Dentistry – Orthodontics – Bracket
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-30
2001-04-17
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Orthodontics
Bracket
C433S014000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217321
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an orthodontic bracket.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional orthodontic brackets are generally well known, in which mounts each provided with a slot for receiving an orthodontic wire on the base thereof are so arranged as to face each other with a desired spacing therebetween, and each mount is provided on both sides thereof with projecting wings.
To fix the orthodontic wire using such a bracket, a length of ligature wire is applied across the orthodontic wire received in the slots to be trained around the underside of the wings to be tied.
Also, the inventor of the present application has filed an application on a constitution, in which a latch groove is provided outside of a base of a mount on a bracket, and a length of elastic wire is separately bent to form a pressing spring for fixation of an orthodontic wire in a slot. With the pressing spring, fixing portions on both ends of the spring are fixed to the base, bent portions provided contiguous to the fixing portions are held in the latch groove of the mount, and a pressing portion adapted to lie over the slot is formed from upright portions, which extend beyond the bent portions, and is used to elastically press the orthodontic wire.
An orthodontic bracket, which uses the above-described ligature wire to fasten an orthodontic wire in slots, requires a troublesome fastening operation, thus disadvantageously taking much time in an orthodontic operation.
Also, the bracket, which uses the above-described pressing spring and on which the inventor of the present application filed an application for patent, is of less utility because the bent portions of the pressing spring are liable to disengage from the latch groove and the fixing portions on both ends of the spring have to be fused to the base.
In light of the disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention provides an orthodontic bracket, which is capable of smoothly performing an orthodontic operation without the need of any troublesome fastening operation, and surely fixing an orthodontic wire in slots by pressing the wire with suitable elastic force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To attain the above-described object, an orthodontic bracket, according to the present invention, comprises a bracket body and a pressing spring. The bracket body comprises mounts provided on a base with a predetermined spacing therebetween in a facing fashion and provided in the middle thereof with slots for receiving therein an orthodontic wire, the mounts being formed with axial holes, which are provided in the bases of the mounts to extend below the slots in the same direction as the slots do. Further, the pressing spring is formed by bending a wire and comprises a pressing portion, which is provided at the central portion of the spring and has a length bridging the two slots, and which is bent at both ends thereof in the same direction to bridge the two slots, upright portions formed at both ends of the pressing portion to rise upright along the outside of the slots, bent portions provided at the tip ends of the upright portions to extend along the underside of the slots, axial support portions formed at the tip ends of the bent portions to bend inward to extend through the axial holes, and latches bent and formed at the tip ends of the axial support portions to extend along the base in the spacing in a direction, which enables the pressing portion to pressingly abut against the orthodontic wire in the slots.
Further, if the slots in the bracket body has a great depth, the axial holes may be provided to extend on one side of the slots in the bases of the mounts in the same direction as the slots do, and the tip ends of the upright portions on the pressing spring may be bent inward to directly form the axial support portions, which extend through the axial holes.
Further, in some cases, the bracket body comprises an auxiliary tube provided on one side of the base, mounts provided on the other side of the base with a spacing therebetween in a facing fashion, and a slot formed between the two mounts and the auxiliary tube to receive therein an orthodontic wire, two mounts being provided at the bases thereof with axial holes, which extend in the same direction as the slots do, and the tip ends of the upright portions on the pressing spring may be bent inward to form the axial support portions, which extend through the axial holes.
The orthodontic bracket, according to the present invention, comprises a bracket body and a pressing spring.
The bracket body comprises mounts provided on a base with a predetermined spacing therebetween in a facing fashion and provided in the middle thereof with slots for receiving therein an orthodontic wire. Wings are provided in the upper and outward portion of the respective mounts to protrude therefrom. The respective mounts are formed with axial holes, which are provided below the slots to extend in the same direction as the slots do.
Further, the pressing spring is formed by bending a round or rectangular wire, and comprises a pressing portion, which is provided at the central portion of the spring and has a length bridging the two slots, and which is bent at both ends thereof in the same direction to bridge the two slots, upright portions formed at both ends of the pressing portion to rise upright along the outside of the slots, bent portions provided at the tip ends of the upright portions to extend along the underside of the slots, axial support portions formed at the tip ends of the bent portions to bend inward to extend through the axial holes, and latches formed at the tip ends of the axial support portions. The latches are made stationary along the base in the spacing in a direction, in which the pressing portion can pressingly abut against an orthodontic wire in the slots.
Further, if the slots in the bracket body have a great depth, the axial holes may be provided to extend on one side of the slots in the bases of the mounts in the same direction as the slots do, and the tip ends of the upright portions on the pressing spring may be bent inward to directly form the axial support portions, which extend through the axial holes. In this case, no bent portions are provided between the upright portions and the axial support portions.
Further, the bracket body comprises an auxiliary tube provided on one side of the base, and mounts provided on the other side of the base with a spacing therebetween. The auxiliary tube may include a round tube and a rectangular tube. A slot is formed between the two mounts and the auxiliary tube to receive therein an orthodontic wire, the two mounts being provided at the bases thereof with axial holes, which extend in the same direction as the slots do. Wings are provided in the upper and outward portion of the respective mounts to protrude therefrom. In some cases, the tip ends of the upright portions on the pressing spring are bent inward to form axial support portions, which extend through the axial holes.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2548864 (1951-04-01), Brusse
patent: 4260375 (1981-04-01), Wallshein
patent: 5908293 (1999-06-01), Voudouris
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
Wilson John J.
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