Patent Application
20250194802
The present invention relates to portable seating or work benches. More particularly, the present invention provides an apparatus that can be quickly attached to a typical safety railing or fencing to provide a temporary and stable seating or work platform.
Workers in industrial and farming settings sometimes have a need for a temporary work platform or a place to sit down, either to perform particular tasks or simply to rest. However, it is often impractical to provide conventional work platforms or seating on elevated balconies, catwalks, and the like, or in an outdoor farm setting. Out of necessity, workers sometimes sit on safety railings, fences, or equipment, which results in a potential safety hazard.
Seating or work surfaces that can be attached to railings are known in the art. These seats or tables typically employ a fastening means, such as clamps and bolts or other hardware, to attach the seat or table to the railing. For example:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,993, by Vincelli, discloses a balcony table movable between a vertical storage position and a horizontal operative position. The table includes a backing member with through holes for bolts and nuts to tighten the backing member and mounting member tight against the railing between them.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,057, by Chartrand, discloses a mounted table or seat, that includes clamps to attach the frame to the vertical bars of a balcony railing.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,297,699 and 8,251,455, by Midkiff, et al., disclose a mountable fishing chair, which includes an arm with a clamp for securing the device to a pier railing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,178, by Huczka, discloses a railing supported folding table that is mounted to a handrail by means of hooks and fasteners.
And U.S. Pat. No. 7,210,414, by Barone, discloses a folding table attached to the vertical supports of a handrail by means of C-shaped clips with locking plates.
Therefore, a need exists in the field for a portable and safe work surface or seat that can be easily attached to a railing or fence without the need for clamps, fasteners, or other hardware.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention solves the aforementioned problem in a straightforward and simple manner by providing a novel work surface or seat that attaches to a railing or fence simply by hooking onto the cross-sectional structure of a typical safety railing or fence.
For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like parts are given like reference numerals, and wherein:
Referring now to the drawing, the handrail work bench of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 10. Handrail work bench 10 comprises plate 20, brackets 30, and removeable cushion 40. Plate 20 and brackets 30 are made of material of sufficient strength and rigidity to support a particular intended load. Cushion 40 is made of suitable cushioning material as is known in the art.
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Because many varying and differing embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
