Abstract:
A multilayer tray system especially for a hospital bed having side rails includes a first rectangular structure having hooks along each lateral edge for being supported on the top edge of the side rails, the first rectangular structure has cavities formed in the upper surface for disposition of such items as a tissue box, drinking glass or miscellaneous items. A second rectangular tray is selectively connected to the first rectangular support. The second tray has a planar upper surface for providing a writing surface thereon. The tray is aligned relative to the rectangular structure and slidably maintained on the rectangular structure by means of a pair of parallel brackets extending from the lower surface of the tray.

Description:
The subject application is a divisional application of a pending application Ser. No. 11/151,365 filed on Jun. 13, 2005. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a selectively moveable book and table holder especially for hospital beds having side rails. 
   During hospital stays, the patient is provided with little space for placement of reading material, tissue boxes, a beverage glass, flower arrangements and other gifts provided to make the hospital stay pleasurable. Usually space is provided on a movable cart having a tray that can be rolled in front of the patient. However, the movable cart provides only limited space for the above-mentioned items and the tray on the movable cart only has a single planar surface. The items can easily be shifted or spilled when the cart is transferred to and from the patient. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a movable tray that can optionally provide a planar surface for the placement of dinner trays or as a writing or card playing surface. It is also desirable to provide a surface that can hold such items as beverage glasses, flower arrangements, etc. in place without shifting or spilling when the surface is moved to or from the patient. It is further desirable for the writing surface to be optionally removable. It is further desirable to provide a moveable book holder that holds a book in place without effort from the patient. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is the intent of the present invention to address the aforementioned concerns. The invention provides a selectively removable book and table holder for a hospital bed having a pair of side rails. The book and table holder includes a rectangular structure having hooks extending from each lateral side of the rectangular structure for supporting the structure on a top edge of the side rails and for sliding along the length of the rails. The book and table holder also includes a tray removably positionable over the rectangular structure, wherein the tray has means for slidably securing the tray on the rectangular structure. 
   In another aspect of the invention, the means for securing the tray on the rectangular structure includes a pair of parallel bracket connected to the lower surface of the tray and wherein the parallel brackets are spaced slightly greater than the length of the rectangular structure for positioning the brackets on opposing sides of the structure. 
   In yet another aspect of the invention, the rectangular structure has on upper surface having cavities formed therein for the placement of items. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a slidable book holder is provided having means to hold a book flat without effort from the patient. 
   Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is perspective view of a hospital bed having side rails and a selectively moveable book and table holder according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the moveable book and table holder shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating a rectangular structure having hooks on opposing ends and a removable tray; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the moveable book and table holder attached to a moveable post; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of the moveable book and table holder showing the connection of a pair of brackets to a linear brace on the tray; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing an alternative connection of the pair of brackets to the tray using the linear brace; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of a moveable book holder according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of the moveable book holder to show certain features. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   In hospitals, a hospital bed  12  is usually provided with side rails  14  to prevent the patient from accidentally falling out of the bed  12 . The side rails  14  can provide another benefit by providing a support for a serving tray or a holder of personal items. A rectangular structure which can be used as a tray for serving food, a book rest, or a storage means for the patient can be releasably attached to the side rails and slidably moved along the length of the side rails  14 . 
   Looking at  FIGS. 1-5 , in the present invention, the rectangular structure  16  has a width (W) approximately the width of the bed  12 . Preferably, the rectangular support  16  has a width (W) that is slightly smaller than the width of the bed so that hooks  18  extending from each lateral end  20  of the rectangular structure  16  can hook onto the rails  14 . The hooks  18  are sized and configured for encircling the rails. The hooks  18  are configured also to allow the rectangular structure  16  to glide along the upper surface of the rails  14 . 
   The rectangular structure  16  has an upper surface  22  having at least one, but preferably multiple cavities  24  formed therein. The cavities  24  are preferably sized and configured for holding specific items such as a box of tissue, a beverage glass, a waste receptacle and/or a storage area for small items. The cavities capture the aforementioned items and prevent spillage or shifting of the items when the rectangular structure  16  is moved. 
   To provide further versatility for the patient, a removable tray  26  is provided for setting on the rectangular structure  16 . The tray  26  has a rectangular shape and an upper planar surface  28 . A lip  29  is preferably located along the periphery of the planar surface  28  of the tray  26  to prevent papers, cards or similar items from sliding off the planar surface  28 . The tray  26  further has means for maintaining the tray  26  in sliding communication with the rectangular structure. The planar surface  28  of the tray  26  complements the cavities  24  located in the rectangular structure  16 . Having one rectangular member  16  with cavities for holding various items and another rectangular structure  26  providing a planar upper surface  28  provides the patient with the advantage of optionally having a planar surface available for receiving a serving meal tray or for playing a game of cards or as a writing surface; and at the same time having easy access to stored items which are stored in the cavities  24  of the bottom rectangular structure  16 . 
   As stated, supra, the upper tray  26  is provided with means for maintaining the tray  26  in a predetermined orientation relative to the rectangular structure  16 . Further, the tray  26  also has means for slidably moving the tray  26  to traverse the rectangular structure  16  between the opposing hooks  18 , from one side of the bed  12  to the other side, while maintaining the upper tray in a predetermined orientation relative to the lower rectangular structure  16 . The means for maintaining the tray  26  on the rectangular structure  16  includes a pair of parallel brackets  32  spaced from each other at a distance slightly greater than the length (L) of the rectangular structure  16 . The brackets  32  are secured to the lower surface  30  of the tray  26  and orientated perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces of the tray  26 . The brackets  32  may be directly glued, screwed or nailed through the planar surface  28  of the upper tray  26 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The brackets  32  maintain the tray  26  in proper alignment with the rectangular structure  16  and prevents the tray  26  from sliding off the structure  16 . 
   In another embodiment, it is preferable to attach a wooden brace bar  36  to the bottom surface  30  of the tray. The brace bar  36  preferably extends perpendicular to the axial length of each bracket  30 , so that the brace bar  36  can be secured to the lower surface  30  of the tray  26  by means of adhesive, nails, staples, or screws. The brace bar  36  provides added strength at the connection points of the brackets  32  to the tray  26 . 
   In yet another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the brace bar  36  is inserted into notches  40  located within the upper edge of the brackets  32 . The notches  40  are configured for snugly receiving a portion of the brace bar  36 . The configuration as shown in  FIG. 5  allows the upper edges  42  of the brackets  32  to lie adjacent and flush to the lower surface  30  of the tray  26 . The brackets  32  may be secured to the brace bar  36  by adhesives, nails, staples, or screws. This configuration provides optimal stability to the brackets  36  and the tray  26 . In each of the aforementioned embodiments, adhesive is preferred over nails, screws and staples to eliminate sharp points that can injure a patient. 
   Although it is preferable to provide the combination rectangular structure  16  and tray  26  with hooks  18  for use on bed rails  14 , the combination may also be used on a cart (not shown) that can be moved along the floor adjacent the bed  12 . In this embodiment, the rectangular structure  16  can be permanently or releasably mounted on a post  50 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The post is rightly attached to the moveable cart. The tray  26  is shown sitting on the structure  16 , with the brackets  32  disposed on opposing sides of the rectangular structure  16 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the brackets  32  preferably extend below the bottom surface of the rectangular structure  16  so that the tray  26  can not be easily tipped off the structure  16 , if excessive weight is placed on one side of the tray  26 . 
   The combination of the dual trays provides a number of advantages over the prior art. The lower tray or rectangular structure  16  is slidable to and from the patient or the head of the bed frame by the hooks  18  that can glide over the rails  14 . The brackets  32  configuration on the upper tray  26  allows the upper tray to slide laterally across the width of the rectangular structure  16 . The upper tray  26  allows a planar upper surface having multiple uses; and the upper tray  26  may be easily removed from the rectangular structure  16  by merely lifting the tray  26  up and away from the rectangular structure  16 . 
   Another embodiment for a movable book tray  100  is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In this embodiment, a pair of triangular planar members  110 ,  111  form a base for the moveable book tray  100 . The triangular members  110 ,  111  are preferable made of a wood or resin material. Extending between the two triangular members  110 ,  111  are tubular members  112   a, b, c . The tubular members  112   a, b, c  are positioned at each of the three vertexes  110   a, b, c ,  111   a, b, c  of the triangular members  110  and  111 . The tubular members  112   a, b, c  have a length approximately equal to the width of the bed. The tubular members  112   a, b, c  provide stability of the structure  100  and allow the tray to be set on a planar surface or supported on the bed rails  14  as discussed hereinafter. The tubular members  112   a, b, c  extend through apertures  117  on the triangular planar members  110 ,  111  so that the ends  113   a, b, c . of the tubular members  112   a, b, c  are exposed on the outside planar surfaces  114 ,  115 . 
   The end portions  113   a, b, c  of the tubular members  112   a, b, c , respectively, are exposed through the triangular members  110 ,  111  so that the two of the tubular members  112   b ,  112   c  are fitted with hooks  116  at each end  113   b, c . the hooks  116  are configured to be slidingly received on the bed rails  14 . Although the holes  116  are shown to form an arcuate configuration, the hooks  116  may also be other shapes, such as an inverted, squared U-shape, to accommodate rails  14  of other shapes. The uppermost triangular member  112   a  has ends  113   a  that are covered with rubber pads or stoppers  118 . The rubber stoppers  118  prevent injury from the ends  113   a  of the tubular member  112   a . The rubber stoppers  118  also prevent the tubular member  112   a  from shifting out of the through apertures  117  in the triangular planar members  110 ,  111 . 
   When the tray  100  is connected to the bed rails  14 , the angle displacement from the plane formed by tubular members  112   b  and  112   c  with tubular member  112   a  is approximate 45-75° to provide an angled surface to facilitate  112   a  reading of a book, magazine or other reading material. 
   To further facilitate reading a book, the tray  100  further includes a book support  120  slidably moveable horizontally along tubular members  112   a  and  112   a . The book support  120  includes a frame  122 . In the preferred embodiment, the frame  22  is made of wood. However, it is envisioned that other materials, such as plastic, may be substituted. A planar member  124  is attached to the frame  122 . In the preferred embodiment, the planar member  124  is a transparent plastic material so that the patient can see beyond the book support  120  when there is no reading of material thereon. Although a transparent plastic material is preferred, a solid planar material may be used for the planar member  124  without the see-through advantage so stated, supra. The planar member  124  is connected to the frame  122  by screws  126 . 
   The book support  120  is mounted to the tubular member  112   a ,  112   c  so that the book support can slide between the triangular members  110 ,  111 . In the preferred embodiment apertures  128  are drilled through the vertical portions  130  of the frame  122 . The apertures  128  are sized for receiving the tubular members  112   a ,  112   c  therethrough. 
   The lower horizontal portion of the frame  122  extends at a right angle from the vertical portions  130  to form a ledge  132  for placement of the book or other reading material. The ledge  132  extends from cut out portions  134  in the vertical positions  130 . The ledge  132  is secured to the frame  122  by adhesive located in the cut out portions  134 . 
   A dowel  136  is used for holding flat a book placed on the ledge  132  against planar member  124 . The dowel  136  is used for holding flat a book placed on the planar member  124 . The dowel  136  is secured in a small aperture  138  drilled in the center of the ledge  132  and extends vertically upward adjacent the planar member  124 . As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , the dowel  136  may be moved slightly way from the planar member  124  for placing a book behind the dowel  136  or for turning a page of the reading material. The dowel  136  is biased to remain adjacent and parallel to the planar member  124 . 
   While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.