GB2520524A

GB2520524A - Pat table

Info

Publication number: GB2520524A
Application number: GB1320656.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Hopkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-11-22
Filing date: 2013-11-22
Publication date: 2015-05-27
Also published as: GB2535947A; WO2015075418A9; GB201610799D0; GB201320656D0; GB2535947B; WO2015075418A1

Abstract

A table comprising a body 20 defining a tabletop wherein the body 20 is mountable on a first part of a bed 200 and an arm 60 extending from the body 20 wherein the arm has a distal connector 65 for attachment to a second part of the bed 200 to brace the body 20. The length and angle of the arm 60 may be adjustable and a clip may be provided on the tabletop to hold the arm. The tabletop 20 may be mounted on a bed rail using a clip, catch or recess on its underside which may be a recess 10 in a raised peripheral wall. Recesses may be provided for holding drinks or pens and a ledge, clip or grip may be provided for holding items with the table in a vertical position. The device is designed for attachment to the rails on the side of a hospital bed.

Description

A TABLE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a table, in particular a table for use on a bed; more particularly but not exclusively a temporary table for use on institutional beds.

Background

Whilst in bed for long periods of time, such as when in institutions like a hospital or care home, it is often desirable for a user to have access to a surface to store items on nearby; as often mobility is restricted and it is vital to have a location that is easy to reach.

Mobile tables forming separate structures take up a lot of space making it difficult for others to move around the bed, and may limit access for nurses, family or carers to the bedside.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: United States patent application US20090266274 discloses an overbed table with a primary table top may be expanded through the deployment of a secondary table top.

Advantageously, by appropriately arranging the position of the manner by which the secondary table top is mounted to the overbed table, the top surface of the secondary table top can occupy the same plane as the top surface of the primary table top. Additionally, the overbed table may incorporate further features including equipment rails, power receptacles, networking receptacles and a computing device.

Granted United States patent US7523900 reveals a moveable book and table holder for a hospital bed having a pair of elongate side rails, said holder comprising: a rectangular structure sized for disposition over the bed and having opposing longitudinal edges and opposing lateral edges and a predetermined depth; hooks configured to complement the shape of the side rails, at least a pair of the hooks extending from each opposing lateral edge of the structure configured for supporting on a top edge of the elongate side rails in response to solely vertical movement onto the elongate side rails.

Granted United States patent US4591 124 discloses a hospital bed reading book support with a lamp attached, comprising: an uppermost book rest; a lamp affixed to said book rest; an upper post pivotable in a vertical plane having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end being pivotally connected to a lower portion of said book rest whereby said book rest can pivot in a plane perpendicular to the fir5t said plane to assume a number of different positions towards and away from the reader.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a table comprising: a body providing a tabletop in which the body is mountable on a first part of a bed; and an arm extending from the body, in which the arm comprises a distal connector for attachment to a second part of the bed so as to brace the mounted body.

Preferably the arm is adjustable so as to allow bracing in a plurality of locations.

Preferably the arm is also adjustable in length and attitude to the body. Typically the arm is aftached to the body at a hinge. The arm may be adjustable in attitude so as to allow the tabletop to be maintained substantially horizontal and consequently of maximal use as a tabletop.

Typically the orientation of the body can be adjusted by positioning and adjustment of the arm. In this way the body may be arranged in a substantially horizontal orientation to allow items to be rested on top of the table or at a substantially vertical arrangement wherein items can be supported upright, such as a screen for viewing.

Therefore the body may serves as a table for supporting items or a stand for supporting items.

In this way the table can be mounted on the bed for supporting items such as drinks, books or electrical devices. When not required the table can be removed and collapsed so not forming a permanent structure that may be an obstacle.

In preferred embodiments the table is for use on bed with sides comprising rails, such as those provided on institutional beds, like hospital beds or care home beds.

Such rails typically are formed of tubular steel and run the length of the bed side, providing a barrier to prevent a user from falling from the bed, provide handles for moving the bed and attachment points for equipment. The rails may often times be displaced for easier access. The table can be fitted as a temporary fixture to the rai Is.

Preferably the body is arranged as a substantially planar form to have a flat top surface for receiving items and a lower face arranged for attachment of the arm and for receipt of the rail or similar bed part.

Preferably therefore the lower face comprises a bed attachment means, comprising an indentation or female clip, arrangeable to receive and grip the bed part.

Additionally the lower face typically comprises a base or root for the arm, typically wherein such base comprises a hinge or other similar articulation for the arm with respect to the lower face. Such base may comprise or be arranged at a side of the lower face or body.

In some embodiments the tabletop or top face includes at least one, for example a plurality of recesses for receiving particular items, for example wherein the tabletop includes recesses arranged for holding drinks or pens.

Ideally the tabletop is smooth so as to be easily wiped clean, therefore being hygienic and rendered more suitable for use in institutions.

In some embodiments the top face of the body may atso comprise a uppermost clip, lowermost ledge or displaceable grip arrangeable so that items can be supported against gravity against the tabletop when the body is arranged in a more vertical or upright orientation.

Preferably the lower face includes a raised peripheral wall on or in which the attachment means is provided. Advantageously the peripheral wall also serves to define a cavity into which the arm may be arranged when not in use.

Typically the attachment means may comprise at least one semi-circular indentation so as to be suitable for receiving a tubular rail surrounding a bed. In this way the body can be easily hooked onto or over the rail.

In some embodiments the attachment means may comprise a sprung clip so that the clip is urged apart to receive the bed rails, and therefore the body can be supported on the bed by only the means in some instances.

In yet further embodiments the attachment means may comprise at least one indentation lined in a resiliently deformable material such as rubber or silicone, in order to prevent the table from moving or slipping on the rail in use.

Typically the body is substantially rectangular, having indentations arranged proximate one shorter edge of the body and the arm arranged at the opposite shorter edge, in order that the tabletop extends away from the bed for ease of use. In further embodiments the attachment means and arm may be arranged to the longer edges of the body to provide a tabletop running substantially parallel to the bed.

In preferred embodiments the arm is attached at, or close to, an edge of the body and composed of sections no longer than the body, so that it can be collapsed flush against the body when not in use, to not extend beyond the body when collapsed.

Preferably the arm is capable of being compacted to be held within the footprint of the body.

Ideally the arm is telescopically formed from at least two concentrically or coaxial sections that can be extended from one another and, for example, locked in place by twisting or a plurality of sprung pins.

Advantageously the arm includes a connector at a distal end. Said connector is preferably arranged to allow the arm to be attached to the bed or another rail and brace or cantilever the tabletop at a preferred arrangement. Adjustment of the arm allows the table to be adapted to various different rail arrangements therefore being suitable for use on different types of bed and for arrangement at different orientations.

Typically the connector may be adapted to be secured on the bed. For example the connector may compriss a sprung catch such as a pair of sprung fingers, or a clamp for fixing about the rail.

Advantageously the body may be be arranged at two main orientations or in two main attitude variants, and ideally plural variants therebetween; comprising an horizontal orientation where the arm is arranged diagonally to a lower rail in order to form a brace to support the tabletop substantially horizontal and a second orientation where the tabletop is substantially vertical to support an item such as a tablet, smartphone, book or magazine, to be read or viewed; where the arm is also arranged substantially vertically alignment.

In some embodiments the arm is arranged to be spaced apart from the body by the base so as to allow the arm to allow the connector to reach the bed when the tabletop is in a substantially vertical orientation. For example the hinge is mounted on a displaceable or extendable base that allows the arm to be projected from the body.

Alternatively or additiortal(y the distal connector may be moveable so as to distance the arm from the tabletop plane.

Preferably the lower face of the body includes a catch for stowing the arm. For example the catch may comprise a pair of sprung fingers similar to, or the same as the connector that are urged apart to accept and hold the arm when not in use.

In preferred embodiments the body is made from a lightweight, durable, strong material such as synthetic plastic. Typically the body may be moulded from plastic therefore allowing for quick and easy manufacture.

Ideally arm may be formed from a strong lightweight material such as synthetic plastic or metal such as aluminium so as to be suitable for repeated use.

Advantageously the table may be provided in various colours, patterns and/or materials so as to be suitable for different conditions, users and locations.

Typically in use the table is erected by displacing the arm from the stowed position, locating the cutaway sections on the bed, arranging the arm to connect to a second part of the bed by means of the connector. In this way the table is fixed to the bed and can be adapted to fit different beds and to be arranged at different orientations so as to hold different items.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the table attached to bed rails wherein the body is in a horizontal orientation; Figure 2 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3A shows a view from below of the body with the arm in the stowed arrangement of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3B shows a plan view of the tabletop of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4A shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with arm stowed; Figure 4B shows a front view view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with arm stowed; Figure 5 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with body substantially vertical, in use with a tablet computing device; Figure 6 shows a front view of the table as shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows a rear view of the table shown in FigureS; and Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the table as shown in Figure 5.

Detailed Description of Figures

The figures show a preferred embodiment of the table shown mounted upon bed rails in various orientations. The figures also show the table in the stowed arrangement when not in use.

Figures 1 and 2 show the table 100 arranged on a set of bed rails 200. The table has a body 20 arranged over an upper bed rail 200A, the body 20 having a cutaway section 10 arranged on a lower face 30 of the body 20.

The cutaway section 20 is adapted to receive a rail, being substantially semi circular so as to receive a standard tubular rail.

The body 20 includes a ledge 50 arranged on a top face 40 of the body 20. The ledge 50 serves to prevent items supported on the body from slipping off when the body is arranged in the vertical orientation. For example the ledge 50 provides a stand for a tablet computer 70 to be located in an upright position, as shown in Figures 5 to 8.

The body 20 has an arm 60 attached to a lower face 30 of the body 20. The arm has a distally mounted connector 65 that is adapted to receive a lower rail 20DB. The arm is arranged to form a brace so that the body 20 is supported in a horizontal position. In this way items can be supported atop the body 20.

The arm 60 is telescopic, being formed from two parts wherein one fits concentrically within another so as to be capable of extension and retraction in order to alter length of the arm 60.

The body 20 is rectangular have peripheral waIls 25 into which the cutaway section is cut. The peripheral walls 25 define a cavity into which the arm 60 is stowed when not in use. Therefore the table can be easily stacked when not in use.

The arm 60 is mounted to the body 20 by means of a hinge 80 so as to be capable of articulation.

Figures 3A and 38 show the top face 40 and lower face 30 of the body 20. Figure 3A shows the arm 60 retracted so as to be folded flush against the lower face 30 when not in use.

The arm 60 is held in the stowed position by a clamp 90. The clamp 90 comprises two sprung fingers that are adapted to receiving the arm 60 having one finger either side of the arm.

The lower face 30 includes a plurality of ridges 35 that serve to strengthen the body so that it is suitable for supporting items.

The top face 40 includes a recess 45 for receiving a drink for example a glass, bottle or can.

Figures 4A and 4B show the table 100 in the stowed arrangement wherein the arm is stowed within the cavity defined by the peripheral walls 25.

Figures 5-8 show the table 100 in the vertical orientation wherein the body 20 is used to support an item 70 to be viewed such as a book or tablet computer. The arm 60 is braced parallel to the body 20.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. a

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A table comprising: a body providing a tabletop in which the body is mountable on a first part of a bed; and an arm extending from the body, in which the arm comprises a distal connector for attachment to a second part of the bed so as to brace the mounted body.
2. A table according to claim 1 wherein the arm is adjustable so as to allow bracing in a plurality of locations.
3. A table according to claim I or 2 wherein the arm is adjustable in length and attitude to the body.
4. A table according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the body is arranged as a substantially planar form to have an uppertabletop surface for receiving items, and a lower surface arranged for attachment of the arm and for receipt of a tubular rail or similar bed part.
5. A table according to any of the preceding claims wherein the lower surface comprises a bed attachment means comprising one or more of a clip1 catch or recess.
6. A table according to any of claim 5 wherein the lower surface includes a raised peripheral wall on or in which the attachment means is provided.
7. A table according to any of the preceding claims wherein the tabletop includes recesses arranged for holding drinks or pens 8. A table according to any of the preceding claims wherein the tabletop comprises: an uppermost clip, lowermost ledge or displaceable grip arrangeable so that items can be supported against gravity against the tabletop when the body is arranged in a relatively vertical orientation.9. A table according to any of the preceding claims wherein the body includes a catch for stowing the arm 10. A table substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A table comprising: a body providing a surface in which the body is mountable on a first part of a bed; and an arm extending from the body, in which the arm comprises a distal connector for attachment to a second part of the bed so as to brace the mounted body, wherein the body can be configured in a first arrangement so as to be substantially horizontal providing a table top and in a second configuration so as to be substantially vertical in order to provide a stand for an object.2. A table according to any of the preceding claims wherein the body has a ledge for supporting an object in the vertical configuration.3. A table according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the arm is adjustable.4. A table according to any preceding claim wherein the arm is adjustable in length.5. A table according to any preceding claim wherein the arm is adjustable in o 20 attitude to the body.(0 6. A table according to any preceding claim wherein the body has a substantially planar form to have an upper surface for receiving items, and a lower surface arranged for attachment of the arm and for receipt of a bed part.7. A table according to any of the preceding claims wherein the lower surface comprises a bed attachment means comprising one or more of a clip, catch or recess.
8. A table according to any of claim 7 wherein the lower surface includes a raised peripheral wall on or in which the attachment means is provided.
9. A table according to any of the preceding claims wherein the upper surface includes recesses arranged for holding drinks or pens.
10. A table according to any preceding claim wherein the body includes a clip or displaceable grip for securing an object to the body.
11. A table according to any of the preceding claims wherein the body includes a catch for stowing the arm.
12. A table substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.S (0 (4