US3936641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Head immobilizing device for panoramic x-ray apparatus
Assignee: KEYSTONE X-RAY Inc
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Filing: 1974-10-21
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Granted: 1976-02-03
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Expires: 1994-10-21
Abstract
Abstract An improved head immobilizing device for use with panoramic x-ray machines is provided. The improvements reside principally in a mechanism for adjusting the level of the chin rest in vertical direction and for securing the same by means of a screw device employing two threads of different pitch. The arms which engage the sides of the patient's head are positioned by movement of horizontal, spaced rods driven by a simplified drive mechanism employing either an H-shaped plate contacting rollers on the rods or a drive member connected to the rods by means of links.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl Heimur
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/04; A61B6/50; A61B6/51; G; G03; G03B; G03B42/00; G03B42/02; G03B42/04; G03B42/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
In a human head immobilizing device for panoramic x-ray apparatus, the combination of a. a pair of horizontally spaced, upright arms movable in horizontal directions, adapted to contact the sides of a patient's head, b. a chin rest disposed between the lower portions of said arms, adapted to receive a patient's chin thereon, c. a housing rigidly supporting said chin rest and also movably supporting said arms, d. an elongated, upright bar carrying said housing and depending downwardly therefrom, and e. improved supporting means engaging a lower portion of said bar and providing vertically adjustable support therefor, said supporting means including f. a gear box, g. a toothed rack extending longitudinally on one side of said upright bar and being slidable through said box in generally vertical direction with said upright bar, h. a pinion rotatable within said gear box engaging said toothed rack to move it in opposite vertical directions, i. knob means outside said gear box and connected to said pinion for manually rotating said pinion, whereby the elevation of said chin rest and said arms is adjustable, and j. a vise operatively associated with said gear box for securing said upright bar in selected vertical positions, comprising first and second movable jaws and a screw cooperatively threaded to said jaws.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
In a human head immobilizing device for panoramic x-ray apparatus, the combination of a. a pair of horizontally spaced, upright arms movable in horizontal directions, adapted to contact the sides of a patient's head, b. a chin rest disposed between the lower portions of said arms, adapted to receive a patient's chin thereon, c. a housing rigidly supporting said chin rest and also movably supporting said arms, d. an elongated, upright bar carrying said housing and depending downwardly therefrom, and e. improved supporting means engaging a lower portion of said bar and providing vertically adjustable support therefor, said supporting means including f. a gear box, g. a toothed rack extending longitudinally on one side of said upright bar and being slidable through said box in generally vertical direction with said upright bar, h. a pinion rotatable within said gear box engaging said toothed rack to move it in opposite vertical directions, i. knob means outside said gear box and connected to said pinion for manually rotating said pinion, whereby the elevation of said chin rest and said arms is adjustable, and j. a vise operatively associated with said gear box for securing said upright bar in selected vertical positions, comprising first and second movable jaws and a screw cooperatively threaded to said jaws.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said screw has first and second portions threaded independently of one another to said first and second movable jaws, respectively, and wherein the threads of said first and second portions of said screw are coiled in the same direction but are of substantially different pitch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said screw extends horizontally in said gear box and projects from one side thereof, being further provided with a handle for rotating said screw to tighten or loosen the grip of said vise on said upright bar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said upright bar is of polygonal cross-section, and said gear box and said vise jaws define a vertical passageway of corresponding cross-sectional shape for said upright bar in said gear box, whereby angular movement of said vertical bar about its longitudinal axis is resisted by said passageway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said housing is provided with a pair of closely spaced, generally parallel rods, each having one end portion connected to the respective arms in rigid driving relationship on opposite sides of said housing, said rods being supported by said housing for horizontal sliding movement relative thereto, and drive means carried by said housing and engageable with said rods for driving said rods in opposite horizontal directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 5 further including a cam follower pivotally mounted on each of said rods.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said drive means comprises a generally H-shaped plate provided by a plate having a pair of generally rectangular notches formed therein, which notches receive the respective cam followers in driving relationship therewith, and said plate being mounted in said housing for rotation about a generally vertical axis passing between said notches, and means connected to said plate for manually rotating said plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said drive means comprises a horizontally disposed member mounted within said housing for rotation about a generally vertical axis, and means pivotally linking said cam followers to said member on opposite sides of the rotational axis of said member to provide a driving relationship between said member and said rods, and means connected to said member for manually rotating said member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device of claim 6 further including a locking screw cooperatively threaded to said housing, for movement inwardly of said housing into engagement with at least one of said rods for locking the upright arms in selected position, and for movement outwardly of said housing for disengagement with said one of said rods for unlocking the upright arms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device of claim 6 further including indicia on said housing corresponding to the angular position of said drive means to indicate the horizontal distance between said upright arms, and indicia on said upright bar corresponding at said gear box to the elevation of said chin rest.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2032833A
Cited
US3099441A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-02 | 1979-08-04 | 1980-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-02 | 1983-08-04 | 1984-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-02 | 1987-08-04 | 1988-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |