Abstract:
A modular table assembly for an operating room includes an arcuate corner module and at least one rectangular side module. The modules, which are interconnected by pins that can be released by depressing a pedal, are easy to separate, move and reassemble. The modular design enables one to reconfigure the table layout according to the geometry of the room.

Description:
This application claims benefit from provisional application 62/130055, filed Mar. 9, 2015. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to an accessory table for use in an operating room. 
         [0002]    Conventional surgical accessory tables have flat, featureless horizontal tops, and do not make best use of corner space. A standard table is of fixed size and cannot be easily altered in shape according to its intended environment, and can be difficult to move about especially when items have been placed on the table. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    An object of the invention is to provide a surgical accessory table composed of modules which are easily transported, interconnected and draped. 
         [0004]    Another object is to provide a table which makes better use of space at a corner of a room. 
         [0005]    A further object is to reduce the total cost of back table(s) and draping in an operating room. 
         [0006]    These and other objects are attained by a surgical accessory table as described below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    In the accompanying drawings, 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a surgical accessory table embodying the invention from above and slightly to the rear; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view thereof, from above and one side; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view thereof, from above and the front; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view thereof; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view thereof; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 6 a 6 f   are views of a side table component of the invention, showing preferred dimensions; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 7 a  -7 e   are view of a corner table component of the invention, showing preferred dimensions; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 8 a -8 c   show details of a releasable pin connection between the corner table and one of the side tables; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 9 a -9 c    are top plan views showing the releasable pin connection; and 
           [0017]      FIGS. 10 a -10 e    are detail views of a side bowl support attachment for the side tables. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    A surgical accessory table embodying the invention includes three modular table sections, including a corner module  10  and two identical side modules  12 ,  14 , which can be interconnected as desired to form a versatile back table assembly. The side modules  12 ,  14  are rectangular in plan view ( FIG. 4 ), whereas the plan view of the corner module is an annular arc of about 90′. The sides 18, 19 of the corner module lie in vertical planes which are perpendicular to one another. 
         [0019]    Each module has wheels or casters  16  as shown. 
         [0020]    Details of the interconnecting structure are shown in  FIGS. 8 b , and 9 e   . Each side module has, at one lower rear corner thereof, a vertically movable pin  20  (FIG.    8   b) which is connect to and biased upward by a resilient pedal  22 . One end of the pedal is rigidly attached (e.g., by welding) to the side module&#39;s structure, so that the pedal acts as a leaf spring. 
         [0021]    The forward end of the pedal protrudes horizontally from a lower corner of the side module. In its normal horizontal position, the pin  20  seats in a hole  24 . (FIG. 9c) in receptacle  26  attached to a neighboring module. One can release the pin from the hole by depressing the pedal. A pedal stop  28  ( FIG. 8 c   ) prevents overtravel. 
         [0022]    As  FIG. 9 b    shows, the pin  20 , when engaged, serves as a hinge pin, allowing one module to be pivoted away from its neighbor without becoming disconnect from it. 
         [0023]    As best seen in  FIG. 8 a   , each of the modules  10 ,  12 ,  14  has two horizontal shelves  30 ,  32 , accessible from the rear. The shelves are reinforced by braces  32  ( FIG. 6 e   . Each shelf has a short vertical lip  36  at its exposed (rearward) edge to prevent items from falling off. The shelves provide the functionality of a separate open case cart. 
         [0024]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the top surface  40  of each module is not horizontal, but rather is inclined downward in the direction of the user, from its rear edge  42  to its front edge  44 , at an angle “a” ( FIG. 7 e   ) of about 10°-14′. The inclination makes items toward the rear of the table easier to reach. A lip  46  (best seen in  FIG. 8 a   ) at the forward (lower) edge of each top surface keeps items from rolling off the inclined surface. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 7 a   , the corner module  10  has a kidney-shaped aperture  48  or depression at one side thereof, for receiving a standard “kidney” bowl (not shown), and a pair of circular apertures  50  or depressions, for receiving specimen cups (not shown). 
         [0026]    Toward the rear of the corner module&#39;s top, there is an integral instrument holder  52 , which has upwardly extending rounded teeth  54  ( FIG. 7 c   ) for holding instruments securely. Providing an instrument holder integral with the table top avoids the need to roll towels to retain instruments placed on the table. 
         [0027]    The side bowl supports 60 seen at either end of the assembly (e.g., in  FIG. 3 ) are shown in detail in  FIGS. 8 a -8 d   . As indicated in  FIG. 6 f   , each side of each side module is notched to receive a hook  62  ( FIG. 10 e   ) on a respective side bowl support. 
         [0028]    The invention, particularly when used with draping made specifically for the table, provides several advantages over conventional tables, as shown in the following table: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Feature 
                 Standard Table 
                 Present Invention 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Overall lengths (ft.) 
                 5-7 
                   9 
               
               
                   
                 Surface area (sq. in.) 
                 2520 
                 4380 
               
               
                   
                 Surface inclination (deg.) 
                   0 
                 10-14 
               
               
                   
                 Modular? 
                 No 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 Kidney basin holder? 
                 No 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 End basin holder? 
                 No 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 Specimen cup holder? 
                 No 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 Instrument holder? 
                 No 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 Time to drape table 
                 8 min. 
                 30-45 sec. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0029]    The shapes of the modules shown in the drawings are those presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to modules of particular sizes or proportions, and that it is expected the invention may be made in other shapes. 
         [0030]    And while two side modules are shown in the drawings and described above, this invention could be practiced just as well with only one side module, in addition to the corner module. Conversely, more modules than those shown could be interconnected. 
         [0031]    Inasmuch as the invention is subject to variations and modifications, it should be understood that the foregoing is merely illustrative of the invention, which is to be measured by the claims below.