Orthodonic model trimmer aid

An Orthodonic model trimmer aid is provided which consists of a work table comprising a trough portion in which is placed a sliding plate which houses a sliding angulating holder comprising a hinge and a tapered locking pin. The locking pin is placed into selected holes on an angulating fence at desired angles. A surface portion of the fence can be set at varying angles depending on the desired angle for cutting of the dental model utilizing a typical dental trimming machine.

This invention relates generally to dental model trimming machines and more 
particularly to a novel angulator device used in conjunction with a dental 
model trimmer. 
Dental model trimmers are well known in the art. Such are utilized to 
prepare cast plaster models for a particular patient. As is known, the 
models are used as a tool for the doctor when providing study models, 
braces or the like. To prepare the models, part of the rough cast, usually 
provided in cubicle form, is trimmed away to articulate the occlusion of 
the teeth. This operation is performed on a grinding machine typically 
known in the art as a dental model trimming machine. It includes an 
abrasive wheel or other such device to grind down the rough cast. The cast 
is placed against the wheel utilizing a plate. The abrasive wheel wears 
down the model at the desired angle and provides the desired shape. 
One problem in the art is the providing of a device to place the rough cast 
against the grinder at the desired angle. Many operators have to hold the 
cast by hand at an angle which results in a rough and difficult operation. 
Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide a device which can 
set a rough dental model cast at a desired angle against the grinder of a 
trimmer. Another object of the invention is to provide an angulator for a 
dental model trimmer which can easily be adapted to place the dental model 
cast at selected and desired angles against the grinding wheel. Other 
objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided an orthodonic work table or base 1. 
The grinding wheel fact 20 is shown and is connected to a standard 
grinding machine, not shown. The base may be housed within a table or 
other support device. The work table contains a trough portion 13 for 
placement of a sliding angulator holer 2. The holder comprises a hole or 
circular open portion 3. The sliding angulator holder 2 slides 
perpenticularly to wheel 15 within trough 13 of the base 1. An angulating 
fence 8 is provided which can be placed on or attached to the sliding 
holder 2. The fence contains a vertical portion 10 and a multitude, i.e. 
4-15, perferably 8-13, holes which are tapered to receive the tapered 
locking pin 7. The angulating fence itself contains and is attached to a 
circular plate 15, shown in FIG. 4, which inserts within the open circular 
portion 3 of holder 2. The circular plate 15 attached to the fence 8, when 
inserted in the open portion 3 allows the fence to rotate and be rotated 
within the holder 2 and thus provides a pivot for the fence 8. As stated, 
the fence is semi-circular in form. The vertical portion 10 serves to 
contain the dental model which is placed on the base 1 against the 
vertical portion 10, one surfact communicating with the vertical portion 
10 on the opposite side of the circular portion 8 which contains the 
tapered holes 9. Thus, one side is against the grinding wheel 20 and one 
side is against portion 10. 
FIG. 2 shows a top view of the device except that the angulating fence is 
shown set at an angle. Thus, the model (dotted lines) is also at an angle 
against the wheel 20. As shown, the circular plate 15 is inserted within 
the hole portion 3 and thus serves as a pivot to rotate the angulating 
fence. The typical cast model 18 is shown in dotted lines. As is 
illustrated, the corner of the model can be cut off by placement of the 
model against the angulating fence at the desired angle with the corner or 
portion to be cut placed against the rotating grinding wheel. The grinding 
wheel grinds off the corner of the block 18. As is obvious, the angle 
which the angulator is set in reference to the sliding holder determines 
the angle of the model which is cut off by the grinding wheel 20. 
Attached to or placed on to the grinding angulating holder 2 is a hinging 
arm 4 containing a tapered locking pin 7. The tapered locking pin 7 is 
inserted within one desired hole of the angulating fence. The hinging arm 
is connected to the sliding holder 2. Thus, the cast communicates with the 
vertical portion 10 of the fence which in turn communicates with the 
hinging arm 5 through pin 7 so that lateral movement of the holder places 
the model at the desired angle to the grinding wheel 20. 
FIG. 3 is a side view of the angulating fence and locking pin. As shown, 
the angulating fence rests on holder 2. There is a vertical portion 10 to 
the base 8. The holes 9 are within the base portion of the fence 8 such 
that the pin 7 can be inserted in such holes. There is a hinge 4 
communicating with or attached to the hinging arm 5. The hinging arm 5 
contains a vertical portion 6 and also the tapered locking pin 7. It can 
be seen from FIG. 3 that the inge 4 is utilized to rotate the hinging arm 
5 for placement of the pin into hole 9. Utilizing plate 15 inserted in 
portion 3, the angulating fence can be rotated at the desired angle and 
the locking pin placed within such holes for proper angulation of the 
slinding angulating holder. The case rests against vertical portion 10 and 
on tope of the holder 2. 
FIG. 4 shows a top view of the angulating fence. There are shown a 
multitude of holdes, i.e. 4-15, preferably 8-13. The number of holes shown 
is 9 and can be any number as determined by the operator depending on how 
many separate angles the operator desires. For example, the number could 
be anywhere from 2 to 100. Attached to the fence is the solid plate 15 
which is inserted in the circular open portions 3 of the holder. 
FIG. 5 shows a front view of the fence illustrating the open portion 10 and 
the solid plate 15. 
FIG. 6 shows a top view of the sliding angulating holder. Open circular 
portion 3 is shown within the plate 2. Also shown attached to plate 2 is 
the hinge 4, hinging arm 6 and tapered pin 7. 
FIG. 7 is a front view of the hinging arm showing the hinge 4, hinging arm 
6 and locking pin 7. 
FIG. 8 simply shows the base plate 1 with the trough 13. 
FIG. 9 shows the base 1 with trough 13 and portion 12 and 11 for attachment 
of the base plate to any working table. 
In operation, the user places the cast onto the table or base 1 and against 
the vertical portion 10 of the fence. The fence, with its circular plate 
15 placed within the circular portion 3 is rotated to the desired angle. 
The locking pin 7 is placed within the desired hole 9 of the fence 8. At 
this stage of the operation, the sliding holder and angulating fence are 
in the proper position. The operator then pushes the angulating fence 
against which is placed the cast, and the cast is then placed against the 
rotating grinding wheel 20. The grinding wheel grinds down the case to the 
desired angle. 
After some cutting action, the user can reset the angle as described above 
for cutting of a different portion of the model block 18. 
It can be seen from the foregoing description that the device of this 
invention provides an easy method by which a user can rotate a dental 
model against a grinding wheel and provides a stable method of holding the 
model during the grinding operation.