US3908271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental articulator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-06-20
•
Granted: 1975-09-30
•
Expires: 1993-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A dental articulator that simulates jaw movements in the same directions as the natural jaw. A lower jaw element is suspended from a fixed base by two pivots movable relative to the frame along restricted paths. An upper jaw element is pivotally supported by the base about a fixed axis coincident with one position of the movable pivots. Each jaw element forms a support for a dental arch cast. Each pivot can be individually locked in a fixed location and the lower jaw element can be released from the pivots for limited relative translational and rotational movement and adjusted to a new relationship with the pivots. Adjustable cam surfaces on the frame control lateral movement of the lower jaw element. A rigid link pivotally and releasably connected between the frame and lower jaw element restrains movement and establishes a chewing-type pivoted action. A plate on the lower jaw element is movable rectilinearly so that the anterior-posterior closed position of the teeth can be adjusted without changing the pivot axis. Plates with peripheral spongelike wall portions forming enclosures for plaster are adapted to be secured to the supporting jaw elements. The wall of each plate serves to support a dental arch cast and acts both as a plaster dam and as a compressive spring when opposed plates and dental arch casts are pressed in opposition on a bite registration to secure the cast to the articulator. An adjustable stop is secured to one support element for contact with the other support element to limit proximity of the jaw elements and is removable without changing its effective length.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry J Derda
- 👤 Charles H Gibbs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C11/00; A61C11/02; A61C11/022; A61C11/025; A61C11/08; A61C11/081; A61C11/082; A61C11/06; A61C11/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A dental articulator comprising a support, two generally opposed jaw-like first and second connections between one said member and the support that permit complex movement of said one member relative to the other, and means, including a rigid link functionally constant in length between said one member and the support pivotally connected to both, to constrain said movement of said one member relative to said support to simulate chewing movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A dental articulator comprising a support, two generally opposed jaw-like first and second connections between one said member and the support that permit complex movement of said one member relative to the other, and means, including a rigid link functionally constant in length between said one member and the support pivotally connected to both, to constrain said movement of said one member relative to said support to simulate chewing movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An articulator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second connections comprise movable pivots.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
An articulator as set forth in claim 1 including means to change the location of at least one of said link connections to adjust its angular relationship with respect to said support and said one member to change the range of movement of said one member relative to said support.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
A dental articulator comprising first and second structures, each adapted to support a dental arch cast in opposing relationship to the other; means at two locations of said first structure interengaged with said second structure at two locations to allow said first structure to move relative to said second structure with more than one degree of freedom; and means, including a rigid link functionally constant in length connected for universal pivoting at two locations, one location fixed with respect to the first structure and the other fixed with respect to the second structure, for providing one constraint for the movement of said first structure relative to said second structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
A dental articulator comprising first and second structures, each adapted to support a dental arch cast in opposing relationship to the other; means at two locations of said first structure interengaged with said second structure at two locations to allow said first structure to move relative to said second structure with more than one degree of freedom; and means, including a rigid link functionally constant in length connected for universal pivoting at two locations, one location fixed with respect to the first structure and the other fixed with respect to the second structure, for providing one constraint for the movement of said first structure relative to said second structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second structure includes a support, a plate for supporting a dental arch and means defining a fixed axis about which said plate is selectively pivotable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 4 wherein said rigid link is adjustable in length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 4 including means for changing one of said two locations at which the link is connected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 1 including means to release said link at one of said locations to eliminate its restraint of movement of said first structure, and means to establish a fixed pivot axis at said interengaged means between said first and second structures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first structure includes a first plate for supporting a dental arch cast and said second structure includes a stand and a second plate for supporting a dental arch cast, said second plate is located vertically above the first plate, and including means to secure said second plate in a fixed position relative to the stand analogous to a maxilla, and means securing said first plate to said first structure for articulation relative to the stand in an analogous manner to a mandible.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
A dental articulator comprising a stationary support and a movable jaw member, means, including two portions of said jaw member interconnected with said support, for providing relative movement between the support and jaw member with a plurality of degrees of freedom that permit lateral movement of the jaw member to the left and right of a central position relative to said support, and single rigid link means functionally constant in length connected between a third portion of the jaw member that is displaced from an axis through said two portions and a point on the support, to maintain said third portion a constant distance from said point on the support and to constrain movement of said jaw member in directions both left and right of the central position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
128 words
A dental articulator comprising a stationary support and a movable jaw member, means, including two portions of said jaw member interconnected with said support, for providing relative movement between the support and jaw member with a plurality of degrees of freedom that permit lateral movement of the jaw member to the left and right of a central position relative to said support, and single rigid link means functionally constant in length connected between a third portion of the jaw member that is displaced from an axis through said two portions and a point on the support, to maintain said third portion a constant distance from said point on the support and to constrain movement of said jaw member in directions both left and right of the central position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
158 words
A dental articulator comprising a support, a maxillary member pivotably connected to said support and adapted to support a dental arch cast, a manibular member movable relative to said support, said mandibular member including a plate adapted to support a dental arch cast and also including two means located to one side of a plane defined by said mandibular plate for interconnecting the mandibular member with said support for relative translational and pivotal movement, and a rigid link on an opposite side of said plane from said two portions, connected between a third portion of said mandibular member and a point on said support, a universal pivot at each connection of said link, and means permitting adjustment of at least one of the locations of connection for the link to increase or decrease an angular relationship between the link and an imaginary plane defined by said point on the support and said two portions of the mandibular member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
158 words
A dental articulator comprising a support, a maxillary member pivotably connected to said support and adapted to support a dental arch cast, a manibular member movable relative to said support, said mandibular member including a plate adapted to support a dental arch cast and also including two means located to one side of a plane defined by said mandibular plate for interconnecting the mandibular member with said support for relative translational and pivotal movement, and a rigid link on an opposite side of said plane from said two portions, connected between a third portion of said mandibular member and a point on said support, a universal pivot at each connection of said link, and means permitting adjustment of at least one of the locations of connection for the link to increase or decrease an angular relationship between the link and an imaginary plane defined by said point on the support and said two portions of the mandibular member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means permitting adjustment of the location at which said link is connected includes a curved member providing different locations for connection of said link on one of said jaw member and support.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 11 including means to change the length of the link between said two locations of connection to pivot the mandibular member relative to said maxillary member and thereby change the distance between the plates thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
59 words
A dental articulator comprising a support, a maxillary plate carried by said support, means hinging said maxillary plate to the support for rotational movement about a single axis, a mandibular plate, means connecting said mandibular plate to said suppOrt at two locations for rotational movement about plural axes, one of said plural axes being coincident with said single axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
A dental articulator comprising a support, a maxillary plate carried by said support, means hinging said maxillary plate to the support for rotational movement about a single axis, a mandibular plate, means connecting said mandibular plate to said suppOrt at two locations for rotational movement about plural axes, one of said plural axes being coincident with said single axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 14 including means to lock the maxillary plate in fixed relationship to the support.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 14 including means to restrict pivoting of said mandibular plate to universal pivoting about only one of said two locations.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 14 including a rigid link extending between said mandibular plate and said support and pivotally connected to both.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 17 including adjustment means connected with said link for changing the position of the mandibular plate relative to the maxillary plate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
87 words
A dental articulator comprising a support stand, a first member adapted to support a dental arch cast and carried by said stand, means securing said first member to said stand for rotational movement about a single fixed axis; a second member adapted to support a dental arch cast in generally opposed relationship to said first member and carried by said stand, and means securing said second member to said stand for rotational movement about a plurality of axes, including an axis coincident with said single fixed axis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
87 words
A dental articulator comprising a support stand, a first member adapted to support a dental arch cast and carried by said stand, means securing said first member to said stand for rotational movement about a single fixed axis; a second member adapted to support a dental arch cast in generally opposed relationship to said first member and carried by said stand, and means securing said second member to said stand for rotational movement about a plurality of axes, including an axis coincident with said single fixed axis.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
91 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 19 including a rigid linking means pivotally connected to and extending between said second member and said stand for permitting movement of said second member relative to said stand when said second member pivots about axes not coincident with said single fixed axis and which prevents movement of said second member relative to said stand about an axis coincident with said single fixed axis, and means for releasing the connection between said rigid linking means and one of said stand and second member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
92 words
A dental articulator comprising a stand, two supports for dental arch casts carried by said stand, two pivots on one of said supports with a common axis, two spaced pivot supports on said stand for receiving said pivots, said pivot supports each providing an elongated path of restrictive movement for said pivots, means securing said pivot supports to said stand for angular adjustment of said paths about a common axis, and means on said stand providing a fixed pivot axis for the other of said supports coincident with said last-mentioned common axis.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
92 words
A dental articulator comprising a stand, two supports for dental arch casts carried by said stand, two pivots on one of said supports with a common axis, two spaced pivot supports on said stand for receiving said pivots, said pivot supports each providing an elongated path of restrictive movement for said pivots, means securing said pivot supports to said stand for angular adjustment of said paths about a common axis, and means on said stand providing a fixed pivot axis for the other of said supports coincident with said last-mentioned common axis.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
An articulator as set forth in claim 21 wherein said pivot supports are each in the form of a guide with a groove that receives the end of one of said pivots.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
An articulator as set forth in claim 22 wherein each of said pivots terminates in a spherical surface and each of said grooves has a back surface that is inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to said common axis of the guides.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
An articulator as set forth in claim 22 wherein the common axis of angular adjustment through said pivot guides is adjacent one end of each of said grooves so that the center of said pivots coincides with the common axis when the pivots are at said one end of the grooves.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
141 words
A dental articulator comprising a stand, two supports for dental arch casts carried by said stand, two pivots on one of said supports with a common axis, two spaced pivot supports each providing an elongated path of restrictive movement for said pivots and each in the form of a guide with a groove that receives an end of one of said pivots, and means securing said pivot supports to said stand for angular adjustment of said paths about a common axis adjacent one end of each of said grooves so that the center of said pivots coincides with the common axis when the pivots are at said one end of the grooves, each said groove having a back surface that converges toward that of the other in a direction along the length of the groove from said common axis of adjustment.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
141 words
A dental articulator comprising a stand, two supports for dental arch casts carried by said stand, two pivots on one of said supports with a common axis, two spaced pivot supports each providing an elongated path of restrictive movement for said pivots and each in the form of a guide with a groove that receives an end of one of said pivots, and means securing said pivot supports to said stand for angular adjustment of said paths about a common axis adjacent one end of each of said grooves so that the center of said pivots coincides with the common axis when the pivots are at said one end of the grooves, each said groove having a back surface that converges toward that of the other in a direction along the length of the groove from said common axis of adjustment.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
120 words
A dental articulator comprising a support frame, two members with dental arch support portions in gEnerally opposed relationship carried by said frame, one having two pivot parts movable relative to the frame to provide translational and rotational movement of said one member relative to the frame, rigid link means functionally constant in length pivotally connected between the frame and said one member to constrain movement of said one member relative to the frame, two cam surfaces one adjacent each of said two pivot parts to control movement of said one member in a direction along an axis defined by said pivot parts, and means carried by said frame for receiving said pivot parts and limiting movement thereof to elongated paths.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
120 words
A dental articulator comprising a support frame, two members with dental arch support portions in gEnerally opposed relationship carried by said frame, one having two pivot parts movable relative to the frame to provide translational and rotational movement of said one member relative to the frame, rigid link means functionally constant in length pivotally connected between the frame and said one member to constrain movement of said one member relative to the frame, two cam surfaces one adjacent each of said two pivot parts to control movement of said one member in a direction along an axis defined by said pivot parts, and means carried by said frame for receiving said pivot parts and limiting movement thereof to elongated paths.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
95 words
A dental articulator comprising a support frame, two supports carried by said frame representative of upper and lower jaws, one of said supports having two oppositely projecting pivot members, two grooves on said frame, each receiving one of said pivot members and constraining the received members to movement along the grooves, two cam surfaces carried by said frame and converging toward one another for constraining movement of each of said pivot members in its projecting direction, and a single rigid link functionally constant in length pivotally connected to both said one support and said frame.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
95 words
A dental articulator comprising a support frame, two supports carried by said frame representative of upper and lower jaws, one of said supports having two oppositely projecting pivot members, two grooves on said frame, each receiving one of said pivot members and constraining the received members to movement along the grooves, two cam surfaces carried by said frame and converging toward one another for constraining movement of each of said pivot members in its projecting direction, and a single rigid link functionally constant in length pivotally connected to both said one support and said frame.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
71 words
An articulator comprising a support, a member carried by said support, cooperating connecting means on said member and the support at two locations to permit articulation between the member and the support, means to selectively establish a fixed pivot axis location between cooperating connecting means, and a position adjustment connection between the member and the connecting means thereon to permit selectively changing the location of the connecting means on the member.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
71 words
An articulator comprising a support, a member carried by said support, cooperating connecting means on said member and the support at two locations to permit articulation between the member and the support, means to selectively establish a fixed pivot axis location between cooperating connecting means, and a position adjustment connection between the member and the connecting means thereon to permit selectively changing the location of the connecting means on the member.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 28 wherein said position adjustment connection includes means to selectively reestablish one particular location between the member and the connecting means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
67 words
An articulator as set forth in claim 28 wherein said connecting means at each of said two locations is comprised of an elongated guide slot on said support and a ball connected to said member and engaged with said guide slot and said means to selectively establish a fixed pivot axis includes means to prevent movement of said ball along said slot while permitting rotational movement thereof.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a dental articulator, structure for interconnecting a dental arch support to a stand for relative translation and rotation, said structure including two spaced members on said support, two spaced receptacles on said stand located to concurrently receive said members for relative rotational and translational movement, and means to selectively change the locations of said spaced members on the support to change the relationship of the support relative to the stand.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a dental articulator, structure for interconnecting a dental arch support to a stand for relative translation and rotation, said structure including two spaced members on said support, two spaced receptacles on said stand located to concurrently receive said members for relative rotational and translational movement, and means to selectively change the locations of said spaced members on the support to change the relationship of the support relative to the stand.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 31 including means to selectively establish one particular location of each said spaced member relative to said support.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 32 wherein said means to selectively establish one particular location of said spaced member relative to the support includes a clamping nut with a counterbore, a circular aperture in the support, an annular centering guide movable in an axial direction within the counterbore of the clamping nut such that when the annular centering guide is extended axially beyond the clamping nut, its outside diameter is closely received within the circular aperture in the support and when the centering guide is retracted within the clamping nut, no effective restraint exists between the centering guide and the support.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as connected forth in claim 33 wherein said centering guide is connencted by pins, which project through axial slots in the clamping nut, to a sleeve surrounding the clamping nut, such that rotation of the sleeve produces rotation of the clamping nut and centering guide, and sliding movement of the sleeve produces a sliding movement of the centering guide relative to the nut.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 32 wherein said means to selectively establish one particular location of said spaced member relative to said support includes a knob with a threaded bore, one end of the knob being flat and perpendicular to the axis of the threaded bore for clamping the member in a range of positions relative to the support, and with the other end shaped for positive seating of the member at one particular location relative to the support.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 31 wherein each said spaced member includes a pin offset from the central axis of the spaced member, which is received by an elongated slot in the said support such that rotational movement of the spaced member relative to the support is limited.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 31 wherein said support has two arms, said two spaced members are each adjustably secured to a different one of said arms, and each receptacle includes an elongated aperture that receives and guides movement of one of said spaced members.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 37 wherein said spaced members are ball pivots, and said apertures are located with one portion of each defining a pivot axis for rotational movement of said support relative to said stand, each aperture extending from said axis in a generally common direction with the other aperture, and said structure further including means to retain said ball pivots at said pivot axis.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 38 wherein said receptacles are movable relative to said stand to change the direction at which said apertures extend from the axis.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
119 words
A dental articulator comprising a stand, two supports for dental casts carried by said stand in generally opposed relationship, means connecting at least one of said supports to the stand for relative pivotal movement, a stop member extending between said two supports to limit the proximity of the supports to one another, said stop member including means to adjust the effective length of the stop member between the two supports, means to releasably secure the stop members to one of said supports for removal without changing the effective length, two concentric relatively movable parts one of which is pin-like and movable longitudinally relatively to the other, and spring pretension means yieldably retaining said movable parts in longitudinally adjusted positions.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
119 words
A dental articulator comprising a stand, two supports for dental casts carried by said stand in generally opposed relationship, means connecting at least one of said supports to the stand for relative pivotal movement, a stop member extending between said two supports to limit the proximity of the supports to one another, said stop member including means to adjust the effective length of the stop member between the two supports, means to releasably secure the stop members to one of said supports for removal without changing the effective length, two concentric relatively movable parts one of which is pin-like and movable longitudinally relatively to the other, and spring pretension means yieldably retaining said movable parts in longitudinally adjusted positions.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
165 words
A dental articulator comprising a stand having a primary base portion and a frame portion extending therefrom, said frame portion forming a secondary base portion with said primary base portion oriented at approximately 90* to the primary base portion, two dental arch cast support elements secured to said frame portion in generally opposed relationship, at least one of which is pivotally secured to said frame portion, said elements being positionable horizontally when said stand is supported with its primary base portion horizontal and vertically when said stand is supported with its secondary base portion horizontal, a receptacle secured to each of said support elements in opposed relationship for use in securing dental arch casts to said elements, said receptacles each including a side portion extending in a direction from the associated support element toward the other and forming a peripheral receiving surface for a dental arch cast, and an opening in the side portion located to face upward when said secondary base portion is horizontal.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
165 words
A dental articulator comprising a stand having a primary base portion and a frame portion extending therefrom, said frame portion forming a secondary base portion with said primary base portion oriented at approximately 90* to the primary base portion, two dental arch cast support elements secured to said frame portion in generally opposed relationship, at least one of which is pivotally secured to said frame portion, said elements being positionable horizontally when said stand is supported with its primary base portion horizontal and vertically when said stand is supported with its secondary base portion horizontal, a receptacle secured to each of said support elements in opposed relationship for use in securing dental arch casts to said elements, said receptacles each including a side portion extending in a direction from the associated support element toward the other and forming a peripheral receiving surface for a dental arch cast, and an opening in the side portion located to face upward when said secondary base portion is horizontal.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
15 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 41 wherein said side portion is deformable.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 42 wherein said side portion is resilient.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
A dental articulator as set forth in claim 41 wherein said side portion is a foamed sponge-like resilient material.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
48 words
A device for securing a dental arch cast to a support member of an articulator, comprising a base and a readily deformable wall secured to said base, extending therefrom along a path defining a concave shape and with a distal surface adapted to receive a dental arch cast.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
48 words
A device for securing a dental arch cast to a support member of an articulator, comprising a base and a readily deformable wall secured to said base, extending therefrom along a path defining a concave shape and with a distal surface adapted to receive a dental arch cast.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as set forth in claim 45 wherein said wall is resilient.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
66 words
A device for yieldably supporting a dental arch cast and constraining a hardenable material in contact with the arch cast, comprising a compressibly yieldable and resilient barrier means capable of temporarily supporting a dental arch cast and retaining a flowable hardenable material, shaped to form a receptacle for flowable hardenable material and having an opening in the barrier means through which said material can be introduced.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
66 words
A device for yieldably supporting a dental arch cast and constraining a hardenable material in contact with the arch cast, comprising a compressibly yieldable and resilient barrier means capable of temporarily supporting a dental arch cast and retaining a flowable hardenable material, shaped to form a receptacle for flowable hardenable material and having an opening in the barrier means through which said material can be introduced.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as set forth in claim 47 wherein said barrier means is formed of sponge-like material.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
39 words
In combination, a dental articulator with two dental arch support members in generally opposed relatively pivotable, relationship and soft, resilient, positioning members carried by said support members for supporting and resiliently urging dental arches into opposed interengagement during mounting.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
39 words
In combination, a dental articulator with two dental arch support members in generally opposed relatively pivotable, relationship and soft, resilient, positioning members carried by said support members for supporting and resiliently urging dental arches into opposed interengagement during mounting.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
125 words
A dental articulator comprising a base, two supports carried by said base, each adapted to support a dental arch cast, means securing one of said supports to the base for relative pivotal movement, a plate carried by one of said supports, means securing the plate to the carrying support for relative movement in the plane of said plate, guide means to limit the movement in said plane to a straight path in a direction perpendicular to a plane containing the pivot axis of said pivotally secured support, positive drive means to provide controlled movement of said plate along said path, and a spring bias acting perpendicularly to and between said plate and carrying support to yieldably maintain position of said plate relative to said support.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
125 words
A dental articulator comprising a base, two supports carried by said base, each adapted to support a dental arch cast, means securing one of said supports to the base for relative pivotal movement, a plate carried by one of said supports, means securing the plate to the carrying support for relative movement in the plane of said plate, guide means to limit the movement in said plane to a straight path in a direction perpendicular to a plane containing the pivot axis of said pivotally secured support, positive drive means to provide controlled movement of said plate along said path, and a spring bias acting perpendicularly to and between said plate and carrying support to yieldably maintain position of said plate relative to said support.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
114 words
An articulator comprising a support, a member carried by said support, cooperative connecting means on said member and the support at two locations to permit articulation between the member and the support, and adjustable biasing means to urge the member and support in the direction of articulated movement, said adjustable biasing means including a tension wheel rotatably supported on a shaft of the support, a tension spring secured between the tension wheel and the member, and a stop pin extending radially through the wheel and movable to selectively engage in one of a number of apertures in the shaft to control the rotational position of the wheel and hence the tension of the spring.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
114 words
An articulator comprising a support, a member carried by said support, cooperative connecting means on said member and the support at two locations to permit articulation between the member and the support, and adjustable biasing means to urge the member and support in the direction of articulated movement, said adjustable biasing means including a tension wheel rotatably supported on a shaft of the support, a tension spring secured between the tension wheel and the member, and a stop pin extending radially through the wheel and movable to selectively engage in one of a number of apertures in the shaft to control the rotational position of the wheel and hence the tension of the spring.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
83 words
An articulator comprising a support, a member carried by said support, a shaft on the support movable axially, cooperative connective means on said member and the support carried at two locations on the shaft and constructed to permit articulation between the member and the support, and means to laterally shift the shaft relative to the support, including two screws movable in threaded bores, of the support inclined toward one another and acting on and substantially perpendicularly to generally opposed surfaces on said shaft.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
83 words
An articulator comprising a support, a member carried by said support, a shaft on the support movable axially, cooperative connective means on said member and the support carried at two locations on the shaft and constructed to permit articulation between the member and the support, and means to laterally shift the shaft relative to the support, including two screws movable in threaded bores, of the support inclined toward one another and acting on and substantially perpendicularly to generally opposed surfaces on said shaft.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |