Orthodontic bracket

Claim 2

In an orthodontic bracket: a body adapted to be mounted on a tooth and having a groove for receiving an arch wire, a retainer member mounted pivotally on the body between a closed position closing the groove and an open position opening the groove, and releasable latching means serving to lock the retainer member in its closed position, the body having a hinging socket, the hook having a pintle portion trapped in the socket.

Claim 3

The orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein the hook is generally C-shaped and is of spring material, the body having a ledge over which the hook snaps to lock the hook in its closed position.

Claim 4

The orthodontic bracket of claim 2 wherein the body has a second groove for auxiliaries and closed by the hook when the hook is in its closed position.

Claim 5

The orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein the groove in the bracket and the retaining member have portions for engaging an arch wire with a line contact.

Claim 6

The orthodontic bracket of claim 4 wherein the hook is generally C-shaped and is of spring material, the arm having a latching edge over which the hook snaps to latch the hook in its closed position.

Claim 7

In an orthodontic bracket: a body adapted to be mounted on a tooth and having a groove for receiving an arch wire, a retainer member mounted pivotally on the body between a closed position closing the groove and an open position opening the groove, and releasable latching means serving to lock the retainer member in its closed position, the body having a base and a head, the head having a projecting arm overhanging the base and defining the sides of the groove with the base, the retaining member being a hook, the head having a hook-receiving groove therein in which the hook is substantially fully received.

Claim 8

In an orthodontic bracket: a body adapted to be mounted on a tooth and having a groove for receiving an arch wire, a retainer member mounted pivotally on the body between a closed position closing the groove and an open position opening the groove, and releasable latching means serving to lock the retainer member in its closed position, the body having a base and a head, the head having a projecting arm overhanging the base and defining the sides of the groove with the base, the retaining member being a hook, the head having a hook-receiving groove therein in which the hook is substantially fully received.

Claim 9

The orthodontic structure of claim 6 wherein head and hook form a substantially smooth, rounded surface.

Claim 10

In an orthodontic bracket: a body having a base portion and an arch member receiving groove extending horizontally and open at the bottom side of the body, and a retaining arm freely pivotal on the back body about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the groove between a closed position extending over the head and covering the slot and an open position permitting sidewise insertion and removal of an arch member into and from the slot.

Claim 11

In an orthodontic bracket: a body having a base portion and an arch member receiving groove extending horizontally and open at the bottom side of the body, and a retaining arm freely pivotal on the back body about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the groove between a closed position extending over the head and covering the slot and an open position permitting sidewise insertion and removal of an arch member into and from the slot.

Claim 12

The orthodontic bracket of claim 8 including latching means for latching the arm in its closed position.

Claim 13

The orthodontic bracket of claim 9 wherein the latching means also is adapted to latch the arm in its open position.

Claim 14

The orthodontic bracket of claim 8 wherein the body has a slot crossing the wire receiving slot and receiving the arm when the arm is in the Closed position thereof.

Claim 15

The orthodontic bracket of claim 8 wherein the body has an overhanging portion and the arm has a hook position extending around the overhanging portion.

Claim 16

The orthodontic bracket of claim 8 wherein the arm is generally C-shaped and has at one end thereof a hinge portion, the body having a base with a hinging recess therein receiving the hinge portion.

Claim 17

The orthodontic bracket of claim 13 wherein the recess opens on the bottom of the base and the base traps the hinge portion in the recess when the base is brazed to a band.

Claim 18

In an orthodontic bracket: a body adapted to be mounted on a tooth and having channel means for receiving an arch wire, a retainer member mounted to rotate between a closed position in which said channel means is closed off, whereby the arch wire may be retained in said channel means, and an open position in which said channel means is open, whereby the arch wire may be inserted in or removed from said channel means, and a hinge pivotally mounting said retainer member to said body, for pivoting about an axis substantially parallel to said channel means.

Claim 19

In an orthodontic bracket: a body adapted to be mounted on a tooth and having channel means for receiving an arch wire, a retainer member mounted to rotate between a closed position in which said channel means is closed off, whereby the arch wire may be retained in said channel means, and an open position in which said channel means is open, whereby the arch wire may be inserted in or removed from said channel means, and a hinge pivotally mounting said retainer member to said body, for pivoting about an axis substantially parallel to said channel means.

Claim 20

The bracket of claim 15 including: latching means for releasably locking said retainer member in closed position.

Claim 21

The bracket of claim 15 wherein said hinge comprises: a socket formed in said body and a pintle portion on said retainer member pivotal in said socket.