Source: http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/7780443.html
Timestamp: 2018-10-23 21:24:32
Document Index: 246807059

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 4']

Self-ligating bracket with rotary cover - Patent # 7780443 - PatentGenius
Self-ligating bracket with rotary cover
7780443 Self-ligating bracket with rotary cover
Application: 11/788,840
Inventors: Hagelganz; Rolf (Dundee, OR)
TenBrook; James (Millville, NJ)
Foreign Patent Documents: 2304243; PA/A/2000/0008056; WO 99/40871; WO2004/047665
Other References: Prosecution History for parent U.S. Appl. No. 11/417,685 (all Office Actions and Responses thereto as of Jun. 17, 2009)--Part 1 of 4 Part 1includes: Resp. to Apr. 1, 2009 Examiner Interview and Mar. 13, 2009 OA, pp. 1-18; Apr. 6, 2009 Examiner's Interview Summary, pp. 19-22; OA Mar. 13, 2009, pp. 24-26. cited by other.
Prosecution History for parent U.S. Appl. No. 11/417,685 (all Office Actions and Responses thereto as of Jun. 17, 2009)--Part 2 of 4 Part 2 includes: Resp. to Jan. 28, 2009 OA, pp. 1-13; OA Jan. 28, 2009 pp. 14-18; Resp. to Nov. 5, 2008 OA pp.19-21; OA Nov. 5, 2008 pp. 22-31; Resp. to Jul. 28, 2008 OA, pp. 32-40. cited by other.
Prosecution History for parent U.S. Appl. No. 11/417,685 (all Office Actions and Responses thereto as of Jun. 17, 2009)--Part 3 of 4 Part 3 includes: Supp. OA Jul. 28, 2008, pp. 1-19; OA Apr. 21, 2008 pp. 20-40. cited by other.
Prosecution History for parent U.S. Appl. No. 11/417,685 (all Office Actions and Responses thereto as of Jun. 17, 2009)--Part 4 of 4 Part 4 includes: Response to Nov. 6, 2007 OA, pp. 1-13; OA Nov. 6, 2007, pp. 14-33. cited by other.
Abstract: The present invention provides designs for a self-ligating orthodontic bracket. According to one embodiment, the self-ligating orthodontic bracket includes a mounting base for attachment to a tooth surface, an archwire slot formed upon the base and sized for receiving an orthodontic archwire, a rotary ligating cover selectively rotatable between an open position permitting access to the archwire slot and a closed position covering the archwire slot, and one or more locking features for holding the rotary cover in a closed position. In one embodiment, the bracket includes one or more locking tabs on the rotary cover aligned in coplanar relation to the rotary cover and cooperatively mating with cutout portions in the base. The bracket may include cutouts on the sides of the rotary cover for easier manipulation of the cover. Lead in chamfers on the archwire slot may also be incorporated into the bracket base. Recessed channels and detents may be included for allowing the cover to be held in open or closed positions.
1. A self-ligating bracket having: a mounting base for attachment to a tooth surface; an archwire slot formed upon said base and sized for receiving an orthodontic archwire; a rotary ligating cover selectively rotatable between an open position permitting access to said archwire slot and a closed position covering said archwire slot, said rotary ligating cover comprising a plate eccentrically rotatably mounted on an axialmember journalled into said base; a pair of cutouts on said rotary ligating cover oriented transverse to said archwire slot for manipulation of said rotary ligating cover to expose or cover said archwire slot thereunder; one or more locking featuresadjacent said archwire slot for holding said rotary ligating cover in a closed position, wherein said one or more locking features comprise one or more locking tabs formed upon one of said rotary ligating cover and said base, said one or more lockingtabs aligned in coplanar relation to said rotary ligating cover and cooperatively mating with cutout portions in the other of said rotary ligating cover and said base; one or more concentric circular recesses formed upon either said lower surface ofsaid plate or said outward surface of said base within which a rotational stop formed upon the other of said lower surface of said plate or said outward surface of said base track when said plate is rotated, said one or more concentric circular recessesand said rotational stop, in combination, defining an opening direction and a closing direction of said plate; and one or more detents associated with each of said one or more concentric circular recesses and configured to receive said rotational stopthereby holding said plate in an open or closed position.
3. The bracket of claim 1, further comprising at least one resilient retention mechanism adjacent to said one or more locking tabs and aligned in coplanar relation to said rotary ligating cover, said at least one resilient retention mechanismcapable of exerting retention forces in a direction coplanar with said rotary ligating cover.
5. The bracket of claim 1, further comprising a pair of tie wings extending from said base and defining said archwire slot between said tie wings, said axial member journalled into a first one of said tie wings, said plate rotatably closableover said archwire slot and cooperatively mating with outward surfaces in a second one of said tie wings.
10. A self-ligating orthodontic bracket having: a mounting base for attachment to a tooth surface; an archwire slot formed upon said base and sized for receiving an orthodontic archwire; lead in chamfers on one or both ends of said archwireslot; a rotary ligating cover selectively rotatable between an open position permitting access to said archwire slot and a closed position covering said archwire slot, said rotary ligating cover comprising a plate eccentrically rotatably mounted on anaxial member journalled into said base and a pair of cutouts on said plate oriented transverse to said archwire slot for manipulation of said rotary ligating cover to expose or cover said archwire slot thereunder; one or more locking features adjacentsaid archwire slot for holding said rotary liqatinq cover in a closed position, wherein said one or more locking features comprise one or more locking tabs formed upon one of said rotary ligating cover and said base, said one or more locking tabs alignedin coplanar relation to said rotary ligating cover and cooperatively mating with cutout portions in the other of said rotary ligating cover and said base; one or more concentric circular recesses formed upon either said lower surface of said plate orsaid outward surface of said base within which a rotational stop formed upon the other of said lower surface of said plate or said outward surface of said base track when said plate is rotated, said one or more concentric circular recesses and saidrotational stop, in combination, defining an opening direction and a closing direction of said plate; and one or more detents associated with each of said one or more concentric circular recesses and configured to receive said rotational stop therebyholding said plate in an open or closed position.
12. The bracket of claim 10, further comprising at least one resilient retention mechanism adjacent to said one or more locking tabs and aligned in coplanar relation to said rotary ligating cover, said at least one resilient retention mechanismcapable of exerting retention forces in a direction coplanar with said rotary ligating cover.
14. The bracket of claim 10, further comprising a pair of tie wings extending from said base and defining said archwire slot between said tie wings, said axial member journalled into a first one of said tie wings, said plate rotatably closableover said archwire slot and cooperatively mating with outward surfaces in a second one of said tie wings.
FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded isometric view of a self-ligating orthodontic bracket 200 having a bracket base 205, rotary ligating cover 210, and retaining pin 215, according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown, the rotary ligatingcover 210 may be rotatably fastened to the bracket base 205 using retaining pin 215 inserted through a hole 220 in the rotating cover 210 and journalled into a corresponding hole 225 in a tie wing 230 formed on one side of the archwire slot 235. Theoutward surface 240 of the bracket 205, opposite the tooth mounting surface 245 and upon which the rotary ligating cover 210 may be rotated when fastened to the bracket 205, preferably encompasses substantially all of the outward facing surface area ofthe tie wing 230, and an axis of rotation 250 of the rotary ligating cover 210 extends through the outward surface 240. A coplanar portion 255 of the opposing tie wing 260 on the other side of the archwire slot 235 receives the bottom surface of therotary ligating cover 210 so that the rotary ligating cover 210, when in a closed position, covers substantially the full length of the archwire slot 235.
Next, FIG. 3 is an exemplary frontal view of a self-ligating orthodontic bracket 300 engaged with an archwire 310. The bracket 300 may be mounted to the labial (front) surface of a tooth as part of a typical bracket system. Or, alternatively,the bracket 300 may be mounted on the lingual (back) of a tooth surface as part of a lingual or "hidden" bracket system. As will be discussed further, the frontal profile of the bracket 300 may be designed for use on particular tooth surfaces. Forexample, the bracket 300 may be designed to have a particular rhomboid or parallelogram profile for bonding to a particular tooth, such as one of the upper or lower centrals, laterals, cuspids, bicuspids, molars, and so on.
Next, FIG. 4 is a sectional view (such as through centerline 325 in FIG. 3) of a self-ligating orthodontic bracket 400 with a rotary ligating cover 405 in a closed position, according to one embodiment. The bracket 400 includes a mounting base410 and a pair of tie wings 415 and 420 formed thereon and extending outward, away from the mounting base 410, and defining an archwire slot 425 therebetween. The archwire slot 425 is sized for receiving an orthodontic archwire 430, and the rotaryligating cover 405 is selectively rotatable between a closed position (as shown) for securably retaining the archwire 430 within the archwire slot 425 and an open position (not shown) for permitting access to the archwire slot 420. The rotary ligatingcover 405 may rotate about an axial member such as a retaining pin 435 positioned on one side of the bracket 400 such as on one of the tie wings 420. The retaining pin 435 shown incorporates a pan head extending over the outward surface of the rotaryligating cover 405 and a lower portion journalled or fastenably attached into a receiving hole or recess area in the tie wing 420. As shown, the retaining pin 435 may be dimensioned with a smaller diameter that is inserted into the receiving hole in thetie wing 420 and a larger diameter about which the rotary ligating cover 405 may slidably rotate. The smaller diameter, according to one embodiment, permits a press-fit operation for retaining the rotary ligating cover 405 to the bracket 400 whereby thesmaller diameter of the retaining pin (or dowel) 435 is forcibly pressed into the receiving hole in the tie wing 420. However, other configurations may be used. For example, a retaining pin having a single diameter may be used, perhaps with precisionfastening equipment to ensure that the retaining pin is able to rotate freely about the retaining pin.
Turning now to FIGS. 5A-5C, sectional views are provided showing the rotary ligating cover 335 upon a bracket base 315 (or a tie wing 500 thereon) in closed and partially open positions, according to various embodiments of the invention. FIG. 5Ais the sectional view indicated in FIG. 3 and shows the rotary ligating cover 335 in a closed position with the rotation stop 345 slightly beyond the end of the circular recess 350. The slight separation 505 between the rotary ligating cover 335 and themating surface of the tie wing 500 may provide additional retention forces for holding the rotary ligating cover 335 in a closed position. For example, the frictional forces between the rotation stop 345 and the outward surface of the tie wing 500 andthe frictional forces involving the axial member (not shown) retaining the rotary ligating cover 335 may provide additional retention forces beyond the retention forces provided by engagement of other locking features associated with the rotary ligatingcover 335, such as, for example, coplanar locking tabs along the edge surface of the ligating cover 335.
FIG. 5B is a sectional view as in FIG. 5A with the rotary ligating cover 335 in a partially open position with the rotation stop 345 shown tracking within the circular recess 350. Here, the rotary ligating cover 335 has been partially opened (ina counterclockwise direction) whereby the rotation stop 345 has dropped into the circular recess 350.
FIG. 5C is a sectional view as in FIG. 5A, according to one embodiment, showing the rotary ligating cover 335 in a closed position with the rotation stop 345 formed upon the lower surface of the ligating cover 335 and positioned outside of orbeyond the end of the circular recess 350. However, the rotation stop 345 in FIG. 5C is shown seated within a cooperatively mating cutout portion or detent 510 of the outward surface of the tie wing 500 and, thereby, holding the rotary ligating cover335 in a closed position. In operation, as the ligating cover 335 is rotated, the rotation stop 345 may enter the circular recess (or recessed channel) 350, as shown in FIG. 5B, ride over bracket material 515 at the end of the circular recess 350, andseat into the detent 510.
FIG. 6A is a top view of a self-ligating orthodontic bracket with a rotary ligating cover 335 in a partially open position, according to one embodiment of the invention. As the rotary ligating cover 335 is opened (rotating the cover 335 in acounterclockwise direction), the rotation stop 345, in one embodiment, leaves the circular recess 350. Also shown in FIG. 6A are the relative positions of locking tabs 365 and their cooperatively mating cutout portions (or indentations) 370, accordingto one embodiment. As the rotary ligating cover 335 opens, pivoting about the axial member 340, the locking tabs 365 become unseated from their corresponding indentations 370 allowing the rotary ligating cover 335 to rotate more freely.
FIG. 7 is a top view of a self-ligating orthodontic bracket, according to one embodiment, as in FIG. 6A, except that the rotary ligating cover 335 is in an open position, exposing the archwire slot 700 formed upon the bracket base 315. Here, therotary ligating cover 335 has been rotated in a counterclockwise direction until the archwire slot 700 is fully exposed. Through this portion of rotation, the rotation stop 345 has tracked within the circular recess 355. In one embodiment, the rotationstop 345 moves up against an end in the circular recess 355 (not shown) for stopping the counterclockwise rotation of the rotary ligating cover 335 when the archwire slot 700 becomes fully exposed.
FIG. 9 is a top view of a rotary ligating cover 900 according to another alternate embodiment of the invention. The rotary ligating cover 900 incorporates one or more locking tabs 905 which engage with cooperatively mating cutout portions orindentations (not shown) in the bracket base when the rotary ligating cover 900 is rotated into a closed position. The one or more locking tabs 905 are preferably aligned in coplanar relation to rotary ligating cover 900 as shown, cooperatively matewith cutout portions in the bracket base (not shown), and are capable of exerting retention forces in a direction coplanar with the rotary ligating cover and, thereby, holding the rotary ligating cover in a closed position.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a self-ligating orthodontic bracket 1000 (along its centerline as in FIG. 4) with a rotary ligating cover 1005 in a closed position, according to an alternate embodiment of the invention. Similar with the bracketshown in FIG. 4, bracket 1000 comprises a mounting base 1010 for mounting the bracket 1000 upon a tooth surface 1040 and a pair of tie wings 1015 and 1020 formed upon the mounting base 1010, extending outward therefrom and defining an archwire slot 1025therebetween. The rotary ligating cover 1005 is rotatably fastened upon one of the tie wings 1020 and is capable of rotatably and securely closing over the archwire slot 1025 and an archwire 1030 therein. However, the rotary ligating cover 1005 may berotatably fastened using a retaining pin 1035 that fits into a bushing 1045 formed upon the tie wing 1020. The retaining pin 1035 may be any fastener with a pan head or similar head structure capable of retaining the rotary ligating cover 1005 byoverlapping the outward surface of the bushing 1045 and a portion of the outward surface of the rotary ligating cover 1005 extending outward from the bushing 1045. In one embodiment, the retaining pin 1035 includes one or more axial ribs 1050 forimproving interference fit and retention forces of the retaining pin 1035 within the bushing 1045 and hole or recess extending below the bushing 1045 toward the bracket mounting base 1010.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a self-ligating orthodontic bracket 1100 (along its centerline as in FIG. 4) with a rotary ligating cover 1105 in a closed position, according to another alternate embodiment of the invention. Similar with thebracket shown in FIG. 4, bracket 1100 comprises a mounting base 1110 for mounting the bracket 1100 upon a tooth surface 1140 and a pair of tie wings 1115 and 1120 formed upon the mounting base 1110, extending outward therefrom and defining an archwireslot 1125 therebetween. The rotary ligating cover 1105 is rotatably fastened upon one of the tie wings 1120 and is capable of rotatably and securely closing over the archwire slot 1125 and an archwire 1130 therein. However, the rotary ligating cover1105 may be rotatably fastened about a stud 1135 formed upon the tie wing 1120 and coined (or mushroomed) to retain the rotary ligating cover 1105. FIG. 11 shows the sectional view prior to the coining operation. During the coining operation, some ofthe material comprising the stud 1135 is displaced inward, toward the bracket mounting base 1110, and radially outward from the stud 1135 to overlap an annular portion 1145 of the outward surface of the rotary ligating cover 1005 immediately adjacent tothe stud 1135. To facilitate the coining operation and to improve the repeatability and consistency of the overlap of the annular portion 1145 of the rotary ligating cover 1105, a recess such as a conical recess 1150 may be formed upon the outwardfacing surface of the stud 1135 (as shown). Likewise, other scribe lines or recess areas may be included as may be needed depending upon the particular coining process and materials chosen for the bracket 1100.
FIG. 12A is a top view of a self-ligating bracket base 1200 having lead in chamfers 1205, 1210, 1215, and 1220 on the archwire slot 1225, according to one embodiment of the invention. The lead in chamfers may be provided to improve the ease withwhich an archwire is inserted into and adjusted within the archwire slot 1225. Each lead in chamfer comprises an edge beveled to achieve a widened and tapered surface leading into the (narrower) archwire slot. The lead in chamfers may be on one or bothends of the archwire slot 1225. For example, as shown in FIG. 12B for bracket base 1201, the lead in chamfers 1205 and 1210 may be included on a distal end of an archwire slot 1225 having a mesial-distal axis. As shown in FIG. 12A, additional lead inchamfers 1215 and 1220 may be included on the other (for example, mesial) end of the archwire slot 1225. However, the archwire slot 1225 may incorporate any one or any combination of more than one (or none) of the lead in chamfers 1205, 1210, 1215, and1220.
The archwire 1225 preferably includes chamfers on both ends, such as lead in chamfers 1205 and 1210 on one end and lead in chamfers 1215 and 1220 on the other. As shown, the lead in chamfer 1205 may be oriented on one gingival-occlusal openingedge of the archwire slot 1225, and the lead in chamfer 1210 may be oriented on the opposite gingival-occlusal opening edge. Likewise, the lead in chamfer 1215 may be oriented on one gingival-occlusal opening edge on the opposite end of the archwireslot 1225, and the lead in chamfer 1220 may be oriented on the opposite gingival-occusal opening edge. Although not shown in FIG. 12A, lead in chamfers on the labial-lingual opening edges of the archwire slot 1225 may be included.
Also shown in FIG. 12A are recessed areas within the self-ligating bracket base 1200 that are sized to receive a rotational stop or protruding nub formed upon the lower surface of the rotary ligating cover (not shown), according to oneembodiment. As with other cooperatively mating features described herein, the locations of the one or more recessed areas and cooperatively mating one or more rotational stops may be reversed. For example, the rotational stop may be formed upon thebracket base 1200, and the recessed areas sized to receive the rotational stop may be formed upon the lower surface of the rotary ligating cover. For the benefit of concisely describing operation of various embodiments, the recessed areas areillustrated as being formed upon the outward surface of the bracket base 1200. The cross-sectional view in these areas of the bracket may be similar to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 5C. That is, the self-ligating bracket base 1200 may includea concentric circular recess 350 formed upon the outward surface of the bracket base within which a rotational stop formed upon the lower surface of the rotary ligating cover may track when the rotary ligating cover is rotated. In operation, as therotary ligating cover is rotated (in a clockwise direction, for example) the rotational stop may enter the circular recess 350, ride over bracket material 515 at the end of the circular recess 350, and seat into a detent 510, thereby holding the rotaryligating cover in a particular position (either open, exposing the archwire slot 1225, or closed, covering the archwire slot 1225).
In one embodiment, the self-ligating bracket base 1200 includes a second concentric circular recess 1240 formed upon the bracket base within which the rotational stop may track when the rotary ligating cover is rotated. As the rotary ligatingcover is rotated (in a counterclockwise direction, for example) the rotational stop may enter the circular recess 1240, ride over the bracket material 1235 at the end of the circular recess 1240, and seat into a detent 1230, thereby holding the rotaryligating cover in a particular (open or closed) position.
The location of the rotational stop formed upon the lower surface of the rotary ligating cover may be, according to one embodiment, oriented to determine the direction of rotation for exposing or covering the archwire slot 1225. All brackets ina particular prescription of brackets may, for example, be configured so as to open (to expose the archwire thereunder) using the same direction of rotation of the rotary ligating cover (such as counterclockwise). Or, some brackets may be configured toopen with a counterclockwise rotation and others with a clockwise rotation. For example, if it is desired to mount the brackets on the teeth so that each bracket has its axis of rotation (such as the axis of rotation 250 shown in FIG. 2) positioned onthe occlusal side of the archwire slot, and if it is desired to configure the brackets so that the archwire is exposed by applying pressure in the mesial direction (i.e. applying pressure directed toward the front teeth or centrals), each of the bracketsmay be configured to open in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction depending upon the bracket's intended location in the mouth. In this example, the orthodontist might open each bracket by placing an orthodontic tool on the distaledge of the bracket's rotary ligating cover and exerting pressure in the mesial direction. For the brackets mounted on teeth in the upper left or lower right (Palmer) quadrants, the rotary ligating cover for each bracket would be opened by rotating thecover in a counterclockwise direction. For the brackets mounted on teeth in the upper right or lower left quadrants, the rotary ligating cover for each bracket would be opened by rotating the cover in a clockwise direction.
Assuming, for example, that the bracket in FIG. 12A is configured so that the rotary ligating cover may be opened to expose the archwire slot 1225 by rotating the cover in a counterclockwise direction, the rotational stop formed upon the lowersurface of the rotary ligating cover may be located so that it is seated within detent 510 when the rotary ligating cover is closed over the archwire slot 1225. When the rotary ligating cover is rotated counterclockwise, the rotational stop (such asrotational stop 345 in FIG. 5C) moves from its position seated within detent 510, rides over the bracket material 515 between the detent 515 and the end of the circular recess 350, and then tracks within the circular recess 350 until moving freely inspace until entering the circular recess 1240 on the other side of the bracket base 1200. As the rotary ligating cover continues its counterclockwise rotation, the rotational stop rides over the bracket material 1235 and becomes seated within the detent1230 beyond the end of the circular recess 1240. The detent 1230 may be located so as to hold the rotary ligating cover in an open position, fully exposing the archwire slot 1225.
FIG. 13 is a top view of a self-ligating bracket 1300 with cutouts 1305, 1310 on the sides of a rotary cover 1315, according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown, a pair of cutouts 1305, 1310 on said rotary ligating cover 1315, each oneoriented transverse to said archwire slot 1225, is provided for manipulation of the rotary ligating cover 1315 to expose or cover the archwire slot 1225 thereunder. If, for example, the rotary ligating cover 1315 is to be opened to expose the archwireslot 1225 by rotating the cover 1315 in a counterclockwise direction about an axial member 1320, an orthodontic tool may be used to apply pressure on the cutout 1310 in a direction parallel to the archwire slot 1225 and toward the cutout 1305 at theopposite end of the archwire slot 1225. In similar fashion, for this example, the rotary ligating cover 1315 may be closed to cover the archwire slot 1225 by rotating the cover 1315 in a clockwise direction about the axial member 1320 using anorthodontic tool to apply pressure on the cutout 1305. As previously described, the directions of rotation for opening and closing the rotary ligating cover 1315 may be reversed.
The self-ligating orthodontic bracket described herein may comprise any of a wide variety of aesthetics suitable for use in an orthodontic appliance. For example, the brackets may comprise a prescription of brackets with each individual brackethaving multiple colors, adjacent brackets having different colors, or groups of brackets having different colors. The brackets may be opaque or translucent or combinations thereof. For instance, the bracket base 1325 in FIG. 13 may be opaque (or aparticular color), and the rotary ligating cover 1315 may be translucent. Or, as another example, the bracket 1300 may have its base 1325 and rotary ligating cover 1315 in one color and one of the cutouts, such as cutout 1310, marked with a differentcolor as a visual aid to indicate which of the cutouts 1305, 1310 to use when opening the rotary ligating cover 1315 to expose the archwire slot 1225 thereunder. Or, as yet another example, the bracket base 205 in FIG. 2 may be the same color as therotary ligating cover 210, and the retaining pin 215 may be a different color so as to aid in placement of the bracket 200 upon a tooth and subsequent manipulation of the rotary ligating cover 210. Numerous other variations involving the use ofdifferent colors are possible.
Method and apparatus for relaying a wireless signal