Overbed table
First Claim
1. An overbed table including a table portion and a telescoping support column including an outer column portion and an inner column portion, a table portion coupled to one of the outer and inner column portions, a base coupled to the other of the outer and inner column portions, the inner and outer column portions having bearing surfaces adjacent each other, a bearing cage oriented between the adjacent bearing surfaces of the inner and outer column portions, and bearings captured between the surfaces and the bearing cage, the bearings having bearing surfaces engaging the bearing surfaces to promote projection of the inner column portion from, and retraction of the inner column portion into, the outer column portion.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An overbed table includes a table portion and a telescoping support column. The column includes an outer column portion and an inner column portion. The inner and outer column portions have surfaces adjacent each other. A bearing cage is oriented between the adjacent surfaces of the inner and outer column portions. Bearings are captured between the surfaces and the bearing cage. The bearings engage the surfaces to promote projection of the inner column portion from, and retraction of the inner column portion into, the outer column portion. The overbed table also includes a first table section supported by the column for movement horizontally with respect to the column, and a second table section coupled to the first table section and the column such that movement of the second table section results in sliding movement of the first table section.
75 Citations
65 Claims
- 1. An overbed table including a table portion and a telescoping support column including an outer column portion and an inner column portion, a table portion coupled to one of the outer and inner column portions, a base coupled to the other of the outer and inner column portions, the inner and outer column portions having bearing surfaces adjacent each other, a bearing cage oriented between the adjacent bearing surfaces of the inner and outer column portions, and bearings captured between the surfaces and the bearing cage, the bearings having bearing surfaces engaging the bearing surfaces to promote projection of the inner column portion from, and retraction of the inner column portion into, the outer column portion.
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3. An overbed table including a table portion and a telescoping support column including an outer column portion and an inner column portion, a table portion coupled to one of the outer and inner column portions, a base coupled to the other of the outer and inner column portions, the inner and outer column portions having surfaces adjacent each other, a bearing cage oriented between the adjacent surfaces of the inner and outer column portions, and bearings captured between the surfaces and the bearing cage, the bearings engaging the surfaces to promote projection of the inner column portion from, and retraction of the inner column portion into, the outer column portion, wherein the surfaces include bearing races, the bearings captured between the races and within the cage, and wherein the bearings include roller bearings having axes of rotation, the axes of rotation of some of the bearings making non-zero angles with respect to the axes of rotation of others of the bearings.
- 4. An overbed table including a table portion and a telescoping support column including an outer column portion and an inner column portion, a table portion coupled to one of the outer and inner column portions, a base coupled to the other of the outer and inner column portions, the inner and outer column portions having surfaces adjacent each other, a bearing cage oriented between the adjacent surfaces of the inner and outer column portions, and bearings captured between the surfaces and the bearing cage, the bearings engaging the surfaces to promote projection of the inner column portion from, and retraction of the inner column portion into, the outer column portion, wherein each of the inner and outer column portions includes two surfaces adjacent two surfaces of the other of the inner and outer column portions, two bearing cages, one of the bearing cages oriented between each pair of adjacent surfaces.
- 12. An overbed table including a table portion and a telescoping support column including an outer column portion and an inner column portion, a table portion coupled to one of the outer and inner column portions, a base coupled to the other of the outer and inner column portions, the inner and outer column portions having surfaces adjacent each other, a bearing cage oriented between the adjacent surfaces of the inner and outer column portions, and bearings captured between the surfaces and the bearing cage, the bearings engaging the surfaces to promote projection of the inner column portion from, and retraction of the inner column portion into, the outer column portion, each of the surfaces including a rack, a pinion on the cage for engaging both racks as the outer and inner column portions move relative to each other, each of the surfaces further including a bearing race, the bearings captured between the races and within the cage, the bearings including roller bearings having axes of rotation, the axes of rotation of some of the bearings making non-zero angles with respect to the axes of rotation of others of the bearings.
- 19. An overbed table including a frame, a first table section supported by the frame for movement horizontally with respect to the frame, and a second table section pivotally coupled to the first table section by a first pivotal coupling and to the first table section and frame by a releasable coupling such that movement of the second table section results in sliding movement of the first table section.
- 45. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein the first table section is further supported by the frame for movement between a generally vertical position and a generally horizontal position.
Specification