GB2550596A

GB2550596A - A portable work station for doors

Info

Publication number: GB2550596A
Application number: GB1609102.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Owens Edward
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-05-24
Filing date: 2016-05-24
Publication date: 2017-11-29
Also published as: GB201609102D0

Abstract

A portable, folding work station (1, Fig 6) for supporting and holding doors in place, comprises a door support member 2 comprising a body with a notch 5 located at one side, in which the notch can receive one edge of a door so that the door extends from the work station. The station further comprises at least one upright portion 3 extending in use from the door support member 2 to space the door support member 2 above a floor and may comprise a base. The door support member 2 and the at least one upright portion 3 are mutually moveable or displaceable so that the portable work station 1 can be folded substantially flat. The members of the work station may further be connected by hinges or projecting studs. A lower door support member 4A may also be included near the base to increase stability of the door. The work station may further have a carry handle, and a catch to lock the folded panels in place. The folded panels may fold up into a flat unit, such that the device when not in use may resemble a briefcase.

Description

A portable work station for doors

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable work station for doors or similar items. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable work station that can be used to hold doors in position while work is carried out, and which can be folded up for transport or storage.

Background

When renovation or building work is carried out, this frequently involves replacing or working on the doors of the building, for example to fit or replace hinges, carry out adjustment work so that the door will fit a frame, or similar. A common material for domestic doors, especially on older styles of houses, is wood. Doors of this type are usually heavy and can be awkward to hold in the required position so that they can be worked on. For example, it is usually difficult to hold a heavy wooden door on it's side so that hinges can be fitted, so that it can be planed to the correct size/shape, etc.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: US2015/0026959 describes and shows a construction retention device for holding doors in position for work that comprises a first member, a second member and an inner member, where the first member comprises a base and an upright, and where the upright of the first member has at least a single holder, and where the second member comprises a base and an upright, and where the upright of the second member has at least a single holder, the first member and the second member connected to the inner member. US7726003 describes and shows a simple and versatile door support system that holds a door by attaching to the top and bottom edges. The system allows the two visible door faces and the two visible door edges to be painted at one time, and may be converted to hold a door horizontally or to transport a door. The system includes four support blocks which mount to corners of top and bottom surfaces of the door. The blocks have mounting features for mounting to the door. US20070018417 describes and shows a mechanism configured to support a door when work is to be performed using movable clamp halves to clamp and hold a door. A movable ledge receives a door where the weight moves the ledge gravitationally downward to clamp the work piece. A fixed ledge is positioned in the path of movement of the door and the movable ledge to limit the movement and any excessive pressure which otherwise might be exerted on the door by the clamp halves. The clamp is mounted on a base which comprises angled piping to form a two-dimensional support for the clamp and the door. The mechanism includes removable or changeable wheels to transport the mechanism with or without a door.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a portable work station for doors, comprising: at least one door support member comprising a body with a notch located at one side, in which the notch is configured in use to receive an edge of a door therein so that the door extends there from; at least one upright portion extending from the door support member and arranged in use to position the door support member above a floor; the door support member and the at least one upright portion being displaceable relative to each other so that the portable work station can be folded substantially flat.

This allows the work station to be deployed to support a door or similar in use so that the door can be worked on, and to be folded flat for ease of storage or transport when not in use.

The present invention thereby provides without limitation a portable work station for doors that can be easily deployed, and used, and which securely supports a door or similar item being planar to be worked on simply and securely, in a vertical orientation where placed on a horizontal floor.

In an embodiment, the door support member comprises a substantially planar body, the notch located on one side of the body, wherein the surface of the body in some embodiments may be configured to act in use as a work surface.

In an embodiment, the surface of the body further comprises at least one tool holder.

In an embodiment, the at least one tool holder comprises a plurality of apertures configured to receive tools therein.

In an embodiment, the at least one upright portion comprises at least one substantially planar body hingedly connected to the door support member.

In an embodiment, at least one door support member can be folded flat against at least one of the at least one upright portions.

In an embodiment, the at least one upright portion comprises a substantially planar rear portion and a pair of substantially planer side portions, the side portion hingedly connected to the rear portion.

In some embodiments the door support member is displaceable with respect to at least one upright portion. In some embodiments the door support member is displaceable with respect to the work station.

In an embodiment, the door support member is wholly displaceable and connected in use by stud protrusions located into holes on at least one portion.

In an embodiment the door support member is hingedly connected to and can be folded against the rear portion.

In an embodiment, the pair of side portions are configured to be foldable towards the rear portion.

In an embodiment, the portable work station further comprises a catch configured to hold the side portions together and folded towards the rear portion when the catch is engaged.

In an embodiment, the portable work station further comprises a base, the base configured to rest on a surface, the at least one upright portion or portions in use connecting to and extending upwards from the base such that the base provides support for the work station.

In an embodiment, the base comprises a substantially planar body comprising at least one hole into which a lower part of the at least one upright portion or portions locates to secure the at least one upright portion or portions to the base.

In an embodiment, the base may have approximately a two thirds length of the at least one upright portions.

In an embodiment, the portable work station further comprises a carry handle connected to the work station so as to extend from one side of the work station when folded substantially flat.

In an embodiment, the portable work station further comprises a support configured to locate under a lower edge of a door held upright by the work station, the support detachably connected to and forming part of the door support member or the at least one upright portion or portions when not in use.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a sketch of a perspective view from one side and in front of a first embodiment of the portable work station of the present invention, deployed ready for use, the work station having a door support member that comprises a body with a notch configured to receive one edge of a door at one side, side and rear upright portions that hold the door support member, and a base that holds the work station stable, the upright portions folding flat against the door support portion when not in use, and the base detachable to locate against the flat-folded upright portions and door support member when the work station is not in use.

Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the portable work station of figure 1, showing detail of the door support member, the side and rear upright portions, and the base.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view from above and in front of the work station of figure 2, deployed and unfolded and, with the top not shown.

Figure 4 shows a view of the work station from generally the same angle as figure 3, showing the door support member folding inwards towards the rear upright, the door support member lying flat against the rear upright portion when fully folded away.

Figure 5 shows a view of the work station from generally the same angle as figure 4, the door support member shown folded fully flat against the rear upright portion, the side portions shown folding inwards towards the rear upright portion, the base ready for storage and the support member stored.

Figure 6 shows a view of the work station from generally the same angle as figure 4 and figure 5, showing the door support member folded flat against the rear upright portion and the side portions folded fully flat against the door support member so that they parallel the rear upright portion, the figure also showing detail of a catch used to hold the side portions closed, and a handle connected to and extending from the edge of the flat-folded work station that can be used to transport the work station.

Figure 7 shows the work station of the invention in use, holding a door in position so that a person can work on the edge of the door to add hinges or shape the door, or similar.

Detailed Description of Figures A portable work station according to embodiments of the present invention is shown in the figures wherein the embodiments of the workstation 1 are generally for use with doors, and intended to securely hold doors on their side so that a person can add hinges, shape the door by planing, or similar tasks.

The workstation 1 has a door support member 2, that is a generally planar flat thin body. The door support member 2 has a notch 5 at one side. The door support member may be envisaged to be in use vertically uppermost in the station in use. The notch 5 is shaped and sized such that the edge or end of a door can be passed into the notch, and be securely held.

In this embodiment, the upper surface of said body is configured to be useable as a work surface so that tools can be placed on the surface in use, rather than on the floor. A number of apertures 6 are formed in the surface, and through the member 2, so that chisels, hammers and similar can be placed/stored in/on the work surface during use, and will advantageously not roll around or be knocked off the work surface.

When the workstation 1 is deployed, the door support member 2 is held above a surface or floor by uprights or upright portions 3. In this embodiment, these comprise three generally planar portions that are substantially flat and thin, similar to the door support member 2: namely a rear portion 3c and a pair of side portions 3a, 3b. In use, these are aligned relative to one another as shown in figure 3. The side portions 3a, 3b are substantially fully planar, and the rear portion 3c has a pair of small/short/low edge side walls to which the side portions 3a, 3b are connected to extend from these in the same plane as the edge walls when deployed. A base 4 connects with the bottom edges of the rear portion 3c and the pair of side portions3a, 3b. The base 4 comprises a flat, thin planar body substantially two thirds size and same width as the rear upright portions 3c. A number of apertures 8 are formed in the base 4, and the lower edges of the uprights 3a, 3b, 3c are formed with a number of extending protrusions 7 that are equivalently sized to the apertures 8. The protrusions 7 locate into the apertures 8 when the work bench 1 is deployed, so that the base 4 provides support for the work station. As shown in the figures, the base 4 extends to the sides of the work station when deployed. That is, perpendicular to a door held in the notch 5. The base 4 therefore provides support for the work station 1 and acts to help prevent tipping or unsteadiness. A lower support member 4a is vertically spaced in use from the door support member, being shaped and sized such that the bottom edge of the door can be securely held in common with the support member 2, which provides support adjacent or at the top edge of the door. Rear portion 3c is hinge connected such that the lower door support member 4a can fold inwards from a deployed position towards the inner upright surface of the rear member 3c for storage or transport.

The door support member 2 and rear portion 3c are connected by protrusions 7 located into holes 8 when the work station is deployed. The side portions 3a, 3b are hingedly connected to the rear portion 3c so that these can fold inwards towards the rear portion 3c from the deployed position. Storage of door support member 2 is obtained by abutting to lower door support member 4a when folded inwards flat against rear portion 3c and inside edge walls of rear portion 3c wherein member 2 is to be placed with semi circular notches 12a engaged with semi circular holders 12b so as to limit movement and prevent sliding exit of the base from the folded and stored workstation.

Support member 2 is displaceably wholly, and held in place in use by studs 7 in the ends of the upright portions 3b and base 3c, and holes in the bottom of the support member.

The side portions 3a, 3b fold over the top of this. Each of the side portions are sized so that there is no overlap once these are folded inwards and parallel to the rear portion 3c.

It can be seen that the work station 1 can be folded from a deployed state as shown in figure 7 to a flat state generally as shown in figure 6, being advantageous for transport or storage. In order to fold this flat, the base 4 is removed. As shown in figure 6, the base 4 is advantageously appropriately dimensioned to be stored inside when the work station 1 is flat-folded - that is, between the folded-in side portions 3a, 3b and the rear portion 3c.

The side portions 3a, 3b are held shut by a catch 9 that extends across the front of the side portions 3a, 3b. A handle 10 is connected to and extends from one edge of the rear portion 3c so that the flat-folded work station can easily be carried and transported.

The rear portion 3c as pictured in the second embodiment further includes a detachably connected wedge 11. This can be detached from the rear portion 3c to in use locate distally from the station 1 under a lower edge of a door being held upright by the work station 1, so as to provide further support to the door during working. This wedge may be attached for transport and storage using stud and hole attachment or for example ferromagnetic parts. The first embodiment does not include the wedge.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

Claims

Claims I A portable work station for doors, comprising: at least one door support member comprising a body with a notch located at one side, in which the notch is configured in use to receive an edge of a door therein so that the door extends there from; at least one upright portion extending from the door support member and arranged in use to position the door support member above a floor; the door support member and the at least one upright portion being displaceable relative to each other so that the portable work station can be folded substantially flat. 2 A portable work station as claimed in claim 1 wherein the door support member comprises a substantially planar body, the notch located on one side of the body, the upper surface of the body configured to act in use as a work surface. 3 A portable work station as claimed in claim 2 wherein the upper surface of the body further comprises at least one tool holder. 4 A portable work station as claimed in claim 3 wherein the at least one tool holder comprises a plurality of apertures configured to receive tools therein. 5 A portable work station as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the at least one upright portion comprises at least one substantially planar body connected to the door support member. 6 A portable work station as claimed in claim 5 wherein the door support member can be placed flat against at least one of the at least one upright members. 7 A portable work station as claimed in claim 6 wherein the at least one upright portion comprises a substantially planar rear portion and a pair of substantially planer side portions, the side portion hingedly connected to the rear portion. 8 A portable work station as claimed in claim 7 wherein the door support member is hingedly connected to and can be folded against the rear portion. 9 A portable work station as claimed in claim 7 wherein the door support member is connected in use to the rear portion. 10 A portable work station as claimed in claim 9 wherein the door support member is connected to the rear portion with projecting studs. II A portable work station as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7wherein the pair of side portions are configured to be foldable towards the rear portion. 12 A portable work station as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a catch configured to hold the side portions together and folded towards the rear portion when the catch is engaged. 13 A portable work station as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 further comprising a base, the base configured to rest on a surface, the at least one upright portion or portions in use connecting to and extending upwards from the base such that the base provides support for the work station. 14 A portable work station as claimed in claim 11 wherein the base comprises a substantially planar body comprising at least one aperture into which a lower part of the at least one upright portion or portions ocates to secure the at least one upright member or members to the base. 15 A portable work station as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the base has a length substantially equivalent two thirds to the largest of the at least one upright portions. 16 A portable work station as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 further comprising a carry handle connected to the work station so as to extend from one side of the work station when folded substantially flat. 17 A portable work station as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 further comprising a support, configured to locate under a lower edge of a door held upright by the work station, the support detachably connected to and forming part of the door support member or the at least one upright portion or portions when not in use. 18 A portable work station according to any of the preceding claims comprising a lower door support member. 19 A portable work station according to claim 18 wherein the lower door support member is hingedly connected to an upright portion. 20 A portable work station substantially as herein described with reference to the figures.