Dental retracting device

Abstract

The device herein described is designed to deliver and retrieve hollow, tubular members and especially a multichanneled hose that is operably connected to equipment regularly used by dentists in the performance of dental services. The delivery and retrieving device includes a base support member and a hose collecting reel rotatably mounted to a vertical shaft perpendicularly mounted to the base support member. The hose collecting reel consists of an upper and lower disk plate in which one of the disk plates contains a cut-out, spiraled raceway. The disk plates are separated or maintained in a spaced apart relationship by a discontinuous separating ring. Rotation of the collecting reel is accomplished by a clock spring carried within a housing of a ball detent locking mechanism positioned beneath the lower disk plate. A hose separating pin, operably connected to an electrical switch, is mounted to the base support member in a fashion such that one end thereof is capable of riding in the cut-out, spiraled raceway during rotation of the collecting reel. As the collecting reel is rotated, the separating pin maintains a spaced separation between the spirally collected hose preventing the hose from crimping and thereby hampering the retrieving action. A smooth delivery of any desired length of tubing is achieved by a centrifugal type of ball-detent locking mechanism wherein the housing of the locking ball is positioned on an angle of about 15.degree. above a plane horizontal to the locking detents.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

This invention is directed to an automatic retraction device and particularly to a dental hose delivery and retrieving device.

2. State of the Art

Most retrieving and/or delivery devices currently available on the market are specifically adapted for handling substantially circular tubular members having structural and physical characteristics such that very little crimping or rotational obstruction occurs during the winding or unwinding process. However, when such devices are employed for retrieving a rubber or plastic tubular member having a relatively thin wall and/or a high coefficient of friction, a crimping or braking action occurs which inhibits a smooth and efficient delivery or retrieval action. To remedy the above problem, the retrieving reel or spool must be, by necessity, of such size that little, if any, overlapping of the tubular members occurs. For example, in a dental office the dentist requires several types of tubular members for delivering water, electrical power, air or suction to the patient while performing dental services. In the dental offices now being designed, the dentist's console is becoming more compact and can utilize hose or tube reeling devices only if they are of comparable compact size and only if they are capable of providing a hose of about 40 inches in length. More important, it is essential that the retrieval and delivery process be accomplished effectively and efficiently with minimum discomfort to the dental patient and with minimal effort to the dentist and his dental assistants.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,883 attempted to resolve this problem by employing a hose collecting member adapted with a series of rollers positioned about the collecting member's outer peripheral edge. The above device is designed such that in use the hose must make a sharp, 180.degree. turn about the rollers during the winding and unwinding process. If the hose has a relatively thin wall or a small internal diameter, the 180.degree. bend can hamper delivery of fluids therethrough.

Another problem associated with delivery and retrieving devices employing collecting reels is that if the collected tubular member is formed of a material having a high coefficient of friction such as rubber or any of the synthetic polymeric materials having a soft or pliable texture, it is virtually impossible to roll a double thickness of the tubing on the reel without encountering crimping, pinching or a braking action. Other devices have attempted to remedy this problem by eliminating collecting reels and using an elongated collecting system for retrieving the tubular members. However, neither of these systems have managed to successfully handle tubing lengths of about 40 inches without employing disks of about 10 inches in diameter or elongated housing of 18 or 20 inches in length. In most instances such systems cannot be conveniently coordinated with the compact consoles now being offered to and used by the dental profession.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a device capable of supplying and retrieving tubular members on command with a minimum of inconvenience. Another object is to provide a device capable of collecting more than one layer of tubing without crimping or causing a braking action. Still another object is to provide a compact system for supplying and retrieving rubber-like tubular members in a reliable and efficient manner. Still another object is to provide a reel type hose collecting system capable of separating the tubular members during collection thereof. Still another object of this invention is to provide a device capable of supplying and retrieving tubular members without adversely affecting the tubular members' flow-through capabilities. Another object is to provide a compact reel type hose collecting device capable of delivering on command various lengths of tubing efficiently and with a minimum amount of frictional drag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objects are attained by the device of this invention which includes a pair of disk plates, rotatably mounted to a support member, in which one of the disk plates includes a cut-out, spiraled raceway. The disk plates are separated by a discontinuous separating ring which forms an internal and external tubular collecting zone or compartment. A separating pin is provided to ride in the cut-out, spiraled raceway for maintaining a separation between the tubular members during rotation of the disk plates. An additional feature of this invention is that the separating pin is electrically or mechanically connected to a lever arm capable of actuating one or more on-off switches. Upon actuation of the retrieval means, which normally comprises a clock spring, the disks are caused to rotate, collecting the tubular members in the external collecting zone while maintaining a separation in between the tubular members carried within the internal collecting zone. Another feature of this invention is that the device includes a centrifugal type of ball-detent locking mechanism wherein the housing of the free rolling locking ball is positioned on a slight incline above a plane horizontal to a circular base plate containing a number of locking detents along its peripheral edge. The centrifugal release and/or gravitational engagement of the locking ball with the detents provides a convenient means for efficiently supplying and retrieving any desired length of tubing on command.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the device of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the device along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the device along line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the device shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the dental hose delivering and retracting device of this invention includes a base support member 2 and a hose collecting reel 4 rotatably mounted thereto via shaft 42 for receiving and collecting a multichanneled service hose 7. The collecting reel 4 comprises a bottom disk plate 5 equidistantly spaced from an upper disk plate 6 by a discontinuous separating ring 22. The upper disk plate 6 contains a cut-out, spiraled raceway 30 for receiving a separating pin 14. One end of the channeled service hose 7 is adapted for connection to an air, fluid, electrical and/or suction source (not shown). The other end of the hose 9 is connected to an adaptor 10 for connection to dental tools and/or equipment. The adapter is preceded by a sleeve 9 which encases the dental hose and shields the hose from possible damage when the hose is fully retracted and held within the apertured support member 12. The adapter is prevented from entering the opening in the apertured support member 12 by an annular stop member 11. A section of the hose, intermediate its two ends, passes through an opening in a reel head 8 which is removably fixed to the upper end of shaft 42. As indicated above, the dental hose shown is divided into three or more channels or compartments 7a, 7b and 7c respectively. Each compartment or channel is connected to a source of water, pressurized air, exhaust air or electrical power, as may be required, depending on the particular dental service to be performed (FIG. 3).

The hose separating pin 14 which rides in the spiraled raceway is perpendicularly connected to a lever arm 16 which in turn is attached for pivotal rotation to a vertical post 18 mounted to the base support member 2. As earlier indicated, a discontinuous hose separating ring 22 is positioned between the lower and upper disk plates 5 and 6 to form an inner 34 and outer 36 tube collecting zone or compartment. As the collecting reel is rotated, the hose separating pin 14, which extends downward through the cut-out portion of the spiraled raceway 30, maintains a separation between the side walls of the hose as it coils or uncoils within the inner hose collecting compartment. This feature prevents frictional contact of the hose's side wall and thus eliminates hose crimping and buckling and all "braking" actions which would be incident thereto. In order for the separating pin to maintain a spacing between the coiled tubing during winding or unwinding, a certain degree of hose lateral movement is required. To insure that suitable lateral movement is available, the diameter of the inner hose compartment will be greater than the distance between the outer edges of the coiled hose (FIG. 2). Generally this difference d will be about the thickness of the hose collected within the inner hose compartment.

As was indicated above, the hose separating ring is discontinuous or broken and thus facilitates the passage of the hose from the inner hose collecting compartment to the outer hose collecting compartment. During the winding and unwinding process, that portion of the hose collected in the outer compartment is that portion of the hose which is extended and retracted during use. The hose retained within the inner compartment, as indicated above, merely moves laterally or in a fluid expanding manner within the inner compartment through action of the base separating pin 14.

The upper disk plate 6 has a central aperture 37 of sufficient size for circumscribing the reel head 8. The lower disk 5 also contains a central aperture 38 through which a collar 56 and central shaft 40 pass. The upper end 42 of the shaft 40 is locked in a vise type opening 44 bored in the reel head by means of a locking bolt 46. The lower end of the shaft has a ledge 47 and an internally threaded opening 48. The shaft is held to the base support member 2 by a threaded bolt 50 which is separated on the bottom side by a washer 52 and on the upper side by a notched or detented base plate 96 and a washer 98.

A spring housing 54 is provided having a collar 56 which overrides the central portion 40 of the shaft 42. Each end of the collar has a seat 58 and 60 for receiving a ball bearing ring 62 and 64 respectively. The spring housing is mounted to the bottom disk plate 5 through bolts 66 and 68 passing through openings 70 and 72 of the disk plates which are in alignment with threaded openings 74 and 76 of the housing. The collar passes through the annular openings of the upper and lower disk plates 5 and 6 and is held flush to the reel head 8 by means of the shaft 42 and the vise type opening 44. A clock spring 80 is housed within the spring housing with the internal end 81 of the spring being held to that portion of the shaft 42 just above ledge 47. This is accomplished by means of a bolt 83 which passes through opening 91 of spring end 81 and into threaded opening 85 contained on shaft 42. The other end of the spring is connected to the housing by a bolt 66 which passes through the opening 74 and the eye 87 of the outer end of spring 80.

A ball housing 84 is mounted along the sidewalls 82 of the spring housing 54 by bolts 86 and 88. The ball housing contains an angled or slanted opening 90 bored through the ball housing. The opening is bored radially downward toward the shaft 42 at an angle of less than 25.degree. and normally at an angle of between 10.degree. and 20.degree.. More preferably, the slanted bore is at an angle of about 15.degree. to a plane horizontal to the base support member. The housing encloses a locking ball 92 which is retained within the housing by an outer cover plate 94. The inner portion of the slanted bore opening is obstructed or closed by a circumferentially notched base plate 96, the notches of which come into registry with the locking ball as the shaft is rotated during the winding and unwinding action of the collecting reel. The ball is retained in the housing and out of the detents by centrifugal force created by rotation of the shaft and the notched base plate. On stopping, the ball gravitationally rolls down the 15.degree. slanted bore and falls into one of the detents or notches, causing the shaft to be locked in position. The number of locking positions available is determined by the number of notches on the plate or by the number of locking balls and angled bored openings available for registry with one of the notches. Generally, one ball may be used with a notched base plate containing from 6 to 9 notches. This type of arrangement will permit locking to occur every 40.degree. to 60.degree. of rotation. If a greater number of stop positions are desired, the number of notches in the base plate may be increased or additional locking balls and ball housings may be used.

In operation, the hose collecting reel is normally in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 1. As the hose is pulled out or extended from the reel, the reel and the spring housing is rotated, causing the clock spring to tighten. When the desired amount of hose has been extended, the pulling motion is stopped and the reel, through action of the spring, is rotated slightly backward as in rewinding, causing the locking ball and the notches to register and thereby cause the disk to lock in the extended position. When the hose is to be retracted, the hose is pulled outward, taking the ball out of registry and forcing it into the housing where it is retained by centrifugal force during rotation of the hose collecting reel. With the above detent locking mechanism, and especially when the ball housings are positioned on a slight incline above the notched base plate, a smooth operating hose supply and retrieving means is provided. In addition, a variety of tubing lengths are available to the user on command. Each extended length may be returned to the collecting reel without first fully extending the hose. This feature facilitates the retrieval process and permits for a more reliable and simplified supply and retrieval operation. As the reel rotates during the winding and unwinding actions, the separating pin rides within the cut-out, spiraled raceway of the upper disk plate. The separating pin maintains a separation of the tubular members within the inner compartment of the hose collecting reel. The outer compartment is designed to collect the hose which is retracted or released during the winding and unwinding action. The hose within the inner compartment is never extended beyond the inner compartment of the reel but is continually moving laterally or expanding during the winding and rewinding process by action of the separating pin. It is this lateral or expandable action which prevents the tubular members from crimping and/or causing a braking action during the winding and rewinding process.

To insure that no portion of the tubing is removed from the inner compartment, the tubing is preferably fixed to the separating ring by means of any type of connecting means, such as by a bolt or screw 95. This particular aspect of the invention is shown in FIG. 3.

As earlier stated, the separating pin is connected to a lever arm which in turn is rotatably mounted to a vertical post held by the base support member 2. In a preferred embodiment, an electronic or mechanical switching means 100 diagramatically shown in FIG. 1 is positioned such that on movement of the pin or arm within the spiraled raceway, the switch can be automatically actuated when the pin reaches a certain preselected point in the raceway. The switch can then actuate ancillary power equipment, pressurized tubes or suction apparatus, etc. which may be connected to the multichanneled tubular hose.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, it is understood that changes may be made by one skilled in the art and it would not thereby depart from the spirit and scope of the invention which is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

I claim:

1. A device for supplying and retrieving a hose like member comprising:

a base support member, a hose collecting reel rotatably mounted to said support member, and a hose separating means, said hose collecting reel having an upper and lower disk plate and a spiraled cut-out raceway in one of said disk plates for receiving said hose separating means and thereby maintaining a separation between the coils of said hose like member as said member is coiled or uncoiled on said collecting reel.

2. The device of claim 1 including a reel locking means for locking said hose collecting reel in a fixed position.

3. The device of claim 2 including a lever arm fixed at one of its ends to said hose separating means and at the other end fixed for rotation to said support member.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said upper and lower disk plates are separated by a discontinuous separating ring, said separating ring forming inner and outer tube collecting compartments.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said hose collecting reel is spring loaded.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said hose separating means is a pin connected to an arm which is pivotally mounted to said base support member.

7. The device of claim 5 including a shaft connected at one end to said spring loaded reel and at the other end to a shaft head.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said shaft head includes an opening for receiving one end of said hose member.

9. The device of claim 8 including a dental tool adapter mounted to the other end of said hose member.

10. The device of claim 2 wherein said locking means includes a locking ball housed within a lock ball housing and a stationary detented plate about which said ball housing rotates.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the lock ball housing is tilted at an angle of less than 25.degree. to a plane horizontal to said base support member.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the lock ball housing is tilted at an angle of about 15.degree. to a plane horizontal to said base support member.

13. A method for winding a tubular member about a tube collecting reel rotatably mounted to a base member comprising:

rotating said reel to permit said tube to coil thereon; and maintaining a spaced separation between the coils of said tubular member during the coiling operation by means of a hose separating means pivotally mounted to said base member.

14. A method for retrieving a tubing about a tube collecting reel having an outer tube collecting compartment and an inner tube collecting compartment containing a section of coiled tubing comprising:

rotating said tube collecting reel to permit said tubing to collect in said outer compartment; and

maintaining a separation between the coils of said coiled tubing in said inner compartment during the rotating step.

15. In a device for supplying and retrieving a hose-like member having a rotatable hose collecting reel and a reel locking means, said reel locking means comprising a stationary base plate having notches along its edge, a lock ball housing mounted for rotation about said base plate, a lock ball contained within said housing, a path for said lock ball leading from said lock ball housing to said notches, said path being inclined at an angle of less than 25.degree. above said base plate.