Pipe fitting assembling support

Abstract

A pipe fitting assembly bracket for supporting a pipe fitting during a working operation, the pipe fitting assembly bracket comprising: a table; a plurality of legs coupled to the table and movable between a deployed position and a stowed position wherein a first leg of the plurality of legs is coupled to an underside of the table via a first bracket and a second leg of the plurality of legs is coupled to the underside of the table via a second bracket; and a reinforcing member coupling the first bracket and the second bracket.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. patent application No. 17 / 374,195 filed on July 13, 2021, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application No. 16 / 286,852 filed on February 27, 2019, now U.S. Patent No. 11,090,781, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 715,426 filed on August 7, 2018 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 640,823 filed on March 9, 2018, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The utility model relates to a workpiece supporting bracket, and more particularly to a pipe fitting assembly bracket. Background Art

[0004] Pipe assembly stands are commonly used to support pipes during various operations such as threading, cutting, welding, etc. Pipe assembly stands typically include a work table providing an upwardly oriented work surface and legs connected to the work table. Utility Model Content

[0005] In one aspect, the utility model provides a pipe fitting assembly bracket for supporting pipe fittings during working operations. The pipe fitting assembly bracket comprises: a workbench; a plurality of legs, the plurality of legs are connected to the workbench and can move between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein a first leg of the plurality of legs is connected to the lower side of the workbench via a first bracket, and a second leg of the plurality of legs is connected to the lower side of the workbench via a second bracket; and a reinforcing member, the reinforcing member connecting the first bracket with the second bracket.

[0006] Other features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent by considering the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 It is a stereoscopic view of a pipe fitting assembly bracket according to an embodiment of the utility model.

[0008] Figure 1A yes Figure 1 A perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of a pipe fitting assembly bracket.

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Side view of the pipe assembly bracket.

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 1A side view of a pipe assembly bracket transitioning from an unfolded state to a folded state.

[0011] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A side view of a pipe assembly bracket in a folded state.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a stereoscopic view of a pipe fitting assembly bracket according to another embodiment of the utility model.

[0013] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An alternative perspective view of a pipe assembly bracket.

[0014] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 Side view of the pipe assembly bracket.

[0015] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 A three-dimensional view of the pipe fitting assembly bracket in a folded state.

[0016] Fig. 9 It is a stereoscopic view of another pipe fitting assembly bracket according to yet another embodiment of the utility model, showing the pipe fitting assembly bracket in an unfolded state.

[0017] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 A reverse perspective view of a pipe fitting assembly bracket.

[0018] Fig.11 yes Fig. 9 Side view of the pipe assembly bracket.

[0019] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 An enlarged view of a portion of a tube assembly bracket of FIG. 1 is shown illustrating a latch mechanism for securing the bracket in each of an expanded state and a folded state.

[0020] Fig.13 yes Fig. 9 A side view of a pipe assembly bracket in a folded state.

[0021] Fig.14 yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of the underside of the workbench of the pipe assembly bracket.

[0022] Fig.15 yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of one side of the workbench.

[0023] Fig.16 yes Figure 1 Another enlarged perspective view of the underside of the workbench.

[0024] Before explaining any embodiment of the utility model in detail, it should be understood that the application of the utility model is not limited to the details of the component construction and arrangement set forth in the following description or shown in the following drawings. The utility model can have other embodiments and can be practiced or executed in a variety of different ways. In addition, it should be understood that the words and terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be regarded as limiting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 A pipe fitting assembly stand 10 is shown for supporting pipe fittings during working operations. In the illustrated embodiment, the stand 10 includes a work table 14 and three legs 18a to 18c for supporting the work table 14 in an elevated position relative to a supporting surface. The stand 10 also includes two connecting rods 22 that pivotally couple a first leg 18a of the legs to the other two legs 18b, 18c, respectively, so that when the stand 10 is in an elevated position, the stand 10 can be moved in an elevated position. Figure 1 The expanded state shown is the same as ( Figure 4 Coordinate the movement of legs 18a to 18c when reconfiguring between folded states.

[0026] refer to Figure 1 The workbench 14 includes a vise 30 at one end thereof for supporting a pipe and clamping the pipe to the workbench 14, and a support 42 located on a side of the workbench 14 opposite to the vise 30 to additionally support the pipe. The support 42 is vertically adjustable relative to the workbench 14 (i.e., movable upward and downward) for adjusting the orientation of the pipe supported on the support 42 and the vise 30.

[0027] refer to Figure 1A , the support 42 includes a central aperture 44 extending along the axis A of the support 42, and two offset apertures 46 arranged equidistantly relative to the central aperture 44. A threaded rod 48 is attached in the central aperture 44. The support 42 further includes a gear or wheel 52 positioned between the workbench 14 and the support 42. The wheel 52 includes a threaded hole for receiving the rod 48. An upper thrust bearing assembly 56a is positioned on the upper surface of the wheel 52, and a lower thrust bearing assembly 56b is positioned between the lower surface of the wheel 52 and the workbench 14. The offset aperture 46 includes a bushing 58 positioned in the aperture 46 for receiving two cylindrical posts 62. The cylindrical posts 62 are anchored to the workbench 14 and are slidably received in the aperture 46 so as to prevent the support 42 from rotating relative to the workbench 14.

[0028] To move the support 42 relative to the workbench 14, the user may move the wheels 52 in a first direction (e.g., from Figure 1A4. The wheel 52 is rotated counterclockwise (in the reference frame of the workbench 14). When rotated, the wheel 52 translates the threaded rod 48 in a downward direction, thereby lowering the support 42 relative to the workbench 14. Similarly, rotation of the wheel 52 in the opposite direction translates the rod 48 in the opposite direction (e.g., upward), thereby raising the support 42 relative to the workbench 14. The lower thrust bearing assembly 56b rotatably supports the wheel 52 on the workbench 14, while the upper thrust bearing assembly 56a reduces friction between the support 42 and the wheel 52 when the support 42 is in its lowermost position and the bottom surface of the support 42 contacts the bearing assembly 56a.

[0029] Each of the legs 18a-18c is respectively pivotally coupled to the workbench 14. However, as mentioned above, the link 22 connects the legs 18a, 18b to each other and the legs 18a, 18c to each other, respectively, so that pivotal movement of the leg 18a relative to the workbench 14 causes the other legs 18b, 18c to also pivot relative to the workbench 14. The leg 18a includes a stirrup 50 having a bottom surface 60 defining a ground contact surface of the leg 18a and having an aperture 54 through which a user's foot can be received.

[0030] refer to Figure 14 to Figure 15 , the distal ends 66 of the second leg 18b and the distal ends 70 of the third leg 18c are positioned within brackets 72 formed on the underside 74 of the workbench 14. Each of the brackets 72 includes a first beveled or angled wall 76 and a second vertical wall 78 opposite the first wall 76. A fastener 80 extends through the bracket 72 and the distal ends 66, 70 of the second leg 18b and the third leg 18c, thereby coupling the legs 18b, 18c to the workbench 14. A spacer 82 is disposed on the fastener 80, between the distal ends 66, 70 of each of the legs 18b, 18c and the vertical wall 78, thereby urging the legs 18b, 18c toward the angled wall 76. A stopper 84 is coupled (e.g., welded) to the distal ends 66, 70 of the legs 18b, 18c. The distal end 66, 70 of each of the legs 18b, 18c includes a stop 84 positioned on opposite sides of the legs 18b, 18c such that the stops 84 engage the bracket 72 when the work table 14 is deployed. The engagement of the stops 84 against the work table 14 eliminates or eliminates any looseness between the legs 18b, 18c and the work table 14 and prevents the legs 18b, 18c from moving beyond the deployed position.

[0031] refer to Fig.16, a reinforcement member (e.g., tie rod 86) is positioned between the brackets 72. More specifically, the tie rod 86 is wedged between the vertical walls 78 of the brackets 72. The tie rod 86 is generally trapezoidal and includes a first end 86a coupled to one of the vertical walls 78 and a second end 86b coupled to the other vertical wall 78, opposite the first end 86a. In the illustrated embodiment, the tie rod 86 is welded to the brackets 72. However, in alternative embodiments, the tie rod 86 may be coupled to the brackets 72 in other ways (e.g., using fasteners, etc.). The tie rod 86 is constructed of a metal material (e.g., steel) and reinforces the worktable 14 made of die-cast aluminum in the area of ​​the brackets 72. Positioning the tie rod 86 between the brackets 72 of the second leg 18b and the brackets of the third leg 18c increases the strength and stability of the bracket 10.

[0032] The stand 10 also includes a locking mechanism 64 extending between the table 14 and the leg 18a for selectively locking the leg 18a to ( Figure 1 Since the other legs 18b, 18c are connected to the leg 18a via the link 22, when the leg 18a is locked in the deployed position by the locking mechanism 64, the legs 18b, 18c are also locked in the deployed position. The locking mechanism 64 includes a latch 68, which is manipulated by the user to alternately lock and release the locking mechanism 64.

[0033] In order to move the stent 10 from the deployed state ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 )Fold to collapsed state( Figure 4 ), the user releases latch 68 while maintaining pressure on stirrup 50 (the user's foot extends through aperture 54) to keep bottom surface 60 of stirrup 50 in contact with the ground. Next, the user raises the side of work platform 14 opposite leg 18a and then pivots work platform 14 relative to leg 18a. At the same time, the remaining legs 18b, 18c are lifted off the ground and are engaged by connecting rod 22 ( Figure 3 ) is pivoted relative to the workbench 14. When the bracket 10 is in Figure 4 In the fully folded position shown, legs 18b, 18c are positioned side by side with leg 18a, which is located between the other two legs 18b, 18c. The user can then easily store and transport the stand 10. The stand 10 can be reconfigured from the folded position to the unfolded position using the reverse process.

[0034] Figures 5 to 8An alternative embodiment of a pipe assembly stand 88 is shown. The stand 88 includes a workbench 92 and four legs 96a to 96d for supporting the workbench 92 in an elevated position relative to a support surface. Each of the legs 96a to 96d is pivotally coupled to the workbench 92, and the stand 10 further includes a separate locking mechanism associated with each of the legs 96a to 96d. In the illustrated stand 88, the locking mechanism includes a pin stop 150 carried by the respective leg 96a to 96d and a handle 156 for actuating the pin stop 150 between a locked position and a released position, in which the associated leg 96a to 96d is maintained in an expanded position or a folded position, and in which the associated leg 96a to 96d is movable between the expanded position and the folded position. Two legs 96a, 96b include wheels 140 to facilitate transporting the stand 88.

[0035] The workbench 92 includes a vise 108 at one end thereof for supporting and clamping the tubular to the workbench 92, and a support 120 located on a side of the workbench 92 opposite the vise 108 to additionally support the tubular. In one embodiment of the bracket 88, the support 120 is vertically adjustable (i.e., movable upward and downward) relative to the workbench 92 for adjusting the orientation of the tubular supported on the support 120 and the vise 108.

[0036] An operating handle 124 extends from one side of the workbench 92 near the legs 96a, 96b for a user to grasp during transport and / or operation of the stand 88. Storage compartment 128 ( Figure 8 ) extend from opposite sides of the workbench 92 to store tools and other items during transport and / or operation of the rack 88.

[0037] The legs 96a to 96d fold inwardly so that the wheelless legs 96c, 96d fold toward the wheeled legs 96a, 96b, and the wheeled legs 96a, 96b fold toward the wheelless legs 96c, 96d. Figure 8 In the folded position shown, the wheeled legs 96a, 96b are positioned beside the storage compartment 128, and the wheelless legs 96c, 96d are positioned beside the handle 124. Thus, the wheels 140 are positioned on opposite sides of the storage compartment 128 and on the side of the workbench 92 opposite the handle 124. Next, the user tilts the stand 88 in such a way that the operating handle 124 is held in the tilted orientation and the wheels 140 contact the ground, thereby allowing the user to easily transport the stand 88.

[0038] Figures 9 to 13 Another alternative embodiment of the pipe assembly bracket 10' is shown, Figures 1 to 4Like parts of the pipe fitting mounting bracket 10 are shown with like reference numerals with an apostrophe mark (').

[0039] The illustrated pipe assembly stand 10' includes a workbench 14' and three legs 18a' to 18c' for supporting the workbench 14' in an elevated position relative to a support surface. The stand 10' also includes two connecting rods 22' that pivotally couple a first leg 18a' of the legs to the other two legs 18b', 18c', respectively, so that when the stand 10' is in a position ( Figures 9 to 11 The expanded state shown is the same as ( Fig.13 The workbench 14' includes a vise 30' at one end thereof for supporting and clamping the tubing to the workbench 14', and a support 42' on the side of the workbench 14' opposite the vise 30' to additionally support the tubing. The support 42' is vertically adjustable (i.e., movable upward and downward) relative to the workbench 14' for adjusting the orientation of the tubing on the rack 10'. In some embodiments, the vise 30' may include a chain for securing the tubing in place when the tubing is positioned on the workbench 14'. The vise 30' may additionally include a storage portion (not shown) for storing the chain during storage or transportation of the tubing rack 10'.

[0040] The workbench 14' further includes a handle 20' ( Fig.10 ). When using or transporting the pipe holder 10', a user can grasp the handle 20' for additional support. In addition, a user can temporarily store tools in an aperture 20a' formed in the workbench 14', which at least partially defines the handle 20'. The workbench 14' includes a storage portion 24' substantially opposite the handle 20'. The storage portion 24' is recessed into the workbench 14' so that when the user uses the holder 10', the storage portion 24' can receive small items (e.g., writing utensils, small tools).

[0041] For additional storage, the stand 10' also includes a shelf 16' positioned below the workbench 14'. The shelf 16' is pivotally coupled to the legs 18b', 18c' via corresponding linkages 28 coupled to the underside of the workbench 14'. In addition, the shelf 16' is pivotally coupled to the legs 18a' via parallel linkages 28 that extend from the edges of the shelf 16' for connection to the same pivot axis 32 that the linkages 22' pivotally couple to the legs 18a'. When the legs 18a'-18c' are pivoted to the folded position relative to the workbench 14', the linkages 28, 29 pivot the shelf 16' upward and toward the underside of the workbench 14' so that the shelf 16' and the legs 18a'-18c' are substantially parallel to the workbench 14' ( Fig.13 ). The leg 18a' further includes a stirrup 50' having a bottom surface 60' that defines a ground contact surface of the leg 18a' and an aperture 54' through which a user's foot may be received.

[0042] To lock the stand 10' in the folded position, the workbench 14' includes a locking mechanism 132 ( Fig.12 ). The locking mechanism 132 includes a first link 136 pivotally coupled to a second link 140 about an axis 144. The first link 136 is pivotally coupled to the underside of the table 14' via a first fastener 148 (e.g., a bolt, a screw, etc.) that extends through the link 136 and a portion of the table 14'. The second link 140 is pivotally coupled to the leg 18a' via a fastener 152 (e.g., a bolt, a screw, etc.). The second link 140 further extends parallel to flanges 156 of the leg 18a', which flanges can contact the link 140 and prevent the link 140 from pivoting further than the flange 156 in the first direction 160.

[0043] The locking mechanism 132 also includes a latch 164 pivotally coupled to the lower side of the workbench 14'. The latch 164 is close to the first link 136 and can engage with the first link 136 to prevent the pivotal movement of the first link 136, thereby preventing the pivotal movement of the second link 140 and the leg 18a'. Since the leg 18a' is pivotally coupled to the other legs 18b', 18c' through the corresponding link 22', when the latch 164 locks the leg 18a' in its unfolded position or folded position, all the legs 18a' to 18c' are locked in the unfolded position or folded position. Specifically, the first link 136 includes a fastener 168 (e.g., a bolt, a screw, etc.) to fix the striker 172 to the first link 136. The striker 172 can engage and be received in the first arc groove 176 in the latch 164 to fix the legs 18a' to 18c' in their unfolded position. The latch 164 further includes a second arcuate recess 180 for receiving the striker 172 when the legs 18a' to 18c' are pivoted to their folded positions, thereby locking the legs 18a' to 18c' in their folded positions.

[0044] When the user wants to retract the legs 18a' to 18c' to the folded position, the user depresses the latch 164. The latch 164 is thus moved downward, disengaging the striker 172 from the first arcuate groove 176. Due to the position of the flange 156, the second link 140 can only pivot in the second direction 184, thereby causing the first link 136 to pivot about the pivot axis 144 and also pivot in the second direction 184. As the links 136, 140 pivot, the legs 18a' to 18c' fold upward toward the workbench 14'. If the latch 164 is released during this time, the striker 172 slides along the edge of the latch 164 extending between the grooves 168, 180 and then falls into the second arcuate groove 180 to lock the legs 18a' to 18c' in their folded position.

[0045] Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pipe fitting assembly support for supporting pipe fittings during working operations, characterized in that: The pipe assembly bracket includes: Workbench; a vise coupled to the workbench for supporting the first portion of the pipe a support member positioned on a side of the table opposite the vise, the second portion of the pipe member being supported on the support member; a plurality of legs coupled to the workbench and movable between a deployed position and a stowed position, wherein a first leg of the plurality of legs is coupled to the underside of the workbench via a first bracket and a second leg of the plurality of legs is coupled to the underside of the workbench via a second bracket; and A reinforcing member couples the first bracket to the second bracket.

2. The pipe fitting assembly bracket according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first bracket and the second bracket includes an angled wall and a vertical wall opposite the angled wall.

3. The pipe fitting assembly bracket according to claim 2, wherein: The reinforcement members are respectively coupled to the vertical wall of the first bracket and the vertical wall of the second bracket.

4. The pipe fitting assembly bracket according to claim 2, wherein: The distal end of the first leg and the distal end of the second leg are positioned between the angled wall and the vertical wall of the first bracket and between the angled wall and the vertical wall of the second bracket, respectively.

5. The pipe fitting bracket of claim 2, further comprising a first fastener extending through the first bracket and the first leg, and a second fastener extending through the second bracket and the second leg, thereby coupling the first leg and the second leg to the workbench.

6. The pipe fitting bracket of claim 2, further comprising a first spacer positioned between the vertical wall of the first bracket and the first leg, and a second spacer positioned between the vertical wall of the second bracket and the second leg, wherein: The first spacer and the second spacer push the first leg and the second leg toward the angled wall of the first bracket and the angled wall of the second bracket, respectively.

7. The pipe fitting assembly bracket according to claim 1, wherein: The reinforcement member is welded to the first bracket and the second bracket.

8. The pipe fitting bracket according to claim 1, further comprising a first stopper positioned on the first leg and a second stopper positioned on the second leg, wherein: The first stop and the second stop are configured to engage the first bracket and the second bracket, respectively, when the first leg and the second leg are in the deployed position.

9. The pipe fitting assembly bracket according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of legs are coupled to the workbench and are movable between a first position and a second position via a linkage mechanism.

10. The pipe fitting assembly bracket according to claim 9, wherein: The link mechanism includes a first link connecting the first leg and the third leg of the plurality of legs to each other and a second link connecting the second leg and the third leg to each other.

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