Dental modeling apparatus having magnet controlled adjustment

Abstract

The dental model pouring jig of the present invention includes a base member that supports a model base support member and a mold support member. The model base support member is secured to the base member and is capable of mounting a dental model base. The mold support member is adjustably secured to the base member and capable of mounting a mold of a person's teeth. The mold support member is adjustable relative to the model base support member to properly position the mold adjacent the dental model base. The pouring jig may include a magnet controlled adjustment mechanism to control adjustment of features of the pouring jig relative to each other.

1 . A dental model pouring jig comprising a magnet controlled adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism controlling adjustment of the pouring jig in at least one direction of motion. 
   
   
       2 . The pouring jig of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism is mounted to a base portion of the pouring jig and controls adjustment of a support member coupled to the base portion relative to the base portion. 
   
   
       3 . The pouring jig of  claim 2 , wherein the support member is a dental mold support member of the pouring jig. 
   
   
       4 . The pouring jig of  claim 3 , wherein the support member is supported at least partially by a substantially planar top surface of the base portion, the support member being adjustable in a plane parallel to a plane of the top surface. 
   
   
       5 . The pouring jig of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism is configured to control adjustment of a dental mold support member of the pouring jig relative to a base portion of the pouring jig, the dental model support member comprising a platform portion and a stand portion. 
   
   
       6 . The pouring jig of  claim 5 , wherein the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism includes a magnet member that releasably retains the dental mold support member in a predetermined position relative to the base portion. 
   
   
       7 . The pouring jig of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet controlled adjustment member includes a magnetized member, a position of the magnetized member being adjustable between a first position wherein magnetic forces of the magnetized member do not affect adjustment of the pouring jig and a second position wherein magnetic forces of the magnetized member restrict adjustment of the pouring jig. 
   
   
       8 . The pouring jig of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet controlled adjustment member includes a magnet and a lever, the lever being adapted and configured to adjust a position of the magnet thereby controlling adjustment of the pouring jig. 
   
   
       9 . The pouring jig of  claim 8 , wherein the pouring jig includes a base portion and an support member, the base portion including a top surface and the support member being supported by the top surface, and the magnet is position vertically below the top surface in at least partial alignment with the support member. 
   
   
       10 . The pouring jig of  claim 9 , wherein the magnet restricts movement of the support member relative to the base portion when adjusted into a first position by the lever, and the support member is movable relative to the base portion when the magnet is adjusted into a second position by the lever. 
   
   
       11 . The pouring jig of  claim 8 , further comprising a cam member positioned between the magnet and the lever, the cam member providing leverage for movement of the magnet by the lever. 
   
   
       12 . A method of adjusting a dental model pouring jig, comprising adjusting a magnet controlled adjustment mechanism, the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism controlling adjustment of the pouring jig in at least one direction of motion. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism is coupled to a base portion of the pouring jig and controls adjustment of a support member of the pouring jig relative to the base portion. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the support member is moveable in a plane substantially parallel to a top surface of the base portion, and the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism controls movement of the support member in the plane. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism includes a magnet and a magnet release member, wherein the magnet release member is operable to adjust application of magnetic forces from the magnet to the pouring jig thereby affecting adjustment of the pouring jig. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the magnet release member is a lever configured to move the magnet between first and second positions. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism includes a cam and a magnet, wherein the cam is configured to engage the magnet and move the magnet between an engagement position wherein movement of the pouring jig is restricted by the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism, and a disengaged position wherein movement of the pouring jig is not restricted by the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism. 
   
   
       18 . A dental model pouring jig, comprising:
 a base portion;   a support member coupled to the base portion; and   a magnet controlled adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism controlling adjustment of the pouring jig when using the pouring jig to prepare a dental model.   
   
   
       19 . The pouring jig of  claim 18 , wherein the support member is a dental mold support member configured to support a mold of a patient's teeth. 
   
   
       20 . The pouring jig of  claim 18 , wherein the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism includes a magnet and a magnet control member configured to control movement of the magnet. 
   
   
       21 . The pouring jig of  claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism is positioned within a cavity defined by the base portion. 
   
   
       22 . The pouring jig of  claim 20 , wherein the magnet is positioned within the base portion and a portion of the magnet control member extends outside of the base portion for actuation by a user. 
   
   
       23 . The pouring jig of  claim 20 , wherein the magnet control member includes a cam member, the cam member being configured to move the magnet between an engagement position wherein movement of the support member relative to the base portion is restricted by the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism, and a disengaged position wherein movement of the support member relative to the base portion is not restricted by the magnet controlled adjustment mechanism. 
   
   
       24 . The pouring jig of  claim 20 , wherein the magnet control member includes a cam surface and a shaft, wherein the shaft is rotatable to move the cam surface relative to the magnet.