Work surface device

• US 7,290,490 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2006
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Phillip Jay Berkovitz, Steven Lane Goldberg
• Original Assignee: Phillip Jay Berkovitz, Steven Lane Goldberg
• Inventors: Goldberg, Steven Lane, Berkovitz, Phillip Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen; Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US11/460,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20060254472A1
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 108/26, 108/115, 108/24, 108/25, 108/90, 248/188.9, 248/188.8, 297/188.08, 297/188.12, 297/217.1
• US Class Current: 108/26
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 23/001 Trays, e.g. with foldable legs
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 47/005 Cutting boards
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/10 with refuse filling means, e.g. air-locks
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/14 Other constructional features; Accessoriesholders or carriers for hand articles A45F5/00; fastening devices E05C

Abstract

A work surface device has an upper member with a substantially planar top surface. A support is secured to the upper member for supporting the upper member on a support member with the planar top surface in a generally horizontal orientation. The support has a fastener or clamping device at its lower end for releasable engagement with a portion of the support member. A work board of shape and dimensions generally matching the shape and dimensions of the top surface may be placed on the top surface. The work board and upper member have aligned openings in which a receptacle may be seated or through which waste may be discarded into a container beneath the work surface. In one arrangement, the clamping device is secured to the upper rim of a container with the work surface spaced above the open upper end of the container.

Claims

1. A work surface device, comprising:

an upper member having a substantially planar top surface and a lower surface;

a support secured to the upper member for supporting the upper member on a support member with the planar top surface in a generally horizontal orientation;

the upper member having a first opening; and

a work board of shape and dimensions generally matching the shape and dimensions of said top surface for removably placing on said top surface, the work board having a second opening positioned for alignment with the first opening when the work board is placed on the top surface.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper member has a raised rim surrounding the top surface and the work board is of predetermined shape and dimensions for placing on the top surface within the raised rim.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the raised rim has at least two opposing cut outs configured to allow a user to engage the rim of a work board positioned on the top surface in order to lift the work board off the top surface.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support comprises at least one leg.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the support comprises at least two spaced, downwardly depending legs.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each leg has a securing device at its lower end configured to releasably secure the leg to the rim of a container.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein each securing device comprises a C-clamp.

8. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each leg is pivotally connected to the upper member for movement between a folded, storage position resting against the lower surface of the upper member and a deployed position depending downwardly from the upper member.

9. A work table assembly, comprising:

a container having a peripheral wall having an upper rim surrounding an upper opening of the container;

a work surface device configured for mounting over the upper opening of the container; and

the work surface device having an opening for disposing of waste on the work surface through the opening and into the underlying container and an upper member comprising a substantially flat, horizontal work surface and at least one support depending downwardly from the upper member, the support having a lower end and a securing device at the lower end of the support attached to the upper rim of the container;

whereby the upper member is spaced above the upper opening of the container.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a receptacle for fitting into the opening in the work surface.

11. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a sieve for fitting into the opening in the work surface.

12. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a work board for fitting onto the work surface, the work board having an opening for alignment with the opening in the work surface.

13. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the work surface has a raised peripheral rim for retaining the work board in position on the work surface.

14. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the container is a waste bin.

15. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the container is a storage container.

16. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the container is a cooler having insulating walls.

17. A work surface device, comprising:

a work surface member having a substantially planar top surface;

a support configured to support the work surface member on a support member with the planar top surface in a generally horizontal orientation;

the work surface member having a first opening; and

further comprising a work board of shape and dimensions generally matching the shape and dimensions of said top surface for removably placing on said top surface, the work board having a second opening positioned for alignment with the first opening when the work board is placed on the top surface.

18. The device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the support comprises at least two legs depending downwardly from the work surface member for supporting the planar top surface at a spacing above the support member.

19. The device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the legs are adjustable in length.

20. The device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the work surface member has opposite end portions, the support comprising at least one leg depending downwardly from one end portion of the work surface member for engagement with a first support surface, the opposite end portion being configured for resting on a second support surface spaced above the first support surface.

21. A method of supporting and using a work surface, comprising the steps of:

deploying at least one support to depend downwardly from an upper member having a generally flat, upper work surface;

securing the lower end of the support to the open rim of the container so that the upper member is spaced above an open, upper end of the container, the work surface is generally horizontal, and a gap is provided between the upper member and open upper end of the container through which items is placed in the container;

processing items on the work surface; and

placing a work board on the work surface with an opening in the work board aligned with the opening in the work surface.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising cutting items on the work board, and disposing of waste created by the cutting step by dropping the waste through the aligned openings and into the container.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22, further comprising placing a receptacle in the aligned openings with a rim of the receptacle resting on the work board, cutting items on the work board, and sweeping the cut items into the receptacle.