Clamp for railed surgical tables

Abstract

A surgical table width extender having an angled tang structure for engaging the gap formed between a standard table and its stand-off-mounted side rail. The tang structure contacts portions of the rail and portions of the table edge to enhance the load-carrying capability of the table side rail assembly. The extender further provides its own stand-off-mounted rail and a quick release clamp for securing the extender to the table. The tang structure is formed to allow a single extender to be used on either side of a surgical table where the stand-offs are not evenly spaced apart. The extender body is formed from a lightweight, strong carbon fiber composite material. Further enhancements protect exposed corners of the extender and protect potential high stress surfaces. An angularly orientable attachment is provided for use when two width extenders are used simultaneously on opposite sides of the table. In a lowered, horizontal orientation the attachment acts as a table length extender. In a raised, upright orientation the attachment acts as a foot stop.

1 . A clamp mechanism comprises: 
 a housing;    a jaw pivotally mounted about a first axis to said housing;    an oblong slot formed into said jaw;    a bearing member slidingly engaging said slot; and,    a drive element adapted to move said bearing member within said slot, thereby moving said jaw about said first axis.    
   
   
       2 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said bearing member both slidingly and rotatively engages said slot, thereby allowing sliding and rotating movement of said bearing member relative to said slot causing pivoting movement of said jaw relative to said housing.  
   
   
       3 . The mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein said sliding and rotating movement of said bearing member relative to said slot occurs simultaneously.  
   
   
       4 . The mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said drive element comprises: 
 a threaded drive shaft engaging a threaded hole in said bearing element.    
   
   
       5 . The mechanism of  claim 4 , wherein said threaded hole radially penetrates said bearing member.  
   
   
       6 . The mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein said shaft penetrates an oblong channel in said jaw.  
   
   
       7 . The mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein said bearing member rotates relative to said slot in a second axis substantially parallel to said first axis.  
   
   
       8 . The mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein said drive element comprises: 
 a threaded drive shaft engaging a threaded hole in said bearing element; and,    wherein said threaded hole is substantially perpendicular to said first and second axes.    
   
   
       9 . A clamping mechanism comprises: 
 a housing;    a jaw pivotally mounted to said housing upon a pin, said jaw comprising a jaw body and a tooth;    an oblong slot formed into said jaw body;    said slot being oriented coaxially with said pin;    a rod rotatively and slidingly engaged in said slot; and    a threaded drive shaft engaging a threaded hole radially penetrating said rod,    thereby allowing sliding and rotating movement of said rod relative to said slot causing pivoting movement of said jaw relative to said housing during axial rotation of said shaft.    
   
   
       10 . The mechanism of  claim 9 , which further comprises: 
 a table having a peripheral rim;    said side rail being mounted to said rim on a plurality of table standoffs forming a gap between said rail and said rim;    an extension;    said clamp mechanism being mounted to said extension; and,    said clamp being sized, shaped and positioned to releasably engage a portion of said side rail.    
   
   
       11 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of said jaw bears against a far side of said rail when the jaw is in an engaged orientation.  
   
   
       12 . A combination of a surgical table, a table attachment, and a clamp mechanism, wherein said table comprises: 
 a table top having a peripheral table rim;    a table side rail mounted to said table rim on a plurality of table stand-offs forming a gap therebetween; and    wherein said attachment comprises: 
 a plate having a first edge;  
 a tang structure extending downwardly from said first edge;  
 said tang structure being sized and shaped to engage said gap; and  
   wherein said clamp mechanism comprises: 
 a housing;  
 a jaw pivotally mounted about a first axis to said housing;  
 an oblong slot formed into said jaw;  
 a bearing member slidingly engaging said slot; and,  
 a drive element adapted to move said bearing member within said slot, thereby moving said jaw about said first axis.  
   
   
   
       13 . The combination of  claim 12 , wherein a portion of said jaw bears against a far side of said rail when the jaw is in an engaged orientation.