Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Eye examining or testing instrument – Support
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-03
2001-02-27
Manuel, George (Department: 3737)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Eye examining or testing instrument
Support
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193374
ABSTRACT:
This invention pertains to equipment used primarily in ophthalmic clinics to test the vision characteristics of patients for the purpose of fitting visual aids. Emphasis is upon portability and compactness of equipment and equipment storage and utilization.
BACKGROUND
Operatories used for visual testing of patients for the purpose of correcting visual problems normally utilize rather expensive and heavy equipment. The usual operatory equipment includes elevator chairs for patients. The optical equipment and the supporting and positioning arrangements have been heavy. Such apparatus is usually in fixed positions in dedicated operatories. The obligation of patients to go to established offices for check-ups has not been considered a major problem. On a global basis, that ability is not universal. The industry has not responded to the need to move ophthalmic related equipment to remote areas and to provide the needed equipment to areas not situated to justify full featured operatories within useful travel range of all those in such need.
The patient distribution and the ability of modern designs justify a novel approach to patient services. Modern optical equipment is lighter due to modern materials and designs and can be supported and managed by less massive ancillary equipment. Movement of the patient to an operatory may involve one or more third parties for transport and assistance. The population distribution now places many patients in situations such as nursing homes and other institutions. In the institutional setting several patients may be available for needed attention by ophthalmologists and optometrists. The burden of mobility has shifted to favor moving the operatory to the patient. To that end new features are needed in equipment design and construction. The need for elevator chairs can be offset by novel optical equipment concepts. There is a need for a table to extend above the lap of the patient to receive various table supportable optical instruments. Recent innovations have led to extending the table from the ophthalmic instrument stand without distal end support. That arrangement has added weight requirement to the supporting base. If the table has distal end support by a floor standing leg, some of the base weight requirement is relieved, but that has not been the thrust of development. Several optical contrivances are found in operatories and their collective transport can be a damage hazard. The mobility approach needs to address the whole of the device setup.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
An ophthalmic testing package is provided that supports the needed instruments in position for the comfort of patients seated in standard chairs, and encloses the various optical accessories that pertain to that function. The apparatus, by folding and enclosing, condenses to a package of such size and weight that it can be handled by one individual. The package, once condensed, is in a ruggedized state and can survive a reasonable amount of common travel and transport abuse. The one main package, a generally cylindrical base, has a post telescopingly received within the base that comprises the optics stand, or post. The apparatus that extends to the seated patient is reduced in weight to minimize the risk of tilting the base. The base, optionally, has folding extension legs to further stabilize the base. As an alternative, a table is provided that is removably fastened to the base at one end and is supported at the distal end by a foldable, floor standing, leg. The fastening means between table and base reduces the tilting prospect and reduces the need for folding stabilizer legs extendible from the base.
The ophthalmic instrument support post is preferably tubular and biased to rise from the base when a positioning friction clamp is released. The bias force, either gas pressure or a spring, is arranged to support the post with the usual instrument load attached.
The instrument is supported on an extendible arm that is releasably secured to the post. The post preferably telescopes into the base and is biased upward and has clamping means to secure the post at selected heights from the base. The extending bias is provided by springs or gas cylinder means, Gas pressure extension is preferred. Instrument height can be adjusted by vertical movement of the post. The arm is, preferably, of tubular construction with arrangement to slide it through a clamp on the post. Other arm arrangements, with a preferred means for extension, can be used.
The base is a storage unit for various instruments, with doors that swing open for access. Inside the doors, fittings are provided for the ophthalmic instrument, and other instruments normally used atop tables or on the arm.
The apparatus is usable to extend the capacity of a fixed operatory facility and will accommodate ophthalmic instruments available there by changing the means to attach adjustable extension arms to the post. That adaptation is well within the capabilities of those practicing such art.
It is an object of this invention to provide a transportable container that houses and protects needed optical instruments and serves as a pedestal base for supporting optical equipment when they are extended laterally from the base.
It is another object to provide arrangements within the container to receive and protect various optical units needed in an operatory.
It is yet another object to provide folding stabilizer legs on the base to prevent tilting when in use for examination.
It is still another object to provide a vertical instrument post for instrument support that is telescopingly received within the base for transport.
It is still another object to provide an above-the-lap table, secured to the base, with a distal end support leg to add stability to the base.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification, including the attached claims and appended drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4643547 (1987-02-01), Collins et al.
patent: 5717480 (1998-02-01), Brooks et al.
Jeter John D.
Manuel George
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