Patent US5212871A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5212871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Measuring device for an orthodonitic band
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-05-28
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Granted: 1993-05-25
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Expires: 2012-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A device for measuring the circumference of a tooth or other object, having a longitudinally extending handle with a first end, a second end, an exterior and a hollow interior. A rotatably mounted head portion is disposed at the first end of the handle, and has an aperture which connects the hollow interior to the exterior of the handle. The head portion is adjustable to locate the aperture at a particular angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle. A band is provided which has two ends and a central portion. The central portion is located exteriorly of the handle and forms a loop to be placed around the tooth or other object. The ends pass through the aperture of the head portion into the hollow interior. A tightening lever is pivotally connected to the handle and the ends of the band for retracting the band through the aperture into the hollow interior, to tighten the loop around the tooth or other object to be measured. A display is mounted on the exterior of the handle and coupled to the tightening lever for indicating the circumference of the tooth or other object to be measured.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven J. Luccarelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/02; A61C7/12; A61C7/28; A61C7/30; A61C7/303; G; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/02; G01B5/025; G01B3/00; G01B3/10; G01B3/1061; G01B3/1069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A device for measuring the circumference of a tooth or other object, comprising: a longitudinally extending handle having a first end, a second end, and a hollow interior; a sterile head portion demountably coupled to said first end of said handle and having at its free end an aperture that is offset from the longitudinal axis of said handle; a sterile band having two ends slidably disposed within said head portion and a central portion projecting outwardly from the aperture of the head portion for encircling the tooth or other object, said head portion and said band being readily detachable from said handle for sterilization; lever operated tightening means pivotally connected to said handle and operatively connected to said ends of said band, said lever being pivoted toward said handle to retract said band through the aperture of the head into the hollow interior so that said loop is tightened around the tooth or other object; display means mounted on said handle and coupled to said tightening means for indicating the circumference of the tooth or other object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A device for measuring the circumference of a tooth or other object, comprising: a longitudinally extending handle having a first end, a second end, and a hollow interior; a sterile head portion demountably coupled to said first end of said handle and having at its free end an aperture that is offset from the longitudinal axis of said handle; a sterile band having two ends slidably disposed within said head portion and a central portion projecting outwardly from the aperture of the head portion for encircling the tooth or other object, said head portion and said band being readily detachable from said handle for sterilization; lever operated tightening means pivotally connected to said handle and operatively connected to said ends of said band, said lever being pivoted toward said handle to retract said band through the aperture of the head into the hollow interior so that said loop is tightened around the tooth or other object; display means mounted on said handle and coupled to said tightening means for indicating the circumference of the tooth or other object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device for measuring the circumference of a tooth according to claim 1, additionally including calibration means for calibrating said display means by tightening said loop around a cylinder of known circumference and adjusting said display means to show the known circumference.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device for measuring the circumference of a tooth according to claim 2, wherein said head portion and said band are removable from said handle for autoclaving.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device for measuring the circumference of a tooth according to claim 3, wherein said head portion is adjustable to locate the aperture in the range of 0° to 180° with respect to the longitudinal axis of said handle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device for measuring the circumference of a tooth according to claim 4, wherein said lever has an end located within the hollow interior attached to said band.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device for measuring the circumference of a tooth according to claim 5, wherein said display means includes two LED displays mounted on opposite sides of said handle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device for measuring the circumference of a tooth according to claim 2, wherein said head portion and said band are removable from said handle for disposal after use.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device for measuring the circumference of a tooth according to claim 1, wherein the aperture is off-set from the longitudinal axis of said handle by 45°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device for measuring the circumference of a tooth according to claim 1, wherein the aperture is off-set from the longitudinal axis of said handle by 90°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
A device for measuring the circumference of a tooth according to claim 1, wherein said display means includes a scale mounted on opposite exterior sides of said handle, and wherein said tightening means includes an indicator, said handle having a slot adjacent to said scale with said indicator exiting therefrom; the position of said indicator with respect to said scale corresponding to the circumference of the tooth.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device for measuring the circumference of a tooth according to claim 1, wherein said handle and said display means are rotatable with respect to said head portion so that said handle can be pivoted to bring said display means into view while measuring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device for measuring the circumference of a tooth according to claim 11, additionally including tension control means coupled to said lever operated tightening means and said band for limiting the amount of tension exerted on the tooth or other object by said lever operated tightening means to a predetermined tension value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
129 words
The device for measuring the circumference of a tooth according to claim 12, wherein said tension control means includes: a pulley slidably mounted in the hollow interior of said handle; an adjustable mount; a spring coupled between said pulley and said adjustable mount for biasing said pulley in a first direction, said spring exerted a force on said pulley equal to said predetermined tension value; wherein said lever operated tightening means including a cable passing around said pulley and coupled to said band, so that said pulley slides in a direction opposite the first direction against the biasing force of said spring, once the tension exerted on the tooth or other object exceeds said predetermined tension value whereby the tension exerted on the tooth or other object is limited.
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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) | 1996-05-24 | 1996-11-23 | 1997-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-24 | 2000-11-23 | 2001-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-24 | 2004-11-23 | 2005-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |