U.S. patent number RE32,052 [Application Number 06/312,003] was granted by the patent office on 1985-12-24 for veterinary examination table.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Animal Veterinary Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Alexander J. Rosenberg, Philip M. Rosenberg.
United States Patent |
RE32,052 |
Rosenberg , et al. |
December 24, 1985 |
Veterinary examination table
Abstract
An improved veterinary examination table is provided which
includes means for determining the weight of the animal being
examined. In order to facilitate the examination of animals of
varying weights, the height of the table may be varied through the
use of a hydraulic actuator. A horizontal examination platform is
vertically movable within a frame having vertical support members.
A scale is interposed between the examination platform and the
frame in a manner to support the entire weight of the platform when
the examination platform is moved to its lowermost position to
thereby allow the weight of an animal to be determined. Elevation
of the examination platform automatically deactivates the
scale.
Inventors: |
Rosenberg; Alexander J.
(Roslyn, PA), Rosenberg; Philip M. (Churchville, PA) |
Assignee: |
Animal Veterinary Products,
Inc. (Galesburg, IL)
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Family
ID: |
26978177 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/312,003 |
Filed: |
October 16, 1981 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
820125 |
Jul 29, 1977 |
04170961 |
Oct 16, 1979 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
119/756;
177/147 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61D
3/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61D
3/00 (20060101); A61D 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;119/103,98,99
;177/147,225,154 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Chamblee; Hugh R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Mason, Kolehmainen, Rathburn &
Wyss
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An examination table for animals which comprises
a frame;
a platform movably connected to said frame and adapted to be
vertically movable with respect thereto between a low position and
an elevated position;
an actuator means connected to said frame and to said
.[.horizontal.]. platform for causing relative vertical movement
therebetween; and
a force transducer means connected to said platform and to said
frame for permitting a determination to be made of the weight of an
animal placed on the platform,
the said force transducer means comprising a scale and .[.a
cable.]. .Iadd.an elongated means to connect the platform to the
scale, the elongate means being .Iaddend.interconnected between the
scale and a portion of the platform.Iadd. , the elongate means
being slack when the platform is in an elevated position, the
elongate means being taut when the platform is in the said low
position, whereby the weight of the animal may be determined on the
scale when the platform is in the low position.Iaddend..
2. The examination table of claim 1 wherein the actuator means
comprises a hydraulic cylinder movable between a lower position and
an elevated position.
3. The examination table of claim 2 wherein the actuator means
further comprises a pulley assembly movable by the hydraulic
assembly and a cable interconnected between the frame and the
platform, the cable being engaged by the pulley assembly as it is
moved by the cylinder to correspondingly move the platform.
4. The examination table of claim 1 wherein the .Iadd.elongate
means comprises a .Iaddend.cable .[.is adapted to be tensioned to
impose the weight of the platform upon the scale when the platform
is in the said low position.].. .[.5. The examination table of
claim 1 wherein the cable is
untensioned when the platform is in the said elevated position..].
6. An examination table for animals which comprises:
a frame having vertical members, an intermediate member connecting
said vertical members, and an upper member connecting said vertical
members above the connection of the intermediate member;
an examination platform including a horizontal table connected to a
vertical back, said vertical back being adapted to slidably
interface with said vertical members of said frame;
a hydraulic cylinder connected to said frame and indirectly
connected to said examination platform for raising said platform
with respect to said frame from a low position to an elevated
position;
the hydraulic cylinder being directly connected to the intermediate
member, said cylinder being adapted to move a piston rod relative
to the frame,
a pulley assembly secured to the piston rod, the pulley assembly
being vertically movable as the piston rod is reciprocated by
action of the cylinder;
a cable attached to the frame and to the platform, said cable being
in contact with the pulley assembly to indirectly interconnect the
cylinder and the platform, said cable imposing raising forces upon
the platform to elevate said platform when the cylinder is
activated to raise the pulley assembly, and
the said cable .[.indirect.]. .Iadd.in direct .Iaddend.connection
between .[.the scale.]. .Iadd.said frame .Iaddend.and the platform
.[.is.].
.Iadd.being .Iaddend.flexible. 7. The examination table as set
forth in claim 6 wherein said vertical back member comprises a
connection means for
slidably engaging said spaced pair of vertical members. 8. The
examination table of claim 6 wherein the cable is adapted to be
tensioned when the platform is in the said low position whereby the
weight of an animal
restrained upon the platform can be determined. 9. The examination
table of claim 8 wherein the cable is adapted to be untensioned
when the platform is moved to an elevated position whereby the
weight of an animal
restrained upon the table platform cannot be determined. 10. The
examination table of claim 6 whereby the cable is adapted to
support the entire weight of the platform when the platform is
moved to the said low position. .Iadd.11. An examination table for
animals which comprises
a frame;
a platform movably connected to the frame and adapted to be
vertically movable with respect thereto between a low position and
an elevated position;
an actuator means interconnected between the frame and the platform
to cause vertical movement of the platform relative to the frame,
the activator means comprising a fixed portion and a movable
portion, the fixed portion being secured to the frame;
a scale means directly connected to the frame and indirectly
connected to the platform to determine the weight of an animal
placed upon the platform; and
elongate means indirectly interconnecting the scale means to the
platform to actuate the scale means,
the elongate means being slack and not activating the scale means
when the platform is moved to an elevated position,
the elongate means being taut and supporting the platform from the
scale means when the platform is in its said low position;
whereby the scale means can be utilized to weigh an animal only
when the
platform is in the low position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. The
examination table of claim 11 wherein the actuator means comprises
a hydraulic cylinder. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The examination table of
claim 11 wherein the platform comprises a restraint suitable to
secure the animal to the platform. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to examination platforms in general and to
the combination of an examination platform and a scale suitable for
animals in particular.
Veterinary examining tables of the elevating type have been
developed to lift small animals such as cats or large animals such
as large dogs from the floor to examining height without physical
exertion and without danger to the veterinarian. Suitable
restraints have been employed to make the examination of any size
animal easier, quicker, safer and more humane.
An important part of any examination has been to determine the
weight of the animal. In the past, this has usually been
accomplished by placing the animal on a scale and the scale has
usually been separate and apart from the examining table. Treatment
and examination then took place on an examination table, thereby
requiring two separate procedures. In the case of an injured animal
or a particularly nervous or unruly dog, these procedures resulted
in increased time and effort on the part of the veterinarian and in
some instances, discomfort to the animal.
One type of combination examination and weighing table has been
developed by Schroer Manufacturing Company, Kansas City, Missouri
and sold under the trademark "Shor-Line". This device, however,
includes no provision for elevation of the table or for restraint
of the animal. Accurate weighing without a restraint device has
proved difficult in that it was usually necessary to hold the
animal while weighing, thereby introducing a good possibility for
error.
The desirability of minimizing movement of sick, injured, or unruly
animals has been recognized in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No.
3,330,258 issued July 11, 1967 to Alexander J. Rosenberg is an
example of such an invention. This patent teaches an examination
platform or table in which the height thereof may be adjusted from
near floor level to a comfortable examining level. Additionally, it
teaches a restraint mechanism whereby the animal is secured to the
table so as to prevent injury to both the animal and the
veterinarian. By virtue of its being adjustable, the animal need
not be physically raised from the floor or ground to the
examination and treatment platform.
Although the table taught by the Rosenberg patent shortened the
number of steps and the time involved in examining and treating a
sick or injured animal, in many instances it is desirable or
necessary that the animal be weighed. The weighing of the animal
usually constitutes a separate step and until now, involved the
animal being removed to or from a different location. In some cases
it also involved the animal being manually lifted or held to the
scale. Such movement constituted an additional time consuming step
and presented problems of possible aggravation and irritation to
the animal. Further, the lifting of large dogs or other animals
weighing over one hundred pounds was usually impractical, if not
impossible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises an examination table including a
horizontal examination platform that is vertically adjustable
relative to a supporting frame in combination with a scale. A
hydraulic actuator is mounted upon the frame to raise and lower the
examination platform automatically.
A force transducer or scale is interconnected between the frame and
the movable platform. When the actuator is contracted so that the
platform is in its lowermost position, the entire weight of the
platform and any animal which may be placed thereon is supported by
the force transducer. In this manner the animal may be easily
weighed without need to manually life or hold the animal to a
scale. Upon function of the hydraulic actuator to lift or elevate
the examination table relative to the frame, the scale
automatically disassociates from the table, and does not affect or
alter in any manner its usual function.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved veterinary examination table of the type set forth.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel
veterinary examination table for treatment of animals which
eliminates the requirement that the animal be manually held for
weighing.
It is another object of the invention to provide an examination and
treatment table for animals which includes means for weighing the
animal without manually holding the animal.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an
examination and treatment table for animals which is vertically
adjustable from near floor level to examination level and which
includes scale means for weighing the animal, the scale means being
activated at or near floor level and being inactive at examination
level.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an
examination and treatment platform for animals which includes a
frame, a movable platform, and a scale associated therewith.
Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be
had by referring to the following description and claims of
preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to
similar parts throughout, and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention showing
an animal, such as a dog, restrained to the table.
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the present invention showing
the examination platform in a raised position.
FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the invention similar to FIG. 3,
showing the examination platform in its lowermost position and
wherein the examination platform is supported by the scale.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partial, cross-sectional view taken along
line 5--5 of FIG. 4, showing the interface between the examination
platform and the vertical members of the frame.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial, cross-sectional view taken along
line 6--6 of FIG. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Although specific terms are used in the following description for
the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the
particular structure of the invention selected for illustration in
the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of
the invention.
Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the
examination table 2 is shown in FIG. 1. A vertically adjustable
examination platform 4 is shown mounted in adjustable manner upon a
stationary frame 6. The platform 4 includes a horizontal member or
table 8 and a back 10 which may be integrally secured to the table
and reinforced by triangular end plates or fillets 12. An animal,
such as a dog 14, is shown restained on the table 8. The dog 14 is
restrained to the back 10 by one or more leads 16 which are drawn
through hooks 17 and then removably secured to cleats 18 at a safe
distance from the dog's mouth. The cleats 18 are automatically
vertically adjustable with respect to the back 10 whereby animals
of varying height and position may be accommodated.
The frame 6 includes legs 20 and a pair of spaced, vertical members
22 which are connected to one another at their upper ends by an
upper horizontal brace or cross head 24. An intermediate horizontal
cross piece 26 also interconnects the spaced, vertical members as
may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. A scale 28 is secured to the upper
horizontal cross piece 24 by a bracket 50 and is flexibly connected
to the examination platform 4 by cable 30.
Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the manner in which the
examination platform 4 is movable relative to the frame 6 may be
seen. A hydraulic actuator or cylinder 32 is secured to the
intermediate cross piece 26 and extends generally downwardly
therefrom. This may be accomplished in any suitable, well known
manner, but is accomplished in the preferred embodiment by nut and
bolt combinations 34 which act to secure the parts together. The
hydraulic actuator or cylinder 32 includes a piston rod 36 which is
vertically movable relative to the fixed portions of the actuator
upon function of a hydraulic circuit (not illustrated). Cables 40
are connected to the bottom of the platform 4 by a fixture 42 which
is secured to the back 10 near the bottom thereof. The opposite
ends of the cables 40 are connected to the intermediate horizontal
cross piece 26 of the frame 6 by any suitable, sturdy means. A
pulley assembly 38 is affixed to the top of the piston rod 36 and
is vertically moved thereby. Thus as may be seen in FIG. 3, when
the hydraulic actuator 32 is functioned to elevate the piston rod
36 to the raised position, the cables 40, which pass over the
pulleys 52 of the pulley assembly 38, are also raised to pull the
examination platform 4 upwardly.
Referring now to FIG. 6, the fixture 42 is shown affixed to the
back 10 and the ends of the cables 40 are secured to the fixture
42. The opposite ends of the cables are secured to the intermediate
horizontal cross piece 26 of the frame 6. Nuts 34 are shown which
secure the hydraulic actuator 32 to the horizontal cross piece 26.
The pulley assembly 38, which is secured to the top of the piston
rod 36 is elevated upon activation of the hydraulic cylinder 32.
Inasmuch as the cable ends which are secured to the frame member 26
cannot move, the elevation of the piston assembly 38 acts to raise
the cable ends secured to the back 10 to thereby elevate the entire
examination platform 4.
Referring now to FIG. 5, the interface between the frame 6 and the
examination platform 4 is shown. An S-shaped bracket 46 is secured
to the back 10 and carries the rollers 48. The rollers 48 provide
lateral and forward and backward stability to the examination
platform as it is vertically reciprocated. Also shown in FIG. 5 is
the connection of the scale cable 30 to the examination platform
4.
When cylinder 32 is activated to raise the examination platform 4
to a comfortable examination level as in FIG. 3, the entire weight
of the platform 4 and any animal 14 restrained thereon is borne by
the actuator 32 and the frame 6. In this mode, as may be seen in
FIG. 3, the cable 30 which is connected to the platform 4 and to
the scale 28 is slack and performs no function. When the hydraulic
actuator 32 is completely retracted, as illustrated in FIG. 4, to
lower the platform 4 to near floor level, the entire weight of the
platform 4 and any animal 14 which it is supporting is borne by the
scale 28 and the cables 30.
The weight of the animal may be determined by subtracting the known
weight of the examination platform from the weight read on the
scale. In the preferred embodiment, the scale may be adjusted to
read "zero" when the platform 4 is being supported in the lowest
position of FIG. 4, to read the correct weight of the animal when
it is placed on the platform.
Thus, it is apparent to one skilled in the art that by lowering the
platform and placing an animal thereon with relative ease, two
results may be accomplished. The animal may be raised to an
appropriate height for examination and treatment and may be weighed
without moving the animal to an additional location or apparatus.
Also, since it is not necessary to hold the animal, the weight of
the hands and force necessary to restrain the animal will not
produce inaccuracy in weighing.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to
particular embodiments herein set forth, it is understood that the
present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that
numerous changes in the details of construction may be resorted to
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus,
the scope of the invention should not be limited by the foregoing
specification, but rather only by the scope of the claims appended
hereto.
* * * * *