Over-bed table organizer

Abstract

An organizer for an over-bed table includes left and right sides that support an organizer top. One or more shelves selectably engage opposing slots defined by the left and right sides. A plurality of holes penetrate the organizer top and are configured to receive pins in a user-selectable configuration. The pins extend above the organizer top to support an object to be supported in a generally upright position. The amount by which the pins extend above the organizer top is determined by the selectable engagement of the shelves and the opposing slots defined by the left and right sides.

Description

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The Invention is an organizer for use with an over-bed table. The Invention is particularly useful for a person who is confined to bed. The organizer of the Invention allows a person who is confined to bed to readily access items that the person may need.

B. Statement of the Related Art

Persons who are confined to bed have limited mobility. Such persons can access materials, supplies, personal care items, meals, reading material, writing utensils, a tablet or laptop computer, diversions, and anything else the person may need only if those things are within easy reach of the person. In the usual hospital or extended care facility, such a person may have access to an over-bed table, which is a table that extends over the top of the bed so that the table top is directly in front of the person confined to the bed. U.S. Patent Publication 2011/0197796 by Bhave, published Aug. 18, 2011, teaches an example of an over-bed table. The person confined to bed has access only to the portion of the tabletop that is within the person's reach, which provides a limited area on which to place, store and use the materials that the person needs while confined to the bed.

Organizers are known in the art, including organizers for use with hospital beds. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,152 to Ritchie issued Jul. 29, 1997 teaches an organizer having pockets that attaches to the rail of a hospital bed. As a second example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,967,137 to Fulbrook, issued Jun. 28, 2011, that teaches an organizer tray for expendable medical supplies.

The prior art does not teach the organizer of the Invention.

II. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Invention includes upstanding left and right sides joined by a back. An organizer top is supported in a horizontal position by the left and right sides. The organizer top may extend laterally beyond the left and right sides to define a working surface. Sliding shelves may selectably engage corresponding horizontal slots in the left and right sides, allowing a user to configure the arrangement of shelves to his or her liking. When not in use, the shelves may be stored in vertical opposing slots defined by the left and right sides and located between the organizer top and the back.

A plurality of holes penetrates the organizer top. Each hole is configured to receive an elongated pin. The pin may be cylindrical and may be in the shape of a dowel. A conventional wooden pencil may act as the elongated pin. The pins may be composed of any suitable material, such as wood, plastic or metal.

If a shelf is in engagement with the horizontal slots in the left and right sides, downward movement of the pin through the hole is stopped by the shelf or by any object that is supported by the shelf. The user therefore may control the amount by which the pins extend above the organizer top by selecting the configuration of the shelves. The fit between the pin and the hole through the organizer top is selected so that the organizer top will maintain the pin in a generally upright position when the pin penetrates the hole.

The number and location of the holes are selected to allow a person to install a plurality of pins in a spaced-apart relation in the ‘X’ and ‘Y’ directions. The person may thus form a grid of pins extending above the organizer top. The elongated pins extend above the organizer top by a sufficient amount to support a book, folder, tablet computer or other object in a generally upright position between opposing pins. As noted, the person may select the amount by which a pin extends above the organizer top by selecting the configuration of the shelves.

The person may arrange the grid of pins so that a book, tablet computer, folder or other object can be supported by the pins and oriented in the ‘X’ direction. Alternatively, the person may arrange the grid of pins so that the book, tablet computer, folder or other object is oriented in the ‘Y’ direction, or in a direction oblique to the ‘X’ and ‘Y’ directions. Because the pins are removable and the locations of the pins are selectable by the user, the user need use only the number and locations of pins that are needed for the user's particular application. The remainder of the organizer top is thus available for other uses, for example as a writing surface or to support a food tray.

The organizer top may also define cup openings penetrating the organizer top and configured to receive and support one or more cups. A cup within a cup opening may store the elongated pins when the elongated pins are not penetrating the holes and are not supporting an object to be supported on the organizer top.

The left and rights sides in cooperation define a front stop. The front stop is configured to engage the front edge of the over-bed table and to prevent the organizer from sliding on the over-bed table in a first direction away from the person in the bed. The back or left and right sides may define a rear stop to engage the top of the over-bed table and to prevent unintended movement of the organizer in a direction opposite to the first direction.

The left and right sides, back, top and shelves may be composed of any suitable material, but acrylic, particularly clear acrylic is believed to be suitable. Acrylic has the benefit of ready disinfection in the healthcare setting. Clear acrylic has the added benefit that the person confined to bed can see through the organizer to locate stored objects with a minimum of effort. The left and right sides and back may be a ‘wrap’ composed of a single piece of acrylic that is formed into a U-shape. The top may be bonded to the left and right sides, as by an adhesive or by thermal or solvent welding.

The organizer may include an elongated lock to selectably tie one or more shelves to the organizer top. The elongated lock engages a lock mating hole defined by the organizer top and also engages a lock mating hole defined by each shelf that is supported by the opposing horizontal slots. When the elongated lock engages the lock mating holes, the elongated lock prevents the one or more shelves from being pulled from the opposing pairs of slots unintentionally. When not in use, the elongated lock may be stored in either of a pair of elongated lock storage holes defined by the left and right sides of the organizer top. The pair of elongated lock storage holes accommodates convenient use by both left- and right-handed persons.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the organizer of the Invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the organizer with two shelves partially installed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the organizer with the shelves removed.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a lower shelf.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an upper shelf.

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the organizer with two shelves and the elongated lock.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the organizer.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the organizer.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the organizer viewed from the right side.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the organizer showing the operation of the pins.

FIG. 11 is an alternative front view of the organizer showing the operation of the pins.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing two shelves of equal size in the opposing vertical storage slots.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the back of the organizer.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an elongated lock.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the organizer with the elongated lock in position.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

As shown by FIG. 1, the Invention is an organizer 2 for use with an over-bed table 4. An over-bed table 4 extends over a bed, frequently in a hospital or other healthcare setting. The over-bed table 4 allows a person confined to the bed to reach article needed by the person, such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, reading materials, a tablet or laptop computer, office supplies, and any other article to which the person may need access. The organizer 2 allows a person confined to bed to substantially increase the working and storage surfaces available to the person.

From FIG. 1, the organizer 2 includes a left side 6 and a right side 8. When the left and right sides 6, 8 are supported by the over-bed table 4, the left and right sides 6, 8 are in an upright orientation. An organizer top 10 provides a working surface to the person confined to the bed. The organizer top 10 is attached to and supported by the left and right sides 6, 8. When the left and right sides 6, 8 are supported by the over-bed table 4, the organizer top 10 has a horizontal orientation.

From FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 6, the organizer 2 may include one or more shelves 14. FIG. 1 shows two shelves 14, but any number of shelves 14 is contemplated by the Invention. Each shelf 14 is configured to slidably engage a pair of opposing horizontal slots 16 in the first and second sides 6, 8. FIGS. 1-3 show two pairs of opposing horizontal slots 16 in the first and second sides 6, 8, but any number of opposing pairs of horizontal slots 16 is contemplated by the Invention. FIG. 1 shows two shelves 14 fully inserted into two pairs of opposing horizontal slots 16. FIG. 2 shows two shelves 14 partially inserted into the two pairs of opposing horizontal slots 16. FIG. 3 shows the organizer 2 with the shelves 14 removed. Finger holes 46, shown by FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 and others, allow the user the readily grip a shelf 14 to install or remove the shelf 14 from the opposing horizontal slots 16.

From FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate that the shelves 14 may be of different sizes. FIG. 4 is a plan view of an upper shelf 15 and FIG. 5 is a plan view of a lower shelf 17. FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the organizer 2 showing the upper 15 and lower 17 in position in the opposing horizontal slots 16. From FIG. 6, the lower shelf 17 extends to the back 28 of the organizer 2 while the upper shelf 15 does not reach the back 28 of the organizer 2. Items stored between the organizer top 10 and the back 28 thus are supported from below by the lower shelf 17 and hence are not lost or scattered if a person moves the organizer 2 from the over-bed table 4. The shank 52 of the elongated lock 48 selectably penetrates the lock mating holes 54 and holds the upper and lower shelves 15, 17 in a fixed position with respect to the organizer top 10. For the operation of the elongated lock 48, see the description of FIGS. 14 and 15 below.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are top, front and side views, respectively of the organizer 2. From FIG. 7 and from FIGS. 1-3, 12 and 13, the organizer top 10 includes a plurality of holes 18 penetrating the portion of the organizer top 10 that is between the first and second sides 6, 8. The holes 18 are clearance holes for pins 20, shown by FIGS. 10 and 11.

From FIGS. 10 and 11, pins 20 penetrate the holes 18, as selected by the user. The pins 20 may be cylindrical and in the shape of dowels. In one embodiment, a conventional pencil 21, such as a wooden pencil 21, defines a pin 20. The pins 20 may be composed of any suitable material, such as wood, metal or a polymer. The sides of a hole 18 support the pin 20 in a generally upright position. Each pin 20 has a length. The length of the pin 20 is selected so that the pin 20 extends above the organizer top 10 by an amount 24 sufficient to support an object to be supported 22 in a generally upright position.

The user may configure the organizer 2 to support the object 22 in an upright position in any desired orientation by selecting holes 18 having appropriate locations and by inserting pins 20 in the selected holes 18. Because the holes 18 are disposed on the organizer top 10 generally in a grid pattern having an ‘X’ and a ‘Y’ direction, shown by FIG. 7, the pins 20 may be located to orient the object to be supported 22 parallel to the ‘X’ direction, parallel to the ‘Y’ direction, or oblique to the ‘X’ or ‘Y’ directions. In general, at least three pins 20 will be needed to support an object to be supported 22, although four or more pins 20 may be used.

FIGS. 10 and 11 also illustrate that when a pin 20 is inserted through the hole 18, a shelf 14 stops downward movement of the pin 20 if the shelf 14 is disposed in an opposing pair of horizontal slots 16. Of course, an article located on the shelf 14 also may limit the downward movement of the pin. The vertical location of the shelf 14, or of an article on the shelf 14, therefore determines the amount 24 by which the pin 20 will extend above the organizer top 10. From FIG. 11 if the lower shelf 17 stops the pin 20, a lesser amount 24 of the pin 20 will extend above the organizer top 10. This arrangement is suitable for a smaller object to be supported 22.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the structure and function of the back 28 of the organizer 2. The back 28 joins the left and right sides 6, 8. The back 28 is in a spaced apart relation to the organizer top 10 and does not directly support the organizer top 10. The left and right sides 6, 8 define an opposing pair of vertical storage slots 30 located between the organizer top 10 and the back 28. The opposing pair of vertical storage slots 30 is configured to receive and store the one or more shelves 14 in a vertical position when the shelves 14 are not in use, all as shown by FIG. 12. Although FIG. 12 shows the shelves 14 stored in the opposing vertical storage slots 30 as being the same size, the shelves 14 may be an upper shelf 15 and lower shelf 17 of different sizes, as shown by FIGS. 4 and 5.

Also from FIG. 12, the front ends 35 of the left and right sides 6, 8 together define a front stop 34. The front stop 34 is configured to engage the front edge 36 of the over-bed table 4, as shown by FIG. 1, when the over-bed table 4 supports the organizer 2. The front stop 34 prevents the organizer 2 from moving in a first direction 38, shown by FIG. 12, away from the person confined to bed.

From FIG. 13, the back 28 defines a rear stop 40. The rear stop 40 is configured to engage the rear edge 41 of the over-bed table 4, shown by FIG. 1, and to prevent the organizer 2 from moving in a direction opposite to the first direction 38 toward the person confined to bed.

The back 28 and the left and right sides 6, 8 may be composed of a single piece of material and may feature bends at the junction between the back 28 and the left and right sides 6, 8 to define a U-shaped wrap 42, as shown by FIG. 13.

From FIGS. 1-3, 7, 12 and 13, the organizer top 10 may include one or more cup openings 44 configured to receive and retain a cup. A cup retained in a cup opening 44 may store pins 20 when the pins 20 are not disposed in the holes 18.

The organizer 2 may be composed of any suitable material including metal, polymer or wood, but acrylic, particularly clear acrylic, is believed to be suitable. Clear acrylic allows the person confined to bed to see the objects contained within the organizer 2. The acrylic also may be readily disinfected in the healthcare setting.

If a user inadvertently pulls a shelf 14 from the opposing horizontal slots 16 defined by the left and right sides 6, 8, any pins 20 supported by the shelf 14 may collapse. To avoid this result and as shown by FIGS. 14 and 15, the organizer 2 may feature an elongated lock 48 to prevent the unintentional movement of a shelf 14 with respect to the organizer top 10. From FIG. 14, the elongated lock features a elongated lock stop 50. The elongated lock stop 50 provides a grip by which a user may manipulate the elongated lock 48. The elongated lock 48 also features a elongated lock shank 52. From FIG. 16, the elongated lock shank 52 selectably engages a lock mating hole 54 penetrating the organizer top 10 (see FIGS. 1-3, 6, 7, 12, 13, and 15) and also penetrates a lock mating hole 54 in the shelf 14 (see FIGS. 4-6 and 15). The elongated lock 48 ties the shelf 14 to the organizer top 10, preventing inadvertent removal of the shelf 14 from the opposing horizontal slots 16 and thus preventing unintentional collapse of the pins 20 and an object 22 supported by the pins 20. The organizer top 10 may define one or more elongated lock storage holes 56 (see FIGS. 1-3, 7, 12, 13, and 15). The elongated lock storage holes 56 provide a location where the elongated lock 48 may be conveniently stored when not in use.

The following is a list of the numbered elements from the drawings and specification.

• • organizer 2
  • over-bed table 4
  • left side 6
  • right side 8
  • organizer top 10
  • shelf 14
  • upper shelf 15
  • pair of opposing horizontal slots 16
  • lower shelf 17
  • plurality of holes 18
  • pin 20
  • pencil 21
  • object to be supported 22
  • amount 24
  • back 28
  • opposing pair of vertical storage slots 30
  • front stop 34
  • front end 35
  • front edge of the over-bed table 36
  • first direction 38
  • rear stop 40
  • rear edge of the over-bed table 41
  • U-shaped wrap 42
  • cup openings 44
  • finger hole 46
  • elongated lock 48
  • elongated lock stop 50
  • elongated lock shank 52
  • lock mating hole 54
  • elongated lock storage hole 56

Claims

1. An organizer for use with an over-bed table, the organizer comprising: a. a left side and a right side, said left and right sides being in a spaced apart relation, said left side and said right side being configured to be supported in an upright position by the over-bed table;b. an organizer top attached directly to and supported by a top surface of said left side and a top surface of said right side, said organizer top having a horizontal orientation when said left side and said right side are supported by the over-bed table;c. at least one shelf, said at least one shelf being configured for a selectable engagement with said left side and said right side so that said at least one shelf is selectably disposed between said left and right sides in said horizontal orientation when said at least one shelf is in said selectable engagement therebetween;d. a plurality of holes formed in said organizer top, the plurality of holes being configured to receive a plurality of pins, each of said plurality of holes being configured to receive a corresponding pin from said plurality of pins to support the corresponding pin from said plurality of pins in a generally upright position with each pin extending above said organizer top when said pins penetrate said holes, whereby when said pins penetrate said plurality of holes, said pins can support an object in a generally upright position on said organizer top;e. a back, said back joining said left side and said right side, said back being in said upright position when said left and rights sides are supported by the over-bed table wherein said organizer top is in a spaced apart relation to said back and wherein said back does not directly support said organizer top;f. a pair of opposing vertical storage slots, a first slot from said pair of opposing vertical storage slots being defined in said left side, a second slot from said pair of opposing vertical slots being defined in said right side, said pair of opposing vertical storage slots being located between said organizer top and said back, said pair of opposing vertical storage slots being configured to receive and support said at least one shelf, said pair of opposing vertical storage slots being vertically oriented when said left and right sides are supported by the over-bed table, whereby said at least one shelf can be stored vertically in said pair of opposing vertical storage slots between the organizer top and the back.

2. The organizer of claim 1 further comprising: said pins.

3. The organizer of claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of pins and said organizer top are configured so that said at least one shelf will limit a movement of each of said pins through each of said plurality of holes when said at least one shelf is in said selectable engagement with said right side and said left side.

4. The organizer of claim 3 wherein said left side and said right side define a plurality of pairs of opposing horizontal slots, said selectable engagement of said at least one shelf with said right and left sides comprises slidably engaging said at least one shelf within a corresponding pair of horizontal slots from said plurality of pairs of opposing horizontal slots.

5. The organizer of claim 3 wherein each of said pins has a length, said length being sufficient so that said pins extend above said organizer top by an amount sufficient to support an object in a generally upright position when said pins penetrate said holes and said at least one shelf limits the penetration of said pins with said plurality of said holes.

6. The organizer of claim 3, wherein said left side and said right side define a plurality of pairs of opposing horizontal slots, whereby a user can select an amount by which said pin extend above said organizer top by inserting said at least one shelf into a corresponding pair of horizontal slots from said plurality of pairs of opposing horizontal slots.

7. The organizer of claim 2 wherein each of said pins is composed of a wood, a metal, or a polymer.

8. The organizer of claim 2 wherein each of said pins is a pencil.

9. The organizer of claim 1, the organizer further comprising: an elongated lock, said elongated lock having an elongated shank, said organizer top and said at least one shelf each defining a lock mating hole, said shank of said elongated lock being configured to simultaneously engage said lock mating hole of said organizer top and said lock mating hole of said at least one shelf, whereby said shank prevents a movement of said at least one shelf with respect to said organizer top when said shank engages said lock mating holes.

10. The organizer of claim 9 wherein said organizer top defines at least one elongated lock storage hole, said elongated lock not penetrating said lock mating hole of said at least one shelf when said elongated lock penetrates said at least one elongated lock storage hole.

11. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said left side and said right side define a pair of opposing horizontal slots, said selectable engagement of said at least one shelf with said right and left sides comprises slidably engaging said at least one shelf with said pair of horizontal slots, said at least one shelf being horizontally oriented when said at least one shelf is in engagement with said horizontal slots.

12. The organizer of claim 1wherein said left and right sides each defines a front stop, each front stop depending from a front end of said left and right sides respectively, each front stop being configured to engage a front edge of the over-bed table when said left and right sides are supported by the over-bed table to prevent movement of the organizer in a first direction with respect to the over-bed table.

13. The organizer of claim 12 wherein said back defines a rear stop, said rear stop being configured to engage a rear edge of the over-bed table when the left and right sides are supported by the over-bed table to prevent movement of the organizer in a second direction opposite to said first direction with respect to the over-bed table.

14. The organizer of claim 1, further comprising: one or more cup openings defined by said organizer top, each of said one or more cup openings being configured to receive and retain a cup.

15. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said left and right sides are joined to define said back, wherein said left side, said right side, and said back combined define a U-shape.

16. The organizer of claim 1 wherein said back, said left and right sides, and said organizer top are composed of an acrylic.

17. The organizer of claim 16 wherein said acrylic is transparent.