US1194112A

US1194112A - And dork e

Info

Publication number: US1194112A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1916-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 1933-08-08

Description

W. 8. v6. D. E. WOOD.

COLLAPSIBLE ADJUSTING 0R MANIPULATING TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26; I915- Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Inventor (5', W054 Witnesses W. S. & D. E. WOOD.

COLLAPSIBLE ADJUSTING on MANIPULATING TABLE. 7 APPLICATION FILED JAN- 26. I915. 1 1 94,1 12, Patented Aug. 8,1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnesses w. s. & D. E. W000. COLLAPSIBLE ADJUSTING 0R MANIPULATING TABLE.

Patented Aug. 8,1916.

6 SHEETSSHEET 3.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-26.1915- Wqqesses; wa-zjnvgtom 7 W. S. & D. E. WOOD. COLLAPSIBLE ADJUSTING O R MANIPULATING TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26. 1915.

Patented Aug 8, 1916.

e swans-SHEET 5.

Int 2125 Witnesses W. S. & D. E. WOOD. COLLAPSIBLE ADJUSTING 0R MANIPULATING TABLE.

- APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26, I915. 1,19%,1 12. Patented Aug. 8, 1916. 6 SHEETSSHEET 6.

Witnesses In V it'y.

TNT carton WALTER S. WOOD, OF KAIIA-MAZOO, MICHIGAN, AND DORE? E. WOOD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GOLLAPSIBIIE ADJUSTING OR MANIPULATING TABLE.

opathy, mechanotherapy and others practising healing methods wherein various spinal adjustments, manipulations or massage treatments of the human body are performed.

The objects of this invention are to provide an adjusting or manipulating table which shall be light, strong and durable and when not in use capable of being folded and packed in a compact form to be easily con tained within an ordinary suit, or carryingcase for ease and convenience in transportar tion; to provide a table whereby a person can be placed thereon, either face downward, or lyingon the back, withothe greatest of ease and comfort, be maintained in a com fortable position while thereon and be removed therefrom in an easy, courteous and comfortable manner; to provide a table inwhich the supporting-legs or members shall be substantially radially disposed with relation to the-typical anterior curvature of the abdominal portion of the human body when lying prone thereon, and that the supporting .tops of such members shalllie in planes substantially tangent to such curvature, in order that the radial-lines of such sup orting-members .shall stand in a more irect line with the line of thrust in giving spinal adjustments; to provide a table in which the supporting-legs or members are provided with feet adapted to be projected outwardly for the purpose of widening the supporting base when set up for use, thereby increasing its supporting stability without the necessity of unduly widening the top, and 'When collapsed for the purpose of packing, said feet being adapted to fold or shift inwardly, and to be retained in either position by means of springs, or other suitable means;

to provide a tablein which is embodied such Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

. Application filed January 26, 1915. Serial No. 4,430.

adj ustable features as will permit of placing the patient in the most approved position for the performance of the various adjustments and manipulations required with the greatest of ease and comfort, as well as the m1mmum amount of exertion on the part of the practitioner, and to remove the patient therefrom, easily, quickly and courteously, with as little efiort to both as possible. Other objects will more definitely appear in the detailed description to follow.

We accomplish the objects of our invention by the devices and means described in this specification and more definitely pointed out in the claims. Structures embodying the features of'our invention are clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a partof this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of our improved table in position for use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, with certain folding features shown in dotted lines, and also, the outline form of the human figure shown thereon in dotted lines, all to be more fully referred to hereinafter. F ig. 3 is an end elevation of the right hand end or chest-s11 porting-section when looking from the rig t of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the lefthand end of hip-supporting-section when looking from the left of Figs. 1

and 2. Figs.-5 and 6 are obverse and' reverse enlarged detail elevations of certain parts in the chest-supporting-section of the table. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation taken on line 7 7 of Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view of a broken portion of one of the parts shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the parts appearing in Fig. 7. Fig. 11 is a de tail of the end of the coiled spring shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 12 is a detail elevation showing the supporting-feet and the spring for retaining them in either position as shown in dotted lines. Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail side elevation of certain parts to be more fully referred to hereinafter. Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view taken on line 14 14 of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation taken on line.15 15 of Fig. '1. Fig. 16 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation taken online 16 16 of Fig. 4. Figs. 17, 18, 19 and 20 are enlarged details of certain parts to be more definitely referred to in the detailed description to follow. Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the table with all its parts folded and packed in a suitor carrying-case, the case being shown in dotted lines.

In the drawings the sectional views are.

taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the sectionallines and similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the details of construction of our improved table, it is composed substantially of two main parts, or sections; the chest-supporting-section being indicated by the reference numeral .1, while the hip-supporting-section is indicated by the reference numeral 2, see Fig. 2. Each of these-supporting-sections is substantially identical in construction. Each section is provided with the two supporting-legs 3, which are connected at their top by means of the crosspiece 4, and at or near their bottom by means the supporting-legs 3 when in their normal position and are chiefly for the purpose of widening the supporting base of the table to insure its greater stability on the floor without unduly widening the top. By reference to Fig. 12 it will be seen that these feet 7 are substantially hollow or channel shaped in cross section and that the ends of the supporting-legs 3 are inserted intheir upper extremity and have a cramped or binding connection therewith when in their normal position under weight by contacting at opposite sides and the lower end thereof with the bearing parts 8. and 9, said parts also connecting the sides 11, thus securing a most rigid contact between said feet and supporting-legs. It will also be observed that the pivotal-pin 6 is relieved from all strain whatever and only serves to pivotally maintain said feet in their proper relation with said supporting-legs. It will also be observed by reference to Figs. 2 and 12 that the feet 7 are provided with an elongated slot or opening 10 in their web portion which is for the purpose of allowing the spring 12 to pass through or into when said feet are folded or shifted to the position indicated'by the dotted lines. It will also be noticed that the springs 12 serve to hold the feet in either position while permitting of their being readily shifted from one position to the other. This is a very important feature, as when the feet are in their normal position the table can be picked up and moved about without their becoming misplaced.

. The chest-supporting-section and the hip- I supporting section of our improved table are connected together preferably in substantially the relative position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 bymeans of the two folding side-braces'13. Each of said braces is identically alike and will fit either side of the table interchangeably, which is a great convenience when setting up the table. These side bra ces are each composed of two'parts which is a most important feature in a table of this'character. w

Inserted in each of the supporting-legs of the two supporting sections are the bindingscrews 18,'as particularly shown in Figs. 2, 13 and 14. These screws are preferably threaded into the. legs 3 and turned therein turned onto each of said screws firmly against .the outside of the legs .3, which serves as a lock-nut to prevent said screws from becoming loosened and also affords .a bearing-plate for the side-braces 13 to bear against, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

In securing the side-braces 13 to the supor members 14, which are' hinged together firmly. A screw-threaded washer 19 is porting-legs 3 of either the chest-supporting-section or the hip-supporting-section,

. one each of the notches 16 and 17 in relative alinement, of one of the members 14 are hooked over their respective binding-screws 18 and firmly clamped thereto by means of the winged thumb-nuts 20, threaded thereon as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 14. When one end of one of the side-braces is thus secured, the opposite end is likewise secured to the 0pposing supporting-section when the two sections will be in substantially the proper position for the adjustment and securing of the opposing side-brace which is accomplished in a like manner, which makes the table very rigid and permits of its being picked up and moved about as desired. To prevent any undue lateral springing or buckling of said side-braces when connected at their outer extremities to said supporting sections as shown in Fig. 2, and under the weight of a heavy person while on the table, we employ a tie-piece 21, which ties or looks the two side-braces together substantially midway between their secured ends as shown in vided with forked ends adapted to engage the side-braces at. their hinged joints 15 as clearly shown in Fi 18. Downwardly projecting lugs or hoofis 22 engage the outside of said side braces, while the downwardly projecting lug 23 engages the hinge portion 15 as shown in Figs. 18 and 19. This tie pieceis bowed downward between its forked ends as shown in Figs. 4 and 19 so that the abdomen of corpulent people will not come 'in contact therewith when taking treatment while lying face downward on thetable.

Referring again to the chest-supportingsection of the table, side-

plates

24 and ,25,

constructed in pairs, are secured to the sides of the supporting. frame work at the top thereof by means of screws 26 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. These plates serve to strengthen the joint between thelegs 3 and the supporting cross-piece 4 and also afford means for attaching and securing other parts'to said chest-supporting-section. Pivotally secured between these side plates at 27 27 is the head-rest 28 as. shown in Figs. 5 and 6. This head-rest is provided with a central longitudinal opening 29, of suiiicient size to allow ample air supply to the patient for breathing when lying face downward thereon. It is also upholstered and heavily padded as at30 30 so as to make it soft and easy to rest the face against. A brace 31 is pivotally, connected to the inner sides of the legs 3 of the chest-supporting section at 31', its free ends being. adapted to engage the ratchet-plates 32 32, secured to the under side of the head-rest 28, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, which permits its adjustment up or down at varying angles to suit the requirements of the patient as well as that of the practitioner. When not in use it will readily fold and lie close to the legs as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Journaled within and lying between said

sideplates

24 and 25 is a spring-actuated hollow cylinder or spool 33, as particularly shown in Fig. 7. This cylinder is rovided with the journal-end 34, which is orced into the end of said cylinder and firmly held in place by frictional contact, while the journalaend 35 is removably secured in place within the opposite end of said cylinder by means of the screws 36' 36. Journaled within said journal-ends is'the shaft 37. Secured to this shaft by means of the pin '38 is the coiled spring 39. This spring is also secured at its opposite end to the journal-end 35 by means of the loop 40 which engages the lug 41. By reference to Fig. 10 it will be seen that a portion of the annular-flange 42 of said journal-end is removed, thus providing the lug 41 and also the little projection 43. In assembling said spring and shaft within said cylinder, the spring is placed on said shaft and the pin 38 driven simply stretching the spring until the loop will be in position to engage said lug, then turning said spring to the left and the journal-end to the right until said loop shall spring over the l1ttle projection 43, which will serve to prevent said spring from becoming released from said journal-end by reason of any recoil when in use. The ball 44 takes the end thrust of shaft 37 produced by the stretching of said spring as above described, which thereby serves to hold the several parts in place as shown and prevents rattling. The shaft 37, the spring 39 and the journal-end 35 being thus assembled are now placed inside of the cylinder 33 by passing the end of said shaft through the journal-end 34 and inserting journal end 35 in the opposite end of said cylinder and securing the same with the two screws 36.

Secured to and wound around cylinder or spool 33 is a canvas or other suitable fabric 45 as shown in Fig. 8. To provide for securely fastenin said canvas to said cylinder, a thin fiexi le metal strip is soldered or otherwise secured longitudinally to said cylinder at its edge 47', the opposite edge being left free and provided with small holes as 48, through which the end of the canvas 45 is placed. In lieu of said holes to which to lace said canvas, small pointed projections may be formed on the edge of said strip and inserted into said canvas and their points bent over on the opposite side of the canvas from which they were inserted and the canvas wound thereon as shown in Fig. 8. J ournaled in side-

plates

24 and 25 above the cylinder 33, is also'an idle shaft or roller 49 over which the canvas 45 passes. This roller serves to maintain the canvas in its proper relation with the top of the supporting cross-piece 4 as well as to relieve cylinder 33 Pawl 52 has alsoa rearward eitension 54 to which is pivotally connected the actuatingspring 55, which spring is also'pivotally connected to side-plate 24 by means of the screw 56. This spring Serves the double purpose of holding said pawl engaged with said ratchet-wheel,.-or disengaged therefrom as shown in dotted lines. -A stop 57 se- "cured to side-plate 24 and projecting outv within the path of travel of the rearward 7 extension of pawl 52 serves to limit the upward movement of said pawl, all of which is shown in Fig.5. The outwardly projecting end of journal-end 35 is also squared at 58 as shown in Figs. 7 and 10, to which is detachably secured the winged. ratchetwheel 59 by means of the screw 59'. A spring-actuated pawl 60, having the same functions as previously described for pawl 52 and actuated in the same manner, is sea hem 61. Slots or buttonholes 62 are worked in the folded edge thereof. A rod 63, (provided with a ball at each end) is inserted in said hem which adapts the'free end of said canvas to be detachabl secured to the hipsupporting-section of t e table by means of a series of hooks 64 secured to the supporting cross-piece 4 for the purpose of engaging the /rod 63 through the slots in the hem 61, all of which is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 15.

It will be observed by reference to Figs. 5, 6 and 7 that one of the functions of ratchet-wheel 51 is to turn shaft 37, while that of ratchet-wheel 59 is to turn' the cylinder or spool 33. One end of the coiledspring 39 being secured to shaft 37 and the other end substantially to the cylinder 33,

, it is obvious that when said spring is wound up by turning ratchet-wheel 31 to the left and held by pawl 52, that said spring will exert its force to rotate cylinder 33, therefore when canvas 45 is wound around cylinder 33 and passed over roller 49 and secured to the hip-supporting-section it will be maintained in a practically taut position by means of the exerted force of said spring and may be deflected, either by force or weight against the force of said spring, and when again released from said force or weight, will again resume its normal taut position through the force of said spring.

Referring more definitely to the details of construction of the hip-supporting-section, side-plates 65 are secured to the outer opposing sides thereof at'their upper extremity of the supporting-legs 3 by means of screws 66 as shown and pointed out in Fig. 2, which ,are identically the same as screws 26 shown in Figs. 5 and 6 for securing side-

plates

24 and 25. Theseside-plates 65 are for the-purpose of protecting and strengthening the joint between the legs 3 and the supporting cross-piece 4 and maintaining said cross-piece in its relative position therewith. Hinged to said supporting cross-piece by means of the two hinges 67, as shown.in Figs. 1, 2 and 21, is thethighsupport 68. Hinged to said thigh-support by. means of the hinges 69 69 is the kneeling support 70. Hinges 69 are rovided with an off-set which permits the eelingsupport to fold upon the thigh-support and allow sufficient space between the two for the upholstering or padding'of both. Also, when the thigh-support and kneeling-support are in their normal position as shown in Fig. 2 the kneeling-support will be held in abutting. alinement with the thigh-support. A supporting-bail 71 is pivotally secured to said kneeling-support by means of the ears 72 72, which are secured to said kneeling-support by means of screws as shown in Fig. 16. 'This supporting-bail is pivotally secured to said ears at 73, which adapts it to be folded up under said kneeling-support as shown in dotted lines in Fig.

2. Said supporting-bail is provided with a stop 74 which engages the ear members 72 as shown in Fig. 16, and is for the purpose of preventing rearward displacement of said bail when under pressure in the position shown in dotted lines when said bail is resting on the floor as shown in Fig. 2.

Thigh-support 68 and kneeling-support are supported in their normal position as shown in Fig.2 b means of the collapsible or folding-brace 5. This brace is pivotally connected at 76 to the ears 77, which ears are secured to the thigh-support 68 by means'of screws identically as shown in Fig.

16. This brace is provided with the collapsible or toggle-joints 78 78. Arms'7 9 79 extend from said joints and are pivotally connected to the inside of the legs 3 at '80, of the hip-supporting-section as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The joints 78 are adapted to lock in their normal position slightly off the central line between the pivotal centers 76 and 80 by means of the stop member 81 which engages with the upper edge of arms 79 and prevents said brace from collapsing under end thrust or pressure, but may. be

readily collapsed by a. slight pressure on the under side thereof, as shown in'Figs. 2

and 20. The position which this foldingbrace takes when the thigh-support is folded down parallel with the supporting-legs 3is clearly shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The downwardly projecting pins or stops 82, secured to the under side of the thighsupport as. shown in Figs. 2 and 4, are for the purpose of engaging the supportinglegs 3 to hold the thigh-support in its proper relation to the supporting legs of the hipsupporting-section when folded to its down position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

with a soft thic pad 83, which is secured to the supporting cross-piece 4 and extends well onto the canvas 45 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but is not secured thereto. This pad provides-a soft and comfortable chestsupport.v The hip-supporting-section is also provided with a soft pad 84, secured to the cross-piece 4, which su plies a soft comfortable hip-support. his pad may also be extended well over onto the canvas 45, similarl tothe pad 83 if desired, although not so shown. The thigh and kneeling supports are each supplied with soft padding as indicated by the

reference numerals

85 and 86.

For greater ease and comfort to the patient in placing him on the table, be he feeble or decrepit from any cause, the thigh-support and kneeling-support are lowered to the osition indicated In dotted lines in Fig. 2, w en the patient can readily kneel from his chair on to the kneeling support and then lie forward on to the hip,abdominal and chest supports, when the attendant or practitioner ralses the thigh and kneel-' ing supports to their normal horizontal positlon as shown in Fig. 2, when the patient is on the table with scarcely any efl'ort of his own and hardly knows how he came there.

It sometimes becomes necessary to assist the patient in adjusting himself either forward or backward on the table, but this requires very little effort. When desired to remove the patient from the table, the thigh and kneeling supports are again lowered to the same position which they occupied when the patient was placed thereon, when he again assumes a kneeling position from which he can easily arise to his chair, or a standing position. This is a very important feature of our table by reason of its great convenience to old, feeble or crippled people, as well as a courtesy much appreciated by women, as it relieves much of the embarrass ment attendant with the use of ordinary tables of this characternot provided with this feature.

The canvas 45, when connected between the chest and hip supporting sections in the manner previously described and shown in Fig. 2, becomes a very easy and comfortable abdominal support, which can be readily adjusted to suit the size of any abdomen from that indicated by the dotted line 87 to that of the line 88, or even larger, by simply winding or unwinding said canvas'to or from the cylinder 33. This feature adds greatly to the comfort of corpulent people when lying prone on the table in taklng chiropractic adjustments, or manipulations which are administered to the back.

When the practitioner desires a substantially rigid or unyielding abdominal support, which is many times necessary, he ad- 'sired positionbymeans of the port.

justs the canvas 45 to the required position for the patient and the mani ulation or adjustments to be made, b turmn ratchetwheel 59, either to the rig is or le t to wind or unwlnd the canvas to or from the spool or cylinder 33, and then locks it in this deawl 60, shown in Figs. 6 and 7 when said a dominal support becomes practically rigid and unyielding. On the other hand, should the practitioner desirea yielding abdominal support, which is also very necessary in performlng certain adjustments and manlpulations, he turns the ratchet-wheel 51 to the left, thereby increasing thetension of spring 39 acting on the cylinder 33 to wind up the canvas 45, as previousl described, and when suitable tension is obta1ned,locks the ratchet.-

wheel 51 by means of the pawl 52, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, at the same time disengagmg pawl 60 from ratchet-wheel 59 as shown in Fig. 6, which provides the much desired spring-actuated or ielding abdominal sup- These are a so, very important features of our table as it many times becomes necessary in making lumbar adjustments of the spinal column and performing other manipulations to curve the back downward to quite an extent. This spring-actuated or yielding abdominal-support makes such adjustments and manipulations much easier, both for the patient and the practitioner, as such a support follows closely the deflections of the abdomen and causes the patient to feel that he has something to support him underneath his abdomen.

By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the supporting-legs or members of both the chest-supporting-section and the hip-supporting-section when set up for use, are substantially radially disposed with relation to the typical anterior curvature of the abdominal portion of the human body when lying prone thereon as indicated by the dotted line 87, and that the supporting tops of such members lie in planes substantially tangent to such curvature. There are several good reasons assigned for this arrangement and construction first, the tangentially arranged supporting-tops, by reason of their lying in planes substantially tangent to the normal anterior curvature of the body, and being substantially a continuation of the abdomlnal-support when distended by the abdomen, and the fact that the greater amount of the weight of the body is supported by such tops, makes the table much easier and ments, y reason of the fact that in nearly all adjustments of this character the thrusts i1 rigid or unyielding support 18 lowered to the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, and'the kneeling-support is folded upon said thigh support. A pillow or roll-cushion may be placed on top ofthe hip-supporting section underneath the patients hips if desired- Thus it will be obvious that in the con,- struction of our table we have supplied both and a yielding or spring-actuated abdominal-support, which can be readily changed from one to the other without any inconvenience or discomfort to, or attention of the patient. It will also appear, that we have practically supplied every possible comfort for the patient in taking the adjustments and manipulations to be given, as well as aiding the practitioner in perform- I, ing them.

By reference to Fig, 21, it will be seen that our table is adaptedto be folded and packed in a most compact form so as to be contained in an ordinary suit or carryingcase as clearly indicated by the dotted lines. This provides the practitioner with a light, strong and inexpensive portable adjusting or manipulating table provided with the best and most approved features known to the profession at the present time. Our table is also admirably adapted to be used as an-ofiice adjusting table.

While we have illustrated and described our improved table. in. its preferred and most approved construction, we are aware that many minor changes in the details .of construction can be made without departing from the essential features of our inyention.

' Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A table for the purpose described comprising a chest-supporting-section. and a hip-supporting section each,provided with radially-disposed legs supporting tangentially arranged tops, shifting supporting feet pivotally secured to each of. said legs and adapted to project laterally from the sides thereof, interchangeable adjustable folding side-braces detachably secured to said legs to maintain said supporting-sections in their relative positions, a tie-piece detachably secured to each of said sidebraces to prevent buckling of same, oppositely' disposed side-plates secured to each of said supporting sections at the junction of their legs and tangentially arranged tops,

abdominal-support,

a head-rest provided with a central faceopening pivotally secured to the side-plates of the chest-supporting-section, ratchet- -plates secured to the under side of said head-rest, a brace pivotally secured to the legs of the chest-supporting section and adapted to engage said ratchet-plates for the purpose of adjusting said head-rest to varying positions, a spring actuated cylinder between the side-plates of the chestsupporting-section and journaled therein, a coiled-spring within said cylinder f0ractuating the same, a ratchet and pawl mechanism for varying the torsional tension of said spring, a ratchet and pawl mechanism for locking said cylinder against turning in one direction, an idle-roller between said side-.plates and journaled therein, a flexible abdominal-support secured to said cylinder and wound thereon and adapted to pass over said idle-roller'and be detachably secured to the hip-supporting-section,-a thigh-support hinged to the top of said hip-supporting-section, a kneeling-support hinged tosaid thigh-support in abutting alinement therewith, a supporting bail pivotally secure to said kneeling-support and provided with a stop to limit its rearward movement, a foldable-brace pi votally secured'to said thigh-support and the legs of the hip-sup-;

porting-section and provided with joints having stop members to lock said brace against folding in one direction while permitting of its being folded in'the opposite direction. g M

2. A table for the purpose described comprising a chest supporting-section and a hip-supporting-section each provided with radially disposed legs supporting tangentially arranged tops, shifting supporting feet ,secure to each of said legs and adapted to project laterally for the purpose of widening the supporting base of the table, springs to hold said feet in either-oftheir shifted positions, interchangeable adjustable foldable side-braces adapted to be detachably secured to said legs to maintainsaid supporting-sections in their relative positions, oppositely disposed side-plates secured to each of the supporting-sections, a head-rest provided with a face-opening pivotally secured to the side-plates of the chest supporting-section, a brace pivotally means abdominal-support secured to said cylinder and wound thereon and adapted to pass over said idle-roller and its free-end detachably secured to the hip-supporting-section, a

thigh-support hinged to said hi -supporting-section, a kneeling-support inged to said thigh-support in abutting alinement therewith, a sup orting-bail pivotally secured to said knee ing-support and provided tially arranged tops secured thereto, shifting supporting-feet secured to said legs, interchangeable adjustable side-braces etachably secured to said legs .to maintain said sections in their relative positions, a head-rest provided with a face opening pivotally secured to said chest-supporting-section and means for supporting the same in varying positions, aspring-actuated cylinder suitably oufnaled to said chest supportingsection, a spring within said cylinder for actuating the same in one direction and means for varying the torsional tension thereof, suitable means for locking said cylinder against turning in one direction,

an idle-roller suitably journaled in said chest-supporting-s'ection, a flexible abdominal-support secured to said cylinder and wound thereon and adapted to pass over said idle-roller andbe detachably secured to said hip-supportingsection, a thigh-support hinged to said" hip-supporting-section, a kneeling-support hinged to said thigh-support, a supporting-member suitably secured to said kneeling-support, a foldable-brace pivotally secured to said thigh-support and the legs of the hip-supporting-section and provided with joints adapted to lock said race against collapsing or folding in one direction under end pressure while *permitting of its being readily collapsed or folded in the opposite direction.

4. A table for the purpose described comprising a chest supporting-section and a hipsupporting section each provided with legs divergently disposed with relation to each section and supporting top-members erpendicular thereto, interchangeable ad ustable side-braces detachably secured to said legs to maintain said sections in their-relative positions, a head rest. provided with a face opening pivotally secured to said chest-sup porting-section and means for supporting the same in various positions, a spring-actuated cylinder jdurnaled to said chest-supporting-section, a suitable sprin for actuating said cylinder and means or varying the torsional tension thereof, suitable means for locking said cylinder against turning in one direction, an idle-roller suitably journaled to said chest-supporting-section, a flexible abdominal support secured to said cylinder and wound thereon and adapted to pass over said idle-roller and be detachably secured to said hip-supporting section, a thigh-support hinged to said hip-supporting section, a kneeling-support hinged to said thigh-support, a supporting member suitably secured to said kneeling-support, a

foldable brace pivotally secured to said thigh-support and the legs of the hip-supportlng section and provided with joints adapted to lock said brace against folding in one direction while permitting it to fold in the opposite direction.

5. A table for the purpose-described comprising a chest supporting-section and a hipsupporting-section, interchangeable adjustable side-braces detachably secured to said sections to maintain the same in their relative positions, a head rest secured to said chest-supporting-section and. provided with suitable means for supporting it in various positions, a spring-actuated cylinder suitably journaled to said chest-supporting-section, a spring for actuating said cyllnder and means for re ulating the torsional tension thereof, a exible abdominal-support secured to said cylinder and wound thereon and adapted to be detachably secured to said hip-supporting-section, a thigh-support hinged to said hip-supporting section, a kneeling-support hinged to said thigh-support, a supporting-member suitably secured to said kneeling support, a foldable-brace suitably secured to said thigh-support and said hip-supporting-section and provided with joints adapted to lock against folding in one direction while permitting of their being folded in the opposite direction.

6. In a table for the purpose described the combination with suitable chest and hipsupporting-sections suitabl maintained in their relative positions, 0 opposing sideplates secured to the chest-supporting-section, a hollow cylinder provided with a fixed journal-end and a removable journal-end journaled in said side-plates, a shaft jour-V in one direction, a ratchet-wheel secured tothe removable journal-end of said cylinder, apawl adapted to engage said ratchet wheel to prevent it from turning in one direction,

an idle-roller journaled in said side-plates,

a flexible abdominal-support secured to sa d J cylinder and wound thereon and its free-end passed over said idle-roller and adapted to be detachably secured 'to' the hip-supporting-section, substantially as shown and' specified. a 7.. In a table for the purpose described the combination with a chest-supporting-section and a hip-supporting-section suitably maintained in their relative .POSltiOIIS, of opposing side-plates secured to the chestsupporting-section, a hollow cyllnder provided with a fixed journal-end and a removable( journal-end journaled in said, side plates, a shaft journaled in sa d journalends, a coiled spring within said cylinder secured at one end to said shaft and at the opposite end to. the removable journal-end said c'ylinder, a ratchet-wheel secured to said shaft to turn the same to regulate'the torsional force of said spring, a awl adapt ed to engage said ratchet-whee to lock it against turning in one direction, a flexible abdominal-support secured to. said cylinder and wound thereon and adapted to be detachably secured to the hip-supporting-section, substantially as shown anddescribed.

8. In a table for the purpose specified the combination with a chest-supporting-section and a hip-supporting-section provided with supporting-legs, of binding-screws threaded in said legs, washers threaded on said binding-screws against. said legs, a thumb-nut threadedon said binding-screws outside of said washers, interchangeable foldable side- -braces composed of end-members having gagedby detachable retaining members secured to said supporting-sections for the purpose of adjusting said sections at varying distances from each other and malntaming their relative positions, substan tially as shown and specified.

'10. 'Ina table for the purpose described the combination with a chest-supportingsection and a hip-supporting-section suitably maintained in their relative positions, of a thigh-support hinged to said hip-sup.- porting-section, a foldable-brace pivotally secured to said thigh-support and to said hip supporting-section and provided with joints adapteito lock against folding in one direction while ermitting of its being folded in the opposlte direction for the purpose of lowering said thigh-support in close proximity to thesupporting members of said hip supporting-section, substantially as shown and specified.

11. In a table for the purpose described the combination with a chest-supporting section and a hip-supporting-section suit- I ably. maintained in their relative positions, of a thlgh support hin ed to said hip-supporting-section, a knee ing support hinged to said thigh-support in abutting alinement therewith, a supporting-member pivotally secured to'said kneeling-support and provided with a. stop to limlt its rearward movement, a foldable brace pivotally secured to said thigh-support and to said hipsupporting-section and provided with joints adapted to lock against folding in one direction while permitting of folding in'the opposite directlon for the-purpose of lowering said hip-support to a osition whereby said kneeling-support will assume a substantially 'horizontalposition when its supporting-member is resting on the floor, substantially as shown and specified.

12. A table for the purpose described comprising a chest-supporting-section, .a I

hip-supporting-section, laterally projecting shifting extremlties of said supporting-sections, foldable adjustable side-braces suitably secured to said supporting-sections to maintain said 1 sections in their proper-relative positions, a

head rest provided with a face-opening suitably secured to said chest-supportingfeet suitably secured: tothe lower;

section, suitable means for supporting said head-rest in varying positions, a springactuated cylinder suitably journaled to one of said supporting sections, .a coiled-spring within said cylinder to actuate the same, means for varying the torsional tension of said spring, means for locking said cylinder against turning in one direction, a flexible abdominal-support secured to said cylinder and wound thereon and adapted to be detachably secured to the opposing supporting-section, a thigh-supportsuitably secured to said hip-supporting-section, a foldablebrace suitably secured to said thigh-support and to said hip-supporting-section and provided with means whereby said brace may be locked against folding-in one direction. while permitting of its being folded in the,

opposite direction for the purpose of lowering said thigh-support to a osition where by said kneeling-support wil be supported by its supporting-member in substantially a horizontal position, substantially as shown and described. a 1

13. A table comprising a chest-supporting-section and a hip-supporting-section each provided with suitably disposed legs, laterally projecting shifting-supporting-feet pivotally secured to the ends of said legs to ment with opposite sides the'ir shifted positions,.detachable adjusttions,

able side-braces to maintain said supporting-sections in their relative positions, a spring-act[rated-cylinder journaled to said chest-slipporting-section, means for locking said cylinder against turning in one direction, a flexible abdominal-support secured to and woundon said cylinder with its freeend (adapted to be detachably secured to said hip-supp'orting-section, a head-rest pivotally secured to said chest-supportingsection, and means for supporting it in any desired position, a thigh-support hinged to said hip-supporting-section, means for maintaining said thigh-supportin its relative positions, a kneehng-support hinged to said thigh-support, and a supporting-member suitably secured thereto, .to maintain said support in a position to permit a person to kneel thereon, all co-acting for the purpose 14. A table comprising ,a chest-supporting-section and a hip-supporting-section, shifting supporting-feet pivotally secured to the lower extremities ofsaid sections to increase the supporting-stability of said sections, springs to hold said feet in either of their shifted positions, detachable side-braces to hold said sections in their relative posia cylinder journaled to one of said sections and provided with means for locking the same against turning in one direction, a coiled-spring within said cylinder and provided with means for varying the torsional tension thereof, an abdominal support secured to and wound upon said cylinder its free-end adapted to be detachably secured to theopposing supporting-section, a thigh-support hinged to said hip-supporting-section, and a collapsible brace to maintain the same in a horizontal position, all coacting as specified.

15. A table comprising a chest-support ing-section and a hip-supporting-section, shifting supporting members secured to the lower extremitiesof said sections to increase the supporting stability of said sections, suitable side-braces to retain said sections in their relative positions, a cylinder journaled to one of said supporting-sections, a spring within said cylinder to actuate the same and means for varying the torsional tension thereof, an abdominal-support secured to and wound upon said cylinder its free-end adapted to be detachably secured to the opposing section, a thigh support secured to said hip-supporting-section, and means for supporting it in its extended position, all coacting as specified.

16. A: table comprising a chest-supportlug-section provided with an adjustable head-rest, a hip-supporting-section provided with an adjustable thigh-support, shifting supporting-members secured to the lower'extremities of said sectioristo increase the supporting stability side-braces to hold said supporting-sections in their relative 'positions, ,a yielding abdominal-support suitably secured to one of said supporting-sections and adapted to be detachably secured to the opposing supporting-section, all co-acting for the purpose specified. K I

17; Artable of the character described comprising a chest-supporting-section and a ofs aid sections,;adjustable hlp-supporting-section each provided with suitably disposed supporting-legs, detachable adjustable side-braces to maintain sa id sections in their relative positions, a cylinder journaled tosaid chest-supporting-section and means provided for locking the same agai st turning in- 'one direction, a flexible ab dominal-support secured to and Wound upon said cylinder with its free end adapted to be detachably secured to said hip-supporting-section, a head-rest pivotally secured tosaid chest-supporting-section and provided with means various positions, a thigh-support hinged to said hip -supporting with suitable means for maintaining the same in its relativerpositions, a kneelingsupport hinged to said thigh-support and provided with. a supporting-member adapt-' ed to maintain said support in a position to permit a person to kneel thereon, all coacting for the purpose specified.

18. A table of the character described comprising a chest-supporting-section and a hip-supporting-section, shifting-supporting members suitably secured to the lower extremities of said sections to increase their supporting stability, side-braces to maintain said sections in their relative positions, a cylinder journaled to one of said sections and provided with means for locking said cylinder against turning in one direction, an abdominal-support secured. to and wound upon said cylinder with its free end adapted to be detachably secured to the opposing section, a coiled-spring within said cylinder to actuate the same and provided withmeans for varying the torsional tension of said spring against the action of said abdominal-support, a thigh-support suitably secured to said 'hipsupporting-section and provided With means for maintaining the same in an extended position, all co-acting for the purpose specified.

19. A table of the character= described comprising a chest-supporting-section and a section and provided for supporting it in hip-supporting-section, suitable side-braces and wound upon said cylinder with itsfree end adapted to be detachably secured to the opposing section, a coiled-spring within said cylinder to actuate the same and means provided for varying the torsional tension of said spring against the action of said abdominal support a thigh-support pivotally secured to said hip-supportmg-section and provided with means for supporting the same in its extended position, all co-acting for the purpose specified.

20. A table of the character described comprising a chest-supporting-section provided with an adjustable head-rest, a hipsupporting-section provided with an adjustable thigh-support, shifting supportingmembers secured to the lower extremities of said sections to increase their supporting stability, adjustable folding side-braces to 20 maintain said sections in their relative 'positions, a yielding abdominal-support secured by suitable means tonne of said supportingsections and adapted to be detachably secured to the opposing section, all co-acting 25 for the purpose speclfied.

In witness whereof, we have each hereunto set our hands and seals in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WALTER s. W001). [1..s.]