Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An orthodontic bracket comprising a bracket body having lingual, labial, gingival, occlusal, distal and mesial surface portions and a mesial-distal extending arch wire slot opening to the labial surface portion, and a retainer member of resilient material having labial and lingual portions in embracing sliding engagement with corresponding labial and lingual surface portions of the body, the retainer member being movable on the body between two positions in which the open labial side of the slot is respectively open and closed, wherein the mesial distal extending slot is provided in its gingival surface immediately adjacent to the labial bracket surface with a mesial distal extending retainer against which the end of the retainer member labial portion can engage when in slot-closed position to prevent labial movement of the thus engaged retainer member end of more than a predetermined extent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
An orthodontic bracket comprising a bracket body having lingual, labial, gingival, occlusal, distal and mesial surface portions and a mesial-distal extending arch wire slot opening to the labial surface portion, and a retainer member of resilient material having labial and lingual portions in embracing sliding engagement with corresponding labial and lingual surface portions of the body, the retainer member being movable on the body between two positions in which the open labial side of the slot is respectively open and closed, wherein the mesial distal extending slot is provided in its gingival surface immediately adjacent to the labial bracket surface with a mesial distal extending retainer against which the end of the retainer member labial portion can engage when in slot-closed position to prevent labial movement of the thus engaged retainer member end of more than a predetermined extent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket body is provided in its gingival surface portion with a mesial-distal extending tie slot parallel to the said retainer slot so that the portion of the bracket body between them can function as a tie wing for reception of ties, elastomer rings and the like.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer is constituted by a slot formed in the gingival surface of the mesial distal extending slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the labial wall of the said retainer is constituted by a separate piece of metal fastened to the bracket body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bracket as claimed in claim 2, wherein the labial walls of the said retainer and tie slot are constituted by a separate piece of metal fastened to the bracket body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bracket as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said separate piece of metal is also of spring material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bracket as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said separate piece of metal is also of spring material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bracket as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said separate piece of metal is narrower in the mesial distal direction than the bracket body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bracket as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said separate piece of metal is narrower in the mesial distal direction than the bracket body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end of the retainer member labial portion engaging in the retainer slot is inclined toward the labial, whereby engagement of the inclined end with the lingual wall of the retainer slot tends to retain the retainer member in the slot-closed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lingual wall of the retainer slot is inclined toward the lingual, whereby engagement of the end of the retainer member labial portion engaging in the retainer slot tends to retain the retainer member in the slot-closed position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A bracket as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lingual wall of the retainer slot is inclined toward the lingual, whereby engagement of the labially inclined end of the retainer member labial portion engaging in the retainer slot tends to retain the retainer member in the slot-closed position.