Patent ID: 8152516

Claim:
An equine dental apparatus for floating the teeth of horses comprising: a first drive shaft configured for attachment to a drive mechanism, wherein the first drive shaft rotates about a first axis; a second drive shaft coupled to the first drive shaft and capable of rotating about a second axis different from the first axis, wherein the second drive shaft pivots relative to the first drive shaft about a third axis, and further wherein the third axis intersects the second axis; a third drive shaft coupled to the second drive shaft, wherein the third drive shaft rotates about a fourth axis different from the first and second axes; a grinding member attached to the third drive shaft, wherein the grinding member rotates about the fourth axis; a first housing member, wherein the first drive shaft is disposed inside of the first housing member; a second housing member, wherein the second drive shaft is disposed inside of the second housing member; a pivot joint connecting the first housing member to the second housing member, wherein the second housing member pivots about the pivot joint relative to the first housing member; and a vacuum passageway at least partially disposed inside of the apparatus to provide vacuum suction in the vicinity of the grinding member to suction enamel dust produced during the floating of teeth, wherein the vacuum passageway passes through the pivot joint.