Patent GB-572321-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to bowden cables particularly for application to x-ray mass radiographic apparatus
IPC: F16C1/10
Filed: 1943-11-08
Abstract: 572,321. X-ray apparatus. KODAK, Ltd., and CROOKS, J. L. Oct. 8, 1943, No. 18541. [Class 98 (i)] [Also in Group XXIV] Relates to apparatus including two separate pieces of equipment that are required to move together in unison, e.g. apparatus comprising an X-ray tube carried by one piece of equipment, and an X-ray image-receiving unit carried by another piece of equipment. One piece of equipment comprises a base supporting two vertical hollow columns 2 on which an X-ray tube unit 3 is slidably supported by a mount 4. The other piece of equipment comprises a gantry consisting of a mobile base 5 carrying vertical hollow columns 6, 7 on which an X-ray fluorescent screen unit is slidably mounted. This comprises essentially a fluorescent screen 8 and dark funnel 9 to the rear of which is fitted a roll-film camera 10<1> which may embody the features disclosed in Specification 563,304. The screen is supported on the columns 6, 7 by mounts 10 counter-balanced by weights 14, Fig. 4, on cables 15 passing over pulleys 15<1> at the tops of the columns. The X-ray tube is similarly counter-balanced. The piece of equipment 1 is movable along a floor track 16, Fig. 1, and the X-ray tube may be rotated about an axis 17 above a couch 18<1>. The gantry 5 is movable on wheels 18 as described in Specification 572,164. According to the invention, the two pieces of equipment are coupled by a pair of Bowden casings 19 connected respectively to a bracket 21 secured to a fixed sleeve 22 integral with a cross-member 20 carrying a relay box 23, and to a bracket 24 secured to a column 2. The coupling means comprises also an effectively endless cable looped over pulleys 25, 26 on the columns 2 and 7 and having exposed stretches 27, 28 and 29, 30. The stretch 28 is releasably clamped to the X-ray tube mount 4 and the X-ray screen is releasably clamped to the stretch 29. This stretch is interrupted to provide ends 37, Fig. 3, which extend through holes in a rectangular plate 38 slidably guided in a slot 39 of a scale plate 40, Figs. 3, 4, secured to one of the mounts 10. The cable ends also extend through holes in screws 41 provided with nuts 42. The plate 38 is clamped to the scale plate 40 by a knob 43 on a stud 44 having a non- rotatable head 45. In some circumstances, e.g. different height of person being X-rayed, it may be necessary to tilt the X-ray tube upwards and downwards and in such a case it is necessary to adjust the screen 8 to ensure that the X-ray tube is correctly focussed thereon. To make this adjustment it is merely necessary to release the plate 38, Figs. 3, 4, from the scale plate 40 and move the screen along the columns 6, 7 relatively to the plate 38 to an amount indicated by a scale on the plate 40. Thereafter, the plates 38, 40 are clamped together again to be moved in unison with the X-ray tube. The flexible casings 19 are preferably protected by a cable sheath 48 through which may be passed an electric cable 49 forming part of the electrical connections. Specification 549,194 also is referred to.