Patent ID: 7181791

Claim:
A surgical table transfer system comprising a patient support in the form of a table top; a surgical table base in the form of a pedestal; a transporter; and a connection device for selectively connecting the table top to the pedestal or the transporter, the connection device comprising a first transfer block mounted on the pedestal; a second transfer block mounted on the transporter; and a latch mechanism mounted on the table top and adapted selectively to latch with one of the first and second transfer blocks, the latch mechanism comprising a body having first and second opposite mating surfaces, each of which is adapted to mate with a corresponding mating surface of a respective first or second transfer block, and a displaceable catch member mounted on the body which is adapted to be displaceable between first and second latching positions for respective latching engagement with the first and second transfer blocks, the catch member having first and second catch elements on a respective opposite side thereof, each transfer block including a cavity for latching engagement therein of the respective catch element.