ACTIVITY TABLE FOR WHEELCHAIR BOUND CHILDREN

Abstract

An activity table for wheelchair-bound children includes a generally flat horizontal tabletop, activity elements fastened to its upper surface, and a pair of leg supports fastened to a lower surface of the tabletop. The tabletop has a longitudinal axis, the upper surface, the lower surface, first and second ends, and first and second sides. Each leg support includes parallel upright posts joined by a ground engaging member that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tabletop. The tabletop and leg supports make the activity elements accessible to a child restricted to a wheelchair. The activity elements develop motor skills and coordination. This table enhances recreation time and is suitable for outdoor use.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to activity tables and, more particularly, to an activity table for wheelchair bound children.

Children confined to wheelchairs are not able to play, engage, and interact in the same way as other children in playground environments.

Currently available activity tables are either for inside use, are messy, or are more limited in use (such as a sand or water table). They provide little fine motor skill development and interaction for the children and/or restrict the use by other children, preventing social interaction with peers. Caretakers do not like using outdoor tables because they are messy.

As can be seen, there is a need for an outdoor activity table that accommodates wheelchair-bound children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an activity table for wheelchair-bound children comprises a generally flat horizontal tabletop having a longitudinal axis, an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second ends, and first and second sides; activity elements, operative to develop motor skills and coordination, fastened to the upper surface; and first and second leg supports fastened to the lower surface of the tabletop, each leg support comprising parallel upright posts joined by a ground engaging member that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tabletop; wherein the tabletop and leg supports are configured to render the activity elements accessible to a child restricted to a wheelchair.

This table provides activities for development of motor skills, enhances recreation time, and is suitable for outdoor use.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a play table according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a table with a variety of activities for entertainment of physically disabled children.

This table is designed for outdoor use, physical development, and social interaction. The components focus on textures, fine motor skill development, and coordination. It helps with the development of motor skills and coordination.

The table can be situated in an area so the children can feel more included with their peers. It will make the children feel more included during outside recreation times.

The board is the main surface for all activities. The activities may include, and are not limited to, any combination of the following features. A steel rod and beads slidably disposed on the rod are attached to the board to form an abacus-style slide. A rope, turf, and texturized plastic pads are attached to the board for texture and sensory stimulation activities. The rope is for grasping and pulling. There is also an area for drum style play.

To use the activity table of the present subject matter, wheelchair-bound children are pushed or wheeled to the table to play. During recreation time, the children can play/use the activities, developing motor skills and coordination while experiencing enjoyment.

To manufacture the table, a board may be cut to size using a saw. A computer numerical control (CNC) machine or a router may be used to cut features and holes into the board. Tube steel and flat steel may be cut, welded, and fastened to the underside of the board to form legs and provide support. The board, tube steel, and flat steel may be secured to each other by stainless steel hardware. The components may be assembled with basic tools to create the activity table.

The dimensions of the activity table are not particularly limited. For example, the board may be ¾ inch thick. The steel may be 1½ inch wide by ⅛ inch thick. The braided line may be ¾ inch in diameter.

The materials of manufacture are not particularly limited provided that they are resistant to extreme weather, including ultraviolet radiation, moisture, and extreme temperatures. The board may be high density polyethylene. The legs may be tube steel. The supports may be flat steel. Fastening hardware may be stainless steel. Play elements may include a nylon braided line, a steel rod, artificial turf, and corrugated plastic.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, an activity table according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a tabletop 10 with legs 20 fastened to the ground 28 with fasteners 24. A user 26 sitting in a wheelchair can access and use all the activities present on the tabletop 10. The tabletop has slots 12, 14 positioned along three of the four edges. Two of the slots 14 lie end-to-end along one long edge of the tabletop 10, while the remaining two slots 12 lie in parallel along the width of the tabletop 10 adjacent to each end. Tabletop markings 18 are provided along a fourth edge of the tabletop 10 and between a widthwise slot 12 and a circular aperture 16. The circular aperture 16 is formed in the tabletop 10 at an off-center position. Between the lengthwise slots 14, texture pads 30, 32 are affixed midway along the length of the tabletop 10. Beads on a slide rod 22 are installed parallel to one of the lengthwise slots. A baton 36 and multiple ropes 34 extend over the first longitudinal edge of the tabletop 10.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An activity table for wheelchair-bound children, comprising: a generally flat horizontal tabletop having a longitudinal axis, an upper surface, a lower surface, first and second ends, and first and second sides;activity elements, operative to develop motor skills and coordination, fastened to the upper surface; andfirst and second leg supports fastened to the lower surface of the tabletop, each leg support comprising parallel upright posts joined by a ground engaging member that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tabletop; wherein the tabletop and leg supports are configured to render the activity elements accessible to a child restricted to a wheelchair.

2. The activity table of claim 1, wherein the tabletop, leg supports, and activities are manufactured of materials resistant to ultraviolet radiation, moisture, and extreme temperatures.

3. The activity table of claim 1, wherein the tabletop has apertures formed therein adjacent to the first and second ends and the first side.

4. The activity table of claim 1, wherein the activity elements are selected from the group consisting of texturized pads, a horizontal rod with beads slidably disposed thereon, rope, a baton, and any combination thereof.