US3826004A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental prophylaxis instrument
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-17
•
Granted: 1974-07-30
•
Expires: 1992-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A dental handpiece for cleaning teeth by means of cleaning paste carried by a flexible cup to which rotary motion is imparted by structure entirely within the handpiece. In the disclosed embodiment, a small rotor is powered by the available compressed air supply and the cup is secured to the rotor for rotation thereby. Reciprocal rotary motion is preferably imparted to the cup, again by structure entirely within the handpiece. Several embodiments of detachable cups are disclosed, all of which may be removed and replaced without handling the rotor, and mechanism may also be provided for feeding the cleaning paste directly from a dispenser into the cup from the inside. The actuating member controlling on-off operation is also conveniently located on the handpiece.
Inventors
- 👤 J Graceffo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C17/00; A61C17/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A dental prophylaxis handpiece for polishing teeth by forcibly rubbing thereon an abrasive dentifrice paste with a rotary element said handpiece comprising, in combination: a. a hollow, elongated body member; b. a rotary tooth engaging element adapted to carry a quantity of dentrifrice paste and extending from one end of said body member; c. reciprocating motion means for imparting rotational movement to said element and for alternately reversing the direction of rotation of said element after several revolutions in each direction; and d. means for selectively supplying power to said reciprocating motion means to effect rotation of said element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A dental prophylaxis handpiece for polishing teeth by forcibly rubbing thereon an abrasive dentifrice paste with a rotary element said handpiece comprising, in combination: a. a hollow, elongated body member; b. a rotary tooth engaging element adapted to carry a quantity of dentrifrice paste and extending from one end of said body member; c. reciprocating motion means for imparting rotational movement to said element and for alternately reversing the direction of rotation of said element after several revolutions in each direction; and d. means for selectively supplying power to said reciprocating motion means to effect rotation of said element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said reciprocating motion means comprises a rotary member contained within said handpiece powered by compressed air supplied to said handpiece through inlet means therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said reciprocating motion means comprises a powered member mounted in said handpiece remote from said element, a cylindrical rotor to which said element is attached for rotation thereby, and a flexible cord driven by said powered member and passing in contacting relation with said rotor to impart rotation thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention according to claim 3 wherein said element comprises a hollow cup, the axis of rotation of which is essentially perpendicular to the axis of that portion of said body member from which it extends, and coaxial with said rotor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said reciprocating motion means includes a shaft having an endless, double helical groove and constrained against other than rotational movement means for imparting rotation to said shaft, a follower riding in said groove, and a flexible cord attached to said follower for movement therewith and to said element to transfer motion from said follower to said element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said flexible cord is two-ended, each end being connected to said follower.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said reciprocating motion means includes a linearly reciprocating member and a flexible cord havinG two ends, each anchored to said element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said reciprocating motion means includes a powered rotary member, first motion transition means for converting rotation of said powered member to reciprocating linear motion, and second motion transition means for converting said reciprocating linear motion to reciprocating rotational motion of said tooth engaging element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
A dental prophylaxis handpiece for polishing teeth by forcibly rubbing thereon an abrasive dentifrice paste with a rotary element said handpiece comprising, in combination: a. a hollow, elongated body member; b. a rotary tooth engaging element extending from one end of said body member; c. a powered member mounted in said handpiece remote from said tooth engaging element; d. a cylindrical rotor to which said element is attached for rotation thereby; and e. a flexible cord driven by said powered member and passing around, in contacting relation with, said rotor for more than one complete 360* turn, whereby an extended contact area between said cord and rotor is provided to insure non-slip transmission of motion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
A dental prophylaxis handpiece for polishing teeth by forcibly rubbing thereon an abrasive dentifrice paste with a rotary element said handpiece comprising, in combination: a. a hollow, elongated body member; b. a rotary tooth engaging element extending from one end of said body member; c. a powered member mounted in said handpiece remote from said tooth engaging element; d. a cylindrical rotor to which said element is attached for rotation thereby; and e. a flexible cord driven by said powered member and passing around, in contacting relation with, said rotor for more than one complete 360* turn, whereby an extended contact area between said cord and rotor is provided to insure non-slip transmission of motion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said rotor and cup include cooperative structure for releasably maintaining said cup in operative engagement with said rotor, said structure allowing attachment and detachment by manual engagement only of said cup.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention according to claim 10 wherein said cooperative structure includes a protrusion on one of said rotor and cup, and a recess in the other for resilient deformation to receive said protrusions and maintain said rotor and cup in frictional engagement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention according to claim 10 wherein said cooperative structure includes a spindle extending from said cup for insertion in a hollow central portion of said rotor, and resilient detent means for maintaining said releasable engagement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention according to claim 10 and further including means on said body member for receiving a supply of cleaning paste, and conduit means for conducting the paste from said supply into the hollow of said cup in response to selective manual displacement of the paste within said supply.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
121 words
A dental prophylaxis handpiece for polishing teeth by forcibly rubbing thereon an abrasive dentifrice paste with a rotary element said handpiece comprising, in combination: a. a hollow, elongated body member; b. a hollow cup adapted to carry a quantity of dentifrice paste and extending from one end of said body member; c. first means for imparting rotational movement to said tooth engaging element; d. second means for selectively supplying power to said first means to effect rotation of said element; e. third means on said body member for receiving a supply of cleaning paste; and f. conduit means for conducting paste from said third means into the hollow of said cup in response to selective manual displacement of said third means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
121 words
A dental prophylaxis handpiece for polishing teeth by forcibly rubbing thereon an abrasive dentifrice paste with a rotary element said handpiece comprising, in combination: a. a hollow, elongated body member; b. a hollow cup adapted to carry a quantity of dentifrice paste and extending from one end of said body member; c. first means for imparting rotational movement to said tooth engaging element; d. second means for selectively supplying power to said first means to effect rotation of said element; e. third means on said body member for receiving a supply of cleaning paste; and f. conduit means for conducting paste from said third means into the hollow of said cup in response to selective manual displacement of said third means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention according to claim 14 wherein said third means comprise a plunger having a first end engaging said paste supply and a second end positioned for manual engagement to advance said plunger, and thereby said paste.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 15 and further including detent means cooperable with said plunger to control manual advancement thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-29 | 1978-01-28 | 1978-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-29 | 1982-01-28 | 1982-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-29 | 1986-01-28 | 1986-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |