US3718974A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental handpiece drip control system
Assignee: Weber Dental Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1971-09-20
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Granted: 1973-03-06
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Expires: 1991-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A control system for exhausting coolant water which is trapped within a dental handpiece coolant water supply line upon deactuation of the handpiece to eliminate drip at the handpiece. Compressed air which actuates a coolant water supply valve is exhausted into a branch line upon closing of the supply valve. The exhaust air opens a valve positioned between the water coolant line and drain facilities. The trapped coolant water flows into the drain through the open exhaust valve reducing the trapped water and pressure in the coolant water supply line. The exhaust air is relieved slowly through a choke after opening the exhaust valve, permitting the exhaust valve to close slowly enabling a sufficient quantity of trapped water to be exhausted.
Inventors
- 👤 D Buchtel
- 👤 K Lappin
- 👤 J Maurer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/0007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A dental handpiece drip control system including a dental handpiece, a water supply, a water pipeline connecting the water supply with the handpiece, first water control valve means in said water pipeline located between said water supply and said dental handpiece, means for actuating said first valve means, a junction in the water pipeline between said first valve means and said dental handpiece, drain means, a drain pipeline connecting the water pipeline at the junction with the drain means, second valve means in said drain pipeline located between the junction and the drain means, and means for actuating said second valve means, said first and second valve means being operatively interconnected whereby operation of said first valve means stopping flow of water from the water supply to the handpiece actuates said second valve means exhausting water trapped in the water pipeline between the handpiece and the first valve means through the second valve means into the drain means through the drain pipeline.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A dental handpiece drip control system including a dental handpiece, a water supply, a water pipeline connecting the water supply with the handpiece, first water control valve means in said water pipeline located between said water supply and said dental handpiece, means for actuating said first valve means, a junction in the water pipeline between said first valve means and said dental handpiece, drain means, a drain pipeline connecting the water pipeline at the junction with the drain means, second valve means in said drain pipeline located between the junction and the drain means, and means for actuating said second valve means, said first and second valve means being operatively interconnected whereby operation of said first valve means stopping flow of water from the water supply to the handpiece actuates said second valve means exhausting water trapped in the water pipeline between the handpiece and the first valve means through the second valve means into the drain means through the drain pipeline.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
162 words
A dental handpiece drip control system including a dental handpiece, a water supply, a water pipeline connecting the water supply with the handpiece, first water control valve means in said water pipeline located between said water supply and said dental handpiece, means for actuating said first valve means, a junction in the water pipeline between said first valve means and said dental handpiece, drain means, a drain pipeline connecting the water pipeline at the junction with the drain means, second valve means in said drain pipeline located between the junction and the drain means, and means for actuating said second valve means, said first and second valve means being operatively interconnected whereby operation of said first valve means stopping flow of water from the water supply to the handpiece actuates said second valve means exhausting water trapped in the water pipeline between the handpiece and the first valve means through the second valve means into the drain means through the drain pipeline.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
162 words
A dental handpiece drip control system including a dental handpiece, a water supply, a water pipeline connecting the water supply with the handpiece, first water control valve means in said water pipeline located between said water supply and said dental handpiece, means for actuating said first valve means, a junction in the water pipeline between said first valve means and said dental handpiece, drain means, a drain pipeline connecting the water pipeline at the junction with the drain means, second valve means in said drain pipeline located between the junction and the drain means, and means for actuating said second valve means, said first and second valve means being operatively interconnected whereby operation of said first valve means stopping flow of water from the water supply to the handpiece actuates said second valve means exhausting water trapped in the water pipeline between the handpiece and the first valve means through the second valve means into the drain means through the drain pipeline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system defined in claim 1 in which the actuating means for the first valve means includes a supply of compressed air, in which an air supply pipeline connects the supply of compressed air with the first valve means; and in which means are positioned in the air supply pipeline for controlling the flow of compressed air in said pipeline for actuating said first valve means between open and closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system defined in claim 2 in which the actuating means for the second valve means includes an air exhaust pipeline, in which said air exhaust pipeline connects with the air supply pipeline and said second valve means, and in which the flow of compressed air trapped in the air supply pipeline when the first valve means is in closed position actuates the second valve means to open position through said air exhaust pipeline.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system defined in claim 3 in which check valve means is connected in the air exhaust line between the first and second valve means to trap exhaust air between the second valve means and the check valve means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system defined in claim 4 in which choke means is connected with the air exhaust line between the second valve means and the check valve means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system defined in claim 1 in which water heater means is connected in the water pipeline between the first valve means and the main water supply.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system defined in claim 1 in which a selector valve block means is connected in the water pipeline between the junction and the handpiece, in which a plurality of branch water coolant lines extend from the valve block means, and in which control means connect with said valve block means for selectively connecting the supply of water with dental handpieces connected to each of the branch lines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-05 | 1976-09-04 | 1977-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-05 | 1980-09-04 | 1981-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-05 | 1984-09-04 | 1985-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |