An example of the ‘Multyplex’ workbench, c.1976-77. This workbench was held to infringe Ron Hickman’s patent on the ‘Workmate’ bench design (British Patent No. 1267032) in a court case during 1976-77. This example is without its supporting legs.

Ron Hickman, patentee of the 'Workmate' which he sold the manufacturing rights of to Black & Decker, devoted considerable time and energy to pursuing designs of workbench which infringed his patents rights. The 'Multyplex' bench was one such example, marketed in the USA before being taken off sale.