Support structure

Abstract

The present invention includes a support structure, such as a sawhorse or a workhorse. The support structure includes: a plurality of slanted legs; a set of generally-horizontal bridges, each bridge interconnecting two adjacent legs; and a generally-horizontal roof element interconnecting the slanted legs. At least one of the legs includes an aperture defined therein, the aperture able to receive a beam inserted therethrough. The present invention further includes a support structure made of two such sawhorses, having one or more beams connecting the two sawhorses, and optionally having a board placed on top of the sawhorses to form a worktable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support structure comprising:
 a plurality of slanted legs;   a set of generally-horizontal bridges, each bridge interconnecting two adjacent legs; and   a generally-horizontal roof element interconnecting said legs;   wherein at least one of the legs comprises an aperture defined therein, the aperture able to receive a beam inserted therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture defines a box-shaped cavity which is generally perpendicular to the roof element. 
     
     
         3 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the aperture is generally rectangular. 
     
     
         4 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the aperture has a size and a shape similar to respective size and shape of a cross-section of a standard wooden beam. 
     
     
         5 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the aperture is rectangular and has a size of approximately 38 millimeters by 89 millimeters. 
     
     
         6 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein a size of a cross-section of the aperture is approximately one percent greater than a size of a cross-section of a standard wooden beam. 
     
     
         7 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is located in a leg having two wide sides and two narrow sides, wherein the aperture is formed within the two wide sides of the leg. 
     
     
         8 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is to accommodate a wooden beam insertable through the aperture in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the roof element and is also generally perpendicular to a longest dimension of the support structure. 
     
     
         9 . The support structure of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more generally-vertical support beams, descending downwardly from the roof element.   
     
     
         10 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a sawhorse. 
     
     
         11 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is formed substantially exclusively of plastic. 
     
     
         12 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is nestable within another, substantially identical, support structure. 
     
     
         13 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises at least one aperture located at an upper area of said legs and able to hold a wooden beam for cutting. 
     
     
         14 . A pair of autonomous sawhorses convertible into a support structure comprising:
 a first sawhorse and a second sawhorse, each one of said first and second sawhorses comprising:
 a plurality of slanted legs; 
 a set of generally-horizontal bridges, each bridge interconnecting two adjacent legs; and 
 a generally-horizontal roof element interconnecting said legs; 
 wherein at least one of the legs comprises an aperture defined therein, the aperture able to receive a beam inserted therethrough; and 
   one or more beams connecting generally horizontally between the first sawhorse and the second sawhorse, the one or more beams inserted within corresponding apertures in legs of said first and second sawhorses.   
     
     
         15 . The support structure of  claim 14 , further comprising a board placed on top of the roof elements of the first and second sawhorses. 
     
     
         16 . The support structure of  claim 14 , further comprising a board placed on top of said one or more beams connecting the first and second sawhorses. 
     
     
         17 . The support structure of  claim 14 , wherein the support structure comprises a worktable.