Abstract:
A workbench frame having spanning element with a stringer portion and a shelf portion with a bend extending along an entire length between the stringer and shelf portions. The stringer and shelf portions each accommodate fastening elements that secure to opposite leg assemblies to provide stability, support and storage space.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a stringer and a shelf as part of a frame for a workbench, table, workstation or other like furniture. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Stringers are used to span between rear legs of a workbench, table, workstation or other like furniture to provide stability against toppling. Shelves are generally attached toward the front to an underside of a working surface atop the workbench, table, workstation or like furniture or as part of a hutch. 
     It would be desirable to enhance stability to the workbench, table, workstation or other like furniture beyond that afforded by a stringer alone and yet provide for additional shelf space. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the invention relates to a stringer and shelf unit attached to opposing leg assemblies of a workbench, table, workstation or other like furniture to provide stability against toppling. The stringer and shelf may extend in respective planes that are substantially perpendicular to each other. Preferably, the shelf has two recesses that each conform in configuration to an exterior of respective ones of the legs of the leg assemblies so as to accommodate the one leg and be flush against it. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, while the scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective, exploded view of a workbench in accordance with the invention in an unassembled condition. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of connection region of a stringer-shelf portion of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the workbench of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the invention in a partially assembled condition. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the connection region of the stringer-shelf portion of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of of the workbench of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the invention in a fully assembled condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  5  show a workbench  10  in progressive stages of assembly.  FIGS. 2 and 4  show enlargements of a stringer/shelf unit  12 . The workbench  10  has various components, namely, a flat, working surface element  14  and two pairs of leg assemblies  16 . Each pair of leg assemblies  16  include two legs  18 , a flared cross piece  20  that spans across a gap between ends of each of the two legs  18 , and a cross-member  22  that spans between the legs  18  at a lower elevation and whose ends fit within a respective channel  24  in each of the two legs  18 . As is known, adjustable feet  26  are provided that are adjustably attached to the legs  18  respectively and permit relative positioning of the feet  26  relative to the legs  18  in any one of a plurality of different relative positions. Each foot has a series of punch-outs  28  any of which being capable of insertion into holes  30  in the legs  18 . The flat, working surface element  14  sits on the flared cross pieces  20  between the flared portions and is fastened in place in a conventional manner with conventional fasteners. 
     Enhanced stability is provided by using the stringer/shelf unit  12  that has an elongated stringer portion  32  and an elongated shelf portion  34 . The stringer/shelf  12  is preferably formed as a single piece construction that is integrally forms the stringer and shelf portions  32 ,  34  together, without the need for any adhesive or fastening elements to retain the stringer and shelf portions  32 ,  34  together. Alternatively, the stringer and shelf portions  32 ,  34  are not integrally formed with each other but rather separate elements that are secured to each with fasteners or adhesive, thereby providing in effect a single piece construction. 
     Together, the stringer portion  32  and the shelf portion  34  form an elongated bend  36  between them and preferably extend in planes substantially angled to each other, preferably perpendicular or oblique to each other. The stringer portion  32  each span the distance between opposing leg assemblies  16 . The stringer portion  32  is fastened to a rear leg of each of the leg assemblies  16 , while the shelf portion  34  is fastened to the cross-members  22  of each of the leg assemblies  16  and is fastened to two rear legs, i.e. one leg from each of the assemblies  16 . 
     The stringer portion  32  has two ends  38 , preferably formed with holes  40  into which fasteners are inserted to secure the stringer portion  32  to an outward face of each rear leg of the leg assemblies  16 . The shelf portion  34  also has two ends  42  each with holes into which fasteners are inserted to secure the ends  42  of the shelf portion  34  to a respective one of the further cross-members  22 . The ends  42  each also define a recess  44  that terminates the bend  36  and is bounded by respective ones of the end  38  of the stringer portion  32 . Each recess  44  is sized to accommodate insertion of a respective one of the rear legs so that the shelf lies flat and horizontal on surfaces of the cross-members  22 . 
     The recesses  44  are configured to conform in shape with and be flush against the exterior of respective ones of the rear legs  18 . This prevents small items that may rest on the shelf from inadvertently falling between a gap between the shelf and the rear legs, which gap is either not present in the present invention because of the flush fit or is sufficiently small in size that small items (such as screws or bolts or nuts or washers) that may be placed on the shelf do not fit through such a gap readily if at all. In addition, the stringer portion  32  serves as a backrest or backstop for whatever items are placed on the shelf portion  34  if necessary. 
     The assembly of the workbench  10  involves securing the leg assemblies  16  and then securing the stringer/shelf unit  12  to the leg assemblies with fasteners  40 . The fasteners  40  are inserted through holes in alignment as between the shelf portion  34  and the cross-member  22  and as between the stringer portion  32  and the legs  18 . The feet  28  are attached to the base of each of the legs  18  to provide desired elevation. The flat, working surface element  14  is then placed atop the flared cross pieces  20  between upwardly flared ends of the cross pieces.  20 . The progression of assembly is therefore represented by  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and then  5  in succession. Disassembly would be in reverse sequence to that for assembly. 
     While the foregoing description and drawings represent the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.