PORTABLE AND ADJUSTABLE SEAT FOR SPANNING STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

Abstract

A portable support board having an extendable support frame and a pad for supporting a worker in an elevated workspace. The extendable support frame is operable to span varying gaps between parallel structural elements to provide a support bench or seat for the worker in an elevated workspace, such as between trusses in an attic.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a portable and adjustable kneeling board seat for placement between trusses or other parallel structural elements to provide a comfortable support structure for a person performing work in tight structural spaces. The portable and adjustable seat is especially well suited for use by those performing work in attics and other elevated structural spaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is an ongoing need for persons working in elevated spaces within buildings or other structures to have a portable, easy-to-use device that provides a comfortable seat or kneeling surface. For example, in attic spaces, there are trusses that are spaced apart on which a person working in the attic space can step and support their weight. The worker must carefully find footing on adjacent trusses because there is no floor immediately beneath the attic. However, in order to kneel down to perform any work, typically the person will wear knee pads and/or place a board across trusses as a bridge therebetween. However, such arrangements are uncomfortable and can cause the person pain and soreness. A more user-friendly device is needed to allow work to be performed in elevated, tight working spaces, like attics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable and adjustable kneeling board and seat that can be removably engaged with structural elements in a building or other structure that are elevated above a floor. In such circumstances, a worker has only limited structural elements that allow them to sit or stand. The present invention includes a padded board on which the worker can bear their weight and an extendable base that can be adjusted to fit between and attach to structural elements in the workspace, such as adjacent trusses. The underlying adjustable frame having an adjustable length to allow the adjustable frame to be sized for spanning a gap between adjacent structural elements (e.g., trusses). The underlying frame may include a first frame section and a second frame section that nests within the first frame section such that that the second frame section may be extended from and retracted into the first frame section.

The underlying frame may include a locking mechanism for securing the first frame section and the second frame section in relative positions to prevent sliding or dislodging during use. Each of the first and second frame sections may have a bracket at its distal end for placement on a structural element to hold the frame section in position on the structural element. The brackets at the distal ends of each of the first and second frame sections may include a locking mechanism to prevent the bracket from dislodging from the structural element on which it is positioned.

The kneeling board may have an upholstered pad over the board to provide cushioning and comfort to the worker. The pad may have an adjustable position to allow the user to recenter the pad when the length of the underlying frame has been extended or retracted. The pad may be attached to the frame by a detachable securing mechanism such as Velcro™, straps, or other appropriate securing mechanisms.

It is an objective of the invention is to provide a safety device for use by workers performing services in an attic space or other elevated structural space.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a device that provides a resting and support seat/board for a worker that is performing services in an elevated structural environment.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a seat/board that has an adjustable base frame operable to span structural elements such as trusses that are spaced apart at various distances.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a support board comprising a substantially rigid and planar board element; a pad secured to an upper surface of the board element; and an expandable support frame having a variable length that can be increased or decreased to span between structural building elements. The pad may comprise a foam material so constructed to be removably secured to an upper surface of the planar board element. The expandable support frame may include two support frame sections that movable with respect to each other. The device may include a first support frame section and a second frame section, wherein the second frame section includes a nesting portion that nests within the first support frame section and is operable to be extended and retracted from the first support frame section. The device may include a locking mechanism that reversibly fixes the relative positions of the first support frame section and a second frame section. The first support frame section has a first bracket operable to engage with a first structural element and the second support frame section has a second bracket operable to engage with a second structural element that is positioned in parallel to the first structural element. The second bracket may have a second bracket securing mechanism for securing the second bracket to the second structural element. The first bracket may have a first bracket securing mechanism for securing the first bracket to the first structural element. The second bracket may have a second bracket securing mechanism for securing the second bracket to the second structural element.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of securing a support board to structural elements, comprising identifying two substantially horizontal structural elements in a building or structure; modifying a length of an expandable support frame of a support board device to a length that matches the distance between the two substantially horizontal structural elements; fixing relative positions of a first support frame section and a second support frame section by engaging a support frame locking mechanism; and using a pad secured to an upper surface of the support board device to support a person's body weight. The pad may comprise a foam material so constructed to be removably secured to an upper surface of the planar board element. The first support frame section and the second support frame section may be movable with respect to each other. The method may further include a first support frame section and a second frame section, wherein the second frame section includes a nesting portion that nests within the first support frame section and is operable to be extended and retracted from the first support frame section. The support frame locking mechanism may reversibly fix the relative positions of the first support frame section and a second support frame section. The first support frame section may have a first bracket operable to engage with a first structural element, and the second support frame section may have a second bracket operable to engage with a second structural element that is positioned in parallel to the first structural element. The first bracket may have a first bracket securing mechanism for securing the first bracket to the first structural element. The second bracket may have a second bracket securing mechanism for securing the second bracket to the second structural element.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a support board comprising a substantially rigid and planar board element; a pad secured to an upper surface of the board element; an expandable support frame having a variable length that can be increased or decreased to span between structural building elements, the expandable support frame has a first support frame section and a second frame section, wherein the second frame section includes a nesting portion that nests within the first support frame section and is operable to be extended and retracted from the first support frame section; a locking mechanism that reversibly fixes the relative positions of the first support frame section and a second frame section; a first bracket on the first frame section operable to engage with a first structural element; a second bracket on the second frame section operable to engage with a second structural element that is positioned in parallel the first structural element; a first bracket securing mechanism for securing the first bracket to the first structural element; and a second bracket securing mechanism for securing the second bracket to the second structural element.

The above-described objects, advantages, and features of the invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described herein. Further benefits and other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 provides a view of a support board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the invention. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without all of the specific details provided.

The present invention provides a portable and adjustable kneeling board and seat 1 that can be removably engaged with structural elements in a building or other structures that are elevated above a floor. In such circumstances, a worker has only limited structural elements that allow them to sit or stand. The device includes a pad 2 on a flat support board 3 which the worker can bear their weight and an extendable base 10 that can be adjusted to fit between and attach to structural elements in the workspace, such as adjacent trusses. The pad 2 of the kneeling board 1 may be an upholstered padding structure (e.g., batting over the flat support board 3) over the board 3 to provide cushioning and comfort to the worker. The underlying adjustable frame 10 having an adjustable length to allow the adjustable frame 10 to be sized for spanning a gap between adjacent structural elements (e.g., trusses).

The adjustable frame 10 may include a first frame section 11 and a second frame section 12 that nests within the first frame section 11 such that that the second frame section 12 may be extended from and retracted into the first frame section 11. The underlying frame may include one or more locking mechanisms 13 for securing the first frame section 11 and the second frame section 12 in relative position to prevent sliding or dislodging during use. A first locking mechanism 13a may be positioned on a first side of the adjustable frame 10 at a first nesting junction between the first frame section 11 and the second frame section 12, and a second locking mechanism 13b may be positioned on a second side of the adjustable frame 10 at a second nesting junction between the first frame section 11 and the second frame section 12. In some embodiments, the first and second nesting junctions 13a and 13b may include sets of alignable holes in the sidebars of the first frame section 11 and the second frame section 12, and a pin device for passing through the alignable holes, such as a Cotter pin, a nested button-actuated compression spring clip, a quick release pin, or other appropriate mechanisms.

Each of the first and second frame sections 11 and 12 may have a bracket at its distal end for placement on a structural element to hold the frame section in position on the structural element. The first frame section 11 may have a first bracket 11a at or near a distal end thereof. The second frame section 12 may have a second bracket 12a at or near a distal end thereof. Each of the brackets at the distal ends of each of the first and second frame sections 11/12 may include a locking mechanism to prevent the bracket from dislodging from the structural element on which it is positioned. The locking mechanism may be an attached stretchable band or a chain that can be wrapped around the bracket and the structural member.

The first and second frame sections 11 and 12 may be adjusted to relative positions that give the overall frame a length that matches the distance between two parallel structural elements (e.g., two adjacent trusses). The nesting junctions 13a, 13b may then be locked into place to hold the adjusted length of the frame and the brackets 11a and 12a may be engaged with parallel structural elements. The pad 2 may be adjustable on the frame to allow centering of the pad 2 after extension or retraction of the frame to the distance between the parallel structural elements. The pad 2 may be attached to the frame by a detachable securing mechanism such as Velcro™, straps, or other appropriate securing mechanisms.

In some embodiments, a portable and adjustable kneeling board 1a and pad 2 can be removably engaged with structural elements in a building or other structure that are elevated above a floor. The device includes a pad 2 adjustably positioned on a flat support board 3 which the worker can bear their weight and a base 20 that can be placed on structural elements in the workspace, such as adjacent trusses. The pad 2 of the kneeling board 1a may be an upholstered padding structure (e.g., batting over the flat support board 3) over the board 3 to provide cushioning and comfort to the worker. The underlying frame 20 may be sized for spanning a standard gap between adjacent structural elements (e.g., trusses).

The frame 20 may have a bracket at each end for placement on a structural element to hold the frame section in position on the structural element. The frame 20 may have a first bracket 11a at or near a first end thereof and a second bracket 12a at or near a second end thereof. Each of the brackets may include a locking mechanism to prevent the bracket from dislodging from the structural element on which it is positioned. The locking mechanism may be an attached stretchable band or a chain that can be wrapped around the bracket and the structural member.

It is to be understood that variations, modifications, and permutations of embodiments of the present invention, and uses thereof, may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments, descriptions, or illustrations or combinations of either components or steps disclosed herein. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Although reference has been made to the accompanying figures, it is to be appreciated that these figures are exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A support board comprising:

a substantially rigid and planar board element;

a pad secured to an upper surface of said board element; and

an expandable support frame having a variable length that can be increased or decreased to span between structural building elements.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said pad comprises a foam material so constructed to be removably secured to an upper surface of the planar board element.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said expandable support frame includes two support frame sections that are movable with respect to each other.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein a first support frame section and a second frame section, wherein the second frame section includes a nesting portion that nests within the first support frame section and is operable to be extended and retracted from the first support frame section.

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising comprises a locking mechanism that reversibly fixes the relative positions of the first support frame section and a second frame section.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein said first support frame section has a first bracket operable to engage with a first structural element and said second support frame section has a second bracket operable to engage with a second structural element that is positioned in parallel to the first structural element.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the second bracket has a second bracket securing mechanism for securing the second bracket to the second structural element.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the first bracket has a first bracket securing mechanism for securing the first bracket to the first structural element.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the second bracket has a second bracket securing mechanism for securing the second bracket to the second structural element.

10. A method of securing a support board to structural elements, comprising:

a. Identifying two substantially horizontal structural elements in a building or structure;

b. modifying a length of an expandable support frame of a support board device to a length that matches the distance between the two substantially horizontal structural elements;

c. fixing relative positions of a first support frame section and a second support frame section by engaging a support frame locking mechanism; and

d. using a pad secured to an upper surface of said support board device to support a person's body weight.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said pad comprises a foam material so constructed to be removably secured to an upper surface of the planar board element.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said first support frame section and said second support frame section are movable with respect to each other.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a first support frame section and a second frame section, wherein the second frame section includes a nesting portion that nests within the first support frame section and is operable to be extended and retracted from the first support frame section.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said support frame locking mechanism reversibly fixes the relative positions of the first support frame section and a second support frame section.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said first support frame section has a first bracket operable to engage with a first structural element and said second support frame section has a second bracket operable to engage with a second structural element that is positioned in parallel to the first structural element.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the first bracket has a first bracket securing mechanism for securing the first bracket to the first structural element.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the second bracket has a second bracket securing mechanism for securing the second bracket to the second structural element.

18. A support board comprising:

a substantially rigid and planar board element;

a pad secured to an upper surface of said board element; and

an expandable support frame having a variable length that can be increased or decreased to span between structural building elements, said expandable support frame has a first support frame section and a second frame section, wherein the second frame section includes a nesting portion that nests within the first support frame section and is operable to be extended and retracted from the first support frame section;

a locking mechanism that reversibly fixes the relative positions of the first support frame section and a second frame section;

a first bracket on said first frame section operable to engage with a first structural element;

a second bracket on said second frame section operable to engage with a second structural element that is positioned in parallel to the first structural element;

a first bracket securing mechanism for securing the first bracket to the first structural element; and

a second bracket securing mechanism for securing the second bracket to the second structural element.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein said pad comprises a foam material so constructed to be removably secured to an upper surface of the planar board element.