Dental model articulator

Abstract

The upper and lower jaw members and intermediate connecting member of a dental model articulator are molded from suitable plastic as an integral unitary whole; with the jaw members spaced from each other, by the intermediate connecting member, a distance comensurate with the dental models to be mounted on the articulator, and so that the upper jaw member articulates with respect to the intermediate member and lower jaw member to facilitate relative positioning of, and the performing of work on, the dental models. An over-center toggle-type-hinge is integrally molded between the upper jaw member and the intermediate connecting member to provide for articulation of the upper jaw member. Each jaw member has formed therein a centrally disposed slot with shoulders extending from each wall thereof so as to leave a narrow passage or slit formed to receive a rib of a dental model mounting plate and thus to facilitate positioning of the plate, and a dental model when carried thereby on its respective jaw member of the articulator. The rib of the dental model mounting plate is formed in a modified "T" shaped configuration to enter into the slit between the shoulders while at the same time snugly positioning such shoulders between the arm of the "T" and the corresponding surface of the mounting plate. Suitable apertures and ribs are formed in the jaw and connecting members to facilitate its production while at the same time providing a required degree of flexible rigidity.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.