US4963092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Buccal tube applicance for rectangular or round wire
Assignee: 3M Unitek Corp
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Filing: 1989-04-28
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Granted: 1990-10-16
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Expires: 2009-04-28
Abstract
Abstract An orthodontic buccal tube appliance for use with the molars has a tube with a mesial, open-ended cylindrical passage and a distal rectangular passage aligned with the cylindrical passage. The tube is thus adapted for use with either round or rectangular wire in accordance with the preference of the orthodontist. A funnel-shaped wall connects the cylindrical passage to the rectangular passage in order to guide an end of rectangular wire toward a position within the rectangular passage.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilford A. Snead
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C7/28; A61C7/282
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A buccal tube appliance having a base and a tube connected to said base, said tube extending in a generally mesiodistal direction and having an open-ended mesial end portion and a distal end portion integrally connected to said mesial end portion, said distal end portion being immovable relative to said mesial end portion and having a rectangular passage for receiving a rectangular wire, said mesial end portion having a passage leading from said rectangular passage and adapted to receive a round wire having a cross-section larger than said rectangular passage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A buccal tube appliance having a base and a tube connected to said base, said tube extending in a generally mesiodistal direction and having an open-ended mesial end portion and a distal end portion integrally connected to said mesial end portion, said distal end portion being immovable relative to said mesial end portion and having a rectangular passage for receiving a rectangular wire, said mesial end portion having a passage leading from said rectangular passage and adapted to receive a round wire having a cross-section larger than said rectangular passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The appliance of claim 1, wherein said tube has a funnel-shaped wall leading from said passage of said mesial end portion to said rectangular passage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The appliance of claim 1, wherein said passage of said mesial end portion and said passage of said distal end portion have a common longitudinal axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The appliance of claim 1, wherein said passage of said mesial end portion has a length that is about three times the length of said rectangular passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The appliance of claim 1 and including a rectangular main arch wire channel located in side-by-side relation to said passage of said mesial end portion and said rectangular passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The appliance of claim 1, wherein said passage of said mesial end portion is cylindrical.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4781582A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-15 | 1994-04-16 | 1994-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-15 | 1998-04-16 | 1998-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-15 | 2002-04-16 | 2002-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |