Abstract:
A dental tool may include a head that may include a working portion and a neck. The neck may include a first end and a second end, and the working portion may extend from the first end. A handle may include a clamp and a socket. The socket may be configured to receive the second end of the neck. The second end may pivot within the socket to move the working portion and the neck relative to the handle. The clamp may be adapted to selectively fix the second end relative to the handle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/466,224, filed on Mar. 22, 2011. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to adjustable dental tools and more particularly, to a novel apparatus where the head of the tool includes an accordion section which allows the tool to be bent and twisted for maximum adjustability. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Often, a dentist&#39;s view and working environment in a patient&#39;s mouth is obstructed because of lack of adjustability of his dental mirror and/or instrument. A problem with current designs is that the adjustability, if any, is restricted to the location of the hinges or the orientation of the mirror and instrument. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention contemplates an adjustable dental tool in which the working portion of the tool can be manipulated relative to the tool handle to position the head in a desirable configuration to carry out a task or to provide a better viewing angle within a patient&#39;s mouth. In one form, the present disclosure provides a dental tool that may include a head and a handle. The head may include a working portion and a neck. The neck may include a first end and a second end, and the working portion may extend from the first end. The handle may include a clamp and a socket. The socket may be configured to receive the second end of the neck. The second end may pivot within the socket to move the working portion and the neck relative to the handle. The clamp may be adapted to selectively fix the second end relative to the handle. 
     In another form, the present disclosure provides a dental tool that may include a working portion and a neck. The neck may include a proximal end and a distal end. The working portion is coupled to the distal end of the neck. A sleeve couples to the distal end of the neck and is movable between a first position allowing the working portion to rotate relative to the neck and a second position restricting rotation of the working portion relative to the neck. 
     In another form, the present disclosure provides a dental tool that may include a working portion and a neck. The neck may include a proximal end, a distal end and a first longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends. The working portion may be coupled to the distal end of the neck. A handle may include a first end, a second end and a second longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends. The first end may be coupled to the proximal end of the neck, and the neck may be movable relative to the handle between a first position in which the first and second longitudinal axes are substantially collinear and a second position in which the first longitudinal axis is angled relative to the second longitudinal axis. 
     The design offers the advantages of allowing different dental heads to be used with the same handle which will allow the tool to be sold in kits, thereby reducing the cost of the tool since only a single handle is needed for a multitude of dental heads. Further, the handle can include a single coupling portion on its proximal end for attachment of a single dental head, or it can include a plurality of coupling portions on both ends for attachment of a plurality of dental heads. 
     The design offers an additional advantage of maximum adjustability of the dental head. The adjustable portion of the neck of the dental head provides for pivoting movement of the dental head relative to the proximal end of the dental head and radial twisting movement of the dental head relative to the longitudinal axis of the neck. The adjustable dental tool provides the dentist with the capability to adjust the dental head to a multitude of positions for optimal viewing or operation within a patient&#39;s mouth. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the adjustable dental tool with a pivoting neck, threaded mirror head and handle, wherein the mirror head is positioned at a 90° angle relative to the handle; 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the adjustable dental tool with the mirror head positioned at the 90° angle relative to the handle; 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of the pivoted neck and mirror head of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a section view of the assembled dental tool with the mirror head positioned at the 90° angle relative to the handle; 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the range of motion of the pivoting section of the neck of the dental tool; 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the head of the the dental tool; 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the head of the dental tool; 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the dental tool; 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the dental tool; 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the adjustable dental tool with the pivoting neck, threaded mirror head and handle, wherein the mirror head is positioned at a 0° angle relative to the handle; 
         FIG. 11  shows an exploded view of the sixth embodiment of the adjustable dental tool with the mirror head positioned at the 0° angle relative to the handle; 
         FIG. 12  shows a section view of the sixth embodiment of the dental tool with the mirror head positioned at the 0° angle relative to the handle; 
         FIG. 13  shows a section view of the twistable function of the mirror head relative to the neck of the tool; 
         FIG. 14  shows a section view of a seventh embodiment of the head of the dental tool; and 
         FIG. 15  shows a section view of an eighth embodiment of the head of the dental tool. 
         FIGS. 16A-C  show various perspective views of the adjustable dental tool with a bendable, threaded, mirror head and handle; 
         FIGS. 17A-C  show various perspective views of the bendable section of the neck of the tool; 
         FIG. 17D  shows a perspective view of the twistable function of the bendable section of the neck of the tool; 
         FIG. 17E  shows a perspective view of the range of motion of the bendable section of the neck of the tool; 
         FIGS. 18A-C  show perspective views of three different embodiments of the head of the dental tool; 
         FIGS. 19A-B  show perspective views of a fourth and fifth embodiment of the dental tool; 
         FIG. 20  shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the dental tool; and 
         FIGS. 21A-B  show perspective views of a seventh embodiment of the dental tool. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
       FIGS. 1-15  illustrate various views of an adjustable dental tool  10  including a handle  12  and a head  14  that can be placed in a patient&#39;s mouth. Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the head  14  includes a neck  16  having a distal end  26  and a proximal end  27 . The neck further includes a ball  18  located on the proximal end  27  of the neck  16  and a working portion  20  on the distal end  26  of the neck  16 , which is in the form of a mirror  22  according to this embodiment. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the ball  18  can be pivoted to affix the head  14  and ultimately the working portion  20 , e.g. the mirror  22 , in a desired position. The head  14  additionally includes a male coupling portion  24  or female coupling portion on the distal end  26  of the neck, which is a male threaded portion  24  in this embodiment. The proximal end  28  of the working portion  20  includes a complementary female coupling portion  30  or male coupling portion, which is a female threaded portion  30  in this embodiment that is in engagement with the coupling portion  24  of the neck  16 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 2 , the handle  12  includes a clamp  32  and a socket  34  coupled to a distal end  36  of the handle  12  for attaching the head  14  to the handle  12  and adjusting the neck  16  to a desired angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle  12 . The clamp  32  includes a male coupling portion  38 ,  40  or female coupling portion on both its proximal  42  and distal  44  ends, which is a male threaded portion  38 ,  40  in this embodiment. The distal end  36  of the handle  12  and a proximal end  42  of the socket  34  both include complementary female coupling portions  46 ,  48  or male coupling portions, which are female threaded portions  46 ,  48  in this embodiment that are in engagement with the coupling portions  38 ,  40  of the clamp  32 . 
     The socket  34  further includes a receptacle  50  for receiving the ball  18  on the head  14  of the adjustable dental tool  10 . As discussed in greater detail below, the ball  18  fits within the receptacle  50  so that the neck  16  exits through a slot  52  located in a distal end  54  of the socket  34 . The slot  52  allows the neck  16  to pivot in a range of 0° to 90° from the longitudinal axis of the handle  12 , in conjunction with the ball  18  as the ball  18  is rotated within the receptacle  50 , altering the position of the working portion  20  relative to the distal end  54  of the socket  34  (further demonstrated in  FIG. 5 ). Further, the ball  18  may be twisted in a range of 0° to 360° both clockwise and counterclockwise in the radial direction along the longitudinal axis of the handle  12 , altering the position of the working portion  20  relative to the axis running the length of the handle  14 . The neck  16  may also be rotated and twisted simultaneously. The coupling of the clamp  32  and the socket  34  may be tightened such that the distal end  44  of the clamp  32  contacts the ball  18  and increases a compressive force on the ball  18  from the clamp  32  and the walls of the receptacle  50 . The application of the compressive force will cause the ball  18  to remain in its set position thereby temporarily fixing the position of the working portion  20 . 
     As Illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the adjustable dental tool  10  may include a variety of working portions  20 . Specifically,  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable dental tool  10  including the working portion  20  illustrated as a pick head  56 . This embodiment includes the same remaining elements of the adjustable dental tool  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 . Specifically,  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of one other embodiment of the adjustable dental tool  10  including the working portion  20  that is illustrated as a cement spatula head  58 . This embodiment also contains the same remaining elements of the adjustable dental tool  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 . 
       FIGS. 8-9  illustrate embodiments of a dental tool  100  including a handle  112 , a head  114 , a neck  116 , and a working portion  120  wherein the neck  116  is fixed at a predetermined angle from the longitudinal axis of the handle  112  (for example only, 0°). The neck  116  includes a male coupling portion  122  or female coupling portion on a proximal end  124  of the neck  116 , which is a male threaded portion  122  in this embodiment. A distal end  126  of the handle  112  includes a complementary female coupling portion  128  or male coupling portion, which is a female threaded portion  128  in this embodiment that is in engagement with the coupling portion  122  of the neck  116 . The dental tool  100  may include a variety of different, interchangeable, working portions. The working portion  120  of the embodiment shown here is a mirror  130 . Specifically,  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the dental tool  100  including the working portion  120  that is illustrated as a pick head  132 . This embodiment also contains the same remaining elements of the dental tool  100  illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 10-13 , an adjustable dental tool  200  includes all of the elements of the adjustable dental tool illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7  and further illustrates an embodiment of the adjustable dental tool  200  where the rotational position of a ball  218  can be temporarily fixed in a range of 0° to 90° from the longitudinal axis of a handle  212 , and the radial position of the ball  218  relative to the axis running the length of the handle  212  is fixed. The ball  218  includes a raised portion  222  and a plurality of flat portions  224 . The raised portion  222  protrudes out of a receptacle  226  of a socket  228  and rests within a slot  230 , fixing the radial position of the ball  218 . The plurality of flat portions  224  engage with a complementary flat portion  232  of the receptacle, stopping the rotation of the ball at predetermined stop angles in the range of 0° to 90° from the longitudinal axis of the handle. A clamp  234 , including a male coupling portion  236  or female coupling portion on a distal  238  end of the clamp  234  that engages with a complementary male or female coupling portion  240  on a proximal  242  end of the socket  228 , may then be engaged to apply compressive pressure to the ball  218 , temporarily fixing the ball  218 , in the desired angle. 
     Further, the adjustable dental tool  200  includes a sleeve  244  for adjusting the position of a working portion  220  relative to the axis running the length of the handle  212 . The sleeve  244  includes a male or female coupling portion  246 , which is a female threaded portion  246  in this embodiment. The coupling portion  246  on the sleeve  244  is engaged with a complementary male coupling portion  248  or female coupling portion on a distal end  250  of a neck  216 , which is a male threaded portion  248  in this embodiment. The sleeve may be threaded onto the distal end  250  of the neck  216  and provide a stop position for the working portion  220 . The working portion  220  includes a similar coupling portion  252  to the coupling portion  246  of the sleeve  244 , which is a female threaded portion  252  in this embodiment, and the coupling portion  252  of the working portion  220  is threaded onto the distal end  250  of the neck  216  and contacts a distal end  254  of the sleeve  244 .  FIGS. 10-12  show the raised portion  222  having opposed flat surfaces and a rounded surface, the opposed flat surfaces being substantially parallel to each other, a plurality of the flat surfaces  224  extending perpendicularly from the raised portion  222 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the position of the sleeve  244  defines the radial position of the working tool  220  and allows the working tool  220  to be twisted in a range of 0° to 360° both clockwise and counterclockwise in the radial direction along the longitudinal axis of the handle  212 , altering the position of the working portion  220  relative to the axis running the length of the handle  212 . Once the user determines the desired radial position of the working tool  220 , the sleeve  244  is turned counterclockwise until the distal end  254  of the sleeve  244  contacts a proximal end  256  of the working tool  220 , preventing the working tool  220  from being threaded further onto the neck  216 . The radial position of the working portion  220  is temporarily fixed until a new desired radial position is set. 
     As Illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the adjustable dental tool  200  may include a variety of working portions  220 . Specifically,  FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable dental tool  200  including the working portion  220  illustrated as a cement spatula head  258 . This embodiment includes the same remaining elements of the adjustable dental tool  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 10-13 . Specifically,  FIG. 15  is a perspective view of one other embodiment of the adjustable dental tool  200  including the working portion  220  that is illustrated as a pick head  260 . This embodiment also contains the same remaining elements of the adjustable dental tool  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 10-13 . 
     The scope of this disclosure may include embodiments including working portions  20  that may be both detachably connected to the neck  16  and may be irremovably connected to the neck  16 . This embodiment is not limited to the mirrors  22  shown in these illustrations but could include any working portions  20 . 
     It is envisioned that the adjustable dental tool may be assembled as a kit including a single or plurality of handles  12  and a plurality of removable working portions  20  that can all be interchanged on the handle  12 . Each handle  12  may include a single complementary coupling portion  46  that is in engagement with the female or male coupling portion  38  of the clamp  32  or may include a plurality of complementary coupling portions  46  located on both ends of the handle  12  for engagement with a plurality of male coupling portions  38  or female coupling portions of a plurality of clamps  32 . 
     The handle  12 , neck  16  and working portions  20  and, in particular, the ball  18  and socket  34 , should be made from a material that is fully autoclavable for sterilization purposes. 
     Working portions  20  are not limited to the working portions  20  illustrated in the embodiments of the Figures. Additional working portions may include, but are not limited to, a flosser, explorers, periodontal probes, saliva ejectors, gauges, cheek retractors, ligature directors, band pushers, scalers, bracket placers, periodontal curettes, periosteal elevators, filling instruments, root tip instruments, waxing instruments, burnishers, carvers, cavity liners, cement spatulas, cleoid discoids, and excavators, by way of non-limiting example. 
     Several benefits and advantages of the present invention over prior dental tools include adjustment capabilities of the head  14  relative to the handle  12 , and the orientation of the working portion  20  of the head  14  itself. An additional advantage is the uniform handle  12  that may receive a plurality of dental heads  14  allowing for the formation of kits including a plurality of handles  12  and dental heads  14  that are all interchangeable. 
       FIGS. 16-21  illustrate various views of an adjustable dental tool  262  including a handle  264  and a head  266  that can be placed in a patient&#39;s mouth. Referring specifically to  FIGS. 16A-C , the head  266  includes a neck  268  having an adjustable section  270  and a working portion  272  which is in the form of a mirror  274  according to this embodiment. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the adjustable section  270  can be bent and/or twisted to affix the head  266  and ultimately the working portion  272 , e.g. the mirror  274 , in a desired position. The head  266  additionally includes a male coupling portion  276  or female coupling portion on its proximal end  278 , which is a male threaded portion  276  in this embodiment. The distal end  280  of the handle  264  includes a complementary female coupling portion  282  or male coupling portion, which is a female threaded portion  282  in this embodiment that is in engagement with the coupling portion  276  of the head  266 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 17A-E , the neck  268  includes an adjustable section  270  that may be manipulated to adjust the position of the working portion  272  relative to the proximal end  278  of the head  266 . The adjustable section  270  may be of an accordion construction to allow bending capability anywhere along its length.  FIGS. 17B ,  17 C, and  17 E demonstrate the bending capabilities of the adjustable section  270  which may be bent in a range of 0° to 360° from the longitudinal axis of the handle  264  in all directions, altering the position of the working portion  272  relative to the proximal end  278  of the head  266 .  FIG. 17D  demonstrates the twisting capabilities of the adjustable section  270  which allows the head  266  to be turned in a range of 0° to 360° both clockwise and counterclockwise in the radial direction along the longitudinal axis of the handle  264 , altering the position of the working portion  272  relative to the axis running the length of the handle  264 . The adjustable section  270  may also be bent and twisted simultaneously. The material of the adjustable section  270  is rigid enough to withstand forces encountered in the oral cavity without distortion, but also is flexible enough for the operator to manipulate the head  266  to the desired angle with ease. 
     As Illustrated in  FIGS. 18-21 , the adjustable dental tool  262  may include a variety of working portions  272 . Specifically,  FIG. 18A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable dental tool  262  including a working portion  272  illustrated as an excavator  284 . This embodiment includes the same remaining elements of the adjustable dental tool  262  illustrated in  FIGS. 16A-C . Specifically,  FIGS. 18B and 3C  are perspective views of two other embodiments of the adjustable dental tool  262  including working portions  272  that are illustrated as a filling head  286  and a probe head  288 , respectively. Each of these embodiments also contain the same remaining elements of the adjustable dental tool  262  illustrated in  FIGS. 16A-C . 
       FIG. 19A  illustrates an embodiment of the adjustable dental tool  262  including a handle  264 , a head  266 , and a neck  268  having an adjustable section  270  wherein the head  266  is irremovably attached to the handle  264 . The working portion  272  of the embodiment shown here is a root elevator  290 . Further, as seen in  FIG. 19B , the adjustable dental tool  262  may have the same embodiment as in  FIG. 19A  with the same working portion  272 , except include a removable head  266  as in  FIGS. 16A-C . The adjustable section  270  of the head  266  is included in both the embodiment with the removable head  266  and the embodiment wherein the head  266  is irremovably attached to the handle  264 . 
       FIG. 20  includes all of the elements of the adjustable dental tool illustrated in  FIGS. 16A-C  and further illustrates an embodiment of the adjustable dental tool  262  where two working portions  272 , which in this embodiment are pick heads  292 , may be connected to a single handle  264 , one working portion  272  connected to each of the distal and proximal ends. The scope of this disclosure may include embodiments including working portions  272  that may be both detachably connected to the handle  264  and may be irremovably connected to the handle  264 . This embodiment is not limited to the pick heads  292  shown in this illustration but could include any two working portions  272  in any combination. 
     It is envisioned that the adjustable dental tool may be assembled as a kit including a single or plurality of handles  264  and a plurality of removable working portions  272  that can all be interchanged on a handle  264 . Each handle  264  may include a single complementary coupling portion  282  that is in engagement with the female or male coupling portion  276  of the working portion  272  or may include a plurality of complementary coupling portions  282  located on both ends of the handle  264  for engagement with a plurality of male or female coupling portions  276  of a plurality of working portions  272 . 
     The handle  264  and working portions  272  and in particular the adjustable section  270  of the neck  268 , should be made from a material that is fully autoclavable for sterilization purposes. 
     Working portions are not limited to the working portions illustrated in the embodiments of the Figures. Additional working portions may include, but are not limited to, a flosser, explorers, periodontal probes, saliva ejectors, gauges, cheek retractors, ligature directors, band pushers, scalers, bracket placers, periodontal curettes, periosteal elevators, filling instruments, root tip instruments, waxing instruments, burnishers, carvers, cavity liners, cement spatulas, cleoid discoids, and excavators, by way of non-limiting example. 
     Several benefits and advantages of the present invention over prior dental tools include adjustment capabilities of the head  266  in any of the angle of the neck  268 , the location of the bend in the neck  268 , and the orientation of the working portion  272  of the head  266  itself. An additional advantage is the uniform handle  264  that may receive a plurality of dental heads  266  allowing for the formation of kits including a plurality of handles  264  and dental heads  266  that are all interchangeable. 
     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.