U.S. patent application number 09/811265 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-19 for table with recessed storage area.
Invention is credited to Donnelly, Brian F..
Application Number | 20020129746 09/811265 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25206055 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020129746 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Donnelly, Brian F. |
September 19, 2002 |
Table with recessed storage area
Abstract
A table of the present invention has a substantially rectangular
table surface with a rectangular opening at one end providing a
recessed storage area. This storage area provides discrete and
easily accessible storage of items such as glasses, prescription
bottles, drinks, magnifiers, etc. One embodiment of the table is
provided with four legs including two legs with wheels and two legs
without wheels. The wheels or casters are positioned to allow an
elderly or disabled person to easily move the table. The legs
without wheels provide stability to the table and allow a person to
use the table to push up from a seated position. Other embodiments
of the table include additional work surfaces, storage pouches, and
other wheeled base configurations.
Inventors: |
Donnelly, Brian F.; (Davis,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Cindy A. Lynch
BURNS, DOANE, SWECKER & MATHIS, L. L. P.
P.O. Box 1404
Alexandria
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Family ID: |
25206055 |
Appl. No.: |
09/811265 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 21/00 20130101;
A47B 13/16 20130101; A47B 2200/0003 20130101; A47B 21/03 20130101;
A47B 23/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/25 |
International
Class: |
A47B 085/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A table comprising: a table surface; at least one support member
for supporting the table surface; an opening in the table surface;
a recessed storage area extending from the opening in the table
surface; and a removable insert within the recessed storage area
which can be removed for cleaning.
2. The table of claim 1, wherein the opening in the table surface
is substantially rectangular in shape.
3. The table of claim 1, wherein the at least one support member
comprises two table legs having wheels and two table legs without
wheels.
4. The table of claim 3, further comprising a removable storage
pouch attached to one side of the table surface.
5. The table of claim 1, wherein the table has length of about 3 to
about 6 feet and a width of about 11/2 to about 3 feet.
6. The table of claim 3, wherein the table has length of about 3 to
about 6 feet and a width of about 11/2 to about 3 feet.
7. The table of claim 1, wherein the table surface includes a first
surface which is tiltable and a second surface which is
stationary.
8. The table of claim 7, wherein the recessed storage area is
provided in the second surface.
9. A table comprising: a table surface; four table legs supporting
the table surface, two of the four table legs having wheels and two
of the four table legs without wheels; and a recessed storage area
provided in the table surface.
10. The table of claim 9, wherein the table includes a removable
storage pouch removably attached to one side of the table
surface.
11. The table of claim 9, wherein the table has length of about 3
to about 6 feet and a width of about 11/2 to about 3 feet.
12. The table of claim 9, wherein the table surface includes a
first surface which is tiltable and a second surface which is
stationary.
13. The table of claim 7, wherein the recessed storage area is
provided in the second surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a table, and more particularly, the
invention relates to a table with a recessed storage area for use
by elderly and disabled persons.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art
[0004] A growing segment of the population, primarily as a result
of the aging process experience some difficulty in sitting and
pulling their chair in to a comfortable distance to a table
surface. These people may also experience difficulty in rising from
a seated position when using traditional types of chairs and
tables. With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and a growing national consciousness concerning accommodating
the needs of the elderly and disabled, there is an ever increasing
need for devices to address these needs. The number of people who
are considered "elderly" is rapidly expanding as children of the
"Baby Boom" era move into their fifties and sixties. In addition,
research has shown that the number of people with permanent and
temporary disabilities has been continually rising over the past
decade.
[0005] Conventional tables have many limitations with respect to
providing maximum comfort and ease of use for the growing
populations of elderly and disabled. In particular, elderly and
disabled persons may have difficulty pulling themselves in to a
comfortable distance from a table once seated and may have
difficulty rising from their chair without the help of a sturdy
table surface. In addition, elderly and disabled who spend a large
amount of time seated want to have their personal items, such as
medications, glasses, and drinks, easily assessable while they are
seated.
[0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a table which
is designed for ease of use by the elderly and disabled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a table with a recessed
storage area designed for use by the elderly and disabled.
[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
table includes a table surface, at least one support member for
supporting the table surface, an opening in the table surface, a
recessed storage area extending from the opening in the table
surface, and a removable insert within the recessed storage area
which can be removed for cleaning.
[0009] In accordance with an additional aspect of the present
invention, a table includes a table surface, four table legs
supporting the table surface, two of the four table legs having
wheels and two of the four table legs without wheels, and a
recessed storage area provided in the table surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention will now be described in greater detail with
reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which like elements bear like reference
numerals, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a companion table with a
recessed storage area according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a computer table according to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a workstation according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a children's table;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a solo table according to
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the solo table according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a table with a catilevered surface;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side cross sectional view of a leg height
adjustment system;
[0019] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the leg height
adjustment system of FIG. 9; and
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side cross sectional view of the leg height
adjustment for a leg a with a wheel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The table illustrated in FIG. 1 is a companion table which
may be used by a single person or by two people sitting across from
one another. The table provides a surface for eating, reading, or
other projects while also providing storage for personal items.
Although the table works well for the elderly and disabled, it can
also be used by others and can be provided in smaller sizes for
children.
[0022] The companion table 10 of FIG. 1 has a substantially
rectangular table surface 12 with a rectangular opening 14 at one
end providing a recessed storage area 30. This storage area 30
provides discrete and easily accessible storage of items such as
glasses, prescription bottles, drinks, magnifiers, etc. The table
surface 12 and the recessed storage area 30 according to one
embodiment of the invention are formed of wood. The companion table
10 is provided with four legs 16, 18 including two legs 16 with
wheels 22 and two legs 18 without wheels. The wheels or casters 22
are positioned on the two legs 16 on what is considered a front
side of the table 10. A person is intended to sit on a back side of
the table 10 away from the wheels 22.
[0023] The table 10 also includes two leg supports 32, side
surfaces 34, and back corner pieces 36. A front of the table 10 is
provided with a full length front surface (not shown) having a same
height as the side surfaces 34. The back of the table 10 is
provided with the back corner pieces 36 to provide additional leg
room on the back side of the table which easily accommodates a
wheelchair. Alternatively, the table 10 may include corner pieces
36 in both the front and back to maintain a maximum clearance for a
user to sit on both sides of the table.
[0024] In use, a person can sit at the table 10 and pull the table
surface 12 toward them easily by lifting slightly and rolling the
table toward them. As the person gets up from their chair, they may
lift and roll the table away from the chair to provide easy exit
from the chair. In this way, the wheels 22 allow the elderly or
disabled user to easily position the table as desired and get into
and out of a chair. The two legs 18 without wheels provide improved
stability over other wheeled tables allowing the use of the table
as a support surface when pushing up from a chair.
[0025] The companion table 10 of FIG. 1 is also preferably provided
with an insert 38 which is configured to fit within the recessed
storage area 30. The insert 38 is preferably a plastic tray
providing easy cleanup of spills and protecting the table. The
table 10 is illustrated with a storage pouch 40 hanging from one of
the side surfaces 34 of the table. The table 10 is preferably
provided with fasteners or hooks 42 on each of the side surfaces 34
of the table to allow the pouch 40 to be positioned as needed to
hold personal items and supplies. The storage pouch 40 may be
formed of any material, such as canvass, fabric, vinyl, leather,
and the like, and preferably has a plurality of compartments. The
pouch 40 can be easily removed for cleaning.
[0026] According to an alternative embodiment, the table may be
provided with an opening 14 without any bottom or sides and the
insert 38 may provide the recessed storage area.
[0027] The recessed storage area 30 and the pouch 40 are discrete
and easily accessible storage locations for many items including
medications, glasses, drinks, snacks, craft supplies, and other
items. The recessed storage area 30 also helps to prevent cups of
liquid from spilling and the insert 38 provides easy cleaning in
case of spills.
[0028] The companion table 10 according to one preferred embodiment
of the invention includes a table surface having a length of about
3 to about 6 feet, and preferably about 3 to about 5 feet. The
companion table 10 preferably has a width of about 11/2 to about 3
feet, and more preferably about 22 inches to about 3 feet. The
recessed storage area 30 has a length between the front and the
back of the table of about 8 to about 12 inches and a width of
about 4 to about 6 inches. The recessed storage area 30 preferably
has a depth of about 3 to about 5 inches.
[0029] In one embodiment for use with a wheelchair, under the table
surface 12, there is a clearance of about 29 inches. This is
sufficient for the use of most wheelchairs. However, the table is
preferably provided with threaded levelers on the bottom of the
legs for height adjustment. One example of a height adjustment
system is shown in FIGS. 8-10. The height adjustment system uses a
series of circular spacers 150 which may be formed of wood,
plastic, metal, or the like. The spacers 150 are received on a
threaded fastener 152 which is threaded into an insert 154 on the
bottom of the leg 18. FIG. 10 illustrates a leg 16 having a wheel
22 attached to the threaded fastener 152. Preferably, the spacers
150 are about 1/2 inch think allowing for height adjustment of up
to 2 inches with four spacers. This height adjustment is
particularly useful for users with large wheelchairs.
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a computer table 50 according to the
present invention. The computer table 50 includes all the features
of the companion table 10 discussed above and also includes an
adjustable keyboard tray 52 and side table surfaces 54, 55 which
may be positioned on one or both sides of the table. The keyboard
tray 52 pulls out and can be set at several different heights. In
this "senior friendly" computer table 50, the recessed storage area
30 in the table surface 12 can be used to hold computer media. The
side surfaces 54, 55 are height adjustable as a combined unit. The
surface 54 can support items such as printers. The surface 55 can
be adjusted to the same height as the keyboard tray 52 and used for
placing a mouse, documents or other items. A space between the
surfaces 54, 55 can be used for paper or other storage.
[0031] The side surface 54 is mounted to the table 50 and can be
set at different heights. There is a cut out 56 where the side
surface 54 meets the table surface 12 which can be used for routing
computer cables and power cords.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates the use of the computer table 50 with an
additional table 60 arranged in an L-shape to form a workstation.
The tables 50, 60 are connected by a pie shaped piece 62. Cut outs
64 are provided between the tables 50, 60 and the pie shaped piece
62 for routing computer cables and power cords.
[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a children's activity table 70 similar in
configuration to the companion table 10 shown in FIG. 1. The
children's table 70 has shorter legs for use with a children's
chair. The recessed storage area 30 in the children's table 70 is
great for minimizing spills and for storage and accessing items
such as craft supplies, cups, and the like. The table 70 may also
be provided with a tray which can be attached to the same fasteners
42 as the pouch 40. The tray may be a simple tray 72' for holding
art supplies or may be a tray 72" incorporating a dowel for
supporting an art paper roll 74.
[0034] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a solo table 100 with a tilting top
surface 102 and a second stationary top surface 104. As in the
embodiments describe above, the table 100 includes a recessed
storage area 130 in the stationary top surface 104 with a removable
washable insert 138. The solo table 100 also preferably includes a
pouch 140.
[0035] The solo table 100 may have many different support
structures such as those illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. For example,
the table 100 of FIG. 5 includes a support structure 110 with a
height adjustment lever 112 and a table tilt lever 114. The height
of the table 100 is preferably adjustable from about 20 inches to
about 38 inches for use by those in wheelchairs and by children.
This adjustable height table works well as a children's drawing
table and for use with wheelchairs. Finally, FIG. 6 illustrates a
solo table 100' having a base 110' which works well with
wheelchairs.
[0036] FIG. 7 shows another option of a table 80 with a height
adjustable catilevered surface 82 which is useful in giving extra
clearance for people in large motorized wheelchairs.
[0037] A preferred material for the tables described above is solid
wood. However, the unique features of the design may be used on a
table having different table top materials and different leg
forms.
[0038] While the invention has been described in detail with
reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent
to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications
can be made and equivalents employed, without departing from the
present invention.
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