US3655179A - Physician{40 s examining table upholstered top construction - Google Patents

Abstract

An upholstered top for a physician''s examining table, having a head and a foot section of which at least one section is pivotable. The top comprises a pair of frames adapted to be pivotally secured to the table, two pan-like liners which are secured to the frame, a one-piece foam cushion which is supported by the liners, and a formed one-piece vinyl cover. The cover is secured to the upper surface of the cushion, and it is also secured to the liners by a lip formed at the lower edge of the cover. Both the cushion and cover have an easily cleaned broad crease at the pivot axis to facilitate bending of the cushion and cover on pivoting of the head and foot sections. The foot section of the top has a shallow V-shaped cutaway at the end of the foot section to facilitate using a treatment pan while adequately supporting the patient.

Description

llnited States atent Lelugas [45] Apr. 11, 1972 1 PHYSICIAN 'S EXAMINING TABLE 3,334,951 8/1967 Douglass, Jr. et a1 ..269/328 x UPHOLSTERED TOP CONSTRUCTION 3,339,913 9/ 1967 Anderson ..269/328 [72] Inventor: Joseph J. Lelugas, Two Rivers, Wis. [73] Assignee: American Hospital Supply Corporation,

Evanston, Ill.

[22] Filed: Aug. 29, 1969 [21] App1.No.: 854,178

[52] US. Cl ..269/324, 5/91 [51] Int. Cl ..A61g 13/00 [58] Field of Search ..269/322, 323, 324, 325, 326,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,186,059 3/1916 Yarrington ..5/91 X 2,581,646 l/ 1952 Froelich ..269/322 2,596,986 5/ 1952 Curtis ..269/324 X 2,605,151 7/1952 Shampaine ..269/322 2,700,381 l/ 1955 Powell ..269/328 3,137,493 6/1964 Kanzelberger et a1. ..269/322 Primary Examiner-Andrew R. J uhasz Assistant Examiner-James F. Coan Attomey-Hibben, Noyes & Bicknell 57] ABSTRACT An upholstered top for a physician's examining table, having a head and a foot section of which at least one section is pivotable. The top comprises a pair of frames adapted to be pivotally secured to the table, two pan-like liners'which are secured to the frame, a one-piece foam cushion which is supported by the liners, and a formed one-piece vinyl cover. The cover is secured to the upper surface of the cushion, and it is also secured to the liners by a lip formed at the lower edge of the cover. Both the cushion and cover have an easily cleaned broad crease at the pivot axis to facilitate bending of the cushion and cover on pivoting of the head and foot sections. The foot section of the top has a shallow V-shaped cutaway at the end of the foot section to facilitate using a treatment pan while adequately supporting the patient.

2 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Patented April 11, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 66 76 2 65% as w llr. nk?

Patented April 1 1, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Full l l lllg l l l l Hl l H T W m? v WWW Patented April 11, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet S Patented A ril 11, 1972 3,655,179

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 PHYSICIAN'S EXAMININ G TABLE UPIIOLSTERED TOP CONSTRUCTION DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Physicians examining tables usually are provided with an upholstered top, supported from the floor by abase. A patient may sit or recline on the upholstered top. Frequently, the top has been provided with a head and a foot section, with at least one of these sections being pivotable. Such pivotable section may be inclined at an angle to facilitate examination of the patient by the physician. Usually the top comprises two frames adapted to be secured to the cabinet, a liner which is secured to the frame, a cushion resting on the liner, and a cover which fits over the cushion and is secured to the liner.

Frequently, the head and foot section were formed separately, and there was a narrow gap between the head and foot sections of the table, as is shown in the Demack U.S. Pat. No. 2,267,973, so that at least one of the sections could be pivoted to an inclined position. The disadvantage of the narrow gap was that it was difficult to keep clean and accumulated dirt.

As shown in the Katsfey U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,893 a physicians examining table may be provided with a treatment pan at the foot end of the table. The treatment pan is used during certain types of examinations or procedures. Heretofore, the treatment pan was contained underneath the top, and a cutout was provided in the foot section of the top for access to the pan. In order to support the patient adequately during other uses of the table, a special insert was placed in the cutout which closed the cutout area when the pan was not in use. The cutout and insert are expensive to make, and for a low cost table the cutout and insert were omitted.

In accordance with the present invention, these disadvantages of prior constructions have been eliminated by providing a physicians examining table having a base, in this instance in the form of a cabinet, and an upholstered top, said top having pivotable head and foot sections. The upholstered top comprises head and foot frames, liner means, a one-piece cushion, and a one-piece cover, the cushion and cover extending over both sections. The use of a one-piece cushion and a one-piece cover simplify assembly of the top. To provide for pivoting of the sections of the top and also to prevent wrinkling the cover, a broad crease is formed at the pivot axis of the head and foot sections in the cushion and cover. Since there are no seams and only a broad crease in the top between the sections, the top may be easily cleaned.

Further in the foot section of the top at the outward end thereof, there is located a shallow V-shaped cutaway which permits the use of a treatment pan while still adequately supporting the patient. By providing the V-shaped cutaway in the foot end it is possible to use one top for either an examining table with a treatment pan or an examining table without a treatment pan.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the front side of a physicians examining table having an upholstered top embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the foot end of the table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the upholstered top shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 77 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the upholstered top;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the portion shown in FIG. 8.

An upholstered top for a physicians examining table embodying the invention is shown in FIG. I. The table has a base, in this instance in the form of a cabinet I l, and an upholstered top 12. The cabinet 11 may be supported on the floor by height adjustable legs 13. The front side and foot end of the cabinet as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may contain drawers 14 for storage of the physicians equipment, and a step stool 16. At the upper part of the foot end of the cabinet there may be provided stirrups 17 and a treatment pan 21 for the convenience of the physician in performing certain examinations. Support brackets 22 for the top 12 are secured to the cabinet 11.

The upholstered top 12 is supported on the cabinet 11 and has a head section 23 and a foot section 24 which are pivotally secured to the support brackets 22 of the cabinet. The upholstered top (FIGS. 5 and 6) comprises head and foot frames 26 and 27 which are adapted to be pivotally secured to the cabinet, a single cushion 28 for both sections, liner means 29 which is secured to the frames and supports the cushion, and a cover 30. Formed between the head and foot sections 23 and 24 of the top is an easily cleaned wide or broad crease 31 which permits the cover 30 and the cushion 28 of the top to be pivoted without wrinkling, and in the end of the foot section 24 of the top is provided a shallow V-shaped cutaway 32 to pennit the use of a treatment pan 21 while adequately supporting a patient on the top.

In more detail, as shown in FIG. 4, the head frame 26 follows the outline of the top and is formed by a U-shaped tube 33. Across the open end of the U-shape of the tube 33 there is a cross brace 34 to which are secured hinge links 36 upon which the head frame 26 pivots. A reinforcing box 35 further reinforces the frame 26 so that it may be supported in an inclined position from only one side. The head frame 26 may be supported in an inclined position by support rod means 38 which is located only at the back side of the table and which is pivotally secured to the reinforcing box 35 and extends into the cabinet 11.

The foot frame 27 may be held in an inclined position by support link means 39 which is located between the foot frame 27 and the top of cabinet 11. The foot frame 27 also generally follows the outline of the upholstered top 12 and is formed from an M-shaped tube 37 having side portions 41 and a center V-shaped portion 42 so as not to interfere with the use of the treatment pan at the V-shaped cutaway 32. Across the open ends of the M-shaped tube 37 there is a cross brace 43 to which are secured hinge links 44 upon which the foot frame 27 pivots.

In this instance, the liner means of the upholstered top comprises two separate liners 54 and 56 (FIGS. 8 and 9) secured to the respective frames to support the cushion. The liners 54 and 56 are, in this instance, made from sheet metal and their components may be spot welded together. The head liner 56 is generally in the shape of a shallow inverted pan having a flat top portion 57 with vertical side and end portions 61 bent downwardly at right angles from the flat portion 57. The outward corners of the flat portion are rounded, and thin strips 62 are secured to the vertical sides 61 and follow the rounded corners of the flat portion 57. At the edge of the flat portion 57 adjacent the hinge, near the front and back sides, two cutouts 63 in the flat portion are provided to permit the hinge links 36 to extend therethrough and to clear the support brackets 22 when the top is horizontal. Near the outer edge, opposite the hinge edge, of the flat portion 57, is formed a rectangular opening 64. Above and adjacent to this rectangular opening 64 is secured, as by welding, an inverted box 66. The area enclosed by the box is used to store a paper roll 65 (FIG. 1) which is supported by the head liner.

The foot liner 56 is of similar construction as the head liner 54 and generally follows the outline of the upholstered top. The foot liner has a flat portion with similarly formed vertical sides 67, rounded comers with thin strips 70, and cutouts 71. The outer edge, opposite the hinge edge, of the foot liner, has at its center a shallow V-shaped cutaway 32 for purposes heretofore described and has an additional rounded corner formed at the center of the V.

The cushion 28 provides a soft support for the patient and is generally shaped similar to the upholstered top 12. The cushion is secured to the head and foot liners 54 and 56, but unlike the liners, the cushion is made in one piece from, preferably, a cellular material such as polyether urethane foam. The shape of the cushion 28 is best shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. While the cushion 28 may be made by foaming the cushion in place underneath the cover 30, in this instance, the cushion is formed separately such as by molding the cushion. The cushion 28 has on its upper surface a dished portion 72, a pillow portion 73 at the head end, raised side portions 74 which give the patient a feeling of security, and has vertical side portions 75. The underside of the cushion is hollowed out as is indicated at 76 to receive the head liner 54 and foot liner 56. Further hollowing out as indicated at 81 is provided in the cushion 28, on the front and back sides, near the hinge links 36 and 44 of the frames for clearance between the hinge links and the cushion.

Directly above the pivotal axis of hinge links 33 and 44 at the upper surface of the cushion 28 is provided a broad crease having a generally rectangular cross section. To form the crease 31 which has vertical walls and a bottom wall and extends from the front side to the back side of the cushion. The crease 31 is of sufficient depth to permit the cushion 28 of the top to bend at the crease when the sections 23 and 24 are pivoted. The crease 3] is broad, so that the crease may be easily cleaned. This construction of the crease permits the sections to pivot but yet is not so wide as to fail to give support to the patient since there is no large gap between the sections. The cushion has at its foot end a shallow V-shaped cutaway 32 for purposes heretofore described.

The cover 30 fits over the cushion 28 and is secured to the liners 54 and 56 and is formed from in one piece by such means as vacuum molding from sheet vinyl. The mold in which the cover 30 is formed has the same general shape as the upholstered top 12 so that the cover closely fits the cushion when the top is assembled. The vinyl is molded in one piece to form the cover which has a top side 82, vertical sides 83 and a bottom lip 84. Further by forming the cover to fit the top it is no longer necessary to cut or gather the cover at the comers to provide a close fit. The lip 84 is substantial in width and extends inwards from the bottom edge of the vertical sides 83. The lip is helpful in neatly securing the cover 30 to the head and foot liners 54 and 56. A crease 85 is also formed in the cover, and it conforms generally with the crease 31 in the top. The crease 85 permits the cover to be pivoted without wrinkling.

While the upholstered top 12 may be assembled by molding the cover and foaming the cushion in place underneath the cover, in this instance the top is assembled by placing the cushion 28 on both the head and foot liners 54 and 56 which fit into the hollow 76 of the cushion. Adhesive 87 is then applied to the dished portion 72 including the crease of the cushion 28 so as to secure the cover 30 to the upper surface of the cushion, but no adhesive is applied to the front and back side vertical side portions 75 of the cushion 28 so that no wrinkles will form, and the sides 83 of the cover may slide over the cushion when the sections are moved to an inclined position. The inside of the bent sides 61 and 67 and the thin strips 62 and 70 of the liner are also covered with adhesive 88, and the bottom lip 84 of the cover 30 is thereby secured to the vertical sides 61 and 67 and strips 62 and 70 of the liner 54 and 56. The entire upholstered top 12 assembly is neat and well fitted since the cover 30 is molded to fit and is secured to the cushion 28. A paper hold down and cut off strap 89 and the paper roll 65 is afiixed to the head section of the top, and two wire paper hold down clips 91 are affixed to the foot section so that a disposable covering for the top is provided.

It is apparent that a novel and useful upholstered top for a physicians examining table has been provided wherein said top comprises a pair of frames, a one-piece cushion, liner means, which support the cushion, and a formed one-piece cover, said cover having a formed lower lip for neatly securing the cover to the liner. It is also apparent that a novel and useful upholstered top for a physician 5 examining table having at least one pivotal section has been provided, whereinthe cover and cushion of the top have an easily cleaned broad crease at their pivot axis. It is further apparent that a novel and useful upholstered top for a physicians examining table has been provided, wherein at the end of the foot section of the top is a shallow V-shaped cutaway to facilitate certain examinations to be performed by the physician which require the use of a treatment pan.

I claim:

1. An upholstered top for a physician's examining table having a base, said upholstered top comprising head and foot sections, said sections being pivotable with respect to each other, a single cushion for said head and foot sections, and a onepiece cover extending over said cushion,-each of said sections including a tubular frame, said frames being adapted to be hinged to said base at their adjacent ends, each of said sections including a liner, said liners being secured to and fitting over said frames, said single cushion having a hollowed-out underside for receiving said liners, said one-piece cover being adhesively secured only to said liners and said cushion, said foot ends of said cover and said cushion and the outer ends of said liner and said frame for said foot section being V-shaped, said base having a treatment pan underneath said-V-shaped ends for use in treating a patient.

2. An upholstered top as in claim 1, wherein said cover and cushion have a crease formed therein above said hinged ends of said frames, said crease being relatively wide to permit said one-piece cover and said single cushion to bend without wrinkling and to facilitate cleaning of said crease.

Claims (2)

1. An upholstered top for a physician''s examining table having a base, said upholstered top comprising head and foot sections, said sections being pivotable with respect to each other, a single cushion for said head and foot sections, and a one-piece cover extending over said cushion, each of said sections including a tubular frame, said frames being adapted to be hinged to said base at their adjacent ends, each of said sections including a liner, said liners being secured to and fitting over said frames, said single cushion having a hollowed-out underside for receiving said liners, said one-piece cover being adhesively secured only to said liners and said cushion, said foot ends of said cover and said cushion and the outer ends of said liner and said frame for said foot section being V-shaped, said base having a treatment pan underneath said V-shaped ends for use in treating a patient.

2. An upholstered top as in claim 1, wherein said cover and cushion have a crease formed therein above said hinged ends of said frames, said crease being relatively wide to permit said one-piece cover and said single cushion to bend without wrinkling and to facilitate cleaning of said crease.

Images