US4634379A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Abrasive dental tool
Assignee: DENTAL-EZ Inc
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Filing: 1981-01-30
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Granted: 1987-01-06
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Expires: 2001-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A dental tool for generating a relatively smooth surface on tooth enamel comprises an elongated shank with an operative end and an end adapted to engage a chuck of a dental handpiece. Any cross-section of the operative end perpendicular to the shank's longitudinal axis is circular with a diameter of less than 0.140 inch. Adjacent, continuous annular grooves extend around the operative end, each groove being defined by a pair of inwardly sloping side surfaces intersecting with each other at least about 0.010 inch from the shank's longitudinal axis and forming an included angle of 60° to 150° between the side surfaces. An abrasive material, such as diamond grit, having a particle size of less than 0.006 inch covers at least a portion of each surface.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Nash
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C3/00; A61C3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A dental tool of unitary construction for use with a dental handpiece comprising: an elongate shank having first operative end and a second end adapted to engage a chuck of a dental handpiece, any cross section of said operative end perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank being substantially circular, said operative end having a plurality of adjacent, continuous annular grooves extending about said end, each of said grooves being formed by a pair of inclined side surfaces intersecting to form a circular, lower junction lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank, said side surfaces intersecting side surfaces of adjacent grooves to form crests of said grooves, the included angle formed between said intersecting side surfaces being about 60° to 150° C., the distance between crests of adjacent grooves being about 0.02 to 0.06 inch, and the distance from the longitudinal axis of said shank to said lower junction being greater than about 0.010 inch, and an abrasive material covering a least a portion of the surfaces defining said grooves and having a particle size of less than about 0.006 inch, said tool being adapted to generate a relatively smooth surface upon the manual tracking and scanning thereof across the surface of a tooth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A dental tool of unitary construction for use with a dental handpiece comprising: an elongate shank having first operative end and a second end adapted to engage a chuck of a dental handpiece, any cross section of said operative end perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank being substantially circular, said operative end having a plurality of adjacent, continuous annular grooves extending about said end, each of said grooves being formed by a pair of inclined side surfaces intersecting to form a circular, lower junction lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank, said side surfaces intersecting side surfaces of adjacent grooves to form crests of said grooves, the included angle formed between said intersecting side surfaces being about 60° to 150° C., the distance between crests of adjacent grooves being about 0.02 to 0.06 inch, and the distance from the longitudinal axis of said shank to said lower junction being greater than about 0.010 inch, and an abrasive material covering a least a portion of the surfaces defining said grooves and having a particle size of less than about 0.006 inch, said tool being adapted to generate a relatively smooth surface upon the manual tracking and scanning thereof across the surface of a tooth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The dental tool of claim 1 wherein said grooves are symmetrical V-shaped grooves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The dental tool of claim 1 or 2 wherein the included angle formed between said intersecting side surfaces is about 120°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The dental tool of claim 1 or 2 wherein said shank has from 3 to 12 grooves formed thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The dental tool of claim 1 or 2 wherein the average particle size of said abrasive material is about 0.003 inch to about 0.006 inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The dental tool of claim 1 wherein the radial distance from the longitudinal axis to each crest of adjacent grooves decreases between said second end and the terminus of said first end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The dental tool of claim 1 or 2 wherein the largest cross-sectional dimension of said second end perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank is equal to or greater than the largest cross-sectional dimension of said first end perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
180 words
A blank for manufacturing an abrasive dental tool of unitary construction for use with a dental handpiece comprising: an elongate shank having a first end, and a second end adapted to engage a chuck of a dental handpiece, any cross-section of said first end perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank being substantially circular, said first end having a plurality of adjacent, continuous annular grooves being devoid of cutting edges extending about said first end, each of said grooves being formed by a pair of inclined side surfaces intersecting to form a substantially circular lower junction encircling the longitudinal axis of said shank and lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank, said side surfaces intersecting side surfaces of adjacent grooves to form crests of said grooves, the included angle formed between said intersecting side surfaces being about 60° to 150°, the distance between crests of adjacent grooves being about 0.02 to 0.06 inch, and the distance from the longitudinal axis of said shank to said lower junction being greater then about 0.010 inch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
180 words
A blank for manufacturing an abrasive dental tool of unitary construction for use with a dental handpiece comprising: an elongate shank having a first end, and a second end adapted to engage a chuck of a dental handpiece, any cross-section of said first end perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank being substantially circular, said first end having a plurality of adjacent, continuous annular grooves being devoid of cutting edges extending about said first end, each of said grooves being formed by a pair of inclined side surfaces intersecting to form a substantially circular lower junction encircling the longitudinal axis of said shank and lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank, said side surfaces intersecting side surfaces of adjacent grooves to form crests of said grooves, the included angle formed between said intersecting side surfaces being about 60° to 150°, the distance between crests of adjacent grooves being about 0.02 to 0.06 inch, and the distance from the longitudinal axis of said shank to said lower junction being greater then about 0.010 inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The blank of claim 8 wherein said grooves are substantially V-shaped grooves.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The blank of claim 9 wherein said V-shaped grooves are symmetrical.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The blank of claim 8, 9, or 10 wherein the included angle formed between said intersecting side surfaces is about 120°.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The blank of claim 8, 9, or 10 wherein said shank has from 3 to 12 grooves formed thereon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The blank of claim 8, 9, or 10 wherein the radial distance from the longitudinal axis to each crest of adjacent grooves decreases between said second end and the terminus of said first end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The blank of claim 8, 9, or 10 wherein the largest cross-sectional dimension of said second end perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank is equal to or greater than the largest cross-sectional dimension of said first end perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said shank.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
76 words
A dental tool for reducing tooth structure comprising: a shaft adaptable to be carried by rotating means at one end thereof; a shank formed integrally therewith and extending axially from the other end of said shaft and having a plurality of non-intersecting grooves forming a plurality of reducing elements formed in said shank and spaced along the length of said shank; each of said grooves in axial cross-section of said shank having a rounded bottom wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
76 words
A dental tool for reducing tooth structure comprising: a shaft adaptable to be carried by rotating means at one end thereof; a shank formed integrally therewith and extending axially from the other end of said shaft and having a plurality of non-intersecting grooves forming a plurality of reducing elements formed in said shank and spaced along the length of said shank; each of said grooves in axial cross-section of said shank having a rounded bottom wall.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dental tool as in claim 15 wherein each of said grooves has pair of sidewalls, said bottom wall forming a continuous surface with each of said groove sidewalls.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
A dental tool as in claim 15 wherein each of said reducing elements comprises a crest and a pair of sidewalls extending therefrom respectively toward the corresponding sidewalls of the grooves on either side of the reducing element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A dental tool as in claim 15 wherein said reducing element sidewalls respectively form continuous surfaces with the corresponding sidewalls of the grooves on either side of the reducing element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A dental tool as in claim 17 wherein said reducing elements are substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation of said shank and are parallel to each other.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A dental tool as in claim 19 wherein the crests of said reducing elements are non-planar in axial cross-section of said shank.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
A dental tool as in claim 20 wherein the side walls of each of said reducing elements taper away from each other as they approach the corresponding side walls of the grooves on either side of the reducing element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
A dental tool as in claim 21 wherein in axial cross-section of said shank said reducing elements are of the same configuration of that of the inverse of said grooves.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A dental tool as in claim 17 wherein the crests of said reducing elements are coated with abrasive material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
A dental tool as in claim 23 wherein the side walls of said reducing elements are coated with abrasive material.
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) | 1990-01-05 | 1990-07-07 | 1991-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-05 | 1994-07-07 | 1995-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-05 | 1998-07-07 | 1999-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |