Abstract:
A workstation ( 10  or  10   a ) facilitates hooking of rugs and provides storage of rug hooking supplies, tools, and equipment. The workstation ( 10  or  10   a ) is made up of a framework ( 12 ) with a rolling support ( 50 ) to allow mobility and a stabilizer ( 36 ) to engage a support surface. A laterally extending grab bar ( 56 ) combines with a top plate ( 34 ) to form a gap ( 58 ) adjacent to the grab bar ( 56 ) to define a handle, the handle enabling the framework ( 12 ) to be tilted rotationally about the rolling support ( 50 ) and pulled in a movement direction. The framework ( 12 ) has a storage area ( 18 ) for the rug foundation and a plurality of bins ( 80 ) attached to the framework ( 12 ) to store fabric swatches. A hook ( 84 ) is attached to some of the bins ( 80 ), and a plurality of hooks ( 92 ) are attached to the framework ( 12 ), the hooks ( 84 ) and ( 92 ) providing storage of cut fabric strips. The top plate ( 34 ) is adapted to allow the mounting of a fabric-cutting device ( 62  or  70 ) thereon and has a cutout ( 64 ) to allow access for adjusting the mounted fabric-cutting device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   None. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to the rug hooking craft, and more particularly, to a workstation to facilitate hooking of rugs and for storage of rug hooking supplies, tools, and equipment, such as rug hooking fabric swatches, cut fabric strips, a fabric-cutting device and a framed rug foundation. 
   The manual process of creating a rug with cut fabric strips and the like is known as hooking a rug. The essential tools, supplies, and equipment for hooking a rug are the hook, a variety of colored fabric swatches, which are cut into strips, a fabric-cutting device and the rug foundation or background with the design of the rug imprinted thereon. The rug foundation is mounted to a frame to keep the rug foundation taut for better rug hooking. 
   To hook a rug, the person creating the rug, also known as a rug hooker, inserts the hook into the foundation from top to bottom, and then a portion of a cut fabric strip is hooked and pulled up to the top of the rug foundation to form a loop of the desired height. The rug hooker uses this continuous technique, with the material at hand, changing colors as desired, to create a rug. 
   Due to the variety of colors and fabrics needed to hook a given rug, the rug hooker must keep a variety of fabric swatches readily accessible. The rug hooker also frequently stops to cut the fabric strips, and must then store cut fabric swatches into strips from each of the variety of fabric swatches. The work area can become quite cluttered, as the fabric pieces often end up strewn about, and the various swatches and cut fabric strips often end up mixed together. Being a manual craft, it is desirable for the materials, tools, and equipment to be mobile. 
   Therefore, there is a need to have a novel workstation to organize the rug hooking supplies, tools, and equipment and thereby facilitate the process of rug hooking. There is also a need for a novel workstation that is mobile, to enable the rug hooker to work in different places, with material readily accessible. 
   There is also a need for a novel workstation to organize the process of cutting the fabric swatches into strips. The fabric swatches should be readily visible and accessible in an organized fashion, in close proximity to the fabric-cutting device, with the cut fabric strips also nearby to simplify and provide orderliness to the rug hooking craft. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention solves these needs and other problems in the field of rug hooking by providing, in a preferred form, a workstation to facilitate the hooking of rugs and for the storage of rug hooking fabric swatches, cut fabric strips, a fabric-cutting device, and a framed rug foundation. The workstation includes a framework having a first side, a second side, and a storage area for the framed rug foundation located between the first side and the second side. Each of the first side and the second side includes a top, a bottom, a front and a back. A plurality of bins are attached to the framework in which to store fabric swatches. A hook used to hold the cut fabric strips is attached to each of the plurality of bins. A plurality of additional hooks are attached to the framework, and the additional hooks also are used to hold the cut fabric strips. A rolling support adjacent to the backs and bottoms of the first side and the second side of the framework provides mobility on a support surface. A stabilizer is adjacent to the fronts and bottoms of the first side and the second side of the framework, the stabilizer having an inverted U shape including a central portion having opposite ends and a C-shaped foot extending from each of the opposite ends of the central portion. The central portion extends laterally between, and for a distance beyond, the first side and the second side of the framework. Each C-shaped foot includes a spine having opposite ends and a leg on each of the opposite ends of the spine. The legs are connected to the central portion, and the spines engage the support surface external to the first side and the second side of the framework. A grab bar is connected laterally between the first side and the second side of the framework interior to an intersection of a first plane formed by the tops of the first side and the second side and a second plane formed by the backs of the first side and the second side. A top plate is connected laterally between the tops of the first side and the second side of the framework and has a back edge. The back edge extends to a location intermediate the fronts and backs of the first side and the second side of the framework thereby forming a gap adjacent to the grab bar to define a handle. The handle enables the framework to be tilted rotationally about the rolling support and to be pulled in a movement direction with the backs of the first and second sides located ahead of the fronts of the first and second sides in the movement direction. The top plate is adapted to allow the mounting of the fabric-cutting device. 
   Another aspect of the present invention involves the bins being arranged in pairs positioned side-by-side, with a first set of side-by-side pairs of bins attached to the framework on the first side and external to the storage area and with a second set of side-by-side bins attached to the framework on the second side and external to the storage area, the storage area being intermediate the first and second sets of side-by-side pairs of bins. A hook is attached to each bin of the first and second sets of bins and protrudes at an upwardly inclined angle external to the respective bin to hold the cut fabric strips. This other aspect of the present invention also provides sets of hooks attached to the framework, with the sets of hooks attached to crossbars which are attached to the fronts of the first and second sides of the framework. The hooks are exterior to the storage area and used to hold the cut fabric strips in a readily visible and accessible manner. The workstation has a top plate extending between the tops of the first and second sides of the framework. The top plate is adapted to allow the mounting of the fabric-cutting device. A grab bar and the backs of the first and second sides define an access opening to the storage area located between the first and second sides for storing and retrieving the framed rug foundation. The first and second sets of bins provide readily accessible and visible storage of the fabric swatches in proximity to the fabric-cutting device, with the hooks on the bins and on the framework being used to hold the cut fabric strips in proximity to the fabric-cutting device and to the fabric swatches stored in the first and second sets of bins, to provide orderliness. 
   It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel workstation to organize the variety of rug hooking supplies, tools, and equipment in a convenient and orderly manner. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a novel workstation that provides proximity of the fabric swatches, the fabric-cutting device, and the cut fabric strips for efficient rug hooking. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide mobility of such a novel workstation to allow the rug hooker to work at any location with supplies, tools, and equipment readily available. 
   These and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a rug hooking workstation according to the preferred teachings of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the rug hooking workstation of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the rug hooking workstation of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a rug hooking workstation of an alternate embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention; and, 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the alternate rug hooking workstation of  FIG. 4 . 
   

   All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of one working in the art after the following description has been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of one working in the art after the following description has been read and understood. 
   Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “side,” “end,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “first,” “second,” “base,” “laterally,” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the illustrative embodiments. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A rug hooking workstation constructed according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is shown in the drawings and generally designated  10 . The rug hooking workstation  10  includes a framework  12  having a first side  14  and a second side  16 . According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the second side  16  is parallel to the first side  14 . According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the first and second sides  14  and  16  are formed from bent wire and are rectangular in shape and equal in size. A storage area  18  is located between the first side  14  and the second side  16 . According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the first and second sides  14  and  16  are symmetrical about the storage area  18 . The first side  14  includes a top  20 , a bottom  22 , a back  24 , and a front  26 ; and the second side  16  includes a top  21 , a bottom  23 , a back  25 , and a front  27 . According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the framework  12  has a base defined by the bottoms  22  and  23  of the first and second sides  14  and  16 . According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the base is parallel to and spaced from a support surface such as a floor surface. 
   According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the workstation  10  has a stabilizer  36  formed of bent wire. The stabilizer  36  is adjacent to the fronts  26  and  27  and bottoms  22  and  23  of the first and second sides  14  and  16  of the framework  12 . The stabilizer  36  has an inverted U shape including a central portion  38  formed by two parallel spaced wires each having opposite ends, and a C-shaped foot  40  at each end of the central portion  38  and joined to the ends of the two parallel spaced wires. The central portion  38  extends laterally between, and for a distance beyond, the first and second sides  14  and  16  of the framework  12 . Each C-shaped foot  40  includes a spine  42  having opposite ends and a leg  44  on each of the opposite ends of the spine  42 . The legs  44  are connected to the two parallel spaced wires of the central portion  38 . According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the spines  42  engage the support surface external to the first and second sides  14  and  16  of the framework  12 . 
   In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, a rolling support  50  is provided adjacent to the backs  24  and  25  and bottoms  22  and  23  of the sides  14  and  16  of the framework  12 . In the preferred form shown, the rolling support  50  includes a rectangular bracket  46  formed by parallel spaced wires, extends laterally between, and for a distance beyond, the bottoms  22  and  23  of the sides  14  and  16  of the framework  12 , and is located adjacent to the backs  24  and  25  of the sides  14  and  16 . On each end of the rectangular bracket  46  and adjacent to the exterior of the framework  12 , a mounting plate  48  made of metal is attached to the rectangular bracket  46 . To complete the rolling support  50 , wheels  52  are mounted to the mounting plates  48  on either side of and external to the first and second sides  14  and  16 . According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the wheels  52  abut the support surface to support the workstation  10 . As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, alternate rolling supports, including but not limited to, a single roller, casters, or the like, may be used without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
   The stabilizer  36  in conjunction with the support  50  provides rolling support and stability for the workstation  10  while providing mobility. However, according to the teachings of the present invention, framework  12  can be supported and stabilized and mobility can be provided in other manners. As an example, a rolling support  50  can also be provided adjacent the fronts  26  and  27  instead of the stabilizer  36 , a stabilizer  36  can also be provided adjacent the backs  24  and  25  instead of the rolling support  50 , and other forms of feet or supporting constructions can be provided in conjunction with or instead of rolling support  50  and/or stabilizer  36 . 
   According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the workstation  10  has a grab bar  56  connected to the first and second sides  14  and  16  of the framework  12  inside of an intersection of a first plane formed by the tops  20  and  21  of the first and second sides  14  and  16  and a second plane formed by the backs  24  and  25  of the first and second sides  14  and  16 . In the preferred form, a top plate  34  made of metal is positioned parallel to the support surface and the first plane and is connected laterally between the tops  20  and  21  of the first and second sides  14  and  16  of the framework  12 . A back edge  60  of the top plate  34  extends to a location intermediate the backs  24  and  25  and fronts  26  and  27  of the first and second sides  14  and  16  of the framework  12 . A gap  58  is defined by the back edge  60  of the top plate  34 , the grab bar  56 , and the tops  20  and  21  of the sides  14  and  16  of the framework  12 . The grab bar  56  defines a handle. The handle enables the rug hooker to tilt the framework  12  rotationally about the rolling support  50  and to pull the framework  12  in a movement direction with the backs  24  and  25  of the first and second sides  14  and  16  located ahead of the fronts  26  and  27  of the first and second sides  14  and  16  in the movement direction. 
   According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the top plate  34  is adapted to allow the mounting of a bolt-on fabric-cutting device  62 . In the preferred form shown, the top plate  34  has a rectangular cutout  64  at an edge opposite the back edge  60  to allow access to an adjusting knob located on the bottom of the bolt-on fabric-cutting device  62 . In an alternative form according to the preferred teachings of the present invention and designated  10   a  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the top plate  34  has a rectangular adapter block  68  to allow for the mounting of a clamp-on fabric-cutting device  70 . 
   The storage area  18  is accessible through an access opening  72  for storing and retrieving the framed rug foundation. According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the access opening  72  is defined by the backs  24  and  25  of the first and second sides  14  and  16 . In the preferred form shown, the access opening  72  is defined by the grab bar  56 , the backs  24  and  25  of the first and second sides  14  and  16 , and the rectangular bracket  46 . 
   A plurality of bins  80  is attached to the framework  12 . The bins  80  store the fabric swatches. According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the bins  80  are made of bent wire, are formed in pairs, and are attached in sets to the first and second sides  14  and  16  of the framework  12 , respectively. In the preferred form shown, the pairs of bins  80  are side-by-side, are oriented horizontal to the support surface and are attached to the framework  12  symmetrically about the storage area  18 . The bins  80  can be at different spaces between the tops  20  and  21  and bottoms  22  and  23  of the sides  14  and  16  and external to the storage area  18 . In further aspects of the invention, other quantities and locations of the bins  80  may be employed without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
   According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the bins  80  have upper and lower wire mounting bars  73  and  74  to mount the bins  80  to the framework  12 . The upper and lower wire mounting bars  73  and  74  extend between and are attached to the backs  24  and  25  and fronts  26  and  27  of the first and second sides  14  and  16  on the exterior of the framework  12 . In the most preferred form, the upper and lower wire mounting bars  73  and  74  are configured in parallel. The upper and lower wire mounting bars  73  and  74  can be positioned at different distances from the tops  20  and  21  and the bottoms  22  and  23  of the first and second sides  14  and  16  of the framework  12 , and they define the positioning of the bins  80 . In the preferred form shown, the bins  80  have elongated U-shaped side members  76  and  77  attached to each end of the upper and lower wire mounting bars  73  and  74 . In the preferred form shown, each pair of bins  80  shares a common elongated U-shaped side member  75 . In the preferred form shown, the common elongated U-shaped side member  75  is in the center of the upper and lower wire mounting bars  73  and  74 . According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, each pair of bins  80  has a containing wire  78  that encircles the pair of bins  80  and is attached to the elongated U-shaped side members  76  and  77 . In the preferred form, the containing wire  78  is exterior to the elongated U-shaped side members  75 ,  76  and  77 . According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, each pair of bins  80  also has a wire support  82  located on the bottom that is attached to the elongated U-shaped side members  75 ,  76  and  77  and spans the width of the pair of bins  80 . In the preferred form shown, the wire support  82  is located parallel to and at a distance from the lower wire mounting bar  74 . According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, each bin  80  has a J-shaped arm  90  to receive cut fabric strips. In the preferred form shown, the J-shaped arm  90  is formed from parallel bent wires. An upper section of the J-shaped arm  90  is connected to the upper wire mounting bar  74 . The lower section of the J-shaped arm  90  shapes the interior of the bin  80  and terminates in a hook  84  of inverted U shape. In this most preferred form, the hook  84  on each of the bins  80  on the upper two rows of bins  80  protrudes outward from the center of the exterior of the bin  80  to provide a hook to hang cut fabric strips. In the preferred form shown, the hooks  84  of the upper rows of bins  80  protrude at an upwardly inclined angle. In the preferred form shown, the hooks  84  of the J-shaped arms  90  on the lower bins  80  do not protrude outward and are flush with the exterior of the lower bins  80 . It should be appreciated that such an arrangement creates a clean appearance and provides support and definition to the bins  80  as well as storage for the cut fabric strips proximate to the fabric swatches stored in the plurality of bins  80 . 
   Additional hooks  92  are attached to the framework  12  between the fronts  26  and  27  of the first and second sides  14  and  16  on wire crossbars  96 . The hooks  92  are used to hold cut fabric strips. According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, the hooks  92  are formed of wire of an inverted U-shape. The wire crossbars  96  extend between and are attached to the fronts  26  and  27  of the first and second sides  14  and  16  of the framework  12 . In the preferred form shown, the hooks  92  protrude at an upwardly inclined angle exterior to the storage area  18  and provide storage for the cut fabric strips in a readily visible and accessible manner. 
   In the most preferred form of the invention, the workstation  10  has bins  80  to provide readily accessible and visible storage of the fabric swatches in proximity to the fabric-cutting device  62  or  70 . The workstation  10  has a plurality of hooks  84  and a plurality of hooks  92  on which to hold the cut fabric strips in proximity to the fabric-cutting device  62  or  70  and also in proximity to the fabric swatches stored in the bins  80 , to provide orderliness and efficiency to the rug hooker&#39;s craft. 
   Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have been explained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, although workstation  10  according to the preferred teachings of the present invention has been shown as including several features in a combination believed to produce synergistic results, such features can be utilized singly and in other combinations with other features according to the teachings of the present invention. 
   Furthermore, although the framework  12  shown in the most preferred form includes the first side  14  and the second side  16  being parallel, rectangular in shape, and equal in size, it can be appreciated that the first and second sides  14  and  16  could be of different forms, sizes, shapes and orientations than as shown and still be within the teachings of the present invention. 
   Additionally, although the handle formed by the grab bar  56  of the preferred form is advantageous and is believed to produce synergistic results with the rolling support  50  of the most preferred form, according to the teachings of the present invention a handle could be of different form, shape, and orientation, and could be at other locations. Further, grasping of framework  12  for mobility reasons could be performed in other manners according to the teachings of the present invention. 
   Similarly, while formed of bent wire, which is believed to be advantageous for many reasons, including being inexpensive to purchase, manufacture, and assemble, strong, lightweight, and aesthetically pleasing, framework  12 , bins  80 , and hooks  84  and  92  could be formed from other material according to the teachings of the present invention. 
   Thus, since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. 
   Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope thereof.