Dentistry – Apparatus – Tool bit
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-08
2001-06-05
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Tool bit
C451S548000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241522
ABSTRACT:
This claims priority from German Application No. 197000636.1-23, filed Jan. 10, 1997.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a grinding tool for dental purposes.
In the dental field, for instance when teeth or dentures are prepared, many operations must be carried out with a grinding tool. Such grinding tools, which are preferably covered with diamond particles, are already known in the art. In general, dental grinding tools must be very thin so as to carry out extremely thin cuts, they must be flexible to treat curved, three-dimensional surfaces, and they must have an adequate degree of stability.
The rotating grinding tools of the invention can be used in dental laboratories. The strip-like grinding tools are usable in a dentist's office or in a dental laboratory. In general, two different types of grinding tool designs are known in the art. One type consists of a rotating tool which is shaped in the form of a circular disk that has a shaft, while the other type makes use of strips which are covered with abrasive particles.
Furthermore, it is therefore desirable to provide the grinding disk with recesses so that a dental technician or a dentist can look through the rotating disk and at the surface to be treated. These recesses are formed as relatively large holes which are arranged in the central portion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a grinding tool of the above-mentioned type which can be easily produced and reliably used and which offers a high degree of flexibility and enables a user to look at the surface to be treated.
According to the invention this object is achieved in that the support body is provided with a honeycomb structure at least on portions thereof.
The grinding tool of the invention has a number of considerable advantages. With the honeycomb structure it is possible, on the one hand, to provide a plurality of recesses through which a viewer can look during rotation of the grinding disk. On the other hand, the honeycomb structure ensures an adequate degree of stability and strength, so that unintended movement, or the like, is not possible. Furthermore, the honeycomb structure ensures a maximum amount of flexibility, in particular in the area which is covered with the abrasive material. Hence, the grinding tool of the invention can also be used for treating strongly curved surfaces without the support body being permanently deformed.
Another advantage follows from the fact that additional machining space is formed by the honeycomb structure.
In an advantageous development of the present invention, the honeycomb structure comprises recesses defined by webs. These recesses may be shaped as hexagons or substantially as rectangles. It is possible to arrange the recesses in the form of a uniform pattern, but they may also be arranged as partial segments of a circle or a circular disk. This is especially advantageous in the case of substantially rectangular recesses.
Furthermore, it is advantageous according to the invention when the webs are covered with abrasive material, for instance with diamond particles. The abrasive material is applied in the same manner as is known from the prior art, so that a detailed description can be dispensed with.
The web structure of the invention may be designed such that it comprises embossments defined by webs. These embossments are shaped in the form of beads and increase the stability of the support body.
The size of the individual webs can be adapted to the respective requirements; it is possible to use very fine honeycombs or large-sized honeycombs. Furthermore, different concentric portions of the support body can be provided with differently designed honeycomb structures. It is also possible to arrange the honeycomb structure just on a few concentric portions, or the honeycomb structure may only be provided on segment-like portions. However, it goes without saying that the support body according to the invention may also be provided with the honeycomb structure substantially over the whole surface.
Furthermore, it is advantageous to arrange a combination of web structures with recesses or embossments. For instance, the strength of the support body can be increased by just providing embossments in the central or middle portion, while the recesses are arranged on an edge portion.
According to the invention the support body can be made from a metallic material or a plastic material. When a metallic material is used, spring band steel, titanium, a titanium-nickel alloy, or the like, may be used.
In sum, the present invention relates to a grinding tool for dental purposes comprising a support body which is covered at least in part with abrasive material, characterized in that the support body is provided with a honeycomb structure, at least on portions thereof.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
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Danger Karl-Heinz
Kullmer Michael
Schon Jurgen
Gebruder Brasseler GmbH & Co.
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
Wilson John J.
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