Abstract:
A scrapbook workstation having a planar work surface accommodating storage, providing dimensional and alignment references, and ready disposal of scrap.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     A workstation for the preparer of scrapbook pages.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A good scrapbook page needs to look good in the sense of orderliness and balance. This means skill and artistry in arrangement of often irregularly shaped items, which in turn require a stable support that provides dimensional and angular alignment information, means to dispose quickly of scrap material, and ready availability of instruments and tools. All of this must be accomplished on a rather small surface which must be usefully smooth, but also permit easy sliding movement along the surface, and easy pick-up from it.  
         [0003]     It is the objective of this invention to provide such a workstation.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     A scrapbook accessory according to this invention includes a rigid base having a top planar work surface. The work surface is bounded by an edge which bears on a plurality of its sides linear measurement indicia. The surface itself is lightly patterned by reliefs which discourage adherence of items to the surface.  
         [0005]     A waste aperture extends from the surface through the base to pass a receptacle so that scrap material can readily be dumped from the surface into the receptacle simply by scraping it into the receptacle.  
         [0006]     According to a preferred but optional feature of the invention, the aperture is located adjacent to the edge of the base near where a user will be located.  
         [0007]     According to yet another feature of the invention, a collection groove extends adjacent to an edge of the base so as to hold tools and accessories such as clips and knives.  
         [0008]     According to yet another optional feature of the invention, the bottom side of the base (from the work surface) is provided with a skid-resistant layer that can serve to restrain the workstation from sliding off of the lap of a user or on a table.  
         [0009]     The above and other features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view looking at the top of a workstation according to this invention with a collective receptacle installed;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of  FIG. 3 ; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section taken at line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     Scrapbook workstation  10  comprises a rigid base  11  which is preferably generally rectangular. Three of its edges  12 ,  13  and  14  have straight edges. Edge  15 , which will be closest to the user, is also preferably straight, but could instead be shaped so as to conform to the user&#39;s body.  
         [0016]     Edges  12 ,  13  and  14  have linear measurement indicia  16 ,  17 ,  18  respectively so the user can conveniently measure, align and orient the various items he wishes to incorporate in the scrapbook page. Edges  12  and  14  are parallel. Edge  13  is normal to them. The indicia may be in any unit of measurements, but usually inches or centimeters will be the scale.  
         [0017]     A collection groove  20  may be aligned with any of the edges, but usually will be located along edge  13  inwardly of indicia  17 . This groove can be used to collect small scrap, or to hold small useful items such as clips, clamps, brushes, or staples. It may be relatively shallow, but deep enough to hold desired articles. Such a groove can also be provided along any of the other edges, also.  
         [0018]     A waste aperture  25  is formed through the base, preferably adjacent to one of the sides. Most conveniently it will be located adjacent to side  15 , closest to the user. As best shown in  FIG. 5 , a recessed step  26  is formed around it, beneath top surface  27  of the base.  
         [0019]     A bag  28  with a flange  29  (or merely extra material) may be passed through aperture  25 . The flange or material will be held by a retainer  30  pressed into the aperture and upon the flange or material. Thus, the bag hangs below the base and receives scrap. It will be observed that retainer  30  also has a flange  31  that fairs neatly onto the top surface so as not to impede scrap as it pushed toward the aperture.  
         [0020]     The bag is thereby readily installed, removed, and replaced.  
         [0021]     As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the bottom side  32  of the base can be faced with friction type material such as rubber or a plastic foam to prevent the device from skidding around.  
         [0022]     The top side of the base may advantageously be mildly roughened or relieved to facilitate lifting of flat items, especially pictures and flat paper items which would tend to be difficult to raise off of a perfectly flat (mirror flat) surface. It is necessary that what could be considered roughness not be so rough as to impede smooth writing and smoothing of articles to be mounted. Very light “pebbling.” or shallow grooving are suitable examples.  
         [0023]     There results a very convenient scrapbook workstation, convenient to use and service, with provisions for accuracy of work, accessibility of tooling and supplies, and convenient in disposed of scrap.  
         [0024]     This invention is not to be limited by the embodiment shown in the drawings and described in the description, which is given by way of example and not of limitation, but only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.