Sheet material handling system

Abstract

A sheet material handling system consisting of at least one support member having a substantially vertical support leg connected to a planar working surface by a hinged connection. The hinged connection allows pivoting of the planar work surface with respect to the vertical supports along a pivot axis. In addition, a latching member is associated with the planar working surface configured to selectively lock the pivoting of the planar working surface in a select position. The hinged connection between the planar working surface and the vertical support legs may be first and second tubular members attached to each of the vertical support legs and a third tubular member attached to the planar working surface. The first, second and third tubular members are positioned in a line such that a shaft can run through all tubular members connecting them such that the third tubular member, attached to the planar working surface, is free to pivot around the pivot axis with respect to the first and second tubular members.

1 . A sheet material handling system comprising: 
 at least one support member having a substantially vertical support leg extending from a substantially horizontal base;    a planar working surface connected to each support leg by a hinged connection which allows pivoting of the planar working surface with respect to each vertical support leg along a pivot axis; and    a latching member operatively associated with the base configured to lock the pivoting of the planar working surface in a select position.    
   
   
       2 . The sheet material handling system of  claim 1  wherein the hinged connection comprises: 
 a first tubular member attached to each vertical support leg;    a second tubular member attached to the planar working surface and positioned in line with each first tubular members;    a shaft running through each first and the second tubular members connecting them such that the second tubular member is free to pivot around the pivot axis with respect to each first tubular member.    
   
   
       3 . The sheet material handling system of  claim 2  wherein the shaft is removable, allowing the separation of the planar work surface from the vertical support legs.  
   
   
       4 . The sheet material handling system of  claim 1  further comprising a substantially horizontal base and at least one wheel operatively associated with each horizontal base.  
   
   
       5 . The sheet material handling system of  claim 4  further comprising means for selectively positioning the wheel associated with a base above and below the base.  
   
   
       6 . The sheet material handling system of  claim 1  wherein the planar work surface further comprises a substantially rigid support layer and a softer cutting surface layer.  
   
   
       7 . The sheet metal handling system of  claim 1  wherein the latching member comprises: 
 a bar having first and second ends pivotally attached at the first end to a base, the second end being configured to align with a bracket on the underside of the planar work surface near its lengthwise edge, and    means for releasably attaching the second end of the bar to the bracket.