Portable workbench

Abstract

A folding workbench comprising: - in the folded position, a parallelepiped-shaped transport case in which are arranged, in a superimposed manner, n assemblies, with n greater than or equal to 2, each comprising a housing with at least one upper wall constituting a work surface and a lower wall connected by side walls, at least n-1 assemblies comprising means for securing removable or folding legs, and the housings of these n assemblies comprising means for attaching them to one another; - in the unfolded position, a first assembly whose lower face of the housing is at least partially placed on the upper face of the case and whose upper face constitutes the work surface, this first assembly being secured, via the attachment means, to at least a second assembly resting on at least one leg, the work surfaces being juxtaposed and, preferably, parallel. Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Portable workbench

[0001] The invention relates to the field of workbenches, shelves or portable supports for arranging portable tools or workpieces and more particularly relates to a portable workbench which is compact in the transport position and has a large work surface once deployed.

[0002] Firearms used for shooting training or by combatants are subjected to very high stresses during their operation. It is therefore necessary to ensure periodic inspections to check, in particular, the absence of cracks in their constituent materials and the performance of their various mechanical components.

[0003] The application of regulatory measures is absolutely essential to avoid unreasonably exposing shooters and combatants to serious injuries in the event of defects in the weapons in service.

[0004] The gunsmiths responsible for these checks must, for this purpose, have dedicated equipment and suitable infrastructure. In practice, in the military field, this type of check cannot be carried out in the immediate vicinity of the place of engagement but in a rear base, due to the lack of an easily transportable gunsmith workshop. This results in losses of time and relatively significant expenses related to the travel of personnel and their weapons to the armory, sometimes far from their place of assignment.

[0005] To avoid this loss of time, a portable workbench can be used. Patent GB160812 is known, which describes a workbench that can be dismantled, comprising a worktop supported by removable legs shorter than the length of the worktop, a folding flap secured to the worktop by a hinge and screwed side boards, the legs, after detachment from the worktop, being placed in a recess provided in the table. The underside of the worktop has a rail for supporting a drawer.

[0006] We also know patent application US 2006 / 0266432 which describes a folding workbench comprising a work surface supported by folding legs, a folding flap secured to the work surface by a joint and side chains, the whole being arranged, in the folded position, in a storage box.

[0007] These designs are, despite everything, cumbersome because the work surface must have a length at least equal to or, preferably, greater than that of the objects it supports and, in the case of rifles, this length is significant.

[0008] The aim of the invention is to resolve the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a foldable workbench comprising: - in the folded position, a transport box having at least one upper wall and a lower wall connected by side walls and in which are arranged, in a superimposed manner, n assemblies, with n greater than or equal to 2, each comprising a box with at least one upper wall constituting a work surface and a lower wall connected by side walls, at least n-1 assemblies comprising means for securing removable or folding feet and the boxes of these n assemblies comprising means for attaching them to each other, - in the deployed position forming a workbench, a first assembly whose lower wall of the housing is placed at least partially on the upper wall of the box and whose upper wall of the housing constitutes the work surface, this first assembly being secured, via the attachment means, to at least one second assembly resting on at least one foot, the work surfaces of the assemblies being juxtaposed and, preferably, parallel.

[0009] Preferably, this box has a parallelepiped shape. The lower wall of the housing can rest directly on the upper face of the box or by means of more or less punctual surfaces such as, for example, studs.

[0010] Preferably, in the deployed position, the upper faces of the housings of the first and second assemblies are juxtaposed and in the same plane.

[0011] By in the same plane, it is necessary to understand that the difference in level at the junction of the two is less than 5mm and the planes make an angle between them of between 175 and 185 degrees so as to constitute a continuous or quasi-continuous work plane.

[0012] According to a particular characteristic making it easier to use the workbench and, more particularly, to make tools available, at least one assembly comprises a first flap secured to the housing when the workbench is in the deployed position. Preferably, the first flap can be folded onto the upper wall of the housing constituting the work surface and, preferably, comprises means for limiting the maximum angle formed between the first flap and the upper wall of the housing.

[0013] According to another characteristic, a workbench according to the invention comprises a second flap, integral with the first flap and adjustable relative to the latter.

[0014] According to another characteristic, at least one of the first and second shutters comprises at least one photovoltaic panel, for example electrically connected to a battery or to an accumulator itself connected to an electrical outlet or to an electrical or electronic device, possibly via a switch.

[0015] According to another characteristic, a lighting device is integrated into the first or second shutter.

[0016] According to a particular characteristic allowing work either sitting or standing when the workbench is in the deployed position, the height of the work surface relative to the base of the transport box is between 0.6 and 0.8m. The box being empty When the workbench is extended, it is possible to position the knees inside the box. For working in a standing position, this height can, for example, be up to 1.2 m.

[0017] [Fig. 1] shows an example of a transport box implemented within the framework of a first example embodiment of the invention.

[0018] [Fig.2] shows the box according to [Fig.l] in which three sets have been placed according to the invention.

[0019] [Fig.3] illustrates an assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0020] [Fig.4] shows the invention according to this first example of embodiment in position deployed.

[0021] [Fig.5a], [Fig.5b] and [Fig.5c] show a second embodiment of feet supports implemented within the framework of the invention.

[0022] [Fig.6a], [Fig.6b] illustrate an assembly according to a second example of embodiment of the invention.

[0023] [Fig.7] shows an exemplary embodiment in which the invention comprises means of facilitating and accelerating the movement of the transport box, empty or filled, when it is possible to roll it.

[0024] [Fig.8] shows another variant embodiment of a box 100 according to the invention.

[0025] [Fig. 1] shows an example of a transport box 1 according to the invention. It comprises an upper wall 2 and a lower wall 3 connected by two side walls 4 and by a rear wall not visible in this figure. It also has a door 6 constituting a front face and secured to one of the side faces 4 by a hinge and to the other side face by reversible hooking means of the latch type 14.

[0026] Inside the box are arranged shelves 9, 10, 11 and 12.

[0027] The upper wall 2 has Velcro-type retaining strips. The side walls 4 each have two external handles 5 and hooking means 13 capable of cooperating with those, 14, of the door 6 to keep the door in the closed position.

[0028] Two wheels 7 are fixed to the lower wall 3 of the body by ball joint fixing means 15. Two feet 8 are fixed to the lower wall 3 of the body so as to form a quadrilateral with the wheels 7 and ensure the stability of the body 1.

[0029] In [Fig.2] is shown the box according to [Fig.l] in which three assemblies 20i, 202 and 203 according to the invention have been placed respectively on the shelves 9, 10 and 11 while 4 telescopic feet 21 are arranged in a box 37 with four housings, one for each foot, this box 37 being fixed to the shelf 12 by gluing.

[0030] When the door 6 is closed, the assemblies 20 are entirely protected by the body 1 from any shock that may occur.

[0031] [Fig. 3] shows an assembly according to the invention. It comprises a housing 22 with a upper wall 24 constituting a work surface, a lower wall 25 connected by two side walls 26 and a rear wall 27. Inside this housing 22 is arranged a drawer 28 comprising a handle 29. A folding flap 23 is secured to the upper face 24 of the housing by a hinge 31 and by means 32, of the slide / slider type, for limiting the angle formed between the work surface and the flap 23, for example to approximately 90°. This flap takes a first position, called storage in which it faces the upper wall 24 of the housing and a second position, called deployed, in which the planes of the upper wall 24 of the housing and the flap 23 make an angle defined by the means 32 of the slide / slider type.

[0032] First attachment means are arranged on the lateral faces 26 of the housing of this assembly; they are intended to cooperate with second means arranged on the lateral wall of a second assembly 20 in order to secure these two assemblies together and so that, when the folding flaps are deployed, the upper walls 24 of the housings 22 of these assemblies are juxtaposed and arranged substantially in the same plane.

[0033] Each of the feet 21 comprises a plate welded to its end. It is intended to cooperate with a metal plate fixed to the lower face of the housing and forming with the latter a C-shaped housing making it possible to ensure reversible fixing of the feet on this internal face when the welded plate is introduced into the housing.

[0034] [Fig.4] shows the invention in the deployed position, thus forming a workbench. The box has been positioned on a horizontal surface or a surface where the wheels 7 and the feet 8 are substantially in the same horizontal plane. The assembly 202, which has Velcro strips on its lower face 3, is placed on the upper wall 2 of the box 1 and in such a way that the strips of the box and those of the lower face are superimposed, thus ensuring stability and maintenance of one relative to the other. The flap 23 of this assembly is then deployed. Two feet are then fixed to the assembly 203, which is then secured to the assembly 202 via the attachment means 33. The flap 23 of the assembly 203 is then deployed. Two feet are then fixed to the assembly 20i which is then secured to the assembly 202 via the attachment means 33 on the side opposite that of the assembly 203. The flap 23 of the assembly 203 is then deployed.A work surface is thus formed comprising successively the upper faces of the assemblies 20i, 202 and 203 and the contents of the drawers 28 are accessible. The flap 23 comprises supports, known from the state of the art, for the tools. The latter are either secured to the flap while the assembly is in the folded position and in the deployed position, or extracted from the drawers and secured to the flap via said supports.

[0035] The flap 23 of the assembly 202 comprises a shelf 42 fixed on a suitable support.

[0036] Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show an alternative embodiment of the support feet of the 20i and 203 sets.

[0037] These support feet 48, 49 each comprise a first tubular metal structure in the shape of an inverted U, the branches 50 of which are vertical and terminate in screw means 52 for adjusting their length, and the base 53 is horizontal and forms an angle of approximately 90°. These support feet 48, 49 further comprise a second and a third rectilinear tubular structures 54, 55, one of which is welded at the branch-base junction of one of the branches and the other at the branch-base junction of the other branch and at a distance, from the upper face of the base of the U, greater than the thickness of the upper wall 2 of the body 1 and perpendicular to the base 53 and to the branches 50. Each of these second and third structures 54, 55 is inserted inside the body 1 via an opening made in the side wall 4 and slides in a slider 51. As shown in [Fig.5c], the second and third structures of the first support leg 48, the openings in the box and the corresponding slides are offset, in a plane parallel to that of the shelves and the upper wall 2, relative to those of the second support leg 49 in order to allow complete sliding of these structures inside the box.

[0038] Thus, in the folded position of the workbench, the second and third structures 54, 55 are located inside the box and the first structure outside, whereas in the deployed position, as shown in FIGS. 5b and 5c, a part of these structures is located outside and another part inside the box in which they are held in position by the slides.

[0039] Figures 6a and 6b show a second example of an embodiment of an assembly according to the invention. This assembly 60 comprises a housing 61 consisting of an upper wall 66 constituting a work surface, a lower wall 67 connected by two side walls 68. Inside this housing 61 are arranged, on one side, a first drawer 69 and, on the opposite side, a second drawer 70, these drawers pulling and pushing each other in reverse directions. Each of these drawers has a handle not shown.

[0040] A first folding flap 62 is secured to the upper face 66 of the housing 61 by a hinge 63 and by means, for example a chain, for limiting the angle formed between the work surface 66 and the flap 62, for example to approximately 90°. This flap takes a first position, called storage in which it faces the upper wall of the housing and a second position, called deployed, in which the planes of the upper wall of the housing and the flap make an angle defined by the means for limiting the angle between the flap and the housing.

[0041] First attachment means are arranged on the lateral faces 26 of the housing of this assembly; they are intended to cooperate with second means arranged on the lateral wall of a second assembly in order to secure these two assemblies together. them and so that, when the folding shutters are deployed, the upper walls of the housings of these assemblies are juxtaposed and arranged substantially in the same plane.

[0042] A second folding flap 64 is fixed at the free end of the first folding flap by a friction hinge 65 allowing this second flap 64 to be oriented continuously through nearly 180°. This flap comprises, on one of its two main faces, a photovoltaic panel 71 connected to a battery, itself connected to an adjustable light strip 72 to supply it with electricity via a switch not shown. The cumulative height of the first and second flaps is practically equal to the width of the work surface and, in all cases, less than the depth of the transport box.

[0043] Thus, when the workbench is deployed and possibly used, the second flaps are preferably oriented towards the sun in order to charge the batteries. When it must be used at night or in a dark environment, the operator can turn on the light strip and orient it towards the work surface or even the part of the latter on which he is working.

[0044] Having two drawers 69, 70 pulling in opposite directions makes it possible to obtain additional carrying capacity without increasing the depth of the front drawer 69 which, otherwise, would be likely to be too bulky if it were extended to its full length. Thus, it is possible to install, on the flap 62, the tools previously stored in the rear drawer 70, and to work while the front drawer 69 is deployed, which allows access to the tools placed inside. Furthermore, when it is, for example, necessary to have spare parts for guns, it is preferable to keep them in the rear drawer 70 and to place the tools in the front drawer and, on the flap 62, in order in particular to avoid damaging them or losing them. In addition, this arrangement makes it possible not to destabilise the assembly 60 in the case where heavy tools are placed on the handle side of the front drawer 69 in the deployed position.

[0045] [Fig. 7] shows an exemplary embodiment in which the invention comprises means for facilitating and accelerating the movement of the transport box, empty or filled, when it is possible to roll it. These means comprise two parallel tubular sections 81 fixed to the rear wall 80 of the transport box and a U-shaped telescopic tubular part 82 whose branches slide inside said parallel tubular sections 81. The position of the telescopic tubular part 82 relative to the two parallel tubular sections 81 is lockable by means of retractable pins associated with springs, and this, in the retracted position and in the deployed position of the telescopic tubular part 82. To use it, it is sufficient to pull the telescopic part upwards, to lock the telescopic tubular part 82 in the deployed position then to tilt the box backwards and finally to pull or push on the base of the U to move the box forward or backward as if using a hand truck.

[0046] [Fig. 8] shows another alternative embodiment of a box 100 according to the invention. It is of the type shown in [Fig. 5a] with a rear wall 80 having means 81, 82 making it possible to facilitate and accelerate the movement of the transport box according to [Fig. 7].

[0047] This box 100 comprises an upper wall 101 and a first and a second lower wall 102, 103 connected by two side walls 104 in the shape of an inverted L whose base constitutes the major part of the box, in this case equivalent to that of [Fig.l] and whose branch constitutes an extension of the box downwards in parallel with the overall volume occupied by the wheels and over a height equal to that separating the exterior of the second lower wall from the base of the wheel. Thus when the box rests on horizontal ground, on the one hand on the wheels and on the other hand on the exterior of the first lower wall 102, the upper wall 101 is also in a horizontal plane. As a result, this extension makes it possible on the one hand to replace the feet 8 of [Fig.l] and, on the other hand, to increase the useful interior volume of the box.The latter also has a door 106 constituting a front face which is secured to one of the lateral faces 104 by a hinge and to the other lateral face by reversible hooking means of the latch type 114.

[0048] The side walls 104 each have two external handles 105 and hooking means 113 capable of cooperating with those, 114, of the door 106 to keep it in the closed position.

[0049] This box 100 further comprises support feet 148, 149 of the type shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c. Each of these support feet comprises a first tubular metal structure in the shape of an inverted U, of which: • the branches 150 each comprise a first part 151 and a second part 152 which slides inside the first part and comprises, at its free end, screw means 153 for adjusting their length. These second parts 152 are connected to each other by a crosspiece 158. In addition, each of the first parts 151 comprises a longitudinal slot 154 while each of the second parts 152 comprises a threaded rod which is perpendicular to it and which is intended to slide inside the groove. A butterfly screw is associated with this threaded rod and makes it possible, by tightening, to secure said first and second parts. • base 154 is horizontal and makes an angle of approximately 90.

[0050] These support feet 148, 149 each further comprise a second and a third rectilinear tubular structure 155, 156, one of which is welded at the level of the branch-base junction of one of said branches and the other at the level of the junction base branch of the other branch and at a distance, from the upper face of the base of the U, greater than the thickness of the upper wall 102 of the box 100 and perpendicular to the base 154 and to the branches 150. Each of these second and third structures 155, 156 is, in part, inserted inside the box 100 by means of an opening made in the side wall 157 and slides in a slide, not visible in this figure, secured to the inner face of the upper wall 101.

[0051] The interior of the first lower wall 102 constitutes a first shelf while three other shelves 109, 110 and 111 are arranged inside the box.

[0052] In the transport position, the second and third structures 155, 156 are inserted inside the box 100 and second parts 151 of said branches are retracted inside said first parts 151 and held in position by tightening the butterfly screws. The door 106 is locked in the closed position. The U-shaped telescopic tubular part 82 of the means for facilitating and accelerating the movement of the transport box is then deployed and locked in this position. The box 100 is then tilted backwards so that only the wheels touch the ground: the box can then be moved by pulling or pushing on the base of the telescopic part 82.

[0053] In the storage position, the second and third structures 155, 156 are inserted inside the box 100 and second parts 151 of said branches are retracted inside said first parts 151 and held in position by tightening the butterfly screws. The U-shaped telescopic tubular part 82 is locked in the retracted position inside the two parallel tubular sections 81. The box rests on the ground via the two wheels 107 and the outer face of the first lower wall 102.

[0054] In these two positions each of the shelves 109, 110 and 111 supports an assembly 20 according to the invention.

[0055] For the workbench position requiring three juxtaposed work surfaces, the second and third structures 155, 156 are deployed outside the box 100 and the second parts 151 of said branches are deployed outside said first parts 151 and held in position by tightening the butterfly screws. The door 106 is then unlocked and then opened and a first assembly is arranged on the upper face of the box 100, a second assembly is arranged on one of the support legs 148, 149 and a third assembly is arranged on the other support leg. The folding flap 23 of each of these three assemblies 20 is then deployed and if they are not already there, tools can be fixed on the folding flap. The operator can then begin his work.

[0056] Obviously, many modifications can be made to the embodiments described above. For example, the box could contain a battery and power independent lighting systems or those associated with at least one of the units by wire. In addition, the box could contain more or fewer units.

Claims

Claims

1. Foldable workbench comprising: - in the folded position, a transport box (1,100) having at least one upper wall (2,101) and one lower wall (3,102,103,104) connected by side walls (4,104) and in which are arranged, in a superimposed manner, n assemblies (20,60), with n greater than or equal to 2, each comprising a housing (22,61) with at least one upper wall (24,66) constituting a work surface and a lower wall (25,67) connected by side walls (26,68), at least n-1 assemblies (20,60) comprising means for securing removable or foldable legs and the housings (22,61) of these n assemblies comprising means (33) for hooking them to each other, - in the deployed position forming a workbench, a first assembly whose lower wall (25,67) of the housing (22,61) is placed at least partially on the upper wall (2,101) of the box (1,100) and the upper wall (24,66) of the housing constitutes the work surface, this first assembly (20,60) being secured, via the attachment means (33), to at least one second assembly (20,60) resting on at least one foot (21, 50, 150), the work surfaces (24,66) of the assemblies being juxtaposed and, preferably, parallel.

2. Workbench according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one assembly comprises a first flap (23, 62) secured to the housing (22, 61) when the workbench is in the deployed position.

3. Workbench according to claim 2, characterized in that the first flap (23, 62) can be folded onto the upper wall (24, 66) of the housing constituting the work surface and, preferably, comprises means for limiting the maximum angle formed between the first flap and the upper wall (24, 66) of the housing.

4. Workbench according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a second flap (64), integral with the first flap (62) and orientable relative to the latter.

5. Workbench according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the first and second shutters (23, 62, 64) comprises at least one photovoltaic panel (71).

6. Workbench according to claim 5, characterized in that the photovoltaic panel (71) is electrically connected to a battery or to an accumulator itself connected to an electrical outlet or to a device electrical (72) or electronic.

7. Workbench according to claim 6, characterized in that the battery or accumulator is electrically connected to an electrical outlet or to an electrical (72) or electronic device via a switch.

8. Workbench according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that a lighting device is integrated into the first or second shutter.

9. Workbench according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, in the deployed position, the height of the work surface relative to the base of the transport box is between 0.6 and 1.2 m.

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