Fail-safe release mechanisms for use with interchangeable patient positioning support structures

A method of attaching and supporting a first patient support structure and a second patient support structure relative to a base structure, the method comprising

• providing a first upright end support having a first lower end and a second upper end, the first lower end being supported relative to a floor, and the second upper end being spaced above the first lower end;
• rotatably supporting a first rotator member on the first upright end support adjacent the second upper end thereof, the first rotator member being configured to turn around a rotational axis substantially perpendicular to the first rotator member;
• releasably joining a first attachment portion of a first turning connection subassembly to the first rotator member;
• moving at least a first rod body of the first turning connection subassembly along a first longitudinal axis of a first bracket connecting portion of the first turning connection subassembly that extends outwardly from the first attachment portion, the a movement of the at least a first rod body spacing the at least a first rod body closer to or further from the first rotator member;
• releasably joining a first end of the first patient support structure with the first bracket connecting portion via engagement of a first connection bracket of the first patient support structure with the at least a first rod body by movement of a first moveable engagement portion along the first bracket connecting portion from a first position to a second position to engage the first rod body, the first connection bracket being pivotable about the at least a first rod body;
• releasing, when the first moveable engagement portion is in the second position, the first attachment portion from the first rotator member;
• releasably joining a second attachment portion of a second turning connection subassembly to the first rotator member;
• moving at least a second rod body of the second turning connection subassembly along a second longitudinal axis of a second bracket connecting portion of the second turning connection subassembly that extends outwardly from the second attachment portion, a movement of the at least a second rod body spacing the at least a second rod body closer to or further from the first rotator member;
• and
• releasably joining a first end of the second patient support structure with the second bracket connecting portion via engagement of a second connection bracket of the second patient support structure with the at least a second rod body by movement of a second moveable engagement portion along the second bracket connecting portion from a first disengaged position to a second position to engage the second rod body, the second connection bracket being pivotable about the at least a second rod body;
• and
• releasing, when the second moveable engagement portion is in the second position, the second attachment portion from the first rotator member.

A method of attaching and supporting a first patient support structure and a second patient support structure relative to a base structure, the method comprising

• providing a first upright end support and a second upright end support;
• rotatably supporting a first rotator member on the first upright end support
• and a second rotator member on the second upright end support;
• releasably joining a first attachment portion of a first turning connection subassembly to the first rotator member;
• moving at least a first rod body of the first turning connection subassembly along a first longitudinal axis of a first bracket connecting portion of the first turning connection subassembly that extends outwardly from the first attachment portion, a movement of the at least a first rod body spacing the at least a first rod body closer to or further from the first rotator member;
• releasably joining a first end of the first patient support structure with the first bracket connecting portion via engagement of a first connection bracket of the first patient support structure with the at least a first rod body by movement of a first moveable engagement portion along the first bracket connecting portion from a first position to a second position to engage the first rod body, the first connection bracket being pivotable about the at least a first rod body;
• releasing, when the first moveable engagement portion is in the second position, the first attachment portion from the first rotator member;
• releasably joining a second attachment portion of a second turning connection subassembly to the first rotator member;
• moving at least a second rod body of the second turning connection subassembly along a second longitudinal axis of a second bracket connecting portion of the second turning connection subassembly that extends outwardly from the second attachment portion, the movement of the at least a second rod body spacing the at least a second rod body closer to or further from the first rotator member;
• releasably joining a first end of the second patient support structure with the second bracket connecting portion via engagement of a second connection bracket of the second patient support structure with the at least a second rod body by movement of a second moveable engagement portion along the second bracket connecting portion from a first position to a second position to engage the second rod body, the second connection bracket being pivotable about the at least a second rod body;
• releasing, when the second moveable engagement portion is in the second position, the second attachment portion from the first rotator member;
• and
• attaching a second end of the first patient support structure and a second end of the second patient support structure relative to a second rotator member.