GB2111090A - Fibre craft holder - Google Patents

Abstract

A work holder designed for use by the blind and other handicapped persons includes an elongate top plate 2 for mounting on a table top with the ends 9 thereof extending outwardly beyond the edge of the top; a pair of small bottom plates 3 slidably connected to the ends of the top plate by guide bars 4 and screws 5, the bottom plates being mounted beneath the table top, the top and bottom plates clamping the work holder to the table top; and a pair of posts on the top plate for supporting a work holding frame such as a weaving or quilting frame. Large knobs 15, 20 are provided on the screws for facilitating gripping of the screws. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fibre craft holder THIS INVENTION relates to a work holder, and in particular to a work holder for handicapped persons.

There are many work holders described in the patent literature. Examples of such holders are those disclosed by Canadian Patent No.

357,548; and United States Patents Nos.

2,009,044; 3,106,376 and 4,109,889. The disadvantages of such work holders are that they are either totally unsuited to use by the handicapped or that they are structurally com placated.

The object of the present invention is to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a relatively simple, easy to mount work holder.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a work holder for mounting on one edge of a table top or the like, comprising bracket means including first plate means for mounting above said top; first arm means integral with said first plate means for extending outwardly from each end of the first plate means beyond the edge of said top; second plate means for mounting below said top; second arm means integral with said seceond plate means for extending outwardly beneath each said first arm means; guide means extending between said first and second arm means for slidably interconnecting said first and second arm means and for maintaining said first and second plate means in substantially parallel relationship to each other; screw means extending between said arm means for moving said first and second plate means towards and away from each other and holding said first and second plate means in position on said top; and support means for supporting a work holding frame on said first plate means.

With the device described above, a plate defining the top of the bracket means is maintained on the table top, while bottom plates at each end of the top plate are beneath the table top. Screws extending through the top and bottom plates are turned to move the bottom plates with respect to the top plate, so that the plates grip the table top to securely mount the device on the edge of the table top. Large knobs on the top ends of the screws facilitate turning of the screws, and make the device easier to use.

Preferably said second plate means and second arm means include a pair of small, individual plates, one plate connected to one of said first arm means and the other plate connected to the other of said first arm means.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and one side of a work holder in accordance with the present invention mounted on a table top; Figure 2 is a front view of the work holder and table top of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the work holder of Figs. 1 and 2; and Figure 4 is a plan view of the work holder of Figs. 1 to 3.

The work holder illustrated in the drawings includes a bracket generally indicated at 1 for mounting the holder on a table. The bracket 1 is defined by a top plate 2, bottom plates 3, guide bars 4 and screws 5. The top plate 2 includes an elongated central portion 6 for resting on a table top 7 near one edge 8 thereof, and a forwardly and outwardly extending arm 9 at each end thereof.

A pair of posts 10 extend upwardly from the ends of the central portion 6 of said top plate 2 near its rear edge 11. Threaded holes 1 2 are provided in each post 10 for receiving a screw 1 3 to enable the mounting of a rectangular quilting frame 14 between the posts 10. The quilting frame 14 is but one of many work holding frames that can be mounted between the posts 1 0. Alternatively, an easel or any other work holder can be mounted between the posts 1 0. By tightening the screws 13, the frame 14 can be fixed in one position, and, by loosening the screws 1 3 slightly, the frame 1 4 can be tilted to another position.The screws 1 3 can also be loosened to the point where the frame 1 4 can be removed. Large knobs 1 5 are provided on the outer ends of the screws 1 3 for facilitating gripping and turning of the screws.

A plate 1 6 extends downwardly from the front edge of the central portion 6 of the top plate 2 for accurately positioning the work holder with respect to the edge 8 of the table top 7. Each bottom plate 3 is rectangular, with a rear portion 1 7 (Fig. 4) positioned beneath the table top 7 when in use and a front portion or arm 18, which extends outwardly beyond the edge 8 of the table top 7 beneath the arm 9 of the top plate 2. The bars 4 are securely mounted in the arms 9 of the top plate 2 and extend downwardly through openings 1 9 in the bottom plates 3.

The openngs 1 9 are slightly larger than the cross-sectional area of the bars 4, so that the bottom plates 3 can slide vertically towards and away from the top plate 2 for removably mounting the work holder on the edge of the table top 7.

The top plate 2 and bottom plates 3 are moved with respect to each other by means of the screws 5, which extend through aligned, internally threaded holes in the arms 9 and 1 8. As in the case of the screws 13, large knobs 20 are provided on the upper ends of the screws 5 to facilitate gripping and turning of said screws.

The manner of using the work holder is obvious from the foregoing description. As mentioned, the large knobs 1 5 and 20 on the screws 1 3 and 5, respectively, facilitate gripping of the screws. Thus, the work holder can readily be mounted and used by the blind and other handicapped persons.

Preferably, the entire work holder, including the screws, is constructed of wood, which is both lightweight and smooth. Plastics may also be used. The corners of all of the elements are rounded to prevent injury to the user.

While the work holder of the present invention is primarily intended for use by the blind and other handicapped persons, the work holder can be used for a variety of purposes.

Because the holder is basically a bracket on which a work holding frame or plate can be mounted, the uses of the holder are numerous.

Claims (7)

1. A work holder for mounting on one edge of a table top or the like, comprising bracket means including first plate means for mounting above said top; first arm means integral with said first plate means for extending outwardly from each end of the first plate means beyond the edge of said top; second plate means for mounting below said top; second arm means integral with said second plate means for extending outwardly beneath each said first arm means; guide means extending between said first and second arm means for slidably interconnecting said first and second arm means and for maintaining said first and second plate means in substantially parallel relationship to each other; screw means extending between said arm means for moving said first and second plate means towards and away from each other and holding said first and second plate means in position on said top; and support means for supporting a work holding frame on said first plate means.

2. A work holder according to claim 1, wherein said second plate and second arm means include a pair of small, individual plates, one plate connected to one of said first arm means and the other plate connected to the other of said first arm means.

3. A work holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said guide means includes a bar connected to each said first arm means and extending downwardly therefrom, each said second arm means having an opening for receiving said rod, whereby the second plate means is vertically slidable with respect to said first plate means.

4. A work holder according to claim 1, wherein said screw means includes elongated screws extending through and threadedly engaging each said first and second arm means.

5. A work holder according to claim 4, including large knob means on one upper end of said screw means facilitating turning of said screw means.

6. A work holder substantially as described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

7. Every novel feature and every novel combination of features described herein.