X-ray apparatus having a telescopic columnar support

Claim 2

In an X-ray apparatus including a support and a mechanism for contributing to the production of an X-ray image, an improved telescopic column connecting the mechanism to the support comprising: a plurality of tubular sections telescoped together in nested relationship; three parallel roller guide bars spaced in triangular arrangement, carried on the inner surface of each tubular section other than the innermost section; a plurality of rollers carried on the outer surface of each tubular section, other than the outermost section, riding along each guide bar, and means mounting each roller for independent adjustment on said tubular section relative to its respective guide bar, said means including a locating surface fixed relative to the section, a shaft rotatably supporting the roller, and an adjustable member positioning said shaft relative to the locating surface to locate the roller firmly against the guide bar.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said sections except the outermost section comprises a metal extrusion of substantially triangular configuration.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each guide bar is a rod of circular cross section.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said guide bearings comprise grooved rollers adapted to engage said rods.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said roller mounting means includes a cam surface for urging the roller shaft toward the associated guide bar in response to adjustment of the roller shaft in a direction along the guide bar and an adjustment screw for moving the roller shaft along the guide bar.

Claim 7

In an X-ray apparatus including a support and a mechanism for contributing to the production of an X-ray image, an improved telescopic column connecting the mechanism to the support comprising: a plurality of tubular extruded sections of relatively easily machined material telescoped together in nested relationship, said sections having three substantially equally spaced parallel portions extending longitudinally of the sections for supporting guide bars; three parallel guide bars extending the length of each of said sections and secured thereto within the tubular sections along the spaced parallel portions; at least six rollers carried by each of said sections externally thereof, at least two rollers running along each guide bar to locate and stabilize the position of said tubular sections one to the other; and means for adjusting the position of each roller relative to its tubular section, including a locating surface for each roller fixed relative to the section, a shaft rotatably supporting the roller, and an adjustable member positioning said shaft relative to the locating surface to locate the roller firmly against a guide bar.

Claim 8

In an X-ray apparatus including a support and a mechanism for contributing to the production of an X-ray image, an improved telescopic column connecting the mechanism to the support comprising: a plurality of tubular extruded sections of relatively easily machined material telescoped together in nested relationship, said sections having three substantially equally spaced parallel portions extending longitudinally of the sections for supporting guide bars; three parallel guide bars extending the length of each of said sections and secured thereto within the tubular sections along the spaced parallel portions; at least six rollers carried by each of said sections externally thereof, at least two rollers running along each guide bar to locate and stabilize the position of said tubular sections one to the other; and means for adjusting the position of each roller relative to its tubular section, including a locating surface for each roller fixed relative to the section, a shaft rotatably supporting the roller, and an adjustable member positioning said shaft relative to the locating surface to locate the roller firmly against a guide bar.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said tubular sections each have wall portions angularly related in triangular form.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said wall portions intersect to form apices and said guide bars are located at the apices.

Claim 11

In an X-ray apparatus including a support and a mechanism for contributing to the production of an X-ray image, an improved telescopic column connecting the mechanism to the support comprising: a plurality of tubular extruded sections of relatively easily machined material telescoped together in nested relationship, said sections having three spaced parallel portions extending longitudinally of the sections for supporting guide bars; three parallel guide bars extending along the length of each of said sections and secured thereto along the spaced parallel portions on only one of the inside and outside surfaces of the sections; rollers carried by each of said sections on the other of said inside and outside surfaces of the sections in rolling contact with an adjacent bar; and means for adjusting the position of each roller relative to its tubular section, including a locating surface for each roller fixed relative to the section, a shaft rotatably supporting the roller, and an adjustable member positioning said shaft relative to the locating surface to locate the roller firmly against a guide bar.

Claim 12

In an X-ray apparatus including a support and a mechanism for contributing to the production of an X-ray image, an improved telescopic column connecting the mechanism to the support comprising: a plurality of tubular extruded sections of relatively easily machined material telescoped together in nested relationship, said sections having three spaced parallel portions extending longitudinally of the sections for supporting guide bars; three parallel guide bars extending along the length of each of said sections and secured thereto along the spaced parallel portions on only one of the inside and outside surfaces of the sections; rollers carried by each of said sections on the other of said inside and outside surfaces of the sections in rolling contact with an adjacent bar; and means for adjusting the position of each roller relative to its tubular section, including a locating surface for each roller fixed relative to the section, a shaft rotatably supporting the roller, and an adjustable member positioning said shaft relative to the locating surface to locate the roller firmly against a guide bar.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said tubular sections each have wall portions angularly related in triangular form.