The working device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The transport container (3) has two container elements (53, 54) arranged opposite each other in a height direction (55) of the container, which can be swung relative to each other in order to selectively preset a closed state of the transport container (3) enclosing the container interior space (58) or an open state of the transport container (3) (83) allowing access to the container interior space (58), wherein the at least one carrying handle (13) is arranged externally on one of the two container elements (53, 54).

9. The working device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The transport container (3) has a rectangular plan transversely to the container height direction (55), in particular with a size of approximately 40 cm to 30 cm.

10. The working device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: A transport container (3) that can be used to transport the work support (2) is equipped with a coupling system (95), which is designed to stack the transport container (3) and at least one additional storage container (7) having the same type of coupling system (95) on top of each other and to couple them to each other in a manner that cannot be removed from each other in order to obtain a container stacking complex (6) that can be transported in a unified manner.

11. The working device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The coupling system (95) of the transport container (3) has an upper coupling mechanism (95a) in the area of ​​the container upper side (96) oriented in the container height direction (55) and a lower coupling mechanism (95b) in the area of ​​the container lower side (97) opposite the container upper side (96), wherein the upper and lower coupling mechanisms (95a, 95b) enable the transport container (3) to be stacked one on top of another with at least one additional storage container (7) having a coupling system (95) with upper and lower coupling mechanisms (95a, 95b) of the same type and to be coupled to one another in a manner that allows them to be detachably coupled to one another in such a way that they cannot be removed from one another in order to obtain a container stacking assembly (6) that can be transported in a unified manner.

12. The working device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: It also has at least one storage container (7) which has a coupling system (95) of the same type as the transport container (3), so that the transport container (3) can be coupled with a storage container (7) arranged on the transport container (3) and / or with a storage container (7) arranged under the transport container (3) in a manner that cannot be removed from each other to form a container stacking complex (6) that can be transported in a unified manner.

13. The working device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The working support (2) is a device component of the working device (1) that is separated from the transport container (3), wherein it is separated from the transport container (3) in the working configuration and can be used separately from the transport container (3) in accordance with regulations, and wherein it is connected to the transport container (3) in the transport configuration or can be connected to form a transport unit (5) that can be transported in a unified manner by grasping the at least one carrying handle (13).

14. The working device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The working support (2) occupying the transport configuration is or can be placed into the container interior (58) of the transport container (3) in order to form the transport unit (5).

15. The working device according to claim 14 in combination with claim 8, characterized in that: The transport container (3) comprises a container bottom part (54a) formed by one of the two container elements (53, 54) and a container cover (53a) formed by the other of the two container elements (53, 54) and pivotably supported on the container bottom part (54a), wherein the container cover (53a) is pivotable relative to the container bottom part (54a) between a closed position which closes the container interior (58) and can be releasably locked, and an open position which makes the container interior (58) accessible for selective insertion or removal of a work support (2) occupying the transport configuration, wherein at least one carrying handle (13) is advantageously arranged on the container cover (53a) on the outside and in particular on the container top side (96) facing away from the container bottom part (54a).

16. The working device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that: The transport container (3) has a holding structure (65) on the outside, to which a working support (2) occupying the transport configuration is detachably fastened or can be fastened in order to form the transport unit (5).

17. The working device according to claim 16, characterized in that: The transport container (3) has at least one carrying handle (13) on the outside on the container upper side (96) oriented along the container height direction (55), wherein the retaining structure (65) is arranged on the container outer surface (67) of the transport container (3) oriented orthogonally to the container height direction (55), wherein, preferably, the working support (2) fixed to the retaining structure (65) in the transport configuration extends only within the contour of the container outer surface (67) provided with the retaining structure (65).

18. The working device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that: The transport container (3) is a directly integrated component of the working support (2), wherein the transport container (3) forms a support body (4) of the working support (2).

19. The working device according to claim 18, characterized in that: The container interior space (58) of the transport container (3) forming the support body (4) defines a receiving space (72) for receiving the two leg structures (8, 9) occupying a non-use position in the transport configuration of the working support (2), so that the leg structures (8, 9) are placed in the support body (4) when the working support (2) is transported.

20. The working device according to claim 19, characterized in that: The receiving space (72) has a rectangular contour, wherein the leg structure (8, 9) occupying the non-use position is received in the receiving space (72) in an orientation diagonal to the rectangular contour.

21. The working device according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that: The transport container (3) has two container elements (53, 54) fixed to each other in a pivotable manner, the container elements correspondingly forming one of the two supporting body elements (25, 26) of the supporting body (4), the supporting body elements occupying opened successive positions arranged one after another along the longitudinal direction (15) of the supporting body in the working configuration of the working support (2) and occupying closed positions arranged side by side orthogonally to the longitudinal direction (15) of the supporting body in the transport configuration of the working support (2), wherein each supporting body element (25, 26) has one of the two leg fixing interfaces (18, 19).

22. The working device according to claim 21, characterized in that: The two leg fixing interfaces (18, 19) are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction (15) of the support in the working configuration of the working support (2) and are arranged side by side transversely to the longitudinal direction (15) of the support in the transport configuration of the working support (2), wherein they are preferably at the same height relative to the longitudinal direction (15) of the support in the transport configuration of the working support (2).

23. The working device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that: Each of the two support elements (25, 26) has two axial end faces (35, 36) opposite to each other and oriented in the longitudinal direction (15) of the support, wherein, in successive positions of the support elements (25, 26), one of the two axial end faces (35, 36) of one support element (25, 26) faces one of the axial end faces (35, 36) of the other support element and in particular abuts against it, wherein the two support elements (25, 26) are fixed to each other in a pivotable manner in the region of the two end faces (35, 36) facing each other in the successive positions by means of a hinge mechanism (37) which defines a pivot axis (34) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (15) of the support.

24. The working device according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that The support body (4) has a maximum length (Lmax) in the position adjacent to each other, and the maximum length extends in the longitudinal direction (15) of the support when the two support elements (25, 26) are adjacent to each other, so that when the support elements (25, 26) are folded open, the length of the support body (4) increases along the longitudinal extension direction of the maximum length (Lmax).

25. The working device according to any one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that The two supporting elements (25, 26) can be swung relative to each other about a swivel axis (34) in order to switch between the position side by side and the position following each other, and the swivel axis extends along a horizontal support transverse direction (16) orthogonal to the support longitudinal direction (15) or along a vertical support height direction (17) orthogonal to the support longitudinal direction (15).

26. The working device according to any one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that Each of the two supporting elements (25, 26) has an object supporting surface section (23a, 23b) at an upper side oriented in a support height direction (17) orthogonal to the support longitudinal direction (15) and orthogonal to the support transverse direction (16), wherein the object supporting surface sections (23a, 23b) are supplemented in the unfolded, successive positions of the two supporting elements (25, 26) to a strip-shaped object supporting surface (23) extending in the support longitudinal direction (15), wherein each object supporting surface section (23a, 23b) is preferably constructed on a replaceable supporting plate (94) of the associated supporting element (25, 26) and / or has a fixing structure (24) for fixing an external object.

27. The working device according to claim 26, characterized in that: The object support surface sections (23a, 23b) of the two support elements (25, 26) are located on the outside of the two support elements (25, 26), and the support elements (25, 26) are arranged side by side and point in the same direction when the two support elements (25, 26) are arranged side by side, or the support elements (25, 26) are facing away from each other when the two support elements (25, 26) are arranged side by side.

28. The working device according to any one of claims 21 to 27, characterized in that The support (4) has at least one locking mechanism (46) for fixing the two support elements (25, 26) in a detachable manner and in a non-pivotable manner relative to one another both in the adjacent position and in the position following one another.

29. The working device according to any one of claims 21 to 28, characterized in that The two supporting elements (25, 26) respectively have a receiving deepening (51a, 51b) which is open at the side facing the respective other supporting element (26, 25) in the side-by-side arrangement of the two supporting elements (25, 26), and the receiving deepening jointly limits the container interior space (58) in the side-by-side position of the supporting elements (25, 26), wherein each supporting element (25, 26) is preferably constructed in a hood-shaped manner.

30. The working device according to claim 29, characterized in that: The receiving deepening (51a, 51b) of each supporting body element (25, 25) is divided into a plurality of receiving compartments (92, 93) by at least one separating wall (91), so that the container interior space (58) formed in the mutually adjacent positions of the supporting body elements (25, 26) has a plurality of interior space compartments (921, 92b), wherein one of the interior space compartments (92a, 92b) forms a receiving space (72) for receiving a leg structure (8, 9) occupying the non-use position and at least one other interior space compartment of the interior space compartments (92, 92b) is configured for receiving additional objects, such as tools.

31. The working device according to any one of claims 21 to 30, characterized in that: One of the two supporting elements (25, 26) has the at least one carrying handle (13) on its outer side facing away from the other supporting element (26, 25) in a scheme where the two supporting elements (25, 26) are arranged side by side, wherein, expediently, the other of the two supporting elements (25, 26) is provided with an integrated lowering foot structure (68) which can be used to lower the transport unit (5) onto a base on its outer side facing away from the other supporting element (25, 26) in a scheme where the two supporting elements (25, 26) are arranged side by side.

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