GB2280599A - Portable workstation:easel and table - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable workstation comprises an artist's easel 1 one leg of which is replaced by a folding table 2. For transport, the easel hinges flat against the table top and locks in position, upright 13 then lying on the table top and in gap 6 of table rim 5. Flap 7 secures folded upright 13. A handle is provided for carrying the folded station. Detachable rear leg 14, stowable on the table's underside, may be shortened to lower upright 13 to the horizontal (Fig. 4, not shown) to support a flat member to extend the table surface. Rim 5 and bar 8 can hold articles. The workstation may be especially suitable for disabled, e.g. wheelchair-bound, people. <IMAGE>

Description

Portable workstation The invention relates to a portable workstation.

An object of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims, is to provide a workstation which can be folded into a compact form for transportation or storage, which is suitable for use, inter alia, by an artist or craftsman, and which is particularly convenient for a disabled or wheelchair-bound person.

A workstation according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of a workstation according to the invention, Figures 2 and 3 show how the workstation is folded for transport, and Figure 4 shows how the workstation is set up to provide a large horizontal working area.

Referring first to Figure 1, the invention may be regarded as consisting essentially of an artist's easel 1 of almost conventional form with a folding table 2 taking the place of one of the legs.

The table 2 comprises a rectangular table top 3 with four folding telescopic legs 4a,4b,4c,4d. Along one of the shorter sides of the top is a raised rim 5 with a central gap 6, and in the middle of the opposite side there is attached, on the underside of the table top 3, a small folding flap 7, the function of which will be described more fully below.

The easel portion comprises a bar 8 which is attached by a hinge 9 at one end to the end of the rim 5 and is supported at its other end by a hinged telescopic side leg 10 so as to be horizontal in its normal position of use, as shown in Figure 1.

At the middle of the bar is a further hinge 11 screwed to a block 12 which carries the upright 13 of the easel. A telescopic rear leg 14 is attached to the upright, and can slide up and down on it and be clamped in position. The rear leg 14 is detachable for transport.

The rim 5 and the horizontal bar 8 are hollowed to form box-like recesses which can serve to accommodate utensils, for example pencils, brushes, paints, hand tools, embroidery materials, etc., according to the use to which the workstation is to be put.

The upright 13 carries upper and lower transverse sliding members 15,16 which are of wedge-shaped section suitable for clamping an artist's canvas on a stretcher, an embroidery frame, or similar workpiece. The lower member 16 may be reversible and have a ledge along the edge (not shown in the Figure), so that it can be inverted to serve as a bookrest.

The manner in which the workstation of the invention is folded for transportation will now be described, referring now also to Figures 2 and 3.

The rear leg 14 is first detached and the upright 13 folded down to a horizontal position. Next the side leg 10 is folded under, and the leg and horizontal bar 8 folded on top of the rim 5 along the table edge, a projecting member at the far edge of the rim 5 serving to locate the bar in this position and avoid transverse stresses which would strain the hinge 9. A small lip, of the kind generally used on attache cases, secures the bar 8 for transport.

In the folded position it will be seen that the upright 13 of the easel lies on the top of the table-top and in the gap 6 of the rim 5, with the transverse members 15,16 facing outwards. To secure it in this position the folding flap 7 referred to earlier is folded upwards and the upper transverse member clamped against it so as to engage a ridge on the flap.

The underside of the table top 3 is provided with fastening means for the rear leg 14, as shown in Figure 3. This may consist, for example, of a pair of spring clips, or of straps which may fasten by buckles or clips, or by strips of Velcro (Registered Trade Mark) material. A handle is fitted at the middle of one long edge of the table top for carrying.

Preferably the rear leg 14 is designed so that it can be shortened sufficiently to allow the upright 13 of the easel to be lowered to a horizontal position, as shown in Figure 4. A large drawing board or similar flat object can then be placed on it, as shown in Figure 4 to provide an extended horizontal working surface.

In a simplified version of the workstation of the invention the table legs are fixed in length instead of being made adjustable, the table top being preferably then at a height of 27 inches (69 cm) above ground level. This height is suitable for general use, and is also convenient for a user in a wheelchair.

Referring back to Figure 1, it will be noted that the workstation of the invention is particularly suitable for use by a disabled person. A subject in a wheelchair in front of a workpiece supported on the easel 1 will have receptacles for his or her tools and implements to hand, as well as the whole area of the table top 3 within reach. The flap 7 can serve as a convenient parking place for a crutch or walking stick.

Claims (8)

1. A portable workstation comprising a table with folding legs and a rectangular table-top, a raised rim having a central gap and extending along a shorter side of the table top, and an easel portion comprising a horizontal bar hinged at one end to the end of the rim, a side leg hinged to the other end of the horizontal bar, an upright hinged to the middle of the horizontal bar, at least one transverse support slidable on the upright and a rear leg attachable to the upright, the easel portion and rim being so dimensioned that when the rear leg is detached and the easel portion folded at the hinges the upright lies in the central gap of the rim.

2. A portable workstation according to claim 1 in which the legs are all adjustable in length.

3. A portable workstation according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the rim and horizontal bar are of box form to act as receptacles for a user's implements.

4. A portable workstation according to any preceding claim in which catches are provided on the rim and horizontal bar to secure the easel portion on the table top when in the folded position.

5. A portable workstation according to any preceding claim in which a folding flap is provided at the end of the table top opposite to the rim which flap can be engaged by the transverse support to lock the table top and easel portion in their folded position.

6. A portable workstation according to any preceding claim in which a carrying handle is attached to the middle of a longer side of the table top.

7. A portable workstation according to any preceding claim in which securing means is provided on the underside of the table top for securing the rear leg for transportation.

8. A portable workstation according to any preceding claim in which the rear leg is adjustable in length and capable of being shortened sufficiently to allow the upright of the easel portion to be lowered to a horizontal position.