US2474488A

US2474488A - Dental articulator

Info

Publication number: US2474488A
Application number: US680701A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wayne W Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-07-01
Filing date: 1946-07-01
Publication date: 1949-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 1966-06-28

Description

June 28,'1949. w. w. MOORE DENTAL ARTI CULATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 1, 1946 .,ae'rfwfe 2g Ry@ y 3a 40 .f3 j' wf June 2s, 1949. w. w. MQORE 2,474,488

' DENTAL ARTICULATOR l Filed July 1, 194e 2 `sheets-sheety 2 Patented vJune 28, 1949 -UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in dental articulators.

It is an object of my invention to provide a dental articulator which is of simple, inexpensive, and sturdy construction, and which yet provides for ascertaining whether a, denture, either complete or partial, or complete or partial upper and lower dentures, are in proper alignment with respect to a model or models of remaining natural teeth or of the dentures with respect to each other, respectively, and for simulating the movement of teeth in mastication. More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide lower and upper denture supporting members arranged in spaced apart relation with the upper member surmounting the lower member, with means being provided for pivotally mounting the members together adjacent their rearward ends, and with means being provided for normally maintaining the pivoted relationship of these members, which latter means is yieldable to enable relative general lateral movement, simulating the movement of mastication, of the members with respect to each other. Still more specifically, it is an object to provide in a device as aforesaid adjustable means for limiting pivotal movement of the upper denture supporting member toward the lower denture supporting member. f

A preferred structural feature of my invention resides in the provision of a lower denture supporting member comprising an integral supporting means at the rearward end thereof having a pair of spaced upstanding arms connected adjacent their upper ends by a transversely extending frame member, and in which the upper ends of the arms are slotted to receive pin means at the rearward end of the upper denture supportingV member to provide a pivotal mounting thereof.

A further preferred feature resides in the provision of spring loaded jaw members adapted to be pivotally supported on the frame member of the lower denture supporting member for normally yieldingly engaging the upper denture supporting member to maintain the pin means of the latter in the slots of the lower denture supporting member, and which jaw members provide for general relative lateral movement of the upper and lower members with respect to each other.

Afurther preferred feature resides in the provision in a device as aforesaid of screw means 2 threaded in the frame member of the supporting means of the lower denture supporting member adapted to engage a rearwardly extending tongue of the upper denture supporting member for adjusting the limit of its pivotal movement toward the lower denture supporting member.

A further preferred feature is in providing in a device as aforesaid a cored chamber in the frame member' of the lower denture supporting member in which the spring loaded jaws are pivotally mounted, and between which the aforesaid screw means extends through the chamber, there being a sleeve disposed about the screw means in the chamber about which a coil spring is positioned with the opposite ends of the coil spring engaging the jaws to provide the spring loading thereof.

A still further preferred feature is in the provision of a construction in which the spring loaded jaws are of identical form, facilitating the making thereof and their assembly in the device'.

Other objects, features, and advantages of my invention will appear from the detail description.

Now in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and utilizing a device in accordance with my invention, I shall describe in connection with the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my invention,

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a device constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a right hand end view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is 'a detail vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, with certain of the parts being shown in elevation;

Figur-e4 is a plan view of the device of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the upper denture supporting member of the device of Figures l, 2-

and 4; and

Figure 6 is a plan view of'the device of Figures l and 2 illustrating lthe position of the upper dental supporting member shifted generally laterally in one direction relative to the lower denture supporting member to simulate the action of mastication.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that I have provided a dental articulator comprising a lower denture supporting member 1 and an upper denture supporting member 8 spaced from and surmounting the lower denture supporting member 1. The members 'l and 8 are adapted to support lower and upper dentures E! and lll, respectively, in the position they would assume in a patients mouth. The members 7 and 8, as more clearly shown in Figures 4 through 6, are formed with a plurality of openings Il to provide a plurality of ribs and narrow marginal edges therein which lare adapted to be embedded in suitable jaw molding material l2 such as plaster of Paris, for mounting the dentures 9 and I0 upon the denture supporting members.

It will be understood that while IlhaveshownA complete 'upper and lower dentures mounted inv the device that the upper and lower frames may provide for the support of partial dentures on a model or models of the remaining natural teeth of a patient, the word denture as herein used should be construed in this sense.

It will be observed that a supporting means f3v is formed integrally with the lower/denture Suipporting member 1 and it comprises a ,pair of which slots e'xterid 'generally orward-ly and slightly downwardly as' best'snown in Figures 1` all'ld 3.

The upperv denturesupporting 'member 8 adjacent its 'rearward-end is Y'foir'r'I- ed 'with an 'inte'- gra'l substantiailyeylindricar end 'portion 22 having laterally -extendiii'gfcylfindrical 'end extensions 2-3--23 in 'whichft'he pivot pins 2?4 f 22| are secured. A tongue 2'5"; Yalso preferably Yintegral `with the upper denture 'supporting member "B, extends rearwardly "theref terminaitin Abelow the :chamber IT when the pivot pins-'32 -"24" are disposed in slots '2`0--2`` in the ears Zit-121; 'The outer e'nds of `the :cylindrical 'extensions )I3-23 are roundedasshownat {to prov-ideffor slight rocking movement with th'e 'adjacent ins'ide surfaces of ears 2|-2| in the general lateral movement of the denture supporting menleis asreferr'ed t'o Amore in Ldetailhrinafter;

mounted ii @handber- I 1"fbout 'vertically extending pivot pins 28-28, the upper and lower lends of which "aire suitably fsecliredriii the upper 'and disposed in il 1 "i'reitweenl the upper and lower walls thereof and through which the threedeuv *snai-rk rof'screw 129 `ferr-tends. The lower ef'n'dv` of screw :2911sroundeduand'fengagesithe.rearwaruly extending "tongue- L:425' 'or the 4upper .center-e' supportingimeiuber'to adjust .the iiinitiroff 'pivoter movement of the :latter acuut the y:pivot pins 24-24 in slots 20-20 toward the :lowerfienture supporting linemor. A 'coil spring it 2 iis 'disposed about the upper shank portion of the screw 29 between washers 33-33 adjacent the knurled upper end 30 and the upper surface of the upper wall S8 dening chamber I6 to prevent accidental turning of screw 29.

A coil spring 35 is arranged coaxially of sleeve 3l and the upper and lower free ends thereof are extended to engage in slots 31--31 formed in the inside surfaces of the jaws rearwardly of the pivotal mountings thereof to normally bias the jaw members about their pivots to engage the arcuate forward ends 38-38 of the jaws with the cylindrical extensions 23-23 of the lower denture supporting member 8 to yieldingly retain the pivot pins l24---24of the latter in slots llill-23. Thejaw members -21-2'12at itheirrrearward ends are formed with finger grip portions -40 which when grasped and urged toward each other swing the forwardly extending ends of the jaws away yfrom the cylindrical extensions 23--23 against the face of coil spring 35 whereupon the upper denture supporting member may be readily disasserrrbleizlv l'from 'the lower denture supporting member. It is to beobserved that the jaw members '2l are of identical construction with the grooves 3l formed therein either being disposed upwardly or downwardly when assembled'onthe pivot `pins therefor in the ch'ainberlifor reception 'of the upper vand lower extensions of .coil spring 3'5, respectively.

in Figures l, 3 '4' andt 'it lwill "be 'observed'that' the upper edges of *tne'transverse kTra-me member I5y adjacent their junction `witi`1"the opstanding extending generally rearwardly 'and lslightly .up-

' wardly of the lower edges of 'slots20`-20.

tis `believed :it willbeappalrentwth the construction vabove 4described that ythe 'spring' loaded jaw members 2?-'21 normally maintain the pivot' pins Z'-Mof't'he'upper yd'entizrre.supporting mem'- ber 8 A'in the 'slots 20L-2U 'of the lower denture supporting member'l 'for pivotal ymovement of the upper Vmember -8 'about the horizontal Laxis of the pivot 2li-'24 with the Apivotal movement or the upper member :8 being Vlirrted 'by engagement' ofthe 4tongue '25 thereof withthe bottom semisphe'rical end of `the screw"2'9; With the parts in 'this position "the spring loaded 'jaw members 21--21 permit general vlateral movement of the' upper 'and ylower 'denture supporting members with resp-ect r:to 'each pther, as shown in Figure 6, andduring whichiateralmovement the p'ivo'tpins'- 2'4-f24 in following Vthe-cam surfaces H -41 "simulate the movements of the human jaws in mastic'ation. The rounded 4'ends '2'6-26 o'f lthepylindrical extensions 'Q3-#23 mainte/into la minimumr frictional engagement with `the adjacent iinsidek surfaces of ears r2 I/-"2 |`l and facilitate "the lateral' movementv -of Ethe lupper 'and 'lower Adenture supporting members `lwith vrespect to `each other. yFor' convenien'ceein handling the device, I-'gpreferably provide *the outer edges "ofthe upstanding arms porting member adapted to be spaced from and surmount said lower denture supporting member, said lower member having integral upstanding supporting means at the rearward end thereof provided with generally forwardly extending slots, pivot pin means on said upper member lying slots, said jaws being bifurcated at their forward.r

ends engaging said upper member and provided with lhandle portions at their opposite ends for individually or simultaneously retracting said Jaws.

2. A dental articulator comprising, a lower denture supporting member, an upper denture supporting member adapted to be spaced from and surmount said lower denture supporting member, said lower member having integral upstanding supporting means at the rearward end thereof provided with generally forwardly extending slots, pivot pin means on said upper member lying on an axis extending transversely of the rearward end of the latter and adapted to be disposed in said slots, a pair of spring loaded jaws individually pivotally mounted on said supporting means rearwardly of said slots and normally biased into engagement with said upper member to maintain normally said pivot pin means in said slots, said upper member having a rearwardly extending tongue, and adjustable screw means carried by said supporting means for engaging said tongue of said upper member for limiting pivotal movement of the latter toward said lower member, said jaws being bifurcated at their forward en-ds engaging said upper member and provided with handle portions at their opposite ends for individually or simultaneously retracting said jaws.

3. A dental articulator comprising, a lower denture supporting member, an upper denture supporting member adapted to be spaced from and surmount said lower denture supporting member, said lower member having integral supporting means at the rearward end thereof comprising a pair of spaced upstanding arms connected together adjacent their upper rearward portions by a transversely extending frame member, said arms at their upper ends each having a generally .forwardly extending slot, pivot pin means on said upper member lying on an axis extending transversely of the rearward end of the latter and adapted to be disposed in the slots of said arms, a pair of jaws individually pivotally mounted on said frame member between said arms, spring means for normally biasing said jaws into engagement with said upper member to retain yieldingly said pivot pin means in said slots, saidA jaws being bifurcated at their forward ends engaging said upper member and provided with handle portions at their opposite ends for individually or simultaneously retracting said jaws, said upper member having a rearwardly extending tongue, and screw means carried by said frame member intermediate the pivotal mountings of said jaws for engaging said tongue.

4. A dental articulator comprising, a lower denture supporting member, an upper denture supporting member ad-apted to be spaced from and surmount said lower denture supporting member, said lower member having integral supporting means at the rearward end thereof com- 6 prising a pair of spaced upstanding arms connected together adjacent their upper rearward portions by a transversely extending frame member, said arms at their upper ends each having a `generally forwardly extending slot, pivot pin means on said upper member lying -on an axis extending transversely of the rearward end of the latter and adapted to be disposed in the slots of said arms, said frame member having a chamber formed therein, a pair of jaw members pivot-ed intermediate their ends in said chamber about pivot pins extending vertically through said chamber, said jaw members being formed lat their forward ends with portions for engaging said upper member and at their rearward ends with linger grip portions for individually or simultaneously retracting said forward end, said upper member having a rearwardly extending tongue underlying the chamber of said frame member; a screw threaded in said frame member and extending through the chamber thereof between the pivot pins for said jaw members for engaging said tongue of said upper member, a sleeve coaxial of said screw and disposed in said chamber, and a coil spring coaxial of said sleeve and having its opposite ends in engagement with said jaw members for normally urging the forward portions thereof into engagement with said upper member.

5. A dental articulator com-prising, a lower denture supporting member, an upper denture supporting member adapted to be spacedfrom and surmount said lower denture supporting member, said lower member having integral supporting means at the rearward end thereof comprising a pair of spaced upstanding arms ccnnected together adjacent their upper rearward portions by a transversely extending frame member, said arms at their upper ends each having a generally forwardly extending slo-t, cam surfaces extending rearwardly and upwardly from the lower edges of said slots, pivot pins on said upper member projecting laterally from the sides thereof on an axis extending transversely of the rearward end of said Lipper member and ladapted to be disposed in the slots of said arms, a pair of jaws individually pivotally mounted yon said frame member between said arms and individually or simultaneously retractable, and spring means for normally biasing said jaws into engagement with said upper member to retain normally said 'pivot pins of said upper member in said slots, said upper and lower members being movable generally laterally with respect to each f other with the pivot pins in engagement with said cam surfaces and against the force of ysaid spring.

6. A dent-al articulator comprising, a lower denture supporting member, an upper `denture supporting member adapted to be spaced from and surmount said lower denture supporting member, said lower member having integral supporting means at the rearward end thereof comprising a pair of spaced upstanding arms connected together adjacent their upper rearward portions by a transversely extendding frame member, said arms at their upper ends each having a generally forwardly extending slot, cam surfaces extending rearwardly and upwardly from the lower edges of said slots, pivot pins on said upper member projecting laterally from the sides thereof on an axis extending transversely of the rearward end of said upper member and adapted to be disposed in the slots of said arms, a pair 4of jaws individually pivotally mounted on said frame members between said arms and individually or 7 .simultaneously retractable, spring means for normally `biasing -said jaws .into .engagement with ,said upper-inemberto retain normally said. pivot pinsof said uppermember in said slots, said upper and lower members being movable generally laterally with respect. to .each other rwith the. pivot 'pins in engagement with psaid camsurfaces and against'the florcefof said spring means, said up- .per `member having ,a rearwardly extending tongue, fand adjustable rscrew vmeans carried vby sa-dirame forengagingsaid tongue of said up- .fper member for limiting pivotal movement of the latter toward said lowermember.

.'7. A dental `articulator comprising, a lower1 denture `supporting member, an upper denture be-disposeddn the slots-of said arms, a cored chamber in said frame member forming forwardvl1y .and rearwardly thereof, a pair of jaw members individually `pivoted intermediate theirends in :said chamber about pivot pins extending vertically ytheretlfirouglfi and projecting through the .forwardlandrearward openings thereof, said jaw members .being 4formed at ftheir forward ends with portions forengaging Asaid upper member .and at their rearward ends vwith nger grip por- .tions v for individuallyY orL simultaneously retracting said jaw-members against the action of .a #Spring means tending to force their forward ends into engagement .withsaid upper mem-ber, said upper memberhaving a rearwardly extending .tongue underlying the chamber of said frame member, a screw vertically threadedin said frame member extending through the vchamber :thereof betweenv the pivot pins for said jaw members for engaging said tongue .of said upper member, "a sleeve coaxial of said .screw .and disposed in said chamber, anda coil springcoaxial of said sleeve and having its opposite `endsin engagement with said jaw members for normally urging the 4fori8 yiwardportions of the, latterinto engagementv with said'upper-member. y 4'-8. Means forlyieldingly:maintaining-upperland lower denture supporting members of a dental articulator in pivotal relation Vabout pivot means Yprovided therebetween.comprising, :a pair of jaw 4members individually pivotally mounted intermediate theirendsonspaced .pivot pins supported .by said l-owermember, said jaw members having Iportions at rone ofltheendsthereof for engaging vfsaidupper member and nger'lgripportions lat l their otherends :for lindividually or lsimultaneous- `lyretractingsaidfjaw-members `from engagement with said upper member, :and a coil Ispringzsup- Ported by said-lowermember between said jaws lwith-.the opposite Aends of the-coil spring irrengagement .with saidjawmembers and normally biasing the latter to engage the said one ends thereof into engagement `with said upper'member.

9. KMeans .for-yieldingly maintaining upper and lower `denture supportingmembers of a-.dental l.artieulator in pivotal relation aboutpivot means provided therebetween comprising, a pairfotjaw .members pivotally mounted .intermediate their ends on-.spacedpivotl pins .supportedby said lower member, .said .Jaw members .having 4portions vat yone ,of .the ends l thereof .fory engaging Vsaid upper `member andnger ,gripportions at their .other ends,v a. screwthreadedin said .lower member intermediate the pivoty pinsof. saidjawmembers, a sleeve coaxial of said screw: and disposed between said jaws, Aand .acoil spring,` coaxialy of said sleeve with the opposite` endsof. said coil spring in engagement with saidjaw ,members-,and normally biasing the .lattertoengage the said one ends thereof into engagement with said upper member.

WAYNE W. MOORE.

' REFERENCES CITED Thefollowingfreferenlces are of recordin-the file .of this-patent:

AUNITED STATES PATENTS