GB2174949A

GB2174949A - A worktop of variable surface area

Info

Publication number: GB2174949A
Application number: GB08511991A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Roderick Ainslie
Original assignee: C F Turner
Current assignee: C F Turner
Priority date: 1985-05-11
Filing date: 1985-05-11
Publication date: 1986-11-19

Abstract

A base comprises an upper portion 1 defining a first surface and a lower portion 4 defining a second surface parallel to the first and extending outwards from the edge of the upper portion. An extension piece 11 comprises a board of uniform thickness which thickness is substantially equal to the perpendicular distance between the first and second surfaces. The edges of the upper portion and the extension piece are complementary such that the extension piece can be mounted on the second surface so as to define with the first surface a substantially continuous working surface. The surface area of the worktop may be varied by using extension pieces of different sizes. Preferably, the worktop is for use with a sewing machine. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Worktop of variable surface area The present invention relates to a worktop of variable surface area.

There are many circumstances in which it is desirable to adjust the surface area of a worktop to suit the work being performed thereon. For example, in the sewing industry one factory can process items of such different sizes as, for example, shirt sleeves and curtains. It is essential to have a sewing machine mounted on a firm worktop of a size suitable forthe workpiece.

This has been commonly achieved by having sewing machines permanently fixed to worktables of different sizes, the machines fixed to the appropriate size of worktable being brought out of storage when they are needed. This results in considerable problems in terms of storage space, capital spent on many more machines than are used at any one time, and transporting the machines from the storage place to the work place.

Attempts have been made to solve the problem by providing extension pieces with projecting arms which slide into complementary slideways mounted underneath the worktop. However this arrangement has to be extremely well made if it is to fit together properly, which is expensive, and the work surface tends not to be rigid enough, especially in cases where two extension pieces are attached to adjacent sides of the worktop, as this restricts the length of the slideways. As a result, the abovementioned cumbersome method of having machines fixed permanently to different sized tables tends to be preferred.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a worktop of variable surface area, comprising a base and at least one extension piece, wherein said base comprises an upper portion defining a first surface and a lower portion defining a second surface parallel to the first and extending outwards from the edge of the upper portion, the or each extension piece comprises a board of uniform thickness which thickness is substantially equal to the perpendicular distance between the first and second surfaces, and the edges of the upper portion and the or each extension piece are complementary such that the or at lease one extension piece can be mounted on the second surface so as to define with the first surface a substantially continuous working surface.

In the case of a sewing machine worktop, the sewing machine would be secured in the upper portion of the base.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa plan view of the base of a sewing machine worktop in accordance with the invention; Figures 2 and 3 are side views of the base of Figure 1 on lines 2-2 and 3-3 respectively; and Figures 4to 9 are plan views of examples of the worktop in which extension pieces are shown engaged with the base.

Figure 1 shows the base of a worktop according to the invention. The base comprises an upper section 1 which is T-shaped in plan, the stem 2 of the T having a hole 3 cut in itto receive a sewing machine.

The T-shaped upper section 1 is mounted on a lower section 4which has a rectangular surface of the same width as the T and extending from the top of the T to beyond the stem 2 of the T. The hole 3 continues through the lower section 4.

The upper section 1 thus defines a first surface spaced from a parallel lower second surface defined by the lower section 4. The second surface is U-shaped in plan. As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the edges of the upper section 1 are rebated so as to define recesses 5 beneath the edges. Holes 6 are provided to receive bolts (not shown) which are screwed in from beneath the worktop to secure extension pieces (not shown) on the lower section 4.

Referring to Figures 4 to 9 it can be seen that extension pieces in the form of boards 7 to 13 fit around the stem 2 of the T and are supported by the lower section 4. The symbol 14 represents the machinist's chair position. Each of the extension boards has a complementary rebate on its edge to engage the recess 5 (Figures 2 an 3) provided around the stem 2 of the T. Each extension board also comprises a threaded socket or sockets.to receive bolts passed through the holes 6 (Figure 1). The thickness of each extension board is the same as the height of the upper section 1 so that the extension boards and the upper sections together define a smooth continuous worktop.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the worktop with rectangular extension pieces 7, 8 fitted around the sides and base of the stem 2 of the T-section.

Different sizes of the end extension piece 7 provide extensions of the worktop to the left of the machinist.

Figure 5 shows an arrangement where a rectangular extension piece 8 is fitted to the side of the stem 2 further from the machinist and an L-shaped extension piece 9 is fitted on the side nearer to the machinist. Different sizes of the L-shaped piece 9 provide extensions of the worktop towards and to the left of the machinist.

Figure 6 shows an arrangement where a rectangular extension piece 6 is fitted to the side of the stem 2 nearer to the machinist, and an L-shaped section 10 is fitted to the side further from the machinist.

Different sizes of the L-shaped section 10 provide extensions of the worktop away from and to the left ofthe machinist.

Figure 7 shows an arrangement of the worktop wherein a U-shaped extension piece 11 fits around the stem 2 of the T-shaped upper section; different sizes of the U-shaped extension piece 9 allow the worktop to be extended as required. The use of a U-shaped extension piece is particularly advantageous as it is a simple matter two slide it onto the stem 2 and the resulting structure is very rigid.

Figure 8 shows a variation of the arrangement of Figure 4, in which an end extension piece 12 extends outwards on one side of the machinist, in order to extend the working surface without obstructing the machinist.

Figure 9 shows a variation of the arrangement of Figure 6 in which an L-shaped section 13 extends towards the side of the machinist, to extend the working surface without obstructing the machinist.

It will be appreciated that numerous variations on the examples described above are possible within the scope of the present invention; for example in the worktop of Figure 4 the end extension piece 7 could just extend the stem of the T, and the side extension pieces 8 could extend on both sides of the piece 7.

Claims

1. Aworktop of variable surface area, comprising a base and at least one extension piece, wherein said base comprises an upper portion defining a first surface and a lower portion defining a second surface parallel to the first and extending outwards from the edge of the upper portion, the or each extension piece comprises a board of uniform thickness which thickness is substantially equal to the perpendicular distance between the first and second surfaces, and the edges of the upper portion and the or each extension piece are complementary such that the or at least one extension piece can be mounted on the second surface so as to define with the first surface a substantially continuous working surface.

2. Aworktop according to claim 1, wherein a sewing machine is secured in the upper portion of the base.

3. Aworktop according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper portion of the base is T-shaped in plan, and the lower portion of the base is rectangular in plan.

4. Aworktop according to claim 3, comprising a single extension piece which is U-shaped in plan and is dimensioned to fit around that part of the upper portion of the base which defines the leg of the T-shape.

5. Aworktop according to claim 3, comprising two or more extension pieces which are dimensioned to fit around that part of the upper portion of the base which defines the leg of the T-shape.

6. A worktop according to claim 3 or 4, wherein when the extension piece or pieces are mounted on the lower portion of the base the peripheral edge of the said continuous working surface extends vertically from the peripheral edge of the lower portion of the base.

7. A worktop according to claim 3 or 4, wherein when the extension piece or pieces are mounted on the lower portion of the base the peripheral edge of the said continuous working surface extends beyond the peripheral edge of the lower portion of the base.

8. A worktop substantially as hereinbefore de scribedwith reference to Figures 1 or 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8 or Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.