Patent Abstract:
A dental tool comprises a guard having a concave inner surface at one end and an adapter. The adapter comprising a nose, a monolithic ball portion having an integral neck, and a ball receiver comprising a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, where the concave inner surface of the ball receiver engages a convex outer surface of the monolithic ball portion, the concave inner surface of the guard engages the convex outer surface of the ball receiver, and an opposite end of the guard rests upon the nose.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/837,367, filed Aug. 27, 2015, now allowed, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/713,088, filed Feb. 25, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,144,471, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/503,151, filed on Jul. 15, 2009, now abandoned, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/862,628, filed on Sep. 27, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,523, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/682,927, filed on Mar. 7, 2007, now abandoned, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/189,193, filed on Jul. 26, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,433, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/712,993, filed on Feb. 25, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,834,159, entitled “ADJUSTABLE ANGLE PROPHY ANGLE ADAPTER,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/713,070, filed on Feb. 25, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,459,992, entitled “PROPHY ANGLE AND ADAPTER WITH LATCH,” all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The disclosure relates generally to dental instruments and, more specifically, to prophy angles and adapters for use with prophy angles. 
       Description of the Related Art 
       [0003]    Dental prophylaxis angles, generally referred to as “prophy angles,” are commonly used dental instruments for providing rotation for dental tools such as brushes, prophy cups, or other receptacles used in cleaning/polishing teeth. Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , a prophy angle  10  typically includes a housing  16  having a neck  18  and a head portion  14  extending at approximately a 90° angle to the neck  18 , which increases the ability of a dentist to reach various surfaces of the teeth of a patient. A drive shaft or prophy rotating member  12  can be located within the housing  16  and attached to a driven gear  20  in the head of the prophy angle. Prophy angles  10  are generally affixed to an adapter or hand piece (not shown), which connects the prophy angle to a drive source (not shown), thereby enabling a rotating motion of the prophy rotating member  12  and driven gear  20  of the prophy angle and any affixed dental tool. 
         [0004]    Prophy angles  10  are commonly manufactured from lightweight plastic to make them disposable, thereby increasing overall sterility in the dental environment. An issue associated with making the prophy angles  10 , and their constituent elements, such as the prophy rotating member  12 , from plastic is the ability of the hand piece to engage the prophy rotating member  12  without slipping and to engage the prophy rotating member  12  without excessive damage to the prophy rotating member  12 . Another issue associated with the use of prophy angles  10  is the widespread use of many different and incompatible types of couplings between the drive source and the hand piece and between the hand piece and the prophy angle  10 . Yet another issue associated with the use of prophy angles  10  is the number of adapters needed to provide different orientations. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A dental system comprises a dental prophy angle and an adjustable angle adapter. The prophy angle includes a housing and a guard with an inner surface of the guard being concave. The adapter is configured to drive the prophy angle and the adapter includes a body, a nose, and an outer joint. The nose is configured to receive a portion of a prophy angle. The body is adjustably connected to the nose. The outer joint includes a ball portion connected to the nose and a ball receiver positioned on the body. The ball receiver comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is coupled to a first end of the body and the second portion is attachable to the first portion. The nose is rotatable relative to the body into at least a first configuration and a second configuration. The concave inner surface of the guard engages a convex outer surface of the ball receiver. 
         [0006]    In certain aspects, the guard has a greatest outer diameter 10% larger than a greatest outer diameter of the housing, and in other aspects, the guard has a greatest outer diameter 20% larger than a greatest outer diameter of the housing. 
         [0007]    In additional aspects, in the first configuration, the shaft and the rotating member share a common rotational axis. In the second configuration, a rotational axis of the shaft is at a non-zero degree angle to a rotational axis of the rotating member. The nose is rotatable relative to the body from between zero degrees to about twenty degrees. The guard includes an inner surface having a spherical radius that substantially matches a spherical radius of an outer surface of the ball receiver. The inner surface of the guard includes a plurality of inwardly-extending ribs. A seal is formed between the inner surface of the guard and the outer surface of the ball receiver. Also, a motor integral with the body can be provided. 
         [0008]    Additional aspects 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 aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C  are perspective views of a prophy angle with an integrated guard detached and attached to an adjustable angle adapter, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded, side view of an adjustable angle adapter, in accordance with the inventive arrangement; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded, side view of an adjustable angle adapter, in accordance with another embodiment of the inventive arrangement; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are, respective, a side and detail view of a guard, in accordance with the inventive arrangement; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a ball portion and nose of the adjustable angle adapter, in accordance with the inventive arrangement; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a ball receiver and body of the adjustable angle adapter, in accordance with the inventive arrangement; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are perspective views of the adjustable angle adapter, respectively, in contra-style and straight orientations; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a detail, side cross-sectional view of an outer joint of the adjustable angle adapter, in accordance with the inventive arrangement; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are side cross-sectional views of the adjustable angle adapter, respectively, in contra-style and straight orientations; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a prophy angle with latching mechanism, in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a side cross-sectional view of the latching mechanism; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 12A-12D  are, respectively, cross-sectional view of the prophy angle with latching mechanism and nose of the adapter in a disassembled, partially-assembled, fully-assembled and latched, and full-assembled and unlatched configurations; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 13A-13C  are, respectively, a front perspective view, a front plan view, and a side cross-sectional view of a collet in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 14A-14D  are, respectively, a perspective view of a receiver, a perspective view of the receiver and a second pin, a perspective view of a first pin and the second pin, and a perspective view of the first pin and the second pin position within a head of a yoke and pin joint in accordance with the inventive arrangements; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  are, respectively, side and top views of the head of the multi-axis rotation joint and a shaft to which the head is connected; 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a side view of an adapter with an integral micromotor; 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a prophy angle according to the prior art; 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  is a side cross-sectional view of the prophy angle according to the prior art; and 
           [0028]      FIGS. 19A and 19B  are, respectively, exploded and assembled cross-sectional views of a shaft-less prophy angle and adapter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1C , the guard  380  may be integrated into the housing  16  of the prophy angle  10 . Further, an inner surface  382  of the guard  380  can be concave. In this way, the guard  380  can mate with the convex outer surface  327  of the ball receiver of the adapter  100 . The adapter  100  can further include a body  110  and a nose  112 . Since common practice is to treat the prophy angle  10  as a disposable item that is replaced each time the adapter  100  is used with a new patient, the guard  380  can also be replaced each time the prophy angle  10  is replaced. Since the guard  380  acts as a seal between the nose  112  and the ball receiver, each instance the prophy angle  10  is replaced, a new seal is provided between the nose  112  and the ball receiver. 
         [0030]    As illustrated, the guard  380  extends from a receiving end of the housing  16 . Additionally, the guard  380  has a greatest outer diameter is larger than a greatest outer diameter of the housing  16 . Further, the inner surface  382  of the guard  380  may include a plurality of inwardly-extending ribs  384 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1B , or the inner surface  382  of the guard  380  may be smooth, i.e. not including ribs, as shown in  FIG. 1A . In certain aspects, the greatest outer diameter of the guard  380  is 10% greater than the greatest outer diameter larger than a greatest outer diameter of the housing  16 . In other aspects, the greatest outer diameter of the guard  380  is 20% greater than the greatest outer diameter larger than a greatest outer diameter of the housing  16 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplar adjustable angle adapter  100  for use with a prophy angle. The adapter  100  includes a body and a nose  112 . The adapter  100  includes a shaft  118 , which is adjustably connected to a nose rotating member, such as a collet  200 , for receiving a prophy rotating member of the prophy angle. The nose  112  includes a first bore for receiving the prophy rotating member and, in certain configurations, a portion of the shaft  118  and/or collet  200 . In certain aspects, the adapter  100  includes a multi-axis rotation joint  400  that connects the shaft  118  to the nose rotating member (e.g., collet  200 ). Additionally, the adapter  100  includes an outer joint that connects the body to the nose  112 . 
         [0032]    As is known in the art, many different types of drive sources exist and these different drive sources have different configurations for coupling with a rotating member, such as the shaft  118 . In this regard, the present adapter  100  is not limited as to the type and configuration of coupler  126  that couples with the drive source. However, in certain aspects of the adapter  100 , the coupler  126  is an E-type coupler. Other types of couplers/connection devices have been previously described with regard to the nose  112 . 
         [0033]    The shaft  118  is rotated by the drive source, which is connected to a coupler  126  positioned on one end of the shaft  118 , which drives a collet  200  connected on another end of the shaft  118 . In certain configurations of the adjustable angle adapter  100 , both the coupler  126  and the collet  200  rotate about a common rotational axis, RA. However, in other configurations of the adjustable angle adapter  100 , the coupler  126  and the collet  200  rotate about different rotational axes, RA 1 , RA 2 . 
         [0034]    Many types of shafts  118  are capable of transmitting rotation from the coupler  126  to the collet  200 , and the present adjustable angle adapter  100  is not limited as to a particular type of shaft  118  so capable. As the rotational axis RA 2  of the shaft  118  may be at an angle to the rotational axis RA 1  of the collet  200 , a multi-axis rotation joint (see discussion with regard to  FIGS. 14A-14C and 15A-15B ) is positioned between the collet  200  and the shaft  118  to transfer the rotation of the shaft  118  to the collet  200 . 
         [0035]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 3 , the nose and guard can have different configurations relative to one another. For example, in the upper configuration illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the nose  112 U is inserted fully into the guard  380 U and subsequently mates with a neck  311  of a ball portion  310 . In the lower configuration, the nose  112 L mates with a perpendicular face of the guard  380 L. As can be readily envisaged, other configurations are possible. Although not limited in this manner, the assembly of an adapter  100  can include splitting the ball receiver  312  into two separate portions  317 ,  319 , as illustrated in the bottom of  FIG. 3  and, in part, in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0036]    As shown in the bottom portion of  FIG. 3  and  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first portion  317  is connected to the body  110  and the first portion  317  is attachable to the second portion  319  using, for example, mating threads. While the first portion  317  of the ball receiver  312  is separate from the second portion  319  of the ball receiver  312 , the ball portion  310  having a neck  311  is inserted into the cavity defined by the inner surface of the ball receiver  312 . The second portion  319  of the ball receiver  312  is then slid over the ball portion  310  and attached to the first portion  317  of the ball receiver  312 . In so doing, the body  110  is joined to the nose  112  at an outer joint. 
         [0037]    It is further noted that multiple, different spherical surfaces between the dental prophy angle and the adapter share a common center point. For example, the following all share a common center point with each other: a convex spherical outer surface of a ball portion  310  that can mate with a concave spherical inner surface of a ball receiver  312 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ; as seen in  FIG. 8 , a spherical convex outer surface  327  of the ball receiver  312 , which can mate with the spherical concave inner surface of a guard  380 ; and, a convex spherical outer surface of a multi-axis rotation joint  400  can mate with the concave spherical inner surface of a receiver  406  that is connected to a collet  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14D . It is further noted that there are additional spherical surfaces on non-rotating elements that share a common center point with the surfaces referenced above. For instance, there are two spherical surfaces that are associated with the drive mechanism that rotate on both RA 1  and RA 2  that share a common center point with the spherical surfaces referenced above. 
         [0038]    In reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a guard  380  can be provided that creates a seal between the nose and the ball receiver. The guard  380  includes an inner surface  382  having a radius that substantially matches a radius of the outer surface of the ball receiver. Additionally, the guard  380  can include a sealing element  386  that engages the outer surface of the ball receiver to form a seal. This seal acts to prevent debris, during operation of the adapter, from entering the outer joint. As the nose pivots relative to the body, the sealing element  386  remains substantially in contact with the outer surface of the ball receiver to maintain the seal between the nose and the ball receiver. 
         [0039]    By their very nature, seals tend to wear over time and/or use and become less effective. In certain aspects of the outer joint, the guard  380  can be considered a replaceable portion of the adapter  100 . Also, although not limited in this manner, the guard  380  can be formed from an easily-fashioned material, such as autoclavable plastic. The outer joint is not limited in the manner in which the guard  380  can be replaceable. For example, referring to  FIG. 3 , the guard  380 U,  380 L may be removably attachable to the nose  112 U,  112 L, and the manner by which the guard  380 U,  380 L is removably attachable to the nose  112 U,  112 L is not limited. For example, the guard  380 U,  380 L may screw onto the nose  112 U,  112 L. Alternatively, one or more removable pins may be used to attach the guard  380 U,  380 L to the nose  112 U,  112 L. Additionally, the guard  380 U may screw onto the neck  311  of the ball portion  310 . In certain aspects, the guard  380 L floats between the nose  112 L and the ball receiver  327 . 
         [0040]    In addition, the inner surface  382  of the guard  380  may include a plurality of inwardly-extending ribs  384  to engage the outer surface of the ball receiver. The ribs  384  provide a grabbing surface with which the guard  380  can prevent movement of the guard  380  relative to the ball receiver upon outside pressure being placed against the guard  380 , thereby preventing movement of the body relative to the nose. Although the ribs  384  are illustrated as being disposed on the guard  380 , the ribs  384  may be disposed on the outer surface of the ball receiver. Additionally, although the ribs  384  are illustrated as radiating from a center, the ribs  384  may be configured to constitute a plurality of concentric circles. In a different embodiment, the inner surface  382  of the guard  380  may be smooth, i.e. include no ribs (see  FIG. 1A ). 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , an embodiment of an outer joint  300  for an adapter  100  is illustrated. In this particular embodiment, the ball receiver is positioned on the body  110 , and the ball portion is positioned on the nose  112 . In addition, a guard  380  is coupled to the nose  112 . This embodiment of the outer joint  300  can also include a stop that defines a maximum angle that the body  110  can pivot relative to the nose  112 . 
         [0042]    In further illustration of an adjustable angle adapter with a multi-axis rotation joint  400  and an outer joint  300 ,  FIG. 8  shows a portion of the nose  112  (e.g., the neck  311  of ball portion  310 ) will ultimately engage a portion of the body  110  (e.g., an angled surface  313  of the ball receiver  312  that extends from the inner surface  325  to the outer surface  327  of the ball receiver  312 ). Additionally, by angling the surface  313 , as opposed to having a face that is perpendicular to the inner surface  325  of the ball receiver  312  or the outer surface  327  of the ball receiver  312 , a greater proportion of outer surface  327  of the ball receiver  312  can be any contact with an inner surface of a guard  380  at any given angular configuration. In this configuration, upon the nose  112  engaging the body  110 , a maximum angle that the body  110  can pivot relative to the nose  112  can be defined. Additional and/or alternative configurations can also be used to define the maximum angle that the body  110  can pivot relative to the nose  112 . In one embodiment, at a particular angle of the body  110  relative to the nose  112 , the distal end of the guard  380  may engage a shoulder  362  in the outer surface  327  of the ball receiver  312 . In this manner, the maximum angle that the body  110  can pivot relative to the nose  112  can be defined. Further, although not limited in this manner, in certain aspects of the adapter, the multi axis rotation joint  400  and the outer joint  300  pivot about a common pivot point. 
         [0043]    Although not limited in this manner,  FIG. 8  further illustrates that the ball receiver  312  can be split into two separate portions  317 ,  319 . The first portion  317  is connected to the body  110  and the second portion is attachable to the second portion  319  using, for example, mating threads. While the second portion  319  of the ball receiver  312  is separate from the first portion  317  of the ball receiver  312 , the ball portion  310  is inserted into the cavity defined by the inner surface  325  of the ball receiver  312 . The second portion  319  of the ball receiver  312  is then slid over the ball portion  310  and attached to the first portion  317  of the ball receiver  312 . In so doing, the body  110  is joined to the nose  112  at the outer joint  300 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  further indicates that in certain aspects of an adapter, one or more drag devices  370  may be included within the outer joint  300 , the drag devices  370  act to increase the drag between the ball portion  310  and ball receiver  312  as the nose  112  pivots relative to the body  110 . By increasing the drag between the ball portion  310  and the ball receiver  312 , the nose  112  is less likely to pivot relative to the body  110  during use of the adapter and after the adjustment of the angle between the body  110  and the nose  112 . Additionally, although the drag device  370  is illustrated with respect to the additional embodiment, the adapter is not limited in this manner, and the drag device  370  can be employed in the previous embodiment. 
         [0045]    Although a single drag device  370  is illustrated, more than a single drag device  370  can be employed. Also, if more than a single drag device  370  is employed, these drag devices can be positioned equidistant to one another. In certain aspects of the outer joint  300 , three drag devices  370  are provided and positioned 120 degrees apart. 
         [0046]    Any type of drag device  370  capable of increasing the drag between the ball portion  310  and the ball receiver  312  as the nose  112  pivots relative to the body  110  is acceptable for use in the joint  300 . However, in certain aspects, the drag device  370  includes a plunger  372  and a biasing means (e.g., a spring  374 ) positioned within a channel of either the ball receiver  312  or the ball portion  310 . As illustrated, the drag device  370  is positioned within the ball portion  310 . In certain aspects of the drag device  370 , the outer surface of the plunger  372  substantially matches the outer radius of the ball portion  310 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , an adapter  100  with an outer joint  300  is illustrated. It is noted that although the current illustrated adapter  100  includes a single joint, multiple joints can be provided. Here an adapter  100  can be adjusted from a configuration in which the nose  112  and body  110  share a common centerline (also referred to as a straight adapter, see  FIG. 9B ) to a configuration in which the centerlines of the nose  112  and the body are at a non-zero degree angle to one another (also referred to as a contra-style or angled adapter, see  FIG. 9A ). As illustrated in  FIGS. 9A  and  9 B, the ball receiver  312  is positioned on the body  110 , and the ball portion  310  is positioned on the nose  112 . However, in a different embodiment, in one aspect of the outer joint, the ball-shaped portion can be positioned on the body and the ball receiver can be positioned on the nose. This embodiment of the outer joint  300  can also include a stop that defines a maximum angle that the body  110  can pivot relative to the nose  112 . The adapter  100  also includes a shaft  118 , which is adjustably connected to a nose rotating member, such as a collet  200 , for receiving a prophy rotating member of the prophy angle. The nose  112  includes a first bore  114  for receiving the prophy rotating member and, in certain configurations, a portion of the shaft  118  and/or collet  200 . In certain aspects, the adapter  100  includes a multi-axis rotation joint  400  that connects the shaft  118  to the nose rotating member (e.g., collet  200 ). The multi-axis rotation joint  400  allows for the angle between the rotational axis RA 2  of the shaft  118  and the rotational axis RA 1  of the collet  200  to be varied. Thus, use of the multi-axis rotation joint  400  permits the adjustable angle adapter  100  to be adjusted while the shaft  118  and collet  200  are rotating. To further enable the adjustable angle adapter  100  to be adjusted during the rotation of the shaft  118  and collet  200 , the nose  112  pivots relative to the body  100  about a point that is congruent with the intersection point between the rotational axes RA 1 , RA 2  of the collet  200  and shaft  118 . Additionally, the adapter  100  includes an outer joint  300  that connects the body  110  to the nose  112 . 
         [0048]    In certain configurations, the outer joint  300  permits the nose  112  to pivot relative to the body  110  (or the body  110  to pivot relative to the nose  112 ). Specifically, the outer joint  300  can permit the nose  112  to pivot relative to the body  110  by at least 18 degrees. Additionally, the outer joint  300  permits the nose  112  to pivot related to the body  110  to multiple different angles between a straight configuration (i.e., 0 degrees) and a maximum-angle configuration (e.g. 18 degrees). In this manner, the adjustable angle adapter  100  provides greater flexibility to a user of the adapter  100 . Advantageously, this flexibility can reduce the number of different types of adapters  100  a particular user may require. In certain aspects, the maximum-angle configuration can be as high as 30 degrees. As referred to herein, the pivoting is about a pivot point at the intersection of a centerline of the body  110  and a centerline of the nose  112 . The centerline of the body  110  and the centerline of the nose  112  substantially correspond, respectively, to a rotational axis RA 2  of the shaft  118  and the rotational axis RA 1  of the nose rotating member (e.g., collet  200 ). As referred to herein, “to pivot” is defined as a change in the angle between the rotational axis RA 2  (or centerline of the body  110 ) of the shaft  118  and the rotational axis RA 1  (or centerline of the nose  112 ) of the nose rotating member (e.g., collet  200 ). In addition, the outer joint  300  can also permit the nose  112  to rotate relative to the body (or the body  110  to rotate relative to the nose  112 .) As the term is used herein, the rotation of the nose  112  and/or body  110  refers to the rotation of the nose  112  and/or body  110  about its own centerline/pivot axis. Additionally, the outer joint  300  can permit the nose  112  to both rotate and pivot relative to the body (or the body  110  rotate relative to the nose  112 ). 
         [0049]    Further, as there are different drive sources with different configurations for coupling with a rotating member, such as the shaft  118 . In this regard, in one embodiment, the adapter  100  includes a coupler  126 , which is an E-type coupler. In addition, a guard  380  can be provided that creates a seal between the nose  112  and the ball receiver  312 . Although not limited in this manner, the engagement of the guard  380  and the ball receiver  312  can act to define a maximum angle that the body  110  can pivot relative to the nose  112 . 
         [0050]    It is noted the outer portion of the nose  112  may be shaped to mate with the prophy angle. As is known in the art, many types of different types of prophy angles exist that have different mating profiles, and the present adapter  100  is not limited as to a particular shape of the nose  112  and as to a particular profile of prophy angle with which the nose  112  can mate. However, in a certain aspects of the adapter  100 , the nose  112  is configured as a doriot-style adapter. Depending upon the type of prophy angle, other types of connections devices include, but are not limited to, latch type, 3-ball chuck, attachment ring, push chuck, quick-connect collars, autochucks, E-type (i.e., ISO 3964), DIN 13940, ISO 1797, U-type, NSK type, and Midwest. 
         [0051]    Now referring to  FIGS. 10, 11, and 12A-12D , a prophy angle  10  with a latching mechanism  40  is illustrated. The latching mechanism  40  includes a latch element  49 , a male/female latch protrusion  42 , and a lever  44  that engages and/or disengages the male/female latch protrusion  42 . The nose  112  of the adapter also includes a female/male element  46  that is configured to engage the male/female protrusion  42  of the latching mechanism  40  in the prophy angle  10 . Although the latching mechanism  40  is illustrated with a shaft-less prophy angle  10 , the latching mechanism  40  may also be employed with a prophy angle having a prophy rotating member (i.e., shaft). 
         [0052]    Although the latch protrusion  42  is illustrated as a male element and element  46  of the nose  112  as a female element, these configurations can be swapped. In operation, referring to  FIG. 12B , as the prophy angle  10  is placed over the nose  112 , the nose  112  displaces the latch element  49  and, thus, the latch protrusion  42  from its resting orientation relative to the remainder of the prophy angle  10 . However, referring to  FIG. 12C , as the prophy angle  10  is fully inserted onto the nose  112 , the latch protrusion  42  is released from its displaced orientation and is positioned within the female element  46  (e.g., a groove) in the nose  112 . In so doing, the latch protrusion  42  prevents removal of the prophy rotating member from collet. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 12D , to release the latching mechanism, the lever  44  is depressed (see down arrow), which acts to rotate the latch element  49  and the latch protrusion  42  about a pair of pivots  48 A,  48 B (as labeled in  FIG. 10 ) and out of the groove  46  in the nose  112  (see up arrow). To permit depressing of the lever  44 , a depression  119  (as labeled in  FIG. 12A, 12B ) is formed in the outer surface of the nose  112  proximate the groove  46 . Thus, as illustrated, movement of the lever  44  between a first position (not depressed) (e.g.,  FIG. 12C ) and a second position (depressed) (e.g.,  FIG. 12D ) moves the latch protrusion  42  between an engaged position and a disengaged position. 
         [0054]    Referring again to  FIG. 10 , although not limited to this particular configuration, each one of the pair of pivots  48 A,  48 B is defined by a pair of substantially parallel and opposing slots  51 ,  53  within the housing. Also, a first one  51  of the pair of slots of the first pivot  48 A connects to a first one  51  of the pair of slots of the second pivot  48 B, and a second one  53  of the pair of slots of the first pivot  48 A connects to a second one  53  of the pair of slots of the second pivot  48 B. The latch mechanism  40  may be formed from the housing  16  of the prophy angle  16 . Although not limited to this particular configuration, the lever action of the latch mechanism  40  may be formed by including a pair of opposing U-shaped slots  51 ,  53  within the housing  16 . Additionally, the latch protrusion  42  may be disposed within the bounds of the U-shaped slot within the housing  16 . As can be readily envisaged, the slots  51 ,  53  are not limited to a U-shape. For example, one or both of the slots  51 ,  53  could be V-shaped, rectangular-shaped, or shaped like a half moon. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 13A-13C  further illustrate the collet  200 . The collet  200  of the adapter is adapted to receive and hold the prophy rotating member  12  of the prophy angle  10 . In certain aspects of the adapter, the collet  200  is not limited in the manner in which the collet  200  receives and holds the prophy rotating member  12 , and any configuration of the collet  200  so capable is acceptable for use with the adapter. In certain aspects of the adapter, the collet  200  includes a plurality of extensions  210   a - 210   c  for receiving the prophy rotating member  12  (see  FIG. 13B ). The innermost portions of the extensions  210   a - 210   c  define an inner collet bore  208  having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the prophy rotating member  12 . In this manner, upon the prophy rotating member  12  being positioned within the inner collet bore  208 , an interference fit or friction grip exists between the plurality of extensions  210   a - 210   c  and the prophy rotating member  12 . The interference fit allows the extensions  210   a - 210   c  to hold onto the prophy rotating member  12  and to transfer rotation from the collet  200  to the prophy rotating member  12 . In certain aspects of the collet  200 , the innermost portions of the extensions  210   a - 210   c  define an inner collet bore  208  having a fixed diameter. 
         [0056]    As further illustrated in  FIGS. 13A-13C , the outer edge of each extension  210   a - 210   c  may also include a concave surface. The concave surfaces of the extensions  210   a - 210   c  can define the outer circumference of the inner collet bore  208  of the collet  200 . These concave surfaces also mate with the outer surface of the prophy rotating member  12  to form the interference fit between the plurality of extensions  210   a - 210   c  and the prophy rotating member  12 . Although not limited in this manner, the radius of the concave surfaces of the extensions  210   a - 210   c  is substantially equal to the radius of the collet bore  208 . Although not limited in this manner, in certain aspects of the collet  200 , the concave surfaces define less than 20% of the circumference of the collet bore  208 . 
         [0057]    Further, the collet  200  may also include longitudinal chamfers  202  on the extensions  210   a - 210   c . The chamfers may extend from a collet distal end  206  along each extension  210   a - 210   c  and slope inwardly towards the rotational axis of the collet  200 . The longitudinal chamfers  202  provide a guide for receiving the prophy rotating member  12 . As the prophy rotating member  12  is moved into the collet  200 , the longitudinal chamfers  202  guide the prophy rotating member  12  toward the inner collet bore  208 . Although not limited in this manner, a face of the longitudinal chamfers  202  may be angled at about 60°±15° relative to the face of the distal end  206  of the collet  200 . 
         [0058]    The manner in which the inner collet bore  208  is formed is not limited. For example, the inner collet bore  208  may be formed by drilling the collet  200  along its centerline. By forming the inner collet bore  208  in this manner, the concave surfaces at the outer edge of each extension  210   a - 210   c  may also be formed. Also, the extensions  210   a - 210   c  may be formed by drilling offset bores  204   a - 204   c , which have a centerline offset from the centerline of the collet  200 . Although the term “drilling” is used herein, other methodology used to form bores/holes is also acceptable. 
         [0059]    Many types of joints are capable of transferring rotation from a first rotating member to a second rotating member, which is positioned off-axis from the first rotating member, and the present adjustable angle adapter is not limited as to a particular type of joint so capable. In a current aspect of the adapter, the multi-axis rotation joint is a yoke and joint., as illustrated in  FIGS. 14A-14C and 15A-15B . 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIGS. 14A-14C and 15A-15B , elements of a multi-axis rotation joint are illustrated. In  FIGS. 14A and 14B , the collet  200  is connected to a receiver  406  for receiving a head of the multi-axis rotation joint. Although shown connected to the collet  200 , the receiver  406  may be integral with the collet  200 . Alternatively, another member (not shown) may be positioned between the receiver  406  and the collet  200 . The use of a multi-axis rotation joint advantageously reduces back lash, which is inherent in many types of joints. The receiver  406  includes openings  408  into which a second pin  404  is positioned. Although the second pin  404  may rotate within the openings  408  of the receiver  406 , in a current aspect of the multi-axis rotation joint, the second pin  404  is positionally and rotationally fixed relative to the receiver  406 . In so doing, the second pin  404  is prevented from moving within the receiver  406 . Since the receiver  406 , and thus the ends of the second pin  404 , can rotate about the rotational axis of the collet  200  at very high speeds, any movement of the ends of the second pin  404  beyond the outer circumference of the receiver  406  may cause engagement between the ends of the second pin  404  and inner surfaces of the nose and/or the body of the adapter. This engagement may cause failure of or damage to the adapter and/or the multi-axis rotation joint. 
         [0061]    The manner in which the second pin  404  is prevented from moving within the receiver  406  is not limited as to a particular technique or arrangement. For example, the second pin  404  can be attached to the receiver, for example, via welding or gluing. However, in a current aspect of the multi-axis rotation joint, the second pin  404  is sized slightly greater than the size of the openings  408  of the receiver  406  such that upon inserting the second pin  404  into openings  408 , an interference fit exists between the second pin  404  and the openings  408 . 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14C and 14D , the second pin  404  is positioned within an opening  403  of a first pin  402 , and the first pin  402  is positioned within a head. Further in  FIG. 14D  and in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , the head  410  includes slots  414  through which the second pin  404  extends. As presently configured, the first pin  402  rotates within and relative to the head bore  412  of the head  410  about a rotational axis RA 4 , and the second pin  404  rotates within relative to the first pin  402  about a rotational axis RA 3 . The outside diameter of the second pin  404  is somewhat less than the inside diameter of the inside diameter of the opening  403  of the first pin  402  to form a close tolerance slip fit between the second pin  404  and the first pin  402 . Similar, the outside diameter of the first pin  402  is somewhat less than the inside diameter of the head bore  412  of the head  410  to form a close tolerance slip fit between the first pin  402  and the head bore  412  of the head  410 . 
         [0063]    Although not limited as to a particular range of rotation or to the particular manner described herein, the first pin  402 , while within the head  410 , is limited in its range of rotation by the length of the slot  414  in the head  410 . As the length of the slot  414  increases, the range of the rotation of the first pin  402  within the head  410  is also increased. Conversely, upon the length of the slot  414  decreasing, the range of rotation of the first pin  402  within the head  410  is also decreased. The width of the slots  414  may be slightly less than the outside diameter of the second pin  404  to allow the second pin  404  to move from side-to-side within the slots  414 . 
         [0064]    With regard to the range of rotation of the second pin  404  within the first pin  402 , the range of rotation is not necessarily limited when the first pin  402  is within the second pin  404  alone. However, upon the joint being fully assembled, the range of rotation of the second pin  404  within the first pin  402  may be limited to some degree by interference between the collet  200  and the shaft  118 . Although illustrated as the head  410  being connected to the shaft  118  and the receiver  406  being connected to the collet  200 , the multi-axis rotation joint is not limited in this manner. For example, the head  410  may be connected to the collet  200 , and the receiver  406  may be connected to the shaft  118 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 16  illustrates an adjustable angle adapter  500  with an micromotor  528  that is integral with the body  510  of the adjustable angle adapter  500 . Upon using an integral micromotor  528  with the adjustable angle adapter  500 , the shaft may be directly connected to both the micromotor  528  and joint. Using micromotors to drive dental equipment is well known by those in the art, and any micromotor  528  so capable is acceptable for use with the adjustable angle adapter  500 . Examples of micromotors  528  include electrically-driven and pneumatically-driven motors. In the presently-illustrated adjustable angle adapter, the micromotor  528  is pneumatically driven. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIGS. 19A and 19B , a shaft-less prophy angle  10 SL and an adapter  100  with an integrated drive shaft  350  is illustrated. With shaft-less prophy angles  10 SL, the shaft is an integral part of the nose  112 . Although illustrated with a non-adjustable adapter  100 , these concepts are also applicable to an adjustable adapter. The adapter  100 , directly or indirectly, provides the rotational movement to a gearing system of a rotor  20  of the prophy angle  10 . The adapter  100  includes a body  110  and a nose  112 . The adapter  100  includes a shaft  118  that is connected to a drive shaft  350  via a coupler  400 . 
         [0067]    The shaft  118  is rotated by the drive source  450 . As is known in the art, many different types of drive sources  450  exist and these different drive sources  450  have different configurations for coupling with a rotating member, such as the shaft  118 . In this regard, the present adapter  100  is not limited as to drive source  450  for the adapter  100 . For example, the drive source  450  may be connectable to the adapter  100 . Alternatively, the drive source  450  may be integrated with the adapter  100 . Also, examples of drive sources  450  include electrically-driven and pneumatically-driven motors 
         [0068]    In addition, the drive shaft  350  is a part of the adapter  100 . In other aspects, the drive shaft  350  is removably attachable to a collet within the adapter  100 . In so doing, the drive shaft  350  can be replaceable and/or cleaned. A slideable sleeve  460  may be positioned over the drive shaft  350 . The slideable sleeve  460  moves from an extended position ( FIG. 19A ), which conceals the gear  352  of the drive shaft  350 , to an retracted position ( FIG. 19B ), which reveals the gear of the drive shaft  350 . The slideable sleeve  460  is not limited in the manner in which the slideable sleeve  460  moves from the extended position to the retracted position and back again. The gear  352  is configured to engage the prophy angle  10  to drive rotor  20 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 0