Patent ID: 9427292
Filing Date: 2016-08-30
CPC Classification: A61C

Claim Text:
1. An adjustable fixator for scanning dental casts, comprising: an upper plate having opposed front and rear ends and having opposed top and bottom surfaces; a lower plate having opposed front and rear ends and having opposed top and bottom surfaces; a cylindrical support mounted on said lower plate and extending upwardly therefrom; a cylindrical shell mounted on said upper plate and extending downwardly therefrom, said cylindrical support being slidably received within said cylindrical shell such that a height of said upper plate with respect to said lower plate is selectively adjustable, said cylindrical shell having a vertically extending slot and a plurality of horizontally extending slots formed therethrough, the plurality of horizontally extending slots each being in open communication on one end thereof with the vertically extending slot; and an engaging member mounted on said cylindrical support and extending radially therefrom, wherein in a first angular position of said cylindrical shell with respect to said cylindrical support, said engaging member is slidable within the vertically extending slot, and in a second angular position between said cylindrical shell with respect to said cylindrical support, said engaging member is received within a selected one of the plurality of horizontally extending slots to selectively and releasably lock the vertical position of said cylindrical shell with respect to said cylindrical support, whereby said upper plate and said lower plate are adapted for releasably securing a dental cast to be scanned therebetween, the bottom surface of said lower plate being adapted for releasable mounting in an optical scanner.