X-ray table with self-storing tomographic coupling bar

Claim 2

In diagnostic X-ray apparatus adapted for tomography and angular radiography and other procedures, said apparatus comprising an X-ray permeable patient supporting top, a film cassette supporting carriage movable on one side of the top, an X-ray tube means supported on the other side of the top for moving relative thereto, shaft means supporting said tube means for angulation relative to the top at least in connection with tomography and angular radiography procedures, the improvement comprising: a. a movable element for providing a laterally projecting fulcrum axis, b. link means attached to said carriage and swingable about said fulcrum axis, c. coupling bar means constructed and arranged for selectively engaging said link means to said X-ray tube shaft means so that said relative movement of said X-ray tube means will angulate said X-ray tube means rotationally about its shaft means axis and turn said link means and coupling bar means about said fulcrum axis, d. engagement means operative to selectively engage said coupling bar means with said X-ray tube shaft means in a first manner to effect a positive non-sliding connection between said tube shaft means and coupling bar means, and in a second manner to effect a sliding connection therebetween and said engagement means being operative in a third manner to effect complete disengagement between said coupling bar means and shaft means, and e. means for operating said engagement means.

Claim 3

The invention defined in claim 1 including: a. coupling means at one end of said coupling bar means for coupling and uncoupling said bar means and link means, and b. means for holding said coupling bar means in a storage position when said bar means is disconnected from said link means, said bar means being stabilized by said engagement means when said engagement means has been operated to disengage said coupling bar means completely from said shaft means.

Claim 4

spring biased latch means pivotally mounted on said element,

Claim 5

spring biased latch means pivotally mounted on said element,

Claim 6

socket means carried by said crank arm means, said socket means having a slot means for receiving said latch means to restrain said bar means against rotation,

Claim 7

socket means carried by said crank arm means, said socket means having a slot means for receiving said latch means to restrain said bar means against rotation,

Claim 8

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein: a. said coupling bar means has serrations on a surface thereof and said engagement means includes an element having serrations, whereby to enhance the non-sliding connection between said engagement means and said coupling bar means when said engagement means is engaged in said first manner.

Claim 9

said socket means including a spring member engageable with said element when inserted therein, and

Claim 10

said socket means including a spring member engageable with said element when inserted therein, and

Claim 11

In diagnostic X-ray apparatus adapted for tomography and radiography and other procedures, said apparatus comprising an X-ray permeable top for supporting a patient, a film cassette supporting carriage movable on one side of said top, an X-ray tube means supported from an arm normally extending laterally over the table top and movable relative to said top, a stand adjacent said apparatus from which said arm extends and on which said arm is mounted for vertical movements, said stand being selectively rotatable about a vertical axis, shaft means journaled in said arm and supporting said X-ray tube means for angulation, the improvement comprising: a. a movable element for providing a laterally projecting fulcrum axis, b. link means attached to said film cassette supporting carriage and swingable about said fulcrum axis and extending radially from said axis, c. crank arm means engaged with said link means and extending radially opposite of said link means from said fulcrum axis, d. coupling bAr means including means for detachably connecting an end thereof with said crank arm means, e. first means connected to said X-ray tube shaft means for rotation therewith and being constructed and arranged for receiving said coupling bar means and for engaging said bar means to swing said bar means about said fulcrum axis under the influence of said X-ray tube arm being moved, f. second means engageable with said coupling bar means, and g. means for selectively operating said second means to alternately clamp said coupling bar means for non-sliding engagement with said first means, or unclamp said bar means for sliding engagement with said first means, or completely disengage said coupling bar means from said first means.

Claim 12

In diagnostic X-ray apparatus adapted for tomography and radiography and other procedures, said apparatus comprising an X-ray permeable top for supporting a patient, a film cassette supporting carriage movable on one side of said top, an X-ray tube means supported from an arm normally extending laterally over the table top and movable relative to said top, a stand adjacent said apparatus from which said arm extends and on which said arm is mounted for vertical movements, said stand being selectively rotatable about a vertical axis, shaft means journaled in said arm and supporting said X-ray tube means for angulation, the improvement comprising: a. a movable element for providing a laterally projecting fulcrum axis, b. link means attached to said film cassette supporting carriage and swingable about said fulcrum axis and extending radially from said axis, c. crank arm means engaged with said link means and extending radially opposite of said link means from said fulcrum axis, d. coupling bAr means including means for detachably connecting an end thereof with said crank arm means, e. first means connected to said X-ray tube shaft means for rotation therewith and being constructed and arranged for receiving said coupling bar means and for engaging said bar means to swing said bar means about said fulcrum axis under the influence of said X-ray tube arm being moved, f. second means engageable with said coupling bar means, and g. means for selectively operating said second means to alternately clamp said coupling bar means for non-sliding engagement with said first means, or unclamp said bar means for sliding engagement with said first means, or completely disengage said coupling bar means from said first means.

Claim 13

The invention defined in claim 4 including: a. means mounted to said stand means for holding said coupling bar means in a storage position when it is simultaneously detached from said first means and said crank arm means.

Claim 14

said latch means being manually depressable clear of said slot means to permit rotation of said coupling bar to thereby disengage said spring member and permit withdrawal of said coupling bar from said crank arm means.

Claim 15

said latch means being manually depressable clear of said slot means to permit rotation of said coupling bar to thereby disengage said spring member and permit withdrawal of said coupling bar from said crank arm means.

Claim 16

The invention defined in claim 5 wherein: a. said coupling bar means is swingable jointly with said stand means when said stand means is turned about its axis and said coupling bar is in storage position.

Claim 17

The invention defined in claim 4 wherein: a. said means for detachably connecting said coupling bar means comprising:

Claim 18

The invention defined in claim 4 wherein: a. said first means comprises yoke means, b. said second means comprises collar means and a second shaft means supporting said collar means for rotation coaxial with said X-ray tube shaft means, said collar means embracing said coupling bar means, and c. means for shifting said second shaft means to effect said selective operation of said second means.

Claim 19

The invention defined in claim 4 wherein: a. at least a portion of the length of said coupling bar means is provided with serration means, and b. said second means has serration means for engaging said coupling bar means to enhance said non-sliding engagement when said coupling bar is clamped.

Claim 20

A diagnostic X-ray system including means for performing tomography, comprising: a. X-ray permeable patient supporting panel means, b. carriage means for supporting a film cassette on one side of said panel means, said carriage means being mounted for movement relative to said panel means in a parallel plane, c. an element that is movable in a line substantially perpendicular to said panel means, d. link means journaled for swinging on said element about an axis projecting laterally of said panel, e. means for coupling said link means to said carriage means, f. X-ray tube means movable relative to said panel means on the side opposite of said carriage means, g. first shaft means normally extending laterally over said panel and supporting said X-ray tube means for angulation about the axis of said shaft means; h. yoke means coupled with said shaft means, i. tomographic coupling bar means constructed and arranged for connecting said yoke means to said link means whereby movement of said x-ray tube means will swing said link means and for being stored in proximity with said yoke and link means, j. collar means surrounding said coupling bar means in the vicinity of said yoke means, k. second shaft means for supporting said collar meaNs for rotation and translation, respectively, coaxially with said first shaft means, l. means for controlling said second shaft means and collar means in selected axial positions in the first of which said collar means urges said coupling bar means into non-sliding engagement with said yoke means, in the second of which said bar means is in sliding engagement with said yoke means and the third of which said bar means is clear of said yoke means, m. said coupling bar means when disconnected from said link means being retained in said collar means when said collar means is in said third position whereby said coupling bar means may be stored in a plane adajcent the plane in which said coupling bar means swings when it is connected, and n. means for holding said coupling bar means jointly with said collar means when said bar means is in storage.

Claim 21

A diagnostic X-ray system including means for performing tomography, comprising: a. X-ray permeable patient supporting panel means, b. carriage means for supporting a film cassette on one side of said panel means, said carriage means being mounted for movement relative to said panel means in a parallel plane, c. an element that is movable in a line substantially perpendicular to said panel means, d. link means journaled for swinging on said element about an axis projecting laterally of said panel, e. means for coupling said link means to said carriage means, f. X-ray tube means movable relative to said panel means on the side opposite of said carriage means, g. first shaft means normally extending laterally over said panel and supporting said X-ray tube means for angulation about the axis of said shaft means; h. yoke means coupled with said shaft means, i. tomographic coupling bar means constructed and arranged for connecting said yoke means to said link means whereby movement of said x-ray tube means will swing said link means and for being stored in proximity with said yoke and link means, j. collar means surrounding said coupling bar means in the vicinity of said yoke means, k. second shaft means for supporting said collar meaNs for rotation and translation, respectively, coaxially with said first shaft means, l. means for controlling said second shaft means and collar means in selected axial positions in the first of which said collar means urges said coupling bar means into non-sliding engagement with said yoke means, in the second of which said bar means is in sliding engagement with said yoke means and the third of which said bar means is clear of said yoke means, m. said coupling bar means when disconnected from said link means being retained in said collar means when said collar means is in said third position whereby said coupling bar means may be stored in a plane adajcent the plane in which said coupling bar means swings when it is connected, and n. means for holding said coupling bar means jointly with said collar means when said bar means is in storage.