U.S. patent number 3,880,096 [Application Number 05/377,800] was granted by the patent office on 1975-04-29 for autopsy table.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Jewett Refrigerator Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert P. Kaplan.
United States Patent |
3,880,096 |
Kaplan |
April 29, 1975 |
Autopsy table
Abstract
An autopsy table comprising an upstanding base, a cylindrical
skirt telescopically mounted on the base for vertical and
rotational movement relative thereto, and a table affixed to the
upper end of the skirt for movement therewith to orient the table
in variously selective adjustable positions, both vertically and
rotatively. A mechanically driven actuating rod is connected,
through a structural supporting structure, to the skirt for
vertically adjusting the latter. A spring is provided for
counterbalancing the weight of the table superstructure imposed on
the actuating rod. The skirt is attached to a ring supported for
free rotatable movement on circumferentially spaced antifriction
thrust bearings forming a part of the skirt supporting
structure.
Inventors: |
Kaplan; Robert P. (Tonawanda,
NY) |
Assignee: |
The Jewett Refrigerator Company,
Inc. (Buffalo, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
23490559 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/377,800 |
Filed: |
July 9, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/141; 108/147;
248/405; 248/415; 108/142; 248/188.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G
13/0027 (20130101); A47B 13/023 (20130101); A47B
9/04 (20130101); A47B 2200/0059 (20130101); A47B
2200/0056 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
13/00 (20060101); A47B 9/00 (20060101); A47B
13/02 (20060101); A47B 9/04 (20060101); A61G
13/00 (20060101); A47b 009/02 (); A47b
011/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;108/131,141,142,147,105
;248/405,415,418,425,188.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Schultz; William H.
Assistant Examiner: Marquette; Darrell
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Christel & Bean
Claims
I claim:
1. An autopsy table comprising: an upstanding base; a cylindrical
skirt telescopically mounted on said base; a table rigidly secured
to the upper end of said skirt for movement therewith; means
mounting said skirt for free rotatable movement relative to said
base; means releasably locking said skirt in a selective rotatably
adjusted position relative to said base; means supporting said
skirt for vertical movement relative to said base; means for
guiding said skirt during said vertical movement thereof relative
to said base; said supporting means including a mechanical drive
means having a vertically axially movable actuating rod mounted
centrally of said base; means connecting said skirt to said
actuating rod, said mounting means including a fixed support ring;
a plurality of circumferentially spaced thrust bearings mounted on
said support ring; and a rotatable ring connected to said skirt and
supported on said thrust bearings for free rotational movement
relative thereto, said fixed support ring being provided with a
plurality of circumferentially spaced, upstanding lugs secured to
the inner peripheral edge thereof; each of said thrust bearings
having a recessed portion for receiving one of said lugs; a
retainer plate mounted on each of said lugs in spaced relation to
said thrust bearing for defining a groove receiving a portion of
said rotatable ring.
2. An autopsy table comprising; an upstanding base; a cylindrical
skirt telescopically mounted on said base; a table rigidly secured
to the upper end of said skirt for movement therewith; means
mounting said skirt for free rotatable movement relative to said
base; means releasably locking said skirt in a selective rotatably
adjusted position relative to said base; means supporting said
skirt for vertical movement relative to said base; means for
guiding said skirt during said vertical movement thereof relative
to said base; said supporting means including a mechanical drive
means having a vertically axially movable actuating rod mounted
centrally of said base; means connecting said skirt to said
actuating rod, said connecting means comprising a cross member
connected to the upper end of said actuating rod and extending in a
direction normal thereto; a pair of upright plates connected to the
opposite ends of said cross member and having support blocks at the
upper ends thereof, respectively; a support ring having
diametrically opposed segments secured to said blocks; bearing
means mounted on said support ring; and a rotatable ring affixed to
said skirt and supported on said bearing means for rotational
movement relative thereto.
3. An autopsy table according to claim 2 wherein said guiding means
comprises a pair of guide rods mounted adjacent the opposite ends
of said cross member for sliding movement in vertically spaced
bearing blocks, respectively, mounted on said base.
4. An autopsy table comprising: an upstanding base; a cylindrical
skirt telescopically mounted on said base; a table rigidly secured
to the upper end of said skirt for movement therewith; means
mounting said skirt for free rotatable movement relative to said
base; means releasably locking said skirt in a selective rotatably
adjusted position relative to said base; means supporting said
skirt for vertical movement relative to said base; means for
guiding said skirt during said vertical movement thereof relative
to said base; said supporting means including a mechanical drive
means having a vertically axially movable actuating rod mounted
centrally of said base; means connecting said skirt to said
actuating rod, said connecting means including a cross member
connected to the upper end of said actuating rod and extending
normal thereto; and said guiding means comprising a pair of guide
rods mounted adjacent the opposite ends of said cross member for
sliding movement in vertically spaced bearing blocks, respectively,
mounted on said base.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an autopsy table and, more
particularly, to an autopsy table rotatably and vertically
adjustable to assume a variety of positions convenient for the
pathologist or other persons performing an autopsy.
Various table constructions especially adapted for supporting
bodies during an autopsy are known and generally are equipped with
various accessories for facilitating the autopsy procedure.
Conventionally, these known autopsy tables are supported on a
stationary frame having a fixed height. Often, the fixed height of
the table and thereby the cadaver supported thereon is not at an
otpimum level for the pathologist or other persons performing the
autopsy, requiring such persons to assume various bent attitudes in
the performance of the autopsy. This adds materially to their
discomfort and unduly increases fatigue. The person conducting the
autopsy often performs various procedures during the course of the
autopsy which requires contact of various parts or members of his
body with the table to obtain leverage in manipulating the cadaver
or extracting parts therefrom. Such leverage is not always
effectively achieved with a fixed height table. Moreover, the
person conducting the autopsy must move about the table to gain
access to the various parts of the cadaver's anatomy, further
increasing fatigue.
Attempts have been made to solve this problem by employing an
hydraulic actuator for vertically moving the work table relative to
its base. However, such known hydraulic arrangements are provided
with cylinder-piston arrangements actuated by fluid pressure
generated by a foot operated pump. In raising or lowering the table
during an autopsy procedure the pathologist generally has to
balance himself on one foot while actuating the pump pedal with the
other foot and often cannot use his hand for balancing support on
the table since they are covered with waste fluids and the like and
are held in an elevated position above the table. Such an awkward
stance on the part of the pathologist in manipulating the table not
only creates a hazardous condition, but also contributes to
fatigue. Also, the operating fluid for these hydraulic arrangements
poses problems of leakage and downward drift or settling of the
table. Moreover, the requirements of a bulky reservoir and the
attendant equipment associated with a hydraulic system complicate
the structural design of such autopsy tables.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The autopsy table of the present invention, as hereinafter
described, obviates the above disadvantages by supporting the table
on a vertically movable support for selectively adjusting the
height of the table, as desired, by a mechanical actuator and
mounting the table for free rotational movement in a horizontal
plane to a selective adjusted angular position.
Generally speaking, the autopsy table of this invention comprises
an upstanding cylindrical base member, a cylindrical skirt
telescopically mounted on the base member for vertical and
rotational movement relative thereto, and a table fixed to the
upper end of the cylindrical skirt for movement therewith. An
electrically operated screw drive arrangement, mounted centrally of
the base member, is operative to reciprocate an actuating rod,
connected through a structural supporting arrangement, to a fixed
ring, in turn supporting a rotatable ring to which the skirt is
affixed. A heavy compression spring is disposed about the actuating
rod to counterbalance the weight of the table superstructure and
the load carried thereon. Circumferentially spaced thrust bearings
are mounted on the fixed ring for supporting the skirt ring for
free and easy rotational movement relative thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of an autopsy table
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on
the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 3--3 of FIG.
2;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken on the
line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a retaining plate used in
conjunction with the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a thrust bearing used in
conjunction with the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 7--7 of FIG.
2; and
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken on the
line 8--8 of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1
an autopsy table, generally designated 10, constructed in
accordance with this invention and comprising a base member 12, a
cylindrical skirt 14 rotatably and vertically adjustable relative
to base member 12, and a table 16 rigidly secured to the cylinder
14 for movement therewith.
Base 12 comprises an annular shell 18 reinforced adjacent the upper
and lower ends thereof by relatively thick, annular reinforcing
members 20 and 22 welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the inner
wall surface of shell 18. A cross channel member 24 extends across
the shell 18 adjacent the lower end thereof and is rigidly secured
at the opposite ends thereof to the inner surface of reinforcing
member 22. The cross member 24 serves as a compression member
bracing the wall defined by shell 18. Also, a pair of diametrically
opposed, vertically extending structural channel members 26 and 27
and a pair of diametrically opposed, vertically extending
structural angle members 28 and 29 are suitably affixed adjacent
their respective ends, as by means of weldments 30 and 32 for
example, to the inner surfaces of reinforcing members 20 and 22.
Channel members 26, 27 and angle members 28, 29 also reinforce and
rigidify the annular shell 18 of base member 12. As shown in FIG.
2, channel member 26 is tied to angle member 29 by a horizontally
extending, connecting member 33, thus completing the structural
framework for the base 12.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, an actuator 36 is mounted within the
annular shell 18 along the axis thereof and is provided with a
reduced diameter end portion 38 supported on an embossment 40
rigidly secured to the base of cross channel member 24. The
actuator 36 is releasably mounted in place on the channel member 24
by a suitable fastener, such as screw 42. Telescopically mounted
within the actuator 36 is an actuating rod 44 for raising and
lowering the skirt 14 and other superstructure, hereinafter
described.
The means for reciprocating rod 44 includes an electric drive motor
46, connected to a suitable source of electrical power (not shown)
and mounted on the cross channel member 24. The motor 46 is
operatively connected through a suitable gear reduction mechanism
48, including a worm drive arrangement, to a rotatable screw
mounted in the cylinder 36 and threaded in a nut affixed to the
actuating rod 44. The screw is fixed against axial movement and,
upon rotation, causes the nut and the attached rod 44 to move
vertically in a manner well known in the art. Since such drives and
screw arrangements are well known, per se, it is believed that no
further amplification or illustration is necessary. Suffice it to
say that any suitable electromechanical arrangement can be employed
to reciprocate actuating rod 44 within the purview of this
invention. Such a mechanical arrangement can be compactly designed
to conserve space and provide ample passage area within the base 12
for the circulation of air when a down draft ventilation system is
incorporated to direct the foul and contaminated atmosphere away
from the pathologist's face during an autopsy. Also, a mechanical
drive eliminates fluid leakage and other problems associated with
hydraulic drive systems. Moreover, the skirt 14 remains fixed in
its adjusted elevated position and does not tend to drift
downwardly as otherwise often occurs in hydraulic arrangements.
A spring guide block 50 having a threaded bore therein is attached
to a threaded stud 52 projecting axially outwardly from the top of
the actuating rod 44. A transversely extending cross channel member
54 is supported on the block 50 and releasably secured thereto by a
suitable fastener 56. The actuating rod 44 supports the cross
channel member 54, skirt 14, and the entire table superstructure,
as will presently appear. In order to relieve the actuating rod 44
of some of the compressive forces acting thereagainst as a result
of the weight of the structure supported thereby, a helical
compression spring 58 is disposed about actuator 36 and interposed
between a retainer 60 mounted on the lower end of cylinder 36 and
cross channel member 54 for counterbalancing the weight of the
table superstructure. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the central
portion of the cross channel member 54 is widened by removing
portions of the side legs thereof and securing a pair of retaining
plates 62 and 64 to the channel member 54, which plates depend
downwardly therefrom in overlying relation to the upper end of
spring 58 for captively retaining the same about guide block 50. Of
course, the cross channel member 54 can be widened throughout its
length, if desired, to accommodate the upper end of spring 58 while
providing a structural member of uniform width.
A pair of vertically extending plates 66 and 68 are connected to
the opposite ends of cross channel member 54 by means of yoke
arrangements comprised of upper and lower gusset plates 70 and 72.
Secured to the plates 66 and 68 by suitable fasteners 74 are
vertical support members 76 and 78, each provided with an upper and
lower rod supporting block 80 and 82 adjacent the respective ends
thereof. Aligned bores 84 and 86 are formed in the blocks 80 and 82
for receiving guide rods 88 fixed to blocks 80 and 82 by set screws
90. Guide rods 88 are slidably mounted in vertically spaced guide
bearing blocks 92 and 94 provided with suitable sleeve bearings
therein and secured to each of the opposed angle members 28 and 29
by means of screw fasteners 96. Thus, the cross channel member 54,
and the table superstructure carried thereby, are vertically guided
by means of a pair of guide rods 88 slidably mounted in vertically
spaced guide bearing blocks 92 and 94, respectively.
A pair of diametrically opposed, horizontally extending segments
100 and 102, affixed along their respective outer arcuately curved
edges to an annular support ring 104, are mounted on the guide rod
upper blocks 80 by suitable fasteners 81. A plurality of upstanding
lugs 106 are fixedly secured, as by welding for example, to the
inner peripheral surface of support ring 104 at circumferentially
spaced intervals of 90.degree.. A flat, generally U-shaped thrust
bearing 108 (FIG. 6) is supported on ring 104 adjacent each lug 106
and is provided with a central recessed portion 110 fitted about
the associated lug 106 by suitable fasteners 114 extending through
suitable openings 116 provided in the retainer plate 112. The plate
112 projects radially outwardly past lug 106 in vertically spaced
relation to thrust bearing 108 to define a groove 118.
A rotatable ring 120, fixed along its outer peripheral edge to the
skirt 14 by screw fasteners 122, is supported on the thrust
bearings 108 for rotatable movement relative thereto and guided
during its rotational movement within the grooves 118. The thrust
bearings 108 preferably are formed of a wear-resistant,
antifriction material, such as Nylon impregnated with molybdenum
disulfide for example, to reduce friction to a minimum and provide
free and easy rotational movement of ring 120 and the skirt 14
carried thereby relative to the base 12.
A brake, generally designated 124, is provided for locking the
rotatable ring 120 and thereby the table 16 in a selective angular
position. The brake 124 comprises a stem 126 threadably mounted in
a nut 127 fixedly secured to the outer surface of skirt 14 and is
provided with an inner end portion 128 engagable with the outer
peripheral surface of fixed ring 104 to lock the skirt 14 in a
selective rotatably adjusted position relative to the base member
12. A manually operable knob 130 is provided on the outer end of
the threaded stem 126 to rotate the same in either direction for
engaging and disengaging the brake 124.
The table 16 is rigidly secured to the upper end of the skirt 14 by
any suitable means for vertical and rotatable movement therewith.
The table 16 is in the form of an elongated drainboard having a
peripheral upright flange 132 and inclined bottom wall portions 134
converging toward the center of the table to a central sink portion
136 having a suitable outlet drain for collecting and discharging
the water and other fluids resulting from an autopsy procedure. A
suitable strainer, as well as a waste disposable unit, may be
incorporated in the sink 136 and operatively connected to the
drain, as desired. A head rest 138 and body supports 140 are
adjustably supported on the table 16 to accommodate the cadaver on
which the autopsy is being performed. Also, a water faucet 142, an
aspirator 144 and a control panel 146 having appropriate controls
and located inwardly of the table edge to avoid interference with
the persons attending the autopsy, are arranged on the table 16 for
facilitating the autopsy procedure. However, since such components
are known and do not form a part of this invention, no further
description thereof is believed necessary, suffice it to say that
the necessary accessories for performing an efficient autopsy are
located on or about the table 16.
In use, a cadaver is placed on the top of the table and the
actuating rod 44 is raised or lowered, as desired, to position the
cadaver at a convenient level to the pathologist or other persons
performing the autopsy. A suitable foot actuated pedal or button
incorporated in the electrical system and operatively connected to
the drive motor 46 is activated to control the operation of rod 44
and thereby the height of table 16. With the brake stem 126
disengaged from fixed support ring 104, the skirt 14 and table 16
may be rotated relative to the base 12 and locked in the selective
angular position by threading the stem 126 radially inwardly into
engagement with the ring 104. During the autopsy, the table 16 may
be raised, lowered, or rotated, as desired, to provide convenient
access to the particular parts of the cadaver being removed, or
from which specimens are taken.
The present invention thus provides an improved autopsy table
offering versatility in vertically and rotatably adjusting the
table relative to its associated base. The electromechanical drive
for effecting vertical movement of the table provides an accurate
and sensitive adjustment control avoiding the problems often
encountered with hydraulic drive and control arrangements. A heavy
duty spring is provided for counterbalancing the weight of the
table superstructure and the load carried thereon to relieve a
portion of the forces imposed on the actuating rod. The table is
freely rotatable relative to its base and lockable in the selective
adjusted position.
A preferred embodiment of this invention having been herein
described and illustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood
that modifications thereof can be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *