Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
272 words
In a dental handpiece comprising a handle member which is formed of first and second parts, means interconnecting the two parts for relative rotation therebetween, a supply hose having a plurality of feed channels for a liquid and/or gaseous media being connected to the first part, a head section with a dental tool being connected to the second part, each of the two parts having connecting nipples arranged in the interior thereof, and hollow flexible tubes extending from the nipples of the first part to the nipples of the second part for conveying each of the media from the feed channels of the supply hose to the head section, said means for interconnecting the two parts enabling rotation of the second part of the handle member about a longitudinal axis of the handle member and relative to the supply hose with the flexible tubes compensating for the relative rotation between said two parts, the improvements comprising the second part having a length which amounts to at least one third of the overall length of the handle member, said second part at a free end having a hollow sleeve portion telescopically received in a hollow sleeve portion of the first part, said sleeve portions of the first and second parts forming a bearing disposed in a central axial region of the handle member for supporting the second part and head section for rotation on the first part, and said flexible tubes extending through said central region without support so that the first part is in contact with a hand as the second part and head section are rotated during manipulation of the handpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
272 words
In a dental handpiece comprising a handle member which is formed of first and second parts, means interconnecting the two parts for relative rotation therebetween, a supply hose having a plurality of feed channels for a liquid and/or gaseous media being connected to the first part, a head section with a dental tool being connected to the second part, each of the two parts having connecting nipples arranged in the interior thereof, and hollow flexible tubes extending from the nipples of the first part to the nipples of the second part for conveying each of the media from the feed channels of the supply hose to the head section, said means for interconnecting the two parts enabling rotation of the second part of the handle member about a longitudinal axis of the handle member and relative to the supply hose with the flexible tubes compensating for the relative rotation between said two parts, the improvements comprising the second part having a length which amounts to at least one third of the overall length of the handle member, said second part at a free end having a hollow sleeve portion telescopically received in a hollow sleeve portion of the first part, said sleeve portions of the first and second parts forming a bearing disposed in a central axial region of the handle member for supporting the second part and head section for rotation on the first part, and said flexible tubes extending through said central region without support so that the first part is in contact with a hand as the second part and head section are rotated during manipulation of the handpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a dental handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the bearing includes two bearing rings disposed between the hollow sleeve portions of the first and second parts, said bearing rings being positioned adjacent the ends of the hollow sleeve portion of the second part so that the bearing provides support over substantially the entire length of the central axial region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a dental handpiece according to claim 2, wherein each of the two bearing rings is a slotted ring received in a groove provided at one of said sleeve portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a dental handpiece according to claim 2, which includes means extending between the sleeve portions for limiting the angle of rotation of said portions to an angle in a range of between 300° and 350°, said means for limiting preventing axial disassembly of said sleeve portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a dental handpiece according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve portion of the second part is fabricated from synthetic material and is provided with a detent member at a free end thereof, said sleeve portion of the first part being provided with a groove for receiving said detent member as the sleeve portion of the second part is slidably received therein so that the coaction of the groove and detent prevents axial disassembly of said first and second parts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a dental handpiece according to claim 5, wherein the sleeve portion of the second part has longitudinal slots and wherein the interior of the sleeve portion of the first part has a slightly conical construction with a diameter which increases from the free end in the direction toward the supply hose.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a dental handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the first part is attached to a valve means interposed between the first part and the supply hose for regulating fluid flow in one of said flexible tubes.