Lifting column for a medical examination table

Abstract

An adjustable height support column for an examination table/chair is disclosed. The column includes nesting sleeve sections that are relatively slidable with respect to one another. The column uses camming guide rails in combination with cam followers located on the sleeve sections to provide for a column that is sturdy, compact, and may support a sufficiently heavy patient. One or more linear actuators provide for extension and retraction of the column.

1 . A camming mechanism for maintaining a predetermined spacing between a pair of nesting, slidably relative sleeve members, said pair of sleeve members including a first sleeve having an outer longitudinally extending wall surface and a second sleeve member having an inner longitudinally extending wall surface laterally spaced from said outer wall surface, said camming mechanism comprising: 
 a longitudinally extending guide rail secured to one of said sleeve members, said guide rail having oppositely disposed, parallel camming guide surfaces; and    a pair of oppositely disposed spaced apart cam followers, each of said cam followers being in longitudinally guiding contact with a respective one of said parallel cam surfaces.    
   
   
       2 . The camming mechanism according to  claim 1  wherein said cam followers are rotatably secured to the other of said sleeve members.  
   
   
       3 . The camming mechanism according to  claim 1  further comprising a second pair of cam followers having at least one of said second pair of cam followers in longitudinally guiding contact with said respective one of said parallel guide surfaces, said second pair of cam followers longitudinally spaced apart from said first pair of cam followers.  
   
   
       4 . The camming mechanism according to  claim 1  wherein said guide rail is axially aligned with said one of said sleeve members.  
   
   
       5 . A support column for an examination table having an adjustable height, said column comprising: 
 at least two nesting sleeve sections, said sleeve sections being slidable relative to one another;    means for maintaining a predetermined spacing between an adjacent pair of said nesting sleeve sections, said means comprising:    at least one longitudinally extending guide rail secured to one of said adjacent sleeve sections, said guide rail having oppositely disposed parallel guiding cam surfaces;    at least one pair of oppositely disposed spaced apart cam followers being longitudinally in guiding contact with a respective one of said parallel cam surfaces, said cam followers supported by the other of said adjacent sleeve sections; and    means for sliding said sleeve sections relative to one another.    
   
   
       6 . The support column according to  claim 5  wherein said each of said adjacent nesting sleeve sections includes surfaces, said surfaces facing surfaces of the other of said adjacent sleeve, said facing surfaces defining a polygonal spaced relationship, said facing surfaces supporting said spacing means.  
   
   
       7 . The column according to  claim 6  wherein each of said nesting sleeves is rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       8 . The column according to  claim 5  wherein said sliding means comprises a linear actuator.  
   
   
       9 . The column according to  claim 5  further comprising a second pair of oppositely disposed spaced apart cam followers being in longitudinally guiding contact with a respective one of said parallel guide surfaces, said second pair of cam followers latitudinally spaced apart from said first pair of cam followers.  
   
   
       10 . An adjustable examination table comprising: 
 a support table;    a stationary base; and    an adjustable height column, said column comprising:    a plurality of sleeve sections, said sleeve sections slidably, nestingly connected to one another, one of said sleeve sections attached to said stationary base, another of said sleeve sections attached to said support table;    at least one longitudinally extending guide rail secured to one of said sleeve sections, said guide rail having oppositely disposed parallel guide surfaces;    at least one pair of oppositely disposed spaced apart cam followers being longitudinally in guiding contact with a respective one of said parallel guide surfaces; and    means for sliding said sleeve sections relative to one another.    
   
   
       11 . The table according to  claim 10  further comprising a second pair of oppositely disposed spaced apart cam followers being in longitudinally guiding contact with a respective one of said parallel guide surfaces, said second pair of cam followers latitudinally spaced apart from said first pair of cam followers, said second pair of cam followers providing support for a patient on said support table.  
   
   
       12 . The table according to  claim 11  providing up to at least 450 pounds support for said patient in a cantilevered position.  
   
   
       13 . The table according to  claim 10  wherein at least one of said guide rails is secured to one of each nesting pair of said sleeve sections, said cam followers are rotatably connected to other of said nesting pair of said sleeve sections.  
   
   
       14 . The table according to  claim 10  wherein said sliding means comprises at least one linear actuator.  
   
   
       15 . The table according to  claim 13  wherein said column further comprises a lower sleeve section, a middle sleeve section, and an upper sleeve section, 
 said lower sleeve section attached to said base,    said upper sleeve section attached to said support table, and    said middle sleeve section located between said lower sleeve section and said upper sleeve section, said middle sleeve section having an inner wall and an outer wall, at least one of said guide rails attached to said inner wall and at least one of said guide rails attached to said outer wall.    
   
   
       16 . The table according to  claim 15  wherein the height is adjustable within a range of at least more than 19 inches.  
   
   
       17 . The table according to  claim 16  wherein the height is adjustable within a range of at least about 23 inches.  
   
   
       18 . The table according to  claim 16  wherein the height is adjustable to a maximum height of at least 39 inches and a minimum height of at least below 20 inches.