US2640748A - Overbed table - Google Patents

Description

H. HOLMBERG June '2, 1953 OVERBED TABLE 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed April 29, 1952 ,inl A? a f /f @ism ,Q j. l I n@ 0 i, 5 ULL 1 N VEN TOR.

W y n d r M w im Patented June 2, 1 953 Marquette Manufacturing Co.,

Ludington,

Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 29, 1952, Serial'No. 284,907 'z claims. (c1. sii-ats) This invention relates to new and useful im'- provements in overbed tables of the type conventionally used in hospitals and sick rooms.

Overbed tables of the type here under consideration have a flat top mounted at one end thereof on an upright standard or support which usually is vertically adjustable to vary the height of the table and in many instances is retractable to such an extent that the table can be pushed under another table or even under the bed'when not in use. When the table is in use, it is positioned with the upright support at one side of the bed so that the table top projects over the bed in convenient relation to the patient.

2 It isconventional to provide tables of the type here-under consideration with a drawer or other compartment which provides a convenient receptacle for medicine, cosmetics, cigarettes, writing material and the like, and in some instances provision is made for supporting a book on the table for convenience in reading by the patient. Since the drawer opens through only one side of the table it is available for convenient use only when the standard is disposed at one side of the bed. Thus, these tables are not universally adaptable and it is necessary to maintain both ri'ght-4 and left-hand tables at hand.

In: addition to thel above, the drawer usualli7 is located at the middle of the table, and as av result the patient must lie very close toone side of thebed in order to use the compartment conveniently. In some instances, this feature adversely affects the efficacy of the table to perform its intended function. y

An important object of the present invention, isto provide a table having a novel compartment arrangement which makes the table universally adaptable for use at either side of the bed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an overbed table in which the compartment is located for maximum convenience in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an overbed table in which the compartment has top covers that can be raisedv to provide a support for books and the like and wherein the covers are mounted in a mechanically simple, highlyefcient manner.

Still' another object of the invention is to provide an overbed table of the above-mentioned character wherein the covers are adjustable to hold a book or the like supported thereby at an angle most convenient to the person using the Same;

Other objects and advantages ofthe invention will be apparent duringv the course of thefollpwing description'.

lll

Fig. l is a perspective view of an overbed table embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical sec-'- tional view taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3` is a fragmentary, longitudinal, vertical? sectional view taken on the lineS-S of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, top plan view ofthe table top showing a modied construction Afor holding the covers of the compartmenty in a selected, angularly adjusted position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken on the line 5*-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a transverse, vertical sectionalY view taken on the line 6 6 ofFig. 5;

Figs. 7 and 8'are perspective views of the partsv which hold the covers in selectively adjustedpositions; v

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, transverse, vertical sectional view through the table top at onev side of the covers and illustrating a modied means for holding the coversV in selected adjusted positions; and Fig. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary; sectional view taken on the line Ill-l 0 of Fig. v9.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of the invention, attention is first directed to Figs. 1-3 wherein the numeral 20 designates a table topmounted at one end thereof onA an upright standard 22v having an elongated base 24 extending under the top and provided with cas-- ters 26 for convenience in moving the table.- The support 22 and the base 24 are of conventional design and construction, and the upright here shown comprises telescoping sections 22a and 22b which permit vertical adjustment 'of the table, suitable means` (not shown) such as a set'screw or the like being provided'frA hold'- ing the sections in selected, vertically adjusted positions.

The top 2D has a generally elongated, rectangular'frame'28. Top panels 30' and 32 are mounted on the frame at'opposite ends thereof andfastened securely thereto by screws 34 orthe like. As perhaps best shown in Fig. 1, the panels 3U and 32 are spaced al substantial distance apart to dene'an opening 36 therebetween. rIhe frame 28 isv provided with transversev partitions 38 and 40 at opposite sides of the opening 3E, and a bottom panel 42 extends between and is suitably fastened to the partitions and tothe portions ofthe frame-22 between thepartitions. Manifestly, the

partitions-38 and-lll-and panel t2 provide acorn-- partment in the table and access is had to the compartment through opening -36. It is a feature of this invention that the compartment is disposed substantially closer to the end of the top 20 remote from standard 22 so that ready access may be had thereto by a person lying comfortably away from the side of the bed at which the table is positioned.

The opening 36 is closed by two covers 44 and 46 which are hinged at substantially the middle of the top 20 and the covers are raised from opposite sides of the table. Each cover occupies essentially half the opening 36. When the covers are closed, the rearward or inner edges thereof are disposed in close-tting, abutting relation, and the top surfaces of the covers extend iiush with the panels 30 and 32 so that a single at surface is presented. Each cover opens through an arc slightly greater than ninety-degrees and until the top surface thereof engages the adjacent rearward edge of the other cover, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, in each instance, the closed cover provides a stop which limits the open cover and holds it in a convenient open position. The undersurfaces of both covers are provided with mirrors 48 which are readily available for use when the cover nearest the patient is opened. The table compartment is a convenient storage space for cosmetics, and if the patient is a woman she may thus use the table conveniently in applying make-up and the mirror is readily available for this purpose.

The particular hinged or pivotal mounting of the covers 44 and 46 is a feature of the invention, and since these covers are identically mounted a detaileddescription rof one will sumce. A detailed description of the mounting of cover 46 is given, and it will be understood that the cover 44 is identically mounted.

More specically, the cover 46 is journaled on two `pins 50 and 52 which are embedded in the top panels 30 and 32 respectively and extend into the opening 36 from opposite sides thereof (Fig. 3). The cover 46 is formed with a longitudinal slot 54 in the undersurface and adjacent the rearward edge thereof, and the pins U and 52 extend therein from opposite sides of the opening 36. An elongated bar or strip 56 is fastened to the undersurface of the panel 46 and the strip is provided with a tongue 58 which extends into and snugly iits the slot 54. Preferably, the tongue 58 extends the full length of groove 54, and it presses against the pins 5D and 52 to hold the latter securely in the bottom of the groove. In this manner the covers are held exactly flush with the panels 36 and 32 and looseness or slop in the panel on the pins 56 and 52 is prevented. Screws 65 hold the strip 56 securely fastened to the cover.

The above construction provides a mechanically simple and efcient means for hingedly or pivotally attaching the covers 44 and 46 to the table top, and the arrangement is such that the bar 56 serves a double function of holding the cover attached to pivot pins 56 and 52 and also provides a bookrest at the bottom of the cover when the latter is opened, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. l, a book 62 is shown supported by the strip 56 with the cover 44 in open position. Also, it will be observed in this connection that the open cover is held by the engaged rearward edge of the closed cover in a position most convenient for holding the bool; upright and in proper reading position.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 4-8

4is identical to the form i'lrst described, except that CTI additional means is provided for holding the covers 44 and 46 in a selected, partially open position. In this form of the invention, the modied hinge pin 64 shown in Fig. 7 is used, each pin having a middle portion 66 and two right-angularly disposed, angularly offset terminal portions 68 and 10. In the holding means for cover 44, for example, the middle portion 66 extends through the partition 40, as shown in Fig'. 5, and into the groove 54 of the cover. The terminal portion 68 disposed within groove 54 extends outwardly from the groove and into a socket 'l2 in the strip 56 so that the hinge pin rotates with the cover. 'Ihe opposite terminal portion 'It extends downwardly outside the partition 40 parallel to and in slight spaced relation therewith and is in pressed, frictional engagement with an arcuately formed element 14 having right-angularly bent terminals 1.6 and 'I8 embedded in the partition. The arcuate element 14 is so disposed with respect to the terminal 'I6 that the latter sweeps along the curved portion of element '54 when the cover is moved from closed to open position. Inherent springiness and resiliency of the sweeping terminal portion or arm 76 and pressure exerted thereby against the arcuate element 'I4 hold the cover in the selected position.

In connection with the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that the holding means for the respective covers 44 and 46 are offset transversely of the table to the same extent as the grooves 54 of the covers and the arcuate elements 14 are correspondingly offset for proper engagement by their respective terminal arms lt.

It will be readily apparent that the latter form of the invention is more effective than the form first described in making a relatively small number of parts do the work of many. The members 64 serve a double purpose of hingedly or pivotally supporting the covers and also provide means co-operable with the arcuate elements '14 to hold the covers selectively positioned. Both elements 64 and I4 can be made inexpensively of suitable spring-wire material.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a modified construction which is identical to the form shown inFigs. 4 8, except that the arcuate elements I4 are provided at spaced points along the length thereof with indentations or notches 86. The terminal arm 'I0 engaged therewith moves progressively from one notch to another when the cover is opened, and when the cover is positioned-With the arm in any one of the notches the latter assists materially in holding the cover in a selected position and assures that the cover will not drop back of its own weight from a partially open position.

It may thus be seen that I have achieved the objects of my invention. I have provided an overbed table having a compartment which is located for maximum convenience in use. The compartment is normally closed by a lpair of covers which open from opposite sides of the table so that the latter is readily usable from either side of the bed. Moreover', the opening and its covers are so located on the table top that the mirrors on the undersurfaces of the covers, books resting on the covers, and the contents of the table compartment are readily accessible to a patient without requiring him to lie uncomfortably close to the edge of the bed. All forms of the invention embody novel structure for hingedly supporting the covers wherein each part ofthe structure forms multiple functions in the combination in so far as practicable for maxi-,

mum eiciency in use and economy of construction.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. An overbed table having a top provided with an opening therein, a pair of covers for said opening arranged with the back edges thereof in abutting relation and each provided with a groove in the undersurface thereof adjacent to said back edge, pivots extending rinto the opening from opposite sides of the top disposed in said grooves and swingably carrying said covers, and elongated bars on the undersurface of said covers having tongues extending into said grooves and bearing against said pivots to hold the same securely in the grooves, each cover providing a stop for holding the other cover upright in open position, and said bars serving a double function of securing and coniining the pivots in said grooves and also providing rests for books and the like at the bottoms of the open covers.

2. An overbed table having a top provided with an opening therein, two covers disposed in abutting relation in said opening hinged at substantially the middle of the table and adapted to be opened from opposite sides thereof, the hinges which secure each cover to the top comprising a groove in the undersurface of the cover adjacent the rearward edge thereof, pivots embedded in the top and extending into said groove from opposite sides of the opening, and rest means mounted on the undersurface of the cover having a tongue thereon extending into said groove and engaging said pivots to hold the latter snugly and securely in the groove.

3. An overbed table comprising an upright support, a top fastened at one end to said support and provided with an opening therein at the end thereof remote from said support, la pair of covers for said opening arranged |with the back edges thereof in abutting relation and each provided at the undersurface thereof with a groove adjacent said back edge, pivots extending into the opening from opposite sides of the top disposed in said grooves and swingably carrying said covers, land elongated bars on the undersurfaces of said covers having tongues extending into said grooves and bearing against said pivots to hold the same securely in the grooves, each cover providing a stop for holding the cover upright in open position, and said bars serving a double function of securing said pivots and also providing rests for books and the like at the bottoms of the open covers.

4. An overbed table having a top provided with an opening therein, a pair of covers for said opening arranged with the back edges thereof in abutting relation and each provided with a groove in the undersurface thereof adjacent to said back edge, pivots extending into the opening from opposite sides of the top disposed in said grooves and swingably carrying said covers, and elongated bars on the undersurface of said covers having tongues extending into said grooves and bearing against said pivots to hold the same securely in the grooves, and mirrors on the undersurfaces of the `covers above said bars, the arrangement being such that the rearward edge of each cover forms a stop which engages and limits opening movement of the other cover for holding said other cover selectively in a generally upright position.

5. An overbed table having a top provided with an opening therein, a pair of covers for said opening arranged with the back edges thereof in abut- Number ting relation and each provided with a groove in the undersurface thereof adjacent to said back edge, pivots extending into the opening from opposite sides of the top disposed in said grooves and swingably carrying said covers, elongated bars on the undersurface of said covers having tongues extending into said Igrooves and bearing against said pivots to hold the same securely in the grooves, and means associated with each cover separately operable thereby for holding the same in selected open positions, the rearward edge of each cover forming a stop which engages and limits opening movement of the other cover for holding said other cover selectively in a generally upright position.

6. An overbed table having a top provided with an opening therein, a pair of covers for said opening arranged with the back edges thereof in abutting relation and each provided with a groove in the undersurface thereof adjacent to said back edge, pivots extending into the opening from opposite sides of the top disposed in said grooves and swingably carrying said covers, elongated bars on the undersurface of said covers having tongues extending into said grooves and bearing against said pivots to hold the same securely in the grooves, bearing members on the table at opposite sides .of said covers, and arms carried by and swingable with said covers pressing against respective bearing members to hold the covers in selected open positions, the rearward edge of each cover forming a stop which engages and limits opening movement of the other cover for holding said other cover selectively in a generally upright position.

7. An overbed table having a top provided with an opening therein, a pair of covers for said opening arranged with the back edges thereof in abutting relation and each provided with a groove in the undersurface thereof adjacent to said back edge, pivots extending into the opening from opposite sides of the top disposed in said grooves and swingably ycarrying said covers, and elongated bars on the undersurface of said covers having tongues extending into said grooves and bearing against said pivots to hold the same securely in the grooves, bearing members on the table at the sides of the covers, means connecting one pivot of each cover to the cover so that the pivot is rotated when the cover is swung between open and closed positions, and arms on said pivots engaging said bearing members and movable thereon when the covers are raised to hold said covers in selected open positions, the arrangement being such that the rearward edge of each cover forms a stop which engages and limits opening movement of the other cover for holding said other cover selectively in a generally upright position.

HENRY HOLMBERG.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 383,333 W01Z May 22, 1888 1,416,518 Smiley May 16, 1922 1,608,774 Crum Nov. 30, 1926 1,896,965 Madden Feb. 7, 1933 1,976,081 Merrm Oct. 9, 1934 2,252,215 Stearns Aug. 12, 1941 2,346,919 Hillenbrand Apr. 18, 1944 2,456,415 Hillenbrand Dec. 14, 1948

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