Patent ID: 9289274
Filing Date: 2016-03-22
CPC Classification: A61C

Claim Text:
1. An orthodontic appliance comprising: a base having a bonding surface for attachment to a tooth; a body extending outwardly from the base and an elongated slot thereon extending along a generally mesial-distal direction, the body further comprising a pair of undercut channels on the body; first and second protrusions disposed on the body with the slot extending therebetween, the second protrusion extending in a direction towards the base; and a clip comprising mesial and distal struts each received in one of the pair of undercut channels, slidably engaged to the body and movable between open and closed positions, the first protrusion extending into the clip to retain the clip to the body in an interference fit and the second protrusion extending into the clip in its closed position selectively, wherein the clip comprises at least one deflectable portion aligned along a reference plane extending over the slot and wherein the at least one deflectable portion resiliently bends out of the reference plane in a direction towards the base to traverse the second protrusion as the clip moves between open and closed positions, wherein the clip further comprises first and second open regions located between the mesial and distal struts, the at least one deflectable portion setting the first and second open regions apart from each other.