Workstation enclosure
A domed shaped housing (10) and a divider wall (16) forms a two-compartment structure. A forward compartment forms a workstation enclosure having hand-receiving openings (34, 36), a vacuum system (70, 72, 74, 76) and an air delivery tube (78). The rear section (86) of an articulated boom (82) may extend through a window (46) in the rear compartment and at its lower end be connected to a frame (18). The articulated arm (82) includes a forward section (88) extending forwardly from the rear section (86) and supporting a microscope (84) at its lower end. Lights (54, 66, 64) are provided to light up the forward section of the enclosure (10). A tool holder (80) may be mounted on the divider wall (16).
The present invention relates to the provision of a ventilated enclosure for a work station which serves to protect the worker from breathing dust and other substances which are byproducts of the work being performed. More particularly, the invention relates to a workstation enclosure that is adapted to conveniently position the various implements needed by the worker for the performance of his/her work.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is known to provide a workstation for a nail technician with an enclosure adapted to collect and remove fumes so that the worker and his/her customer does not have to breathe them. An example of this type of prior art workstation enclosure is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,128, granted Aug. 9, 1994, to Esau Birdsong.
It is also known to provide a workstation enclosure in the form of a dome. A “dry box” is an enclosure adapted to allow the performance of certain operations in a particular atmosphere. The workman's hands are inserted into gloves which extend into the enclosure and are sealed at their hand-receiving ends to openings formed for them in the enclosure. An example of a dome shaped “dry box” is shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,267,830, granted Aug. 23, 1966, to William H. Van Gaasveek.
There is a need for a workstation enclosure which provides the needed protection to the worker and at the same time facilitates the performance of the work task by making readily available tools, lighting, vacuum exhaust, etc. needed by the worker for performing his/her tasks. An object of the invention is to provide a unique and improved workplace enclosure that fills this need.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a workstation enclosure having a base that is supported on the table around the workstation. The enclosure includes a wall structure that extends along the base and upwardly from the base to form a sidewall and top for the enclosure. The wall is at least partially transparent, providing visibility for the worker. It includes a pair of laterally spaced apart hand openings and a transparent closed section between the hand openings. An exhaust outlet is provided inside the enclosure between the hand openings and adjacent the closed section of the sidewall.
In preferred form, the exhaust outlet comprises an opening in the table and a vertically elongated hollow member connected at its lower end to the table about the opening in the table. The hollow member has side and top walls in which openings are formed. Preferably, an air stream delivery nozzle is provided inside the enclosure adjacent the exhaust outlet. While performing a task, a worker will typically hold a work piece in one hand and a tool in the other hand. His/her hands are brought together inside the enclosure to position the work piece and tool close to the air stream delivery nozzle and the exhaust openings in the hollow member. Dust and/or fumes in the enclosure are substantially immediately removed through the exhaust outlet. Small particles on the work piece can be removed by the workman positioning the work piece in the air stream issuing from the air stream delivery nozzle so that the air stream will wash the particles off of the work piece.
According to an aspect of the invention, a divider wall inside the enclosure divides the interior of the enclosure into a front section and a rear section. The hand openings and the exhaust outlet are in the front section. Preferably also, a work light is provided in the front section of the enclosure.
According to an optional further aspect of the invention, a tool holder may be mounted on the divider wall inside the front section of the enclosure.
According to another aspect of the invention, a window is provided in an upper part of the enclosure above and between the two hand openings. A microscope is suitably supported on one end of a microscope supporting boom. The opposite end of the boom is suitably anchored. The microscope supporting boom is adapted for moving the microscope into and out of alignment with the front section window in the enclosure. Preferably, the enclosure includes a second window in the rear portion of the enclosure. The microscope supporting boom includes a rear section that extends downwardly through the second window to a mounting location inside the rear section of the enclosure.
Preferably, the enclosure has a doom shape and includes a divider wall dividing its inner space into front and rear sections. The enclosure may be made from a transparent plastic material. The rear section of the doom, may be coated to make it opaque.
According to another aspect of the invention, a work light is provided in the front section of the enclosure and a light diffusing light shade is provided over the work light.
Other objects, advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description set forth below, from the drawings, and from the principles that are embodied in the specific structures that are illustrated and described.
Like reference numerals and letters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and:
The various concepts or principles that make up the invention can be best understood by considering the following description of example embodiments of the invention.
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Ventilation is provided for the forward section of the enclosure by a vacuum source 70, a vacuum tube 72 and a housing 74. An opening 66 is formed in the table to provide an outlet for exhaust gases and other material. Housing 74 has an open lower end that connects to the table 42 about the opening 76. It also has side and top walls which includes openings through which material within the front section of the enclosure can flow into the interior of the housing 74 and then into the vacuum tube 72.
Let it be assumed that a worker is positioned facing the openings 34, 36, 44 with his/her left hand extending into the enclosure through opening 34 and his right hand extending into the enclosure through the opening 36 (
The presence of the divider wall 16 makes it convenient to mount a tool holder 80 on a lower portion of the divider wall 16. In
For some functions it is desirable for the worker to have a microscope present. In the illustrated embodiment, a microscope support boom 82 is mounted at a first end and mounts a microscope 84 at a second end. As best shown by
A suitable microscope is available from Harris Discount Supply, Ltd. The model number of this microscope is MEIJI EMZ 8TRU. This is a 10× 20× microscope and it has dual halogen lights. The articulated boom is sold by Harris Discount Supply, Ltd. under the model number HDS 4013. Of course other suitable microscopes could be used as well.
Wires providing electrical energy to the lights 52, 54 and 64, 66 may extend from a source of electricity upwardly through the housing 18 and through an opening 100 and then on through openings in the divider wall 16 to the lights 52, 54 and 64, 66. Rearwardly of the divider wall 16, the wiring may be covered by a housing 102, such as shown in
Referring to
Preferably, the domed shaped enclosure 10 is formed from a transparent plastic material. The cover 50 is formed from clear materials so that a worker can look through it into the interior of the enclosure 10. Preferably, the rear section of the dome is coated to make it opaque. A boundary line 110 between the transparent forward section and opaque rear section is provided in the region where the divider wall 16 is located.
The table may be made in the form of a decorative piece of furniture having attractive sides and an attractive back. Also, drawers may be provided below the top 42.
The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present invention, and therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understand that many changes in particular structure, materials and features of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is my intention that my patent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments that are illustrated and described herein, but rather are to be limited by the following claims:
Claims
1. For use with a work station on a table, a work station enclosure comprising:
- a base that is supported on the table around the work station;
- a wall that extends around the base and upwardly from the base to form a sidewall and top for the enclosure, said wall being at least partially transparent, providing visibility for the worker;
- said sidewall including a pair of laterally spaced apart hand openings and a transparent closed section between the hand openings; and
- an exhaust outlet inside the enclosure between the hand openings and adjacent the closed section of the sidewall.
2. The work station enclosure of claim 1, wherein the exhaust outlet comprises an opening in the table and a vertically elongated hollow member connected at a lower end to the table about the opening in the table, said hollow member having side and top walls and air passages.
3. The work station enclosure of claim 1, further comprising an air delivery nozzle inside the enclosure adjacent the exhaust outlet.
4. The work station enclosure of claim 2, including an air delivery nozzle inside the enclosure adjacent the hollow member.
5. The work station enclosure of claim 1, including a divider wall inside said enclosure, dividing the enclosure into a front section and a rear section, said hand openings and said exhaust outlet being in the front section.
6. The work station enclosure of claim 5, including a work light in the front section of the enclosure mounted on an upper portion of the divider wall, said Work light being situated inwardly from the closed section of the sidewall between the two hand openings.
7. The work station of claim 5, comprising a tool holder on the divider wall inside the front section of the enclosure.
8. The work station enclosure of claim 1, including a window in an upper part of the enclosure above and between the two hand openings.
9. The work station enclosure of claim 8, comprising a removable cover for said window.
10. The work station enclosure of claim 8, comprising a microscope connected to one end of a microscope supporting boom, said microscope supporting boom being movable for moving the microscope into and out of alignment with the window in the enclosure.
11. The work station enclosure of claim 10, wherein the enclosure includes a second window in an upper rear portion of the enclosure, and the microscope supporting boom has a rear section that extends downwardly through the second window to a mounting location within the enclosure.
12. The work station enclosure of claim 1, including a divider wall inside said enclosure, dividing the enclosure into a front section and a rear section, said hand openings and exhaust outlet being in the front section, said front section being transparent between and above the hand openings and said rear section being opaque.
13. The work station enclosure of claim 12, including a light in the front section of the enclosure, said light being above the work station between the divider wall and the transparent closed section between the hand openings.
14. The work station enclosure of claim 13, wherein the exhaust outlet comprises an opening in the table and a vertically elongated hollow member connected at its lower end to the table about the opening in the table, said hollow member having side and top walls that include air passages.
15. The work station enclosure of claim 14, including an air delivery nozzle inside the enclosure between the hand openings and inwardly of the transparent closed section between the hand openings.
16. The work station enclosure of claim 15, including a light inside the enclosure above the work station.
17. The work station of claim 16, including a window in an upper part of the enclosure above and between the two hand openings.
18. The work station enclosure of claim 17, comprising a microscope connected to one end of a microscope supporting boom, said supporting boom being movable for moving the microscope into and out of alignment with the window and the enclosure.
19. The work station enclosure of claim 18, wherein the enclosure includes a second window in an upper rear portion of the enclosure, and the microscope support beam has a rear section that extends downwardly through the second window to a mounting location within the enclosure.
20. The work station enclosure of claim 19, comprising a divider wall inside said enclosure, dividing the enclosure into a front section and a rear section, said hand openings and said first window being in the front section and said second window is in said rear section.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 1, 2007
Publication Date: Apr 2, 2009
Inventor: Dene Le Beau (Renton, WA)
Application Number: 11/906,223
International Classification: F24F 7/00 (20060101);