CA1165594A - Vibratory device with fluid transport means - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure An air-driven dental scaler (10) is disclosed having water transport means for delivering water to a scaling type work tool (26). The water transport means comprises a tube (103) coaxially disposed within a vibratable hollow shaft (38). The water tube is supported at one end within a resilient support assembly (110) which pro-vides a water seal between the coaxially disposed vibrat-able shaft (38) and water transport tube (103). The water seal assembly is positioned forwardly of a vibra-tional node characteristic of a standing wave created during operation of the dental scaler. An axial force exerted on the water seal assembly (110) during vibration of the vibratable shaft (38) improves the efficacy of the water seal between the shaft (38) and the water transport tube (103), The single, resilient support for the water transport tube provides for quick replacement of the water tube in the event of clogging of the tube by mineral deposits or sediment.
The invention is also applicable to air- or fluid-driven vibratory devices having non-driving fluid trans-port means associated therewith.

Description

~ 1 ~ 5 5 9 4 19 320~19~90-FF

VI~RATORY DEVICE WITH FLUID
TRANSPORT ~EANS
~___ _ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field Power driven dental scalers are well known. O
particular interest herein is a dental scaler having vibratable scaling work tool for removing calculus from teeth, which den~al scaler utilizes a stream of water to aid in scaling efficiency and in removal of accL~mulated debris.
State of the Art Of the power driven dental scalers cLLrrently avail-able, most colNmon are scalers utilizing a flow of com-pressed air or a solid-state ultrasonic transducer to cause a scraping type work tool to vibrate.
Typical of the earlier air-driven dental scalers are those of U.S. Patents No. 3,0~2,529 and ~o. 3,444,622 to Mills et al, which scalers utilize an air-driven ball contained in a chamber. Movement of the ball ayainst the walls of the chamber imparts vibration to the chamber, which vibrations are then transmitted to the scrapin~
tool. A more recent type of air-~riven scaler, described in U.S. Patent No. 3,526,962 to Fuerst, utilizes a rotat-able mandrel which has an irre~ularly-shaped tip engaged with a reciprocable block in which the mandrel tip is .
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~2--received.
It is characteristically a problem of these air driven scalers that much of the vibrational energy gene-rated by the vibrator mOtQr is transferred to the handle portion of the dental scaler rather than to the scraper work tool. Moreover, the modes of vibration of these scalers may change as moving parts of the vibration gene-rating mechanism wear with time.
In U.S. Patent Mo. 3,703,037 to Robinson, there is described a dental scaler which utilizes a solid state ultrasonic transducer to provide constant modes of vibra-tion for coupling with particular types of work tools.
One disadvantage of the ultrasonic scaler, ho~ever, is the cost of the transducer and its fairly sophisticated ultrasonic generator.
A different air-driven dental scaler is disclosed in U.S. Patent Reissue No. 29,687 to Sertich. This dental scaler has very few moving parts as compared to the aforementioned mechanically complicated air-driven scalers and provides efficient transfer of vibrational energy to a scraping-type work tool with relatively little vibration being transferred to the handle portion of the instrument. Moreover, this type of scaler pro-vides uniform modes o~ constant vibration which may be ~5 matched with the vibratory modes of various types of work tools without the need for complicated electronic compo-nents.
It has been found that a flow of water over a tooth surface can provide increased scaling efficiency and patient comfort by lubricating the tooth surface and by flushing scaled debris and blood from the surface and area being cleaned. ~ solid state type dental scaler utilizing a flow of water to improve cleaning efficiency - is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,038,571 to Hellenkamp, One disadvantage~of the Hellenkamp device, in addition to 1~320/19490-FF

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that of relatively high cost, is the shock hazard asso^
ciated with the use of both electrical power and water in a hand-held instrument.
It wo~ld be desirable to have a non electrical, air-driven dental scaler having means for delivering water to the scaler tip. Of particular advantage would be a relatively low-cost air-driven dental scaler having the scaling efficierlcy advantages of the "Sertich-type"
scaler together with the advantage of water flow at the scaler tip to enhance the cleanin~ action.
A particular problem which occurs frequently in the use of dental instruments utilizing water transport tubes with small bores (such as 0.0~0 inch or less) is clogging of the tube with sediment or minerals carried in the stream of water. Hence, it would be of benefit for a scaler to have a water supply tube that is easily access-ible and quickly replaceable in the event it becomes clogged.
There is need, therefore, for a compact, readily repairable air-driven dental scaler having means incor-porated therein or delivering water to a scaling tip.
SUMMARY OF THE IN~IENTION
An air driven vibratory-type dental scaler is pro-vided which comprises elongated casing means having a proximal or rearward end and a distal or forward end, resilient support means within the casing means r a sub-stantially rigid hollow shaft supported within the elon-gated casing means by the resilient s~pport means, work tool connecting means attache~ to the distal end o~ the hollow shaft, the work tool connecting means capable of operatively connectiny a work tool to the distal end of the hollow shaft, means for imparting vibration to the resiliently supported hollow sha~t when the dental scaler is energized to provide vibratory movement to a work tool .

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connected to the work tool connec~ing means, water trans-port means compr.isiny a tube disposed substanti.ally coaxially within the hollow shaft, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end, a water seal assembly for supporting the distal end of the water transport tube within the hollow shaft, the dental scaler having a vibrational node near the distal end of the hollow shaft, the water seal assembly disposed forwardly of the vibra-tional node at a distance up to about one-quarter of a vibrational wa~elength, preferably about one-sixteenth to about one-quarter of a vibrational wavelength.
As another aspect of the invention, the dental scaler may include elongated casing means having a proxi-mal end and a distal end, resilient support means within the casing means, a substantially ri~id hollow shaft supported within the elongated casing means by the resil-_ ient support means, work tool connecting means attached to the distal end of the hollow shaft, the work tool con-necting means capable of operatively connecting a work tool to the distal end of the hollow shaft, means for imparting vibration to the resiliently supported hollow shaft when the dental scaler is energized to provide vibratory movement to a work tool connected to the work tool connecting means, water transport means comprising a ~S tube disposed substantially coaxially within the ho.llow shaft, support means for detachably supporting the water transport tube within the hollow shaft including sealing means disposed about the distal end of the tube for forming a water-tight seal between the hollow shaft and the wa~er transport tube and flexible connecting means within the elongated casing means for detachably connect-ing the proximal end of the water transport tube to an external source of water.
As a part of either aspect of the invention, the hollow sha~t can have shoulder means disposed upon an ~ l~t~9~

inner wall portion thereof, the shoulder means being disposed forwardly of the vibrational node, and the seal ing means includes a cylindrically-shaped hody in contact with the shoulder means and having a plurality of ~nnular grooves each of which contains an O-ring such that water-tight seals are established with the adjacent surfaces of the hollow shaft and the water transport tube.
In still another aspect of the invention, the dental scaler or vibratory device can include torque reaction means to oppose twisting forces applied to the vibratable tube durin~ engagement or disengagement of a work tool with or from one end of the vibratable tube.
Dental scalers as described herein have an easily accessible and replaceable water transport tube which occupies a relatively small portion of the scaler hous-ing. It is, therefore, quite compact affording good tactile control. Also, dental scalers of this inventlon have a water transport means which does not interfere with the vibratory pattern characteristic of this type of ~0 dental scaler. Inasmuch as only one water seal is neces-sary between the tube and its support within the hollow shaftl repair of the water transport means may be per-formed quickly and at relatively little expense.
DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT~Y PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dental scaling instrument of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side elevational view, partly in section, of the dental scaler of FIG. l;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view o a water seal assem-bly suitable for sealing the water transport tube within the dental scalers of FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the water transport tube shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a typical standin~ wave generated by a dental scaler of this inven-tion illustrating the position o vib.ratory nodes within the scaler body;
FIG. 6 .is an enlarged ~ragmentary vi.ew of the water seal assembly which provides a water tight seal between the vibratory shaft and the water transport tube;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, partly in sec-tion, of the nose piece and work tool associated with the scaler of FIG. 1 showing the passa~eway and groove for directing water from the water transport tube to the end of the scaling tip;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the torque reaction means of the invention associated with the vibratory driving mechanism; and FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the torque reaction means of FIG. 8.
Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a dental scaliny instrument 10 comprising a handle 12 which includes a barrel 14 and a neck 16. Attached to the distal end I8 of scaler 10 is a nose piece 20. Secured within nose piece 20 is a shank 24 of a work tool or tip 26 having a curved end 28. As shown in detail in the cross-sectional v;ew of FI5. 2, handle 12 provides an elongated casing within which is mounted resilient support means comprising a ~irst or front resilient support 30 includlng a pair of O-rings 31. A second or rear resilient support is provided by a cylindrical tube 32 o~ resilient material which is sleev-ably engaged about a boss portion 34 secured to a rigid rear support 3G. Disposed substantially coaxially with respect to elongated handle 12 is a vibratable, substan-tially rigid, hollow shaft 38. Nose piece 20 is con-nected to the distal end of hollow shaft 38.
Disposed about a mid-portion of shaft 38 is a sleeve-like rotor 40. As shown in FIG. 2, during operation of the scaler, rotor 40 is disposed substantially coaxially lg320/19490-FF

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~7--1 with respect to shaft 38, there being a gap 42 established between rotor 40 and an adjacent portion of side wall 44 of shaft 38. In actual assembly with rotor 40 at rest, rotor 40 will be supported upon shaft 38 so that a portion of rotor 40 will rest upon side wall portions of shaft 38.
Located in side wall portions of shaft 38 are a plurality of outlet ports 46 which connect passageway 48 of shaft 38 to gap 42.
As indicated by the arrows in F.IG. 2, a fluid medium, such as compressed air, is supplied f;rom a source (not shown) through a supply tube 49 which passes through an axially disposed opening 50 in end cap 51. The flow of compressed air passes into plenum 52 and through passageway 48 to fluid media outlet ports 46. The flow of compressed air which exhausts through outlet ports 46 strikes the inner wall rotor 40 and urges rotor 40 to rotate about the longitudinal axis of shaft 38. Each of outlet ports 46 has an axis which is offset or spaced at a distance from the longitudinal axis of shaft 38, such that each port axis does not intersect the axis of shaft 38. Thus each of ports 46 directs a jet of air at a glancing angle with respect to the inner wall of rotor 40 so as to impart rotary movement to rotor 40.
~fter imparting rotary movement to rotor 40, the air 25 exhausts through the gap 42 between rotor 40 and shaft 38 and is then ~xhausted from the interior of barrel 14 through exhaust ports 56 disposed circumferentially about a rearward portion of barrel 14. 5top means comprising an annular-shaped guide 58 affixed to shaft 38 prevents travel ; 30 of rotor 40 in an axial direction toward the forward or distal end of shaft 38. A further description of the manner in which the spinning rotor 52 imparts vibration to shaft 3~ may be found in the aforementioned U.S. Patent Reissue No. 29,687 ~' ~ ~5~

The dental scaler further includes means for trans-porting water from an external source to work tool 26 and its curved end 28. A first water transport hose 100 located at the rearward or proxirnal end of scaler 10 .is mounted in a detachable coupling 101. First water hose 100 is connected to an external source of water [llOt shown), the forward end o the hose being connected to one end of a riyid tube 103 which passes through a pas-sageway in support body 102. Tube 103 is disposed sub-stantially coaxially with respect to hollow shaft 38.Water transport tube 103 extends through hollow shaft 38 toward the distal end of scaler 10 and terminates distally from water seal assembly 110. Tube 103 is covered with an elastomeric tube covering 104 to elimi-nate vibration build-up within tube 103. The forward or distal end 106 of water tube 103 extends into plenum 108.
Water tube end 106 is supportably received within a water seal assembly 110 located at the forward or distal end of dental scaler 10. As shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 6, water seal assembly 110 compri~es a cylin-drical body 112 having a passageway 114 coaxially dis-posed with respect to the axis of body 112. Running cir-cumferentially about the outer side wall of cylindrical body 112 are a pair of spaced annular grooves 116, one adjacent each end of cylindrical body 112. Disposed within each of grooves 116 is an O-ring 118 fabricated of a resilient material. O-rings 118 serve to position cylindrical body 112 within the forward end of hollow shaft 38 by frictional engagement of O-rings 118 with portions of inner wall 120 of hollow shaft 38. Within a mid-portion of cylindrical:body 112 is a chamber formed by an annular groove 122 running circumferentially along a portion of inner wall 124 between grooves 116. Con-tained within groove 122 is an O-ring 126 which is in frictional engagement with the walls of groove 122 and 5~
_9_ with a portion o~ water tube end 105. O-ring 126 helps to properly position tube 10~ centrally within hollow sha~t 38.
Water seal assembly 110 provides a resilient support S for water transport tube 103 within vibratable hollow shaft 38 by means of O-rings 118 and 126. Also, O-rings 118 and 126 provide a water-ti~ht connection between plenum 108 and air passageway 48 within hollow shaft 38, It is an advantage of the dental scaler of this invention that either, or both, o the water seaI assem-bly 110 and water transport tube 103 are easily replace-able in the event of failure of one of the sealing O-rings or of clogging of the water tube. It is also a feature of this invention that a good water-tight seal is ensured by the sealing contact of the O-rings forming part of water seal assembly 110 with the ad]acent por-tions of vibratable hollow shaft 38 and water tube 103.
Illustrated in FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a standing wave pattern generated within the dental scaler by vibration of shaft 38 at a frequency typically at about ~000 Hz. The standing wave characteristically has four vibrational nodes occurring at points "A", 'tB", "C"
and "D". Node "A" occurs within or adjacent a portion of nose piece 20, node "B" within front suspension 30, node "C" at a mid-portion of vibratable hollow sha~t 38 and node "D" close to rear suspension 32. Placement of the water seal assembly 110 close to a vibrational node (e.g., node "B") minimizes the amount of vibrational energy transferred to water tube 103 from hollow shaft 38, which transfer of vibration would drain energy from the vibrating shaft while at the same time cause tur-bulence within the water tube and/or possible vibratory failure of the tube.
It has been found that by positioning the center of gravity of water seal assembly 110 slightly forwardly of node "~", that is, toward the distal end of scaler 10, annular edge 130 of cylindrical ~ody 112 is maintained in contact with a shoulder 132 in a wall portion of sha~t 38~ Provided water seal assembly 110 i5 SO positioned with its center of gravity forward of node "B", the cen-trifugal conical whirl of shaft 38 ~uring its vibratory movement imparts a force on cylindrical body 112 tending to move body 112 in a forward axial direction toward the distal end of scaler 10, which axial force ensures con-tinuous contact between cylindrical body 112 and shoulder132 without the need for supplemental retaining means.
The magnitude of the axial force, FA, acting on cylindrical body 112 may be calculated hy the following equation FA = mr ~tan ~
wherein "m" is the mass oE the water seal assembly, "r"
is the radius of the orbit of revolution traced by the portion of the vibrating shaft for the particular axial position of the water seal assembly with respect to a node, "~" is the orbital speed of that portion of the vibratable shaft and "~" is the angle established between the conically whirling vibratable shaft and the axis of the revolution of the shaft. This axial retaining force is especially needed to hold water seal assembly 110 in place when rotor 40 coasts to a standstill after the driving fluid is turned oEf, at which time there is no driving fluid pressure acting on assembly 110 to hold body 112 in its forwardmost distal position. The dis-tance the water seal assembly should be positioned along 3~ the axis forward of node "B" can be related to the fre-quency of vibration, ~. This distance forward of node "B" is up to about one-quarter of a vibrational wave-length, generally about one-sixteenth to about one-quarter of a vibrational wavelength, with the axial posi-tion of the center of gravity of the water seal assembly ~ ~6s~g~

preferably beillg at a distance o~ just less than about one-quarter wavelength forward o~ the vibrational node.
Duriny operation of the scaler when water seal assembly 110 is in contact with shou:Lder 132, plenum 108 s receives water from tube 103 for delivery to a second or forward passageway 13~ located at the distal end of the scaler. As can best be seen in Fig. 7, second passageway 134 communicates with a further passageway 136 in the shank of nQse piece 20 which, in turn, is in communica lQ tion with a groove 138 in the surface of the work tool itself. The groove in the worlc tool provides a pathway for delivery of water along the working surfaces of work tool 26 to the scaling tip 28.
The illustrated dental scaler further includes lS torque reaction means to resist twisting movement applied to tube or hollow shaft 38 when work tool 26 is tightened onto or loosened from tube 33.
The torque reaction means comprises a sleeve 9Q
adapted to be fixedly engageable with the inner wall of a handpiece housing or instrument barrel. A sleeve exten-sion 92 has a diameter substantially less than that of sleeve 90. A portion of sleeve extension 92 provides a slot 94.
Vibratable tube 38 is mounted within sleeve exten-sion g2 upon a resilient support as provided by a cylin-drical tube or cylinder 32 of resilient material. One end of cylinder 32 is engaged around a boss 34 which is integrally formed with the body portion of the torque reaction means. The other end of cylinder 32 is engaged about a proximal end portion of vibratable tube 38.
Affixed to a portion of tube 38 is a torque reaction pin 91, which projects into slots 94 of sleeve extension 92. Gaps between pin 112 and the walls defining slots 94 allow limited movement of vibratable tube 38 in the ~ ~5~9~

cloclcwise or counter-clockwise directions during tighten-ing or loosening of a work tool threadably engaged with the distal end of vibratable tube 38. ~ypically, tube~ 38 may move as much 30 before pin 91 contacts sleeve exten-sion 92, although more or less movement may be providedby widening or narrowing slots 94. The lost motion con-nection between pin 91 and slot 94 thus provides for isolation of the vibratable tube from metalliG portions of sleeve extension 92 so that transmission of vibration from tube 38 to the handle portion is minimized.
Although this invention has been described with reference to the incorporation of means for transporting water through the dental scaler of this invention, it is also contemplated that other fluids, such as medicaments (e.g., caries-removing li~uids) or prophalytic or thera-peutic agents (e.g., liquid fluoride compositions) com-patible with dental practice can be used in conjunction therewith.
Although this invention has been described with reference to a dental scaler, it is also applicable to vibratory devices of like or similar configuration which are used for other purposes, such as medical, veterinary, and general industrial cleaning, polishing and deburring, etc. Such vibratory devices can have water, air, paraffin or other fluid materials transported there-through in accordance with the teachings of this invention.
By centrally or axially positioning the water transport means of this invention within the vibratable hollow shaft, the overall size and dimension of the scaler does not change; therefore, good weight balance ; and tactile control are retained, and the scaler stays sufficiently small to be inserted, without undue comort, into the patient's mouth. In addition, by supporting .he water transport means and the vib~atable shaft in the ~ ~655~

manner as shown, energy losses tllrough transfer of vibra-tion from the shaft to the wat:er tube are minimizedr as is ~eneration o~ noise ~hich might be objectionable to both operator and patient alike. Through use of the S detachable coupling 101 and the water seal assembly 1l0, and the associated elements, as described herein, the water supply function is obtained in a manner which is readily repaired or replaced if the need arises.
While this invention has been described with refer-ence to specific embodiments thereof, it should be under-stood by those skilled in this art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the inven-tion. In addition, various novel elements, as described lS herein, can be used individually or collectively, as desired. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims (25)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEDGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A vibratory device comprising: elongated casing means having a proximal end and a distal end; resilient support means within said casing means; a substantially rigid hollow shaft supported within said elongated casing means by said resilient support means; work tool connecting means attached to the distal end of said hollow shaft, said work tool connecting means capable of operatively connecting a work tool to the distal end of said hollow shaft; means for imparting vibration to said resiliently supported hollow shaft when said vibratory device is energized by a gaseous fluid to provide vibratory movement to a work tool connected to said work tool connecting means; water transport means comprising a tube disposed substantially coaxially within said hollow shaft, said tube having a proximal end and a distal end; a water seal assembly for supporting the distal end of said water transport tube within said hollow shaft; said vibratory device characterized by having a vibrational node near the distal end of said hollow shaft with said water seal assembly being disposed distally of the vibrational node.

2. The vibratory device of Claim 1, wherein said support means is adapted for detachably supporting said water transport tube within said hollow shaft, said support means comprising said water seal assembly disposed about the distal end of said water transport tube for forming a water-tight seal between said hollow shaft and said water transport tube, and coupling means for positioning the proximal end of said water transport tube within the proximal end of said casing means.

3. The vibratory device of claim 1, wherein said hollow shaft has shoulder means disposed upon an inner wall portion of said hollow shaft, said shoulder means disposed distally of the vibrational node; and said water seal assembly comprises a hollow cylindrically-shaped body having a forward surface adapted to contact said hollow shaft shoulder means.

4. The vibratory device of claim 3, wherein said cylindrically-shaped body has a forward annular groove and a rearward annular groove on the exterior surface thereof, an O-ring disposed within said forward annular groove and an O-ring disposed within said rearward annular groove, said O-rings cooperating with portions of the inner wall of said hollow shaft to resiliently support said water seal assembly within said hollow shaft.

5. The vibratory device of claim 4, wherein one or both of said O-rings form a water-tight seal with said portions of the inner wall of said hollow shaft in contact therewith.

6. The vibratory device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said cylindricall-shaped body has a passageway extending therethrough, an annular groove in the wall of said cylindrically-shaped body defining said passageway, an O-ring within said groove for resiliently supporting said water transport tube within said passageway, said water transport tube forming a water-tight seal with said O-ring in contact therewith.

7. The vibratory device of claim 3, wherein said cylindrically-shaped body has a forward annular groove and a rearward annular groove on the exterior surface thereof, an O-ring disposed within each of said forward and rearward annular grooves, said O-rings cooperating with portions of the inner wall of said hollow shaft to resiliently support said water seal assembly within said hollow shaft; said cylindrically-shaped body has a passageway extending therethrough, an annular groove in the wall of said cylindrically-shaped body defining said passageway, said annular groove adjacent said passageway longitudinally positioned between said annual grooves on the exterior surface of said cylindrically-shaped body, an O-ring within said annular groove adjacent said passageway for resiliently supporting said water transport tubes within said passageway, said water transport tube forming a water-tight seal with said O-ring in contact therewith.

8. The vibratory device of claim 1, further including means for removably mounting said water transport means within said hollow shaft.

9. The vibratory device of claim 2, wherein said coupling includes a support body having a passageway therethrough, the proximal end of said water transport tube passing through said passageway and adapted to be connected to an external source of water.

10. The vibratory device of claim 1, further including a water transport passageway extending through said work tool connecting means, the proximal end of said passageway being in operagle connecting with the distal end of said water transport tube.

11. The vibratory device of claim 10, further including a work tool operably connected to said work tool connecting means, said work tool having a groove extending longitudinally along the surface thereof, said groove being in communication with said passageway for transporting water from said water transport tube and said passageway to the distal end of said work tool.

12. The vibratory device of claim 2, wherein said hollow shaft has shoulder means disposed upon an inner wall portion of said hollow shaft, said shoulder means disposed distally of the vibrational node; and said water seal assembly comprises a hollow cylindrically-shaped body having a forward surface adapted to contact said hollow shaft shoulder means.

13. The vibratory device of claim 12, wherein said cylindrically-shaped body has a forward annular groove and a rearward annular groove on the exterior surface thereof, an O-ring disposed within said forward annular groove and an O-ring disposed within said rearward annular groove, said O-rings cooperating with portions of the inner wall of said hollow shaft to resiliently support said water seal assembly within said hollow shaft.

14. The vibratory device of claim 13, wherein one or both of said O-rings form a water-tight seal with said portions of the inner wall of said hollow shaft in contact therewith.

15. The vibratory device of claim 12, wherein said cylindrically-shaped body has a forward annular groove and a rearward annular groove on the exterior surface thereof, an O-ring disposed within each of said forward and rearward annular grooves, said O-rings cooperating with portions of the inner wall of said hollow shaft to resiliently support said water seal assembly within said hollow shaft; said cylindrically-shaped body has a passageway extending therethrough, an annular groove in the wall of said cylindrically-shaped body defining said passageway, said annular groove adjacent said passageway longitudinally positioned between said annual grooves on the exterior surface of said cylindrically-shaped body, an O-ring within said annular groove adjacent said passageway for resiliently supporting said water transport tubes within said passageway, said water transport tube forming a water-tight seal with said O-ring in contact therewith.

16. The vibratory device of claim 1 further comprising torque reaction means affixed to said elongated means and associated with said shaft for resisting torque applied to said shaft during torsional engagement or disengagement of a work tool with said work tool connecting means.

17. The vibratory device of claim 16, wherein said torque reaction means comprises a substantially cylindrical torque reaction tube coaxially disposed about one end of said shaft; and lost motion connecting means connecting said substantially cylindrical tube with said shaft.

18. The vibratory device of claim 17, wherein said lost motion connecting means comprises a slot in one end portin of said substantially cylindrical tube and a pin affixed to said shaft transversely with respect to said shaft, said pin engaging said slot so as to form a lost motion connection between said substantially cylindrical tube and said shaft to limit rotation of said shaft within said substantially cylindrical tube.

19. The vibratory device of claim 18, further comprising a first resilient support connected to the proximal end of said vibratable shaft, said first resilient support comprising a cylindrically shaped tube one end of which is in overlying and frictional engagement with said vibratable shaft; a rigid support member capable of frictional engagement with said elongated casing means, said rigid support member having a boss portion frictionally engaged with the other end of said cylindrically shaped tube of said first resilient support.

20. The vibratory device of claim 19, wherein said torque reaction means comprises a sleeve attached to said rigid support member with said sleeve overlying said first resilient support, said sleeve having at least one slot therein overlying a portion of the proximal end of said vibratable shaft; and stop means fixedly attached to a portion of said vibratable shaft at its proximal end, said stop means comprising at least one pin extending transversely of the axis of said shaft and into said slot, said slot and said pin having dimensions sufficient to provide a lost motion connection between said vibratable shaft and said sleeve in a direction clockwise or counter-clockwise of the axis of said vibratable shaft.

21. The vibratory device of claim 2 further comprising torque reaction means affixed to said elongated means and associated with said shaft for resisting torque applied to said shaft during torsional engagement or disengagement of a work tool with said work tool connecting means.

22. The vibratory device of claim 21, wherein said torque reaction means comprises a substantially cylindrical torque reaction tube coaxially disposed about one end of said shaft; and lost motion connecting means connecting said substantially cylindrical tube with said shaft.

23. The vibratory device of claim 22, wherein said lost motion connecting means comprises a slot in one end portin of said substantially cylindrical tube and a pin affixed to said shaft transversely with respect to said shaft, said pin engaging said slot so as to form a lost motion connection between said substantially cylindrical tube and said shaft to limit rotation of said shaft within said substantially cylindrical tube.

24. The vibratory device of claim 23, further comprising a first resilient support connected to the proximal end of said vibratable shaft, said first resilient support comprising a cylindrically shaped tube one end of which is in overlying and frictional engagement with said vibratable shaft; a rigid support member capable of frictional engagement with said elongated casing means, said rigid support member having a boss portion frictionally engaged with the other end of said cylindrically shaped tube of said first resilient support.

25. The vibratory device of claim 24, wherein said torque reaction means comprises a sleeve attached to said rigid support member with said sleeve overlying said first resilient support, said sleeve having at least one slot therein overlying a portion of the proximal. end of said vibratable shaft; and stop means fixedly attached to a portion of said vibratable shaft at its proximal end, said stop means comprising at least one pin extending transversely of the axis of said shaft and into said slot, said slot and said pin having dimensions sufficient to provide a lost motion connection between said vibratable shaft and said sleeve in a direction clockwise or counter-clockwise of the axis of said vibratable shaft.