Patent GB-345670-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to dental apparatus
IPC: A61C1/00
Filed: 1929-12-17
Abstract: 345,670. Dental water-jet apparatus. PIEPER, O. H., 43, Appleton Street, Rochester, New York, U.S.A. Dec. 17, 1929, No. 38664. [Class 81 (ii).] Dental apparatus for applying a warm or cold jet or spray of water or other liquid to the mouth comprises an electrically heated container connected to a supply of liquid under pressure and to a valved outlet nozzle, and valve means whereby either warm or cold liquid may be supplied to the nozzle. A discharge valve on the container is operated by a pivoted holder for the nozzle when out of use and serves to relieve pressure on the nozzle and its connecting tube. The container is detachable from its heater and can only be replaced in a predetermined position at which electric contacts on a thermostat carried by the container engage corresponding contacts on the heater. The container 17, Fig. 11, is received in a tubular holder 13 mounted on a bracket 12 carried by a dental equipment stand. The holder 13 is fitted with an annular heating unit 22 between the walls 13, 14. The inner wall 14 is formed at its base with an inwardly-turned flange having notches or openings 42 through which, in one position, lugs 36 on the base of the container 17 may be passed, so that contact fingers 39 on a thermostat 34, detachably carried by the container, may engage in socket-like spring contacts on an insulating plate 23 carried on the bracket 12. The heater 22 and thermostat 34 are in circuit with a socket 30 connected to any suitable electric supply. A cover 16, carrying the various water supply and control means, is screwed into the container 17 and is locked to the inner wall 14 of the holder 13 by conically ended radially arranged rods 43 which are forced into engagement with the wall 14 by a conically ended screw 47, Figs. 11 and 12. Water supplied through a pipe 55a, Fig. 2, passes through a passage 55, Figs. 4 and 11, to a pipe 56 opening near the bottom of the container 17. A plug valve 50, Figs. 4 and 6, may be turned so that either warm water from the top of the container, or cold water from a passage 53 connected to the passage 55, is supplied to a valve 51 controlling the supply to a filter 70 and thence through a capillary tube 71, enclosed in an outer protective tube 72, to the nozzle 73 controlled by a valve 76. The capillary tube contains only a small volume of water to be discharged before water at the correct temperature flows from the nozzle. The valve 51 is operated by a forked lever 77 in which the nozzle 73 is placed when not in use, so that in taking up or replacing the nozzle the valve 51 may simultaneously be operated. Valve constructions.-The three-way conical plug valve 50, Fig. 6, is provided with a stem 58 carrying an operating handle 59 having a bearing portion 60 rotatable in a nut 61 threaded in an extension 62 of the valve casing. The part 60 is connected to the stem 58 by a screw 63 passing through a cap 64. The handle 59 is limited in movement by stop pins 66. The valve 51, operated by the lever 77, is connected by a ball-and-socket joint 72a to a stem 71a which projects through the recessed head 78 of the lever 77 and is rigidly connected therewith by a member 80 connected to the stem 71a by a screw 81. The member 80 has a wedge-shaped portion 82 engaging a similarly shaped portion 83 on the valve stem, and is formed with serrations 85 engaging the serrated end of the head 78. In a modification the serrations are formed on the wedge 82 and engage internal serrations within the head 78. A friction brake to hold the valve 51 in adjusted position comprises a semicircular spring 88, Fig. 8, carrying friction material 89, and provided with a stud 90 which projects into a recess in the bearing portion 86 of the packing nut 74a. The brake engages the recessed portion 78a of the head 78 of the valve-operating lever 77.