US3726012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental apparatus with enhanced handpiece manipulability
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-05
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Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1991-04-05
Abstract
Abstract Structure is provided for a dental handpiece comprising an operating instrumentality driven to perform dental operations within the oral cavity. The handpiece is of the air rotor type and hose means delivering air and water to the operating instrumentality is comprised of a flaccid material for an unsupported portion of its length between the handpiece and an adjustable supporting element through which the major portion of the air-water hosing extends. The adjustable supporting element enables placement of the handpiece proximate a working location while supporting the major portion of the hosing length. The flaccid hose portion in combination with the adjustable supporting element enables manipulation of the handpiece with elimination of much of the torque and drag normally encountered. By a second aspect of the invention, a weight is adjustably mounted within the handpiece to enable achievement of a balanced feel to suit the individual choice of an operator, as well as precise manipulation and control.
Inventors
- 👤 B Grayson
- 👤 A Grayson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61G; A61G15/00; A61G15/14; A61G15/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
Dental apparatus comprising a handpiece including an operating instrumentality manipulable for location relative to an oral cavity, a source of fluid supply, hose means extending between said fluid source and said handpiece for transmitting fluid to effect operation of said operating instrumentality, said hose means comprising a flaccid portion adjacent said handpiece rendering said hose means substantially ineffectual to impart reactive torque to said handpiece during manipulation thereof, and adjustable support means for said hose means enabling selective supported positioning thereof relative to said oral cavity, said support means being operably unconnected with said handpiece and terminating support of said hose means a distance therefrom to leave unsupported said flaccid hose means portion between said support means and said handpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
Dental apparatus comprising a handpiece including an operating instrumentality manipulable for location relative to an oral cavity, a source of fluid supply, hose means extending between said fluid source and said handpiece for transmitting fluid to effect operation of said operating instrumentality, said hose means comprising a flaccid portion adjacent said handpiece rendering said hose means substantially ineffectual to impart reactive torque to said handpiece during manipulation thereof, and adjustable support means for said hose means enabling selective supported positioning thereof relative to said oral cavity, said support means being operably unconnected with said handpiece and terminating support of said hose means a distance therefrom to leave unsupported said flaccid hose means portion between said support means and said handpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Dental apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the overall reactive force upon said handpiece resulting from the weight and stiffness of said hose means is less than 18 gram-centimeters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Dental apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said flaccid hose means portion is formed of silicone rubber tubing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Dental apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said adjustable support means comprises flexible jointed metal tubing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Dental apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said adjustable support means comprises a plurality of articulated metal tubes, and pivotable interconnecting means pivotally joining said metal tubes Together at their ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
Dental apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a weight movably mounted on said handpiece, and means for moving said weight relativeto said handpiece for effecting a desired balance of said handpiece when held by an operator. relative to
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
Dental apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said handpiece comprises a generally elongated configuration and wherein said moving means comprise gear means engaging said weight and manipulable to drive said weight along the length of said handpiece to any one of a plurality of positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
Dental apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said gear means comprise a worm extending longitudinally of said handpiece, gear thread means formed upon said weight operably engaging said worm, means to obstruct relative rotation between said handpiece and said weight, and a control member manipulable to rotate said worm for effecting movement of said weight along said handpiece.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
Dental apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said gear means comprise a sleeve member rotatably mounted upon said handpiece and having gear threads formed internally thereof, said weight comprising gear threads formed thereupon operably engaging said sleeve internal gear threads, means for obstructing relative rotation between said weight and said handpiece, and a control member manipulable to rotate said sleeve member thereby to drive said weight relative to said handpiece to a desired position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
100 words
Dental apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said moving means include a screw threadedly mounted in said weight between a tightened and a loosened condition, said handpiece having a longitudinal passage therein through which said weight is movable and having a longitudinal slot communicating with said passage, said screw extending through said slot and being operatively engageable with a portion of the handpiece adjacent said slot when in said tightened condition to clampingly hold said weight in a preselected position, said screw and weight being movable in said slot and passage, respectively, when said screw is in said loosened condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
Dental apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said moving means comprise spring means interposed between said weight and said handpiece, said handpiece and said spring means having a pair of frictionally engageable confronting surfaces, said spring means being held between said weight and said handpiece to generate a spring force holding said confronting surfaces together, and manipulable to release said spring force enabling movement of said weight relative to said handpiece to a selected position with reengagement of said confronting surfaces by application of said spring force holding said weight in said selected position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
Dental apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said confronting surfaces are serrated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
Dental apparatus according to claim 7 comprising portions of said hose means extending interiorally of said handpiece formed of rigid material and being in flow relationship with said flaccid hose means portion, said weight having passage means through which said rigid hose means extends for slidably mounting said weight thereon for longitudinal movement, said rigid hose means preventing relative rotation between said weight and said handpiece.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A dental handpiece comprising an elongated handle, motor means carried by said handle for driving an operating instrumentality, a weight connected to said handle and movable longitudinally thereof for altering the balance thereof, and means for releasably holding said weight in a preselected position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
A dental handpiece comprising an elongated handle, motor means carried by said handle for driving an operating instrumentality, a weight connected to said handle and movable longitudinally thereof for altering the balance thereof, and means for releasably holding said weight in a preselected position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A dental handpiece according to claim 14 further comprising means for moving said weight longitudinally of said handle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A dental handpiece according to claim 15 wherein said moving means comprises gear means engaging said weight means for driving said weight along the length of said handle to any one of a plurality of different selected positions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
80 words
A dental handpiece according to claim 16 wherein said hAndle has a longitudinal passage therein and said gear means comprises a worm extending longitudinally of said handle in said passage, gear thread means formed upon said weight, said weight being disposed within said passage with said gear thread means operably engaging said worm, means to obstruct relative rotation between said handle and said weight, and means for rotating said worm for effecting longitudinal movement of said weight along said handle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
73 words
A dental handpiece according to claim 16 wherein said weight moving means comprises a sleeve member rotatably mounted upon said handle and having gear threads formed internally thereof, said weight comprising gear threads formed thereupon operably engaging said sleeve internal gear threads, means for obstructing relative rotation between said weight and said handle, and means for rotating said sleeve member thereby to drive said weight relative to said handle to a desired position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
81 words
A dental handpiece according to claim 14 wherein said holding means comprises screw means extending relative to said handpiece and threadedly engaging said weight for adjustment between a tightened and a loosened position, said handle being formed to permit movement of said weight relative thereto when said screw means are in said loosened position, said handle also being operatively engageable frictionally between said screw means and said weight means for holding said weight in a selected position relative to said handle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
76 words
A dental handpiece according to claim 14 wherein said holding means comprise spring means interposed between said weight and said handle, said handle having a pair of frictionally engageable confronting surfaces, said spring means being positioned between said weight and said handle for producing a spring force for holding said surfaces in frictional engagement and manipulable to release said spring force, whereby to enable movement of said weight relative to said handle to a selected position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
A dental handpiece according to claim 20, wherein said confronting surfaces are serrated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1313031A
Cited
US3160379A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |