US2500508A - Physical therapeutic table - Google Patents

Description

March 14, 1950 P. BACI-HN 2,500,508

PHYSICAL THERAPEUTIC TABL l Iii/Kgs March 14, 1950 P. BAcHlN PHYSICAL THERAPEUTIC TABLE origirial Filed April '7, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April 7, 1945 5 Shee'ns--Sheeil 5 gfffl. '39% g HP1-5 ZWM March 14, 1950 P. BACI-11N PHYSICAL THERAPEUTIC TABLEl original Filed April 7, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 "thu Peer ,365077 fw INVENTOR.

March 14, 1950 P. BACHIN 2 PHYSICAL THERAPEUTIC TABLE Original Filed April '7, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Pe fe 7' 07E/days Patented Mar. 14, 1950 PHYSICAL THERAPEUTIC TABLE Peter Bachin, Chicago, Ill.

Refiled for abandoned application Serial No. 587,079/2, April 7, 1945. This application June 25, 1946, Serial No. 679,130

2 Claims. (C1. 12S-24.1)

This instant application is a reflle of my application Serial No. 587,0791/2, filed April 7, 1945, previously abandoned, and relates to improvements in physical therapeutic tables.

The main object of the invention is to provide a table of the class described for administering simultaneously or successively heat and mechanical vibration to a human body recumbent on said table and afflicted with chronic or acute diseases as arthritis, rheumatism, circulatory disturbances or suffering from excessive weight.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the class described and of simple, enduring and economical construction and low operating cost.

These and other objects willbecome apparentv as the following description is read in which the novelty of construction, combination and ar'.- rangement is set forth in detail. The description is amply illustrated in the accompanying.

drawings forming part of the application and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section on line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan View of the table after the removal of the box and legs.

Figure 5 is a detail top plan view of the box.

Figure 6 is an elevation of the left hand (Figs. 1-3) end.

Figure 7 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical detail section on line 'l--1 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail bottom plan view of the detail shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical detail section on line 9--9 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is an enlarged end View of the fan and motor.

Figure 11 is a wiring diagram of the electric circuits.

Figure 12 is a top plan view of a modified form of my invention.

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the box of the modication after removal of the rest for the patient.

Figure 14 is a vertical longitudinal central section on line I4-I4 of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a second modification.

Figure 16 is a wiring diagram of the same.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference designate like or similar parts throughout the several views, the invention is shown as embodied in a substantially rectangular table or support having near its corners four legs 5 each provided at its lower end with a foot 6 resting on a suitable supporting surface (Figs. 2, 3, 6)

Between .the upper end portions o the legsv is l arranged a box comprising a pair of parallel lon` gitudinal boards B and a pair vof parallel transverse boards 9, both standing on edge and supporting at their lower ends a bottom board i0.

(Figs. 2, 3, 5). Each leg is provided at its upper end with an axial spring socket l2 opening through such end.

A plurality of spaced similar sockets are formed in each of the longitudinal box-boards and open through the upper edges thereof. Each socket provides a seat for the lower portion of a steel A spring I4, the upper end of which is seated in one of a corresponding plurality of sockets lf-l'.

formed. in a table top I8 having dependingvv longi' tudinal `and transverse walls 20 the lower ends.

of which are disposed slightly below the top sur`` `face of the legs and table box and exte'riorly thereto (Figs. 3, 9). Angles 22 are attached by their upper horizontal legs and fasteners 23. to .Y

the lower face of the table top and also comprise Vertical legs each provided at its lower end with v a slot 25 in which a headed screw pin 26 slides. .f The inner end of the pin is embedded in or otherf. wise secured `to the outer side of one of the transverse boards.

The table top supports a couch and is covered l. on its upper surface and sides with upholstery l. 28 held in place by a cover 3G of leather or otherv suitable material fastened by fasteners 3l to the are arranged in spaced relation adjacent the head rest while the other two extend from the foot rest (Fig. 1).

A bearing block 38 is attached by flanges ex- The cap and the bearing block provide a mounting for the housing frame of a motor M which has a shaft 42 carrying upon one end by meansA of a set screw 43 a fan 45. From the hub of the Alatter extend in diametrically opposite directions a pair of screws 4l on which weights 48 may be threaded (Figs. 3, 4). Figure 10 shows three weights on the right hand screw and one weight on the left hand screw to indicate the eccentri loading of the motor shaft. .v

The central part 50 of the box bottom l0 be neath the motor is slightly dished and provided with a pair of air openings l. Similar openings are provided on opposite sides of the dished bottom portion (Fig. 3, 5). The central portions of the longitudinal box boards also have air openings 5l (Fig. 2, 5).

The dished part 50 and adjacent flatrparts of the box bottom form the bottom of a chamber for the motor also bounded by a pair oi vertical partitions 55 preferably of heat insulating ma terial. These partitions are supported at their lower edges by the box bottom and each also separates the motor chamber from a heat chamber bounded by a partition 55 adjacent either transverse end of the table box (Fig. 5)

Each heat chamber communicates with the atmosphere through some of the slots 36 and a large air aperture 51 formed in the box bottom and adapted to be wholly or partially closed by disc 68l of substantially circular'shape and including a radial ear whereby the disc is pivoted upon `a screw l!) threaded into the box bottom from the lower Vside thereof.

The bottom of each heat chamber is covered with heat insulating material G2 having holes registering with lthe apertures 5l and supporting threeV pairs of' insulators 63. In the leit hand heat' chamber three electrical heating elements or resistors a, b, a are each supported at their ends bya pair of electrical insulators. In the right hand heat chamber resistors c, b, c are supported in a similar manner. The resistors b ex'- tend diagonally from the left hand end of one ofthe-:resistors a or c to the right hand end of4 the other resistoria on vc (Fig; 1l) .f

That figure also shows electrical 'circuits for the motor'andv resistors and including terminals 65, 66 talking the usual form of prongs embedded in 'ahol'der and adapted for connection to an electric socket. These terminals are connected by conductors 61, 68 to conductors t3, 1! the other ends of which connect to the motor M. One or both of the connections between conductors 6T, 69 and 68, 'l0 are switches (not shown) controlled by a timer T mounted on the control board 16 attached by fasteners 23 to the outer side of the lower half of the left hand transverse box board 9 (Fig. 3, 6). The timer may be set fory various periods at the ends of which it opens the switch or switches.'

From the conductor 10 extend shunts 1|, l2, 73 each' containing a manually operable switch a-`-a, b-b, c-c respectively. Each of these switches which control the connections between their respective shunt and conductor l may be manipulated by a button l5 which is also mounted on the control'board T6.

Each shunt 'Il 13 divides into two branches ll connected to a pair of resistors denoted by the same letter. The resistors a, b, a and c, b, c in the two` heat chambers are also connected by conductors 19 to conductor G9. In the conductor lil is `arheostat including a, variable resistance 3D which may wholly or partially be made a part of the circuit by the swinging of a contact arm 82'having contact at its outer end with the resistance. In the conductor 1D is also a manually operable motor switch 84 having a button t5 mounted on the control board.

After the patient has placed himself upon the couch forming the top of the table the instrumentalities on the control boardwhich are pre sumedto bein inoperative position, are manipulated according to the kind of treatment desired.

If it be assumed that the latter is to consist of the administration of vibrations, the timer is set for the period during which the vibrating treatment is to continue. 5 The motor switch 84 is closed with the rheostat arm 82 disposed at or near the free or dead end of the resistance 80 (Fig. ll). The switches a-c, b-b, c-c, are presumed to be open and stay open during a purely vibratory treatment. By moving the contact arm 82 clockwise the speed of the motor may be increased to the desiredI value. The eccentric load on the motor shaft (Fig. 10) develops a dynamic load or unbalancedcentrifugal force transmitted through the bearing block and cap to the couch which moves up andV do'wn and during the latter movement'compressesthesprings I4. During the verticallyreciprocating movement the slotted legs of the angles 22 slide on the pins 26. This vibratory treatment will automatically stop at the end of the period for which the timer has been set.

It the'patient is to receive a heat treatment only the motor switch M is opened and the timer is set ,for the period during which the treatment is to be administered. Switches a-a, b-b, c-c, or any of them are then closed to heat the resistors and the admission of air to the heat chambers is regulated by the discs 5B. Convection` currents of heated air emerge through all or some oithe slots 36. At the end of the period for which the timer is set, the latter interrupts the circuit.

Obviously the patient may also receive vibratory and heatv treatments at the same time.

Figures .12, 13 and 14 show a modified 4,form ci my invention 'which has parts also commento the preferred embodiment and indicated by charact'ers of reference found in both embodiments. These parts are therefore described by reference tothe description oi the corresponding parts of Figure 1-11.

The slots 36 are arranged transversely of the couch and are not limited to any specific number. Figure 12`shows four of such slots arranged adjacent either end of the couch. The space between the two innermost slots of the two sets each numbering four, has four slots each of a length oi about one-third of the length of the 50 longer slots and aligned with a slot extending from. the opposite, longitudinal side of the couch.

The inner ends of the pair of short slots extending from one of the longitudinal sides of the couch are spaced from the inner ends oi the 55 short slots extending from the opposite longitudinal side.

To the underside oi the space between the inner ends of the short slots is secured by ilanges extending from the upper ends oi its sides and 60 fasteners 39, the bearing block 38 which carries on its lower side a cap 4U. The cap and the bearing block afford a mounting .for a motor M which includes a shaft 42 carrying upon one end a ian 45. The motor shaft may be eccentrically 65 loadedl by means illustrated in Figure l0.

A box 3T of heat insulating material encloses the lower portionoi the bearing block, the cap, motor and ian and rests with its lower wall edges upon the central part ol the box bottom Hl.

The box B-IU has four vertical transverse partitions 55' the two innermost one of which form withv the intermediate portions of the longitudinal boards 8 a chamber for the motor and ian and for a pair of resistors b. The motor and 75 ian are protected by the box 31 from the heat generated by the resistors which extend parallel to the longitudinal boards 8 of the box. Each insulator is supported at either end by an insulator 63.

In either of the chambers bounded by one inner and one outer partition 55 is a pair of similar resistors a, a and c, c respectively, arranged in parallelism to one another and the longitudinal boards 8.

The resistors are connected to one another and a source of current in a manner similar to the arrangement of Figure 11. The motor and the resistors are further controlled by a timer and switches as shown in that Figure 11, which also shows a rheostat controlling the motor.

Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a second modification which is distinguished from the heretofore described embodiments by arranging the control means such as timer, motor and resistors, switches and rheostat in a separate control box 2 so that these control means may be manipulated from the outside of the control box. The same is supported on a table 3. A conductor cable 4 is cornposed of conductors still to be described and connecting the motor and resistors in the table box to the control means in the control box 2.

In the wiring diagram of Figure 16 conductors 61, 68 are adapted for connection to a source of current and are also connected to conductors GS, respectively. One or both of the connections between conductors 61, 69 and. 68, 18 are switches (not shown) controlled by a timer T mounted on the outer face of the front wall ci the box 2. rlhe conductor 69 is connected to one side of the motor, the other side of which is connected to one end of the conductor 1D. The same is connected to shunts 1l, 12, 13 each containing a manualiy operable resistor switch a-a, b-b, cc, respectively. Each switch may be manipulated by a button on the outer side of the front wall of the control box 2. The other end of each shunt is connected to one terminal of a pair of resistors a, a, b, b, c, c, respectively, each pair of resistors preferably administering heat to a particular part of the body. The other terminals of each pair of resistors are connected by a branch 19 to the conductor 69.

In the conductor 10 is a rheostat comprising a variable resistance 80 which may wholly or partially be made part of the motor circuit by the swinging of the contact arm 82 having contact at its outer end with the resistance.

The inner or pivot end of this arm is connected to the iixed contact of a motor switch 88 having a button 85 mounted on the front wall of the control box 2. The pivot end of the arm of switch 84 is connected to the return conductor 10.

From each conductor 1l, 12, 13 extends a branch conductor 14 containing a lamp Z and connected at the other end to the conductor 89.

The operation of the arrangement of Figure 16 depends on whether the treatment is to be purely vibratory or purely heat administering or a combination of both. In the case that the treatment is to be purely vibratory, only the motor switch is closed with the rheostat arm positioned upon the outer end of the resistance 82. Then the rheostat arm is moved towards the inner end of the resistance to the extent desired.

The switches a, a, b-b, c-c when closed will cause the respective pair of the resistors to administer heat to a particular part of the body.

The closed state of one of the resistor switches is indicated by the burning of the lamp Z in the respective branch 14.

While the foregoing disclosure discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention in its specific details, 1 desire it to be understood that these details are mere examples, not limitations of the invention and that changes or modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims,

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A therapeutic table for administering heat and vibration treatments comprising a box p0rtion having side and end walls and a bottom wall, adjustable legs supporting said box portion, a patient supporting, upholstered table top mounted on said box, said table top having spaced apart,

- air circulating slots therein, resilient means interposed between said table top and said box, an electric motor having a dynamically unbalanced shaft secured to the under side of said table top at or adjacent the center thereof to impart mechanical vibrations thereto, transverse partitions dividing the interior of said box portion into a motor cl'iamber and separate heat chambers, electric heating elements in each heat chamber, and an electric circuit connecting said motor and said heating elements with a source of electrical energy, said circuit including manually operated switches controlling said motor and said heating elements respectively.

2. A therapeutic table for administering heat and vibration treatments comprising a box portion having side and end walls and a bottom wall, adjustable legs supporting said box portion, a patient supporting, upholstered table top mounted on said box, said table top having spaced apart, air circulating slots therein, resilient means interposed between said table top and said box, an electric motor having a dynamically unbalanced shaft secured to the under side oi said table top at or adjacent the center thereof to impart mechanical vibrations thereto, transverse partitions dividing the interior of said box portion intov a motor chamber and separate heat chambers, electric heating elements in each heat chamber, an electric circuit connecting said motor and said heating elements with a source of electrical energy, said circuit including manually operated switches controlling said motor and said heating elements respectively, and a fan on said motor shaft impelling a flow of air through said motor chamber to remove excess heat therefrom.

PETER BACHIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 941,673 Church Nov. 30, 1909 1,643,399 Wentworth Sept. 27, 1927 1,797,306 Webb Mar. 24, 1931 2,063,612 Sittler Jan. 19, 1937 2,235,158 Krenzke Mar. 18, 1941 2,425,655 Tomkins Aug. 12, 1947

Images