Portable articulating tool support

Abstract

A portable multiple-component articulating support apparatus for engaging, moving, orientating and manipulating a hand-operated power tool within and throughout a three-dimensional workspace. The apparatus includes a clamping device for demountable engagement with a structural element, one or more elongate double-axis hinge member, one or more spacer elements having opposite ends adapted for detachable engagement and rotational communication with the clamping device and the double-axis hinge member, a vertically disposed pivotably connected counterbalance arm assembly adapted for detachable engagement and rotational communication with the double-axis hinge member. The counterbalance arm assembly is equipped with a gas-charged cylinder for balancing the weight of hand-operated power tools. The clamping device, a counterbalance element, one or more spacer elements and one or more double-axis hinge elements alternating therebetween, are interconnected with removable hinge pins. A tool-mounting bracket is provided for grippingly engaging a power tool. The tool-mounting bracket pivotably engages a power tool-bearing member which slidingly and rotatably communicates with the counterbalance arm assembly.

1 . A double-axis hinge device configured for demountably interconnecting and pivotably cooperating with a pair of structural support elements comprising a multi-element articulating tool support apparatus, the double-axis hinge device comprising: 
 an elongate body component having an upper flat surface and an lower flat surface, said elongate body element provided with a pair of juxtaposed elongate bores extending therethrough, wherein the elongate body component is configured to 
 (a) slidingly communicate with an end of a first structural support element about one of said elongate bores extending therethrough the elongate body component, said end of the first structural component provided with bores therethrough configured to communicate with the one of said elongate bores thereby forming a first set of bores, said first set of bores configured to receive a hingepin therethrough, and  
 (b) slidingly communicate with an end of a second structural support element about the other of said elongate bores extending therethrough the elongate body component, said end of the second structural component provided with bores therethrough configured to communicate with the other of said elongate bores thereby forming a second set of bores, said second set of bores configured to receive a hingepin therethrough.  
   
   
   
       2 . A double-axis hinge device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body component is configured to slidingly communicate with a pair of structural support elements wherein the ends of each support element are each provided with an upper opposed tongue and a lower opposed tongue extending therefrom, said upper tongue configured to slidingly communicate with the upper flat surface of the elongate body component, and said lower tongue configured to slidingly communicate with the lower flat surface of the elongate body component.  
   
   
       3 . A double-axis hinge device according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body component comprises an upper elongate plate integrally connected by a web to a lower elongate plate, and wherein said pair of juxtaposed elongate bores pass through the upper and lower elongate plates on either side of the web.  
   
   
       4 . A double-axis hinge device according to  claim 3 , wherein (a) the upper elongate plate and the opposed lower elongate plate extending outward from a first side of the web are configured to slidingly receive therebetween an end of a first structural support element and pivotably cooperate therewith by a hinge pin inserted therethrough the first set of bores, and (b) the upper elongate plate and the opposed lower elongate plate extending outward from the opposite side of the web are configured to slidingly receive therebetween an end of a second structural support element and pivotably cooperate therewith by a hinge pin inserted therethrough the second set of bores.  
   
   
       5 . A double-axis hinge device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first structural element is selected from the group consisting of a mounting device, a spacer element having opposite ends wherein each end is demountably interconnectable with said double-axis hinge device, and a counterbalance element having opposite ends with one end configured for demountable interconnection with said double-axis hinge device.  
   
   
       6 . A double-axis hinge device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second structural element is selected from the group consisting of a mounting device, a spacer element having opposite ends wherein each end is demountably interconnectable with said double-axis hinge device, and a counterbalance element having opposite ends with one end configured for demountable interconnection with said double-axis hinge device.