Overbed table

Abstract

An overbed table having a base specially configured for use with patient beds having one or more retractable under-bed wheel(s) (e.g. a 5th wheel or drive wheels). The base includes an under-bed portion and an outer portion that may be joined by a transition portion. The under-bed portion is configured to be fitted under a bed when the overbed table is in use. The under-bed portion is supported at its inner end on low friction glides, and has a height that is low enough to pass under raised/retracted under-bed wheels. The outer portion is configured to remain out from beneath the bed and to provide a support structure for a column and a tabletop. The outer portion is raised relative the under-bed portion and is supported upon casters or other rolling elements. The under-bed portion may be generally planar and may include a central portion and a pair of legs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An overbed table for use with a patient or other healthcare bed having a retractable under-bed wheel comprising:
 a base having an under-bed portion with an inner end and an outer end, the inner end of the under-bed portion supported upon one or more low friction glides, the base further including an outer portion joined to the outer end of the under-bed portion, the outer portion being supported upon one or more rolling elements, the under-bed portion having a maximum height less than a retracted height of an under-bed wheel, whereby the under-bed portion is able to pass below a retracted under-bed wheel, the outer portion having a higher profile than the under-bed portion with a height greater than a retracted height of a retracted under-bed wheel;   a column affixed to and extending upwardly from the outer portion of the base;   a tabletop mounted atop the column.   
     
     
         2 . The overbed table of  claim 1  wherein the under-bed portion includes two low friction glides disposed toward the inner end of the under-bed portion. 
     
     
         3 . The overbed table of  claim 1  wherein the under-bed portion includes at least two legs; and
 wherein the one or more low friction glides includes a first low friction glide supporting a first one of the legs and a second low friction glide supporting the other of the legs. 
 
     
     
         4 . The overbed table of  claim 1  wherein the under-bed portion includes a central portion and two legs that extend from opposite sides of the central portion; and
 wherein the one or more glides includes a first glide disposed under the first leg and a second glide disposed under the second leg. 
 
     
     
         5 . The overbed table of  claim 1  wherein the outer portion is generally rectangular with the column affixed to and extending upwardly from an approximate center; and
 wherein the one or more rolling elements includes a first rolling element disposed toward one end of the outer portion and a second rolling element disposed toward an opposite end of the outer portion. 
 
     
     
         6 . The overbed table of  claim 1  wherein the under-bed portion includes a central portion and two legs that extend from opposite sides of the central portion;
 wherein the one or more glides includes a first glide disposed under the first leg and a second glide disposed under the second leg; 
 wherein the outer portion is generally rectangular with the column affixed to and extending upwardly from an approximate center; and 
 wherein the one or more rolling elements includes a first rolling element disposed toward one end of the outer portion and a second rolling element disposed toward an opposite end of the outer portion. 
 
     
     
         7 . The overbed table of  claim 6  wherein the under-bed portion and the outer portion are of a unitary, one-piece construction. 
     
     
         8 . A base for an overbed table intended for use with a patient or other healthcare bed having a retractable under-bed wheel comprising:
 an under-bed portion having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end intended for insertion under a bed, the outer end intended to remain out from beneath a bed;   an outer raised portion joined to the outer end of the under-bed portion by at least one transition portion;   one or more low friction glides disposed toward the inner end of the under-bed portion; and   one or more rolling elements mounted to the outer raised portion; and   wherein the under-bed portion and the one or more low friction glides have a collective height less than a retracted height of an under-bed wheel, whereby the under-bed portion can move freely beneath a retracted under-bed wheel without interference; and   wherein the overbed table is configured to be supported on a floor at an inner end by the one or more glides and on an outer end by the one or more rolling elements.   
     
     
         9 . The base of  claim 8  wherein the under-bed portion is supported on the inner end by the one or more glides and on the outer end by the outer raised portion. 
     
     
         10 . The base of  claim 9  wherein the under-bed portion extends generally parallel to an underlying floor. 
     
     
         11 . The base of  claim 10  wherein the under-bed portion includes at least two legs; and
 wherein the one or more low friction glides includes a first low friction glide supporting a first one of the legs and a second low friction glide supporting the other of the legs. 
 
     
     
         12 . The base of  claim 10  wherein the under-bed portion includes a central portion and two legs that extend from opposite sides of the central portion; and
 wherein the one or more glides includes a first glide disposed under the first leg and a second glide disposed under the second leg. 
 
     
     
         13 . The base of  claim 10  wherein the outer portion is generally rectangular and is configured to support a column at the approximate center of the outer portion; and
 wherein the one or more rolling elements includes a first rolling element disposed toward one end of the outer portion and a second rolling element disposed toward an opposite end of the outer portion. 
 
     
     
         14 . The base of  claim 10  wherein the under-bed portion includes a central portion and two legs that extend from opposite sides of the central portion;
 wherein the one or more glides includes a first glide disposed under the first leg and a second glide disposed under the second leg; 
 wherein the outer portion is generally rectangular and is configured to support a column affixed to and extending upwardly from an approximate center of the outer portion; and 
 wherein the one or more rolling elements includes a first rolling element disposed toward one end of the outer portion and a second rolling element disposed toward an opposite end of the outer portion. 
 
     
     
         15 . The base of  claim 14  wherein the under-bed portion and the outer portion are joined by a transition portion. 
     
     
         16 . The base of  claim 15  wherein the under-bed portion, the outer portion and the transition portion are of a unitary, one-piece construction. 
     
     
         17 . The base of  claim 8  wherein each glide includes a glide seat affixed to the undersurface of the base and a glide insert seated within each glide seat.