GB2635674A

GB2635674A - Foldable treatment table

Info

Publication number: GB2635674A
Application number: GB2317679.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bromley Kristan
Original assignee: Kbx Tech Ltd
Current assignee: Kbx Tech Ltd
Priority date: 2023-11-18
Filing date: 2023-11-18
Publication date: 2025-05-28
Also published as: WO2025104346A1

Abstract

The portable treatment table comprises a central support 210 and a tabletop including two leaves 110, 112, each connected by a hinge to the top end of the central support to allow a table configuration in which the two leaves lie end-to-end to define a continuous planar tabletop and a portable configuration in which the leaves are folded down on opposite sides of the central support structure. In the table configuration, the tabletop is exclusively supported by the central support structure. There may be length adjustable gas lift struts 142, 162 between the central support and leaves that allow the leaves to slope. Also disclosed are portable treatment tables having a central support and two leaves forming a continuous tabletop having either: two legs having an upper end connected to the central support and a lower end on the ground; a linear actuator that extends or retracts the central support to vary the height of the tabletop; or the leaves formed of a composite laminate.

Description

Foldable Treatment Table

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a foldable treatment table, and in particular to a treatment table that can be folded into a portable configuration.

Background of the Invention

A treatment table is an essential piece of equipment for therapists, as it provides a surface for a patient to lie or sit on when examining, treating, and caring for them. Treatment tables are used by various professionals, including physiotherapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists.

There is an increasing demand for treatment tables to be portable. This allows the treatment table to be easily transported to a point of care. For example, portable treatment tables can be used by travelling sports teams. Practitioners can take the portable treatment tables into care homes, sports centres, or wherever they are needed.

Portable treatment tables obviously find applicable use in the military, allowing them to be taken easily on deployment and used for rehabilitation. Being portable also allows a treatment table to be packed away so that the room can be used for another purpose, allowing valuable space in a clinic or surgery to be used more flexibly.

At the same time, the treatment table must ensure that the patient is comfortable and feels safe on the table. The outcome of the treatment often depends greatly on the patient's muscles being relaxed. A sturdy and stable construction is needed to ensure that both therapists and patients find the treatment table reliable.

The requirement for a sturdy and stable construction has often been in conflict with the need for a lightweight and compact construction needed to make a treatment table foldable and portable.

s In order to deliver a variety of treatments, treatment tables are often adjustable, allowing the upper surface to be inclined in a variety of ways to support different treatments and target different parts of the patient's anatomy. Treatment tables are also known which are height-adjustable. Such functionality is important because it affects the health of the therapist as well as the patient. During each treatment, the therapist may have to adjust the height several times in order to be able to deliver treatment in a way that does not force the therapist to work while bent over or otherwise to adopt uncomfortable and unergonomic positions. Such adjustability may also facilitate low-or impaired-mobility patients in getting onto and off the treatment table.

is Portable treatment tables are known which have manual height adjustment. It can be difficult or time consuming to adjust the height of these tables, and infeasible to do so with a patient on the treatment table.

The desired level of adjustability has not been achieved in an effective way in known portable treatment tables due to the constraints of needing to be lightweight and compact for portability whilst needing to remain sturdy and stable in all configurations.

An electric variable height portable collapsible table is known from US 2009/0272299 Al. This table has leg structures arranged to support opposite ends of the table which each include an electric linear actuator. The tabletop is formed from two frames which are connected at a centre of the table by hinges. The frames are substantially co-planar when the table is set up and fold together about the hinges when collapsed so as to define a space between them in which the leg structures can be accommodated to make the table portable. The tabletop has a fixed planar configuration when erected. The separately actuated legs at opposite ends of the table may lead to instability if the linear actuators are not fully synchronised, while using two linear actuators will tend to increase the overall cost and weight as compared to a single linear actuator solution. A flexible cable under tension defines a frame to provide strength and rigidity to the leg structures. Experience suggests that such cable-based solutions, although lightweight, do not always provide the desired degree of stability.

A need therefore exists for a treatment table that will be sturdy and stable and can provide the enhanced adjustability of some fixed/permanent treatment tables whilst remaining lightweight and compact for portability.

lo Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable treatment table comprising: a central support structure having a top end and a bottom end; and a tabletop including two leaves, each connected by a hinge to the top end of the is central support structure, said leaves being foldable about said hinges between a table configuration in which the two leaves lie substantially end-to-end to define a substantially continuous planar tabletop extending to each side from the top end of the support structure and a portable configuration in which the leaves are folded down from the top end of the central support structure on opposite sides of the central support structure, wherein, in the table configuration, the tabletop is exclusively supported by the central support structure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable treatment table comprising: a central support structure having a top end and a bottom end; a tabletop including two leaves, each connected or connectable to the top end of the central support structure, the tabletop including a table configuration in which the two leaves lie substantially end-to-end to define a substantially continuous planar tabletop extending to each side from the top end of the central support structure; and two or more legs having upper ends and feet, wherein, in the table configuration, the central support structure is supported on or above the ground in a substantially upright configuration by the two or more legs connected at their upper ends to the central support structure and extending laterally from the central support structure and having their feet on the ground.

s According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable treatment table comprising: a central support structure having a top end and a bottom end; a tabletop including two leaves, each connected or connectable to the top end of the central support structure, the tabletop including a table configuration in which the two leaves lie substantially end-to-end to define a substantially continuous planar tabletop extending to each side from the top end of the central support structure; and a linear actuator arranged to raise or lower the tabletop in the table configuration by respectively extending or retracting the central support structure.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable is treatment table comprising: a central support structure having a top end and a bottom end; a tabletop including two leaves, each connected or connectable to the top end of the central support structure, the tabletop including a table configuration in which the two leaves lie substantially end-to-end to define a substantially continuous planar tabletop extending to each side from the top end of the central support structure, wherein the tabletop leaves are made from a composite laminate.

The invention is defined by the independent claims. Optional and/or preferred features are defined in the dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

To enable a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above of the portable treatment table according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a lowered position; Figure 2 shows a perspective view from below of the portable treatment table of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a top-down plan view of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a bottom-up plan view of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 shows a side view of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 4; Figure 6 shows an end view from the head end of the portable treatment table of Figures 1to 5; Figure 7 shows a perspective view from above of the portable treatment table of Figures is 1 to 6 in a raised position; Figure 8 shows a side view of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 7, in the raised position of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a view from the side of a cross-section through a region of the central support structure of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 8, in the lowered position of Figures 1 to 6; Figure 10 shows a corresponding view to that of Figure 9, with the portable treatment table in the raised position of Figures 7 and 8; Figure 11 shows a view from a head end of a cross-section through a region of the central support structure of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 10, with the portable treatment table in the lowered position of Figures 1 to 6 and 9; Figure 12 shows a corresponding cross-sectional view to that of Figure 11, with the portable treatment table in the raised position of Figures 7, 8 and 10; Figure 13 shows a perspective view from above of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 12, with the foot end of the treatment table in a sloped configuration; Figure 14 shows another perspective view from the side and head end of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 13, with the foot end of the table in the sloped configuration of Figure 13; Figure 15 shows a perspective view from above of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 14 in the lowered position of Figures 1 to 6, 9 and 11, but with the head plate and foot plate removed; is Figure 16 shows a perspective view from below of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 15 in the same position as shown in Figure 15, with the head plate and foot plate removed; Figure 17 shows a perspective view from below of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 16 in a view corresponding to that of Figure 16 but having the supporting strut members removed ready for folding the tabletop and table legs, for illustration purposes; Figure 18 shows a perspective view of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 17 in the folded, portable configuration; Figure 19 shows a top-end view of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 18 in the folded, portable configuration of Figure 18; Figure 20 shows a plan view towards the head end table leaf side of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 19, in the folded, portable condition of Figures 18 and 19; Figure 21 shows a plan view towards the foot side table leaf of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 20, in the folded, portable configuration of Figures 18 to 20; Figure 22 shows a side view of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 21 in the s folded, portable configuration of Figures 18 to 21; Figure 23 shows a perspective view from a bottom-end of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 22 in the folded, portable configuration of Figures 18 to 22; io Figure 24 shows an enlarged perspective view of the central support structure of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 23; Figure 25 shows an enlarged detail view of a quick release mechanism for securing the ends of the support struts to the central support structure in the portable treatment table is of Figures 1 to 24; Figure 26 shows an enlarged detail view of another quick release mechanism for securing ends of the support struts to the central support structure of the portable treatment table of Figures 1 to 25.

Detailed Description

In the following, the term portable is intended to reflect an item which an adult could reasonably be expected to carry by themselves relatively comfortably. In the context of a foldable, portable treatment table, the table should weigh less than 30kg. The folded portable treatment table should also be compact for ease of handling and so not exceed dimensions of 90cm x 60cm x 40cm.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 25.

Figures 1 to 6 show various views of the embodiment of a portable treatment table 100 according to the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the portable treatment table 100 is shown set up in its condition of use, in a lowered configuration.

The portable treatment table includes a tabletop formed from two leaves 110, 112, with the first leaf 110 corresponding to a head end of the treatment table 100 and second leaf 112 corresponding to a foot end of the treatment table 100. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the first leaf 110 has a head plate 114 connected at the head end of the tabletop 100 and the second leaf 112 has a foot plate 116 connected at a foot end of the tabletop. Portable treatment tables, according to embodiments of the present invention, may include both a head plate and a foot plate, but may also include no foot plate or no head plate or no foot plate and no head plate.

In order to enhance the portability of the portable treatment table, it is preferable for the is tabletop to be constructed from lightweight materials, and in particular to have the structural elements of the tabletop formed from a composite material. Although a number of different lightweight material constructions are known, the first and second leaves 110, 112 preferably have a composite laminate structure that includes a balsa wood core sandwiched between upper and lower skins of carbon fibre. The balsa wood core preferably has a thickness of 10 mm to 25 mm, preferably 14 mm to 20 mm, most preferably 16 mm. This construction provides a rigid planar structure suitable to support a patient whilst minimizing weight.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the leaves 110, 112 have a first layer 110b and 112b, respectively, which is formed as the structural layer having a composite material construction. The tabletop leaves 110, 112 also have a second, upper cushioning layer 110a, 112a, respectively, which is formed from foam padding and covered in an antimicrobial vinyl outer skin to seal and protect the leaves 110, 112. The head plate 114 and the foot plate 116 may have a similar construction to the tabletop leaves, with respective lower structural layers 114b, 116b and upper cushioned foam layers 114a, 116a. Other lightweight composite material constructions are of course known and available, such as an aluminium or paper honeycomb core with upper and lower skins. However, the combination of a balsa wood core and carbon fibre skins has been found to deliver high structural rigidity and strength across the tabletop surface whilst maintaining a lightweight tabletop.

As best seen in Figures 2 and 4, the head plate 114 and foot plate 116 are attached to the leaves 110 and 112, respectively, by way of tubular frame members 118, 119 on the head plate 114 and tubular frame members 120 and 121 on the foot plate 116, which slide into respective brackets 125 on the head end table leaf 110 and brackets 126 on the foot end io of table leaf 112. It is typically not necessary to lock the head plate 114 and foot plate 116 in place as they are held adequately securely in place by the brackets 125 and 126, respectively, allowing them to be quickly and easily removed after use by sliding the frame members 118, 119, 120 and 121 out of the brackets 125 and 126. Where it is desired to prevent the head plate 114 or foot plate 116 from being slid out of position is during use of the portable treatment table, a suitable locking mechanism may be provided, such as a spring button provided in one or both of the tubular members 118, 119 of the head plate and 120, 121 of the foot plate, respectively, that can simply be depressed by a user's thumb to allow the support poles 118, 119, 120, 121 to be slid out of the brackets 125 and 126.

As also shown in Figures 1 to 9, the head plate 114 can be provided with an adjustable frame 122, with frame members 124 supporting the structural layer 114b of the head plate 114 from its underside, and pivotally connected via lockable pivot members 123 to the tubular support members 119 and 120. This allows the head plate to be tilted upwards or downwards in order to obtain a desired and/or comfortable position for a patient laying on the tabletop.

The portable treatment table 100 disclosed herein includes a central support structure 200, located substantially at the centre of the tabletop formed by leaves 110, 112. The central support structure is maintained in a substantially upright configuration by a framework of tubular struts which provide legs for the portable treatment table 100, as well as further supporting tubular struts which extend from the central support structure 200 to the head end of table leaf 110 and foot end of table leaf 112. The table leaves 110, 112 are hingedly affixed to a support bar 220 at the top end of the central support structure 200 by hinges 225, allowing the leaves 110, 112 to fold down on each side of s the central support structure 200. The framework of tubular struts provides a sturdy and rigid base for the tabletop, as well as being lightweight in order to enhance portability.

As best seen in Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6, the tabletop leaves 110, 112 are hindgedly affixed to a top member or support bar 220 of the central support structure 200. The central io support structure 200 further includes a central lifting column which includes an outer sleeve 210 and an inner sleeve 215. Outer sleeve 210 is supported by the framework of tubular struts to remain in an upright configuration, whilst the support bar 220 is mounted to the top end of inner sleave 215, allowing the tabletop to be raised and lowered relative to the leg framework of tubular struts by the inner sleeve 215 sliding is vertically within the outer sleeve 210. It will be apparent to the skilled reader that the leg framework of tubular struts could be connected to the inner sleeve and the tabletop be connected to the outer sleeve in order to achieve equivalent lifting functionality.

As shown in Figures 9 to 12, a linear actuator is provided within the central lifting column formed by the outer sleeve 210 and inner sleeve 215. The linear actuator is operative to raise and lower the tabletop by extending and contracting the lifting column formed by the inner sleeve 215 within the outer sleeve 210. Suitable linear actuators are known in the present technical field, and the present embodiment uses a linear actuator and gearbox from TiMOTION Technology Co. Limited. This linear actuator has a 250 kg lift capability whilst operating at appropriate speeds. The linear actuator is connected at is upper end to the support bar 220 and its bottom end is supported at the bottom of the lifting column by a base plate connected to the bottom of outer sleeve 210.

As visible in Figure 11, control circuitry for the linear actuator is contained within the support bar 220, and both sides of the support bar 220 are provided with a control interface 222 so that a therapist is able to operate the linear actuator to raise and lower the tabletop conveniently during any treatment. Any suitable control system may be employed, however. In the present embodiment, a power supply in the form of a battery 500 is also provided, mounted externally of the support structure, underneath the support bar 220, to facilitate easy charging and/or replacement of the battery 500.

s Battery 500 could equivalently be built into the central support structure 200, such as within the inner sleeve 215 or within the support bar 220, in particular where direct access to the battery or power pack 500 is not required. Furthermore, whilst the present embodiment of the portable treatment table 100 is provided with its own integral power supply, an independent power supply is not essential and the portable treatment table may also be provided with power cables for connecting to a local power source. For example, it may be preferred to use an external power supply, such as a domestic power socket.

The central lifting column formed by the inner sleeve 215 and outer sleeve 210 is is provided in this embodiment as a vertical column having a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section. This shape is advantageous as it minimises any twisting motion that might occur between the inner sleeve 215 and outer sleeve 210, thereby further stabilising the central support structure 200.

In order to provide stable support to the tabletop, the leaves 110, 112 are supported at the central support bar 220 on both sides by hinges 225, as best seen in Figure 9, 10, 16 and 17. These hinges 225 hold the end of each table leaf 110, 112 that is located at the centre of the tabletop stable, supported by the support bar 222 of the central support structure 200. The outer ends of the table leaves 110, 112 are supported by tubular strut members which connect, at their bottom ends, to the bottom of the inner sleeve 215 and, at their top ends, to brackets formed on the underside of the table leaves 110, 112. The table leaf 110 at the head end of the tabletop is supported by struts 141, 142, which may be pivotably connected at the top end of each strut 141, 142 to brackets 149, 148, respectively. The struts 141, 142 may be releasably connected to brackets 149, 148. A quick release pin or other similar mechanism is able to decouple the top end of each strut 141, 142 from its respective bracket 149, 148, quickly and easily. The bottom end of each strut is mounted to a travelling block 145 which is disposed outside the outer sleeve 210 and is connected to the inner sleeve 215 by bolts which extend through linear slots 212 formed vertically in the outer sleeve 210. This allows the travelling block 145 to travel vertically up and down together with the inner sleeve 215 when the lifting column is s extended or retracted. The struts 141, 142 thus provide a rigid framework supporting the table leaf 110 as it travels up and down between raised and lowered configurations of the portable treatment table.

Foot end leaf 112 is supported in a corresponding way by struts 161, 162 which are connected at their upper ends to brackets 169 and 168, respectively, on the underside of the table leaf 112. The bottom ends of the struts 161, 162 are similarly connected to a traveling block 165 on the opposite side of the central lifting column to the travelling block 145. Travelling blocks 145, 165 as well as the struts 141, 142, 161, 162 and the brackets 149, 148, 169, 168, are substantially identical on opposite sides of the central is support structure 200.

An example of the travelling block 165, which would be formed identically for the travelling block 145, is shown in Figure 26. As shown in this example, the bottom ends 161a, 162a of the tubular struts 161, 162 are provided with ball connectors projecting from their bottom ends. The ball connectors are arranged to seat within cylindrical recesses 173 and 175 formed in sockets 171 and 172 of the travelling block 165. This allows the end connectors 161a and 162a to be easily inserted and removed from the sockets 173 and 175 of the travelling block 165. In this example, each of the sockets 171, 172 is provided with a through-bore which extends laterally across the travelling block intersecting each of the two cylindrical socket bores 173, 175. A pin 176, 177 is inserted into each end of the lateral bore. Each of the pins has a variable diameter, such that with the ball connector at the bottom end 161a, 162a of the strut 161, 162 located within the cylindrical bore 173, 175, an enlarged diameter part of the pin extending through the lateral bore and across the cylindrical socket will retain the respective ball connector in place. A spring mounted between the two pins 176, 177 is arranged to bias the pins outwardly, ensuring that the enlarged diameter portion of each pin 176, 177 is normally located to intersect the cylindrical sockets 173, 175 and retain the ball connectors of the struts 161, 162 securely in place. Each of the pins 166, 167 is also provided with a reduced diameter portion. When the pin 166, 167 is depressed against the biasing action of the spring, this brings the reduced diameter portion of the pin into alignment with the s cylindrical socket 173 or 175, respectively, such that the pin no longer interferes with the ball end connector at the end of each of the struts 161, 162, allowing it to be withdrawn from the respective cylindrical socket 173, 175.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the struts 141, 142 for the head end table leaf 110 and the struts 161, 162 for the foot end table leaf 112 can be quickly and easily removed in order to disassemble the portable treatment table, using the quick release mechanisms provided at each end of the tubular struts. Alternatively, and in preferred embodiments of the portable treatment table, the struts 141, 142, 161, 162 do not need to be disconnected at both ends in order to fold away the table, and they may simply be is disconnected from the quick release mechanism of the travelling blocks 145, 165 while remaining connected to the brackets 149, 148, 169, 168. The size and position of the struts 141, 142, 161, 162 and the brackets 149, 148, 169, 168 is such that they will lie alongside and between the folded legs 241, 242, 261, 262 in the folded, portable configuration of the treatment table discussed further below. This reduces the number of connections and disconnections needed to set up and take down the portable treatment table, and reduces the number of separate components to be stored and transported.

One advantage of the central support structure 200 of the presently disclosed portable treatment table 100 is that the hinges 225 allow the table leaves 110, 112 to fold downwardly relative to the support bar 220 and central support structure 200.

Advantageously, this allows the portable treatment table to be adjusted to a variety of different positions having sloped table leave 110, 112. An example of such a configuration is shown in Figures 13 and 14, in which the foot end table leaf 112 has been angled downwardly relative to the horizontally disposed head end table leaf 110. Since the struts 161, 162 are mounted to the travelling block 165, the tabletop can still be raised and lowered even in the sloped configuration of Figures 13 and 14.

To enable the sloped configuration to be adopted whilst maintaining a sturdy and stable tabletop structure for supporting a patient, the struts 161, 162, as well as the struts 141, 142, are formed as telescopic struts, which can be extended and retracted. By retracting the struts 161, 162, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the foot end table leaf 112 can be lowered into a sloped configuration by pivoting around the central hinges 225. The struts 141, 142 are similarly formed as telescopic struts, which can be extended and retracted in the same way, to lower and raise the head end table leaf 110. In the present example, the tabletop leaves 110, 112 do not rise above the horizontal, flat orientation of Figures 1 to 6, although this would be possible if the hinges 225 were appropriately adapted. It should be noted that the ball end connectors provide the required rotational freedom to allow a change not only in the length of the support struts 141, 142, 161, 162 but also the necessary consequential change in the angular orientation of the support struts 141, 142, 161, 162 as they extend and retract.

In the present example, the lengths of the telescopic struts 141, 142, 161, 162 can simply be manually adjusted by pushing-in spring buttons, of the kind well known from adjustable-length crutches and the like, and then sliding the inner and outer telescoping tubes relative to one another. Equivalently, telescopic poles are known where an inner pole twists relative to an outer pole to lock the telescopic pole at a desired length and the present struts may be formed accordingly. Alternatively, struts 141, 142, 161, 162 could be formed as one or more gas struts, able to provide an automatic lifting action to the table leaves when the appropriate control mechanism is depressed. Such an alternative arrangement may be preferable for certain therapists, depending on the specific type of treatment they wish to deliver.

Because the table leaves 110, 112 are separately supported at their respective head end and foot end, they can be individually adjusted and set to the desired slope angle, according to the specific treatment that a therapist wishes to deploy.

Turning to the tubular struts leg framework, it can be seen that the portable treatment table is provided with four legs 241, 242, 261, 262, which are formed as tubular struts, and which extend from a top end of the outer sleeve 210 downwardly and outwardly to their respective bottom ends, where feet 244, 246, 264, 266 are provided.

In this embodiment, the legs are provided in pairs, a first pair 241, 242 being provided on the head end side of the central support structure 200 and the second pair 261, 262 provided on the foot end side of the central support structure 200. The two pairs of legs are joined by cross-braces, with legs 241, 242 being joined together by cross-brace 273 at their bottom ends and a cross-brace 274 at their top ends, whilst legs 261, 262 are joined by cross-brace 283 at their bottom ends and at cross-brace 284 at their top ends. As best seen in the enlarged view of Figure 24, top ends 261b, 262b of the legs 261, 262 are formed as socket connectors of ball and socket joints, with the corresponding balls being mounted to brackets on the outsides of the outer sleeve 210 at its top end. An identical is construction is provided for the legs 241, 242 on the head end side of the central support structure 200. The ball and socket connectors allow the legs to be mounted on the outer sides of the outer sleeve 210, whilst pivoting around an axis in line with that of the hinges 225 which mount the tabletop leaves 110, 112 to the central support structure 220. In this way, the pairs of legs are able to fold up and fold down relative to the central support structure 200, in the same way as the tabletop leaves 110, 112.

The use of tubular struts provides a very strong and rigid frame for supporting the central support structure 200, whilst remaining lightweight. The cross-braces 273, 274, 283, 284 provide additional structural rigidity and stability to the structure of the portable

treatment table.

Additionally, this construction provides a space between the legs 241, 242 and 261, 262 through which the support struts 141, 142 and 161, 162 which support the ends of the table leaves 110, 112 can extend. This allows the tabletop to be raised and lowered relative to the legs, without the support struts 141, 142, 161, 162 interfering with the legs 241, 242, 261, 262, including during raising and lowering of the tabletop.

In order to be able to fold into a compact portable configuration, the maximum length of the legs 241, 242, 261, 262 is accordingly restricted. Conversely, in order to provide as stable a platform as possible for supporting a tabletop, it is desirable to have the feet of s the portable treatment table spaced as far and wide apart as possible. In the present embodiment, the bottom ends of each of the legs 241, 242, 261, 262 are provided with sockets 241a, 242a, 261a, 262a for receiving respective leg extensions 243, 245, 263, 265, which are received in the respective sockets 241a, 242a, 261a, 262a. The leg extensions 243, 245, 263, 265 include, at their bottom ends, the feet 244, 246, 264, 266 of the io portable treatment table 100, on which it stands. The leg strut structure is thus configured to hold the central support structure 200 off the ground and in a substantially vertical orientation, stably and securely.

In order to fix the angle of the legs 241, 242, 261, 262 relative to the central support is structure 200, and to provide the desired sturdiness, strength and stability, further tubular support struts are provided extending between the bottoms of the legs 241, 242, 261, 262 and the bottom of the outer sleeve 210. Additionally, longitudinal tubular struts are provided extending lengthways between the head end and foot end leg pairs, on each side of the tubular strut frame.

As seen in Figures 1 to 6, the head end pair of legs 241, 242 is provided with support struts 271, 272 extending from the bottom of the outer sleeve to the bottom of each leg. A bracket is provided at the bottom of each leg 241, 242 to attach the struts 271, 272 via quick release pins or any other suitable mechanism. Correspondingly, support struts 281, 282 extend from the bottom of the outer sleeve 210 to the bottom of each leg 261, 262, with identical or equivalent brackets and quick release mechanisms for their attachment and detachment.

At their other ends, each of the support struts 271, 272, 281, 282 is provided with a ball connector for being releasably mounted to a socket on the outside of an outer sleeve 210. This connection is detailed in Figure 25, which shows a common socket provided for connecting to end connectors of both the head end strut 272 and the foot end strut 282, using a common locking pin 253. Strut 272 has at its bottom end a ball connector 272a and strut 282 has at its bottom end a ball connector 282a. Struts 271 and 281 are correspondingly formed on the opposite side of the central support structure 200. The connector block 252 is mounted on the side of the outer sleeve 210 or may instead be integrally formed therewith. Connector block 252 includes cylindrical sockets 254, 255 for respectively receiving the ball end connectors 272a, 282a of the struts 272 and 282. A vertical bore intersects both cylindrical sockets 254, 255. With the pin 253 removed, the ball end connectors 272a, 282a can simply slide laterally in and out of the cylindrical lip sockets 254, 255. With the ball end connectors inserted into the cylindrical sockets, when the pin 253 is inserted into the vertical through-bore, it is positioned to interfere with the ball end connectors 272a, 282a to prevent them from being removed from their respective sockets.

is The use of ball end connectors 272a, 282a at the ends of the tubular struts 272, 282 and the similar ball end connectors used at the ends of other struts as described above, advantageously provides a connection with six degrees of freedom, thereby accommodating machining tolerances and eliminating undesirable stresses and strains which could otherwise be imposed on the tubular struts. In order to provide a lightweight frame structure, the tubular struts are designed with specific load carrying capabilities, such that unintended forces such as twisting and bending forces that might otherwise be transmitted to the struts might cause damage. The ball end connectors serve to effectively eliminate these undesirable stresses and strains, in addition to providing a quick and effective quick release system for assembling and disassembling the tubular strut framework.

In order to provide additional lateral support to the tubular strut framework, lengthwise tubular struts 291, 292 are provided on each side of the portable treatment table 100, with a first side strut 291 extending between head end leg 241 and foot end leg 261 and the second lengthwise strut 292 extending between head end leg 242 and foot end leg 262. The lengthwise support struts 291, 292 are connected to the bottom ends of the respective legs 241, 242, 261, 262 by brackets adjacent to those provided for the bottom support struts 271, 272, 281, 282, and connecting via quick release pins or other attachment mechanism in corresponding fashion. The lengthwise support struts 291, 292 provide additional bracing between the head end and foot end pairs of legs, securely fixing the angle of inclination of the legs relative to one another and eliminating twisting motion of the frame. In some embodiments of the invention, the treatment table 100 may be adequately stable and sturdy without need of the lengthwise support struts 291, 292, since the legs and central support structure 200 are well braced by support struts 271, 272, 281, 282 and the cross braces 273, 274, 283, 284.

The tubular strut framework provides a highly rigid, stable and sturdy construction for supporting the central support structure 200, whilst remaining lightweight and thus enhancing portability. The stability is enhanced by the feet defining a long and wide platform on which the tubular strut framework stands. Preferably, the feet have a is lengthwise spacing of at least 140 cm, more preferably at least 150 cm, and a widthwise spacing of at least 45 cm, more preferably at least 50 cm, measured to the respective outermost ground contacting edge or point, as applicable, of each foot in the respective lengthwise or widthwise direction.

Once constructed, the tubular leg frame remains fixed in place, in all configurations of the treatment table. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, extending the central lift column from its lowered position as shown in Figures 1 and 6 causes the tabletop to rise to a raised position, placing the tabletop and any patient upon it at a greater height. The central lift column can be adjusted into any intermediate position between its bottom-most position as shown in Figures 1 to 6 and its top-most position as shown in Figures 7 and 8, allowing the height of the portable treatment table to be adjusted to suit the needs of the therapist, the patient, and the particular treatment being administered. In this regard, Figures 1 and 7 and Figures 5 and 8 can be directly compared in order to see the motion of the inner sleeve 215, along with the tabletop and support struts 141, 142, 161, 162 mounted to it, relative to the outer sleeve 210 and the tubular leg strut framework which supports it.

Figures 9 and 10 also show a comparison between the lowered and raised positions in the form of a cross-sectional side view through the central support structure 200. This shows how the bottom ends of the support struts 141a, 161a are connected to the travelling blocks 145, 165, respectively, and how the travelling blocks are connected via bushings to the inner sleeve 215 through the longitudinal slots 212 in the outer sleeve 210. Figures 9 and 10 also show how the spacing between legs 241, 242 and 261, 262 allows the upper support struts 141, 142 and 161, 162, which support the table leaves 110, 112, to move vertically up and down between the pairs of legs when transitioning between the lowered and raised positions.

Similar views are shown in Figures 11 and 12 but taken from the head end of the portable treatment table instead of the side, again showing the motion of the inner sleeve 215 and the tabletop and upper support struts 161, 162 carried by it, relative to the outer sleeve is 210 and the lower tubular leg support frame which supports the central support structure 200.

In order to transport the portable treatment table 100, the tubular strut support frame can be disassembled and the head end and foot end pairs of legs 241, 242 and 261, 262 and the table leaves 110, 112 can be folded down in order to place the portable treatment table in a compact configuration. Figure 17 shows the condition of the portable treatment table after the tubular support struts have been detached and the head plate 114 and foot plate 116 have been removed, ready for folding. In the present example, the head end pair of legs 241, 242 and the foot end pair of legs 261, 262 are permanently attached to the central support structure by the ball and socket joints at the top of the outer sleeve 210, although they could be made detachable if desired. However, this is advantageously not required in the present embodiment, as the pairs of legs are designed to fold down around the central support structure 200 within the envelope defined by the folded table leaves 110, 112. This is possible because the pairs of legs are mounted on the sides of the outer support sleeve using the ball and socket joints discussed above, meaning that in the folded configuration the central lift column, i.e., the inner sleeve 215 and outer sleeve 210, lie between the two pairs of legs, as shown in particular in Figure 23. The table leaves 110, 112 fold down on each side of the top support structure 220, by virtue of the pivoting motion of the hinges 225, whereby the central support structure, control mechanisms 222 and battery pack 500, as well as both pairs of legs are all s effectively accommodated within the envelope of the table leaves, resulting in a compact configuration for transport. The detached leg extensions 243, 245, 263, 265, any removed tubular struts, and the head plate 114 and foot plate 116 are packed separately for transport. As noted above and below, however, many or all of the struts can be left attached to a bracket at one end and will fold away into the envelope of the treatment table 100 in its folded, portable configuration.

It is also apparent that the placement of the brackets on the underside of the table leaves 110, 112 is configured to avoid the cross-braces 273, 283 extending between the bottom ends of the pairs of legs 241, 242, 261, 262, respectively, allowing the braces to nest in is the space between the brackets. Similarly, it will be apparent that the upper cross-braces 274, 284 are designed and arranged not to interfere with the central lift column, in particular the outer sleeve 210, in the folded configuration.

With the use of appropriately selected composite materials and a lightweight tubular framework construction, the total mass of the portable treatment table of this embodiment can be kept below 25 kg and preferably below 23 kg. This renders the treatment table easily portable by a single person, whilst remaining highly stable in use. Additionally, the portable treatment table of this embodiment provides flexibility and adaptability of the tabletop position and configuration not normally achievable in portable treatment tables, in particular being able to operate a centralised lift function for raising and lowering the tabletop (including with the patient on the treatment table), as well as the ability to lower the head end and/or foot end table leaves 110, 112 into sloped configurations.

Although apparently complex at first sight, the tubular strut framework is in reality extremely quick and easy to assemble and disassemble due to the use of quick release connectors at the ends of the struts, meaning that the portable treatment table can be assembled and disassembled in as little as two or three minutes. In practice, this is a very short amount of set-up time, and is far outweighed by the additional functionality that the treatment table is able to provide whilst being portable.

The assembly and disassembly time can indeed be further reduced since, for example, as shown in Figures 22 and 23, and described above, not all of the tubular support struts need to be fully disconnected in order to fold away the portable treatment table. As seen in Figures 22 and 23, the bottom tubular support struts 281, 282, 271, 272 can remain attached at one end to the bottom ends of the tubular leg struts 241, 242, 261, 262, as they are able to pivot around the top ends 271a, 272a, 281a, 282a of the support struts so as to lie along the leg struts 241, 242, 261, 262 in the folded configuration. Similarly, as noted above, the struts 141, 142, 161, 162 supporting the tabletop leaves 110, 112 do not need to be disconnected at both ends in order to fold away the table 100, and they may is simply be disconnected using the quick release mechanism of the travelling blocks 145, while remaining connected to the brackets 149, 148, 169, 168 on the underside of each table leaf 110, 112. The size and position of the struts 141, 142, 161, 162 and the brackets 149, 148, 169, 168 is such that they will lie alongside and between the folded legs 241, 242, 261, 262 in the folded, portable configuration of the treatment table 100.

This reduces the number of connections and disconnections needed to set up and take down the portable treatment table, and reduces the number of separate components to be stored and transported.

In order to further enhance stability, it will also be appreciated that the feet 242, 246, 264, 266 provided at the bottom ends of the leg extensions 243, 245, 263, 265 can be mounted to the leg extensions by threaded connections which allow the height of the feet to be adjusted in order to stably support the portable treatment table even when the ground is not perfectly flat. To this end, each of the feet may be independently height adjustable, preferably by at least 10mm, more preferably by at least 20mm, for stabilising the portable treatment table on uneven ground surfaces.

Claims

Claims: 1. A portable treatment table comprising: a central support structure having a top end and a bottom end; and s a tabletop including two leaves, each connected by a hinge to the top end of the central support structure, said leaves being foldable about said hinges between a table configuration in which the two leaves lie substantially end-to-end to define a substantially continuous planar tabletop extending to each side from the top end of the support structure and a portable configuration in which the leaves are folded down from the top io end of the central support structure on opposite sides of the central support structure, wherein, in the table configuration, the tabletop is exclusively supported by the central support structure.
2. The portable treatment table of Claim 1, further comprising one or more tabletop is support struts on each side of the central support structure, each tabletop support strut having a bottom end connected in the table configuration to the central support structure, each tabletop support strut extending upwardly and outwardly from the central support structure to connect at a top end of each strut to the respective tabletop leaf on that side of the central support structure and to support that tabletop leaf in thetable configuration.
3. The portable treatment table of Claim 2, wherein the tabletop support struts on one or both sides of the central support structure can be selectively shortened to allow the respective tabletop leaf to slope downwardly from its hinge in a sloped configuration in which the shortened tabletop support struts support the respective tabletop leaf in the sloped configuration.
4. The portable treatment table of Claim 3, wherein the tabletop support strut or struts to be selectively shortened are gas lift struts or are manually adjustable struts.
5. The portable treatment table of Claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the tabletop support struts are releasably connected to the central support structure at their bottom ends using a quick release mechanism, optionally wherein the quick release mechanism is formed by each tabletop support strut having a ball connector at its bottom end and the central support structure including a respective connector socket for receiving each ball connector therein, wherein a tubular bore intersects each connector socket such that a pin inserted in the tubular bore holds the ball connector in the socket and displacement of the pin releases the ball connector to be removed from the socket, further optionally wherein the pin has a variable diameter along its length whereby, when the pin is in a locked position an enlarged diameter portion of the pin is aligned with the connector socket and the ball connector is held in place and when the pin is displaced to align a reduced diameter portion of the pin with the connector socket the ball connector is released, wherein the pin may be biased to the locked position by a spring.
6. The portable treatment table of Claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the tabletop support struts are fixedly or releasably hingedly connected to an underside of the respective tabletop leaf at their top ends.
7. A portable treatment table comprising: a central support structure having a top end and a bottom end; a tabletop including two leaves, each connected or connectable to the top end of the central support structure, the tabletop including a table configuration in which the two leaves lie substantially end-to-end to define a substantially continuous planar tabletop extending to each side from the top end of the central support structure; and two or more legs having upper ends and feet, wherein, in the table configuration, the central support structure is supported on or above the ground in a substantially upright configuration by the two or more legs connected at their upper ends to the central support structure and extending laterally from the central support structure and having their feet on the ground.
8. The portable treatment table of Claim 7, wherein the two or more legs include two legs formed by tubular strut legs on each side of the central support structure.
9. The portable treatment table of Claim 8, wherein the two tubular strut legs on each side of the central support structure are formed as pairs of legs connected at their top and bottom ends by cross braces.
10. The portable treatment table of Claim 8 or 9, wherein in the table configuration the tubular leg struts are each connected to a leg extension at their bottom end, the leg extension including or being connected to the foot of each leg.
11. The portable treatment table of Claim 10, wherein the bottom end of each tubular leg strut is formed as a socket in which an upper end of the respective leg extension is is detachably received.
12. The portable treatment table of Claim 8, 9, 10 or 11, further comprising a leg support strut supporting each tubular leg strut in the table configuration, each leg support strut having a bottom end connected to a bottom end of the central support structure and extending upwardly and outwardly from the central support structure and having a top end connected to a bottom end of the respective tubular leg strut.
13. The portable treatment table of Claim 12, wherein the bottom end of each leg support strut is detachably connected to the central support structure by a quick release connection and the top end of each support strut is hingedly connected to the bottom end of the respective tubular leg strut.
14. The portable treatment table of Claim 13, wherein the quick release connection is formed by each leg support strut having a ball connector at its bottom end and the central support structure including a respective connector socket for receiving each ball connector therein, wherein a tubular bore intersects each connector socket such that a pin inserted in the tubular bore holds the ball connector in the socket and removal of the pin releases the ball connector to be removed from the socket.
15. The portable treatment table of Claim 14, wherein two sockets are provided adjacent to each other on each end of the central support structure intersected by a common bore such that a single pin holds the respective ball connectors in both sockets and simultaneously releases both ball connectors when the pin is removed.
16. The portable treatment table of Claim 15, wherein in the table configuration the feet have a lengthwise spacing of at least 140 cm, preferably at least 150 cm, and a widthwise spacing of at least 45 cm, preferably at least SO cm.
17. The portable treatment table of any one of Claims 7 to 16, wherein each of the is feet is independently height adjustable, preferably by at least 10mm, more preferably by at least 20mm, for stabilising the portable treatment table on uneven ground surfaces.
18. The portable treatment table of any one of Claims 7 to 17, wherein the portable treatment table is a portable treatment table according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.
19. A portable treatment table comprising: a central support structure having a top end and a bottom end; a tabletop including two leaves, each connected or connectable to the top end of the central support structure, the tabletop including a table configuration in which the two leaves lie substantially end-to-end to define a substantially continuous planar tabletop extending to each side from the top end of the central support structure; and a linear actuator arranged to raise or lower the tabletop in the table configuration by respectively extending or retracting the central support structure.
20. The portable treatment table of Claim 19, wherein the central support structure includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, the inner sleeve disposed within the outer sleeve and arranged to slide relative to the outer sleeve upon actuation of the linear actuator to extend or retract the central support structure.
21. The portable treatment table of Claim 19 or 20, wherein the inner sleeve and outer sleeve each have cross sections perpendicular to the direction of relative sliding that is configured to inhibit relative twisting motion between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve, the cross sections optionally being square or rectangular or otherwise being keyed to one another.
22. The portable treatment table of Claim 19, 20 or 21, wherein the two tabletop leaves are each connected by a hinge to the top end of the central support structure, said leaves being foldable about said hinges between the table configuration and a portable configuration in which the leaves are folded down from the top end of the central support structure on opposite sides of the central support structure, wherein, the portable treatment table further comprises one or more tabletop support struts on each side of the central support structure, each tabletop support strut having a bottom end connected in the table configuration to the central support structure, each tabletop support strut extending upwardly and outwardly from the central support structure to connect at a top end of each strut to the respective tabletop leaf on that side of the central support structure and to support that tabletop leaf in the table configuration.
23. The portable treatment table of Claim 22, wherein, in the table configuration, the tabletop is exclusively supported by the central support structure.
24. The portable treatment table of Claim 23, wherein the tabletop support struts on one or both sides of the central support structure can be selectively shortened to allow the respective tabletop leaf to slope downwardly from its hinge in a sloped configuration in which the shortened tabletop support struts support the respective tabletop leaf in the sloped configuration.
25. The portable treatment table of Claim 24, wherein the tabletop support strut or struts to be selectively shortened are gas lift struts or are manually adjustable struts.
26. The portable treatment table of Claim 22, 23 or 24, wherein the tabletop support struts are releasably connected to the central support structure at their bottom ends using a quick release mechanism, optionally wherein the quick release mechanism is formed by each tabletop support strut having a ball connector at its bottom end and the central support structure including a respective connector socket for receiving each ball connector therein, wherein a tubular bore intersects each connector socket such that a pin inserted in the tubular bore holds the ball connector in the socket and displacement is of the pin releases the ball connector to be removed from the socket, further optionally wherein the pin has a variable diameter along its length whereby, when the pin is in a locked position an enlarged diameter portion of the pin is aligned with the connector socket and the ball connector is held in place and when the pin is displaced to align a reduced diameter portion of the pin with the connector socket the ball connector is released, wherein the pin may be biased to the locked position by a spring.
27. The portable treatment table of any one of Claims 22 to 26, wherein the tabletop support struts are fixedly or releasably hingedly connected to an underside of the respective tabletop leaf at their top ends.
28. The portable treatment table of any one of Claims 22 to 27, wherein the tabletop is connected to the inner sleeve and the tabletop support struts on each side of the central support structure connect to respective travelling blocks on the outside of each side of the outer sleeve, wherein the travelling blocks are connected to the inner sleeve through vertical slots formed in the outer sleeve, and optionally wherein a or the quick release mechanism for releasably connecting to the tabletop support struts is provided on the travelling block.
29. The portable treatment table of any one of Claims 19 to 28, wherein the portable treatment table is a portable treatment table according to any one of Claims 7 to 17.
30. A portable treatment table comprising: a central support structure having a top end and a bottom end; a tabletop including two leaves, each connected or connectable to the top end of the central support structure, the tabletop including a table configuration in which the two leaves lie substantially end-to-end to define a substantially continuous planar tabletop extending to each side from the top end of the central support structure, wherein the tabletop leaves are made from a composite laminate.is
31. The portable treatment table of Claim 30, wherein the composite laminate includes a layered sandwich structure having a balsa wood core with a carbon fibre skin laminated on both the top and bottom sides.
32. The portable treatment table of Claim 31, wherein the balsa wood core has a thickness of 10 mm to 25 mm, preferably 14 mm to 20 mm, most preferably 16 mm.
33. The portable treatment table of Claim 30, 31 or 32, wherein the tabletop leaves are provided on their top sides with foam padding covered with antimicrobial vinyl.
34. The portable treatment table of any of Claims 30 to 33, wherein the portable treatment table is a portable treatment table according to any one of Claims 1 to 29.
35. The portable treatment table of any preceding claim wherein the portable treatment table has a mass of 30 kg or less, preferably 25 kg or less, most preferably 23 kg or less.