GB2311019A

GB2311019A - Support surface for an invalid aid

Info

Publication number: GB2311019A
Application number: GB9605195A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bryan White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-03-12
Filing date: 1996-03-12
Publication date: 1997-09-17
Also published as: GB9605195D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a support member adapted to provide a support surface in association with an invalid aid such as a walking frame.

Description

SUPPORT SURFACE FOR AN INVALID AID The present invention relates to a support surface and in particular to a support surface which can be associated with an invalid aid, for example a walking or standing aid such as a zimmerframe.

The use of invalid aids, for example walking aids, such as a walking frame known as a "zimmerframe", is widespread. The inventor has observed that the greatest difficulty encountered by persons using such walking aids is in standing up from a sitting position. Often, it is necessary for a nurse or other carer to help the invalid into the standing position. Despite such difficulties an invalid is often required to repeat the movement from sitting to standing positions and vice versa many times a day. For example in the hospital setting a patient may be required to sit at a table at meal times or when reading or painting etc.

The present invention seeks to minimise the above problems.

According to the invention, there is provided a support member adapted to provide a support surface in association with an invalid aid.

The term "in association" is intended to include the meaning that the support member is an integral part of the invalid aid or is mountable on the invalid aid by suitable attachment means.

Preferably, the support member can be associated with the invalid aid by releasable attachment means. Preferably, the releasable attachment means comprise engageable male and female parts provided on the support member and invalid aid. Conveniently, the male and female parts comprise one or more substantially C-shaped resilient clips provided on the support member which are adapted to be mounted over a part or parts of the invalid aid. It will be appreciated that the C-shaped clip or clips could equally be provided on the invalid aid for mounting over a suitable part or parts provided on the support member.

In a preferred embodiment the association of the support member and invalid aid is arranged whereby the support surface is pivotable relative to the invalid aid so that the attitude of the support surface can be varied.

The configuration of the support surface can be varied to suit a particular user's requirements. For example, the support surface may be formed as a tray, with a side wall or walls to prevent articles slipping off the support surface. The support surface may also be provided with one or more recessed portions adapted to receive utensils such as plates, drinking vessels, or other containers.

In another aspect the invention provides a support member associated with an invalid aid, the support member being adapted to provide a support surface.

In a further aspect the invention provides a set comprising an invalid aid and two or more support members having differently configured support surfaces, the support members being adapted for association with the invalid aid to provide two or more alternative support surfaces.

The support member may comprise first and second sides having differently configured support surfaces. The support member can be attached to the invalid aid with either the first or second support surface uppermost depending on the requirements of the user.

It is preferred that the invalid aid comprises a walking or standing frame, commonly referred to as a zimmerframe. Walking frames typically comprise a free-standing support frame which typically has three or four legs. A user holds part of the frame to help steady himself when standing. The frames are normally made of aluminium tubing which is very light so the frame can be manoeuvred easily.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a invalid aid in association with a support member according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a support member in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is a front perspective view showing the support member in association with an invalid aid whereby the support surface slopes downwards from front to back of the invalid aid; Figure 4 is an enlarged side view showing an alternative embodiment in which the support member is pivotable on the invalid aid; and Figure 5 shows a preferred releasable attachment means for associating the support member with the invalid aid according to the invention.

As shown in the figures, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the invalid aid comprises a conventional tubular aluminium walking or standing frame 1 having four legs and provided with a pair of handle grips 2. A preferred support member 3 comprises a support surface 4 in the form of a tray 5. The tray can be formed from a rigid plastic material, wood, or metal, as desired. Conveniently, the tray is rectangular with preferred dimensions of approximately 560 cms x 510 cms.

The support member 3 is preferably adapted for association with the walking frame by means of one or more releasable C-shaped resilient clips 6 which snap-engage over a portion or portions 7 of the walking frame 1, as shown in Figure 5 for example. The clips 6 are preferably formed from a resilient plastics material. As shown, the clips can be disengaged by a sharp downward thrust in the direction of the arrow.

As shown in the embodiment of Figure 4 the clips allow the support surface 4 to be pivoted on the walking frame 1.

Existing walking frames and standard table heights are incompatible in that a user who wishes to eat or work at a table has to move from sitting to standing position, move to the table, sit down at the table, then repeat these movements to return to their original position. The present invention removes the requirement for sitting down at a distant table because a convenient support surface (table top) is provided on the walking frame itself.

A support member 3 in association with a walking frame 1 according to the present invention can be used in a variety of ways: to provide a substantially horizontal surface when the user is in a standing position; or as an angled surface for use when the user is in a sitting position.

The present invention therefore provides an extremely significant improvement of known walking frames because it enables such devices to be used in an increased number of ways.

Claims

1. A support member adapted to provide a support surface in association with an invalid aid.

2. A support member associated with an invalid aid, the support member providing a support surface.

3. A support member as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the support member is mountable on the invalid aid by attachment means.

4. A support member as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the attachment means comprise engageable male and female parts.

5. A support as claimed in any one of Claims 3 or 4 wherein the attachment means are releasable.

6. A support as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the attachment means comprises one or more clips.

7. A support member as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the support member is pivotable relative to the invalid aid so that the attitude of the support surface can be varied.

8. A support member as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the support surface is in the form of a tray.

9. A support member as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein the support surface is provided with one or more recessed portions adapted to receive a utensil.

10. A support member as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9 comprising first and second sides having differently configured support surfaces.

11. A support member associated with an invalid aid, the support member providing a support surface.

12. A set comprising an invalid aid and two or more alternative support members having differently configured support surfaces, the support members being adapted for association with the invalid aid to provide two or more alternative support surfaces.

13. A support member adapted to provide a support surface in association with an invalid aid substantially as described herein with reference to one or more of the accompanying drawings.