A FIXING MEANS FOR MOUNTING X-RAY FILMS

Abstract: A fixing means for detachably mounting X-ray films (1) or the like to an illuminated surface (2) of an X-ray examining cabinet (3) comprises a resilient member (4) made of rubber, plastics or the like and having an anchoring portion (4a), an engaging portion (4b) and an intermediate, thinner hinge means (4c). The resilient member (4) is accommodated in a profiled frame element having a lower support part (5b) which supports the engaging portion (4b) so that it forms a right angle or an acute angle with the anchoring portion (4a). The distance between the illuminated surface (2) of the examining cabinet and the surface (5a') of the profiled frame element (5) abutting the anchoring portion (4a) is such that when the engaging portion (4b) swings back against the X-ray film (1), under frictional engagement with the film through the pointed part (4b') of the engaging portion, the engaging portion (4b) is compressed, resulting in an increase in the elastic abutment pressure of the engaging portion against the X-ray film. This facilitates insertion of the X-ray film in position on the illuminated surface, while ensuring that the film is accurately positioned and reliably held at the same time.

Description: A FIXING MEANS -FOR MOUNTING X-RAY FILMS . Technical Field The present invention relates to fixing means for mounting X-ray films, cr like elements to an illuminated sur ace, of r. X-ray examining cabinet in a readily άe achably manner, Background Art The Swedish Patent Specification Number 310 610 3 discloses a fixing means of the kind mentioned which comprises a resilient member made of rubber, plastics or the like and having an anchoring portion arranged tc be received in a profiled frame element associated with the cabinet or with a separate film magazine, and a film-engaging portion which is arranged to be deflected, or pushed to one side, when an X-ray film is introduced between said surface and said film-engaging portion, and then released, so as to hold the film against the illuminated surface by friction. One disadvantage with this known X-ray film fixing means is that the film-engaging portion must be capable of exerting a relative- ly high pressure against the illuminated surface, in order to hold the film satisf ctorily. This means, however, that a correspondingly large force musτ be exerted in order to deflect the film-engaging portion when mounting the X-ray film in position. Consequently, in practice, the films are often net fixed tc t e illuminated surface satisf ctorily, and as a result fall off and are liable to be damaged and hence render it difficult or impossible to make a diagnosis on the basis of the X-ray film in question. Furthermore, X-ray ilms of the kind in question are often carried in vertically moveable film-supporting frames in a wheeled transport box which, similar to a carriage, can be moved between a storage station and one or more different X-ray examining cabinets , where the films are examined. During trans¬ portation of such a box or carriage, the box or carriage is subjected to vibrations and similar movements, and there is an undeniably - high risk of a number of films loosening from their respective fixing means , which can cause chaos ' in the whole of the system arranged to enable accurate identification of the various X-ray images. If this situation arises, it is- often necessary to re-take the X-ray films, with a subsequent increased dosage risk for the patients . Object of the Invention It will readily be understood heref om, with respect to the handling cf X-ray pictures, that it is of the utmost importance , and highly desirable, that the films can be readily mounted on the illuminated surf ce, securely held in position thereon-possibly ever long periods of . time-and can readily be removed from said sur¬ face when so desired. Hitherto known fixing means , for example fixing means according to the a orementioned * ' * ^D ORIGINAL ( OMPI - 3 - Swedish Patent Specification, do not satisfy these requirements, and consequently an im¬ portant object of the present invention is to provide a fixing means which eliminates the disadvantages inherent with previously known fixing means and which also fulfills the aforementioned requirements. A further problem relating to the profiled frame element, which may comprise aluminium for example and which carries the resilient members of the fixing means , has a different coefficient of expansion than the illuminated surface, which may be made of plexiglass for example. This means that the distance between the ilm-engaging portion of the resilient mem¬ ber and the illuminated surface can vary in¬ dependence upon the temperature in the room where the arrangement is ' located an /or how long the surface has been illuminated. It will be understood from this that further problems are experienced with respect to the reliability of the fixing means , since the force at which the film is pressed against the illuminated surface will vary correspondingly. Consequently, a further object of the invention is tc also eliminate this disadvan¬ tage encountered with known fixing means. Brief Disclosure of the Invention A fixing means according to the invention which fulfills these objects is mai ly charac¬ terized in that the engaging portion is suppor¬ ted so that it forms a rig ' r.t angle cr ar. acute angle with the anchoring portion; that between BAD ORIGINAL -1 the anchoring portion and the engaging portion there is provided a thinner hinge portion, which facilitates deflection or bending of the engaging portion when mounting the film; and in that the distance between the illuminated ■ surface and the surface of the profiled frame element abutting the anchoring portion is such that when the engaging portion swings back against the X-ray film, with a pointed part of the anchoring portion in friction engagement with the X-ray film, the engaging portion be¬ comes compressed, thereby to increase the elastic abutment pressure exerted by the en¬ gaging portion against the X-ray film. Thus , an important feature of the inven¬ tion is that the resilient member exhibits a hinge means of thinner material which, when held approximately at right angles to or obliquely upwardly towards the illuminated surface-can readily be deflected upwardly when the X-ray film is inserted, thus enabling the actual insertion of the X-ray film to be readi¬ ly effected , without nee-ding to overcome any appreciable force in order to bend the resilient element upwardly. V.' ε , however, the X-ray fil is then released it will tend tc be drawn downwardly by gravity, and as a result of the frictional engagement of the engaging portion with the X-ray film the engaging portion will tend to accompany this downward movement of said film. As a result of the* aforementioned distance relationship, however, this restoring movement of the engaging portion can only take OMPI B A D OR GI place to a given limit before the engaging por¬ tion is compressed in its longitudinal direction, the extent to which said portion is compressed increasing with increasing tendency of the X-ray film to move downwardly. This compression of the film-engaging por¬ tion immediately results in an increase in the elastic abutment pressure against the X-ray film, and hence the film will be reliably held in position against the illuminated surface. In spite of this, no real difficulty will be experienced in removing the X-ray film, since a strong pull downwardly on the film results in such compression of 'the engaging member, with subsequent downward deflection thereof, as to cause the abutment pressure against the 'X-ray film to cease. Thus , it is important that the X-ray film cannot move downwardly along the illuminated surface without the engaging portion being pressed, and that this compression, in turn, results in an increase in the force at which the engaging portion resiliently abuts the X-ray film. As will be understood, despite its sim¬ plicity, ' a fixing means according to the inven¬ tion eliminates the risk of mounted X-ray films being shaken loose, irrespective of whether the films are placed in a frame in a wheeled stor- age box which is subjected to vibrations and like shaking movements, for example when passing over thresholds, into and out of lifts etc. Neither does the fact that the profiled BAD ORIGINAL/ OMPI Λ. WIPO - frame element , which may comprise aluminium for example, and the illuminated surface, which may comprise plexiglass for example, have different coefficients of expansion have any affect on the efficiency of the fixing means, since any deviations in the distance between the illuminated surface and the surface of the profiled frame abutting the anchoring portion is compensated by the different extents to which the engaging por¬ tion of the resilient member is compressed. In practice, it is preferred that the distance between the illuminated surface and the surface of the profiled frame abutting the anchoring portion is smaller than the length of the engaging . portion measured from its pointed part to the surface of the hinge means abutting the anchoring portion. This will ensure that the engaging portion will always be compressed when urged to move down¬ wardly under the influence of a mounted X-ray fil . In order to ensure that the engaging portion is readily and smoothly deflected when inserting an X-ray film* in position, and also to ensure reliable compression of the engaging portion when said portion tends to move down¬ wardly, the hinge means preferably exhibits a rounded, smooth bridging portion between the anchoring portion and the engaging portion. This effect can be amplified when the bridging portion between the surface of the profiled frame abutting the anchoring portion ORIGINAL and its surface forming a support for the hinge means is rounded. In this way, the actual pivot point is given the possibility of "wandering" along the thinner hinge means, independence upon the angle formed by the engaging portion with the illuminated surface, wherein it is ensured that a high abutment force is obtained when the engaging portion is compressed, even when the engaging portion is deflected to a comparatively large extent. It has been found suitable in practice for the part of the profiled frame supporting the hinge means to extend almost to the illuminated surface and to exhibit a lower chamfer, which facilitates insertion of the X-ray film. In this way, the engaging portion is pro¬ vided 'with a satisfactory support, which facili¬ tates its action in a desirable manner, while also facilitating fixing of the X-ray film. The chamfer at the lower part of the support surface will also guide the X-ray film to the position in which the engaging portion begins to engage the same . This engagement cf the X-ray film is i - proved when the engaging portion is provided with a pointed end, as in accordance with a preferred embodiment . In this respect, it is possible to im¬ prove engagement of the X-ray film still further, by providing the illuminated surface with a recess in t e region cf the point cf the e ga- .or ion. Mounting cf the resilient member to the profiled frame element is facilitated when a horizontal part of the profiled frame, element is provided with an elongate groove or recess arranged to accommodate the end part of the anchoring portion. The resilient member, which suitably comprises an extruded, continuous strip ele¬ ment which extends along the whole of the frame profile, can herewith be mounted in position on the profiled frame element in a continuous operation. In a similar manner, the profiled frame element can also be fitted to the illuminated -surface, which two opera¬ tions can be independent of one another. Even though the resilient member prefer¬ ably comprises an extruded, continuous strip, it will be understood that said member nay instead comprise a plurality of separate ele¬ ments of shorter length arranged in mutually spaced relationship. Exemplary embodiments cf the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. Brief Description of the Drawing Figure I is a perspective view cf part of an X-ray examining cabinet provided with two film-carrying frames , each of which being alotted a fixing means according to the inven¬ tion. Figure 2 is a perspective view of Dart of a profiled frame element cf a ilm-carrying frame according to Figure 1, the prcfiled frame element being mounted on an illuminated surface and provided with fixing BAD ORIGINAL invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a fixing means which is slightly modified with respect to the fixing means of Figure 2. ' Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a further modification. In the figures , corresponding parts are identified by the same references. Description of Preferred Embodiments An X-ray examining cabinet 3 is provided with two verti-cally moveable film-carrying frames 5 , which are mounted onto an illuminated surface in the form of a sheet 2 of plexi¬ glass, and provided with means for detachably carrying X-ray films 1 in front of the surface of the sheet 2 illuminated from within the cabi¬ net . A fixing means for the X-ray films 1 com¬ prises a profiled frame element 5 having a rear vertical part 5a, a lower horizontal part 5b, an upper, downwardly and forwardly sloping part 5c, which merges into a straight vertical part 5d. Approximately centrally cf the profiled frame element there is provided a horizontally extending part 5e having a downwardly facing, longitudinally extending recess 5e ' . The lower part 5b ca be either substan¬ tially totally horizontal (Figures 2 and 3) or may slope slightly upwardly (Figure 4) and is intended to form a support for a resilient mem¬ ber 4, made of rubber, plastics, or the like, which constitutes a fixing -means for securing the X-rav films 1. BAD ORIGINAL The resilient .member 4 comprises three portions, namely an anchoring portion.4a, which in the position of use illustrated in Figures 2-4 is substantially vertical, a thinner hinge or pivot means 4c,. and an engaging portion 4b having , appointed part b 1 . The engaging portion 4b is supported by the lower,, horizontal or slightly upwardly sloping part 5b of the pro¬ filed frame element. The upper edge 4a 1 of the anchoring por¬ tion 4a is accommodated in a longitudinally extending recess 5e' in the intermediate, horizontal part 5e of the frame element. The rear surface 5a ' of the anchoring portion 5a is fix ' ed, for example by means of an adhesive, to the inner surface 5a' of the vertically extending part 5a of the profiled frame element. As will be seen from Figures 2 - 4 , the engaging portion 4b of the resilient member 4 is supported so that said portion forms a right angle or an acute angle with the anchor¬ ing portion u . The distance between the illu¬ minated surface 2 and the surface 5a of the profiled frame element 5 abutting the anchoring portion is such that a rest ing movement of the engaging portion 4b, under frictionai engagement of its pointed part 4b' with an inserted X-ray film 1 results in compression of the engaging portion 4b and in a corres- ponding increase in the elastic abutment pres¬ sure exerted against the X-ray film. An in¬ serted X-ray film 1, which when inserted results in the engaging portion 4 of the resilient βΛD OF**** ( _^_ ^ member 4 being deflected or bent upwardly3 will in this way be held reliably and- accurate¬ ly secure as a result of the elastic abutment pressure exerted when the engaging portion is compressed in its length direction. The distance between the illuminated surface 2 and the surface 5a of the frame ele¬ ment 5 abutting the anchoring portion is small¬ er than the length of the engaging portion measured from its point 4b to the surface of the hinge means 4c abutting the anchoring por¬ tion. To facilitate movement of the hinge means , it is provided with a smooth, rounded transi- tion or bridging portion between the anchoring portion 4a and the engaging portion. . In the Figure 4 embodiment , the bridging portion between the surface 5a' abutting the anchoring portion of the frame element 5 and the lower, slightly upwardly inclined surface 5b' of said element 5 is also rounded, said surface 5b' forming a support for said hinge means. In this way compression of the engaging pcrticn b in its length direction is facili- tated, and the actual pivot point is able to "wander" along said hinge means. ~ c will also be seen from Figure 4 3 the lower profiled frame part 5b supporting said hinge means extends almost up tc trie illu ina- ted surface 2, and is provided with a lower chamfer 5b' 1 , which facilitates insertion cf the X-ray film 1. The end 4b' of the engaging tortion 4b BAD ORIGINAL 12 is pointed, which facilitates its engagement with the X-ray film. In the Figure 3.. embodi¬ ment, the point 4b' is arranged to co-act with a groove or shoulder 2 ' in the illuminated surface 2. This ensures that fastening of the X-ray film is further improved. In all of the illustrated embodiments , the resilient member 4 comprises an extruded elongate strip of rubber or plastics. In certain cases, the major part of the resilient member may be " made of plastics , in which there can be arranged a pointed part made of a mater¬ ial having higher friction characteristics, for example rubber. Alternatively, the re- silient member 4 may comprise a plurality of short elements arranged in mutually spaced re¬ lationship. The upper, inclined profiled frame part 5c ensures that the lower, loosely hanging part of the X-ray films 1 is guided into place when the frame elements are caused to move vertically downwards to an underlying, option¬ ally wheeled storage box, in which the X-ray films are stored when not being examined with the aid of the X-ray examining cabinet. The aforedescribed fixing means enables an X-ray film to be readily secured in position and to be gripped positively between the an- 'choring portion -a and the illuminated surface 2. To remove the X-ray film, the lower part thereof is gripped and the film given a strong pull, which causes the engaging portion 4b to be deflected downwardly tc an extent such that OMPI IGINAL engagement of the pointed part 4b' with the - X-ray film ceases . This operation can be made easier when the pulling force is exsrted pro¬ gressively, beginning from the region of one vertical side edge of the film. A further advantage afforded by the in¬ vention is that the film can be inserted slowly- optionally by hand-without being bent. A simi¬ larly effective retention of an X-ray film when using conventional fixing means ^ ^ , ould present a much increased resistance to Insertion of the film, thereby rendering insertion impossible. BAD ORIGINAL '

Claims: - 14 - C L A I M S 1. A fixing means for mounting X-ray films (1), or like elements, to an illuminated surface of an X-ray examining cabinet (3) in a readily suitable manner, the fixing means comprising a resilient member (4) made of rubber, plastics or the like and having an anchoring portion (4a) arranged to be received, in a profiled frame element (5) associated with the cabinet or with a separate film magazine, and a film- engaging portion (4b) which is arranged to be deflected when an X-ray film is introduced between said surface (2) and said film-engaging portion (4b) and to hold said film against said illuminated surface by friction, characterized in that the engaging portion (4b) is supported so that it forms a right angle or acute angle with the anchoring portion (4a); that arranged between the anchoring portion (4a) and the en¬ gaging portion (4b) is a thinner, hinge means (4c) which facilitates deflection of the en¬ gaging portion when the film (1) is mounted; and in that the distance between the illumina- ted surface (2) and the surface (5a') of the profiled frame element (5) abutting the anchor¬ ing portion (4a) is such that when the engaging portion (4b) swings back under the frictional engagement of its pointed part (4b 1 ) against the X-ray film (1) the engaging portion (4b) is compressed, resulting in an increase in the elastic abutment pressure -exerted against the X-ray film. BAD ORIGINAL _ O PI Λ,- WIPO 2. A fixing means according to Claim 1, characterized in that the distance between the illuminated surface (2) and the surface (5a') of the profiled frame element (5) abutting the anchoring portion (4a) is smaller than the length of the engaging portion measured from its pointed part (4b) to the surface of the hinge means (4c) abutting the anchoring portion. 3. A fixing means according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 , characterized in that the hinge means (4c) exhbits a rounded, smooth bridging por- tionbetween the anchoring portion (4a) and the engaging portion (4b). 4. A fixing means according to any one of Claims 1 -_3, characterized in that the bridging portion between the surface (5a') of the pro¬ filed frame element (5) abutting the anchoring portion (4a), and the profiled frame part (5b) forming a support for the hinge means (4c) is rounded. 5. A fixing means according to any one of Claims 1 - 4, characterized. in that the profiled frame part (5b) supporting the hinge means (4c) terminates short of the illuminated surface (2) and exhibits a lower chamfer (5b 1 ) arranged to facilitate insertion of the X-ray film (1). 6. A fixing means according to any one cf Claims 1 - 5 , characterized in that the engaging portion has a pointed end part (4b 1 ) arranged to engage the X-ray film (1). 7. A fixing means according tc* Claim 6 , characterized in that the illuminated surface (2) exhibits a recess (2') in the region cf the BAD O WG.NAU - lb - pointed part (4b') of the engaging portion (4b). 8. A fixing means according to any-one of Claims 1 - 7 , characterized in that a horizontal part (5e) of the profiled frame element is pro- video with a longitudinally extending slot or recess (5e') arranged to receive the end part (4a') of the anchoring portion (4a). 9. A fixing means according to any one of Claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the resili- ent member comprises a continuous, extruded strip (4) . BΛD

Inventors: OHLSON CARL ERIC
Applicants: AO METALL & MEK VERKSTAD AB, OHLSON CARL ERIC
Application year: 1982
Main classification: G02B27
IPC codes: G02B27