GB2206488A

GB2206488A - Wheelchair tray

Info

Publication number: GB2206488A
Application number: GB08814416A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Wilcox
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-07-07
Filing date: 1988-06-17
Publication date: 1989-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2008-06-17
Also published as: GB8814416D0; GB8715919D0; GB2206488B

Abstract

A tray (10) that can be easily fitted to or removed from a wheelchair is supported by arms (14) extending forwardly from the wheelchair arm rests (16), the tray arms being in the form of inwardly facing channel elements. Preferably the spacing between the tray arms is adjustable. A drawer slide may be fitted beneath the tray. <IMAGE>

Description

Wheelchair tray.

The invention relates to a tray which can be fitted very easily and simply to a wheelchair, that is to say either a manually operated or electrically driven wheelchair.

It is a particular problem to a person confined to a wheelchair that very few fitments are available which can assist that person to lead as normal a life as possible, without at the same time being difficult to remove or re-fit when required.

For example, a tray attachment which is pivotally connected to an arm rest of a wheelchair may be difficult or impossible to swing to an inoperative position in a relatively narrow passageway which is where a toilet entrance is very often to be found.

It will also be understood that care must be taken when fitting a tray attachment to an electrically driven wheelchair that the attachment does not interfere with the operation of the controls.

The invention has for its object to at least alleviate these problems.

According to the invention, there is provided a wheelchair tray supported by arms extending forwardly from the wheelchair arm rests, the tray arms, at least at the wheelchair attachment ends, being in the form of inwardly facing channel elements, the arrangement being such that they can be slid along the usual padded arm rests of a standard wheelchair, a person using the wheelchair being able to remove the tray by pushing it forwards to detach the tray arms from the arm rests. The tray arms may be adjustable towards or away from each other beneath the tray to enable the tray to be fitted to a variety of wheelchairs of different widths. One way in which this may be effected is by the fitment of dovetail slide elements beneath the tray, the tray arms being adjustable along said slide elements.The tray may be provided with a raised edge and with a surface adapted for a particular occupation of the wheelchair user. The tray may also be provided with a drawer slide mounted beneath the tray.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a wheelchair tray embodying the invention fitted to a wheelchair, Figure 2 is an exploded view of the tray, and Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 in Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings, the wheelchair tray assembly there illustrated and generally indicated 10 includes a generally rectangular tray part 12 supported by arms 14 extending forwardly from the wheelchair arm rests 16.

As shown, the tray arms at their wheelchair attachment ends are in the form of inwardly facing channel elements and the arrangement is such that they can be slid along the usual padded arm rests of a standard wheelchair. The tray arms are adjustable towards or away from each other by being engaged with a pair of dovetail slide elements 20 secured beneath the tray as shown in Figure 2. The tray arms are adjustable along said slide elements and can be secured in their adjusted positions by screws 22 arranged to bring about a tightening action of the arms on said dovetail slide elements.

The tray is provided with a raised edge 24 and with a surface adapted for a particular occupation of the wheelchair user. (For example, it may have a baize surface or it could have a heat resistant surface for use by a person when cooking. A variety of different surface plates may be provided for fitment within the raised edge 24). In addition, a drawer 26 is provided beneath the tray, this being slide mounted as shown in Figure 2.

In use of the tray, the wheelchair user can very easily remove the tray by pushing it forwards to detach the tray arms from the arm rests. He or she can then simply rear it up in any convenient place until wishing to re-attach it. By virtue of the very simple adjustment of the assembly, the degree of- tightness of the tray arms on the arm rests of the vehicle can very easily be adjusted to suit the person using the wheelchair.

Various modifications may be made. The various parts of the assembly can conveniently be moulded in a synthetic plastics material and in this case may not be of solid form but of hollow or skeletal form with suitable internal reinforcement.In this case also, so that the moulded arms can be made common, that is to say capable of being used at either side of the tray, each arm may have a pair of dovetail slots in its upper surface and a pair of identical slots in its lower surface for selective use. Insert pieces will be fitted in those slots not in use in each arm. These will serve to hide from view the screws 22 which secure the arms to the tray in addition to filling the redundant slots.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A wheelchair tray supported by arms extending forwardly from the wheelchair arm rests, the tray arms, at least at the wheelchair attachment ends, being in the form of inwardly facing channel elements, the arrangement being such that they can be slid along the usual padded arm rests of a standard wheelchair, a person using the wheelchair being able to remove the tray by pushing it forwards to detach the tray arms from the arm rests.

2. A wheelchair tray according to claim 1, in which the tray arms are adjustable towards or away from each other beneath the tray to enable the tray to be fitted to a variety of wheelchairs of different widths.

3. A wheelchair tray according to claim 2, in which there are provided dovetail slide elements beneath the tray, the tray arms being adjustable along said slide elements.

4. A wheelchair tray according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the tray is provided with a raised edge and with a surface adapted for a particular occupation of the wheelchair user.

5.A wheelchair tray according to any one of the preceding claims, in which there is provided a drawer slide mounted beneath the tray.

6. A wheelchair tray constructed, arranged and adapted to be used substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.