GB2487748A

GB2487748A - Portable workstation

Info

Publication number: GB2487748A
Application number: GB1101806.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stewart Greig Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-02
Filing date: 2011-02-02
Publication date: 2012-08-08
Also published as: GB201101806D0

Abstract

A portable workstation for use by professional make-up artists working away from a purpose built environment comprises a reflective surface 6 which has the ability to be raised and lowered, sources of illumination 7, power points 9 to run small electrical appliances, a table 1 which itself includes a table top space saving device 5, legs to support the table 2, and a handle 4. The unit may be fully closed allowing it to be safely transported.

Description

A PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP ARTIST'S PORTABLE WORKSTATION

Background of invention

Professional make-up artists working in the film and television industry will normally carry out their work in a purpose built room or caravan. These purpose built areas will all have common features. These features will be: A large mirror; a source of artificial light; a horizontal work space; power sockets for hairdryers etc. Often the areas described above are not suitable. For example: A large film production involving several hundred supporting artists, generally referred to as extras, and all needing to have make-up applied within a short space of time would require many purpose built rooms or caravans.

On these occasions a large hall or marquee would be used solely for the make-up department. Within this space an area would be set up for each make-up artist. At present this workspace would involve the setting up of two main items. Item 1 is a box which when opened consists of a light source, a mirror and plug sockets. Item 2 is a standard fold up

trestle table.

Several issues arise from creating the work space from these separate items: The two items discussed above do not share the same shape which becomes apparent, not only in the storage of many of these units but also in the transportation of many of these units; when a production company hires a light/mirror box it will, by necessity, also hire a trestle table which will involve extra cost. This extra cost will also apply to the lending company upon when first purchasing the units prior to hiring out; the two units are manufactured separately and will not originally have been purchased from the same source.

Summary of the invention

The object of the invention is to bring these separate items together and in so doing creating a single unit consisting of a reflective surface (a mirror for example)s, illumination, a large horizontal work surface, supporting legs and power sockets.

It is another object of the invention to ensure its portability. Accordingly, the invention is so designed as to provide for this portability.

It is further object of the invention to provide a portable unit which, when dealing with either several or many of these units, is both easy to store and transport.

The invention comprises of a large rear panel, one upper front panel and two front lower panels. The lower panels are hinged at the vertical edge of the unit in such a way that when opened create a support for the upper front panel which itself is attached to a horizontal hinge in such a way that when pulled forward and down supported by lower panels creates a horizontal work surface.

The internal space between the top of the rear panel and the upper front panel is occupied by a fixture which is comprised of a reflective surface, sources of illumination, a light switch, a plug socket for the use of electrical appliances, a pair of drawer runners and a latch.

The drawer runners are attached internally to the upper part of the rear panel as well as attached to rear of the reflective surface in such a way that the reflective surface may be manually raised vertically. The latch is place behind the reflective surface and fixed internally to the rear panel in such a way that when the reflective surface is raised vertically to a specified height the fixed latch will fall forward and prevent the reflective surface from returning to its original starting position. Only when the latch is lifted manually will the reflective surface be able to return to its lower original starting position.

When the reflective surface is raised vertically it reveals the both the plug socket and the light switch. These two components are fixed to the internal side of the rear back panel.

Illumination is provided by light sources which are fixed to the internal side of the rear back panel. These are placed vertically at the sides of the reflective surface.

A socket is provided at the lower vertical edge of the unit which allows a cable from an electrical mains supply to be connected thereby allowing an electrical current to enter the unit.

The upper front panel has a circular disc attached to its internal rear side. When the upper front panel is lowered onto the now supporting lower panels and in doing so creating a horizontal workspace' the circular disc is now visible. The circular disc is attached to mentioned workspace' at a single point. This allows the circular disc movement to the left and in so doing revealing a hole through the workspace'. This hole is useful for the placing of a hairdryer, for example, and ensuring a maximum free area on the workspace'.

When the invention is to be stored or transported the electrical supply is removed from the socket at the lower vertical edge of the unit, the reflective surface is allowed to return to its original starting point, the upper front panel is lifted and closed and the two lower front panels are closed. A handle which is place at midpoint of the vertical edge allows the invention to be carried to its destination.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings on pages 1 to 5 in which: Figure 1 shows the invention in its closed state.

Figure 2 shows the invention in its initial open state. The lower front panels open and supporting the now lowered upper front panel. The reflective surface and vertical illumination sources can now be seen.

Figure 3 shows the invention in its complete open state. The reflective surface has been raised vertically and the two electrical components can now be seen. The movable disc on the workspace' can be seen to have shifted.

Figure 4 shows a close up of the upper area of the invention. The drawer runners and latch which are placed between the internal area of the rear panel and the reflective surface can now (solely for a descriptive purpose) be seen.

FigureS shows a close up of the upper area of the invention. The reflective surface has been raised vertically and allowing the latch to fall into place thereby allowing access to the electrical components.

Detailed description of the drawings

Figure 1 The invention is in its closed state. The carrying handle (4) is attached to the vertical edge of the rear panel (12). The upper front panel the table' (1) is attached horizontally midpoint by a hinge to the front side of the rear panel (12). The lower front panels the legs' (2) are attached vertically by hinges to the outer edges of the front side of the rear panel (12). Power in and powers out sockets (3) are provided at the lower vertical edge of the rear panel (12) to allow an electrical supply into the unit. These also allow two units to be linked together with the intention of an electric current being supplied from the first unit to the second. The circular disc (5) can also be seen through a cut out hole in the

table (1).

Figure 2 The invention is at it its initial open stage. The legs (2) are now fully open allowing support for the now dropped down table (1). The reflective surface (6) is now seen in its original starting position. The sources of illumination (7) can also be seen vertically placed at the sides of the reflective surface (6). The circular disc (5) can be seen in its starting position attached at a single point to the table (1).

Figure 3 The invention is now at its complete open stage. The reflective surface (6) has now been raised to its new position allowing access to the light switch (8) and plug sockets (9).

The circular disc (5) has now been moved to reveal a cut away in the table (1) which allows the placing of a hair dryer for example.

Figure 4 Shows a close up of the upper part of the invention. For descriptive purposes only we can see through the reflective surface (6). The reflective surface (6) is set at its original starting point. Drawer runners (11) are fixed vertically to the internal faces of the rear panel (12) and the reflective surface (6). A latch (10) which is behind the reflective surface and attached to the internal face of the rear panel is in it's upwards position.

Figure 5 When the reflective surface (6) is raised vertically along the drawer runners (11) to a certain height the latch (10) can drop to its downward position thereby preventing the reflective surface (6) returning to its original starting position. When the reflective surface (6) is placed in its raised static position this can now enable access to the electrical components, the light switch (8) and plug sockets (9).

Other information Materials used in the construction of the above invention may be dependent on several

factors for example:

a) If to be regularly transported the main external parts of the invention may involve the use of metal: metal corners; aluminium sheeting for the outer body.

b) If the invention is for light use i.e. occasionally transported, the body of the invention may be constructed of lighter materials, plastic for example.

c) While maintaining its basic design the invention may be reduced in size for use in a non-professional capacity for example to be used by children. In this example materials used in the construction of the above invention would be suited for that particular use. Direct current illumination i.e. battery operated lights may replace lights using alternating current.

Claims

Claims 1. An item combining the following features: a reflective surface which has the ability to be raised and lowered; sources of illumination; power points to run small electrical appliances; a spacious table which itself includes a unique table top space saving device; legs to support the above mentioned table.
2. These features are combined into one robust portable unit which when fully closed allows the item and its features contained within to be transported safely.
3. The flat packed design of the unit allows many of the units to be stored or transported maximizing available space.