Examination table

A variable height examination table for supporting a patient during a medical examination comprising a cabinet;

• a plurality of leg means at spaced positions on said cabinet for supporting said table on a support surface, said cabinet including a bottom, side, and end walls, and patient supporting means mounted at the top of said cabinet for supporting a patient;
• each of said leg means including a stationary section adapted to rest on the support surface and a vertically movable section;
• and motive power means for raising and lowering said vertically movable leg sections, and thus said cabinet and patient support means, with respect to said stationary leg sections;
• said motive power means including a power unit, flexible connector means including at least one elongated, flexible connector connected to said leg means for moving said vertically movable leg sections with respect to said stationary leg sections, power transfer means connected to said power unit and flexible connector for extending and retracting said flexible connector;
• and means for controlling operation of said power unit whereby said vertically movable leg sections can be raised and lowered and the height of said patient support means above a support surface is selectively adjustable;
• said cabinet including a top;
• said patient support means including an articulated patient support cushion having at least one pivotable cushion section and means for pivotally mounting said pivotable cushion section with respect to said cabinet top surface for generally vertical swinging movement to support a patient in various positions;
• a fluid cylinder pivotally connected between said cabinet top and the underside of said pivotable cushion section;
• and control means movable with said pivotable cushion section adjacent the end of said cylinder on the underside of said pivotable cushion section, said control means including handle means having portions extending laterally to either side of said cushion section and means operated by said handle means for depressing a valve controlling means on the end of said cylinder for controlling the position of said fluid cylinder whereby said cushion section position may be controlled from either side of said cushion section;
• said fluid cylinder including a movable piston joined to a connecting rod, a valve in said piston to control the movement of fluid past said piston, and a push pin comprising said valve controlling means at one end of said connecting rod for opening and closing said piston valve to control the position of said piston and thus of said cushion section;
• said end of said connecting rod being pivotally secured to said underside of said pivotable cushion section adjacent said means operated by said handle means;
• a bracket secured to the underside of said cushion section and means in said bracket for engaging and pivotally supporting said push pin end of said connecting rod;
• said means operated by said handle means including a push pin engaging member rigidly secured to said handle means;
• biasing means for returning said push pin engaging member to its nonoperative position;
• and a stop for limiting the return movement of said engaging member whereby rotation of said handle means from either side of said cushion section depresses said push pin with said engaging member to control the position of said fluid cylinder piston, said handle means automatically returning to their nonoperative position when released.