US4299569A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orthodontic bracket for straightening teeth
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-11-02
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Granted: 1981-11-10
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Expires: 1996-11-02
Abstract
Abstract An orthodontic bracket for straightening teeth has a plastic base member for cementing to a tooth with a bracket portion extending outwardly thereof with a slot thereacross. The slot is substantially wholly contained in an elongated metal insert lengthwise thereof molded immovably into said plastic. The slot is rectangular in cross section for receiving a similarly shaped arch wire for controlling the position of the tooth anteroposteriorly, laterally and longitudinally on its long axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard Frantz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C7/14; A61C7/141
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
An orthodontic bracket comprising a base porrtion with an integral bracket portion extending therefrom, said base portion having a surface for use in adhesively mounting the bracket on the wall of a tooth with the bracket portion extending therefrom, said bracket portion having an exposed face with a rectangularly cross-sectioned slot thereacross for snugly receiving a rectangular arch wire therein, and said base and bracket portions consisting essentially of a visually unobtrusive substantially rigid plastic, characterized in that said slot is substantially wholly contained in an elongated metal insert lengthwise thereof molded immovably into said plastic, said insert having side walls that as seen from said exposed face of said bracket portion have a thickness that is substantially less than the dimension in the same direction of the adjacent areas of said exposed face such that said insert is visually substantially indistinguishable from an installed arch wire when in use, but sufficient to resist fracture of the surrounding plastic by the arch wire and to maintain precision dimensional control of said slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
An orthodontic bracket comprising a base porrtion with an integral bracket portion extending therefrom, said base portion having a surface for use in adhesively mounting the bracket on the wall of a tooth with the bracket portion extending therefrom, said bracket portion having an exposed face with a rectangularly cross-sectioned slot thereacross for snugly receiving a rectangular arch wire therein, and said base and bracket portions consisting essentially of a visually unobtrusive substantially rigid plastic, characterized in that said slot is substantially wholly contained in an elongated metal insert lengthwise thereof molded immovably into said plastic, said insert having side walls that as seen from said exposed face of said bracket portion have a thickness that is substantially less than the dimension in the same direction of the adjacent areas of said exposed face such that said insert is visually substantially indistinguishable from an installed arch wire when in use, but sufficient to resist fracture of the surrounding plastic by the arch wire and to maintain precision dimensional control of said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that said insert is trapezoidal in external cross section and dovetailed into said plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 2, characterized in that said insert has its exterior side walls tapered inwardly longitudinally from both ends producing a narrower medial region for resisting endwise displacement in said plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 2, characterized in that the exterior side walls of said insert are roughened to resist displacement in said plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that said insert has roughened exterior side walls for resisting displacement in said plastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 1, characterized in that said insert is provided with means for affording interlocking engagement with said plastic to resist displacement of said insert in said plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An orthodontic bracket according to claim 1, wherein said bracket portion includes wings for ligating formed from said plastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
An orthodontic bracket assembly comprising: a hard, non-elastomeric, non-metallic bracket having an opening therein for receiving an arch wire, or the like; and a rigid, substantially non-flexible liner on at least a portion of the surface of said non-metallic bracket defining said opening for protecting said non-metallic bracket from damage due to forces applied by an arch wire, or the like, received therein, said liner being fabricated of a material harder than the material of said bracket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
An orthodontic bracket assembly comprising: a hard, non-elastomeric, non-metallic bracket having an opening therein for receiving an arch wire, or the like; and a rigid, substantially non-flexible liner on at least a portion of the surface of said non-metallic bracket defining said opening for protecting said non-metallic bracket from damage due to forces applied by an arch wire, or the like, received therein, said liner being fabricated of a material harder than the material of said bracket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly according to claim 8 wherein said liner is fabricated from metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 9 wherein said bracket is fabricated from hard, non-elastomeric plastic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 8 wherein said bracket is fabricated from hard, non-elastomeric plastic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
An assembly according to claim 11 wherein said liner is non-flexible.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly according to claim 8 wherein said liner includes means for positively engaging said opening of said bracket.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
An assembly according to claim 13 wherein said liner has a generally trapezoidal outer periphery in cross section and said opening of said bracket has a generally trapezoidal shape which matingly receives said liner.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 13 wherein the outer surface of said liner is irregularly shaped.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
An assembly according to claim 8 wherein said liner is generally U-shaped.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly according to claim 8 wherein said liner substantially covers the complete surface portion of said bracket which defines said opening.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly according to claim 17 wherein said liner includes means for positively engaging said opening of said bracket.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
An assembly according to claim 18 wherein said liner has a generally trapezoidal outer periphery in cross section and said opening of said bracket has a generally trapezoidal shape which matingly receives said liner.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly according to claim 18 wherein the outer surface of said liner is irregularly shaped.
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) | 1984-11-09 | 1985-05-11 | 1985-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-09 | 1989-05-11 | 1989-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-09 | 1993-05-11 | 1993-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |