Medical table clamp and accessory including same

Abstract

A clamp assembly for a medical table accessory includes a base including: (i) a rail-receiving channel block defining a rail-receiving channel adapted to receive and releasably retain an associated medical table accessory rail; and, (ii) a plunger assembly mount that includes a mounting wall. The plunger assembly is mounted to the mounting wall. The plunger assembly includes a plunger that moves in the aligned plunger holes relative to the base in a straight-line reciprocal manner between a retracted position and an extended position. The plunger includes a working end that extends into the rail-receiving channel when said plunger is located in its extended position to abut an associated medical table accessory rail located in the rail-receiving channel and capture the associated medical table accessory rail between the plunger working end and the front hook to prevent disengagement of the base from the associated medical table accessory rail when the plunger is in its extended position. The plunger assembly further includes a handle operatively connected to the plunger by a linkage, wherein the handle moves pivotably from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The plunger moves to its extended position when the handle is moved to its engaged position, and the plunger moves to its retracted position when the handle moves to its disengaged position. A medical table accessory such as an extension table is connected to the base.

1 . A clamp assembly for a medical table accessory, said clamp assembly comprising: 
 a base comprising: (i) a rail-receiving channel block defining a rail-receiving channel adapted to receive and releasably retain an associated medical table accessory rail; and, (ii) a plunger assembly mount that comprises a mounting wall spaced from said rear wall of said rail-receiving channel, said rear wall and said mounting wall defining respective first and second aligned plunger holes;    a plunger assembly mounted to the mounting wall of said plunger assembly mount, said plunger assembly comprising a plunger that moves in said aligned plunger holes relative to said base in a straight-line reciprocal manner between a retracted position and an extended position, said plunger comprising a working end that abuts an associated medical table accessory rail located in said rail-receiving channel and captures the associated medical table accessory rail between said plunger working end and said front hook to prevent disengagement of said base from the associated medical table accessory rail when said plunger is in its extended position;    said plunger assembly further comprising a handle operatively connected to said plunger by a linkage, wherein said handle is adapted to move pivotably from a disengaged position to an engaged position, wherein said plunger moves to its extended position when said handle is moved to its engaged position, and wherein said plunger moves to its retracted position when said handle moves to its disengaged position.    
   
   
       2 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said rail-receiving channel block of said base comprises: a rear wall; 
 an upper wall that projects outwardly from the rear wall;    a lower wall that projects from the rear wall at a location vertically spaced from the upper wall; and,    a front hook that projects downwardly from the upper wall.    
   
   
       3 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a medical table accessory connected to said base.  
   
   
       4 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said medical table accessory comprises an extension table accessory connected to said base by at least one fastener.  
   
   
       5 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said lower wall of said rail-receiving channel block comprises a stepped surface, wherein said rail-receiving channel is defined between said stepped surface and said front hook projecting downwardly from said upper wall, such that when an associated medical table accessory rail is located in said rail-receiving channel, the associated medical table accessory rail is spaced from said rear wall of said rail-receiving channel block.  
   
   
       6 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said working end of said plunger is adjustable to lengthen or shorten said plunger.  
   
   
       7 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said front hook includes a chamfer oriented outwardly away from said rail-receiving channel to facilitate mounting and dismounting said base relative to an associated medical table accessory rail.  
   
   
       8 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein said plunger assembly is secured to said plunger assembly mount of said base by a nut that is secured to said plunger assembly and that captures said mounting wall of said plunger assembly mount.  
   
   
       9 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said base is a multi-piece construction, wherein said plunger assembly mount is connected to said rail-receiving channel block by at least one fastener.  
   
   
       10 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said linkage by which said handle is operatively connected to said plunger moves to an over-center position when said handle is moved to said engaged position to move said plunger to said extended position, such that when said plunger is in said extended position and said handle is in said engaged position, said plunger is prevented from moving from said extended position to said retracted position in response to axial force exerted on said working end of said plunger.  
   
   
       11 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said medical table accessory comprises an extension table accessory connected to said base by at least one fastener.  
   
   
       12 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said lower wall of said rail-receiving channel block comprises a stepped surface, wherein said rail-receiving channel is defined between said stepped surface and said front hook projecting downwardly from said upper wall, such that when an associated medical table accessory rail is located in said rail-receiving channel, the associated medical table accessory rail is spaced from said rear wall of said rail-receiving channel block.  
   
   
       13 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said working end of said plunger is adjustable to lengthen or shorten said plunger.  
   
   
       14 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said front hook includes a chamfer oriented outwardly away from said rail-receiving channel to facilitate mounting and dismounting said base relative to an associated medical table accessory rail.  
   
   
       15 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said plunger assembly is secured to said plunger assembly mount of said base by a nut that is secured to said plunger assembly and that captures said mounting wall of said plunger assembly mount.  
   
   
       16 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said base is a multi-piece construction, wherein said plunger assembly mount is connected to said rail-receiving channel block by at least one fastener.  
   
   
       17 . The clamp assembly as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said linkage by which said handle is operatively connected to said plunger moves to an over-center position when said handle is moved to said engaged position to move said plunger to said extended position, such that when said plunger is in said extended position and said handle is in said engaged position, said plunger is prevented from moving from said extended position to said retracted position in response to axial force exerted on said working end of said plunger.