Patent Publication Number: US-7210735-B2

Title: Systems and methods for a wheelchair tray

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   This invention relates generally to trays adapted for use with a wheelchair and methods for using such trays. 
   Various wheelchair designs are known, each having its own advantages and disadvantages. Further, various tray designs for wheelchairs are known, some that form an integral part of a wheelchair and some that comprise an attachment for a wheelchair. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,139,309, 5,207,477, 5,490,710, 5,765,911, 5,842,745, 6,073,997, 6,220,658 and 6,224,149 describe various tray devices, most of which are designed for wheelchair use. 
   Each of the foregoing patents is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
   SUMMARY 
   Despite the development in this area as represented by the foregoing patents, few, if any, wheelchair designs that include a tray are currently available on the market. Similarly, few, if any tray attachments specifically designed for wheelchair use are currently available on the market. 
   Various exemplary embodiments of a wheelchair tray apparatus may provide a convenient accessory and/or feature for a wheelchair whereby a user may easily operate a tray portion from a stored position to a use position in which the tray portion is useful to hold various items and/or as a work surface. The tray apparatus portion may be a separate attachment for a wheel chair or may be an integral part of the wheelchair itself. 
   Various exemplary embodiments of a wheelchair tray apparatus may include a tray portion that provides at least one substantially planar working surface. The working surface may be discontinuous, for example, including indentations, projections and/or holes, such as for accommodating various items in a secure and/or convenient fashion. The working surface may be smooth, textured, coated or otherwise treated to achieve a desired effect, for example, providing friction, cushioning and/or absorbency. For example, the working surface may include an absorbent liner, such as a napkin material. 
   Various exemplary embodiments of a wheelchair tray apparatus may include a connecting portion attached to the tray portion. The connecting portion may be configured to attach to a frame member of a wheelchair, for example, such as an arm support member. The connecting portion may provide a first rotation of the tray portion in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of rotation of a non-pivoting wheel of a wheelchair when the connecting portion is attached to the wheelchair. The connecting portion may also provide a second rotation of the tray portion in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the non-pivoting wheel of the wheelchair when the connecting portion is attached to the wheelchair. 
   In various exemplary embodiments, the first rotation of the tray portion may be between a first storage position in which at least most of the tray portion is disposed rearward of an axle of the non-pivoting wheel, a second storage position in which at least most of the tray portion is disposed forward of the axle of the non-pivoting wheel, and a position between the first and second storage positions in which the second rotation of the tray portion is permitted. 
   In various exemplary embodiments, a wheelchair tray apparatus may also include a securing mechanism mounted on a part of the tray portion, other than the working surface. In such embodiments, the securing mechanism may be configured to connect to at least one arm support member of a wheelchair when the connecting portion is attached to the wheelchair and the tray portion is in a use position. Alternatively or additionally, the securing mechanism may be configured to connect to a part of a wheelchair when the connecting portion is attached to the wheelchair and the tray portion is in at least one of the first and second storage positions. 
   In various exemplary embodiments, a wheelchair tray apparatus may include a wheelchair having a frame with at least one frame member disposed adjacent to a non-pivoting wheel rotatably mounted on an axle. In such embodiments, the connecting portion may be attached to the frame member with the plane of the first rotation located between the non-pivoting wheel and the frame. 
   In various exemplary embodiments, a wheelchair tray apparatus may include an arm support member configured to attach to a frame of a wheelchair. In such embodiments, the connecting portion may be attached to the arm support member. 
   Various exemplary embodiments of a method of using a wheelchair tray apparatus may provide a convenient method of using an accessory and/or a feature of a wheelchair whereby a user may easily operate a tray portion from a stored position to a use position. In various exemplary embodiments, a method of using a wheelchair tray apparatus may include attaching a connecting portion to a frame member of a wheelchair, providing a first rotation of the tray portion in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of rotation of a non-pivoting wheel of the wheelchair via the connecting portion, providing a second rotation of the tray portion in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the non-pivoting wheel of the wheelchair, and selectively rotating the tray portion via the first rotation into at least one of a first storage position in which at least most of the tray portion is disposed rearward of an axle of the non-pivoting wheel and a second storage position in which at least most of the tray portion is disposed forward of the axle of the non-pivoting wheel. 
   In various exemplary embodiments, the method may also include rotating the tray portion via the second rotation into a use position. In various exemplary embodiments, the method may also include securing the tray portion to another frame member of the wheelchair when the tray portion is in at least one of the first storage position, the second storage position and the use position. 
   These and other features are described in or are apparent from the following detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various details are described below, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of an exemplary wheelchair tray apparatus, shown with the tray portion in a first storage position; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view corresponding to  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the exemplary wheelchair tray apparatus of  FIG. 1 , shown with the tray portion rotated from the first storage position; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view corresponding to  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the exemplary wheelchair tray apparatus of  FIG. 1 , shown with the tray portion rotated into an intermediate position; 
       FIG. 6  is a front view corresponding to  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the exemplary wheelchair tray apparatus of  FIG. 1 , shown with the tray portion translated forward relative to the wheelchair; 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the exemplary wheelchair tray apparatus of  FIG. 1 , shown with the tray portion rotated into a use position; 
       FIG. 9  is a front view corresponding to  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the exemplary wheelchair tray apparatus of  FIG. 1 , shown with the tray portion rotated into a second storage position; 
       FIG. 11  is another exemplary wheelchair tray apparatus, including a replacement arm support member; 
       FIG. 12  is an exemplary replacement arm support member that may form a part of the exemplary wheelchair tray apparatus of  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is an exploded view of an exemplary connecting portion, a tray portion and a partial arm support member; and 
       FIGS. 14–21  are various views of parts of the exemplary connecting portion of  FIG. 13 , shown in greater detail. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The following detailed description provides various details with respect to a wheelchair tray apparatus including a wheelchair. Further, various details are provided with respect to a wheelchair tray apparatus including a frame member of a wheelchair. However, it will be understood that various aspects of the invention may be applied to a wheelchair tray apparatus without including the wheelchair or a frame member of the wheelchair, as desired. Thus, the following description is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. 
   In the exemplary implementations described herein, a particular wheelchair design is shown. However, it should be understood that the design is illustrative only, and that various wheelchair designs may embody or utilize the various features described herein. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary wheelchair tray apparatus  100 . As shown in this side view, the wheelchair apparatus  100  may include a tray portion  110  having a substantially planar working surface  120 . While it is possible that a surface opposite the working surface  120  may provide a second working surface, such a design is not shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   The tray portion  110  and the working surface  120  may have any desired configuration. For example, the size and shape of the tray portion  110  may be designed for a particular use or for a person with a particular disability. A general multi-purpose design is shown having a recess or cutout  122  in the working surface  120 . The recess or cutout  122  is not limited to a single instance or a circular configuration as shown. On the contrary, various recesses and/or cutouts may be provided that are designed for particular items and/or functions as desired. For example, the recess or cutout  122  may comprise a stepped configuration designed to cooperate with an attachment to allow the attachment to be rotated within the recess or cutout  122  in one position and “locked” against rotation in another position. Such a stepped configuration may comprise a square-to-round hole designed to receive a complementary stem of an attachment. 
   In this design, the recess or cutout  122  may provide a receptacle for receiving and holding various items that a person may use and wish to have easy access to. The recess or cutout  122  may itself form a container for items or may be designed to receive a container. For example, a beverage or other container (not shown) may fit within the recess or cutout  122 . 
   Alternatively or additionally, the recess or cutout  122  may be designed to receive an attachment. For example, if a user wishes to employ a different surface rather than the working surface  120  of the tray portion  110 , a work table (not shown) may be provided that includes a portion designed to fit in the recess or cutout  122 . Such a work table may substantially correspond to the design of the tray portion  110 , for example, and may rest on the working surface  120  at one or more points to provide stability. Alternatively or additionally, such a work table may be designed as an extension of the tray portion  110 . 
   The work table may fit in the recess or cutout  122  of the tray portion  110  with a complementary recess or cutout, for example. Further, the work table may include a recessed lip designed to engage an edge of the tray portion  110 . In conjunction with the insertion of a portion of the work table in the recess or cutout  122 , engagement of an edge of the tray portion  110  with the recessed lip of the work table may secure the work table to the tray portion and add stability to the work table, whether the work table is designed to cover the working surface  120  and/or to extend from the tray portion  110 . 
   The working surface  120  and or a corresponding surface of the work table may be smooth, textured, coated or otherwise treated to achieve a desired effect, for example, providing friction, cushioning and/or absorbency. 
   The wheelchair tray apparatus  100  may further include a connecting portion  130 . The connecting portion  130  may be of any known or hereafter developed configuration or design that is suitable for providing the rotational movements of the tray portion  110 , as described herein, when the tray portion  110  is attached via the connecting portion  130 . 
   The wheelchair tray apparatus  100  may further include a wheelchair  140 . As described above, the wheelchair tray apparatus  100  may or may not include the wheelchair  140 . For example, the wheelchair tray apparatus  100  may comprise the tray portion  110  and the connecting portion  130 , with the connecting portion  130  designed to attach to a wheelchair of a particular or various design. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the wheelchair  140  may have a frame  142  or other support structure, for example, including at least one frame member, such as an arm support member  144 . The wheelchair  140  may also have a non-pivoting wheel  146  on each side. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , for example, the frame  142  may be collapsible to allow the wheelchair  140  to be compacted for transportation and/or storage when not in use. The wheelchair tray apparatus  100  may allow for such a design of the frame  142  without substantially interfering with collapsing of the frame  142  or substantially impairing compactness. Other details of the wheelchair  140  are not provided since they are a matter of preference and design not critical to the disclosure. 
   The tray portion  110  may be attached, either permanently or detachably, to the wheelchair  140  via the connecting portion  130 . For example, the connecting portion  130  may attach to the frame  142 . In particular, connecting portion  130  may attach to the arm support member  144 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   When the connecting portion  130  is attached to the wheelchair  140 , the tray portion  110  may be moved between a use position and one or more desired storage positions. For example, the connecting portion  130  may provide a first rotation of the tray portion  110  in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of rotation of one of the non-pivoting wheels  146  of the wheelchair  140 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the tray portion  110  may be conveniently placed in a first storage position toward a rear of the wheelchair  140 . The first storage position may be achieved with the aid of gravity, for example, having the tray portion  110  come to rest against adjacent to an axle of the non-pivoting wheel  146 , for example against a resilient cushion or bumper  147 . 
   In the first storage position, the tray portion  110  may be disposed at least partly between the non-pivoting wheel  146  and the frame  142 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The first storage position may place the entire tray portion  110  slightly below an upper surface of the arm support member  144 , for example, to avoid contact with the user of the wheelchair  140  when the tray portion  110  is not in use. Further, the first storage position may allow the user of the wheelchair  140  unfettered access to the non-pivoting wheel  146 , for example, to allow the user to manually rotate the non-pivoting wheel  146  and/or operate a brake (not shown) to lock the non-pivoting wheel  146  against unwanted rotation. 
   As illustrated in dashed-lines in  FIG. 1 , the first rotation in the plane substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of the non-pivoting wheel  146  provided by the connecting portion  130  may allow the tray portion  110  to be rotated from the first storage position upward and toward a front of the wheelchair  140 , e.g., clockwise in  FIG. 1 , and into a position as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As illustrated in dashed-lines in  FIG. 3 , the tray portion  110  may be further rotated into an intermediate position, as shown in  FIGS. 5–7 . 
   In addition to showing the tray portion  110  in the intermediate position,  FIGS. 5–7  illustrate an optional movement of the tray portion  110  that may be provided by the connecting portion  130 . As illustrated in dashed-lines in  FIG. 5 , the tray portion  110  may be translated in a forward-rearward direction relative to the wheelchair  140 . The connecting portion  130  may allow the tray portion  110  to be translated whether or not the tray portion  110  has been rotated in the plane substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of the non-pivoting wheel  146 , and whether or not the tray portion  110  is in that plane of rotation. The translation of the tray portion  110  may place the tray portion  110  in the intermediate position shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   The connecting portion  130  may also provide a second rotation of the tray portion  110  in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the non-pivoting wheel  146  of the wheelchair  140 . As illustrated in dashed-lines in  FIG. 8 , the second rotation in the plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the non-pivoting wheel  146  provided by the connecting portion  130  may allow the tray portion  110  to be rotated from the intermediate position downward toward a lap of the user of the wheelchair  140 , e.g., into the page in  FIG. 8 , and into a use position in front of the user, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 9 , in the use position, the tray portion  110  may rest on the upper surface of the arm support member  144  and may extend toward a second arm support member  148  on an opposite side of the wheelchair  140 . Further, in the use position, the tray portion  110  may span the arm support members  144 ,  148 , resting on the upper surface of each. 
   The tray portion  110  may be held in the use position by gravity. Alternatively or additionally, the tray portion  110  may be secured in the use position by any known or hereafter developed mechanism. For example, one of the tray portion  110  and either arm support member  144 ,  148  may include a magnet strip and the other may include another magnetic material such that the strip and material are sufficiently attracted to each other to properly secure the tray portion  110  against that arm support member  144 ,  148  in the use position. 
   For example, part of the second arm support member  148  may be made of a magnetically attractable material such as a metal, and the tray portion  110  may include a magnetic strip  150  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The magnet strip  150  may be attached to the tray portion  110 , for example, on a surface opposite the working surface  120 , or embedded in the tray portion  110 . When the tray portion  110  is rotated in the second rotation toward the use position, e.g., toward the second arm support member  148 , the distance between the magnet strip  150  and the magnetically attractable part of the second arm support member  148  decreases to a point at which the magnetic field of the magnetic strip  150  sufficiently attracts the magnetically attractable part of the second arm support member  148 . 
   Alternatively or additionally, the magnetic strip  150  may be located on the tray portion  110  near a part that contacts the arm support portion  144  when the tray portion  110  is in the use position. Further, the magnetic strip  150  may be attached or embedded in one or both of the arm support portions  144 ,  148  and a part of the tray portion  110  may be made of a magnetically attractable material. For example, a surface of the tray portion opposite the working surface  120  may be made of a magnetic metal or the tray portion  110  may be made of a magnetic metal. 
   Other mechanisms may be used for securing the tray portion  110  in the use position as well. For example, any appropriate spring lock, either known or hereafter developed, may be used. 
   As will be understood from  FIGS. 5–9 , the optional translation of the tray portion  110  may provide additional or necessary clearance for a user when rotating the tray portion  110  in the second rotation to the use position. Further, the optional translation may allow a user to adjust a distance between the user and the tray portion  110  when the tray portion  110  is in the use position. 
   In addition to the first storage position, the connecting portion  130  may allow the tray portion  110  to rotate into a second storage position, as shown in  FIG. 10 . When the connecting portion  130  is attached to the wheelchair  140 , the tray portion  110  may be moved between the first storage position and the second storage position as desired. The first rotation of the tray portion  110  in the plane substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of the non-pivoting wheel  146  of the wheelchair  140 , provided by the connecting portion, may also allow the tray portion  110  to be rotated from the intermediate position downward and toward the front of the wheelchair  140 , e.g., clockwise in the Figs., and into the second storage position as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
   As with the tray portion  110  in the first storage position, the second storage position may be achieved with the aid of gravity, for example, having the tray portion  110  come to rest against adjacent to an axle of the non-pivoting wheel  146 , for example against the bumper  147 . However, in the second storage position the tray portion  110  is conveniently placed in toward the front of the wheelchair  140 . Thus, the second storage position of the tray portion  110  may allow unfettered access to handles  141  at the rear of the wheelchair  140  for another person to push or pull the wheelchair  140  from behind. 
   As shown in  FIG. 10 , the tray portion  110  may be positioned in the second storage position so as not to interfere with manual rotation of the non-pivoting wheel  146 , e.g., allowing sufficient access to the user of the wheelchair  140 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tray portion  110  may be positioned in the first storage position between the frame  142  of the wheelchair  144  and the non-pivoting wheel  146 , e.g., outside the handles  141 . Thus, whether moving the wheelchair by manual rotation of the non-pivoting wheels  146  by the user or by pushing/pulling the handles  141  by another person, the first and second storage positions may be selected for movement over steeper inclines, i.e., downward inclines and upward inclines, respectively. Because of the first rotation provided by the connecting mechanism  130 , gravity will urge the tray portion  110  against the bumper  147  according to the incline. 
   Alternatively or additionally, the first and second storage positions may be selected for movement over steeper inclines as an added safety measure, in case a latch or other securing mechanism holding the tray portion  110  in the respective storage position fails to hold the tray portion  110  sufficiently, for example, should the wheelchair  140  experience a jarring while moving over an incline. 
   As shown in  FIG. 10 , the tray portion  110  may be secured in the second storage position by any known or hereafter developed mechanism, such as the magnet strip  150  and another magnetic material as described above. For example, when the tray portion  110  includes the magnet strip  150 , an appropriate part of the frame  142  may include a magnetic material such that the strip  150  and material are sufficiently attracted to each other to properly secure the tray portion  110  against the frame  142  in the second storage position. The same or a different approach may be used to secure the tray portion  110  in the first storage position. 
     FIGS. 11 and 12  show another exemplary wheelchair tray apparatus  200 . The wheelchair apparatus  200  may include a tray portion  210  having a substantially planar working surface  220 . The wheelchair tray apparatus  200  may further include a connecting portion  230 . The connecting portion  230  may be of any known or hereafter developed configuration or design that is suitable for providing the rotational movements of the tray portion  210 , as described herein, when the tray portion  210  is attached via the connecting portion  230 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 11 , the wheelchair tray apparatus  200  may include a replacement arm support member  244 . The replacement arm support member  244  may be of any known or hereafter developed configuration or design that is suitable for attaching to any existing or later developed wheelchair, for example, by removing an arm support member of the wheelchair and substituting the replacement arm support member  244  therefor. 
   The tray portion  210  and the connecting portion  230  may have features similar to the respective portions described for the exemplary wheelchair tray apparatus  100 . In the wheelchair tray apparatus  200 , the first rotation may be in a plane that is substantially parallel to a plane of the replacement arm support member  244 . However, the first rotation may still be defined as being in a plane that is substantially parallel to a plane of a non-pivoting wheel of a wheelchair, when the replacement arm support member  244  is attached to the wheelchair. 
   As shown in  FIG. 12 , the wheelchair tray apparatus  200  may also include a second replacement arm support member  248 . As with the replacement arm support member  244 , the second replacement arm support member  248  may be of any known or hereafter developed configuration or design that is suitable for attaching to any existing or later developed wheelchair, for example, by removing a second arm support member of the wheelchair and substituting the second replacement arm support member  248  therefor. 
   It should be understood that the replacement arm support members  244 ,  248  may have features similar to the respective members described for the exemplary wheelchair tray apparatus  100 . Further, it should be understood that the function and operation of the wheelchair tray apparatus  200  may be similar to that described above for the exemplary wheelchair tray apparatus  100 . The wheelchair tray apparatus  200  illustrates, however, that the wheelchair may not necessarily form part thereof. 
     FIG. 13  is an exploded view of an exemplary connecting portion  300 . As described above, the connecting portion  300  may be configured to facilitate movement of the tray portion  110  relative to an arm support member  144 , which is shown only partially and transparently in  FIG. 13 . The connecting portion  300  may be partially or completely disassembled to allow attachment or detachment of the tray portion  110  and/or the connecting portion  300  from a wheelchair, as should be understood from the Figs. 
   The connecting portion  300  may a tubular body  310 , an L-shaped rod  320  and a bracket  330 . The tubular body  310  may be connected to the arm support member  144  in an adjustable manner, for example, allowing the tubular body  310  to be positioned on the arm support member  144 , as described below. One end of the L-shaped rod  320  may be rotatably inserted into the tubular body  310  while an opposite end of the L-shaped rod  320  may be pivotably connected to the bracket  330 . The bracket  330  may be secured to the tray portion  110  in any suitable manner, as illustrated by dashed lines on the tray portion  110 . 
   The L-shaped rod  320  may be rotatably connected to the tubular body  310  and pivotably connected to the bracket  330  in any suitable manner, for example, by bolts  340  and nuts  350  as shown. Any arrangement that maintains a secure connection that allows the desired rotational or pivotal movement between the L-shaped rod  320  and the tubular body  310  and the bracket  330  may be used. 
   The tubular body  310  may be connected to the arm support member  144  by a pin  360  (shown in  FIG. 16 ) arranged to cooperate with one or more holes  370  in the arm support member  144  and holes  312  in the tubular body  310 . Alternatively, a detent and projection arrangement (not shown) may be provided between the tubular body  310  and the arm support member  144 . Such arrangements may allow the tray portion  110  to be positioned a desired distance in front of a user of the wheelchair. 
     FIGS. 14–21  illustrate various exemplary details of the tubular body  310 , the L-shaped rod  320  and the bracket  330 . It should be understood that such details are exemplary only and non-limiting. For example, the tubular body  310  may include a relatively flexible portion  314  in which the holes  312  may be formed. The relatively flexible portion  314  may be configured to be passed around the arm support portion  144  with a free end  316  subsequently secured by the bolt  340  and nut  350  in the position illustrated in  FIGS. 14–16 . Additionally, the tubular body  310  may include a relatively rigid portion  318  that may engage the arm support portion  144  to prevent the tubular body  310  from rotating relative to the arm support portion  144  when the tubular body  310  is connected to the arm support portion  144 . 
   While various details have been described above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently unforeseen, may become apparent upon reviewing the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, the details and implementations set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting.