X-ray film cassette holder

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates generally to X-ray apparatus, and more specifically to improved apparatus for positioning and centering an X-ray film cassette within an X-ray machine.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the top of an X-ray cassette holder that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The X-ray cassette holder is shown in a cassette loading position with hold lines as well as in a cassette clamping position with dashed lines;

#FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the underside of the cassette holder of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a plan view from the underside of a clamping mechanism employed in the cassette holder of FIG. 1 and is shown in the cassette loading position;

#In reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an X-ray film cassette holder 10 according to the present invention for centering a film cassette C within an associated X-ray machine (not shown). A tray 12 includes two skids 14 and 16 and two glides 18 and 20 that are fabricated from a low friction material such as nylon and are affixed to the underside and topside, respectively, of the tray to facilitate insertion into and withdrawal from the X-ray machine. Also, a handle 22 is included for an operator to grasp during holder insertion and withdrawal. A front flange 24 and a rear flange 26 as well as two side flanges 28 and 30 are disposed about the periphery of the generally planar tray 12 for increasing its flexural stiffness. An underside cover 32 is included for covering and protecting linkages located between the cover and the tray 12.

#First and second positioning assemblies 34 and 36 are moveable along two orthogonal axes 38 and 40, respectively, and act in unison to position and clamp the film cassette C in the center 42 of the holder 10. Included in the first positioning assembly 34 are front and rear clamping members 44 and 46, respectively, disposed for movement along two longitudinal slots 48 and 50. A linkage positioned between the tray 12 and the cover 32 links the movement of the front and rear clamping members 44 and 46 so that they move either toward or away from the center 42 in unison. In a similar fashion, the second positioning assembly 36 includes left and right clamping members 52 and 54 that are linked together for movement in unison along the axis 40. Two lateral slots 56 and 58 are disposed on the left side of the tray 12 and two additional lateral slots 60 and 62 are disposed on the right side of the tray for coupling the left and right clamping members 52 and 54 to the linkage below.

#All four clamping members 44, 46 and 52 and 54 are moveable from a cassette loading position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, to a cassette clamping position, shown in dashed lines, where the four clamping members 64, 66, and 68, and 70 surround the film cassette C on four sides to center it in the holder 10. In operation, the operator slides the holder 10 out of the X-ray machine until only the rear portion of the tray 12 remains within the machine (loading position), then places a film cassette C onto the tray between the retracted clamping members 44, 46, 52, and 54 and slides the holder back into the machine (clamping position). To move the first and second positioning assemblies 34 and 36 from the loading position to the clamping position, an actuator mechanism is provided with a actuator slide 72 that attaches to the X-ray machine. The actuator slide 72 is stationary relative to the fixed X-ray machine but moves relative to the holder 10 along a guide slot 74. This relative motion of the actuator slide 72 during holder 10 insertion and withdrawal enables the linkages disposed between the tray 12 and the cover 32 to move the clamping members 44, 46, 52, and 54 between the loading and clamping positions. A wide range of film cassette C sizes may be accommodated by the holder 10 without need for adjustment.