Work desk for stock pickers

Abstract

Work desk for use on lifting equipment including a vertical back wall member. One side wall member is connected adjacent a back side thereof to a first edge of the back wall member along a first height thereof. Another side wall member is connected adjacent a back side thereof to a second edge of such back wall member. Side wall members being triangular shaped with the back side thereof having a shortest length. A slanted member provides a work surface for such work desk and is connected to adjacent upper edges of each of the back wall member and pair of side wall members. A mechanism either disposed on an outer surface of the back wall member for enabling it to be one of hung on and supported by an upright member, or hung on and supported by such lifting equipment. A ledge portion is disposed adjacent a lower surface of such slanted member for providing a stop surface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is closely related to and claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/707,223 filed Aug. 11, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to recording information and, more particularly, this invention relates to a work desk for use on lifting equipment by persons responsible for at least one of placing and removing preselected articles to and from, respectively, storage shelves in order to record information for at least one of inventory control and freight counting wherein such work desk provides a convenient place for storage of papers, pens, pencils, paper and labels and for provides a hard surface on which to write.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, persons responsible for placing and/or removing preselected articles from storage bins, shelves and the like could not easily record important information with respect to such articles while still on a lift truck, for example, because there was not a convenient place to carry the necessary materials or to have a surface on which to support paper to write on.

This inconvenience is not only aggravating to the worker when they must stop and go to a place to record the required information but it is also costly for the employer by virtue of the productive time lost. Such time loss is for both labor and equipment.

Another disadvantage to this is that when a worker must wait to record this information there is a greater chance that some information may be forgotten.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in a first embodiment, a work desk for use on lifting equipment by persons responsible for at least one of placing and removing preselected articles to and from, respectively, storage shelves. Such work desk provides a needed and convenient place for storage of paper, pens, pencils and labels. Additionally, the work desk provides a relatively hard surface on which to write. The work desk includes a substantially vertically disposed back member. Such back member exhibiting each of a first predetermined length, a first predetermined height and a first predetermined thickness. There is a pair of substantially vertically disposed side members. A first one of such pair of side members is connected adjacent a back side thereof to a first edge of such back member along the first predetermined height thereof. A second one of the pair of side members is connected adjacent a back side thereof to a second edge of such back member also along such first predetermined height thereof. Each of the pair of side members is substantially triangular shape with the back side thereof having the shortest length. A slanted member having each of a second predetermined length, a second predetermined height and a second predetermined thickness is connected to adjacent upper edges of each of such back member and such pair of side members. This slanted member provides the work surface for such work desk. At least one means at least one of disposed on an outer surface of such back member for enabling the work desk to be one of hung on and supported by a preselected upright member having at least one substantially horizontally disposed surface engageable by said means and to be hung on and supported by such lifting equipment. Finally, there is a ledge portion disposed adjacent a lower surface of such slanted member for providing a stop surface for at least one of a piece of paper, a pen and pencil.

In a second embodiment, the present invention provides in combination with a stock picker the improvement comprising a work desk incorporated thereon.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a work desk for mounting on predetermined equipment which will enable an equipment operator to be more efficient in recording necessary information selected from inventory numbers, part numbers, stocking locations, bin numbers, etc.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a work desk for use on lifting equipment which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a work desk for use on lifting equipment which can be produced from a variety of materials.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a work desk for use on lifting equipment can store needed items on the lifting equipment which can be readily accessed as required.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a work desk for use on lifting equipment is relatively light weight.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a work desk for use on lifting equipment which can be easily stored when not in use.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a work desk for use on lifting equipment which is easy to use.

In addition to the several objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described with some degree of specificity above it should be noted that various additional objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a presently preferred embodiment of the work desk produced according to the invention and also showing a presently preferred piece of equipment such work desk can be used with, such piece of equipment being illustrated on a piece of paper on the work desk;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the work desk illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the work desk illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the work desk hanging on a wire mesh type grid; and

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the work desk illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 showing the work desk hanging on a wire mesh type grid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identified with identical reference numerals through the several views illustrated in the drawing figures for the sake of clarity and understanding.

Now refer, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-4. Illustrated therein is a work desk, generally designated 10, for use on a piece of lifting equipment, generally designated 100, by persons responsible for at least one of placing and removing preselected articles (not shown) to and from, respectively, storage bins (not shown) and shelves (not shown).

Such work desk 10 provides a convenient place for storage of paper 12, pens (not shown), pencils (not shown) and labels (not shown). Additionally, such work desk 10 provides a substantially flat hard surface 14 for supporting paper 12 which is to be written on. Such work desk 10 includes a generally rectangular and substantially vertically disposed back wall member 16 having each of a first predetermined length, a predetermined height and a first predetermined thickness.

There is a pair of substantially vertically disposed side wall members 18 and 20 provided. A first one 18 of such pair of side wall members 18 and 20 is connected adjacent a back side thereof to a first edge of such back wall member 16 along the predetermined height thereof. A second one 20 of such pair of side wall members 18 and 20 is connected adjacent a back side thereof to a second edge of the back wall member 16 along such predetermined height thereof. Each of the pair of side wall members 18 and 20 is substantially triangular shaped with such back side thereof having a shortest length.

A generally rectangular slanted member 22 carrying such flat hard surface 14 for supporting such paper 12 to be written thereon has each of a second predetermined length, a predetermined width and a second predetermined thickness and is connected to adjacent upper edges of each of such back wall member 16 and such pair of side wall members 18 and 20. The slanted member 22 provides the hard work surface 14 of such work desk 10.

There is at least one means, generally designated 30, disposed on an outer surface 24 of such back wall member 16 and closely adjacent an upper surface thereof for enabling said work desk 10 to be at least one of hung on and supported by a preselected upright member 26 having at least one substantially horizontally disposed surface 32 engageable by such means 30 and to be hung on and supported by such lifting equipment 100.

A ledge portion 26 is disposed adjacent a lower edge of such slanted member 22 for providing a stop surface 28 for at least one of a piece of paper 12, a pen and pencil.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention such work desk 10 will further include at least one clip type means, generally designated 40, disposed on such flat hard surface 14 for retaining paper 12 in place during use.

Additionally, in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, such work desk 10 will include at least a pair of hanger means 30 disposed on the outer surface 24 of such back wall member 16 for enabling work desk 10 to be one of hung on and supported by the preselected upright member 26 having at least one substantially horizontally disposed surface 32 engageable by the pair of hanger means 30 and to be hung on and supported by such lifting equipment 100.

It is presently preferred that such first predetermined length of the back wall member 16 and the second predetermined length of the slanted member 22 will be substantially identical and that the first predetermined thickness of such back wall member 16 and such second predetermined thickness of such slanted member 22 will also be substantially identical. Further, it is preferable that the predetermined height of such back wall member 16 and such shortest length of the pair of side wall members 18 and 20 are substantially identical.

Each of such back wall member 16, the pair of side wall members 18 and 20, the slanted member 22 and the ledge portion 26 are formed from an identical material which is preferably plastic.

It is further presently preferred that slanted member 22 and ledge portion 26 are formed as a single piece component.

The preselected upright member 36 having the at least one substantially horizontally disposed surface 32 engageable by the pair of hanger means 30 is a wire mesh type member.

The present invention further contemplates a combination of a piece of lifting equipment 100 used by persons responsible for at least one of placing and removing preselected articles to and from, respectively, storage shelves with the improvement comprising a work desk 10 to provide a convenient place for storage of paper, pens, pencils and labels and to provide a substantially flat hard surface on which to write. Such piece of lifting equipment 100 is preferably a stock picker. In this embodiment the hanger means 30 is a hook shaped device formed from at least one of metal and plastic wherein the metal is selected from aluminum and steel.

While in accordance with the patent statutes both a presently preferred and a number of alternative embodiments of the invention have been described above in such a full, clear and concise manner so as to enable anyone skilled in the relevant art to which it pertains to make and use the same, it should be understood that various alterations and other modifications to the invention can be made without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A work desk for use on lifting equipment by persons responsible for at least one of placing and removing preselected articles to and from, respectively, storage shelves, said work desk providing a convenient place for storage of paper, pens, pencils and labels and for providing a substantially flat hard surface on which to write, said work desk comprising:

(a) a generally rectangular substantially vertically disposed back wall member having each of a first predetermined length, a predetermined height and a first predetermined thickness;

(b) a pair of substantially vertically disposed side wall members, a first one of said pair of side wall members connected adjacent a back side thereof to a first edge of said back wall member along said predetermined height thereof, a second one of said pair of side wall members connected adjacent a back side thereof to a second edge of said back wall member along said predetermined height thereof, each of said pair of side wall members being substantially triangular shape with said back side thereof having a shortest length;

(c) a generally rectangular slanted member having each of a second predetermined length, a predetermined width and a second predetermined thickness connected to adjacent upper edges of each of said back wall member and said pair of side wall members, said slanted member providing a substantially flat work surface for said work desk;

(d) at least one hanger means disposed on an outer surface of said back wall member for enabling said work desk to be one of hung on and supported by a preselected upright member having at least one substantially horizontally disposed surface engageable by said hanger means and to be hung on and supported by such lifting equipment; and

(e) a ledge portion disposed adjacent a lower surface of said slanted member for providing a stop surface for at least one of a piece of paper, a pen and pencil.

2. A work desk, according to claim 1, wherein said work desk further includes at least one clip type means disposed on said flat hard surface for retaining said paper in place during use.

3. A work desk, according to claim 1, wherein said work desk includes a pair of hanger means disposed on said outer surface of said back wall member for enabling said work desk to be one of hung on and supported by said preselected upright member having at least one substantially horizontally disposed surface engageable by said pair of hanger means and to be hung on and supported by such lifting equipment.

4. A work desk, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined length and said second predetermined length are substantially identical.

5. A work desk, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined thickness and said second predetermined thickness are substantially identical.

6. A work desk, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined height of said back wall member and said shortest length of said pair of side wall members are substantially identical.

7. A work desk, according to claim 1, wherein each of said back wall member, said pair of side wall members, said slanted member and said ledge portion are formed from an identical material.

8. A work desk, according to claim 7, wherein said each of said back wall member, said pair of side wall members, said slanted member and said ledge portion are formed from plastic.

9. A work desk, according to claim 8, wherein said slanted member and said ledge portion are formed as a single piece component.

10. A work desk, according to claim 8, wherein said preselected upright member having said at least one substantially horizontally disposed surface engageable by said pair of hanger means is a wire mesh type member.

11. In combination with a piece of lifting equipment used by persons responsible for at least one of placing and removing preselected articles to and from, respectively, storage shelves, the improvement comprising a work desk to provide a convenient place for storage of paper, pens, pencils and labels and to provide a substantially flat hard surface on which to write, said work desk including:

(a) a generally rectangular substantially vertically disposed back wall member having each of a first predetermined length, a predetermined height and a first predetermined thickness;

(b) a pair of substantially vertically disposed side wall members, a first one of said pair of side wall members connected adjacent a back side thereof to a first edge of said back wall member along said predetermined height thereof, a second one of said pair of side wall members connected adjacent a back side thereof to a second edge of said back wall member along said predetermined height thereof, each of said pair of side wall members being substantially triangular shape with said back side thereof having a shortest length;

(c) a generally rectangular slanted member having each of a second predetermined length, a predetermined width and a second predetermined thickness connected to adjacent upper edges of each of said back wall member and said pair of side wall members, said slanted member providing a substantially flat work surface for said work desk;

(d) at least one hanger means disposed on an outer surface of said back wall member for enabling said work desk to be one of hung on and supported by said lifting equipment; and

(e) a ledge portion disposed adjacent a lower surface of said slanted member for providing a stop surface for at least one of a piece of paper, a pen and pencil.

12. The combination, according to claim 11, wherein said piece of lifting equipment is a stock picker.

13. The combination, according to claim 11, wherein said hanger means is a hook shaped device.

14. The combination, according to claim 11, wherein said hanger means is formed from at least one of metal and plastic.

15. The combination, according to claim 14, wherein said metal is selected from aluminum and steel.