초록 ▼

A method and apparatus are provided for transporting, operating, and storing power tools and their accessories, through the use of a portable work center apparatus including a closable case having a work surface fixedly attached thereto, and storage compartments therein. The work surface is enclose

A method and apparatus are provided for transporting, operating, and storing power tools and their accessories, through the use of a portable work center apparatus including a closable case having a work surface fixedly attached thereto, and storage compartments therein. The work surface is enclosed within the case when the case is in a closed position, exposed when the case is in an open position, and adapted for supporting a work piece thereupon. The work surface is adapted for having a tool removably attached thereto. The work surface includes a vise and the apparatus includes hold down devices for securing a work piece on the work surface.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A portable work center apparatus, comprising: a closable case having a work surface fixedly attached thereto, and storage compartments therein; the work surface being configured for applying a clamping force to a workpiece and also being enclosed within the case when the case

What is claimed is: 1. A portable work center apparatus, comprising: a closable case having a work surface fixedly attached thereto, and storage compartments therein; the work surface being configured for applying a clamping force to a workpiece and also being enclosed within the case when the case is in a closed position, exposed when the case is in an open position, and adapted for supporting a workpiece thereupon; the work surface including a stationary portion thereof fixed against movement with respect to the case, and a movable portion thereof operatively connected by a screw mechanism for linear movement of the movable portion with respect to both the stationary portion of the work surface and the case in such a manner that a workpiece may be clamped to the work surface through operation of the screw mechanism to urge relative motion between the movable and fixed portions of the work surface. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case includes an upper and a lower portion thereof, adapted for joining to one another along a split line of the case, with the work surface being fixedly attached to the lower portion of the case and extending above the split line. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the upper and lower portions of the case are separable from one another, to thereby allow a workpiece to extend beyond the work surface without contacting the upper portion of the case. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the upper and lower portions of the case are joinable to one another by a separable hinged connection. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case includes one or more handles for carrying the work center. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case includes access through a sidewall thereof to a storage space within the case. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the storage space is disposed below the work surface, and is accessible through the sidewall of the case. 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the case further includes access covers for closing off access to the storage space. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the work surface is adapted for having a tool removably attached thereto. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the tool includes a power head with a flexible shaft extending therefrom; and the apparatus includes a tool hanger adapted for selective attachment to the apparatus for suspending the power head of the tool above the work surface. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the tool hanger is stowable within the case. 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the tool hanger is attachable to the work surface. 13. A portable work center apparatus, comprising: a closable case having a work surface fixedly attached thereto, storage compartments therein, and a tool hanger selectively attachable to the work surface; the work surface being enclosed within the case when the case is in a closed position, exposed when the case is in an open position, and adapted for supporting a workpiece thereupon; the work surface being adapted for having a tool removably attached thereto, wherein the tool includes a power head with a flexible shaft extending therefrom; the tool hanger being adapted for suspending the power head of the tool above the work surface when the tool hanger is attached to the work surface; and the tool hanger including a support post, a pivot cap, and a hook, the support post having a first and a second end thereof, the first end being adapted for operative attachment to the work surface such that the second end forms a distal end of the support post disposed above the work surface, the cap being adapted for attachment to the distal end of the support post, the hook being adapted for attachment to the cap and for supporting the power head of the tool. 14. A portable work center apparatus, comprising: a closable case having a work surface fixedly attached thereto, storage compartments therein, and a tool hanger selectively attachable to the work surface; the work surface being enclosed within the case when the case is in a closed position, exposed when the case is in an open position, and adapted for supporting a workpiece thereupon; the work surface being adapted for having a tool removably attached thereto, wherein the tool includes a power head with a flexible shaft extending therefrom; the tool hanger being adapted for suspending the power head of the tool above the work surface when the tool hanger is attached to the work surface; the work surface including a tool hanger receptacle having locking lugs therein, and the tool hanger further includes a support post base having a lower end thereof including locking lugs for engagement with the locking lugs in the tool hanger receptacle; wherein the support post base including a ferrule portion thereof for receiving the support post base, and a locking collar for selectively locking the ferrule portion onto the support post base. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more retaining devices for holding a workpiece in place with respect to the work surface. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more retaining devices includes bench dogs, adapted for attachment to the work surface, and having at least one surface thereof configured for bearing against an edge of a workpiece. 17. A portable work center apparatus, comprising: a closable case having a work surface fixedly attached thereto, storage compartments therein, and one or more retaining devices for holding a workpiece in place with respect to the work surface; the work surface being enclosed within the case when the case is in a closed position, exposed when the case is in an open position, and adapted for supporting a workpiece thereupon; and the work surface including one or more retaining devise attachment holes therein for operatively receiving the retaining devices therein, and wherein the one or more retaining devices includes a hold down clamp having a hold down post thereof adapted for insertion into one of the retaining devise holes, the hold down clamp further having a flexible head portion thereof attached to the hold down post, the head portion having a clamping face thereof adapted for bearing against a workpiece lying on the work surface and a reaction face thereof adapted for bearing against the work surface in such a manner that the flexible head portion generates a clamping force against the work piece when the hold down clamp is pressed down past an initial contact point of the clamping face and the reaction face with the work piece and work surface respectively. 18. The apparatus of claim 13, where the work surface is configured for applying a clamping force to a workpiece. 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movable portion of the work surface includes a vacuum chamber thereof having a vacuum port adapted for connection to a vacuum source. 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the screw apparatus is disposed beneath the work surface and includes an input that is operable by a vise handle extending through and accessible from outside of the case. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the vise handle is removable and stowable within the case. 22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes one or more retaining devices attachable to the fixed and/or movable portions of the work surface for applying clamping force to a workpiece through operation of the screw mechanism. 23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a removable covered storage tray disposed between the fixed and movable portions of the work surface, and having a removable cover thereof having an upper surface lying substantially flush with an upper surface of the work surface, when the covered storage tray is disposed between the fixed and movable portions of the work surface. 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the apparatus includes one or more retaining devices attachable to the fixed and/or movable portions of the work surface for applying clamping force to a workpiece through operation of the screw mechanism, with one or more of the one or more retaining devices being configured for storage within the covered storage tray. 25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the movable portion of the work surface includes a vacuum chamber thereof having a vacuum port adapted for connection to a vacuum source, the vacuum chamber being exposed when the covered storage tray is not disposed between the fixed and movable portions of the work surface.