US2712484A - Physician's examining table - Google Patents

Description

R. T. ADOLPHSON PHYSICIANS EXAMINING TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 5, 1955 Filgd July '7, 1953 2/ 1$ :40 FIG.2. 3; I I

. INVENTOR.

" OY 00 PH ON FIG.8. T A L s flfTfi/i/Vf) y 1955 R. T. ADOLPHSON PHYSICIANS EXAMINING TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July '7, 1953 will FIG. 3.

INVENTOR.

RoY T ADOLPHSON Fatented July 5, 1955 riaysromns nxAMiNrNo Tania Adolplisou, Wehstei Groves, Me assignor to Shnrnpnine ilsrnpany, St. Louis, him, a corporation of Missouri Appiication July 7, 1953, Serial No. 366,425

3 Ciaims. (Ci. 311-7) This invention relates in general to certain new and useful improvements in leg-rests for physicians examining tables.

Most surgeons and medical diagnostlcians maintain a suite of ofiices contain ng one or more patient exammmg rooms and furnish such rooms with instrument cabinets and other utilitarian articles of furniture which are useful and necessary in examining patients. Such examing rooms are usually small and the examining physician frequently finds himself inconvenienced and crowded by reason of the fact that conventional examining tables are relatively large and cumbersome. Furthermore, in many types of diagnostic and surgical examinations, such as, for example, proctological and gynecological examlnations, it is necessary to elevate the feet of the patient and make a diagnostic inspection of the lower portions of the patients abdomen. In making such examinations using conventional types of examining tables, the physician finds considerable difiiculty in approaching the patient closely for the reason that the conventional type of table does not allow adequate foot-room and knee-room. in fact, when a physician is doing a proctoscopic examination, for example, and is accordingly seated on a stool at the foot of the examining table, it is necessary for the physician to spread his knees very widely apart in an extremely uncomfortable position in order to be close enough to the patient for proper utilization of the necessary instruments and examining procedures.

Consequentl although the patient-supporting surface of the examining table must be relatively wide at the foot to provide support for stirrups and other necessary equipment which may be required for positioning the patient preparatory to and during the examination, it is nevertheless desirable that the supporting structure upon which the table top is mounted should, in the region of the foot, be relatively narrow and arranged to provide a maximum amount of toe-room and knee-room for the examining physician. This latter requirement, however, is complicated by the fact that a physicians examining table ordinarily must be provided with a type of disappearing leg-rest upon which the patients legs may be horizontally supported in overhanging relation to the foot-end of the examining table. The leg-rest should be strong enough to support the entire weight of the patient if for any reason the physician may desire to have the patient use this structure as a seat, and should be capable of being shifted quickly and conveniently from its operative or leg-supporting position into an inoperative position in which it is completely out of the way so as to leave the foot-end of the examining table entirely unobstructed.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a physicians examining table having a fully concealed legrest which can be shifted from operative or leg-supporting position to an inoperative or concealed position in which it is completely out of the way and leaves the footend of the examining table entirely unobstructed.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, ar-

" with three vertically aligned drawers 2.

rangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (two sheets) Figure l is a perspective view of a physicians examing table constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention, showing the leg-rest in concealed position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the footend of the physicians examining table showing the legrest in operative or leg-supporting position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the physicians examining table, partly broken away and in section;

Figures 4, 5, and 6 are fragmentary sectional views taken along lines 44, 5-5, and 6-6, respectively, of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7 of Figure 6, showing a portion of the leg-rest structure in the position which it will assume when the leg-rest is in inoperative position;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to Figure 7, showing a portion of the leg-rest structure in the position which it will assume when the leg'rest is in operative or leg-supporting position.

Referring now in more detail and by reference numerals to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, A designates a physicians examining table comprising a rectilinear base 1 having a hollow interior, and conventionally provided Joined to and extending outwardly from, the central portion of the base 1 is a relatively narrow rectilinear base extension 3 also having a hollow interior and being conventionally provided along its outwardly presented end wall or footend, with three vertically spaced drawers 4 and a leg support or leg-rest 5. The base extension 3 is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center line of the examining table A, and thus, in eifect, presents a somewhat T-shaped horizontal cross-sectional configuration.

Rigidly fastened to, and extending horizontally across the top of, the base 1 and base-extension 3 is a rectilinear table top 6 integrally provided around its peripheral margins with a relatively wide depending apron or flange 7. As will be noted by reference to Figure 1, the apron 7 is substantially flush with the drawers 2- and leg-rest 5 when the latter are in closed position, and, furthermore, the top 6 is of uniform width throughout its length so as to overhang the base-extension 3 on both sides and thereby provide a relatively large recessed area, so that the examining physician can stand close to the edge of the table top 6 and still have ample toe room directly therebeneath, or can easily and comfortably straddle the foot-end of the base-extension 3 when making examinations requiring such proximity to the patient. Hingedly secured upon the upper face of the table top 6 and to each other, in a manner conventionally employed in physi ians examining tables, are two substantially rectilinear upholstered top members 8, 9, which, when fitted together in end to end relationship, have substantially the same peripheral size and contour as the table top 6.

Although not forming a part of the present invention and, therefore, not shown or described herein, the present physicians examining table, in common with all physicians examining tables, is provided with some type of adjustment mechanism whereby the back-forming top member 9 can be swung upwardly into approximately vertical position in relation to the seat-forming top member 8 to form therewith a structure resembling a chair, so that the patient may be seated therein while the physician is examining the head and chest. Consequently, top member 8 is relatively short for serving alternatively as :slot 29, loosely embracing the rod 21.

a chair seat and the top member 9 is relatively long for V alternatively'serving as a chair back when the examining table A is in so-called chair position. The present invention does, however, extend to the unique provision of indented under-cut slots 8, 9', extending transversely along the forward and rearward edges, respectively, of the top'members 8, 9, to provide for convenience in manually gripping and operating these elements from any adjacent location.

The leg rest 5, consists of a rectangular panel 10,

' formed of wood, metal or any other suitable material and upholstered; on its external face and edges with'a layer of padding, 11, and a covering of leather-simulated plastic sheet, 12. It should be understood in this connection, of course, that fabric or genuine leather may be used instead of the plastic sheet, 12, if so desired. The upholstered panel 10 is dimensioned and marginally shaped so as to conform to, and fit above the drawers 4, as a smooth, attractive appearing continuation thereof and in effect form therewith an attractively designed end wall for the base extension 3. The upholstered panel 10 furthermore serves as a vertical closure for a rectangular aperture, 13, which opens into the hollow interior of the base.

The base extension 3 includes side walls 14, 14', rigidly mounted upon the interior faces thereof, in horizontally aligned opposing relation, is a pair of horizontal channels 15, 15', shiftably supporting channel shaped horizontal slide rails 16, 16', respectively, which are shaped for snug-fitting, slidable, nested disposition there- :14.

in substantially as shown in Figure 5. At their interior ends the slide rails 16, 16' are provided with vertical stop- I pins 17, 17 respectively, which project a short distance above and below the slide rails 16, 16 for stop-forming abutment against the inwardly presented ends of the stationary channels '15, 15. The slide rails 16, 16' are furthermore transversely connected to each other adjacent to their inner ends by a relatively wide transversely extending plate 18, which is welded or otherwise rig-idly secured at its transverse ends to the slide rails 16, 16.

At their inner ends the slide rails 16, 16' are transversely connected by a U-shaped channel 19, which is welded or otherwise rigidly secured at its ends thereto and extends tranversely therebetween, being spaced inwardly from the forward ends of the slide rails 16, 16, by a distance approximately equal to the vertical height of the slide rails 16, 16', and having a web 20 which is inclined inwardly and upwardly, for purposes presently more fully appearing. Also, rigidly mounted at its ends in, and extending horizontally between, the slide rails 16, 16, is a rod 21, the center line of which is midway between the upper and lower margins of the slide rails 16, 16, and midway between the vertical end margins of the slide rails 16, 16' and the forwardly presented inclined face of the channel web 20. 7

Provided for shiftable and rocking disposition upon the rod 21 are two similarly shaped leg-rest supporting arms 22, 22', the upper ends of which are tiiangularly enlarged to provide bracket-like supporting elements 23 rigidly V fastened to the back face 24 of the panel 10. In this connectiornit should be noted that the face 24 of the panel 10 is vertical and presented inwardly to the hollow interior of the base extension 3, when the leg-rest 5 is in inoperative or concealed position, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and. conversely, the face 24 is presented downwardly when the leg rest 5 is in operative or leg-supporting position as shown in Figure 2. V V

The arms 22, 22', are provided with lower or straight portions 25, 25, having opposite flanges 26, 27, transversely connected by a fiat web 23, the lower end of which is, in turn, provided with a longitudinally extending The web 28 is furthermore cut awayat its lower extremity in the provision of an arcuately contoured edge 36 which abuts against the lower portion of the panel web 20 just at the point of juncture with the flange 27. The flange 25 furthermore extends inwardly beyond the point of juncture with the edge 3% in the provision of a stop-lip 31 which engages the underface of the channel 19 when the leg-,

rest 5 is in inoperative or concealed position, as best seen in Figure 7.

When it is desired to shift the leg-rest 5 from its concealed or inoperative position, as shown in Figures 1 and 10 is swung upwardly about the rod 21 and the stop-lips 31 will thus swing downwardly away from the channel at the same time the edge is contoured so as to clear the channel 19. As the leg-rest 5 approaches the position shown in Figure 2, the panel 10 will approach a position in which its rear edge is in upwardly spaced alignment with the forwardly presented transversed edge of the upholstered top member 8, and the lower or straight portions 25, 25', of the leg- rest supporting arms 22, 22, will assume the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 8. Thereupon, the leg-rest 5 may be dropped down a short distance so that the lower ends 25, 25, of the legrest supporting arms 22, 22, will assume the position shown in full lines in Figure 8. In this position the upper margins of the slots 29 rests upon the rod 21 and the rearwardly presented faces of the flanges 26 are snugly engaged against the forwardly presented inclined face of the channel web 20. By reason of the vertical inclination of the channel web 29 the leg- rest supporting arms 22, 22, will extend upwardly and rearwardly at a slight angle to the vertical so that the panel 10 will, at its rearward edge, be approximately flush with the upper face of the upholstered top member 3 and will incline outwardly and upwardly therefrom at a slight angle to the horizontal r so as to provide a comfortably supporting surface for the patients legs when the physician desires to have them in outwardly, extending or overhanging position with respect to the foot-end of the examining table A. A r 7 When it is desired to return the leg-rest 5 to concealed or inoperative position the panel 10 is lifted upwardly and then swung outwardly and downwardly so that the leg-rest supporting arms 22, 22', will resume the horizontal position shown in Figure 7 and the entire sliding structure is pushed inwardly to the position shown in Figure8. lt will be noted in this connection that in concealed or inoper ativc position, the panel 10 assumes a vertical position in line with the outwardly presented vertical faces of the drawer 4 and presents a smooth attractive uniform ap pearance. V

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the physicians examining table may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle 7 of my invention. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: a

1. In a physicians examining table comprising a horizontal top having a head-end and a foot-end, a base mounted on the under side of the top in supporting relation thereto, said base being provided with a hollow space 2. In a physicians examining table comprising a horizontal top having a head-end and a foot-end, a base mounted on the under side of the top in supporting relation thereto, said base being provided with a hollow space extending inwardly from said foot-end and an aperture opening from said space outwardly through the foot-end; a disappearing leg-rest comprising horizontally shiftable slide means operatively mounted within said space, a leg-rest member adapted to fit closurewise across said aperture, said leg-rest member having an inwardh extending arm rockably and slidably connected at its inner end to the slide means, first stop means on the slide for optional engagement with the arm to hold the latter in horizontal position as a forward continuation of the slide, and second stop means also optionally engageable with said arm to hold the latter in substantially upright position with an edge of the leg-rest in abutment against the transverse edge of said foot-end.

3. In a physicians examining table comprising a horizontal top having a head-end and a foot-end, a base mounted on the under side of the top in supporting relation thereto, said base being provided with a hollow space extending inwardly from said footend and an aperture opening from said space outwardly through the foot-end; a disappearing leg-rest comprising horizontally shiftable slide means operatively mounted within said space, said slide means having a forward end presented toward and being adapted for extension through the aperture and being provided at such forward end with pivot forming projections and a laterally extending cross element having a forwardly presented substantially upright flat face, a leg-rest member including a panel adapted for optional disposition in inoperative position in which it is located closurewise across said aperture and in an operative position in which it is located in an approximately horizontal leg-rest forming position as an extension of the foot-end of the tabletop, and leg-rest supporting arms rigidly aflixed to the side of said panel which is presented downwardly when the panel is in its substantially horizontal position, said arms extending downwardly from the panel and being slidably and rockably connected at their lower ends to said pivot forming projections and having flat flanges for engagement against the inclined face at the forward end of the slide means whereby the leg supporting arms and panel are locked in vertical position, said flanges being of such length that when the leg-rest supporting arms are shifted upwardly with respect to the pivot forming projections the flanges become disengaged and the leg-rest member can then be swung outwardly and downwardly to a position in which the leg-rest supporting arms are substantially horizontal so that the leg-rest member and slide can be pushed inwardly as a unit bringing the panel into closure forming position across the aperture.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 184,559 Travis Nov. 21, 1876 225,230 McCabe Mar. 9, 1880 321,078 Birckhead June 30, 1885 590,268 Lee Sept. 21, 1897 939,827 Greilick Nov. 9, 1909 1,262,216 Lee Apr. 9, 1918 1,517,960 Cuccia Dec. 2, 1924 1,649,053 Allison Nov. 15, 1927 2,306,031 Anderson et a1. Dec. 22, 1942

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