US4898535A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-opening preformed activator and positioner
Assignee: Ortho Tain Inc
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Filing: 1988-04-11
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Granted: 1990-02-06
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Expires: 2008-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A removable orthodontic appliance is provided with a means for retaining the appliance within the user's mouth. The appliance has an upper and lower tooth receiving trough and the troughs are separate at an anterior end, but connect at a posterior end by a resilient hinge which biases the appliance into an open position with the two trough anterior ends urged apart. Such an appliance can be manufactured by slitting the appliance after molding, before it has cooled, to thermoset the hinge in an open position; slitting the appliance after it has cooled, reheating the hinge area and then thermosetting it in an open position; or molding the appliance in an open position.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl O. Bergersen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An orthodontic appliance for use in the positioning of teeth which includes a first tooth receiving trough in an upper portion for positioning an upper row of teeth and a second tooth receiving trough in a lower portion for positioning a lower row of teeth, said troughs being defined by lingual and labial-buccal flanges and including an isthmus interconnecting said flanges, said upper portion isthmus and said lower portion isthmus being separated at an anterior end of said appliance, but connected at a posterior end of said appliance to form a hinge connection between said two portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
An orthodontic appliance for use in the positioning of teeth which includes a first tooth receiving trough in an upper portion for positioning an upper row of teeth and a second tooth receiving trough in a lower portion for positioning a lower row of teeth, said troughs being defined by lingual and labial-buccal flanges and including an isthmus interconnecting said flanges, said upper portion isthmus and said lower portion isthmus being separated at an anterior end of said appliance, but connected at a posterior end of said appliance to form a hinge connection between said two portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein said appliance is constructed of a resilient material and said hinge portion continuously urges said upper portion and lower portion apart.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein a resilient spring member is incorporated into said hinge portion to continuously urge said upper and lower portions apart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein an opening is formed at said posterior end of said appliance to permit a user to breathe through said opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
An orthodontic appliance for use in positioning or straightening teeth which includes a first tooth receiving trough in an upper portion for positioning an upper row of teeth and a second tooth receiving trough in a lower portion for positioning a lower row of teeth, said troughs being defined by lingual and labial-buccal flanges and including an isthmus interconnecting said flanges, and resilient means interconnecting a posterior end of said upper and lower portions wherein anterior ends of said upper and lower portions are continuously urged apart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
An orthodontic appliance for use in positioning or straightening teeth which includes a first tooth receiving trough in an upper portion for positioning an upper row of teeth and a second tooth receiving trough in a lower portion for positioning a lower row of teeth, said troughs being defined by lingual and labial-buccal flanges and including an isthmus interconnecting said flanges, and resilient means interconnecting a posterior end of said upper and lower portions wherein anterior ends of said upper and lower portions are continuously urged apart.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 5, wherein said appliance is molded from a resilient material and said resilient means comprises a hinge portion of the same material as said appliance, being molded concurrently and integrally with said appliance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 5, wherein said resilient means comprises at least one metallic spring member interconnecting said posterior ends of said upper and lower portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
An orthodontic appliance according to claim 5, wherein an opening is formed at said posterior end of said appliance to permit a user to breathe through said opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
127 words
A removable orthodontic appliance for use in the positioning of teeth which includes a first tooth receiving trough in an upper portion for positioning an upper row of teeth and a second tooth receiving trough in a lower portion for positioning a lower row of teeth, said troughs being defined by lingual and labial-buccal flanges and including an isthmus interconnecting said flanges, and means for retaining the appliance within a mouth of a user, said retaining means comprising means for continuously biasing said first tooth receiving slot against the upper row of teeth and said second tooth receiving slot against the lower row of teeth for all positions of the user's mouth in the form of a resilient hinge area interconnecting a posterior end of said isthmus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
127 words
A removable orthodontic appliance for use in the positioning of teeth which includes a first tooth receiving trough in an upper portion for positioning an upper row of teeth and a second tooth receiving trough in a lower portion for positioning a lower row of teeth, said troughs being defined by lingual and labial-buccal flanges and including an isthmus interconnecting said flanges, and means for retaining the appliance within a mouth of a user, said retaining means comprising means for continuously biasing said first tooth receiving slot against the upper row of teeth and said second tooth receiving slot against the lower row of teeth for all positions of the user's mouth in the form of a resilient hinge area interconnecting a posterior end of said isthmus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A removable orthodontic appliance according to claim 9, wherein said appliance is formed from a resilient material and said hinge area is formed integrally with and of the same material as the remainder of said appliance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A removable orthodontic appliance according to claim 9, wherein a resilient spring member is incorporated into said hinge area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A removable orthodontic appliance according to claim 9, wherein an opening is formed in said appliance to permit a user to breathe through said opening.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-02-05 | 1993-08-07 | 1994-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-05 | 1997-08-07 | 1998-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-05 | 2001-08-07 | 2002-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |