Articulating joint for dental or medical lights

An articulating joint for supporting a medical or dental light having a first mounting post rotatably couples the light to a support structure having a second mounting post. The articulating joint includes a joint body having first and second terminal ends. A first bearing and a first brake are located proximate the first end for receiving and frictionally engaging the first mounting post. The joint body may further include a second bearing and a second brake proximate the second end for receiving and frictionally engaging the second mounting post. The articulating joint further includes a cover that is removably coupled to the joint body over at least the first bearing and the first brake.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention generally relates to support structure for dental or medical lights, and more specifically to an articulating joint for supporting dental or medical lights.

BACKGROUND

Conventional dental operatories generally include an articulating dental chair for supporting a patient in a variety of positions to facilitate the performance of dental procedures and operations. For example, dental chairs are generally adapted to be raised and lowered relative to a floor surface, and to be moved between a first orientation where a seat back is inclined relative to a seat base to support the patient in a seated position, and a second orientation where the seat back is reclined to support the patient in a generally supine position.

The dental operatory may also include a dental delivery unit adapted to support various instruments and tools used during the performance of dental procedures. The delivery unit is typically provided with water and pressurized air for operating the instruments, and may include a tray for supporting instruments or other articles used by the practitioner. The delivery unit may be supported on a movable arm that facilitates positioning the unit and instruments adjacent the dental chair for convenient access by the practitioner during the performance of a procedure, then moved away to permit the patient to exit the dental chair when the procedure is complete.

Conventional dental operatories may further include a cuspidor provided adjacent the dental chair to permit patients to expel the contents of their mouths during or at the conclusion of the dental procedure, an adjustably positionable light to illuminate the treatment area, and various other devices useful for the performance of dental procedures. Such devices may be supported on cabinetry or other structure positioned adjacent the dental chair for convenient access by the patient or the dental practitioner.

Conventional adjustable position lights are typically coupled via an elbow joint to a support structure that extends over a patient. The elbow joint allows the light to rotate around the longitudinal axis of a post extending from the light assembly. The elbow joint must be strong enough to support the weight of the light, and maneuverable to facilitate illumination of various locations on the patient's body. Further, the elbow joint needs to allow for easy manipulation of the light while also limiting rotational movement so that the light is held in a desired position. To accomplish these functions, conventional joints supporting lights have been fitted with an elongated bearing in the shape of a sleeve having a slit along its longitudinal axis. The elongated bearing is positioned between the inner surfaces of the elbow joint and the post extending from the light into the elbow joint. Pressure applied to the sleeve by an outer covering of the joint increases the frictional force applied to the post and restricts the rotation of the post in the joint. A known drawback with elbow joints having this construction is that the sleeve, typically made of brass, functioning as both a bearing and a brake, tends to wear out relatively quickly as the metal fatigues and the slit in the sleeve begins to spread. A further drawback is that the frictional force applied to the post is difficult to adjust, thereby making the maintenance of the elbow joint, and correspondingly the light, difficult and time consuming.

There is a need for articulating joints for supporting dental or medical lights that overcomes these and other drawbacks of prior joints.

SUMMARY

The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other shortcomings and drawbacks of joints heretofore known for supporting dental or medical lights. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In one aspect, articulating joint for coupling a medical light having a first mounting post to a support structure having a second mounting post includes a joint body having first and second terminal ends. A first bearing having an inner surface is provided near the first end and is adapted to receive the first mounting post. A first brake is coupled to the joint body near the first bearing and is adjustably biased to frictionally engage the first mounting post when the first mounting post is received in the first bearing. The articulating joint further includes a cover removably coupled to the joint body over at least the first bearing and the first brake.

In another aspect, the articulating joint may further include a second bearing and a second brake near the second end of the joint body. The second bearing has an inner surface and is adapted to receive the second mounting post along the inner surface. The articulating joint may further include a third bearing near the first end and spaced from the first bearing, and/or a fourth bearing near the second end and spaced from the second bearing. In yet another aspect, the first brake may be disposed between the first and third bearings, and the second brake may be disposed between the second and fourth bearings.

In another aspect, an illumination apparatus includes a medical light having a first mounting post and an articulating joint coupling the medical light to a support structure. The articulating joint comprises a joint body having first and second terminal ends. A first bearing having an inner surface is disposed proximate the first terminal end. The first mounting post is received in the bearing along its inner surface. A first brake is coupled to the joint body proximate the first bearing and is adjustably biased to frictionally engage the first post. A cover is removably coupled to the joint body over at least the first bearing and the first brake. The second terminal end of the joint body may be configured for coupling to a mounting post extending from a support structure.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3, depict an exemplary articulating joint10for use with a medical or dental light12. The articulating joint10couples the medical or dental light12to a support structure14, such as a support arm or track system (not shown). The articulating joint10allows the light12to rotate or pivot around the longitudinal axis of the articulating joint. The unique construction of the articulating joint10allows the medical or dental light12to rotate easily about the longitudinal axis of the joint10, while also providing enough resistance to rotation to hold the light12stationary in a desired position once an applied force for moving the light is removed. The construction of the articulating joint10also allows for easy adjustment of the resistance to rotation and provides greater durability than articulating joints currently available.

As seen inFIGS. 1-3, the articulating joint10consists of a cover24and a joint body22having first and second terminal ends26,28. The first terminal end26has a first opening32and is configured for coupling to one of a medical light12or a support structure14. The second terminal28end has a second opening34and is configured for coupling to the other of the medical light12or support structure14. Specifically, at least one of the first or second terminal ends26,28is configured for coupling to a mounting post36,38coupled to and extending from the medical light12or support structure14. Likewise, the other of the first or second terminal ends26,28of articulating joint10is configured for coupling to the other of medical light12or support structure14. The other of the first or second terminal ends26,28may be configured for coupling to a mounting post36,38coupled to and extending from the other of the medical light12or support structure14, or may be coupled in some other manner, such as by a ball and socket joint, by a bracket, or various other coupling structure.

Joint body22is substantially hollow and is capable of withstanding the stresses associated with supporting and moving medical light12. Joint body22has an inner portion40and an outer portion42. The first and second openings32,34found at the first and second terminal ends26,28of joint body22allow fluid communication between the inner portion40and outer portion42of joint body22.

In the embodiment shown, joint body22and cover24have a double arcuate shape along the length of the joint10, as seen inFIGS. 1 and 2. In other embodiments, joint body22and cover24may have an arcuate or substantially linear shape. The double arcuate shape provides an advantage of increasing the range of motion for light12. However, it is understood that the articulating joint may have any shape that is consistent with the use of positioning medical light12.

Joint body22is constructed such that it is capable of withstanding the stresses associated with supporting and moving the medical light12. Joint body22may comprise a thickened half sleeve, as seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, or frame, or other suitable structure. Joint body22may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials capable of withstanding the stresses associated with supporting the medical light12, such as, without limitation, steel, aluminum, titanium, metal alloys, hardened plastics, composite materials, and combinations thereof. Joint body22may be manufactured using various techniques, such as without limitation forging, molding, shaping, and cutting.

Cover24primarily functions to shield the internal components of joint body22, but may also provide structural support to articulating joint10. Cover24may be made of any suitable material. In the embodiment shown, the cover24is coupled to the joint body22by screws44. It will be appreciated, however, that cover24may be removably coupled to joint body22by any suitable method or structure, such as by bolts, clamps, latches, locks, lugs, nuts, pins, rivets, or screws, for example.

As mentioned above, at least one of the first or second terminal ends26,28of joint body22is configured for coupling to a mounting post36,38coupled to and extending from a medical light12or a support structure14. The post-coupling terminal ends26,28include the first and second openings32,34of joint body22and extend into inner portion40of joint body22. The post-coupling terminal ends26,28each include at least one bearing48,50,58,60and at least one brake54,56.

Bearings48,50,58,60have openings62defining an inner surface64for receiving mounting posts. The bearings48,50,58,60may optionally receive a bearing sleeve52,66,67,69disposed between the mounting post36,38and the inner surface64of the bearings48,50,58,60.

Bearings48,50,58,60support the weight of the medical or dental light12and are either an extension of joint body22or are anchored to joint body22by any suitable method, such as, without limitation, bolts, clamps, locks, lugs, nuts, pins, rivets, screws, welds, or adhesive. Bearings48,50,58,60may be constructed of the same or different material as joint body22, such as, without limitation, steel, aluminum, titanium, metal alloys, hardened plastics, composite materials, and combinations thereof.

In the embodiment shown, first bearing48is located near the first terminal end26of joint body22and is coaxially aligned with first opening32of joint body22for receiving a first mounting post36therethrough. A second bearing50is located proximate the second terminal end28of joint body22and is coaxially aligned with second opening34of joint body22for receiving a second mounting post38therethrough. A third bearing60may be coaxially aligned with first bearing48to receive mounting post36therethrough. Likewise, a fourth bearing60may be coaxially aligned with second bearing50for receiving mounting post38therethrough.

Mounting posts36,38are received in the aperture68of bearing sleeves52,66,67,69. Bearing sleeves52,66,67,69may be disposed between with the outer surfaces70of mounting posts36,38and inner surfaces64of openings62of bearings48,50,58,60. Bearing sleeves52,66,67,69facilitate rotation of mounting posts36,38about their respective longitudinal axes relative to joint body22. Bearing sleeves52,66,67,69may take any form that decreases resistance rotation, such as, without limitation, a bushing, pin bearings, roller bearings, or ball bearings. The bearing sleeves52,66,67,69may be fabricated of any material suitable for reducing frictional resistance between posts36,38and bearings48,50,58,60, such as plastics, composites, polymers, glass, and metals such as steel, aluminum, brass, and various alloys. In the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, bearing sleeves52,66,67,69are bushings72made of a material that is softer than mounting post36and inner surface64of bearings48,50,58,60, such as a brass or plastic.

At least a first brake54functions to hold medical light12in a desired position to illuminate a patient while at the same time allowing easy adjustment of the light's position. In the embodiment shown, first brake54is positioned proximate first bearing48of first terminal end26of joint body22and a second brake56is positioned proximate second bearing of second terminal end28of joint body22.

Brakes54,56have surfaces74for frictionally engaging mounting posts36,38to resist rotation of the post36,38relative to joint body22. Brake54,56may be semicircular or any other shape capable of frictionally engaging mounting post36. Brakes54,56may be coupled to articulating joint10by any suitable mechanism, such as with bolts, clamps, locks, lugs nut, pins, rivets, or screws. In one embodiment, brakes54,56are coupled to joint body22with screws76.

Brakes54,56may be fabricated from any suitable braking material such as, without limitation, plastics, metals, composites, polymers, and alloys. It is contemplated that brakes54,56may be made from a single material or from multiple materials. For example, brakes54,56may include a post engaging portion80and an outer supporting portion82. Post engaging portion80may be made from a braking material, such as, without limitation, a plastic, composite, soft metal, or cloth, and outer portion82may be made from a structural material, such as harder plastic, metal, or composite. Regardless of whether brakes54,56are made from one or multiple materials, in one embodiment, the post engaging surfaces74of brakes54,56are made from a material that is softer than posts36,38. Using a relatively soft material allows for easier maintenance of articulating joint10by simply changing brakes54,56as it wears instead of having to change the entire posts36,38.

Brakes54,56may be biased in directions to frictionally engage mounting posts36,38. As seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, in one embodiment, brakes54,56are biased to uniformly to maintain frictional engagement with mounting posts36,38by coupling brakes54,56to joint body22with screws76and compressing springs84between screw head86and brakes54,56. Brakes54,56may alternatively be biased with at least one spring, or with some other elastomeric material. The bias may be adjusted to increase or decrease the frictional engagement of brakes54,56with mounting posts36,38. For example, screws76may be turned such that they further compress springs84thereby increasing the bias. This configuration allows for easy adjustment of the frictional engagement of brakes54,56with mounting posts36,38independently of cover24, thereby avoiding problems associated with the prior art devices.

Mounting posts36,38coupled to the medical light12or support structure14are generally cylindrical having first and second ends90and92, respectively. First ends90of mounting posts36,38are configured for coupling to medical light12or support structure14, and second ends92of mounting posts36,38are configured for engaging joint body22of articulating joint10. Second ends92of mounting posts36,38may also have grooves100around at least of a portion of their circumference to engage a retaining element to secure mounting posts36,38to joint body22. For example, as seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, mounting posts36,38may have grooves100around the circumference near second ends92. Posts36,38may then be retained in joint body22with ring clamps102. Other examples of retaining elements include, without limitation, screws, pins, nuts, and washers.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a double arcuate articulating joint10, a medical light12coupled to a first post36, and a support structure14coupled to second post38.

Articulating joint10consists of a joint body22and a cover24. Joint body22has first and second terminal ends26,28. At the first terminal end26, first brake54is disposed between first bearing48and third bearing58proximate first terminal end26. First post36is received in first and third bearing48,58. Bearing sleeves,52,66are disposed between the outer surface of first post70and inner surface64of first and third bearings48,58. Washer110and ring clip102engage and retain the second end92of first post36in joint body22. Bearing sleeves52,66are bushing type bearings having a sleeve portion112and a cap portion114. Sleeve portion112is disposed between the inner surface64of bearings48,58and the outer surface70of first post36. Cap portion114of bearing sleeve52is disposed between lower surface104of the first bearings and shoulder116at first end90of first post36. Cap portion114of third bearing58is disposed between the upper surface106of third bearing58and washer120. Ring clip102is adjacent to washer120and engages groove100located near the second end92of first post36, thereby retaining first post36in joint body22. First brake54is coupled to the joint body22by two screws76. Each screw76is associated with a spring84located between the screw head86and the outer portion82of first brake54. First brake54is semi-circular and is biased in the direction of first post36by springs84. Increasing or decreasing the compression of springs84by either screwing or unscrewing the screws76easily adjusts the bias. In this embodiment, the bias may be easily adjusted independent of cover.

Similarly, proximate second terminal end28of joint body22, second brake56is disposed between second bearing50and fourth bearing60. Bearing sleeves67,69, are disposed between the outer surface of second post38and inner surface64of second and fourth bearings50,60. Bearing sleeves,67,69are disposed between the outer surface of second post38and inner surface64of second and fourth bearings50,60. Washer110and ring clip102engage and retain the second end of second post38in joint body22. Bearing sleeves67,69are bushing72type bearings having a sleeve portion112and a cap portion114. Sleeve portion112is disposed between the inner surface64of bearings50,60and the outer surface70of second post38. Cap portion114of bearing sleeve67is disposed between upper surface122of second bearing50and shoulder116at first end90of second post38. Cap portion114of fourth bearing sleeve69is disposed between the lower surface124of fourth bearing60and washer120. Ring clip102is adjacent to washer120and engages groove100located near the second end92of second post38, thereby retaining second post38in joint body22. Second brake56is coupled to the joint body22by two screws76. Each screw76is associated with a spring84located between the screw head86and the outer portion82of second brake56. Second brake56is semi-circular and is biased in the direction of the second post38by the two springs84. Increasing or decreasing the compression of the springs84by either screwing or unscrewing the screws76easily adjusts the bias. Again, the bias may be easily adjusted independent of cover.

The first and second posts36,38have first and second ends90,92. The first ends90are configured for coupling to the medical light12or support structure14. The first ends90of the mounting posts36,38have shoulder116adjacent to cap portion114of first and second bearing sleeves52,67when mounting posts36,38are placed in joint body22. Second ends92of the posts36,38are configured for engaging a retaining element. In this embodiment, the second end92of posts36,38are retained in the post receiving structure by ring clip102that fits into groove100. First and second posts36,38are rotatably coupled to bearings48,50,58,60through bearing sleeves52,66,67,69. First and second posts36,38are frictionally engaged by first and second brakes54,56to maintain the rotational position of the medical light12.

Although only certain embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. The various features disclosed herein may be used alone or in any desired combination. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention. For example, while this detailed description refers to dental or medical lights, it is understood that these two terms are interchangeable for the purposes of the present invention and are considered to cover lights for additional uses other than those specified herein. Further, it is contemplated that the presently claimed invention will encompass additional configurations of posts and post-receiving terminal ends having at least one bearing and at least one brake as described above. By way of example, the articulating joint could consist of first and second mounting posts extending from a central point having a first and second end, respectively. Correspondingly, both the medical light and the base could have a post receiving terminal ends having at least one bearing and at least one brake as described above extending therefrom to receive the first and second posts of the articulating joint.