US3759274A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental instrument
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-03-12
•
Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1993-03-12
Abstract
Abstract The device uses a strand of dental floss for removing particles entrapped between teeth or around the bases of teeth. The strand of dental floss is mounted on an extended fork used for supporting the strand and to allow oscillating movement when used in a cleaning operation. A drive means is included for imparting the oscillating movement to the strand. There is also included a device cooperating with the spool for carrying the strand and supporting the strand for registering a new, unused strand of dental floss for operation subsequent to each cleaning cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 C Warner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 00:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C15/00; A61C15/04; A61C15/046; A61C15/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An instrument for cleaning between teeth comprising a holder, a guide means mounted on and extending from said holder, a spool rotatively mounted on said holder, a strand of dental floss mounted on said spool and aligned through said guide means, a drive means operatively coupled to said spool for providing a reciprocating movement to said strand in said guide means, and means operably connected to said spool for rotating it and registering a different length of said strand in said guide means subsequent to each cleaning operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
An instrument for cleaning between teeth comprising a holder, a guide means mounted on and extending from said holder, a spool rotatively mounted on said holder, a strand of dental floss mounted on said spool and aligned through said guide means, a drive means operatively coupled to said spool for providing a reciprocating movement to said strand in said guide means, and means operably connected to said spool for rotating it and registering a different length of said strand in said guide means subsequent to each cleaning operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said guide means comprises a fork fixed to said holder, said strand mounted through a pair of guide eyes at opposed ends of said fork.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for providing a reciprocating movement of said strand comprises a ring gear and an electrically powered motive means operably connected to said ring gear for rotating it.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein a drive sector is mounted on the inner periphery of said ring gear for providing a drive motion to said spool through an intermediate gear train.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said drive sector includes a plurality of teeth extending over an arcuate distance of less than 180* of said ring gear and wherein a pair of pinion gears are separately engageable with said toothed sector of said ring gear to provide said reciprocating drive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said sector comprises a V-drive portion of said ring gear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said intermediate gear train comprises a pair of pinion gears and a pair of idler gears, said idler gears mutually meshed and coupled to said spool, each of said idler gears cooperable with a different one of said pinion gears for providing a different direction rotation of said spool.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said registering means comprises a manipulatively adjustable knob connected to and extending outwardly from said spool and said holder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said motive means includes an electrical motor and a DC power source mounted in said holder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said motive means includes an electrical motor and an externally connected AC power source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
103 words
An instrument for cleaning teeth including a holder, a fork portion fixed to said holder and linearly offset relative to said holder, a strand of dental cleaning material slidably mounted between the opposed ends of said fork portion, a spool for mounting said strand fixed to said holder, a drive means for providing a limited reciprocating movement of said strand while in contact with the teeth during the cleaning operation of said instrument, and means further operably connected to said spool for providing an incremental movement thereof to fix a different length of said strand in operative position relative to said fork portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
An instrument for cleaning teeth including a holder, a fork portion fixed to said holder and linearly offset relative to said holder, a strand of dental cleaning material slidably mounted between the opposed ends of said fork portion, a spool for mounting said strand fixed to said holder, a drive means for providing a limited reciprocating movement of said strand while in contact with the teeth during the cleaning operation of said instrument, and means further operably connected to said spool for providing an incremental movement thereof to fix a different length of said strand in operative position relative to said fork portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said fork portion includes a pair of opposed relatively flexible arms, each having a loop portion at its free end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said holder comprises two separable portions, one including said drive means and the other including said fork portion and said associated spool and strand.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said strand is connected to said spool in an endless loop to provide a feed in one direction and a corresponding take-up in the other direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said spool is driven by said drive means and said spool includes an intermediate connecting portion capable of ready removal from driven engagement with said drive means to allow replacement of said spool.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |