US3871097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cooling system for a dental handpiece
Assignee: MELDE RICHARD A
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Filing: 1973-11-05
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1993-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A dental handpiece, including a handle, a shank and a head, is disclosed for conveying a cooling stream of air to a workpiece. An air driven turbine mounted within the head serves as the motive means for a hollow burr and includes a hollow rotor for receiving the shaft of the burr. A stream of air is conveyed through a passageway in the dental handpiece into a collection chamber within the head adjacent the turbine. Because of the air pressure buildup within the collection chamber, a flow of air is forced through the hollow rotor and into the hollow burr. Thence, the air flows through the burr to the working portion thereof and cools the working portion as well as the workpiece in proximity to the working portion. A chuck for securing the burr to the rotor and a tool for use with the chuck are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Chris R Melde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/08; A61C1/14; A61C1/141; A61C1/02; A61C1/05; A61C1/052; A61C1/055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
In a dental handpiece having a handle, a shank, a head including a cylindrical cavity therein, an air operated turbine assembly disposed within the cavity, the turbine assembly including a hollow rotor in communication with one end of the turbine assembly and a hollow burr engaged to the one end of the hollow rotor and extending from one end of the head, the improvement comprising in combination: a. conveying means for transporting a flow of air to the head; b. a cap secured to the other end of the head for sealing one end of the cylindrical cavity; c. a collection chamber disposed within the cylindrical cavity, said collection chamber being defined by the cylindrical wall of the cylindrical cavity, said cap and said one end of the turbine assembly; and d. transmission means for transmitting a flow of air from said conveying means to said collection chamber; whereby, the air transmitted to said collection chamber establishes an air pressure buildup within said collection chamber to force a flow of air into the hollow rotor and through the hollow burr to cool the working section of the hollow burr and the workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
In a dental handpiece having a handle, a shank, a head including a cylindrical cavity therein, an air operated turbine assembly disposed within the cavity, the turbine assembly including a hollow rotor in communication with one end of the turbine assembly and a hollow burr engaged to the one end of the hollow rotor and extending from one end of the head, the improvement comprising in combination: a. conveying means for transporting a flow of air to the head; b. a cap secured to the other end of the head for sealing one end of the cylindrical cavity; c. a collection chamber disposed within the cylindrical cavity, said collection chamber being defined by the cylindrical wall of the cylindrical cavity, said cap and said one end of the turbine assembly; and d. transmission means for transmitting a flow of air from said conveying means to said collection chamber; whereby, the air transmitted to said collection chamber establishes an air pressure buildup within said collection chamber to force a flow of air into the hollow rotor and through the hollow burr to cool the working section of the hollow burr and the workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cap comprises: a. a flange for engagement with said other end of the head; b. a stud threadedly mounted within the cylindrical wall of the cylindrical cavity; c. an annular recess disposed within said stud in proximity to said flange; d. a cavity disposed within the end of said stud; and e. at least one passageway extending within said stud from said recess to said cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 2 wherein said conveying means terminates at an orifice disposed in the wall of the cylindrical cavity in proximity to said recess; whereby, a flow of air is channeled from said conveying means to said collection chamber through said stud.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 3 including an O-ring disposed intermediate said cap and the head to seal said other end of the head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 1 including a chuck mounted within said one end of the hollow rotor for retaining the hollow burr.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 5 wherein said chuck includes a split sleeve for retaining the hollow burr.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveying means terminates at an opening in the cylindrical wall in proximity to the turbine assembly and directs a flow of air toward the turbine assembly, said conveying means including a groove disposed within the cylindrical wall, said groove extending between said opening and said collection chamber; whereby, a part of the flow of air through said conveying means is directed to said collection chambeR through said groove.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 7 wherein the turbine assembly seals the lateral edges of said groove to maintain the flow of air within said groove.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cap is imperforate and includes means for sealing said other end of the head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 9 including a chuck within said one end of the hollow rotor for retaining the hollow burr.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 10 wherein said chuck includes a split sleeve for retaining the hollow burr.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvements as set forth in claim 11 further including a tool for rotating said chuck while retaining the hollow rotor immobile to release or tighten the grip of said chuck on the hollow burr.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The improvements as set forth in claim 12 wherein said tool includes: a. a skirt for positioning the tool adjacent the head; b. a pin for engagement with the head and the hollow rotor to inhibit rotation therebetween; and c. a wrench movably connected to said skirt for engaging and rotating said chuck with respect to the hollow rotor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |