US3698765A - Adjustable headrest for dental chairs - Google Patents
Adjustable headrest for dental chairs Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3698765A US3698765A US115385A US3698765DA US3698765A US 3698765 A US3698765 A US 3698765A US 115385 A US115385 A US 115385A US 3698765D A US3698765D A US 3698765DA US 3698765 A US3698765 A US 3698765A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bar
- passage
- slip
- headrest
- resistant
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
- A47C7/36—Support for the head or the back
- A47C7/38—Support for the head or the back for the head
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G15/00—Operating chairs; Dental chairs; Accessories specially adapted therefor, e.g. work stands
- A61G15/10—Parts, details or accessories
- A61G15/12—Rests specially adapted therefor, e.g. for the head or feet
- A61G15/125—Head-rests
Definitions
- ABSTRACT An adjustable headrest particularly suitable for use in combination with dental chairs.
- the headrest is provided with a depending bar which is slidably received in a passage or channel within the backrest. Spring means and friction locking means within the backrest cooperate with the bar to secure it in any selected position of adjustment.
- the headrest of the present invention achieves the important advantages of ease of adjustability and an infinite number of positions within a given range of adjustment while, at the same time, providing a high degree of security against headrest movement when the chair is in use.
- a dentist or attendant may readily shift the headrest into any of an infinite number of vertical positions to suit the patient and the dentist. Furthermore, such adjustment may be made, where necessary, using only one hand, a definite advantage in those instances where some further adjustment is required or desired after dental work has commenced or after the dentist has positioned himself at the side of the chair.
- the headrest is capable of an unlimited number of positions of adjustment within its range of movement, security against displacement from any selected position is nevertheless achieved, partly because of a highly effective friction locking means, and partly because of the weight or force of a patients head against the headrest increases the locking force.
- the headrest with a depending bar which is slidably received within a passage or channel extending downwardly into the backrest.
- the bar is non-circular, preferably rectangular, in cross section, and its frontrear thickness is substantially less than the corresponding dimension of the passage, thereby permitting the bar to be tipped or angled to a limited extent within the passage.
- a spring slidably engaging the front surface of the bar urges the bar into firm frictional engagement with the pad and the rearward force of the patients head against the headrest further increases the locking action. Release of the frictional force, for purposes of shifting the headrest into a different position of adjustment, is achieved simply by urging the headrest forwardly to overcome the spring force and to tip the bar forwardly in its channel or passage.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair equipped with the headrest'backrest combination of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, of the backrest and adjustable headrest;
- FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view illustrating the direction of force required for releasing the locking means
- FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view illustrating portions of the backrest and headrest with the headrest in a nor- DETAILED DESCRIPTION
- the numeral 10 generally designates a dental chair having a base 11, a seat and leg rest 12, armrests l3, backrest l4, and headrest 15.
- the headrest is in effect an upward extension of the backrest and is generally disposed'in the same plane as the backrest. Normally the backrest and headrest extend upwardly in a generally vertical direction and, to facilitate orientation and description, will be so described herein.
- the padded backrest 14 is provided with a vertical channel or passage 16 which is 'open at the top of the backrest.
- the passage is defined by a rear channel-shaped member 17 (FIG. 6),-a pair of vertical guide strips 18, and a front plate 19, all secured by screws 20 or by other suitable connecting means to a rear mounting member 21.
- the mounting member 21 is in turn secured by welding or by any appropriate attachment means to the inside surface of the rear panel 14a of the backrest or may, if desired, be formed integrally with the rear panel.
- Passage 16 is of substantially uniform cross sectional dimensions throughout its entire vertical extent and, preferably, is of rectangular cross sectional configuration with its width being greater than its depth (FIG. 6).
- the passage slidably receives a tongue or bar 22 which is secured to headrest I5 and extends downwardly therefrom.
- the bar 22 is similarly of non-circular (rectangular) cross section and is of substantially uniform cross sectional dimensions throughout its entire vertical extent.
- the bar has a longitudinal groove or recess 23 along its rear surface 24 for slidably receiving a pair of vertically-spaced guide pins 25 secured along the longitudinal mid line of channel member 17 (FIG. 6).
- the two guide pins or studs are spaced vertically apart (FIGS. 4 and 5) and serve to prevent lateral displacement and possible binding contact between the bar 22 and the sides 16a of the channel or passage.
- the thickness of the bar 22 that is, the distance between rear surface 24 and front surface 26 is substantially less than the corresponding front-rear dimension of the passage 16, such dimension being defined by the distance between the inside forwardly-facing surface of channel member 17 and the rearwardly-facing surfaces of guide strips 18. Because of the dimensional difference between the thickness of the bar and the depth of the passage, the bar is capable of a limited extent of forward-rearward tipping movement within the passage (FIGS. 4 and A leaf spring 27, secured to front plate 19, bears rearwardly against the bar 22 at a point intermediate the upper and lower ends of the passage (FIGS. 4 and S).
- the spring slidably engages the bar and urges it rearwardly with sufficient force to direct the rear surface of the bar into firm frictional engagement with one or more slip-resistant members or pads 28.
- a pair of such pads are shown; however, it is to be understood that a greater or smaller number may be provided.
- the pads are disposed adjacent the upper end of the channel or passage and project into that passage to make direct contact with the rear surface of the bar. While the pads may be fixed in place by any suitable means, an effective arrangement is to mount them in recesses 29 in mounting member 21 so that they project forwardly through openings 30 in the wall of channel member 17 (FIG. 7). To insure proper retention of the pads, each pad is generally hat-shaped in configuration, the rim portion of larger diameter being retained in recess 29 by channel member 17.
- the pads or resistance elements have flat forwardly-facing surfaces adapted to engage the flat rearwardly-facing surface portions of the bar 22.
- the pads may be formed of any suitable resilient material capable of resisting sliding contact with the bar. Rubber, natural and synthetic, has been found effective but plastics and other materials having similar anti-skid properties may be utilized.
- Anti-friction means in the form of one or more bearing elements 31 may be provided near the lower end of the passage along the rear surface thereof.
- each bearing element 31 may be mounted in a recess 32 in mounting member 21 and projects forwardly through an opening 33 in channel member 17.
- the bearing elements 31 are formed of a hard, durable plastic or other suitable material which tends to be self-lubricating in its properties and which slides readily with regard to the smooth rear surface of bar 22.
- bearing elements 31 have rounded forward surfaces rather than the relatively flat contact faces characteristic of the anti-friction pads 28.
- Spring 27 is disposed at a point intermediate friction pads 28 and bearing elements 31, and on the opposite or front side of bar 22, and therefore urges the: bar rearwardly into forceful contact with both the friction means and the bearing means (FIG. 4).
- the force of the spring and the contact between friction pads 28 and bar 22 is more than adequate to maintain the headrest in any selected position of vertical adjustment in the absence of a substantial opposing (forward) force exerted upon the headrest cushion in the direction of arrow 34 in FIGS. 3 and 5.
- the locking or holding force exerted by spring 27 is complemented by the rearward force exerted upon the headrest cushion, as represented by arrow 35 in FIG. 4, when the headrest is in use.
- the rearward force exerted upon the headrest by a patients head adds to the already-effective locking force exerted by the spring.
- the dentist or attendant forcefully urges the headrest pad forwardly, either by a pushing or pulling action, to tip bar 22 forwardly within channel 16 and out of frictional contact with pads 28.
- the bar When so released, the bar may be shifted either downwardly or upwardly and, if desired, may be removed completely from the passage in those instances where presence of the headrest might be obstructive rather than helpful as, for example, in treating small children whose size renders use of the headrest unnecessary.
- the back surface of the headrest pad may be provided with a handle strap or loop 36 as illus trated in FIG. 3.
- the dentist may simply hook one or more fingers beneath the handle strap 36 so as to give purchase for either raising or lowering the headrest, and then, using the same hand, urges the headrest pad forwardly in the direction of arrow 34.
- use of the handle strap is not essential for one-handed adjustment of the headrest and that an operator may normally make such adjustment simply by gripping the headrest either from the rear or from the front (as illustrated in FIG. 3) to urge it forwardly and, at the same time, either upwardly or downwardly.
- a backrest for a chair said backrest having a generally vertical passage opening at the top thereof, a headrest equipped with a depending bar slidably received in said passage, said bar having a pair of opposite surfaces spaced substantially closer together than the corresponding dimension of said passage to permit limited tipping movement of said bar within the passage, said passage having at least one slipresistant member positioned for contact with one of said opposite surfaces of said bar when said bar is urged into engagement therewith, and spring means disposed within said passage and slidably engaging the other of said opposite surfaces of said bar to urge said one surface into frictional contact with said slip-resistant member, said bar being releasable for vertical adjustment by manually tipping the same out of contact with said member.
- a backrest for a chair said backrest having a generally vertical passage extending downwardly from an opening at the top thereof, a headrest equipped with a depending bar slidably received in said passage, said bar having front and rear surfaces spaced substantially closer together than the front-rear dimension of said passage to permit limited forward-rearward tipping movement of said bar within said passage, said passage having at least one slip-resistant member engagable with the rear surface of said bar, spring means disposed within said passage and slidably engaging the front surface of said'bar to urge said rear surface into frictional engagement with said slip-resistant member, said headrest being releasable for vertical adjustment by manually tipping the upper portion thereof forwardly out of frictional contact with said slip-resistant member and thereafter sliding said bar within said passage.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)
- Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (16)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11538571A | 1971-02-16 | 1971-02-16 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3698765A true US3698765A (en) | 1972-10-17 |
Family
ID=22361057
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US115385A Expired - Lifetime US3698765A (en) | 1971-02-16 | 1971-02-16 | Adjustable headrest for dental chairs |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3698765A (en) |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3817576A (en) * | 1972-10-02 | 1974-06-18 | Pennwalt Corp | Dental chair with adjustable headrest |
US3860286A (en) * | 1973-07-27 | 1975-01-14 | Hek Manufacturing Company Inc | Split back dental chair apparatus |
FR2342688A1 (en) * | 1976-03-05 | 1977-09-30 | Philips Nv | DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF A CONSTITUENT OF A TREATMENT OR EXAMINATION EQUIPMENT USED IN MEDICINE |
US4111484A (en) * | 1977-07-25 | 1978-09-05 | Pennwalt Corporation | Dental chair headrest locking device |
US4111483A (en) * | 1977-06-24 | 1978-09-05 | Pennwalt Corporation | Dental chair headrest locking device |
JPS5427595U (en) * | 1977-07-28 | 1979-02-22 | ||
EP0010706A1 (en) * | 1978-10-25 | 1980-05-14 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Locking device for an infinitely variable headrest of a seat or chair |
US4616877A (en) * | 1985-05-09 | 1986-10-14 | Kimball International, Inc. | Chair with back height adjustment |
US5678894A (en) * | 1996-04-08 | 1997-10-21 | Eley; Christopher D. | Dental chair with headrest |
US6089663A (en) * | 1999-02-05 | 2000-07-18 | Spang & Company | Video game accessory chair apparatus |
US6761401B1 (en) * | 2003-04-01 | 2004-07-13 | Mcglynn Leo D. | Telescoping motorcycle seat backrest |
US6802564B2 (en) | 2001-10-12 | 2004-10-12 | Midmark Corporation | Examination and treatment chair |
US20050146190A1 (en) * | 2004-01-02 | 2005-07-07 | Taatjes Steven W. | Adjustable retainer for a headrest |
US10219966B2 (en) * | 2016-12-09 | 2019-03-05 | Kavo Dental Technologies, Llc | Headrest adjustment system |
-
1971
- 1971-02-16 US US115385A patent/US3698765A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3817576A (en) * | 1972-10-02 | 1974-06-18 | Pennwalt Corp | Dental chair with adjustable headrest |
US3860286A (en) * | 1973-07-27 | 1975-01-14 | Hek Manufacturing Company Inc | Split back dental chair apparatus |
FR2342688A1 (en) * | 1976-03-05 | 1977-09-30 | Philips Nv | DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF A CONSTITUENT OF A TREATMENT OR EXAMINATION EQUIPMENT USED IN MEDICINE |
US4111483A (en) * | 1977-06-24 | 1978-09-05 | Pennwalt Corporation | Dental chair headrest locking device |
US4111484A (en) * | 1977-07-25 | 1978-09-05 | Pennwalt Corporation | Dental chair headrest locking device |
JPS5427595U (en) * | 1977-07-28 | 1979-02-22 | ||
EP0010706A1 (en) * | 1978-10-25 | 1980-05-14 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Locking device for an infinitely variable headrest of a seat or chair |
US4616877A (en) * | 1985-05-09 | 1986-10-14 | Kimball International, Inc. | Chair with back height adjustment |
US5678894A (en) * | 1996-04-08 | 1997-10-21 | Eley; Christopher D. | Dental chair with headrest |
US5865505A (en) * | 1996-04-08 | 1999-02-02 | Eley; Christopher D. | Method of dental treatment |
US6089663A (en) * | 1999-02-05 | 2000-07-18 | Spang & Company | Video game accessory chair apparatus |
US6802564B2 (en) | 2001-10-12 | 2004-10-12 | Midmark Corporation | Examination and treatment chair |
US6761401B1 (en) * | 2003-04-01 | 2004-07-13 | Mcglynn Leo D. | Telescoping motorcycle seat backrest |
US20050146190A1 (en) * | 2004-01-02 | 2005-07-07 | Taatjes Steven W. | Adjustable retainer for a headrest |
US10219966B2 (en) * | 2016-12-09 | 2019-03-05 | Kavo Dental Technologies, Llc | Headrest adjustment system |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SYBRON CORPORATION, 1100 MIDTOWN TOWER, ROCHESTER, Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN HOSPITAL SUPPLY CORPORATION A CORP. OF ILL.;REEL/FRAME:004051/0902 Effective date: 19820831 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NALGE COMPANY, A CORP OF DE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:SYBRON CORPORATION, A CORP. OF NY;REEL/FRAME:004628/0848 Effective date: 19860731 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MIDWEST DENTAL CORPORATION, A DE. CORP.,ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NALGE COMPANY (A DE. CORP.);REEL/FRAME:004818/0867 Effective date: 19871216 Owner name: MIDWEST DENTAL CORPORATION, 901 WEST OAKTON, DES P Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:NALGE COMPANY (A DE. CORP.);REEL/FRAME:004818/0867 Effective date: 19871216 Owner name: LAKE SHORE NATIONAL BANK, 605 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENU Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MIDWEST DENTAL CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004816/0449 Effective date: 19871218 |