US3722101A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dentistry bite or prop block
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-01
•
Granted: 1973-03-27
•
Expires: 1991-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A disposable bite or prop block for retaining the mouth open for use in dentistry is made from a non-elastic foam plastic material into which the cusps on the bicuspid and molar teeth at one side of the mouth can indent to prop open the mouth and provide a fixed cavity in which dental work can be performed. The patient rests his teeth at one side of the mouth on the block to permit the teeth on the opposite side to be worked on freely in the large cavity provided. The block or prop is constructed to have different cross sectional dimensions so that the mouth can be retained opened to different degrees without fatigue to the jaw muscles.
Inventors
- 👤 W Via
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
In a dentistry bite block for propping open the mouth of a patient, a prop unit made from a non-elastic foam material into the edges of which the upper and lower teeth at one side of the mouth can indent for retaining the upper and lower teeth at the opposite or working side of the mouth in fixed spaced relation, the block being so shaped as to have different cross sectional dimensions across pairs of opposite sloping edges each pair of which converge to the rear when the block is in the mouth to obtain different degrees of opening thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a dentistry bite block for propping open the mouth of a patient, a prop unit made from a non-elastic foam material into the edges of which the upper and lower teeth at one side of the mouth can indent for retaining the upper and lower teeth at the opposite or working side of the mouth in fixed spaced relation, the block being so shaped as to have different cross sectional dimensions across pairs of opposite sloping edges each pair of which converge to the rear when the block is in the mouth to obtain different degrees of opening thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a dentistry bite block as recited in claim 1, wherein the block is of polygonal shape having four sides of different lengths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a dentistry bite block as recited in claim 2, wherein two adjacent sides diverGe to longer opposite adjacent diverging sides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
In a dentistry bite block as recited in claim 2, wherein alternate opposite angles formed at the junction of the sides are obtuse and acute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
In a dentistry bite block as recited in claim 2, wherein opposite sides when extended form substantially the same angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a dentistry bite block as recited in claim 5, wherein the sides are undulated with the tangents thereto at opposite sides converging to form the angles of substantially the same degrees.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a dentistry bite block as recited in claim 6, wherein said undulations are of arcuate form struck from substantially the same radius.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US527235A
Cited
US1081296A
Cited
US2023288A
Cited
US2220674A
Cited
US3399457A
Cited
US3483619A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |