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US 5,913,680 AGranted
Orthodontic bracket
OwnerJohn C. Voudourisinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one embodiment, a pre-engaging orthodontic bracket includes a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings. The gingival and occlusal tie wings project from a labial surface of the body. An archwire slot extends mesiodistally across the body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body to accommodate an archwire. A pivot pin extends between a pair of the tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of the body. A shutter is moveable relative to the body between an open position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of an archwire into the archwire slot is inhibited.
Claims22
A pre-engaging orthodontic bracket for attaching an archwire to a tooth comprising:
- a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally space occlusal tie wings, said gingival and occlusal tie wings projecting from a labial surface of said body, both said gingival tie wings and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of said body being separated by an interwing region of said body;
- an archwire slot extending mesiodistally across said body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed -mesial-and distal sides of said body to accommodate an archwire, said archwire slot being interrupted by said interwing region;
- a locking shutter moveable relative to said body between an open position in which placement and removal of said archwire in said archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement and removal of said archwire slot in said archwire slot is inhibited;
- biasing means carried by said shutter and engageable with an archwire in said archwire slot when said locking shutter is in said closed position, said biasing means resiliently urging said archwire into said archwire slot to provide a continuous corrective force thereon, said biasing means being in the form of a leaf spring secured to said locking shutter and extending into said archwire slot, said leaf spring extending mesiodistally and being secured to said locking shutter intermediate its ends, said leaf spring having respective mesial and distal formations thereon extending into said archwire slot when said shutter is in a closed position.
1 more element
A pre-engaging orthodontic bracket for attaching an archwire to a tooth comprising:
- a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings, said gingival and occlusal tie wings projecting from a labial surface of said body, both said gingival tie wings and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of said body being separated by and interwing region of said body;
- an archwire slot extending mesiodistally across said body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of said body to accommodate an archwire, said archwire slot being interrupted by said interwing region;
- and
- a locking shutter pivotal about at least one pivot pin between an open position in which placement and removal of said archwire is said archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement of said archwire in said archwire slot is inhibited, said pivot pin extending between the tie wings of one of said pair and wherein said locking shutter includes a single loop at one end thereof to surround said pivot pin.
1 more element
A pre-engaging orthodontic bracket for attaching an archwire to a tooth comprising:
- a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings, said gingival and occlusal tie wings projecting from a labial surface of said body, both said gingival tie wings and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of said body being separated by and interwing region of said body;
- an archwire slot extending mesiodistally across said body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of said body to accommodate an archwire, said archwire slot being interrupted by said interwing region;
- a locking shutter pivotal about at least one pivot pin between an open position in which placement and removal of said archwire in said archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement of said archwire in said archwire slot is inhibited;
- and
- a lubricating or sealing agent carried by one or more of said body, locking shutter and archwire.
2 more elements
A pre-engaging orthodontic bracket for attaching an archwire to a tooth comprising:
- a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings, said gingival and occlusal tie wings projecting from a labial surface of said body, both said gingival tie wings and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of said body being separated by and interwing region of said body;
- an archwire slot extending mesiodistally across said body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of said body to accommodate an archwire, said archwire slot being interrupted by said interwing region;
- a locking shutter pivotal about at least one pivot pin between an open position in which placement and removal of said archwire in said archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement of said archwire in said archwire slot is inhibited;
- and
- a locking mechanism acting between said body and said locking shutter to maintain said locking shutter in said closed position, said locking shutter including a stop on said body and a wedge on a said locking shutter to abut said stop when said locking shutter is compressed and moved to said closed position.
2 more elements
A pre-engaging orthodontic bracket for attaching an archwire to a tooth comprising:
- a body having a lingual surface for attachment to a tooth, a pair of laterally spaced gingival tie wings and a pair of laterally spaced occlusal tie wings, said gingival and occlusal tie wings projecting from a labial surface of said body, both said gingival tie wings and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of said body being separated by and interwing region of said body;
- an archwire slot extending mesiodistally across said body and between the gingival and occlusal tie wings at opposed mesial and distal sides of said body to accommodate an archwire, said archwire slot being interrupted by said interwing region;
- a locking shutter pivotal about at least one pivot pin between an open position in which placement and removal of said archwire in said archwire slot is facilitated and a closed position in which placement of said archwire in said archwire slot is inhibited;
- and
- a locking mechanism acting between said body and said locking shutter to maintain said locking shutter in said closed position, said locking shutter including a spring loaded piston accommodated by a tie wing and extending into said interwing region.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.