Tabletop Unit to Base Attachment System

Abstract

A tabletop unit to base attachment system of a medical/surgical system includes a top half and a bottom half. The top half includes a non-rotating post assembly surrounded by a captive internally threaded nut. The bottom half includes a receiver socket surrounded by external threads. Engagement of the internally threaded portion of the nut with the external threads on the receiver socket secures the top half and bottom half together, thereby mounting the tabletop unit to the base.

1 . A tabletop unit to base attachment system of a medical/surgical system, said tabletop unit to base attachment system comprising:
 a pair of attachment fittings including a top half and a bottom half, said bottom half being mounted to the base and said top half being mounted to the tabletop unit;   said top half including a non-rotating post assembly with a captive floating internally threaded nut, said captive floating internally threaded nut being trapped between a foot portion of said post assembly and a frame of the tabletop unit; and   said bottom half including a non-rotating receiver socket having external threads to engage said captive floating internally threaded nut;   whereby the tabletop unit may be secured to the base from a position exterior to the medical/surgical system.   
   
   
       2 . The tabletop unit to base attachment system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said non-rotating post assembly is mounted to the tabletop unit by threadable engagement with a nut. 
   
   
       3 . The tabletop unit to base attachment system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said non-rotating receiver socket is mounted to the base by threadable engagement with a nut. 
   
   
       4 . The tabletop unit to base attachment system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the inside diameter of said captive nut is larger than the outside diameter of said non-rotating post assembly. 
   
   
       5 . The tabletop unit to base attachment system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said foot portion of said non-rotating post assembly is constructed and arranged to fit within said non-rotating receiver socket. 
   
   
       6 . The tabletop unit to base attachment system as defined in  claim 5  further including an anti-scuff button within said foot portion. 
   
   
       7 . A medical/surgical system including a tabletop unit and a base to which the tabletop unit is connected, said medical/surgical system comprising:
 a top attachment fitting constructed and arranged to mount to the tabletop unit;   a bottom attachment fitting constructed and arranged to mount to the base;   said top attachment fitting further including a non-rotating post assembly having a captive internally threaded nut positioned therearound; and   said bottom attachment fitting including a non-rotating receiver socket having external threads;   whereby said top attachment fitting may be secured to said bottom attachment fitting by the threadable engagement of said internal threads of said captive nut with the external threads of said non-rotating receiver socket.   
   
   
       8 . The medical/surgical system as defined in  claim 7  wherein said non-rotating post assembly is mounted to the tabletop unit by threadable engagement with a nut. 
   
   
       9 . The medical/surgical system as defined in  claim 7  wherein said non-rotating receiver socket is mounted to the base by threadable engagement with a nut. 
   
   
       10 . The medical/surgical system as defined in  claim 7  wherein the inside diameter of said captive internally threaded nut is larger than the outside diameter of said non-rotating post assembly. 
   
   
       11 . The medical/surgical system as defined in  claim 7  wherein the bottom portion of said non-rotating post assembly includes a foot portion constructed and arranged to fit within said non-rotating receiver socket. 
   
   
       12 . The medical/surgical system as defined in  claim 11  further including an anti-scuff button within said foot portion. 
   
   
       13 . A method for attaching a tabletop unit to a base of a medical/surgical system, said method comprising the steps of:
 placing a floating nut around a post assembly having a lower foot portion;   securing said post assembly to the tabletop unit so that said post assembly does not rotate with respect to said tabletop unit;   securing a receiver socket having external threads to the base of the medical/surgical system so that said receiver socket does not rotate with respect to the base of the medical/surgical system; and   placing said foot portion of said post assembly into said receiver socket and threadably engaging said floating nut with said external threads on said receiver socket.