MOBILE WORKSTATION COMPRISING A MOBILE VACUUM DUST SUCTION DEVICE AND A STORAGE UNIT

Abstract

 The invention refers to a mobile workstation (2) comprising a mobile vacuum dust suction device (4) and a storage unit (6) attached to the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4) and adapted for storing hand-held power tools (20), accessories for the power tools (20), consumables (55) for the power tools (20) and/or other objects. It is suggested that a top section (30) of a housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4) comprises at least one movable part (32), which is adapted to be moved between a closed position and an opened position, wherein the at least one movable part (32) forms a receiving compartment (33) adapted for receiving the hand-held power tools (20), the accessories for the power tools (20), the consumables (55) for the power tools (20) and/or the other objects when in its opened position.

Description

[0001] In general, the present invention belongs to the field of vacuum suction devices, preferably for use in connection with hand-held power tools, which produce dust or powdered particles during their intended use, e.g. in connection with hand-held sanders, polishers or grinders. In particular, the invention refers to a mobile workstation comprising a mobile vacuum dust suction device and a storage unit attached to the mobile vacuum dust suction device and adapted for storing hand-held power tools, accessories for the power tools, consumables for the power tools and/or other objects. The vacuum dust suction device is similar to a conventional vacuum cleaner used in a household or by hobby craftsmen, only that the vacuum dust suction device is generally more powerful and more effective in terms of air throughput, dust capacity and filtering efficiency.

[0002] The main idea of such a mobile workstation is to combine an industrial vacuum cleaner with a storage unit in order to allow an easy and flexible manoeuvring of the workstation to an intended working position and at the same time to provide for sufficient functional storage options in the mobile workstation in order to have all necessary hand-held power tools, accessories for the power tools, consumables for the power tools and/or other objects handy within reach for a user in the working position. This allows an optimisation of the working process, e.g. during repair, refurbishing and/or polishing of surfaces of vehicle or boat bodies.

[0003] Basically, there are two different types of mobile workstations known in the prior art. A first type is based on a mobile trolley comprising a storage unit adapted for storing hand-held power tools, accessories for the power tools, consumables for the power tools and/or other objects. Further, the trolley also comprises a storage compartment for a vacuum dust suction device. Such mobile workstations are offered and sold by the US-based company Norton under the name of "Vac Rack". A second type is based on a mobile vacuum dust suction device and a storage unit attached to the mobile vacuum dust suction device and adapted for storing hand-held power tools, accessories for the power tools, consumables for the power tools and/or other objects. For example, the Finnish company KWH Mirka offers and sells workstations of the second type for its vacuum cleaner 1230. Further, the German company Festool offers and sells such a workstation named "Festool 497471 CT Workcenter WCR-1000".

[0004] The known mobile workstations have the disadvantage that they have only a relatively limited flexibility in terms of type and number of power tools, accessories, consumables and other objects which can be stored in the storage unit of the mobile workstation. In particular, the storage units of the know mobile workstations have a predominantly static structure resulting either in a sufficiently large storage capacity of the storage unit when in use but a large space required by the workstations even when not in use or in a small space required by the workstations when not in use but a rather limited storage capacity when in use.

[0005] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide for a mobile workstation having a larger degree of flexibility, in particular comprising a storage unit, which on the one hand has a large storage capacity when in use and on the other hand requires only a very limited amount of space when not in use.

[0006] This object is solved by a mobile workstation comprising the features of claim 1. In particular, starting from the mobile workstation of the above-identified kind, it is suggested that a top section of a housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device comprises at least one movable part, which is adapted to be moved between a closed position and an opened position, wherein the at least one movable part forms a receiving compartment adapted for receiving the hand-held power tools, the accessories for the power tools, the consumables for the power tools and/or the other objects when in its opened position.

[0007] In the mobile workstation according to the present invention the mobility of the workstation is preferably achieved by means of a mobile vacuum dust suction device being provided with wheels. The vacuum dust suction device is similar to a conventional vacuum cleaner used in a household or by hobby craftsmen, only that the vacuum dust suction device is generally more powerful and more effective in terms of air throughput, dust capacity and filtering efficiency. The vacuum dust suction device comprises a housing, preferably made of plastic and/or metal, which may consist of two separate parts. A first bottom part of the housing may have the form of a chamber and is adapted for receiving a primary filter element, for example in the form of a vacuum cleaner bag. The bottom part of the housing is equipped with wheels in order to allow free movement of the vacuum dust suction device on the floor of a space where it is used. Furthermore, the bottom part of the housing comprises at least one air inlet opening for attachment of a first end of a vacuum hose for aspiring dust laden air, e.g. coming from a hand-held power tool, for example a sander, grinder or polisher. The opposite end of the vacuum hose may be attached to the power tool.

[0008] A second top part of the housing may comprise electric or pneumatic driving means (e.g. an electric or pneumatic motor and a turbine) for creating the vacuum for aspiring the dust laden air. The top part of the housing may be releasably attached to the bottom part of the housing, for example by means of quick release clamping elements. Furthermore, the top part of the housing may comprise electronic and/or pneumatic input and output means for controlling operation of the vacuum dust suction device, for example pushbuttons, rotary switches and/or electric mains sockets, pneumatic sockets.

[0009] Furthermore, the mobile workstation comprises a storage unit attached to the mobile vacuum dust suction device and adapted for storing hand-held power tools, accessories for the power tools, consumables for the power tools and/or other objects. The storage unit may comprise storage shelves, containers, compartments, a paper holder and/or a support arm for supporting the vacuum hose of the mobile vacuum dust suction device. According to the invention it is suggested that a top section of the top part of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device comprises at least one movable part, which is adapted to be moved between a closed position and an opened position. The at least one movable part forms a receiving compartment adapted for receiving the hand-held power tools, the accessories for the power tools, the consumables for the power tools and/or the other objects when the movable part is moved into its opened position. This has the advantage that the at least one movable part can be moved into its closed position when the mobile workstation is not in use, thereby taking up as little space as possible. On the other hand, when the at least one movable part is in its opened position, it provides for an additional receiving compartment with a large amount of storage space. Furthermore, the at least one movable part of the top section provides for additional walls and cavities in the region of the top section when the at least one movable part is in its closed position, thereby leading to a significant reduction of the noise emitted by the electric or pneumatic driving means for creating the vacuum during the intended use of the vacuum dust suction device.

[0010] Preferably, the top section of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device comprises a first receiving section adapted for receiving and fastening at least one container embodied as an entity separate from the mobile vacuum dust suction device, when the at least one movable part is in its closed position. According to this embodiment, even when the at least one movable part is in its closed position, at least one container may be received and fastened at the first receiving section provided on the top section of the top part of the housing. The at least one container is preferably of a standard type, like the systainer® from the German company Tanos GmbH. To this end, the first receiving section on the top section of the housing has an essentially even extension corresponding to the bottom surface of the container. Furthermore, depending on the type of container to be received and fastened, the first receiving section may be provided with recesses and/or protrusions for positioning and holding the container in a pre-defined position. Finally, still depending on the type of container to be received and fastened, the first receiving section may be provided with securing means for releasably fixing the container to the top part of the housing.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the top section of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device comprises a second receiving section adapted for receiving and fastening at least one container embodied as an entity separate from the mobile vacuum dust suction device, when the at least one movable part is in its opened position. According to this embodiment, when the at least one movable part is in its opened position and offers the storage compartment, at least one container may be received and fastened at the second receiving section. The container may be box-like closed by a lid or bowl-like open and accessible from the top. The second receiving section may be identical to the first receiving section. However, it is preferred that the first and second receiving sections are different from one another. Hence, when the at least one movable part of the top section of the housing is in its closed position, only the first receiving section is accessible. When the at least one movable part of the top section of the housing is in its opened position, only the second receiving section is accessible.

[0012] The at least one container is preferably box-like of a standard type, like the systainer® from the German company Tanos GmbH. To this end, the second receiving section has an essentially even extension corresponding to the bottom surface of the container. Furthermore, depending on the type of container to be received and fastened, the second receiving section may be provided with recesses and/or protrusions for positioning and holding the container in a pre-defined position. Finally, still depending on the type of container to be received and fastened, the second receiving section may be provided with securing means for releasably attaching the container to the top part of the housing in the pre-defined position. According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is suggested that the top section of the top part of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device comprises a third receiving section adapted for receiving and fastening at least one partition wall, when the at least one movable part is in its opened position. According to this embodiment, with the at least one movable part in its opened position, the storage unit not only offers one or more storage compartments but also a partition wall for storing the hand-held power tools, the accessories for the power tools, the consumables for the power tools and/or the other objects. To this end the partition wall may be provided with shelves, hooks and holders. The partition wall may be embodied as a perforated plate with a plurality of holes, preferably evenly distributed in respect to one another along the entire plate. The shelves, hooks and holders may then be individually positioned and releasably attached to the perforated plate using one or more of the holes. The partition wall is made of plastic or metal. When not in use, the partition wall is preferably stored at another position, in particular a position not making part of the mobile workstation, for example in a separate storage compartment provided between two vertical bars of a handle of the mobile workstation. The third receiving section may be an integral part of the second receiving section, allowing alternative receipt and attachment of either a container or the partition wall by the top section of the housing, when the at least one movable part is in its opened position.

[0013] Preferably, the third receiving section of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device comprises two guiding rails each adapted to be hinged between a folded position and an unfolded position about a hinge axis extending in an essentially horizontal plane such that the guiding rails in the unfolded position face each other and the partition wall may be inserted into and held by the guiding rails. It is suggested that the top section of the top part of the housing comprises recesses for receiving the guiding rails in their folded positions, thereby forming an even surface of the second receiving section. Hence, when the guiding rails are in their folded positions, at least one container may be received and releasably attached to the second receiving section. When there is no container received and attached to the second receiving section, the guiding rails may be hinged into their unfolded position and the partition wall may be inserted into and held by the guiding rails. The guiding rails have an essentially vertical extension in their unfolded position so the partition wall inserted therein also has a vertical extension.

[0014] The at least one movable part of the top section of the top part of the housing may have many different embodiments in order to provide for the at least one storage compartment when the at least one movable part is in its opened position. For example, it is suggested that the at least one movable part is in the form of a drawer which is adapted to be moved in an essentially horizontal plane between the closed position and the opened position by means of at least one linear guiding element. Preferably, the at least one linear guiding element has a horizontal extension. Preferably, two linear guiding elements are assigned to each drawer. The linear guiding elements are provided on the external surfaces of two opposite lateral sides of the drawer.

[0015] Alternatively, it is suggested that the at least one movable part is in the form of a lid element adapted to be hinged between the closed position and the opened position about a hinge axis extending in an essentially horizontal plane. Preferably, the hinge axis of the at least one lid element extends in a horizontal plane parallel to a longitudinal extension of the mobile workstation so that the at least one lid element can be hinged to a lateral side of the housing. It is further preferred that the mobile workstation comprises two lid elements, which may be hinged to both lateral sides of the housing providing for a symmetrical design in respect to the longitudinal extension of the mobile workstation when the lid elements are in their closed positions as well as when they are in their opened positions. The lid elements can be embodied bowl-like open and freely accessible from the top when in their opened position. Alternatively, the lid elements at least when in their opened position can also be closed by an additional lid. The inside of the lid elements is accessible from the top only when the additional lid is open. The additional lid may be hinged to the rest of the lid elements. When closed, the additional lid is held at the rest of the lid elements by means of a snap closure, magnets or other closure means. In that way the additional lid will stay closed, even if the lid elements are brought into their closed position, and objects contained in the lid elements will not fall out. The lid elements can be held in their closed position by means of magnetic force. To this end the top part of the vacuum cleaner and the lid elements are provided with respective magnetic elements and/or ferromagnetic elements.

[0016] Preferably, the or each lid element has an external side surface which is adapted to rest against a lateral side surface of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device when the or each lid element is in its opened position, wherein the hinge axis is located between the external side surface of the lid element and the lateral side surface of the rest of the top part of the housing. The resting of the external side surface of the lid element rests against the lateral side surface of the housing when the lid element is in its opened position provides for a very stable and strong storage compartment when the lid element is in its opened position.

[0017] According to yet another alternative embodiment, the at least one movable part is in the form of a lid element of the housing, the lid element being adapted to be moved between the closed position and the opened position by means of a guiding mechanism acting between the at least one lid element and the rest of the top part of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device. Preferably, the guiding mechanism comprises at least two guiding rods on opposite sides of the at least one lid element and providing for a translator motion of the at least one lid element between the closed position and the opened position. It is suggested that an external side surface of the at least one lid element rests against a lateral side surface of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device when the at least one lid element is in its opened position.

[0018] It is further suggested that the mobile workstation comprises a handle adjustable between an inserted position and at least one extracted position, the handle comprising a handlebar adapted for being gripped by a user in order to freely move the mobile workstation over a floor in space, wherein the handlebar is height-adjustable by extracting and inserting the handle, and the handlebar is securable in the at least one extracted position. Preferably, the handle has two telescopic bars with an essentially vertical extension, a static telescopic element of each vertical bar being attached to the mobile dust suction device, in particular to the bottom part of the housing. The opposite extractable telescopic element is attached to the handlebar. Securing of the handlebar in a desired extracted position is preferably achieved by means of a quick lock or quick clamping mechanism. The height-adjustable handle has the advantage that the handle may be completely inserted if the mobile workstation is not in use and/or the handle is not needed, thereby requiring only very little space.

[0019] Preferably, at least one storage shelf is attached to the handle in a manner foldable about an essentially horizontal folding axis, wherein the storage shelf is adapted to be folded about the folding axis between a resting position and a working position, and wherein the storage shelf is adapted to be held or secured in its working position. The at least one storage shelf is preferably attached to two vertical bars of the handle, in particular to extractable elements of vertical telescopic bars of the handle so that the height of the at least one storage shelf may be adjusted together with the height-adjustment of the handlebar. When the storage shelf is not needed, it may be brought into the resting position, thereby requiring only very little space. When one or more of the storage shelves are needed, they may be folded into the working position thereby providing additional storage space for hand-held power tools, accessories for the power tools, consumables for the power tools and/or other objects. When the storage shelf is in its working position, one or more support bars can be brought into a support position below the storage shelf supporting and holding the storage shelf in the working position. In particular, the support bars may be hinged into the positions below the storage shelf about a hinge axis. The hinge axis of the support bars runs essentially perpendicular to the folding axis of the storage shelf, hence in a vertical direction. An upper support surface of the support bars when in their support position extends essentially in the same plane as a bottom surface of the storage shelf when in its working position.

[0020] Furthermore, it is suggested that the mobile workstation comprises at least one support arm rotatable about an essentially vertical rotation axis, having an upper section with an essentially horizontal extension and adapted for supporting a vacuum hose of the mobile vacuum dust suction device. The at least one support arm is preferably attached to the handle and may be height-adjusted together with the handle. Alternatively, the support arm could also be attached to a static part of the housing, preferably to the bottom part of the housing, or to a static telescopic element of the vertical telescopic bars of the handle, with which the handlebar is attached to the housing, preferably to the bottom part of the housing. Preferably, the support arm comprises clamping elements for a releasable attachment of the vacuum hose of the mobile vacuum dust suction device.

[0021] According to another preferred embodiment it is suggested that the mobile workstation comprises at least two supporting legs each adapted to be moved between a folded position, in which it lies against a side of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device, and an unfolded position, in which it extends away from the side of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device, preferably away from the housing in a radial direction. Intermediate positions can be defined between the folded position and the unfolded position. The supporting legs can be releasably fixed in their respective positions, e.g. by means of a detent mechanism, a quick lock mechanism or a quick clamping mechanism. Distal ends of the supporting legs each comprise a supporting element which is height adjustable in order to be able to be brought into contact with a floor, on which the mobile workstation stands, when the supporting legs are in their unfolded position. The supporting legs provide for a high stability of the mobile workstation during its intended use. In their folded position with the retracted supporting elements the supporting legs require only very little space. In their unfolded position with the extended supporting elements the supporting legs increase the standing surface of the mobile workstation. The supporting legs are preferably attached to the bottom part of the housing, in particular to vertical bars of the handle attached to the bottom part of the housing.

[0022] It is suggested that the supporting legs are rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation thereby moving the supporting legs between the folded position and the unfolded position, and wherein the supporting elements are attached to the distal ends of the supporting legs by means of vertical threaded connections. In this embodiment the supporting elements can be retracted and extended in a vertical direction by rotating them in the threaded connections.

[0023] Alternatively, it is suggested that the supporting legs are rotatable about an axis of rotation having an extension slightly inclined in respect to a vertical extension, thereby moving the supporting legs between the folded position and the unfolded position. Due to the inclination of the axis of rotation, the supporting elements are lowered when the supporting legs are brought in the unfolded position and raised when the supporting legs are brought in the folded position. In this embodiment the supporting elements are automatically retracted and extended in a vertical direction by moving the supporting legs between the folded position and the unfolded position.

[0024] Furthermore, according to another preferred embodiment, it is suggested that at least one wing wall is attached to the mobile workstation in a manner foldable about an essentially vertical folding axis, wherein the at least one wing wall is adapted to be folded about the folding axis between a resting position and a working position. Intermediate positions can be defined between the resting position and the working position. The wing walls can be releasably fixed in their respective positions, e.g. by means of a detent mechanism, a quick lock mechanism or a quick clamping mechanism. The at least one wing wall is preferably attached to a vertical bar of the handle, in particular to extractable elements of a vertical telescopic bar of the handle so that the height of the at least one wing wall may be adjusted together with the height-adjustment of the handlebar. Attachment of the at least one wing wall to the handle is such that the wing wall is foldable about the essentially vertical folding axis between the resting position and the working position. The at least one wing wall is preferably embodied as a perforated plate with a plurality of holes, preferably evenly distributed in respect to one another along the entire plate surface. Shelves, hooks and holders may be individually positioned and releasably attached to the perforated plate using one or more of the holes. The at least one wing wall is made of plastic or metal. Preferably, the mobile workstation has two wing walls each of which is attached to a vertical bar of the handle. With both wing walls in their unfolded position, a symmetric design of the mobile workstation in respect to its longitudinal extension can be maintained. Preferably, the unfolded position of the wing walls extends to opposite lateral sides of the mobile workstation.

[0025] Further features and advantages of the present invention are described in more detail in the following description referring to the enclosed drawings. These show:

Figure 1

a mobile workstation according to the present invention in a preferred embodiment in a perspective front view with movable parts of a top section of a housing of a mobile vacuum dust suction device in their closed position;

Figure 2

the mobile workstation from figure 1 in a perspective front view with a container attached to a first receiving section of the top section of the housing;

Figure 3

the mobile workstation from figure 1 in a front view with a hand-held power tool attached thereto by means of a vacuum hose;

Figure 4

the mobile workstation from figure 3 in a perspective rear view;

Figure 5

the mobile workstation from figure 1 in a perspective front view with movable parts of a top section of a housing of a mobile vacuum dust suction device in their opened position;

Figure 6

the mobile workstation from figure 5 in a front view;

Figure 7

the mobile workstation from figure 5 in a perspective rear view with a container attached to a second receiving section of the top section of the housing;

Figure 8

the mobile workstation from figure 5 in a perspective rear view with a partition wall attached to a third receiving section of the top section of the housing;

Figure 9

the mobile workstation from figure 7 in a perspective front view;

Figure 10

a top section of a housing of a mobile vacuum dust suction device of a mobile workstation according to the invention with an alternative embodiment of the movable parts; and

Figure 11

a top section of a housing of a mobile vacuum dust suction device of a mobile workstation according to the invention with yet another alternative embodiment of the movable parts.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a mobile workstation 2 according to the present invention in a first preferred embodiment. The workstation 2 comprises a mobile vacuum dust suction device 4 and a storage unit 6 attached to the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4.

[0027] The vacuum dust suction device 4 is similar to a conventional vacuum cleaner used in a household or by hobby craftsmen, only that the vacuum dust suction device 4 is generally more powerful and more effective in terms of air throughput, dust capacity and filtering efficiency. The vacuum dust suction device 4 comprises a housing which in this embodiment is made up of two parts 8, 10. A first bottom part 8 of the housing may have the form of a dust and debris collecting chamber and is adapted for receiving a primary filter element (not shown), for example in the form of a vacuum cleaner bag made of paper or a fabric. The bottom part 8 of the housing is equipped with wheels 12 in order to allow free movement of the vacuum dust suction device 4 on a floor 14 of a space where it is used. Hence, mobility of the workstation 2 is achieved by means of the wheels 12 of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4. Furthermore, the bottom part 8 of the housing comprises at least one air inlet opening 16 for attachment of a first end of at least one vacuum hose 18 (see figure 3) for aspiring dust laden air from a hand-held power tool 20, e.g. a sander, grinder or polisher. The opposite end of the vacuum hose 18 is connected to the power tool 20, in particular to an active or passive dust suction arrangement of the power tool 20.

[0028] The second top part 10 of the housing in this embodiment comprises electric or pneumatic driving means (not shown) for creating the vacuum in order to aspire the dust laden air through the vacuum hose 18 into the chamber formed by the bottom part 8 of the housing. The driving means can comprise one or more electric or pneumatic motors and turbines. The top part 10 of the housing may be releasably attached to the bottom part 8 of the housing, for example by means of quick release clamping elements 22. Furthermore, the top part 10 of the housing may comprise electronic and/or pneumatic input and output means for controlling operation of the vacuum dust suction device 4, for example pushbuttons, rotary switches 24 and/or electric mains sockets 26, pneumatic sockets 28.

[0029] Furthermore, the mobile workstation 2 comprises the storage unit 6 attached to the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4 and adapted for storing hand-held power tools, like for instance the power tool 20, accessories for the power tools (e.g. different backing pads, tools for releasing and fastening backing pads, tools for detaching sanding paper or polishing pads from backing pads), consumables for the power tools (e.g. sanding paper, polishing pads, abrasive pastes, rechargeable batteries) and/or other objects (e.g. conventional tools like screwdrivers, hammers, or cloths, sponges). The storage unit 6 may comprise storage shelves (like shelf 80), receiving sections (like sections 40, 46) for containers (like container 42), compartments, a paper towel holder (like paper towel holder 100), a support arm (like support arm 88) for supporting the vacuum hose 18 of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4, which will all be described in further detail below. According to the invention it is suggested that a top section 30 of the top part 10 of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4 comprises at least one movable part 32, which is adapted to be moved between a closed position and an opened position. The at least one movable part 32 forms a receiving compartment 33 (see figures 5 to 9) adapted for receiving the hand-held power tools, the accessories for the power tools, the consumables for the power tools and/or the other objects when the movable part 32 is in its opened position.

[0030] In the embodiment of figure 1 there are two movable parts 32, which are in the form of a lid element 32' adapted to be hinged between the closed position (see figures 1 to 4) and the opened position (see figures 5 to 9) about a hinge axis 34 extending in an essentially horizontal plane. Preferably, the hinge axes 34 of the lid elements 32' extend in a horizontal plane parallel to a longitudinal extension of the mobile workstation 2 so that the lid elements 32' can be hinged to a lateral side of the housing. The two lid elements 32' are hinged to both lateral sides of the housing providing for a symmetrical design in respect to the longitudinal extension of the mobile workstation 2 when the lid elements 32' are in their closed position as well as when they are in their opened position.

[0031] Preferably, the or each lid element 32' has an external side surface 36 which is adapted to rest against a lateral side surface 38 of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4 when the or each lid element 32' is in its opened position, wherein the hinge axis 34 is located between the external side surface 36 of the lid element 32' and the lateral side surface 38 of the housing. This provides for a very stable and strong storage compartment 33 when the lid element 32' is in its opened position (see figures 5 to 9).

[0032] Preferably, the top section 30 of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4 comprises a first receiving section 40 (see figure 1) adapted for receiving and fastening at least one container 42 (see figures 2 to 4) when the at least one movable part 32 is in its closed position. For example, the container 42 is embodied as an entity separate from the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4. In particular, the container 42 is preferably of a standard type, like the systainer® from the German company Tanos GmbH. However, any other container 42 could be used, too. It is possible that only one container 42 is received and fastened to the first receiving section 40 of the housing. Alternatively, it would also be possible that two smaller containers 42 (having half the footprint of the previously mentioned container) are received and fastened side by side to the first receiving section 40 of the housing. Finally, it would also be possible to attach a plurality of containers 42 (having the same or different footprint sizes) on top of each other to the first receiving section 40.

[0033] When the at least one movable part 32 is in its closed position, the first receiving section 40 is accessible and the at least one container 42 may be received and fastened at the first receiving section 40 provided on the top section 30 of the top part 10 of the housing. To this end, the first receiving section 40 on the top section 30 of the housing has an essentially even or planar extension essentially corresponding to the bottom surface of the container 42. Furthermore, depending on the type of container 42 to be received and fastened, the first receiving section 40 may be provided with recesses 44 and/or protrusions (not shown) for positioning and holding the container 42 in a pre-defined position. Finally, still depending on the type of container 42 to be received and fastened, the first receiving section 40 may be provided with securing means (not shown) for releasably attaching the container 42 to the top part 10 of the housing. Alternatively, the securing means could also be provided at the bottom region of the container 42 in order to interact with corresponding elements on the first receiving section 40 and/or the top section 30 and/or the top part 10 of the housing.

[0034] Preferably, the top section 30 of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4 comprises a second receiving section 46 (see figure 5) adapted for receiving and fastening at least one container 42 (see figures 7 and 9) when the at least one movable part 32 is in its opened position. The container 42 is embodied as an entity separate from the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4. Further, the container 42 is preferably of a standard type, like the systainer® from the German company Tanos GmbH. When the at least one movable part 32 is in its opened position and offers the storage compartment 33, the second receiving section 46 is accessible and the at least one container 42 may be received and fastened at the second receiving section 46. The second receiving section 46 may be identical to the first receiving section 40 (see figure 10). However, it is preferred that the first and second receiving sections 40, 46 are different from one another. The second receiving section 46 has an essentially even extension corresponding to the bottom surface of the container 42. Furthermore, depending on the type of container 42 to be received and fastened, the second receiving section 46 may be provided with recesses 48 and/or protrusions (not shown) for positioning and holding the container 42 in a pre-defined position. Finally, still depending on the type of container 42 to be received and fastened, the second receiving section 46 may be provided with securing means (not shown) for releasably attaching the container 42 to the top part 10 of the housing when the at least one movable part 32 is in its opened position. Alternatively, the securing means could also be provided on the container 42.

[0035] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is suggested that the top section 30 of the top part 10 of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4 comprises a third receiving section 50 (see figure 5) adapted for receiving and fastening at least one partition wall 52 (see figure 8), when the at least one movable part 32 is in its opened position. According to this embodiment, with the at least one movable part 32 in its opened position, the storage unit 6 not only offers one or more storage compartments 33 but also the possibility to attach a partition wall 52 for storing the hand-held power tools 20, the accessories for the power tools, the consumables 55 for the power tools and/or the other objects. To this end the partition wall 52 may be provided with shelves, hooks 54 and holders. In the embodiment shown in figure 8 hooks 54 are provided for consumables 55 in the form of sanding papers possibly with different grain sizes or granularities. The partition wall 52 may be embodied as a perforated plate with a plurality of holes 56, preferably evenly distributed in respect to one another along the entire plate 52. The shelves, hooks 54 and holders may then be individually positioned and attached to the perforated plate 52 using one or more of the holes 56. The partition wall 52 is made of plastic or metal. When not in use, the partition wall 52 is stored at another position, preferably making part of the mobile workstation 2, for example in a separate storage compartment 58 (see figures 4 and 7) provided between two vertical bars 60 of a handle 62 of the mobile workstation 2. The third receiving section 50 may be an integral part of the second receiving section 46, allowing alternative receipt and attachment of either a container 42 or the partition wall 52 by the top section 30 of the housing, when the at least one movable part 32 is in its opened position.

[0036] Preferably, the third receiving section 50 of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4 comprises two guiding rails 64 (see figures 5 and 8) each adapted to be hinged between a folded position (see figure 5) and an unfolded position (see figure 8) about a hinge axis 66 extending in an essentially horizontal plane such that the guiding rails 64 in the unfolded position face each other and the partition wall 52 may be inserted into and held by the guiding rails 64. It is suggested that the top section 30 of the top part 10 of the housing comprises recesses (not shown) for receiving the guiding rails 64 in their folded position (see figure 5), thereby forming the even surface of the second receiving section 46. Hence, when the guiding rails 64 are in their folded position, at least one container 42 may be received and releasably attached to the second receiving section 46. When there is no container 42 received and attached to the second receiving section 46, the guiding rails 64 may be hinged into their unfolded position and the partition wall 52 may be inserted into and held by the guiding rails 64 (see figure 8). The guiding rails 64 have an essentially vertical extension in their unfolded position so the partition wall 52 inserted therein also has a vertical extension essentially perpendicular to the horizontal extension of the second receiving section 46.

[0037] Other than the hinged lid 32' shown in figures 1 to 8, the at least one movable part 32 of the top section 30 of the top part 10 of the housing may have many different embodiments in order to provide for the at least one storage compartment 33 when the at least one movable part 32 is in its opened position. For example, in the embodiment of figure 10 it is suggested that the at least one movable part 32 is in the form of at least one drawer 32" which is adapted to be moved in an essentially horizontal plane between the closed position and the opened position by means of at least one linear guiding element 68. Preferably, the at least one linear guiding element 68 has a horizontal extension. It is suggested that two linear guiding elements 68 are assigned to each drawer 32". The linear guiding elements 68 are provided on the external surfaces of two opposite lateral sides 70 of the drawer 32".

[0038] According to yet another alternative embodiment shown in figure 11, the at least one movable part 32 is in the form of a lid element 32"' adapted to be moved between the closed position and the opened position by means of a guiding mechanism 72 acting between the at least one lid element 32"' and the rest of the top part 10 of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4. In the embodiment of figure 11 there are four lid elements 32"', which are movable in respect to the top part 10 of the housing, two lid elements 32"' on each side of the housing. Preferably, the guiding mechanism 72 comprises at least two guiding rods 74 on opposite sides of the at least one lid element 32"' and providing for a translator motion of the at least one lid element 32"' between the closed position and the opened position. In the shown embodiment with two lid elements 32"' on each side of the top part 10 of the housing, there are three guiding rods 74 provided on opposite sides of the lid elements 32"'. An external side surface of the at least one lid element 32"' may rest against a lateral side surface 38 of the top part 10 of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4 when the at least one lid element 32'" is in its opened position. Alternatively, a bottom surface of the at least one lid element 32"' may rest against a top surface of the top part 10 of the housing or of another lid element 32"' provided below the lid element 32"'.

[0039] It is further suggested that the mobile workstation 2 comprises a handle 62 adjustable between an inserted position and a plurality of extracted positions, the handle 62 comprising a handlebar 76 adapted for being gripped by a user in order to freely move the mobile workstation 2 over a floor 14 in space. The handlebar 76 is height-adjustable by extracting and inserting vertical bars 60 of the handle 62. The handlebar 76 is securable in at least one of the extracted positions. Preferably, the handle 62 has two telescopic bars 60 with an essentially vertical extension and with a bottom end of the bars 60 attached to the mobile dust suction device 4 or the bottom part 8 of the dust suction device 4, respectively. Securing of the handlebar 76 in a desired extracted position is achieved by means of a quick lock or quick clamping mechanism 78. The height-adjustable handle 62 has the advantage that the handle 62 may be inserted if the mobile workstation 2 is not in use and/or the handle 62 is not needed, thereby requiring only very little space.

[0040] Preferably, at least one storage shelf 80 is attached to the handle 62 in a manner foldable about an essentially horizontal folding axis 82. The storage shelf 80 is adapted to be folded about the folding axis 82 between a resting position (see figures 1 and 2) and a working position (see figures 3 to 9). When the storage shelf 80 is not needed, it may be brought into the resting position, thereby requiring only very little space, e.g. between the vertical bars 60 of the handle 62. When one or more of the storage shelves 80 are needed, they may be folded into their working positions thereby providing additional storage space for hand-held power tools 20, accessories for the power tools, consumables 55 for the power tools and/or other objects. The at least one storage shelf 80 is adapted to be held and/or secured in its working position. When the storage shelf 80 is in its working position, one or more support bars 84 can be brought into a support position below the storage shelf 80 thereby supporting and maintaining the storage shelf 80 in the working position. In particular, the support bars 84 may be hinged into the support positions below the storage shelf 80 about a hinge axis 86. The hinge axes 86 run essentially perpendicular to the folding axis 84 of the storage shelf 80. Upper support surfaces of the support bars 84 when in their support positions extend essentially in the same plane as a bottom surface of the storage shelf 80 when in its working position. The at least one storage shelf 80 is preferably attached to two vertical bars 60 of the handle 62, in particular to extractable elements of vertical telescopic bars 60 of the handle 62 so that the height of the at least one storage shelf 80 may be adjusted together with the height-adjustment of the handlebar 76.

[0041] Furthermore, it is suggested that the mobile workstation 2 comprises at least one support arm 88 rotatable about an essentially vertical rotation axis 90. The support arm 88 has an upper section 92 with an essentially horizontal extension and is adapted for supporting a vacuum hose 18 of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4. The at least one support arm 88 is preferably attached to the handle 62, in particular to extractable elements of vertical telescopic bars 60 of the handle 62, and may be height-adjusted together with the handle 62. Alternatively, the support arm 88 could also be attached to a static part of the housing, preferably to the bottom part 8 of the housing, or to static telescopic elements of the vertical telescopic bars 60 of the handle 62, with which the handle 62 is attached to the housing, preferably to the bottom part 8 of the housing. The support arm 88 may comprise clamping elements 94 for a releasable attachment of the vacuum hose 18 of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4.

[0042] According to another preferred embodiment it is suggested that the mobile workstation 2 comprises at least two supporting legs 96 each adapted to be moved between a folded position (see figures 1 to 4), in which it lies against a side of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4, and an unfolded position (see figures 5 to 9), in which it extends away from the side of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device 4. Distal ends of the supporting legs 96 each comprise a supporting element 98 which is height adjustable in order to able to be brought in contact with the floor 14, on which the mobile workstation 2 stands, when the supporting legs 96 are in their unfolded position. The supporting legs 96 provide for a high stability of the mobile workstation 2 during its intended use. In their folded position with the retracted supporting elements 98 the supporting legs 96 require only very little space. In their unfolded position with the extended supporting elements 98 the supporting legs 96 increase the standing surface of the mobile workstation 2. The supporting legs 96 are preferably attached to the bottom part 8 of the housing, in particular to vertical bars 60 of the handle 62 attached to the bottom part 8 of the housing.

[0043] The supporting legs 96 are rotatable about a vertical axis 99 of rotation thereby moving the supporting legs 96 between the folded position and the unfolded position. The vertical axis 99 of rotation runs essentially parallel to the vertical rotation axis 90 of the support bar 88. In the embodiments shown in the figures, the supporting elements 98 are attached to the distal ends of the supporting legs 96 by means of vertical threaded connections. In that case the supporting elements 98 can be retracted and extended in a vertical direction by rotating them in the threaded connections in respect to the distal ends of the supporting legs 96. Alternatively, the supporting elements 98 could also be attached to the distal ends of the supporting legs 96 by means of linear guiding mechanisms for allowing a vertical linear movement of the supporting elements 98 in respect to the distal ends of the supporting legs 96 into desired vertical positions in combination with quick release clamping elements for securing the supporting elements 98 in the desired vertical positions. Furthermore, it could also be possible to rotate the supporting elements 98 in respect to the respective supporting legs 96, which they are attached to, about an essentially horizontal axis in order to enhance ground clearance and to avoid that the supporting elements 98 touch the ground when the mobile workstation 2 is moved over the ground by means of the wheels 12.

[0044] According to yet another alternative (not shown in the figures), it is suggested that the supporting legs 96 are rotatable about an axis 90 of rotation having an extension slightly inclined in respect to a vertical extension, thereby allowing movement of the supporting legs 96 between the folded position and the unfolded position. The supporting elements 98 are fixed to the distal ends of the supporting legs 96 in a predefined position. The inclination of the axis 90 of rotation is such that when the supporting legs 96 are brought into the unfolded position the supporting elements 98 are automatically lowered and when the supporting legs 96 are brought into the folded position the supporting elements 98 are automatically raised. Hence, in this alternative embodiment the supporting elements 98 are automatically retracted and extended in a vertical direction by moving the supporting legs 96 between the folded position and the unfolded position.

[0045] Similar to the support arm 88 for the vacuum hose 18, a paper towel holder 100 may be provided at the other vertical bar 60 of the handle 62. The paper towel holder 100 may be height adjustable together with the handle 62. Further, the paper towel holder 100 may also be rotatable about an essentially vertical axis of rotation, running parallel to the vertical axis 90 of rotation of the support arm 88. The paper towel holder 100 may comprise a horizontal part (not visible in the figures) for receiving and carrying a paper towel roll 102. A distal end of the horizontal part of the paper towel holder 100 is provided with a stop element 104. For providing for an easy and fast replacement of empty paper towel rolls 102 with new ones, the stop element 104 may be releasably attached to the distal end of the horizontal part of the paper towel holder 100. The stop element 104 may be provided with a concave arcuate receiving section 106 facing upwards for receiving at least part of a power tool, such as power tool 20, and holding the power tool readily available for grasping by the user of the mobile workstation 2 (see figure 3). Instead of the paper towel holder 100, the mobile workstation 2 could also be provided with a second support arm, similar to support arm 88, for a second vacuum hose.

[0046] Furthermore, according to another preferred embodiment, it is suggested that at least one wing wall 108 is attached to the mobile workstation 2 in a manner foldable about an essentially vertical folding axis 110. The embodiment shown in the figures comprises two wing walls 108 each adapted to be folded about the folding axis 110 between a resting position (see figure 4) and a working position (see figures 5 to 9). The wing walls 108 are preferably attached to a vertical bar 60 of the handle 62, in particular to extractable elements of the telescopic bar 60 of the handle 62 so that the height of the wing walls 108 may be adjusted together with the height-adjustment of the handlebar 76. The wing walls 108 are preferably embodied as perforated plates with a plurality of holes 112, preferably evenly distributed in respect to one another along the entire plate 108. Shelves, hooks (corresponding to hooks 54) and holders 114 may be individually positioned and attached to the perforated plates 108 using one or more of the holes 112. The holders 114 may be embodied similar to the stop element 104 of the paper towel holder 100 with a concave arcuate receiving section 106 for receiving and holding power tools, like power tool 20. The wing walls 108 are made of plastic or metal.

Claims

1. Mobile workstation (2) comprising a mobile vacuum dust suction device (4) and a storage unit (6) attached to the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4) and adapted for storing hand-held power tools (20), accessories for the power tools (20), consumables (55) for the power tools (20) and/or other objects,
characterized in that
a top section (30) of a housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4) comprises at least one movable part (32), which is adapted to be moved between a closed position and an opened position, wherein the at least one movable part (32) forms a receiving compartment (33) adapted for receiving the hand-held power tools (20), the accessories for the power tools (20), the consumables (55) for the power tools (20) and/or the other objects when in its opened position.

2. Mobile workstation (2) according to claim 1, wherein the top section (30) of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4) comprises a first receiving section (40) adapted for receiving and fastening at least one container (42) embodied as an entity separate from the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4), when the at least one movable part (32) is in its closed position.

3. Mobile workstation (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the top section (30) of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4) comprises a second receiving section (46) adapted for receiving and fastening at least one container (42) embodied as an entity separate from the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4), when the at least one movable part (32) is in its opened position.

4. Mobile workstation (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the top section (30) of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4) comprises a third receiving section (50) adapted for receiving and fastening at least one partition wall (52), when the at least one movable part (32) is in its opened position.

5. Mobile workstation (2) according to claim 4, wherein the top section (30) of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4) comprises two guiding rails (64) each adapted to be hinged between a folded position and an unfolded position about a hinge axis (66) extending in an essentially horizontal plane such that the guiding rails (64) in the unfolded position face each other and the partition wall (52) may be inserted into and held by the guiding rails (64).

6. Mobile workstation (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one movable part is in the form of a drawer (32") which is adapted to be moved in an essentially horizontal plane between the closed position and the opened position by means of at least one linear guiding element (68).

7. Mobile workstation (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one movable part (32) is in the form of a lid element (32') adapted to be hinged between the closed position and the opened position about a hinge axis (34) extending in an essentially horizontal plane.

8. Mobile workstation (2) according to claim 7, wherein each of the at least one lid element (32') has an external side surface (36) which is adapted to rest against a lateral side surface (38) of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4) when the lid element (32') is in its opened position, wherein the hinge axis (34) is located between the external side surface (36) of the lid element (32') and the lateral side surface (38) of the housing.

9. Mobile workstation (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one movable part (32) is in the form of a lid element (32"') being adapted to be moved between the closed position and the opened position by means of a guiding mechanism (72) acting between the at least one lid element (32"') and the rest of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4).

10. Mobile workstation (2) according to claim 9, wherein the guiding mechanism (72) comprises at least two guiding rods (74) on opposing sides of the at least one lid element (32"') and providing for a translator motion of the at least one lid element (32'") between the closed position and the opened position with the at least one lid element (32'") in its opened position resting against a lateral side surface (38) of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4).

11. Mobile workstation (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile workstation (2) comprises a handle (62) adjustable between an inserted position and at least one extracted position, the handle (62) comprising a handlebar (76) adapted for being gripped by a user in order to freely move the mobile workstation (2) over a floor (14) in space, wherein the handlebar (76) is height-adjustable by extracting and inserting the handle (62), and the handlebar (76) is securable in the at least one extracted position.

12. Mobile workstation (2) according to claim 11, wherein a storage shelf (80) is attached to the handle (62) in a manner foldable about an essentially horizontal folding axis (82), wherein the storage shelf (88) is adapted to be folded about the folding axis (82) between a resting position and a working position, and wherein the storage shelf (80) is adapted to be held or secured in its working position.

13. Mobile workstation (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile workstation (2) comprises at least one support arm (88) rotatable about an essentially vertical rotation axis (90), having an upper section (92) with an essentially horizontal extension and adapted for supporting a vacuum hose (18) of the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4).

14. Mobile workstation (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile workstation (2) comprises at least two supporting legs (96) each adapted to be moved between a folded position, in which it lies against a side of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4), and an unfolded position, in which it extends away from the side of the housing of the mobile vacuum dust suction device (4), distal ends of the supporting legs (96) each comprising a supporting element (98) which is height adjustable in order to lie on a floor (14), on which the mobile workstation (2) stands.

15. Mobile workstation (2) according to claim 14, wherein the supporting legs (96) are rotatable about a vertical axis (99) of rotation thereby moving the supporting legs (96) between the folded position and the unfolded position.

16. Mobile workstation (2) according to claim 14, wherein the supporting legs are rotatable about an axis (99) of rotation having an extension slightly inclined in respect to a vertical extension, thereby moving the supporting legs (96) between the folded position and the unfolded position, and due to the inclination of the axis (99) of rotation thereby simultaneously lowering the supporting elements (98) in the unfolded position of the supporting legs (96) and raising the supporting elements (98) in the folded position of the supporting legs (96).

17. Mobile workstation (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one wing wall (108) is attached to the mobile workstation (2) in a manner foldable about an essentially vertical folding axis (110), wherein the at least one wing wall (108) is adapted to be folded about the folding axis (110) between a resting position and a working position.

Drawing