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EP0061218A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Pocket meter for dental cavities

Assignee: S.B.R.-TRADING B.V.
•
Filing: 1982-03-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-03-05
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Abstract

Abstract A measuring instrument for the depth of the periodontal cavity comprises a probe needle (2), a needle holder (3) and a handle (1). The needle (2) with the needle holder (3) is restrictedly pivotable from a start position determined by an abutment against the action of a bias spring, the deformation of which caused by the needle movement causes no substantial change of the spring force. To this end the needle holder (3) and the handle (1) each are attached to parts of a hinge (4). The hinge parts (5, 6) are biased to the closed position of the hinge (4) by a spring (8, 12, 13, 14) with a spring characteristic which is substantially flat at least within the restricted pivoting range of the hinge. <??>In this manner the hinge of the measuring instrument can be made compact and especially flat whereby the user of the instrument has a good view on the probe position under all circumstances. The measuring instrument is constructively simple, can be manufactured relatively cheap and can be more easily sterilized.

Inventors

  • 👤 Arnoldus Joseph Borst

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 03:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/04; A61C19/043

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 114 words
Measuring instrument for the depth of the periodontal cavity comprising a probe needle, a needle holder and a handle, wherein the needle with the needle holder is restrictedly movable from a start position determined by an abutment against the action of a bias spring, the deformation of which caused by the needle movement causes no substantial change of the spring force, characterized in that the needle holder and the handle each are attached to parts of a hinge, and in that the hinge parts are biased to the closed position of the hinge by a spring with a spring characteristic which is substantially flat at least within the restricted pivoting range of the hinge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 114 words
Measuring instrument for the depth of the periodontal cavity comprising a probe needle, a needle holder and a handle, wherein the needle with the needle holder is restrictedly movable from a start position determined by an abutment against the action of a bias spring, the deformation of which caused by the needle movement causes no substantial change of the spring force, characterized in that the needle holder and the handle each are attached to parts of a hinge, and in that the hinge parts are biased to the closed position of the hinge by a spring with a spring characteristic which is substantially flat at least within the restricted pivoting range of the hinge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
Measuring instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the bias spring is a helical spring extending in the hollow handle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 34 words
Measuring instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the bias spring is a mainly omega-shaped leaf spring, the ends of which engage the respective hinge parts at both sides of the hinge axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 60 words
Measuring instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the bias spring is a volute spring, i.e. a leaf spring consisting of two oppositely wound spiral parts connected by a bridge, the facing circumferential zones of which spiral parts apply a clamping force on the hinge parts lying therebetween which force is substantially independent of the deformation of the spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
Measuring instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the bias spring is a helical spring loaded on flexure by the moving hinge parts.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

NL7703431A Cited
US4203223A Cited

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