Patent Number: 048254550
Section: claims

1. A device for generating collimated X-ray beams, said device comprising: an X-ray source for emitting an input X-ray beam;  a cone arranged in the input X-ray beam to receive the entire input X-ray beam, said cone blocking a portion of the input X-ray beam such that a limited output X-ray beam emerges from the cone, said output X-ray beam being smaller than the input X-ray beam;  a diaphragm arranged in the cone for blocking a portion of the input X-ray beam such that the output X-ray beam is divided into first and second separate portions, said diaphragm being pivotable about a pivot axis such that the first portion of the output X-ray beam does not change when the diaphragm is pivoted, and the second portion of the output X-ray beam changes when the diaphragm is pivoted. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the pivot axis is at an edge of the diaphragm. 3. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the diaphragm is flat. 4. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the diaphragm has an L-shaped cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis. 5. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the diaphragm has an edge opposite the pivot axis which edge is parallel to the pivot axis. 6. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the diaphragm has an edge opposite the pivot axis, which edge is concave. 7. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the pivot axis defines an edge of the first portion of the output X-ray beam.