Patent Publication Number: US-8978678-B1

Title: Mobile sheltered workstation

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to weather shelters and, more particularly, to a mobile sheltered workstation that provides shelter to a worker from weather elements. 
     Persons working outdoors often need a quick and convenient portable shelter from the weather. Gardeners, painters, utility workers, carpenters, builders, contractors, and coaches may need shelter from the blazing sun while they work. Police officers working an accident scene may need shelter from rain or snow. A mobile sheltered workstation can improve work conditions in virtually any location. In addition, workers may also need safe and convenient access to electricity while they work. 
     Various devices have been proposed in the art for providing a mobile sheltered workstation. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the current devices are too bulky, hard and time consuming to setup, and do not provide sufficient shelter. Additionally, the current devices do not provide safe and convenient access to electricity. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a mobile sheltered workstation that includes a canopy framework that is quickly and easily movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. Further, it would be desirable to have a mobile sheltered workstation that utilizes cords, pulleys, and linkage assemblies to assist in quickly and easily moving the mobile sheltered workstation from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. Additionally, it would be desirable to have a mobile sheltered workstation that includes an electrical power strip within a housing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A mobile sheltered workstation according to the present invention includes a housing. The workstation also includes a main support member having a lower end coupled to the housing and extending upwardly therefrom, the main support member being length adjustable and telescopically movable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. A canopy framework includes a lower end selectively coupled to an upper end of the main support member and movable between a stowed configuration adjacent the housing and a deployed configuration displaced from the housing. A canopy is selectively coupled to the canopy framework and configured to cover a geometric area thereof. 
     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a mobile sheltered workstation that selectively shelters a work area. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a mobile sheltered workstation, as aforesaid, having a main support member that is length adjustable between various intermediate positions to provide adjustable heights for deployment of a canopy cover over a work area. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide a mobile sheltered workstation, as aforesaid, that utilizes cords, pulleys and linkage assemblies to assist in moving the canopy framework from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a mobile sheltered workstation, as aforesaid, in which the housing includes an electrical power strip. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a mobile sheltered workstation, as aforesaid, that is easy to setup and easy to use. 
     A still further object of this invention is to provide a mobile sheltered workstation, as aforesaid, that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mobile sheltered workstation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a main support member in a retracted configuration, a canopy framework in a stowed configuration, and omitting a canopy from the view; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mobile sheltered workstation, as in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the canopy framework in a deployed configuration with a pair of first arms and a pair of second arms in a stowed and retracted configuration and a main support brace in a retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the mobile sheltered workstation, as in  FIG. 2 , illustrating respective pairs of the first and second arms in a deployed and extended configuration and the main support brace in an extended configuration; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view of the mobile sheltered workstation, as in  FIG. 3 , illustrating the main support member in an extended configuration; 
         FIG. 4   b  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 4   a  showing a pair of springable flanges in a compressed configuration; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the mobile sheltered workstation, as in  FIG. 4 , illustrating the canopy selectively coupled to the canopy framework, a plurality of tie down cables, each one selectively coupled to the canopy framework, and a plurality of tie down stakes, each one selectively coupled to one of the tie down cables; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a side elevation view of the mobile sheltered workstation with the canopy and canopy framework omitted from the view and the main support member in the extended configuration; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a sectional view taken along line  6   b - 6   b  of  FIG. 6   a;    
         FIG. 7  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 6   b;    
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an electrical power strip removed from the housing; 
         FIG. 9   a  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 1  showing a pair of springable flanges in an uncompressed configuration; 
         FIG. 9   b  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10   a  is a side elevation view of the mobile sheltered workstation, as in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 10   b  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 10   a;    
         FIG. 10   c  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 10   a;    
         FIG. 11   a  is a perspective view of the mobile sheltered workstation, as in  FIG. 4 , shown from a different angle than  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 11   b  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIG. 11   c  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the mobile sheltered workstation, as in  FIG. 1 , shown from a different angle than  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13   a  is a side elevation view of the mobile sheltered workstation with the canopy and canopy framework omitted from the view and the main support member in the extended configuration; 
         FIG. 13   b  is a sectional view taken along line  13   b - 13   b  of  FIG. 13   a.    
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A mobile sheltered workstation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 12  of the accompanying drawings. The mobile sheltered workstation  10  includes a housing  20 , a main support member  100 , and a canopy framework  200 . The mobile sheltered workstation  10  may also include a canopy  50  selectively coupled to the canopy framework  200 , a plurality of tie down cables  360  selectively coupled to the canopy framework  200  and/or a plurality of tie down stakes  362  selectively coupled to the tie down cables  360 . 
     The housing  20  may include opposed front  22  and rear  24  exterior walls with opposed side exterior walls  25  extending between respective ends of the front  22  and rear  24  exterior walls, respectively. Accordingly, the housing  20  may present a generally square or rectangular configuration although other configurations may also be suitable. 
     The housing  20  may also include a bottom panel  26  extending between respective side exterior walls  25  and respective front  22  and rear  24  exterior walls such that the walls and bottom panel  26  together define an interior area  30 . The interior area  30  of the housing  20  may be bisected by opposed front  32  and rear  34  interior walls so as to create a second area  40  located within the interior area  30 . The housing  20  may also include a top panel  28  extending between respective side exterior walls  25 , the front exterior wall  22 , and the front interior wall  32 . Accordingly, the configuration of the housing  20  may provide separate compartments suitable for storage of tools, equipment, the canopy framework  200 , the canopy  50 , the tie down cables  360 , and/or the tie down stakes  362 . ( FIG. 1  and  FIG. 12 ). In one embodiment, the front  32  and/or rear  34  interior walls may be omitted so as to provide different sizes and configurations of storage compartments. 
     A pair of wheels  402  may be rotatably coupled to opposed side exterior walls  25  of the housing  20  ( FIG. 12 ). It is understood that each wheel  402  may be independently rotatably coupled to a respective side exterior wall  25  or that both wheels  402  may be coupled to one another by an axle that is coupled to the housing  20 . A pair of legs  412  may be coupled to the housing  20  and positioned relative to the wheels  402  such that the combination of wheels  402  and the legs  412  creates a stable support structure for the housing  20 . A plurality of tie down attachments  406  may be coupled to the housing  20  such that the housing  20  may be staked directly to the ground to provide added stability to the mobile sheltered workstation  10  when at a deployed configuration. 
     The front exterior wall  22  may define a first aperture  64  and a second aperture  68 . An electrical power strip  404  may be situated within the interior area  30  and configured to register with the first aperture  64 . Accordingly, the electrical power strip  404  is located at least partially in the interior area  30  of the housing  20  and is operatively accessible from an area outside the housing  20 . A light  408  may be configured to register with the second aperture  68  such that the light  408  is located at least partially in the interior area  30  of the housing  20  and is configured to allow the light  408  to illuminate an area outside of the housing  20 . Additionally, a power cord  410  may be located at least partially in the interior area  30  of the housing  20  and configured to connect to an exterior power source. It is understood that inclusion and/or positioning of the electrical power strip  404  and/or the light  408  may vary. 
     The main support member  100  includes a lower end  102  coupled to the housing  20  and extending upwardly therefrom. The main support member  100  may be length adjustable and telescopically movable between a retracted configuration ( FIG. 3 ) and an extended configuration ( FIG. 4   a ). More particularly, the main support member  100  may include a plurality of main support member sections  110  configured to nest within the main support member  100  at the retracted configuration and to incrementally extend upwardly from the main support member  100  at the extended configuration. 
     Each main support member section  110  may be configured so as to be secured at selected positions when the main support member  100  is at the extended configuration. Each main support member section  110  may define at least one hole  120  configured to receive a pin  122  so as to hold the plurality of main support member sections  110  at respective selected positions when respective holes  120  in respective main support member sections  110  receive respective pins  122 . It is understood that each main support member section  110  may define a plurality of holes  120  so as to provide a variety of selectable positions. 
     The plurality of main support member sections  110  may include at least a first support member section  111  and a second support member section  112 . A pin  122  may be coupled to the first main support member section  111 . A spring  124  may be coupled to the pin  122  so as to bias the pin  122  towards the second support member section  112  such that the pin  122  couples the first support member section  111  to the second support member section  112  by engaging respective holes  120  in the first  111  and second  112  support member sections, respectively ( FIG. 7 ). 
     The canopy framework  200  may be moved between a stowed configuration ( FIG. 1 ) and a deployed configuration ( FIG. 4   a ). Accordingly, the canopy framework may include a lower end  204  having an attachment flange  250  configured to selectively couple to an upper end  104  of the main support member  100 . The upper end  104  of the main support member  100  may define an attachment bore  150  configured to receive the attachment flange  250  of the canopy framework  200 . The upper end  104  of the main support member  100  may further define a locking hole  152  configured to receive a locking pin (not shown) so as to lock the canopy framework  200  to the main support member  100  when the attachment flange  250  of the canopy framework  200  is received by the attachment bore  150  of the main support member  100 . The canopy framework  200  is generally adjacent the housing  20  at the stowed configuration ( FIG. 1 ) and displaced from the housing  20  at the deployed configuration ( FIG. 4   a ). 
     The canopy framework  200  may also include a main support brace  230  having a first end  231  and a second end  232 . The main support brace  230  may be length adjustable and telescopically movable between a retracted configuration ( FIG. 2 ) and an extended configuration ( FIG. 3 ) so as to coincide with the stowed and deployed configurations of the canopy framework  200 , respectively. 
     The canopy framework  200  may also include a first support brace  210  coupled to the first end  231  of the main support brace  230  and/or a second support brace  220  coupled to the second end  232  of the main support brace  230 . In one embodiment, the first support brace  210  may be fixedly coupled to the first end  231  of the main support brace  230  and the attachment flange  250  may be coupled to the first support brace  210 . Consequently, the first support brace  210  of the canopy framework  200  may be removably coupled to the upper end  104  of the main support member  100  when the attachment flange  250  of the canopy framework  200  is received by the attachment bore  150  of the main support member  100 . It is understood that, in another embodiment, the attachment flange  250  may be coupled to the main support brace  230  and/or the second support brace  220 . 
     The canopy framework  200  may also include a pair of first arms  212  coupled to opposed ends of the first support brace  210 , respectively. Each one of the pair of first arms  212  may be movable between a stowed configuration ( FIG. 2 ) and a deployed configuration ( FIG. 3 ). Each one of the pair of first arms  212  may be generally parallel to the main support brace  230  when at the stowed configuration and generally perpendicular to the main support brace  230  when at the deployed configuration. 
     The pair of first arms  212  may be pivotally coupled to opposed ends of the first support brace  210 , respectively, so as to enable the pair of first arms  212  to rotatably move from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. Additionally, each one of said pair of first arms  212  may be length adjustable and telescopically movable between a retracted configuration ( FIG. 2 ) and an extended configuration ( FIG. 3 ) so as to coincide with the stowed and deployed configurations of the canopy framework  200 , respectively. 
     The canopy framework  200  may further include a first linkage assembly  310  operatively coupled to the pair of first arms  212  and the main support brace  230 . More particularly, the first linkage assembly  310  may include a first collar  314  slidably coupled to the main support brace  230 . The first linkage assembly  310  may also include a pair of first deployment members  312  extending between the first collar  314  and the pair of first arms  212 , respectively, such that the pair of first arms  212  is rotated between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration when the first collar  314  is slidably moved along the main support brace  230 . 
     In one embodiment, the first linkage assembly  310  may include a pair of first collars  314 , each of the pair of first collars  314  being slidably coupled to one of the pair of first arms  212 , and a pair of first deployment members  312  extending between the main support brace  230  and the pair of first collars  314 , respectively, such that each of the pair of first arms  212  may be rotated between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration when a respective first collar  314  is slidably moved along the respective first arm  212 . 
     In yet another embodiment, the first linkage assembly  310  may include a pair of first deployment members  312  coupled to the main support brace  230  and the pair of first arms  212 , respectively, so as to hold the pair of first arms  212  in a stowed configuration and/or a deployed configuration. Each of the pair of first deployment members  312  may be removable, may be bisected with a pivot joint (not shown) so as to operate as a hinge, and/or may be length adjustable and telescopically movable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. 
     The canopy framework  200  may further include a first pulley assembly  315  having a first pulley  316 . A first cord  318  may be selectively coupled to the first pulley  316  and the first linkage assembly  310  so as to cause the first collar  314  to slidably move along the main support brace  230  when tension is exerted upon the first cord  318 . With this construction, operation of the first pulley assembly  315  enables a user to move the pair of first arms  212  between stowed and deployed configurations by pulling on the first cord  318 . 
     The canopy framework  200  may also include a pair of second arms  222  coupled to opposed ends of the second support brace  220 , respectively. Each one of the pair of second arms  222  may be movable between a stowed configuration ( FIG. 2 ) and a deployed configuration ( FIG. 3 ). Each one of the pair of second arms  222  may be generally parallel to the main support brace  230  when at the stowed configuration and generally perpendicular to the main support brace  230  when at the deployed configuration. Consequently, the pair of second arms  222  may be generally parallel to and displaced from the pair of first arms  212  when the respective pairs of first  212  and second  222  arms are at the deployed configuration. Additionally, the pair of second arms  222  may be generally parallel and adjacent to the pair of first arms  212  when the respective pairs of first  212  and second  222  arms are at the stowed configuration. Respective first  210  and second  220  support braces and/or respective pairs of first  212  and second  222  arms may be configured so as to allow the pair of second arms  222  to nest inside of the pair of first arms  212  when respective pairs of first  212  and second  222  arms are at the stowed configuration (as best shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     The pair of second arms  222  may be pivotally coupled to opposed ends of the second support brace  220 , respectively, so as to enable the pair of second arms  222  to rotatably move from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration as will be described more fully below. Additionally, each one of said pair of second arms  222  may be length adjustable and telescopically movable between a retracted configuration ( FIG. 2 ) and an extended configuration ( FIG. 3 ) so as to coincide with the stowed and deployed configurations of the canopy framework  200 , respectively. 
     The canopy framework  200  may further include a second linkage assembly  320  coupled to the pair of second arms  222  and the main support brace  230 . The second linkage assembly  320  may include a second collar  324  slidably coupled to the main support brace  230 . The second linkage assembly  320  may also include a pair of second deployment members  322  extending between the second collar  324  and the pair of second arms  222 , respectively, such that the pair of second arms  222  is rotated between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration when the second collar  324  is slidably moved along the main support brace  230 . 
     In one embodiment, the second linkage assembly  320  may include a pair of second collars  324 , each of the pair of second collars  324  being slidably coupled to one of the pair of second arms  222 , and a pair of second deployment members  322  extending between the main support brace  230  and the pair of second collars  324 , respectively, such that each of the pair of second arms  222  is rotated between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration when the respective second collar  324  is slidably moved along the respective second arm  222 . 
     The second linkage assembly  320  may also include a pair of second deployment members  322  coupled to the main support brace  230  and the second pair of arms  222 , respectively, so as to hold the second pair of arms  222  in a stowed configuration and/or a deployed configuration. Each of the pair of second deployment members  322  may be removable, may be bisected with a pivot joint (not shown) so as to operate as a hinge, and/or may be length adjustable and telescopically movable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. 
     The canopy framework  200  may further include a second pulley assembly  325  having a second pulley  326 . A second cord  328  may be selectively coupled to the second pulley  326  and the second linkage assembly  320  so as to cause the second collar  324  to slidably move along the main support brace  230  when tension is exerted upon the second cord  328 . With this construction, operation of the second pulley assembly  325  enables a user to move the pair of second arms  222  between stowed and deployed configurations by pulling on the second cord  328 . 
     The canopy framework  200  may also include a plurality of canopy attachment mechanisms  350  and the canopy  50  may include a plurality of canopy attachment elements  55 . Each canopy attachment mechanism  350  of the canopy framework  200  may be configured to interface with one or more canopy attachment element  55  of the canopy  50 . Each canopy attachment element  55  of the canopy  50  may be a grommet. 
     The canopy attachment mechanism  350  may include opposed springable flanges  352  that are selectively movable between compressed and uncompressed configurations. The springable flanges  352  may be configured so as to allow a canopy attachment element  55  of the canopy  50  to slide over the springable flanges  352  of one of the canopy attachment mechanisms  350  when the springable flanges  352  of the canopy attachment mechanism  350  are at the compressed configuration. Consequently, the canopy  50  may be coupled to or decoupled from the canopy framework  200  by sliding respective canopy attachment elements  55  of the canopy  50  over springable flanges  352  of respective canopy attachment mechanisms  350  of the canopy framework  200 . Additionally, the springable flanges  352  may be configured so as to prevent respective canopy attachment elements  55  of the canopy  50  from sliding over springable flanges  352  of respective canopy attachment mechanisms  350 , thereby preventing the canopy  50  from decoupling from the canopy framework  200 . 
     In one embodiment, the canopy  50  may include one set of canopy attachment elements  55  so as to selectively couple to the canopy framework  200  to cover a predetermined geometric area. In another embodiment, the canopy  50  may include multiple sets of canopy attachment elements  55  so as to selectively couple to the canopy framework  200  to cover a variety of geometric areas. It is understood that the canopy my also include a rain shield cover positioned over each canopy attachment element so as to prevent leakage through the canopy. 
     The canopy framework  200  may be adjustable to accommodate different canopy  50  sizes to accommodate different shelter requirements such as when high winds at or obstacles near a worksite prevent the use of a large canopy  50  or when a large worksite requires the use of a large canopy. The main support brace  230  and/or the first  212  and second  222  pairs of arms may be extendable and/or retractable to accommodate different canopy  50  lengths and/or widths. Additionally, respective pairs of first  212  and second  222  arms may be rotatable to provide additional flexibility for accommodating different canopy  50  sizes. 
     The canopy framework  200  may be adjustable to accommodate different canopy  50  shapes to accommodate different shelter requirements such as when obstacles near a worksite require the use of a canopy  50  with a shape other than the rectangular shape shown in the drawings. The main support brace  230  and/or the first  212  and second  222  pairs of arms may be extendable and/or retractable to accommodate different canopy  50  shapes. Additionally, respective pairs of first  212  and second  222  arms may be rotatable to provide additional flexibility for accommodating different canopy  50  shapes. 
     The canopy framework  200  may be adjustable to accommodate different canopy  50  tension requirements to accommodate different shelter requirements, such as to tighten the canopy during high winds or to allow the canopy to droop on one or more sides to divert rain water from a worksite. The main support brace  230  and/or the first  212  and second  222  pairs of arms may be extendable and/or retractable to accommodate different canopy  50  tension requirements. Additionally, respective pairs of first  212  and second  222  arms may be rotatable to provide additional flexibility for accommodating different canopy  50  tension requirements. 
     In use, the mobile sheltered workstation  10  provides a person with a mobile worksite shelter. It should be appreciated that the main support member  100  and the canopy framework  200  may be stored in the back of a truck or van—so as to provide easier transportation to and from a worksite—when they are at retracted and stowed configurations, respectively. Upon arrival at the worksite, a canopy  50  may be coupled to the canopy framework  200  and the main support member  100  and the canopy framework  200  may be coupled together and moved to extended and deployed configurations, respectively, so as to create a quick and convenient shelter at the worksite. Further, an electrical power strip  404  may provide safe and convenient access to electricity at the worksite and a light  408  may illuminate the worksite. 
     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.