US2702733A - Adjustable headrest for chiropractic tables - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 22, 1955 w. .L LORANG ADJUSTABLE HEADREST FOR CHIROPRACTIC TABLES 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec.

m T m V N I Feb. 22, 1955 w J, LORANG 2,702,733

ADJUSTABLE HEADREST FOR CHIROPRACTIC TABLES Filed Deo. 24. 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l INVENTOR. WML/HM J'. oen/v6.

Feb. 22, 1955 w. J. LORANG 2,702,733

ADJUSTABLE HEADREST FOR CHIROPRACTIC TABLES Filed Dec. 24. 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent ADJUSTABLE HEADREST FOR CHIROPRACTIC TABLES William I. Lorang, Elgin, Ill., assignor to The Williams Manufacturing Company, Inc., Elgin, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application December 24, 1953, Serial No. 400,160

3 Claims. (Cl. 311-10) My invention relates to improvements in chiropractic tables and like devices.

My invention relates more particularly to improvements in the construction of chiropractic tables and has for a purpose the provision of an improved drop head rest or support, an improved operating mechanism for raising and lowering the same so that a patient thereon can be given a better chiropractic treatment.

#For making a proper chiropractic adjustment of the atlas and axis vertebrae, as in making a vertebral subluxation, it is necessary to place the patient on the chiropractic table and raise or lower the various cushions to a desired position for treatment. After this has been done, the drop head cushion or head rest is usually lowered about one-half inch at the base of the same at the place where the neck and chin of the patient is located. This is to permit the chiropractor to bring pressure with the heel of his hand to effect an adjustment of these vertebrae.

The purpose of the construction of the head rest and related mechanism which is described herein is to permit the positioning of the head of the patient in the desired position and then raising the portion of the head rest about a half inch, the head rest then snapping down a half inch as the vertebral subluxation is effected. This construction and manner of operation has several distinct advantages over prior head rest constructions. First, the thrust of the chiropractor need be only slight because as soon as suicient thrust is applied, the head rest snaps down and the patients neck and head automatically follow. Secondly, the amount of thrust required is delinitely determined and excessive thrust which might injure the patient is not used. In addition, chiropractors are relieved of continuing the downward thrust and do not become as physically fatigued even though many patients are treated during a day.

Other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following description wherein reference is had to the accompanying drawings, upon which \Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a chiropractic table embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is -a fragmentary vertical transverse section through the head rest, taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a latch member which I employ;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View through the head rest raising and lowering mechanism, taken generally on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2; and

lFig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

ln the embodiment of the invention which I have chosen to illustrate and describe the same, I have shown a common type of chiropractic table which may include a support frame comprising a pair of parallel horizontal rod members 10 and 12 which are mounted in suitable front and end brackets 14 and 16. The brackets 14 and 16 each have a pair of end support feet 18 and 20, each of the feet having a pad 22 at its lower end.

il provide the usual body support cushion 24 mounted for vertical adjustment and control upon operating mech- `anisms 26 and 28 which are fastened to the horizontal frame members 10 and 12. These mechanisms may be of the type shown in the Herbert L. Thompson Patent No. 2,267,054 issued December 23, 1941, and generally include a screw member 30 which is supported in a pair of carriages 32 that ride upon a transverse screw housing 34.

2,702,733 Patented Feb. 22, 1955 Mice Support rods 36 from the carriages 32 raise or lower the body support 24 upon manipulation of one of the handles `38, there being one on each side of the table.

The drop head rest 40 may also be mounted upon similar raising and lowering mechanisms, the front raising or lowering mechanism 42 having the upwardly extending support rods 36 connected to a cross-shaft 44 which is mounted in a pair of L-shaped brackets 46 that are fastened to the lower wall 48 of the head rest 40 adjacent the two sides ofthe same.

The lower head piece raising device 50 may be similar to the front raising device 42 and have its support rods 36a extended diagonally upwardly and connected adjacent the two ends of a cross-shaft 52 which is mounted in a pair of support brackets 54 and 56 that are also fastened to the bottom wall 48 of the head piece 40. The cross-shaft 52 also extends through a third bracket 58 which is fastened to a plate 60 secured to the bottom wall 48 of the head piece adjacent the raised cushioned support 40a at the lower end of the same which surrounds the opening 40b therein, the head cushion being fastened in this manner to permit the head of the patient to lie face down or to lie upon the right or the left side.

The side brackets 54 and 56 are formed with elongated openings 62 and a closed end wall 64 to receive the ends of the cross-shaft 52. A compression spring 66 is provided in the upper end of the elongated opening 62 for a purpose which will be hereinafter apparent.

As previously stated, it is desirable to provide the drop head rest herein described with a pivotal mounting near the top or upper end of the same and arranged to automatically permit the dropping of the lower opposite end of the head rest a short distance during the making of a vertebral subluxation. This is accomplished with the -construction shown by means of the provision of the 'bracket 5-8 through which the cross-shaft 52 extends. The bracket 58 has an elongated slot 68 therein and an opening 7G in one of the side walls of the same in which a latch member 72 may operate, the latch member 72 being pivotally mounted upon a pin 74 adjacent the lower end of the bracket 58. The latch member 72, as can be seen, is provided with a cam surface portion 72a which -terminates in an arcuately shaped shoulder 72b, the radius of the shoulder being the same as the radius of the cross-shaft 52.

When a patient has been placed upon the chiropractic table and the chiropractor in the making of a vertebral subluxation makes a thrust with the heel of his hand to effect an adjustment of the atlas and axis vertebrae, there is a downward pressure generally above the bracket 58 and cross-shaft 52 suicient to turn the latch member 72 about its pivot 74 and permit the lower end of the head piece 4t) to descend so that the cross-shaft 52 is in the upper end of the elongated opening 68. This movement, due to the raising of the shaft 52 in the opening, causes the shaft to ride up against the cam edge 72a of the latch member 72, swinging the same outwardly around its pivot 74 and against the pressure of a spring member -80 that is mounted on a rod 82 extending from the latch member 72 through a support bracket 84 to a point beyond the upper end of the head piece. When the lower end of the head piece has descended suiciently to pass the rise in the cam edge 72a, the spring 80 will return the latch member and the arcuate support surface 72b of the latch member will hold the head piece and crossshaft 52 in the changed position.

After the treatment has been given, the latch mechanism can be reset by pulling on the handle 86 of the opera-ting rod 82 of the latch member to permit the spring members 66 positioned in the brackets 54 and S6 to thrust the shaft 52 downwardly and thereby raise the lower end of the head rest 40 to original position.

From the above and foregoing description it can be seen that I have provided together with a convenient pivotal raising and lowering mechanism for the lower end of the head rest of a chiropractic table, a latch mechanism `which is simple in operation, yet capable of effectively permitting the slight downward thrust or tilting of the lower end of the head piece during a vertebral subluxation.

While I have illustrated and described a specic embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made in the exact details shown, and I do not wish to be 'limited in any particular; rather what I desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The combination with a chiropractic table having a Iframe, a head rest with means for automatically permit- Iting a slight vertical tilting of the lower end of said head rest during a vertebral subluxation, said means including a pair of support brackets secured to the bottom of said head rest, a third bracket positioned between said support brackets, a cross-shaft mounted in elongated openings in said support brackets and extending through an elongated opening in said third bracket, a pivot for said head rest at the upper end of the same, and a latch memlber pivotally mounted in said third bracket, said latch member normally engaging said cross-shaft to hold the same in the lower ends of the support brackets but perl mitting the brackets and lower end of the head rest to 4move downwardly about the head rest pivot a specic distance during a vertebral subluXation.

2. The combination with a chiropractic table having a frame, a head rest with means for automatically permitting a slight vertical tilting of the lower end of said head rest during a vertebral subluxation, said means including a pair of support brackets secured to the bottom of said head rest adjacent the lower end of the same, a third Ibracket aligned with and positioned between said support lbrackets, a cross-shaft mounted in elongated openings in said support brackets and extending through an elongated opening in said third bracket, a second pair of brackets -secured to said head rest adjacent the top end of the same, a support pivot for said head rest mounted therein, and a spring-pressed latch member pivotally mounted in said third bracket, said latch member normally engaging said cross-shaft to hold the same in the lower ends of the support bracket openings but permitting the brackets and lower end of the head rest to move downwardly about the head rest pivot a specific distance during a vertebral subluxation.

3. The combination with a chiropractic table having a frame, a head rest with means for automatically permitting a slight vertical tilting of the lower end of said head rest during a vertebral subluxation, said means including A a pair of support brackets secured to the bottom of said head rest adjacent the lower end of the same, a third bracket aligned with and positioned between said sup-v por-t brackets, a cross-shaft mounted in elongated openings in said support brackets and extending through an elongated opening in said third bracket, a second pair of brackets secured to said head rest adjacent the top end of the same, a support pivot for said head rest mounted therein, and a spring-pressed latch member pivotally mounted in said third bracket, said latch member having a cam surface normally engaging said cross-shaft to hold the same in the lower ends of the support bracket openings but permitting the brackets and lower end of the head rest to move downwardly about the head rest pivot a specic distance during a vertebral subluxation, said latch member having a seat for holding the head rest and crossshaft in changed position, and means for resetting said latch member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 546,235 Luther Sept. l0, 1895 1,079,795 Naysmith Nov. 25, 1913 1,194,939 Bishop Aug. 15, 1916 1,269,354 Williams June 111, 1918 1,582,950 Weaver et al. May 4, 1926 2,381,922 Norris Aug. 14, 1945 2,571,829 Buckley Oct. 16, 1951 2,622,950 Nimmo Dec. 23, 1952

Images