JP2014212879A - Articulator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To complement an unnecessary gap between a recess inside a support member and a tip part of a support shaft fitted into the recess, in an articulator.SOLUTION: An articulator (10) includes: a support member (120) rotatably attached to a support frame (110) fixed to a mandibular arch (104); a maxillary arch (106) formed integrally with the support member or fixed to the support member; two support shafts (70) respectively penetrating two openings present on the left side and the right side of the support frame, rotatably connecting the support member to the support frame, and configured such that tip parts of the respective support shafts are fitted in recesses of respective end parts of the support member; and adjustment members (140) having tip parts capable of contacting with peripheral faces of the tip parts of the respective support shafts in the recesses of the respective end parts of the support member fitted on the tip parts of the respective support shafts.

Description

  The present invention relates to an articulator.

  An articulator is a device that reproduces the three-dimensional dimensions and movements of the upper and lower jaws. The articulator is attached to an occlusal floor or a tooth model, and reproduces the position and mandibular movement of the upper and lower jaws, and is used for dental diagnosis or treatment. For example, a temporary denture base is produced on the occlusal floor attached to the articulator. For example, in order to produce a denture base made of resin (resin), first, a plaster model representing the patient's intraoral shape and an occlusal floor made of wax (wax such as paraffin) attached thereon are placed in an articulator. Then, artificial teeth (dentures) are arranged in wax according to the occlusal floor, a temporary denture base is produced, and the temporary base trial is performed.

  The known articulator includes an upper base plate mounting frame that is slidably supported by a support member, an upper base plate attached to the mounting frame, and a lower jaw that is slidably supported by the support frame. It includes a base plate mounting frame, a lower jaw base plate mounted on the mounting frame, and a support shaft that rotatably connects a support member to the support frame.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 06-36812

  There are known types of articulators that basically do not require adjustment, such as the average value type and the simple type. Such an articulator has cylindrical ends in the left and right support shafts fixed to the joint portion of the support frame and cylindrical ends in the left and right ends of the support member due to wear or wear due to long-term use. Unnecessary gaps or clearances may occur between the fitting recesses or between the joint portion of the support frame and the left and right ends of the support member. In addition, due to wear or wear due to long-term use, the gaps or clearances gradually increase. As a result, looseness may occur between the support shaft and the support member, and the support member may not rotate stably with respect to the support shaft and may be shaken. Thereby, the accuracy of the dimensional shape of the created denture base may be lowered.

  The inventor provides the joint portion of the support frame of the articulator between the cylindrical tip portion of the support shaft and the cylindrical fitting recess in the support member and / or the left and right sides of the joint portion of the support frame and the support member. Recognizing the need to compensate or compensate for unnecessary gaps between the edges of In addition, the inventor has recognized that the support member can be rotated accurately and stably in the fitting recess around the fixed support shaft as an axis by complementation or compensation. .

The objective of this invention is providing the articulator which can complement or compensate the unnecessary clearance gap which may arise between the joint part and support member of the support frame of an articulator.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an articulator that can complement or compensate for an unnecessary gap that may occur between a recess in a support member and a tip of a support shaft that is inserted into the recess. It is.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an articulator in which a recess in a support member can be stably rotated around a tip end portion of a support shaft inserted into the recess.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, an articulator includes a lower arch, a support frame fixed to the lower arch, a support member rotatably attached to the support frame, and an integral part of the support member. An upper arch formed or fixed to the support member and two supports that pivotably connect the support member to the support frame through two openings on the left and right sides of the support frame, respectively. Two support shafts configured to fit the recesses of the respective end portions of the support member, and the distal end portions of the respective support shafts. And an adjustment member having a tip portion that can come into contact with the peripheral surface of the tip portion of each support shaft in a recess at each end portion of the support member to be fitted.

  In the embodiment, the adjustment member may include a pressing screw having a distal end surface that can contact or press on a side peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the support shaft. The articulator may be an average value type or a simple type.

  In the embodiment, the adjustment member may include a pressing plate at at least one end portion of both end portions in the axial direction of the support shaft, and the pressing plate is a left side of the support frame through which the support shaft passes. Or it may be fixable to the support member in a form capable of coming into contact with or coming into contact with the right joint.

  According to one aspect of the embodiment, in the articulator, an unnecessary gap that may be generated between the joint portion of the support frame and the support member can be complemented or compensated, and the fitting recess in the support member is provided. The support shaft can be accurately and stably rotated around the tip of the support shaft inserted into the recess.

1A-1D show a schematic configuration of an exemplary articulator according to an embodiment. (Explained in Fig. 1A) (Explained in Fig. 1A) (Explained in Fig. 1A) FIG. 2 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a support shaft in the support frame and a gap adjusting member in the support member. FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view of one end portion of the support member. 3B is an exploded view of the gap adjusting member in the support member of FIG. 3A. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate that the clearance adjustment member causes the side surface of the cylindrical tip portion of the support shaft to contact the tip surface of the cylindrical tip portion of the support shaft so that there is no looseness or gap between the two. FIG. FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view of one end of a support member according to another embodiment. FIG. 5B is an exploded view of the gap adjusting member in the support member of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is a plan view of the presser plate that is a deformation of the presser plate. FIGS. 6A and 6B show that the clearance adjustment member eliminates the slack or fills the clearance by pressing the outer end surface of the press plate against the inner surface of the joint portion of the support frame against the inner end surface. It is a figure for demonstrating this.

  Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, similar components are given the same reference numerals.

  1A-1D illustrate a schematic configuration of an exemplary articulator 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 1A is a left side view of the articulator 10. FIG. 1B is a rear view of the articulator 10. FIG. 1C is a top view of the articulator 10. FIG. 1D is a front view of the articulator 10.

  The articulator 10 of the embodiment may be, for example, an average value type or a simple type. However, some features of the articulator 10 are not limited to this, and can be applied to other types of articulators. All or at least some of the members and elements of the articulator 10 may be formed of a metal such as, for example, stainless steel.

  The articulator 10 includes a lower arch 104, a support frame 110 fixed to the lower arch 104 at a rear position thereof, and a support member 120 rotatably attached to the support frame 110 by joint portions 111 at the upper left and right ends thereof. A maxillary arch 106 fixed to the front side of the support member 120 or integrally formed with the support member 120. The mandibular arch 104 can support the lower teeth of the prosthesis. The maxillary arch 106 can support the maxillary tooth profile for making a prosthesis. The mandibular arch 104 may be a mandibular base plate mounting frame. The maxillary arch 106 may be an upper base plate mounting frame. The upper base of the incisor pin 138 is fixed to the front end of the maxillary arch 106 in an adjustable manner. The lower end of the incisor pin 138 contacts the incisal table 150 at the front end of the mandibular arch 104 in a detachable or slidable form. Here, the relative positional relationships such as up and down, left and right, and front and rear in the articulator 10 are based on the corresponding human body.

  A mounting plate (or a mandibular baseplate) 116 is fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the upper arch 106 by fastening means such as screws. A eta plate (or maxillary base plate) 114 is fixedly attached to the upper surface of the lower arch 104 generally by fastening means such as screws. The support member 120 has a rotation axis extending in the left-right width (Y) direction, and a joint at the left and right end portions on the upper side of the support frame 110 by a support shaft (fastening screw, shaft) 70 as a condylar ball or a pseudo joint. The unit 111 is rotatably connected to the unit 111. The joint portion 111 has an opening 112 having a female screw portion. The support shaft 70 serves as a rotation axis for opening and closing movements between the upper arch 106 and the lower arch 104 as shown by broken lines in FIG. 1A. The support member 120 and the support frame 110 can be connected or separated from each other by rotating or tightening or loosening the retaining screw of the support shaft 70 in the support frame 110. Therefore, the maxillary arch 106 fixed to the support member 120 can rotate with respect to the support frame 110 about the support shaft 70 as a rotation axis.

  For the sake of explanation, the front direction of the support shaft 70 in the support frame 110 on the horizontal plane is defined as the X axis, the left support shaft 70 on the horizontal plane orthogonal to the X axis is defined as the Y axis, and the left support shaft 70 has the X direction. The vertical direction orthogonal to the −Y plane may be assumed to be the Z axis.

  The support member 120 includes a gap adjustment member 140. The gap adjusting member 140 eliminates a loose width in the X direction or an unnecessary gap between the recess 112 of the joint portion 111 of the support member 120 and the cylindrical tip portion 78 of the support shaft 70 fitted in the recess 112. Or to supplement or compensate.

  FIG. 2 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of the support shaft 70 in the support frame 110 and the gap adjusting member 140 in the support member 120.

  FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view of one end portion of the support member 120. 3B is an exploded view of the gap adjustment member 140 in the support member 120 of FIG. 3A.

  The support shaft 70 may be a knurled screw and has a countersunk head 74, a screw 76, and a cylindrical tip 78. The support shaft 70 has a male screw portion 76 screwed into a female screw portion of a knurled nut 80 for fixing the support shaft 70, penetrates the nut 80, and the female screw of the joint portion 111 of the support frame 110. It is fixed or screwed into the mold opening 112 in a penetrating manner. The support member 120 has a recess 124 at the left and right ends, and the recess 124 has an opening at the left and right (± Y direction) end faces of the support member 120 and a back side (−X direction) opening 126. Communicated with. The cylindrical tip 78 of the support shaft 70 is fitted into a cylindrical fitting recess 125 in the recess 124 at the left and right ends so as to be slidably or slidably rotatable or rotatable in contact.

  The gap adjusting member 140 may be attached to, for example, the back side (−X direction) of both left and right (± Y direction) ends of the support member 120. The gap adjusting member 140 includes a presser plate 142, and the presser plate 142 is fixed to the support member 120 by screwing a knurled fixing screw 148 having a hexagonal hole to a female screw portion 128 for fixing. The The gap adjusting member 140 includes a knurled pressing screw 144 with a hexagonal hole, and the pressing screw 144 passes through the female screw portion of the fixing nut 146 and the female screw portion of the presser plate 142 and passes through the female screw portion of the support member 120. The screw-type opening 126 is inserted. The pressing screw 144 is inserted into the fitting recess 125 in the recess 124 of the support member 120. The distal end surface of the distal end portion of the pressing screw 144 is rotated in the forward direction by the user and is pressed against and contacted with the peripheral surface of the cylindrical distal end portion 78 of the support shaft 70. Thereby, the support member 120 is in a state in which the inner peripheral surface (bearing surface) of the fitting recess 125 in the recess 124 is sufficiently in contact with the peripheral surface of the side surface of the cylindrical tip 78 of the support shaft 70 without loosening. Thus, the cylindrical tip 78 of the support shaft 70 can be slidably or slidably rotated about the rotation axis.

  An insertion rod 94 is pivotally supported or hinged at the base end at the upper end of the center of the support frame 110. The insertion rod 94 is inserted into the pressing spring 95 from its distal end, and the distal end side of the insertion rod 94 is inserted into the fitting opening 132 of the support member 120 together with the pressing spring 95. Therefore, when the upper arch 106 is opened and closed with respect to the lower arch 104, the insertion rod 94 opens and closes or reciprocates with respect to the lower arch 104 together with the upper arch 106.

  4A and 4B show that the clearance adjustment member 140 causes the tip end surface of the cylindrical tip portion 78 of the support shaft 70 to contact the side surface of the cylindrical tip portion 78 of the support shaft 70 so that the looseness or the gap between the two ends. It is a figure for demonstrating becoming lost.

  Referring to FIG. 4A, when the support member 120 is rotated with respect to the support shaft 70 by the user each time the articulator 10 is used, the fitting in the recess 124 of the support member 120 is caused by long-term use. The inner peripheral surface of the recess 125 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tip 78 of the support shaft 70 come into contact with each other and gradually wear or wear, and there is an unnecessary gap in the X and Z directions between them. It is formed and gradually expands. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4A, the support member 120 is loosened or gaps in the X direction and the Z direction with respect to the support frame 110 and its joint portion 111, for example, as shown by double-headed arrows. This makes it easy to shake and its rotation axis becomes unstable.

  On the other hand, referring to FIG. 4B, the pressing screw 144 of the gap adjusting member 140 is inserted into the fitting recess 125 through the opening 126 in the direction of the arrow, and the side portion of the cylindrical tip 78 of the support shaft 70. Rotate to contact or press against the peripheral surface. Thereby, an unnecessary gap in the −X direction in the space of the fitting recess 125 is eliminated or filled by the tip end portion of the pressing screw 144, and is supplemented or compensated. Accordingly, since the fitting recess 125 is cylindrical and has a circular cross section, the fitting recess 125 does not loosen in the Z direction with respect to the cylindrical tip 78 of the support shaft 70. As a result, the support member 120 is complemented or compensated by eliminating or filling the support frame 110 and the joint portion 111 in the X direction and the Z direction, and the rotation axis thereof becomes stable. Thereby, the articulator 10 can be used for a longer period than usual.

  FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view of one end of a support member 120 according to another embodiment. FIG. 5B is an exploded view of the gap adjustment member 140 in the support member 120 of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is a plan view of the presser plate 143, which is a modification of the presser plate 142.

  5A and 5B, the presser plate 143 in the gap adjusting member 140 has a shape different from that of the presser plate 142 in FIGS. 3A and 3B with respect to the two openings. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the retainer plate 142 has two cylindrical openings or female threads for the fixing screw 148 and the pressing screw 144. On the other hand, in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the holding plate 143 has two openings 1432 and 1434 for the fixing screw 148 and the pressing screw 144, each having a columnar or square columnar shape with a rounded bottom surface. The shapes of the openings 1432 and 1434 are not limited to this, and may be other shapes having a width in the Y direction larger than the width in the Z direction. That is, the openings 1432 and 1434 are through which the threaded portions of the fixing screw 148 and the pressing screw 144 pass, respectively, and in the axis Y direction of the support shaft 70 rather than the width in the Z direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the support shaft 70. It has a substantially large width. Other configurations of the gap adjusting member 140 of FIGS. 5A and 5B are the same as those of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

  6A and 6B show that the clearance adjustment member 140 causes the outer end surface 1436 of the holding plate 143 to abut against and press against the inner surface 113 of the joint portion 111 of the support frame 110 to loosen between them. It is a figure for demonstrating eliminating or filling a crevice. In this case, as described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the tip end surface of the cylindrical tip end portion 78 of the support shaft 70 is brought into contact with the side surface of the cylindrical tip end portion 78 of the support shaft 70. Looseness or gaps disappear.

  Referring to FIG. 6A, when the support member 120 is rotated with respect to the support frame 110 and the joint portion 111 by the user each time the articulator 10 is used, the left and right ends of the support member 120 are used for a long time. The end surface 122 and the inner surface 113 of the support frame 110 come into contact with each other and gradually wear or wear, and an unnecessary gap G in the Y direction is formed between the two and gradually expands. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6A, the support member 120 loosens or creates a gap G in the Y direction with respect to the support frame 110 and the joint portion 111, and the Y direction with respect to the support frame 110 and the joint portion 111. The position of becomes unstable.

  On the other hand, referring to FIG. 6B, when the fixing screw 148 and the pressing screw 144 are fixed to the support member 120 as shown in FIG. 4B, the shapes of the openings 1432 and 1434 of the pressing plate 143 are long in the Y direction and allowance space. Alternatively, since there is a clearance, the position is adjusted so that the outer end surface 1436 of the presser plate 143 contacts and presses the inner surface 113 of the joint portion 111 of the support frame 110 in the horizontal arrow direction, and is mainly adjusted by the fixing screw 148. Further, the presser plate 143 is also fastened and fixed to the support member 120 by the pressing screw 144. As a result, an unnecessary gap G in the Y direction between the end surface 122 of the left and right end portions of the support member 120 and the inner surface 113 of the joint portion 111 is filled with the end portions 1436 on the left and right outer sides of the presser plate 143 to complement each other. Or compensated. Thereby, loosening in the Y direction with respect to the joint portion 111 of the support member 120 is also eliminated. As a result, the support member 120 becomes stable with respect to the support frame 110 and its joint portion 111. Thereby, the articulator 10 can be used for a longer period than usual.

  By pressing the cylindrical tip 78 of the support shaft 70 against the inner surface (left side) of the fitting recess 125 of the support member 120 in the Y-axis direction, the Y of the support member 120 with respect to the support frame 110 and its joint portion 111 is displayed. The directional position could be stabilized to some extent. However, unless the looseness or the gap G is compensated, there is a possibility that the support shaft 70 swings in an unstable manner, for example, in the direction of the double-headed arc in FIG. 6A around the cylindrical tip portion 78 of the support shaft 70. Further, when the pressing force is strong, the support member 120 is difficult to rotate smoothly with respect to the support shaft 70 due to a strong frictional force between the cylindrical tip 78 and the inner inner surface of the fitting recess 125. .

  Note that the presser plate 143 may be used only on the left side or the right side of the support member 120, and the presser plate 142 may be used on the other right side or left side. 5A to 5C may be provided separately from the gap adjusting member 140 of FIGS. 3A and 3B. In this case, one gap adjusting member 140 in FIGS. 5A to 5C or FIGS. 3A and 3B may be provided on the top surface, the front surface, or the bottom surface of at least one end portion of the both end portions of the support member 120.

  The embodiment described above is merely given as a typical example, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art to combine the components of each embodiment, and variations and variations thereof, and those skilled in the art will understand the principles and claims of the present invention. Obviously, various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the scope.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Articulator 70 Support shaft 80 Knurled nut 94 for fixation 94 Insertion rod 95 Press spring 104 Mandibular arch 106 Upper arch 110 Support frame 111 Joint part 112 Opening 114 Jitter plate 116 Mounting plate 120 Support member 124 Recess 125 Cylindrical shape Fitting recess 126 female screw type opening 128 female screw part 130 for fixing 130 stepped knurled screw 132 for fixing 132 fitting opening 138 incisal pin (instruction needle)
140 Gap adjustment member 142, 143 Presser plate 144 Press screw 146 Fixing nut 148 Fixing screw 150 Incisal table or base

Claims (3)

A mandibular arch,
A support frame fixed to the lower jaw arch;
A support member rotatably attached to the support frame;
A maxillary arch formed integrally with or fixed to the support member;
Two support shafts that pass through two openings on the left side and the right side of the support frame, respectively, and rotatably connect the support member to the support frame, the tips of the support shafts of the two support shafts Two support shafts configured to fit into recesses at each end of the support member;
An adjustment member having a tip that can contact the peripheral surface of the tip of each support shaft in a recess at each end of the support member into which the tip of each support shaft fits;
Including articulator.   The articulator according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting member includes a pressing screw having a tip surface that can contact or press on a side peripheral surface of a tip portion of the support shaft.   The adjustment member includes a presser plate at least at one end of both end portions in the axial direction of the support shaft, and the presser plate is connected to a left or right joint portion of the support frame through which the support shaft passes. The articulator according to claim 1, wherein the articulator is capable of being fixed to the support member in a form capable of contacting or contacting.

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