Improvements in Dental Rubber-dam Holders and in Fastenings for Belts, Garters, and Skates.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dental Rubber-dam Holders and in Fastenings for
Belts, Garters, and Skates.
I, JOHN WILLIAM HAUGHAWONT, of Omaha, in the County of Douglas, and
State of Nebraska, United States of America, Dentist, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has relation to new and useful improvements in that class of
dental operatives, known as rubber dam holders, and has for its object, the provision
of a dam-clasp, that shall be neat, durable, effective, and above all, readily adjustable
at all times and under all conditions.
In the accompanying drawings in duplicate forming part of this Specification,
Figure 1 shows a top view of my improved dam-holder; Fig. 2 illustrates a media!
sectional view thereof; Fig. 3 represents a modification of my dam-clasp, as arranged
to serve as a garter or skate-clasp; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 3 on the
medial line.
Similar letters of reference refer to corresponding parts throughout the
drawings.
The great objection to the dam-holders or clasps heretofore made, is, first: that
the rubber dam can not be speedily or promptly adjusted within the clamps, because
of the clamp-rings having to be operated by means of the finger nails; secondly, as
the clamp only clasps the rubber dam at one point, a series of objectionable folds
are formed, which greatly deteriorate from the value of the device; and lastly, it is
impossible, by means of the holders as heretofore made, to obtain a delicate adjust-
ment of the device.
To provide a means to overcome these many defects is the aim and object of this
invention, wherein A represents the oval frame plate of my improved rubber
dam-holder or clasp, which is preferably made of spring metal, and having a
rectangular central portion stamped out, so as to form the two outwardly projecting
flanges B, B, extending at right angles to the plate and between which the spring
pressure-plate C and the lever-arms D, D, are pivoted, and made to operate.
The pressure-plate C, made of any suitable spring metal, is provided at one end
with a hexagonal shaped head or clasping portion, at two sides of which are
provided the downwardly extending lips E, E, which are adapted to pinch the
rubber dam F to the frame, as shown in Fig. 1. Centrally, the pressure-plate C is
further provided with two stub-arms H, H, at diametrical opposite points, which
work within suitable openings of the flanges B, B, and by means of which the
pressure-plate is pivotly connected to the frame. The remaining free end of the
pressure-plate is simply slightly widened, and provided with the downwardly curved
lip L', which binds upon the folded connecting tape K, as shown in Fig. 2.
The lever-arms D, D, are precisely alike, the circular free end offering means
whereby the arms may be operated, while the portion bent at right angles thereto
The arms are
serves as a lever to lock the pressure-plate upon the frame A.
provided with two stubs, by means of which they are pivotly connected to the
flanges, as shown.
At one end the frame A is further provided with a cross-bar L, which is formed
by cutting out a portion of the metal of the frame-plate between the opening
formed by the flanges B, B, and said end. Over this cross-bar, the tape K is
guided as shown in Fig. 2, so that when the lever-arm D is not in a locked position,
the tape K may be readily adjusted to any tension, and then, by means of said arni
be locked at the desired point.
The plates are
as understood by all those conversant with the art to which this

page_text: device appertains, always used in pairs, and when properly assembled, are operated
as follows:
An elastic tape connects the two dam-holders at the end provided with the cross-
bar L, and passing over the same, the free end is led without, so as to pass between
the pressure-plate C and frame-plate A, as shown, while the hexagonal shaped head
serves in holding the rubber dam F over the patient's mouth. The advantage
gained by having the dam clasped at opposite points, is of great service, in that it
forms a wide flat surface at each side of which the patient's lips are snugly held.
Another great advantage is, that the dam may be re-adjusted at any moment without
inconvenience to either patient or operator. Further; by means of the clamp at
the tape-end of the device the most delicate adjustment is possible, at whatever
stage of the operation, as the operator has simply to loosen the clamp, re-adjust the
tape, and then again lock it at the desired point. This is an advantage, that is
shown by no other device heretofore made. The pressure-plate C being made of
spring metal, is of course always in an open or unlocked position, excepting when
the lever-arms D, D, are closed.
The device is exceedingly simple, durable, and may be operated under any and
all conditions, and made of metal, rubber, or any other suitable material.
In Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown a modification of my device, as arranged when I
use the same to serve as a skate suspender, belt or garter-clasp. In this instance
I simply provide a rectangular pressure-plate B, which is operated upon by the two
similar lever-arms C, C, which together with the pressure-plate B are pivoted
between the flanges D, D, which in this case are formed by the edges on opposite
sides being turned upward as shown in Fig. 4. Centrally, I provide the frame
plate A, with the two cross-bars E, E, over which the continuous pieces of elastic
are made to work, as shown in dotted lines in said figure.
The device operated precisely as in the previous case.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1st. As a new article of manufacture, a rubber dam-clasp, comprising a suitable
frame-plate and a pressure-plate resting within said frame-plate, in combination
with suitable operating levers, all arranged, substantially as shown and for the
purpose set forth.
2nd. As a new article of manufacture, a rubber dam-clasp comprising a suitable
frame plate, flanges centrally and integral with said frame-plate, a pressure-plate
pivoted within and extending beyond said flanges, and provided at the ends with
suitable depending lips in combination with suitable operating levers pivoted between
said flanges and above said pressure plate substantially as shown and described.
3rd. As a new article of manufacture, a clasp comprising a suitable frame-plate,
flanges integral with and formed by extending opposite edges of said frame-plate,
a spring pressure-plate pivoted between said flanges, cross-bars within the centre of
said frame-plate, and two operating lever-arms, operating above said pressure-plate
and between the said flanges, all arranged and adapted to operate substantially as
shown and for the purpose set forth.
4th. As a new article of manufacture, a rubber dam-holder, comprising a suitable
frame-plate, a cross-bar at one end of said frame-plate, flanges centrally and integral
with said frame-plate, a pressure-plate pivoted within and extending beyond said
flanges, and provided at the ends with suitable depending lips in combination with
suitable operating levers pivoted between said flanges and above said pressure-plate,
substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 30th day of December 1900
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.