Portable table assembly

• US 5,758,374 A
• Filed: 05/20/1996
• Issued: 06/02/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Allen Medical Systems, Inc. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Samuel Ronci
• Inventors: Ronci, Samuel
• Primary Examiner(s): TRETTEL, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/650,236
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 5/621, 5/622, 5/623, 5/624, 5/507.1, 5/181, 5/185, 5/310, 5/312, 108/65, 108/69, 108/44, 108/152
• US Class Current: 5/507.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/101 Clamping means for connecting accessories to the operating table supports as part of surgical instruments A61B90/50

Abstract

A portable table assembly including a table and a clamp. Plugs extend from a surface of the table and matingly engage and lock within corresponding receptacles in the clamp to secure the table to the clamp. The clamp is secured to a fixed position, and has a adjustable leg which extends slightly forward of the clamp to prevent downward rotation of the clamp caused by loads on the table. An optional adjustable outboard leg may be fixed to the distal end of the table, and may be folded under the table when not in use. In another embodiment, a table is provided with mounting brackets fixed to its end. Rail brackets are mounted to a surgical table rail, and the mounting brackets fit within a slot in the rail brackets. The table is secured to the rail brackets by inserting a handled pin into the rail bracket through a slot in the mounting bracket. The distal end of the table is supported by an outboard leg assembly.

Claims

1. A portable table assembly comprising:

a table, said table having at least one plug extending from a surface thereof; and

a clamp for securing said table to a fixed position, said clamp being removably securable to a fixed position, and having at least one receptacle formed therein, wherein said at least one plug is dimensioned to matingly engage said at least one receptacle thereby securing said table to said clamp, and wherein said table is substantially triangular in at least a portion of its cross section, a base of said triangular cross section being a bearing surface end of said table in contact with a front of said clamp.

2. A portable table assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fixed position is a stationary rail, and wherein said clamp further comprises a pair of jaws formed on a back surface thereof, said jaws being dimensioned to receive said stationary rail therebetween for removably securing said clamp to said stationary rail.

3. A portable table assembly according to claim 1, said table comprising a non-compressible foam core and a carbon fiber outer shell.

9. A portable table assembly according to claim 1, wherein said connector portion comprises:

a stop pin bore formed perpendicularly to said central bore;

and a stop pin fixed within said stop pin bore, said stop pin being axially movable in said stop pin bore to engage said lower leg portion to thereby fix said lower leg portion within said central bore.

4. An outboard leg assembly for supporting an end of a table having an end rail fixed thereto, said outboard leg comprising:

first and second rail brackets, each of said rail brackets having a first and a second end, said first end being adapted to engage said end rail to removably secure said assembly to said end rail;

a pivot bar fixed between said rail brackets adjacent said second ends thereof;

a pivot having a first end and a second end, said first end of said pivot being rotatingly connected to said pivot bar; and

an adjustable leg connected to said second end of said pivot.

5. A outboard leg assembly according to claim 4, wherein said adjustable leg comprises:

a connector portion having a central bore therethrough;

an upper leg portion fixed within said central bore and extending from a top of said connector portion; and

a lower leg portion within said central bore and extending from a bottom of said connector portion,

wherein said lower leg portion is slidable within said central bore and said upper leg portion to adjust said length.

6. A outboard leg assembly according to claim 5, wherein said connector portion comprises:

a stop pin bore formed perpendicularly to said central bore;

and a stop pin fixed within said stop pin bore, said stop pin being axially movable in said stop pin bore to engage said lower leg portion to thereby fix said lower leg portion within said central bore.

7. A portable table assembly comprising:

a table having a non-compressible foam core and a carbon fiber outer shell, said table having a first end; and

at least one clamp secured to a first end of said table for securing said table to a fixed position.

8. A portable table assembly according to claim 7 wherein said assembly further comprises a leg connected to a second end of said table.

10. A portable table assembly according to claim 7, wherein said table is substantially triangular in at least a portion of its cross section, a base of said triangular cross section being a bearing surface end of said table in contact with a front of said clamp.

11. A portable table assembly comprising:

a table, said table having at least one plug extending from a surface thereof, said plug having a notch formed therein; and

a clamp for securing said table to a fixed position, said clamp having at least one receptacle bore formed in a housing of said clamp, said receptacle bore being dimensioned to matingly receive said at least one plug, said clamp further comprising a piston bore perpendicularly intersecting said receptacle bore, and a piston in said piston bore, said piston being axially movable in said piston bore to intersect said notch, said plug thereby being releasably locked within said receptacle bore for securing said table to said clamp.

12. A portable table assembly according to claim 11, wherein said piston is positioned against a cam in said piston bore, said piston being axially movable in said piston bore upon rotation of said cam.

13. A portable table assembly according to claim 12, wherein said cam has an ellipsoidal cross section.

17. A portable table assembly according to claim 11, wherein said leg pin extends from said leg bracket at an angle of 2°

in the direction of said table.

14. A portable table assembly comprising:

a table, said table having at least one plug extending from a surface thereof;

a clamp for securing said table to a fixed position, said clamp having at least one receptacle formed therein; and

a leg fixed to a bottom of said clamp,

wherein said at least one plug is dimensioned to matingly engage said at least one receptacle thereby securing said table to said clamp.

15. A portable table assembly according to claim 14, wherein said leg is connected to said bottom of said clamp through a leg bracket, said leg bracket comprising a leg pin fixed thereto, said leg being connected to said leg pin.

16. A portable table assembly according to claim 15, wherein said leg pin extends from said leg bracket angularly in the direction of said table to prevent downward rotation of said clamp.

18. A portable table assembly according to claim 14, wherein said leg is an adjustable leg having adjustable length, said adjustable leg comprising:

a connector portion having a central bore therethrough;

an upper leg portion fixed within said central bore and extending from a top of said connector portion; and

a lower leg portion within said central bore and extending from a bottom of said connector portion,

wherein said lower leg is slidable within said central bore and said upper leg portion to adjust said length.

19. A portable table assembly according to claim 18, wherein said connector portion comprises:

a stop pin bore formed perpendicularly to said central bore;

and a stop pin fixed within said stop pin bore, said stop pin being axially movable in said stop pin bore to engage said lower leg portion to thereby fix said lower leg portion within said central bore.

20. A portable table assembly comprising:

a table, said table having at least one plug extending from a surface thereof and an end rail fixed to an end thereof;

a leg fixed to said end rail for supporting said end; and

a clamp for securing said table to a fixed position, said clamp having at least one receptacle formed therein,

wherein said at least one plug is dimensioned to matingly engage said at least one receptacle thereby securing said table to said clamp.

21. A portable table assembly according to claim 20, wherein said leg is an adjustable leg having adjustable length, said adjustable leg comprising:

a connector portion having a central bore therethrough;

an upper leg portion fixed within said central bore and extending from a top of said connector portion; and

a lower leg portion within said central bore and extending from a bottom of said connector portion,

wherein said lower leg portion is slidable within said central bore and said upper leg portion to adjust said length.

22. A portable table assembly according to claim 21, wherein said connector portion comprises:

a stop pin bore formed perpendicularly to said central bore;

and a stop pin fixed within said stop pin bore, said stop pin being axially movable in said stop pin bore to engage said lower leg portion to thereby fix said lower leg portion within said central bore.

23. A portable table assembly according to claim 20, wherein said leg comprises an outboard leg assembly, said outboard leg assembly comprising:

a pair of rail brackets, each of said rail brackets having a first and a second end, said first end being adapted to engage said end rail to secure said assembly to said end rail;

a pivot bar fixed between said rail brackets adjacent said second ends thereof;

a pivot having a first end and a second end, said first end of said pivot being rotatingly connected to said pivot bar; and

an adjustable leg connected to said second end of said pivot.

24. A clamp for use in connection with a portable table assembly, wherein said assembly comprises a table to be secured to a fixed location by connection to said clamp, said clamp comprising:

at least one receptacle bore formed in a housing of said clamp, said at least one receptacle being adapted to be matingly engaged by a corresponding plug extending from a surface of said table and having a notch formed therein, thereby securing said table to said clamp;

a piston bore perpendicularly intersecting said receptacle bore; and

a piston in said piston bore, said piston being axially movable in said piston bore to intersect said notch in said plug, said plug thereby being releasably locked within said receptacle bore.

25. A clamp according to claim 24, wherein said piston is positioned against a cam in said piston bore, said piston being axially movable in said piston bore upon rotation of said cam.

26. A portable table assembly according to claim 25, wherein said cam has an ellipsoidal cross section.

27. A clamp for use in connection with a portable table assembly, wherein said assembly comprises a table to be secured to a fixed location by connection to said clamp, said clamp comprising:

a leg fixed to a bottom of said clamp; and

at least one receptacle formed in a surface of said clamp, said at least one receptacle being adapted to be matingly engaged by a corresponding plug extending from a surface of said table, thereby securing said table to said clamp.

28. A clamp according to claim 27, wherein said leg is connected to said bottom of said clamp through a leg bracket, said leg bracket comprising a leg pin fixed thereto, said leg being connected to said leg pin.

29. A clamp according to claim 28, wherein said leg pin extends from said leg bracket angularly in the direction of said table to prevent downward rotation of said clamp.

30. A clamp according to claim 29, wherein said leg pin extends from said leg bracket at an angle of 2°

in the direction of said table.

31. A clamp according to claim 27, wherein said leg is an adjustable leg having adjustable length, said adjustable leg comprising:

a connector portion having a central bore therethrough;

an upper leg portion fixed within said central bore and extending from a top of said connector portion; and

a lower leg portion within said central bore and extending from a bottom of said connector portion,

wherein said lower leg portion is slidable within said central bore and said upper leg portion to adjust said length.

32. A clamp according to claim 31, wherein said connector portion comprises:

a stop pin bore formed perpendicularly to said central bore;

and a stop pin fixed within said stop pin bore, said stop pin being axially movable in said stop pin bore to engage said lower leg portion to thereby fix said lower leg portion within said central bore.

33. A portable table assembly comprising:

a table, said table having at least one plug extending from a surface thereof; and

a clamp for securing said table to a fixed position, said clamp having at least one receptacle formed therein and a pair of jaws formed on a back surface thereof,

wherein said at least one plug is dimensioned to matingly engage said at least one receptacle thereby securing said table to said clamp, and wherein said jaws are dimensioned to receive a stationary rail therebetween to secure said clamp to a fixed location.

34. A portable table assembly comprising:

a table, said table being substantially triangular in at least a portion of its cross section, and having at least one plug extending from a surface thereof; and

a clamp for securing said table to a fixed position, said clamp having at least one receptacle formed therein,

wherein said at least one plug is dimensioned to matingly engage said at least one receptacle thereby securing said table to said clamp, and wherein a base of said substantially triangular cross section is a bearing surface end of said table in contact with a front of said clamp.

35. A portable table assembly comprising:

a table having a non-compressible foam core and a carbon fiber outer shell, said table having at least one plug extending from a surface thereof; and

a clamp for securing said table to a fixed position, said clamp having at least one receptacle formed therein,

wherein said at least one plug is dimensioned to matingly engage said at least one receptacle thereby securing said table to said clamp.

36. A table for use in connection with a portable table assembly, wherein said assembly comprises a clamp for removably securing said table to a fixed location, said table comprising:

at least one plug extending from a surface of said table, said at least one plug being adapted to matingly engage a corresponding receptacle formed in said clamp, thereby securing said table to said clamp,

wherein said table is substantially triangular in at least a portion of its cross section, a base of said substantially triangular cross section being a bearing surface end of said table in contact with a front of said clamp.

37. A table for use in connection with a portable table assembly, wherein said assembly comprises a clamp for removably securing said table to a fixed location, said table comprising:

a non-compressible foam core with a carbon fiber outer shell; and

at least one plug extending from a surface of said table, said at least one plug being adapted to matingly engage a corresponding receptacle formed in said clamp, thereby securing said table to said clamp.

38. A clamp for use in connection with a portable table assembly, wherein said assembly comprises a table to be secured to a fixed location by connection to said clamp, said clamp comprising:

at least one receptacle formed in a surface of said clamp, said at least one receptacle being adapted to be matingly engaged by a corresponding plug extending from a surface of said table, thereby securing said table to said clamp; and

a pair of jaws formed on a back surface of said clamp, said jaws being dimensioned to receive a stationary rail therebetween to secure said clamp to a fixed location.

39. A portable table assembly comprising:

a table, said table having a first end;

at least one mounting bracket secured to a first end of said table;

at least one rail bracket for securing said table to a fixed position, said rail bracket having a slot formed therein for removably receiving said mounting bracket to thereby secure said table to said rail bracket; and

an adjustable leg connected to a second end of said table, said adjustable leg having a connector portion having a central bore therethrough, an upper leg portion fixed within said central bore and extending from a top of said connector portion, and a lower leg portion within said central bore and extending from a bottom of said connector portion,

wherein said lower leg portion is slidable within said central bore and said upper leg portion to adjust said length.

40. A portable table assembly comprising:

a table, said table having a first end; and

at least one clamp secured to a first end of said table for securing said table to a fixed position,

wherein said table is substantially triangular in at least a portion of its cross section, a base of said substantially triangular cross section being a bearing surface end of said table in contact with a front of said clamp.