Stand base for microscopes

Abstract

The invention relates to a stand base (10) for microscopes, which encompasses a stand base body (12) on which multiple rollers (14 to 20) for displacing the stand base (10) are fastened. The stand base (10) furthermore has a braking system (40) to prevent displacement of the stand base (10), the braking system encompassing at least two braking feet (44, 46).

Claims

1. A stand base for a surgical microscope stand, the stand base comprising: a stand base body, multiple rollers, fastened on the stand base body, for displaceably supporting the stand base on a floor, and a braking system to prevent displacement of the stand base, the braking system including at least two braking feet that, in a braking position, press against the floor and thereby prevent or at least impede a displacement of the stand base and, in a released position, enable a displacement of the stand base, wherein the braking system includes a first actuation element, actuatable by an operator for shifting the two braking feet from the released position into the braking position, wherein the first actuation element is coupled to the two braking feet in such a way that upon actuation of the first actuation element, the two braking feet are moved from the released position into the braking position, wherein the stand base further comprises an immobilization device which holds the two braking feet in the braking position after actuation of the first actuation element, and wherein the braking system includes a second actuation element for releasing the immobilization device.

2. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein the first actuation element includes a pedal.

3. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein the first actuation element is connected via a bar system to the two braking feet.

4. The stand base according to claim 3, wherein the bar system includes a transverse bar at whose ends the two braking feet are articulatedly mounted; the bar system includes a tie bar that is articulatedly connected to the transverse bar and is connected to the first actuation element; and upon actuation of the first actuation element, the first actuation element moves the tie bar which in turn, via the transverse bar, moves the two braking feet from the released position into the braking position.

5. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein the two braking feet are each preloaded in the released position by an elastic element applying a spring force, and upon actuation of the first actuation element the two braking feet are moved into the braking position against the spring force.

6. The stand base according to claim 5, wherein upon actuation of the second actuation element to release the immobilization device the two braking feet are moved from the braking position into the released position by the spring force.

7. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein the immobilization device comprises a guidance unit for immobilization of the braking feet, wherein the guidance unit interacts in wedging fashion with a tie bar of the braking system.

8. The stand base according to claim 7, wherein the guidance unit interacts in wedging fashion with a tie bar of the braking system with the aid of a spring packet.

9. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein when the stand base is oriented as intended, the second actuation element is arranged above the first actuation element; and the second actuation element is shorter than the first actuation element.

10. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein the two braking feet are mounted, and are connected to one another and to the first actuation element, in such a way that an arrangement of the two braking feet relative to one another is modifiable.

11. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein the stand base body comprises multiple chambers each for selectable reception of at least one additional weight in order to balance the stand.

12. The stand base according to claim 11, wherein the braking system is embodied as a module; and said module is received in one of the chambers.

13. The stand base according to claim 11, wherein the stand base body comprises four identically shaped chambers, wherein two additional weights are receivable in each of the chambers.

14. The stand base according to claim 11, wherein fastening means are provided in the chambers for fastening the additional weights directly on the stand base body.

15. The stand base according to claim 14, wherein threads onto which the additional weights can be bolted with the aid of bolts are provided as the fastening means.

16. The stand base according to claim 1, wherein the rollers are double rollers.

17. A stand base for a surgical microscope stand, the stand base comprising: a stand base body, multiple rollers, fastened on the stand base body, for displaceably supporting the stand base on a floor, and a braking system to prevent displacement of the stand base, the braking system including at least two braking feet that, in a braking position, press against the floor and thereby prevent or at least impede a displacement of the stand base and, in a released position, enable a displacement of the stand base, wherein the braking system includes a first actuation element, actuatable by an operator for shifting the two braking feet from the released position into the braking position, wherein the first actuation element is coupled to the two braking feet in such a way that upon actuation of the first actuation element, the two braking feet are moved from the released position into the braking position, wherein the braking system includes a transverse bar to which the two braking feet are articulatedly mounted to permit rotation of the transverse bar relative to the two braking feet, the two braking feet are movable only along respective vertical axes, and the transverse bar is tiltable with respect to a horizontal orientation to position the two braking feet at different elevations while maintaining the two braking feet in a vertical orientation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING VIEWS

(1) Further features and advantages of the invention are evident from the description below, which explains the invention in further detail with reference to exemplifying embodiments in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective depiction of a stand base;

(3) FIG. 2 is a further schematic perspective depiction of the stand base of FIG. 1, looking toward the underside;

(4) FIG. 3 is a top view of the stand base according to FIGS. 1 and 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of the stand base according to FIGS. 1 to 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is a view from below of the stand base according to FIGS. 1 to 4;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective depiction of an additional weight;

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective depiction of a braking system of the stand base according to FIGS. 1 to 5;

(9) FIG. 8 is a further schematic depiction of the braking system according to FIG. 7; and

(10) FIG. 9 shows a portion of the braking system according to FIGS. 7 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective depiction of a stand base 10, looking toward its upper side. FIG. 2 is a further schematic depiction of said stand base 10, the view here being directed toward the underside. FIG. 3 is a top view, FIG. 4 a side view, and FIG. 5 a bottom view of the stand base according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

(12) Stand base 10 encompasses a stand base body 12 on which are mounted four rollers 14 to 20 by which stand base 10 is mounted displaceably on the floor. In the exemplifying embodiment shown, rollers 14 to 20 are double rollers that enable particularly simple displacement with little energy expenditure. In an alternative embodiment, single rollers can also be used. Stand base 10 can also comprise fewer than four rollers 14 to 20, for example three rollers 14 to 20, or more than four rollers 14 to 20, for example five rollers 14 to 20.

(13) Provided on the upper side of stand base body 12 is a receiving opening 22 into which a vertically extending support member of a stand can be introduced so that the actual stand is fastened on stand base 10. The stand is in particular a stand for microscopes, preferably surgical microscopes. Because such stands as a rule have a long working radius and are heavy, stand base 10 must also be correspondingly heavy in order to ensure secure positioning; this is achieved, as will be explained more precisely below, by the fact that additional weights 100 can be fastened onto stand base body 12, which itself is relatively light in weight so that it can easily be carried.

(14) Four chambers 24 to 30, into each of which two additional weights 100 can selectably be received, are embodied on the underside of stand base body 12. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, more than four chambers 24 to 30 or fewer than four chambers 24 to 30 can also be provided. In addition, chambers 24 to 30 can also be embodied in such a way that only one additional weight 100, or also more than two additional weights 100, can be received in each of them.

(15) Additional weights 100 are in particular all identically shaped, so that they can be exchanged arbitrarily.

(16) In the exemplifying embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, two additional weights 100 are received only in a single chamber, namely in chamber 28, while the other chambers 24, 26 are unpopulated. Further additional weights 100 can also be received in these chambers 24, 26 as necessary.

(17) FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective depiction of an additional weight 100 of this kind. Additional weight 100 has a through opening 102 through which a bolt 104 can be passed.

(18) Threads, one of which is labeled by way of example with the reference character 32, are provided at corresponding locations in chambers 24 to 30. Additional weights 100 can thus be bolted in simple fashion, via bolts 104, directly onto stand base body 12, so that particularly simple fastening and removal of additional weights 100 is possible, and the weight of stand base 10 can always be easily adapted to individual circumstances. Separate handling of the individual additional weights 100 nevertheless allows additional weights 100 and stand base 10 to be easily carried to their intended utilization site.

(19) Received in one of chambers 24 to 30 is a braking system 40 with the aid of which stand base 10 can be braked and immobilized so that unintended displacement of stand base 10 is prevented. A particularly simple configuration and particularly simple installation are achieved thanks to reception of said braking system 40 in one of chambers 24 to 30.

(20) In the exemplifying embodiment shown, braking system 40 is embodied to be approximately the same size as two additional weights 100. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, braking system 40 can also be embodied to be only sufficiently large to have the shape of one of additional weights 100, and thus to occupy only half of a chamber 24 to 30.

(21) Braking system 40 comprises in particular a housing 42 by which the internal components of braking system 40 are protected. The external shape of said housing 42 corresponds approximately to the shape of one of chambers 24 to 30, and thus approximately to the shape of two additional weights 100.

(22) FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective depiction of braking system 40, housing 42 having been omitted for better visibility of the internally located components. FIG. 8 is a side view of braking system 40.

(23) Braking system 40 comprises two braking feet 44, 46 that have contact surfaces 48, 50 by way of which contact with the floor can be established, and by way of which the friction necessary for immobilizing stand base 10 is applied.

(24) Braking feet 44, 46 are movable between a released position and a braking position; in the braking position, braking feet 44, 46 are in contact with the floor and thus prevent or at least impede movement of stand base 10 as a result of the corresponding frictional force. In the released position, conversely, braking feet 44, 46 are arranged in such a way that they do not contact the floor and, in particular, abut against housing 42 or are recessed thereinto.

(25) Braking system 40 furthermore comprises two springs 52, 54 by way of which braking feet 44, 46 are preloaded in the released position, by the fact that springs 52, 54 rest on the one hand against shoulders 56, 58 of braking feet 44, 46, and against the stationary basic structure 60 of braking system 40.

(26) Upon shifting of braking feet 44, 46 from the released position into the set position, springs 52, 54 become compressed so that they exert a return force toward of the released position.

(27) Braking system 40 furthermore comprises an actuation element, embodied as a brake pedal 62, upon actuation of which the two braking feet 44, 46 are moved from the released position into the braking position. This has the advantage that only a single actuation element 62 needs to be actuated in order to brake, and in particular immobilize, stand base 10. Particularly simple handling is thereby achieved, and the possibility of forgetting to set multiple brakes is eliminated.

(28) Brake pedal 62 is connected via a bar system 64 to the two braking feet 44, 46, said bar system 64 comprising a tie bar 66 and a transverse bar 68. Tie bar 66 is connected to brake pedal 62 in such a way that it is moved in a vertical direction upon actuation of brake pedal 62.

(29) Transverse bar 68 is arranged articulatedly on tie bar 66, tie bar 66 in particular being arranged centeredly in transverse bar 68 and being guided through an opening 69 that allows a clearance at least in the direction of the two ends of transverse bar 68, so that transverse bar 68 can tilt relative to tie bar 66.

(30) The two braking feet 44, 46 are respectively arranged, likewise articulatedly, at the two ends of transverse bar 68, the two feet 44, 46 being received in recesses which are shaped in such a way that they likewise permit a rotation of transverse bar 68 relative to braking feet 44, 46. The mounting of tie bar 66 and of braking feet 44, 46 is embodied in particular so that they are each movable only along vertical axes.

(31) The result of the articulated connection via the transverse bar is that with respect to their initial position, i.e. the released position in which transverse bar 68 is arranged horizontally and the two braking feet 44, 46 project the same distance out of stand base 10, the two braking feet 44, 46 can be moved different distances downward as a result of a tilting of transverse bar 64, as shown e.g. in FIG. 8. In the case shown in FIG. 8, braking foot 46 is moved farther downward than braking foot 44. What is achieved thereby is that any floor irregularities that may be present can be compensated for, but that even in a context of such floor irregularities both braking feet 44, 46 nevertheless rest securely on the floor so that reliable braking of stand base 10 is achieved. In particular, the same contact pressure can thus be applied even in a context of irregularities. Braking system 40 is embodied in particular in such a way that floor irregularities of up to 3 mm can be compensated for.

(32) Braking system 40 furthermore comprises an immobilization device 70 with which the feet are held in the braking position after actuation of brake pedal 62.

(33) FIG. 9 shows a portion of braking system 40 in which the configuration of immobilization unit 70 is shown. Immobilization unit 70 comprises a guidance unit 72 that has a hole through which tie bar 66 passes. Guidance unit 72 is held, by way of a spring 74, in a position in which it interacts in wedging fashion relative to tie bar 66, so that a movement of tie bar 66 is possible only with a great deal of force.

(34) Also provided is a further pedal 80 with the aid of which immobilization device 70 can be released again so that braking feet 44, 46 are moved back, because of the return force of springs 52, 54, into their initial position, i.e. the released position. Upon actuation of this pedal 80, guidance unit 72 is moved downward against the force of spring 74, with the result that the wedging interaction of tie bar 66 is released and the latter can continue to move.

(35) Pedal 80 is arranged above brake pedal 62 and is shorter than said brake pedal 62, so that the two pedals can be actuated in simple and ergonomically favorable fashion but unintentional actuation of the wrong pedal is nevertheless avoided.

(36) In addition, in order to avoid confusion, symbols 82, 84 are provided on pedals 62, 80; in particular, a closed padlock 82 is depicted on brake pedal 63 and a padlock 84 having an open shackle is depicted on pedal 80.

PARTS LIST

(37) 10 Stand base 12 Stand base body 14 to 20 Rollers 22 Receiving opening 24 to 30 Chambers 32 Thread 40 Braking unit 42 Housing 44, 46 Braking foot 48, 50 Contact surface 52, 54 Spring 56, 58 Shoulder 60 Basic structure 62 Brake pedal 64 Bar system 66 Tie bar 68 Transverse bar 69 Opening 70 Immobilization device 72 Guidance unit 74 Spring 80 Pedal 82, 84 Symbol 100 Additional weight 102 Through opening 104 Bolt