Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A gantry apparatus for positively supporting an x-ray device while permitting adjustment of the position of the device with respect to a patient to be examined, comprising: a standard fixed with respect to a mounting structure, and defining a path of movement along a first z-axis; a first carriage means, movable with respect to said standard along said z-axis, and lockable to said standard; a horizontal arm, fixed to said first carriage means and defining a second path of movement along a second x-axis orthogonal to said first z-axis; second carriage means, movable with respect to said standard along said x-axis, and defining a third transverse y-axis of motion orthogonal to said x- and z-axes; a transverse arm, mounted to said second carriage means and extending along said y-axis; a support plate means mounted to said transverse arm for movement along said y-axis and comprising means for supporting the x-ray device; and caging arm means comprising plural caging arms extending from plural points fixed with respect to said mounting structure to said support plate means, said caging arm means being releasably lockable to said support plate means while said support plate means is in a defined home position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A gantry apparatus for positively supporting an x-ray device while permitting adjustment of the position of the device with respect to a patient to be examined, comprising: a standard fixed with respect to a mounting structure, and defining a path of movement along a first z-axis; a first carriage means, movable with respect to said standard along said z-axis, and lockable to said standard; a horizontal arm, fixed to said first carriage means and defining a second path of movement along a second x-axis orthogonal to said first z-axis; second carriage means, movable with respect to said standard along said x-axis, and defining a third transverse y-axis of motion orthogonal to said x- and z-axes; a transverse arm, mounted to said second carriage means and extending along said y-axis; a support plate means mounted to said transverse arm for movement along said y-axis and comprising means for supporting the x-ray device; and caging arm means comprising plural caging arms extending from plural points fixed with respect to said mounting structure to said support plate means, said caging arm means being releasably lockable to said support plate means while said support plate means is in a defined home position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said caging arms extend to said support plate means from said mounting structure in substantially orthogonal directions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said caging arms are hinged to said mounting structure along substantially orthogonal axes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprises a source of x-rays and a detector of fluoresced photons.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said z-axis is vertical, and further comprising means for driving said first carriage means with respect to said standard.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for driving comprises a lead screw driven by a motor fixed with respect to said standard.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second carriage means and said support plate means are each movable along their respective axes of motion between predetermined home and full extension positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said caging arms are lockable to said support plate means only when each of said first and second carriage means and said support plate are in their home positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the movement of at least one of said first and second carriage means and said support plate means along their orthogonal axes is powered, and further comprising means for automatically halting the powered movement thereof at the home and full extension positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for permitting rotation of said support plate means and the transverse arm about said x-axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said x-axis is horizontal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising counter-weight means disposed opposite said support plate means with respect to said x-axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising means for locking said transverse arm against rotation about said x-axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means for permitting rotation of said support plate means about the y-axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for locking said support plate means against rotation about said y-axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for powering the rotation of said support plate means about said y-axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, comprising means for mounting said apparatus to a vehicle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said means for mounting comprises shock-mount means permitting a limited amount of damped motion of said standard with respect to said vehicle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said plural caging arms are attached to said means for mounting by hinges attached to said vehicle by shock-mount means permitting a limited amount of damped motion of said caging arms with respect to said vehicle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
168 words
A gantry apparatus for positively supporting an inspection device while permitting adjustment of the position of the device with respect to an object to be inspected, comprising: a first standard fixed with respect to a mounting structure, and defining a path of movement along a first z-axis; a first carriage means, movable with respect to said first standard along said z-axis; a horizontal arm, fixed to said first carriage means and defining a second path of movement along a second x-axis orthogonal to said z-axis; a second carriage means, movable with respect to said horizontal arm, and defining a third y-axis of motion; a transverse arm, extending along said y-axis; support plate means mounted to said transverse arm for supporting the inspection device; and caging arm means comprising plural arms extending from plural points fixed with respect to said mounting structure to said support plate means, said caging arms being releasably lockable to said support plate means while said support plate means is in a defined home position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
168 words
A gantry apparatus for positively supporting an inspection device while permitting adjustment of the position of the device with respect to an object to be inspected, comprising: a first standard fixed with respect to a mounting structure, and defining a path of movement along a first z-axis; a first carriage means, movable with respect to said first standard along said z-axis; a horizontal arm, fixed to said first carriage means and defining a second path of movement along a second x-axis orthogonal to said z-axis; a second carriage means, movable with respect to said horizontal arm, and defining a third y-axis of motion; a transverse arm, extending along said y-axis; support plate means mounted to said transverse arm for supporting the inspection device; and caging arm means comprising plural arms extending from plural points fixed with respect to said mounting structure to said support plate means, said caging arms being releasably lockable to said support plate means while said support plate means is in a defined home position.