GB2063060A

GB2063060A - Play tables

Info

Publication number: GB2063060A
Application number: GB8036173A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: British Aerospace PLC
Current assignee: BAE Systems PLC
Priority date: 1979-11-14
Filing date: 1980-11-11
Publication date: 1981-06-03
Also published as: GB2063060B

Abstract

A table comprises a work surface 1 carried by a leg 2 on ground-engaging means 3. The work surface has a cut-away region 7 adapted partly to surround the torso of a standing user. A leg-supporting skirt 8 is secured to the work surface 1. A door 11 is hingedly attached to the skirt 8. A foot tray 13 may be secured to the ground engaging means 3. A user is positioned with his torso in engagement with the cut-away region 7 and is held in this position by door 11. The user's waist and legs are thereby supported and the table therefore supports the user in a standing posture. The height of the work surface may be adjustable, and the foot tray 13, skirt 8, door 11, may be removed to allow the table to be used by a person in a wheel chair. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Play tables This invention relates to tables particularly, but not exclusively, for use by handicapped children.

It is an object of this invention to provide a table adapted to support a user in a standing posture.

According to this invention, there is provided a table adapted to support a user in a standing post ure, which table comprises a work surface a, work surface support structure, ground engaging means and user support means, the work surface being car ried by the work surface support structure which is attached to the ground engaging means, the work surface being provided with a cut-away region adapted partly to surround the torso of a standing user, the user support means including leg support ing means situated between the ground engaging means and the work surface and belowthe periphery of the cut-away region, and retaining means holding the user in engagement with the cut-away region, whereby the waist and legs of the user are supported.

The ground engaging means of the table preferably includes location meansforthefeetofa user. It will be appreciated that if the waist, legs and feet of a user are positively located, the user is prevented from folding his legs.

The work surface support structure preferably comprises a single leg, and may include adjustment means to allow the height of the work surface from the ground engaging means to be adjusted. This enables a table to be adjusted to suit the individual height requirement of a particular user.

Conveniently, the leg supporting means comprises a skirt depending from the periphery of the cut-away region.

Advantageously, the leg supporting means, and the retaining means, are detachably secured to the work surface, and the location means for the feet of a user (if fitted) are detachably secured to the ground engaging means. These detachable elements can be detached to allow a person in a wheel chair to use the table.

This invention also extends to a work surface including a cut-away region adapted partly to surround the torso of a standing user, and being provided with user support means which include leg supporting means depending from the periphery of the cut-away region and retaining means holding the user in engagement with the cut-away region, whereby the waist and legs of a user are supported.

The work surface may be supported at an appropriate height, for example, by attachment to a wall element.

By way of example only, one specific embodiment of table constructed in accordance with this invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the table; Figure 2 is a front view of the table; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a child using the table.

Referring to the drawings, the table comprises a generally horizontal work surface 1, a single vertical leg 2 and a base 3. The work surface is carried by the leg 2 which, in turn, is carried by base 3. The leg 2 consists of upper and lower portions 4 and 5 respectively, the upper portion being slidably received in the lower portion. An adjustment mechanism 6, comprising a rack and pinion device with a ratchet, allows the height of the work surface 1 above the base 3 to be adjusted.

The work surface 1 includes a cut-away region 7 of general semi-circular shape and adapted partly to surround the torso of a user. A semi-cylindrical skirt 8 depends from the periphery of the cut-away region 7 and is detachably secured to the work surface by means of sliding bolts 9. A steadying spar 10 extends between the lower part of the skirt 8 and the forward under-side of the work surface 1. A door 11 is hingedly attached to one side edge of the skirt 8 and may be closed across the cut-away region by means of slide bolts 12 engaging the other side edge of the skirt 8.

The base 3 is generally C-shaped and includes a pair of parallel side limbs which extend rearwardly from the leg 2. A foot tray 13 is detachably secured between the limbs of the base and is lined with nonslip rubber matting.

The table includes removable side bins 14 depending from the work surface for the storage of drawing materials, playthings, etc.

In use, a child is held in engagement with the cutaway region 7 by means of the door 11, and the height of the work surface 1 may be adjusted to an appropriate level by the adjustment mechanism 6.

The child is then supported in a standing posture, support being given by the table to his waist, back and legs. If the table includes a foot-tray, then his feet also are positively located, thereby offering even greater support.

Moreover, if the condition of the child so requires, he may support at least some of his weight with his elbows on the work surface.

When using a table ofthis invention, a handicapped child may play with the minimum of supervision, and without the fear of falling over. At the same time, the child is forced to adopt a standing position, and this may have a therapeutic effect on a handicapped child.

The adjustment mechanism allows the height of the work surface readily and safely to be adjusted to suit the individual requirements of a particular user.

The table may readily be adapted for use by a person in a wheelchair by removing the skirt 8, door 11 and foot-tray 13, and adjusting the height of the work surface 1 as necessary.

1. A table adapted to support a user in a standing posture, which table comprises a work surface a, work surface support structure, ground engaging means and user support means, the work surface

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Play tables This invention relates to tables particularly, but not exclusively, for use by handicapped children. It is an object of this invention to provide a table adapted to support a user in a standing posture. According to this invention, there is provided a table adapted to support a user in a standing post ure, which table comprises a work surface a, work surface support structure, ground engaging means and user support means, the work surface being car ried by the work surface support structure which is attached to the ground engaging means, the work surface being provided with a cut-away region adapted partly to surround the torso of a standing user, the user support means including leg support ing means situated between the ground engaging means and the work surface and belowthe periphery of the cut-away region, and retaining means holding the user in engagement with the cut-away region, whereby the waist and legs of the user are supported. The ground engaging means of the table preferably includes location meansforthefeetofa user. It will be appreciated that if the waist, legs and feet of a user are positively located, the user is prevented from folding his legs. The work surface support structure preferably comprises a single leg, and may include adjustment means to allow the height of the work surface from the ground engaging means to be adjusted. This enables a table to be adjusted to suit the individual height requirement of a particular user. Conveniently, the leg supporting means comprises a skirt depending from the periphery of the cut-away region. Advantageously, the leg supporting means, and the retaining means, are detachably secured to the work surface, and the location means for the feet of a user (if fitted) are detachably secured to the ground engaging means. These detachable elements can be detached to allow a person in a wheel chair to use the table. This invention also extends to a work surface including a cut-away region adapted partly to surround the torso of a standing user, and being provided with user support means which include leg supporting means depending from the periphery of the cut-away region and retaining means holding the user in engagement with the cut-away region, whereby the waist and legs of a user are supported. The work surface may be supported at an appropriate height, for example, by attachment to a wall element. By way of example only, one specific embodiment of table constructed in accordance with this invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the table; Figure 2 is a front view of the table; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a child using the table. Referring to the drawings, the table comprises a generally horizontal work surface 1, a single vertical leg 2 and a base 3. The work surface is carried by the leg 2 which, in turn, is carried by base 3. The leg 2 consists of upper and lower portions 4 and 5 respectively, the upper portion being slidably received in the lower portion. An adjustment mechanism 6, comprising a rack and pinion device with a ratchet, allows the height of the work surface 1 above the base 3 to be adjusted. The work surface 1 includes a cut-away region 7 of general semi-circular shape and adapted partly to surround the torso of a user. A semi-cylindrical skirt 8 depends from the periphery of the cut-away region 7 and is detachably secured to the work surface by means of sliding bolts 9. A steadying spar 10 extends between the lower part of the skirt 8 and the forward under-side of the work surface 1. A door 11 is hingedly attached to one side edge of the skirt 8 and may be closed across the cut-away region by means of slide bolts 12 engaging the other side edge of the skirt 8. The base 3 is generally C-shaped and includes a pair of parallel side limbs which extend rearwardly from the leg 2. A foot tray 13 is detachably secured between the limbs of the base and is lined with nonslip rubber matting. The table includes removable side bins 14 depending from the work surface for the storage of drawing materials, playthings, etc. In use, a child is held in engagement with the cutaway region 7 by means of the door 11, and the height of the work surface 1 may be adjusted to an appropriate level by the adjustment mechanism 6. The child is then supported in a standing posture, support being given by the table to his waist, back and legs. If the table includes a foot-tray, then his feet also are positively located, thereby offering even greater support. Moreover, if the condition of the child so requires, he may support at least some of his weight with his elbows on the work surface. When using a table ofthis invention, a handicapped child may play with the minimum of supervision, and without the fear of falling over. At the same time, the child is forced to adopt a standing position, and this may have a therapeutic effect on a handicapped child. The adjustment mechanism allows the height of the work surface readily and safely to be adjusted to suit the individual requirements of a particular user. The table may readily be adapted for use by a person in a wheelchair by removing the skirt 8, door 11 and foot-tray 13, and adjusting the height of the work surface 1 as necessary. CLAIMS

1. A table adapted to support a user in a standing posture, which table comprises a work surface a, work surface support structure, ground engaging means and user support means, the work surface being carried by the work surface support structure which is attached to the ground engaging means, the work surface being provided with a cut-away region adapted partly to surround the torso of a standing user, the user support means including leg supporting means situated between the ground engaging means and the work surface and below the periphery of the cut-away region, and retaining means holding the user in engagement with the cut-away region, whereby the waist and legs of the user are supported.

2. A table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ground engaging means includes location means for the feet of a user.

3. A table as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the work surface support structure comprises a single leg.

4. A table as claimed in claim 3, wherein the work surface support structure further comprises adjustment means which allows the height of the work surface from the ground engaging means to be adjusted.

5. A table as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the leg supporting means comprises a skirt depending from the periphery of the cut-away region.

6. A table as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the leg supporting means and the retaining means are detachably secured to the work surface, and the location means for the feet of a user are detachably secured to the ground engaging means.

7. A work surface including a cut-away region adapted partly to surround the torso of a standing user, and being provided with user support means which include leg supporting means depending from the periphery of the cut-away region and retaining means holding the user in engagement with the cut-away region, whereby the waist and legs of a user are supported.

8. Atable substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any of the accompanying drawings.