US3988134A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental office system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-11-06
•
Granted: 1976-10-26
•
Expires: 1994-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A dental office system including apparatus particularly adapted to high speed dental equipment. An aspirator operating valve having a coil spring trap catches inlays and crowns and other large pieces while permitting amalgum and other small pieces to pass without clogging the trap. A vacuum/venturi line avoids sludge buildup by constantly moving air through the lines. A water separator using a baffle arrangement avoids water creeping up the separator walls to reach and damage the vacuum pump. A slidable instrument console panel for ease of use by a dentist or his assistant includes automatic switches that operate when a dental handpiece is lifted.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanton D. Gandrud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C1/00; A61C1/0007; A61C17/00; A61C17/06; A61C17/12; A61C17/125; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/794; Y10T137/8122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A dental office vacuum system comprising: water separator means having an input and an output for separating water from a line carrying air and water, a vacuum pump connected to said output downstream of said separator means, at least one main vacuum line connected at one end to said water separator means input, automatic valve means connected to the other end of said main line for providing continuous air flow through said main line when said vacuum pump is operating, and a plurality of dental handpieces connected through tubes to said at least one main vacuum line at a point between said automatic valve and said separator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A dental office vacuum system comprising: water separator means having an input and an output for separating water from a line carrying air and water, a vacuum pump connected to said output downstream of said separator means, at least one main vacuum line connected at one end to said water separator means input, automatic valve means connected to the other end of said main line for providing continuous air flow through said main line when said vacuum pump is operating, and a plurality of dental handpieces connected through tubes to said at least one main vacuum line at a point between said automatic valve and said separator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said dental handpieces each include a housing having an aperture therethrough and valve means therein for selectively blocking said aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said aperture in the housing of the valve means of each of said dental handpieces is axial and said valve means further comprises a helical coil trap disposed in said axial aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 3 wherein said valve housing is a substantially cylindrical housing and said aperture is through the axis thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein said valve means for selectively blocking said aperture comprises an aperture disposed crosswise through said housing substantially perpendicular to said axial aperture, and an actuator slidingly disposed in said crosswise aperture, said actuator having a throughput aperture aligning with said axial aperture when said actuator is in a first position and blocking said axial aperture when said actuator is in a second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said actuator throughput aperture remains within said valve housing throughout the movement of said actuator from said first position to said second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein said valve housing comprises an upper member having a tapered end portion adapted for receiving an aspirator tube, said upper member including said crosswise aperture and actuator, and a lower member having a ribbed portion adapted to receive a hose, said members including means for removably engaging said members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein the periphery of said trap is held between said upper member and said lower member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein the axial aperture below said trap in said lower member has a larger diameter than the diameter of said axial aperture in said upper member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein said actuator has a guidance groove along a portion of its length and said valve housing further comprises a pin extending into said guidance groove for setting limits on the sliding of said actuator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
138 words
The combination of claim 1 further comprising automatic switch assembly means for removably holding each one of said dental handpieces, said assembly means comprising a recessed sleeve open at its top adapted to accept a dental handpiece, said sleeve having an aperture in its bottom for passing a hose therethrough and an aperture in the side wall thereof, switching means mounted adjacent said sleeve, said switching means having an extended actuating means passing through said aperture into the open portion of said sleeve, for placing said switching means in a first state in the presence of a dental handpiece in said sleeve, and for placing said switching means in a second state in the absence of a dental handpiece in said sleeve, and means responsive to said switching means in said second state for operating said vacuum pump.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said switching means comprises a microswitch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 12 wherein said sleeve has a flanged upper portion for engaging a panel in which said sleeve may be mounted.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 13 further comprising adapter means having outside dimensions adapted to fit into said recessed sleeve and having inside dimensions adpated to accept a dental handpiece.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination of claim 13 further comprising means mounted on said automatic switch assembly for gripping a hose extending from said assembly, said means including a pair of upright members spaced apart a distance slightly less than the outside diameter of said hose.
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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) | 1979-10-26 | 1980-04-26 | 1980-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-26 | 1984-04-26 | 1984-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-26 | 1988-04-26 | 1988-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |