US3178169A

US3178169A - Examining table construction

Info

Publication number: US3178169A
Application number: US179329A
Authority: US
Inventors: Claude G Kanzelberger
Original assignee: Hamilton Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Hamilton Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1962-03-13
Filing date: 1962-03-13
Publication date: 1965-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 1982-04-13

Description

APril 13, 1965 c. G. KANZELBERGER 3,178,169

EXAMINING TABLE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March i5, 1962 April 13, 1955 c. G. KANZELBERGER 3,178,169

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United States Patent 3,178,169 EXAMNNG TABLE CQNSTRUCTION Claude G. Kanzelberger, Two Rivers, Wis., assignorfo Hamilton Manufacturing Company, Two Rivers, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Mar. 13, y1962, Ser. No. 179,329 Claims. (Cl. 269-324) This invention relates generally to doctors examining tables and, more particularly, to an apparatus for supporting at an inclined angle the tiltable head end section of an upholstered top of such a table.

Doctors examining tables are usually equipped with an upholstered top that is divided into two sections, a stationary foot end section that is fixed to the frame of the table and a tiltable head end section that is hinged to the foot end section. This type of table is also equipped with an apparatus to support the head end section when it is at a tilted or inclined position. A common type of support for the head end section includes a straight rod having one end pivotally connected to the underside of the head end section. The rod extends downwardly and cooperates with a catch mechanism secured to the table frame, the catch mechanism ibeing adapted to engage the rod and hold it and the head end section at Various inclined positions.

For the convenience of the doctor and his patient, the head end section should be tilta-ble to any angle up to and including a vertical position. Further, it is desirable to have the rod and the catch mechanism close to the head of the table and away from the hinge connection of the head end section so that they will not interfere with cabinets mounted on the table frame, and so that they will provide adequate support vfor the head end section. Heretofore it has not been possible to obtain these advantages simultaneously because when the head end section is placed in the vertical position and the catch mechanism is mounted close to the head of the table, the straight rod must be quite long to reach from the head end section to the catch mechanism. A long rod is impractical because it will bump into the iloor when the head end section is placed in the horizontal position, and it may interfere with cabinets.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved support for the head end section of an examining table.

It is another object to provide a support for the head end section, including a rod that does not extend to the oor when the head end section is placed in the horizontal position.

It is still another object to provide a support for the head end section that may be confined to the head of the table so as not to materially interfere with cabinets mounted on the table frame.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a View in side elevation of an examining table including a support embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a por-tion of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a support rail of the support;

FIG. 5 is an elevational View of a trip rod of the support;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a catch of the support; and

FIG. 7 is an elevational View of a raising rod of the support.

In general, a support embodying the invention comprises a raising rod and a catch mechanism, the raising rod being adapted to have one end pivotally connected to the underside of the head end section. The catch mechanism is adapted to be secured to the frame of the table underneath the head end section, and the raising rod extends downwardly from its pivotal connection and is engaged by the catch mechanism. The catch mechanism is manually adjustable to permit vertical movement of the raising rod when desired and to prevent downward movement of the rod when desired.

The raising rod has a curved portion adjacent one end and it is substantially straight over the remainder of its length. The end adjacent the curved portion is adapted to be connected to the head end section, and from this connection the rod extends toward the head of the table and then curves downwardly, the plane of the rod being substantially vertical. Due to the curved portion of the raising rod, the catch mechanism may be positioned considerably closer to the head of the table than the pivotal connection between the rod and the head end section. Therefore, the catch mechanism and the straight portion of the rod do not materially interfere with cabinets mounted on the table frame. Further, the mechanism permits the head end section to be placed in the vertical position, and it provides adequate support regardless of the angle of inclination of the head end section.

In greater detail, FIGS. l to 3 illustrate a doctors examining table comprising a frame 10, an upholstered top 11 and a plurality of

cabinets

12, 13 and 14. The frame 10 comprises two inverted generally U-shaped leg members 15 positioned in spaced apart, vertical and par-` allel planes. Each leg member 15 comprises a horizontal center portion 16 and two downwardly extending

leg portions

17 and 13. The leg members 15 are secured together by a horizontal bracing structure 19 and a horizontal frame top 20, FIG. 2. The bracing structure -19 extends both longitudinally and laterally of the table and is secured to the leg portions 17 and `18 of both leg members 15 at each end of the table. The frame top- 20 extends between and is secured to the center portions 16 of the leg members 15 by two longitudinally extending angles 21. Each angle 21 includes a horizontal portion 22 secured to the underside of the frame top 20 as by screws, and a vertical portion 23 secured to the center portion 16 of the adjacent leg member 15 as by screws. Each angle 21 also includes a vertical portion 24 offset outwardly from the portion 23, the portions 24 supporting two longitudinally extending side aprons 215. The side aprons 25 are positioned between the

leg portions

17 and 18 and underneath the center portions 16, and are secured to the vertical portions24 of the angles as by screws. l-f desired, an end apron 26 may be secured to the frame top 20 at the head of the table.

The

cabinets

12, 13 and 14 are positioned on top of the bracing structure 19, between the leg members 15 and underneath the frame top 20. They are preferably secured to the bracing structure 19 by a plurality of U- shaped straps 27 positioned around the underside of the bracing structure and secured to the cabinets as by screws. The

cabinets

12 and 13 may be conventional types having shelves or drawers, and the cabinet 14 is provided with space in the interior thereof to receive a raising rod of the support.

The upholstered top 11 is divided into two sections, a foot end section 28 and a tiltable head end section 29. Each section includes a frame 30, preferably made of wood, covered by suitable upholstering 31. The frame 39 of the foot end section 28 is fastened to a support block 32, which in turn is fastened to the frame top 2i), and to an L-shaped bracket 33 also secured to the frame 3 top 20. The bracket 33 extends laterally of the table and supports a hinge 34 at its upper edge. The frame 3i) of the foot end section may be secured either directly to the bracketlor, in the event it is desiredlto pivot 'the foot end section, to the hingei34.

The-frame of Ithe head end section 29.is pivotally connected at one end to the bracket 33 by the hinge 34, and it is supported atapproximately its center by a support embodying the invention. The -support comprises a raising rod 36 and afcatch mechanism indicated generally bythe-numeral. yOne end-of the raising rod 36 is pivotally connected by a pin .38 toa-mounting bracket 39 secured to the underside ofthe frame 3ft-of the head end section 29. The raising rod.36,'FIGS. -1 and 7, is

-forrned with acurvedportion, indicatedgenerally bythe Vnumeral 4G, adjacent its pivotally connected end and a relatively long straight portion 41; Between the curved .portion 40 and the pivotally connected end is a relatively short straight portion 41a. The raising rod ispositioned such that it extends fromthe bracket 39 toward the head of the table and then downwardly and at an angle through an opening 42 formed in the frame top 20 and toward the-base of the table.

The catch mechanism 37 is adapted to hold the raising rod 36 againstdownward movement when desired, and

.includes a trip rod 45, FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, extending laterally ofthe table through two-holes 46 formed in the side aprons '25. -A handle 47 is .secured to each end of the trip rod by a screw 48 threadedthrough a hole formed in each handle and into a hole 49 formed in each end of the trip rod 4S. The catch mechanism further includes a support rail 5t?, FIGS. 2 and 4, having a flat center portion indicated generally by the numeral 51, two end flanges 52, an upper flange 53, and a lower ilange 54. The two-end flanges 52 and the upperilange 53 extend laterally of the centeitportion 51 toward the foot of the table and the lower tlange '54 extends laterally of the center portion 51 toward the head of the table. The support railis securedto the side aprons 25 and to the frame top 20 by screws 57 inserted through holes V55 formed in the upperand endilanges and threaded into the frame top and the side aprons. The two upper corners of the rail Si) are-cut away as'indicated generally by the numeral S6, to provide space'for the two angles '21.

A substantially U-shaped'bracketSS is secured as by welding to the centerportion 51 of the support rail 50 substantially midwawy between the aprons 25. A hole 59 is formed through cach arm 60 of the'brackets '58, the lholes receiving the trip rod 45 and the bracket 58 supporting the trip rod.

A raising rod catch 61 `is secured to the trip rod 45 between the arms 6i? of the bracket 58. This catch 61 has a hole 62`formed through it which receives the trip rod 45, and asmaller hole V64- transverse to the hole 62. A roll pin-63 is inserted through the hole` 64 and through a radially extending hole 69 formed through the trip rod 45 at substantially its center to thereby securerthe catch 61 to the trip rod 4S. The raising rod catch 61 is formed with a round opening 67 at its end opposite the hole 62, which is countersunk at its ends and through which the raising rod 36 extends as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The diameter of the opening 67 is slightly greater than the diameterof the rod 36 so that the rod may slide freely through it. Further, a lug 68 is formed on the underside ofthe raising rod catch 61, the lug 68 having a hole 69 formed therethrough. A tension spring 76 is positioned with one end fastened in thehole 69 in the lug 68 and its other end fastened in a hole'l formed in a plate 72 secured to the lower ange 540i the support rail 5t).l This 'tension spring 7i) urges the vraisingirod catch 61 andthe trip rod 45 in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 3. :From FIG. lit is apparent that the point of `engagement of the catch 61 with the raising rod 36 is disthe catch-61 nearly coaxial.

4 from the pivotal connection to the axis of the straight portion 41 of the rod 36.

When the head end section 29 of the upholstered top 11 is pivoted upwardly about the axis of the hinge 34 to one of the dotted line positions shown in FIG. l, the rod 36 rises with thehead end section. The straight portion 41 `of the rod 36 rst swings toward the foot of the table and then swings toward the head of the table, as shown in FIG. 1, as the head end section 29 is raised. The action of the tension spring -70 causes two opposing edges 73 and 74 of the opening 67 in the catch 61 to slidingly engage against the rod as it rises. After the head end section has 'been placed in the desired position and is reyleased, the weight of the head end section 29 and -the rod -36 cause the edge 74 ofthe openingf67 to ybite into the side of the raising rod 36,'thereby preventing the raising rod36'from sliding downwardly. /In the event the angle .of the inclination of the head end section 34 is tobe furymitfit-and the head end section 29-toibe moved to any desired position.

As soon as the handle -4'7 is released, the-tension spring 70 pulls the catch'61 downwardly and the edges 73 and 74 again engage the raising rod 36.

Due tothe curved portion 4G of the raising rod 36, thecatch-mechanism 37 and the straight portion 41 of the raising rod are displaced toward the head-of the'table from the pivotal connection of the raising rod a greater distance than heretofore possible. Therefore the width of the cabinet 14, longitudinally of the table, thatfisidesigned to receive the raising rod 36 may be made relatively small, there-by increasing the area available for other cabinets. Further, the raising rod 36is secured to the head end section suciently distant from the-hinge 34 that it provides adequate support-for the'head end sec,- tion 29 when it is tilted. In addition, the head end section 29 may be placed in a verticalposition without the use of an exceptionally long rod of the type heretofore necessary. Also the curved rod vpermits the catch'61 to be. positioned farther from-the hinge 34 and still have the lower portion of the raising rod extend generally downward and hence Vthe rod atall positions will remain within the contines of the table structure.

I claim:

l. In a doctors examining Atable having a frame and a headend section, one end of the head end section being hinged to the frame of the ytableand the other end being free, a support for said'head end section comprising a catch mechanism secured to the frame of the table underneath thehead end section, and a raising rod having one end .pivotally connected to -the head end section, said raising rod having a curved portion adjacent said one encl and being positioned such that it curves from adjacent said one end downwardly and toward the'head of the table and then generally in a straight line down` wardly, said catch mechanism releasably engaging said rod at any desired position.

2. A support as in claim l, wherein said rod further includes a substantially straight portion between said curved portion and said one end, whereby said substan- -tially straight portion extends longitudinally ofthe table Abeneath the head end section when the head end section is in a horizontal position.

3. A support as in claim l, wherein said raising rod comprises a relatively long straightvportiomarelatively short straight portion adjacent said one end, and said curved portion being located between said two straight portions, and said relatively long straight portion being engageable by said catch mechanism.

4. A table as in claim 1, wherein said rod is pivotally connected to said head end section a substantial distance from said one end of said head end section, and said catch mechanism is mounted on said frame so that its point of engagement with said rod is spaced a distance from said one end of said rod at least as great as the distance from said one end of said rod to the axis of the said straight portion of said rod.

5. A tabe as in claim 1, wherein said catch mechanism is substantially nearer the head of the table than said one end of said rod when said head end section is substantially horizontal, and the straight portion of said rod rst swings toward the foot of the table and then swings toward the head of the table as the head end section is moved from the horizontal position to the vertical position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNTED STATES PATENTS Briggs 10S-80 Taubert et al 311-7 Schuehle et al 311-65 Allison 311-10 Demcak 311-10 Froelich 311-7 Davis 108-80 X Shanipaine .311*10 PGttern 311-10 X RGBERT C. REORDON, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE L. EREHM, Examiner.

Claims

1. IN A DOCTOR''S EXAMINING TABLE HAVING A FRAME AND A HEAD END SECTION, ONE END OF THEHEAD END SECTION BEING HINGED TO THE FRAME OF THE TABLE AND THE OTHER END BEING FREE, A SUPPORT FOR SAID HEAD END SECTION COMPRISING A CATCH MECHANISM SECURED TO THE FRAME OF THE TABLE UNDERNEATH THE HEAD END SECTION, AND A RAISING ROD HAVING ONE END PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE HEAD END SECTION, SAID RAISING ROD HAVING A CURVED PORTION ADJACENT SAID ONE END AND BEING POSITIONED SUCH THAT IT CURVES FROM ADJACENT SAID ONE END DOWNWARDLY AND TOWARD THE HEAD OF THE TABLE AND THEN GENERALLY IN A STRAIGHT LINE DOWNWARDLY, SAID CATCH MECHANISM RELEASABLY ENGAGING SAID ROD AT ANY DESIRED POSITION.