Patent Number: 061817724
Section: description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS This invention relates to a new method of manufacturing an X-ray grid structure. The present invention additionally relates to a new and improved X-ray grid structure for assembly with a cassette, with the X-ray grid structure having a simplified structure and cost of manufacture. The grid structure may be a one-piece grid structure or a two-piece grid structure. One-piece Grid Structure A first embodiment is a one-piece, protective anti-scatter grid structure for protectively housing an X-ray cassette therein includes a flat top panel having a size adapted to support an X-ray cassette. From the flat top panel having a generally rectangular shape, the grid structure may be formed. An upper ledge is formed as part of the top panel. A lower ledge is vertically spaced therefrom and sized for under lapping and supporting a cassette therein. A side bar or elongated member connects the lower ledge or bottom edge to the top panel. There are three side bars, one on each of three sides of the anti-static grid structure. The anti-scatter grid structure is thoroughly described in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,269 to Leo J. Reina et al., the said Leo J. Reina being the inventor in this application. This application provides for the improvement based on the indicated patent in that a one- piece anti-scatter grid structure, with open corners is provided. By open corners is meant the X-ray grid structure has a portion of each corner removed. The open corners provide for ease of manufacture for the one piece X-ray grid structure, while still providing for good protection of the cassette. If the grid in the holder is ever damaged, such damage must come be from a massive blow to it, so that it will crush the X-ray grid structure itself. One of the inventive concepts here disclosed embodies the idea that the droppage impact is distributed through the holder and not the grid thereby lengthening the life of the grid compared with the prior art devices. Two-piece Grid Structure A second embodiment of this grid for an x-ray cassette is a two piece embodiment. There is a top piece of a generally rectangular shape adapted to receive the cassette. The corners of the top piece are open. That is, there is a forty-five degree angle on each corner. The top piece is solid. The lower piece has an open large surface and extended open corners. The lower piece is nestable within the upper or top piece and sandwiches the x-ray cassette therebetween. A snapping mechanism on the edge of the corners fits into the open corner of the top piece and removably locks the two pieces together sandwiching the x-ray cassette therebetween. In this fashion, the x-ray cassette can be efficiently assembled. The open corners for the assembled package provide for protection and ease of assembly. In this fashion, advantages are achieved, for protection and ease of assembly. The upper member or top piece has flanges at a right angle to the top panel. The four flanges lack a connection with its corresponding perpendicular member in order to provide for the opening in each corner. The wall portion includes an open top. The open top surface is adapted to permit the x-ray cassette to be used. The open top surface provides for a top ridge perpendicular to each of the four corners. At each of the four corners, may be an extended snap mechanism designed to be received by the open corners of the upper or top piece. The top ridge is adjacent to the open top. This structure permits cooperation with the top member. The X-ray cassette can then be held therebetween and within the grid assembly, when used in combination with the top cover. Preferably, a releasable adhesive holds the lower piece in the top piece. If the adhesive wears off, it may easily be replaced. Such adhesive provides easier manufacture than the snap mechanism. In summary, it is very important that the grid be maintained in a damage free state. These grids require real protection. This new X-ray grid structures and its new method of manufacture provide a vastly improved performance. It also has a far superior useful life over any other device of its kind. Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a one piece X-ray grid structure 100 embodies important features of this invention. The one piece X-ray grid structure 100 is particularly constructed for assembly with an X-ray cassette 110. The one piece X-ray grid structure 100 includes a top rectangular panel 120. This flat top panel 120 has a first elongated member 122, a second elongated member 124, and a third elongated member 126 each extending from an edge of flat panel 120 to protectively encase the X-ray cassette 110 against impact forces, which may be applied to the panel 120 in a circumstance where the panel 120 might be dropped or given rough handling by an X-ray technician when being removed from storage or placed into storage. More particularly, first elongated member 122 extends from first panel edge 130 of flat top panel 120. In a like fashion, second elongated member 124 extends from second panel edge 132 of flat top panel 120. Similarly, third elongated member 126 extends from third panel edge 134 of flat panel 120. The one-piece grid structure 100 protectively encases the X-ray cassette 110 against impact forces, which may be applied to the panel 120 in a circumstance where the panel 120 might be dropped or given rough handling by an X-ray technician when being removed from storage or placed into storage. A first bottom edge 140, a second bottom edge 142 and a third bottom edge 144 provide a squared u-shaped frame around three side edges of the panel 120. First bottom edge 140 extends from first elongated member 122. Second bottom edge 142 extends from second elongated member 124. Third bottom edge 144 extends from third elongated member 126. Thus, a lower ledge is vertically spaced from panel 120 and sized for underlapping and supporting a cassette 110 therein. First elongated member 122 combines with first bottom edge 140 and top panel 120 to form first U-shaped member 150. Second elongated member 124 combines with second bottom edge 142 and top panel 120 to form second U-shaped member 152. Third elongated member 126 combines with third bottom edge 134 and top panel 120 to form third U-shaped member 154. First extended corner end 160 of first elongated member 122 is adjacent to first open corner end 162 of second elongated member 124, and define first open corner 170. Third extended corner end 164 of third elongated member 126 is adjacent to second open corner end 166 of second elongated member 124, and define second open corner 172. First open corner 170 and second open corner 172 are formed by removing or eliminating a corner from rectangular portion or top portion 120 or shaping anti-scatter grid structure 100. Likewise third open corner 174 and fourth open corner 176 are formed by removing or eliminating a corner from rectangular portion or top portion 120 or shaping anti-scatter grid structure 100. Thus, X-ray cassette 110 has all four corners exposed when in either one piece anti-scatter grid structure 100 or two piece anti-scatter grid structure 200. Referring now to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, a two piece X-ray grid structure 200 embodies important features of a second embodiment of this invention. The one piece X-ray grid structure 100 is particularly constructed for assembly with an X-ray cassette 110. The two piece X-ray grid structure 200 includes a top solid panel 220 and is also compatible with X-ray cassette 110 and the like. This top solid panel 220 has a first flange member 222, a second flange member 224, and a third flange member 226 each extending from an edge of top solid panel 220 to protectively encase the X-ray cassette 110 against impact forces, which may be applied to the two-piece grid 220 in a circumstance where the two-piece structure 200 might be dropped or given rough handling by an X-ray technician when being removed from storage or placed into storage. As an option, vinyl cover 180 may be applied to either top panel 120 of one piece X-ray grid structure 100 or to top solid panel 220 of two piece X-ray grid structure 200. Vinyl cover 180 provides protection for either grid structure. Color coding of the vinyl cover 180 can be used as a filing mechanism too. Vinyl cover 180 is attached by bonding, gluing or either suitable fashion. More particularly, first flange member 222 extends from first solid edge 230 of top solid panel 220. In a like fashion, second flange member 224 extends from second solid edge 232 of top solid panel 220. Similarly, third flange member 226 extends from third solid edge 234 of top solid panel 220. The two-piece grid structure 200 protectively encases the X-ray cassette 110 against impact forces, which may be applied to the top solid panel 220 in a circumstance of dropping or given rough handling by an X-ray technician when being removed from storage or placed into storage. Cooperating with top solid panel 220 is bottom open panel 240. Bottom open panel 240 has an open top section 242. Open top section 242 has a first open edge 244, a second open edge 246, a third open edge 248, and a fourth open edge 250, framing opening 252 of open top section 242. Opening 252 cooperates with top solid panel 220 to frame X-ray cassette 110. First extension 260 extends from first open edge 244. Second extension 262 extends from second open edge 246. Third extension 264 extends from third open edge 248. Fourth extension 266 extends from a fourth open edge 250. First corner snap 270 is positioned on open top section 242 between first extension 260 and second extension 262. Second corner snap 272 is positioned on open top section 242 between third extension 264 and second extension 262. Third corner snap 274 is positioned on open top section 242 between third extension 264 and fourth extension 266. Fourth corner snap 276 is positioned on open top section 242 between fourth extension 266 and first extension 260. First corner snap 270 snap fits between first flange member 222 and second flange member 224. Second corner snap 272 snap fits between second flange member 224 and a third flange member 226. Third corner snap 274 snap fits between third flange member 226 and fourth flange member 228. Fourth corner snap 276 snap fits between first flange member 222 and a fourth flange member 228. Of course, releasable adhesive is preferred over the snap arrangement. X-ray grid 110 appears in opening 250 as x-ray grid structure 100 is positioned between top solid panel 220 and bottom open panel 240 to protectively encase the X-ray cassette 110 against impact forces. An open corner structure results therefrom. The preferred material used to form the one piece X-ray grid structure 100 or two piece X-ray grid structure 200 is required to have both shatter proof characteristics, as well as impact resistant capability. Such a material is the material of choice because of its desirable qualities. The preferred material used to form the one piece X-ray grid structure 100 or the two piece X-ray grid structure 200 is bendable aluminum. Sheets of aluminum, which are strong enough to offer protection, but remain bendable provide for the ease of manufacture. In FIG. 7, the two piece X-ray grid structure 200 has a releasable adhesive 280 on lapping edges of top solid panel 220 and bottom open panel 240 when they are assembled into two piece X-ray grid structure 200. The releasable adhesive 280 provides holding power. This application--taken as a whole with the specification, claims, abstract, and drawings--provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure. Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and apparatus can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.