Dental console

Claim 2

A dental equipment stand arranged to support a plurality of different dental instruments connectable to said stand and requiring dental utilities comprising at least air and water, said stand comprising in combination, supporting frame means; a plurality of control modules each having sub-frames, control valves connectable to sources of dental utilities and operable to control the supply thereof to an individual dental instrument when connected to each of said subframes for support thereby, and support means for a dental instrument interconnected to each subframe; and means detachably connecting said module sub-frames to said supporting frame means in selective compact side-by-side and interchangeable assembled relationship suitable to the greatest convenience for a dentist or attendant.

Claim 3

The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 further including utility manifold means connectable to sources of dental utilities under pressure, and conduit means connecting the several control valves of the modules commonly to said manifold means.

Claim 4

The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 further including a plurality of manifolds respectively connected to sources of different dental utilities including at least air and water under pressure, and conduit means connecting the several individual control valves of each of said modules respectively to the required manifold for the utility to be controlled by said valves on each module, whereby said manifolds commonly serve all modules for the utility supplies respectively furnished thereby.

Claim 5

The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 in which said sub-frames of said modules comprise angularly related members respectively supporting said control valves and engageable with said supporting frame means for detachable connection of said modules to said supporting frame means in side-by-side arrangement.

Claim 6

The dental equipment stand according to claim 4 further including similar front panels on said modules arranged in side-by-side relationship when said modules are arranged operatively upon said supporting frame means, passage means formed in the front panels of said modules, and a flexible conduit interconnected to each module and to a dental instrument connectable to said module to supply dental utilities thereto, said conduit extending through said passage means for movement relative to said module.

Claim 7

The dental equipment stand according to claim 5 in which said passage means in the front panels of said modules comprise sockets arranged to receive and support a dental instrument when connected to said module.

Claim 8

The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 in which said control valves are of the power-operated type, and including power control means operable remotely from said valves to actuate the same.

Claim 9

The dental equipment stand according to claim 7 in which said control modules each include conditioning control means in series with said power control means, and actuating means for said conditioning control means positioned upon said module for direct engagement by a dental instrument, and operable incident to removal of such dental instrument from said support means therefor to activate said conditioning control means.

Claim 10

The dental equipment stand according to claim 8 in which said power control means include a member positionable for engagement by the foot of an operator, said power control means being connected in parallel with said conditioning control means for all of said modules, whereby only when a dental instrument is moved relative to its support and thereby operates said conditioning control means therefor can said foot-operable power control means be actuated to open the control valves for delivering dental utilities to a selected dental instrument.

Claim 11

The dental equipment stand according to claim 9 further including neutralizing means movably engageable relative to said conditioning control means and operable to render the same ineffective when desired, thereby to permit servicing a selected dental instrument without supplying dental utilities thereto when said foot-operable power control is actuated relative to the dental instrument connected to another module.

Claim 12

The dental equipment stand according to claim 2 further including quick-detachable, fluid-type connecting means between said conduit means and said manifold means.

Claim 13

The dental equipment stand according to claim 7 in which the power means for said control valves comprises electrically powered solenoids and said control means also includes an electrical circuit to supply current to said solenoids, and quick-detachable connecting means between said circuit and solenoids.

Claim 14

A dental equipment stand arranged to support a plurality of different dental instruments connectable to said stand and requiring dental utilities comprising at least air and water for the operation thereof, said stand comprising in combination, cabinet means, supporting frame means comprising a pair of spaced means extending substantially between opposite sides of said cabinet means and enclosed thereby, a plurality of control modules each having sub-frames provided with similar portions connectable to said spaced means, control valves connected to said sub-frames for support thereby, conduit means connecting said valves to sources of dental utilities and operable to control the supply thereof to individual dental instruments when connected respectively to said modules for control thereby, support means for a dental instrument interconnected to each sub-frame; and means detachably connecting said module sub-frames to said spaced supporting means in selective compact and interchangeable assembled relationship suitable to the greatest convenience for a dentist or attendant.

Claim 15

A dental equipment stand arranged to support a plurality of different dental instruments connectable to said stand and requiring dental utilities comprising at least air and water for the operation thereof, said stand comprising in combination, cabinet means, supporting frame means comprising a pair of spaced means extending substantially between opposite sides of said cabinet means and enclosed thereby, a plurality of control modules each having sub-frames provided with similar portions connectable to said spaced means, control valves connected to said sub-frames for support thereby, conduit means connecting said valves to sources of dental utilities and operable to control the supply thereof to individual dental instruments when connected respectively to said modules for control thereby, support means for a dental instrument interconnected to each sub-frame; and means detachably connecting said module sub-frames to said spaced supporting means in selective compact and interchangeable assembled relationship suitable to the greatest convenience for a dentist or attendant.

Claim 16

The dental equipment stand according to claim 13 in which said spaced means comprise a pair of bar-like members and said sub-frames engage the same at locations spaced longitudinally therealong at substantially even intervals.

Claim 17

The dental equipment stand according to claim 14 in which said sub-frames comprise metal strips shaped to accommodate the control valves of each modulE compactly.

Claim 18

A dental equipment stand arranged to support a plurality of different dental instruments connectable to said stand and requiring dental utilities comprising at least air and water and comprising in combination, supporting frame means; a plurality of control modules comprising separate units supported by said frame means, control valves connectable to sources of dental utilities and operable to control the supply thereof to an individual dental instrument when connected to each of said module units for support thereby, means on each module unit to receive and support a dental instrument, a coilable flexible conduit member on each module unit connectable at one end to a dental instrument and at the other end being interconnected to said control valves, and a reel on each module mounted for rotation and arranged for coiling of said flexible conduit member thereupon and withdrawal therefrom; and means detachably connecting said module units to said supporting frame means in selective compact and interchangeable assembled relationship suitable to the greatest convenience for a dentist or attendant.

Claim 19

A dental equipment stand arranged to support a plurality of different dental instruments connectable to said stand and requiring dental utilities comprising at least air and water and comprising in combination, supporting frame means; a plurality of control modules comprising separate units supported by said frame means, control valves connectable to sources of dental utilities and operable to control the supply thereof to an individual dental instrument when connected to each of said module units for support thereby, means on each module unit to receive and support a dental instrument, a coilable flexible conduit member on each module unit connectable at one end to a dental instrument and at the other end being interconnected to said control valves, and a reel on each module mounted for rotation and arranged for coiling of said flexible conduit member thereupon and withdrawal therefrom; and means detachably connecting said module units to said supporting frame means in selective compact and interchangeable assembled relationship suitable to the greatest convenience for a dentist or attendant.

Claim 20

The dental equipment stand according to claim 16 in which said flexible conduit member is the multi-passage type permitting separate but simultaneous transmission of a plurality of dental utilities, the passages of said conduit being individually connected to different control valves of each module.

Claim 21

The dental equipment stand according to claim 16 in which said modules are relatively narrow for compact side-by-side arrangement within parallel vertical planes and include similar sub-frames connectable to said supporting frame means, said sub-frames being shaped to accommodate said reels for rotation substantially within the plane of said modules.

Claim 22

The dental equipment stand according to claim 18 further including additional means on said supporting frame means to support said reels for said modules independently of said sub-frames of said modules, whereby said module sub-frames may be detached from said supporting frame means while said reels remain supported thereby.

Claim 23

The dental equipment stand according to claim 19 in which said supporting frame means comprise a plurality of spaced barlike members engageable by similar portions of said sub-frames of said modules.

Claim 24

The dental equipment stand according to claim 20 in which said control valves are solenoid-actuated and one of said bar-like members also supports an electric circuit connectable to a source of current, said modules also including sub-circuit means connecting the solenoids of said valves to said electric current, and a control switch connected to said sub-circuit means and operable by an operator to actuate the control valves of a selected module.

Claim 25

The dental equipment stand according to claim 21 further including a circuit conditioning switch included in the sub-circuit of each module operable incident to moving a dental instrument for use relative to each module when such instrument is connected thereto and thereby close the circuit to the valves of a selected module for operation thereof when said control switch in said sub-circuit is closed.

Claim 26

The dental equipment stand according to claim 22 in which said control switch is actuated by foot-operated means positionable adjacent the floor and said control switch being connected commonly in series with said sub-circuits of said modules.

Claim 27

The dental equipment stand according to claim 14 in which one of said rail-like members is mounted forwardly in said cabinet means and the other of said members is substantially parallel to and rearwardly of said one member, the sub-frames of said modules extending between and transversely to said rail-like members and in close side-by-side relationship to each other and being spaced from the rear portion of said cabinet means; and said modules also including flexible conduit means interconnected at one end to the control valves of said modules to deliver fluids to a dental instruMent when connected thereto, and reels rotatably mounted within the spaces rearward of said sub-frames respectively to receive the flexible conduit means of said modules to support and store the same in coiled manner.

Claim 28

The dental equipment stand according to claim 24 including bracket means connected to one of said rail-like members and respectively supporting said reels independently of said sub-frames of said modules, rotary connectors on said reels to which said flexible conduit means are connected, and conduit means between said rotary connectors and the control valves of said modules.

Claim 29

The dental equipment stand according to claim 25 further including utility manifold means, support means supporting said manifold means fixedly relative to said supporting frame means, flexible conduits between said control valves and said manifold means, and quick-detachable means connecting one end of said conduits to said manifold means.

Claim 30

The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 in which said supporting means comprises a carriage, means connected to said carriage and operable to move the same vertically relative to stationary base means, manifold means supported by said carriage and movable therewith, and fluid conductable conduits between said manifold means to maintain a fluid supply therebetween regardless of movement of said carriage and modules relative to said manifold means.

Claim 31

The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 further including a cabinet, said supporting frame means comprising a carriage, positioning means operable within said cabinet to support said carriage in a lowermost retracted position within the upper portion of said cabinet, power means operable to actuate said positioning means initially to move said carriage forwardly beyond the front face of said cabinet to an initial operative position, and power control means operable to energize said power means to actuate said positioning means and move said carriage to said initial operative position relative to said cabinet and selectively to a desired higher position of operation.

Claim 32

The dental equipment stand according to claim 28 in which said positioning means comprises mechanical means operable initially to move said carriage horizontally forward from a retracted inoperative position within the upper portion of said cabinet to said initial operative position, and guide means interengageable by said carriage and operable to guide the same while projected for vertical movement selectively to various positions as aforesaid.

Claim 33

The dental equipment stand according to claim 29 in which said power means is arranged initially to actuate said mechanical means to effect said projection of said carriage and continued operation of said power means elevates the same.

Claim 34

The dental equipment stand according to claim 29 in which said mechanical means includes linkage pivotally supported by means movable vertically with said carriage, lever means supported pivotally and operated by said linkage and engaging said carriage to move the same horizontally between extended and retracted positions, and actuating members movable vertically within said cabinet, said power means being operatively connected to said actuating members and said actuating members being engageable with said linkage to pivotally move the same and actuate said pivoted lever means as aforesaid.

Claim 35

The dental equipment stand according to claim 28 in which said cabinet has a front panel terminating below the top of the cabinet, a door on the front of said cabinet adjacent the top thereof and concealing said carriage when said door is in closed position, said door being movable from closed to open position to initiate movement of said carriage forwardly to project the forward portion thereof beyond the front of said cabinet prior to being elevated.

Claim 36

The dental equipment stand according to claim 32 further including means interconnecting said door and power control means and operable upon opening said door to caUse said positioning means to move said carriage at least to said initial operative position.

Claim 37

The dental equipment stand according to claim 33 in which said power control means comprises electric switch means having movable actuators, and said dental control means also including actuating means operated by said door during movement from closed to open position to move the actuators of said switch means to cause the power means to move said carriage forwardly to said initial operating position thereof.

Claim 38

The dental equipment stand according to claim 34 in which at least certain of said switch means are carried by said door and are movable therewith, and said actuating means being movable by said door only when said door has been moved sufficiently toward open position to permit forward projection of said carriage through the opening normally closed by said door.

Claim 39

The dental equipment stand according to claim 35 further including additional electric switch means interconnected to said power means and manually operable to control vertical movement of said carriage for desired increments after said carriage has been projected to said initial operative position thereof.

Claim 40

The dental equipment stand according to claim 34 further including additional electric switch means interconnected to said power means and selectively manually operable to control vertical movement of said carriage respectively upwardly and downwardly for desired increments when said carriage is in forwardly projected position.

Claim 41

The dental equipment stand according to claim 37 further including control switch means positioned and interconnected to said door for actuation by said door only when in a predetermined open position to permit vertical movement of said carriage and prevent such movement when said door is moved from said predetermined open position, thereby to prevent possible damage to said projected carriage as by it being lowered onto said door when in closed position.

Claim 42

The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 further including a cabinet having a front panel terminating at its upper edge below the top of the cabinet to provide an opening, and a door pivotally supported by said cabinet to form a closure for said opening, said supporting means comprising a carriage mounted for horizontal movement to project the forward portion of said carriage through said opening when said door is in open position, and restraining means interconnected to said door and operable to prevent free pivotal movement of said door from closed to open position and thereby prevent slamming of said door.

Claim 43

The dental equipment stand according to claim 39 in which said door is hingedly connected at the normally lower edge thereof to said cabinet and is movable downwardly about the axis of said hinged connection from closed to open position, said door having internal recess means and said restraining means being at least partially contained therein and substantially invisible from the exterior of said door when in either open or closed positions.

Claim 44

A reel for flexible tubing comprising a wheel, a plurality of flexible tubes wound on said wheel, means associated with said wheel for supplying a first fluid to one of the said tubes, means associated with said wheel for supplying a second fluid to another of said tubes, means for controlling the supply of said fluids to said tubes, said tubes being connected to a dental instrument, said dental instrument adapted to close switch means which are in circuit with said controlling means, and said switch means being closed when said dental instrument is pulled in a direction to unwind said tubes from said wheel.

Claim 45

A reel for flexible tubing comprising a wheel, a plurality of flexible tubes wound on said wheel, means associated with said wheel for supplying a first fluid to one of the said tubes, means associated with said wheel for supplying a second fluid to another of said tubes, means for controlling the supply of said fluids to said tubes, said tubes being connected to a dental instrument, said dental instrument adapted to close switch means which are in circuit with said controlling means, and said switch means being closed when said dental instrument is pulled in a direction to unwind said tubes from said wheel.

Claim 46

A reel for flexible tubing comprising a wheel, a plurality of flexible tubes wound on said wheel, means associated with said wheel for supplying a first fluid to one of the said tubes, means associated with said wheel for supplying a second fluid to another of said tubes, and means for controlling the supply of said fluids to Said tubes, said controlling means comprising electrically actuated valve means, said valve means being actuatable when said tubes are unwound from said wheel.

Claim 47

A reel for flexible tubing comprising a wheel, a plurality of flexible tubes wound on said wheel, means associated with said wheel for supplying a first fluid to one of the said tubes, means associated with said wheel for supplying a second fluid to another of said tubes, and means for controlling the supply of said fluids to Said tubes, said controlling means comprising electrically actuated valve means, said valve means being actuatable when said tubes are unwound from said wheel.