US3830233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Treatment table
Assignee: HILL LABOR CO
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Filing: 1973-04-02
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1993-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A therapeutic table having a stationary support and a top mounted to the support for reciprocation longitudinally between limit positions cooperates with traction apparatus mounted to the support for periodically applying traction to a patient lying on the table. The table is reciprocated by a motor which is powered through a timer switch capable of being preset to various time intervals. In one embodiment, a control circuit having a selector switch and a pair of limit switches cooperates with the timer to arrest motion of the table at one or the other of its limit positions at the completion of a time period so that the patient is not under traction at the completion of a period of treatment. In another embodiment, a pair of limit switches are connnected to auxiliary timers which operate to arrest motion of the top for relatively short periods of time within a longer period as determined by a master timer so that the patient undergoes sustained traction and/or relaxation for short time intervals within the overall period of treatment. The table top has an elongated aperture through which a series of rollers protrude for engaging the patient to effect a therapeutic action as the table reciprocates. The therapeutic action is augmented by a heating element which is mounted below the rollers for applying heat through the aperture and to the patient. In addition, there is provided means to vibrate the top as it reciprocates. An elongated filler block is provided for insertion in the aperture to convert the top into a manipulating surface. A pair of brackets are mounted on opposite sides of the support, and each bracket has a series of sockets for receiving leg roller stanchions so that the position of the leg rollers may be adjusted longitudinally of the table.
Inventors
- 👤 H Hill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H1/00; A61H1/02; A61H1/0218; A61H1/0222; A61H15/00; A61H15/0078; A61H2001/0233; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/01; A61H2201/0119; A61H2201/0138; A61H2201/0142; A61H2201/02; A61H2201/0207; A61H2201/0221; A61H2201/0228; A61H2201/025; A61H2201/16; A61H2201/1657; A61H2201/1664; A61H2201/1669; A61H2201/50; A61H2201/5058; A61H2201/5064; A61H2201/5066; A61H23/00; A61H23/02; A61H23/0254; A61H23/0263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
In a therapeutic table including a stationary support, tractive means mounted to said support for securement to a person, a top mounted to said support for horizontal displacement relative to the support and said tractive means between one limit position corresponding to an untensioned state and another limit position corresponding to a tensioned state, electricallyenergized means connected to said top for reciprocating said top between said alternate limit positions, and timer switch means connected to said reciprocating means for energizing said reciprocating means for a preselected time, the improvement comprising: means associated with the said reciprocating means and timer for automatically arresting movement of said top in said one limit position after the completion of said preselected period of time, whereby the person is in an untensioned state when the table stops reciprocating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a therapeutic table including a stationary support, tractive means mounted to said support for securement to a person, a top mounted to said support for horizontal displacement relative to the support and said tractive means between one limit position corresponding to an untensioned state and another limit position corresponding to a tensioned state, electricallyenergized means connected to said top for reciprocating said top between said alternate limit positions, and timer switch means connected to said reciprocating means for energizing said reciprocating means for a preselected time, the improvement comprising: means associated with the said reciprocating means and timer for automatically arresting movement of said top in said one limit position after the completion of said preselected period of time, whereby the person is in an untensioned state when the table stops reciprocating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said automatic means includes switch means connected to said reciprocating means and operable when said top is out of said one limit position to continue to power said reciprocating means after said timer ceases to power said reciprocating means, and means for actuating said switch means when said top reaches said one limit position to deactivate said reciprocating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said switch means includes a pair of limit switches associated with said top, and said actuator means includes a pair of actuators for engaging said limit switches, means mounting said limit switches for movement relative to said actuators as said top reciprocates, and including a selector switch connected to said limit switches for rendering a selected one operable to continue to power said reciprocating means after the completion of said preselected time period and until engaged by its associated actuator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of said pair of limit switches has a normally-closed position, and said selector switch has two contact positions and a common pole, said timer switch being connected across said contact positions and said normally-closed limit switches being connected to said contact positions in series with said electrically-energized reciprocating means, so that when the selector switch is positioned in one of its contact positions, current flows through the corresponding limit switch after the timer switch opens and interrupts flow through the other limit switch, whereby the top is arrested at the limit position corresponding to the location of the limit switch connected to said contact position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including an aperture in said table top, a set of rollers having peripheral portions projecting upwardly through said aperture for engaging the person when lying on the top, and heating means mounted in said support adjacent said aperture for applying heat through said aperture and to said person.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said heating means includes a heating element located in said support and housing means containing said heating element for directing heated air upwardly between the rollers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 including means in said support mounting said rollers for vertical displacement, and a filler block sized to be removably received in said aperture and supported by said rollers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said roller-mounting means includes elastic means mounting said rollers to said support so that said filler block and rollers cooperate to react resiliently as the person is being treated on the table.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support has upstanding sides, and including a bracket mounted to each side below said top with said brackets being elongated in the direction of the top and having a series of spaced sockets, and leg-support roller means overlying and extending transversely to said top, said roller means having a pair of members depending alongside the edges of the top and mounted in selected ones of said sockets, so that the position of the leg-support roller means may be readily adjusted longitudinally of the table top.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for vibrating said top as said top reciprocates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a therapeutic table including a stationary support, tractive means mounted to said support for securement to a person, a top mounted to said support for horizontal displacement relative to the support and said tractive means, electrically-energized means connected to said top for reciprocating said top between alternate limit positions, and master timer switch means connected to said reciprocating means for energizing said reciprocating means for a preselected period of time, the improvement comprising: auxiliary timer switch means associated with said master timer switch means and said reciprocating means for automatically arresting movement of said top in at least one of said limit positions and reactivating movement of said top after the lapse of a period of time less than said preselected period of time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a therapeutic table including a stationary support, tractive means mounted to said support for securement to a person, a top mounted to said support for horizontal displacement relative to the support and said tractive means, electrically-energized means connected to said top for reciprocating said top between alternate limit positions, and master timer switch means connected to said reciprocating means for energizing said reciprocating means for a preselected period of time, the improvement comprising: auxiliary timer switch means associated with said master timer switch means and said reciprocating means for automatically arresting movement of said top in at least one of said limit positions and reactivating movement of said top after the lapse of a period of time less than said preselected period of time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 including limit switch means associated with said auxiliary timer switch means and operable when said top is in said one limit position to actuate said auxiliary timer switch means for counting said lesser period of time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 including actuator means for engaging said limit switch when said top is in said one limit position and means mounting said limit switch for movement relative to said actuator means as said top reciprocates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said auxiliary timer switch means includes a pair of auxiliary timers associated with said reciprocating means and said master timer with said auxiliary timers each corresponding to one of said limit positions, and including a limiT switch associated with each of said auxiliary timers and operable when said top is in one of said limit positions to actuate the corresponding auxiliary timer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 including a relay having normally-closed contacts connected in series relation with said electrically-energized means and a coil connected to both of said auxiliary timers for opening said contacts for said period of time upon activation of either of said auxiliary timers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |