Patent ID: 8568028

Claim:
A mobile radiography apparatus comprising: a wheeled transport frame; a sectioned vertical column mounted on the frame and defining a vertical axis and comprising, a base section having a first vertical position relative to the vertical axis, at least a first movable section that is translatable to a variable vertical position along the vertical axis, at least one middle section that is between the base section and the first movable section, wherein the at least one middle section is translatable to a variable vertical position along the vertical axis, and a first plurality of pulleys internal to the base section, a second plurality of pulleys internal to the middle section, and a third plurality of pulleys internal to the first movable section; and a boom apparatus to support an x-ray source; a boom transport mechanism coupled to the first movable section or the middle section, wherein the boom transport mechanism is actuable to provide vertical movement along at least a portion of the first movable section or the middle section, wherein the boom apparatus is coupled to the boom transport mechanism for positioning of the x-ray source along the vertical axis and extends outward with respect to the sectioned vertical column for positioning of the x-ray source in a direction that is orthogonal to the vertical axis, and where a mechanical advantage of the pulley configuration in the sectioned vertical column balance a weight of movable components including the first movable section, the middle section, the boom apparatus, and the boom transport mechanism to allow a substantially uniform force to adjust a height of the movable components within a height range of the movable components relative to the vertical axis.