Abstract:
An assist device to help a user move from a sitting or reclined position to an upright position, and vice versa, with a functional tray. The assist device includes a base, a receiver, a handle, and a tray. The base may be positioned between a mattress and a box spring, or a couch frame and a couch cushion, or the like. The handle includes various gripping sections. The handle pivotably couples to the receiver and the tray rotatably couples to the handle. The tray moves from a closed position to an open position, or a usable position, to allow the user to place objects thereon, or to use the tray for any other purpose.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/764,903 entitled “Assist Device for Getting into and out of Sitting or Prone Positions on Bed and Similar Furniture”, filed on Jan. 26, 2004 for Troy Miller, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/150,268 also entitled “Assist Device for Getting into and out of Sitting or Prone Positions on Bed and Similar Furniture”, filed on Sep. 9, 1998 for Troy Miller. 

   FIELD OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
   This invention relates generally to the field of medical and ambulatory assist devices and equipment, and more specifically, to an assist device and tray for assisting individuals with disabilities to get up from and recline into sitting and/or prone positions on a bed or other object. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Devices and methods for assisting people to get up from and recline into sitting and/or prone positions are well known in the art. These devices tend to fall into two broad categories. The first general category consists of devices that are roughly fixed to a standard bed or like piece of furniture. The second general category consists of devices that mechanically raise and lower. These include beds and like pieces of furniture that contain motors which are designed to raise and lower the respective furniture to allow a person to either stand up, sit or lie down. 
   In most instances, the first general category of devices has some sort of a handle that is attached to a base. The base in turn anchors in some manner to a bed or like piece of furniture. The handle extends up above the level of the bed or other piece of furniture allowing the user to grab the handle to either get up from and/or recline into the bed. 
   While adequate for a number of applications, the type of devices just described also includes a number of disadvantages. For example, most of these devices have handles that are immovably fixed to the base. This can cause the device to be awkward to store or transport. In order to overcome this problem the device might have to be disassembled which might result in lost or damaged parts. 
   A further disadvantage is that the handle of most comparable devices is that they are awkward in shape and difficult for individuals using the device to grab a hold of and to adjust their hand positions once they have grabbed the handle. That is, the handles of most devices do not resemble any type of device that the users are familiar with or used to using, or they offer no advantage to the user to manipulate his or her hand positions for ease of use. 
   An additional disadvantage of the handle on the first category of devices is that they are small and do not offer the user a large surface upon which to place his or her hand or arm. Thus, as set forth above, the handle can be difficult to grab and it does not offer any significant advantage over simply pushing him or herself up. 
   Still a further disadvantage of the first category of devices is that the attaching means generally used are specific to a particular type of bed or like furniture. Thus, the device will not be able to be used on all or most beds or like pieces of furniture. 
   Still another disadvantage of this first category of devices is that the means to attach the device to the bed or other piece of furniture does not secure the device in place. Thus, the device can move or become unstable and even dangerous during use. 
   While also adequate for a number of applications, the second general category of devices described above also include a number of disadvantages. For example, the cost of such devices is prohibitive for most individuals, especially those on fixed incomes. In most instances, these devices cost thousands of dollars and are out of reach of most individuals who find themselves in need of such devices. 
   Another disadvantage of this type of device is that they are somewhat dangerous when in operation. That is, the mechanical device generally lifts a person to a sitting or standing position at which point there is no further support for the individual. Most of these devices do not have any bars or handles that a person can grab a hold of as they attempt to sit or stand. When the device reaches its highest point, the person operating the device must be ready and able to sit or stand on their own; there is no going back. If the person is not ready at that instant, there is a strong likelihood that they might stumble and fall. 
   A further disadvantage of these devices is that they are power dependent. If there is a power outage the device will not operate. As is obvious, at the time when a power outage occurs there may be a critical need for an injured or infirm person to get help to avoid problems that might be associated with the power outage such as the ability to heat or cool a home. However, it is precisely at this time that the device will not work, thus rendering the user vulnerable to such conditions. 
   Regardless of the prior types of assist devices, generally once attached to the bed, they take up a lot of space, and besides the utility of helping a person out of the bed, they are not of much use, they get in the way if a user would like to use a bed tray, and they are often times unattractive. 
   From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus that allows a user to easily attach the assist device to a bed or furniture, and a tray to allow the user to use the assist device while not being used to raise the individual. Beneficially, such an apparatus would make life simpler for those who need to use assist devices, increase functionality of the assist device, improve appearance, and increase the types of activities that the disabled can participate in. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available assist devices. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus for assisting users to easily move from a prone or reclined position to a sitting or standing position, and vice versa, that overcomes many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art. 
   The assist device in one embodiment, is configured to include a base, which is to be positioned between a first surface and a second surface, such as a mattress and a box spring, or a couch frame and a couch cushion, a receiver coupled to the base to connect to a handle, and a tray. The handle is configured to pivotably couple to the receiver and the tray rotatably couples to the handle. The tray configured to allow the user to place objects thereon, or to use the tray for any other purpose. In one embodiment, the receiver is adjustable to allow height adjustment. 
   The handle, in another embodiment, includes first and second gripping sections. The tray may be shaped to match a shape of a space between the first and second gripping sections, and it may be configured to fit between the first and second gripping sections when in the closed position. In yet another embodiment, a tray bracket may be used to attach the tray to the handle. 
   The tray bracket rotates about the handle to move the tray from the closed position to an open position. A locking means, such as a spring-loaded pin, may be used to lock the tray in the open and closed positions. 
   In still another embodiment, the handle may couple the receiver via a movable joint to allow the handle to rotate to a usable position, such as the open position. The movable joint may include at least one notch to lock the handle in a fixed position. 
   Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
   Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. 
   These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the manner in which the above recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained can be appreciated, a more specific description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered y reference to the specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an assist device in a folded position for easy storage and transportation according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an assist device in an unfolded position according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an assist device with a handle positioned in a usable configuration, with a tray in a closed position, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an assist device with a handle and tray in fully usable positions according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
   Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
     FIG. 1  depicts an assist device  10  in a folded position according to one embodiment of the present invention. The assist device  10  of the present invention includes a base  12 , a handle  14 , a receiver  16 , and a tray  18 . The base  12  is configured to be positioned between a first surface and a second surface, such as a box spring and a mattress, or a sofa frame and a seat cushion. The handle  14  is configured to be held by a user and is securely fastened to the base  12  via the receiver  16 . The tray  18  rotatably couples to the handle  14  and is configured to allow the user to place objects thereon, or to use the tray  18  for any other purpose. 
   The base  12  is advantageously designed to be large enough to provide a firm and stable base for the operation of the assist device  10 . Advantageously, the base  12  is constructed of rigid non-flexing material such as wood. Other materials such as wood composites, plastics, polymers, steel, aluminum, and the like, are also contemplated and fall within the purview and scope of this invention. 
   Similarly, the handle  14  is designed of a firm and rigid material to prevent flexing and bending when the user applies pressure thereto. The handle  14  may be any type of hard and rigid material, such as plastic, steel, composites, wood, and the like. 
   The handle  14  includes first and second ends  19  and  21 , respectively. Portions of the first end  19  of the handle  14  are coated, or covered, with a material or substance to prevent the user&#39;s hand from slipping during use. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the coating or covering can be made of numerous materials to accomplish the end of creating a slip free surface and all the coatings and covering are contemplated in this patent. The second end  21  of the handle  14  pivotably connects to the receiver  16  at a movable joint  24 . 
   The first end  19  of the handle  14  comprises first and second gripping sections  20  and  22 . The first and second gripping sections  20  and  22  allow the user to hold the assist device  10  from a preferred, or more comfortable, position. 
   The second end  42  of the handle  14  couples the receiver  16  via the movable joint  24 . The movable joint  24  is configured to move the handle  14  to a usable position. In one embodiment, the movable joint  24  comprises at least one notch  26  (See  FIG. 2 ) configured to lock the handle in a fixed position. Preferably, the movable joint  24  includes a plurality of notches  26  to allow the user to position the handle  14  and tray  18  in a variety of positions to allow the user to adjust the assist device  10  to particular positional preferences. 
   The receiver  16  connects to the base  12  via a bracket. As illustrated, the receiver  16  may be configured to fold towards the base  12  for easy storage and transportation. The bracket includes both a u-shaped member  28  and a receiving member  30 . The u-shaped member  28  includes a top and bottom flange  32  and  34 . The top and bottom flanges  32  and  34 , respectively, are transposed by a plurality of holes or perforations  36 . One skilled in the art will immediately recognize that the plurality of holes or perforations  36  are designed to line up with a plurality of holes or perforations in the base  12  for the purposes of anchoring the u-shaped member  28  to the base  12 . 
   The receiver  16  includes first and second ends  38  and  40 , respectively. The second end  40  of the receiver  16  removably anchors to the receiving member  30 . One skilled in the art will recognize that the height of the handle  14  relative to the base  12  can be adjusted by moving the receiver  16  relative to the receiving member  30 . Specifically, pins  42  protrude from the receiver  16  into receiving holes  44  of the receiving member  30 . The pins  42  can be removed and reinserted into the receiving holes  44  at any location along a length of the receiver  16 . 
   One skilled in the art will also recognize that other adjustments means are envisioned, specifically, the pins  42  may be spring loaded and require the user to depress the pins  42  into the receiver  16  before height adjustment can be accomplished. By allowing the height of the handle  14  to be adjusted, the handle  14  can be configured to accommodate all types of beds or like furniture as well as the particular individual needs of the user. 
   In the illustrated folded position, the handle  14  can be folded towards the base  12  and stored away in a more compact position without requiring significant disassembly of the bolts or requiring removal of the handle  14  from the base  12  as is required in prior art designs. 
     FIGS. 2–4  illustrate the assist device  10  in a usable position, with the tray  18  in usable positions. In one embodiment, a tray bracket  46  attaches the tray  18  to the handle  14 . The tray bracket  46  is configured to rotate about the handle  14  to move the tray  18  from the closed position to the usable position. 
   A locking means  48  may be used to prevent the tray  18  from unintended movement. In one illustrated embodiment, locking means  48  is a spring loaded pin that requires the user to press, or depress, to release the tray  18  from one position. As the tray  18  moves to a new position, the pin locks the tray  18 . One skilled in the art will recognize that the spring-loaded pin is only one means for locking the tray  18 . Any type of locking means is certainly envisioned. 
   To facilitate storage, transportation, and ease of movement when not in use, the tray  18  is configured to fit between the first and second gripping sections  20  and  22  when in the closed position. In a preferred embodiment, to maximize the size of the tray  18 , the tray  18  is shaped to match a shape of a space  50  between the first and second gripping sections  20  and  22 . 
   In operation, once the device  10  has been properly positioned, the user can use the same by grasping the handle  14  and, during sitting, can apply the necessary pressure to allow himself or herself to ease into a sitting position. The user can remain in contact with the handle  14  and swing his or her legs up onto the bed into the desired position. Conversely, a user desiring to sit up from a prone position may likewise grasp the handle  14  and, by applying increasing pressure, pull them self into a sitting position, while at the same time swinging their legs off the edge of the bed. From a sitting position, the user can then apply the necessary pressure to pull them selves from a sitting to a standing position. One skilled in the art will recognize that the user may hang onto the handle until they have attained enough stability of confidence to begin walking away from the bed chair or like piece of furniture. 
   The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.