Foldable sawhorse

Abstract

Embodiments of a foldable sawhorse are shown and described, which may be collapsed to a very flat shape, with one of the leg frames fitting inside the central open area of the other so that the two leg frames are co-planar. This way, the two leg frames preferably do not contact each other except at their mutual pivot point(s), and they do not interfere with each other. Preferably, the bottom surfaces of all portions of the sawhorse that touch the ground are broad, smooth, substantially continuous across the whole width of the sawhorse. The bottom surfaces preferably have no protrusions, such as feet, that might promote sinking into the ground or catching excessively on the ground/floor. The preferred sawhorse has one or more platforms that are fixedly attached to their respective parts of the sawhorse in such ways and in such angles that their top platform surfaces are level with the ground or other supporting surface when the sawhorse is unfolded.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A foldable sawhorse comprising: 
 a first leg frame in a first plane and a second leg frame in a second plane;    the first leg frame and second leg frame pivotally connected together at a single axis passing through said first plane and through said second plane, wherein the first leg frame and second leg frame pivot apart to an open position for use and pivot together to a collapsed position for storage;    the first leg frame having a bottom member, two side members, and an open interior space between the bottom member and the single axis;    the second leg frame pivotal into the first plane to be co-planar with the first leg frame and fitting entirely into the open interior space when the sawhorse is in the collapsed position.    
     
     
         2 . A foldable sawhorse as in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the first leg frame is generally rectangular, having a length and a width, wherein the two side members are generally perpendicular to the bottom member to surround and define the open interior space; and    the second leg frame is generally rectangular, having a length and a width;    and wherein the second leg frame width is less than the width of the first leg frame and wherein the second leg frame length is less than the length of the first leg frame, so that the second leg frame fits entirely into the open interior space.    
     
     
         3 . A foldable sawhorse as in  claim 1 , wherein the second leg frame has a bottom frame member and the sawhorse further comprises a first platform connected to and parallel to the single axis so that a top surface of the first platform is horizontal when the first leg frame and second leg frame are pivoted to the open position and their bottom members are rested on a generally horizontal surface.  
     
     
         4 . A foldable sawhorse as in  claim 3 , wherein the first platform top surface is at a non-normal angle to the first plane.  
     
     
         5 . A foldable sawhorse as in  claim 3 , wherein the first leg frame has a length between the first leg frame bottom member and the single axis, wherein the second leg frame has a length between the second leg frame bottom member and the single axis that is greater than the length of the first leg frame; and wherein, when the sawhorse is in the open position with said bottom members resting on said generally horizontal surface, the first platform is nearer to a vertical plane passing through the bottom member of the second leg frame than it is to a vertical plane passing through the bottom member of the first leg frame.  
     
     
         6 . A foldable sawhorse as in  claim 3 , further comprising a second platform attached to the second leg frame, parallel to the single axis, and generally midway between the single axis and the bottom member of second leg frame.  
     
     
         7 . A foldable sawhorse as in  claim 6 , wherein the first platform top surface is at an angle to the first plane and wherein the second platform has a top surface that is at a non-normal angle to it the second plane, that is generally horizontal when the sawhorse is opened and the bottom members are resting on said generally horizontal surface, and that is at about 25-40 degrees to the first platform top surface when the sawhorse is in the collapsed position.  
     
     
         8 . A foldable sawhorse as in  claim 1 , wherein the second leg frame has a bottom member and two side members, and the second leg frame bottom member and the first leg frame bottom member are straight, cylindrical pipes adapted to lie horizontally on a ground surface when the sawhorse is in the open position.  
     
     
         9 . A foldable sawhorse as in  claim 8 , wherein there are no downward protrusions from the cylindrical pipes.  
     
     
         10 . A foldable sawhorse as in  claim 1 , further comprising a chain connecting the first leg frame and second leg frame to limit pivoting of said leg frames relative to each other.  
     
     
         11 . A foldable sawhorse as in  claim 1 , wherein the first leg frame and the second leg frame each have a telescoping mechanism for lengthening and shortening the first leg frame and the second leg frame.  
     
     
         12 . A foldable sawhorse as in  claim 1 , wherein the second leg frame has a top end at the single axis and a bottom member, and further comprises a transverse member connected to the second leg frame between the single axis and the bottom member.  
     
     
         13 . A foldable sawhorse as in  claim 12 , wherein said transverse member of the second leg frame is connected to the second leg frame by a adjustable connection system wherein the transverse member may be secured in a variety of locations up and down the leg frame.  
     
     
         14 . A foldable sawhorse comprising: 
 a first leg portion with a top end and a bottom end and a length between the top end and bottom end, and having a second leg portion with a top end and a bottom end and a length between the top end and the bottom end, wherein the first leg portion and the second leg portion are pivotally connected together at an axis and pivotal apart to an open position and pivotal together to a collapsed position;    a platform connected to the sawhorse at the axis;    wherein the first leg portion length is longer than the second leg portion length so that, when the foldable sawhorse is in the open position, said bottom ends rest on a generally horizontally surface, and the platform is positioned over the bottom ends nearer the bottom end of the second leg portion.    
     
     
         15 . A foldable sawhorse as in  claim 14 , wherein the first leg portion is a U-shaped frame and the second leg portion is a u-shaped frame having a smaller width and smaller length than the first leg portion, so that the second leg portion pivots into the first leg portion to be co-planer with the first leg portion.