US20100012002A1

US20100012002A1 - Universal fixing metal fitting for operating table

Info

Publication number: US20100012002A1
Application number: US12/092,635
Authority: US
Inventors: Tsutomu Iso
Original assignee: ISO MEDICAL SYSTEMS Inc
Current assignee: ISO MEDICAL SYSTEMS Inc
Priority date: 2005-12-27
Filing date: 2005-12-27
Publication date: 2010-01-21
Also published as: EP1967322A4; WO2007074532A1; JPWO2007074532A1; EP1967322A1; JP5006209B2

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a universal fixing metal fitting 1 for an operating table capable of being easily attached and detached, capable of enabling simultaneous firm fixing between the fixing metal fitting, an appliance to be fixed, and an accessory attachment table by performing fastening one time regardless of the existence/nonexistence of a sheet or the like, capable of ensuring the same firm fixing even when the shape of the accessory attachment table is changed and capable of fixing no matter what the shape of the appliance to be fixed is. To achieve the above-described object, there is provided a universal fixing metal fitting 1 for an operating table characterized by having a base member 2 in which a first attachment leg 2 b having an attachment portion 2 d and including a slant portion 2 h formed thereon and a second attachment leg 2 c having an attachment portion 2 e and including a slant portion 2 i formed thereon are formed continuously with a flat portion 2 a having a screw-engaging hole 2 k formed at its center, an upper pinching member 3 in which a first pinching portion 3 b is formed continuously with one end of a connecting portion 3 a having a V-cut 3 k at its center and L-cuts 3 d formed continuously with the V-cut 3 k, and in which a second pinching portion 3 c is formed continuously with the other end of the connecting portion 3 a, a lower pinching member 4 in which a third pinching portion 4 b is formed continuously with one end of a connecting portion 4 a having a V-cut 4 k at its center and L-cuts 4 d formed continuously with the V-cut 4 k, and in which a fourth pinching portion 4 c is formed continuously with the other end of the connecting portion 4 a, and a fastening portion 5 in which a handle 5 c having spherical stoppers 5 d provided on its opposite ends is loosely fitted in a through hole 5 f in a cylindrical head portion 5a provided on one end of a screw-engaging shaft 5 b, the universal fixing metal fitting 1 also characterized in that when the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4 are coupled to the base member 2, coil springs are attached by being interposed between the first pinching portion 3 b and the attachment portion 2 d, between the second pinching portion 3 c and the attachment portion 2 e, between the third pinching portion 4 b and the attachment portion 2 d and between the fourth pinching portion 4 c and the attachment portion 2 e, and in that the screw-engaging shaft 5 b is mounted in the screw-engaging hole 2 k when the fastening portion 5 is coupled to the base member 2. There is also provided a universal fixing metal fitting 1 for an operating table having the above-described features and also characterized in that a pressing member 5 e is attached to a tip of the screw-engaging shaft 5 b.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fixing metal fitting for an operating table used when a member, an instrument or the like is mounted in any position on an accessory attachment rail along the operating table.

BACKGROUND ART

A subject and an operating table are covered with a clean sheet or the like during surgical operation. It was, therefore, difficult to mount a conventional fixing metal fitting over a sheet or the like in such a case. A type of fixing metal fitting capable of fixing over a sheet or the like was thereafter developed. However, fixing of the fixing metal fitting on an accessory attachment rail and fixing between the fixing metal fitting and an appliance to be fixed were performed separately from each other. A considerably long time was required for mounting, and the fixing metal fitting, the accessory attachment table and the appliance to be fixed were not firmly fixed and stabilized.
A fixing metal fitting was also developed in which, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,973, an accessory attachment rail was pinched between upper and lower arms and a flat plate; a knob was fastened to reduce the distance between left and right arms and the flat plate; and the fixing metal fitting and an appliance to be fixed are were simultaneously fixed on an accessory attachment rail by the pressure of the fastening. However, there was still the same difficulty in mounting, the force for fixing to the accessory attachment rail varied depending on the thickness of a sheet or the like, and it was difficult to obtain a sufficient and stable fixing force.
Thus, conventional fixing metal fittings lacked safety and were, therefore, not suitable as a fixing metal fitting for fixing an appliance on an accessory attachment rail of an operating table and were incapable of enabling medical practitioners to do medical work without anxiety.
Also, it was difficult to firmly fix the conventional fixing metal fittings in the case of use with accessory attachment rails differing in shape and an increased number of sheets or the like. Also for this reason, the conventional fixing metal fittings are unsuitable as a medical appliance which needs to be safe.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table capable of being easily attached and detached, capable of enabling simultaneous firm fixing between the fixing metal fitting, an appliance to be fixed, and an accessory attachment table by performing fastening one time regardless of the existence/nonexistence of a sheet or the like, capable of ensuring the same firm fixing even when the shape of the accessory attachment table is changed and capable of fixing no matter what the shape of the appliance to be fixed is.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the above-described object, according to the present invention, there is provided a universal fixing metal fitting 1 for an operating table characterized by having a base member 2 in which a first attachment leg 2 b having an attachment portion 2 d and including a slant portion 2 h formed thereon and a second attachment leg 2 c having an attachment portion 2 e and including a slant portion 2 i formed thereon are formed continuously with a flat portion 2 a having a screw-engaging hole 2 k formed at its center, an upper pinching member 3 in which a first pinching portion 3 b is formed continuously with one end of a connecting portion 3 a having a V-cut 3 k at its center and L-cuts 3 d formed continuously with the V-cut 3 k, and in which a second pinching portion 3 c is formed continuously with the other end of the connecting portion 3 a, a lower pinching member 4 in which a third pinching portion 4 b is formed continuously with one end of a connecting portion 4 a having a V-cut 4 k at its center and L-cuts 4 d formed continuously with the V-cut 4 k, and in which a fourth pinching portion 4 c is formed continuously with the other end of the connecting portion 4 a, and a fastening portion 5 in which a handle 5 c having spherical stoppers 5 d provided on its opposite ends is loosely fitted in a through hole 5 f in a cylindrical head portion 5 a provided on one end of a screw-engaging shaft 5 b having a pressing member 5 e attached to the other end, the universal fixing metal fitting 1 also characterized in that when the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4 are coupled to the base member 2, coil springs are attached by being interposed between the first pinching portion 3 b and the attachment portion 2 d, between the second pinching portion 3 c and the attachment portion 2 e, between the third pinching portion 4 b and the attachment portion 2 d and between the fourth pinching portion 4 c and the attachment portion 2 e, and in that the screw-engaging shaft 5 b is mounted in the screw-engaging hole 2 k when the fastening portion 5 is coupled to the base member 2.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a base member of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the base member of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the base member of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front view of upper and lower pinching members of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the upper pinching member and the lower pinching member of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a left side view of the upper pinching member and the lower pinching member of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a right side view of the upper pinching member and the lower pinching member of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state of use of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are a perspective view, a front view, a plan view, a left side view, and a right side view, respectively, of a universal fixing metal fitting 1 for an operating table according to the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the universal fixing metal fitting 1 for an operating table according to the present invention includes a base member 2, an upper pinching member 3, a lower pinching member 4, and a fastening portion 5. The base member 2 includes a flat portion 2 a, a first attachment leg 2 b formed perpendicularly to and continuously with the flat portion 2 a, and a second attachment leg 2 c formed perpendicularly to and continuously with the flat portion 2 a. The upper pinching member 3 includes a connecting portion 3 a, a first pinching portion 3 b formed on one end of the connecting portion 3 a, and a second pinching portion 3 c formed on the other end of the connecting portion 3 a.
The lower pinching member 4 includes a connecting portion 4 a, a third pinching portion 4 b formed on one end of the connecting portion 4 a, and a fourth pinching portion 4 c formed on the other end of the connecting portion 4 a. The fastening portion 5 has as its main components a screw-engaging shaft 5 b having a pressing member 5 e attached to its tip and a head portion 5 a provided on one side thereof, and includes a handle 5 c passed through a through hole bored in the head portion 5 a and spherical stoppers 5 d provided on opposite ends thereof.
As shown in FIG. 1, a screw-engaging hole 2 k is bored in flat portion 2 a of the base member 2 generally in the form of a rectangular block at a center of the same. The screw-engaging shaft 5 b is screw-engaged with this screw-engaging hole 2 k.
A rectangular through hole 2 f is bored in a central portion of the first attachment leg 2 b formed perpendicularly to and continuously with the flat portion 2 a of the base member 2.
A rectangular through hole 2 g is also bored in a central portion of the second attachment leg 2 c formed perpendicularly to and continuously with the flat portion 2 a.
As shown in FIG. 3, at positions closer to the flat portion 2 a of the base member 2 in the connecting portion 3 a connecting the first pinching portion 3 b and the second pinching portion 3 c of the upper pinching member 3, L-cuts 3 d are respectively formed on the first pinching portion 3 b side and the second pinching portion 3 c side, and a V-cut 3 k is formed between the L-cuts 3 d on the opposite sides. The first pinching portion 3 b is formed perpendicularly to and continuously with one end of the connecting portion 3 a, while the second pinching portion 3 c is formed perpendicularly to and continuously with the other end of the connecting portion 3 a. The first pinching portion 3 b and the second pinching portion 3 c are equal in shape and size to each other.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower pinching member 4 includes a connecting portion 4 a in which L-cuts 4 d are formed, a third pinching portion 4 b formed perpendicularly to and continuously with one end of the connecting portion 4 a, and a fourth pinching portion 4 c formed perpendicularly to and continuously with the other end of the connecting portion 4 a. At positions closer to the flat portion 2 a of the base member 2 in the connecting portion 4 a connecting the third pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c of the lower pinching member 4, L-cuts 4 d are respectively formed on the third pinching portion 4 b side and the fourth pinching portion 4 c side, and a V-cut 4 k is formed between the L-cuts 4 d on the opposite sides. Reference characters 3 f, 3 g, 4 f, and 4 g denote inwardly projecting projections of the first pinching portion 3 b, the second pinching portion 3 c, the third pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c.
The third pinching portion 4 b is formed perpendicularly to and continuously with one end of the connecting portion 4 a, while the fourth pinching portion 4 c is formed perpendicularly to and continuously with the other end of the connecting portion 4 a. The third pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c are equal in shape and size to each other. Also, the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4 are equal in shape and size to each other. Details of the members will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12 before describing the states of coupling between the members. FIG. 6 is a front view of the base member 2 constituting the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention; FIG. 7 a plan view of the base member 2; and FIG. 8 a left side view of the base member 2.
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the base member 2 is a member provided as a basis for the universal fixing metal fitting 1 for an operating table according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the first attachment leg 2 b and the second attachment leg 2 c are formed perpendicularly to and continuously with the opposite ends of the flat portion 2 a of the base member 2, and the through holes 2 f and 2 g are formed in central portions of these attachment legs.
As shown in FIG. 7, slant portions 2 h and 2 i are provided at intermediate positions in the first attachment leg 2 b and the second attachment leg 2 c, and an attachment portion 2 d and an attachment portion 2 e provided on the left hand sides of the slant portions 2 h and 2 i continuously with the slant portions 2 h and 2 i are formed so that their thickness is about half that of the portions on the right hand sides. The slant portions 2 h and 2 i are provided on the outer surface sides of the attachment portion 2 d and the attachment portion 2 e. Accordingly, the inner wall surfaces of the first attachment leg 2 b and the second attachment leg 2 c are formed as flat surfaces.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, attachment holes 21 and pin insertion holes 2 m are bored in upper and lower portions in the attachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 b and the attachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c. The four pin insertion holes 2 m in total are small holes, while the four attachment holes 2 l in total are large holes.
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the slant portions 2 h are formed in two places in the first attachment leg 2 b, and the slant portions 2 i are formed in two places in the second attachment leg 2 c. The slant portions 2 h and 2 i slant toward centers of surfaces of the attachment portion 2 d and the attachment portion 2 e shown in FIG. 6.
As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4 are equal in shape and size to each other. Therefore, description will be made below mainly of the upper pinching member 3 and description will then be made of the lower pinching member 4.
Referring to FIG. 10, the upper pinching member 3 includes the connecting portion 3 a, the first pinching portion 3 b formed continuously with one end of the connecting portion 3 a, and the second pinching portion 3 c formed continuously with the other end of the connecting portion 3 a.
As shown in FIG. 9, a left end of the first pinching portion 3 b is formed generally into a bird's beak shape; an upper curved portion 3 l which curves largely toward an extreme end 3 q is formed in an upper left position; a slant portion 3 m is formed continuously from the upper curved portion 3 l to the right; and an upper flat portion 3 n is formed continuously from the slant portion 3 m to the right.
A U-cut 3 h is provided on the right hand side of the extreme end 3 q of the first pinching portion 3 b, and a lower flat portion 3 p is formed continuously from the U-cut 3 h to the right. A lower curved portion 3 o is formed continuously from the lower flat portion 3 p to the right. A coupling hole 3 i is bored on the right hand side of the U-cut 3 h, and a pin insertion hole 3 j is bored in the vicinity of the upper curved portion 3 l.
The upper pinching member 3 is of such a structure that the connecting portion 3 a, the first pinching portion 3 b and the second pinching portion 3 c are not provided as separate members but formed integrally with each other.
As shown in FIG. 10, a rectangular recess 3 e is formed on the left hand side of the connecting portion 3 a connecting the first pinching portion 3 b and the second pinching portion 3 c on the opposite ends.
The L-cuts 3 d are formed on the right hand side of the connecting portion 3 a in two places at opposed positions such that an attachment rod 10 having a square or rectangular section can be firmly fixed so as not to swing. The V-cut 3 k is formed between the L-cut 3 d and the L-cut 3 d in the two places to enable fixation of a cylindrical member.
Each of the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4 has is generally H-shaped.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the left and right side surfaces of the upper pinching member 3 constitute a generally U-shaped configuration.
As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the lower pinching member 4 includes the connecting portion 4 a, the third pinching portion 4 b formed continuously with the right end of the connecting portion 4 a, and the fourth pinching portion 4 c formed continuously with the left end of the connecting portion 4 a.
As shown in FIG. 9, the third pinching portion 4 b is generally of a bird's beak shape; an upper curved portion 41 which curves largely toward an extreme end 4 q is formed in an upper left position; a slant portion 4 m is formed continuously from the upper curved portion 4 l to the right; and an upper flat portion 4 n is formed continuously from the slant portion 4 m to the right.
A U-cut 4 h is provided on the right hand side of the extreme end 4 q of the third pinching portion 4 b, and a lower flat portion 4 p is formed continuously from the U-cut 4 h to the right. A lower curved portion 4 o is formed continuously from the lower flat portion 4 p to the right. A coupling hole 4 i is bored on the right hand side of the U-cut 4 h, and a pin insertion hole 4 j is bored in the vicinity of the upper curved portion 4 l.
The lower pinching member 4 is of such a structure that the connecting portion 4 a, the third pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c are not provided as separate members but formed integrally with each other.
As shown in FIG. 10, a rectangular recess 4 e is formed on the left hand side of the connecting portion 4 a formed continuously with the third pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c on the opposite ends.
The L-cuts 4 d are formed on the right hand side of the connecting portion 4 a in two places at opposed positions such that an attachment rod 10 having a square or rectangular section can be firmly fixed so as not to swing. The V-cut 4 k is formed between the L-cut 4 d and the L-cut 4 d in the two places to enable fixation of a cylindrical member.
Each of the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4 has is generally H-shaped.
Description will be made below of how the base member 2, the upper pinching member 3, the lower pinching member 4 and the fastening portion 5 are coupled to form the universal fixing metal fitting 1 for an operating table according to the present invention.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the screw-engaging shaft 5 b having the pressing member 5 e attached to its tip is screw-engaged with the screw-engaging hole 2 k bored in the flat portion 2 a of the base member 2 at a center of the same.
The screw-engaging shaft 5 b has the shape of a male screw. A female screw which meshes with the male screw on the screw-engaging shaft 5 b is formed in the inner wall surface of the screw-engaging hole 2 k.
The pressing member 5 e may not be attached to the tip of the screw-engaging shaft 5 b. The material and shape of the pressing member 5 e are not limited to particular ones. The pressing member 5 e may be formed by changing the material and shape as required.
An insertion hole 5 f is formed in the head portion 5 a attached to the screw-engaging shaft 5 b. The handle 5 c having the spherical stoppers 5 d attached to its opposite ends is loosely inserted in the insertion hole 5 f so as to be slidable in one direction. Since the stoppers 5 d are attached to the opposite ends of the handle 5 c, the handle 5 c does not come off the insertion hole 5 f of the head portion 5 a.
As shown in FIG. 2, the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4 are turnably attached to the first attachment leg 2 b and the second attachment leg 2 c of the base member 2 by four retaining members 7.
That is, the upper pinching member 3 is turnably attached to the base member 2 by using the retaining members 7 in the attachment holes 2 l provided in the attachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 b and the attachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c (see FIG. 6) and the coupling hole 3 i of the first pinching portion 3 b (see FIG. 9).
Similarly, the lower pinching member 4 is turnably attached to the base member 2 by using the retaining members 7 in the attachment holes 2 l provided in the attachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 b and the attachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c (see FIG. 7) and the coupling hole 4 i of the third pinching portion 4 b (see FIG. 9).
When the first pinching portion 3 b of the upper pinching member 3 and the attachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 b are coupled to each other by the retaining member 7, the retaining member 7 is inserted in a coil spring 6 and the coil spring 6 is placed between the first pinching portion 3 b and the attachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 b.
One end of the coil spring 6 is engaged with the slant portion 2 h formed on the first attachment leg 2 b, while the other end of the coil spring 6 is engaged with a spring stopper 9 mounted in the pin insertion hole 3 j of the first pinching portion 3 b.
The range of turning of the first pinching portion 3 b is limited by a pin 8 mounted in the pin insertion hole 2 m bored in the attachment portion 2 b of the first attachment leg 2 b.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the upper pinching member 3 is turned clockwise on the retaining member 7, the spring stopper 9 inserted in the pin insertion hole 3 j and the slant portion 2 h are brought closer to each other and the opposite ends of the coil spring are also brought closer to each other. A counterclockwise torque is then produced on the upper pinching member 3 by the restoring force of the coil spring 6 acting to return to the original state. Also, when the second pinching portion 3 c of the upper pinching member 3 and the attachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c are coupled to each other by the retaining member 7, the retaining member 7 is inserted in a coil spring 6 and the coil spring 6 is placed between the second pinching portion 3 c and the attachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c.
One end of the coil spring 6 is engaged with the slant portion 2 i formed on the second attachment leg 2 c, while the other end of the coil spring 6 is engaged with a spring stopper 9 mounted in the pin insertion hole 3 j of the second pinching portion 3 c.
At this time, turning of the second pinching portion 3 c is limited by a pin 8 mounted in the pin insertion hole 2 m provided in the attachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, when the third pinching portion 4 b of the lower pinching member 4 and the attachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c are coupled to each other by the retaining member 7, the retaining member 7 is inserted in a coil spring 6 and the coil spring 6 is placed between the third pinching portion 4 b and the attachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c.
One end of the coil spring 6 is engaged with the slant portion 2 i formed on the second attachment leg 2 c, while the other end of the coil spring 6 is engaged with a spring stopper 9 mounted in the pin insertion hole 4 j of the third pinching portion 4 b.
The range of turning of the U-cut 4 h of the third pinching portion 4 b is limited by a pin 8 mounted in the pin insertion hole 2 m bored in the attachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c.
When the fourth pinching portion 4 c of the lower pinching member 4 and the attachment portion 2 d are coupled to each other by the retaining member 7, the retaining member 7 is inserted in a coil spring 6 and the coil spring 6 is placed between the fourth pinching portion 4 c and the attachment portion 2 d.
One end of the coil spring 6 is engaged with the slant portion 2 h formed on the attachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 b, while the other end of the coil spring 6 is engaged with a spring stopper 9 mounted in the pin insertion hole 4 j of the fourth pinching portion 4 c.
The range of turning of the U-cut 4 h of the fourth pinching portion 4 c is limited by a pin 8 mounted in the pin insertion hole 2 m bored in the attachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 b.
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, when the lower pinching member 4 is turned counterclockwise on the retaining member 7, the spring stopper 9 inserted in the pin insertion hole 4 j and the slant portion 2 h are brought closer to each other and the opposite ends of the coil spring 6 are also brought closer to each other. A clockwise torque is then produced on the lower pinching member 4 by the restoring force of the coil spring 6 acting to return to the original state.
Thus, when the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4 are coupled to the base member 2, the coil springs 6 are disposed to produce pinching force between the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4, thereby enabling mount of the universal fixing metal fitting 1 for an operating table on an accessory attachment rail 11 b by firmly pinching the accessory attachment rail 11 b.
In the present invention, when the first pinching portion 3 b and the second pinching portion 3 c of the upper pinching member 3 and the attachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 b and the attachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c are coupled to each other, two coil springs 6 in total are used each in a one-to-one relationship with the coupling position.
Also, when the third pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c of the lower pinching member 4 and the attachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 b and the attachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c are coupled to each other, two coil springs 6 in total are used each in a one-to-one relationship with the coupling position.
The coil spring 6 may be used for coupling of only one of the first pinching portion 3 b and the second pinching portion 3 c.
Also, the coil spring 6 disposed and used at the time of coupling of the third pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c of the lower pinching member 4 may be disposed and used at both or only one of the third pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c.
That is, when the first pinching portion 3 b and the second pinching portion 3 c of the upper pinching member 3 and the third pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c of the lower pinching member 4 are coupled to the first attachment leg 2 b and the second attachment leg 2 c, four coil springs 6 may be used or one coil spring 6 used on the upper pinching member 3 side and another coil spring 6 used on the lower pinching member 4 side, two coil springs 6 in total, may be disposed and used.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state of use of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention. At the time of mounting on an operating table 11, the universal fixing metal fitting 1 for an operating table according to the present invention is first attached to an accessory attachment rail 11 b provided parallel to an operating table side surface 11 a. At the time of mounting, the U-cuts 3 h and 4 h of the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4 of the universal fixing metal fitting 1 for the operating table are opened outwardly and the accessory attachment rail 11 b is pinched therebetween for attachment. At this time, even after the external force applied to the universal fixing metal fitting 1 for the operating table has been removed, the fixing metal fitting 1 is fixed on the accessory attachment rail 11 b by the torque produced on the spring stoppers 9 so as not to fall from the rail 11 b.
A member to be mounted is inserted in the space 2 j in the base member 2. The inserted member may have the shape of a plate or a round rod. An attachment rod 10 in the form of a rectangular plate is illustrated in FIG. 13 by way of example. Description will be made below of a case of using the attachment rod 10. Side surfaces of the attachment rods 10 are fitted to the L- cuts 3 d and 4 d formed in the connecting portions 3 a and 4 a or to the V- cuts 3 k and 4 k formed inwardly relative to the L- cuts 3 d and 4 d, and the fastening portion 5 is rotated for fastening by forcing the screw-engaging shaft 5 b in the direction of the fixing member.
The attachment rod 10 is thereby caused to push the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4 to produce a torque about the retaining members 7 such that the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4 turn in such directions as to pinch the accessory attachment rail 11 b.
In this way, the attachment rod 10 of the member to be mounted on the operating table 11 is firmly fixed on the accessory attachment rail 11 b by the universal fixing metal fitting 1 for the operating table.
In the example of use shown in FIG. 13, the appliance to be mounted on the operating table 11 is a trunk-fixing pad 10 d. The trunk-fixing pad 10 d is connected to a coupling part 10 a by a connecting member 10 b, and the coupling part 10 a is attached to the upper end of the attachment rod 10 and fixed by an adjusting part 10 c.
By fastening with the fastening portion 5, the appliance to be mounted is fixed on the base member 2 and the pinching force of the upper pinching member 3. Simultaneously, the lower pinching member 4 is increased by fastening with the fastening portion 5.
The universal fixing metal fitting 1 for the operating table is capable of being firmly fixed on the accessory attachment rail 11 b of the operating table 11 and enabling the appliance to be mounted on the universal fixing metal fitting 1 for the operating table to be firmly fixed simultaneously.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The universal fixing metal fitting 1 for an operating table according to the present invention has advantages described below.
First, fixing between the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table and an accessory attachment rail and fixing between the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table and an appliance to be fixed can be simultaneously performed. Thus, the universal fixing metal fitting can be easily mounted in a shorter time and can be firmly fixed.
Second, although a case where appliances having coupling portions varying in shape and state are to be fixed is conceivable, the universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention is capable of being adapted to different shapes such as the shape of a member having a square or rectangular section and the shape of a round rod and, therefore, capable of being used in various circumstances including changing the appliance to be fixed, and is particularly advantageous on a medical scene where safety is required and various appliances are used.
Third, while there has been a need to use different fixing metal fittings in a case where there are operating table accessory attachment rails differing in shape as between Japan and Europe, the present invention is adaptable to rails of any shape and can therefore be used even when the rail shape is changed.
Fourth, while an appliance to be fixed is ordinarily placed under a sterilized clean sheet with which a subject on an operating table is covered, or placed so as not to contact the sheet, the fixing metal fitting can be mounted on a rail even in a state where the rail is covered with such a sheet to become thicker relative to the normal state, because the fixing metal fitting can be sterilized by steam at a high pressure and can be used regardless of the rail shape.

Claims

1. A universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table characterized by comprising a base member in which a first attachment leg having an attachment portion and including a slant portion formed thereon and a second attachment leg having an attachment portion and including a slant portion formed thereon are formed continuously with a flat portion having a screw-engaging hole formed at its center, an upper pinching member in which a first pinching portion is formed continuously with one end of a connecting portion having a V-cut at its center and L-cuts formed continuously with the V-cut, and in which a second pinching portion is formed continuously with the other end of the connecting portion, a lower pinching member in which a third pinching portion is formed continuously with one end of a connecting portion having a V-cut at its center and L-cuts formed continuously with the V-cut, and in which a fourth pinching portion is formed continuously with the other end of the connecting portion, and a fastening portion in which a handle having spherical stoppers provided on its opposite ends is loosely fitted in a through hole in a cylindrical head portion provided on one end of a screw-engaging shaft, the universal fixing metal fitting also characterized in that when the upper pinching member and the lower pinching member are coupled to the base member, coil springs are attached by being interposed between the first pinching portion and the attachment portion, between the second pinching portion and the attachment portion, between the third pinching portion and the attachment portion and between the fourth pinching portion and the attachment portion.

2. The universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to claim 1, characterized in that a pressing member is attached to a tip of the screw-engaging shaft.