U.S. patent application number 11/871454 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-16 for folding armrest tray for wheelchairs.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA. Invention is credited to Stephen Sundarrao.
Application Number | 20080250983 11/871454 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39283650 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080250983 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sundarrao; Stephen |
October 16, 2008 |
Folding Armrest Tray for Wheelchairs
Abstract
A table assembly mounted on a wheelchair using a friction hinge.
A housing containing the table is mounted along the side of the
chair arm. The table assembly has a table surface moveable between
two in-use positions, the first position extends across the front
of the chair and the other extends laterally to the side of the
chair. The table surface may be stowed in the housing alongside the
chair, inside the brake and the drive wheel or beneath the arm. The
assembly is releasably connected to the chair so it is readily
removed and replaced.
Inventors: |
Sundarrao; Stephen; (Tampa,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMITH HOPEN, PA
180 PINE AVENUE NORTH
OLDSMAR
FL
34677
US
|
Assignee: |
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Tampa
FL
|
Family ID: |
39283650 |
Appl. No.: |
11/871454 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60829220 |
Oct 12, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/44 ;
108/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 3/00 20130101; A61G
5/1094 20161101; A61G 5/125 20161101; A61G 5/10 20130101; A47B
5/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/44 ;
108/116 |
International
Class: |
A47B 37/00 20060101
A47B037/00 |
Claims
1. An articulating mechanism for use with a portable table, laptop
or communication device comprising: an assembly anchor; a rotating
support, pivotally connected to the assembly anchor between a first
position and a second position; a base plate pivotally connected to
the rotating support, the base plate adapted to pivot between a
first position and second position; a table support pivotally
connected to the base plate, the table support adapted to pivot
between a first position and a second position; and a table
connected to the table support.
2. The table of claim 1, further comprising: a housing adapted to
encompass the table when it is in a stowed position.
3. The table of claim 2, wherein the housing is adapted to be
affixed to the side of a wheelchair.
4. The table of claim 1 wherein the table is releasably connected
to the table support.
5. The table of claim 1 wherein the table is slidingly connected to
the table support and wherein the table is moveable between a first
position and a second position.
6. The table of claim 1, wherein the table is adapted to
incline.
7. The table of claim 1, wherein the table support is pivotally
connected to the base plate by a friction hinge.
8. The table of claim 1, wherein the rotating support is
telescopingly connected to the assembly anchor.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to currently pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/829,220, entitled "Folding
Armrest Tray for Wheelchairs", filed on Oct. 12, 2006, the contents
of which are herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION/BACKGROUND
[0002] This invention relates to devices for assisting people
confined to wheelchairs and the like.
[0003] Individuals with disabilities using power wheelchairs often
have limited reach and are unable to use traditional desks and
tables. In some environments such as restaurants and the workplace,
these individuals use trays attached to their wheelchair for
convenience and accessibility. While there are many wheelchair
trays on the market, none store out of the way when not in use
without increasing the width/dimensions of the wheelchair, which
interfere with accessibility. Most designs are rigid, one-piece
designs that are bulky and do not fit the user. The problem is that
these trays are fixed and require assistance to attach and detach,
and further that they must be stored elsewhere on the wheelchair
when not in use.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a lightweight tray that is
simple to use and is integrated into the ergonomic armrest design
of commercially available wheelchairs.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] The integrated wheelchair-armrest provides a mechanism to
store a portable table surface, computer or communication device
ideal for use with a wheelchair. The articulating table is disposed
within a housing which is designed to accommodate most commercially
available wheelchairs. In a first embodiment, the articulating
table includes a rotating support, a base plate pivotally connected
to the rotating support, the base plate adapted to pivot between a
first position and second position. A table support is pivotally
connected to the base plate, the table support is adapted to pivot
between a first position and a second position. A table is
connected to the table support.
[0006] In a second embodiment, a housing is adapted to encompass
the table when it is in a stowed position. The housing is further
adapted to be affixed to the side of most commercially available
wheelchairs, thereby providing substantially universal use of the
device.
[0007] In yet another embodiment, the table is releasably connected
to the table support. Moreover, the table is slidingly connected to
the table support and is moveable between a first position and a
second position. The table of a preferred embodiment is adapted to
incline and is height adjustable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference
should be made to the following detailed description, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention in the stowed
position, wherein the base plate is in the first position.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention in the transition
position wherein the base plate is in the second position and the
table support is in the first position.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention in the
deployed position wherein the table support is in the second
position and the table and rotating support are in their respective
first positions.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention wherein the
table is in the second position.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention wherein the
rotating support is in the second position.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment
wherein the table is hingidly connected to the table support and
the rotating support is telescopically connected to the
housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which
form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of
illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be
practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from
the scope of the invention.
[0016] In a first embodiment, the invention includes an
articulating table for use with a wheelchair. Referring now to FIG.
1, which represents a preferred embodiment, wherein table 20 is
shown in the stored position and is encompassed by housing 30
(housing 30 is shown with the cover removed). In the embodiment of
FIG. 1, anchor 40 is attached to the interior of housing 30. Anchor
40, however, can also be attached to numerous other structures
without departing from the scope of the invention. For example,
anchor 40 can be affixed directly to the wheelchair such as in
embodiments where housing 30 is not used.
[0017] Rotating support 50 is pivotally connected to anchor 40 such
that rotating support 40 pivots along a central axis between a
first position (shown in FIGS. 1-4) and a second position (See FIG.
5). Base plate 60 is pivotally connected to rotating support 50 and
is adapted to rotate between a first position (FIG. 1) and second
position (FIGS. 2-6) along an axis that is substantially
perpendicular to the axis of rotation of rotating support 50.
[0018] Table support 70 is hingidly connected to base plate 60. In
a preferred embodiment, table support 70 is connected to base plate
60 by a friction hinge. As used herein, a friction hinge is a hinge
which exerts torque between two parts on a common axis.
Alternatively, the use of other hinges is within the scope of the
invention. For example, table support 70 can be connected to base
plate 60 by a detent hinge; a device which allows repeatable "soft
stops" in one or more positions between two parts on a common axis.
In this manner, table support 70 rotates between a first position
(FIGS. 1 and 2) and a second position (FIGS. 3-6).
[0019] Table 20 is slidingly connected to table support 70 in a
preferred embodiment. This sliding engagement allows table 20 to
move between a first position (FIG. 3) and a second position (FIG.
4). FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative position of table 20 wherein
the assembly is rotated around rotating support 50 such that
rotating support is in its second position. This places table 20 to
side of the wheelchair.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, table 20 is also
hingidly connected to table support 70. This permits the angle of
table 20 to be adjusted. While the use of a friction hinge is
preferred, any type of hinge can be used as will be appreciated by
one of ordinary skill in the art. The preferred embodiment of FIG.
6 also shows a modified rotating support 50 telescopically
connected to anchor 40. This arrangement allows the height of the
table to be adjusted. It also preferable to provide a quick-release
connection between table 20 and table support 70 to allow table 20
to be removed and replace with either a new table or other device
(such as a modified laptop computer).
[0021] As it will be appreciated, table 20 provides the majority of
the invention's functionality. Table 20 is preferably formed by
injection molding a compound of polypropylene. Polypropylene is
preferable because it is durable, inexpensive, and can be extruded
from recycled materials and be transparent to allow visibility for
wheelchair mobility. All the features are included in the single
molded piece so that all manufacturing complexity is contained
within the one time purchase of the die. The tray, in one
embodiment, is 18.times.12.times.1 inches in size, making it large
enough to hold a meal, support a laptop computer, or provide space
for writing or drawing. All corners are rounded to prevent any
sharp edges from injuring the user.
[0022] Table 20 can also contain convenient features, such as cup
holders and the like. Additionally, table 20 is molded with a 0.25
inch lip around the perimeter so that any liquids that are
inadvertently spilled onto the surface will be contained within the
perimeter of the tray rather than running off onto the vehicle or
user. This symmetry provides support for flat objects placed on the
tray (such as a laptop computer). In addition, power outlets
provide power supply to the user from the existing wheelchair
battery.
[0023] The main working area of the tray is a flat surface that can
be used for holding food, for writing or drawing, or for support of
a laptop computer. The surface is slightly tilted toward the front
of the tray so that any writing utensils placed on the table will
roll to the front. At the very front of the table is a groove to be
used for the storage of pens or pencils. The center of the groove
contains a clip to tightly secure a standard sized pen or pencil.
The utensil simply needs to be snapped into the clip for storage.
Once snapped into place, the utensil is snugly secured in
place.
[0024] It will be seen that the advantages set forth above, and
those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently
attained and since certain changes may be made in the above
construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description
or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0025] It is also to be understood that the following claims are
intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the
invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the
invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
there between. Now that the invention has been described,
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