GB2452984A

GB2452984A - Stand and wedge assembly for supporting a planar workpiece

Info

Publication number: GB2452984A
Application number: GB0718538A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Edmund Hammonds
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-22
Filing date: 2007-09-22
Publication date: 2009-03-25
Also published as: GB0718538D0

Abstract

The stand assembly comprises a stand 10 and a wedge 20. The stand has a central region that serves as a support base 12, and respective upstanding side portions 14, 16 which provide first and second opposing substantially planar surfaces 15, 17, between which a workpiece (30, fig 2) extends when supported on the base. At least a first opposing surface of the stand is a sloping surface lying in a plane which extends at an acute angle relative to an imaginary central plane A along a mid line of the support base. The wedge has first and second opposing wedge surfaces 22, 24, the first of which extends at an acute angle relative to the second wedge surface. The angle between the first and second surfaces of the wedge is preferably within the range of 10 to 20 degrees.

Description

I

STAND ASSEMBLY FOR A PLANAR WORKPIECE

The invention concerns a stand assembly comprising a stand and a wedge for supporting a substantially planar workpiece, such as a door.

When a workpiece such as a door, requires planing along its edges, or one or more pieces cut away by sawing or use of power tools or other work, for example, drilling for fitting handles, hinges etc., it needs to be supported. This can best be done using a workbench incorporating a vice arrangement, but often such equipment is not available on site and the workpiece is supported against a wall or upon a table or other surface, or straddled by the operative. These options are less than satisfactory and can make the workpiece difficult to manipulate, with risk of inaccuracies, even injury.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple support means to meet this requirement.

According to the invention a stand assembly for supporting a substantially planar work piece comprises a stand and at least one wedge, the stand having a central region as a support base and respective upstanding side portions which provide first and second opposing substantially planar surfaces between which the workpiece extends when supported on the base, at least the first said opposing surface being a sloping surface lying in a plane which extends at an acute angle relative to an imaginary central plane along a mid line of the support base, and the or each wedge having first and second opposing wedge surfaces, the first said wedge surface extending an acute angle relative to the second wedge surface.

In preferred practical embodiments the first said wedge surface of the or each wedge extends at substantially the same acute angle relative to the second wedge surface as the sloping planar surface extends relative to the imaginary central plane.

In a preferred practical embodiment, of particularly simple construction and straightforward to use, only a single wedge is provided and the second said opposing surface of the stand lies in a plane which extends substantially parallel to the imaginary central plane along the mid line of the support base.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred practical embodiment of the assembly of the invention; and Figure 2 is a reduced scale perspective view showing how the assembly of figure 1 can be used to support a panel.

As illustrated, this practical embodiment comprises a stand 10 and a wedge 20. The stand 10 has a central region serving as a support base 12 and respective upstanding side portions 14, 16. These side portions 14, 16 have first and second opposing substantially planar surfaces 15, 17 at opposing sides of the support base 12. Upper surfaces of the side portions 14, 16 are tapered towards side edges of the stand 10 in this particular embodiment. The first planar surface 15 is sloping relative to an imaginary central plane (depicted by the broken line A in figure 1) along a mid line of the support base 10. The second planar surface 17 extends substantially parallel to the imaginary central plane A, and also substantially parallel to the side edges of the stand 10.

The sloping surface 15 extends at an acute angle a, preferably between 100 and 20°, and most preferably about 150, relative to the imaginary central plane A. The wedge 20 has first and second opposing wedge surfaces 22, 24. The first wedge surface 22 extends at the same acute angle a as just mentioned, preferably between 100 and 200, and most preferably about 15°, relative to the second wedge surface 24.

In use, a substantially planar workpiece, such as panel 30 depicted in figure 2, or more typically a door, which needs to be worked upon, for example using a lathe, a saw, a drill or power tools, can be placed to have a side edge region resting upon the support base 12 and extending through between the planar surfaces 15, 17. A remote end of the workpiece 30 may rest on the ground, or else it may be supported likewise in a further support assembly. The wedge 20 is then inserted in position in the support base 12, as shown in figures 1 and 2, between the sloping surface 15 and the workpiece 30.

Because the angle between the wedge surfaces 22, 24 is the same as the angle between the sloping surface 15 and the imaginary central plane A, which ever wedge surface 22, 24 is in contact with the workpiece 30 lies substantially parallel to the opposing planar surface 17 of the stand 10. The workpiece 30 is therefore held firmly and straight.

The advantage of using this support assembly is that the workpiece is independently supported, i.e. not leaning against any other surface and enables the user to have a full range of movement when working upon the workpiece, with both hands free to operate tools and/or machinery correctly and safely. It also enables the user to work upon the workpiece in a confined area.

Only one wedge is required in the illustrated embodiment. The thickness of the workpiece is adapted to by the sliding action of the wedge as it is inserted. If the workpiece is thinner than the range accommodated by the wedge, a packer is used.

The foregoing is illustrated and not limitative of the scope of the invention. The stand may vary in detail in other embodiments. For example, the configuration of the side portions of the stand may vary.

To avoid loss of the wedge and to keep it close to hand, it may conveniently be tethered to the stand by a cord, cable or chain or the like.

In other non-illustrated embodiments of the invention it is possible that both the opposing planar surfaces of the side portions may be sloping relative to the imaginary central plane, in which case, a wedge of different configuration will be required or alternatively two wedges may be required, one to be inserted at each side of the workpiece.

However, the illustrated embodiment is preferred for simplicity.

Claims

1. A stand assembly for supporting a substantially planar workpiece, the assembly comprising a stand and at least one wedge, the stand having a central region as a support base and respective upstanding side portions which provide first and second opposing substantially planar surfaces between which the workpiece extends when supported on the base, at least the first said opposing surface being a sloping surface lying in a plane which extends at an acute angle relative to an imaginary central plane along a mid line of the support base, and the or each wedge having first and second opposing wedge surfaces, the first said wedge surface extending at an acute angle relative to the second wedge surface.

2. A stand assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first said wedge surface of the or each wedge extends at substantially the same acute angle relative to the second wedge surface as the sloping planar surface extends relative to the imaginary central plane.

3. A stand assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the second said opposing surface of the stand lies in a plane which extends substantially parallel to the imaginary central plane along the mid line of the support base.

4. A stand assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each sloping surface of the stand extends at an angle of between 10 and 20 degrees relative to the imaginary central plane along the mid line of the support base.

5. A stand assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the wedge is tethered to the stand by a connecting cord or chain of the like.

6. A stand assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.