Abstract:
A garage or work shop utility device provides a mobile base with wheels and a vertical support structure that can accept numerous attachments designed to aid in the performance of garage or work shop tasks.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/366,958 filed Jul. 23, 2010. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a workshop accessory, and more particularly, to a mobile and/or adjustable workshop device with multiple attachments which can be utilized at least in some embodiments to provide lighting, additional power outlets, bucket storage, an adjustable tray, a vacuum cleaner attachment and combinations of these features possibly together with a storage system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a garage or work shop environment there exists a need for a new device that may be able to aid in the completion of several tasks. 
     In a work shop environment, it is often useful, if not critical, to have sufficient lighting in the area where the work is to be performed. Overhead lighting is rarely sufficient for detailed work due to the distance from the light source to the work area and also due to shadowing caused by objects between the light source and the work area. Lights with hooks, clamps, etc., are not sufficient in many cases because there is no convenient location to hook or clamp the light. 
     When performing tasks in a work shop environment, there is also often a shortage of available electrical outlets to supply the electricity for the multiple power tools required. There are many products currently available to provide additional electrical outlets, but these inventions typically do not provide for the convenient positioning of the additional outlets in the area where the work is being performed. 
     In many instances in a work shop environment, there is also a lack of sufficient space to temporarily store tools and parts. For instance, when working on an automobile engine, there typically is not satisfactory location to place tools and parts in a convenient location while they are not in use. 
     When washing an automobile, motorcycle or any other object or device using a wash bucket, it is often difficult to maneuver the wash bucket full of soap and water to a position that is convenient to the area that is being washed. This maneuvering of the bucket is most often performed by lifting the bucket filled with soap and water and carrying it to the desired location. There are some inventions that provide for a wheeled dolly or base for the bucket that allow the user to simply roll the bucket to the desired location. However, these inventions still require the user to bend over to maneuver the bucket and they do not typically provide for the temporary storage or placement of other tools that may be used periodically during the washing procedure. 
     It is also very common in a garage or work shop environment to utilize a vacuum cleaner to remove debris. There are numerous configurations of vacuum cleaners used in the work shop environment. However, there is a need for a vacuum cleaner configuration that is maneuverable relative to its horizontal location and has the ability to be positioned in any desired vertical location without the requirement for the operator to hold the vacuum assembly in his or her hand. 
     There exists a need to overcome at least one of these perceived prior art deficiencies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide a mobile and adjustable light source for performing garage or work shop tasks. 
     It is an object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide multiple electrical outlets that can be positioned in convenient location for powering multiple electrical devices used in a garage or work shop environment. 
     It is an object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide a mobile and adjustable device that provides for the temporary storage of tools and or spare parts in a convenient location while performing tasks in a garage or work shop environment. 
     It is an object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide a mobile device for positioning and maneuvering a wash bucket conveniently in the process of washing a vehicle or other item. 
     It is an object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide a mobile and adjustable device that allows for the convenient location and maneuvering of a vacuum cleaner in a garage or work shop environment. 
     It is an object of many embodiments of the present invention to provide a mobile and adjustable device that allows for the attachment of multiple devices used in a garage or work shop environment. These devices may be attached to the mobile and adjustable device individually or in combinations to suit the garage or work shop task being performed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The particular features and advantages of the invention as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a base assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a first alternatively preferred embodiment of the base assembly similar to  FIG. 1  showing two support members extending from the base; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an embodiment showing the base assembly of  FIG. 1  with a carrier assembly supporting two lights; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the base and lights of embodiment of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up front perspective view of an upper portion of the vertical support member and carrier assembly as well as electrical box and lights of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view showing the detail of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a first alternatively preferred embodiment of the carrier assembly of  FIG. 1  with an alternatively preferred embodiment of the lights connected to the outlet box; 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the base of  FIG. 1  as a second alternatively preferred embodiment with a bucket and clamping mechanism; 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the base assembly of  FIG. 1  as a third alternatively preferred embodiment to go with the tray assembly and clamping mechanism; 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of a base assembly of  FIG. 1  as a fourth preferred embodiment showing the base connected to the vacuum and a clamping mechanism; 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view showing the storage tray of  FIG. 9  and bucket of  FIG. 8  that goes with clamping mechanisms connected to the base assembly; 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view showing the base assembly connected to a tray as in  FIG. 1  and lights as well as an electrical boxes shown in  FIGS. 3-6 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of a wall storage device with attachments removed for use with the various attachments; and 
         FIG. 14  is a front perspective view showing the wall storage device with multiple attachments stored thereon. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a base member  20 . Base assembly  20  has an upper surface  22  to which a connector  24  connects. In  FIG. 2 , connector  24  is the first connector which is shown spaced apart from the second connector  26 . In this embodiment, first and second vertical support members  28 , 30  are provided such as could possibly be done to symmetrically relative to base  20  such as to first and second connectors  24 , 26  or symmetrically disposed relative to base  20  such as relative to a center line  32  extending between first and second wheels  34 , 36  with third and fourth wheels  38 , 40  also being shown in this figure. Many of the same components are shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  except that first and second connectors  24 , 26  are symmetrically disposed relative to the center line  32 . Other arrangements for connector(s)  24  and  26 . Connector  24 , 26  may or may not allow for rotation of the vertical support members  28 , 30  relative to base member  20  once installed. 
     The first, second, third and fourth wheels  34 , 36 , 38 , 40  downwardly extend relative to the base  20  or from a bottom side thereof. First, second, third and fourth wheels  34 , 36 , 38 , 40  are show as roller wheels that could be caster, roller wheels, locking or otherwise, or other wheels such as those illustrated. Wheels  34 , 36 , 38 , 40  are shown attached to the base member and downwardly extending therefrom providing mobility for the workshop device  100  and/or  102 . Other numbers of wheels could be provided with other embodiments. Wheels  34 , 36 , 38 , 40  connect to base member  20  such as with connectors like nuts and bolts as shown or otherwise. Although for wheels  34 , 36 , 38 , 40  are shown, any number of wheels could be utilized in various embodiments. Wheels  34 , 36 , 38 , 40  are shown cantileveredly extending on arms  35 , 37 , 39 , 41 , but could otherwise be supplied by base  20 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first alternatively preferred embodiment of the base assembly similar to  FIG. 1 . 
     Wheels  34 , 36 , 38 , 40  define a perimeter that is a sufficient distance from vertical support member(s)  28 , 30  so that when attachments connect to the vertical support member(s)  28 , 30 , their center of gravity remains internal to the perimeter of the wheels  34 , 36 , 38 , and/or  40  to prevent tipping over. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the workshop device  100  with a base  20 , multiple wheels  34 , 36 , 38 , 40  and a vertical support member  3 . Attached to the vertical support member  3  is a carrier assembly  9 . The carrier assembly  9  can preferably be moved vertically along at least a substantial, if not virtually the entire length of the vertical support member  3  for at least some embodiments and preferably secured at desired vertical positions such as by tightening of the clamping mechanism  4  as will be explained in detail below. 
     Attached to the carrier assembly  9  are illustrated two lights  6  that may be adjusted to allow the illumination of the desired work space. This figure shows two lights  6 , but it will be easily understood that the carrier assembly  9  could be fitted with more or less lights  6  as desired. Also attached to the carrier device is an electrical outlet box  5 . This electrical outlet box  5  preferably provides an electrical supply cord  7  and possibly can receive one or multiple electrical cord(s)  8  and/or can also provide outlets  42  to power the lights  6  as well as other electrical devices that may be used in the garage or work shop environment. 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view showing the base  20 , multiple wheels  34 , 36 , 38 , 40 , vertical support member  3 , carrier assembly  9  with clamping mechanism  4 , electrical outlet box  5 , lights  6  and electrical outlet box power supply cord  7 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  provide a close up view of the vertical support member  3 , carrier assembly  9  with clamping mechanism  4 , electrical outlet box  5 , lights  6  electrical outlet box power supply cord  7  and light electrical power cords  8 . As one can see with reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , the lights  6  can take various forms. This light  6  has rotating arm segments such as rotating arm  44  shown connected to the pivot member  46 . A linking arm  48  then connects to another pivot member  50  which connects to a linking arm  52  which connects to rotating base  54  which can be rotatable relative to carrier assembly  9 , as illustrated. The lights  6  may be adjustably positionable relative to the clamping mechanism  4  and/or carrier assembly  9 . Clamp  56  may be useful to secure the light  6  to the carrier member  9 . 
     Outlets  42  may be supported in an outlet box  5  which is shown in  FIG. 6  connected to the carrier assembly  9  such as by screws, i.e., connector  58 . The clamping mechanism  4  is also shown connected to the carrier assembly  9  and this may be a screw connection or otherwise. Other connection systems include CAM action locks or other locking or securing systems as would be known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Twisting of knob  60  may effectuate the lock of the clamping mechanism  4  in  FIGS. 3-6 . Other mechanism may be utilized with other embodiments. Accordingly, by either screwing or unscrewing the wheel or knob  60 , the clamping mechanism  4  is either tightened or loosened by allowing the elevational positioning of the carrier assembly  9  relative to what elevation is relative to the vertical support member  3 . Movement of knob moves first arm  61  relative to second arm  63  about pivot  65  to thereby increase or decrease the grip of the arms opposite the pivot  65  from the knob  60 . Other mechanisms may operate differently. Carrier assembly  9  bolts or is otherwise connected to clamping mechanism  4 . 
       FIG. 7  provides views of alternate embodiments of the lights  62  connected to carrier assembly  9 . Lights  62  may be positionable along a number of axes such as rotation about arm  64  and/or pivotable such as downwardly as is shown with the right hand light  62  and/or as compared to the left hand light  62 . On/off switches such as push on switch  66 , may be useful to turn off all lights  62 . Lights  62  may plug into outlets  42  in the electrical outlet box  5 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the base assembly including a base  1 , multiple wheels  2  and a vertical support member  3  along with a wash bucket  10  and clamping mechanism  68  attached to the vertical support member  3  and supported by the base  1 . Clamping assembly  68  may be similar or dissimilar to clamping assembly  4  but preferably has connectors  70  which connect to the bucket  10 . Connectors  70  are shown connecting to the upper portion such as rim near  72  such as above a satellite ring  74  but could also be provided on side wall  76  in other embodiments. The bucket  10  may rest on the base  20  as illustrated. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the workshop device  100  including a base  1 , multiple wheels  2  and a vertical support member  3  along with a tool or parts storage tray  11  and clamping mechanism  78  attached to the vertical support member  3 .  FIG. 9  shows a clamping member  78  connected to a tray  11  such as with connectors  82 . The tray  11  is illustrated cantileveredly supported relative to the connector mechanism  78  and is elevationally positionable relative to the vertical support member  3 . Connector mechanism  78  may be similar to clamping mechanism  4  as illustrated or different. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the base assembly including a base  1 , multiple wheels  2  and a vertical support member  3  along with a vacuum cleaner  12  and clamping mechanism  80  attached to the vertical support member. The vacuum cleaner  12  can be advantageously elevationally positioned while still providing mobility. Clamping mechanism  80  may be similar to or dissimilar to clamping member  4 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the workshop device  100  including a base  1 , multiple wheels  2  and a vertical support member  3  along with wash bucket  10  and tool or parts storage tray  11  attached to the vertical support member  3 . This figure illustrates that multiple attachments may be attached to the base assembly simultaneously. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the base assembly including a base  1 , multiple wheels  2  and a vertical support member  3  along with tool or parts storage tray  11 , carrier assembly  9 , electrical outlet box  5  and lights  6  attached to the vertical support member. This figure also illustrates that multiple attachments may be attached to the base assembly simultaneously. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the wall storage device  90  for storage of the multiple attachments when they are not attached to the base assembly. The storage device  90  may have plurality of openings  92  which cooperate with various components such as the hose members from the vacuum cleaner  12  and/or attachments or other features. The openings can be supported by a shelf member  94  which can be connected to a vertical member  96  which can connect to a vertical wall such as garage wall or otherwise. Piers  98  may be useful to downwardly extend to a shelf  100  onto which the components could be connected or supported on for storage such as the tray  11  connecting to the extension  102  and the connector  70  of the bucket  10  and the connector  80  of the vacuum cleaner  12  connecting to the piers  98  for storage therefore leaving the shelf  100  available for such things as electrical cords, washing brushes or cleaning agents, etc. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the wall storage device with the multiple attachments stored on the wall storage device. 
     Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to the preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 
     Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what is claimed herein is: