Portable lap-supported work station

Abstract

A portable lap-supported work station for bead stringing and bead weaving is provided. In one embodiment, the work station includes a tray configured as a design board having a lower surface to which a pillow is directly attached. In another embodiment, the work station includes a rectangular base and two flocked trays (or boards) which nestably and preferably snap-fit into the base. One tray is configured as a design board that is adapted for bead stringing. The second tray is configured for bead weaving. In the lower portion of the base beneath the trays, a storage compartment is provided. Preferably, the bottom exterior surface portions of the base are provided with a pillow adapted to rest upon the lap of the user. A handle along a longitudinal exterior side of the base permits the combination of pillow, base and boards to be transported or stored.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 781,255 filed Feb. 17, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a portable lap-supported work station, or lap desk, which can be used for craft and hobby activities including bead stringing or bead weaving. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Although the arts of bead stringing and bead weaving are believed to have been known for hundreds of years, they each require a defined work area where both the raw materials and the necessary tools can be used, maintained and stored. In the past, such a work area would have been typically situated at a fixed location that was relatively isolated from other activities; and the individual would probably be positioned at a table or work bench to work on a bead stringing or weaving project. [0004] In contemporary times, for various reasons, it is often inconvenient for an individual to be positioned at su...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] A pad or pillow-like structure can be mounted over the entire bottom exterior face of the tray-like container. The pillow-like structure preferably has a generally flattened exterior bottom surface configuration when not distorted, and the pillow-like structure preferably has a somewhat particulate, low-density fill, thereby to optimize the ability of the pillow to rest comfortably on the lap of an individual using the work station.

[0011] In a medial exterior position along a longitudinal side portion of the tray-like container is mounted a handle member that enables the combined assembly of pillow, tray-like container, and second and first boards, together with any items stored by the user in the portable work station, to be transported or stored in a convenient, compact manner.

Problems solved by technology

In contemporary times, for various reasons, it is often inconvenient for an individual to be positioned at such a fixed location for what can be a considerable amount of time to complete a project.

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