Patents Assigned to A-DEC, Inc.
  • Patient chair
    Patent number: 7290836
    Abstract: A back for a patient chair having a back shell with a substantially rigid central S-shaped central portion and laterally extending wing portions which have sufficient flexibility to allow deflection in the direction of the front surface upon imposition of a force. The back consists of a formed back shell, a cushion layer laid thereover and an upholstery layer covering the cushion, with the upholstery layer adhered to the cushion and having edge margins wrapped around the outer edge margins of the cushion. The cushion and upholstery material are secured to the back shell through adhesive applied between the wrapped over edge margin portions of the upholstery material and the back shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: A-dec, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl G. Nordstrom, Edward R. Jacobs, Mathew H. Parlier, Craig J. Beard, Kenneth E. Mattocks, Christopher C. Stone
  • Headrest support and adjustment mechanism
    Patent number: 7240966
    Abstract: A mechanism for supporting and permitting selected adjustment of the position of a headrest relative to the back of a chair comprises a body, a first pivotable connection, a second pivotable connection and a selectively releasable locking mechanism. The first pivotable connection is near the first end of the body, adapted to connect to the chair and to allow pivoting of the body relative to the chair. The second pivotable connection is near the second end of the body, adapted to connect to the headrest and to allow pivoting of the headrest relative to the body. The selectively releasable locking mechanism is configured to retain the body in selected angular positions relative to the chair and relative to the headrest by clamping together interleaved plate members in frictional contact and to allow for one-handed actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: A-dec, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Stone, Brian E. Bonn, William R. Stewart
  • Modular dental chair equipment mounting system
    Patent number: 7195219
    Abstract: A system for reconfigurably adapting a dental chair for use, including, e.g., use from the right side or left side, use by right-handed or left-handed practitioners and use in various dentistry practice styles, may include a link arm, a primary arm and a secondary arm. The link arm is pivotably connectible to a rear side of the dental chair. The primary arm is pivotably connectible to the link arm to swing in a generally horizontal plane about a generally vertical axis. The secondary arm is coupleable to the link arm, preferably along substantially the same axis. The secondary arm has multiple pivotably connected segments allowing its distal end to be positioned as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: A-dec, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Irwin, Jonathan E. Myers, Paul H. Johnson, Jr., J. Rick Halbirt, Robin R. Winter
  • Sustained water treatment in dental equipment
    Patent number: 7033511
    Abstract: An antimicrobial composition, methods of making the composition, and methods of using the composition. The composition comprises a substantially dry mixture of effective amounts of one or more quaternary ammonium compounds, one or more oxidizing agents, and one or more antimicrobial metallic compounds, such as silver-containing compounds. The composition is primarily directed to the sustained treatment of dental unit water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: A-DEC, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Zawada, Clayton L. D. Moore, Sr.
  • Headrest support and adjustment mechanism
    Patent number: 6893096
    Abstract: Mechanism for supporting and permitting selected adjustment of the position of a headrest relative to the back of a chair includes an elongate housing, support brackets pivotally connected adjacent opposite ends of the body, and a plurality of interleaved elongate plate members extending longitudinally of the body and movable relative thereto, with opposite ends of the interleaved plate members pivotally connected to the brackets. Clamping mechanism is provided for releasably clamping interleaved portions of the plate members to hold them, and their associated brackets, in selected positions. A slide mechanism mounts a headrest permitting translational movement of the headrest relative to the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: A-dec, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Bonn, Christopher C. Stone, William R. Stewart
  • Hydraulic drive system
    Patent number: 6814409
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive and fluid control system for a mechanism having at least two fluid actuated cylinder includes a bi-directional motor/gear pump. A monolithic block manifold has intersecting bores formed therein in which valving and control mechanism for the fluid circuit is mounted. The fluid control system includes a variety of elements for providing smooth action of the cylinders at start, stop, and intermediate operations. These include piston-style accumulators, self-actuating fluid flow rate control valves and cushion valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Warn Jackson
  • Headrest support and adjustment mechanism
    Publication number: 20040046435
    Abstract: Mechanism for supporting and permitting selected adjustment of the position of a headrest relative to the back of a chair includes an elongate housing, support brackets pivotally connected adjacent opposite ends of the body, and a plurality of interleaved elongate plate members extending longitudinally of the body and movable relative thereto, with opposite ends of the interleaved plate members pivotally connected to the brackets. Clamping mechanism is provided for releasably clamping interleaved portions of the plate members to hold them, and their associated brackets, in selected positions. A slide mechanism mounts a headrest permitting translational movement of the headrest relative to the mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Bonn, Christopher C. Stone, William R. Stewart
  • Hydraulic drive system
    Publication number: 20020149248
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive and fluid control system for a mechanism having at least two fluid actuated cylinder includes a bi-directional motor/gear pump. A monolithic block manifold has intersecting bores formed therein in which valving and control mechanism for the fluid circuit is mounted. The fluid control system includes a variety of elements for providing smooth action of the cylinders at start, stop, and intermediate operations. These include piston-style accumulators, self-actuating fluid flow rate control valves and cushion valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Warn Jackson
  • Post height adjustment for dental equipment
    Patent number: 5823699
    Abstract: An expandable stop ring slides over the end of a top post until it engages a selected one of a number of spaced apart grooves in the end of a top post. The end of the top post is inserted into a bottom tubular post until the stop ring fits inside a keeper that is mounted to the upper end of the bottom post. The keeper prevents expansion of the stop ring, hence the stop ring and keeper combination support the top post and any equipment carried thereon. The top post height adjustment is made by lifting the top post to remove the stop ring from the keeper, thereby permitting sliding movement of the stop ring to another selected groove on the top post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventors: George K. Austin, Jr., Stephen N. Weiler
  • Cuspidor water supply valving
    Patent number: 5788217
    Abstract: The flow of water to a cuspidor bowl-rinse spout and cup-filling spout is controlled by a normally closed valve that is actuated by a lever, the ends of which lever protrude through opposite sides of the cuspidor housing. Either end of the lever may be moved in either of two opposite directions for actuating the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventors: George K. Austin, Jr., Shawn R. Irwin, Brian E. Bonn
  • Three-way pneumatic valve system
    Patent number: 5738520
    Abstract: The system is adapted for use with a portable dental delivery system and provides a selector for activating one of two handpieces. When one of the handpieces is to be activated, the supporting base is lifted from its wheels by a pneumatic support assembly that is controlled by the same valve system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventors: George K. Austin, Jr., Paul D. Sturges
  • Shadow mask assembly for dental light
    Patent number: 5651611
    Abstract: The mask has a cap from which two deformable legs protrude. The legs are deformed to permit the outermost parts of the legs to be snapped into a groove in the socket that carries the lamp of the dental light. The mask is not attached to a reflector shield, thereby simplifying the manufacture of the overall lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: A-dec, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen N. Weiler
  • Control mechanism for sliding panel
    Patent number: 5645144
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for guiding and controlling the movement of a sliding panel relative to a fixed panel. The mechanism comprises a shaft attached to the sliding panel that passes through an elongate opening in a bracket attached to the fixed panel. Disposed about the shaft is a brake that is normally urged against the bracket by a spring member, thereby fixing the position of the sliding panel. Also disposed about the shaft is an actuating member that, when actuated, releases the contact between the brake and the bracket, allowing the sliding member to move along the path defined by the elongate opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Schaefers, George K. Austin, Jr.
  • Dental chair seat
    Patent number: D600951
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: A-dec, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Halvorson, Jr., Jason Alvarez
  • Portion of a support system for dental equipment
    Patent number: D607110
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: A-dec, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Alvarez, Harold Halvorson, Jr.
  • Dental light
    Patent number: D607142
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: A-dec, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Alvarez
  • Controller for a bed or chair with symbol set
    Patent number: D611498
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: A-dec, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Alvarez
  • Controller for a bed or chair with symbol
    Patent number: D611499
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: A-dec, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Alvarez
  • Controller for a bed or chair with symbol
    Patent number: D611958
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: A-dec, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Alvarez
  • Dental patient simulator
    Patent number: D392878
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl G. Nordstrom, George K. Austin, Jr., Phil S. Smith, Andrew G. Schaefers, Paul D. Sturges