Bench top organizer

Abstract

Provided is a bench top organizer including a substantially rectangular rear panel, connected at opposite edges to two side panels to form a framework. The two side panels have notches extending from the bottom rear corner of each side panel. The notches and a bottom edge of the rear side panel are adapted to form a channel. The channel is adapted to mate to a ledge on the bench top. Several compartments are also contained within the framework formed by the rear panel and side panels.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/627,483, filed Nov. 11, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Craftsmen, artisans, jewelry repair persons, and others who use benches, frequently prefer to store various items, some of small size and assorted shapes, on or near to their bench top.

As a result, many benches are sold with a permanently affixed organizational member attached, often divided into drawers and spaces of various sizes. These benches have several drawbacks. First, the benches tend to be larger and more difficult to move than benches without such permanent organizers attached. Second, if the attached organizational member does not include all the features the user desires, or if it includes features that the user does not need, the user either goes without needed features, wastes the useless features, or must obtain or otherwise purchase a bench having a more desirable organizer.

To date these considerations have been only partially addressed by the use of bench top organizers that are not permanently attached, but sit atop the bench. These organizers include their own drawbacks. For example, since the organizers are not affixed to the bench, they sometimes move when the bench is subject to jarring or vibration, which tends to occur often in the areas of work users of these benches frequently engage in. Excessive movement sometimes results in catastrophic disruption in the bench top area, e.g., the organizer might fall off the bench-causing its contents to be scattered and perhaps even break.

Thus, it is desirable that a bench top organizer be provided that overcomes the problems encountered with attached organizers, yet is not vulnerable to easy and accidental physical displacement.

It is also desirable that a bench top organizer be adaptable to include drawers and spaces of various sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides a bench top organizer. The organizer includes a substantially rectangular rear panel, connected at opposite edges to two side panels to form a framework. The two side panels have notches extending from the bottom rear corner of each side panel. The notches and a bottom edge of the rear side panel are adapted to form a channel. The channel mates to a ledge on a bench top. The organizer also includes a plurality of compartments contained within the framework formed by the rear panel and side panels.

In another aspect of the invention, at least one of the compartments is a drawer. In an embodiment the compartments include at least one cross-support member.

Another aspect of the invention includes that the compartments are adapted to accommodate jewelry/watch repair bags, envelops, burs, needles, files, saw blades, tweezers or pliers, or jewelry tools such as files, saw blades, burs, needles or punches.

In another aspect of the invention at least one compartment is adapted to accommodate jewelry tools or parts having a long and narrow shape.

Another aspect of the invention includes at least one compartment that is a deep drawer. In a further aspect of the invention, the deep drawer has a plurality of sub-compartments.

In a further aspect of the invention, the organizer is formed from wood, metal or plastic.

In another aspect of the invention, the channel formed by the rear panel and the notches in the two side panels is dimensioned to securely fit a ledge extending upward from a bench top, the ledge having a shape complimentary to the channel.

In another aspect of the invention, the bench top organizer further comprises a device adapted to tighten the engagement between the rear panel and a ledge extending upward from the bench top.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an organizer in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an organizer in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an organizer in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an organizer in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of an organizer in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a drawer of an organizer in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may be omitted or simplified so as not to obscure the present invention. Furthermore, reference in the specification to phrases such as “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of phrases such as “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

An embodiment of the present invention advantageously provides a bench top organizer that is movably affixed to a bench top.

Certain embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a bench top organizer adaptable to include drawers, spaces and other elements of various sizes.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, a bench top organizer 100 is illustrated as being of a generally rectangular construction, although it is understood that the organizer may take on any desired shape as long as it is adapted to extend from a work bench. In this particular embodiment of the invention, the organizer 100 includes compartments 102 and channel 104. This bench top organizer 100 disclosed herein is directed to use by jewelry/watch workers, technicians, craftsmen and the like to organize tools used while said persons are working. However, the organizer may be useful in other applications and workers in other fields.

In the embodiment disclosed organizer 100 comprises side panels 110 and 112 operatively connected to rear panel 114. The organizer 100 preferably includes a plurality of compartments 102 preferably contained within the periphery of a framework formed by side panels 110 and 112 and rear panel 114. The compartments 102 are illustrated as having a generally rectangular or square construction, although as will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the compartments 102 may take on any suitable shape. Some compartments 102 may be in the form of drawers 102f-102i while others may comprise open receptacles such as compartment 102a.

The organizer 100 is formed from any suitable material such as but not limited to wood, metal, plastic or the like.

Channel 104 is preferably formed by rear panel 114 and notches 120 and 122 formed in side panels 110 and 112. Channel 104 is dimensioned to attach to a bench top, most preferably a complementary ledge or support extending upwardly from a bench top so the organizer will be substantially immobile. In the embodiment shown, compartment 102a accommodates jewelry/watch repair bags or envelopes. Compartment 102b comprises a plurality of openings formed to accommodate jewelry/watch repairing burs, needles, files, saw blades and the like. Compartments 102c and 102d comprise at least one cross member 130 and accommodate tweezers, pliers and the like. Compartments 102e accommodate jewelry tools and parts having a long narrow shape such as but not limited to files, saw blades, burs, needles, punches, etc. Drawer 102f is a deep drawer for acid bottles and preferably has plural sub-compartments 140 therein. Other drawers 102g-102i can accommodate other items.

It is noted the arrangement of compartments 102a-102i may be altered and remain within the scope of the present invention. For example, compartment 102a may be located in place of compartments 102g and 102e and vice versa.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the organizer 100 may further comprise an attachment device 404 to secure the rear panel 114 to a complementary ledge or support. Suitable devices include but are not limited to bolts, screws, clamps, hinges, brackets, struts, dowels, and other attachment devices as are well known to those of ordinary skill in construction.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bench top organizer, the organizer comprising:

a rear panel, connected at opposite edges to two side panels to form a framework, the two side panels having notches extending from a bottom rear corner of each side panel, the notches and a bottom edge of the rear side panel adapted to form a channel, said channel adapted to receive a ledge of a bench top; and

at least one compartment contained within the organizer.

2. The organizer according to claim 1, at least one of the compartments being a drawer.

3. The organizer according to claim 1, the organizer being formed from one of the group of materials comprising wood, metal and plastic.

4. The organizer according to claim 1, the channel being dimensioned to securely fit a ledge extending upward from a bench top, the ledge having a shape complementary to the channel.

5. The organizer according to claim 1, the at least one compartment comprising at least one cross-support member.

6. The organizer according to claim 1, at least one compartment being adapted to accommodate jewelry tools, the tools having a long and narrow shape.

7. The organizer according to claim 1, at least one compartment being adapted to accommodate jewelry parts, the parts having a long and narrow shape.

8. The organizer according to claim 6, the at least one compartment being adapted to accommodate one jewelry tool of the group comprising: files, saw blades, burs, needles and punches.

9. The organizer according to claim 1, the at least one compartment comprising a deep drawer.

10. The organizer according to claim 9, the deep drawer comprising a plurality of sub-compartments.

11. The organizer according to claim 1, further comprising a securing device.

12. The organizer according to claim 11, the securing device comprising at least one clamp.

13. The organizer according to claim 11, the securing device comprising at least one bracket.

14. The organizer according to claim 11, the securing device comprising at least one bolt.

15. The organizer according to claim 11, the securing device comprising at least one screw.

15. The organizer according to claim 11, the securing device comprising at least one nail.

16. A bench top jewelry organizer comprising a plurality of compartments and a channel formed in a bottom face of the organizer adapted to engage a ledge of a bench top.