Patent ID: 6402513
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
An articulator for correlating the upper and lower dental casts corresponding to the upper and lower sets of a patient's teeth in a desired occlusal relationship for the simulation of occlusal and masticatory movements by application of force to the dental casts, the said articulator comprising:(a) a lower frame comprising a box with an open bottom; (b) a top insert detachably supported on the lower frame; (c) a platform extending from one end of the lower frame; (d) an L-shaped resiliently deformable bracket extending from the opposite end of the lower frame and incorporating a male hinge assembly for interconnecting said male hinge assembly with an opposing female hinge assembly; (e) an upper frame having upper and lower surfaces and having a flat channeled surface provided with an elongated open slot in the middle of the top surface and rectangular boxes along the flat channeled lower surface parallel with and on opposite sides of said open slot; (f) a resiliently deformable bracket extending from one end of said upper frame; (g) a platform with holes extending from the opposite end of said upper frame; (h) a female hinge assembly on the other end of said upper frame extending in a direction opposite said platform; (i) a middle frame having inner and outer peripheries, the inner peripheral dimensions of said middle frame matching those of said detachable top insert supported on the lower frame so that said frame fits around said detachable top insert for sealing the top of the box in the lower frame, the top border of said frame being knife-edged to facilitate a cutting effect; (j) retentive latches on said middle and lower frames; and (k) undercut edges formed in the lower edge of said middle frame adapted to receive a pry tool to selectively lift and separate the middle frame from the lower frame.