Tray supporting device for a wheelchair

Abstract

The tray-supporting device for a wheelchair includes an attachment member attached to the back of the wheelchair. A holding member that receives and holds items is positioned in front of the user. An elongated support member connects to the attachment member. The support member forms two substantially ninety-degree bends, so that the elongated support member travels vertically from the attachment member and horizontally over a shoulder of the user, when the user is seated in the wheelchair.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tray supporting device for a wheelchair comprising: 
 a) an attachment member attached to a wheelchair;    b) a holding member, wherein the holding member receives and holds items; and    c) an elongated support member connected to the attachment member and the holding member, wherein the elongated support member travels vertically from the attachment member and over a shoulder of a user and down the front of the user to the holding member when the user is seated in the wheelchair.    
     
     
         2 . The tray supporting device of  claim 1  wherein the attachment member attaches to a pre-existing opening on the back structure of the wheelchair.  
     
     
         3 . The tray-supporting device of  claim 2  wherein the attachment member is a metal plate having a plurality of apertures, wherein the attachment member attaches to preexisting openings on the back structure of the wheelchair.  
     
     
         4 . The tray-supporting device of  claim 3  wherein the holding member has a cup opening that accepts a drinking cup.  
     
     
         5 . A tray-supporting device for a wheelchair comprising: 
 a) an attachment member attached to a wheelchair;    b) a holding member, wherein the holding member receives and holds items; and    c) an elongated support member connected to the attachment member and the holding member, wherein the elongated support member forms two substantially ninety degree bends, so that the elongated support member travels vertically from the attachment member and horizontally over a shoulder of a user and down the front of the user to the holding member when the user is seated in the wheelchair.    
     
     
         6 . The tray-supporting device of  claim 5  wherein the attachment member attaches to a pre-existing opening on the back structure of the wheelchair.  
     
     
         7 . The tray-supporting device of  claim 6  wherein the attachment member is a metal plate having a plurality of apertures, wherein the attachment member attaches to a pre-existing opening on the back structure of the wheelchair.  
     
     
         8 . The tray-supporting device of  claim 7  wherein the holding member has a cup opening that accepts a drinking cup.  
     
     
         9 . A tray supporting device for a wheelchair comprising: 
 a) an attachment member attached to a wheelchair;    b) a holding member, wherein the holding member receives and holds items;    c) a mounting member attached to the attachment member, the mounting member having an interior channel;    d) an elongated support member connected to the mounting member and the holding member, wherein the elongated support member travels vertically from the mounting member and over a shoulder of a user and down the front of the user to the holding member when the user is seated in the wheelchair, wherein the elongated support member recedes within the interior channel of the mounting member; and    e) a gripping member attached to the mounting member and attached to the elongated support member, wherein rotation of the gripping member loosens or tightens the gripping member so that the elongated support member can be fixedly attached to the mounting member when the gripping member is tightened, and wherein the height of the elongated support member can be adjusted by loosening the gripping member, moving the elongated support member and tightening the gripping member.    
     
     
         10 . The tray-supporting device of  claim 9  wherein the support member forms two substantially ninety degree bends, so that the elongated support member travels horizontally over a shoulder of the user and down the front of the user to the holding member when the user is seated in the wheelchair.  
     
     
         11 . The tray-supporting device of  claim 10  wherein the elongated support member is rotatable.  
     
     
         12 . The tray supporting device of  claim 11  wherein the attachment member attaches to a pre-existing opening on the back structure of the wheelchair.  
     
     
         13 . The tray-supporting device of  claim 12  wherein the attachment member is a metal plate having a plurality of apertures, wherein the attachment member attaches to the pre-existing openings on the back structure of the wheelchair.  
     
     
         14 . The tray-supporting device of  claim 13  wherein the holding member has a cup opening that accepts a drinking cup.