US2002349A - Adjustable table - Google Patents

Description

May 21, 1935. E. F. LUNDEEN ADJUSTABLE TABLE Filed June 22, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 \M \w. W N

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ATTORNEY W EHL 3 sheets-sheet 2 Q F. v Q M. 5 t. r 1: M\ w Nm m M N\ w Q\ h [.llll ll llll \\lll..lsl I I l I I 1 l l l I 1 I t I llvllblwllmllllll 5. f1 LU/VOEEN INVENTOR 777. Md. ATTORNEY May 21, 1935. E. F. LUNDEEN ADJUSTABLE TABLE Filed June 22, 1954 May 21, 1935. E. F. LUNDEEN ADJUSTABLE TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 22, 1934 Illllllllll INVENTOR ATTORNEY the table body is raised; to provide improved brackets 16; whereby the leg cushion9- is sup- Patented May 21, 1935 i p UNITED 25002349. l 1 D B TABLE 7 Edward F. Lundeenyi Rock; Island, 111.- A fication mne 22, 1934; seria No. 72,1;906.

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The present invention relates to adjustable 2', and side rails 3. anda pivoted,tilting body haytables and more particularly to that class of ing "side'rails 4 connecting elements. 5- whereby tables commonlyreferred to as chiropractic tables. the rails 4 are connected. to the. legs-2; and a plu Among the objects of. this invention are to proralityof cushio i, 8. a ew: h p ort? Ville in a table of the character indicated, imupon which thepatient'stands whenthe table isj proved means for raising the tiltingbody of the in 'ileyatecl position is, pivotally connected to table relatively to the base; to proyide mechanism bracket arms I l extending from the connecting wherebythe body of the table is pushedlintoan' Incans5. A lug I2 is located approximatelycen elevated position, instead of being pulled into trally offthesupportllland furnishes meansfor 10 such. position; toprovide improved mechanism attachment of the links l3'connected tothepush lo forlongitudinally adjusting one or more of the r d Q1 4 e e 13118 able body isr' ise cushions with relation to the frame bywhich A bolt [5 passes transversely of the frame through they are carried; to provide improved meansfor the upper) portion of the connectors 5 andhas varying the spring tension by means of. which mounted thereon; adjacent the-connectors' fithe means for adjusting the inclination of one or po ted; at n m e b y frcmr Sn cmoreofthe cushions of the table: to provide iming. the brackets l6 from the pushrod I l-are proved meanstfor supporting one or more of the sleeves. ll, one upon each sideof the l4. It table cushions; and such further objects, adwillthu be seen that s 'i alw ysh' l in 2o vantagesand capabilities as will hereafter. appear proper 9 M9 1 with e t qnt h 0011118011913 5 and as are: inherent in the construction disclosed and'brackets l6. p i i herein; My invention further'residesinthe com- A up-po n ol or r d l8 connects thetwo bina'tion, construction and arrangement of parts br ckets l6 and'sery s as c n o s pp in illustrated'in the accompanying drawings and; thccnds of the bail shap d a i E Q B SE while I have shown therein what'is'now regarded The. 'htral; part; of this bail-shaped latching 25 asthe preferred embodimentof thisinvention l means serves asahan'dle for operating said-means desire the same to be understood as illustrative which is provided with notches 29 for engageonlyfand not to be interpreted in'a limiting sense. inent with a rodor bolt 2-] which connects-simi Inj'thej drawings annexed hereto'and forming la'r supporting means 22' upon opposite sides of 3 0 a part hereof, the table. Each supportingm'eansn comprises Fig.1 isaside elevation of a table embodying a pair. offlinlrs pivotally connected by the ro'd my present invention; 2| and having their free-ends connected-at 23 and Fig, 2 is a longitudinal section of the structure 2 with framemembers l andan'gle irolns 25'; re; shown in Fig. L'taken approximately centrally of spectivelyQ At oneend; the'cushi on {has guides the table; 26] which slidealong the angle irons 25; thus 35 Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation holding thecushion' 9 positioned laterally with taken approximately along the broken line 3-3 relation. to th' frarne of the tablebody. 'Atit's Fig 4;; t v iniddl-eportionythe cushionfl has othe'r guiding Fig. 4 is a sectional, plan taken approximately members 21 provided-with thumb-screws for en- 49 alongthe plane indicated by the line 4-4;Fig. 3; gagenient" with theang le irons 25*to' guide the i0 Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan section at one end pus n and secure itina'dj usted position. By of thetable body, I taken just. above the frame ldoeenmgfthsevthumb screws,jthe cushion S oan thereof be inovedjlon'gitudinallyof the angle 'ii'ons and; Fig. 6 "is a fragmentary sectional elevation when aproperadjustment is secured,'the thumb showing a cushion adjustment latching means, screws willfbe tightened up to' hfold the cushion 45 Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan View of a cushion in adjusted position. In order toiadjustthe'in adjustment latching means, on a somewhat larger clination of this cushion, thelatch 19* is raised scale than shown in Fig. 5; until the rod 2! is released from a'notch 20 and Fig. 8-=isa fragmentary longitudinal horizontal then the cushion is raised or lowered untilthe 5,0. sectionlthrough an end portion ofthe table body I' roper inclination issecured whenthe latchwill do,

fr l I be lowereduntil -theappropriate notch- 20 engages Reference will now bemadein greater detail to red ZIL "Ifhis will insure thatthe cushion'il will the annexed drawingsfor a complete description be heldin' adjustedposition. 1

of the structure embodying" my present invention. .The side rnernbers 3 of the base have inwardly 5 This structure comprises a base having legs 11 and projecting flanges 30forengageinent by h 1 3| which has downwardly and outwardly projecting lugs 32 engaging under the flanges 30. Thus the slide 3| is held to the side members 3 and is capable of sliding along the same as the table body is raised or lowered. Between the lugs 33 on the edge of the plate 3| is the free end of the push rod M, the lugs 33 and rod l4 being pivotally secured together by means of the bolt 34. The main table operating springs 35 are secured at one end to the cross piece 36 at one end of the base and at their other ends they are secured to lugs 32a. projecting downwardly from the plate 3|. It will thus be seen that one end of each of these springs is rigidly connected to the base of the machine and the other end to the slide 3| which is connectedthrough the link or push rod M to the tilting body of the table. Therefore, when the table body is released from its position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and permitted to rise toward the position shown in Fig. 3, the springs 35 contract, pulling the slide 3| and pushing the push rod |4 so as to push the table toward upright position, the connectors 5 turning on their pivots 31. When the table body is pulled downward toward the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the springs are expanded and put under tension. Attention is called to the fact that there is no adjustment of the tension of these springs other than that caused by the raising and lowering of the table body.

- In the side rails 4 of the table body are longitudinal slots 46 in which are slidable certain brackets4| which support a frame 42 carrying the cushion 8. This cushion is connected to the frame by means of the cross levers 43 and 44, pivotally connected by the rod 45. This cushion is pivotally connected directly to the levers 44, as shownin Fig. 2, and indirectly connected, by

- means of the links 46, to the free ends of the levers 43. The lower ends of the levers 44 are connected to a cross bar 41 which rests and slides on the sides of the frame 42. Brackets are secured to the ends, of the cross bar 41 and extend under the side members of the frame 42 to insure that thecross bar 41 will be held in slidable relation to the frame. Connected to this cross bar 41 are springs 48 which are connected at their opposite' ends to a cross bar 49 secured to the frame 42. It will thus be seen that the cross bar 41'may move toward and away from the nearer end 50- of the frame 42, being actuated away therefrom by the springs 48. This tends to raise the cushion B to the upper limit of its motion.

- A notched latch lever 5| is pivotally mounted upon the end member 50 of the frame 42 and may be turnedinto position so that one of the notches thereof will engage the pin 52 on the cross bar 41. In this way depression of the cushion 8 maybe prevented, when desired. Since the pivot at thelower end of levers 43 is fixed with relation to the frame 42, it is necessary for cross member 41 to move toward pend member 50 in order that the cushion may be depressed. The pivot 45 therefore moves in an arc of a circle about the fixed pivot at the lower end of levers 43. Likewise, cushion 8 moves slightly toward cushion 9 during its, motion of depression.

It is customary and practically necessary to justable with relation to each other and the body frame and provision is made, therefore, for adjusting the cushions 6,1 and 8, as well as the cushion 9. As indicated above, there are brackets 4| secured to theframe 42 which extend into the slots 40 in members'4 to support the frame 42 and permit the same to slide longitudinally of the body frame members 4. The means for adjusting the frame 42 and the supported cushion 8 will next be described. A rack bar 55 is secured to the end member 56 of the body frame and extends longitudinally thereof, substantially centrally, with relation to the side bars. This rack bar has teeth in its upper surface and these are engaged by a gear 51 carried by a shaft 58 mounted in the support 59. The shaft 58 has handles 60 at its opposite ends whereby it may be rotated to cause rotation of the gear 51 and movement thereof along the rack 55. An angular frame 6| has openings therein through which the shaft 58 passes, as indicated at 62 and 63. The frame 6| is therefore slidable longitudinally of the shaft 58 but is normally held in the position shown in Figs. 5 and '1 by means of the spring 64. A projection extends inwardly toward the gear 51, as indicated in Figs. 6 and '7, and engages between the teeth of the gear 51 when member 6| is left free to move under the influence of the spring 64. In this way, the gear 51 is latched against rotation and the frame 42 is held in adjusted position until the spring 64 is compressed sufficiently to release the gear 51 from the projection 65.

An identical construction, except that the latching means 65 is on the opposite edge of the frame 6|, is made use of to hold the slide 66 in place. This slide carries the cushions 6 and 1 upon the uprights 61. The shaft 58 for this slidepasses through openings in the uprights 61 and it will therefore be seen that rotation of the shaft 58 and rack gear 51 will cause movement of the uprights 61 and slide 66 longitudinally of the side bars 4. As indicated in Fig. 8, the uprights .61 have feet 68 which extend out almost into contact with the bars 4, thereby preventing any substantial sideway movement of the slide 66. This slide extends to the inner surfaces of the walls of bars 4 and the slide is therefore held in the slots 69 which are comparable to the slots 46, described above. The slide 66 moves freely under the influence of the springs 1| and the rack and pinion mechanism described above. A cross bar 12 extends through the slots 69 and nearly across the tubular members 4, as shown in Fig. 8. This cross bar 12 is notched in its opposite ends for engagement by the ends of the springs 1| which thereby put tension upon the slide 66 to pull it toward the end of the body frame. To move this slide in the opposite direction, the latch 65 is released from the gear 51 and a handle 60 is turned to cause the gear to travel along the rack, thus moving the slide and extending the springs 1|.

As is usual, the head cushion 6 is divided into two parts which are laterally movable relatively to'each other by means of the lever 12. This being usual construction, no further attention need be paid thereto. A bail-shaped frame 13 has pivotal connection with the upper portion of the uprights 61 and supports the cushion 6 for pivotal movement about its pivots 14. The angle of inclination of this cushion may be adjusted in the same manner as that of cushion 9 or in any other of several other ways but I prefer to use the same adjustment for this as is usedin adjusting the cushions 6, 1 and 8 longitudinally of the frame. In view of the detailed description of this in connection with the longitudinal adjustment of these cushions,'it does not appear to be necessary to describe this structure specifically.

ill

; Approximatelycentrally of one edge of the of this inventionas set forth. in the foregoing plate; 3 I r and: projecting downwardly. therefrom a. pair of. lugs". whichrserve" as lateral guides for theb'ar 16: which has notches- 1.1 in the". upper. edge thereof, as shown iILLFiQ; 2:. These lugs 15 have a short cross bar 1t connecting themhands uponwhichrthe bar 16 slides.

15 and "hold the bar 16- in proper position and: guide the: same duringuoperation ofthe' table. At its other'endgfthe bar 16 has across bar: 19: whichis notchedat itstwo ends to embrace the flange of the siderail 3. This therefore serves as a guide for the free: end of this bar. A pawl 80 is pivoted at 8|, where it is connected to theplate 3|. This pawl has a 110861.1 which engages with the notches I 1 when not restrained from doing so. Upon one: side of thepawl 80 is a curved bracket 83 which extends: laterally, as shown. in Fig. 4', to ride on a rod M which is slidably mounted in downwardly extending flanges of the plate 3|, The end of this red is turned laterally; as shown in Fig. 4, and may rest in any one of several notches 86 formed in the upper edge of a depending bracket 81. A weight 88 serves also as a handle by means or which the end of the rod may be manipulated t lvary the position of the angle 89 which. is engaged by the bracket 83 as the latter is reciprocated by reciprocation of the plate 3 I}. I

When the table body. is lowered from the elevated position indicated in. Fig. .3, the link' M; as indicated above, moves longitudinally of the base, pushing the plate 31 ahead of .it. To the forward edge of this plate is connected the pawl It and this, thereforaalsomoves longitudinally of the base. In Fig. 4, the angle 89 of therod 84 is shown inits middle position of adjustment. Therefore; when the bracket 83; passes the angle Mythere is' nothing to prevent the nose,82 of the pawl 80 from dropping into a notch H of member 16. From this point on, in the travel of the plate 31, member 16 is caused to travel with, plate 3i. A cross plate 91:, at the rearward end? of bar 16', furnishes means for the. attachment of the auxiliary springszsz which have their opposite ends connected to the cross member, forming a part of the base,as indicated above. Therefore, when the nose 82 drops into the notches 11, all four springs and Marc active in pushing the'wtable body toward raised position. A pair of plates 93, upon opposite sides of pawl 80, serve to keep this pawl substantially in perfect alignment above member 16. The farther to the right the handle 88 is moved, the sooner the'pawl 80 engages the rack 15 and the sooner will the auxiliary springs come into operation to assist in raising the weight of the table and patient. On the contrary, the farther the handle 88 is moved to the left, as seen in Fig. 3, the longer will it be before the pawl 80 becomes effective to bring the auxiliary springs 92 into operation.

When the table body is brought down into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a plate 95, carried by the side rails 4, is engaged by the dogs 96, pivoted at 91. Springs 98 normally hold these dogs in latching position, from which they are moved by a shaft 99 carrying projections in position to engage the dogs so as to disengage them from the plate 55. Pedals I00, when pushed downwardly, cause rotation of the shaft 99 and I disconnection of the dogs 96 from the plate 95.

It will of course be understood that the specific description of structure set forth herein may be departed from without departing from the spirit specification. and in the: appended claims;

I claima. u

I. Ina table of the character described, a frame comprising longitudinal frame members and. a transverse" member connecting them at one end, rigidly,..ai rack connected to'said: transverse member and extending longitudinally. of the frame substantially parallel with. said longitudinal frame-members, a pair of cushionshaving supporting means carried by said: longitudinal frame members, pinions carried by said cushion supporting means and cooperating with said rack in ad iusting the cushion supporting means and the cushions longitudinally of the frame.

" 2. A table of the character described having a body frame comprising a pair of longitudinally extending side rails slotted on their sides facing each other, cushion supports extending into said slots to support the cushions relativelyto the frame, a rack connected to the frame and extending longitudinally thereof and in proximity to said cushion supports, shafts carried by said cushion supportsrand extending transversely of said frame and the rack, pinions carried by said shafts in cooperative relation with said rack and serving, when the shafts are rotated, to adjust the cushion supports longitudinally of'the frame.

3. A table having a cushion supporting frame comprising a pair of substantially parallel longitudinally extending side members having. slots in the portions facing each other and extending longitudinally of the side members, and a cushion support having a part extending. into said slots which serve as guiding means to assure a definite direction of movement of thecushion with re lation to the frame.

4'. A structureas defined by claim-3 having spring means for biasing the cushion in one direction. and operating means for moving-it in the opposite direction.

5. A structure as'defined by claim" 3 having spring. means within the side members tending normally to cause movement of the cushion in one direction and rack. and pinion-.means for causing movement of the cushion in the opposite direction. T l i i 6. A tablefor the purpose indicated comprising. a cushion supporting. frame having :a. pair. of tubular substantially parallellongitudinally extending side members provided in their sides facing each other with longitudinally extending slots for the reception'of cushion supporting means, means for supporting cushions upon said frame extending into and slidable in said slots,

and means for actuating the cushion supports in opposite directions.

7. A structure as defined by claim 6 in which the cushion actuating means comprises rack and pinion mechanism for causing relative movement between the cushion supporting frame and the cushion supporting means in combination with latching means supported for movement transversely of the pinion to engage or disengage the same for the purpose of holding the cushion in adjusted position or permitting adjustment thereof.

8. A table comprising a base and a body, said base having legs, said body having connectors at one end whereby the body may be connected to the base, pivotal connecting means pivotally connecting said connectors to said legs near their lower ends, a push rod connected to said connectors remote from said pivotal connection,

springmeans normally pulling-on'said" push rod to push the bodytoward elevated position when released for upward swinging motion, and body supporting. cushions supported on the said table body..

.9. A structure as defined by claim 8 having a slide connected to the base and slidable there- 'along, said push rod and said springs being connected to said slide.

10. A structure as defined by claim 8 having a slide connected to and sliding along said base, the push vrod beingpivotally connected to the slide and the slide also having the spring means connected thereto, a pawl connected to the slide and extending forwardly therefrom, auxiliary spring means connected to the base and to a ratchet, said pawl and ratchet being adapted to cooperate to causethe auxiliary spring means to become, operative to furnish additional pushing means to raise the table body.

11. In a table of the character indicated, a base, a cushion supporting top pivotally connectedto said base, a slide operatively connected to the top and slidable on the base, a pawl pivotally connected to the slide and adapted to engage a notched bar, a notched bar slidably connected to the base and the slide, said bar being connected by means of springs to the base, said springs being put under tension by longitudinal motion of the bar away from the point of pivotal connection of the base and top, said pawl being adapted to engage the notches of said bar to cause movement thereof longitudinally of the frame, and means for varying the point at which the pawl will engage a notch of the notched bar so asto vary the amount of tension which will be exerted by the springs to cause lifting of the table.

,12. A structure as defined by claim 11 in which the last named means is a bar slidable longitudinally. of the base and has an angle to be engaged by the pawl, and said pawl has a projection engageable with said bar so that the pawl may be lifted out of engagement with the notched bar.

13. In a table of the character indicated, a cushion supporting frame, a cushion support rising therefrom and having a cushion pivotally connected thereto, a rack and pinion mechanism connecting said cushion and said support for adjusting the angular relation of the cushion with respect to the frame.

MFA structure as defined by claim 13 having latching means engaging the pinion toprevent relative movement of the rack and pinion, said latching-means-being slidable transversely of the rack into or out of engagement with the teeth of the pinion. 1 v

15. A structure asdefined by claim 1 having latching means movable transversely to the rack and axially of the pinions to engage or disengage the teeth of said pinions to secure said pinions against rotation or .release them for' rotation, whereby to hold the cushions in adjusted positions with relation to the frame;

16. In a table for the purpose indicated, a base, a superstructure pivotally supported thereby, a cushion pivotally supported on the superstructure, pairs of pivotally connected links connecting opposite sides of the superstructure with the cushion to support the same in adjusted position, the pivotal connecting means for the links extending across the table and connecting the links upon opposite sides thereof, a U-shaped latch having notches in its arms to engage the said pivotal connecting means, the ends of the arms being pivotally connected with the cushion. 17. A table having a cushion supporting frame comprising a pair of substantially parallel longitudinally extending side members having slots in the portions facing each other and extending longitudinally of the side members, a cushion support having a part extending into said slots which serve as guiding means to assure a definite direction of movement of the cushion with relation to the frame, a longitudinally extending rack, a pinion associated therewith whereby to cause movement of the cushion longitudinally of the frame, and latching means movable axially of the pinion to engage or disengage the teeth of the pinion to hold the cushion in adjusted position.

18. A table of the character indicated comprising a rigid frame, a movable cushion carried thereby, rack and pinion connecting means connecting the frame and cushion, the rack being rigidly connected to the frame and extending longitudinally thereof so that the cushion may be adjusted longitudinally of the frame, and latching means to hold the rack and pinion in relatively adjusted positions whereby to hold the cushion in adjusted positions.

- EDW. F. LUNDEEN.

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