Abstract:
A retractable and self-supporting step for a medical examination table and a method for use. The step having a large top with a safety mat for ease of use and patient maneuverability can be selectively extended from a cavity located on a medical examination and returned when not in use. The step is self-supporting, thus providing enhanced stability and safety during use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a medical examination table. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a medical examination table having a self-supporting and retractable step.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Many conventional medical examination tables have a step that is movable from a stored position to a position for use by the patient as an aid to mount the examination table. Typically, such steps incorporated a hinge mechanism, whereby the step rotates from a stored position to a position for mounting, or a cantilevered track configuration whereby the step extends into a useful position in a drawer-like manner.  
           [0003]    Retractable steps are desirable on medical examination tables because they provide an aid to the patient when mounting the examination table. Further, the step can be stored in the table when not in use, thus permitting better access to the patient, and removing obstacles from what are typically cramped examination rooms.  
           [0004]    By means of example, Kales (U.S. Pat. No. 487,625) describes a cantilevered sliding step with hinged support braces and a pull-out handle.  
           [0005]    Another example, Daggett (U.S. Pat. No. 488,649) describes a retractable cantilevered step.  
           [0006]    Lentz (U.S. Pat. No. 542,060) describes a hinged step coupled to a leg rest of the examination table. When the leg rest is in a vertical position, the step can be placed in a horizontal position, enabling the patient to mount the examination table. When the leg rests are placed in a horizontal position, the step can be rotated to lie in line with the leg rest by means of the hinge mechanism.  
           [0007]    In another example, Grant (U.S. Pat. No. 3,016,275) describes a cantilevered pull-out step that is guided by tracks. The step is retracted by pulling on a lower edge of a front side of the step.  
           [0008]    A step is again described by Douglass (U.S. Pat. No. 3,334,951). Douglass uses a cantilevered step that is slideably mounted on guide tracks by means of a guide rail. An upper face of the step has a tread to ensure adequate traction.  
           [0009]    Koharchik (U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,463 B1) describes a cantilevered retractable footstool including a runner with a locking mechanism that selectively limits the extension of the step in relation to the table.  
           [0010]    One disadvantage common to the prior art is the use of a cantilevered step. The use of such a design compromises patient safety. An overly large step tends to act as a lever and the typical patient would then topple the examination table when using the step. To avoid this, some of the prior art uses a rather narrow cantilevered step. This creates another disadvantage, as the step then is too small for patients to safely mount the examination table. While preventing the table from toppling, such small steps may cause the patient to fall! 
           [0011]    In an attempt to alleviate such misfortune, the aforementioned Kales (U.S. Pat. No. 487,625) device incorporates support legs that hinge from the cantilevered step. However, the mechanism that automatically deploys the hinged braces is cumbersome and unreliable. Consisting narrow members and a strap guided by a groove, the mechanism is relatively delicate, susceptible to jamming or breaking and the braces may be inadvertently dislodged by the patient or care provider during use, resulting in a dangerous situation.  
           [0012]    Another disadvantage of the prior art is the use of guide tracks and guide rails to slideably retract and extend the step. This arrangement is susceptible to jamming and sticking, as a relatively large frictional surface on the guide rail and guide track are continually in contact. Such designs are largely not self-aligning, which further exaserbates the problem of jamming and sticking.  
           [0013]    Another disadvantage of the prior art is a lack of means for preventing over extension or excessive retraction of the step.  
           [0014]    Still, another disadvantage of the prior art is the examination table becomes unstable when a patient uses the retractable step to mount the table.  
           [0015]    Yet, another disadvantage of the prior art is the steps have a small elevated supporting surface, making it difficult for patients to maneuver and turn on the step while trying to mount the table.  
           [0016]    Accordingly, there is a need for a medical examination table that has a retractable step that is self supporting, thereby eliminating the dangerous toppling condition. Further, there is a need for the step to be relatively large in order to facilitate ease of use and patient maneuverability when used.  
           [0017]    Still another need exists for a retractable step that slides easily from the stored position to the extended position and returns as easily, without sticking or jamming.  
           [0018]    Yet another need exists for such a step to avoid over extension or excess retraction by some self-assuring means.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0019]    An embodiment of the present invention is a step that is self-supporting and retractable, which can be used, for example, with a medical examination table.  
           [0020]    A notable feature of the present invention is the ability of the step to be self-supporting. This is important because it provides vital stability to the step when being used as an aid to mount, for example, an examination table. Further, glides are placed on feet that are robust and not susceptible to accidental dislodging by the patient or care provider during use. The self-supporting nature of the step of the present invention eliminates a dangerous condition whereby the examination table topples when the patient uses the step. In one embodiment, the self-supporting feature is accomplished by using feet. The feet have glides, the glides can be, for example, sliding elements or rolling elements. For example, the glides can be adjustable to accommodate uneven surfaces such as self-adjusting, or perhaps manually adjusted. The glides, then, could accommodate uneven surfaces. In one embodiment, the feet are integrated to the wall. However, other structures can easily be adapted by those skilled in the art without deviating from the spirit of the invention.  
           [0021]    Another notable feature of the present invention is the large surface area the step provides. In a preferred embodiment the step has a large elevated supporting surface that is covered by a safety mat, ensuring adequate traction for a patient when using the step. The large top also facilitates patient maneuverability when mounting the examination table.  
           [0022]    The step is easily stored and retrieved by simply pulling or pushing on an integrated handle. In this manner, the step may be retracted when not in use, or extended to be used as an aid in mounting an examination table. Medical personnel can use either their hand or foot to easily retrieve and retract the step.  
           [0023]    The step further has wheels that roll on tracks inside a medical examination table. The wheels are self-aligning and offer smooth and easy means of retracting or extending the step.  
           [0024]    Features and advantages of the inventions are set forth in the following Description and Drawings, as well as in the appended Claims. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the step of the present invention as viewed generally from the front;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the step of the present invention as viewed generally from the back;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a medical examination table with the step shown in phantom of the present invention in the retracted position;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a medical examination table, similar to the view of FIG. 3, with the step of the present invention shown in the extended position;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 is a detail fragmentary view of a profile of the present invention in relation to the medical examination table, with the step shown in partially extended position with parts broken away for ease in understanding the relationship of cooperating elements;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the step of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the step of the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8 is a top view of the step of the present invention; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 9 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment with parts broken away to illustrate the relationship of cooperating elements. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0034]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.  
         [0035]    Medical examination tables having openings for step structures with supporting tracks are generally known in the art. The present invention departs from the convention and introduces a novel step structure that is self supporting. One embodiment of this invention is an extendable and retractable step structure that includes and elevated supporting surface. The elevated supporting surface, in one embodiment, is supported by at least one riser. In a preferred embodiment, the elevated supporting surface is supported by four risers. The four risers form a frame for the elevated surface, and adjacent risers are connected to each other. In the preferred embodiment, there is, for example, a leading front riser with an integrated handle structure. The leading front riser, when the step structure is in the retracted position, sits flush with the surrounding structures of the medical examination table. Also in the preferred embodiment, the step structure has glides that rest on a surface. The surface is the same platform the medical examination table rests upon, for example.  
         [0036]    Again discussing one embodiment of the invention, one of the four risers includes a back riser. The back riser carries a rolling element. The rolling element, in turn, rides on a feature of the cabinet opening, adapted to receive the rolling element, such as a track.  
         [0037]    Referring to generally to the drawing, and specifically to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention is shown in a front and rear isometric view, respectively. It will be observed that the present invention, embodied as a step herein disclosed may be used with conventional  10  for a medical examination table T (not shown) with only minimal changes thereto. The step  10  has a elevated supporting surface  18  with a safety mat  12  resting thereon. The elevated supporting surface  18  is of generous proportion, providing ample space for a patient to stand and maneuver while trying to mount the examination table T (not shown). The safety mat  12  may be of any material that provides suitable traction for patients who might be wearing a variety of footwear, or no footwear. The mat  12  should be of a surface that is easy to clean and disinfect.  
         [0038]    In the preferred embodiment, the elevated supporting surface  18  is supported by two riser or side walls  22   23 . A leading front wall  24  and a back wall  26  are spaced opposite each other. The step structure  10  is preferably and generally rectangular in shape.  
         [0039]    In the preferred embodiment, two housings are integrated into the back riser  26 . The two housings support a single solid axle  44  in a generally parallel plane to the back riser  26 . Rotatably mounted at opposite ends of the axle  44  are a first wheel  38  and a second wheel  40 . The wheels  38  &amp;  40  are rotatably mounted to the axle  44  in a manner that allows the wheels  38  &amp;  40  to self-align with an associated track  16 .  
         [0040]    The track  16  is attached to an interior structure of the medical examining table T. The table T provides an opening for the step  10  of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the track  16  consists of two generally parallel channels  42  that cooperate with each respective rolling element  14  to facilitate extraction and retraction of the step  10  from the opening O in the table T. In the preferred embodiment the first wheel  38  and the second wheel  40  and the respective channels  42  are placed at or near the extremity of the overall dimension of the step  10 . An alternative embodiment not shown, may comprise a single channel or runner, designed to support one or more wheels at the general center of the overall dimension of the step  10 .  
         [0041]    Still referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the leading front riser  24  is spaced from the back riser  26  and adjoining the two riser or side risers  22 . The leading front riser  24  is integrated to a handle  28 . In the preferred embodiment, the handle  28  is formed by a recess in the leading front riser  24 , however, many alternative handles  28  are envisioned (not shown), such as at least one handle  28  externally mounted to the leading front riser  24  (not shown), or a plurality of recessed handles  28  (not shown).  
         [0042]    Again referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a foot  30  extends from the risers  22 . A glide  32  projects from each foot  30 . The glide  32  rests on the floor when the step  10  is extracted and used by patients to mount the examination table T. In one embodiment, the glide is a sliding member and may be manually adjusted to compensate for irregular variations in the level of the surface or floor. In alternative embodiment not shown, the glide may be a rolling element. In yet another embodiment not shown, the glide may be self leveling. Again, it is anticipated that those skilled in the art would understand that the leveling or height adjusting features of the glide are well known to exist in a myriad of forms, such as, the use of flexible tension members, springs, threaded members and the like.  
         [0043]    Now referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a reference is made to a table T having an opening. The table T is represented by phantom lines. The step  10  of the present invention is shown in relation to the table T. FIG. 3 demonstrates the step  10  in the retracted position. In this position, only the leading front riser  24  is exposed to view. The leading front riser  24  abuts flush with the surrounding structure of the table T. In the retracted position, the step  10  may be selectively extended by pulling on at least one handle  28 . FIG. 4 shows the step  10  in the extended position. In this view, the step  10  presents the patient with a large elevated supporting surface  18  that can be used as an aid for mounting the examination table T. Also depicted is the position of the step  10  in the extended position in relation to the table T. As shown, the step  10  extends from the table T, but is not completely removed. A portion of the step  10  remains in the cavity defined by the opening of the table T.  
         [0044]    Still referring to FIG. 4, the step  10  in the extended position sits on two glides  32  which projects from each foot  30 . In the profile view of FIG. 4, one glide  32  is not shown. However, it will be apparent that the step  10  is self-supporting by means of the pair of glides  32  protruding from each foot  30 . It will be apparent that the foot  30  acts simply as a means to support the step  10 , and alternative means would serve the purpose of providing a self-supporting step  10  equally well. For example, the glide  32  could be directly integrated into a riser  22   24   26 . Or the foot  30  could rest directly on the floor or the surface of the examination room without the use of a glide  32 . In a preferred embodiment, a glide  32  is contemplated to aid the extraction and retraction of the step  10  from the table T. The glide  32  further serves, for example, as a stabilizing element when positioned over uneven surfaces.  
         [0045]    Now referring to FIG. 5, a profile view of the step  10  and a cut-a-way view of the related table T are depicted. From this figure, it can be seen that the step  10  is prevented from excessive retraction by means of a stop  34  located on an internal structure of the table T. Also depicted is a brace  36  on a second structure of the table T. The brace prevents hyper-extension of the step  10  in the extended position. In an embodiment, the brace  36  and the stop  34  are depicted as separate elements. In alternative embodiment, the brace and the stop could be combined into a single structure. In one embodiment, the stop  34  is a pre-existing structure on the medical examination table T (not shown).  
         [0046]    Still referring to FIG. 5, one of the pair of parallel channels  42  is depicted. The rolling element  14  rolls on the respective channel  42 . The second runner is not shown, but its function and structure is understood by a person skilled in the art.  
         [0047]    As shown in FIG. 9, an anticipated alternative embodiment of the present invention is the use of the first wheel  38  and the second wheel  40 , each carried by a respective housing by two separate bent axles  44 ′. In this manner, the wheels can orient themselves in each respective track  16  independent of each other. This is advantageous because it creates a robust design and permits smoother extraction of the step from the examination table if, for example, the tracks should be not be parallel. Further, the two bent members are less likely to become damaged or mis-aligned from assembly or handling or operation.  
         [0048]    Another embodiment of the present invention is the incorporation of the housing within the back or side riser of the step. Further anticipated embodiments include a handle or a plurality of handles coupled to the leading front riser of the step. Yet another embodiment of the current invention includes the use of rolling elements in lieu of sliding glides.  
         [0049]    It will be apparent that the step  10  may be made from a variety of material. In one embodiment, the step is, for example, molded from a composite material, such as, a conventional ABS-type plastic. In another embodiment, the step may be fabricated and assembled from metal, such as, 12-guage sheet steel.  
         [0050]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.