Patent Publication Number: US-2005140102-A1

Title: Work apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/502,736 filed Sep. 12, 2003, entitled “Movable Work Apparatus”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates generally to apparatus, implements and tools for use in connection with activities, cleaning, construction, and home improvement of a floor or other ground area and, in particular, to a work apparatus that is portable and allows a user to comfortably kneel and engage in the activity on the floor or ground surface.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      In the field of construction, home improvement, gardening, cleaning and similar activities, one must typically kneel down in order to accomplish or engage in such activities on a ground or floor surface. For example, if a person wishes to clean the floor of their house, and in order to get the maximum pressure against the floor, therefore yielding the best desired cleaning effect, it is often preferable to kneel down and use one&#39;s hands together with a cleaning implement. Similarly, in the area of construction and home improvement, in order to lay tile, hardwood, linoleum, etc. on a base substrate, again, the craftsman must kneel down and move along the floor on his or her hands and knees to create the floor layer. Still further, various outdoor activities, such as weeding, washing the car and other related activities also require a person engaged in an activity to kneel down on the ground surface.  
      There are obvious drawbacks to engaging in these activities. First, the constant standing, shuffling and kneeling process is detrimental to a person&#39;s physique and health. In addition, it is uncomfortable to kneel for long periods of time and crawl or otherwise traverse the floor or ground. Even when using long pants, kneepads or the like, the continual impact and pressure on a person&#39;s knees is unhealthy. Yet another drawback to simply using a padded surface, knee pads or other similar pliant material is the need to continually move the pad, which, in any case, requires the user to stand or crouch, move the pad and reposition themselves on the pad for additional work. This is both monotonous and hard on the user&#39;s body.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a work apparatus that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. It is another object of the present invention to provide a work apparatus that provides support to a user&#39;s knees when engaged in a kneeling activity. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a work apparatus that allows a user to traverse or move along a floor or ground surface without the need to stand and reposition. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a work apparatus that aids in protecting a user&#39;s health and body.  
      The present invention is a work apparatus. The work apparatus includes a platform element with an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface of the platform element includes a plurality of indented portions that are capable of at least partially receiving a user&#39;s knees. In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the work apparatus includes at least one and typically multiple roller elements positioned on the lower surface of the platform element. These roller elements allow the platform element to move across a substantially horizontal surface, such as the ground, a floor and the like.  
      In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, two spaced indented portions are positioned in a substantially central area of the platform element. Each spaced indented portion is sized and shaped so as to accept a user&#39;s knee therein. In order to add further comfort, a pliable layer may be positioned on a portion of the upper surface of the platform element and in a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, within the indented portions of the platform element. This pliable layer may be foam material, fabric, synthetic material, polymer, rubber, neoprene, elastomeric material, etc.  
      In yet another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the lower surface of the platform element includes a first, second, third and fourth peripheral area. A roller element is positioned in and extends from each of the four peripheral areas. The roller elements, which may be casters, wheels or the like, allow the user to motivate or push the platform element around the horizontal surface.  
      The present invention, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with the additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a work apparatus according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the work apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a side and partial sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of a work apparatus according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a still further preferred embodiment of a work apparatus according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a still further preferred embodiment of a work apparatus according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a side view of another preferred embodiment of a work apparatus according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a top view of yet another preferred embodiment of a work apparatus according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a side view of a further preferred embodiment of a work apparatus according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a top view of a still further preferred embodiment of a work apparatus according to the present invention; and  
       FIG. 10  is a side view of a still further preferred embodiment of a work apparatus according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.  
      The present invention is a work apparatus  10  and is illustrated in several preferred and non-limiting embodiments in  FIGS. 1-10 . The work apparatus  10  includes a platform element  12 , and the platform element  12  has an upper surface  14  and a lower surface  16 . The upper surface  14  of the platform element  12  includes a plurality of indented portions  18 , and these indented portions  18  are sized and shaped such that they may at least partially receive a user&#39;s knees therein. Therefore, a person may comfortably kneel by placing a knee in each of the indented portions  18 , which are formed to at least partially conform to the shape of a person&#39;s knees. In addition, the shape of the indented portions  18  provides improved support for the user&#39;s knees, promotes better posture and increases the user&#39;s comfort.  
      In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the work apparatus  10  also includes at least one, and typically multiple roller elements  20  that are positioned on the lower surface  16  of the platform element  12 , extending therefrom toward a substantially horizontal surface  22 , such as a floor, the ground, etc. These roller elements  20  allow the platform element  12  to move across the horizontal surface  22 . However, in the place of the roller elements  20 , simple legs  23 , supports or similar elements may be used to support the platform element  12  in a spaced relationship with the ground surface. Still further, the roller elements  20  may be positioned on the end of one or more of the legs  23 .  
      As seen in  FIG. 1 , in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the platform element  12  is a substantially square-shaped structure, and the indented portions  18  are shaped to comfortably receive the user&#39;s knees therein. Accordingly, as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the indented portions  18  are narrow and shallow at a first end  24  of the indented portion  18 , and gradually widen and deepen, terminating at a second end  26  of the indented portion  18 . In this embodiment, there are two indented portions  18 , and these indented portions  18  are spaced and positioned in a substantially central area of the platform area  12 . The spacing and positioning constitute design choices that maximize comfort for the user&#39;s body and knee structure. In addition, the spacing may be chosen based upon a normal or average adult body size and shape or other similar criteria.  
      As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, multiple roller elements  20  are used. Specifically, in the embodiments shown and described herein, four roller elements  20  are used. These roller elements  20  can be casters (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) or wheels (as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 3-5 ). In order to increase the comfort when a user is in a kneeling position and using the work apparatus  10 , a pliable layer  28  is positioned on at least a portion of the upper surface  14  of the platform element  12 . As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the pliable layer  28  is preferably positioned within the indented portions  18  of the upper surface  14  of the platform element  12 . As this is the area on which the user places his or her knees, the pliable layer  28  is particularly useful in providing added comfort during a working application. It is envisioned that the pliable layer  28  may be a foam material, a fabric, a synthetic material, a polymer, rubber, neoprene, elastomeric material, etc. It is further envisioned that the pliable layer  28  may be any padded layer that would achieve a similar effect.  
      The platform element  12  can be manufactured from various materials. For example, the platform element  12  may be manufactured from a synthetic material, a plastic, a polymer, polypropylene, etc. Further, it is envisioned that, in a preferred method of manufacture, the platform element  12  is cast molded in a substantially square shape.  
      In order to attach the roller elements  20  to the lower surface  16  of the platform element  12 , an attachment mechanism  30  is utilized. Any attachment mechanism  30 , as is known in the art of attaching wheels to a platform, is envisioned. In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the substantially square platform element  12  may include hub projections  32  extending from a corner area of the platform area  12 . This lends to the aesthetic quality and structural integrity of the platform element  12  when a user kneels thereon.  
      As discussed above, in a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the platform element  12  is a substantially square-shaped structure, and the lower surface  16  of the platform element  12  includes a first peripheral area  34 , a second peripheral area  36 , a third peripheral area  38  and a fourth peripheral area  40 . In this embodiment, a first roller element  42  is positioned in and extends from the first peripheral area  34 . A second roller element  44  is positioned in and extends from the second peripheral area  36 , and a third roller element  46  is positioned in and extends from the third peripheral area  38 . Finally, a fourth roller element  48  is positioned in and extends from the fourth peripheral area  40 . In this embodiment, one, and typically multiple, of the first roller element  42 , the second roller element  44 , the third roller element  46  and the fourth roller element  48  are configured to rotate about axis A, which is transverse to a plane of movement B. Similarly, one, and typically multiple, of the first roller element  42 , the second roller element  44 , the third roller element  46  and the fourth roller element  48  are fixed and configured to roll in a fixed axis of movement C. This fixed axis of movement C typically intersects a front edge  50  of the platform element  12 . In this manner, when the work apparatus  10  is moved, it moves in the forward plane of movement B.  
      In another preferred embodiment, the first roller element  42  and the second roller element  44  are configured to rotate about the axis A that is transverse to the plane of movement B. In addition, it is the third roller element  46  and the fourth roller element  48  that are configured to roll in the fixed axis of movement C. This resulting structure allows a user to steer the platform element  12  left and right and move the work apparatus  10  to a desired position on the horizontal surface  22 .  
      Once the user has moved the work apparatus  10  to a desired position, it may often be preferable to hold the work apparatus  10  in place. Therefore, in another preferred embodiment, a lock mechanism  52  is used in connection with one or more of the first roller element  42 , second roller element  44 , third roller element  46  and fourth roller element  48 . The lock mechanism  52  may be hand actuated and is of a construction as is known in the art. Once the user has placed the work apparatus  10  in the desired location, he or she may simply lock the roller elements  20  and begin work without the possibility of the platform element  12  sliding away as the user is engaged in the working process.  
      In yet another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, a support portion  54  is in operative communication with the platform element  12 . The support portion  54  provides a support area to the user. In addition, in this embodiment, the support portion  54  extends from an edge of the platform element  12 . The support portion  54  may extend vertically or horizontally from the platform element  12 . As seen in the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the support portion extends horizontally from an edge of the platform element  12 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the support portion is a handle  56 , which extends vertically from the platform element  12 . Such a handle  56  would allow the user to grasp the handle  56  for support during work or to guide the platform element  12  while motivating the work apparatus  10  to another position on the horizontal surface  22 . The support portion  54  may also be a tray, a secondary platform, etc. When the support portion  54  is a tray, the user may place cleaning supplies, objects, tools, etc. on the support portion  54 , such that these materials are available to the user while kneeling on the work apparatus  10 .  
      It is further envisioned that the support portion  54  may be movable, retractable or adjustable with respect to the platform element  12 . In the preferred and non-limiting embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the support portion  54 , and specifically an edge portion  58  of the support portion  54  is hingedly connected to the lower surface  16  of the platform element  12 . In operation, the support portion  54  can be positioned under the platform element  12  in a non-use position, and swung away from and extend from the platform element  12  in a use position. This lends to the compact and expandable functionality of the work apparatus  10 .  
      As with the indented portions  18 , the pliable layer  28  may also be positioned on one or more surfaces of the support portion  54 . In this manner, as seen in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , a pliable grip can be placed on the support portion  54  for assisting in a comfortable grasping function during the work process. It is further envisioned that the support portion  54  may be formed as an integral piece with the platform element  12  during the manufacturing process. However, any one or more of the platform element  12 , the roller elements  20  and the support portion  54  may be detachable and attachable by the consumer.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the work apparatus  10  is usable in areas and activities that do not require or are not amenable to the user of the roller elements  20 . Accordingly, the aforementioned legs  23  can be used to support the platform element  12  in a spaced relationship with respect to the ground surface. In addition, one or more feet  56  can be positioned at the base of each leg  23  to provide additional padding functionality or better support. However, it is also envisioned that the roller elements  20  may positioned or positionable in place of one or more of the feet  56 , such that the work apparatus  10  is both spaced from the ground and movable thereon. Still further, when used in an outdoor location, it may preferable to use roller elements  20  that include the appropriate tires, support structures or even shocks.  
      In this manner, a work apparatus  10  is provided that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. The work apparatus  10  allows a user to comfortably kneel on the platform element  12  to accomplish an activity. Further, in one preferred embodiment, the work apparatus  10  is easily motivated around the horizontal surface  22  and does not require the user to continually stand and readjust his or her position. Overall, the work apparatus  10  allows a user to more healthily engage in construction, home improvement, cleaning, etc. on a ground or floor surface.  
      This invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.