The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 22, 1986
Filed:
May. 07, 1984
Frank M Damico, Neenah, WI (US);
Thill, Inc., Oshkosh, WI (US);
Abstract
A support assembly (2) is provided for an overbed table (4). A lower pedestal column (6) is mounted on a base (8), and an upper pedestal column (12) is telescopically slideable within the lower column, and supports a table (4). A wedge and roller clutch (14) at the bottom of the upper column includes: wedges (16, 18) fixed to the upper column and extending downwardly from the lower end (20) thereof and having opposing camming surfaces (22, 24); a retainer (26) mounted to a release rod (28) and moveable up and down toward and away from the bottom end of the upper column; and rollers (32, 34) loosely received in the retainer and forced laterally horizontally outwardly against the inner walls (36, 38) of the lower column by the camming surfaces of the wedges to stop downward movement of the upper column and support the table. Downward movement of the release rod and the retainer permits lateral inward movement of the rollers out of forced cammed engagement with the inner walls of the lower column, to permit downward movement of the upper column and table. A counterbalancing return spring (90) biases the retainer upwardly to reduce the effort needed to lift the table and to bias each of the rollers to a proper camming position to be cammed by the camming surfaces of the wedges to a latched condition to support the table. Disclosed features include positive break disengagement means and silencing means. Other features include simplicity of design and efficiency and economy of manufacture, including part tolerances.