US2017502A - Articulator - Google Patents

Description

Get. 15, 1935.

G; J KELLER ARTI CULATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5, 1954 INVENTOR. 6e0rge J @2267 awfwkwyi mx KM ATTORNEY5 Get. 15, 1935. G. J. KELLER 2,017,502

ARTICULATOR Filed May 5, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Geo/ye J/(e/kr ATTORNEYS G. J. KELLER Get. 15, 1935.

ART ICULATOR Filed May 5, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. oiye J /(eZZer BY 6W ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 15, 1935 14 Claims.

This invention relates to an articulator such as is used in the making of artificial dentures.

It is the object of this invention to produce an articulator which will more accurately simulate the upper and lower human jaws in their relative movement than has been possible with articulators heretofore known.

It is also an object of this invention to produce an articulator which is simple, easily set up and operated.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a patient with the parallelers in position to obtain the respective positions of the right and left pivots of the lower jaw.

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the articulator.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the articulator.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the articulator.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the articulator taken just above the lower mandible plate showing the lower mandible plate in centric position.

Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 5 showing the lower mandible plate in right and left lateral positions in the full and dotted lines respectively with the degree plates adjusted.

Fig. 7 is a section along the line of Fig. 6.

Referring more particularly to the drawings there is shown in Fig. l, in the dotted lines, a patient with the parallelers in position to obtain the respective locations of the right and left pivots of the patients lower jaw. Any suitable type of paralleler may be used to obtain the relative position of the pivots of the lower jaw. The paralleler is used in conjunction with bite rims such as are shown in copending application Serial No. 665,276, filed April 10, 1933. The bite rims, generally designated 2, are provided with parallel prongs which engage suitable openings in the front cross bar 3 of the paralleler and are held in position by the set screws The paralleler is provided with a pair of adjustable posts 5 and 5 which carry the adjustable locating pins 1 and 8. As shown, the locating pins 1 and 8 are positioned against the left and right pivots of the patients lower jaw and the respective posts adjusted vertically relative to the parallel bars 9 and it and then secured in this position by the set screws and |2. As brought out in the copending application, the bite rims are inserted in the patients mouth so that, generally speaking, they fall in a plane parallel to a line extending between the wing of the nose and the auditory meatus. After the parallelers are positioned on the patient and the locating pins "l and B adjusted, as above described, the vertical distance between the locating pin 8 and the parallel bar I3 is substantially equal to the vertical distance between the right pivot of the patients lower jaw and the junction of the upper and lower lips of the patient, that :5. is, the line of dental engagement between the upper and lower teeth. The vertical distance between the locating pin 7 and the parallel bar 9 in a similar fashion represents the distance between the left pivot of the lower jaw and the 10 meeting line between the upper and lower lips of the patient. The right and left lateral movements of the patients lower jaw, as well as the centric and protrusive positions of the lower jaw, are then ascertained and recorded with the bite l5 attachment of the type shown in the above mentioned copending application and according to the method therein described.

The articulator comprises a base which may be in the form of the open framework 20 and 20 a support for the maxillary and lower mandible plates which may be in the form of a U frame comprising vertical posts 2| and 22 with the connecting cross bar 23. The posts may be spot welded or otherwise suitably fixed at their base to 25 the base 2%. The cross bar 23 has fixed thereon the spaced blocks 24 and 25 which carry the pin 25 which pivotally supports the upper or maxillary plate 21. Hence, the upper maxillary plate 2? has a hinge relation with the cross bar 23 but 30 may be set in horizontal, non-hinging position by the set screw 28 carried by the block 25.. The lower mandible plate 29 is provided at the rear end of its side edges with the support arms 30 and 3 l. to each other and rigidly fixed perpendicularly to the lower mandible plate 29. The support arms 3|! and 3| are each provided with the adjusting slots 32 which cooperate with the corresponding slots 33 in the posts 2| and 22 to permit vertical 40 adjustment of the lower mandible plate on the support posts. The arms 30 and 3| are held in adjusted position upon posts 2| and 22 by bolts 3% which pass through the slots 32 and 33 and the wing nuts 35 with suitable spacer washers between the posts and arms. The arms 30 and 3| may converge slightly inwardly from top to bot The support arms 30 and 3! are parallel truly vertical so that the lower mandible plate is positioned truly horizontal.

The lower mandible plate 29 is provided with a flat slidable plate 39 which is provided at each end with the downwardly projecting pins 59. The mandible plate 29 is likewise provided with the removable guides 4|. The removable guides 4| have the downwardly projecting pins 42 which removably engage in the openings 43 in the mandible plate to removably hold the guides AI in position. The slide plate 39 may be locked in position on the lower mandible 29 by means of the wing set screw 94 which passes through the slot 45 in the plate 39 and screws into a suitable threaded opening 45 in the lower mandible plate.

The lower mandible plate 29 may be swung about the pivot pins 34 when the pin 38 is removed by turning the threaded stud 41, the lower end of which rests on the projection 48 of the base plate 29. The threaded stud 41 is provided with 'a lock nut 49.

The lower mandible plate is provided with degree plates for reproducing the Gothic arch of the patient which is graphically recorded on the bite attachment referred to in the above mentioned copending application. The lower mandibleplate 29 is provided with a semi-circular projection 59 along its front edge and a similar projection 5| along its rear edge. The projection 59 is provided with two arcuate slots 52 and 53 having a common center 54. On the underside of the projection 59 are slidably mounted two cooperating degree plates 55 and 56, each provided with a pair of set screws 5? for holding the plates in position. Each of the plates 55 and 56 is provided with a straight edge 58 which is a radius of the circle having its center at 54. The projection 59 is provided with a semi-circular opening 59 which receives the downwardly projecting pin 49 on the slide plate 39.

The semi-circular projection 5| along the rear edge of the lower mandible plate 29 is also provided with two concentric arcuate slots 69 and 5| having a common center 62. The projection 5| is provided with an opening 63 through which the downwardly projecting pin 40 at the rear end of the slidable plate 39 projects. The projection 5| has mounted on the underside thereof the degree plates 64 and 55 which are sectors of a circle. Each degree plate 64 and 55 is provided with a straight edge 66 and 61 respectively which are radii of -a common circle. The degree plates 63 and 64 are mounted on the underside of the projection 5| by the set screws 68.

The slide plate 39 is provided with a removable block 99 having inclined sides 9|. The block 99 is removably secured to the top face of the plate 39 by the screws 92. When the lower bite block is cemented to the plate 39 with plaster of Paris, the block 90 becomes embedded in the plaster of Paris, and serves to anchor the lower bite block to the slide plate 39. By this arrangement, when desired, the lower bite block can be removed from the slide 39 by removing the screws 92, and when it is desired to replace the lower bite block and anchor block 99, this arrangement insures the placing of the lower bite block in exactly the same position on the plate 39 that it had prior to being removed.

the paralleler, as above described, the paralleler with the bite rims and bite blocks mounted thereon is then positioned upon the articulator, shown in Fig. 4, with the cupped ends 19 of the pins 1 and 8 engaging over the ends of the bolts 34. At

this time the pin 38 is in position through open- 5 ings in the arms 35 and 3| and posts 2| and 22. Cross bar 3 is set horizontally on plate 39 which is in approximately horizontal position. The wing nuts 35 are loosened and the bolts 39 adjusted vertically in the slots 32 and 33 a distance equal 10 to that between the parallel bars 9 and H3 and the respective pins l and B. The wing nuts 35 are then turned tight. The adjusting screw "H is now turned so that the parallel bars 9 and H] are parallel to the sliding plate 39 and necesl6 sarily the adjusting rods 5 and 6 will be perpendicular to the slidable plate 39, that is, parallel with the posts 2| and 22. The upper and lower bite blocks are now cemented to the upper maxillary plate 2'! and the sliding plate 39 by any suitable material such as plaster of Paris. Thereafter the wax seal between the adjoining bite blocks is broken and the paraller removed. This leaves the upper and lower bite blocks and respective bite rims bound to the upper maxillary plate and the lower slidable plate 39.

The upper and lower bite blocks are now in centric position, that is, the position which the jaws assume when the upper and lower teeth are in normal engagement. Allowance must be made for the over-bite. To this end the set screw 44 is turned to released position so that the plate 39 is free to slide back and forth between the guides H. At this time the remaining portion of the bite attachment, carrying the graphic recording of the Gothic arches, is secured to the bite rims, as shown in the above mentioned copending application and as indicated at '52, Fig. 5. At this time the bite plates are in centric position with the two recording pins positioned at the apex 13 of the Gothic arches. Hence, to obtain the overbite position of the two bite blocks the pin 98 is removed and the slide plate 39 slid forwardly a distance equal to the protrusive line of the patient. This over-bite may be measured from the over-bite portion of the graphic recording on the bite attachment and the plate 39 slid forwardly an equal distance, the graduations l4 assisting one to move the plate forward the correct distance.

Another method of taking care of the overbite is that of sliding the lower plate 39 forwardly while the recording pins of the bite attachment retrace their course from the centric position F3 to the protrusive position 15. By sliding the plate 39 forwardly and at the same time maintaining the upper and lower plates of the bite attachment in face to face contact, the lower mandible plate 29 will necessarily swing with the arms 39 and 3! about the pins 35. Thereafter the wing nuts 35 are tightened still more and the mandible plate 29 and slide plate 39 will be tilted from the horizontal practically in the same manner as the patients lower jaw would tilt in moving from centric to protruded position. In view 05 of the fact that the'two supporting pins 35 are positioned unequal distances from the lower mandible plate 29 in a fashion similar to the positions There would be no inclination of the mandible plate from side to side if the pivots of the patients lower jaw bone were each the same vertical distance above the junction of the upper and lower lips of the patient, but this is very rare.

After the plate 39 has been set for the overbite the next operation is that of setting the degree plates for the right and left lateral position of the lower jaw. To accomplish this the uides ll and set screw it are removed from the lower mandible plate 29. The set screws and E8 on the front and rear degree plates are loosened. At this time the recording pins on the bite attachment, described in the above mentioned copending application, are moved so that the recording pins 23 and 2 3 follow the right lateral projection graphically recorded in the Gothic arch till the pins reach the extreme right lateral position indicated at 8!. inasmuch as the lower bite plate and attachment are secured to the slidable plate by the plaster of Paris this plate shifts to the right as indicated in the full lines of Fig. 6. At this time the right front degree plate 56 and the right rear degree plate 53 are moved so that the straight edge 58 of the front degree plate and the edge 6'! of the rear degree plate contact with the projecting pins ii The set screws 5'! and 68 are then turned tight to hold the degree plate in this position. The setting of the left front and rear degree plates is accomplished in the same manner, namely, by moving the bite attachment and plate 39 so that the recording pins retrace the left portion of the Gothic arch till they reach the extreme left lateral projection. The degree plates are then moved into engagement with the pins ii! and secured in place by the set screws. This is illustrated in the dotted lines of Fig. 6.

The bite blocks are now in proper position upon the articulator and as soon as the bite rims and attachment are removed the technician can proceed with the setting of the teeth.

In the setting of they teeth the upper plate 2'! and upper bite block remain stationary whereas the lower bite block and plate 39 are free to be shifted and simulate the centric, protrusive, and right and left lateral positions of the lower jaw. The shifting of the sliding plate 39 is facilitated inasmuch as the straight edges 58 and 66 of the degree plates which cooperate with the pins ii] to guide the movement of the sliding plate 39 are both on the lower mandible plate and are positioned on the same side of center. For example, in shifting the slide plate 39 from the right lateral position, shown in the full lines Fig. 6, to centric position the plate is slid rearwardly with the pins ii engaging the straight edges of the right front and right rear degree plates. This arrangement makes for ease of operation of the slide plate 39 which is particularly valuable during the grinding in of the teeth.

After the teeth have been set in the trial base and tried in the patients mouth, one may desire to raise or lower the teeth to obtain a better fit. In such case the bite may be opened or closed depending upon whether the teeth have to be raised or lowered. After it has been determined whether the teeth have to be raised or lowered, the trial bases with the teeth set therein are returned to the articulator and again set up with plaster or" Paris, as above described. At this time the bite between the upper and lower teeth may be opened or closed depending upon whether the teeth are to be raised or lowered by simply swinging the lower mandible plate about its pivots 34.

Because of the suspension of the lower mandible plate on the pivot arms 3i! and 3! of unequal length, the lower mandible'plate in the opening or closing of the bite swings in a corresponding manner to the lower jaw of the patient. In other 15 words, the teeth and trial bases while in the articulator and when the bite is eitheropened or closed to permit raising or lowering of the teeth, the teeth are in substantially the same position as they would be were they in the patients 10 mouth.

I claim:

' 1. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate and an upper maxillary plate supported above the lower mandible plate, a slidable piate mounted on, and slidably engaging, lower mandible plate, degree plates adjustably mounted on the lower mandible plate, and means operatively connecting the slidable plate and the degree plates to guide the slidable plate during its movement.

2. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate and an upper maxillary plate supported above the lower mandible plate,

a slidable plate mounted on, and slidably engaging, the lower mandible plate having spaced pins, and degree plates having straight edges adjustably mounted in spaced relation on the lower mandible plate, the straight edges of the degree plates engaging with the pins of the sliding plate to guide the slidable plate during its movement in slidable engagement with the mandible plate.

3. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate and an upper maxillary plate supported above the lower mandible plate, a slidable plate having parallel side edges mounted on the lower mandible plate, and parallel guide members carried by the lower mandible plate for engagement with the parallel side edges of the sliding plate for guiding the slidable plate while 4 being set for over-bite.

4. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate and an upper maxillary plate supported above the lower mandible plate, a slidable plate having parallel side edges mounted on the lower mandible plate, parallel guide members carried by the lower mandible plate for engagement with the parallel side edges of the sliding plate for guiding the slidable plate while being set for over-bite, and means for locking the slidable plate in over-bite position upon the mandible plate.

5. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate and an upper maxillary plate supported above the lower mandible plate, a slidable plate having parallel side edges mounted on the lower mandible plate, parallel guide members carried by the lower mandible plate for engagement with the parallel side edges of the sliding plate for guiding the slidable plate while being set for over-bite, and a set screw for locking the slidable plate in over-bite relation with the lower mandible plate.

6. An articulator comprising a base, a support rising from the base, an upper maxillary plate mounted on the said support, a lower mandible plate pivotally mounted at spaced points upon the said support, adjustable pivots for pivotally supporting the lower mandible plate upon the said support, a slidable plate supported on the said lower mandible plate, adjustable degree plates mounted at the front and rear edges of the lower mandible plate, and means operatively connecting the slidable plate with the degree plates to guide the sliding plate during its movement.

7. An articulator comprising a base, a support rising from the base, an upper maxillary plate mounted on the said support, a lower mandible plate having a pair of supporting arms pivotally mounted at spaced points upon the said support, adjustable pivots for pivotally connecting the supporting arms with the said support, a slidable plate supported on the said lower mandible plate, adjustable degree plates mounted at opposite edges of the lower mandible plate, and means operatively connecting the slidable plate with the degree plates to guide the slidable plate during its movement.

8. An articulator comprising a base, a support rising from the base, an upper maxillary plate mounted on the said support, a lower mandible plate having a pair of supporting arms pivotally mounted at spaced points upon the said support, adjustable pivots for pivotally connecting the supporting arms with the said support, a slidable plate supported on the said lower mandible plate, and a rod arranged to pass through the support and the arms for preventing the lower mandible plate from swinging about its pivots.

9. An articulator comprising a base, a support rising from the base, an upper maxillary plate mounted on the said support, a lower mandible plate pivotally mounted at spaced points upon the said support, adjustable pivots for pivotally supporting the lower mandible plate upon the said support, a slidable plate supported on the said lower mandible plate, adjustable degree plates mounted at the front and rear edges of the lower mandible plate, means operatively connecting the slidable plate with the degree plates to guide the sliding plate during its movement, and parallel guides for engaging the side edges of the slidable plate. 7

10. An articulator comprising a base, a support rising from the base, an upper maxillary plate mounted on the said support, a lower mandible plate pivotally mounted at spaced points upon the said support, adjustable pivots for pivotally supporting the lower mandible plate upon the said support, a slidable plate supported on the said lower mandible plate, adjustable degree plates mounted at the front and rear edges of the lower mandible plate, means operatively connecting the slidable plate with the degree plates to guide the sliding plate during its movement, and an adjusting screw for adjusting the lower mandible plates about its pivots.

11. An articulator comprising a base, a support including a pair of posts rising from the base, an upper maxillary plate mounted on the said support, a lower mandible plate, a pair of parallel supporting arms for the lower mandible plate rising perpendicular therefrom, the said support posts and arms having corresponding slots, adjustable pivots passing through said slots for pivotally mounting the lower mandible plate upon the said support, and a slidable plate supported 10 on the said lower mandible plate.

12. An articulator comprising a base, a support including a pair of posts rising from the base, an upper maxillary plate mounted on the said support, a lower mandible plate, a pair of parallel supporting arms for the lower mandible plate rising perpendicular therefrom, the said support posts and arms having corresponding slots, adjustable pivots passing through said slots for pivotally mounting the lower mandible plate upon the said support, a slidable plate supported on the said lower mandible plate, adjustable degree plates mounted at the front and rear edges of the lower mandible plate, and means operatively connecting the slidable plate with the degree plates to guide the sliding plate during its movement.

13. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate and an upper maxillary plate supported above the mandible plate, a plate mounted upon and in direct sliding engagement with, the lower mandible plate, degree plates for limiting the lateral and longitudinal movements of the slidable plate adjustable to vary the range of the lateral and longitudinal movements of the said slidable plate, and means operatively connecting the slidable plate and the degree plates to guide the slidable plate during its movements.

14. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate and an upper maxillary plate supported above the lower mandible plate, a shiftable plate mounted on the lower mandible plate and shiftable laterally and longitudinally in a single plane, degree plates adjustably mounted in spaced relation on the lower mandible plate, the said degree plates having straight edges in converging relation, and means carried by the shiftable plate for engagement with the converging straight edges of the degree plates to limit the range of lateral and longitudinal movement of the said plate in a single plane.

GEORGE J. KELLER.

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