Coupling for orthodontic asssembly
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJames D. Cleary, John J. Palmer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An orthodontic coupling includes a first portion and a second portion that are resiliently interconnected for movement toward and away from each other. The second portion is adapted for insertion into a passage of an orthodontic appliance, and the resilient connection between the first portion and the second portion releasably secures the coupling in place. The coupling is particularly useful for connecting force modules such as Class II correctors to buccal tube appliances.
Claims49
An orthodontic coupling comprising a body having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion interconnecting the first portion and the second portion, wherein the second portion is substantially straight and has an outer, free end, wherein the third portion is resilient and enables movement of the outer end toward and away from the first portion, and wherein the third portion biases the outer end of the second portion toward a position adjacent the first portion.
An orthodontic coupling comprising a body having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion interconnecting the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first portion, the second portion and the third portion present an overall, generally “U”-shaped configuration in elevational view, wherein the first portion and the second portion are substantially straight, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are resiliently biased in directions toward each other.
An orthodontic assembly comprising:
- a buccal tube having a passage;
- a force module;
- and
- a coupling for connecting the force module to the buccal tube, the coupling including a body having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are movable toward and away from each other, wherein the second portion is received in the passage and is resiliently biased in a direction toward the first portion in order to releasably retain the body in contact with the buccal tube.
An orthodontic assembly comprising:
- a buccal tube having a passage;
- a Class II corrector;
- and
- a coupling for connecting the Class II corrector to the buccal tube, the coupling including a body having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion interconnecting the first portion and the second portion, wherein the second portion is received in the passage and has an outer, free end, wherein the third portion is resilient and enables movement of the outer end toward and away from the first portion, and wherein the third portion biases the outer end of the second portion toward a position adjacent the first portion in order to releasably retain the second portion in the passage of the buccal tube.
An orthodontic assembly comprising:
- a buccal tube having a passage;
- a force module;
- and
- a coupling for connecting the force module to the buccal tube, the coupling including a body having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are movable toward and away from each other, wherein the second portion has an outer end and is resiliently biased to an orientation such that the outer end is spaced from the first portion, and wherein the outer end moves away from the first portion as the second portion is received in the passage.
An orthodontic assembly comprising:
- a buccal tube having a mesial side, a distal side and a passage;
- a Class II corrector;
- and
- a coupling for connecting the Class II corrector to the buccal tube, the coupling including a first portion connected to the Class II corrector and a second portion with a free end, wherein the free end is inserted into the passage in a direction from the mesial side to the distal side in order to locate the free end adjacent the distal side, and wherein the connection between the first portion and the Class II corrector is located adjacent the distal side.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.