Patient-positioning X-ray table

An x-ray-table system comprising:

• a base;
• elevator means mounted on said base for moving vertically relative thereto;
• elevator drive means for raising and lowering said elevator means;
• an elongated support means mounted to said elevator for moving longitudinally;
• a reversible support means driving motor and means for coupling the motor to the support means for moving said support means selectively between a retracted position and an advanced position and back to a retracted position, relative to said elevator;
• an elongated cradle means mounted to the support means for moving longitudinally relative to said support means;
• a reversible cradle means driving motor and means for coupling said motor to the cradle means for moving said cradle means selectively between a retracted position and an advanced position and back to a retracted position relative to said support means;
• and
• said means for coupling said cradle means driving motor to the cradle means, including a drive roller coupled to said cradle-driving motor, and an idler roller, said cradle means resting on said drive-and-idler rollers, such that said drive roller frictionally engages said cradle means for movement.

An x-ray-table system comprising:

• a base;
• elevator means mounted on said base for moving vertically relative thereto;
• elevator drive means for raising and lowering said elevator means;
• an elongated support means mounted to said elevator for moving longitudinally;
• a reversible support means driving motor and means for coupling the motor to the support means for moving said support means selectively between a retracted position and an advanced position and back to a retracted position, relative to said elevator;
• cradle-carriage means mounted to said support means for moving longitudinally relative thereto;
• elongated cradle means mounted to said cradle-carriage means and to said support means for moving longitudinally relative to said support means;
• a reversible cradle means driving motor and means for coupling said motor to said cradle for moving said cradle means selectively between a retracted position and an advanced position and back to a retracted position relative to said support means;
• and
• encoder means for providing an indication of the position of said cradle means relative to said base regardless of the position of said support means, said encoder means including cable means attached at one end to said cradle-carriage means and engaging sequentially:
• a first plurality of pulley means mounted to said support means, a second plurality of pulleys mounted to said elevator means, a take-up pulley coupled to an input shaft of said encoder means, a third plurality of pulleys mounted to said elevator means, and a fourth plurality of pulleys mounted to said support means, said cable being attached at its other end to said cradle-carriage means, and secured at an intermediate point thereof to said take-up pulley.