Beds – Invalid bed or surgical support – Sectional user supporting surface
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-09
2001-04-10
Grosz, Alexander (Department: 3628)
Beds
Invalid bed or surgical support
Sectional user supporting surface
C005S618000, C297S354130, C297S411390
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212713
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to articulated examination tables and, more particularly, to an articulated examination table for positioning a patient between a supine position and a generally upright sitting position.
Articulated examination tables are well known in the prior art, and provide for positioning of a patient to a variety of different positions which may be selected in accordance with the particular procedure being performed and with reference to the preferences of the particular operator or surgeon. In particular, it is known to provide a seat section for supporting a patient and a pivoted back section movable relative to the seat section to position the upper torso of a patient at a desired orientation relative to the horizontal wherein the back section may be actuated for movement by an electrical or hydraulic actuator.
A recognized problem associated with tables having pivoted back sections is shear movement between the back section of the table and the patient's back as the back section is pivoted. This typically requires that the patient reposition his or her back along the back section during the pivotal movement in order to accommodate the relative movement between the table surface and the patient.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,997 to Ruehl discloses a table having an articulated deck wherein articulation of the deck includes movement of the deck sections relative to each other to match the expansion and contraction of the skin of a person supported on the deck. This device requires that the movement of the deck sections relative to each other coincide with a vertical movement of the articulated deck, such that movement of the deck sections relative to each other independent of the vertical movement is not accommodated.
Accordingly, there is a continuing need for an examination table capable of comfortably supporting a patient during pivotal movement of a table back section relative to a table seat section. Further, there is a need for such a table incorporating a simple mechanism for providing relative movement between a table back and seat section during pivotal movement of the back section.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an examination table including a base member, a seat section supported on the base member, and a back section including an elongated pivot frame and a sliding frame slidably supported on the pivot frame. A hinge connection connects the pivot frame to the seat section for movement of the back section from a substantially horizontal position, parallel to the seat section, to an inclined position.
A coupling member is supported on the pivot frame and includes a first portion connected to the sliding frame and a second portion connected to the seat section. The coupling member is supported for rotational movement about a pivot point on the pivot frame. Pivotal movement of the back section about the hinge connection causes rotation of the coupling member relative to the pivot frame, and thereby causes the sliding frame to move longitudinally along the pivot frame.
More particularly, the first and second portions of the coupling member define spaced members extending radially outwardly from the pivot point, and the first portion comprises a telescoping member extending between the pivot point and the sliding frame. One end of an elongated linkage rod is connected to a distal or radially outer end of the second portion and an opposite end of the linkage rod is connected to the seat section. Thus, the linkage rod operates as an anchoring structure extending to the coupling member to cause the rotational movement of the coupling member during movement of the back section.
The back section is actuated for movement by a linear actuator located within the seat section wherein the linear actuator extends between the seat section and the pivot frame for the back section. Actuation of the linear actuator causes pivotal movement of the back section relative to the seat section and simultaneous movement of the sliding frame relative to the pivot frame. In addition, a pair of arm rests are supported on the coupling member and are actuated for rotational movement about the pivot point of the coupling member at the same time that the back section is actuated for pivotal movement whereby the arm rests are maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation throughout movement of the back section.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an examination table which accommodates the longitudinal movement of a patient's back during pivotal movement of a back section of the table relative to a seat section.
It is another object of the invention to provide an examination table which includes a back section pivotal relative to a seat section and including a sliding member on the back section for longitudinal movement relative to a pivoted frame of the back section.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
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Kolada Paul P.
Kuck Jay L.
Svendsen Sean W.
Biebel & French
Grosz Alexander
Midmark Corporation
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