Tray apparatus and methods regarding same

Abstract

A tray apparatus that can be attached to a walker and methods of using the tray apparatus. The tray apparatus has multiple configurations such that various object receiving surfaces may be selected for use.

1 . A tray apparatus for use with a walker, the tray apparatus comprising: 
 at least a first object receiving surface and a second object receiving surface;    a connection apparatus configured to position the second object receiving surface generally orthogonal to the first object receiving surface, wherein the connection apparatus further comprises walker connection elements for use in coupling the first object receiving surface and the second object receiving surface to one or more portions of the walker.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the walker connection elements are configured to allow for coupling of the tray apparatus to different walkers having different spacing between leg elements thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tray apparatus is configured such that when the tray apparatus is connected to the walker at least one of the first and second object receiving surfaces is located over a bar of the walker extending between two leg elements thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connection apparatus is configured to hold the first object receiving surface in a generally fixed orthogonal position relative to the second object receiving surface.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the connection apparatus is operable to allow a user to move the tray apparatus between a first configuration and a second configuration when the tray apparatus is coupled to the walker, wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to a ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the first configuration, and further wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the second configuration.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the connection apparatus further comprises at least one pair of brackets connected to one or both of the first object receiving surface and the second object receiving surface, wherein each bracket of the at least one pair of brackets comprises at least one opening for use in moving between the first configuration and second configuration.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the connection apparatus further comprises at least one crossover rod substantially orthogonal to the at least one pair of brackets, wherein the at least one crossover rod is coupled to the walker connection elements, and further wherein the at least one crossover rod extends through the at least one opening of each bracket of the at least one pair of brackets.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the connection apparatus further comprises a detent mechanism associated with the at least one crossover rod, wherein the detent mechanism is operable to lock the tray apparatus in either the first configuration or the second configuration.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the detent mechanism comprises a biased member operable to selectively engage with one or more notches in each bracket of the at least one pair of brackets.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one opening of each bracket of the at least one pair of brackets is generally T-shaped.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the connection apparatus further comprises a back member lying in a plane generally parallel to one of the first and second object receiving surfaces, and further wherein the back member is spring coupled to the one of the first object receiving surface and the second object receiving surface such that a trapping compartment is formed between the back member and portions of the one of the first object receiving surface and the second object receiving surface when the back member is separated from the portions thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a lid hingedly coupled to one of the first object receiving surface and second object receiving surface, wherein the lid covers at least a portion of the one of the first object receiving surface and second object receiving surface.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connection apparatus is operable to allow a user to move the second object receiving surface into a generally orthogonal position relative to the first object receiving surface.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the connection apparatus is operable to allow a user to move the tray apparatus between a first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration when the tray apparatus is coupled to the walker, wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to a ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the first configuration, wherein the first object receiving surface is at the substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the second configuration, and further wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at the substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the third configuration.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the connection apparatus comprises a hinge, wherein the hinge is used to couple the first object receiving surface to the second object receiving surface.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the connection apparatus further comprises: 
 an extension element comprising a first length and a second length, wherein the extension element is coupled to the second object receiving surface; and    an actuator coupled to the extension element, wherein the actuator is operable to move the extension element between the first length and the second length.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the extension element comprises a gas spring.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first object receiving surface and the second object receiving surface comprises at least one cup holder.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the walker connection elements comprise at least one pair of J-clamps, wherein a cross section of a first portion and a second portion of each J-clamp of the at least one pair of J-clamps parallel to a ground plane when connected to a walker comprises an elongated arcuate cross section, and further wherein the first portion and the second portion at least partially engage leg elements of the walker.  
     
     
         20 . A tray apparatus for use with a walker, the tray apparatus comprising: 
 a first tray comprising a first working surface;    a second tray comprising a second working surface, wherein the second working surface is substantially orthogonal to the first working surface;    a connection apparatus connected to both the first tray and the second tray, wherein the connection apparatus is operable to couple the first tray and second tray to a walker via walker connection elements, and further wherein the connection apparatus is operable to allow a user to move the tray apparatus between a first configuration, where the first working surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to a ground plane and the second working surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane, and a second configuration, where the first working surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane and the second working surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane.    
     
     
         21 . The tray apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the connection apparatus comprises a back member lying in a plane generally parallel to one of the first and second working surfaces, and further wherein the back member is spring coupled to the one of the first tray and the second tray such that a trapping compartment is formed between the back member and portions of the one of the first working surface and the second working surface when the back member is separated from the portions thereof.  
     
     
         22 . The tray apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein one of the first tray and second tray comprises a lid hingedly coupled to the one of the first tray and the second tray to form a covered compartment.  
     
     
         23 . The tray apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the walker connection elements are configured to allow for coupling of the tray apparatus to different walkers having different spacing between leg elements thereof.  
     
     
         24 . The tray apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the tray apparatus is configured such that when the tray apparatus is connected to the walker at least one of the first and second trays is located over a bar of the walker extending between two leg elements thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The tray apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the connection apparatus further comprises at least one pair of brackets connected to one or both of the first tray and the second tray, wherein each bracket of the at least one pair of brackets comprises at least one opening for use in moving between the first configuration and second configuration.  
     
     
         26 . The tray apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the connection apparatus further comprises at least one crossover rod substantially orthogonal to the at least one pair of brackets, wherein the at least one crossover rod is coupled to the walker connection elements, and further wherein the at least one crossover rod extends through the at least one opening of each bracket of the at least one pair of brackets.  
     
     
         27 . The tray apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the connection apparatus further comprises a detent mechanism associated with the at least one crossover rod, wherein the detent mechanism is operable to lock the tray apparatus in either the first configuration or the second configuration.  
     
     
         28 . The tray apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the detent mechanism comprises a biased member operable to selectively engage with one or more notches in each bracket of the at least one pair of brackets.  
     
     
         29 . The tray apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one opening of each bracket of the at least one pair of brackets is generally T-shaped.  
     
     
         30 . The tray apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the walker connection elements comprise at least one pair of J-clamps, wherein a cross section of a first portion and a second portion of each J-clamp of the at least one pair of J-clamps parallel to a ground plane when connected to a walker comprises an elongated arcuate cross section, and further wherein the first portion and the second portion at least partially engage leg elements of the walker.  
     
     
         31 . A tray apparatus for use with a walker, the tray apparatus comprising: 
 at least a first object receiving surface and a second object receiving surface;    a connection apparatus operable to allow a user to move the second object receiving surface into a generally orthogonal position relative to the first object receiving surface, wherein the connection apparatus further comprises walker connection elements for use in coupling the first object receiving surface and the second object receiving surface to one or more portions of the walker;    wherein the connection apparatus is operable to allow the user to move the tray apparatus between a first configuration and a second configuration when the tray apparatus is coupled to the walker, wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to a ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the first configuration, and further wherein the first object receiving surface is at the substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the second configuration.    
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the walker connection elements are configured to allow for coupling of the tray apparatus to different walkers having different spacing between leg elements thereof.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the tray apparatus is configured such that when the tray apparatus is connected to the walker at least one of the first and second object receiving surfaces is located over a bar of the walker extending between two leg elements thereof.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the connection apparatus further comprises a back member lying in a plane generally parallel to one of the first and second object receiving surfaces, and further wherein the back member is spring coupled to the one of the first object receiving surface and the second object receiving surface such that a trapping compartment is formed between the back member and portions of the one of the first object receiving surface and second object receiving surface when the back member is separated from the portions thereof.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the connection apparatus further comprises at least one crossover rod substantially parallel to the first object receiving surface and the first object receiving surface, wherein the at least one crossover rod is coupled to the walker connection elements, and further wherein the first object receiving surface is connected to the at least one crossover rod.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the connection apparatus is further operable to allow the user to move the tray apparatus between the first configuration, the second configuration, and a third configuration when the tray apparatus is coupled to the walker, wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the third configuration.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the connection apparatus further comprises a hinge, wherein the hinge is used to couple the first object receiving surface to the second object receiving surface.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the connection apparatus further comprises: 
 an extension element comprising a first length and a second length, wherein the extension element is coupled to the second object receiving surface; and    an actuator coupled to the extension element, wherein the actuator is operable to move the extension element between the first length and the second length.    
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the extension element comprises a gas spring.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the walker connection elements comprise at least one pair of J-clamps, wherein a cross section of a first portion and a second portion of each J-clamp of the at least one pair of J-clamps parallel to a ground plane when connected to a walker comprises an elongated arcuate cross section, and further wherein the first portion and the second portion at least partially engage leg elements of the walker.  
     
     
         41 . A walker apparatus comprising: 
 a walker comprising at least one pair of ground engaging leg elements;    a tray apparatus coupled to the walker, the tray apparatus comprising: 
 at least a first object receiving surface and a second object receiving surface; and  
 a connection apparatus configured to position the second object receiving surface generally orthogonal to the first object receiving surface, wherein the connection apparatus further comprises walker connection elements for use in coupling the first object receiving surface and the second object receiving surface to the at least one pair of ground engaging leg elements.  
   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the connection apparatus is configured to hold the first object receiving surface in a generally fixed orthogonal position relative to the second object receiving surface.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the connection apparatus is operable to allow a user to move the tray apparatus between a first configuration and a second configuration when the tray apparatus is coupled to the walker, wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to a ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the first configuration, and further wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the second configuration.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the connection apparatus is operable to allow a user to move the second object receiving surface into a generally orthogonal position relative to the first object receiving surface.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the connection apparatus is operable to allow a user to move the tray apparatus between a first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration when the tray apparatus is coupled to the walker, wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to a ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the first configuration, wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the second configuration, and further wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the third configuration.  
     
     
         46 . A method of using a tray apparatus with a walker, the method comprising: 
 providing a tray apparatus, wherein the tray apparatus comprises a first object receiving surface and a second object receiving surface;    connecting the tray apparatus to a walker; and    moving the tray apparatus between at least a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the second object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to a ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the first configuration, and further wherein the second object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the second configuration.    
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the tray apparatus further comprises a back member spring coupled to the second object receiving surface, and wherein the method further comprises separating the back member from portions of the second object receiving surface to form a trapping compartment.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the method further comprises removing the tray apparatus from the walker and connecting the tray apparatus to a different type of walker having different spacing between leg elements thereof to which the tray apparatus is connected.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the first configuration.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the second configuration.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the method further comprises moving the tray apparatus to a third configuration, wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the third configuration.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the method further comprises collapsing the walker into a generally flat configuration when the tray apparatus is in the third configuration.  
     
     
         53 . A method of using a tray apparatus with a walker, the method comprising: 
 providing a tray apparatus, wherein the tray apparatus comprises a first object receiving surface and a second object receiving surface, wherein the first object receiving surface is held in a generally fixed orthogonal position relative to the second object receiving surface;    connecting the tray apparatus to a walker; and    moving the tray apparatus between at least a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to a ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the first configuration, and further wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the second configuration.    
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the tray apparatus further comprises a back member spring coupled to the second object receiving surface, and wherein the method further comprises separating the back member from portions of the second object receiving surface to form a trapping compartment.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the method further comprises removing the tray apparatus from the walker and connecting the tray apparatus to a different type of walker having different spacing between leg elements thereof to which the tray apparatus is connected.  
     
     
         56 . A method of using a tray apparatus with a walker, the method comprising: 
 providing a tray apparatus, wherein the tray apparatus comprises a first object receiving surface and a second object receiving surface;    connecting the tray apparatus to a walker; and    moving the tray apparatus between at least a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to a ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the first configuration, and further wherein the first object receiving surface is at a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the second configuration.    
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the tray apparatus further comprises a back member spring coupled to the second object receiving surface, and wherein the method further comprises separating the back member from portions of the second object receiving surface to form a trapping compartment.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the method further comprises removing the tray apparatus from the walker and connecting the tray apparatus to a different type of walker having different spacing between leg elements thereof to which the tray apparatus is connected.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the method further comprises moving the tray apparatus to a third configuration, wherein the first object receiving surface is at the substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane and the second object receiving surface is at a substantially vertical position relative to the ground plane when the tray apparatus is in the third configuration.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the method further comprises collapsing the walker into a generally flat configuration when the tray apparatus is in the third configuration.