US3872593A

US3872593A - Dental console

Info

Publication number: US3872593A
Application number: US498547A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Henry M Thornton; George H Stram; Richard E Plowman
Original assignee: Dentsply Research and Development Corp
Current assignee: Dentsply Research and Development Corp
Priority date: 1965-10-20
Filing date: 1965-10-20
Publication date: 1975-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-25
Also published as: BE688587A; CH466501A; NL6614848A; AT275720B; FR1501132A; GB1166665A; DE1541197A1; SE334210B

Abstract

A dental equipment stand supporting a plurality of different dental instruments separately supported by individual control modules interchangeably supported with a head movable forwardly and upwardly relative to a base cabinet, each module having control valves for dental utilities such as air and water, under positive pressure, and vacuum, each module also having a reel upon which a compound type of supply hose is coiled and is interconnected at opposite ends respectively to a supply manifold and a dental instrument or device.

Description

United States Patent 1191 [11] 3,872,593 Thornton, Jr. et al. Mar. 25, 1975 [5 DENTAL CONSOLE 5 3,280,458 10/l966 Deeley, Jr. 6! al 32/22 3,514,171 5/1970 McGaba 75 Inventors: genry TSlt10lni0;l{, rlllra Ygrkil d 3,556,669 1/1971 Valesha et al. 32/22 eorge ram, e am; 1c ar Piowman York all f Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock [73] Assignee: Dentsply Research Development Attorney, Agent, or FirmC. Hercus Just Corporation, Wilmington, Del.

[22] Filed: Oct. 20, 1965 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl- No. 98, A dental equipment stand supporting a plurality of different dental instruments separately supported by indil. vidual control modules interchangeably Supported with a head movable forwardly and upwardly relative [58] Fie'ld 312/22 to a base cabinet, each module having control valves ?;12/2O9 for dental utilities such as air and water, under positive pressure, and vacuum, each module also having a [56] References Cited reel upon which a compound type of supply hose is coiled and is interconnected at opposite ends respec- UNITED STATES PATENTS tively to a supply manifold and a dental instrument or 2,2l4,774 9/1940 Pieper 32/22 devi e 2,690,945 10/1954 Bronk... 32/22 3,209.457 10/1965 Billin et al. 32/22 42 Claims, 37 Drawing Figures 24 22 26 I 432 l I ili l "'n l i l I" I |1|l l1V IIIIIU WIMP IQJ4 l fillllllllfllhhi iifli w 388 l 390 "-1 i lmi u lt|l h 1W. I 1| III i 1 1 11/ 1 1' 4 1 H #12 l i i i i I "1 l lii 1 I I 11 MW" i H H|l1| IIi HHHIIII fi I 0' I PATENTEDHARZSIQYS SHEET OEUF 15 HENRY M. THORNTON JR.

GEORGE H. STRAM RICHARD E.PLOWMAN V Z fl/ NJ ATTORNEY PATENTED Z 3. 872.593

saw 03 0F 15 FIG. 4

FIG.6

[2:3 1' 44 m/ Kimmy. 316 T M i In" I66 372 354 36 364 FIG. 9 362 INVENTOR.

HENRY M.'THORNTON JR.

GEORGE H. STRAM RICHARD E. PLOWMAN PATENTED MR2 5 I975 SHEET CQUF 15 on m t 2 FIG. 7

INVENTOR. HENRY M. THORNTON JR.

GEORGE H. STRAM ATI/ORNEY w OE vow EM a 5: mm //1 T a ENTEDMAR25| VENTO HENRY M. THORNTON JR GEORGE H STRAM RICHARD EA, PLOWMAN B Y Z f-'f RNE Pmmgnmasms ENTOR. HENRY M. RNTON JR.

GEORGE H. ST RAM RICHARD/E. PL WMAN A PTORNEY PAIENIIEIJ I 3,872,593

SHEET 07 HF I5 336 FIG. I2

I 1 U I I N VEN TOR.

GEORGE H. STRAM RICHARD E. PLO)IVMAN ATTORNEY ENRY M. T HORNTON JR.

PATENTEU Z I 1872.593

sum 08 0F 15 I N VEN TOR.

HENRY M. THORNTON JR. FIG. I5

GEORG H. STRAM RICHARD E, PLOWMAN BY V AT'ITQRNEY PATENTEB MR2 5 I975 SHEET lI'UF 15 ELEVATOR FIG.23

VACUUM SYSTEM INVENTOR. HENRY M. THORNTON JR. GEORGE H. STRAM RICHAR E% ow AN BY ATT NEY PATENTEDMARZSMS SHEET 120E l5 FOOT SWITCH I94 200 ISOJQ/ S in? 376 'FIG.25

POWER SUPPLY /4 3 420\ FIG. 26

BURNER DRAWER 47 376 HENRY MH XS SKR SN JR.

.E GEORGE H. STRAM FIG.27

RICHARD E.4PLOWMAN ATTO NEY PATENIED 3,872,593

SHEET 1n {1F 15 INVENTOR GEORGE H. STRAM RICHARD E: PLOWMAN F|G.32A ATT NEY HENRY M. THORNTON JR.

PATEu-lgnmzsms SHEET 15 0F 15 ELEVATOR GIS F I G. 36

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I l l 548 i X T IIIIIII INVENTOR HENRY M. THORNTON JR GEORGE H. STRAM RICHA p E PLO MAN [7%m M/ ATTOR Y DENTAL CONSOLE This invention relates to a dental console and, more particularly, to a dental console of the type which preferably is harmonious with and can be mounted in juxtaposition to modern type cabinetry presently employed in dental operatories, most of the units of which are provided with a counter surface. Said console is of the type provided with a vertically movable head in which the desired number of dental instruments may be mounted, unlike current types of dental stands. Further, said head is vertically adjustable to support said instruments in operative position at a vertical position selected for the greatest comfort to the dentist or dental assistant.

In certain respects, the present invention comprises an improvement over the dental equipment stand comprising the subject matter of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 331,788, filed Dec. 19, 1963, in the names of Haskin U. Deeley and George H. Stram now Pat. No. 3,280,458 and owned by the assignee of the invention of the instant application. The dental equipment stand comprising the subject matter of said application also is provided with a vertically movable head positioned within a console or cabinet such as is contemplated in regard to the head of the present invention.

Though certain differences exist in the mechanism for elevating and otherwise moving the head of the dental stand of said aforementioned application and the mechanism employed for similar purposes in the present invention, the head of one embodiment of the present invention, in general, is moved by similar mechanism which operates to initially move the head a limited vertical distance and project it forwardly slightly beyond the front face of the cabinet to dispose the head in what is termed an initial operating position. From this initial position, the projected head then is capable of being moved, adjustably, additional vertical distances within reasonable limits, so as ultimately to dispose the head and the instruments carried thereby at the most convenient vertical position to suit the dentist or dental assistant who is engaged in handling the instruments. in another embodiment, a lower initial operating position of the head is provided than in the aforementioned embodiment by initially simply moving the head forwardly to the fullest desired extent, after which it may be moved vertically.

For a description of all of the advantages of such an arrangement for positioning the head of the dental stand or dental console in the manner referred to above, attention is directed to said co-pending application in that the description of the equivalent mechanism for elevating and projecting the head forwardly in the present invention will be minimized and the following description primarily will be directed to the details of the principal features of the present invention which are in addition to or are improvements over certain items, features, and details of the dental equipment stand described and claimed in said co-pending application.

In designing a dental console arranged to accommodate a far greater variety of dental instruments and accessories than any consoles or dental stands have included previously, a number of complexities have arisen which require solution. Especially where an extensive row of such instruments and accessories are disposed in horizontal alignment, the matter of whether a,

dentist is inherently left-handed or right-handed has a bearing upon where the most commonly used instruments are positioned in said alignment. Servicing the instruments and accessories and the utilities connected thereto readily and quickly must be provided for as much as possible. Replacement of handpiece cartridges and isolation of the temporarily immobilized handpiece must be provided for. Substitution of more modern instruments and accessories for those originally furnished, as whenobsolescence occurs, must be made possible as conveniently as possible. Removal of an entire section of the control mechanism concerning a certain instrument, for example, and replacement thereof while returning the removed one to the factory or dental depot for servicing, should be contemplated and suitable arrangements made to permit the same.

In an effort to provide suitable and desirable solutions to the problems arising from the foregoing situations, it is one of the principal objectives of the present invention to provide the aforementioned head of the dental console with a series of interchangeable modules capable of rearrangement in related, adjacent positions to each other, each module including certain control valves for the supplying of dental utilities, including air and water, to dental instruments respectively stored within and operatively supported by said modules.

Another object of the invention is to provide said modules with similar auxiliary frames detachably connectable to supporting means in the head of the dental console by simple means requiring a minimum of tools and mechanical knowledge, said modules also being provided with face panels arranged to be disposedin side-by-side relationship and, as an assembly, comprising the entire face panel or exposed front surface for the head of the console.

A further object of the invention is to provide supports for rotatable retraction reels capable of use with each module, such supports preferably being detachably connectable to the subframes of the modules and said reels being capable of storing dental utilityconducting conduits or cords in helically coiled manner for withdrawal from the head of the console when a dental instrument is selected for use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide effective manifolds for dental utilities, and especially such fluid utilities as air and water, and also suction, including flexible and extensible tubular connecting means between the manifolds and inlet mechanism which is connected to a source of such fluids and suction.

A still further object of the invention is to provide highly effective programming means associated with the control members for the utilities connected to the various modules in order that such utilities will be delivered only to that instrument which is withdrawn for use from its module, the final controlling mechanism preferably being either foot or hand-operated, while conditioning control means preferably are instrumentoperated and are actuated incident to an instrument being withdrawn from its supporting means within its module.

Still other objects of the invention are to provide means for facilitating the connection and disconnection of the dental fluid delivery means of each module with the manifolds for such fluids, such connecting means preferably being of the quickly operated type so as tmfacilitate the initial mounting or interchanging of modules with respect to each other.

One further object of the invention is to provide a different embodiment of carriage actuating means from that shown and claimed in said aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,280,458, primarily to permit projection of the carriage horizontally at a lower level than that permitted by the mechanism comprising the subject matter of said application. Ancillary to this object, it is a further objective to provide a different front door arrangement from that of the embodiment of said application and including appropriately different control means to actuate the carriage elevating and lowering mechanism, the same being actuatedincident to operating said front door arrangement.

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention, as well as other objects thereof, are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a dental console embodying the principles of the present invention and showing the head in the initial operating position thereof.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the dental console shown in FIG. 1 and additionally illustrating, in phantom, further, higher positions of the head of the console.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 2, but employing a large scale, and showing certain details ofone embodiment of elevating mechanism for the head of the console.

FIGS. 4, S and 6 respectively are diagrammatic side elevations showing progressive movements of said actuating mechanism for the head of the console from the fully retracted position thereof, to the initial operative position of said head.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the carriage or head per se which supports the various modules.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary transversely foreshortened front elevation of the carriage shown in FIG. 7 and illustrating certain portions of the supporting means therefor within the head frame.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a generally typical module of the type illustrated in certain of the preceding figures, including a rotatable reel, and adapted to support and supply a particular type of dental instrument.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front elevation of the composite face of the console, on a larger scale than in FIG. 1 and in a slightly different proportion of horizontal and vertical dimensions so as to accommodate the same readily to the sheet.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but illustrating the conditioning switches of the module in a partially actuated condition, as compared with the inoperative positions thereof shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary front elevation of the lower portion of the console of the present invention, illustrating the mechanism contained on the interior thereof, portions of the same being cut away to facilitate the illustration of certain details.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevation of the contents of the console illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the foot control unit shown on a larger scale than in FIGS. 1 and 2, and partly broken away to illustrate certain details.

FIG. 16 is a face view of the front panel of a typical module of the type illlustrated in certain of the preceding figures.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation of the module shown in FIG. 16, but illustrated in conjunction with a different instrument from that shown in the module illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 11.

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but illustrating a still different instrument mounted in the module from that shown in the module of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a side elevation of the module shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a front elevation of a still different type of module from those illustrated in detail in the preceding figures and arranged to contain dental instruments employing suction.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary side elevation of the module shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a circuit diagram of the dental fluid utility system employed in the console.

FIG. 23 is a wiring diagram of the power circuit for operating the elevating mechanism.

FIG. 24 is a wiring diagram of the electrical control system for actuating the vacuum system.

FIG. 25 is a wiring diagram for the power circuit which is actuated by foot control means, such as shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 26 is a wiring diagram of the electrical power furnished to certain electrical instruments mounted in a certain module within the console.

FIG. 27 is a wiring diagram of the electrical power circuit for a burner mechanism supported in another module.

FIG. 28 is a side elevation of another embodiment of dental console from that shown in FIGS. 1-6.

FIGS. 29-31 are diagrammatic side elevations of the embodiment of console shown in FIG. 28 and illustrating progressive movement of the head and carriage relative to the base cabinet.

FIG. 32 is a fragmentary side elevation of the upper door of the embodiment of console shown in FIGS. 28-31.

FIG. 32A is a fragmentary side elevational view of the hinge arrangement of the door of the console in FIGS. 32 and 33.

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary front elevation of the upper door arrangement shown in FIG. 32.

FIGS. 34 and 35 are fragmentary views illustrating the switch actuating mechanism shown in FIGS. 32 and 33 in various positions during operation thereof.

FIG. 36 is a wiring diagram of the power circuit for raising and lowering the carriage and head of the embodiment of console shown in FIGS. 28-31.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1-3, the dental console embodying the principles of the present invention primarily comprises a cabinet 10 which in shape and styling preferably is similar to modern counter-type cabinetry employed in current dental operatories. The cabinet 10 has opposite parallel sides 12 between which a plurality of

front panels

14 and 16 extend. A still further front panel 18, shown in FIG. 2, but omitted in FIG. I, normally covers the front portion of the head frame 20 which is vertically movable with respect to the stationary cabinet 10, and especially the side walls and front panels thereof.

Supported by the top of the head frame 20 is a horizontal top or counter panel 22 which preferably is normally positioned at a height corresponding to that of the counters on the other cabinetry in the operatory. Extending upwardly from the rear portion of the counter panel 22 is a short rear wall 24, which serves to prevent instruments and material from accidentally being pushed from the rear edge of the cabinet. The counter top 22 is hinged adjacent the rear edge thereof to frame to permit raising the top for access to the apparatus below the same. The narrow front wall of the counter panel 22 supports operating swit'ch mechanism 26, which is for purposes to be described.

Horizontally movable with respect to the head frame 20 is a carriage or head 28. This head is actuated by one embodiment of mechanism similar to that described and claimed in said aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,280,458. However, to render the disclosure of the subject invention complete in the instant application, a descriptioon of at least the major elements of such embodiment of the actuating mechanism for the head or carriage 28, in accordance with the illustration of the instant application, the following description thereof is set forth.

moving the carriage or head 28 carried thereby forwardly to its projected, operative position, such as shown in phantom in FIG. 3 and several exemplary operative positions thereof also being shown in FIG. 2, attention is directed to FIGS. 3-6 for details of the actuating mechanism. In FIG. 3 particularly, it will be seen that the head frame 20 actually comprises a metal liner which, in cross-section, is U-shaped and consists of a pair of opposed sides 30, and a back 32, which are integrally connected by being bent from a common sheet of appropriate metal. Connected to the lower end of each side 30 is either a casting or appropriate stamping 34 formed from relatively heavy gauge sheet metal for purposes of supporting certain elements of the head elevating and guiding mechanism. Hereinafter, the elements 34, of which there respectively is one adjacent each of the opposite sides of the cabinet 10, are referred to as castings 34, although it is to be understood that they may be formed by stamping from the aforementioned heavy gauge sheet metal.

Castings 34 are secured to the sides 30 by appropriate bolts 36 or the like. A connecting block 38 also is appropriately secured by bolts or otherwise to the forward end of each of the castings 34 for purposes of supporting a vertical guide bar 40 having antifriction rollers 42 on opposite ends thereof, said rollers being movable in U-shaped, vertical guide channels 44 respectively mounted on the opposite sides of the cabinet 10 and fixedly supported thereby so as to open toward each other. This mechanism comprises the vertical guide means for the head frame 30 and the carriage 28 carried thereby.

Mounted fixedly with respect to the base 46 is power means comprising an electric motor 48 having a sheave 50 thereon which drives another sheave 52, through an appropriate belt which drives shaft 54, the opposite ends of which respectively areconnected to gear reduction units 56 respectively supported by the base 46 adjacent opposite sidesof the cabinet 10. Extending upwardly from each of the units 56 and rotated thereby unidirectionally, are threaded shafts 58, each of which have a sleeve 60 coaxial therewith. Fixed to the lower end of each sleeve is a ball screw nut 62 coacting with the threads of shafts 58 for purposes of simultaneously raising and/or lowering the sleeves at opposite sides of the cabinet 10. Fixedly connected to and projecting forwardly from the upper end of each sleeve 60 is an arm 64 which, through the medium of a link 66, is connected to the outer end of crank arm 68 which is fixed to shaft 70 that is pivoted in a suitable bearing in the casting 34, it being understood that each of said castings has such a shaft 70 supported thereby respectively adjacent opposite sides of the cabinet 10.

Fixed to the inner surface of each of the opposite sides of the cabinet 10 is a cam casting 72 and a vertical extension 74 having a guide channel 76 therein. Cam casting 72 has a cam channel 78 therein, the lower portion of which is substantially vertical, while the upper portion has a lateral and downwardly extending gooseneck portion 80. Connected to the outer end of each shaft 70 is a short arm 82 which, in conjunction with crank arm 68, comprises a bell crank. The arm 82 has a roller 84 mounted thereon to provide antifriction engagement of the arm 82 with the cam channel and its vertical extension 76, which engagement occurs when the motor 48, which preferably is of the reversible drive type, is operated in a direction to elevate the head frame 20 and the carriage 28 thereof.

Also pivotally supported by each of the castings 34 adjacent the inner surface thereof is a lever 86, a suitable short pin or bolt 88 extending through the lever intermediately of the ends thereof and also being fixed to each casting 34 to comprise the pivot for the lever. Opposite ends of the lever have open ended

slots

90 and 92 therein. Fixed to the inner end of each of the shafts 70 is another short arm 94 having an antifriction roller 96 on the outer end thereof which is received within the slot 92 in the lever 86 at opposite sides of the cabinet. If desired, the shafts 70 may be supported by small, auxiliary plate 98 which is fixed by suitable bolts to casting 34.

The upper end of each of the levers 86 respectively engage appropriate pins or antifriction rollers 100 mounted for rotation about axes fixed with respect to the carriage or head 28. These rollers are received within the slots 90 in the upper ends of the levers 86, whereby as the levers 86 are oscillated about their axes 88, in the manner presently to be described, the carriage or head 28 is reciprocated between the initial, fully retracted position thereof shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the projected position shown in phantom in the upper portion of FIG. 3 and in full lines in FIG. 6.

According to the preferred principles of the invention, the carriage or head 28 is projected from its fully retracted, inoperative position, such as shown in FIG. 4, to the operative position shown in FIG. 6, which is considered to be the initial operative position in that, after the carriage 28 has been elevated sufficiently to clear the upper ends of the sides 12 of cabinet 10 and is projected to the position shown in FIG. 6, for example, the various instruments carried by said carriage are readily exposed and positioned for access. However, in the event greater comfort and convenience isafforded the dentist or dental assistant by elevating the projected carriage higher than the position shown in FIG. 6, the invention contemplates that such further elevation is possible and one such exemplary higher position is 7 shown in phantom in the uppermost position illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

To initiate the positioning of the carriage or head 28 at the desired operative position which is best suited to the dentist or assistant at any particular time, regardless of whether standing or sitting, or if the dentist or assistant is short or tall, the operating switch mechanism 26 is operated to energize motor 48 which simultaneously rotates the shafts 58, unidirectionally, to effect similar simultaneous elevation of both of the arms 64. The rollers 84 are always disposed within the cam channels 80 respectively at opposite sides of the cabinet 10, the same being mirror images of each other. Hence, as the arms 64 move upwardly, the disposition of the rollers 84 within the cam channels 80 cause the head frame to move upwardly.

From FIG. 3, it will be seen that the cam channel 80, as it extends upwardly, also extends slightly forwardly until it reaches the gooseneck portion adjacent the upper end of cam casting 72, at which time the roller 84 will traverse said gooseneck portion and cause counter-clockwise rotation of the crank arm 68 and the

arms

82 and 94 which are fixed relative thereto for rotation about the axis of shaft 70. Such rotative movement of said arms causes roller 96 to move the lever 86 counter-clockwise about its pivot 88, thereby causing forward movement of the carriage 28 from the fully retracted position thereof shown in the lowermost position illustrated in FIG. 3, to the maximum projected position shown in phantom in the upper portion of FIG. 3, as well as in phantom in several projected views in FIG. 2.

Upon the roller 84 reaching the lower end of the vertical extension 74 of cam casting 72, at which time the carriage 28 is fully projected forwardly, continued vertical movement of the arms 64 correspondingly will directly move the head frame20 and carriage 28 carried thereby to any additional vertical position desired by the operator, at least within reasonable limits. In the preferred construction, a maximum vertical movement of approximately 18 inches or 20 inches is provided, but it is to be understood that this measurement is merely exemplary and not restrictive.

Continued vertical movement of the projected carriage 26 above its initial operative position, such as that illustrated in FIG. 6, is accomplished by continuing to hold the operating switch 26 ON until the desired vertical position of the carriage is reached. If, at any time during the use of the instruments carried by the carriage 28, the vertical position of the carriage is'desired to be changed by the operator, it is only necessary to actuate the switch 26 for movement of the head frame 20 and carriage 28 in the desired vertical direction, either upward or downward, it being understood that said switch is capable of actuation to initiate either of such movements. Accordingly, at the completion of any use of the instruments carried by the carriage 28, if it is desired to restore the carriage and head frame to their fully retracted position into the upper portion of cabinet 10, this may be done by manipulating appropriate switches or other control means to be described hereinafter.

HEAD AND CARRIAGE CONSTRUCTION Referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, the carriage or head 28 is shown in perspective view in FIG. 7 and comprises a pair of similar side plates 102 formed from appropriate sheet metal, the same being maintained in permanent spaced relation by supporting plate 104 having a bracing flange 106 depending therefrom at the rearward edge to render the plate rigid. At the diagonally opposite corners of plates 102, a connecting channel member 108 is rigidly fixed at its ends respectively to the inner faces of said plates and cooperates with the supporting plate 104 to render the carriage 28 rigid. Said supporting plate and connecting channel also comprise supporting means for the sub-frames of various individual modules, details of which are described hereinafter.

For purposes of supporting the carriage or head 28 horizontally with respect to the upper portions of the side members 30 of the head frame 20, antifriction means are utilized, the preferred embodiment of which is illustrated in end view in FIG. 8 and parts of which are illustrated in perspective in FIG. 7. Said supporting means primarily comprise pairs of

interfitting channel members

110 and 112, respectively at opposite sides of the carriage and having complementary, elongated grooves which are segments of circles in cross-section for purposes of accommodating therebetween rows of antifriction balls 114 and spacer means for such balls. From FIG. 8, it will be seen that each channel member has a pair of grooves of the type described, whereby there are two rows of balls 114 which are fully capable of providing substantial antifriction movement of the carriage 28 with respect to the upper part of head frame 20 as propelled to and fro by the pivoted levers 86 in the manner described hereinabove.

One of the channel members 110 is connected to each of the side plates 102 by means of a supporting plate 116 suitably affixed to each of said side plates. Each channel member 112 is appropriately supported by a different type of supporting plate 118, to which the channel member 112 is affixed, such as by welding or the like. The supporting plates 118 are secured to the inner surfaces of sides 30 of head frame 20 by any appropriate means, such as a plurality of headed bolts 120, the heads of which preferably are welded-or otherwise secured to the sides 30, said bolts extending through appropriate vertical slots formed in the supporting plates 118 for limited vertical adjustment of each of the supporting plates 118 with respect to the sides 30 to which they are connected fixedly after nuts are clamped against said supporting plates 118 upon the bolts 120. Vertical adjustment may be effected by a suitable adjusting screw 122 threadably associated with a fixed bracket 124. There preferably are a pair of transversely spaced adjusting screws 122 engaging correspondingly longitudinally spaced portions of each supporting plate 118. Similarly, there are pairs of horizontally spaced bolts 120 with respect to both the upper and lower portions of the supporting plates 118.

MODULE CONSTRUCTIONS As indicated above, the present invention is designed to hold, at convenient locations for a dentist or dental assistant, a plurality of dental instruments preferably of the type requiring one of more types of dental utilities such as air under pressure, either heated or at room temperature, water under pressure, either heated or at room temperature, electric current, and/or suction, all of which are designated, generically, as dental utilities. To facilitate the furnishing of one or more of these dental utilities to the group of dental instruments which the

Claims

1. A dental equipment stand arranged to support a plurality of different dental instruments connectable to said stand and requiring dental utilities comprising at least air and water, said stand comprising in combination, supporting frame means; a plurality of control modules each having sub-frames, control valves connectable to sources of dental utilities and operable to control the supply thereof to an individual dental instrument when connected to each of said subframes for support thereby, and support means for a dental instrument interconnected to each subframe; and means detachably connecting said module sub-frames to said supporting frame means in selective compact side-by-side and interchangeable assembled relationship suitable to the greatest convenience for a dentist or attendant.

2. The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 further including utility manifold means connectable to sources of dental utilities under pressure, and conduit means connecting the several control valves of the modules commonly to said manifold means.

3. The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 further including a plurality of manifolds respectively connected to sources of different dental utilities including at least air and water under pressure, and conduit means connecting the several individual control valves of each of said modules respectively to the required manifold for the utility to be controlled by said valves on each module, whereby said manifolds commonly serve all modules for the utility supplies respectively furnished thereby.

4. The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 in which said sub-frames of said modules comprise angularly related members respectively supporting said control valves and engageable with said supporting frame means for detachable connection of said modules to said supporting frame means in side-by-side arrangement.

5. The dental equipment stand according to claim 4 further including similar front panels on said modules arranged in side-by-side relationship when said modules are arranged operatively upon said supporting frame means, passage means formed in the front panels of said modules, and a flexible conduit interconnected to each module and to a dental instrument connectable to said module to supply dental utilities thereto, said conduit extending through said passage means for movement relative to said module.

6. The dental equipment stand according to claim 5 in which said passage means in the front panels of said modules comprise sockets arranged to receive and support a dental instrument when connected to said module.

7. The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 in which said control valves are of the power-operated type, and including power control means operable remotely from said valves to actuate the same.

8. The dental equipment stand according to claim 7 in which said control modules each include conditioning control means in series with said power control means, and actuating means for said conditioning control means positioned upon said module for direct engagement by a dental instrument, and operable incident to removal of such dental instrument from said support means therefor to activate said conditioning control means.

9. The dental equipment stand according to claim 8 in which said power control means include a member positionable for engagement by the foot of an operator, said power control means being connected in parallel with said conditioning control means for all of said modules, whereby only when a dental instrument is moved relative to its support and thereby operates said conditioning control means therefor can said foot-operable power control means be actuated to open the control valves for delivering dental utilities to a selected dental instrument.

10. The dental equipment stand according to claim 9 further including neutralizing means movably engageable relative to said conditioning control means and operable to render the same ineffective when desired, thereby to permit servicing a selected dental instrument without supplying dental utilities thereto when said foot-operable power control is actuated relative to the dental instrument connected to another module.

11. The dental equipment stand according to claim 2 further including quick-detachable, fluid-type connecting means between said conduit means and said manifold means.

12. The dental equipment stand according to claim 7 in which the power means for said control valves comprises electrically powered solenoids and said control means also includes an electrical circuit to supply current to said solenoids, and quick-detachable connecting means between said circuit and solenoids.

13. A dental equipment stand arranged to support a plurality of different dental instruments connectable to said stand and requiring dental utilities comprising at least air and water for the operation thereof, said stand comprising in combination, cabinet means, supporting frame means comprising a pair of spaced means extending substantially between opposite sides of said cabinet means and enclosed thereby, a plurality of control modules each having sub-frames provided with similar portions connectable to said spaced means, control valves connected to said sub-frames for support thereby, conduit means connecting said valves to sources of dental utilities and operable to control the supply thereof to individual dental instruments when connected respectively to said modules for control thereby, support means for a dental instrument interconnected to each sub-frame; and means detachably connecting said module sub-frames to said spaced supporting means in selective compact and interchangeable assembled relationship suitable to the greatest convenience for a dentist or attendant.

14. The dental equipment stand according to claim 13 in which said spaced means comprise a pair of bar-like members and said sub-frames engage the same at locations spaced longitudinally therealong at substantially even intervals.

15. The dental equipment stand according to claim 14 in which said sub-frames comprise metal strips shaped to accommodate the control valves of each modulE compactly.

16. A dental equipment stand arranged to support a plurality of different dental instruments connectable to said stand and requiring dental utilities comprising at least air and water and comprising in combination, supporting frame means; a plurality of control modules comprising separate units supported by said frame means, control valves connectable to sources of dental utilities and operable to control the supply thereof to an individual dental instrument when connected to each of said module units for support thereby, means on each module unit to receive and support a dental instrument, a coilable flexible conduit member on each module unit connectable at one end to a dental instrument and at the other end being interconnected to said control valves, and a reel on each module mounted for rotation and arranged for coiling of said flexible conduit member thereupon and withdrawal therefrom; and means detachably connecting said module units to said supporting frame means in selective compact and interchangeable assembled relationship suitable to the greatest convenience for a dentist or attendant.

17. The dental equipment stand according to claim 16 in which said flexible conduit member is the multi-passage type permitting separate but simultaneous transmission of a plurality of dental utilities, the passages of said conduit being individually connected to different control valves of each module.

18. The dental equipment stand according to claim 16 in which said modules are relatively narrow for compact side-by-side arrangement within parallel vertical planes and include similar sub-frames connectable to said supporting frame means, said sub-frames being shaped to accommodate said reels for rotation substantially within the plane of said modules.

19. The dental equipment stand according to claim 18 further including additional means on said supporting frame means to support said reels for said modules independently of said sub-frames of said modules, whereby said module sub-frames may be detached from said supporting frame means while said reels remain supported thereby.

20. The dental equipment stand according to claim 19 in which said supporting frame means comprise a plurality of spaced barlike members engageable by similar portions of said sub-frames of said modules.

21. The dental equipment stand according to claim 20 in which said control valves are solenoid-actuated and one of said bar-like members also supports an electric circuit connectable to a source of current, said modules also including sub-circuit means connecting the solenoids of said valves to said electric current, and a control switch connected to said sub-circuit means and operable by an operator to actuate the control valves of a selected module.

22. The dental equipment stand according to claim 21 further including a circuit conditioning switch included in the sub-circuit of each module operable incident to moving a dental instrument for use relative to each module when such instrument is connected thereto and thereby close the circuit to the valves of a selected module for operation thereof when said control switch in said sub-circuit is closed.

23. The dental equipment stand according to claim 22 in which said control switch is actuated by foot-operated means positionable adjacent the floor and said control switch being connected commonly in series with said sub-circuits of said modules.

24. The dental equipment stand according to claim 14 in which one of said rail-like members is mounted forwardly in said cabinet means and the other of said members is substantially parallel to and rearwardly of said one member, the sub-frames of said modules extending between and transversely to said rail-like members and in close side-by-side relationship to each other and being spaced from the rear portion of said cabinet means; and said modules also including flexible conduit means interconnected at one end to the control valves of said modules to deliver fluids to a dental instruMent when connected thereto, and reels rotatably mounted within the spaces rearward of said sub-frames respectively to receive the flexible conduit means of said modules to support and store the same in coiled manner.

25. The dental equipment stand according to claim 24 including bracket means connected to one of said rail-like members and respectively supporting said reels independently of said sub-frames of said modules, rotary connectors on said reels to which said flexible conduit means are connected, and conduit means between said rotary connectors and the control valves of said modules.

26. The dental equipment stand according to claim 25 further including utility manifold means, support means supporting said manifold means fixedly relative to said supporting frame means, flexible conduits between said control valves and said manifold means, and quick-detachable means connecting one end of said conduits to said manifold means.

27. The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 in which said supporting means comprises a carriage, means connected to said carriage and operable to move the same vertically relative to stationary base means, manifold means supported by said carriage and movable therewith, and fluid conductable conduits between said manifold means to maintain a fluid supply therebetween regardless of movement of said carriage and modules relative to said manifold means.

28. The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 further including a cabinet, said supporting frame means comprising a carriage, positioning means operable within said cabinet to support said carriage in a lowermost retracted position within the upper portion of said cabinet, power means operable to actuate said positioning means initially to move said carriage forwardly beyond the front face of said cabinet to an initial operative position, and power control means operable to energize said power means to actuate said positioning means and move said carriage to said initial operative position relative to said cabinet and selectively to a desired higher position of operation.

29. The dental equipment stand according to claim 28 in which said positioning means comprises mechanical means operable initially to move said carriage horizontally forward from a retracted inoperative position within the upper portion of said cabinet to said initial operative position, and guide means interengageable by said carriage and operable to guide the same while projected for vertical movement selectively to various positions as aforesaid.

30. The dental equipment stand according to claim 29 in which said power means is arranged initially to actuate said mechanical means to effect said projection of said carriage and continued operation of said power means elevates the same.

31. The dental equipment stand according to claim 29 in which said mechanical means includes linkage pivotally supported by means movable vertically with said carriage, lever means supported pivotally and operated by said linkage and engaging said carriage to move the same horizontally between extended and retracted positions, and actuating members movable vertically within said cabinet, said power means being operatively connected to said actuating members and said actuating members being engageable with said linkage to pivotally move the same and actuate said pivoted lever means as aforesaid.

32. The dental equipment stand according to claim 28 in which said cabinet has a front panel terminating below the top of the cabinet, a door on the front of said cabinet adjacent the top thereof and concealing said carriage when said door is in closed position, said door being movable from closed to open position to initiate movement of said carriage forwardly to project the forward portion thereof beyond the front of said cabinet prior to being elevated.

33. The dental equipment stand according to claim 32 further including means interconnecting said door and power control means and operable upon opening said door to caUse said positioning means to move said carriage at least to said initial operative position.

34. The dental equipment stand according to claim 33 in which said power control means comprises electric switch means having movable actuators, and said dental control means also including actuating means operated by said door during movement from closed to open position to move the actuators of said switch means to cause the power means to move said carriage forwardly to said initial operating position thereof.

35. The dental equipment stand according to claim 34 in which at least certain of said switch means are carried by said door and are movable therewith, and said actuating means being movable by said door only when said door has been moved sufficiently toward open position to permit forward projection of said carriage through the opening normally closed by said door.

36. The dental equipment stand according to claim 35 further including additional electric switch means interconnected to said power means and manually operable to control vertical movement of said carriage for desired increments after said carriage has been projected to said initial operative position thereof.

37. The dental equipment stand according to claim 34 further including additional electric switch means interconnected to said power means and selectively manually operable to control vertical movement of said carriage respectively upwardly and downwardly for desired increments when said carriage is in forwardly projected position.

38. The dental equipment stand according to claim 37 further including control switch means positioned and interconnected to said door for actuation by said door only when in a predetermined open position to permit vertical movement of said carriage and prevent such movement when said door is moved from said predetermined open position, thereby to prevent possible damage to said projected carriage as by it being lowered onto said door when in closed position.

39. The dental equipment stand according to claim 1 further including a cabinet having a front panel terminating at its upper edge below the top of the cabinet to provide an opening, and a door pivotally supported by said cabinet to form a closure for said opening, said supporting means comprising a carriage mounted for horizontal movement to project the forward portion of said carriage through said opening when said door is in open position, and restraining means interconnected to said door and operable to prevent free pivotal movement of said door from closed to open position and thereby prevent slamming of said door.

40. The dental equipment stand according to claim 39 in which said door is hingedly connected at the normally lower edge thereof to said cabinet and is movable downwardly about the axis of said hinged connection from closed to open position, said door having internal recess means and said restraining means being at least partially contained therein and substantially invisible from the exterior of said door when in either open or closed positions.

41. A reel for flexible tubing comprising a wheel, a plurality of flexible tubes wound on said wheel, means associated with said wheel for supplying a first fluid to one of the said tubes, means associated with said wheel for supplying a second fluid to another of said tubes, means for controlling the supply of said fluids to said tubes, said tubes being connected to a dental instrument, said dental instrument adapted to close switch means which are in circuit with said controlling means, and said switch means being closed when said dental instrument is pulled in a direction to unwind said tubes from said wheel.

42. A reel for flexible tubing comprising a wheel, a plurality of flexible tubes wound on said wheel, means associated with said wheel for supplying a first fluid to one of the said tubes, means associated with said wheel for supplying a second fluid to another of said tubes, and means for controlling the supply of said fluids to Said tubes, said controlling means comprising electrically actuated valve means, said valve means being actuatable when said tubes are unwound from said wheel.