Dentistry – Apparatus – Work support
Patent
1987-06-16
1989-04-04
Jones, Larry
Dentistry
Apparatus
Work support
433 55, 433 57, 433 58, A61C 1100
Patent
active
048182281
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns an occlusion simulator for dental prostheses reproducing the mandible motions.
2. Prior Art
Presently, prosthodontists use simple hinged occlusion systems, allowing vertical motion, in some cases supplemented by a diduction motion transmitted by the model reproducing the upper maxillary. The propulsion motion is reproduced as well by forward motion of the upper model through relatively complicated mechanisms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The occlusion simulator according to this invention is designed to overcome these drawbacks as it allows the various mandible motions to be reproduced simply and fully and the models, reproducing the mouth of the patient, are made integral with the occlusion system by screws integral with its branches.
This occlusion simulator mainly consists of two forks, representing the maxillary and the mandible respectively, connected via the fork-holder to each end of a small articulation rod.
The upper fork-holder is connected to the small rod via a longitudinal articulation pin, whereas the lower fork-holder is connected to it by a ball-joint with limited excursion.
The lower fork-holder includes two stacked rectangular parts, each of which includes a hemispherical recess on its contact surface, located opposite one another to form a spherical cavity which accommodates the ball-joint of the articulation small rod, after passage of its stem through a cylindrical opening in the upper part of the lower fork-holder, in the axis of the hemispherical recess in the rear face of this part. The stem of the small rod is undercut over a certain length above the ball-joint to a diameter determined according to the maximum permissible excursion of the lower fork-holder with respect to the small rod.
The lower fork-holder is continuously loaded, in the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the assembly, by two side plates assembled on either side of the upper fork-holder and pistons carried by the lower fork-holder, loaded by springs against a spot facing on the inside surface of the guide plates on the lower part of them.
In a preferential embodiment, the piston return springs are helicoidal springs, one of whose ends is housed in a blind hole drilled in the side of the lower fork-holder and whose other end is supported behind the collar forming the piston head. The piston rods are slightly longer than the width of the clearance on either side of the lower fork-holder, between the fork-holder and the guide plates, to allow the piston heads to be maintained in contact with the spot facing in the side plates, whatever the lateral angle of inclination of the lower fork-holder.
The spacing of the two stacked parts forming the lower fork-holder is adjustable by springs tending to keep the two parts separated and knurled screws limiting the excursion of the springs, which are mounted in blind holes drilled opposite each of the contact faces of the stacked parts forming the lower fork-holder.
The longitudinal excursion of the lower fork-holder with respect to the upper fork-holder is limited at the rear by the heel of the lower fork and the front edge of the side plate flasks, and at the front by stopping of the pistons against the edge of the spot facing against which bear the transverse return pistons of the lower fork-holder.
The upper fork is temporarily assembled with the corresponding fork-holder by a snap-lock system consisting of two grooves pins integral with the fork, two cylindrical cavities drilled in the front face of the fork-holder and two spring-loaded balls, each mounted in a duct located perpendicular to the cylindrical cavities in the plane corresponding to the position of the pin grooves.
The lower fork is assembled by screws to the upper part of the lower fork-holder via a heel, but could easily be attached to the lower fork-holder by a snap-lock system similar to that used to attach the upper fork to its fork-holder.
The models reproducing the patient's mouth are temporarily installed on the forks by knurle
REFERENCES:
patent: 2119579 (1938-06-01), Hagman et al.
patent: 2430525 (1947-11-01), Miller
patent: 2621407 (1952-12-01), Schlesinger
patent: 2748481 (1956-06-01), Glueck
patent: 3593424 (1971-07-01), Lee
patent: 3832777 (1974-09-01), Tinder
patent: 4103424 (1978-08-01), Benjamin et al.
patent: 4417873 (1983-11-01), Kulas
LandOfFree
Occlusion simulator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Occlusion simulator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Occlusion simulator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-177228