Abstract:
An apparatus is provided that may be used to movably connect a device to a support. The apparatus may be a mechanical arm with multiple connections that allows the device to move into various positions and orientations. The connections may include a coupling attached to a connection assembly that movably secures the coupling to an elongated member. Each of the connection assemblies may provide a pivot point which allows rotation upon a sufficient force and provide a mechanism for removably securing a coupling at desired increments. The device may be an instrument or fixture for dental or medical use, such as an operating room light, a dental examination light, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a mirror, delivery head, etc. The support may be attached to a surface such as a ceiling or floor.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus that connects a device to a support, and more particularly, to a mechanical arm with multiple connections that allow the device to move into various positions and orientations. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Mechanical support arms utilizing four bar linkage assemblies are utilized in a variety of settings. Such arms are typically used to support loads at adjustable locations. For example, in a dental office or operatory setting, instruments, devices and fixtures may be supported by a mechanical, or “flex,” arm within reach of the practitioner. The arm typically includes a brake mechanism for locking the load in a selected position. When the brake is released, the load-bearing end of the arm may be raised or lowered as desired. The load-bearing end typically supports a fixture which maintains a selected level with respect to vertical and horizontal reference planes. 
         [0003]    In a typical arrangement, an elongated arm member is pivotally fastened at a first end to an end post. The end post may be fixed or movable, but in any case comprises an anchor for the mechanical arm. A second end of the arm is pivotally fastened to a support post, which comprises a connection mechanism for a positionable load. The pivot axis of the arm member at the end post is ordinarily horizontally disposed so that the load-bearing end can be moved up or down vertically. A mechanism may also be provided to permit the arm to pivot around a vertical axis at the end post. The pivot axis of the arm member at the support post is also typically disposed in a general horizontal configuration. The head fixture is typically connected through a mechanism providing for pivoting around an approximately vertical axis at the support post. 
         [0004]    Conventional four-bar assemblies used in dental and operatory flex arms are mechanically complex, yet do not allow for a broad range of movement. Moreover, they are often difficult to disassemble in the field for maintenance. It is generally impractical for a clinician to effect adjustments of spring tension and leveling. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved mechanical arm assembly for use in dental and medical operatories as well as other environments. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    One aspect of the invention includes an apparatus that may be used to movably connect a device to a support. The apparatus may be a mechanical arm with multiple connections that allows the device to move into various positions and orientations. The connections may include a coupling attached to a connection assembly that movably secures a coupling to an elongated member. The device may be an instrument or fixture for dental or medical use, such as an operating room light, a dental examination light, a liquid crystal display (LCD), delivery head, a mirror, etc. The support may be attached to a surface such as a ceiling, floor, chair, wall, or cabinet. 
         [0006]    Another aspect of the invention is an apparatus that includes at least two connection assemblies. The connection assemblies may be removably attached and allow the position and orientation of the apparatus to be easily adjusted. Each of the connection assemblies may provide a pivot point which allows rotation through use of sufficient force and provide a mechanism for removably securing a coupling at desired increments. For example, the connection assembly may allow the coupling to be rotated at increments of fifteen (15) degrees. Thus, the pivotal connection allows the apparatus to be moved between positions. The pivotal connection also allows the height of the device to be readily adjusted. 
         [0007]    In a further aspect, the apparatus includes couplings movably attached to connection assemblies offset on a single side of an elongated arm. The connection assemblies allow the couplings to be removed and attached at a different orientation. Because the pivot points are provided on the side of the assembly rather than on the top and bottom, the mounting configuration of the assembly can be easily changed without redesign. 
         [0008]    In yet another aspect, the apparatus may be a mechanical arm including an elongated member with a body and a cover that may be removably connected by at least one fastener, such as a bolt. The elongated member may include a gasket disposed between the body and the cover. The two-piece design allows for adjustment of internal mechanisms, such as connecting mechanism, biasing mechanisms, conduits or power sources. The two-piece design also forms a passage through the arm that permits tubing and wires to be passed therethrough, which acts to conceal tubing and wires in the arm. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention, this invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a connection assembly incorporated with an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are side views of the apparatus according to embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , illustrating the elongated member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but merely as providing illustrations of some representative embodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may be devised that do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. 
         [0016]    Reference will now be made to the drawings. Like elements are identified by like numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. 
         [0017]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an apparatus  10  may be used to connect a device  12  to a support  14 . The apparatus  10  may be, for example, a mechanical arm with multiple connections  16  that allow the movement of the device into various positions and orientations. Each of the connections  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c , and  16   d  may provide a pivot point to allow rotation. The apparatus  10  may include an elongated member  18  movably connected to the device  12  and the support  14  by couplings  20   a  and  20   b . The couplings  20   a  and  20   b  may be movably secured to the elongated member  18  by internal connection assemblies (not shown) that allow the couplings  20   a  and  20   b  to be adjusted in various rotational orientations. The couplings  20   a  and  20   b  may be disposed proximate the ends of the elongated member  18 , such that the positioning of the apparatus  10  may be readily adjusted to control the height and orientation of the device  12 . Although the couplings  20   a  and  20   b  are shown as being mounted on the same side of elongated member  18 , in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the couplings  20   a  and  20   b  can be mounted on opposite sides (sides  50  and  52 ) of the elongated member  18 . The device  12  may be attached to the apparatus  10  via a bracket  17 , or other similarly functioning attachment. 
         [0018]    The support  14  may be used to support the assembly  10  and to secure the assembly  10  to a stationary point. The support  14  may be, for example, a post that may be mounted to a surface, such as the ceiling or floor, chair, wall, or cabinet. The support  14  may be pivotally connected to the coupling  20   a  at a connection  16   a  to allow the apparatus  10  to rotate about the support  14 . In some embodiments, the support  14  may be movably or pivotally attached to an opening in the coupling  20   a  to allow the apparatus  10  to rotate to a desired configuration. For example, the support  14  may be received within the opening by interference or friction fit to attach the support  14  to the coupling  20   a , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0019]    The coupling  20   a  may have a generally L-shaped or angled configuration forming an angle of about ninety (90) degrees, or may alternatively have any other desired angle and suitable shape. For example, the coupling  20   a  may have a tubular elbow shape such as that shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The coupling  20   a  may be removably secured to the support  14  such that the positioning and orientation of the apparatus  10  may be adjusted. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the coupling  20   a  may include an end portion  22  with a plurality of threaded openings  24  that allow the coupling  20   a  to be movably connected to the support  14  or the elongated member  18  via a connection assembly  26 , such as that shown in  FIG. 4  and described in detail below. By way of non-limiting example, the threaded openings  24  may be spaced at suitable increments, such as 15 degree increments, so that the coupling  20   a  may be rotated. The rotation of coupling  20   a  about allows the apparatus  10  to be used to mount the apparatus in an upwards direction (e.g., from the floor) or a downward direction (e.g., from the ceiling). For example, the coupling  20   a  may be rotated one hundred eighty (180) degrees to change the orientation of the device  12 . 
         [0020]    The connection assembly  26  may be used to movably secure the coupling  20   a  to the elongated member  18  by a friction or interference fit. As a non-limiting example, the first connection assembly  26  may include a fasteners  28   a  and  28   b , a block  30 , a capture plate  32  and bushings (not shown), each of which is configured to form a stacked assembly. The block  30  may include an aperture  34  through which the fastener  28   a  may be inserted as well as an attachment point  36  for attaching a biasing member, such as a spring. The block  30  may be formed from a metal, such as steel, or any other suitable material. The capture plate  32  includes apertures  38  that extend through the capture plate  32  and align with threaded openings  24  in the coupling  20   a . The capture plate  32  may be formed from a metal, such as aluminum, or any other suitable material. The bushing (not shown) is configured to surround the perimeter  40  and a contact surface  42  of the capture plate  32 . The connection assembly  26  may form a pivot point which allows rotation of the coupling  20   a  about the elongated member  18 . The connection assembly  26  allows the coupling  20   a  to be movably connected to the elongated member  18 . The fastener  28   a  may be inserted through the aperture  34  in the block  30  and a selected aperture  38  in the plate  32 , and may be removably secured to the coupling  20   a  via a threaded opening  24 . The bushings (not shown) substantially reduce wear and friction on the plate  32 , the coupling  20   a  and the internal surface  44  of the elongated member  18  while further restraining the motion of the connection assembly  26 . The compression of the connection assembly  26  against the internal surface  44  of the elongated member  18  allows coupling to be selectively moveable upon application of pressure sufficient to overcome the frictional forces. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  5 , and  6 , the elongated member  18  may include a top  46 , a bottom  48 , a side  50  and an opposite side  52 , and the elongated member  18  may include connections  16   b  and  16   b  disposed on at least one side. The elongated member  18  may have a generally curved or arched configuration. The elongated member  18  may include a body  54  and a cover  56  that are removably connected, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The body  54  and the cover  56  may be connected, for example, by fasteners  58 , such as bolts or screws, that may be located on the bottom  48  and proximate the ends of the elongated member  18 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . A gasket  60  may be disposed between the body  54  and the cover  56 . The body  54  and the cover  56  are made from a rigid material, such as a metal. As a non-limiting example, the body  54  and cover  56  may be formed from aluminum or steel. The body  54  and cover  56  may be contoured so as to form a housing when attached. Both the body  54  and the cover  56  may be integrally formed as a unitary, one-piece structure using, for example, die-casting, extrusion or another suitable process. As a non-limiting example, the gasket  60  may be made of a flexible material, such as plastic or rubber. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the elongated member  18  includes at least two orifices  62   a  and  62   b  that are disposed proximate the ends  64   a  and  64   b  of the body  54 , such that the positioning of the apparatus  10  may be adjusted. The orifices  62   a  and  62   b  may be integrally formed in the body  54  of the elongated member  18  during the extruding process to form a unitary structure, or may be bored out of the body  54  after formation. The orifices  62   a  and  62   b  are aligned generally parallel to one another, and may be configured to selectively receive the ends  22  of couplings  20   a  and  20   b , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0023]    The elongated member  18  may form part of a housing that may contain, for example, a power source, a conduit, connection assemblies, or any type of biasing member, such as a spring or piston. The body  54  and the cover  56  may be detached from one another to allow, for example, the connection to be adjusted or to move the biasing member to a desired position. For example, the elongated member  18  may include a counterbalance spring to facilitate adjustment of the apparatus  10 . The counterbalance spring may be positioned such that it provides support for the device at a desired height while providing fluid up and down motion. The counterbalance spring may consist of a spring attached within the elongated member  18 . The counterbalance spring provides a force which substantially counterbalances the gravitational force acting on the apparatus  10 . The counterbalance spring may include a first end attached to a movable point and a second end attached to a vertical fixed point. For example, the first end of the counterbalance spring may be attached to the block  30  or the plate  32  of the connection assemblies  26  and a second end of the counterbalance spring may be attached to a fixed point, such as a squaring arm (not shown), within the elongated member  18 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that other suitable counterbalances could also be used in connection with the apparatus  10 . 
         [0024]    A connection assembly  26  may be used to movably attach the second elongated member  18  to another coupling  26   b . The connection assembly  26  may include fasteners  28   a  and  28   b , a block  30 , a capture plate  32  and bushings (not shown), each of which is configured to form a stacked assembly, as described above and illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The connection assembly  26  may form a pivot point which allows rotation about the elongated member  18 . The connection assembly  26  allows the coupling  20   b  to be movably connected to the elongated member  18 . The fastener  28   a  may be inserted through the aperture  34  in the block  30  and an aperture  38  in the capture plate  32  and may be removably secured to the coupling  20   b  via a threaded opening  24 . The fastener  28   b  may be inserted through an aperture  38  in the capture plate  32  and the aligned threaded opening  24  in the coupling  20   b . The bushings (not shown) substantially reduce wear and friction on the capture plate  32 , the coupling  20   b  and the internal surface  44  of the elongated member  18  while further restraining the motion of the another connection assembly  26 . The compression of the connection assembly  26  against the internal surface  44  of the body  54  of the elongated member  18  allows coupling to be selectively moveable upon application of pressure sufficient to overcome the frictional forces. 
         [0025]    The coupling  20   b  may have a generally L-shaped or angled configuration forming an angle of about ninety (90) degrees, or have may any other desired angle and suitable shape. For example, the coupling  20   b  may have a tubular elbow shape such as that shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The coupling  20   b  may be removably secured to the bracket  17  such that the positioning and orientation of the apparatus  10  may be adjusted. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the coupling  20   b  may include an end portion  22  with a plurality of threaded openings  24  that allow the coupling  20   b  to be movably connected to the elongated member  18  or the bracket  17  via another connection assembly  26 . For example, the threaded openings  24  may be spaced at fifteen degree (15) degree increments such that another coupling  20   b  may be rotated. The rotation of another coupling  20   b  allows the apparatus to be used to mount the apparatus in an upwards direction or a downward direction. For example, another coupling  20   b  may be rotated one hundred eighty (180) degrees to change the orientation of the apparatus  10 , and thus, the orientation of the device  12 . 
         [0026]    The bracket  17  may be attached to the apparatus  10  by another coupling  26  attached by a snap, interference or friction fit. The bracket  17  may include one or more connecting members such as flanges (not shown), that allow the bracket  17  to be connected to the device  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0027]    Thus, the apparatus  10  may be used in a variety of applications in a dental or operatory setting. Because the apparatus  10  includes multiple pivotal connections offset on at least one side as well as adjustable connections, the orientation of the apparatus may be easily reversed. 
         [0028]    Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but merely as providing certain representative embodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention can be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description. All additions, deletions, and modifications to the invention, as disclosed herein, which fall within the meaning and scope of the claims, are encompassed by the present invention.