Abstract: An emergency X-ray examination table has a top assembly comprising a primary top and a secondary top which is slidable on the primary top in the lengthwise direction of the table. The patient lies on the slidable top which is extendible beyond the limits of the primary top so that the head of the patient may be closely examined. The table top assembly is tiltable along a transverse axis. A latching mechanism prevents the secondary top from sliding downwardly when the table top assembly is tilted. A locking mechanism prevents the table top assembly from being tilted unless the latching mechanism has been placed in latched position. Another locking mechanism prevents the latching mechanism from being actuated unless the slidable top is in a position to be latched.

Abstract: Connector means are disclosed for connecting together two shaft members in coaxial relationship and in preselected angular orientation with respect to each other. The connector means includes a locking bracket which is secured to one end of the first of the shaft members and a receiver which is secured, by way of an adapter, to the end of the second shaft member. The receiver includes a chamber open at its upper end for slidingly receiving the locking bracket. Both the locking bracket and the receiver have radial extensions which extend in the same radial direction relative to the axis of the coaxial shaft members. Supported on the extension of the locking bracket is a housing containing a spring-loaded pop pin having a nose portion adapted to pass through a hole in the locking-bracket extension and into a hole in the receiver extension, thereby to lock the bracket in the receiver. The pop pin is quickly retractable to unlocked position by a cam manually controlled by a lever.

Abstract: Several forms of latching mechanism are disclosed incorporating a pivotal cam and a spring-loaded plunger. In the preferred form, a lock pin is also included. The latching mechanism is particularly suited for latching interfitted members at least one of which is tubular. In one preferred form, the members are prevented from being interfitted by the lock pin which bars entry into the tubular member. The lock pin may be withdrawn only when the tubular member occupies a preselected orientation relative to a fixed frame member. When so oriented, the plunger's hose is received within a recess. This allows pivotal movement of the cam lever, and permits withdrawal of the lock pin. After the members have been interfitted, the lock pin is reinserted by pivotal movement of the cam lever. In its reinserted position, the lock pin enters aligned slots in the members, thereby locking the interfitted members together.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes an image amplifier assembly located above the patient's support table and an X-ray tube located below the patient table. Linkage means couple the image amplifier and X-ray tube such that when the image amplifier is moved, either toward the head end or toward the foot end of the patient table, reaction force components are set up which cause the X-ray tube and its casing to simultaneously shift laterally in a direction opposite to that in which the image amplifier assembly is being moved and to simultaneously pivot angularly on its shifting pivot axis. The extent of the pivotal angular movement corresponds to that of the image amplifier, thereby to maintain the axis of the X-ray beam perpendicular to the image plane of the image amplifier in its shifted angulated position.

Abstract: A cradle top for an X-ray examination table carries a cradle or basket rotatable about its lengthwise axis and is mounted for tilting angulation as well as for movement in the elevational, lengthwise and transverse directions.

Abstract: An infant cradle or basket has upright basket ends and removable patient-support center panels of different lengths on which the infant is strapped and supported for X-ray examination. Beyond one of the basket ends is a motor or handcrank drive having a trunnion or pivot shaft on which the one basket end is mounted. Beyond the other basket end is a bearing support for a trunnion or pivot shaft. The basket is rotatable on its pivot shafts through 360.degree.. Three different interchangeable mounting means are provided so that the rotatable infant basket may be attached either to a separately rotatable adult patient X-ray examination basket, or to an inclinable X-ray examination table top, or to a stationary X-ray examination table top.

Abstract: A cradle top for an X-ray examination table carries a cradle or basket which is rotatable about its lengthwise axis. The cradle top is mounted for movement in the elevational, lengthwise and transverse directions. The cradle top is also connected to a scissors linkage mechanism for tilting angulation. A ball nut damping device prevents oscillatory movement or "bounce" of the patient as he or she is raised and lowered to and from the tilted position.