Abstract:
In an exemplary embodiment, an indicator panel containing indicator elements and control switches is pivotal relative to the remainder of the control desk so as to be adjustable for optimum visibility in accordance with the position and height of the operator. The indicator panel may be held at the desired inclined position either by a pawl which can be automatically flipped over by manipulation of the panel for resetting of the panel or by means of a reversible electric drive.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a control desk for medical apparatus, in particular for an x-ray diagnostic apparatus containing indicator elements for providing optical information in addition to control elements. 
     For x-ray diagnostic apparatus and equipment it is known to arrange the indicator elements for displaying optical information together with the control elements such as organ keys, on and off switches, control keys, etc., on the top surface of a control desk, the surface beig arranged horizontally or slightly inclined, as a rule. 
     Such an arrangement does not permit, in particular when the operator is not standing directly in front of the control desk, a satisfying precise determination of the information indicated by the indicator elements. It is an objective of the invention to provide an improved readability of indicator elements in comparison to prior art control desks of this type. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The objective posed is resolved in a control desk of the initially mentioned type according to the invention in that the indicator elements are arranged on an indicator panel which is pivotably supported for movement into at least one operating position from a base position. It is thus possible for the operator to adjust the indicator elements to the location, taken up by the operator, so that the indicator elements are always in proper view for the operator. 
     Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are contained in the subclaims. One exemplary embodiment of the invention is subsequently more precisely explained with the aid of the accompanying sheet of the drawings; and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from this detailed disclosure and from the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts a control desk according to the invention in a diagrammatic illustration; and 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a segment of the control desk in side view. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a control desk 1 for an x-ray diagnostic apparatus having organ-designating keys 3 arranged at the top surface 2, and also additional keys 4 with the aid of which a specific exposure system for a chosen organ can be selected and switched on, having reference to a coordinated program chart not more precisely referenced, which is arranged on the top surface 2 in association with keys 3 and 4. An indicator panel 5 is arranged on the rear side of the control desk 1, said panel containing several optical indicator elements 6 through 9 and also a line of keys 10. The indicator elements 6 through 9 indicate optical information, for example, in regard to exposure data, the set tube voltage (kV), the adjusted tube current (mA) and regarding the preselected switch-on time of the x-ray diagnostic apparatus. In addition, various indicator lamps can be present which indicate the operation and functional processes being effected by the x-ray apparatus. 
     The indicator panel 5 which, as illustrated, extends across the total width of control desk 1, is supported on the control desk so it can be swung out, and indeed such that it can be brought from the base position, referenced as position I, into at least one operating position referenced II and indicated by dash lines in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 2 shows details of the support of the indicator panel 5 in the control desk 1. In the position drawn, the indicator panel 5 is swung out of the top surface 2 of the control desk by the acute angle α. For mounting of the indicator panel 5, the indicator panel is supported in a guideway referenced 11, which has a center of curvature which represents the center of rotation for the indicator panel 5 at the pivot axis represented by point 12. The guideway 11 is formed by a groove in the lateral wall of the control desk. A slide ring segment conforming with the contour of the guideway 11 is fixed to a frame 16 supporting the indicator panel 5. The slide ring segment may extend along the guideway 11 over an arcuate extent corresponding to the section of guideway 11 shown with dash lines between points A and B in FIG. 2; that is over an arcuate extent of about ninety degrees (the dash lines at 11 between A and B in FIG. 2 thus also representing such slide ring segment except for the necessary mechanical clearance so that the slide ring segment can slide in the guideway 11 as panel 5 is pivoted between its respective positions as hereafter described). One or more pins can be provided for engaging in guideway 11 in place of the slide ring segment, for example at points A and B. 
     So the indicator panel 5 can be supported in various operating positions having different angles of tilt α, a locking device is present which consists of a locking means 14 provided with several locking steps or teeth 13 and a locking pawl 15 which can be brought into engagement with the locking steps or teeth 13. The pawl 15 is here supported on a frame 16. A tension spring 17, hooked at the frame 16, acts at a spacing a from the pawl pivot axis, the tension spring effecting a reversal of the locking pawl 15 at the end positions. A reset spring is referenced 18 and serves to urge the total indicator panel 5 in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow 19. 
     In the position drawn in FIG. 2, the locking pawl 15 is engaged with the last locking tooth 13&#34;. If the indicator panel 5 is pivoted into the base position in the direction of arrow 19, the locking pawl 15 ratchets along the locking part 14. At the end of travel in the direction of arrow 19, the locking pawl 15 assumes the radial position indicated by dash lines at 15&#39; because of the action of the tension spring 17 (indicated at 17&#39;). If the manual shifting pressure which has been exerted against the action of tension spring 18 is withdrawn, the spring 18 now tends to return the indicator panel 5 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 2) relative to the top surface 2 of control desk 1. This causes the locking pawl 15 to shift into the non-ratcheting position referenced 15&#34;. In this position the locking pawl 15 now slides across the locking teeth of the locking part 14 until past the last locking tooth 13&#34;. In that position, the locking pawl 15 again flips into a radial position due to the force of spring 17, such radial position being analogous to the position indicated at 15&#39;. With this radial position of the pawl, the display panel 5 can now be brought from such extreme clockwise position into a desired position of incline relative to the top surface 2 of the control desk (with ratchet retention in the attained position such as the position of maximum incline actually shown in FIG. 2). 
     A hood-like cover 20, with a curvature corresponding to the rotation radius r, is connected with the indicator panel 5, and serves to cover an opening 21 (which is left as the indicator panel 5 is raised) in every inclined position of the indicator panel. The cover 20 expediently also laterally adjoins the display panel so that the opening 21 is closed at the sides as at the rear of the panel 5. 
     The locking device shown in FIG. 2 is advantageously located at both sides of the control desk 1, and the locking means 14 is integrated into the lateral wall 22 of control desk 1 in which the guideway 11 is also arranged. 
     For a stepless adjustment of the indicator panel 5 it is advantageous to provide an electrically driven adjustment in place of the locking device to be manually operated. For this purpose, for example, a gear wheel segment can be provided in place of the locking teeth 13, the gear wheel segment being coupled with the gear shaft of a reversible electric motor via a suitable transmission component, for example, a worm gear. 
     It will be apparent that many modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts and teachings of the present invention.