Examination table

Claim 2

A variable height examination table for supporting a patient during a medical examination comprising: a cabinet including a top, a bottom, side walls and end walls defining storage space within said cabinet; a leg at each corner of said cabinet, generally at the junctures of said side and end walls whereby said legs do not interfere with said storage space of said cabinet, for supporting said cabinet on a support surface; patient support means mounted on said top of said cabinet, outside said storage space of said cabinet, for supporting a patient; each of said legs including a stationary section adapted to rest on the support surface and a vertically movable section; and motive power means for raising and lowering said vertically movable leg sections, and thus said cabinet and patient support means, with respect to said stationary leg sections; said motive power means including a power unit mounted beneath said bottom of said cabinet outside said storage space, flexible connector means extending beneath said bottom of said cabinet to each said leg, said connector means being operably connected to each said leg for moving said vertically movable leg sections with respect to said stationary leg sections, power transfer means located beneath said bottom of said cabinet and connected to said power unit and operably connected to said flexible connector means for extending and retracting said flexible connector means, and means for controlling operation of said power unit whereby said vertically movable leg sections can be raised and lowered and the height of said patient support means above a support surface is selectively adjustable.

Claim 3

The examination table of claim 1 wherein said cabinet includes a plurality of rigid frame members below said bottom and said storage space of said cabinet interconnecting said legs and supporting said cabinet on said legs; said support means including support pan means secured to certain of said frame members beneath said bottom and said storage space of said cabinet for supporting said power unit and power transfer means beneath said bottom and storage space of said cabinet.

Claim 4

The examination table of claim 2 wherein said cabinet includes at least one extendible storage drawer at one end thereof and a variable use storage area at the other end; said support pan means being secured to said frame members such that said power unit is positioned generally intermediate and below said storage drawer and variable use storage area.

Claim 5

The examination table of claim 1 wherein said power unit is a reversible electric motor, said power transfer means including a rotatable screw and a connector member threaded on said screw for axial movement along said screw when it is rotated; said flexible connector means including an elongated, nonstretchable cable connected between the stationary section of each of said leg and said connector member on said screw and a plurality of pulleys mounted beneath said bottom and storage space of said cabinet for supporting each cable and directing each cable to its respective leg, at least one pulley being located adjacent each leg for directing its said cable upwardly, from beneath said bottom of said cabinet, and vertically alongside said leg to a point above said bottom of said cabinet where said cable is connected to said stationary section of said leg; said cabinet and patient support means being raised by said screw and connector member when said motor is operated in one direction and lowered when said motor is operated in the reverse direction.

Claim 6

The examination table of claim 4 wherein said control means include a pendant, foot pedal control switch for controlling operation of said reversible electric motor.

Claim 7

The examination table of claim 1 wherein said flexible connector means include a flexible, nonstretchable cable connected between each of said legs and said power transfer means and a plurality of rotatable pulley means located below said bottom and storage space of said cabinet for supporting each of said cables.

Claim 8

The examination table of claim 6 wherein said power unit is a reversible electric motor; said power transfer means including a rotatable screw connected to said motor and a connector member threaded on said screw for axial movement therealong when said screw is rotated by said motor.

Claim 9

The examination table of claim 7 including a speed reduction gear box connected to said motor to rotate said screw at a speed lower than that of said motor and clutch means for transferring power from said motor and gear box to said screw.

Claim 10

The examination table of claim 8 wherein said control means include a pendant, foot pedal control switch for controlling operation of said reversible electric motor.

Claim 11

The examination table of claim 6 wherein each of said stationary leg sections is telescoped within one of said vertically movable leg sections, said vertically movable leg sections being positioned generally over and above said stationary leg sections; said pulleys for each of said cables including a first pulley at the bottom of each vertically movable leg section, an aperture in said vertically movable leg section adjacent said first pulley, and at least a second pulley for directing said respective cable to said power transfer means; each of said respective cables engaging its first and second pulleys, extending through said aperture in its vertically movable leg section and being fixedly secured to the top portion of said stationary, telescoping leg section whereby retraction of said power transfer means by said power unit simultaneously raises each of said vertically movable leg sections and thus said cabinet and patient support means.

Claim 12

The examination table of claim 1 wherein said patient support means includes an articulated patient support cushion having at least one pivotable cushion section and means for pivotally mounting said pivotable cushion section with respect to said cabinet top surface for generally vertical swinging movement to support a patient in various positions; a fluid cylinder pivotally connected between said cabinet top and the underside of said pivotable cushion section; and control means movable with said pivotable cushion section adjacent the end of said cylinder on the underside of said pivotable cushion section, said control means including handle means having portions extending laterally to either side of said cushion section and means operated by said handle means for depressing a valve controlling means on the end of said cylinder for controlling the position of said fluid cylinder whereby said cushion section position may be controlled from either side of said cushion section.

Claim 13

The examination table of claim 11 wherein said fluid cylinder includes a movable piston joined to a connecting rod, a valve in said piston to control the movement of fluid past said piston, and a push pin comprising said valve controlling means at one end of said connecting rod for opening and closing said piston valve to control the position of said piston and thus of said cushion section; said end of said connecting rod being pivotally secured to said underside of said pivotable cushion section adjacent said means operated by said handle means.

Claim 14

The examination table of claim 1 in which each said leg is exposed to the exterior of said cabinet for ease of access thereto; said cabinet end and side walls being suspended intermediate and between said legs.

Claim 15

The examination table of claim 13 wherein said power unit is a reversible electric motor, said power transfer means including a rotatable screw and a connector member threaded on said screw for axial movement along said screw when it is rotated; said flexible connector means including an elongated, nonstretchable cable connected between the stationary section of each of said leg means and said connector member of said screw and a plurality of pulleys located beneath said bottom and storage space of said cabinet for supporting each cable and directing each cable to its respective leg means from said connector member of said screw; said cabinet and patient support means being raised by said screw and connector member when said motor is operated in one direction and lowered when said motor is operated in the reverse direction.

Claim 16

The examination table of claim 14 wherein said flexible connectors extend directly to each of said legs from a portion of said power transfer means which is located at a generally common area at one end of said examination table; at least one of said flexible connectors extending diagonally beneath said cabinet from said portion of said power transfer means to a leg at the opposite end of said table.

Claim 17

A variable height examination table for supporting a patient during a medical examination comprising a cabinet; a plurality of leg means at spaced positions on said cabinet for supporting said table on a support surface, said cabinet including a bottom, side, and end walls, and patient supporting means mounted at the top of said cabinet for supporting a patient; each of said leg means including a stationary section adapted to rest on the support surface and a vertically movable section; and motive power means for raising and lowering said vertically movable leg sections, and thus said cabinet and patient support means, with respect to said stationary leg sections; said motive power means including a power unit, flexible connector means including at least one elongated, flexible connector connected to said leg means for moving said vertically movable leg sections with respect to said stationary leg sections, power transfer means connected to said power unit and flexible connector for extending and retracting said flexible connector; and means for controlling operation of said power unit whereby said vertically movable leg sections can be raised and lowered and the height of said patient support means above a support surface is selectively adjustable; said cabinet including a top; said patient support means including an articulated patient support cushion having at least one pivotable cushion section and means for pivotally mounting said pivotable cushion section with respect to said cabinet top surface for generally vertical swinging movement to support a patient in various positions; a fluid cylinder pivotally connected between said cabinet top and the underside of said pivotable cushion section; and control means movable with said pivotable cushion section adjacent the end of said cylinder on the underside of said pivotable cushion section, said control means including handle means having portions extending laterally to either side of said cushion section and means operated by said handle means for depressing a valve controlling means on the end of said cylinder for controlling the position of said fluid cylinder whereby said cushion section position may be controlled from either side of said cushion section; said fluid cylinder including a movable piston joined to a connecting rod, a valve in said piston to control the movement of fluid past said piston, and a push pin comprising said valve controlling means at one end of said connecting rod for opening and closing said piston valve to control the position of said piston and thus of said cushion section; said end of said connecting rod being pivotally secured to said underside of said pivotable cushion section adjacent said means operated by said handle means; a bracket secured to the underside of said cushion section and means in said bracket for engaging and pivotally supporting said push pin end of said connecting rod; said means operated by said handle means including a push pin engaging member rigidly secured to said handle means; biasing means for returning said push pin engaging member to its nonoperative position; and a stop for limiting the return movement of said engaging member whereby rotation of said handle means from either side of said cushion section depresses said push pin with said engaging member to control the position of said fluid cylinder piston, said handle means automatically returning to their nonoperative position when released.

Claim 18

A variable height examination table for supporting a patient during a medical examination comprising a cabinet; a plurality of leg means at spaced positions on said cabinet for supporting said table on a support surface, said cabinet including a bottom, side, and end walls, and patient supporting means mounted at the top of said cabinet for supporting a patient; each of said leg means including a stationary section adapted to rest on the support surface and a vertically movable section; and motive power means for raising and lowering said vertically movable leg sections, and thus said cabinet and patient support means, with respect to said stationary leg sections; said motive power means including a power unit, flexible connector means including at least one elongated, flexible connector connected to said leg means for moving said vertically movable leg sections with respect to said stationary leg sections, power transfer means connected to said power unit and flexible connector for extending and retracting said flexible connector; and means for controlling operation of said power unit whereby said vertically movable leg sections can be raised and lowered and the height of said patient support means above a support surface is selectively adjustable; said cabinet including a top; said patient support means including an articulated patient support cushion having at least one pivotable cushion section and means for pivotally mounting said pivotable cushion section with respect to said cabinet top surface for generally vertical swinging movement to support a patient in various positions; a fluid cylinder pivotally connected between said cabinet top and the underside of said pivotable cushion section; and control means movable with said pivotable cushion section adjacent the end of said cylinder on the underside of said pivotable cushion section, said control means including handle means having portions extending laterally to either side of said cushion section and means operated by said handle means for depressing a valve controlling means on the end of said cylinder for controlling the position of said fluid cylinder whereby said cushion section position may be controlled from either side of said cushion section; said fluid cylinder including a movable piston joined to a connecting rod, a valve in said piston to control the movement of fluid past said piston, and a push pin comprising said valve controlling means at one end of said connecting rod for opening and closing said piston valve to control the position of said piston and thus of said cushion section; said end of said connecting rod being pivotally secured to said underside of said pivotable cushion section adjacent said means operated by said handle means; a bracket secured to the underside of said cushion section and means in said bracket for engaging and pivotally supporting said push pin end of said connecting rod; said means operated by said handle means including a push pin engaging member rigidly secured to said handle means; biasing means for returning said push pin engaging member to its nonoperative position; and a stop for limiting the return movement of said engaging member whereby rotation of said handle means from either side of said cushion section depresses said push pin with said engaging member to control the position of said fluid cylinder piston, said handle means automatically returning to their nonoperative position when released.