Improvements in and relating to Surgical and other Couches and Operating Tables.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 17th July, 1900-Accepted, 25th Aug., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Surgical and other Couches and
Operating Tables.
JOHN ROBERT JOHNSON, 7, Lancaster Place, Richmond, Surrey, Surgeon, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improved surgical and other couches and operating
tables, whereby such couches and tables can be raised in height. The particular
method whereby this is achieved, is as follows
I construct a couch, or operating table of the usual form, with this exception-
that in place of the four ordinary rigid legs, I use a framework at each end,
in which there is a pair of long legs in one plane, and a pair of short legs in
another plane, fixed firmly, at right angles, or nearly at right angles, to one
another.
This framework is attached to the upper framework or body of the couch by
means of hinges, or similar appliances, fastened at the apices of the right angles
made by the union of the long and short legs: so that when the short legs are
at rest upon the ground, the long legs can be firmly secured to the body of the
couch, and vice versu-thus insuring complete rigidity to the entire structure.
Dated this Fourteenth day of November 1899.
Improvements in and relating to Surgical and other Couches and
Operating Tables.
I, JOHN ROBERT JOHNSON, of 7, Lancaster Place, Richmond, Surrey, Surgeon,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
The object of the present invention is to so construct and arrange the legs or
supports of surgical and other couches and operating tables that the height of
the same may be readily varied.
According to my invention, in lieu of supporting the couch or operating table
upon four rigid or fixed legs, as is customary, employ supporting members of
peculiar construction which are pivotally connected with the body of the couch
or table at or near its ends. Each supporting member comprises legs or supports
disposed at right angles or approximately so, the legs or supports in one plane
being of different length from those in the other plane at right angles. The

page_text: result is that by adjusting the supporting members on their hinges or pivots
either the longer or the shorter legs or supports may be brought to the vertical
position as desired, and the height of the structure thus readily altered at will
Those legs not in active use being so arranged as to bear upon the underside of
the couch or table body, to which they may be secured by convenient clamps or
fastenings, complete rigidity of the structure is ensured. Further, when the
supporting members are in such a position that their non active or horizontal
legs extend beyond the ends of the couch or table, these legs may be utilized
as handles for bodily lifting and transporting the latter stretcher fashion.
In the annexed drawings in which similar letters refer to corresponding parts
in all the figures:-
Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a couch or operating table constructed
in accordance with my invention shewing the same supported upon the shorter
and longer legs of the supporting members respectively.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the supporting members detached.
a a are the shorter legs of the supporting members A, and bb are the longer
legs thereof. care hinges which connect said supporting members with the
couch body. dd are clamping screws provided on the legs 6 and adapted to
engage with screw eyes or lugs e on the couch body when said legs are in a
horizontal position or out of use as shewn in Fig. 1. Similar clamping screws
may if desired be provided on the legs a additional screw eyes or lugs being
their furnished on the couch body for them to engage with. Fig. 2 shews clearly
how the legs a may be used as handles for lifting and transporting the structure
if required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The combination with a surgical or other couch or operating table, of
supporting members each comprising legs or supports disposed at right angles
and of different length, said supporting members being pivotally connected with
the body of the couch or table so that either the longer or the shorter legs or
supports may be brought to the vertical position, whereby the height of the
structure is variable, substantially as described.
2. The combination with a surgical or other couch or operating table of
supporting members such as A, pivotally connected with the body thereof, each
supporting member comprising two sets of legs such as ab disposed at right
angles and so arranged that those legs not in active use bear upon the underside
of the body of the couch or table thereby imparting rigidity to the structure,
substantially as described.
3. The combination with a surgical or other couch or operating table of the
supporting members A, pivotally connected therewith and each comprising the
short and long legs a b, and the means for clamping or securing those legs which
are horizontal to the body of the structure, substantially as described and for the
purpose set forth.
4. A surgical or other couch or operating table constructed and arranged as
illustrated in the annexed drawings.
E. P. ALEXANDER & SON,
Chartered Patent Agents,
19, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.