Dentistry – Orthodontics – Bracket
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-28
2001-02-06
Lucchesi, Nicholas D. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Orthodontics
Bracket
C433S018000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183250
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a lock for orthodontic treatment.
BACKGROUND ART
As a lock for orthodontic treatment, a lock called “ST lock” has been generally known so far. As shown in
FIG. 56
, this lock has a locking portion formed at an end of a wire “a” (shown as formed at opposite ends of the wire in the drawing). The locking portion includes a bent-down portion “b” formed proximally to a distal end of the wire “a”, a horizontal portion “c” extending distally from the bentdown portion “b”, a bent-up portion “d” formed at a distal end of the horizontal portion “c”, and a short pin “e” and a long pin “f” brazed at position “g” between the bent-down portion “b” and the bent-up portion “d”. As shown with respect to one of the locking portions, the short pin “e” and the bent-up portion “d” are inserted respectively into a pipe P
1
and a pipe P
2
which are fixedly attached to a band B fitted on a molar tooth. The long pin “f” is bent onto and fixed to the top end of the pipe P
1
. The “ST” lock is comparatively easy to mount in position, but on the other hand the process of fixing the short and long pins to the wire “a” by brazing involves a very troublesome operation in fabricating the device, because the wire “a” is a material having a thickness of less than 1 mm. Another problem with the device is that comparatively fragile brazed portions are liable to become damaged when a strong pull is applied upon the device in use.
As another type of lock, a lock called “lingual lock” is described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-18572. This device includes lock portions formed adjacent to a distal end of a wire by bending the wire in a hairpin-like fashion at two locations spaced a specified distance. The lock portions are press-fitted respectively into two tubes fixedly provided on a molar tooth band with a specified distance. With this lock, the problem is that high technical skill and precise care are required in the fabrication of the device because the hairpin-like bent portions must be spaced precisely as designed. Another problem is that since the hairpin-like bent portions are inserted into the tubes and held in position merely by frictional force, there is a danger of their slipping off the tube.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In view of these problems with the prior art, the present invention has an object to provide a lock for orthodontic treatment which is comparatively easy to fabricate, simple to handle for locking, has no fragile part liable to damage during use, and can ensure enhanced safety.
In order to accomplish the object, a lock for orthodontic treatment in accordance with the present invention comprises a holding member fixed to a molar band, and a spring wire having an end removably held by the holding member,
the holding member being configured such that the end of the spring wire is held on the holding member by being moved axially along the holding member,
one of the holding member and the spring wire having elasticity in a direction perpendicular to its axis,
the holding member including a first engagement portion for preventing the movement of the end of the spring wire in a mounting direction, and a second engagement portion for preventing the movement of the end of the spring wire in a removing direction, and
the spring wire including a first locking portion for engaging with the first engagement portion of the holding member, and a second locking portion for engaging with the second engagement portion of the holding member,
whereby, when the end of the spring wire is moved axially along the holding member and held on the holding member, the first locking portion of the spring wire engages with the first engagement portion of the holding member and the second locking portion of the spring wire engages with the second engagement portion of the holding member under the elasticity of one of the holding member and the spring wire so that the spring wire is locked by the holding member.
In one embodiment of the invention, the holding member is preferably a holding tube of cylindrical shape into which the spring wire is to be inserted.
In this case, one of the holding tube and the spring wire may have elasticity in a direction perpendicular to the axis thereof. In order to enable the spring wire to have such elasticity, a distal end of the spring wire may be bent to form a spring hook portion. In order to enable the holding tube to have elasticity, the holding tube may be formed with a slit in a longitudinal direction thereof.
In another embodiment of the invention, the holding member preferably has a sectional configuration of H shape or channel shape which comprises a web portion and flange portions extending from both ends of the web portion.
In this case, in order to enable the spring wire to have elasticity, a distal end of the spring wire may be bent to form a spring hook portion.
The lock for orthodontic treatment of the invention constructed as described above is easy to fabricate because it involves no such particular difficulty or complicated job, or high skill as have been required in the manufacture of prior art devices. In use, the spring wire is simply moved axially. To disengage the lock, it is only necessary to push down or push up the outer end of the spring wire, then pull out the wire. Therefore, the device is far much more simple to handle than conventional devices. Locking is positively performed through engagement between the cutout surface portion and the engagement surface portion. In addition, the device has no such fragile part as has been found with prior art devices. Thus, safety in use can be further enhanced.
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patent: 4354834 (1982-10-01), Wilson
patent: 4392826 (1983-07-01), Goshgarian
patent: 4764112 (1988-08-01), Bergersen
patent: 4897035 (1990-01-01), Green
patent: 5707232 (1998-01-01), Strauss et al.
patent: 667 040 (1938-11-01), None
patent: 56-167910 (1981-12-01), None
patent: 418572 (1992-04-01), None
patent: 434901 (1992-06-01), None
patent: 448177 (1992-11-01), None
European Search Report dated Jul. 26, 2000.
Kadobayashi Yusei
Kanno Yoneo
Lucchesi Nicholas D.
Shofu Inc.
Stevens Davis Miller & Mosher L.L.P.
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