GB2384700A

GB2384700A - Folding worksurface assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2384700A
Application number: GB0225389A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Alexander Staden
Original assignee: PED TECHNOLOGIES Ltd
Current assignee: PED TECHNOLOGIES Ltd
Priority date: 2002-01-10
Filing date: 2002-10-31
Publication date: 2003-08-06
Also published as: GB0200519D0; GB0225389D0

Abstract

A foldable work surface assembly which is convertible between a substantially horizontal working position and a substantially vertical storage position. The assembly may be rigidly secured to a vertical support surface, such as a wall, and includes a planar member 10 having a work surface 12, a support frame 14, a hinge, and a locking bar 24. When the assembly is in the working position the locking bar 24 is wedged between a cross beam 20 or stop member of the support frame 14 and a rear portion 13 of the planar member 10. The support frame 14 can be adjustably mounted on bracket supports, allowing the position of the work-surface to be vertically adjusted to any desired height. The bracket supports may also mount shelves, cupboards, lighting equipment or electrical power supply equipment, providing an ergonomically convenient work area with a sturdy work surface.

Description

FOLDING WORK SURFACE ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a folding work surface and is particularly directed to a compact, wall-mountable work surface assembly capable of withstanding substantial loads which can readily be converted between a vertical storage position and a horizontal working position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Available work space in a person's garage or basement is often very limited. Thus, many people cannot have a permanent work table, but rather must utilize various types of collapsible tables that can be stowed away when the table is not in use. However, temporary or collapsible tables are often cumbersome and time consuming to set up and stow away. When a work surface is required, the structure must first be brought into the work area or otherwise erected to provide the work surface and subsequently removed when the work surface IS no longer required. A variety of work benches have been devised over the years in an attempt to provide a temporary work surface area.

For example. U S Pat No. 5, 513,574 (Collins) discloses a table assembly

which pivots outwardly from a cabinet and is supported by a pair of folding legs.

U. S. Pat. No. 5,322, 022 (Burkholder) discloses a wall-mountable, collapsible table, also having two legs extending under the table for support. U. S. Pat. No.

4,437, 414 (Brescia et al) discloses a folding work surface with support arms beneath it serving as struts which collapse in an elbow-like fashion when closing. Other known prior art includes U. S. Pat. No. 5,707, 126; U. S. Pat. No.

2,943, 896; U. S. Pat. No. 2, 483, 899; and U. S. Pat. No. 934,985.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, they all have suffered from a number of disadvantages. Such arrangements are relatively complex in terms of the number of elements required and/or do not provide sufficient support to enable the work surface to be used for arduous tasks. In addition, current convertible work surfaces typically make use of folding legs or struts to support the work surface in its working position and can take up valuable space in the work area.

Thus, a need exists for a work table that is adapted to be attached to a relatively permanent structure, such as an existing wall, and that can be collapsed and erected in one easy, continuous motion instead of a series of time consuming and cumbersome maneuvers. Additionally, a need exists for such a table that has a minimum of component parts, yet has the strength and stability to accommodate demanding and rigorous work projects. A need further exists for such a work table that IS compact such that it can be placed flush with the existing wall to occupy minimal space while In a storage position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a temporary work surface that is easily deployed for use by pivoting an attached work surface from a vertical stored position to a horizontal working position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that provides a heavy duty and stable work surface having the capacity to withstand substantial loads and generally arduous use comparable to floor-supported work benches.

Another object of the invention is to provide a work surface that is usable without any need for legs, struts, or floor contact for support.

Briefly stated, these objects are accomplished by a foldable work surface assembly which comprises a planar member having a work surface, a support frame, a hinge, and a locking bar. The support frame may be rigidly secured to a vertical supporting surface, such as a wall, and includes two projecting sections configured to support the hinge and the planar member. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the planar member is hingedly connected to the support frame, and includes a work surface. The hinge extends between projecting sections of the support frame and rotatably connects the planar member to the support frame.

In one preferred embodiment, the planar member is moveable between a storage position, in which the work surface defined by the planar member extends substantially vertically, and a working position, in which the work surface defined by the planar member extends substantially horizontally.

When in the working position, the rear portion of the planar member is secured by the locking bar.

In accordance with one aspect of the Invention, the locking bar is caused to be wedged between the rear portion of the planar member and a cross beam of the support frame. This wedged position of the locking bar prevents downward movement of the front portion of the planar member. This ability of the locking bar to rigidly lock the planar member into a horizontal position is one aspect of the present invention that makes support legs or struts unnecessary. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the support frame includes the cross beam, first and second projecting sections, and parallel bars. The parallel bars have holes configured to receive mounting bolts which permit the entire assembly to be moveable as a single unit along a vertical plane. Another aspect of the invention includes the addition of components which allow adjustment of the height of the assembly in order to accommodate the desired height of the user. In one preferred embodiment, the entire assembly can be adjustably mounted on a bracket support, such as rails or a sub-frame. Further, the bracket support, which can include channels, may be used to support shelves, cupboards, lighting equipment or electrical power supply equipment.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference is made to the following drawings and detailed description, along with the appending claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 schematically illustrates, in perspective view, the folding work surface assembly placed in the working position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A schematically illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the work surface assembly in which the assembly is in the storage position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2B is the assembly of FIG. 2A at initial movement from the storage position to the working position; FIG. 2C is a continuing depiction of the assembly of FIG. 2A in a later stage of movement from the storage position to the working position; FIG. 2D is a continuing depiction of the assembly of FIG. 2A during final placement into the working position; FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a complete work station in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. 1, a folding work surface assembly generally includes planar member 10 having work surface 12 and being rotatably connected to support frame 14 by hinge 16. Support frame 14 includes right and left projecting portions 18,19, a stop member, or horizontal cross beam 20 and angle irons or parallel bars 21,22. Locking bar 24 is located between cross beam 20 and the rear portion of planar member 10.

Hinge 16 is illustrated in phantom as a cylindrical rod passing through planar member 10 and extending between projecting portions 18 and 19. Cross beam 20 and locking bar 24 also extend between projecting sections 18,19. Right and left parallel bars 21 and 22 are vertically aligned and serve to support right and left projecting portions 18, 19, respectively. Parallel bars 21, 22 also

include holes 23. Holes 23 are configured to receive mounting means such as screws or bolts, and permit the entire assembly to be adjustably moved along a vertical support surface or wall, or alternatively along vertical bracket supports, as will be further described herein below.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, locking bar 24 has a hollow,"C"-shaped cross-section with its back portion facing away from a vertical wall, and includes a lower portion or edge 25 and upper portion 27. Locking bar 24 hangs vertically from rod 26, which extends between parallel bars 21,22 directly beneath cross beam 20. Rod 26 preferably extends the entire distance between parallel bars 21, 22 and supports locking bar 24 throughout its length.

When hanging from rod 26, locking bar 24 is free to rotate, as shown by arrow 3 in FIG. 28. A blocking pin 28 and side tab 30 extend from each of parallel bars 21 and 22, the functions of which will be more fully described herein below.

Referring to FIG. 2A, planar member 10 is generally placed in the storage position when work surface 12 is not immediately needed. It can be appreciated from viewing FIG. 2A that the entire assembly is vertical and compact when in the storage position. Planar member 10 hangs from hinge 16 substantially vertically, such that work surface 12 is facing outwardly from, and generally flush against, a vertical wall. The assembly generally relies on gravity to maintain planar member 10 in a vertical position until work surface 12 is needed. When used In a vehicle, a lock or strap (not shown) may be used to maintain planar member 10 in the vertical storage position. An alternative embodiment of the invention Includes left and right nubs in place of rod 26,

which project inwardly for only a limited distance from parallel bars 21,22. This distance is sufficient to allow locking bar 24 to hang vertically, yet the left and right nubs do not support locking bar 24 over its entire length. Blocking pin 28 is situated behind, but slightly above, lower edge 25 of the locking bar. As will be explained further below, the position of blocking pin 28 functions to impede rearward movement of lower edge 25 when locking bar 24 is in the wedged position while permitting rearward passage of lower edge 25 of the locking bar when locking bar 24 is in the hanging position.

FIGS. 2A through 2D sequentially illustrate the process of converting the assembly of the invention from a substantially vertical storage position (FIG. 2A) to a substantially horizontal working position (FIG. 2D). In general, front portion 11 of the planar member is grasped and moved by the user for converting between either position. More particularly, when in the storage position, front portion 11 is grasped and initially pulled outwardly in the direction of arrow 1 of FIG. 2A, and then upwardly in the direction of arrow 2 of FIG. 2B. As front portion 11 is lifted, rear portion 13 of planar member 10 engages locking bar 24 adjacent its lower edge 25, deflecting lower edge 25 in the direction of arrow 3 of FIG. 2B. When rear portion 13 clears lower edge 25, locking bar 24 rotates back to a vertical position under the influence of gravity as it hangs from rod 26. The function of side tab 30 is best illustrated in FIG.

2C. Side tab 30 prevents the upward rotation of front portion 11 of the planar member beyond the distance or angle above horizontal necessary to allow rear portion 13 to clear lower edge 25. Front portion 11 is then lowered or released by the user, rotating in the direction of arrow 4 of FIG. 2D into a substantially

horizontal position. Locking bar 24, previously free to hang and rotate about rod 26, becomes wedged between rear portion 13 and cross beam 20. Work surface 12 is now substantially horizontal, and planar member 10 projects outwardly from support frame 14. Access to substantially the entire work surface 12 is available, since only rear portion 13 of the planar member is needed to wedge locking bar 24 into the working position, thereby providing a large working area.

As illustrated in FIG. 2D, when in the horizontal, working position, locking bar 24 is wedged between rear portion 13 of planar member 10 and cross beam 20. This wedged position of locking bar 24 prevents downward movement of front portion 11 of the planar member. Locking bar 24 no longer hangs from rod 26, and now is seated in its wedged position, higher than its previous hanging position. As a result, rod 26 now sits adjacent the lip of the upper portion 27 of the"C"-shaped locking bar 24, and prevents horizontal, and particularly forward, deflection of the upper portion 27. Further, blocking pin 28 now sits directly behind lower edge 25 of the locking bar and prevents lower edge 25 from being pushed inwardly. Consequently, rod 26 and blocking pin 28 assure that, once in the wedged position, locking bar 24 remains in the wedged position, and prevent someone or something from forcefully pushing or otherwise displacing locking bar 24 from the wedged position while work surface 12 is in use. This aids in the safe use of the assembly, and also functions to require active lifting of front portion 11 in order to remove locking bar 24 from the wedged position.

In a preferred embodiment, hinge 16 is placed forwardly from locking bar 24 and rod 26, as illustrated in FIG. 2D. Positioning hinge 16 a suitable distance forwardly from locking bar 24 contributes greatly to the formation of a very rigid structure when the assembly is in the working position, such that rear portion 13 of the planar member is substantially rigidly supported against deflection in the upward direction due to the presence of the wedged locking bar 24, and the corresponding front portion 11 is likewise particularly supportive of a downward force. Locking bar 24, when wedged between rear portion 13 and cross beam 20, is loaded in compression and takes on the majority of the loading force from planar member 10.

When work surface 12 is no longer required, conversion back to the storage position is easily accomplished. Referring again to FIG. 2C, the user initially lifts front portion 11 of the planar member upwardly in the direction of arrow 2, thereby releasing locking bar 24 from the wedged position. The force of gravity then causes locking bar to drop back onto rod 26, such that locking bar 24 is once again freely moveable as it hangs from rod 26. Lower edge 25 of the locking bar is once again at a lower position than blocking pin 28, such that blocking pin 28 no longer presents a barrier to rearward movement of lower edge 25. A user's free hand, or alternatively a rod or stick, can now be used to rearwardly displace lower edge 25 in the direction of arrow 3 in FIG. 2C. Planar member 10 is rotated about hinge 16 until rear portion 13 is clear of lower edge 25. Front portion 11 can now be lowered completely, placing planar member 10 in the vertical, compact, storage position illustrated in FIG. 2A.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Planar member 10 is reversibly locked in the working position, with locking bar 24 reversibly wedged between work surface 12 and cross beam 20. Parallel bars 21,22 are secured to bracket supports 32, which include bracket channels 33. Bracket supports 32 are in turn secured to a vertical wall. In addition to adjustably mounting parallel bars 21,22, bracket channels 33 may mount additional structures at any level along bracket supports 32, including an electrical panel 34, storage cabinet 36, and lighting assembly 38. Means of attaching the component parts of the assembly within channel 33 are known in the art. As a non-limiting example, FIG. 3 includes bolts 42 fitted through holes 23 in parallel bars 21,22. Bolts 42 may alternatively be used to attach the support frame directly to a vertical wall.

Electrical-panel 34, storage cabinet 36, and lighting assembly 38 all have holes 23 through which bolts 42 are used to adjustably mount them.

FIG. 4, which IS a cross-sectional view through line 4-4 of FIG. 3, illustrates in more detail the connection of the support frame to bracket supports 32 by bolts 42. As shown, bracket support 32 is a"C"-shaped hollow bar having channel 33 within. Inner edges 44 of support 32 make contact with nut 43 and parallel bar 21 Bolt 42 compresses nut 43 against inner edges 44, thereby holding parallel bar 21 of support frame 14 elevated by bracket supports 32. Parallel bar 21 is firmly held in place as long as bolt 42 is tightly screwed into channel 33.

The component parts of the assembly may be constructed of any known materials suitable to support and withstand substantial loads. Planar

member 10, for example, may be of any suitable form for creating an adequate work surface 12. It may be fabricated from steel sections, bent from a steel plate, or be a composite of steel and wood/plastics material. The exact form of planar member 10 is not critical to the present invention, and the design will in part be dictated by the degree of ruggedness to which the design is to conform.

Likewise, hinge 16 may comprise a steel rod which extends the full width of planar member 10, and is secured by welding at each end to projecting portions 18 19 of support frame 14. Parallel bars 21,22 are preferably in the form of an angle iron with holes 23 therethrough.

As a non-limiting example, rod 26 can be a steel rod, locking bar 24 can be a"C"-shaped steel bar, and cross beam 20 can be a steel tube, as illustrated in FIG. 2A. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, that other materials of manufacture are possible. For example, locking bar 24 may be provided by a tube of appropriate cross-section and cross beam 20 may be provided by sections other than tubing, such as a channel or angle form. Locking bar 24 preferably extends across the full width of rear portion 13 of planar member 10 to provide continuous contact therewith when in the wedged position. Cross beam 20, beneath which locking bar 24 is seated, also preferably extends substantially the full width of rear portion 13. As described above, a pair of Inwardly projecting nubs, which alternatively support locking bar 24 in place of a single rod 26, can be a pair of steel nub secured by welding to parallel bars 21,22.

One typical use for embodiments of the present invention is to provide a temporary work surface in a garage which may be used to support

vehicle components which are to be worked on. However, it is understood that the work surface assembly of the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and that the assembly can be manufactured to any desired size or scale. While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of various embodiments, and while these embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Indeed, additional advantages and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicants'general inventive concept.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A folding work surface assembly for locating flush against a vertical support surface, said assembly comprising: a support frame having a first projecting section, a second projecting section, and a cross beam ; a planar member rotatably connected to said projecting sections, said planar member having a work surface, a front portion, and a rear portion; and a locking bar rotatably connected to said support frame between said cross beam and said rear portion and positioned to permit said planar member to rotate from a vertical position to a horizontal position and subsequently wedge between said cross beam and said rear portion holding said planar member in said horizontal position.

2. The assembly of claim 1, said locking bar having a"C"-shaped hollow cross-section, wherein said locking bar moves up and is stopped from rotating when wedged between said cross beam and said rear portion.

3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a hinge extending between said first and second projecting sections, wherein said hinge rotatably connects said planar member to said projecting sections.

4. The assembly of claim 1, said support frame further having at least one rod, said locking bar further having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said upper portion rotatably connects to said rod when said locking bar is not wedged between said cross beam and said rear portion.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said rod blocks rearward movement of said upper portion of said locking bar when said locking bar is wedged between said cross beam and said rear portion.

6. The assembly of claim 4, said support frame further having first and second parallel bars, wherein said rod extends between said first and second parallel bars.

7. The assembly of claim 4, said support frame further having at least one blocking pin, wherein said at least one blocking pin blocks rearward movement of said lower portion when said locking bar is wedged between said cross beam and said rear portion.

8. The assembly of claim 7, said support frame further having first and second parallel bars, wherein said support frame has a first blocking pin connected to said first parallel bar and a second blocking pin connected to said second parallel bar.

9. The assembly of claim 1, said support frame further having first and second parallel bars, a first nub protruding inwardly from said first parallel bar, and a second nub protruding inwardly from said second parallel bar, said locking bar having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said upper portion rotatably connects to said nubs when said locking bar is not wedged between said cross beam and said rear portion.

10. The assembly of claim 1, said support frame further having at least one tab, wherein said at least one tab makes contact with said rear portion of said planar member to block said planar member from rotating beyond an angle above said horizontal position.

11. The assembly of claim 10, said support frame further having first and second parallel bars, wherein said support frame has a first tab connected to said first parallel bar and a second tab connected to said second parallel bar.

12. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one vertical bracket support, wherein said support frame is adjustably mountable to said at least one bracket support.

13. The assembly of claim 12, further including at least one structure selected from the group consisting of shelves, cupboards, lighting equipment, and electrical power supplies, wherein said at least one structure is adjustably mountable to said at least one bracket support.

14. The assembly of claim 12, said support frame further having holes, nuts, and bolts, said at least one bracket support having a"C"-shaped hollow crosssection with inner edges, wherein said bolts pass through said holes and compress said nuts against said inner edges, thereby holding said support frame elevated by said at least one bracket support.

15. The assembly of claim 14, said support frame further having first and second parallel bars, said parallel bars including said holes, wherein said first parallel bar is connected to a first vertical bracket support and said second parallel bar is connected to a second vertical bracket support.

16. A folding work surface assembly adapted for positioning substantially flush against a vertical support surface, said assembly comprising: a support frame configured to be secured against said support surface and having a stop member, a right projecting section, a left projecting section, and at least one blocking pin; a planar member hingedly connected to said projecting sections and having a work surface, a front portion, and a rear portion; and a locking bar rotatably supported from said support frame beneath said stop member and adapted to move vertically relative to said projecting sections, wherein said planar member is adapted to rotate from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position, said rear portion engaging and rotating said locking bar upon said rotation of said planar member to said horizontal position, said locking bar subsequently being wedged between said stop member and said rear portion of said planar member, said blocking pin blocking rearward deflection of said locking bar when said locking bar is wedged.

17. The assembly of claim 16, further including at least one tab operable to contact said rear portion of said planar member, whereby said front portion is blocked from rotating beyond an angle above a horizontal plane.