Examination Table

Abstract

A table for examination of a patient in a kneeling position with the head below the level of the knees comprising a head section, a center section, and a foot section, the head section being connected to the center section by a long hinge. A step construction is provided on the table top supporting the sections with the portion under the head section at a lower level than the remainder so that when the hinge is raised to form an acute angle between the head and center sections, thus forming an inverted V-shape, the free outer end of the head section is supported at a lower level than the end of the center section remote from the hinge.

Description

This invention relates to a doctor's examining table and particularly to a manually operated table adapted to a large number of positions in which the patient may be placed to facilitate the examination by a physician.

Briefly the invention comprises a table with a stationary top with one end stepped down lower than the other and with an adjustable top made in three sections to operate over the stationary top.

The sectional table top can be quickly and easily adjusted so as to support the patient with his head and trunk lowered, his buttocks raised for examination and his legs in a kneeling position.

When lowered to the horizontal position all three sections of the adjustable top are level. When raised for examination purposes there is a wide choice of positions available to suit the examination required.

The three sections of the adjustable top may be designated the head section which supports the head and trunk, the thigh section which supports the thighs, and the foot section which supports the knees, lower legs and feet.

The step-down design of the head end of the table permits an adequate slope for the head section during examinations.

The head and thigh sections are hinged together. The site at which the foot section meets the thigh section can be raised or lowered by means of a spring-loaded lever attached to the foot section. The lever is provided with a dog and an adjustable plate formed with notches. When the spring is compressed it releases the dog from the notch, permitting the lever to raise or lower the site at which the foot section meets the thigh section.

The head section and foot section are each provided with a ratchet to retain that section in whatever position is desired for the examination. The ratchet on the head section is engaged by a transversely positioned rod, mounted on an extension from the head section. When the table is raised for examination purposes this extension engages the ratchet to maintain the desired position. When the table top is level it supports the head section in a horizontal position.

The ratchet on the foot section is engaged by a transversely positioned rod hinged beneath the foot section.

A pad is provided over the entire surface of the table to protect the patient.

The main object of the invention is therefore the provision of a manually operated adjustable table to facilitate the examination of a patient by a physician.

Another important object is the provision of a spring-loaded lever to raise and lower the foot section of the said table.

Still another important object is the provision of a rod to engage a ratchet to retain the head portion in an adjusted position.

Other apparent objects are the provision of an examination table, as set forth, which is strong and durable, easy to operate and of comparatively low manufacturing cost.

With these and other objects in view that may appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel arrangement of cooperating elements as hereinafter more specifically set forth, claimed and shown in the accompanying drawing forming part of this application and in which.

FIG. 1, is a side elevational view of an examination table, constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown in the closed position.

FIG. 2, is a side elevational view of the table shown in the raised position.

FIG. 3, is a plan view of the table in the closed position.

FIG. 4, is a side elevational view of the height adjusting plate.

FIG. 5, is a partial view of the operating lever to raise and lower the foot section.

FIG. 6, is a partial view of the table in the raised or adjusted position.

Referring more in detail to the drawing in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout, it will be seen the invention comprises a rigid section 10 mounted on a base 11. At the forward or head extremity of the base, a ratchet 12 is provided and is positioned directly below the head section.

The head section 13 is formed with a depending fixture attached to both sides to form legs to hold section 13 in a horizontal position when lowered. Said legs are provided with a transversely disposed rod 14 which engages the ratchet when that section is raised. It is to be noted that the large number of notches in the ratchet 12 provides for a large variety of adjustment for that section. The head section is formed in two parts which are hinged together at 15 by means of a continuous hinge to give the required strength to such a device.

The knee end of Section 16 is activated by means of a spring loaded lever 17 which is provided with a dog which engages a notched fixed plate 18. The said plate 18 is attached securely to the stationary table top 10 and has a plurality of notches to provide a plurality of adjustments to the knee end of the section 16.

To raise both sides of section 16 evenly and simultaneously, a through rod 19 is rigidly attached to lever 17 and has an arm on the opposite end rigidly attached. Two extending arms, on section 16 extend downward to make a hinged connection with the arm and lever rigidly attached to rod 19. When the lever 17 is activated both sides of the knee end of section 16 move simultaneously.

To retain the foot end of section 16 in the desired position, another ratchet 20 is provided and a hinged leg engages the ratchet. Depending upon the height of the patient and the nature of the examination, the foot section is adjusted accordingly.

It is believed that the construction and advantages have been fully set forth and that further detailed description is not required.

However, it is to be understood that minor modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A medical examination table comprising a base portion of stepped formation forming fixed base sections at two distinct elevations, an intermediate table section having one end hingedly connected to the base section of greater elevation, a head table section hingedly connected to the other end of the intermediate table section and adapted to overlie the base section of lower elevation when said intermediate and head table sections are extended so as to lie in a common level plane, a rigid depending leg means on the head table section remote from the hinged end thereof and resting on the base section of lower elevation when said intermediate and head table sections are in said common level plane, adjustment means on the base section of lower elevation engageable with said rigid leg means of the head table section when the latter is moved with the intermediate table section to an inclined position with the hinged connection between the intermediate and head table sections elevated above the base section of greater elevation, a knee table section movably mounted on the base section of greater elevation adjacent the hinged connection of the intermediate table section with the base section of greater elevation and being shiftable from a level position to an inclined position, said knee table section when in the level position lying in said common level plane and said knee table section when in an inclined position being generally parallel to the head table section when the latter is inclined, whereby the head of a patient being examined on the examination table may be positioned below the elevation of the knees of the patient, the knees of the patient resting on said knee table section above the base section of greater elevation and the head of the patient disposed near the elevation of the base section of lower elevation, and means to adjustably secure the knee table section in selected use positions relative to said fixed base and said intermediate and head table sections.

2. A medical examination table comprising a head section, a center section, and a foot section forming a level examination surface when in a first position, the head section having a first outer end and a second inner end hingedly connected to a first end of the center section, the second end of the center section hingedly secured to a relatively stationary table base, the hinge means permitting elevating to a second position of the second inner end of the head section and the hingedly connected first end of the center section to form an inverted V-shaped support for the body of a patient, said table base including a first portion at one level and the second end of the center section being at said one level, the table base including a second portion at a lower level beneath the head section to support the first outer end of the head section below the second end of the center section, said second portion of the table base including support means for the first outer end of the head section in selected adjusted positions to allow varying the inclination of the head section, said support means comprising a first toothed ratchet member, the head section having a depending leg member on each side thereof with a rod extending between the leg members transversely and adapted to register with at least one tooth of the first ratchet member, and means on the first portion of the table base connected with and supporting said foot section and allowing the foot section to be inclined relative to the table base in varying degrees.

3. The structure of claim 2, and a second toothed ratchet member on said first portion of the table base and said foot section provided with a hinged stand post registerable with at least one tooth of the second toothed ratchet member to provide support for the foot section at a selected angle of inclination.

4. The structure of Claim 3, and manual means for moving the foot section comprising a spring-loaded lever attached to the foot section and having a dog, a plate fixed to said first portion of the table base and having a plurality of notches adapted to register with said dog.