Dental filing tool handle

An improved handle for a dental filing tool, the tool having an arcuate handle with a horizontal bridge and opposed first and second vertical arms, the improvement including first and second sets of partial-cylindrical grip portions distributed along the outer surfaces of the first and second vertical arms, respectively, the grip portions aligned normal to the handle plane, the respective first and second sets defining convex or concave outer grip profiles and concave front-back grip profiles. An improved handle may further include an embedded socket to receive a coupler for a dental driver, or a projecting coupling to engage a dental driver coupling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to dental filing tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved dental filing tools usable by manual manipulation or mountable to a motorized dental driver.

BACKGROUND

The current conventional method for fitting dental crowns, bridges, onlays and inlays, herein referred to generally as restorations, involves the dental practitioner sliding colored carbon paper, of which the thickness is the recommended measured distance between teeth, between the interproximal area of the tooth and the restoration. The carbon paper marks with carbon ink the proximal contact area where the two surfaces of the teeth and/or restoration are too dose, and then the practitioner grinds the restoration with a rotary instrument to remove excess material.

Another method employed is the stand alone use of a metal filing strip coated with some superfine abrasive material. The metal filing strip is inserted into the interproximal area to file down the proximal contact area of the crown for an accurate fit. Since the space between the tooth and the crown, bridge, onlay, and inlay must not be too close or too spaced apart the practitioner must file incrementally. These steps are repeated until the desired distance between the tooth and the restoration is achieved. Because the filing strip is extremely thin, narrow, and malleable, it is necessary for the practitioner to maintain tension in the strip by holding it taunt at opposite ends with fingers from both hands. Unfortunately holding the filing strip in such as manner is cumbersome in the patient's mouth and impedes the practitioner from achieving desired angles and restricts range of motion to effectively file. Especially when the patient is receiving crowns, bridges, onlays, or inlays in the back of the mouth where it is considerably more difficult to access, it is difficult for the practitioner to file since both hands are needed to hold tension in the strip and often a patient's mouth is too small or cannot open wide enough to accommodate the file comfortably. As a result, the patient must endure strenuous stretching of the lips and jaw area. Often a practitioner struggles to find the best placement for fingers to pinch the strip to create sufficient tension while attempting to minimize the restricting presence of both hands in the patient's mouth. This method is inefficient, tiresome for the practitioner, and uncomfortable for the patient. Moreover, because of the difficulty involved handling the filing strip, often patients sustain suffer small cuts due to the sharp edges of the strip coming in contact with gums and lips while filing the tooth or restoration.

Another method employed is that a thin metal strip coated with fine abrasive material is fastened to a removable bow which is attached an extending handle. Generally, the bow and handle are too long to maneuver in the mouth and limit the size of abrasive strip which is actually providing a working surface, such that it is ineffective for posterior teeth. Additionally, it is difficult to grip the device by the protruding handle, and the protruding handle interferes with gripping from the ends. These drawbacks have been addressed by tools manufactured as unitary handles with the filing strip ends embedded within the arms, or by provided improved positive capture methods for the strips, such as by clamping within the arms—through apertures in the strip ends—using snap fittings.

Generally, hand-held filing apparatus are useful, but can rapidly cause fatigue for the user due to difficulties gripping the device. Purely rectilinear arrangements create flat, smooth opposed surfaces which allow for only one orientation of the gripping fingers—i.e. horizontal. Additionally, sharp corners at the joints inhibit diagonal grips. Front-back gripping is possible, but is still less effective than that provided by a shaped surface. Additionally, knurled surfaces, or surfaces with uniform dispersions of small protrusions or indents, are not particularly effective to enhance gripping on such a small device, especially within the wet and slimy environment of a patient's mouth. These limitations may apply regardless whether the tool is of assembled or unitary construction, and regardless whether the strip is held in tension or bowed.

The present invention solves these problems by providing an improved handle disposed along the outer surfaces of a tool handle, which is compatible with unitary or assembled tools, and which is compatible with filing tools which can be used manually or coupled to a dental driver mechanism.

SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES

The improved handle of the present invention presents numerous advantages, including: (1) provides improved grip with improved orientation to prevent slippage; (2) the use of partial-cylindrical gripping portions provides positive separation to allow saliva to run off between the grip portions rather than accumulating, a common problem in dimpled or cross-hatched grips; (3) is useful for both manual files, and for manual files couplable to a power driven dental driver tool; (4) is useful for unitary handles with a file strip formed into the handle, and for handles designed to be assembled on-site with a file strip; (5) is useful for handles which hold an abrasive strip under tension, as well as handles which hold an abrasive strip with a bow in the strip; (6) is amenable to injection molding methods.

Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Further benefits and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS USED IN DRAWINGS

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before beginning a detailed description of the subject invention, mention of the following is in order. When appropriate, like reference materials and characters are used to designate identical, corresponding, or similar components in differing figure drawings. The figure drawings associated with this disclosure typically are not drawn with dimensional accuracy to scale, i.e., such drawings have been drafted with a focus on clarity of viewing and understanding rather than dimensional accuracy.

Referring toFIGS. 1-6, a first embodiment of an improved dental filing tool10is provided.FIGS. 1-6generally demonstrate a pre-existing design. Referring toFIGS. 1-6, the pre-existing apparatus includes arcuate handle12and a filing strip14. Handle12includes a horizontal bridge16and opposed first and second vertical arms18,20extending in parallel from opposite ends22,24of the bridge to terminal ends26,28, the vertical arms18,20having outer surfaces30,32, respectively, and being adapted to hold filing strip14extending between them, the horizontal bridge16and vertical arms18,20generally defining a handle plane.

The improvement includes first and second sets100,102of partial-cylindrical grip portions104,106,108,110and112,114,116,118, respectively, distributed along the outer surfaces30,32of the first and second vertical arms18,20, respectively, the grip portions104-118extending longitudinally from a first end surface,140-154, respectively, proximate to—and extending past—the handle front surface to a second end surface156-170, respectively, proximate to—and extending past—the handle back surface. The partial-cylindrical grip portions104-118are aligned normal (i.e. with the longitudinal axis aligned transversely) to the handle plane. Grip portions104-118are described as “partial-cylindrical” because the general shape of the protruding portion of their profiles appears like a cylinder embedded transversely within the respective handle vertical arms18and20. Rounded cross-sections such as circles or ovals may provide greater comfort, but a user may prefer sharper edges for use with thicker latex gloves. Rounded cross-sections also make it easier to apply a rounded end surface (140-170) if desired, because the three-dimensional shape is less complex. Additionally, rounded shapes may be easier to produce by injection molding methods, with less dimensional instability problems (common at corner profiles) and more uniform melting.

Each set100,102includes a first grip portion102,112disposed proximate the respective vertical arm terminal end26,28, a second grip portion110,118disposed proximate the connection region34,36of the bridge16and respective vertical arm18,20, and a plurality of spaced-apart interstitial grip portions106,108and114,116distributed between the first and second grip portions104,110and112,118, respectively.

The outer surfaces120,122,124,126and128,130,132,134of each of the first and second sets100,102, respectively, trace a convex grip profile,136,138, respectively. Outer surfaces120-134refer to the exposed exterior surfaces proximate the first and second arm outer surfaces30,32, and excluding end surfaces140-170. Convex grip profiles136,138, can be described as tangent arcs, as each represents a continuous arc intersecting a point on the perimeter or outer surface120-134of each grip portion104-118.

Each grip portion104-118extends from a first end surface140,142,144,146,148150,152,154, respectively, to a second end surface156,158,160,162,164,166,168,170, respectively. The respective end surfaces140-154project outward from the respective front and back handle surfaces,38and40, to provide enhanced grip when held front-back (in the embodiment, the handle front and back form mirror images). In the embodiment, the end surfaces of each of first and second sets100,102of grip portions104-118, project outward from the handle front and back surfaces38,40, and trace a concave grip profile172,174,176,178, with each of the first and second grip portions104,112and110,116, respectively, projecting farther than the respective interstitial grip portions106,108and114,116. In the embodiment, the concave grip profiles172-178trace a tangent arc which intersects with the end-point of each end surface140-146,148-154,156-162and164-170, respectively.

In the embodiment, each of the grip portion first and second end surfaces140-170are rounded, in this case semispherical. Other end surface profiles could be used as well. The rounded surfaces provide greater comfort when tightly gripped.

In the embodiment, each first grip portion104,112is located at the vertical arm terminal end24,26, respectively. Each first grip portion104,112radius matches the corner radius of its respective vertical arm terminal end,24,26such that each outer surface120,128of the respective first grip portion104,112is flush with the outer surface of the vertical arm terminal end26,28, respectively.

In the embodiment, each of the second grip portions,110and118, respectively, is located at the corner of the handle12, at the connection region42,44of the respective vertical arm18,20and horizontal bridge first and second ends22,24. Each second grip portion radius matches the corner radius of handle12, such that the outer surface126,134of the respective second grip portion is flush with the outer surfaces of the respective vertical arm30,32and horizontal bridge outer surface46.

Providing grip portions at the “four corners” of a filing tool, with outer surfaces matching the outer surface contours of the filing tool handle, provides improved grip when fingers are positioned across the diagonal, and provide easier shifting of the user's grip between points along the entire span of the vertical arms—an important consideration in the confined space of a patient's mouth. The convex end-to-end grip profiles136,138and the concave front-to-back grip profiles172,174,176,178provide enhanced gripping for any orientation of the gripping fingers.

Referring toFIGS. 7-12, a second embodiment1010is shown demonstrating an improved filing tool couplable to a power-driven dental driver.FIGS. 7-12generally demonstrate a pre-existing design as in the first embodiment, but the improvement further including a receiving socket1048embedded within handle1012, proximate the second vertical arm—horizontal bridge connection region1036and extending into horizontal bridge1016. Receiving socket1048is adapted to receive a coupler1050, the coupler1050to removably couple the apparatus1010to a dental driver tool. The pre-existing apparatus includes arcuate handle1012and a filing strip1014. Handle1012includes a horizontal bridge1016and opposed first and second vertical arms1018,1020extending in parallel from opposite ends1022,1024of the bridge to terminal ends1026,1028, the vertical arms1018,1020having outer surfaces1030,1032, respectively, and being adapted to hold filing strip1014extending between them, the horizontal bridge1016and vertical arms1018,1020generally defining a handle plane. Receiving socket1048is inset within handle1012, and adapted to receive a coupler1051) to removably couple to a dental driver1052. Receiving socket1048does not extend beyond outer surfaces1120-1134so as not to interfere with manual gripping. In the embodiment, the edge of receiving socket1048is flush with first arm outer surface1032.

The improvement includes first and second sets1100,1102of partial-cylindrical grip portions1104,1106,1108,1110and1112,1114,1116,1118, respectively, distributed along the outer surfaces1030,1032of the first and second vertical arms1018,1020, respectively, the grip portions1104-1118extending longitudinally from a first end surface,1140-154, respectively, proximate to—and extending past—the handle front surface to a second end surface1156-1170, respectively, proximate to—and extending past—the handle back surface. The partial-cylindrical grip portions1104-1118are aligned normal (i.e. with the longitudinal axis aligned transversely) to the handle plane. Grip portions1104-1118are described as “partial-cylindrical” because the general shape of the protruding portion of their profiles appears like a cylinder embedded transversely within the respective handle vertical arms1018and1020. Rounded cross-sections such as circles or ovals may provide greater comfort, but a user may prefer sharper edges for use with thicker latex gloves. Rounded cross-sections also make it easier to apply a rounded end surface (1140-1170) if desired, because the three-dimensional shape is less complex. Additionally, rounded shapes may be easier to produce by injection molding methods, with less dimensional instability problems (common at corner profiles) and more uniform melting.

Each set1100,1102includes a first grip portion1102,1112disposed proximate the respective vertical arm terminal end1026,1028, a second grip portion1110,1118disposed proximate the connection region1034,1036of the bridge1016and respective vertical arm1018,1020, and a plurality of spaced-apart interstitial grip portions1106,1108and1114,1116distributed between the first and second grip portions1104,1110and1112,1118, respectively.

The outer surfaces1120,1122,1124,1126and1128,1130,1132,1134of each of the first and second sets1100,1102, respectively, trace a convex grip profile,1136,1138, respectively. Outer surfaces1120-1134refer to the exposed exterior surfaces proximate the first and second arm outer surfaces1030,1032, and excluding end surfaces1140-1170. Convex grip profiles1136,1138, can be described as tangent arcs, as each represents a continuous arc intersecting a point on the perimeter our outer surface1120-1134of each grip portion1104-1118.

Each grip portion1104-1118extends from a first end surface1140,1142,1144,1146,11481150,1152,1154, respectively, to a second end surface1156,1158,1160,1162,1164,1166,1168,1170, respectively. The respective end surfaces1140-1154project outward from the respective front and back handle surfaces,1038and1040, to provide enhanced grip when held front-back (in the embodiment, the handle front and back form mirror images). In the embodiment, the end surfaces of each of first and second sets1100,1102of grip portions1104-1118, project outward from the handle front and back surfaces1038,1040, and trace a concave grip profile1172,1174,1176,1178, with each of the first and second grip portions1104,1112and1110,1116, respectively, projecting farther than the respective interstitial grip portions1106,1108and1114,1116. In the embodiment, the concave grip profiles1172-1178trace a tangent arc which intersects with the end-point of each end surface1140-1146,1148-1154,1156-1162and1164-1170, respectively.

In the embodiment, each of the grip portion first and second end surfaces1140-1170are rounded, in this case semispherical. Other end surface profiles could be used as well. The rounded surfaces provide greater comfort when tightly gripped.

In the embodiment, each first grip portion1104,1112is located at the vertical arm terminal end1024,1026, respectively. Each first grip portion1104,1112radius matches the corner radius of its respective vertical arm terminal end,1024,1026such that each outer surface1120,1128of the respective first grip portion1104,1112is flush with the outer surface of the vertical arm terminal end1026,1028, respectively.

In the embodiment, each of the second grip portions,1110and1118, respectively, is located at the corner of the handle1012, at the connection region1042,1044of the respective vertical arm1018,1020and horizontal bridge first and second ends1022,1024. Each second grip portion radius matches the corner radius of handle1012, such that the outer surface1126,1134of the respective second grip portion is flush with the outer surfaces of the respective vertical arm1030,1032and horizontal bridge outer surface1046.

The operation of the embodiments is straight forward. The user grips the filing tool handle12,1012with two fingers—typically a thumb and forefinger—at the desired orientation to reach the location to be worked on within a patient's mouth, shifting the orientation of the grip as desired. Any number of methods may be used to produce the improved handle, the most common being by injection molding plastic. However, the handle grip may be accomplished by laser cutting methods, stamping and die cutting, or any other suitable method depending on the handle material.

Referring toFIGS. 13-18, a third embodiment2010is shown demonstrating an improved filing tool couplable to a power-driven dental driver.FIGS. 13-18generally demonstrate a pre-existing design as in the first and second embodiments, but the improvement further includes a projecting coupler2048projecting from handle2012, proximate the second vertical arm terminal end2028.

The pre-existing apparatus includes arcuate handle2012and a filing strip2014. Handle2012includes a horizontal bridge2016and opposed first and second vertical arms2018,2020extending in parallel from opposite ends2022,2024of the bridge to terminal ends2026,2028, the vertical arms2018,2020having outer surfaces2030,2032, respectively, and being adapted to hold filing strip2014extending between them, the horizontal bridge2016and vertical arms2018,2020generally defining a handle plane.

The improvement includes first and second sets2100,2102of partial-cylindrical grip portions2104,2106,2108,2110and2112,2114,2116,2118, respectively, distributed along the outer surfaces2030,2032of the first and second vertical arms2018,2020, respectively, the grip portions2104-2118extending longitudinally from a first end surface,2140-2154, respectively, proximate to—and extending past—the handle front surface to a second end surface2156-2170, respectively, proximate to—and extending past—the handle back surface. The partial-cylindrical grip portions2104-2118are aligned normal (i.e. with the longitudinal axis aligned transversely) to the handle plane. Grip portions2104-2118are described as “partial-cylindrical” because the general shape of the protruding portion of their profiles appears like a cylinder embedded transversely within the respective handle vertical arms2018and2020. Rounded cross-sections such as circles or ovals may provide greater comfort, but a user may prefer sharper edges for use with thicker latex gloves. Rounded cross-sections also make it easier to apply a rounded end surface (2140-2170) if desired, because the three-dimensional shape is less complex. Additionally, rounded shapes may be easier to produce by injection molding methods, with less dimensional instability problems (common at corner profiles) and more uniform melting.

Each set2100,2102includes a first grip portion2102,2112disposed proximate the respective vertical arm terminal end2026,2028, a second grip portion2110,2118disposed proximate the connection region2034,2036of the bridge2016and respective vertical arm2018,2020, and a plurality of spaced-apart interstitial grip portions2106,2108and2114,2116distributed between the first and second grip portions2104,2110and2112,2118, respectively.

In the embodiment, the outer surfaces2120,2122,2124,2126and2128,2130,2132,2134of each of the first and second sets2100,2102, respectively, trace a concave grip profile,2136,2138, respectively. Outer surfaces2120-2134refer to the exposed exterior surfaces proximate the first and second arm outer surfaces2030,2032, and excluding end surfaces2140-2170. Convex grip profiles2136,2138, can be described as tangent arcs, as each represents a continuous arc intersecting a point on the perimeter our outer surface2120-2134of each grip portion2104-2118.

Each grip portion2104-2118extends from a first end surface2140,2142,2144,2146,2148,2150,2152,2154, respectively, to a second end surface2156,2158,2160,2162,2164,2166,2168,2170, respectively. The respective end surfaces2140-2154project outward from the respective front and back handle surfaces,2038and2040, to provide enhanced grip when held front-back (in the embodiment, the handle front and back form mirror images). In the embodiment, the end surfaces of each of first and second sets2100,2102of grip portions2104-2118, project outward from the handle front and back surfaces2038,2040, and trace a concave grip profile2172,2174,2176,2178, with each of the first and second grip portions2104,2112and2110,2116, respectively, projecting further than the respective interstitial grip portions2106,2108and2114,2116. In the embodiment, the concave grip profiles2172-2178trace a tangent arc which intersects with the end-point of each end surface2140-2146,2148-2154,2156-2162and2164-2170, respectively.

In the embodiment, each of the grip portion first and second end surfaces2140-2170are rounded, in this case semispherical. Other end surface profiles could be used as well. The rounded surfaces provide greater comfort when tightly gripped.

In the embodiment, each first grip portion2104,2112is located at the vertical arm terminal end2024,2026, respectively. In the embodiment, each of the second grip portions,2110and2118, respectively, is located at the corner of the handle2012, at the connection region2042,2044of the respective vertical arm2018,2020and horizontal bridge first and second ends2022,2024.

Projecting coupler2048includes a first part2180embedded within second vertical arm2020proximate second vertical arm terminal end1028and overlapping a terminal end of filing strip2014, and a second part2182extending outward from second vertical arm2020, the second part2182including a coupling2184to engage a dental driver. Projecting coupler first part2180may be embedded at another location within handle2012which provides sufficient depth of material to reliably hold and support projecting coupler2048, for example proximate second vertical arm-horizontal bridge connection region1036. Aligning projecting coupler2048with filing strip2014provides several additional advantages, such as: (1) projecting coupler2048interferes less with manual use of the improved file when gripped end-to-end; (2) the force applied by the dental driver is aligned with the resistance from the dental strip, thereby minimizing torque and fatigue on the coupler; and, (3) the filing strip2014and projecting coupler2048may be formed from a single piece of material, or joined to form a continuous body, to enhance the strength of the coupler and apparatus overall. In the described embodiment, hatched region2192shows the overlapping of the projecting coupler first end2180and an end of filing strip2014a.

In the third embodiment, the coupler second part2182includes a hollow tube coupling2184extending from a first end2186connected to the projecting coupler first part2180to a second end2188, the tube coupling open at the second end2188, the tube further including an open seam2190extending from the tube second end2188to the tube first end2186. Seam2190allows tube coupling2184to flex open slightly in order to tightly grip around a corresponding mounting post or stub, or compress slightly to fit tightly within a corresponding receiving sleeve. The thickness and dimensions of tube coupling2184are selected to remain within the elastic range of the material when engaged to a selected dental driver tool coupler, such that the spring tension causes tube coupling2184to tightly grip a mounting post of a selected dental driver tool.

The concave end-grip design of the third embodiment may be combined with the flush socket coupling design of the second embodiment, and the convex end-grip design of the first and second embodiments may be combined with the projecting coupler design of the third embodiment.

Partial-cylinder portions have additional advantages relating to handles with tapered interior edges. The partial-cylinder outer surfaces and end surfaces provide enhanced surface area for gripping an otherwise thin edge-region, with improved gripping ability over simply knurling the surface or a uniform protrusion pattern distributed over the entire surface.

The improved handle may be used with filing strips mounted under tension or bowed. Additionally, the improved handle is useful in conjunction with a manual filing tool couplable to a power driven dental driver. The partial-cylindrical grip portions extend outward past the coupler used to connect to the driver, providing greater comfort and more reliable manual grip.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications and changes may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. It will, of course, be understood that modifications of the invention, in its various aspects, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, some being apparent only after study, others being matters of routine mechanical, chemical and electronic design. No single feature, function or property of the preferred embodiment is essential. Other embodiments are possible, their specific designs depending upon the particular application. As such, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments herein described but should be defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.