Multi-articulated Table

Abstract

This patent relates to an improved table useful in medical and related practices. More particularly, this invention comprises a table having a central portion which includes a flat generally horizontally disposed base, extending upwardly from said base, spaced apart first and second extendible supporting means, a first cushion supporting means pivotally attached to said extendible supporting means whereby said first and second extendible supporting means can be simultaneously extended to vertically raise and lower said first cushion supporting means while said first cushion supporting means is horizontal and said first and second extendible supporting means can also be differentially extended with respect to each other to tip said first cushion supporting means at an angle with respect to the horizontal; a second cushion supporting means connected by pivotal attachment to the upper end of said central portion and at one side thereof, a third extensible means carried by said central portion for providing pivotal movement of said second cushion supporting means around said pivotal attachment, a third cushion supporting means connected by pivotal attachment to the second cushion supporting means, extensible means carried by said second cushion supporting means for providing pivotal movement of said third cushion supporting means around said second cushion supporting means whereby said second and third cushion supporting means can be pivoted simultaneously or individually above and below the horizontal; a fourth cushion supporting means connected by pivotal attachment to the upper end of said central portion and at the opposite side thereof, a fourth extensible means carried by said central portion for providing pivotal movement of said fourth cushion supporting means around said pivotal attachment, a fifth cushion supporting means slidaby attached to said fourth cushion supporting means, extendible means carried by said fourth cushion supporting means for providing coplanar movement of said fifth cushion supporting means with respect of said fourth cushion supporting means to increase or decrease the distance therebetween, said fourth and fifth cushion supporting means being adapted to be simultaneously pivoted above and below the horizontal around said central portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various tables for use by physicians and chiropractors have been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,851,320 describes a chiropractic table of the type having a flat horizontally disposed base that has a cavity under the same throughout the length thereof. The base has two upwardly projecting support arms at one end of the same, a pivot pin connected between said arms, a pair of brackets, a pair of parallel support rails carried by said brackets for pivotal action about said pivot. The support rails have head, chest, abdominal and leg support cushions mounted thereon. The means for raising or lowering said support rails and cushions by swinging the support rails comprising a pair of brackets connected near one end of said support rails, arms extending downwardly from said brackets, a cross-rod connected between the ends of said arms, a block pivotally carried on said cross-rod, a piston rod connected to said block at one end, a piston connected to the other end of said piston rod, a cylinder longitudinally disposed in the cavity below said base, a transverse wall in said base adjacent the front of the same, a bracket fastened thereto, a rod pivotally connected to said bracket, said rod fastened to one end of said cylinder, a hydraulic fluid conduit connected adjacent the front end of said cylinder, a motor and pump mounted on said base adjacent said support arms, said conduit connected to said pump, a fluid reservoir mounted on said base adjacent said motor and pump, a conduit from said reservoir to said pump, and a push button switch for operating the motor to raise the support arms. This structure is lacking in flexibility and involves messy hydraulic devices. In addition, the device is incapable of being programmed in any way. Thus, time consuming manual operation is inevitable. The present invention overcomes these and other problems in this art. It is anticipated that the present invention will be quickly adapted by those skilled in this art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, this invention comprises a table having a central portion which includes a flat generally horizontally disposed base, extending upwardly from said base, spaced apart first and second extendible supporting means, a first cushion supporting means pivotally attached to said extendible supporting means whereby said first and second extendible supporting means can be simultaneously extended to vertically raise and lower said first cushion supporting means while said first cushion supporting means is horizontal and said first and second extendible supporting means can also be differentially extended with respect to each other to tip said first cushion supporting means at an angle with respect to the horizontal; a second cushion supporting means connected by pivotal attachment to the upper end of said central portion and at one side thereof, a third extensible means carried by said central portion for providing pivotal movement of said second cushion supporting means around said pivotal attachment, a third cushion supporting means connected by pivotal attachment to the second cushion supporting means, extensible means carried by said second cushion supporting means for providing pivotal movement of said third cushion supporting means around said second cushion supporting means whereby said second and third cushion supporting means can be pivoted simultaneously or individually above and below the horizontal; a fourth cushion supporting means connected by pivotal attachment to the upper end of said central portion and at the opposite side thereof, a fourth extensible means carried by said central portion for providing pivotal movement of said fourth cushion supporting means around said pivotal attachment, a fifth cushion supporting means slidably attached to said fourth cushion supporting means, extendible means carried by said fourth cushion supporting means for providing coplanar movement of said fifth cushion supporting means with respect of said fourth cushion supporting means to increase or decrease the distance therebetween, said fourth and fifth cushion supporting means being adapted to be simultaneously pivoted above and below the horizontal around said central portion.

In general, it is an object of our invention to prove a new and improved table for use in medical and related practices. The principal object of the present invention is to provide an electromechanically operated table capable of push-button control and adapted to be programmed to automatically bring the cushions to any one of several different predetermined positions.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a table which eliminates the need for any hydraulic devices.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the invention and the attendant advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description wherein one embodiment of the same is described and illustrated upon the accompanying drawings, upon which:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the table;

FIG. 2 shows a side elevation of the table;

FIG. 3 shows an end view of the table;

FIG. 4 shows control panel (programmed);

FIG. 5 shows control panel (manual);

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the table partially broken away showing body of potentiometer mounted so that shaft forms part of the pivotal connection;

FIGS. 6 - 16 shows ten basic table positions;

FIG. 17 shows typical cycle timing;

FIG. 18 is an illustrative electrical schematic showing the preferred potentiometer circuit;

FIG. 19 is an illustrative electrical schematic showing manual switches, six programmed switches and four potentiometers;

FIG. 20 is another illustrative electrical schematic showing typical switch to motor connections.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to the drawings in greater detail and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 - 3, the table 10 has a central portion 12 which includes a flat generally horizontally disposed base 14. Extending upwardly from said base are two spaced apart extendible supporting means 16 and 18. A cushion supporting means 20 is pivotally attached by attachments 22 and 24 to said extendible supporting means 16 and 18 whereby said extendible supporting means can be simultaneously extended to vertically raise and lower said cushion supporting means 20 while said cushion supporting means is horizontal and said extendible supporting means can also be differentially extended with respect to each other to tip said cushion supporting means 20 at an angle with respect to the horizontal. A second cushion supporting means 26 is connected by pivotal attachment 28 to the upper end of said central portion 12 and at one side thereof the extensible means 30 carried by said central portion 12 provides pivotal movement of said second cushion supporting means 26 around said pivotal attachment 28. A third cushion supporting means 32 is connected by pivotal attachment 34 to the second cushion supporting means 26. Extensible means 36 is carried by said second cushion supporting means 26 to provide pivotal movement of said third cushion supporting means 32 around said second cushion supporting means 26 whereby said second and third cushion supporting means can be pivoted simultaneously or individually above and below the horizontal. A fourth cushion supporting means 38 is connected by pivotal attachment 40 to the upper end of said central portion 12 and at the opposite side thereof. A second extensible means 42 carried by said central portion 12 provides pivotal movement of said fourth cushion supporting means 38 around said pivotal attachment 40. A fifth cushion supporting means 44 is slidably attached to said fourth cushion supporting means 38. The extendible means 46 carried by said fourth cushion supporting means 38 provides coplanar movement of said fifth cushion supporting means 44 with respect of said fourth cushion supporting means 38 to increase or decrease the distance therebetween. The fourth and fifth cushion supporting means can be simultaneously pivoted above and below the horizontal around said central portion 12. The cushion supporting means carries cushions 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, and 58. Each extensible means is driven by a motor, said motor being identified by numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70. The extensible means per se are commercially available units sometimes referred to as linear actuators, and their structure and operation need not be described in detail here.

Control panels 82 and 84 are located at opposite sides 86 and 88 of the upper end of central portion 12. The push buttons 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100 correspond to six different programmed positions as indicated.

The switches 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 and 114 provide manual operation and override the programmed controls. Switches 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126 and 128 essentially duplicate these manual switches. Switches 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 and 140 complete the controls. Outlets 142 and 144 provide ordinary alternating current for use in the operation of accessory devices.

Turning to FIG. 6, the cushion supporting means 32 is connected by pivot attachment 34 through arm 35 to the cushion supporting means 26. This pivot has attached thereto potentiometer 72. The wiper portion 74 is turned by movement of cushion supporting means 32 while the remainder of the potentiometer is stationary. The potentiometers 72, 76, 78 and 80 form part of the programmed control.

FIG. 7 illustrates the table one position--the mounting position.

FIG. 8 illustrates the table in another position--the high horizontal position.

FIG. 9 illustrates the table in yeat another position--the low horizontal position.

The positions shown in FIGS. 10 - 17 are as follows:

Fig. 10 -- trendelenberg position.

Fig. 11 -- logan position.

Fig. 12 -- inverted position.

Fig. 13 -- seated position.

Fig. 14 -- modified seated position.

Fig. 15 -- further modified seated position.

Fig. 16 -- sims position.

It is to be understood that in the table illustrated herein, up to six of these positions may be programmed into the devices. Obviously, six does not represent the upper limit in this regard.

FIG. 17 represents the various phases or positions of the table 10 where it is programmed to cyclic from the Logan position of FIG. 11 to the horizontal position of FIG. 8. As is explained elsewhere herein, the table can be programmed for both the Logan and horizontal positions. Cycling is provided by simple switching circuit which in any desired time sequence alternates the table between these two programmed positions.

Motors 60, 62, 64 and 66 are each provided with circuitry of the type shown in FIG. 18. Considering motor 62 for example, the power supply to transformer 146 is ordinary 115 volt alternating current. The transformer 146 converts this to about 24 volts alternating current for the bridge rectifier 148. The rectifier 148 is connected via resistors 150 and 152 to Zener diodes 154 and 156. Two storage capacitors 158 and 160 provide about 8 volts to each of the Zener diodes.

The potentiometer 72 leads to the switching means shown in FIG. 19. The potentiometer 72 leads via resistors 162 and 164, and protective diodes 166 and 168 to transistor 170 and 172. The capacitor 174, resistor 176, transistor 178, resistor 180 and pulse transformer 182 form a unijunction relaxation oscillator. The pulses operate the silicon controlled rectifier 184 via resistor 186 and diode 188. The silicon controlled rectifier 184 is connected across the bridge rectifier 190. The other side of the circuit includes capacitor 192, resistor 194, transistor 196, resistor 198, pulse transformer 200, silicon controlled rectifier 202, resistor 204, diode 206 and bridge rectifier 208 correspond to the components just described. Depending on the output of rectifiers 190 and 208, the motor 62 which is provided with capacitor 210 can be made to run forward or backward. FIG. 20 illustrates the use of a switch 212 to override or by-pass the circuit of FIG. 18. Leads 214 and 216 are also provided.

In operation, the programmed control is a closed loop, negative feedback control system. For any particular position of table 10, each cushion supporting means must maintain a precise angular position relative to the other cushion supporting means to which it is hinged.

If each angular relationship between adjacent cushion support means is monitored continuously, then the error between the actual position and the desired position is known. This error can then be used to control movement of each cushion support means to reduce the error.

To monitor the angular relationship between two cushion support means which are adjacent, a potentiometer, for example, potentiometer 72, is located at each hinged joint. The ends of the potentiometer 72 are biased with 230 VDC (+115 VDC and -115 VDC), as shown.

As the joint moves the potential on the wiper of the potentiometer 72 changes. If the potential on the wiper of the potentiometer is +1 V or greater (up to +115 VDC) then the silicon controlled rectifier (184 or 202) which operates the extensible means in the direction which will reduce that potential, is turned on.

Similarly, if the potential on the wiper of the potentiometer is -1 V or less (down to -115 VDC) then the silicon controlled rectifier (184 or 202) which operates the extensible means in the direction which will increase that potential, is turned on.

Thus, the potentiometer 72 is alwasy attempting to seek zero potential. If the ends of the potentiometer 72 were directly tied to +115 VDC and -115 VDC then the table would have only one programmed position.

The biasing of the system is provided by resistors 220. These resistors have values to which provide the bias necessary to program the circuit for the desired table positions. The appropriate resistor is brought into the circuit with the potentiometers by the closing of one of the switches 22. The current supply to transformer 224 is ordinary alternating current. The diodes 226 and 228, and capacitors 230 and 232 produce direct current to the switches 222.

Having fully described the invention, it is understood that it be limited only by the lawful scope of the appended claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A table having a central portion which includes a flat generally horizontally disposed base, extending upwardly from said base, spaced apart first and second extendible supporting means, a first cushion supporting means pivotally attached to said extendible supporting means whereby said first and second extendible supporting means can be simultaneously extended to vertically raise and lower said first cushion supporting means while said first cushion supporting means is horizontal and said first and second extendible supporting means can also be differentially extended with respect to each other to tip said cushion supporting means at an angle with respect to the horizontal; a second cushion supporting means connected by pivotal attachment to the upper end of said central portion and at one side thereof, a third extensible means carried by said central portion for providing pivotal movement of said second cushion supporting means around said pivotal attachment, a third cushion supporting means connected by pivotal attachment to the second cushion supporting means, extensible means carried by said second cushion supporting means for providing pivotal movement of said third cushion supporting means around said second cushion supporting means whereby said second and third cushion supporting means can be pivoted simultaneously or individually above and below the horizontal; a fourth cushion supporting means connected by pivotal attachment to the upper end of said central portion and at the opposite side thereof, a fourth extensible means carried by said central portion for providing pivotal movement of said fourth cushion supporting means around said pivotal attachment, a fifth cushion supporting means slidably attached to said fourth cushion supporting means, extendible means carried by said fourth cushion supporting means for providing coplanar movement of said fifth cushion supporting means with respect of said fourth cushion supporting means to increase or decrease the distance therebetween, said fourth and fifth cushion supporting means being adapted to be simultaneously pivoted above and below the horizontal around said central portion, one or more of said pivotal attachments being operably connected to a potentiometer, and said potentiometer is in circuit with a motor which operates the extendible means associated with pivotal attachment, said circuit further including a resistance of predetermined value to bias said potentiometer in a manner which corresponds to a predetermined position of said cushion supporting means with respect to said pivot attachment.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein control panels are provided at each side of said central portion.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said cushion supporting means carries at least one cushion.