X-ray Examination apparatus comprising a balanced supporting arm

Claim 1

An X-ray examination apparatus, comprising a vertical column, a sleeve which is connected to the column and which is rotatable about a first horizontal axis, and a C-shaped support which is carried by the sleeve and which is movable in the sleeve about a second axis which intersects the first axis at right angles, said C-shaped support accomodating an X-ray source at a first end and an X-ray detector at a second end, which X-ray detector is movable along a central ray of an X-­ray beam to be emitted by the X-ray source, characterized in that a shift of a centre of gravity of the X-ray detector which occurs upon displacement of the X-ray detector along the central ray is substantially compensated for by way of a counterweight which is secured to the second end of the support and whose direction of movement opposes that of the X-ray detector, in that a common centre of gravity of the support, the X-ray source, the X-ray detector and the counterweight is situated on the second axis for an adjustable range of distances between the X-ray detector and the X-ray source, and in that a common centre of gravity of the sleeve, the support, the X-ray detector, the X-ray source and the counterweight is situated on the first horizontal axis for an adjustable range of distances between the X-ray detector and the X-ray source.