US3722095A — Take-up system for dental units and the like

Claim 1

Independent Claim 264 words

A utility line take-up system for use with dental units of the type having an instrument holder portion which releasably nests at least one dental instrument and a utility line connected to the instrument, said take-up system comprising: a. a horizontally oriented air cylinder in said instrument holder, said cylinder extending from front to back in said instrument holder and having one end vented to atmosphere; b. a yoke member slidably supported by said air cylinder for guided movement along said cylinder; c. a first pulley member journaled to said yoke member with said utility line having one end fixed adjacent the front of said instrument holder and being trained over said pulley with the other end of said utility line connected to a dental instrument; d. a piston in said cylinder; e. a second pulley member journaled adjacent the rear of said instrument holder; f. a cable fixed to and extending between said piston and first pulley and trained over said second pulley whereby movement of either of said piston or first pulley slidably moves the other in the opposite direction; and g. means communicating with the second end of said cylinder for selectively venting or pressurizing the portion of said cylinder between said piston and said second end, i. said second end being vented to permit free movement of said piston by said first pulley as said instrument and utility line is pulled from said instrument holder, and ii. said second end being pressurized for driving said piston and therefore said first pulley to return said utility line into said instrument holder.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 264 words

A utility line take-up system for use with dental units of the type having an instrument holder portion which releasably nests at least one dental instrument and a utility line connected to the instrument, said take-up system comprising: a. a horizontally oriented air cylinder in said instrument holder, said cylinder extending from front to back in said instrument holder and having one end vented to atmosphere; b. a yoke member slidably supported by said air cylinder for guided movement along said cylinder; c. a first pulley member journaled to said yoke member with said utility line having one end fixed adjacent the front of said instrument holder and being trained over said pulley with the other end of said utility line connected to a dental instrument; d. a piston in said cylinder; e. a second pulley member journaled adjacent the rear of said instrument holder; f. a cable fixed to and extending between said piston and first pulley and trained over said second pulley whereby movement of either of said piston or first pulley slidably moves the other in the opposite direction; and g. means communicating with the second end of said cylinder for selectively venting or pressurizing the portion of said cylinder between said piston and said second end, i. said second end being vented to permit free movement of said piston by said first pulley as said instrument and utility line is pulled from said instrument holder, and ii. said second end being pressurized for driving said piston and therefore said first pulley to return said utility line into said instrument holder.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 105 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means comprises: a. an air line connected to said second end for supplying pressurized air thereto; b. a valve in said line movable between a first position for venting said second end to atmosphere and a second position for pressurizing said second end; c. means for operating said valve including a switch member operated when said pulley member is adjacent the back of said instrument holder to move said valve to said first position and operated when said pulley member is adjacent the front of said instrument holder to move said valve to said second position.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 52 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for operating said valve includes a pin movable along a horizontal path of travel with said pulley member and engageable with said switch when said pulley is adjacent the rear of said instrument holder to throw said switch to said first position.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 91 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for operating said valve includes: a. a bar having a first end attached to said switch and a second end movably supported adjacent the front of said instrument holder; b. a stop on said bar adjacent the front of said instrument holder and extending into the path of travel of said pin, said pin engaging said stop when said pulley is adjacent the front of said instrument holder to move said bar axially and throw said switch to said second position.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 comprising a manual switch on said instrument holder portion and connected to the second end of said bar for manually moving said bar axially.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 34 words

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising a spring member at the rear of said instrument holder for capturing said pulley to maintain tension on said utility lines stored within said instrument holder.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1976-03-26	1976-09-25	1977-03-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1980-03-26	1980-09-25	1981-03-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1984-03-26	1984-09-25	1985-03-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Take-up system for dental units and the like

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