GB168216A - Improvements in and relating to gagging-appliances and tongue depressors - Google Patents

Abstract

168,216. Cameron, W. J. July 7, 1920. Gagging - appliances; tongue - depressors. - A combined gagging-appliance and tongue-depressor comprises two L-shaped arms 12, 15 which are relatively adjustable by means of a rack-andpinion device 12<a>, 17<a> so as to alter the position of the hook members 14a, 18<a> engaging the teeth of a patient, and a tongue-depressor 35 slidably and pivotally adjusted on the hinged plate 28 of a bracket member 27 secured to the lower part 14 of the gagging arm 12. Vertical adjustment of the tongue-depressor is provided for by a screwed rod 30 engaging a threaded recess 32a of a lever 32 pivoted at 33 within a casing 29. By pressure on the end 32<b> to depress the lever against the spring 34, the lever is disengaged from the screwed rod. The upper end of the member 30 is connected by a swivel joint 31 with the hinged plate 28. The tongue-depressor is pivotally connected with the plate 28 by a stud 37, which engages in a slot 36 having an enlarged end 36<a>, whereby the depressor can be withdrawn from the mouth of a patient and readily detached from the appliance. The provision of a spring on the pin 37 permits the depressor to be frictionally retained in an adjusted position. In the modification shown in Fig. 7, the bracket 27 is pivotally mounted on the arm 13 so that the tongue-depressor can be rocked about. the pivot 40, this movement being limited by a stud 41 engaging with an arcuate slot 42. A lighting-device 21, such as is described in Specification 146,475, may be combined with the operating-appliance.