Abstract:
A portable workstation for beadcrafting operations is provided. The workstation includes a base including at least one receptacle for holding parts such as beads, preferably in a desired pattern. A cover interfittable with the base includes a seal portion that engages and surrounds the receptacle so as to maintain the parts in their desired position, despite movement of the workstation.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to portable workstations for working on craft and hobby projects such as bead stringing or bead weaving, while supporting the projects on the user&#39;s lap. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It has been found convenient to support projects, such as beadwork projects on a simple support, such as holding the project in the user&#39;s lap. In this way, the projects can be enjoyed in a wide variety of informal settings, with a minimum of extra time required for equipping an area with a more formal work place. As those familiar with beadcrafting and other similar activities are aware, the raw materials required for a project are usually supplied in bulk quantity, with different types of materials being segregated one from the other. For example, bead weaving or bead stringing may require beads of different colors, sizes and shapes. Bead trays and holders, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,636,743 and 6,571,955 are helpful in keeping the different work pieces separate, while making the work pieces readily available to a user. 
     Several problems have been observed with informal lap-supported workstations. Accidental spills arising in a transportation environment or due to incidental contact with pets or children can require a considerable time investment to correct. The need has thus arisen for a system for organizing different groupings of small parts while providing convenient storage in between work sessions. Also, it is desirable to package a craft project with materials used later to provide a lap support for assembling the project. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a novel and improved portable workstation that provides advantages over the construction, mode of operation and use of prior art work aids, while minimizing the disadvantages associated with such items. One embodiment of a portable workstation according to principles of the present invention arranges and maintains parts in a grouping, despite movement of the workstation. The workstation includes a base with a base body and at least one receptacle, such as a channel or a compartment, offset from the base body for holding the parts. The base body has a border surrounding the receptacle. A cover includes a cover body and at least one offset portion that is offset from the cover body, and that is surrounded by a border. The border of the base body engages the border of the cover body so as to maintain the receptacle spaced from the offset portion while confining the parts within the receptacle despite movement of the portable workstation. 
     In another embodiment, multiple groups of parts are maintained in separate groupings, despite movement of the workstation. In this embodiment, the base includes a plurality of receptacles offset from the base body, each surrounded by a border, and the cover includes a plurality of offset portions, each surrounded by their respective borders. The borders of the base body engage the borders of the cover body so as to maintain the receptacles spaced from the offset portions while separating contents of the receptacles, despite movement of the portable workstation. 
     Several variations are possible. For example, the receptacles formed in the base and the offset features formed in the cover may define a channel to arrange parts in a linear series or a compartment for holding a bulk quantity of parts. The cover offset portion may be either convex or concave. The cover may interfit with the base, and may be transparent so as to enable viewing of the parts without disturbing their groupings. If desired, locks, such as snap locks, can be provided to maintain secure engagement of the cover and base. The cover and base may be provided with stiffening features to ensure confinement of the parts within respective channels and compartments when the cover and base are snapped together, even if the workstation is moved or tipped on its side. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a portable workstation; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 2 , but showing the portable workstation fully assembled. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention disclosed herein is, of course, susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. Shown in the drawings and described hereinbelow in detail are preferred embodiments of the invention. It is understood, however, that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and does not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments. 
     Moreover, for ease of description, a portable workstation embodiment of the present invention is described below in its usual assembled position as shown in the accompanying drawings and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, longitudinal, etc. may be used herein with reference to this usual position. However, the portable workstation may be manufactured, transported, sold or used in orientations other than that described and shown herein. 
     Referring now to the drawings and initially to  FIG. 1 , the portable workstation  10  is particularly suitable for activities involving relatively large numbers of small sized parts, such as beads which must be assembled together by stringing, or in some other manner. The portable workstation according to principles of the present invention should be desirable to beadcrafters engaged in activities such as bead weaving and bead stringing. Workstation  10  includes a base  12  and a cover  14 . 
     Preferably, the base and cover are each monolithically formed of molded plastic or other suitable material. Alternatively, construction materials such as sheet metal, paper and hybrid combinations of paper and other materials could also be used. If desired, one or more coatings can be applied to the base or cover. For example, the base may be covered with a flock material. It is a generally preferred, however, that at least the cover  14  is made of transparent material, and left uncoated. Further, it is generally preferred that the cover  14  be made of sufficiently thick material so as to be relatively rigid when formed in the fashion illustrated. It is generally preferred that cover  14  and base  12  be formed of thermoplastic material that is vacuum formed to provide a number of features that are employed to add functionality as well as rigidity to the base  12 , as well as the cover  14 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the base  12  of workstation  10 , and the cover  14  have a generally rectangular shape, although other shapes may be used, as desired. Also, workstation  10  has a relatively small thickness or height compared to its surface dimensions, although the workstation could be made to other proportions. As shown in the Figures, cover  14  has a generally flat planar body  18  that extends to the outer periphery of the cover. A sidewall  20  depends from body  18  and is terminated with an outwardly extending flange  22 . Preferably, the sidewall  20  and flange  22  have rounded edges. A spaced apart series of upraised channels  24 - 30  are offset, i.e. set above cover body  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, channels  24 - 28  are nested one within the other, and channel  30  is positioned to one side of the channels  24 - 28 , adjacent the bottom edge of the workstation. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , base  12  has a generally flat planar body  34  that extends generally to the outer periphery of the base. A sidewall  36  depends from body  34  and is terminated with an outwardly extending stepped flange  38  having inner and outer horizontal stepped surfaces  40 ,  42 . Preferably, the sidewall  36  and stepped flange  38  have rounded edges. As can be seen, for example, in  FIG. 3 , stepped flange  38  provides a cushioning or shock absorbing for base  12 . This prevents parts carried on base  12  from becoming dislodged with a slight bumping inadvertently applied to the base. 
     Base  12  has a number of features, preferably different types of receptacles, all of which are preferably offset below base body  34 . For example, receptacles in the form of channels  44 - 48  are spaced-apart and nested one within another and channel  50  is separately located, adjacent the workstation bottom edge. In addition, receptacles in the form of compartments  52 ,  54  are located at the center. of the workstation, adjacent a third compartment  56 . Corner compartments  58 ,  60  are located adjacent ends of channel  50 , at the workstation bottom edge. It is generally preferred that all of the channels  44 - 50  and the compartments  52 - 60  be separated one from the other by intervening peripheral surfaces which, in the preferred embodiment, comprise portions of base body  34 . If desired, base  12  can be provided with intervening body structures that do not lie in a common plane. 
     It is generally preferred that the channels and compartments provide different types of organization for the workpieces or parts employed by a user. For example, workstation  10  is useful in the field of bead crafting. Bulk quantities of various working parts, such as different size and color beads, chain links and string elements must be accommodated while various parts are assembled in a work in progress. It is important that a user be allowed to interrupt an ongoing project without concern as to whether the parts may unintentionally become mixed together, as might occur if the workstation is accidentally bumped or otherwise disturbed. Although not necessary, it is generally preferred that the channels be sized and shaped to arrange given parts in a linear series, ready for assembly. For example, it has been found helpful to allow a user to arrange parts in a trial pattern or linear series, prior to stringing. As can be seen, for example, in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the channels  44 - 50  have rounded bottom portions and rounded sidewalls that direct beads placed therein to become arranged in a linear series. Accordingly, compartments  52 - 60  are conveniently located nearby to provide a ready supply of beads and other working parts. 
     As mentioned, it is generally preferred that the channels be maintained separate one from the other, and from the compartments, as well. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , channels  44 - 48  are separated by portions of base body  34 . Thus, the contents of each channel are separately confined. Additional confinement is also provided by cover  14 , when the cover is engaged with the base, as shown in  FIG. 3 , so as to superimpose cover channels  24 - 28  over base channels  44 - 48  to thereby form spaced apart tubular enclosures or workstation channels. As indicated in  FIG. 3 , it is generally preferred that, with the cover  14  and base  12  interengaged, the base body  34  engages the cover body  18  so as to surround each base channel and each base compartment with a sealed or enclosed perimeter, to form enclosed workstation channels and compartments. In this manner, the contents of each workstation channel and each workstation receptacle are separately confined, preventing their intermingling one with the other, despite movement of the assembled workstation. 
     In order to quickly and easily maintain alignment of the cover channels and base channels, and to ensure that substantially the entire periphery of each channel and compartment is adequately enclosed or sealed, workstation  10  includes features for registering the cover  14  with the base  12 , in the desired manner. For example, it was mentioned that the cover and the base have rounded corners. It is generally preferred that the radius of curvature for the cover and base complement one another, and that one, such as the base, be dimensioned for internesting within the other. In addition, sidewalls  20 ,  36  provide guiding surfaces as the cover and the base are interengaged, and horizontal surface  40  of stepped flange  38  provides a stop when engaged with flange  22  of cover  14 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , a gap  64  is located between flange  22  and step surface  42 , to easily allow the fully engaged cover and base to be pulled apart, for opening the workpiece. 
     If desired, the channels of the cover and base can be sized similarly, although it is generally preferred that the channels be made to have different cross-sectional sizes so as to accommodate a variety of differently sized parts, ensuring a well defined array for loose parts inserted therein. The channels of the cover are generally rounded to accommodate rounded beads without pinching. In contrast, the channels of the base are less rounded, with straight sidewalls and a smaller radius, but still rounded, bottom wall. This feature provides a trapping of rounded beads within the base channel, quickly bringing the beads to an extended centerline position, as desired. 
     As can be seen in the drawing, the work station of  FIG. 1  comprises a base  12  having a plurality of curved, nested, spaced-apart channels  44 ,  46 ,  48  and a plurality of compartments  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60 . In this embodiment, the curved base channels are substantially U-shaped with curved portions extending substantially across the smaller dimension of the generally rectangular base. U-shaped base channel  44  forms an open “U”. Other U-shaped base channels form closed paths, e.g.  48 . Recessed compartments  52 ,  54  and  56  are disposed within the closed path. The base channels and compartments are sealed by a single removable cover  14 . The cover  14  can be separated from the base  12  for use of the base as a beading workstation on a beader&#39;s lap. The cover can be reattached to the base. 
     As can be seen for example in  FIG. 1 , a series of locks or inwardly raised lock tabs  68  are located about the periphery of cover sidewall  20 . The lock tabs are received in depressions or detents  72  formed in base sidewall  36  with a snap fit, providing a snap lock for the cover and base. With lock tabs  68  engaged with detents  72 , body  18  of cover  14  is maintained in contact with body  34  of base  12 , ensuring a seal, preferably a continuous seal for the periphery of each channel and compartment of the workstation. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it can be seen that the lock tabs  68  are rounded, as are the detents  72 . This is important during opening of the workstation, to avoid a sudden release of stored energy that might disrupt the workstation contents. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, cover sidewall  20  provides an inward bias force to lock tabs  68 . This bias force can be adjusted, for example, by adjusting the thickness of the cover sidewall to further ensure a secure engagement of the cover and base, but without a jerky or sudden energy release upon opening of the workstation. It should be noted in this regard, that the relatively large size of the flange  22  and the step surface  42  which cooperate to form gap  64  (see  FIG. 3 ) add substantially to the control of forces occasioned when cover  14  is separated from base  12 . 
     As mentioned, it is generally preferred that the cover and base be made substantially rigid, thus adding to the ensured enclosure of the workstation channels and compartments. The presence of offset features such as the channels  24 - 30  of cover  14  and the channels  44 - 50  and compartments  52 - 60  of the base further adds to the desired rigidity, especially when the cover and base are molded, using vacuum forming or other techniques. In particular, in  FIG. 1 , it should be noted that linear channel  50  extends transversely across the width of one of the ends of base  12  while matching linear channel  30  extends transversely across the corresponding end of cover  14 . Further, internested “D”-shaped channels  46  and  48  comprise longitudinally extending linear portions  46   u ,  46   l  and  48   u ,  48   l  spanning substantially the length of base  12 , while vertical uprights  46   v  and  48   v  of the internested “D”s extend linearly across and span substantially the width of the end of base  12  opposite linear groove  50  and arcuate portions  46   a  and  48   a  of internested “D”-shaped channels  46  and  48  are disposed adjacent linear channel  50 . Similarly, the corresponding structures of internested “D”-shaped channels  24  and  26  are formed in cover  14  with longitudinally extending linear portions  26   u ,  26   l  and  28   u ,  28   l  spanning substantially the length of cover  14 , while vertical uprights  26   v  and  28   v  of the internested “D”s extend linearly across and span substantially the width of the end of cover  14  opposite linear groove  30  and arcuate portions  26   a  and  28   a  of internested “D”-shaped channels  24  and  26  are disposed adjacent linear channel  30 . It can therefore be appreciated that each of base  12  and cover  14  have linear reinforcing channels extending both transversely and longitudinally substantially across both their length and their breadth. Although internested channel features have been described, other arrangements are also possible. For example, adjacent channels need not have similar shapes. If desired, additional locks could be provided within the interior of the cover and the base, although this has not been found to be necessary. 
     Other and further configurations, modifications and embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present teachings and disclosures. The present invention is not limited to the present illustrative embodiments. Changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.