US3091857A - Orthodontic device - Google Patents

Description

J1me 1963 J. M. RUBIN ETAL ORTHODONTIC DEVICE Original Filed Oct. 22, 1957 BY Arm/m0 3,691,857 ORTHQDONTIC DEVICE James M. Rubin, 220 (Ientral Park 5., New York, N.Y., and Ronald W. Rubin, New York, N.Y. (620 W. 246th St., Riverrlale, NX.) Continuation of application Ser. No. 691,654, Oct. 22, 1957. This application Feb. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 89,469 6 Claims. (Cl. 32-14) This invention relates generally to an orthodontic device and more specifically to a device for securing orthodonn'c arch wires to teeth to effect the movement and the resultant straightening of said teeth.

Devices for securing arch wires to teeth are not new in the art. However, many devices have failed to operate satisfactorily because they neglected to take into account the minute dimensions of all the parts employed and the fact that the arch wires and the devices for securing them must be applied to a patients teeth, thereby causing discomfort to the patient during extended operating periods.

Existing arch wire engaging devices, or brackets are of three types: The first is a ligating bracket which requires the use of soft wire to tie the arch wire to the bracket. Even in easily accessible locations in the patients mouth, this is a time consuming and difficult operation necessarily causing discomfort to the patient. The second is a non-ligating bracket with a removable cover which may be secured to the bracket for holding the arch wire. This type of bracket has the disadvantage that the loose cover may be dropped while attempting to maneuver it into place in the patients mouth, with the possibility that it could be swallowed by the patient. The third type is a non-ligating bracket with an attached cover which eliminates some of the problems and inconveniences of the previous types of bracket. However, the brackets of this type heretofore developed necessitated that the locking portion be crimped, screwed or twisted into place. Therefore, these brackets are still time consuming to operate and sometimes require excessive forces for securing them, both causing unnecessary discomfort to the patient. Furthermore, it has been known for these brackets to freeze or lock into position, thereby making removal of the brackets or replacing of the arch wires extremely difficult.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an arch wire engaging bracket of simple design.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved arch wire engaging bracket having a hinged cover which can be easily closed and opened.

A further object of this invention is to provide for the securing of arch wires in an engaging bracket and the removal of said arch wires from said bracket with minimal discomfort to the patient.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an arch wire engaging bracket which, when closed, is locked with a force proportional to the pressure exerted by the arch Wire.

Another object of this invention is to provide an arch wire engaging bracket which is completely assembled prior to insertion into the patients mouth, and which has no loose parts which can fall into the patients mouth.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specification.

Generally speaking, in accordance with this invention, an arch wire engaging bracket is secured by any suitable means to a band which Will encircle and be cemented to a patients tooth. The bracket consists of a body portion and a cover portion hinged to the body portion, the body portion being secured to the band. The body portion has one or more grooves therein to accommodate one or more arch wires, and the cover is constructed so as to lock the arch wires in place when the cover is closed. The bracket is secured to the band and one of these composite units is cemented to each of the patients teeth selected by the orthodontist. Bands are placed on at least one tooth adjacent on each side to the tooth to be straightened but bands on a multiplicity of adjacent teeth is not uncommon. The cover of each of the brackets is then opened and one or more arch wires are placed in the body portion of the bracket. The covers are thereupon securely closed so as to lock the arch wire in place. The arch wire is positioned to exert the desired force on the tooth to be straightened.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is bad to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out with particularity in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of five adjacent teeth having the orthodontic device of the invention attached to each tooth with a single arch wire secured by the orthodontic devices.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the orthodontic device attached to a section of a tooth band and having an arch wire secured therein.

FIG. 3 is a broken away view showing the com ponent parts of a device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a broken away view showing a second embodiment of the orthodontic device.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate construction for the latch portion of the orthodontic device.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate construction of the body portion of FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 1, five adjacent teeth 11 are depicted, the central tooth displaced with relation to the smooth are formed by the other teeth. In order to return the center tooth 11 to the regular are formed by the other teeth, it is necessary that a force be exerted upon it for a period of time to eifect movement of the misaligned tooth to its proper position. Attached to each tooth 11 by means of a suitable cement, is a band 12 having an engaging bracket 13 soldered, welded or otherwise attached thereto. An arch wire 14 is secured by each of engaging brackets 13 to exert pressure on the tooth 11 which is out of alignment.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the engaging bracket consists of two parts, a body portion 15 and acover portion 16. Body portion 15 has the configuration of a substantially rectangular block with one of the sides of maximum area positioned to be mounted to band 12. Extending longitudinally near one edge of the same side is a hinge groove 17. In the approximate middle of the opposite side of body portion 15 is an arch wire groove 18 running parallel to hinge groove 17. Projecting from a smaller side furthest from and parallel to hinge groove 17 is a latch 19.

Multiangular cover portion 16 has a U-shaped face 21, the legs of the U being bent at right angles to form the top of cover portion 16 with a member 22 extending between extremities of the legs. Extending at right angles from the lower portions of the legs of the U are two arms 23 which are bent again at right angles to form hinge arms 24. The hinge arms extend towards each other and are parallel to U-shaped face 21. Each of hinge arms 24 is twisted on its axis to form the pivot portion of the cover hinge.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, hinge arms 24 are placed in hinge groove 17 and body portion 15 is secured to band 12. Cover portion tached to body portion 15, the around hinge arms 24. To secure arch wire 14 in groove 18, cover portion 16 is rotated to the closed position and secured therein by member 22 which rides over latch .19. It is noted that the greater the pressure exerted by arch wire 14, the more securely will member 22 abut latch 19. The engaging bracket may be opened by the lifting of member 22 to a height to clear latch U.

In operation, individual engaging brackets are assembled on hands 12, and the bands are cemented to the patients teeth. Once the bands are securely in place, the cover portions 16 of all the engaging brackets 13 are opened and an arch wire 14'is positioned in the arch wire groove 18 of each 'of the engaging brackets. After the arch wire 14 has been positioned, it is locked into place by closing and latching each of the cover portions 16.

FIG. discloses an alternate gaging bracket.

16 is thereby hingedly atcover portion being pivoted construction of the en- Body portion 15 may be provided with a longitudinally extending hole 25 or a hinge groove 17 as disclosed in FIG. 3. Cover portion 16 has arms 23 provided with hole through which pass a pin 26, eliminating the necessity for hinge arms 24. The engaging bracket is assembled by placing cover portion 16 over body portion 15 and securing pin 26 through arms 23 and hole 25 or groove 17. The operation of this embodiment would be identical to that of the engaging bracket disclosed in FIGS. 24. An additional arch wire groove 27 is illustrated to show that the invention is not limited to the utilization of a single arch wire in conjunction with theengaging brackets. In fact, as many arch wires may be used in all embodiments as are considered desirable by the orthodontist applying the device to the patients teeth.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show' an alternate latch construction whereby the latch section in body portion 15 is formed as a latch depression 28 while the cover portion carries a corresponding projection 29. This type of construction may be used in areas where the projection of latch 19 is found undesirable.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate construction of body portion :15 having welding flanges 31 projecting from each side to provide additional area for welding to band 12.

This application has particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed the part, improvement, or combination which is claimed as the invention or discovery, and there has been explained the principles thereof and the best modes contemplated for applying those principles so as a to distinguish the invention from other inventions.

While there has been shown and described certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, as will be clear to those skilled in the art.

I This application is a continuation of application Serial No. 691,654, filed October 22, 1957 and now abandoned.

What is claimed is: I

1. An orthodontic device having body means and cover means pivoted thereto, said body means comprising a substantially rectangular block having a first side, a pivot groove extehding the entire length in said first side near one edge thereof, a second side parallel to said first side, at least one archwire groove extending the entire length in said second side parallel to said pivot groove, a third side between said first and second sides and parallel to said grooves, said third sidebeing the side furthest away from said pivot groove, and latch means in said third side for latching said cover means, said cover means .4 comprising a substantially U-shaped cover portion, the upper ends of the legs of said U extending at right angles to themselves and parallel to each other, a latch member extending between the leg of said U, a pair of arms extending parallel to each other from the lower ends of the legs of said U near the base of said U, and pivot arms extending towards each other at right angles from said arms, said pivot arms each being rotated upon their own axis along the length thereof, said pivot arms riding in said pivot groove for pivoting said cover means with relation to said body means, said latch member adapted to engage said latch means for locking said cover means with relation to said body means.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises a block portion projecting from said third side to latch said latch member when said latch member rides over said block portion.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises a latch groove in said third side and said latch member has a corresponding depressed portion therein, said latch groove adapted to be engaged by said latch member when said cover means is closed with relation to said body means.

4. An orthodontic device having body means, cover means pivoted thereto and a pivot pin, said body means comprising a substantially rectangular block having a first side, a second side parallel to said first side, a pivot hole extending the entire length of said block between said first and second sides, a third side between said first and second sides, said pivot hole being parallel to said third side, a fourth side parallel to said third side, said pivot hole being nearer said third side than said fouth side, at least one arch wire groove extending the entire length of said second side parallel to said pivot hole, and latch means in said fourth side for latching said cover means, said cover means comprising a substantially U-shaped portion, the upper ends of the legs of said U extending at right angles to themselves and parallel of each other, a latch member extending between the legs of said U, a pair of arms extending parallel to each other from the lower ends of the legs of said U near the base of said U, said pair of arms each having a hole therein, said cover means positioned over said body means with said holes in said pair of arms positioned over said pivot 'hole, said pivot pin being secured through said pair of arms and said pivot hole permitting said cover means to pivot with relation to said body means, said latch member adapted to engage said latch means for locking said cover means with relation to said body means.

5. The structure defined in claim 4 wherein said latch means comprises a block portion projecting from said fourth side to latch said latch member when said latch member rides over said block portion.

6. The structure defined in claim 4 wherein said latch means comprises a latch groove in said fourth side and said latch member has a corresponding depressed portion therein, said latch groove adapted to be engaged by said latch member when said cover means is closed with relation to said body means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,381,128 Laskin Aug. 7, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 436,597 Great Britain Oct. 15, 19 35

Claims (1)

1. AN ORTHODONTIC DEVICE HAVING BODY MEANS AND COVER MEANS PIVOTED THERETO, SAID BODY MEANS COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR BLOCK HAVING A FIRST SIDE, A PIVOT GROOVE EXTENDING THE ENTIRE LENGTH IN SAID FIRST SIDE NEAR ONE EDGE THEREOF, A SECOND SIDE PARALLEL TO SAID FIRST SIDE, AT LEAST ONE ARCH WIRE GROOVE EXTENDING THE ENTIRE LENGTH IN SAID SECOND SIDE PARALLEL TO SAID PIVOT GROOVE, A THIRD SIDE BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND SIDES AND PARALLEL TO SAID GROOVES, SAID THIRD SIDE BEING THE SIDE FURTHEST AWAY FROM SAID PIVOT GROOVE, AND LATCH MEANS IN SAID THIRD SIDE FOR LATCHING SAID COVER MEANS, SAID COVER MEANS COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED COVER PORTION, THE UPPER ENDS OF THE LEGS OF SAID U EXTENDING AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THEMSELVES AND PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER, A LATCH MEMBER EXTENDING BETWEEN THE LEGS OF SAID U, A PAIR OF ARMS EXTENDING PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER FROM THE LOWER ENDS OF THE LEGS OF SAID U NEAR THE BASE OF SAID U, AND PIVOT ARMS EXTENDING TOWARDS EACH OTHER AT RIGHT ANGLES FROM SAID ARMS, SAID PIVOT ARMS EACH BEING ROTATED 90* UPON THEIR OWN AXIS ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOF, SAID PIVOT ARMS RIDING IN SAID PIVOT GROOVE FOR PIVOTING SAID COVER MEANS WITH RELATION TO SAID BODY MEANS, SAID LATCH MEMBER ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID LATCH MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID COVER MEANS WITH RELATION TO SAID BODY MEANS.

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