US4094328A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dental floss manipulating instrument
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-07-08
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Granted: 1978-06-13
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Expires: 1996-07-08
Abstract
Abstract In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is an instrument for holding dental floss during the manipulation of the floss between the teeth of the user. This instrument is preferably in the form of a three pronged fork having a handle with a dental floss storage spool contained therein. A slide release for the spool feed and a cutter bar, along with floss guides are included. An alternate to the three pronged fork would be a stationary central fork with a releasably lockable, movable side fork which can be disposed alternately on either side of the center of the fork.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald E. Ray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C15/00; A61C15/04; A61C15/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A dental floss manipulating instrument comprising: an elongated handle means; a fork means at one end of said handle and including a central prong having a base portion adjacent said handle disposed in general longitudinal alignment with such handle; an elongated side prong pivotably connected at one end to the base portion of said central prong and being releasably pivotable from one side of said central prong to the other with an extreme limit of travel of approximately 90°, 45° on either side of said central prong; and means for tensioningly attaching a strand of dental floss between said central prong and said side prong whereby said instrument can be readily manipulated to dispose the floss between the teeth of the user of the same regardless of which side of the mouth is being flossed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A dental floss manipulating instrument comprising: an elongated handle means; a fork means at one end of said handle and including a central prong having a base portion adjacent said handle disposed in general longitudinal alignment with such handle; an elongated side prong pivotably connected at one end to the base portion of said central prong and being releasably pivotable from one side of said central prong to the other with an extreme limit of travel of approximately 90°, 45° on either side of said central prong; and means for tensioningly attaching a strand of dental floss between said central prong and said side prong whereby said instrument can be readily manipulated to dispose the floss between the teeth of the user of the same regardless of which side of the mouth is being flossed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2381530A
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US2544276A
Cited
US3340881A
Cited
US3906963A
Cited
US3939853A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-12 | 1981-12-12 | 1982-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-12 | 1985-12-12 | 1986-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-12 | 1989-12-12 | 1990-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |