US223157A - Improvement in dental a regulators - Google Patents

Description

J. B. MQPHERSON. Dental Articulator.

No. 223,157. Patented Dec. 30,1879.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEroE.

JAMES B. MGPHERSON, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN DENTAL ARTICULATORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 223,157, dated December 30, 1879; application filed November 6, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, JAMES B. IVICPHERSON, of the city of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain Improvements in Dental Articulators, of which the following is a specification; and I do hereby declare that in the same is contained a full, clear, and exact description of my said invention,reterence being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The first part of my said invention has reference to certain improvements in means for securing the models which represent the jaws of the patient to the model-holders, forming a part of the articulator; the object of this part of the said invention being to furnish such clamping devices for securing the models as will not perforate the same or interfere with the fitting of the teeth thereto, while at the same time admitting of the models being easily adjusted to and removed from the holders, and to dispense with plaster as a fastening material.

The second part of my said invention has reference to certain improvements in the construction of the articulator, as will hereinafter fully appear.

In the further description of my said invention which follows, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and in which Figure I is an exterior side view of my improved dental articulator and an upper-jaw model, which is secured thereto. Fig. II is an exterior view of the same from the reverse side thereof. Fig. III is a view of the under side of the device. Fig. IV illustrates a modified construction of the clamping device hereinbefore alluded to.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in all the views.

In the said drawings, A is a block, to which the model'holders B B are hinged. The modelholders consist of open plates conforming somewhat to the shape of the mouth, and they are provided with clamps for holding the models, one of which models is shown and represented by b.

The clamps, as preferably constructed, consist of one or more fixed sharpened projections,

jections by means of a screw and nut, c and f.

Another construction of the clamp is illustrated in Fig. IV, and in this the adjustment is effected mainly by dividing the model-holder into two parts-a fixed and a movable oneand providing the said parts or sections with projections, which are brought in contact with the model and secured thereat. This fastening of the model to its holder by means of a clamp instead of by plaster, as is usually done, obviates the danger of breaking the model in its removal from the holder, such breakage being caused bya too firm adhesion of the model to the plaster connecting it to the holder. It also ofi'ers a more cleanly method of securing the model to the holder; and the addition of the clamps adds practically nothing to the cost of the articulator.

O U are set-screws, which are used when it is necessary to prevent movement of either model-holder independently of the block A. D is an adjustable stop to limit the closing of the model-holders when the teeth are being fitted to the plate.

I am aware that a patent was granted April 30, 1840, to J. Cameron for dental articulators, in which the model is held to its holder by means of a T-head bolt, which passes entirely through the model, the same being slotted for the purpose and recessed to fit the bolt-head. This manner of securing the model is not, however, applicable to the wants of dentists at the present time, when artificial teeth are held in the month by means of suction-plates, as the plate could not be formed on the model without being perforated, which would render it worthless. Even in cases where suction'plates are not used to secure the teeth the slotting or perforating of the model is objectionable, as the model is thereby weakened, and therefore liable to be broken either in the process of fitting the head of the bolt in the slot or in some subsequent manipulation of the model.

In myinvention, as described, the fastening devices are situated exteriorly of the model, and do not come in contact with the plate or teeth, as the same are fitted to the model.

In view of the above-named patent I do not claim, broadly,a fastening device for securing the model to its holder; but

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a dental articulator, the model-holders thereof, provided with adjustable clamps or holding devices located in such position with reference to the said model-holders as to clamp the models exteriorly of the parts thereof to which the plate or teeth-base is applied, substantially as herein specified.

2. The block A and model-holders B B, in

combination with the adjustable stops D, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

3. The model-holder B, pror ided with the set-screws 0, whereby the said modeLholders may be secured to the block A, and independent movement ot'same prevented, substantially as herein described.

JAMES B. MGPHERSON.

Witnesses:

HARRY V. ALBAUGH, JNo. T. MADDOX.

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