X-ray examination apparatus

Claim 2

An X-ray examination apparatus, comprising a column extending in a given direction parallel to the force of gravity, an arm connected to said column and rotatable about a horizontal axis relative to gravity and to which arm there is coupled a carrier which supports at a first end an X-ray source and at a second end an X-ray detector which is arranged opposite the X-ray source, the combination therewith comprising means for rotatably securing the arm to said column for rotation about said horizontal axis and about a second axis rotatable about the horizontal axis, said axes being orthogonal and intersecting, said horizontal axis being normal to said given direction, said means for securing rotatably including a second means for rotatably securing the carrier to said arm for rotation about a further axis which extends parallel to the axis of rotation and spaced from said intersecting axes.

Claim 3

An X-ray examination apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a counterweight secured to the arm at one side such that the arm, the carrier, the X-ray source, the X-ray detector and the counterweight have a common center of gravity substantially coincident with the point of intersection of the intersecting axes.

Claim 4

An X-ray examination apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the carrier is C-shaped, said apparatus including a shoe secured to the carrier and arm such that the carrier is displaceable along a circular path via said shoe.

Claim 5

The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the intersection of said axes is at said column.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for securing the arm to the column comprises a spindle secured to the column for rotation about said horizontal axis and means for securing the arm to the spindle for rotation about the second axis.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said arm comprises an elongated member including a leg extending at an angle from the member, said leg including said means for securing the arm to the spindle.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said source and detector define a central X-ray beam axis, said carrier being C-shaped with said beam axis adjacent to the end regions of said carrier, said carrier being rotatably secured to said arm at a region spaced from said spindle, said arm and carrier being dimensioned so that said beam axis intersects said horizontal axis.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7 further including counterweight means secured to said arm at an arm region distal the region of the arm to which said carrier is secured for placing the center of gravity of the arm, carrier, source and detector substantially at the intersection of said intersecting horizontal and second axes.

Claim 10

An X-ray examination apparatus comprising: a support; an arm; first means rotatably secured to said support for rotation about a first axis horizontal relative to the force of gravity; second means for rotatably securing the arm to said first means for rotation about a second axis normal to and intersecting said first axis; and a carrier having first and second spaced ends, said carrier being secured to the arm for supporting at the first carrier end an X-ray source and at the second carrier end an X-ray detector opposite the X-ray source and third means for rotatably securing the carrier to said arm for rotation about a third axis parallel to and spaced from the second axis.

Claim 11

An X-ray examination apparatus comprising: a support; an arm; first means rotatably secured to said support for rotation about a first axis horizontal relative to the force of gravity; second means for rotatably securing the arm to said first means for rotation about a second axis normal to and intersecting said first axis; and a carrier having first and second spaced ends, said carrier being secured to the arm for supporting at the first carrier end an X-ray source and at the second carrier end an X-ray detector opposite the X-ray source and third means for rotatably securing the carrier to said arm for rotation about a third axis parallel to and spaced from the second axis.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said detector and source define an X-ray beam fourth axis, said fourth axis being normal to said third axis.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said third and fourth axes are at a region spaced from the intersection of said second and third axes.

Claim 14

An X-ray examination apparatus, comprising a column extending in a given direction parallel to the force of gravity, an arm connected to said column and rotatable about a horizontal axis relative to gravity and to which arm there is coupled a carrier which supports at a first end an X-ray source and at a second end an X-ray detector which is arranged opposite the X-ray source, the combination therewith comprising means for rotatably securing the arm to said column for rotation about said horizontal axis and about a second axis rotatable about the horizontal axis, said axes being orthogonal and intersecting, said horizontal axis being normal to said given direction, and a counterweight secured to the arm at one side, the arm, the carrier, the X-ray source, the X-ray detector and the counterweight having a common center of gravity substantially coincident with the point of intersection of the intersecting axes.

Claim 15

An X-ray examination apparatus, comprising a column extending in a given direction parallel to the force of gravity, an arm connected to said column and rotatable about a horizontal axis relative to gravity and to which arm there is coupled a carrier which supports at a first end an X-ray source and at a second end an X-ray detector which is arranged opposite the X-ray source, the combination therewith comprising means for rotatably securing the arm to said column for rotation about said horizontal axis and about a second axis rotatable about the horizontal axis, said axes being orthogonal and intersecting, said horizontal axis being normal to said given direction, and a counterweight secured to the arm at one side, the arm, the carrier, the X-ray source, the X-ray detector and the counterweight having a common center of gravity substantially coincident with the point of intersection of the intersecting axes.