Overbed table assembly

Abstract

Overbed table assemblies and table assemblies for use with a patient support surface are presented herein. In one embodiment, the overbed table assembly includes a movable base for supporting the overbed table assembly and a tabletop spaced from the base. A support beam structure interconnects the tabletop and the base. The support beam structure is attached to the base at a point below the upper surface thereof. In other embodiments, one or more elongated glide arms project transversely from the base to abut the ground and thereby provide cantilevered support for the tabletop. Optionally, the glide arm(s) are generally parallel with the ground, and less than approximately one inch high. The base may include an array of wheels, at least three of which are positioned directly under one side of the tabletop. The tabletop may be vertically adjustable, having an adjustable height of approximately 20-40 inches from the ground.

1 . An overbed table assembly comprising:
 a base configured to movably support the overbed table assembly, the base having an upper surface and a lower surface;   a tabletop spaced from the base; and   a support beam structure operatively connected at a first end thereof to the tabletop and at a second end thereof to the base, wherein the second end of the support beam structure is attached to the base at a point below the upper surface of the base.   
     
     
         2 . The overbed table assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal tip of the support beam structure is generally coplanar with the lower surface of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The overbed table assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the support beam structure is attached to the lower surface of the base. 
     
     
         4 . The overbed table assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a plurality of interconnected crossbeams, a mounting plate attaching the second end of the support beam structure to an underside of at least one of the plurality of crossbeams. 
     
     
         5 . The overbed table assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises at least one glide arm projecting transversely from the base to abut the ground and thereby provide cantilevered support for the tabletop. 
     
     
         6 . The overbed table assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one glide arm is generally parallel with the ground, the at least one glide arm having a height of less than approximately one inch. 
     
     
         7 . The overbed table assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one elongated glide arm includes at least one rounded protrusion projecting from an underside surface thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The overbed table assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one rounded protrusion lies between the at least one elongated glide arm and the ground and is configured to reduce sliding friction between the at least one elongated glide arm and the ground. 
     
     
         9 . The overbed table assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises at least three wheels positioned directly under one longitudinal side of the tabletop. 
     
     
         10 . The overbed table assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the at least three wheels are casters swivel mounted to the lower surface of the base. 
     
     
         11 . The overbed table assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support beam structure includes a generally hollow outer column coupled to one of the tabletop and the base, and an inner column coupled to the other of the tabletop and base, the inner column being telescopically mounted within the outer column such that the tabletop is selectively movable between a raised position and a lowered position. 
     
     
         12 . The overbed table assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the support beam structure includes a constant force spring attached at a first end to the outer column and at a second end to the inner column, the constant force spring biasing the tabletop toward the raised position. 
     
     
         13 . The bed assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tabletop is vertically adjustable, the tabletop having an adjustable height of approximately 20-40 inches from the ground. 
     
     
         14 . A table assembly comprising:
 a tabletop having first and second opposing sides, the tabletop being configured to cantilever above a patient support surface;   a base with at least three wheels positioned directly under the first side of the tabletop;   a support beam structure connecting the tabletop to the base; and   at least one elongated glide arm projecting transversely from the base to abut the ground and thereby provide cantilevered support for the tabletop.   
     
     
         15 . The table assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one elongated glide arm is generally parallel with the ground, the at least one elongated glide arm having a height of approximately ½ an inch over a longitudinal length thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The table assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one elongated glide arm includes at least one rounded protrusion projecting downwardly therefrom between the at least one elongated glide arm and the ground, the at least one rounded protrusion being configured to reduce sliding friction between the at least one elongated glide arm and the ground. 
     
     
         17 . The table assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the base has an upper surface and a lower surface, the support beam structure being attached to the base at a point below the upper surface of the base. 
     
     
         18 . The table assembly of  claim 14 , wherein a longitudinal tip of the support beam structure is generally coplanar with the lower surface of the base. 
     
     
         19 . The table assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the base comprises a plurality of interconnected crossbeams, a mounting plate attaching one end of the support beam structure to an underside of at least one of the plurality of crossbeams. 
     
     
         20 . An overbed table assembly comprising:
 a tabletop with a generally planar body having first and second generally congruent sides, the tabletop being configured to cantilever above a patient support surface;   a base with at least three wheels positioned directly under the first side of the tabletop, the base having an upper surface and a lower surface;   a support beam structure operatively connected at a first end thereof to the tabletop and at a second end thereof to the base, wherein the second end of the support beam structure is attached to the base at a point below the upper surface thereof; and   at least one elongated glide arm projecting transversely outward from the base to abut the ground and thereby provide cantilevered support for the tabletop.