Abstract:
A multipurpose carrying tray includes a housing for containing items. The housing includes a top surface and a support base wherein the top surface has a depth. A drawer is disposed within the housing below the top surface of the housing. The drawer is smaller in depth than the depth of the top surface and is disposed above the support base. At least one opening in the top surface is provided so that an item can be placed through the top surface and supported by the support base. The tray is designed to be connected to a walker, and may be designed to be removable. By having an ability to remove the tray, the fold-up portability of the walker is retained.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a walker tray. The present invention further relates to a walker tray for a walker, and the like. 
     B. Description of the Related Art 
     Walkers are used by persons experiencing problems with their arms, legs, or hips as well as those who have suffered injury due to stroke and the like. A walker is defined as a frame device used to support someone walking. Examples of walkers include a hemi-cane and a two-handed walker. 
     A typical two-handed walker has a U-shaped framework which allows a person to grip each side of the frame in a semi-enclosure. To use a two-handed walker, a person must have use of both their left and right appendages to grasp both sides of the frame. The user lifts the frame, which is lightweight, and positions it to a location in front of the user. While gripping both sides of the frame, the user walks towards the frame. This procedure is repeated. 
     Another type of walker that is used is known as a hemi-cane. A hemi-cane is a one sided walker used for those who have lost mobility in one side of their bodies. The one sided hemi-cane has a single handle, but similarly includes a semi-enclosure for the patient. Instead of entirely enclosing the body, a hemi-cane partially encloses the side of the body which has not lost mobility. 
     In both the case of the two-handed walker and hemi-cane, when using the walkers, a person cannot carry additional unsteady items, without an auxiliary carrying device. For example, if a user of a hemi-cane wants to obtain a meal from the kitchen, the user has no way of carrying the meal to a table, since the only useable hand is assisting the user on the cane. This seriously detracts from the user&#39;s ability to be self-sufficient and independent. Therefore there is a need in the art to have a multipurpose tray that can be affixed to a two handed collapsible walker, hemi-cane, or the like, which allows a user to transport various items. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,032 relates to a tray for an invalid&#39;s walker frame. However as seen in FIG. 1, the tray comprises a planar surface with no additional compartments. Therefore, a user would have difficult time transporting other items such as a drink. U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,071 shows a similar type carrier type attachment for an invalid walker. This device also does not have an additional compartment to transport drinks and other items. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for a multipurpose device which is designed to carry food trays and beverages, as well as other items such as cell or cordless phones, pill bottles, etc. securely. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,748 relates to a walker tray which has recesses for holding additional items. However, the tray is permanently affixed to the walker. Therefore, if the user wants to remove the tray, the user cannot do so unless assisted by another person. This again detracts from walker&#39;s portability and the user&#39;s ability to be self-sufficient. Thus, there is a need in the art for a removable tray that can be easily detached from a walker. 
     In addition, the above-noted trays are designed for two-handed walkers alone. There has yet to be designed a walker that is especially designed for use for patients who have lost mobility on only one side of their bodies. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a tray for use with a one-sided walker, or hemi-cane. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention provides a multipurpose carrying tray. The tray includes a housing for containing items. The housing includes a top surface and a support base wherein the top surface has a depth. A drawer is disposed within the housing below the top surface of the housing. The drawer is smaller in depth than the depth of the top surface and is disposed above the support base. At least one opening in the top surface is provided so that an item can be placed through the top surface and supported by the support base. 
     In a further aspect, the present invention provides a walker which has an easily removable tray. The walker has a walker frame having plural legs in spaced apart relation and at least one handle portion at an upper end thereof. A removable tray is secured on the walker by first and second attachments portions. A support bar is disposed between the legs of the walker. The first attachment portion is affixed to the support bar for supporting the tray at a first end of the tray. An elastic cord is provided for securing the tray at a second end of the tray. The elastic cord extends between the legs of the walker and are attached to the legs via hooks located at ends of the elastic cord. The elastic cord is also secured around the second attachment portion. 
     In an additional aspect, the present invention provides a tray to be used in connection with the hemi-cane walker. An attachment device is provided for attaching the tray to the hemi-cane. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the walker tray of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the tray of the present invention, showing the drawer in an open position; 
     FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the tray of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the tray of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the tray of a preferred embodiment in use; and 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the walker of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As noted above, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a tray that can be used by a person having use of only one side of his or her body. With reference to FIG. 1, the tray  10  is illustrated as it is used in connection with hemi-cane  20  according to a first embodiment of the invention. A hemi-cane walker is a one-sided walker, which accommodates patients which have restricted use of only one side of their bodies. Preferably, the hemi-cane  20  is of the folding-type so that it can be collapsed and more easily handled and stored when not in use, as is well known in the art. However, non-retractable hemi-canes are also encompassed by the scope of the present invention. While FIG. 1 illustrates tray  10  as it is used in connection with hemi-canes, it should also be understood that tray  10  may be used with other type of walkers, such as two-handed walkers, walkers with wheels, and the like. 
     With reference to FIGS. 2-4, features of the tray  10  will be described. With reference in particular to FIG. 2, tray  10  includes a housing  24  for containing items. The housing  24  includes a top surface  28  and a support base  32 . The top surface  28  includes openings  36  and  40  for placing various items. The openings  36  and  40  may be shaped to accommodate certain types of items. For example, a cell or cordless phone may be placed in opening  36  which is rectangular in shape and a drink may be placed in opening  40  which is circular in shape. While the preferred embodiment shows only two openings in the top surface  28  of housing  24 , it should be understood that any number of openings with any kind of shape may be included in the surface. 
     Preferably, the openings  36  and  40  are disposed at a distal end of the housing  24 . When items are placed through openings  36  and  40 , the items rest on the support base  32  of the housing  24 . This provides a secure placement for drinks and cell phones, preventing the items from tipping over upon transport. 
     In addition, the top surface  28  includes a portion  46  for placement of a plate, or the like. Portion  46  may include a roughened surface to help prevent an item, such as a plate, from sliding thereon. The top surface  28  may also include a flange  44  around a peripheral edge of the top surface  28 . The peripheral flange  44  helps to secure an item, such as a plate, during transport, preventing the item from sliding off of portion  46 . While peripheral flange  44  is shown to be continuous, it should be understood that only discrete portions of the edge of top surface  28  include a flange member. 
     Preferably, the tray  10  is made of plastic material, which is durable, light weight, has no sharp edges and no rust concerns. Alternatively, other materials may be used such as metal, including steel, aluminum, and the like. The tray  10  may be integrally formed or formed from separate parts. 
     Preferably, tray  10  also includes a drawer  50 . The drawer  50  is placed between the top surface  28  and support base  32 . The drawer  50  has a depth d 1  which is smaller than a depth d 2  of the top surface  28 . This allows for drawer  50  to be inserted into housing  24  without coming into contact with items that have been placed in openings  36  and  40 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, drawer  50  is of a rectangular shape including a front section  54 , a rear section  56 , two side sections  58  and a base  60 . However, it should be understood that drawer  50  may take other shapes such as square, oval, as well as other geometrical shapes. The drawer  50  preferably includes a handle  52  for opening and closing the drawer  50  formed in the front section  54  of drawer  50 . 
     Preferably, the drawer  50  includes a compartment for holding pills. In the preferred embodiment, the compartments are a set of plates  70 . Preferably, plates  70  are affixed at each side section  58 . Each plate  70  includes a plurality of openings  72  for holding pill bottles, and the like. When the pill compartments are placed to either or to the side of the drawer  50 , this allows room for additional items between the compartment and the center of the drawer  50 . This compartment may hold items such as a change purse, and the like. However, it should be understood that other structures may be contemplated which are capable of securely supporting pill bottles and the like. In addition, the compartments for holding the pills may be placed at different locations within the drawer  50 . 
     With reference to FIG. 5, a cross sectional view of the drawer  50  inside the housing  24  is disclosed. As seen in FIG. 5, the depth of drawer  50  falls short of the depth of the top surface  28 , which allows drawer  50  to be completely closed without interfering with item  80  (a beverage glass or container) which is placed in one of the openings of top surface  28 . Preferably, drawer  50  also includes a magnet  84  to keep the drawer  50  from sliding out when being transported. Magnet  84  secures to magnet  86  which, in the preferred embodiment, is affixed to the housing  24  by bracket  90 . Alternatively, where the drawer  50  is made of plastic or the like, the drawer could be attached via Velcro. It should be understood that other attachment devices may be used, as is known in the art. 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 and 6 the construction of the hemi-cane  20  will be described in more detail. Hemi-cane  20  includes two pairs of legs, front legs  94  and rear legs  98 . Front legs  94  are connected via a U-shaped section  100 . U-shaped section  100  includes a handle portion  104  thereon. Similarly, rear legs  98  include a U-shaped section  106  with a handle portion  110 . Rear legs  98  include a support bar  112  between its pair of legs for additional stability, as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     Front legs  94  and rear legs  98  are connected at their top end via bracket  114 . In addition, front legs  94  and rear legs  98  are also connected via a retractable bracket assembly  118 . Retractable bracket assembly  118  allows the hemi-cane  20  to be moved from a first open position as shown in FIG. 6 to a retractable position in which the rear legs are disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to the front legs  94 . The features of this retractable bracket assembly are well known in the art, details of which are omitted. 
     With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the attachment features of the tray  10  will be described in more detail. Preferably, the tray  10  of the present invention is removably secured on the hemi-cane  20 . However, if desired, the tray  10  may be permanently affixed. 
     Preferably, the housing  24  includes a first attachment portion  122  and a second attachment portion  126  disposed on the support base  32  of housing  24 . First attachment portion  122  is designed to secure around the support bar  112  of hemi-cane  20 . This allows tray  10  to be secured on the rear legs  98  of hemi-cane  20 . To provide additional support, tray  10  is also secured to front legs  94 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 and 6, an elastic cord  130  is provided to secure the tray  10  to front legs  94 . In particular, front legs  94  of hemi-cane  20  include apertures  132  (as shown in FIG.  1 ), which allow hooks  134  disposed at each end of the elastic cord to be secured therein. This allows the tray  10  to be removably secured to hemi-cane  20 . In particular, if a user desires to remove the tray  10  from hemi-cane  20 , a user simply unhooks elastic cord  130  from apertures  132 . Once the elastic cord  130  is removed from apertures  132 , the tray  10  may be rotated off of the support bar  112 . While FIGS. 1 and 6 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the attachment device of the present invention, it should be understood that other attachment devices may be provided for attaching to other types of walkers. 
     According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a multipurpose tray is provided which allows users of walkers the ability to transport items within the walker. In addition, a tray is provided that may be removably detachable by a user who only has use of one side of his or her body. This provides additional independence to those who must use walkers to travel, while increasing the portability of the hemi-cane or two-handed walker. Finally, a tray is designed specifically for use with a hemi-cane walker, so that sufferers of strokes and the like, can be more self-sufficient. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it is apparent that modifications and variations thereof may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined the following claims.