WO2008149085A1

WO2008149085A1 - A workstation arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2008149085A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/001904
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luke Khan
Original assignee: Swansea Metropolitan University
Priority date: 2007-06-08
Filing date: 2008-06-04
Publication date: 2008-12-11
Also published as: GB0711167D0

Abstract

A workstation (9) has a support surface reconfigurable from a contracted surface configuration to an expansive surface configuration. The workstation is also deployable between a stowed orientation in the contracted configuration and a non-stowed orientation in which the structure can be reconfigured to the expansive surface configuration. Typically the workstation is stored in a cabinet or drawer and slides on runners (2) to the non-stowed orientation.

Description

A workstation Arrangement

This invention relates generally to a workstation arrangement, and more particularly to such an arrangement including a support surface structure for providing a support surface that may be conveniently stowed away when not in use.

Support surface structures are common in many environments from kitchens to garages, and may be used for many tasks, for example as a food preparation surface. They are essential for every day activities and are usually fixed structures, for instance work surfaces in kitchens.

Disadvantages with such structures are that once they are fixed into position they take up a proportion of space in a room, or other place, that could be used for other means when the support surface structure is not in use. This is especially problematic for small rooms, caravans, garages and garden sheds.

Support surface structures are currently available whereby the workable surface area may be reduced from an expanded configuration to a compact configuration enabling the support surface structure to be stowed away. Examples include hinged breakfast bars and folding tables. Although such structures offer a solution to the space issue, it is usually cumbersome to physically carry such a support surface structure from one place to another and the support surface structures are often too bulky to be stowed away conveniently. In the case of the hinged breakfast bar, the stowed structure would still be on display and may be regarded as unsightly in certain instances.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved support surface structure which alleviates the above mentioned problems whilst providing a stable and reliable support surface, when in the expanded surface configuration.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a workstation arrangement comprising; a support surface structure reconfigurable from a contracted surface configuration to an expansive surface configuration;

a deployment arrangement for deploying the support surface structure between a stowed orientation in the contracted configuration and a non-stowed orientation in which the structure can be reconfigured to the expansive surface configuration.

The workstation arrangement is beneficially provided with means for securing the deployment arrangement to another structure (such as internally of a cabinet).

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation arrangement includes means for stowing a detachable step structure. Beneficially, the support surface structure has means for securing the step structure for stowing. A retainer structure carried by the support surface structure may be provided to carry the step, preferably slung under the support surface structure.

The support surface structure preferably comprises surface elements which in the contracted surface configuration are laid one on top of the other, the elements being reconfigured to be arranged side by side when moved to the expansive configuration. In such an embodiment (and other embodiments), a guide frame arrangement may be provided to guide reconfiguration of the support surface structure between the contracted surface and expansive surface configurations.

In one embodiment, the guide frame arrangement comprises telescoping frame elements. The guide frame arrangement preferably acts to guide the movement of the work surface in mutually perpendicular directions (catering for vertical and sideways movement). Thus the surface elements may be guided from a position laid one on top of another to an expanded configuration laid side by side (edge to edge). The surface elements preferably have shaped (e.g. bevelled, inclined or curved) edges that permit the edges to ride over one another. The deployment arrangement beneficially comprises a deployment guide structure, which is beneficially arranged to support the support surface structure. Beneficially, the deployment guide structure is provided with means for securing the deployment arrangement to another structure (such as internally of a cabinet).

In one embodiment, the deployment guide structure is a cantilever type structure. In a preferred embodiment, the deployment guide structure is a runner or rail structure.

It is preferred that a guide frame arrangement is provided to guide reconfiguration of the support surface structure between the contracted surface and expansive surface configurations, the deployment guide structure being connected to carry the guide frame arrangement from the stowed position to the non-stowed orientation.

In a preferred embodiment, reconfiguration of the support surface structure between the contracted and expansive configurations is arranged to take place in a first linear direction, which direction is transverse to the direction of deployment of the support surface structure from the stowed to the non-stowed orientation.

In one embodiment, the support surface structure includes a planar surface portion and docking structures shaped and dimensioned to receive specific items. The support surface structure may comprise a reduced slip surface material.

In a further embodiment, the support surface structure includes at least one magnetic edge.

In an alternative embodiment, the support surface structure is detachable from the guide frame arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation arrangement is provided in a cabinet (particularly a kitchen cabinet), and is deployable from a stowed orientation positioned internally of the cabinet to a non-stowed orientation positioned externally of the cabinet. The invention extends to a storing means, for example a cupboard or a drawer, capable of storing at least one surface support structure as described above.

The invention extends further to a kitchen containing a storage means for storing a work station arrangement as described above.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to, the embodiment described herein.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the deployment arrangement and the guide frame arrangement, in the stowed configuration and compact arrangement respectively.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the deployment arrangement and the guide frame arrangement, in the non-stowed configuration and compact arrangement respectively.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the deployment arrangement and the guide frame arrangement, in the non-stowed configuration and part expansive arrangement respectively.

Figure 4a is a perspective view of the deployment arrangement and the guide frame arrangement, in the non-stowed configuration and the maximally expansive arrangement respectively.

Figure 4b is a perspective view of the wing nut arrangements looking outwards (i.e. away from the workstation arrangement.)

Figure 4c is a perspective view of the wing nut arrangements looking inwards (i.e. towards the workstation arrangement.) Figure 5a is a cross-section view of the connection between the guide frame and the support surface by means of the wing nut arrangement in the contracted guide frame arrangement.

Figure 5b is a cross-section view of the connection between the guide frame and the support surface by means of the wing nut arrangement in the maximally expansive guide frame arrangement.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the support surface structure in a stowed orientation and compact arrangement.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the support surface structure in a non-stowed orientation and compact arrangement.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the support surface structure in a non-stowed orientation and part expansive arrangement.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the support surface structure in a non-stowed orientation and a part expansive arrangement at the point where the ends of the movable support surface elements come into contact with the stationary central surface element.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the support surface structure in a non-stowed orientation and a maximally expansive arrangement.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the support surface structure in a non-stowed orientation and a maximally expansive arrangement wherein the step structure is part removed from the retainer structure.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the support surface structure in a non-stowed orientation and a maximally expansive arrangement wherein the step structure is completely detached from the retainer structure. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the top of the step structure in the compact configuration.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the base of the step structure in a compact configuration. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the top of the step structure in a part- extended configuration.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the base of the step structure in a part-extended configuration.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the top of the step structure in a maximally extended configuration.

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the base of the step structure in a maximally extended configuration.

Figure 19 is a front view of the support surface structure and the guide frame in the compact arrangement.

Figure 20 is a front view of the support surface structure and the guide frame in the part expansive arrangement.

Figure 21 is a front view of the support surface structure and the guide frame in the maximally expansive arrangement.

Referring to Figure 4a of the drawings, a workstation arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a deployment arrangement formed of two longitudinal runner channels 1 mounted on opposite sides of a storing means, for example a cupboard or a drawer, and horizontally slidable runners 2 capable of moving within the runner channels 1 in a first linear direction. The storing means is the main support structure of the system. The runner channels 1 are fixed to the inner walls of the main support structure by pilot holes 3 and screws, but could be secured by other suitable means. Conventional runner systems, for instance the weight bearing variety, using roller bearings or spherical bearings, or track variety, are suitable for this purpose.

In the embodiment presented here, a guide frame 4 is constructed from four telescoping frame elements 5, each comprising three concentric box sections 6,7,8 that slide within each other. Other bespoke extrusion shapes may also be suitable and the elements of the telescoping arm elements may also comprise bearings in order to reduce drag. The guide frame 4 is fixedly mounted to the runners 2 of the deployment guide structure by means of a retainer structure 9 (which shall be described later). The first, and largest, box section 8 is secured perpendicular to and between the horizontally slidable runners 2 of the deployment arrangement, such that the bottom edge of the first box section 8 is positioned above the top edge of the horizontally slidable runners 2. The telescoping frame element 5 is configured such that the smaller box sections 6, 7 are able to slide in a second linear direction that is transverse to the direction of deployment of the support surface structure from the stowed to the non-stowed orientation. When the telescoping frame element 5 is in the expansive configuration the non-stowed deployment arrangement acts as an anchor.

The four telescoping frame elements 5 are arranged into two pairs, whereby a pair comprises two adjacent telescoping frame elements 4 extendable in opposite directions. In this arrangement a single side of one half of the pair is in contact with a single side of the second half of the pair. The second box section 7 of a telescoping frame element 5 never extends more than 50 % from the first box section 8 and acts as a brace between the first 8 and last 6 box sections. The second and third box sections 6, 7 are sized to leave a gap between their outer edge and the inner edge of the box section that surrounds them in the collapsed configuration. Grooves 10 are provided on the outer edge of the second and third box sections 7,6 and the inner edge of the second and first box sections 7,8 with pins therebetween to permit linear movement. Over extension of the telescopic arm 5 is prohibited by the pins on termination of the groove.

The retainer structure 9 is used to secure the first box section 8 of the telescoping frame element 5 to the horizontally slidable runners 2 of the deployment arrangement. The retainer structure 9 comprises a tray element 11 having a base that is parallel to the first box section 8 and perpendicular side portions which are fixedly mounted to the runner system of the deployment arrangement. The side portion extends further to form a overhang portion 12 that extends in a direction parallel to the base of the tray element 11. The base of the first box section 8 makes contact with and is fixedly mounted to the top surface of the overhang portion 12 of the retainer structure 9. The retainer structure 9 is capable of securing a further structure, for instance the detachable step structure 13 to be used in conjunction with, or independent from, the workstation arrangement. Alternatively a drawer structure could be secured in the retainer structure 9.

Referring to Figure 17, the step structure 13, which may be removed from the stowed position with a drawer motion, has legs 14 that may be deployed from a compact position to an extended position in order to increase the height of the step. In one embodiment the step comprises a tray structure 15 with a planar surface, having two fixedly pivotable leg elements 14 below the planar surface, capable of being stored in the recess of the tray structure, in a compact position, and capable of being rotated about a rotating element 16 into an extended position. The maximum height of the step structure is achieved when the legs 14 are perpendicular to the planar surface of the tray structure 15.

Referring to Figure 9, a first element of the support surface structure 17 is secured to the first block section 8 and has stepped edges (e.g. 29) along the sides that run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the deployment arrangement. Two further support surface structure elements 18, 19, have a stepped edge 30,31 along one side that is positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the deployment arrangement, and are configured such that when placed side by side the stepped edge 29 of the first support surface element 17 mates with the stepped edge 30,31 of the second and third support surface structure elements 18,19. The two further support structure elements 18,19 have a flat edge on the opposite side to the stepped edge wherein the corner of the flat edge is rounded off. In further embodiments this corner could be perpendicular, stepped or another shape. The second and third support surface structure elements 18, 19 are mirror images of each other when placed end to end with the first surface support structure 17, wherein the first surface support structure 17 is placed between the second and third support surface structure elements 18, 19. Referring to Figures 5a and 5b, the second and third support surface structure elements 18, 19 are attached to the final block section 6 by means of a wing nut arrangement. An end portion 21, having a protruding screw element 22, is fixed to the end of the final block section 8 and extends through an aperture 23 in the flat edge of the support surface structure (e.g. 18) and is secured by a wing nut element 20. The wing nut element 20 comprises a casing with a threaded recess 24 and further having a linear aperture 25 in its back wall extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis if the deployment system. The linear aperture facilitates the movement of both pitch and height of the second and third surface structure elements 18,19.

By using this wing nut arrangement the second and third surface structure elements 18, 19 are able to slide from a contracted configuration to an expansive configuration and back to the contracted configuration. The support surface structures are configured such that they are detachable from the guide frame on removal of the wing nut element 20.

In the contracted configuration the second surface structure element 18 sits directly above and in contact with the first surface structure element 17 and the third surface structure element 19 sits directly above and in contact with the second surface structure element, forming a stacked arrangement, wherein the second surface structure 18 is sandwiched between the first and third surface structures 17,18.

When a horizontal force is applied to the second 18 and third 19 surface structure arrangements, that is transverse to the direction of deployment of the support surface structure from the stowed to the non-stowed orientation, and in an outwardly direction to enable the extension of the telescoping frame elements 5, the surface structure elements slide. Eventually the stepped edge of the second surface structure element 18 makes contact with the edge of the first surface structure element 17 and the stepped edge of the third surface structure element 19 makes contact with the second edge of the first surface structure element 17. Both the second and third surface structure elements 18,19 continue to slide until the three surface structure elements are reconfigured to be arranged side by side such that the stepped edges 30,31 of the second and third surface structure elements 18,19 rest flush and mate with the first and second edges of the first surface structure element 17 respectively. In this arrangement a single expansive planar support surface is formed, and the telescoping frame elements 5 are fully extended. This is referred to as the expansive configuration.

On application of a horizontal force that is transverse to the direction of deployment of the support surface structure from the stowed to the non-stowed orientation, and in an inwardly direction to enable the retraction of the telescoping frame elements, the second and third surface structure elements 18, 19 may be returned to the contracted configuration, and are ready to be stowed. The workstation arrangement can be stowed and non-stowed by respectively pushing and drawing the guide frame along the deployment arrangement.

In one embodiment, the surface structure elements 17,18,19 may comprise a reduced slip surface material 26, for example rubber silicon for placing equipment or tools (e.g. utensils bowls and weighing scales). Such surfaces may also be heat resistant. The surface structure elements may also have docking structures 27 shaped and dimensioned to receive specific items. Such docking structures are able to restrict the movement of equipment or tools, thus creating a stable working environment. The outer edges of the support surface structure (e.g. 28) may also be magnetised such that metallic or custom made utensils (of opposite polarity to the magnet at the edge of the support surface structure) can be hung from the side of the support surface element.

In one embodiment the workstation arrangement can be deployed at a lower height than a main work surface, advantageously enabling a child to use the support surface one in the extended configuration.

In the preferred embodiment the block sections of the telescoping frame elements 5 are made from Aluminium, but other metals, plastics or rigid substances may also be used.

The edges of the support surface structure elements may also be bevelled, inclined, chamfered or curved or any other shape that permits the edges of the support surface structure elements to ride over each other. Other deployment guide structures may be suitable for the deployment of the support surface structure from the stowed to the non-stowed orientation, for example a cantilever type structure or a rail structure.

Advantages include that the workstation arrangement may be stowed away with ease in comparison to workstation arrangements incorporating support surface structures currently available, making it particularly useful for areas such as small kitchens, garages, caravans or garden sheds, where a larger surface area of work surface is required periodically and where there are space constraints. There is also scope for the support surface structure to be used by children to encourage them to participate in and become aware of standard cooking techniques. Such implementation may encourage children to consider the type of food they are eating and to understand the source of their food in order to encourage a healthier lifestyle and to reduce childhood obesity.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiment illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" and "comprises", and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice- versa. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

-it-Claims:

1. A workstation arrangement comprising;

a support surface structure reconfigurable from a contracted surface configuration to an expansive surface configuration;

2. A workstation arrangement according to claim 1 including means for stowing a detachable step structure.

3. A workstation arrangement according to claim 1 further including means for securing the deployment arrangement to another structure.

4. A workstation arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the support surface structure has means for securing the step structure for stowing.

5. A workstation arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the support surface structure comprises surface elements which in the contracted surface configuration are laid one on top of the other, the elements being reconfigured to be arranged side by side when moved to the expansive configuration.

6. A workstation according to any preceding claim, wherein a guide frame arrangement is provided to guide reconfiguration of the support surface structure between the contracted surface and expansive surface configurations.

7. A workstation arrangement according to claim 5 wherein the guide frame arrangement comprises telescoping frame elements.

8. A workstation arrangement according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the guide frame arrangement guides the movement of the work surface in mutually perpendicular directions.

9. A workstation arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the deployment arrangement comprises a deployment guide structure.

10. A workstation arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the deployment guide structure is arranged to support the support surface structure.

11. A workstation arrangement according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the deployment guide structure is a cantilever type structure.

12. A workstation arrangement according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the deployment guide structure is a runner or rail structure.

13. A workstation arrangement according to any of claims 8 to 1 1, wherein a guide frame arrangement is provided to guide reconfiguration of the support surface structure between the contracted surface and expansive surface configurations, the deployment guide structure being connected to carry the guide frame arrangement from the stowed position to the non-stowed orientation.

14. A workstation arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein, reconfiguration of the support surface structure between the contracted and expansive configurations is arranged to take place in a first linear direction, which direction is transverse to the direction of deployment of the support surface structure from the stowed to the non stowed orientation.

15. A workstation arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the support surface structure includes a planar surface portion and docking structures shaped and dimensioned to receive specific items. -lφ

16. A workstation arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the support surface structure includes at least one magnetic edge.

17. A workstation arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the support surface structure is detachable from the guide frame arrangement.

18. A workstation arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the work surface comprises a reduced slip material.

19. A workstation arrangement according to any preceding claim provided in a cabinet, and being deployable from a stowed orientation internally of the cabinet to a non- stowed orientation externally of the cabinet.