US3018551A

US3018551A - Articulator

Info

Publication number: US3018551A
Application number: US44480A
Authority: US
Inventors: Saul G Weiss
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-07-21
Filing date: 1960-07-21
Publication date: 1962-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 1979-01-30

Description

s. G. wElss 3,018,551

ARTICULATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 30, 1962 Filed July 21, 1960 IN VEN TOR.

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nited States Patent 3,018,551 ARTICULATOR Saul G. Weiss, 411 Barnes Bldg., Muskogee, Okla. Filed July 21, 1960, Ser. No. 44,480 Claims. (Cl. 32-32) This invention relates to a novel denture articulator.

The primar-y object of the invention is the provision of a generally superior, more efficient, more versatile, and more easily used device of the kind indicated, by the use of which more exact and precise equilibration of upper and lower artificial dentures is readily obtainable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simpler device of the character indicated above wherein the upper denture member is stationary when in use, and the lower denture is spring-supported for simulating accurately the meeting pressures of upper and lower dentures in the mouth of a patient, as exerted by the jaw muscles, and the lower member is movable to `opposite sides of a center line for simulating accurately the lateral movements of the lower jaw of a patient, the lower member also being movable protiusively and retractively.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated above which is operable to determine exactly the correct free-space between upper and lower dentures, in a manner eliminating the necessity and inconvenience of lowering the lower denture, and in a manner enabling reestablishment of the freespace measurement whenever desired, with the same dentures.

yOther important objects and advantageous 'features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for .purposes of illustration only, a specific form of the invention is set forth in detail.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side elevation of the device of the invention showing upper and lower dentures heldin occluded positions thereon;

FIGURE 2 is a right-hand end elevation of FIGURE l, with the dentures removed;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan View of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 44 of FIGURE 3, with portions broken away and in section.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the illustrated device comprises an elongated horizontal, preferably rectangular frame 1l), preferably in the form of a flat plate having rear and formed

ends

12 and 14, respectively, and depending support-engaging feet extending downwardly therefrom. The feet include laterally spaced forward feet 16, located at theforward corners of the frame 10, laterally spaced rear feet 18 spaced inwardly of the rear corners of the frame, and laterally spaced intermediate feet 20. The intermediate feet are in longitudinal alignment with the forward feet 16 and are located near to and are spaced forwardly from the rear feet 18. There also depends from the plate 10, midway between and centered with respect to the forward feet A16 and the intermediate feet 20, a single depending boss 22, through which extends a vertical pivot bore 24 opening through the frame 10.

Overlying the frame 10 is a preferably rectangular horizontal base 26 comprising a flat horizontal plate 28 having front and rear edges 30 and 32, respectively. The base plate 28 has a central depending boss 34 which can rest rotatably upon the top of the frame 10, and has a threaded vertical bore 35 therethrough, which is registered with the frame bore 24. A knurled head combined tension adjusting and locking screw 36 extends ice upwardly through the

bores

24 and 36 and has a, shank which has a smooth portion 38, turning in the frame bore 24, and a threaded portion 40` which is threaded in the base plate bore 35. Depending from the base frame 28, at the forward edge 42 thereof and the side edges thereof, are

slides

44 and 45, which can bear slidably upon the upper surface of the frame 10.

Fixed to and depending from the base plate 28, and its corners, are vertical front and

rear pins

46 and 48, respectively, which are smaller in diameter than and extend freely into front and rear sockets 50 and 52, respectively, which are formed through the frame 10 and its front and

rear feet

16 and 18, respectively. Helical expansion springs 54 are circumposed on the pins and are compressed between the undersides of the base plate 28 and the bottoms 56 of the sockets. The springs 54 are of a strength and vertical dimension to simulate the muscular contracting pressure of a patients lower jaw ltoward his upper jaw in occluding the jaws, and to sometimes space the base plate 28 above the frame 10.

Removably and rotatably bearing upon the base plate 28 is a U-shaped lower denture carrier, generally designated 58, which comprises a pair of longitudinally extending parallel spaced arms 60 which, at their rear ends, are fixed to an upstanding transversely elongated bight portion or flange 62, which has a longitudinally `and concavely curved upper edge 64. The upper edge 64 terminates, at its ends, inwardly of the vertical side edges A66 of the flange 62, so as to define thereat upstanding shoulders 68 which have downwardly threaded therethrough vertical clamping screws 70. It is to be noted that the clamping screws 70 constitute means for limiting the endwise movement of the carrier 58 relative to the base plate 28, and that the looking screw 36 consti-tutes means for limiting the rotational'movement of the carrier 58 relative to the base plate 28.

For limiting forward and lateral shifting of the lower denture carrier 58, relative to the base plate 28, the arms 6i) have suitably fixed therein depending pins 72, spaced therealong, which extend downwardly into circular openings 74, formed in the base plate 28, at locations spaced lateral inwardly and longitudinally inwardly from related ones of the base plate pins 46 and 4S. The openings 74 are substantially larger in diameter than the carrier pins 72. Thus, the pins 72 constitute means for limiting the lateral movement of the carrier 58 relative to the base plate 28.

For locking the lower denture carrier in a centered position, both laterally and longitudinally relative to the base plate 28, knurled head locking screws 76 extend `downwardly through bores 78 provided in the carrier arms y60, near their forward ends, which are adapted to be threaded into threaded bores 80 provided in the base plate 2S, near their front ends 46.

The lower denture carrier 58 further comprises a horizontal U-shaped lower denture support S2 which comprises parallel spaced longitudinal legs 84 and an arcuate bight portion 86, the legs 84 being slidably engaged through horizontal bores `88 provided in the shoulders l68 of the carrier flange `62, wherein the legs can be locked in forwardly and rearwardly adjusted positions, by means of the screws 70.

The lower denture support 82. further comprises a lower denture pan 92, preferably in the form of a at horizontal plate which is downwardly oset `from the legs 84 and which is connected to the legs 84 and to the bight portion 86 by means of side webs 94, and a forward web 96, respectively. The pan 92 has a forward extension 98, centered on its forward end, which reaches forwardly from the bight portion and carries a vertical, downwardly extending centering pin having a pointed lower end 192, which traverses an arcuate 3 scale 104 which is provided upon the upper surface of the base plate 28 along the forward edge thereof, whereby a centered position of, and lateral positions of the carrier 58 can be accuratelv determined.

Mounted upon the frame 10, along the rear edge thereof, is a pair of laterally spaced perpendicular standards 106 which have reduced diameter lower end portions 108 which are securably engaged in sockets 110 provided in the frame and in the rear feet 18 thereof. The standards 106 reach above the lower denture carrier 58 and are provided, along upper end portions thereof, with the vertical scales 112, for gauging the cornbined thicknesses of upper and lower dentures A and B, respectively, and their mountings. A horizontal transversely elongated base block 114 extends between the standards 106 and has bores 116, at its ends, which slidably receive the standards 106, and set screws 118 are threaded forwardly through the block 114 into these bores to engage the standards and lock the block in vertically adjusted positions on the standards. The block 114 has on its longitudinally extending face bow attaching pins 120.

Located above and resting upon the base block 114, between the standards 106, is an upper denture carrier generally designated 122. The carrier 122 comprises a pair of parallel spaced horizontal longitudinal side arms 124 which can rest upon and extend forwardly and rearwardly of the block 114. A pivot bolt 126 extends between and through the rear ends of the arms 124, on which is journaled the rear end portion of a mounting block 128, whose sides engage the side arms 124, and which has a forwardly opening horizontal groove 130 in its forward end 132, as shown in FIGURE 4. A vertical looking screw 134 is threaded downwardly in a bore 136 in the top of the mounting block 128, so as to lock in the groove 130 a rearwardly extending tongue 138 on a horizontally and longitudinally elongated adapter block 140.

The adapter block 140 is formed with a central longitudinal closed adjustment slot 142, and a removable combined stop and locking screw 144 extends downwardly through the slot 142 and is threaded, as indicated at 146, in a forwardly projecting ledge 148 on the base block 114. The head 150 of the screw 144 is adapted to be tightened to bear upon the top of the adapter block 140 for the dual purposes of holding the arms 124, the mounting block 128, and the adapter block 140 down upon the base block 114 in the horizontal position, from an upwardly-swung position, shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 4, to parallelism with the base plate 28 of the lower denture carrier 58; and to lock the adapter block 140 in a forwardly or rearwardly or protrussed or retracted adjusted position, relative to the adapter block 140 and the lower denture carrier 58.

Extending forwardly from and located in the plane of the adapter block 140 is a U-shaped upper denture support 152 which has parallel legs 154 slidably engaged through bores 156 provided adjacent the ends of the adapter block 140, and an arcuate bight portion 158. The legs 154 are adapted to be locked, in longitudinal adjustment, in the bores 156, by means of Vertical set screws 160, threaded downwardly through the adapter block. The bight portion 158 has a central, arcuate, forwardly projecting nose 162.

In using and operating the device, the following steps are taken:

(1) The base plate 28 must be securely locked to the frame 10, by means of the screw 36 on the under side of the frame 10.

(2) The lower member 58 must be securely locked to the base plate 28 by means of the set screws 76.

(3) The upper member 122 can be raised on the standards 106 according to the thickness of the models and also the vertical dimension of the bite-blocks, and

4 the height can be gauged precisely, by means of the scales 112.

(4) The models, with the bite-blocks, are then attached to the lower and upper members with plaster.

(5) After the plaster has set, the upper member can be swung upwardly and setting of the teeth can be begun. However, the lower member must stay locked to the base plate, which is locked to the frame, until the set-up is nished or completed.

(6) After the set-up is completed, the upper member is raised and full-denture articulating paper is placed on the lower member and both members are occluded on the articulating paper, whereas the upper member is locked in its horizontal position, so as to be stationary therein.

(7) The lower member is then unlocked from the base plate 26, and the base plate is unlocked from the frame 10.

(8) Being certain that the upper and lower set-ups are waxed securely to the models, equilibration with the device of the invention can start by moving the lower member laterally, left and right, from the median or central line on the base 26, and also protrusively and retractively, and the lower member rotated. All movements of the lower jaw are thereby simulated, and these movements are obtained at the same time that the base 26, working vertically on the springs 54, is simulating the muscle tension of mastication.

(9) After repeating the step No. 8 a few times, the upper member is unlocked and elevated, and all carbon markings on ythe buccal csps of the upper molars and bicuspids are removed by grinding. The lingual cusps of the upper posteriors are never to be ground. The carbon markings on the incisors are also ground off. The lower denture carrier 58 is then removed from the base plate 26 and the carbon markings on the lingual cusps of the lower molars and bicuspids are ground off. The buccal cusps of the lower posteriors are not to be ground olf. Also, grind off the carbon markings on the lower incisors.

Repeat steps Nos. 8 and 9 until there are no carbon markings on the buccal cusps of the upper posteriors and no carbon markings on the lingual cusps of the lower posteriors, after equilibration.

(l0) If steps Nos. 8 and 9 have been properly carried out, it will be found that by the movements of the lower member and the base 26, equilibration will have been obtained, as well as free-space, thus, doing away with the lowering of the bite blocks to obtain that space, as is the case with ordinary articulators, and the intended vertical dimension, as the amount of space can be gauged by the screw 36 which locks and regulates the base 26 for tension, giving more-or-less movement to the base plate. If it be desired to prove the freespace obtained- 1% to 2%. milimeters-the lower member is locked to the base plate 26, leaving the base plate unlocked, and pressing down on the lower member and Visually inspecting the relationship of the lower set-up to the upper set-up.

(11) The lower member can then be removed from the base 26 for easier handling in waxing and carving; and so can the upper member be removed, and either or both replaced in their precise former positions.

While there has been shown and described herein a preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily confined thereto, and that any change or changes in the structure of and in the relative arrangements of components thereof are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plate overlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plate upwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting and locking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame for optionally locking the base plate to the vtranne and releasing the base plate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lower denture carrier mounted upon said base' plate for limited endwise, lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means for limiting the endwise movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, means for limiting the rotational movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding the carrier to the base plate in a centered position.

2. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plate overlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plate upwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting and locking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame for optionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing t-he base plate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lower `denture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise, lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means for limiting the endwise movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, means `for limiting the rotational movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement of tthe carrier relative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding the carrier to the base plate in a centered position, said carrier comprising a horizontal member bearing slidably and rotatably on said base plate, an upstanding member fixed on one end of said horizontal member, and a lower denture support mounted on said upstanding member and extending over said horizontal member, said denture support being adjustable endwise relative to the upstanding member.

3. A Adental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plate overlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plate upwardly away lfrom the frame, *verticalv combined tension adjusting and locking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame for optionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the base plate above .the frame under tension of said spring means, a lower denture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise, lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means yfor limiting the endwisemovement of the carrier relative to fthe base plate, meansffor limiting the .rotational movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement -of thercarrier. relative to the base plate, andlocking screw means for holding the carrier to the base plate in a centered position, said carrier comprising a horizontal member bearing slidably and rotatably on said base plate, an upstanding member iixed on one end of said horizontal member, and a lower denture support mounted on said upstanding member and extending over said horizontal member, said denture support being adjustable endwise relative to the upstanding member, a depending centering pin on said support, and a centering scale on said base plate traversed by the centering pin.

4. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plate overlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plate upwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting and locking screw means connecting the base plate with the lframe for optionally `locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the base plate above the frame under tension of said spring means, -a lower denture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise, lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means for limiting the endwise movement of the carrier lrelative to the base plate, means for limiting the rotational movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, and locking screw means -for holding the carrier to the base plate in a centered position, standard means fixed to and rising from said frame at one end of said base plate,

and an upper denture carrier mounted on said standard means and extending over the lower denture carrier.

5. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plate overlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plate upwardly away from the yframe, vertical combined tension adjusting and locking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame for optionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the base plate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lower denture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise, lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means for limiting the endwise movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, means for limiting the rotational movement of the `carrier relative to the base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding the carrier to the base plate in a centered position, standard means xed to and rising from said frame at one end of said base plate, and an upper denture carrier mounted on said standard means and 'extending over the lower denture carrier, said upper denture carrier comprising a vertically adjustable base block engaged on said standard means, normally horizontal arm means bearing upon' said base block, a

mounting -block pivoted on said arm means, to swing from a depressed position resting upon the base block to an elevated position, an adapter block -removably connected to said mounting block to move therewith, and an upper denture support fixed to said adapter block.

6. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plate overly-ing and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plate upwardly away from the lframe, vertical combined tension adjusting :and locking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame for optionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the base plate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lower denture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise, lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means for limiting the endwise movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, means for limiting the rotational movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding the Vcarrier to the base plate in a centered position, standard means fixed to and rising from said frame at one end of said base plate, and an upper denture carrier mounted on said standard means and extending over the lower denture carrier, said upper denture carrier comprising a vertically adjustable base block engaged on said standard means, normally horizontal arm means bearing upon said base block, a mounting block pivoted on said arm means, to swing from a depressed position resting upon the base block to an elevated position, an adapter block removably connected to said mounting block to move therewith, and an upper denture support fixed to said adapter block, and screw and slot means acting between the base block and said adapter block providing for endwise adjustment of the adapter block relative to the mounting block.

7. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plate overlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plate upwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting and locking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame for optionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the base plate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lower denture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise, lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means -for limiting the endwise movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, means for limiting the rotational movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding the carrier to the base plate in a centered position, said `frame having upwardly opening socket means and said base plate having depending pin means engaged in the socket means, said spring means comprising helical springs circumposed on the pins and compressed between the bottoms of the sockets and the under side of the base plate.

8. A `dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plate overlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plate upwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting and locking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame for optionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the base plate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lower denture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise, lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding the carrier to the base plate in a centered position, said carrier comprising a horizontal member bearing slidably and rotatably on said base plate, an upstanding member xed on one end of said horizontal member, and a lower denture support mounted on said upstanding member and extending over said horizontal member, said denture support being adjustable endwise relative to the upstanding member, said base plate having opening means and said horizontal member having depending pin means, said pin means being smaller in diameter than and engaged in said opening means, said hori` zontal member having a threaded opening, and a locking screw engaged with said lower member and threaded in said threaded opening for locking the lower member in a centered position on the base plate.

9. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plate overlying and resting upon the frame, spring means urging the base plate upwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting and locking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame for optionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing the base plate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lower denture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise, lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding the carrier to the base plate in a centered position, said carrier comprising a horizontal member lbearing slidably and rotatably on said base plate, an upstanding member iixed on one end of said horizontal member, and a lower denture support mounted on said upstanding member and extending over said horizontal member, said denture support being adjustable endwise relative to the upstanding member, said base plate having opening means and said horizontal member having depending pin means, said pin means being smaller in diameter than and engaged in said opening means, said horizontal member having a threaded opening, and a locking screw engaged with said lower member and threaded in said threaded opening for locking the lower member in a centered position on the base plate, a centering scale on said base plate and a centering pin -depending from said lower vdenture support and traversing the centering Scale.

10. A dental articulator comprising a horizontal frame, a base plate overlying and resting upon the frame, Spring means urging the base plate upwardly away from the frame, vertical combined tension adjusting and locking screw means connecting the base plate with the frame for optionally locking the base plate to the frame and releasing t-he base plate above the frame under tension of said spring means, a lower denture carrier mounted upon said base plate for limited endwise, lateral, and rotational movements relative to the base plate, means for limiting the endwise movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, means for limiting the rotational movement of the carrier relative to the base plate, means for limiting the lateral movement of the carrier Vrelative to the base plate, and locking screw means for holding the carrier to the base plate in a centered position, standard means fixed to and rising from said frame at one end of said base plate, and an upper denture carrier mounted on said standard means and extending over the lower denture carrier, said 'upper denture carrier comprising a vertically adjustable base block engaged on said standard means, normally horizontal arm means bearing upon said base block, a mounting block pivoted on said arm means, to swing from a depressed position resting upon the base block to an elevated position, an adapter block removably connected to said mounting block to move therewith, and an upper denture support fixed to said adapter block, and screw and slot means acting between the base block and said adapter block providing for endwise adjustment of the adapter block relative to the mounting block, and means separably connecting the adapter block to the mounting block comprising a groove in an end of the mounting block, a tongue on the adapter block securably engaged in the groove, and a `set screw on the mounting block to engage the tongue in the groove.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,722,306 Murray July 30, 1929 2,275,726 Burns `et al. Mar. 10, 1942 2,959,857 Stoll Nov. 15, 1960