Rotary tool workbench cradle

Abstract

The rotary tool workbench cradle embodiment is a structural configuration that uniquely provides dual panel support to the collar and the housing of the rotary tool, utilizing a V-notched, slidable and ratcheted back panel to incrementally elevate the housing of the rotary tool for horizontal positioning. Accessories mounted in the collet of the rotary tool are aligned parallel to the workbench or table top providing a more effective means for a horizontal placement of the cutting tool surface to be sharpened. The parallel alignment of the grinding surface of the rotary tool accessory and the workbench surface to which a tool to be sharpened (chisel, knife, scissors) can be held or mounted, provides for sharpening with more precision. Moreover, the device facilitates the horizontal seating of the rotary tool for the young and for amateurs. Both hands are freed to more safely and effectively secure the workpiece.

Claims

1. A rotary tool workbench cradle comprising: a rectangular base platform of four struts with a forward base member, rear base member, a right base member and a left base member, mounted to leave a central rectangular space; a rotary tool front support panel mounted at 90 degrees on a top, front surface of said forward base member; a slidable U-shaped support housing mounted perpendicular to said rectangular base platform, horizontally slidable on a top surface of said right base member and said left base member, said support housing having a left slotted column and a right slotted column, an upper end of said left slotted column having a first pawl element, and an upper end of said right slotted column having a second pawl element; a rotary tool ratcheted back support panel having a left edge and a right edge, said left and right edges having on their surfaces a plurality of ratchet teeth, said back support panel vertically slidable within said slots of said left and right slotted columns of said support housing, wherein said left edge ratchet teeth engage with said first pawl element, and said right edge ratchet teeth engage with said second pawl element; and, a central base strut disposed within the central rectangular space and slidable along an inner surface of said right base member and said left base member, said support housing mounted on said central base strut.

2. The rotary tool workbench cradle of claim 1 wherein a top front edge of said rotary tool front support panel has a V-shaped notch.

3. The rotary tool workbench cradle of claim 1 wherein said right slotted column and said left sided column of said U-shaped support housing are each comprised of a central post and two side panels to each form a U-shaped slot.

4. The rotary tool workbench cradle of claim 1 wherein said right slotted column is mounted perpendicular to a right end of said central base strut and said left slotted column is mounted perpendicular to a left end of said central base strut.

5. The rotary tool workbench cradle of claim 1 wherein said first and said second pawl are releaseable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows an overall frontal perspective view of a presently preferred embodiment of a rotary tool workbench cradle.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the rectangular base platform with the rotating tool front support panel mounted at the top front of the open rectangular base.

(3) FIG. 3 is an enlarged, perspective view of the slidable U-shaped support housing with the slidable central base strut.

(4) FIG. 4 is an enlarged, perspective view of the rotary tool ratcheted back support panel.

(5) FIG. 5A shows the cradle in side view to depict the horizontal positioning of a rotary tool set into the workbench cradle, supported by the front support panel and the ratcheted back support panel.

(6) FIG. 5B is a frontal view through the center of the slotted columns of the U-shaped support housing demonstrating the cable tie pawl tooth interfacing with the cable tie band of the ratcheted back support panel. The rotary tool is supported on the panel.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(7) The features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, examples, and claims.

(8) The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

(9) Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

(10) The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the full scope of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

(11) FIG. 1 shows an overall frontal perspective view of a presently preferred embodiment of a rotary tool workbench cradle. The device is a workstation which provides horizontal, dual panel support to a rotary tool.

(12) Shown in FIG. 2 is the rectangular base platform 10 with a rotary tool front support panel 20 mounted on a forward base member 12 perpendicular to the rectangular base platform 10. The rectangular base platform consists of four base members anchored in a linear plane to form a rectangular base platform 10 leaving a central rectangular space 22. The forward base member 12 and the rear base member 18 are of rectangular shape, generally 8 mm in thickness, 20 mm in width and 73 mm in length. The right base member 14 and the left base member 16 are of rectangular shape, generally 8 mm in thickness, 20 mm in width and 18 cm in length.

(13) The rotating tool front support panel 20 is rectangular in shape, general 8 mm in thickness, 113 mm in width and 6 cm in height with the top edge comprised of a central notch 24 in a V configuration of predetermined width and depth.

(14) FIG. 3 demonstrates a slidable U-shaped housing 26 of predetermined size, consisting of a rectangular, slidable central base strut 28, a right slotted column 30 and a left slotted column 32. The slidable central base strut 28 is generally 8 mm in thickness. 20 mm in width and 73 mm in length which is slidable in the central rectangular space 22 of the rectangular base platform 10 perpendicular to the right base member 14 and the left base member 16. The right slotted column 30 and the left sided column 32 are of similar configuration, comprised of a central post 34 generally 8 mm in thickness, 8 mm in width and 45 mm in height. A side panel 36, generally 2 mm in thickness, 15 mm in width and 45 mm in height is mounted along the length of both sides of the central post 34 to form the U-shaped configuration of the right slotted column 30 and the left slotted column 32.

(15) The right slotted column 30 and the left slotted column 32 are similarly, perpendicularly mounted, one at each end of the slidable central base strut 28 with the U-shaped configuration of the right slotted column 30 and the left slotted column 32 facing the central rectangular space 22.

(16) FIG. 4 depicts the rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 38, generally 8 mm in thickness, 7 cm in width and 45 mm in height with the top edge comprised of a central panel notch 40 in V-configuration of predetermined width and depth. A cable tie band 42, generally 1.5 mm in thickness, 8 mm in width and 45 mm in height is mounted vertically to the right and left vertical edges of the rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 38. The rotary tool ratcheted support panel 38 is housed within the right slotted column 30 and the left slotted column 32 of the slidable U-shaped support housing 26.

(17) FIG. 5A as seen in sectional view demonstrating the slidable U-shaped support housing 26 and the rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 38 housed between the right slotted column 30 and the left slotted column 32 to further demonstrate the cable tie head/pawl mechanism 44 with the pawl tooth 46 interfacing with the cable tie band 42 of the rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 38. A pawl release lever 48 is a component of the mechanism. The rotary tool 50 is seated and secured in the V-notch configuration of the rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 38.

(18) FIG. 5B demonstrates the horizontal positioning of a rotary tool within the workbench cradle with dual support to the rotary tool at the neck or collar and at the mid to distal portion of the tool casing. The rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 38 positioned in the slidable U-shaped support housing 26 is extended up exposing the cable tie band 42 as the rotary tool is leveled.

(19) Operation

(20) The professional craftsman, the amateur craftsman, homeowner or child places the rotary tool workbench cradle, FIG. 1, on a bench top or table top. An accessory is selected to perform the desired task, (cutting, grinding, sanding, routing, engraving, polishing) to be directed to the workpiece. The appropriate accessory is mounted into the collet or chuck of the rotary tool and secured.

(21) The rotary tool with accessory mounted is now lowered into the rotary tool workbench cradle, FIG. 1, simultaneously placing the neck or collar of the tool into the central notch 24 of the rotary tool front support panel 20 and the mid to distal casing of the rotary tool into the central panel notch 40 of the rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 38.

(22) At this point, FIG. 5A, the rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 38 can be elevated to horizontally position the rotary tool, FIG. 5B. The rotary tool will swivel at the neck in the central notch 24 as the mid to back portion of the rotary tool is elevated by the rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 38.

(23) The slidable U-shaped support housing 26 which houses the rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 38 can be moved between the right base member 14 and the left base member 16 of the rectangular base platform 10 to accommodate various rotary tool lengths and casing diameters. In this manner the slidable U-shaped support housing 26 can be positioned to permit utilization of the incremental sliding and ratcheted elevation of the rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 38.

(24) Once the rotary tool has been placed in the rotary tool workbench cradle, FIG. 1, a further, finer, more precision alignment of the rotary tool, particularly the cutting, grinding or sanding surface of the accessory can be achieved by first placing a drill bit in the collet to serve as a leveling bar. A wedge-shaped piece of post card or cardboard is passed vertically along the table top under the exposed length of the drill bit marking the drill bit shaft height with a pencil mark along the slopped end of the card both at the base and at the tip of the drill bit shaft. When both marks are at the same height, the drill bit will be horizontal to the table top. The rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 38 provides for fine, incremental elevation of the ratcheted back support panel to level the drill bit and the accessory to be used. Moreover, the pawl release lever 48 provides the means to lower the rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 38 back to the slidable central base strut 28.

(25) The amateur craftsman and the child, under the guidance of a parent or guardian, can more safely utilize a rotary tool which has been placed into the dual support of the central notch 24 and central panel notch 40 of the rotary tool workbench cradle, FIG. 1, with both hands free to secure the workpiece.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

(26) One or more aspects of the rotary tool workbench cradle provides a device to horizontally seat a rotating tool with mounted accessories toward the task of cutting, routing, grinding, sanding and polishing a workpiece with the functional, interfacing surface of the accessory parallel to the workbench or table top. Traditionally, workbench vises and drill stand workstations have been utilized to horizontally position and hold a rotary tool, basically with a single support jaw mechanism or clamp. Moreover, drill press workstations generally accommodate only the rotary tools supplied by selective manufacturers.

(27) The rotary tool workbench cradle embodiment provides a dual support system, securing the activated rotary tool with the accessory rotating at a preset speed. The rotary tool is seated in the cradle with the neck or collar positioned in the V-notch of the front panel and the body or housing of the rotary tool positioned in a V-notch configuration of a ratcheted back support panel. The V-notch configuration of the support panels and the slidable feature of the back panel, uniquely provides for a compatibility to seat and cradle rotary tools of multiple shapes and dimensions, supplied by multiple manufacturers. It provides a versatile application to the numerous collar sizes which currently range from 18 mm to 24 mm in diameter, housings ranging in size from 38 mm to 50 mm in diameter and rotary tool lengths ranging from 19 cm to 23.5 cm. Larger rotary tools can be seated in the device. Moreover, the device is potentially accessible to smaller and lighter rotary tools as they are developed, utilizing a Velcro strap across the top of the cradle if necessary to further secure a smaller rotary tool.

(28) The unique feature of the ratcheted back support panel provides for a fine, incremental elevation of the mid to back portion of the rotary tool to readily achieve a horizontal position with accessory alignment parallel to the workbench surface. In this manner, the cutting edge of the tool to be sharpened (chisel, knife, scissors, shears) can be positioned and held on a workbench surface or tool holder to interface with the rotating accessory in parallel configuration, providing for a more precisely sharpened cutting edge.

(29) For the professional craftsman, the homeowner, amateur craftsman and the wood-crafting child, the dual support mechanism of the rotary tool cradle provides for and easily facilitates secure positioning of the rotary tool in a safe and effective manner, freeing up both hands to secure the workpiece. The embodiment particularly facilitates rotary tool utilization by the young adult and child for whom traditional bench vise and drill stand workstation support to the ergonomically shaped rotary tool in a horizontal position is time consuming with a less satisfactory, horizontal stabilization to an actuated rotary tool.

(30) The rotary tool workbench cradle has been reduced to practice. The prototype facilitates a prompt, effective, horizontal seating of a rotary tool in a cost effective device with formidable marketing potential.

(31) The present rotary tool workbench cradle embodiment has been defined and presented as a system to support a rotary tool utilizing a dual support system with a unique ratcheted support panel to elevate and horizontally position rotary tools of multiple sizes and configurations. The description is not intended to limit the scope and application to woodworking, tool sharpening or the polishing of jewelry. The scope, intent and spirit of the embodiment is to provide a means to promptly secure a rotary tool in a defined configuration for the horizontal alignment of accessories to the workbench surface to facilitate a more precise interface application toward the task of cutting, grinding, sanding and polishing the tool or workpiece.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(32) 10. rectangular base platform 12. forward base member 14. right base member 16. left base member 18. rear base member 20. rotary tool front support panel 22. central rectangular space 24. central notch 26. slidable U-shaped support housing 28. slidable central base strut 30. right slotted column 32. left slotted column 34. central post 36. side panel 38. rotary tool ratcheted back support panel 40. central panel notch 42. cable tie band 44. cable tie head/pawl mechanism 46. pawl tooth 48. pawl release lever 50. rotary tool

(33) The references recited herein are incorporated herein in their entirety, particularly as they relate to teaching the level of ordinary skill in this art and for any disclosure necessary for the commoner understanding of the subject matter of the claimed invention. It will be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the above embodiments may be altered or that insubstantial changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined by the scope of the following claims and their equitable Equivalents.