US3935640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental instrument
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-05
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Granted: 1976-02-03
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Expires: 1993-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A dental instrument comprising a metal shaft having a resilient extension at one end and a further functionally closely related instrument such as a periodontal probe or mirror at the other end. The resilient extension has two deformable surfaces which can be pressed against a tooth to test its mobility. The periodontal probe is color-coded, so that the depth to which the projection has been inserted into the gingival sulcus and any existing periodontal pocket is readily apparent to the dentist. The dental instrument can include a percussive hammer adjacent the resilient section.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Philip Cohan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A dental instrument comprising a metal shaft having an extension at one end thereof including a resilient, deformable surface thereon adapted to be pressed against a tooth to test the mobility of said tooth, and a periodontal probe at the other end of the metal shaft which includes a color-coded depth gauge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A dental instrument comprising a metal shaft having an extension at one end thereof including a resilient, deformable surface thereon adapted to be pressed against a tooth to test the mobility of said tooth, and a periodontal probe at the other end of the metal shaft which includes a color-coded depth gauge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A dental instrument comprising a metal shaft having an extension at one end thereof including a resilient, deformable surface thereon adapted to be pressed against a tooth to test the mobility of said tooth and wherein the resilient, deformable surface is serrated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A dental instrument comprising a metal shaft having an extension at one end thereof including a resilient, deformable surface thereon adapted to be pressed against a tooth to test the mobility of said tooth and wherein the resilient, deformable surface is serrated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A dental instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein the extension includes a protrusion opposite the resilient, deformable surface, and wherein the metal shaft has a slot corresponding to the protrusion and adapted to receive said protrusion therein to fasten said extension to said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A dental instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein the extension includes a cylindrical sleeve portion adapted to extend from the surface of said extension in frictional engagement with the metal shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A dental instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein the color-coded sections are progressively coded from the tip in shades of green, yellow and red to provide a traditional progressive warning indicator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A dental instrument comprising a metal shaft having an extension at one end thereof including a resilient, deformable surface thereon adapted to be pressed against a tooth to test the mobility of said tooth and wherein the resilient, deformable surface has a pair of sections, the second section thereof inclined approximately 45° from the first section whereby mobility of teeth in different locations can be readily tested.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A dental instrument comprising a metal shaft having an extension at one end thereof including a resilient, deformable surface thereon adapted to be pressed against a tooth to test the mobility of said tooth and wherein the resilient, deformable surface has a pair of sections, the second section thereof inclined approximately 45° from the first section whereby mobility of teeth in different locations can be readily tested.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
A dental instrument comprising a metal stem having a sharply pointed projection at one end forming a periodontal probe, said projection divided into transverse color-coded sections, whereby the depth to which the projection has been inserted in periodontal tissue is readily apparent, and wherein the color-coded sections are progessively coded from the tip in shades of green, yellow and red to provide a traditional progressive warning indicator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
A dental instrument comprising a metal stem having a sharply pointed projection at one end forming a periodontal probe, said projection divided into transverse color-coded sections, whereby the depth to which the projection has been inserted in periodontal tissue is readily apparent, and wherein the color-coded sections are progessively coded from the tip in shades of green, yellow and red to provide a traditional progressive warning indicator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A dental instrument as recited in claim 7 and additionally comprising an extension at the other end of the metal stem having a resilient, deformable surface to provide a mobility probe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
A dental instrument comprising a metal shaft having an extension at one end thereof including a resilient, deformable surface thereon adapted to be pressed against a tooth to test the mobility of said tooth, a transverse projection on the metal shaft adjacent to said extension and adapted to be used as a percussive hammer, and a periodontal probe at the other end of the metal shaft having a color-coded depth gauge so that the depth to which the projection has been inserted in periodontal tissue is readily apparent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
88 words
A dental instrument comprising a metal shaft having an extension at one end thereof including a resilient, deformable surface thereon adapted to be pressed against a tooth to test the mobility of said tooth, a transverse projection on the metal shaft adjacent to said extension and adapted to be used as a percussive hammer, and a periodontal probe at the other end of the metal shaft having a color-coded depth gauge so that the depth to which the projection has been inserted in periodontal tissue is readily apparent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A dental instrument as recited in claim 9 wherein the resilient, deformable surface has a pair of sections, the second section thereof inclined approximately 45° from the first section so that mobility of teeth in different locations can be readily tested.
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) | 1979-02-02 | 1979-08-04 | 1980-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-02 | 1983-08-04 | 1984-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-02 | 1987-08-04 | 1988-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |