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US 7,172,415 B2Granted
Equine dental grinding apparatus
AssigneeFlexi-Float, LLC
InventorsJohn B. Harvey, Travis J. Henry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for grinding the teeth of horses is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tool body. A drive shaft is disposed inside of the tool body. A drive mechanism is connected to one end of the drive shaft. A grinding member is connected to the other end of the drive shaft. The grinding member can pivot through a range of angles relative to the drive shaft.
Claims39
An equine dental apparatus for floating the teeth of horses comprising:
- a tool body, wherein the tool body includes a pivot joint having a pivot axis;
- a drive shaft disposed along a first axis inside of the tool body, wherein the drive shaft includes a first end configured for attachment to a drive mechanism and a second end opposite the first end, and further wherein the drive shaft includes a first section disposed to rotate about the first axis, a second section disposed to rotate about a second axis, and a ball and socket joint disposed to couple the second section to the first section, wherein the ball and socket joint is disposed inside of the pivot joint;
- and
- a grinding member connected to the second end and partially housed in the tool body, wherein when the tool body is held in a fixed position with the drive shaft oriented horizontally, the grinding member is capable of pivoting upward through a first range of angles relative to the drive shaft and is further capable of pivoting downward through a second range of angles relative to the drive shaft, and further wherein the grinding member pivots through the range of angles about the pivot axis.
1 more element
An equine dental apparatus for floating the teeth of horses comprising:
- a tool body, wherein the tool body includes a pivot loint having a pivot axis;
- a drive shaft disposed along a first axis inside of the tool body, wherein the drive shaft includes a first end configured for attachment to a drive mechanism and a second end opposite the first end;
- a grinding member connected to the second end and partially housed in the tool body, wherein when the tool body is held in a fixed position with the drive shaft oriented horizontally, the grinding member is capable of pivoting upward through a first range of angles relative to the drive shaft, and is further capable of pivoting downward through a second range of angles relative to the drive shaft, and further wherein the grinding member pivots through the range of angles about the pivot axis;
- and
- a vacuum port disposed to suction enamel dust produced during the floating of teeth, wherein the vacuum port passes through the pivot joint.
2 more elements
An equine dental apparatus for floating the teeth of horses comprising:
- a tool body, wherein the tool body includes a pivot loint having a pivot axis;
- a drive shaft disposed alona a first axis inside of the tool body, wherein the drive shaft includes a first end configured for attachment to a drive mechanism and a second end opposite the first end;
- a grinding member connected to the second end and partially housed in the tool body, wherein when the tool body is held in a fixed position with the drive shaft oriented horizontally, the grinding member is capable of pivoting upward through a first range of angles relative to the drive shaft and is further capable of pivoting downward through a second range of angles relative to the drive shaft, and further wherein the grinding member pivots through the range of angles about the pivot axis;
- and
- a source of illumination disposed to illuminate the teeth being floated, wherein the source of illumination passes through the pivot joint.
2 more elements
An equine dental apparatus for floating the teeth of horses comprising:
- a tool body;
- a drive shaft disposed along a first axis inside of the tool body, wherein the drive shaft includes a first end configured for attachment to a drive mechanism and a second end opposite the first end;
- a grinding member connected to the second end and partially housed in the tool body, wherein when the tool body is held in a fixed position with the drive shaft oriented horizontally, the grinding member is capable of pivoting upward through a first range of angles relative to the drive shaft and is further capable of pivoting downward throuah a second range of angles relative to the drive shaft;
- and
- a vacuum port disposed to suction enamel dust produced during the floating of teeth, wherein a portion of the vacuum port is disposed inside of the tool body.
2 more elements
An equine dental apparatus for floating the teeth of horses comprising:
- a tool body;
- a drive shaft disposed along a first axis inside of the tool body, wherein the drive shaft includes a first end configured for attachment to a drive mechanism and a second end opposite the first end;
- a grinding member connected to the second end and partially housed in the tool body, wherein when the tool body is held in a fixed position with the drive shaft oriented horizontally, the grinding member is capable of pivoting upward through a first range of anales relative to the drive shaft and is further capable of pivoting downward through a second range of angles relative to the drive shaft;
- and
- a source of illumination disposed to illuminate the teeth being floated, wherein the source of illumination is at least partially disposed inside of the tool body.
2 more elements
An equine dental apparatus for floating the teeth of horses comprising:
- a first drive shaft disposed alona a first axis and configured for attachment to a drive mechanism;
- a first housing member, wherein the first drive shaft is at least partially disposed inside of the first housing member;
- a second drive shaft coupled to the first drive shaft, wherein the second drive shaft pivots relative to the first drive shaft about a second axis different from the first axis, wherein the second axis intersects the first axis;
- a grinding member attached to the second drive shaft;
- a second housing member, wherein the second drive shaft is at least partially disposed inside of the second housing member;
- and
- a pivot joint connecting the second housing member to the first housing member, wherein the pivot joint pivots about the second axis to allow the second housing member to pivot relative to the first housing member.
4 more elements
An equine dental apparatus for floating the teeth of horses comprising:
- a first tool body member;
- a second tool body member;
- a drive shaft having a first section at least partially disposed inside of the first tool body member and a second section at least partially disposed inside of the second tool body member, wherein the second section is coupled to the first section, and further wherein the first section is disposed to rotate about a first axis;
- a grinding member connected to the second section of the drive shaft and at least partially disposed inside of the second tool body member;
- and
- a pivot joint connecting the first tool body member to the second tool body member, wherein when the first tool body member is held in a fixed position such that the first axis is horizontal, the second tool body member is capable of pivoting upward through a first range of angles relative to the first tool body member and is further capable of pivoting downward through a second range of angles relative to the first tool body member.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.