US6692252B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat sink with geometric arrangement of LED surfaces
Assignee: Ultradent Products Inc
•
Filing: 2001-12-17
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Granted: 2004-02-17
•
Expires: 2021-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A heat sink for a dental light-curing device comprises three mounting surfaces that are each configured for mounting a light source, such as an LED or LED array, which is capable of generating light suitable for curing light-curable compounds. The mounting surfaces are configured with a geometric arrangement in which one of the mounting surfaces is placed nearer to the tip of the heat sink than either of the remaining two mounting surfaces, which are placed adjacent to the first mounting surface and are spaced an equal distance away from the tip of the heat sink. This arrangement generally minimizes the heat that is generated by the LEDs at the tip of the heat sink and expedites the diffusion of heat from the LEDs.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R. Scott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/003; A61C19/004; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/06; A61N2005/065; A61N2005/0651; A61N2005/0652
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A heat sink for a dental light-curing device comprising: a body extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a face located near the distal end of the body and that includes: a proximal portion having a length; a distal portion having a length equal to the length of the proximal portion; and a plurality of mounting surfaces configured for mounting light sources on the face, the mounting surfaces having a combined surface area, wherein a majority of the combined surface area of the mounting surfaces is located in the proximal portion of the face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A heat sink for a dental light-curing device comprising: a body extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a face located near the distal end of the body and that includes: a proximal portion having a length; a distal portion having a length equal to the length of the proximal portion; and a plurality of mounting surfaces configured for mounting light sources on the face, the mounting surfaces having a combined surface area, wherein a majority of the combined surface area of the mounting surfaces is located in the proximal portion of the face.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 1 , wherein each mounting surface is configured to receive at least one of an LED, an LED array, or a plurality of LEDs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 1 , wherein each mounting surface is configured for mounting a single LED.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 1 , the heat sink comprising at least one of aluminum, copper, or silver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of mounting surfaces includes a first mounting surface, a second mounting surface, and a third mounting surface, and wherein the first mounting surface is disposed within the distal portion of the face, and wherein at least a majority of the second and third mounting surfaces is disposed within the proximal portion of the face.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 5 , wherein the mounting surfaces define a line of symmetry that forms a boundary between the second and third mounting surfaces and that bisects the first mounting surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 6 , wherein the line of symmetry is substantially parallel to a central axis of the heat sink.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 1 , wherein the mounting surfaces converge at a single intersection point.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 8 , wherein the single intersection point is recessed, such that the face is concaved into the body of the heat sink.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the body of the heat sink comprises a cylindrical cross section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 1 , wherein a surface-to-surface angle exists between each of the mounting surfaces, and wherein the surface-to-surface angle comprises an angle within a range of about 100° to about 140°.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 1 , wherein each mounting surface is substantially planar.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 1 , wherein the heat sink comprises a planar surface configured for mounting onto a secondary heat sink.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
84 words
A heat sink for a dental light-curing device comprising: a body extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a face located near the distal end of the body and including: a proximal portion having a length; a distal portion having a length equal to the length of the proximal portion; and three mounting surfaces configured for mounting a single light source within the distal portion of the face and at least two light sources within the proximal portion of the face.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
84 words
A heat sink for a dental light-curing device comprising: a body extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a face located near the distal end of the body and including: a proximal portion having a length; a distal portion having a length equal to the length of the proximal portion; and three mounting surfaces configured for mounting a single light source within the distal portion of the face and at least two light sources within the proximal portion of the face.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 14 , wherein each light source comprises at least one of an LED or an LED array.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 14 , wherein the body and the face comprise at least one of aluminum, copper, or silver.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 14 , wherein the face is concaved.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
88 words
A dental light-curing device comprising: a heat sink including: a body extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a face configured for mounting light sources, the face including a proximal portion and a distal portion having substantially equal lengths, wherein the proximal face portion is configured to mount two light sources and wherein the distal face portion is configured to mount a single light source; a single light source mounted on the distal face portion; and two light sources mounted on the proximal face portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
88 words
A dental light-curing device comprising: a heat sink including: a body extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a face configured for mounting light sources, the face including a proximal portion and a distal portion having substantially equal lengths, wherein the proximal face portion is configured to mount two light sources and wherein the distal face portion is configured to mount a single light source; a single light source mounted on the distal face portion; and two light sources mounted on the proximal face portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A dental light-curing device as recited in claim 18 , wherein the light sources comprise at least one of an LED or an LED array.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
A dental light-curing device as recited in claim 18 , wherein the face is symmetrically disposed adjacent to the distal end of the body, such that the two light sources mounted on the proximal face portion are equidistant from the distal end of the body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 1 , the heat sink comprising at least one metal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A heat sink as recited in claim 14 , the heat sink comprising at least one metal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
A dental light-curing device as recited in claim 18 , the heat sink comprising at least one metal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
78 words
A dental light-curing device comprising: a heat sink including: a body extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a face configured for mounting light sources, the face comprising a proximal portion having a length and a distal portion having a length equal to the length of the proximal portion, a plurality of light sources mounted on or within the face of the heat sink, a majority of which are disposed within the proximal face portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
78 words
A dental light-curing device comprising: a heat sink including: a body extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a face configured for mounting light sources, the face comprising a proximal portion having a length and a distal portion having a length equal to the length of the proximal portion, a plurality of light sources mounted on or within the face of the heat sink, a majority of which are disposed within the proximal face portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
49 words
A dental light-curing device as recited in claim 24 , wherein the light sources comprise a plurality of LEDs having a surface area, wherein the surface area of the LEDs disposed in the proximal face portion exceeds the surface area of the LEDs disposed in the distal face portion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
A dental light-curing device as recited in claim 24 , wherein the light sources comprise a plurality of LEDs so that the number of LEDs disposed in the proximal face portion exceeds the number of LEDs disposed in the distal face portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
A dental light-curing device as recited in claim 24 , wherein the each light source comprises an LED array comprising individual LEDs so that the number of individual LEDs disposed in the proximal face portion exceeds the number of individual LEDs disposed in the distal face portion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
84 words
A dental light-curing device comprising: a heat sink including: a body extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a face configured for mounting light sources, the face comprising a proximal portion having a length and a distal portion having a length equal to the length of the proximal portion, a plurality of LEDs mounted on or within the face of the heat sink, the LEDs having a combined surface area, a majority of which is disposed within the proximal face portion.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
84 words
A dental light-curing device comprising: a heat sink including: a body extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a face configured for mounting light sources, the face comprising a proximal portion having a length and a distal portion having a length equal to the length of the proximal portion, a plurality of LEDs mounted on or within the face of the heat sink, the LEDs having a combined surface area, a majority of which is disposed within the proximal face portion.
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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) | 2007-02-16 | 2007-08-18 | 2008-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-02-16 | 2011-08-18 | 2012-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-02-16 | 2015-08-18 | 2016-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |