Radiographic unit

Application filed September 24, 192S. Serial No. 308,078.

This invenion relates to radiographic Xray apparatus and the invention has for its object the provision of a simple compact and self-contained radiographic unit that will re₅ quire little floor space and at the same time be operable with a minimum of effort on the part of the operator.

For this purpose I have found it necessary to include the high tension transformer and 1 (i the entire high tension system as a part of the apparatus capable of adjustment upon the base thereof; and a further object of the invention is to mount the transformer system with its control means, and the X-ray tube i,-> supporting carriage, whereby these parts, while they are adjustable as a unit upon the base, about an axis, are in fixed relation with each other referred to this axis. The result is that an operator standing in usual operat20 ⁷ⁿS position relative to one of these parts will always find the other part conveniently at hand in its customary relative location.

The exact nature of my invention together with further objects and advantages thereof „₅ will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation in perspective of a radiographic unit embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a detail in vertigo cal section of parts appearing in the upper portion of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a horizontal section as in the horizontal plane of line 3—3, Fig. 1.

The principal parts of the apparatus shown _S5 are a base 1 adapted to rest upon the floor and having a column 2 vertically extending therefrom ; a sleeve 3 arranged coaxially of the column 2 for adjustment about the axis thereof ; an X-ray tube supporting carriage 4 ver40 tically adjustable on the sleeve 3 but secured from axial movement relative thereto; transformer means 5 mounted on the sleeve 3 at the lower extremity thereof and having operative connections for the X-ray tube 6 which is - supported by the carriage 4, these connections comprising a high tension aerial system and including conductors 7 and flexible leads 8; and control means 9 for the transformer means and shown as mounted thereon.

₅₀ The base 1 is a casting which may be pro vided with casters as indicated, and the column 2 thereof is conveniently tubular as indicated, Figs. 2 and 3.

The sleeve 3 is likewise tubular, fitting in telescoping relation about the column 2 and _egextending from the upper extremity thereof downwards through a majority of its length. The sleeve is secured at its upper extremity with a cap 10 having a face portion 11 resting upon the finished top surface of the col- ₀₀umn 2, whereby the sleeve 3 is supported in the position shown but is free to rotate upon the column 2 about the axis thereof.

The carriage 4 is bored out to fit and slide upon the sleeve 3 but is secured against rotation thereon as by a key 12 which fits in a spline 13 extending along the outer surface of the sleeve. The carriage has an arm 14 to which is secured the usual bracket 15 for the X-ray tube mounting which includes slide- ₇₀ways 16 whereby the tube 6 may be adjusted radially of the column 2. A sheave 17 is carried by the cap 10, and a chain 18 secured to the carriage 4 passes over the sheave 17 and makes connection with a counter-weight mov- ₇₅able up and down in the hollow of the column 2, whereby the carriage 4 -with the parts supported thereby is balanced in any position to which it may be moved. A clamp 19 serves to secure the carriage against such movement _soif desired.

To the lower extremity of the sleeve 3 is secured a bracket 20 extending in the opposite direction from the arm 14 and carrying the transformer housing 21, which housing eon- ₈₅tains the transformer means for operating the tube.

Above the transformer housing 21 is mounted the control unit 9 which is thus associated with the sleeve 3 for movement there- ¢0 with. The proportion and relation of the parts is of course, such that the control handles 22 are at tire proper elevation for convenient grasp by the opreator.

The conductors 7 lead upwards from the 95 transformer housing 21, having support as by bracket 23 secured with the sleeve 3, and are bent to extend generally over the tube 6. The extremities of the conductor are provided with reels 24 carrying the leads 8 which afford 100

1,775,853 proper connection with the X-ray tube through its range of adjustment.

It will be observed that by the arrangement described the X-ray tube 6 may be adjusted g vertically by sliding the carriage 4; and may be adjusted horizontally by swinging motion about the axis of the column 2, but such swinging motion will be accompanied by corresponding motion of the transformer and ,.0 control means, as well as the high tension aerial system which connects the tube with its transformer means, these parts moving as a unit. Thus the operator when he has swung the tube over the desired parts to be radio15 graphed will always find the control handles 22 in the same relative location so that they may be manipulated with the least liability of error. Likewise, the transformer means always serve to balance the tube mounting, 20 and, being of relatively great weight, are low enough so that the center of gravity of the entire apparatus is not dangerously high.