Self-engaging twin edge-wise orthodontic bracket with pivotal latch

Abstract

A self-engaging twin edgewise orthodontic bracket, comprising a body portion having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of gingival and occlusal tie wings extending buccal (or labially) from the lingual surface, a central mesiodistally extending labially opening slot for receiving an archwire, a second superior and labial interrupted mesial and distal slot, a first mesiodistally extending stepped, lingual locking surface intermediate of the gingival or occlusal tie wings, and a mesiodistally extending axis intermediate the other of the gingival or occlusal tie wings; a pivotal latch having a catch at one end thereof for locking engagement with the locking surface, a pivot at an opposite end thereof for pivotally receiving the axis such that the latch is pivotal from an open position for inserting and removing the archwire to a closed position wherein the latch covers the slot and the catch is positioned gingivally of the locking surface, and latching apparatus adjacent the pivot and intermediate the one end and the opposite end for receiving the axis such that the catch securely engages the locking surface in the closed position thereby retaining the archwire in the slot.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.