This invention relates to portable workstations for working on craft and hobby projects such as bead stringing or bead weaving, while supporting the projects on the user's lap.
It has been found convenient to support projects, such as beadwork projects on a simple support, such as holding the project in the user's lap. In this way, the projects can be enjoyed in a wide variety of informal settings, with a minimum of extra time required for equipping an area with a more formal work place. As those familiar with beadcrafting and other similar activities are aware, the raw materials required for a project are usually supplied in bulk quantity, with different types of materials being segregated one from the other. For example, bead weaving or bead stringing may require beads of different colors, sizes and shapes. Bead trays and holders, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,636,743 and 6,571,955 are helpful in keeping the different work pieces separate, while making the work pieces readily available to a user.
Several problems have been observed with informal lap-supported workstations. Accidental spills arising in a transportation environment or due to incidental contact with pets or children can require a considerable time investment to correct. The need has thus arisen for a system for organizing different groupings of small parts while providing convenient storage in between work sessions. Also, it is desirable to package a craft project with materials used later to provide a lap support for assembling the project.
The present invention provides a novel and improved portable workstation that provides advantages over the construction, mode of operation and use of prior art work aids, while minimizing the disadvantages associated with such items. One embodiment of a portable workstation according to principles of the present invention arranges and maintains parts in a grouping, despite movement of the workstation. The workstation includes a base with a base body and at least one receptacle, such as a channel or a compartment, offset from the base body for holding the parts. The base body has a border surrounding the receptacle. A cover includes a cover body and at least one offset portion that is offset from the cover body, and that is surrounded by a border. The border of the base body engages the border of the cover body so as to maintain the receptacle spaced from the offset portion while confining the parts within the receptacle despite movement of the portable workstation.
In another embodiment, multiple groups of parts are maintained in separate groupings, despite movement of the workstation. In this embodiment, the base includes a plurality of receptacles offset from the base body, each surrounded by a border, and the cover includes a plurality of offset portions, each surrounded by their respective borders. The borders of the base body engage the borders of the cover body so as to maintain the receptacles spaced from the offset portions while separating contents of the receptacles, despite movement of the portable workstation.
Several variations are possible. For example, the receptacles formed in the base and the offset features formed in the cover may define a channel to arrange parts in a linear series or a compartment for holding a bulk quantity of parts. The cover offset portion may be either convex or concave. The cover may interfit with the base, and may be transparent so as to enable viewing of the parts without disturbing their groupings. If desired, locks, such as snap locks, can be provided to maintain secure engagement of the cover and base. The cover and base may be provided with stiffening features to ensure confinement of the parts within respective channels and compartments when the cover and base are snapped together, even if the workstation is moved or tipped on its side.
In the drawings:
The invention disclosed herein is, of course, susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. Shown in the drawings and described hereinbelow in detail are preferred embodiments of the invention. It is understood, however, that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and does not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments.
Moreover, for ease of description, a portable workstation embodiment of the present invention is described below in its usual assembled position as shown in the accompanying drawings and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, longitudinal, etc. may be used herein with reference to this usual position. However, the portable workstation may be manufactured, transported, sold or used in orientations other than that described and shown herein.
Referring now to the drawings and initially to
Preferably, the base and cover are each monolithically formed of molded plastic or other suitable material. Alternatively, construction materials such as sheet metal, paper and hybrid combinations of paper and other materials could also be used. If desired, one or more coatings can be applied to the base or cover. For example, the base may be covered with a flock material. It is a generally preferred, however, that at least the cover 14 is made of transparent material, and left uncoated. Further, it is generally preferred that the cover 14 be made of sufficiently thick material so as to be relatively rigid when formed in the fashion illustrated. It is generally preferred that cover 14 and base 12 be formed of thermoplastic material that is vacuum formed to provide a number of features that are employed to add functionality as well as rigidity to the base 12, as well as the cover 14.
As can be seen in
Referring again to
Base 12 has a number of features, preferably different types of receptacles, all of which are preferably offset below base body 34. For example, receptacles in the form of channels 44-48 are spaced-apart and nested one within another and channel 50 is separately located, adjacent the workstation bottom edge. In addition, receptacles in the form of compartments 52, 54 are located at the center. of the workstation, adjacent a third compartment 56. Corner compartments 58, 60 are located adjacent ends of channel 50, at the workstation bottom edge. It is generally preferred that all of the channels 44-50 and the compartments 52-60 be separated one from the other by intervening peripheral surfaces which, in the preferred embodiment, comprise portions of base body 34. If desired, base 12 can be provided with intervening body structures that do not lie in a common plane.
It is generally preferred that the channels and compartments provide different types of organization for the workpieces or parts employed by a user. For example, workstation 10 is useful in the field of bead crafting. Bulk quantities of various working parts, such as different size and color beads, chain links and string elements must be accommodated while various parts are assembled in a work in progress. It is important that a user be allowed to interrupt an ongoing project without concern as to whether the parts may unintentionally become mixed together, as might occur if the workstation is accidentally bumped or otherwise disturbed. Although not necessary, it is generally preferred that the channels be sized and shaped to arrange given parts in a linear series, ready for assembly. For example, it has been found helpful to allow a user to arrange parts in a trial pattern or linear series, prior to stringing. As can be seen, for example, in
As mentioned, it is generally preferred that the channels be maintained separate one from the other, and from the compartments, as well. As can be seen in
In order to quickly and easily maintain alignment of the cover channels and base channels, and to ensure that substantially the entire periphery of each channel and compartment is adequately enclosed or sealed, workstation 10 includes features for registering the cover 14 with the base 12, in the desired manner. For example, it was mentioned that the cover and the base have rounded corners. It is generally preferred that the radius of curvature for the cover and base complement one another, and that one, such as the base, be dimensioned for internesting within the other. In addition, sidewalls 20, 36 provide guiding surfaces as the cover and the base are interengaged, and horizontal surface 40 of stepped flange 38 provides a stop when engaged with flange 22 of cover 14. As can be seen in
If desired, the channels of the cover and base can be sized similarly, although it is generally preferred that the channels be made to have different cross-sectional sizes so as to accommodate a variety of differently sized parts, ensuring a well defined array for loose parts inserted therein. The channels of the cover are generally rounded to accommodate rounded beads without pinching. In contrast, the channels of the base are less rounded, with straight sidewalls and a smaller radius, but still rounded, bottom wall. This feature provides a trapping of rounded beads within the base channel, quickly bringing the beads to an extended centerline position, as desired.
As can be seen in the drawing, the work station of
As can be seen for example in
As mentioned, it is generally preferred that the cover and base be made substantially rigid, thus adding to the ensured enclosure of the workstation channels and compartments. The presence of offset features such as the channels 24-30 of cover 14 and the channels 44-50 and compartments 52-60 of the base further adds to the desired rigidity, especially when the cover and base are molded, using vacuum forming or other techniques. In particular, in
Other and further configurations, modifications and embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present teachings and disclosures. The present invention is not limited to the present illustrative embodiments. Changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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3666087 | Cooper | May 1972 | A |
4016972 | Szamborski | Apr 1977 | A |
5540324 | Knapp | Jul 1996 | A |
20050211138 | Gupta | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050279745 | Gupta | Dec 2005 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20080169219 A1 | Jul 2008 | US |