Patent · US Expired

Power-operated medical examination table

US4552403A · kind A · utility

63Cited by
5References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 29, 1983
Grant dateNov 12, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 29, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/18688
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A power-operated medical examination table having safety mechanisms for preventing injury or damage should someone or something become entrapped beneath the top of the table as it descends. The table includes a pedestal base having an extendable and retractable column. The top normally rests upon a load-bearing member which may be selectively raised or lowered under power to extend or retract the column. Should the top engage an obstruction during a lowering operation so that a separation occurs between the load-bearing member and the top, a sensor detects such separation and immediately interrupts power to prevent continued retraction of said load-bearing member. The table also includes at least one power-operated outer top section that is hinged to the central top section and is supported by a second load-bearing member and power drive arranged to constitute a secondary safety mechanism.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.