Patent ID: 8763178

Claim:
A patient examination table movable between a lower position and an upper position and particularly configured to assume a relatively low profile when in the lower position, the patient examination table comprising: a. a base; b. an upper frame forming a part of the patient examination table, the upper frame including a lower portion, sides and an open interior area; c. a patient support supported on the upper frame; d. the open interior area being bound by the patient support and the sides of the upper frame; e. a lift assembly operatively connected between the base and the upper frame and movable back and forth from a retracted position to an extended position to raise and lower the examination table; f. the lift assembly including an upper portion that projects upwardly through the lower portion of the upper frame and therefrom projects further upwardly through the interior area bounded by the patient support and the sides of the upper frame and wherein the upper portion of the lift assembly connects to an upper portion of the upper frame adjacent the patient support; g. wherein the upper portion of the lift assembly is secured to the upper frame such that as the lift assembly is activated and moves up and down the upper frame is constrained to move up and down with the lift assembly; and h. wherein the upper frame includes a sheet metal frame structure having a bottom panel and opposed sides; an opening formed in the bottom panel; and wherein the upper portion of the lift assembly projects through the opening in the bottom panel; and wherein a substantial portion of the lift assembly lies above the bottom panel of the upper frame.