Patent US4786252A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4786252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orthodontic appliance
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-03-12
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Granted: 1988-11-22
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Expires: 2007-03-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an arch wire holder, in orthodontic appliances, composed of a bracket which is preferably to the lingual side of a tooth and has a slot for receiving a wire and which supports a rotatable locking member which is rotatably engaged with the bracket to open and close the slot thereby permitting the wire to be secured to or detached from the slot. Using such a wire holder, attachment and detachment of arch wire can easily and positively be effected in a single simple operation so that time required for dental treatment can be reduced, and further medical accidents can be prevented.
Inventors
- 👤 Kinya Fujita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C7/28; A61C7/285
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An orthodontic appliance wherein a plurality of wire holders is affixed, one to a tooth in a dental patient's mouth, and at least one correcting arch wire is engaged with said wire holders for applying corrective forces to irregular teeth, comprising: a wire holder having a base for affixiation to a lingual surface of a tooth; a bracket attached to said base and provided with at least one slot that opens in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of the corresponding affixed tooth for receiving said arch wire therein; an arch wire locking member rotatably supported along a first portion by said bracket such that in a first predetermined position of said locking member said arch wire may be freely received in said slot or removed therefrom and said locking member has a second predetermined locked position to securely retain said arch wire within said slot; and locking means integral with said wire holder for positively engaging a second portion of said locking member for secure locking thereof in said second locked position thereby to ensure secure retention of said arch wire in said slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
An orthodontic appliance wherein a plurality of wire holders is affixed, one to a tooth in a dental patient's mouth, and at least one correcting arch wire is engaged with said wire holders for applying corrective forces to irregular teeth, comprising: a wire holder having a base for affixiation to a lingual surface of a tooth; a bracket attached to said base and provided with at least one slot that opens in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of the corresponding affixed tooth for receiving said arch wire therein; an arch wire locking member rotatably supported along a first portion by said bracket such that in a first predetermined position of said locking member said arch wire may be freely received in said slot or removed therefrom and said locking member has a second predetermined locked position to securely retain said arch wire within said slot; and locking means integral with said wire holder for positively engaging a second portion of said locking member for secure locking thereof in said second locked position thereby to ensure secure retention of said arch wire in said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
An orthodontic appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said bracket has a laterally cylindrical portion provided with said slot having a polygonal cross-section and extending along said cylinder's axial direction, and said locking member is rotatably engaged with the outer cylindrical surface of said bracket so that an opening of said slot at said cylindrical surface is closed to capture said arch wire inserted in said slot when said locking member is in said second position, and said opening of said slot is opened to permit said wire to be received in or removed from said slot when said locking member is rotated to said first position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An orthodontic appliance as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said cylindrical portion of said bracket is also provided with an aperture for holding a wire inserted through said bracket along said axial direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
An orthodontic appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein: both said bracket and said rotatable locking member are shaped substantially as partially cylindrical sheets so as to have each side in the profile of a circular arc, the outer circumferential surface of said rotatable member being slidably contained within and rotatably supported by the inner circumferential surface of said bracket, and an operating projection formed protrusively on the outer circumferential surface of said rotatable locking member having an external protrusion that enters into and is guided by a matching slit-like guide hole defined on said bracket thereby permitting guided rotating operation of said rotatable locking member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An orthodontic appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a pair of the opposed inner walls of said slot are curved unidirectionally.
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) | 1991-11-22 | 1992-05-23 | 1992-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-22 | 1996-05-23 | 1996-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-22 | 2000-05-23 | 2000-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |