Dentistry – Apparatus – Having means to emit radiation or facilitate viewing of the...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-01
2001-11-27
Lucchesi, Nicholas D. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having means to emit radiation or facilitate viewing of the...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322358
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to curing device, especially for light-induced curing of dental materials, having substantially a pistol-shape with a grip whereby the grip is connected by a cable to a supply station and whereby the supply station has a support for supporting the curing device.
Such a light curing device, in the following referred to as hand-held apparatus, is known from European patent application 0 166 364 or German Gebrauchsmuster 92 12 892. These known solutions have a cable connection between the grip of the substantially pistol-shaped hand-held apparatus and the supply station. For ergonomic reasons, the cable exits the hand-held apparatus usually at the lower end of the grip in order to prevent that the cable will be a nuisance when manipulating the device in the vicinity of a patent's mouth.
The supply station has a support for supporting the hand-held apparatus which support receives the grip of the hand-held apparatus. While such a support for a hand-held apparatus operated by batteries, as known from European patent application 568 800, can be realized without problems, the more powerful cable-supplied version of a hand-held apparatus, that is independent of battery operation, requires special measures at the support in order to accommodate the cable connection for such plug-in supports.
German Gebrauchsmuster 95 12 892 therefore provides special slots. However, this requires the cable to be inserted exactly at this location. This complicated insertion has already been realized in the known Gebrauchsmuster so that instead of one slot two slots are provided which both are suitable for extending the cable therethrough.
Even though these slots provide a plurality of insertion possibilities, i.e., in the case of two slots two insertion possibilities, the insertion of the grip into this location at the support requires a relatively great manipulation precision and especially requires the careful attention of the dentist. However, such an attention to detail is undesirable for such hand-held apparatus because the dentist should be able to concentrate fully on the actual dental work without having to attend to special manipulation problems for the dental apparatus he uses.
It is thus understandable that such hand-held apparatus are carelessly placed onto the treatment table or an auxiliary tray where the hand-held apparatus is unprotected. The sensitive end of the light guide is exposed, and, when accidentally catching the connecting cable between the supply station and the hand-held apparatus, the apparatus can be easily pulled off the table and damaged, especially since the surfaces of the hand-held apparatus as well as of the table or tray are usually very smooth for reasons of hygiene.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light curing device of the aforementioned kind which is improved with respect to manipulation and storage so as to be accepted by dentists as well as with respect to ergonomic aspects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A curing device for light-induced curing of dental materials according to the present invention is primarily characterized by:
a hand-held apparatus containing a light source;
the hand-held apparatus being pistol-shaped comprising a main body and a grip connected to the main body;
a cable connected to the grip for connecting the hand-held apparatus to a supply station;
a support for receiving the hand-held apparatus;
the support detachably connectable to the supply station or a stand such that the support in which the hand-held apparatus is received is storable at the supply station or separate from the supply station.
Advantageously, the support has a bracket for supporting at least a portion of the main body in front of the grip.
Preferably, the bracket provides slanted supporting surfaces along both sides of the main body and beneath the main body.
The bracket is preferably comprised of a bent wire and has two ends insertable into a holder at the supply station or into the stand.
The cable preferably has plugs for detachably connecting the cable to the supply station and the grip.
The cable is preferably provided in different lengths such that an appropriate length is selectable as needed.
The bracket preferably includes two lateral portions and a curved center portion positioned between the lateral portions.
The bracket is advantageously comprised of a bent wire and has two lower ends. When viewed from the ends, the bracket has two parallel, upwardly extending legs and first transition portions extending forwardly in a longitudinal direction of the main body. The lateral portions are connected to the first transition portions and extends to the rear of the main body parallel to the longitudinal direction. The bracket includes two second transition portions extending downwardly and toward one another and connecting the lateral portions and the central curved portion.
The lateral portions preferably have a length between the first and second transition portions that is greater than the width of the grip in the longitudinal direction.
The length of the valor portions is approximately half the length of the main body.
The grip is preferably received and partly surrounded by the central curved portion.
Advantageously, the hand-held apparatus is positionable in the support only in one defined position and the hand-held apparatus, when incorrectly placed into the support, will right itself relative to the support in order to assume the defined position.
Expediently, the hand-held apparatus has a light guide having an end portion angled downwardly. The end portion of the light guide has an end facing the surface of the supply station and positioned directly adjacent to that surface when the hand-held apparatus is received in the support inserted into the holder.
Between the surface of the supply station and the end face of the light guide a safety distance of 1 cm to 2 cm is provided.
The support, when inserted into the stand, is placeable onto a table.
The stand has a support plate extending beneath the end portion of the light guide of the curing device when received in the support.
The support plate has a clamping device for securing the support plate at a table.
The present invention also relates to an apparatus for light-induced curing of dental materials wherein the apparatus comprises a supply station and a hand-held apparatus containing a light source. Preferably, the hand-held apparatus is pistol-shaped and includes a main body and a grip connected to the main body. A cable connects the grip of the hand-held apparatus to the supply station. A support for receiving the hand-held apparatus is provided. The support is detachably connectable to the supply station such that the support in which the hand-held apparatus is received is storable at the supply station or separate from the supply station.
According to the present invention, the light curing device is supported in a support at the supply station whereby the support for the light curing device is detachably supported at the supply station and, when needed, can be removed therefrom. The support together with the light curing device can thus be stored separate from the supply station.
According to an especially advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support is embodied such that the hand-held apparatus is supported at least partially by the support in front of the grip whereby it is especially advantageous when the center of gravity of the hand-held apparatus, when supported on the support, is positioned above the support such that a vertical line through the center of gravity is clearly spaced from the edges of the support and extends through the support. Preferably, a slanted position of the hand-held apparatus is provided so that the grip of the hand-held apparatus points toward the user. However, the sensitive light guide is well protected because it extends above the supply station. The angled end portion of the light guide may be facing the supply station and in this manner is especially protected.
Fritsche Gregor
Rohner Gottfried
Senn Bruno
Ivoclar AG
Korman Alan S.
Lucchesi Nicholas D.
Thompson John C.
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