Patent ID: 7334276

Claim:
A base for an operating table comprising a support column ( 10 ) and a patient support surface, which base comprises a generally rectangular plate-shaped support frame ( 18 ) that is used to receive the support column ( 10 ) and rests on steering rollers ( 38 ), having at each of its corners one roller casing ( 28 ) rigidly connected thereto, the height of which roller casing is at least approximately equal to the height of the support frame ( 18 ) and in each of which one steering roller ( 38 ) is arranged such that it is adjustable in height between an extended position in which it is supported on the floor and keeps the support frame ( 18 ) with the roller casings ( 28 ) at a distance to the floor and a retracted position in which the support frame ( 18 ) and/or the roller casings ( 28 ) rest on the floor, with the steering roller ( 38 ) being mounted on a roller support ( 34 ) which is adjustable on the roller casing ( 28 ) and rotatably mounted about a vertical axis, and with an adjusting device ( 48 , 54 , 56 ) for the height adjustment of the roller support ( 34 ) being provided in the roller casing, characterized in that the roller casing ( 28 ) is generally cylindrical in shape and has a vertical cylinder axis, the roller support ( 34 ) comprises a plate that can be moved within the roller casing ( 28 ) like a piston, on which plate bearing blocks ( 36 ) for the steering roller ( 38 ) are mounted, said roller support ( 34 ) is rotatably mounted about a cylinder axis in the roller casing ( 28 ) by means of a roller element bearing ( 62 ), and the bearing blocks ( 36 ) are mounted on the side of the roller support ( 34 ) and project through an aperture ( 44 ) in the roller support ( 34 ).