US1727883A - X-ray apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 10, 1929; E. s. HUMPHREYS X-RAY APPARATUS Filed 80- 192'! 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 10, 1929.

E. s. HUMPHREYS 1,727,883

X-RAY APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1927 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 72 venz z h Sept, 1929- E. s. HUMPHREYS 1,727,883

I X-RAY APPARATUS I Filed Dec. 5, 1927 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 10, 1929. E 5 HUMPHREYS 1,727,883

X-RAY APPARATUS v iled Dec. 5, 1927 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 p 10, 1929- E. s. HUMPHREYS 1,727,883

K-RAY APPARATUS Sept. 10, 1929.

E. S. HUMPHREYS X-RKY APPARATUS F iled Dec.. 5, 1927 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 jive???- p 1929- E. s. HUMPHREYS 1,727,883

X-RAY APPARATUS Filed Dec. 3, 1921 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 Sept. 10,. 1929.

E. S. HUMPHREYS X-RAY APPARATUS Filed Dec. 3, 1927 11 Skieets-Sheet 9 m'z '%/%M4 4 10 I. j M$M .WJ'I

I afijz m Se t. 10, 1929. E. SPHUMPHRIEYS X-RAY APPARATUS Filed Dec. 192'! 11 Sheets -Sheet 10 Sept? 1929- 4 s. HUM PHREYS 1,727,883

X-RAY APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1927 ll Sheets-Sheet '11 LINE UNE+ L/NE

- my! v M/zfia "a A52 Z2691? Ma Patented Sept. 10, 1929.

UNITED STATES; PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN S. HUMPHBEYS, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AURORA x-aax .MFG. 00., OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

x-aAY arranarus.

Application filed December 3, 1927. Serial No. 237,370.

This invention relates to X-ray apparatus and has special reference to that apparatus used by the roentgenologist for fluoroscopic and radiographic work which apparatus is of a" simple unitary construction and is adapted for a maximum flexibility of use in all diagnostic work.

More particularly, this invention has reference to an X-ray apparatus comprisin a table for supporting apatients body, which table is adapted to swing from a position below thehorizontalfordinarily referred to as the Trendelenburg position, to a full vertical position. An X-ray tube and a fluorescent screen are disposed on opposite sides of the table and are movable along the entire length thereof permitting of a maximum flexibility of operation. Also, ameans for wipin out the secondary rays from an X-ray tu e target, ordinarily termed a Bucky diaphragm in the art, is disposed below the table top and is also movable along the entire length thereof independently of the tube and screen carriage;

In the existing structures of today, in so far as applicant is aware, it is usual to allow the operator a range for fluoroscopic and radiographicwork, without interference, for a partial distance of the length of the table top, whereafter it is necessary to reverse or to otherwise change the patients position to permit of fluoroscopic or radiographic examinations over the entire body. In reversing the position of the body, it naturally follows that the organ will most probably not assume the same positions as they initially attained thereby materially interfering with the steps of the examination.

Ordinarily, this class of apparatusis provided with electrical energy through masts extending vertically from and being permanently fixed to a base on the floor adjacent one end of the table, and the masts, in turn, receive their power from an overhead supply system. This construction, of

course, prevents access to various parts of the table and subjects the operator and the patient to the possibility of hi h voltage shock. The present invention su stantially eliminates these possibilities inasmuch as the high tension masts are hinged to an overhead system and are pivota ly connected to the underneath side of the table whereby 'no portion thereof is near the floor or, in

One of the objects'of this invention is to.-

provide an apparatus as above mentioned which will be unitary and compact in form,

simple and economical in construction, and

better adapted to perform the functions for.

which'such apparatus is provided.

Another object of this Invention is to provide an apparatus as described above wherein the X-ray tube and fluorescent screenv used for fluorosco is work will be operable over the entire ength of the table top thereof.

A further object 'of this provide an apparatus hereinbefore noted invention is to wherein a means for wiping out the secondary rays from an X-ray tube target,

when used in radiographic work, may obtain.

a range of the entire table top and be moved independently of and without interference from the tube and screen members and the necessary supporting structure therefor.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus as indicated above wherein the means for supplying electrical energy thereto is so constructed and arranged as to minimize the possibilities of high tension shock to the operator and patient and as to permit of a maximum accessibility to the apparatus by the operator.

It is also the object ofthe invention to provide an apparatus as indicated hereinbefore having locks of simple, quick action for holding the movable parts in a secure relation with the stationary structure; automatic stops for limiting the extreme movements of the table; counterweights for balancing the movable parts so. that adjustments may be made with a minimum of effort; and means whereby the assembly of the entire construction is held in a rigid position after any adjustment.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from-the description and drawings forming a part of this specification to which latter reference may now be had for a more'complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a device embodying the features of this -in vention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view having a portion of the table brokeii away to show an operating mechanism included in this invention;

Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view taken 'on the line 33 of Fig. 1 omitting the table top and the operating mechanism. referred to and shown more clearly in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspecttive view of the device of this invention showing an upright position of the table top;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 6.-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken substantially along line VI-VI of Figure 6.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 1, this view also showing the electrical connection between the apparatus and an overhead supply system;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of Fig; 8; Fig. 10 is a rear elevational view of the supporting structure for the table top showing more particularly the mechanism for controlling the operation of the table top; Fig. 11 is a front elevational view ,of Fig. 10 showing a portion of the table top carriage and more particularly the controlling mechanism for operating the table top; 7 Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the shutter mechanism for limiting the fluoroscopic 5o field;

I Fig. 13 is a rear elevational view of the fluorescent screen carriage as associated with a portion of the apparatus;

Fig. 13 is a detail view showing a scissor like counterbalance for releasing tension on spring 77 in the vertical position of the table.

Fig. His a fragmentary plan view showing one of the means for guiding and supp porting the carriage for carrying the fluorescent screen;

Fig. 151 is a detail sectional view of a portion of a fluorescent screen and the supporting structure therefor;

6 ig. 16 is. fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 1616 of Fig. 2 showing the driving mechanism for operating the table top into its various positions;

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view showing an electrical system for controlling the operation of the table top; and

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic view similar to' Fig. 17 showing a change of circuit connections thereof.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the apparatus comprises a base 20 having a pair of uprights 21 extending therefrom and secured thereto in any suitable manner. her are preferably cast of iron or other suitable material, the uprights being preferably formed of a channel shape in order to obtain a maximum strength. A pair of sectors 22 are mounted adjacent the uprights 21 and are pivotally journalled in suitably formed bearings 23 on the extreme up or end of the uprights, a spacer being pre erabl inserted between the sectors and the uprig ts in order to provide a sli ht clearance therebetween. The centers 0 the sectors are preferably concentric with the bearings 23 and the radii of the sectors are of a length to provide a slight clearance from the surface of the base.

The sectors 22 are preferably cast of iron or other material of similar characteristics and have suitable flanges disposed on the outer extremities thereof for the purpose of strengthening the construction. In order to adapt the apparatus for use in the socalled Trendelenburg position; that is, a position below the horizontal wherein the patients head is on a lower plane than his feet, the sectors 22 form an angle greater than 90. The sectors are joined together near the lower ends thereof by means of a. cross support 24 shown more particularly in Figs. 4 and 5. The upper ends of the sectors at the rear end of the apparatus are 1;.also joined together by means of a cross support 25 both of which supports 24 and means, which will hereinafter be more fully described, in order to give a rigid construc- 7 tion to the apparatus in all of its operable positions.

In order to provide a support for the table top which is elongated and extends a substantial distance beyond the confines of the base and of the sectors, a pair of castings 26 are fixedly held in an extended position by means of rods 27 and 28, rod 27 securing the upper end of casting 26 to the sector at a portion near the center or upper .portion thereof and rod 28 securing the The uprights and base mem- 25 form a part of a three point supporting apparatus comprises a rectangular framea work 30 having a patient supporting means tions of the table top slightly above the,

preferably composed of a five-ply veneer mahogany member 31 mounted thereon and secured thereto in a suitable manner. The framework is preferably formed of steel or other yieldable material and is attached at its opposite'ends to castings 32 and 33, casting 32 being suitably secured to the cross support 29 and casting 33 being likewise suitably secured to the cross support 25. It will thus be seen that the tabletop is supported at its two outer ends only, while the castings are preferably of such a height as to space the tabletop a substantial distance above the upper end of the uprights 21.

It is desirable that thetabletop be'bowed upwardly from the ends thereof-toward a central point in order that when the body of a patient is placed thereon, the table top will assume a flattened and substantially horizontal position.- This bowed construction is provided by means of truss rods 34 extending between and fastened to the castings 32 and 33, one truss rod being disposed adjacent either side of the table top. The truss rods are held in a spaced relation with the table top by means of the projecting members 35 which latter, when the truss rods are tightened, tend to raise the central porplane of the ends thereof.

A suitable combination head and shoulder rest 30*, which-can be used as a seat or foot latform, is securely clamped on and is adjust-able lengthwise ofthe table as well as at different angles therewith. This rest is of the usual construction, the central section being removable to form a shoulder rest when the table is moved to the Trendelenburg position and having provisions for adjusting the head rest to convenient angles. Further description is, therefore, believed unnecessary.

.In the adaptation of this apparatus for radiographic work, the usual'tube supporting mechanism 36 is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 as formed of an'upright tubular member having a tube holder controlled by a counterweight mechanism on the upright; An X-ray tube 37 is mounted on the tube holder, the latter being adapted for vertical,

movement and for a variety of rocking movements. The upright tubular member maybe mounted to provide movement thereof lengthwise of the table.

It is ordinarily desirable. to, provide a means for wiping out the secondary rays which tend to fog that which the primaryrays have registered on a-film subjected to an X-ray tube. Forexample, a ray from the tube target may strike the bone in the body of a patient and glance off at a different angle striking the film and registering thereon where a primary ray has already registered. As a means to prevent the aforementioned, a Bucky grid is provided having.

a plate therein formed of a number of alternate vertically extending sections, one seetionbeing of wood or celluloid and the adjacent section being of lead. These sections are disposed radially of the tube target in order that the rays therefrom may pass through the wood or celluloid sections without interference. It will be seen that any rav not originating directly from the target will not bepermitted to pass through the plate because of the inclinations of the lead plate through which the rays cannot pass.

The constructioujust mentioned is housed in a casing 38 disposed directly beneath the top ofthe table; The casettes are likewise disposed in the casing 38 just below the aforementioned plate, the 'casette containing, of course. the film. ln the operation of the Bucky grid, the tube target is positioned about twenty-five inches above the top of the plate and is accurately centered over the center. of the plate, thefilm, of course, being centered likewise with the center of the plate. In this particular construction, a control mechanism is housed in the casing 38 which acts as a timer for automatically starting-and stopping the X-ray exposure and for timing the exposure on the film. A more detailed description of the Bucky grid is not deemed necessary as it is well known in the art.

The casing 38 is provided with a plurality of rollers for engagement with guide bars 39. rollers 40 being oppositelvdisposed on each side of the guide bars 39 and rollers 41 being horizontally disposed for engagement with the edgesof the guide bars 39. The aforementioned rollers are suitably mounted on brackets secured to the casing 38. The guide bars 39 extend between and are secured to theend castings 32 and 33, and are disposed adjacent the truss rods 34 and are suitably secured to the projecting members 35. The casing 38 is, therefore, Enovable along the entire length of the table A counterweight 42 is slidably mounted between guide bars 52 and 42", hereinafter more fully described, and is secured to the casing 38 by a suitable flexible cord or wire 43, the wire being attached to a bracket 44 on one side of the casing 38 and extending around one of a pair of pulleys 46 suitably secured on each side of a portion of the table top structure, thence extending to be attached to a bracket 45 secured to the counterweight 42. A similar cord or wire 43 is secured to the other side of the counterweight 42 and extends around one of a pair of pulleys 47. mounted on each side of the table top and to a portion thereof. and thence to the bracket 44 of the casing 38. This counterweight affords a balanced construction whereby the casing 38 may be easily adjusted with very slight effort and it also affords a balance for the weight of the casing 38 to hold the same in an adjusted and substantially fixed position.

Referring now more particularly to Figs,

, tially T-shaped guiding bars, 52, the latter extending fromthe far end of the bracket 26 to a point adjacent the periphery of the sector 22 and being secured thereto. These guiding bars are disposed below the table top and preferably at or above the uppermost plane of the uprights 21, the guiding bars extending substantially parallel with the top of the table.

A pairof rollers 53 are mounted on each of the brackets 48 and engage the horizontally extending portion of the guiding bars 52, the rollers being disposed on oppo-' site sides of the horizontally extending portion. A roller 54, shown more particularly in Fig. 14, is also provided on each of the angle brackets 48 to engage the edges of the guiding bars 52 in order to prevent a binding action between the carriage and the guiding bars. This construction permits of a free and easy movement of the carriage along the guiding bars. A counterweight 42 is suitably mounted between the guiding bar 52 and the guiding bar 42", the lat-. ter being one of a pair disposed on either side of the table top sup orting means and being suitably mounted t ereto.

The counterweights 42 and 42 are provided with rollers for engaging the edges of the aforementioned uiding barsv 52 and 42 and are also provi ed with horizontally disposed rollers for engaging the surfaces of the guiding bars on opposite sides thereof. A cord or wire 43 is suitably fastened to one of the endcastings 48 and extend around one of the end pulleys 46 to be attached to the counterweight 42". This wire extends on the other side of the counterweights 42 over the pulley 47 and back to another of the end castings 48 in a similar manner as that described with reference to the casing 38. Although it has been pointed out that the counterweight 42 holds this carriage in a substantially fixed adjusted position, it maybe desirable to have a positive engagement between the carriage and the guiding bars 52, and therefore, a

bracket is secured to one of the angle brackets 48 and extends therefrom to a point above the guiding bar 52. A thumb nut is disposed on the end of the bracket 55 which may be screwed into engagement with-the guiding bar 52 in order to obtainn'a fixed and positive engagement and therebyito hold the carriage immovable. :r

A secondary carriage is mounted; on-the main carriage and com rises arectangular framework having en castings 56 connected together by means of transverse rods 57. The transverse rods are carriedon rollers 58 mounted on the end .castings 48" and are held in position thereon by means of a pair of angularly inclined rollers 59, one pair of rollers 59 being mounted on each of the castings 48. The transverse rods 57 extend beyond the confines of the table top and oft-he uprights 21'. When desir able, this framework may be held in afixed relation with the beforementioned main carriage by means of a manuallyoperable thumb nut 55 threaded in a lug 55 'and engaging one of the transverse rods 57. The

lug 55 is preferably integrally formed with jacent the traiisverse rod 57.

the end castin 48 of the main carriage ad- 111g rods 60 are mounted on. one pair of end castlngs 56 and are connected at their upper ends by means ofa casting '61. A'

A pair of vertically extending supportries a pair of ears 65 between which is disposed a bearing member 66 pivotally mounted thereon. The bearing member'66 has 0. lug 67 for engagement-with a lug 68 mounted on the extension 64' to limit the clockwise movement (viewed from Figure 7) of a yoke member 69 to its horizontal operativ.e position, the latterbeing rotatably mounted on a pin 70, journalled in the bearing 66.

A fluorescent screen frame 71 is pivotally mounted between the arms of the yoke member 69 as at 72 and com rises a rectangularly shaped recessed mem 1' having a pair of handles 73 secured to o positeends thereof. A plate comprising a uorescent screen 74 disposed between a lead glass plate 75 and a panel 76- (preferably of bakelite) is inserted in the recess provided in the frame 71, as shown more particularly in Figs. 7 and 15 of the drawin In the o eration a? the device thus far described, t e yoke member 69 may be tilted and its associated members, a scissors-like shutters.

' 80, the pivotal connection being disposed arrangement is secured between the lower end of thcsupporting frame 62 and the end castings 56. A spring 77 is secured to a handle 78 and extends to the end of one member of the scissors-like construction, the handle 78 being pivotally mounted on the end of the other member thereof to counterbalance the weight of the frame 62. When no spring tension is required or desired, as for example, when the table top is in a vertical position, the handle 78 is pivoted to the left (Fig. 13) over a dead center-position to a downward position whereby it will be apparent that the tension of the spring 77 is released as shown inore particularly in Fig. 13*, and consequently, the supporting frame 62 is free of any tension.

\ It is desirable in apparatus of this nature to provide shutters for limiting -,tlie fluoroscopic field. The shutter frame is preferably formed of two spaced-apart plates 79 and 80, the upper plate 79 having a fixed opening therein with downwardly converging flanges on the peripher of the opening in order to concentrate the -ray beams directed toward the fluoroscopic screen, and therefore, to prevent the scattering of stray X-ra'y beams. The lower plate is also provided with-a fixed opening having two pairs of cooperating shutters 81 and 82, Shutters 81 are slldably mounted on guide bars 83 and 83 as by means of the latter extending through and being jo'urnalled in ears 84 and 84* preferably integrally formed with The ears 84 are fixedly secured to the rods 83 and 83*, the ears 84 being movable therealo'ng. It will be noted that the ears 8 1 are disposed on opposite sidesof their corresponding shutters and that the same relates tothe ears 84 of the cooperating shutters for a reason which will be now more fully explained.

A link 86 is pivotally mountedon the plate centrally of the axis of the rods 83 and 83*". The ends of the rods 83 and 83 are bent at right angles thereto to engage slots 87 in the link 86. A cord or wire 98 is fastened to one end of the link 86 and passes around a pulley 88 and a second pulley 89 to an operating pulley 90 with which it has a frictional en gagement. pulley 91 to the other end of the link 86. A spring 92 is disposed between thetwo ends of the cord or wire in-order to keep the cord taut and inorder to retain at all times The wire then returns around a.

enough friction with the pulley 90 to operate the cord. By referring more particularly to Fig. 7, the pulley 90 is fixedly secured to a vertically extendin shaft 93, a gripping knob 94 being fixedly secured at the upper end thereof. A second pulley 96v is fixedly secured .to' a tubular member 95 in which the rod 93 is' loosely j handle 97 is fixedly secured to the upper en of the tubular member 95. By rotating the gripping knob 94 or the operating handle 97, the pulleys 90 and 96, respectively, are rotated. A movement of the pulley 90, and

consequently, the cord 98 will pivot the link,

86 which-in turn operates the rods 83 and 3. It will be noted that because of the cooperating shutters being fixed to different rods, a movement in one direction of the rod 83 will cause one of the shutters 81 to move either toward or away from its cooperating shutter, and that the cooperating shutter, because of its being secured to the shaft 83, willhave a similar movement. Therefore, because of the opposite travel of the rods 83 and 83 the two cooperating shutter members will either move toward each other or away from each other simultaneously. The cooperating shutters 82 are .similarl arranged, opposite sides of each member eing fixed to the shafts 99 and 99, the shafts extending through bearings 100 to engage slots 101 in a pivotally mounted link member 102. A cord 103'is fastened to one end of the link '102 and extends around and has frictional engagement with the pulley 96. The cord or wire then extends to be connected to the other end of the link 102, a spring 104 being inserted therebetween to keep the cord taut and to, provide for a good frictional engage- The lower plate 80 carries a pair of supporting members 105, preferably of wood, for

clamping the X-ray tube shield and the tube 106 in a position substantially centrally of the openings formed through the plates 79 and 80 and the other openings formed by meansof the shutters. The upper and lower plates 79' and 80 are held in a fixed spaced relation by means of brackets 107, the latter, in turn, being mounted on and carried by the transverse rods 57.

" In the construction thus far described, it will be apparent that when the secondary ournalled. An operating carriage is operated transversely of the table top, the shutters, X-ray tube, and fluorescent screen are moved together, because of their assembled relation. It will be noted that the fluorescent screen is positioned centrally with 'the X-ray tube and the shutters, although it may be understood that the X-ray tube and shutters may be adjusted along the shaft 57 in any relation therewith. Further, by means of the main carriage movable along the guiding bars 52, these elements may be adjusted to any position throughout the length of the table top. It has been hereinbefore mentioned that the sectors 22 are pivotally mounted on the uprights 21, and therefore, because of the mounting of the table top and the mechanism associated therewith on these sectors, the relations therebetween are unchanged during the operation of the sectors to. any pivoted position.

In order to operate the table top from a horizontal position to a substantially vertical or upright position, an automatic means has been provided, as shown more particular-- ly in Figs. 5 and 6, comprising a motor 108 .fi-secured to the base 20. The motor operates i a lateral support is obtaine a worm 109 in engagement with a worm gear 109 fixedly carried by a shaft 110 on which a pinion 110 is fixedly mounted. The pinion 110 is, in turn, in engagement with and operates a gear 111 fixedly mounted on a shaft 112 disposed transversely of the table and journalled in bearings 113. The gearing just described, is preferably enclosed in a casing 114, the casing being partially filled with oilin order that the gears may be properly lubricated. A pair of pinions 115 are fixedly mounted on the opposite ends of the shaft 112 and enga es'a segmental gear 116 secured to each of t e sectors 22. When the motor is operated in either direction, the

train of gears are actuated to move the sectors 22 and the table top toward a vertical position or a horizontal position.

In order to rigidify the table top and its support to the extent of precluding any side or lateral tilting thereof, owing to any yield in the pivot, its bearings, or substructure. a pair of rollers 22 are fixed to the base for engagement with opposite sides of a track 22", the latter being secured to the periphery of each of the sectors 22 and extending substantially the entire length thereof. These rollers are positioned between the cross supports 24 and 25 and remain in this relation during the movement of the sectors to any adjusted position. Therefore from the arrangcinent and construction ust described, for insuring against false movement of the table top when in use. Moreover, the table top supports may be of lighter construction without impairing the rigidity of the structure.

By referrin now more particularly to Figs; 10, 11v an 17, an operating handle 117 is disposed on the outer side of the upright 21 and is mounted on a shaft 118 journalled in the upper end thereof. An arm 119 is fixed to the shaft 118 on the inner side of the upright 21 and has a link member 120 extending therefrom to be secured to a commutator disc 121 near the outer peri hery thereof. The link member 120 is hel in a central position by means of a pair of horizontally extending arms 120 pivotally connected to the uprights 21, the free ends of said arms 120 engaging pins 120 on link 120. The arms 120 are normally urged against'a stop member 120 by means of a spring 120 connected to and between the arms 120". In the operation of this mechanism, when the handle 117 is moved upwardly, the upper pin 120 engages the upper arm 120 and moves the same upwardly against the tension of the spring 120 while the lower arm 120" remains stationary against the stop 120. When the handle 117 is released, the spring 120 actuates the link 120 to its normal inoperative position wherein the arm 120 rests against the stop 120. It will be apparentthat the operating mechanism connected to the link member 120 will also be returned to the normal inoperative position thereof.

The disk 121 is mounted on a shaft 122 and carries a plurality of contacting, segments 123, 124 and 125 for engagementwith brush members 123, 124 and- 125". The

contact member 126 is mounted on the discfor engagement with contact plates 127 and 128. It will be noted that upon a rotation of the operating handle 117, the link 120 will rotate the disc 121. The normal position of the disc 121 is such that the con tact member 126 is midway between the contact plates 127 and 128. By rotating the disc 121 out of its normal position, the contact member 126 will make contact with either of the contact plates 127 or 128. One

. side of the line is connected to each of the plates 127 and 128, through an automatic .123 and 125 are connected togetherby a suitable electrical conducting plate 133. Referring to Fig. 17, an operative condition of the motor circuit is shown, the-current entering one side of the'line through the tiltable switch 129, contact plate 128, contact member, 126, segment 125, brush 125, brushes 131, 130 and 123, se ment 124,

a brush 124*, through the motor eld 132 to the other side of the line. When it is desired to operate the motor in a reverse di;

rection, the operating lever 117 is operated to move the lever 126 into engagement with the contacting plate 127, whereafter the circuit is as follows: from one side of the line through the tiltable switch 129, contact plate 127, member 126, segment 125, plate 133, segment 123, brushes 123, 130, 131 and 125, segment124, brush member 124 through the motor field 132, to the other-side of the line. It will be noted that the flow of electrical energy through the field is in the same direction in both Figs. 17 and 18, although in opposite directions through the armature. This, of course, provides for a reversal of the direction of rotation of the armature of the motor 108.

In order to automatically limit the extreme movements of the table in either di-- rection, the hereinbefore described automatic tiltable cut out switch 129 is mounted on the base 20 and'is actuated by pin members 134'and 135,- which latter are disposed at the extreme end positions on the periphery of one of the sectors 22. When the table approaches the extreme vertical position, pin member 135 engages 'a\vertically extending lever 136 and rocks. it to a position to break the circuit existing through the switch 129. As hereinbefore described, this switch breaks the circuit through the main line whereafter the table top may only be operated in a reverse direction. Similarly when the table top is lowered to an extreme Trendelenburg position, the stop member 134 engages the vertically extending arm or lever 136v and tilts the same to break thecircuit through the line.

v In order that the motor cease its rotation substantially simultaneously with the breaking of the electrical circuit therethrough, a brake shoe 137 is mounted on a'disk 138, the latter being fixed to the motor shaft. The brake shoe 137 is operated by an electromagnet 139 mounted on the base 20. The electromagnet 139 is connected in a motor circuit between one side of the line and the plate 133 as shown in the diagrammatic views Figs. 17 and 18. It will thus be seen that in either operative position of the motor, the solenoid is energized to release the brake shoe 137 to permit motor operation. When the electromagnet is deenergized, as by means of breaking the electrical circuit through the control system,

the brake shoe 137 applies friction to the disk 138, by means of the usual spring tensioning means disposed between the ends of the shoe, to stop the rotation of the motor.

Asa means for supplying electrical energy to the X-ray tubes, a pair of electrical conducting bars 141 are pivotally connected as at 140 to one side of a switching mechanism of an overhead transmission system.

I A pair of high tension hollow masts 142 having brackets 143 thereon, are provided of a heavy insulating material and carry electrical conducting rods 144 therein. These latter rods are suitably connected to the conducting bars 141, at one end thereof, and are connected to one end of self-winding reels 145, the other end of the selfwinding reels being connected to the respective terminals of the X-ray tube in the shield 106. The self-winding reels 145 are mounted on stationary supporting members 146, the latter being suitably mounted on the cross support 29. The brackets 143 are pivotally connected as at 147 to the conducting bars 141, while the other ends of the high tension masts 142 are connected to brackets 148 which are in turn pivotally mounted on the end castings 26 as at 149. The low voltage circuit to the filament of the X-ray tube is carried by means of a- 142 to a self-Winding reel 151, the other side of the low voltage circuit being carried by one ofthe electrical conducting rods 144 of the high voltage circuit.

In moving the carriage carrying the "fluorescent screen and the X-ray tube lengthwise of the table, thesel'f-winding reels 145 and 151 keep the wire taut. The other side of the overhead switching mechanism may be suitably connected to the X-ray tube 37, which latter is used in radiogijaphic work. By pulling the cord 152 to rotate the pulley 153 in either direction, contact will be made through either side of the switching mechanism and therefore either of the X-ray tubes 37 or 106 will be energized. The conducting bars 141 extend downwardly from the ceiling to a point such that ordinarily an attendant may walk thereunder without touching the same and without subjecting himself to high tension shock,-the high tension masts 142 completely insulating the current carrying rods 144 disposed therein. It will be noted particularly in 9 that when the table is tilted to a position ap proaching the vertical, that access may be had to all parts of the table by an attendant without subjecting himself to high tension shock because of the position of the masts. As has been pointed out before, high tension masts are usually provided at one end of the machine and are fixedly supported from the fioor where they remain, of course, dur ing the tilting of the table top. The present invention provides that the masts are moved upwardly as the table is pivoted to an upright position in order that the operator is limited in his movement about the apparatus solely by the confines of the base.

While but a single embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it

istobeunderstood. that various modificationsthereof may be apparent to one skilled in the art without departing from the s irit and scope of this invention, and therefore,

thesame istobe limited only by the scope of-the prior art and the appended claims.

Iclaim:

. Inan X-ray device, a base, uprights extending therefrom, a table top, a pair of sectors pivotally mounted on said uprights, oneend of said table top being mounted on saidsectors,supporting means for the other end o f said table top, said supporting means being carried by said sectors, a-segmental gearmounted oneach of said sectors, driving wmeans for engaging said segmental gear s,',and av roller for engagement with each side, of said sectors, said rollers being rigidly mounted on said base for guiding said sector s and imparting added rigidity to the entire device.

, 2. In an X ray device, a base, uprights extending therefrom, a table top pivotally connected to said uprights, a carriage carryingia fluorescent screen and an X-ray tube above andbelow said table top respectively, said carriage beingmounted for unobstructed movement lengthwise of said table top on each side of the pivotal connection.

I 14:. In an X-ray device, a base, uprightsextending therefrom, a table top pivotally mounted; on said uprights, a carriage mounted for unobstructed movement along substantially the entire length of said table I top, and a secondary carriage movable transversely ofand mounted on said first carriagefsaid secondary carriage carrying a fluorescent screen and an X-ray tube disposed, above and below said table top r spe iv y a 5. In an X- ray device, a base, uprights extending therefrom, a table top pivotally mounted Y on said uprights, a mounted for unobstructed movement along substantially the entire length of said table top, and a secondarycarriage movable transversely of and mounted on said first carriage, said secondary carriage normally extending laterally beyond the vertical planeofone of said uprights and carrying a fluorescent screen and an X-ray tube above and below said table top respectively.

,QG LInan Xray device, a base, uprights extending therefrom, a table top pivotally mounted on saiduprights, guiding means carriage carried by said table top and extending the entire length thereof, a carriage mounted for unobstructed movement along substantially the entire length of said guiding means, guiding means disposed transversely of and mounted on said carriage, and a secondary carriage mounted for unobstructed movement along said last mentionel guiding means and a fluorescent screen and an X-ray tube carried by said secondary carriage above and below said table top respectively.

7. In an X-ray device, a base, uprights extending therefrom, a table top for supporting the entire body of a patient, a pair of sectors pivotally mounted on said uprights, means for connecting each end of said table top with said sectors, driving means for said sectors, a pair of cross supports connected between said sectors and adjacent opposite ends thereof, and means on said base in lateral engagement with said sectors intermediate said supports to laterally support said table top. I

8. In an X-ray device, a pivoted table top comprising a single panel supported on each end-thereof, a carriage mounted on the under side of said table top, means on said carriage for wiping out the secondary rays from an X-ray tube target, and a second carriage mounted on the under side of said table top carrying a fluorescent screen and an X-ray tube disposed above and below' said table top respectively, both of said carriages being independently movable along substantially the entire length of said table top.

'9; In an X-ray device, a pivoted table top, a carriage mounted for unobstructed movement along substantially the entire length of said table top, a fluorescent screen sup.- ported by said carriage for movement therewith, and an X-ray tube disposed below said table top for support by said carriage.

10. In an X-ray device, a pivoted table top supported at each end thereof for angular adjustment about a substantially fixed pivot between horizontal and vertical planes,

a carriage mounted for unobstructed movement along substantially the entire length of said tabletop, and means carried by said carriage for wiping out secondary rays from an X-ray tube target.

11.-In combination, a pivoted table top adapted for angular adjustment between horizontal and vertical positions, a carriage mounted for movement along said table top for carrying a fluorescentscreen and an X-ray tube, a second carriage mounted for movement along said table top, means on said second carriage for wiping out secondary rays from an X-ray tube target, and guiding means for said carriages enabling independent unobstructed movement thereof along substantially the. entire length of said table top.

12. In an X-ray device, a base, a table top, a fixed pivotal connection between said base and table top to enable relative rotation therebetween, means engaging each end of said table top to effect the support thereof on said base, and spaced guides for slidably carrying instrumentalitiesi past said pivotal connection along substantially the entire. length of said table top.

13. In an X-ray device, a base, uprights extending therefrom, a table top disposed in spaced relation with the upper ends of said uprights, a gearsector pivotally connected to said uprights, means engaging said gear sector for effecting the rotation thereof about said pivotal connection, means on said gear sector in engagement with the -ends of said table top to establish'a rigid V pivotal connection rigid in all rotative j oinder therebetween, andmeans on said base for guiding said gear sector in the movement of said table top between horizontal and vertical positions. 14. In an X-ray device, a base, uprights extending therefrom, a table top, a pair of sectors pivotally mounted on said uprights, means for connectingeach end ofsaid table .top with said sectors, a segmental gear mounted on each of said sectors, driving means for engaging said segmental gears, and means on said base in engagement with said sectors for guiding and maintaining saidos1- tions of said table top.

15. In an X-ray device, abase, uprights extending therefrom, a table top, a pair of sectors pivotally mounted on said uprights, means for, connecting each end of said table top with said sectors, a segmental gear mounted on each of said sectors, driving means for engagin said Segmental gears, and braking means %or automatically arresting the movement of said table top when said driving means is'rendered inactive.

'16. In an X-ray device, a base, uprights extending therefrom, a table top pivotally mounted on said-uprights, means disposed beneath said table top for eradicating the secondary rays from an X-ray tube target, means for supporting said secondary ray said carriage to enable unobstructed movement along substantially the entire length of said table top, a carriage disposed below said table top, and means forsup orting said carriages to enable unobstructe movement thereof along substantially the entire length of said table top independent of said secondary ray eradicating means.

17. In an X-ray device, a base, uprights extending therefrom, a table top pivotally mounted on said uprights, means disposed beneath said table top for eradicating the secondary rays from an X-ray tube target, means for supporting said secondary ray eradicating means for unobstructed move ment alon substantially the entire length on said first named carriage. 3

18. In an X-ray device, a pivoted table top for supporting the entire body of a patient, a carriage mounted for unobstructed movement substantially along the entire length of said table top, and an'X-ray tube mounted on said carriage for movement therewith on either sideof said table top pivot.

19. In combination, a pivoted table top adapted for rotary adjustment between horizontal and vertical positions, a carriage mounted for movement along said table top for carrying a fluorescent screen and an X ray tube, a second carriage mounted for movement along said table top, means on said second carriage for wiping out secondary rays from an X-ray tube target, guiding means for said carriages enabling independent unobstructed movement thereof along substantially the entire length of said table top, and means for counterbalancing said carriages in all angular positions of said table top.

20. In an X-ray device, a pivoted table top for supporting the entire body of a patient comprising a single panel, a base for sustaining said table top, a ivot connection between said table top an base, a carriage mounted on the under side of said panel, means for slidably carrying said carriage without obstruction along substantially the entire length of said table topfand means on said carriage for wiping out the secondary rays from an X-ray tube target.

21. In an X-ray device, a base, uprights.

extending therefrom, a table top disposed in spaced relation with the upper ends of said uprights, means pivotally mounted on said uprights to engage the ends of said table top to effect the pivotal support thereof, and means slidably mounted between said table top and said uprights to carry X-ray instrumentalities without obstruction along substantially the entire length of said table top.

22. In an X-ray device, a base, uprights extending therefrom, a table top disposed in spaced relation with the upper ends of said uprights, a gear sector pivotally mounted on said uprights, means engaging said gear sector for effecting the partial rotation thereof in either direction, means on said gear sector in engagement with the ends of said table top to effect the pivotal support thereof inv spaced relation with said uprights, and an instrumentality supporting carriage slidably carried between said table ofsaicl ta 1e top, acarriage disposed below top and uprights ,for unobstructed move- 1 0

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