Patent Publication Number: US-11039971-B2

Title: Tandem pivot mount for dental patient chair

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This application relates to a dental chair assembly, and specifically to arrangements for positioning various dental equipment close to the dental patient chair for the practitioner to use during treatment. 
     In a typical dental operatory setting, dental equipment may include a delivery system (from which instruments that use water, pressurized air, suction, electrical power, data, etc. are accessed), as well as equipment of other types, including lights, monitors, other types of instruments, etc., that can be supported in desired positions by one or more movable arms mounted to the dental chair assembly or its surroundings (e.g., a cabinet, wall, floor or ceiling). 
     Some small operatories do not provide sufficient space, however, to fully utilize currently available arrangements of movable arms. Also, some currently available arrangements of movable arms do not provide equal ranges of motion on both sides of the chair, and thus are less flexible for being repositioned between uses by left-handed and right-handed practitioners. In some cases, currently available arm arrangements do not allow for equipment to be positioned at some desired locations because of limitations in range and/or interference between components of the arrangements. 
     SUMMARY 
     Described below are implementations of mounting arrangements for movable arms in a dental chair assembly. 
     According to a first implementation, a dental chair assembly comprises a base, a support, a first pivot mount and a second pivot mount. The support is movably coupled to the base and configured to support a chair seat defined to extend in a forward direction and a chair back positioned rearward of the chair seat. The support has a forward side, an opposite rearward side and a longitudinal axis extending through the forward and rearward sides. The first pivot mount is positioned along the longitudinal axis forward of the rear side of the support and configured to support at least one movable arm. The first pivot mount defines a first upright pivot axis. The second pivot mount is positioned along the longitudinal axis and spaced forwardly from the first pivot mount. The second pivot mount is configured to support at least one movable arm and define a second upright pivot axis parallel to the first upright pivot axis. 
     The first pivot mount can be defined along a pivot mount section extending forwardly from a main body of the support. The first upright pivot axis and the second upright pivot axis can intersect the chair seat. 
     The dental chair assembly can include a first movable arm mounted to the first pivot mount and a second movable arm mounted to the second pivot mount, and the first movable arm can be positioned to swing through an arc at a level below the second movable arm. The dental chair assembly can comprise a pivot mount extension member coupled to the support. The second pivot mount can be defined along the pivot mount extension member. In one implementation, the pivot mount extension member is coupled to an upper side of the first pivot mount. In one implementation, the pivot mount extension member is coupled to the pivot mount section of the support with fasteners. 
     In one implementation, the second pivot mount is configured to be coupled to the pivot extension member from below. 
     In one implementation, at least one of the first pivot mount and the second pivot mount comprises a hollow construction defining an internal umbilical passage through which one or more umbilicals can be routed. 
     In one implementation, the first movable arm is configured to swing radially outward relative to the second movable arm. The first movable arm can be configured to have a longer radius than the second movable arm. 
     In one implementation, the second movable arm is configured to support a dental light. In one implementation, the first movable arm is configured to support at least a delivery system. 
     The support can comprise a movement device coupled to the base and operable to raise and lower the support. 
     The first pivot mount can have a first pivot mount opening and the second pivot mount can have a second pivot mount opening, and the first pivot mount opening and the second pivot mount opening can be positioned at a substantially common level. 
     In one implementation, a pivot mount extension member is coupled to the support and defines first and second openings for the first and second pivot mounts. 
     The first and second movable arms can each have a length greater than the distances separating the first pivot axis from a distal end of the chair seat and from the second pivot axis and the distal end of the chair seat, respectively. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dental chair assembly showing a dental chair back in a reclined position and showing first and second movable arms mounted at a forward location and having separate pivot axes. 
         FIG. 2  is a magnified perspective view of a portion of a pivot mount of  FIG. 1  for the movable arms. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are additional magnified perspective views of the pivot mount of  FIG. 1  from different angles. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the dental chair assembly showing the first and second movable arms supported by the pivot mount and rotated relative to the dental chair to one possible configuration. 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are side elevation views of a dental chair assembly showing the pivot mount and first and second movable arms schematically in a fully lowered position and a fully raised position, respectively. 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view similar to  FIG. 7 , except showing alternative arrangements for the movable arms and an alternative pivot mount section. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Described below are implementations of a tandem pivot mount for a dental chair assembly and a dental chair assembly having a tandem pivot mount (or hub). 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a dental chair assembly  100  has a base  102 , a support  104  movable relative to the base, and a chair seat  106  and a chair back  108  that are each coupled to the support  104 . The dental chair assembly  100 , which is sometimes also referred to as a patient chair or a treatment chair, is designed to accommodate a patient (not shown) comfortably, while allowing the patient to be positioned as needed relative to a dentist or other practitioner(s) during treatment. For example, the chair back  108  can be positioned in a fully reclined position as shown, and the movable support  104  can be raised or lowered to achieve a desired height above the base  102  to permit the practitioner, who is typically seated in a stool, to access the patient&#39;s oral cavity effectively. 
     The base  102  is typically positioned on the floor of the operatory. The support  104  is movable by a movement mechanism  105 , such as a hydraulic lift arm or other similar type of movement device capable of raising and lowering the level of the support  104  relative to the base  102 . The support  104  may also pivot through an angular range as it raised and lowered. 
     A longitudinal axis L is defined to extend along the centerline of the chair seat  106  and the chair back  108 , with a forward direction F defined as extending in the direction of the chair seat  106 . The support  104  has a forward side or end  110 , and an opposite rearward side or end  112 . 
     Forward of the rearward end  112 , there is a first pivot mount  120  positioned on the longitudinal axis L that pivotably supports a first movable arm  122 . The first movable arm  122  can pivot or rotate (i.e., to the left or to the right) with respect to the first pivot mount  120  about a first upright pivot axis P 1 . There is also a second pivot mount  130  positioned on the longitudinal axis L and forward of the first pivot mount  120  that supports a second movable arm  132 . The second movable arm  132  can pivot or rotate with respect to the second pivot mount  130  about a second upright pivot axis P 2 . The first and second pivot mounts  120 ,  130  can spaced close to each other along the longitudinal axis L as shown (e.g., even side by side), but are spaced apart from each other such that each defines a separate upright pivot axis P 1 , P 2 , respectively, to achieve various advantages as described herein. The arrangement of the first and second pivot mounts  120 ,  130  can be described as “a tandem pivot mount.” 
     Among other advantages described herein, because the first pivot mount  120  and the second pivot mount  130  are each positioned on the longitudinal axis, the first and second movable arms  122 ,  132 , respectively, can each be positioned through left-side and right-side angular ranges that are equal to each other (assuming that there are no interfering objects, such as walls, cabinets and/or other equipment). In this way, the dental chair assembly  100  with the tandem pivot mount supports uses where the movable anus need to be re-positioned for use by left-handed and right-handed practitioners. This is an advantage, particularly in settings where left-handed and right-handed practitioners frequently share use of the same dental chair assembly  100 . 
     As described, the first and second movable arms  122 ,  132  are positioned forwardly, i.e., forward of the rear end  112  of the support  104 , and typically forward of an axis about which the chair back  108  is pivotal*. In the illustrated implementation, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the support  104  has a pivot mount section  134  extending forwardly in which the first pivot mount  120  is defined. In other implementations, the pivot mount  120  could be provided at the forward location relative to the chair as described to achieve the same placement of the pivot axis P 1 , but coupled to structure other than the chair. 
     In the illustrated implementation, the first movable arm  122  is pivotably mounted at a lower side of the first pivot mount  120 . Thus, the first movable arm pivots (or rotates or swings) in a plane at a level below the pivot mount section  134 . In an alternative arrangement (not shown), the first movable arm  122  could be pivotably mounted above a supporting member. 
     The pivot mount section  134  can also be configured to provide the second pivot mount  130 . In the illustrated implementation, the pivot mount section  134  can have a pivot mount extension member  136  that extends forwardly and defines the second pivot mount  130 . The pivot mount extension member  136  can be formed as a plate and coupled to an upper surface of the pivot mount section  134 , e.g., with threaded fasteners or another suitable arrangement. The second movable arm  132  can be coupled to the pivot mount extension member  136  from below to pivot in a plane below the pivot mount extension member  136 . In the illustrated implementation, the second movable arm is positioned to pivot in approximately the same plane as the pivot mount section  134 . 
     In another implementation, the pivot mount section  134  projects forwardly and defines the position of the first pivot axis P 1  at the same location as described above, but the first movable arm  122  is coupled vertically above the pivot mount section  134 . The second movable arm  132  can then be positioned for rotation in a plane at a level below the first movable arm  122  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 8 ). The pivot mount extension member  136  can be positioned to extend from a lower side of the pivot mount section  134 , or a different configuration of structural elements sufficient to provide the second pivot mount  130  to support the second movable arm  132  can be provided. In some implementations, e.g., the pivot mount section  134  and the pivot extension member  136  could be formed as a single element  134 ′ (see, e.g.,  FIG. 8 ). In some implementations, the pivot mount section can have a stepped section that changes in height from a level of the support  104  to a different level, such as a lower level at the location of the first pivot mount  120  (see, e.g., the pivot mount section  134 ′ in  FIG. 8 ). 
     The first and second pivot mounts  120 ,  130  include internal components designed to make the pivoting action smooth, including one or more bearings, and keep the movable arms  122 ,  132 , respectively, securely connected. 
       FIG. 3  is another partial perspective view of the tandem pivot mount, showing the first pivot mount  120  to which the first movable arm  122  is coupled and the second pivot mount  130  to which the second movable arm  132  is coupled. As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the first and second upright pivot axes P 1  and P 2 , respectively, are located such that they extend to intersect the chair seat  106 . Stated differently, the first and second pivot mounts  120 ,  130  are positioned below the chair seat  106 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the dental chair assembly  100  from a different angle, with the chair seat  106  removed for clarity and the first and second movable arms  122 ,  132  in different positions. Referring to  FIGS. 2-5 , the first and second pivot mounts can be configured as shown such that the first pivot mount  120  supports the first movable arm  122  having a longer radial length, and the second pivot mount  130  supports the second movable arm  132  having a shorter radial length. In this way, the second movable arm  132  is configured to pass radially inwardly of the first movable arm  122 . In other words, the first movable arm  122  swings past the second movable arm  132  to the outside. In other configurations, the second movable arm  132  can be configured to swing to the outside of the first movable arm  122 . 
     The first movable arm  122  can be configured to support a delivery system DS, such as a continental delivery system (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 ), a traditional delivery system, or another type of delivery system. The first movable arm  122  can also support various other equipment, such as a water supply container WS, as shown. In the illustrated implementation, the first movable arm  122  is configured to have an adjustable height arm or section (e.g., a flexarm, an arm with a slide lock adjustment, etc.) that allows equipment attached at the distal end, such as the delivery system DS, to be raised and lowered, swung through an arc and retained in place at a desired location (such as, e.g., with a brake or other device), with ease. The second movable arm  132  can be configured to support other equipment, e.g., a dental light DL ( FIG. 5 ). Other alternative configurations are also possible, depending upon the particular operating requirements. 
     By configuring the first and second movable arms  122 ,  132  as shown, the dental chair assembly  100  can be quickly changed from a position for use by a left-handed practitioner to an opposite position for use by a right-handed practitioner, and vice versa. In addition, the configuration of the first and second pivot mounts  120 ,  130 , and the locations of the respective pivot axes P 1  and P 2 , are selected to provide for as full of a range of motion about the patient in the chair as is possible while maintaining a compact design that can be used in operatories with small footprints. Within areas next to and over the patient seating area, the delivery system DS on the first movable arm  122  and the light DL on the second movable arm are widely positional with few “dead areas” that cannot be reached. 
     Another advantage of the tandem or side-by-side mount arrangement is that routing of umbilicals through the first and second pivot mounts  120 ,  130  and the respective first and second movable arms  122 ,  132  is made easier. “Umbilicals” is the terminology used herein to describe various cables, conduits, tubings and other long flexible members for conveying fluids, electrical power, data, etc., to and from various devices, including devices located along the first and second movable arms  122 ,  132 . In the illustrated implementation, the first and second movable arms can each have a hollow construction such that umbilicals can be routed internally. Because the first and second pivot mounts  120 ,  130  are spaced from each other and have separate pivot axes rather than being configured concentrically on a single pivot axis, umbilicals U 2  for the second movable arm (one of which is shown in  FIG. 2 ) can be routed from the support, such as from the pivot mount section  134 , over the pivot mount extension member  136  and into a second pivot mount opening  142  leading to the hollow interior of the second movable arm  132 , separate from umbilicals U 1  for the first movable arm. The umbilicals U 2  (five of which are shown in  FIG. 2 ) can be routed directly from the support to an opening  140  in the first pivot mount  120  that leads through an opening in the pivot mount section  134  and to a hollow interior of the first movable arm  120 . 
     The tandem pivot mount arrangement also allows for easier retrofitting of a new second pivot mount  130 /second movable arm  132 , as well as easier servicing of the second movable arm  132 . The dental chair assembly  100  can initially be provided with the first pivot mount  120  on the pivot mount section  134  and pivot extension member  136 , but without any second movable arm  132 . If it is desired at a later time to add the second movable arm  132 , then the installation primarily concerns coupling the second movable arm  132  to the second pivot mount  130  and extending the related umbilicals U 2  from the support, over the pivot mount section  134  and to the opening  140  as described above, but without requiring the entire disassembly of the first pivot mount  120  and the umbilicals U 1 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are side elevations of a dental chair assembly  100 ′ having a slightly different base  102 ′, support  104 ′, chair seat  106 ′ and chair back  108 ′, but the same forward pivot mount section  134  and pivot extension member  136 . As shown somewhat schematically in  FIG. 6 , the geometry of the pivot mount section  134  and the pivot mount extension member  136  allows the dental chair to be lowered to a very low elevation, which is easier for patient ingress and egress, without any interference between the first and second movable arms  122 ,  132  and the base  102 ′. At the same time, if the dental chair assembly  100 ′ is used in a raised position  100 ′ as shown in  FIG. 7 , the first and second movable arms  122 ,  132  are also available for use at the raised elevation. 
     Although described herein as the dental chair assembly  100 , the same or similar equipment as described can be used in procedures other that dentistry, including but not limited to oral surgery and other types of patient treatment where positioning of the patient (and especially the patient&#39;s head) within the allowable ranges that can be achieved as shown is helpful. 
     In view of the many possible embodiments to which the disclosed principles may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples and should not be taken as limiting in scope. Rather, the scope of protection is defined by the following claims. We therefore claim all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.