Work Station With Magnetic Tool Retention Apparatus

Abstract

The Tool Retaining Work Station makes use of at least one magnet installed on a side or along the edge of the top surface of the work station. The objective of the magnets being located on or near the edge of the top surface of the work station is to ensure that the tools/parts are convenient for the professional to access, positioned to catch tools/parts before they fall off the top of the work station, and to prevent the professional from potentially losing control or sight over the procedure at hand.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to any type of work station and, in particular, to a work station which is equipped with magnetic elements to ensure retention of metal tools/parts on the top surface of the work station when the tools/parts are not in use. An example of such a work station is an animal grooming station.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A professional who requires the use of a work station as a work surface and also to store tools/parts as they perform their job requires an effective means of protecting their tools/parts while maintaining easy access to the tools and parts to ensure time efficiency. An example of such a professional is an animal groomer who would benefit from a grooming station which allows the groomer to place a tool anywhere around the perimeter of the work station while the work station provides protection to the tools by preventing the tools from falling onto the ground and being damaged by the impact while allowing the groomer to maintain mobility around the work station. For further explanation, when an animal is being groomed, the work station is elevated to position the animal at a height convenient for the animal groomer. These animals typically are dogs, and the animal groomer must perform a number of successive grooming operations on the animal during the course of the grooming. The animal typically is not restrained by attachment to the work station, and the animal groomer must be able to freely move around the animal grooming station, maintain the animal in the desired position, and have access to a number of different grooming tools, which typically are placed on the top surface of the animal grooming station for easy access. Once more, the grooming station is merely one example of the variety of work stations that could be utilized; therefore, the following description is not limited to only animal grooming use.

[0003] The animal groomer uses a variety of grooming tools during the course of grooming the animal. An example of these tools includes: brushes, scissors, combs, razors, clippers, and the like. These tools are professional grade, precision instruments which represent a significant investment on the part of the animal groomer. These tools, while being professional grade, are still susceptible to damage if they are dropped onto a hard surface, such as the floor. Yet again, the work station can hold a variety of occupational tools used for many different purposes.

[0004] For sanitary reasons and ease of cleanup, animal grooming facilities are typically constructed with tile, concrete, wood, or other hard surface floors. If the animal groomer drops a tool onto the floor or an animal being groomed knocks a tool onto the floor, it is common for the tool to be damaged or even rendered unusable. The damage can constitute a broken tip or chipped edge on a pair of scissors, broken teeth on a comb, etc. In any profession or hobby, it is imperative that tools/parts function properly and are easily accessible.

[0005] Past attempts to address this problem in work stations have been ineffective. These solutions include Caddies or Storage Units, which are inefficient since they are stationary, or too bulky to mobilize. For instance, animal groomers tend to have very limited space in which to work, and the placement of a tool caddy in the work area interferes with the animal groomer's ability to groom the animal. Another proposed solution is the use of Grooming Tool Aprons/Belts. However, the need for an animal groomer to wear a tool apron or a tool belt impedes the animal groomer's performance and is burdensome to wear. Furthermore, tools continue to fall out of a belt or the pockets of an apron when the animal groomer bends over or struggles with an animal during the grooming process. The belts and aprons also are not sanitary, since animal hair accumulates inside the apron/belt pockets. Ultimately, there is a strong need for an effective and efficient solution for any variety of work stations entailing the protection of tools/parts, while allowing the professional to be mobile.

[0006] Therefore, there is presently no product which adequately addresses the problem of work station tools being dropped onto a hard surface, such as the floor, during the work process, such as with animal grooming stations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The above-described problems are solved and a technical advance made in this field by the present Work Station With Magnetic Tool Retention Apparatus (termed "Tool Retaining Work Station" herein) which is equipped with magnetic elements to ensure retention of tools on the Tool Retaining Work Station when tools are not in use (see examples in FIGS. 1A and 1B).

[0008] The Tool Retaining Work Station makes use of at least one magnet installed on a side or along the edge of the top surface of the Tool Retaining Work Station. The objective of the magnets being located on or near the edge of the top surface of the Tool Retaining Work Station is to ensure that the metal tools/parts are convenient for the professional to access, positioned to catch tools before they fall off the top surface of the Tool Retaining Work Station, and prevent the professional from potentially losing control or sight over the procedure at hand (see example in FIG. 1C).

[0009] In order to be effective, the magnets are of sufficient magnetic field strength to hold a variety of metal tools/parts that are placed thereon and are located in sufficient proximity to each other to prevent the metal tools/parts from being knocked off the Tool Retaining Work Station without being captured by the magnets. Therefore, the field strength and location of the magnets must be sufficient to capture a metal tool/part if, during the work process, metal tools/parts are propelled toward the edge of the top surface of the Tool Retaining Work Station. In addition, the metal tools/parts obviously must be manufactured from materials that are susceptible to being captured by a magnet or must have attached thereto a metal plate which enables the tools/parts to be captured by the magnets (see examples in FIGS. 2A-2E).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate, in perspective view, three implementations of the present Tool Retaining Work Station; and

[0011] FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate, in perspective view, examples of typical non-metallic grooming tools which are equipped with metal attachments to provide a solution for any type of non-metallic tool for any professional purpose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Professionals know that tools/parts are frequently knocked off their work stations onto hard surfaced floors during the work process. As a result, the professional must stop the work process to retrieve the tools/parts and potentially lose control or sight over the procedure at hand. This is an inefficient process and costly for the professional in terms of lost time and potential for damage or loss to the tools/parts. For instance, animal grooming is an occupation where the animal groomer's compensation is a function of the rapid processing of each animal; any interruption of this process represents a loss of income. A further loss of income occurs if the animal groomer drops a tool on the floor or an animal being groomed knocks a tool onto the floor, and the grooming tool is damaged or even rendered unusable, resulting in the cost of replacing or repair of the damaged grooming tool.

Magnetic Work Station Architecture

[0013] FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate, in perspective view, three implementations of the present Tool Retaining Work Station. As shown in FIG. 1A, there is a plurality of magnets 101-1 to 101-n installed along the edges of the top surface 102 of the work station 100 in a spaced-apart manner to provide a substantially continuous magnetic barrier along the periphery of the work station 100 to prevent tools/parts from being knocked off the top surface 102 of the work station 100. The plurality of magnets 101-1 to 101-n alternatively can be a long, continuous magnetic strip. The magnets 101-1 to 101-n can be placed in various configurations, such as along less than all edges of the top surface 102 of the work station 100. However, providing a substantially continuous magnetic barrier around the periphery of the top surface 102 of the work station 100 is preferable, since professionals typically must have protection on all four sides of the work station 100 to prevent tools/parts from being propelled in any direction, and to prevent a loss of time and possible difficulty in completing the work task at hand.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1B, there is a plurality of magnets 201-1 to 201-n installed along the edges of the top surface 201 of the work station 200 in a spaced-apart manner to provide a substantially continuous magnetic barrier along the periphery of the work station 200 to prevent tools/parts from being knocked off the top surface 202 of the work station 200. The plurality of magnets 201-1 to 201-n alternatively can be a long, continuous magnetic strip. The magnets 201-1 to 201-n can be placed in various configurations, such as along less than all edges of the top surface 202 of the work station 200. However, providing a substantially continuous magnetic barrier around the periphery of the top surface 202 of the work station 200 is preferable, since professionals typically must have protection on all four sides of the work station 200 to prevent tools/parts from being propelled in any direction, and to prevent a loss of time and possible difficulty in completing the work task at hand.

[0015] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1C, a mix of magnets 301-1 to 301-n installed on the top surface 302 of the work station 300 along the edges, and magnets 311-1 to 311-n installed along the edges of the top surface 302 work station 300 can be used to enable the professional to affix tools/parts to the magnets 311-1 to 311-n installed along the edges of the work station, thereby keeping the top surface 302 of the work station 300 clear, while the magnets 301-1 to 301-n installed on the top surface 302 along the edges of the work station 300 function to provide the substantially continuous magnetic barrier to capture the tools/parts if they are propelled toward the edge of the top surface 302 of the work station 300, and to prevent a loss of time and possible difficulty in completing the work task at hand.

Non-Metallic Tools

[0016] FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate, in perspective view, examples of typical non-metallic grooming tools which are equipped with metal attachments to provide a solution for any type of non-metallic tool for any professional purpose.

[0017] There are essentially two classes of tools: those manufactured, at least in part, of metal and those manufactured from non-metallic materials. Depending on the magnetic quality of metal in a tool, there may be a need to supplement the existing metal content to enable the substantially continuous magnetic barrier to capture the tool. Therefore, a metal strip or plate 402-442 can be attached (typically via an adhesive backing on the metal plate) to the tool 401-441 to enable it to be captured by the substantially continuous magnetic barrier. For example, FIGS. 2A-2E show typical grooming tools including, but not limited to, a pin brush 401, furminator 411, shedding slicker 421, poodle comb 431, and rubber brush 441, respectively, and the placement of a metal plate 402-442, respectively, on each of these tools as described above, or incorporated into the grooming tool as part of the manufacturing of the grooming tool, or in the instance of any variety of professional non-metallic tool.

Magnets

[0018] There are numerous implementations of magnets that can be used in the construction of the Tool Retaining Work Station. Magnets are formed into strips or blocks or discs or other configurations. These magnets can be permanent magnets or electromagnets, which can be powered from a source of electricity, such as that used to power the grooming tools used by the professional. The magnet, therefore, can be any form of magnet which produces a magnetic field of sufficient field strength which enables professionals to freely stick tools/parts to the edge of the work station for easy access while working. Also, the magnets can provide a relatively low profile in the case that the magnets are attached to the top surface of the work station, which also provides a physical barrier to the tools/parts being knocked off the work station in addition to the magnetic barrier created by the magnets. Work station implementations will vary as a result of the numerous configurations possible, depending on the size, shape, and magnetic strength of the magnets. The example of animal grooming stations is used herein simply for the purpose of illustrating the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as characterized in the claims appended herein. Yet another benefit is that the magnetic edging is easy to clean, since it represents a non-porous/non-sticking surface, and the coating on the permanent magnet is typically Nickel Plate, and electromagnets have similar surfaces or coatings applied thereto.

Economics

[0019] The cost of magnets is offset by the economic benefit provided by the professional not having to replace or fix broken tools/parts which are damaged in the impact from falling onto the floor and also prevents the loss of time in retrieving tools/parts that have fallen onto the floor. For example, the following chart is a breakdown of typical costs of grooming tools/parts and repairs listed below:

TABLE-US-00001 New Clippers New Blades New Scissors $100.00-$300.00 $12.00-$50.00 $25.00-$150.00

TABLE-US-00002 Sharpen Blades Sharpen Scissors $5.00-$8.00 per blade $5.00-$10.00 per pair of scissors Animal groomer typically Animal groomer typically owns 5-10 blades owns 3-6 pairs of scissors

SUMMARY

[0020] The Tool Retaining Work Station makes use of at least one magnet installed on a side or along the edge of the top surface of the work station. The objective of the magnets being located on or near the edge of the top surface of the work station is to ensure that the tools/parts are convenient for the professional to access, positioned to catch tools/parts before they fall off the top of the work station, and prevent the professional from potentially losing control or sight over the procedure at hand.

Claims

1. A Tool Retaining Work Station comprising: a work surface having a substantially flat and unobstructed top surface thereof to support an object on the top surface during a work process being performed by a user using tools on the object which work process takes place on the object which is positioned on the top surface; and a substantially continuous magnetic barrier formed exclusively along the periphery of the work surface to prevent at least one of the tools that is not presently in use by the user from being knocked off the top surface, comprising at least one magnet fixedly attached to said work surface at a location comprising at least one of: on top of said substantially flat top surface and along an edge of said substantially flat top surface, and on a side of said substantially flat top surface and juxtaposed to the top of said substantially flat top surface.

2. The Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 1 wherein said substantially continuous magnetic barrier comprises: a plurality of magnets, aligned in a spaced-apart relationship, positioned along at least one edge of said substantially flat top surface.

3. The Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 1 wherein said substantially continuous magnetic barrier comprises: a plurality of magnets, aligned in a spaced-apart relationship, positioned along all of the edges of said substantially flat top surface.

4. The Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 1 wherein said substantially continuous magnetic barrier comprises: a plurality of magnets, aligned in a spaced-apart relationship, on top of said substantially flat top surface along at least one edge of said substantially flat top surface.

5. The Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 1 wherein said substantially continuous magnetic barrier comprises: a plurality of magnets, aligned in a spaced-apart relationship, on top of said substantially flat top surface along said edges of said substantially flat top surface.

6. The Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 1 wherein said substantially continuous magnetic barrier comprises: a plurality of magnets, aligned in a spaced-apart relationship, on top of said substantially flat top surface along at least one edge of said substantially flat top surface; and a plurality of magnets, aligned in a spaced-apart relationship, positioned along at least one edge of said substantially flat top surface and on a side of said substantially flat top surface juxtaposed to the top of said substantially flat top surface.

7. The Work Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 1 wherein said substantially continuous magnetic barrier comprises: a plurality of magnets, aligned in a spaced-apart relationship, on top of said substantially flat top surface along said edges of said substantially flat top surface; and a plurality of magnets, aligned in a spaced-apart relationship, positioned along said edges of said substantially flat top surface and on a side of said substantially flat top surface juxtaposed to the top of said substantially flat top surface.

8. The Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of legs attached to a bottom surface of said work surface for supporting said work surface a predetermined distance above a floor on which said Tool Retaining Work Station is placed.

9. The Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 8 wherein said plurality of legs is adjustable to enable varying said predetermined distance.

10. The Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 1 wherein said substantially continuous magnetic barrier is adhesively attached to said top surface of said work surface.

11. The Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 1 wherein said substantially continuous magnetic barrier is a permanent magnet.

12. The Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 1 wherein said substantially continuous magnetic barrier is an electromagnet.

13. A Tool Retaining Work Station comprising: a work surface, having a substantially flat and unobstructed top surface thereof to support an object on the top surface during a work process being performed by a user using tools on the object which work process takes place on the object which is positioned on the top surface, the top surface being devoid of any attached structures; and a substantially continuous magnetic barrier formed exclusively along the periphery of the work surface to prevent at least one of the tools that is not presently in use by the user from being knocked off the top surface, comprising at least one magnet fixedly attached to said work surface at a location comprising at least one of: on top of said substantially flat and unobstructed top surface and along an edge of said substantially flat top surface, and on a side of said substantially flat and unobstructed top surface and juxtaposed to the top of said substantially flat top surface.

14. The Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 13 wherein said substantially continuous magnetic barrier comprises: a plurality of magnets, aligned in a spaced-apart relationship, positioned along at least one edge of said substantially flat top surface.

15. The Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 13 wherein said substantially continuous magnetic barrier comprises: a plurality of magnets, aligned in a spaced-apart relationship, on top of said substantially flat top surface along at least one edge of said substantially flat top surface.

16. The Tool Retaining Work Station of claim 13 wherein said work surface comprises: a plurality of legs attached to a bottom surface of said work surface for supporting said work surface a predetermined distance above a floor on which said Tool Retaining Work Station is placed.