WO2004004621A2

WO2004004621A2 - Table for disabled person

Info

Publication number: WO2004004621A2
Application number: PCT/IB2003/003086
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi Anzelini
Original assignee: Luigi Anzelini
Priority date: 2002-07-05
Filing date: 2003-07-04
Publication date: 2004-01-15
Also published as: AU2003281261A8; ITTN20020006U1; AU2003281261A1; WO2004004621A3

Abstract

The table for disabled subjects according to the invention comprising a table (1) and two satellite tables (2, 3) hinged thereto in order to be able to rotate, in relation to the table (1), in a horizontal plane. The satellite tables are provided to house under each one of them a patient in a wheelchair.

Description

TABLE FOR DISABLED PERSON

Technical field.

The present invention relates to a table for the disabled and, more in particular, a table for disabled people who move in wheelchairs. Background art

At present, nursing homes for the elderly, sheltered housing and similar structures use for their canteens tables ordinarily designed for use in hotels. The presence of disabled people and the increasing use of wheelchairs in order to allow elderly people in general to move would however call for specific products that also adapt to the specific needs of such subjects.

Such specific products are today unavailable on the market and therefore one object of this invention is to provide a table for wheelchair users that solves this short falling.

Summary of the invention This object is achieved, in a first aspect of the present invention with a satellite table for the disabled, comprising

-a eating top suitable for holding at least the tableware and food necessary for having a meal;

-at least one resting leg suitable for resting on the ground and supporting said eating top;

-hinging means suitable for fixing said eating top and/or said at least one resting leg suitable for supporting and/or balancing said satellite table, said hinging means being suitable for allowing the rotation of said eating top and/or said at least one resting leg at least in a horizontal plane. The abovementioned object is fulfilled, in a second aspect of the present invention, with a composite table for the disabled, comprising "at least two satellite tables as defined above and characterised by the fact that the hinging means of said satellite tables are connected at least in twos by suitable connection means.

The advantages that can be achieved with the present invention will prove more evident, to a man skilled in the art, with the following detailed description of an example of a particular non-limiting embodiment, with reference to the following figures. List of the figures

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a prospective view of a first particular embodiment of a composite table for disabled subjects according to the present invention, open; Figure 2 schematically illustrates a view from above of the table in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 schematically illustrates a view for the table of figure 1 , closed; Figure 4 schematically illustrates a view from above of a second particular embodiment of a composite table for disabled people according to this invention, closed; Detailed description

The non-limiting embodiment shown in the attached Figures comprises a central ordinary table body 1 , of a type known per se, and two satellite tables 2, 3 connected to the ordinary table 1 by means of two columns 4, 5 - in the present description also denominated uprights 4, 5 - in order to create a composite table for disabled subjects. To the central table 1 are firmly fixed two columns or uprights 4, 5 each one constituted by a hollow external cylindrical body inside which a further cylindrical body rotates on bearings. To each of these internal cylinders the frame of another satellite table 2 or 3 is fixed, supported respectively by the column 4 or 5 and by two own legs - respectively 6,7 or 8, 9- that can slide on swinging - or pivoting - wheels 17. The satellite tables 2, 3 are therefore able to rotate in plane of 90° each one pivoting on its column 4, 5: Figures 1 ,2 show a table for disabled people according to this invention open and ready for use, whereas Figure 3 shows the same table with the two satellite tables closed, when not in use. Advantageously, the depth of the satellite tables will be suitably limited, in such a way as not to make it excessively inconvenient for an operator to spoon-feed a resident when sitting opposite him.

In the present embodiment the surfaces 10, 11 - in the present patent application also referred to as eating tops- of the satellite tables 2, 3 are then connected to their respective frames 12, 13 by means of tooth rails 15 - in other words rods or bars on which a rack cut has been made - that are adjustable in height - for example with spring hooking systems or reel and rack type systems- in order to be able to adjust the height of the surface 10, 11 of each table to the wheelchair of a disabled or elderly subject.

The frame 12, 13 of each satellite table 2,3 also comprises a structure with a substantially C-shape comprising three crosspieces 18 -Figure 3; preferably the C- shaped structure links the two legs, the surfaces 10,11 and the upright 4 or 5; the C-shaped structure has a width such as to make it possible to house inside it the wheelchair with a disabled subject by inserting it underneath the surface 10 or 11 when the disabled subject needs to eat or in any case rest. In the embodiment of Figures 1-3 the two columns 4, 5 are connected to one another by crosspieces 19 and by an auxiliary tray or surface 16, described with more details below.

In the embodiment in Figures 1 , 2 both in the satellite table 2 and the satellite table 3 the relative upright 4 or 5 is on the same side, right or left, as the satellite table in question - respectively 2 or 3 - in relation to the open side of the C- shaped structure of the table itself; moreover, in each of the satellite tables 2, 3 each of the uprights 4, 5 are preferably located in the vicinity of one of the corners of the table nearest to the open side of the C-shaped structure of the table 2 or 3 itself. This arrangement is advantageous because it allows all three residents, when they are seated at the composite table in the position of the chairs in Figure 2, to look in a single direction, for example watch television during a meal; this device presents the further advantage of simultaneously permitting three operators to spoon feed each resident seated opposite, although the composite table occupies a relatively limited area of the room. In the example of embodiment of Figure 1-3 the set of the two satellite tables 2, 3, of the base and the crosspieces 19 that connect uprights 4, 5 are connected to the table 1 , of a type in itself known, with suitable means of fixing that can be reversible -such as for example hooks, screwings or boltings - or irreversible - meaning connection systems such as cementing, welding or riveting that require operations of cutting, grinding or the use of chemical agents to separate the tables. To each table 1 , 2, 3 can be connected a blister pack holder 14 - in other words a personal container of ready-dosed medicines subdivided into various treatments- fitted with a safety closure, in order to prevent or in any case hamper non- authorised persons from taking for example doses of medicines or the personal belongings of a patient, or that the patient takes the medicine at the wrong time or in doses that are incorrect: in fact in general, at the current state of the art, the medicines are left unguarded on the table, thus exposing patients to risks of abuse, changeover or lack of assumption of the medicines. The blister pack holder on the other hand makes readily available at the right time the medicines necessary for each patient, thus at the same time preventing the possibility of abuse by the latter and favouring the administration of ready-dosed medicines divided according to time bands and various therapies.

The blister pack holder can for example be fixed under the plane of each table by a drawer mechanism with lateral guides that allows its extraction, or could be a simple compartment fixed to the composite table closed by a door and provided with a safety closure - or more generally closure means - of the blister pack holder can be of various kinds, for example locks with mechanical, electronic, magnetic keys, combinations locks with access codes or other recognition systems. The blister pack holder can also be fixed, alternatively, not to the single tables 1 , 2, 3 but for example to the two columns 4, 5: in this case the blister pack holder could be created as a single container with three or more drawers, in order to enclose, with safety closures, the medicines of all three patients that habitually sit at the composite table in question. Between the two columns 4, 5 in their upper part can be fixed a tray or auxiliary surface 16, on which objects of various kinds can be rested: personal belongings useful to the patients during meals, food and tableware, flowers to brighten the environment up.

The embodiment of Figures 1-3, linking in a single structure tables for patients in wheelchairs and a table for patients not using them favours integration between the various patients, thus preventing, for example, that the patients in wheelchairs feel excluded and segregated. The composite table previously described is susceptible to numerous amendments and variations, without departing from the scope of the present invention: for example, the eating top is not necessary only rectangular, but also of different shapes, for example square, polygonal, round, oval etc.; the C-shaped structure can be absent, or replaced with a structure with a similar function and different shape; each satellite table 2, 3 can be fitted with a variable number of legs, and in particular, in addition to the legs 6, 7, 8, 9 in a more distant position in relation to the point of hinging of the satellite table itself to the uprights 4, 5 can be provided with one or two legs 20 in the part of the satellite table nearest to the point of hinging with the ordinary table 1 - Figure 4: this variant is particularly advantageous in the case that a moody patient, seated at the table, slams a fist on the eating top 10 of a satellite table; the blow is transmitted by the legs 20 onto the floor thus avoiding excessive stress and damage to the structure that connects the satellite tables to the columns 4, 5 or in any case to the rest of the composite table. The legs 6, 7, 8, 9, 20 of the satellite tables 2, 3 can also be devoid of swinging wheels 17.

The height from the ground of the eating top 10, 11 can be adjusted not only by means of toothed bar devices 15 but more in general with height adjustment means - for example with rods that can be blocked with ring nuts, with worm screw or screw jack systems, pantograph devices or other lever mechanisms that adjust either the height of the eating top in relation to the C-shaped structure 18 or the length of the legs 6-9 or again the position of the legs 6-9 in relation to the plane 11 ; such adjustment means can be activated manually or with motors - for example electric motors - or those activated manually but with the aid of auxiliary devices such as gas springs; the columns or hinging means of a number of satellite tables can be connected to one another more in general by connection means, and not only by crosspieces 19 - for example the same ordinary table 1 can also create such connection means -, or a number of satellite tables can be connected to one another having columns in common; the state of the art table - for hotel use - can be replaced with other types of table equipped for disabled subjects the same as or different to the satellite tables according to this invention; each satellite table 2, 3 can be fixed in such a way to be able to rotate not only on one upright 4, 5 but more in general on suitable hinging means connected in turn to an ordinary table 1 or to other satellite tables, and suitable for allowing the rotation of the satellite table to which they belong at least in a horizontal plane, whereas the uprights 4, 5 may be absent.

Any amendment and modification that falls within the meaning and field of equivalence of the claims is intended included.

Claims

1) A satellite table for disabled subjects, comprising

-a eating top suitable for supporting at least the tableware and food necessary for having a meal; -at least one resting leg, suitable for resting on the ground and supporting said eating top;

-hinging means suitable for fixing said eating top and/or said at least one resting leg to a support suitable for supporting and/or balancing said satellite table, said hinging means being suitable for allowing the rotation of said eating top and or said at least one resting leg at least in a horizontal plane.

2) The satellite table according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one resting upright, suitable for resting on the ground, said hinging means being fixed to said resting upright.

3) The satellite table according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said eating top has a substantially rectangular or square shape and said hinging means are arranged substantially in the proximity of a corner of said eating top.

4) The satellite table according to one or more of the previous claims further, comprising means of height adjustment, suitable for varying and adjusting the height from the ground of said eating top. 5) The satellite table according to one or more of the previous claims, further comprising a plurality of said resting legs and a substantially C-shaped structure positioned below said eating top and to which said resting legs are fixed, said C- shaped structure being suitable for housing within it a wheelchair with the user thereof. 6) The satellite table according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said at least one resting leg comprises at least one sliding wheel on which it can slide over a floor.

7) The satellite table according to one or more of the previous claims, further comprising at least one container suitable for containing packets or doses of medicines, said container comprising closure means suitable for closing it or preventing the opening thereof by unauthorised persons.

8) The satellite table according to one or more of the previous claims, further comprising reversible or irreversible fixing means, suitable for connecting it reversibly or irreversibly respectively to an ordinary table.

9) A composite table for disabled subjects, comprising at least two satellite tables according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the hinging means of said tables are connected at least in twos to one another by connection means.

10) The composite table according to claim 9, wherein in each of said satellite tables said hinging means are on the same side of said satellite table, right or left , in relation to the open side of the C-shaped structure of the satellite television itself. 11 ) The composite table according to claim 9 and/or 10 and according to Claims 3 and 5, wherein in each of said satellite tables said hinging means are arranged nearer to the open side of the C-shaped structure of the satellite table itself.

12) The composite table according to one or more claims from 9 to 11, further comprising said reversible means of fixing suitable for connecting reversibly said hinging means to an ordinary table.

13) The composite table according to one or more claims from 9 to 11 , further comprising irreversible fixing means suitable for irreversibly connecting at least one of said satellite tables to an ordinary table (1 ).

14) The composite table according to one or more of the claims from 9 to 13, further comprising at least one auxiliary surface of dimensions substantially smaller than said eating tops, said auxiliary surface being fixed to at least one of said uprights and being suitable for resting objects on it.

15) The composite table according to one or more of the claims from 9 to 14 further comprising at least one container suitable for containing packs or doses of medicines, said container comprising closure means being suitable for closing it or preventing it being opened by unauthorised persons.

16) A satellite table rotation mechanism consisting of a cylinder joined to the frame of the satellite tables turning on bearings inside a hollow cylindrical body joined to the central table that is also one of the supports of the table itself, where rotation is possible on an arc of 90° thanks partly to the swinging wheels fixed to the base of other two legs of each satellite table.

17) An adjustment mechanism of the eating top of each satellite table, wherein each eating top is connected, to the frame of the table by means of toothrails adjustable in height, and the table frame is open on the side used by the disabled subject.

18) A personal holder for blister pack or other of ready-dosed medicines subdivided according to time bands and for various treatments, fitted with safety closure and fixed under the eating top of each table by means of a drawer mechanism with lateral guides that allows extraction of said holder.