Lead screw support mechanism for an overbed table
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a first member;
a second member;
said first and second members being mounted for relative movement therebetween in either a first or a second linear direction; and
a mechanism for selectively fixing the relative position of said first and second members, comprising;
a first threaded member interconnected with one of said first or second members;
a second threaded member threadedly engageable with said first threaded member and interconnected with the other of said first or second members;
said first threaded member and said second threaded member being interconnected with said first and second members so that movement of said first or second member relative to the other said member causes relative movement and rotation between said first threaded member and said second threaded member; and
selectively engageable clutch means associated with one of said first or second threaded members for selectively allowing relative movement between said first and second members in either of said first or second linear directions by selectively allowing relative movement between said first threaded member and said second threaded member, wherein said selectively engageable clutch means includes means for providing relative movement between said first and second members in only one of said linear directions without actuation thereof by allowing relative rotational movement between said first and second threaded members during such relative movement between said first and second members.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An overbed table is provided with a linear positioning mechanism for fixing the height of the table relative to the base. An upper outer column depends from the underside of the table, and a lower inner column is received within the upper outer column. In this manner, spillage of any liquids onto the support for the overbed table drips single fashion past the joint between the columns. The linear positioning mechanism incorporates a high lead screw which is rotatably mounted to the overbed table within the upper outer column. A fixed nut is attached to the upper end of the inner column, and receives the threads of the high lead screw. Up-down movement of the overbed table causes rotation of the high lead screw within the fixed nut. A spring clutch mechanism is provided for selectively preventing and allowing rotation of the high lead screw when a downward force is applied to the table. When rotation of the lead screw is prevented, downward movement of the overbed table is thus prevented. Upon release of the clutch so as to allow rotation of the lead screw, the overbed table can be moved downward to a desired elevation. An upward force applied to the table allows the table to be moved upward without actuation of the clutch mechanism.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a first member; a second member; said first and second members being mounted for relative movement therebetween in either a first or a second linear direction; and a mechanism for selectively fixing the relative position of said first and second members, comprising; a first threaded member interconnected with one of said first or second members; a second threaded member threadedly engageable with said first threaded member and interconnected with the other of said first or second members; said first threaded member and said second threaded member being interconnected with said first and second members so that movement of said first or second member relative to the other said member causes relative movement and rotation between said first threaded member and said second threaded member; and selectively engageable clutch means associated with one of said first or second threaded members for selectively allowing relative movement between said first and second members in either of said first or second linear directions by selectively allowing relative movement between said first threaded member and said second threaded member, wherein said selectively engageable clutch means includes means for providing relative movement between said first and second members in only one of said linear directions without actuation thereof by allowing relative rotational movement between said first and second threaded members during such relative movement between said first and second members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A support assembly for an overbed table or the like, comprising:
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a lower inner pedestal column; an upper outer column positioned over said lower inner column, said upper column being movable in an up-down direction on said lower inner column; a rotatably mounted threaded member provided within one of said columns and having its position fixed relative thereto; a fixed threaded member provided within the other of said columns and engageable with said rotatably mounted threaded member; said threaded members being interconnected with said upper and lower columns such that up-down movement of said upper column on said lower column causes relative rotational movement between said threaded members; and selectively engageable clutch means for selectively preventing and allowing relative rotational movement between said threaded members and thereby selectively fixing the position of said upper column in said up-down direction relative to said lower column, wherein said selectively engageable clutch means includes means for providing upward movement of said upper column without actuation thereof by allowing relative rotational movement between said threaded members during upward movement of said upper column on said lower column. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus, comprising:
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a first member; a second member; said first and second members being mounted for relative movement therebetween; and a mechanism for selectively fixing the relative position of said first and second members, comprising; a first threaded member interconnected with one of said first or second members; a second threaded member threadedly engageable with said first threaded member and interconnected with the other of said first or second members; said first threaded member and said second threaded member being interconnected with said first and second members so that movement of said first or second member relative to the other said member causes relative movement and rotation between said first threaded member and said second threaded member; and selectively engageable clutch means associated with one of said first or second threaded members for selectively allowing relative movement between said first and second members by selectively allowing relative movement between said first threaded member and said second threaded member; wherein said first said second threaded members are mounted to said first and second members such that the rotation between said first and second threaded members caused by relative movement between said first and second members is about an axis of rotation oriented substantially parallel to the direction of relative movement between said first and second members.
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26. A support assembly for an overbed table or the like, comprising:
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a lower inner pedestal column; an upper outer column positioned over said lower inner column, said upper column being movable in an up-down direction on said lower inner column; a rotatably mounted threaded member provided within one of said columns and having its position fixed relative thereto; a fixed threaded member provided within the other of said columns and engageable with said rotatably mounted threaded member; said threaded members being interconnected with said upper and lower columns such that up-down movement of said upper column on said lower column causes relative rotational movement between said threaded members; and selectively engageable clutch means for selectively preventing and allowing relative rotational movement between said threaded members and thereby selectively fixing the position of said upper column relative to said lower column; wherein said threaded members are mounted to said upper and lower columns such that the rotational movement between said threaded members caused by movement of said upper column on said lower column is about an axis of rotation oriented substantially parallel to the direction of movement of said upper column on said lower column.
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Specification