Modular tube and table retrofitable to a wheelchair

Abstract

A tabletop which is effectively easily retrofitable onto a wheelchair without any drilling or welding. The design can support an electronic device for computer-assisted living or simply provide a worksurface for reading or eating. The tabletop assembly is stabilized by an adjustable support structure. A mounting clamp may be provided to mount to the frame of the wheelchair, or a welded mounting tube can be provided which attaches onto the wheelchair footrest. The tabletop can be used in tandem with an optional horizontal panel which is mounted over the tabletop and top-hat brackets to support items such as an electronic device or a beverage. Alternatively, the tabletop can include a control panel which includes, for example, one or more pushbuttons, joy sticks and/or trackballs.

1 . A table for a wheelchair, said table comprising: means for mounting to a wheelchair; a tabletop; and support structure disposed between the mounting means and the tabletop.  
   
   
       2 . A table as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting means comprises a mounting tube configured to mount to a footrest of a wheelchair.  
   
   
       3 . A table as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the mounting tube comprises a vertical tube configured to receive an end of the support structure.  
   
   
       4 . A table as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the mounting tube further comprises a top bracket which extends from the vertical tube and is configured to clear a top of the footrest of the wheelchair.  
   
   
       5 . A table as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the mounting tube further comprises a horizontal bracket which extends from the vertical tube and is configured to mount to a pin of the footrest of the wheelchair.  
   
   
       6 . A table as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tabletop comprises an enclosure.  
   
   
       7 . A table as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the enclosure comprises a bottom panel and at least one contoured edge.  
   
   
       8 . A table as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the enclosure comprises a bottom panel and edges having recesses formed therein, and wherein the enclosure further comprises a top panel which has edges which are configured to be received in the recesses, thereby supporting the top panel relative to the bottom panel.  
   
   
       9 . A table as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the top panel has a circular cutout formed therein.  
   
   
       10 . A table as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising brackets disposed between the top and bottom panels.  
   
   
       11 . A table as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the brackets which are disposed between the top and bottom panels have air holes formed therein.  
   
   
       12 . A table as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a bracket disposed relative to the tabletop and the support structure such that a position of the tabletop is adjustable relative to the support structure.  
   
   
       13 . A table as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the bracket which is disposed relative to the tabletop and the support structure such that a position of the tabletop is adjustable relative to the support structure includes a plurality of holes which are configured to receive corresponding structure on the support structure for securing the position of the tabletop relative to the support structure.  
   
   
       14 . A table as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tabletop comprises a bottom panel, further comprising a bracket which is disposed under the bottom panel and which is configured to secure to the support structure.  
   
   
       15 . A table as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is adjustable such that a height of the tabletop is adjustable.  
   
   
       16 . A table as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is securable in the mounting means at different positions, such that a height of the tabletop is adjustable.  
   
   
       17 . A table as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is removable from the mounting means, and the mounting means is configured to receive a vertical tube which is configured to support an IV bag.  
   
   
       18 . A table as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting means comprises a mounting clamp configured to secure to a frame of the wheelchair.  
   
   
       19 . A table as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises an upper support assembly and a lower support assembly, wherein the upper support assembly is configured to support the tabletop, is configured to telescope relative to the lower support assembly to facilitate height adjustment of the tabletop, and is configured to rotate relative to the lower support assembly such that the tabletop is orientateable away from the wheelchair.  
   
   
       20 . A table as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the upper support assembly comprises a vertical tube which is configured to interact with corresponding structure on the lower support assembly to facilitate adjustment and securement of the vertical tube relative to the lower support assembly.  
   
   
       21 . A table as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the lower support assembly comprises a tube and a plunger which is disposed on the tube and has a tip, wherein the vertical tube includes at least one opening which is configured to receive the tip of the plunger.  
   
   
       22 . A table as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising a tabletop assembly which comprises a panel and a mounting bracket disposed on the panel and configured to engage corresponding structure on the upper support assembly for adjusting and securing a position of the panel.  
   
   
       23 . A table as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising an inner mounting clamp which is configured to mount to the frame of the wheelchair, an outer mounting clamp which is configured to clamp to the lower support structure, and structure which is clamped by both the inner and outer mounting clamps such that the outer mounting clamp is spaced away from the inner mounting clamp.  
   
   
       24 . A table as recited in  claim 23 , wherein both the inner and outer mounting clamps are comprised of a plurality of clamp sections held together by fasteners.  
   
   
       25 . A table as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tabletop comprises a control panel having at least one manually operable component disposed thereon, said manually operable component comprising at least one of a pushbutton, a joystick and a trackball.  
   
   
       26 . A table as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the control panel is configured to communicate with an electronic device.  
   
   
       27 . A table as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tabletop comprises an enclosure having a bottom panel and edges having recesses formed therein, and wherein the enclosure further comprises a top panel which has edges which are configured to be received in the recesses, thereby supporting the top panel relative to the bottom panel, wherein the top panel has at least one manually operable component disposed thereon, said manually operable component comprising at least one of a pushbutton, a joystick and a trackball.  
   
   
       28 . A tabletop assembly for a wheelchair, said tabletop assembly comprising: a bottom panel having edges and a top panel which is configured to be retained by the edges, thereby forming an enclosure.  
   
   
       29 . A tabletop assembly as recited in  claim 28 , wherein the top panel has a circular cutout formed therein.  
   
   
       30 . A tabletop assembly as recited in  claim 28 , further comprising brackets disposed between the top and bottom panels.  
   
   
       31 . A tabletop assembly as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the brackets which are disposed between the top and bottom panels have air holes formed therein.  
   
   
       32 . A tabletop assembly as recited in  claim 28 , further comprising a bracket which is engageable with corresponding support structure, wherein a position of the tabletop assembly is adjustable relative to time support structure.  
   
   
       33 . A tabletop assembly as recited in  claim 32 , wherein the bracket which is engageable with corresponding support structure includes a plurality of holes which are configured to receive corresponding structure on the support structure for securing the position of the tabletop assembly relative to the support structure.  
   
   
       34 . A tabletop assembly as recited in  claim 28 , further comprising a bracket which is disposed under the bottom panel and which is configured to secure to corresponding support structure.  
   
   
       35 . A tabletop assembly as recited in  claim 28 , wherein the enclosure is configured to retain an electronic device therein, wherein the top panel protects said electronic device.  
   
   
       36 . A tabletop assembly for a wheelchair, said tabletop assembly comprising a panel having at least one raised edge; a mounting bracket disposed on the panel and configured to engage corresponding structure for adjusting a position of the panel; and a mounting bracket disposed under the panel and configured to engage corresponding structure for securing the panel.  
   
   
       37 . A tabletop assembly as recited in  claim 36 , further comprising a top panel which is configured to be retained by edges of the bottom panel, thereby forming an enclosure.  
   
   
       38 . A tabletop assembly as recited in  claim 36 , further comprising brackets disposed between the top and bottom panels.  
   
   
       39 . A tabletop assembly as recited in  claim 38 , wherein the brackets which are disposed between the top and bottom panels have air holes formed therein.  
   
   
       40 . A tabletop assembly as recited in  claim 36 , wherein the mounting bracket which is disposed on the panel and configured to engage corresponding structure for adjusting a position of the panel includes an opening for receiving a tube and a plurality of holes which are configured to receive a pin which is associated with the tube.