US2318458A - Hospital table - Google Patents

Description

J. w. BOREN HOSPITAL TABLE May 4, 1943.

Filed Aug. 29, 1941 Patented May 4, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOSPITAL TABLE John W. Boren, Marinette, Wis.

Application August 29, 1941, Serial No. 408,720

7 Claims.

The inventionrelates generally to improvements in hospital tables but relates more particularly to tables which may be raised and lowered and which are adapted for use as a bedside table or an operating room instrument table.

The general object of the invention is to provide a table of this kind which shall be better adapted to the conditions which obtain in hospital practice than those heretofore available. Another object of the invention is to provide ia.;relatively light table construction in which the table top may be of ample size to accommodate the various instruments, when used as an operating room instrument table, or to accommodate the various items which a patient needs, when the table is used as a bedside table, and yet be of compact size and thoroughly stable and rigid. Again, it is an object to provide a hospital table which can be readily raised or lowered and in which the top will be automatically locked in placed position. It is also an object of the invention to provide a hospital table in which the height of the table .top can be controlled by a sterile surgical nurse .herself by foot controlled lock releasing means,

thus permitting her to position the table at desired height while the shelf or top and sides of the table remain covered by sterile linens, thus obviating the necessity of a second nurse who has heretofore been required to make adjustments, and who being unsterile, involves danger of contaminating the sterile field.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved table top construction on which the various operating instruments and other items may be placed without danger of their .Jalling oif the table, in which the placement of the instruments thereon causes .less noise and --yet in which there is adequate separation of the instruments by means dividing the top into 1 .Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hospital table embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation, portions being broken away to enable the remaining parts to be shown -on enlarged scale with respect to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view of one of the eccentric locking members and associated parts. i Fig. '4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail fragmentarysectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of removable means associated with the table top for dividing the table into compartments or sections for the better segregation of surgical instruments or other items. I

The table will be described particularly as used for an operating instrument table because that is one purpose for which it is particularly adapted. This is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

The table includes a base frame structure to which the character I is generally'applied. The base I is composed of metal tubing and comprises a transverse member 2 having downwardly curved end portions 3-3, which terminate in enlarged floor engaging parts 4-4.

Welded to the transverse member at 5-5 are two spaced upstanding tubular" members .6-6 which are connected at their upper ends by a cross member I, which member I is welded at 8-8 to the tubes 6-6. By virtue of this cross member I and the welded union of the tubes 6-6 at 8-8 with the cross member I, a rigid'frame structure is provided. l

The lower ends of the tubes 6-6 are bent rearwardly, and extend downwardly, in diverging relationship, as indicated at 9-9 and terminate in toe-like ends Ill-l0 which engage the floor. The widely separated floor contacting parts 4-4 and [0-H] provide a very rigid and stable support for the table base. Hence the base is able to support a table top of adequate size.

Th table top structure is designated generally by the characer I l. low frame l2 of generally rectangular shape in .plan. The frame l2 has a continuous slit l3 on its inner side of a sizetightly to receive and hold the marginal edge portions of a flat rectangularly shaped perforated metal member [4.

The table top portion II is supported by a tubular underframe l5, which has side parts Iii-l6 and an end part H. The end part ll lies directly under an associated endpar-t of the frame l2 in substantially contacting relation.

The side portions l6-IB also lie closely adjacent the side parts ofthe frame I2 for much of their length, but are bent downwardly as at l8-l 8 and thence at right angles to the side portion and substantially parallel to the end part 12' of the frame l2 as at l9-l9. The portions .l9-l9 are united at 20-20, as by welding, to

two spaced tubular members 2I-2l. The parts iii-I6 and 'll of frame I5 are welded to adjacent The top H includes a hol- 1 parts of the frame l2. The lower parts of the tubular members 2|2| are telescopically received in the upper parts of the tubes 6-6 of the base. The tops of the parts 21|2| are cross connected by the yoke-like portion 22, which is welded at 23 to the adjacent end member l2 of the frame I2. Thus the frame I2 and the underframe are united into a firm and rigid structure. The table top proper is furthermore supported by the underframe structure so that a long overhang is permissible without danger of making the table unstable. The structure as .a

whole is very compact and yet it is feasible to provide a table top some six inches longer than is customary in tables generally provided for this purpose.

ments, basins, etc.

The parts |9|9 also form convenient jhan'dle' grip portions which the operator may grasp when raising or lowering the table top.

The perforated metal member l4, while light, still functions to prevent the dropping of any of the instruments or other items therethrough. f It is essential in a table of this type that ele vation control beprovided so that the top can be placed in the most advantageous position for the surgeon or nurse as the case may be. Double eccentric means are provided whereby the table top may be locked or held in any placed position. Projecting outwardly from the ends of the base cross member I are pairs of spaced ears 3i!30, between each pair of which is positioned an eccentric member 3|. Since the eccentric structure on each side is essentially the same, a de scription of one will sufiicefor both. The eccentric member 3| is carried on a pivot '32, and is composed of spaced plates, 33-3-4, a circular metallic centerpiece 35, which is permanently secured to the member 34, and a non-metallic washer-like member 35 which is seated on the metallic centerpiece 35. The washer 36 is preferably formed of friction material such as a rub berized ,fabric, since such material is noiseless in action and provides adequate loclc'ng action with little efiort.

The plates 3 334 of member 3| are provided with extensions 33' '-34", to which one end of a toggle link 4|] is pivoted. The toggle link 40-extends upwardly and inwardly to a point centrally of the tubes 2|2| at which point it is pivotally connected to asimilar link 40 of the other ec centric locking structure. The pivot 4| connect;- ing links 40 w has-an extension 42 to which the, top end of an actuating rod 43 is secured. 'The rod 43- extends downwardly through a guide hole in the cross member 1, andat its lower end is connected by means, of a pivot pin 44, to-the foot actuatable lever 45. The foot actuatable lever 45 is pivoted at 46 to th left hand tubular frame member 6 (see Figs. 1 and 2) and has flattened parts 41, 48 at its ends to provide adequate surfaces for foot engagement. The part 49; is merely a guide to prevent the lever from swinging out of the desired plane in its up and down movements. t Between the cross member and the underside of the extension member 42-, an expansion spring 50 is positioned, which normally urges the actuating rod 43 upwardly.

Movement of the actuating rod 43 in an upward direction moves the toggle links in thesame direction and thereby causes the eccentric members 3| to swing in the direction of the arrows.

The position of the pivot 32- is such that the por- Thus there is provided anarnple areai for the reception of the various surgical instru tion 5| of the washer 33 swings into pressure contact with the adjacent tubular member 2|. Similar action of similar parts occurs at the opposite side. Thus, there is a double eccentric action serving to lock the tubular members 2|2| in the tubular parts 66 of the base. Hence the table top is firmly held in any placed position. Any slight movement of the tubular members 2|--2| downwardly while the eccentrics are in locking position only tends to swing them more firmly in th locking direction. It is, therefore, possible to place any necessary amount of equipment on the table top without imposing a load beyond the capacity of the locking equipment to hold the table parts in desired placed position. j

Should it be desired to locate the table top in some other position, it is but necessary to press down on the foot lever surface 48, which moves the toggle lever actuating rod 43 downwardly and thus through the toggle links 40-40 swings the eccentrics in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3, thereby relieving the pressure of the surface of the washers 36, against the adjacent tubular parts 2|'-2-|-, enough to permit the operator to grasp the table top and push it up or down until the desired position is reached. Upon releasing pressure on the foot lever, the spring 50, automatically restores the eccentric parts and associated mechanism to locking position. If it is desired to lock the parts more firmly than is possible through the action of the spring 5|] alone, it is but necessary to press on the foot surface 41 of the foot lever- 45, which thereby positively raises the actuator rod 43 and transmits the necessary additional locking action to the cocentrics 3|.

In operatingpractice, it is customary to cover the top of the table withasterile linen cover which also hangs downwardly around the sides. In attendance there is also a sterile surgical nurse. The structure described enables the sterile nurse herself to control the elevation height of the table by pressing downon the foot lever with one foot, as before described, and then grasp the table top by the hands and applying pressure either to raise or lower it, as desired, without removing or disturbing the sterile linen. Heretofore, operating roomsurgical tables, which must be adjustable as to height, have required a second nurse to make the adjustments. As frequently but one sterile nurse is in attendance, it has been necessaryto depend upon a secondnurse, who is unsterile, to make the necessary adjustments It is almost impossible to do this without contamination of the sterile field by the unsterile nurse. Where, as here, the sterile surgical nurse can herself make the adjustments, danger of contamination is avoided. t

e In Fig. 6 there is shown a T bar device60.

It'spsitidhhn thetable 119;? is Shown in 1'.

may be conveniently located and suitably separated for most efiicient' use.

If desired, the

member 60 may be placed on the table before the "sterile linen cover is positioned thereon, as the linen will naturally sag until-it engages the metal surface l4, thus providing the several com partments. In such position, it is not necessary for the member 60 to be sterile. Or, if desired,

the sterile linen may. first be placed on the .table and the member 60 placed thereover, in which event the member 60 will have been sterilized with the surgical instruments.

A table of this general construction may also be used as a bedside table, if desired, in which event it could be readily equipped with one or more drawers or shelves under the table top.

While describing the invention, I have referred in detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the parts involved, the same is to be considered only in the illustrative sense so that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. A table having a base structure and a top structure, the base structure including a pair of spaced upstanding vertically disposed tubular members, and the top structure including a pair of depending vertically disposed tubular members, the tubular members of the top and bottom telescopically interfitting, means for holding said telescopically interfitting tubular members against relative vertical movement, said means including an eccentric member for each pair of telescopic tubular members, toggle levers connected to the eccentric members and to each other, resilient means urging the toggle levers in a direction serving to swing the eccentric members into locking engagement with the associated tubular members, and manually operable means for moving the toggle levers in the opposite direction.

2. A table of the kind described and embodying therein a base, a top, an upright standard supporting the top from the base, the standard comprising a plurality of legs each including upper and lower leg portions having a sliding guided engagement with each other for relative longitudinal movement, providing different elevations for said top, means carried by like portions of said legs and including parts operating automatically to grip against the other like portions of said legs for holding said upper and lower leg portions against relative longitudinal movement in one desired elevation for the top, and means operative to release the grip of said parts of said first mentioned means from said other like portions of said legs to permit relative longitudinal movement of said upper and said lower leg portions for positioning said top at another desired elevation.

3. A table of the kind described and embodying therein a base, a top, an upright standard supporting the top from the base, thestandard comprising a. plurality of legs each including upper and lower leg portions having a sliding guided engagement with each other for relative longitudinal movement providing different elenations for said top, means carried by like portions of said legs and including eccentric members operating automatically to grip against the other like portions of said legs for holding said upper and lower leg portions against relative longitudinal movement in one desired elevation for the top, and means connected to said eccentric members and operable to cause said members to release their grip from said other like portions of said legs to permit said relative longitudinal movement of said upper and said lower leg portions for positioning said top at another desired elevation.

4. A table of the kind described and embodyingtherein a base, a top, an upright standard supporting the top from the base, the standard comprising a plurality of legs each including upper and lower leg portions having a sliding guided engagement with each other for relative longitudinal movement, providing different elevations for said top, means connecting like portions of said legs together, eccentric means turnably mounted in said means and having peripheral portions adapted to grip against the other like portions of said legs for holding said upper and lower leg portions against relative longitudinal movement in one desired elevation for the top, and means connected to said eccentric means and operative to release the grip of the same from said other like portion of said legs to permit said relative longitudinal movement of said upper and said lower leg portions for positioning said top at another desired elevation.

5. A table of the kind described and embodying therein a base, a top, an upright standard supporting the top from the base, the standard comprising a plurality of legs each including upper and lower leg portions having a sliding guided engagement with each other for relative longitudinal movement providing diilerent elevations for said top, means carried by like portions of said legs and including eccentric members operating automatically to grip against the other like portions of said legs for holding said upper and lower leg portions against relative longitudinal movement in one desired elevation for the top, and means including a pivotally mounted lever connected to said eccentric members, said lever when swung in one direction, operating through said means to cause said eccentric members to increase their grip against said other like portions of said legs, said lever when swung in the other direction operating through said means to release the grip of said eccentric members from said other like portions of said legs to permit said relative longitudinal movement of said upper and lower leg portions for positioning said top at another desired elevation.

6. A table of the kind described and embodying therein a base, a top, an upright standard supporting the top from the base and comprising a pair of laterally spaced legs each including upper and lower portions having a sliding guided engagement with each other for relative longitudinal movement, providing different elevations for said top, means connecting thelike portions of said legs together, eccentric members one for each leg turnably mounted in said connecting means and adapted to grip against or to release said other of said leg portions, an arm member connected to each eccentric member, a pivotally mounted lever member, a member connecting said lever member and said arm members, and means operating through one of said last three mentioned members for causing said arm members to move into a position wherein said eccentric members automatically grip against said other of said leg portions.

'7. A table of the kind described and embodying therein a base, a top, an upright standard supporting the top from the base and comprising a pair of laterally spaced legs each including upper and lower portions having a sliding guided "engagement with'each other for relative longitudinal movement, providing difierent elevations for said top, means connecting the upper ends of the lower leg portions together, eccentrics, one

for each leg mounted for a turning movement in said connecting means, an arm member connected to each eccentric and extending upwardly and inwardly toward each other and where they are operatively connected together, a lever member pivotally mounted on the lower portion of one of said legs toward the base, a rod member connected at one end to said lever member and to release the grip of said eccentrics from said 10 upper leg portions JOHN WM. BOREN.

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