US3764808A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for automatically limiting the size of an x-ray beam in response to cassette size
Assignee: Liebel Flarsheim Co LLC
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Filing: 1971-11-26
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Granted: 1973-10-09
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Expires: 1991-11-26
Abstract
Abstract The size of an X-ray beam is automatically adjusted in response to signals produced by a pair of continuously variable transducers, such as rotary potentiometers, mounted on a cassette holder. One of the transducers is preferably adjusted by a pivoted arm on the holder adapted to contact the side of a cassette positioned on the holder. The other transducer is preferably adjusted, through suitable gearing, by a cable connected to one of a pair of jaws which center the cassette on the holder. The preferred embodiment also has a switch and means to open the switch when there is no cassette on the holder in order to prevent the X-ray generator from being activated.
Inventors
- 👤 R Lackey
- 👤 C Henninger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:38
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B42/00; G03B42/02; G03B42/025; A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A size sensing X-ray cassette holder comprising: a. means for centering a cassette in the holder; b. an arm pivoted about a point intermediate a first line defined by the side of the largest cassette the holder is designed to be used with and a second line defined by the side of the smallest cassette the holder is designed to be used with, said arm having a free end adapted to contact a side of the cassette; c. a continuously variable transducer, means for adjusting the transducer; and d. means for connecting the pivoted arm to the transducer adjusting means, whereby the transducer is automatically adjusted as the arm pivots.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A size sensing X-ray cassette holder comprising: a. means for centering a cassette in the holder; b. an arm pivoted about a point intermediate a first line defined by the side of the largest cassette the holder is designed to be used with and a second line defined by the side of the smallest cassette the holder is designed to be used with, said arm having a free end adapted to contact a side of the cassette; c. a continuously variable transducer, means for adjusting the transducer; and d. means for connecting the pivoted arm to the transducer adjusting means, whereby the transducer is automatically adjusted as the arm pivots.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
A holder according to claim 1 wherein the means for centering the cassette comprises a pair of jaws, further comprising: a. a second continuously variable transducer, means for adjusting said second transducer; and b. means for connecting one of the centering jaws to the means for adjusting said second transducer, whereby said second transducer is automatically adjusted as the jaws are moved to grip the cassette.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A holder according to claim 2 wherein: a. the second transducer is a rotary potentiometer; b. the means for adjusting the potentiometer comprises a rotary shaft extending from the potentiometer; and c. the means for connecting the centering jaw to the rotary shaft of the potentiometer comprises a cable attached to the centering jaw and gear means connecting the cable to the rotary shaft of the potentiometer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A holder according to claim 1 wherein: a. the transducer is a rotary potentiometer; b. the means for adjusting the potentiometer comprises a rotary shaft extending from the potentiometer; and c. the means for connecting the pivoted arm to the shaft comprises a segment gear on the pivoted arm and a gear attached to the adjusting shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A holder according to claim 1 wherein the arm pivots about a post mounted substantially equi-distant between said first line and said second line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A holder according to claim 1 wherein said arm is offset to provide clearance for said largest cassette.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
A size sensing X-ray cassette holder comprising: a. a pair of jaws adapted to center a cassette inserted in the holder; b. a continuously variable transducer having a rotary adjusting shaft extending therefrom; and c. a cable having one end attached to one of the centering jaws and the other end attached to a rotary drum, and gearing means connecting the drum to the rotary adjusting shaft, whereby the transducer is automatically adjusted as the jaws are moved to grip the cassette.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
A size sensing X-ray cassette holder comprising: a. a pair of jaws adapted to center a cassette inserted in the holder; b. a continuously variable transducer having a rotary adjusting shaft extending therefrom; and c. a cable having one end attached to one of the centering jaws and the other end attached to a rotary drum, and gearing means connecting the drum to the rotary adjusting shaft, whereby the transducer is automatically adjusted as the jaws are moved to grip the cassette.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A holder according to claim 7 wherein the transducer is a rotary potentiometer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A holder according to claim 8 wherein the gearing means includes a gear mounted on said adjusting shaft and the holder further comprises biasing means connected to the gear on the adjusting shaft adapted to rotate said gear and thereby take up slack in said cable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A holder according to claim 8 wherein said gearing means comprises a gear on the rotary drum that meshes with a gear on the adjusting shaft of the potentiometer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a size sensing x-ray cassette holder having a pivoted arm adapted to contact a side of a cassette mounted in the holder; the improvement comprising: a. a pivoted stop adapted to pivot independently of said pivoted arm and to contact the arm and limit the movement of the arm; b. a first spring tending to rotate the stop in a first direction and thereby move the pivoted arm away from the cassette; c. said pivoted stop being adapted for rotation in a direction opposite to said first direction by a projecting member on an X-ray system when the holder is inserted in the X-ray system, whereby said pivoted arm is free to rotate towards the cassette; and d. a second spring urging the pivoted arm towards the pivoted stop, whereby when the holder is inserted into the X-ray system the arm pivots with the stop until the arm contacts the side of the cassette.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a size sensing x-ray cassette holder having a pivoted arm adapted to contact a side of a cassette mounted in the holder; the improvement comprising: a. a pivoted stop adapted to pivot independently of said pivoted arm and to contact the arm and limit the movement of the arm; b. a first spring tending to rotate the stop in a first direction and thereby move the pivoted arm away from the cassette; c. said pivoted stop being adapted for rotation in a direction opposite to said first direction by a projecting member on an X-ray system when the holder is inserted in the X-ray system, whereby said pivoted arm is free to rotate towards the cassette; and d. a second spring urging the pivoted arm towards the pivoted stop, whereby when the holder is inserted into the X-ray system the arm pivots with the stop until the arm contacts the side of the cassette.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-08 | 1977-04-09 | 1977-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-08 | 1981-04-09 | 1981-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-08 | 1985-04-09 | 1985-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |