US2903129A - Instrument tray - Google Patents

Description

s p 1959 w. J. ANDERSON lll 2,903,129

INSTRUMENT TRAY Filed March so, 1956 IN V EN TOR. By Wm WM 3M6:

llliam J. Anderson, 127.

United States Patent INSTRUMENT TRAY William J. Anderson III, Houston, Tex.

Application March 30, 1956, Serial No. 575,059

3 Claims. (Cl. 206-72) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in trays, particularly for surgical instruments, although it will be understood that the device may be used for any other purpose for which it may be found adapted and desirable.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a tray of the aforementioned character comprising novel means for holding or supporting the various instruments .in a manner to greatly facilitate the selection, removal :and orderly replacement of said instruments.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a surgical instrument tray of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, sanitary, of light weight, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure .l is a perspective view of an instrument tray constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the device, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in rear elevation, show ing a plurality of instruments mounted on the tray;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of the device; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the adjustable stop of the modification.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of said drawing comprises a bottom 6 of suitable dimensions and material. Rising from the bottom 6 at a point adjacent to but spaced from the rear end thereof is a back wall 7. Rising from the longitudinal marginal edges of the bottom 6 and extending forwardly from the back wall 7 is a pair of side walls 8 comprising forwardly inclined upper edges 9. The members 6, 7 and 8 define a tray designated generally by the reference character 10, said tray being open at its forward end.

The upper edge of the back wall 7 of the tray 10 is provided with notches 11 for the reception of the inner end portions of the various instruments, as indicated at 12. Formed integrally with the upper edge of the back wall 7 and rising therefrom at spaced points, is a plurality of forwardly inclined stops 13. Immediately ad- 2 jacent the stops 13, the upper edge of the back wall 7 of the tray 10 further includes inclined shoulders 14 (see Figure 3) for causing the instruments 12 to lean toward the stops 13 in an obvious manner.

It is thought that the use of the invention will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the inner end portions of the instruments 12 are placed on the notched upper edge of the back wall 7 of the tray 10, the forward ends of said instruments resting on the bottom 6 of said tray. When thus supported the handles or inner end portions of the instruments 12 overhang the rearwardly projecting end portion of the bottom 6 in spaced relation thereto. The inclined shoulders 14 cause the instruments which are immediately adjacent the stops 13 to slide away from said stops on the back wall 7 of the tray 10 for permitting said instruments to be leaned by gravity against said stops. Of course, the notches 11 prevent the instruments 12 from sliding on the upper edge of the wall 7.

In the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 of the drawing, the back wall 7 of the tray 10 has formed in the lower marginal portion thereof a slot 15. A stop 16 is mounted for sliding adjustment on the slotted wall 7. The adjustable stop 16 includes a plate 17 mounted vertically on the wall 7 and terminating at its lower end in a hook 18 which is slidably engaged in the slot 15. Rising from the upper end of the plate 17 is a finger 19. A screw 20 is threadedly mounted in the upper portion of the plate 17 with its headed end protruding therefrom. The screw 20 is selectively engageable in the notches 11 for securing the stop 16 in adjusted position on the tray. The lower portion of the finger 19 comprises oppositely inclined shoulders 21. In other respects this form of the invention is substantially similar to the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An instrument tray of the character described comprising: a flat, horizontal bottom, an instrument supporting wall rising from said bottom, said wall having notches in its upper edge for the reception of the instruments, stationary stops rising from the end portions of the wall, and an adjustable stop projecting above said notches slidably mounted on said wall for longitudinal movement therealong between said stationary stops.

2. An instrument tray of the character described comprising: a bottom, an instrument supporting wall rising from said bottom, said wall having notches in its upper edge for the reception of the instruments, stationary stops rising from the end portions of the wall, and an adjustable stop projecting above said notches slidably mounted on said wall for longitudinal movement therealong between said stationary stops, all of said stops including inclined lower shoulder portions for spacing the instruments therefrom at the points of contact thereof with said wall.

3. An instrument tray of the character described com- 3 prising: a" bottom, an instrument supporting wall rising from said bottom and having a slot in its lower marginal portion, said Wall further having notches in its upper edge for the reception of the instruments, stops for the instruments rising from the end portions of the Wall, and an adjustable stop projecting above said notches mounted on said wall, said adjustable stop including a plate slidable on the Wall between said stationary stops, said plate comprising a hook on one end slidably engaged in the slot, a finger rising from said plate, and a screw threadedly mounted in the plate and selectively engageable in the notches for securing the plate in adjusted position on said Wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Kimball Apr. Storm Oct. Booth Aug. Smith Sept. Frank Sept. Laureyns Nov. Duley Nov. Naken Nov.

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