Brake assembly for dental tray support arm
US4397439A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 1981 |
| Grant date | Aug 9, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16M2200/063
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fluid actuated brake assembly for use with a parallelogram linkage on a dental tray support arm is described. Floating brake shoes positioned on opposite sides of one member of the parallelogram linkage with one of the brake shoes pivotably and slideably attached to the other member of the parallelogram linkage provides a braking and locking effect between the two members of the parallelogram linkage to provide an efficient brake for a dental tray support arm. Upon fluid actuation of the brake assembly, the brake shoes grip one member of the parallelogram and form a rigid connection with the other member of the parallelogram to prevent relative movement of the parallelogram linkage members. The frictional brake assembly also provides an override feature above a predetermined force level to prevent accidental jamming of the dental tray support arm against an object. Additionally, fluid actuation of the brake assembly provides for substantially instantaneous locking and unlocking of the dental tray support arm. The fluid actuation mechanism is conveniently operated by an air brake switch which is located near the dental tray.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.