US3691634A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental unit construction
Assignee: Dental Unit Construction
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Filing: 1971-06-16
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1991-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A dental unit which may be located adjacent a dental chair, including a compact, floor mounted cabinet with a dental tray assembly pivotally mounted thereon by a conventional adjustable tray arm. The tray assembly includes a hollow support platform and a removable tray portion. A plurality of usual dental handpieces and a syringe are supported upon the support platform, electrical, air and water connections therefore being mounted therein, and normally concealed by the removable tray portion. A control box therefor is mounted on the support platform. Water and air control and electrical control panels are hingedly mounted in the cabinet, adapted to be closed and concealed when not in use, a pilot light is mounted on the cabinet and front and side doors mounted thereon providing access to the instrument supply and regulation equipment located therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean H Buchtel
- 👤 Kenneth R Lappin
- 👤 John A Maurer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G15/00; A61G15/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
A dental unit construction including a generally rectangular cabinet having a back wall, a top wall and front and siDe walls; the front wall of the cabinet comprising an upper front wall portion and a lower front wall portion divided by a horizontally disposed middle door; said upper front wall portion including hinged control panels extending from said middle door to said top wall, said lower portion comprising a lower door extending from said middle door to the bottom of the cabinet, and said control panels and doors when closed forming a flush, unobstructed front wall; instrument supply and regulation means including water, gas, air and electrical components located and mounted within the cabinet; high volume saliva ejector means located and mounted within the cabinet; hinged doors mounted upon said side walls, said side wall doors and said lower door providing access within the cabinet to said instrument supply and regulation means and to said high volume saliva ejector means; control knobs for said cabinet-housed supply and regulation means normally concealed by said middle door; means for controlling operation of said supply and regulation means on the inner sides of said control panels; a waste water drain standpipe communicating with said water components within the cabinet; a tray arm pivotally connected to the cabinet; a tray mounted upon said tray arm; and at least one handpiece and syringe means removably supported upon the tray.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
A dental unit construction including a generally rectangular cabinet having a back wall, a top wall and front and siDe walls; the front wall of the cabinet comprising an upper front wall portion and a lower front wall portion divided by a horizontally disposed middle door; said upper front wall portion including hinged control panels extending from said middle door to said top wall, said lower portion comprising a lower door extending from said middle door to the bottom of the cabinet, and said control panels and doors when closed forming a flush, unobstructed front wall; instrument supply and regulation means including water, gas, air and electrical components located and mounted within the cabinet; high volume saliva ejector means located and mounted within the cabinet; hinged doors mounted upon said side walls, said side wall doors and said lower door providing access within the cabinet to said instrument supply and regulation means and to said high volume saliva ejector means; control knobs for said cabinet-housed supply and regulation means normally concealed by said middle door; means for controlling operation of said supply and regulation means on the inner sides of said control panels; a waste water drain standpipe communicating with said water components within the cabinet; a tray arm pivotally connected to the cabinet; a tray mounted upon said tray arm; and at least one handpiece and syringe means removably supported upon the tray.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A dental unit as defined in claim 1 in which the high volume saliva ejector means is mounted upon the inside of one of the side wall doors; and in which a hose connected to said saliva ejector means has a nozzle thereon and extends through an aperture in said side door and is supported on the outer side of said side door.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A dental unit as defined in claim 1 in which the standpipe includes a central tube extending within and open at its lower end within a larger tube, means communicating with the saliva ejector discharging waste water into said central tube, and means communicating with dental bowl and drinking cup drain means discharging waste water therefrom into said larger tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A dental unit as defined in claim 1 in which the tray comprises a hollow support platform and a removable tray portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A dental unit as defined in claim 4 in which connections for electrical, air and water components are mounted on the tray and are located within the hollow support platform; and in which dual control actuating buttons for said electrical, air and water components are mounted on said platform and on said control panels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A dental unit as defined in claim 1 in which a pilot light is mounted on the exterior of the cabinet; and in which the pilot light is connected to and indicates energization of said electrical components.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A dental unit as claimed in claim 1 in which drinking cup filler and waste water drain means are located within the cabinet between two spaced control panels; in which a fold-away cover conceals said drinking cup filler and waste water drain means; and in which the two spaced control panels and the fold-away cover form the upper front wall portion of the cabinet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
A dental unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the control panels are hinged on a horizontal axis at their lower ends and are removable between open and closed positions; in which control actuating buttons for the electrical, air and water components are mounted on the upper end of one of the control panels; and in which the buttons are accessible when the one control panel is in open position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
A dental unit as claimed in claim 8 in which there are two spaced hinged control panels, in which metering valve means for water components and a second saliva ejector connection are mounted on the upper end of the second control panel; and in which the metering valve means and the saliva ejector connection are accessible when the second control panel is in open position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A dental unit as claimed in claim 1 in which a lateral partition support member is located in the cabinet; and in which terminal connections for main water supply, main gas suppLy, and air supply lines, and for said waste water standpipe are mounted on said support member in alignment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
A dental unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the standpipe includes a central tube extending within and open at its lower end within a larger tube forming a chamber between the tubes; in which the high volume saliva ejector means is connected to the upper end of the central tube; in which dental bowl drain means is connected to said chamber adjacent the lower end of the central tube; and in which drinking cup filler drain means, overflow vacuum breaker funnel means, and vent means are connected to the chamber intermediate the upper and lower ends of the central tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3455620A
Cited
US3524256A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |