IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,256,442
Granted Patent B2
US 8,256,442 · App. 13/185,462 · Granted Sep 4, 2012

Tray for a walker

Assignee: The Alice M. McCarthy Trust Amended and Restatement Dated July 8, 2004
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,256,442
App. No.
13/185,462
Granted
Sep 4, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to a tray for use with a walker. The tray includes a generally rigid tray base having an essentially rectangular shape with a front long side, a back long side, a first short side and a second short side, and wherein the tray has a length that extends to or past the essentially horizontal support member; a ridge extending along the sides of the tray, wherein the ridge has a height of at least about a ½inch; a strap having a hook and loop fastener wherein the strap is positioned at or near the back long end; and a first hinge and a second hinge, the first and second hinges are positioned, when the tray is in use, at or near the front leg of the first and second support, respectively. The length of the tray is greater that the distance between the support member of the first support and the support member of the second support; and the width of the tray is less than the length of the support member of the first support or second support. The present invention further includes methods of using the tray, and system and kits that include the tray.

Claims (33)

1. A tray in combination with a walker, said walker having a first support and a second support, each support having an essentially vertical front leg and an essentially vertical back leg, wherein the front and back legs are joined at a top portion by a handle and at a lower portion by an essentially horizontal support member; said walker further including a cross bar that connects the first and second supports at an upper point of each front leg; the tray comprises:

a. a generally rigid tray base having an essentially rectangular shape with a front long side, a back long side, a first short side and a second short side;

b. a ridge or a wall for preventing items from sliding off the tray during use extending along the sides of the tray;

c. a fastener for fastening the tray to the walker wherein the fastener is positioned at or near the back long side; and

d. one or more hinges, wherein at least one hinge is positioned at one or more of the front legs of the walker;

wherein a length of the tray is between about 17 and about 27 inches and a width of the tray is between about 7 and about 15 inches, and wherein the two short sides of the tray can be placed on and between the essentially horizontal support members of the walker in a use position and the fastener is connectable to the cross member of the walker to hang the tray to the walker in a folding position.

2. The tray of claim 1 , wherein the one more hinges comprises a loop or a tie.

3. The tray of claim 1 , wherein the tray base, or the ridge or wall for preventing items from sliding off the tray during use or both is made from the same material or from different material.

4. The tray of claim 1 , wherein the tray base, or the ridge or wall for preventing items from sliding off the tray during use or both is made from metal, stainless steel, plastic, wood, hardboard, composites, and any combination thereof.

5. A method for carrying an item from a first location to a second location using a walker, the walker having a first support and a second support, each support having an essentially vertical front leg and an essentially vertical back leg, wherein the front and back legs are joined at a top portion by a handle and at a lower portion by an essentially horizontal support member; said walker further including a cross bar that connects the first and second supports at an upper point of each front leg; the method comprises:

a. placing the item on a tray that comprises:

i. a generally rigid tray base having an essentially rectangular shape with a front long side, a back long side, a first short side and a second short side;

ii. a ridge or a wall for preventing items from sliding off the tray during use extending along the sides of the tray;

iii. a fastening means a fastener for fastening the tray to the walker wherein the fastener is positioned at or near the back long side; and

iv. one or more hinges, wherein at least one hinge is positioned at one or more of the front legs of the walker;

wherein a length of the tray is between about 17 and about 27 inches and a width of the tray is between about 7 and about 15 inches, and wherein the two short sides of the tray can be placed on and between the essentially horizontal support members of the walker in a use position and the fastener is connectable to the cross member of the walker to hang the tray to the walker in a folding position; and

b. walking to the second location using said walker.

6. The method of claim 5 , further including folding down the tray by disengaging the fastener.

7. The method of claim 5 , further including folding up the tray when in use and engaging the fastener.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein engaging the fastening means further includes wrapping the fastener round the cross bar or attaching the fastener to the cross bar.

9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the tray further includes one or more hinges that is comprised of a loop or a tie.

10. The method of claim 5 , wherein the tray base, or the ridge or a wall for preventing items from sliding off the tray during use or both is made from the same material or from different material.

11. The method of claim 5 , wherein the tray base, or the ridge or a wall for preventing items from sliding off the tray during use or both is made from metal, stainless steel, plastic, wood, hardboard, composites, and any combination thereof.

12. A system for carrying an item from one location to another using a walker; the system comprises:

a. a walker having a first support and a second support, each support having an essentially vertical front leg and an essentially vertical back leg, wherein the front and back legs are joined at a top portion by a handle and at a lower portion by an essentially horizontal support member; said walker further including a cross bar that connects the first and second supports at an upper point of each front leg; and

b. a tray that comprises:

i. a generally rigid tray base having an essentially rectangular shape with a front long side, a back long side, a first short side and a second short side;

ii. a ridge or a wall for preventing items from sliding off the tray during use extending along the sides of the tray;

iii. a fastener for fastening the tray to the walker wherein the fastener is positioned at or near the back long side; and

iv. one or more hinges, wherein at least one hinge is positioned at one or more of the front legs of the walker;

wherein a length of the tray is between about 17 and about 27 inches and a width of the tray is between about 7 and about 15 inches, and wherein the two short sides of the tray can be placed on and between the essentially horizontal support members of the walker in a use position and the fastener is connectable to the cross member of the walker to hang the tray to the walker in a folding position.

13. The system of claim 12 , further including an adapter for allowing a stationary walker to slide across the floor.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the adapter is a glide or a roller.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 28, 2013
From: THE ALICE M. MCCARTHY TRUST AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT DATED JULY 8, 2004
To: SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, INC., AS TRUSTEE OF THE HAROLD T. AND ALICE M. MCCARTHY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND UNDER DECLARATION OF TRUST DATED JULY 20, 1993
Reel/Frame 030491/0715 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 9, 2012
From: THE ALICE M. MCCARTHY TRUST DATED MARCH 18, 2002
To: THE ALICE M. MCCARTHY TRUST AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT DATED, JULY 8, 2004
Reel/Frame 028010/0982 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 12774422 · May 5, 2010
Continuation 11939824 · Nov 14, 2007
Related Publication 20110271991A1 · Nov 10, 2011