GB2237215A

GB2237215A - Portable work and storage device

Info

Publication number: GB2237215A
Application number: GB8924055A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Joseph Kennedy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-10-25
Filing date: 1989-10-25
Publication date: 1991-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-25
Also published as: GB8924055D0; GB2237215B

Abstract

A portable work and storage device, e.g. for assembling a jigsaw, comprises two plastic "halves" 10, 12 hinged together at 14. Each half defines a work surface 16, 17 and a mat 28 is hinged to one half to retain items on the work surface 16 in position when the device is folded together and closed. Each half can itself constitute the top surface of a container to which access can be gained via an openable panel (not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

PORTRBLE WORK AND STORAGE DEVICE This invention relates to a portable work and storage device and in particular, but not exclusively, to such devices for transporting partly assembled jigsaw puzzles. Such devices may also be used for other purposes, for example for transporting a partly played game or a partly assembled or disassembled mechanism.

In the past, jigsaw puzzles have been assembled on tables or trays but there is no easy way of storing and transporting a partly assembled jigsaw without disturSing the arrangement of the pieces. Similar difficulties arise with games or mechanisms.

'hat is needed, therefore, is a portable work and storage device which provides a worksurface for assembly of the puzzle, playing of the game etc, and which can be collapsed to store the pieces without disturbing the arrangement of the pieces.

According to this invention there is provided a portable work and storage device comprising two foldably connected work surfaces and a mat for being folded over one of said worksurfaces before the worksurfaces are folded towards each other so that, in use, items laid out on said one worksurface are retained in position as said one worksurface is folded towards the other.

The mat may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible and is preferably connected to an outer edge of one of the worksurfaces to fold about an axis parallel to the folding axis of the worksurfaces. In this arrangement each of the worksurfaces faces one side surface of the mat so that the mat can retain items on both worksurfaces.

The mat may include a foam sheet, preferably with anti-static properties to prevent adherence by electrostatic attraction. The mat may be of sandwich construction with two anti-static mats provided to each side of a relatively rigid centre panel.

One of the orksurfaces preferably includes means such as a pair of cross-slides for defining thereon a working area, e.g. the total area of the jigsaw puzzle inage.

One or both of the worksurfaces may be defined by the external wall of a container, and each container may include a closable access panel so that items may be stored in the container. The panels may be of transparent material and closed by a ZIP or similar fastener.

Preferably, the worksurfaces, when folded together, enclose the mat. For example, where each worksurface is provided by the walls of a container, one or both containers may be rebated to receive the mat.

The invention may be performed in many ways and an embodiment thereof will now be described b way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a portable work and storage device for a jigsaw puzzle when unfolded and in use, and Figure 2 is a side section view through the device of Figure 1 when folded and closed.

Referring to the drawings, the device includes two plastic "halves" or rectangular containers 10,12 hinged together at 14. Each container 10,12 defines a sunken worksurface 16,17 respectively and has two storage compartments 19 arranged side by side (see Figure 2) for the storage of jigsaw puzzle boxes or other games boxes.

A clear plastic access panel 20 is secured to each compartment by a zip fastener 22 or similar closure to allow access to the compartment. The outer edge of each container 10,12 is provided with a half moulded handle 24, and the outer edge of the container 10 is connected via a piano type hinge 26 to a mat 28. The mat is of sandwich construction made up of two outer layers of anti-static foam sheet 30 and a rigid central ribbed or corrugated plastics panel 32. The worksurface 17 on the other container 12 is provided with two crosslides 32 which may be noved to define a working area of the required size.

In use, the player opens the device, sets the crosslides to define the correct working area or worksurface 17 and begins to huild up the puzzle in the working area, using the remaining worksurfaces for subassembly. If he wishes to transport the partially assembled puzzle, he simply folds the mat 28 over the worksurface 15 to trap the pieces there without disturbance and then folds the container 10 plus the mat 28 over the container 12 to trap the pieces on the worksurface 17 against the other side of the nat. The device ma be locked in this position by a releasable clasp 3t.

Claims

1. A portable work and storage device comprising two foldably connected worksurfaces and a mat for being folded over one of said worksurfaces before the worksurfaces are folded towards each other so that, in use, items laid out on said one worksurface are retained in position.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said mat is connected to an outer edge of said one worksurface and folds about an axis generally parallel to the folding axis of the worksurfaces.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said mat includes a foam sheet providing an anti-slip surface.

4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein said anti-slip mat comprises one or more foam sheets providing two opposed anti-slip surfaces, each for engaging one of said worksurfaces.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein one of said worksurfaces is provided with two perpendicularly extending margin elements each perpendicularly movable to define an assembly area on said worksurface.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the worksurfaces is defined by the outer surface of a wall of a container.

7. A device according to Claim 6, wherein said container includes one or more openable access panels.

8. A device according to Claim 7, wherein the or each access panel includes a zip closure.

9. A device according to any of Claims 6 to 8, wherein each worksurface is defined by the outer surface of a respective container, the two containers being pivoted together and being closable generally to enclose the mat between them.

10. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in either of Figures 1 to 2 of the accompanying drawings.