U.S. patent number 3,910,659 [Application Number 05/486,468] was granted by the patent office on 1975-10-07 for reversible overbed table and mirror.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Joerns Furniture Company. Invention is credited to Warren J. Peterson.
United States Patent |
3,910,659 |
Peterson |
October 7, 1975 |
Reversible overbed table and mirror
Abstract
An overbed table having a compartment with a table top slidable
in either of two directions for providing access to the
compartment. In one embodiment, locking clips on each end of
channels pivot around the ends of corresponding tracks to lock the
top onto the base. Raising the locking clips allows the table top
to be slid open. The table further includes a novel mirror which
may be oriented to lean against the table top regardless of what
direction the top is slid open so as to selectively expose its
mirrored surface to a user on either side of the table.
Inventors: |
Peterson; Warren J. (Stevens
Point, WI) |
Assignee: |
Joerns Furniture Company
(Stevens Point, WI)
|
Family
ID: |
23932006 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/486,468 |
Filed: |
July 8, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/226;
297/174R; 312/291; 312/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
13/081 (20130101); A47B 23/046 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
23/00 (20060101); A47B 13/08 (20060101); A47B
23/04 (20060101); A47B 023/00 (); A47B
088/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;312/226,227,245,250,291,311 ;108/50,102,146 ;5/332 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Nunberg; Casmir A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Price, Heneveld, Huizenga &
Cooper
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A reversible overbed table comprising:
a housing;
a top member positioned over said housing;
means slidably mounting said top member over said housing, said
means allowing sliding of said top member back and forth over said
housing, allowing said top member to extend outward from said
housing and including a channel member, said channel member being
rigidly mounted on said top member and downwardly protruding
therefrom and a corresponding track member rigidly mounted on said
housing and upwardly projecting therefrom, said channel member
slidably engaging said track member so as to allow sliding of said
top member back and forth over said housing and allowing said top
member to extend outward therefrom; and
locking means attached to said mounting means for securing said
table top in locked position over said housing to form said overbed
table, said locking means when engaged preventing sliding of said
top member along said housing and being releasable to allow
slidable movement of said top member back and forth over said
housing and said locking means including:
U-shaped locking clips pivotally mounted on and extending from each
end of said channel members, said locking clips downwardly pivoting
around the end of the corresponding track member and including a
bite portion engageable with the end of said track member, when
said channel member and track member are generally aligned with
each other, each of said locking clips being capable of preventing
slidable displacement of said top member along said housing on the
side of the top member said bite portion of said locking clip is
pivoted into the plane of said corresponding track member.
2. A reversible overbed table comprising:
a housing including at least one upwardly open recess;
a top member positioned over said housing;
means slidably mounting said top member over said housing, said
means allowing sliding of said top member back and forth over said
housing, allowing said top member to extend outward from said
housing and including a channel member, said channel member being
rigidly mounted on said top member and downwardly protruding
therefrom and a corresponding track member rigidly mounted on said
housing and upwardly projecting therefrom, said channel member
slidably engaging said track member so as to allow sliding of said
top member back and forth over said housing and allowing said top
member to extend outward therefrom;
locking means attached to said mounting means for securing said
table top in locked position over said housing to form said overbed
table, said locking means when engaged preventing sliding of said
top member along said housing and being releasable to allow
slidable movement of said top member back and forth over said
housing and said locking means including: U-shaped locking clips
pivotally mounted on and extending from each end of said channel
members, said locking clips downwardly pivoting around the end of
the corresponding track member and including a bite portion
engageable with the end of said track member, when said channel
member and track member are generally aligned with each other, each
of said locking clips being capable of preventing slidable
displacement of said top member along said housing on the side of
the top member said bite portion of said locking clip is pivoted
into the plane of said corresponding track member; and
a mirror assembly included in said recess, said mirror assembly
being accessible by displacing said top member with respect to said
housing in any desired direction along said mounting means and said
mirror assembly including:
a mirror surface;
track members peripherally mounted on opposite side edges of said
miror surface and including elongated indents therein and a pair of
stud members, each stud member including a C-shaped portion and a
mounting portion said stud members being mounted opposite to one
another within the recess in said housing, each of said C-shaped
portions of said studs being inserted in the indents in said track
members so as to slidably mount said track members on said stud
members and allowing horizontal displacement of said mirror in said
recess along said track members and further allowing vertical
rotation of said mirror surface along said stud members to expose
said mirror surface.
3. The overbed table of claim 2 wherein said track member is
flexible so as to allow ready disengagement of said mirror surface
and said tracks from said stud members by deformation of said
tracks.
4. A mirror assembly for a reversible overbed table with a
generally horizontal recess contained therein and accessible from
the top thereof, said mirror assembly comprising:
a mirror having a planar mirror surface;
a pair of support members mounted with one member of said pair at
each of opposite side edges of said mirror said members being
aligned on an axis and cooperatively associated with said mirror
for providing a sliding movement of said mirror on said members in
a direction along said side edges; and
means associated with said mirror and said support members for
providing pivotal movement of said mirror about said axis when said
mirror is slid on said members to positions where said members are
adjacent either of the ends of said edges whereby said mirror is
slidable along said track means on said support members to either
of said ends of said edges and is then rotatable about said axis to
expose said mirrored surface for viewing from either of two desired
opposite directions depending upon what direction said mirror is
slid and rotated.
5. The mirror assembly of claim 4 wherein said support members
include track means peripherally mounted on opposite side edges of
said mirror and including indent portions therein; and
said means associated with said mirror and said support members
includes a pair of stud members mounted opposite to one another
within the recess and being inserted in the indent portion of said
track means to allow sliding movement of the mirror on said track
means and providing pivotal movement of said mirror.
6. The mirror assembly of claim 5 wherein said stud members include
a C-shaped portion and a mounting portion, each of the C-shaped
portion being inserted in the indent portions in said track means
to provide sliding movement of said mirror on said track means and
providing pivotal movement of said mirror, and each of the mounting
portions being secured within the recess opposite to one
another.
7. The mirror assembly of claim 6 wherein said track means includes
at least one guide strip for guiding said mirror and preventing
cocking thereof while said mirror is slid along said stud members,
said guide strips being guided by a side edge of said housing.
8. A reversible overbed table comprising:
a housing;
a top member positioned over said housing;
means slidably mounting said top member over said housing, said
means allowing sliding of said top member back and forth over said
housing, allowing said top member to extend outward from said
housing and including a channel member, said channel member being
rigidly mounted on said top member and downwardly protruding
therefrom and a corresponding track member rigidly mounted on said
housing and upwardly projecting therefrom, said channel member
slidably engaging said track member so as to allow sliding of said
top member back and forth over said housing and allowing said top
member to extend outward therefrom;
locking means attached to said mounting means for securing said
table top in locked position over said housing to form said overbed
table, said locking means when engaged preventing sliding of said
top member along said housing and being releasable to allow
slidable movement of said top member back and forth over said
housing and said locking means including:
U-shaped locking clips pivotally mounted on and extending from each
end of said channel members, said locking clips downwardly pivoting
around the end of the corresponding track member and including a
bite portion engageable with the end of said track member, when
said channel member and track member are generally aligned with
each other, each of said locking clips being capable of preventing
slidable displacement of said top member along said housing on the
side of the top member said bite portion of said locking clip is
pivoted into the plane of said corresponding track member; and
a generally horizontal recess including a mirror assembly, said
mirror assembly being accessible by displacing said top member with
respect to said housing in any desired direction along said
mounting means.
9. The overbed table of claim 8 wherein said mirror assembly
includes:
a mirror having a planar mirror surface;
a pair of support members mounted with one member of said pair at
each of opposite side edges of said mirrors said members being
aligned on an axis and cooperatively associated with said mirror
for providing a sliding movement of said mirror on said members in
a direction along said side edges; and
means associated with said mirror and said support members for
providing pivotal movement of said mirror about said axis when said
mirror is slid on said members to positions where said members are
adjacent either of the ends of said edges whereby said mirror is
slidable along said track means on said support members to either
of said ends of said edges and is then rotatable about said axis to
expose said mirrored surface for viewing from either of two desired
opposite directions depending upon what direction said mirror is
slid and rotated.
10. The overbed table of claim 9 wherein said support members
include track means peripherally mounted on opposite side edges of
said mirror and including indent portions therein; and
said means associated with said mirror and said support members
include a pair of stud members mounted opposite to one another
within the recess and being inserted in the indent portion of said
track means to allow sliding movement of the mirror on said track
means and providing pivotal movement of said mirror.
11. The mirror assembly of claim 10 wherein said track means
includes at least one guide strip for guiding said mirror and
preventing cocking thereof while said mirror is slid along said
stud members, said guide strip being guided by a side edge of said
housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to overbed tables and more particularly to a
reversible overbed table with a sliding top and reversible mirror
means mounted in the compartment of the table under the top.
Various overbed tables have been developed that consist of a table
top cantilever suspended from a vertically adjustable support arm.
The support arm is usually attached to a roller-mounted base
structure that permits movement of the table away from the bed when
not in use.
Overbed tables, particularly those used in hospitals, are
conventionally designed so as to contain drawers, compartments, and
mirrors which allow the tables to be used for a multiplicity of
purposes, e.g., dining, grooming, writing, etc. In the design of
such tables, it has been desired to have these drawers,
compartments, and mirrors accessible from either side of the table.
By such accessibility, the table can be suspended over the bed from
either side of the bed.
Recognizing this problem, several prior art tables have been
developed to provide accessibility from either side of the table.
Most devices use mirrors, drawers, and/or compartments that are
only accessible upon opening and/or removal of part of the top of
the table. These devices, though often allowing for a reversibility
of the table, all require clearing of the table top before the
door, compartment, or mirror can be used.
In order to allow use of the table top and still provide
accessibility to these elements, one device employs a mirror
mounted under the table top on a rotatable support frame. Because
of the frame, it is not possible for the table to comprise
compartments or drawers for storage without a considerable
reduction in its compact size. Also, this table requires a fairly
complicated rotatable mirror support assembly which causes the
table to be relatively complicated and expensive to manufacture.
Further, because of the complicated mirror support structure, if it
is desired to remove or replace the mirror, great effort must be
expended.
Other prior art overbed tables have a storage tray or drawer that
slides out from under both sides of the table top. In use, the
drawer or tray will slide toward the patient. The disadvantage of
this arrangement is the necessity that the entire table be first
moved away from the patient to allow space for the tray or drawer
to be moved toward the patient.
Recognizing that in addition to its obvious and intended function,
overbed tables must also serve as a "crutch" and a "walker" for
infirm patients, some prior art tables with tops that slide
relative to the table base do not provide a positive lock to
prevent the top from sliding and may be hazardous when used for
this purpose. There is a need for an improved overbed table having
a positive lock, and which is convenient for both patient and the
nurse to release, and which still allows the table to be used from
either side without prior adjustment or selection.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
reversible overbed table which allows access to compartments in the
table without opening or removing parts of the table top.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide a
reversible overbed table which allows accessibility to such
compartments without clearing the table top of material placed
thereon.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a reversible
overbed table with a compartment therein in which access to storage
and a mirror within the compartment is provided without first
repositioning the entire table in relation to the patient.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a
mirror that is accessible from either side of the table and which
may also be easily stored from either side of the table when so
desired.
These and other objects are accomplished by the reversible overbed
table of the present invention which utilizes a top member slidably
mounted on a housing. The means for slidably mounting the top
member over the housing allows sliding of the top member back and
forth over the housing and further allows the top member to extend
outward from the housing. A locking means attached to the slidable
mounting means secures the table top in locked position over the
housing to form the overbed table. The locking means is self
engaging to prevent sliding of the top member along the housing.
The locking means is selective when released to allow the top to
move away from the patient thus exposing the storage space.
In the preferred embodiment, means for slidably mounting the top
member on the housing includes a pair of channel members mounted on
the top member and a corresponding pair of track members mounted on
the housing. The channel members when slidably engaging the track
members allow sliding of the top member back and forth over the
housing.
The locking means in the preferred embodiment includes U-shaped
locking clips that are pivotally mounted on and extend from both
ends of a channel member. The locking clips downwardly pivot around
and over the ends of the corresponding track member when the
channel member and corresponding track member are generally aligned
with each other to prevent slidable displacement of the top member
along the housing. When it is desired to slide the top member along
the housing, the locking clip on the top member is upwardly pivoted
and the top member is free to slide in the direction opposite the
side of the table at which the locking clip was disengaged.
The preferred embodiment of the overbed table further includes a
mirror accessible from either side of the table which is placed in
an upwardly open compartment in the housing. Support members
aligned on an axis are mounted on opposite side edges of the mirror
to provide sliding movement of the mirror in a direction along the
edges. Means are associated with the mirror and support members for
providing pivotal movement about the axis when the mirror is slid
on the members, to positions where the members are adjacent either
axis of the ends of said edges. When the top member is slid along
the mounting means to expose the compartment in the housing, the
mirror is slid forward away from the table top and rotated upwardly
along the axis to expose the mirror face.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a top and side elevation, perspective view of the
overbed table with the top in closed position;
FIG. 2 is a partial top and side elevational perspective view of
the table showing the top opened away from the viewer with the
mirror up;
FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the table in FIG. 2
along line III--III;
FIG. 4 is a partial top and side elevation, perspective view
similar to FIG. 2 showing the table opened toward the viewer with
the mirror up;
FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the table in FIG. 4
along line V--V;
FIG. 6 is a partial top and side elevational, perspective view of
the overbed table similar to FIG. 2 with the mirror removed;
FIG. 7 is a partial top and side elevational, perspective view of
the overbed table with the table top removed;
FIG. 8 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the table in FIG. 7
along line VIII--VIII;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top and side elevational,
perspective view of a portion of the table top showing the locking
clip of the overbed table in the locked position;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary top and side elevational,
perspective view of a portion of the table showing the locking clip
in the unlocked position when the table is being opened;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the locking clip;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged, top perspective view of the table top
channel members in the closed position over the corresponding base
mounted track;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the channel members
and track in FIG. 12 along reference line XIII--XIII;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged, top perspective view of the table top
channel member and track of FIG. 12 after the locking clip has been
disengaged from the track and the channel is displaced along the
track;
FIG. 15 is an end, elevation view of the channel and track of FIG.
14 with the locking clip removed; and
FIG. 16 is an enlarged partial, elevational, perspective view of
the tracked mirror and its supporting studs.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1-7, overbed
table 1 comprises a base 2 on which is mounted an upright support
member or standard 3 which in turn supports table top assembly 4.
Table top assembly 4 includes a housing 20 over which is slidably
mounted top 10 (FIGS. 2 and 4) by means of rail assemblies 30
(FIGS. 12 and 14). The present invention relates to a table top
assembly 4, it being understood that base 2 and standard 3 can be
of any conventional construction. The housing 20 also includes
therein a mirror assembly 40 hereinafter described.
The housing 20 is generally rectangular in shape and includes
therein two rectangular shallow depressions 24 and 25 (FIGS. 2, 4,
6, and 7). Slide channels 20a as seen in FIGS. 12 and 14, extend
generally along and are spaced from the short sides of the
rectangular-shaped housing 20. Housing 20 may be comprised of
plastic or the like to facilitate cleaning thereof.
Table top 10 generally conforms with the rectangular plan shape of
housing 20. Top 10 is a panel structure which can be constructed of
any number of suitable materials.
Rail assemblies 30 which slidably mount top 10 onto housing 20,
each include a track 31 and a channel 32 (FIGS. 12 and 14).
Channels 32 which are elongated and U-shaped in cross section are
downwardly directed and mounted on and slidable along corresponding
tracks 31. As seen in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 7, tracks 31 are rigidly
mounted in depression 20a on housing 20, and extend generally
parallel to each other therealong.
As seen in FIG. 13, track 31 is rectangular in cross section with
concave rounded grooves 31a on each side which receive bearings 36
contained by slide bar 35. Channel 11 includes a similarly shaped
concave bearing surface 32a receiving bearings 36. Thus, groove 31a
and concave surfaces 32a form a race for the bearings which are
supported by or caged in the bar 35. Stops 33 at the end of each of
tracks 31 provide a means for blocking the sliding movement of
slide bar 35.
As seen in FIGS. 9, 10, 12 and 14, the rail assembly 30 includes at
each end of its channels 32 U-shaped locking clips 50 which include
bite portions 53 at the bottom of the U-shaped clip and legs 52.
U-shaped locking clips 50 are pivotally mounted to channels 32 by
means of pivot tabs 51 extending inwardly from legs 52 which are
attached to the upper portion of channel 31 as shown in FIGS. 12
and 14. As seen therein, locking clips 50 are rotatable downward
along pivot tabs 51 so that bite portion 53 extends into the
horizontal plane of tracks 32. As also seen therein, clips 50 are
rotatable upwardly to be above the plane of track 32 and may be
rested on the top of track 32.
When channel 31 is over tracks 32 as seen in FIG. 12, both locking
clips 50 may be downwardly rotated so that bite portions 53 extend
into the plane of track 31. When so rotated, bite portion 53 of
locking clips 50 abuts the ends of tracks 32. As shown in these
embodiments, bite portions 53 securely rest against the ends of
tracks 32 and are engaged therewith so that no sliding of channels
31 along track 32 is allowed. To provide close abutting contact
between the ends of track 32 and bite portion 53 of locking clip
50, locking clip 50 is limited in downward pivotal rotation so as
to not allow contact of bite portion with recess portion 20a of
housing 20.
Channels 11 are rigidly mounted to table top 10 by conventional
means (not shown) so that top 10 is slidably mounted over housing
20.
As seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, when it is desired to displace table top
10 along housing 20, bite portion 53 of clip 50 is rotated upward
above the plane of track 31 and table top 10 is displaced in a
direction opposite clip 50 along housing 20. As is apparent, the
locking clip 50 on the side opposite to the one in which the clip
was upwardly rotated will not hinder displacement of table top 10
along housing 20 in that direction.
When table top 10 is slid back over housing 20 into its original
position, locking clip 50 is downwardly rotated because of its own
weight and top 10 is locked over housing 20 again.
As best shown in FIG. 16, the mirror assembly 40 of the present
invention includes a mirror with generally rectangular planar
mirror surface 41 with support members including peripheral channel
tracks 42 along two of its ends thereof. Each channel track 42 has
therein an indent or depression 42a suitable for acting as a
sliding track for pivot means including studs 43 which are inserted
therein. Each stud 43 comprises a flat base mounting portion 43a
and two inwardly directed C-shaped portions 43b. The C-shaped
sections 43b are inserted into indents 42a in channel 42 and act as
a means for supporting mirror 41. When so mounted, mirror 41 can be
displaced along studs 43 by sliding track members 42 along the
upper end of C-shaped portion 43b of studs 43.
As seen in FIG. 6, studs 43 are mounted in housing 20 along the
side walls of recess 25. Studs 43 are mounted generally directly
opposite to each other along the middle and at each edge of the
recess 25. Mirror 41 is mounted on studs 43, as shown in FIG. 16,
for downward rotation so as to lay in recess 25 as shown in FIG. 7.
When so positioned, mirror 41 may be slid along studs 43 as shown
in FIG. 8 from side to side in the compartment. In so sliding, the
guide strips 44 on the frame 42 slide along the edges 25a of the
tray to guide the mirror as it slides to thus prevent cocking of
the mirror. As is further shown, the mirror can be upwardly and
pivotally rotated so as to expose the surface of mirror 41. To
accomplish pivotal rotation of mirror assembly 40, it is first slid
along studs 43 until the C-shaped portion 43b of studs 43 is
located in one of the furthermost ends of channel 42a. The mirror
is then rotated upwardly.
As seen in FIGS. 2-5, mirror assembly 40 permits slidable
displacement and upward rotation of mirror 41 no matter which
direction table top 10 is slid along housing 20. As is also
apparent in these figures, the mirror assembly 40 must be slid
along studs 43 in the direction opposite that which table top 10 is
displaced along housing 20 so as to enable upward rotation of
mirror 41. After so sliding, mirror 41 may be rotated upwardly
until the frame or tracks 42 contact the edge of table top 10. The
mirror assembly is then dropped downward so that the frame is
seated in the support pockets 26 located in the edges 25a of the
tray. The pockets stabilize the mirror preventing it from sliding
out of the upright position while the edge of table top 10 acts as
a brace to support mirror 41 in its upright position. When it is
desired to close overbed table 1, mirror 41 is rotated downwardly
until it is in the position as shown in FIG. 7. Thereafter, table
top 10 is displaced back along housing 20 to conceal mirror
assembly 40.
As is readily apparent in the figures and in the above description,
mirror assembly 40 allows accessibility to mirror surface 41 no
matter which direction table top 10 is displaced along housing 20.
As is further apparent, table top 10 must be sufficiently displaced
along housing 20 so as to allow upward rotation of mirror 41 along
studs 43 or the mirrored surface of mirror 41 will not be
exposed.
OPERATION
After positioning overbed table 1 over a conventional hospital bed
or the like, if it is desired to displace table top 10 along
housing 20 so as to allow the table top user access to compartments
24 and 25 in housing 20, locking clip 50 nearest the table user is
upwardly rotated so that the bite portion 53 of the locking clip 50
is above the plane of track 32. When so rotated, table top 10 is
slid by the user in the opposite direction to expose compartments
24 and 25.
If it is desired to use mirror 41 of mirror assembly 40 in
compartment 25, mirror 41 is slid along its track portion 42 toward
the user until the C-shaped portion 43b of studs 43 is at the
extreme ends of indent 42a in tracks 42. When so positioned, mirror
41 is upwardly rotated and track members 42 are leaned against the
edge of table top 10 to support mirror 41 in an upright position
with the mirrored surface exposed to the table top user.
When it is desired to close overbed table 1, mirror 41 is rotated
downwardly into recess 25 so as to lay in the bottom thereof and
table top 10 is slidably displaced toward the user until bite
portion 53 of locking clip 50 strikes the far end of track 32 and
the locking clip at the near side of the table top drops over near
the end of the track to secure the table top in closed
position.
It will be understood that various changes in the details,
material, steps, and arrangements of parts which have been herein
described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the
invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the
principle and the scope of the invention as expressed in the
appended claims.
* * * * *