US5607299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orthodontic brackets
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-05-05
•
Granted: 1997-03-04
•
Expires: 2015-05-05
Abstract
Abstract An orthodontic bracket having a base with a front face and spaced tie wings, with a generally central recess provided between the tie wings. With non-metal brackets, a separate jig or insert may be positioned between the tie wings. The jig or insert includes a central recess. The orthodontic brackets are designed to be positioned on an individual's tooth with the aid of a conventional bracket positioning gauge having a guide which is received in the recess of a bracket or the recess of a jig or insert. In alternate embodiments, one or more grooves may be provided between the tie wings to both assist in bracket positioning and to reduce friction between a bracket and the archwire which extends between brackets.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Nicholson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61C7/14; A61C7/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
An orthodontic bracket can be moved into a desired position on the front surface of a tooth using a bracket positioning means having a tip, said bracket comprising, a base including a front face and a rear surface, a contained recess formed with a surrounding wall in said front face, said contained recess being of a size and shape to cooperatively receive the tip of the bracket positioning means therein such that the tip is engageable with said surrounding wall, whereby the tip of the bracket positioning means can be received within said contained recess for moving said bracket vertically into the desired position on the front surface of the tooth, a pair of spaced tie wings extending from said front face of said base on either side of said contained recess, said tie wings defining at least one archwire slot, a groove formed in said front face and extending between said tie wings, said groove having opposing side walls which are spaced to cooperatively receive the tip of the positioning means therebetween so that the tip can be received with said groove for moving said bracket vertically into the desired position on the front surface of a tooth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
An orthodontic bracket can be moved into a desired position on the front surface of a tooth using a bracket positioning means having a tip, said bracket comprising, a base including a front face and a rear surface, a contained recess formed with a surrounding wall in said front face, said contained recess being of a size and shape to cooperatively receive the tip of the bracket positioning means therein such that the tip is engageable with said surrounding wall, whereby the tip of the bracket positioning means can be received within said contained recess for moving said bracket vertically into the desired position on the front surface of the tooth, a pair of spaced tie wings extending from said front face of said base on either side of said contained recess, said tie wings defining at least one archwire slot, a groove formed in said front face and extending between said tie wings, said groove having opposing side walls which are spaced to cooperatively receive the tip of the positioning means therebetween so that the tip can be received with said groove for moving said bracket vertically into the desired position on the front surface of a tooth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1, wherein said contained recess is located generally equidistant intermediate said first and second tie wings and within said groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 1, including at least one groove formed in said at least one archwire slot for reducing frictional contact area between an archwire and the orthodontic bracket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 3, including a plurality of spaced grooves in said at least one archwire slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The orthodontic bracket of claim 3, in which said at least one archwire slot has opposing generally arcuate wall portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A combination of orthodontic bracket and alignment jig comprising: an orthodontic bracket having a front face and a rear surface, tie wings extending from said front face in spaced relationship to one another, a slot defined by each of said tie wings; an alignment jig having front and rear surfaces, a central portion and opposite end portions, a contained recess formed by a surrounding side wall in said central portion; and said alignment jig being mounted against said front face of the bracket in alignment with said slots of said tie wings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
A combination of orthodontic bracket and alignment jig comprising: an orthodontic bracket having a front face and a rear surface, tie wings extending from said front face in spaced relationship to one another, a slot defined by each of said tie wings; an alignment jig having front and rear surfaces, a central portion and opposite end portions, a contained recess formed by a surrounding side wall in said central portion; and said alignment jig being mounted against said front face of the bracket in alignment with said slots of said tie wings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 6, in which said recess is formed as an opening through said alignment jig.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 6, in which said central portion is generally U-shaped.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for use in aligning orthodontic brackets, wherein the brackets have an outer face and an inner surface and tie wings extending in spaced relationship with respect to one another from the outer face and wherein the tie wings define an open slot, the alignment device comprising a jig means having a front and rear surface, a central portion and opposite end portions, a contained recess formed by a surrounding size wall in said central portion, and at least one of said central and said end portions being of a size to be cooperatively received within the slots formed by the tie wings of the orthodontic bracket, whereby when said jig means is positioned on an orthodontic bracket with a portion thereof within the slots, the recess in said central portion will be positioned intermediate the tie wings.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for use in aligning orthodontic brackets, wherein the brackets have an outer face and an inner surface and tie wings extending in spaced relationship with respect to one another from the outer face and wherein the tie wings define an open slot, the alignment device comprising a jig means having a front and rear surface, a central portion and opposite end portions, a contained recess formed by a surrounding size wall in said central portion, and at least one of said central and said end portions being of a size to be cooperatively received within the slots formed by the tie wings of the orthodontic bracket, whereby when said jig means is positioned on an orthodontic bracket with a portion thereof within the slots, the recess in said central portion will be positioned intermediate the tie wings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 9, in which said recess is formed as an opening through said jig means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 10, in which said central portion is generally U-shaped.
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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) | 2000-03-03 | 2000-09-02 | 2001-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-03 | 2004-09-02 | 2005-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-03 | 2008-09-02 | 2009-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |