Work Surface Device

Abstract

A work surface device has an upper member with a substantially planar top surface. A support is secured to the upper member for supporting the upper member on a support member with the planar top surface in a generally horizontal orientation. The support has a fastener or clamping device at its lower end for releasable engagement with a portion of the support member. A work board of shape and dimensions generally matching the shape and dimensions of the top surface may be placed on the top surface. The work board and upper member have aligned openings in which a receptacle may be seated or through which waste may be discarded into a container beneath the work surface. In one arrangement, the clamping device is secured to the upper rim of a container with the work surface spaced above the open upper end of the container.

1 . A work surface device, comprising: 
 a rectangular upper member including four corners and an opening therein for disposing of waste on the work surface device through the opening and into an underlying container;    a rectangular work board removably placeable with respect to the upper member, the rectangular work board including a shape and dimensions generally matching the shape and dimensions of the upper member, the work board having an opening positioned for alignment with the opening of the upper member when the work board is placed on the top surface;    four respective legs extending downward from the four corners of the upper member for supporting the upper member a spaced vertical distance above a flat support member in a generally horizontal orientation, the four respective legs including a length sufficient to allow the container to be supported on the flat support member underneath the opening of the upper member so that waste on the work surface device is disposed through the opening and into the underlying container supported on the flat support member.    
   
   
       2 . The work surface device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper member has a raised rim surrounding the top surface and the raised rim has at least two opposing cut outs.  
   
   
       3 . The work surface device of  claim 2 , wherein the opening of the work board and the opening of the upper member have substantially the same size and configuration.  
   
   
       4 . The work surface of device of  claim 3 , wherein the container is at least one of a bowl and a pan.  
   
   
       5 . The work surface device of  claim 1 , wherein the work surface device includes means for facilitating the removal of the work board from the upper member.  
   
   
       6 . A work surface device, comprising: 
 an upper member;    a support secured to the upper member for supporting the upper member a spaced vertical distance above a support member with the upper member in a generally horizontal orientation;    the upper member having an opening therein for disposing of waste on the work surface device through the opening and into an underlying container.    
   
   
       7 . The work surface device of  claim 6 , wherein the upper member includes four corners and the support includes four respective legs extending downward from the four corners for supporting the upper member a spaced vertical distance above a flat support member.  
   
   
       8 . The work surface device of  claim 7 , wherein the four respective legs include a length sufficient to allow a container to be supported on the flat support member underneath the opening of the upper member so that waste on the work surface device is disposed through the opening and into the underlying container supported on the flat support member.  
   
   
       9 . The work surface of device of  claim 8 , wherein the opening of the work board and the opening of the upper member have substantially the same size and configuration.  
   
   
       10 . The work surface of device of  claim 6 , wherein the container is at least one of a sink, cooler, storage container, pan, pail, bucket, waste bin, bowl, pan, bin, tub, and receptacle.  
   
   
       11 . The work surface device of  claim 6 , wherein the support comprises at least two spaced, downwardly depending legs.  
   
   
       12 . The work surface device of  claim 6 , wherein the upper member has a raised rim surrounding the top surface and the raised rim has at least two opposing cut outs.  
   
   
       13 . The work surface device of  claim 6 , further including a work board with a shape and dimensions generally matching the shape and dimensions of the upper member, the work board having an opening positioned for alignment with the opening of the upper member when the work board is placed on the top surface.  
   
   
       14 . The work surface device of  claim 13 , wherein the work surface device includes means for facilitating the removal of the work board from the top surface of the upper member.  
   
   
       15 . The work surface device of  claim 13 , wherein the work board is made of a dishwasher safe plastic material.  
   
   
       16 . The work surface device of  claim 13 , wherein the work board is made of at least one of plastic, rubber, metal, wood, and glass.  
   
   
       17 . The work surface device of  claim 13 , wherein the work board and the upper member are rectangular.  
   
   
       18 . A method of using a work surface device, the work surface device including an upper member, a support secured to the upper member for supporting the upper member a spaced vertical distance above a support member with the upper member in a generally horizontal orientation, the upper member having an opening therein for disposing of waste on the work surface device through the opening and into an underlying container, the method comprising: 
 providing the work surface device on the support member so that the work surface device is spaced above the container so that a gap is provided between the upper member and an upper part of the container;    processing items on the work surface so that waste is created;    disposing of the waste on the work surface device through the opening in the support member and into an underlying container;    disposing of the waste in the underlying container.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including placing a work board with an opening on the upper member so that the opening in the work board is aligned with the opening in the upper member and processing items on the work surface includes processing items on the work board, and disposing of waste on the work surface device includes disposing of waste on the work board through the aligned openings and into an underlying container.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further including removing the work board from the work surface device, cleaning the work board, and placing the work board back on the upper member so that the opening in the work board is aligned with the opening in the upper member.