Patent US5662228A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5662228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Anatomy table
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-01-26
•
Granted: 1997-09-02
•
Expires: 2016-01-26
Abstract
Abstract The anatomy table (10) includes a substantially flat top surface (15) with a plurality of substantially parallel grooves (30) formed in the top surface (15). A plurality of clamp assemblies (32) are each slidably engaged in one of the grooves (30) with a cross-sectional anatomy slice (12) securely fastened thereto. A plurality of rotation assemblies (52) are further provided, where each rotation assembly (52) is coupled to one clamp assembly (32) and enables a cross-sectional anatomy slice (12) to rotate to a plurality of predetermined angular viewing positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Felipe D. Mendoza
- 👤 Alfredo Armendariz
- 👤 Devin L. Brown
- 👤 Sam L. Montanez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:55
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47F; A47F7/00; G; G09; G09B; G09B23/00; G09B23/28; G09B23/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
An anatomy table comprising: a substantially flat panel; a plurality of clamp assemblies each being slidably engaged in parallel and secured to said panel, each clamp assembly securely holding a cross-sectional anatomy slice substantially parallel with one another; and a plurality of rotation assemblies, each being coupled to one clamp assembly and being operable for rotating a cross-sectional anatomy slice to a plurality of predetermined angular viewing positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
An anatomy table comprising: a substantially flat panel; a plurality of clamp assemblies each being slidably engaged in parallel and secured to said panel, each clamp assembly securely holding a cross-sectional anatomy slice substantially parallel with one another; and a plurality of rotation assemblies, each being coupled to one clamp assembly and being operable for rotating a cross-sectional anatomy slice to a plurality of predetermined angular viewing positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said flat panel further comprises a plurality of substantially parallel grooves formed therein, and said plurality of clamp assemblies being slidably engaged in said grooves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a tension assembly being selectively engageable with said rotation assembly for supplying and maintaining a predetermined amount of tension when a cross-sectional anatomy slice coupled thereto is being rotated into an angular viewing position or returned to an upright storage position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said tension assembly prevents said cross-sectional anatomy slice coupled thereto from falling uncontrollably onto said top surface of the table.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said tension assembly includes a spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a plurality of shafts each being fitted into one of said plurality of grooves and securely coupled thereto, each said clamp assembly being slidably engaged with one of said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 6, further comprising an elongated longitudinal keyway formed in an upper surface of each of said shafts extending a predetermined distance from a first end of said shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said rotation assembly comprises: a circumferential keyway formed in each said shaft at a predetermined distance from said first end thereof; and a plurality of tubular sleeves each fitting around one of said shafts, said tubular sleeves each having a pin protruding inwardly and being slidably engaged with said longitudinal keyway and said circumferential keyway, each said clamp assemblies securely fastening one cross-sectional anatomy slice to one of said tubular sleeves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a spring coiled about a second end of said shaft, said tubular sleeve being engageable with said spring when said tubular sleeve is slid along said shaft to said second end thereof, said spring providing torsional tension when said pin is being slid around said circumferential keyway for rotating said cross-sectional anatomy slice into a viewing position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a locking assembly coupled to each of said tubular sleeves for locking said cross-sectional anatomy slice into an angular viewing position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 10, wherein said locking assembly includes: a gear having a plurality of teeth being circumferentially arranged around each said shaft; and a locking device coupled to said table for selectively engaging said gear between two teeth to prevent further rotation thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 11, wherein said rotational assembly rotates a cross-sectional anatomy slice to a plurality of positions defined by said plurality of gear teeth.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 11, wherein said locking device further includes a biasing device for ensuring said engagement of said locking device and said gear teeth.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
119 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of shafts each being fitted into one of said plurality of grooves and securely coupled thereto, each said clamp assembly being slidably engaged with one of said shaft; a plurality of tubular sleeves each fitting around one of said shafts, each said clamp assembly securely fastening one cross-sectional anatomy slice to one of said tubular sleeves; a spring coiled about a second end of said shaft, said tubular sleeve being engageable with said spring when said tubular sleeve is slid along said shaft to said second end thereof, said spring providing torsional tension when a cross-sectional anatomy slice is being rotated into an angular viewing position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 14, further comprising a locking assembly coupled to each of said tubular sleeves for locking said cross-sectional anatomy slice into said angular viewing position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a C-channel encased around each cross-sectional anatomy slice.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rotational assembly rotates a cross-sectional anatomy slice to a plurality of positions where a maximum rotation is slice at least 90° in each direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said clamp assemblies are operable to accommodate cross-sectional anatomy slices of varying dimensions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The anatomy table, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: at least four table legs coupled to said top table surface; and at least two casters coupled to two table legs.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
103 words
A table for displaying a plurality of generally thin and flat panels, comprising: a substantially flat top surface; a plurality of substantially parallel grooves formed in said top surface; a plurality of clamp assemblies each being slidably engaged in one of said grooves, a panel being securely held by each clamp assembly substantially in-line with said groove; a plurality of rotation assemblies, each being coupled to one clamp assembly and being operable for rotating a panel to a plurality of predetermined angular viewing positions; and a locking assembly coupled to each said rotation assembly for locking said panels into said angular viewing position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
103 words
A table for displaying a plurality of generally thin and flat panels, comprising: a substantially flat top surface; a plurality of substantially parallel grooves formed in said top surface; a plurality of clamp assemblies each being slidably engaged in one of said grooves, a panel being securely held by each clamp assembly substantially in-line with said groove; a plurality of rotation assemblies, each being coupled to one clamp assembly and being operable for rotating a panel to a plurality of predetermined angular viewing positions; and a locking assembly coupled to each said rotation assembly for locking said panels into said angular viewing position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The table, as set forth in claim 20, further comprising a tension assembly being selectively engageable with said rotation assembly for supplying and maintaining a predetermined amount of tension when a panel coupled thereto is being rotated into an angular viewing position or returned to an upright storage position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The table, as set forth in claim 21, wherein said tension assembly includes a spring.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
The table, as set forth in claim 20, further comprising a plurality of shafts each being fitted into one of said plurality of grooves and securely coupled thereto, each said clamp assembly being slidably engaged with one of said shaft.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The table, as set forth in claim 23, further comprising a longitudinal keyway formed in an upper surface of each of said shafts extending a predetermined distance from a first end of said shaft.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
82 words
The table, as set forth in claim 24, wherein said rotation assembly comprises: a circumferential keyway formed in each said shaft at a predetermined distance from said first end thereof; and a plurality of tubular sleeves each fitting around one of said shafts, said tubular sleeves each having a pin protruding from an inner surface thereof and being slidably engaged with said longitudinal keyway and said circumferential keyway, each said clamp assemblies securely fastening one panel to one of said tubular sleeves.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The table, as set forth in claim 24, wherein said locking assembly is coupled to each of said tubular sleeves for locking said panel into an angular viewing position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
48 words
The table, as set forth in claim 26, wherein said locking assembly includes: a gear having a plurality of teeth being circumferentially arranged around each said shaft; and a locking device coupled to said table for selectively engaging said gear between two teeth to prevent further rotation thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The table, as set forth in claim 27, wherein said locking device further includes a biasing device for ensuring said engagement of said locking device and said gear teeth.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
118 words
The table, as set forth in claim 20, further comprising: a plurality of shafts each being fitted into one of said plurality of grooves and securely coupled thereto, each said clamp assembly being slidably engaged with one of said shaft; a plurality of tubular sleeves each fitting around one of said shafts, each said clamp assembly securely fastening one cross-sectional anatomy slice to one of said tubular sleeves; a spring coiled about a second end of said shaft, said tubular sleeve being engageable with said spring when said tubular sleeve is slid along said shaft to said second end thereof, said spring providing torsional tension when a cross-sectional anatomy slice is being rotated into an angular viewing position.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The table, as set forth in claim 20, further comprising a C-channel encased around each panel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The table, as set forth in claim 30, wherein each said panel may be rigid or limp.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The table, as set forth in claim 20, wherein said rotational assembly rotates a cross-sectional to a plurality of positions where a maximum rotation is slice at least 90° in each direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1113698A
Cited
US2123774A
Cited
US3295696A
Cited
US3752545A
Cited
US3784269A
Cited
US5437379A
Cited
US5358408A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-01 | 2001-03-03 | 2001-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-01 | 2005-03-03 | 2005-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-01 | 2009-03-03 | 2009-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |