US3892117A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing lightweight dental drill for high-speed dental handpiece
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-07-19
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Granted: 1975-07-01
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Expires: 1994-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A method of manufacturing a lightweight dental drill suitable for use with a high-speed, air turbine, dental handpiece is disclosed. The drill includes a hollow head portion, preferably an occlusal barrel or similarly shaped head, and an integrally formed hollow shank portion. A piece of metal tubing is selected to have an outside diameter at least about equal to the largest diameter of the head portion. The tubing is radially deformed, preferably by swaging, at one end to provide the shank and a first area of the head portion, and is radially deformed proximate a second end to provide a second area of the head portion. A reduction of the wall thickness of the radially inwardly deformed portions of the drill reduces the overall drill weight and enhances performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Milton E Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:21
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21K; B21K5/00; B21K5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of manufacturing a lightweight dental drill suitable for use with a high-speed, air turbine, dental handpiece, said drill having a hollow head portion and an integrally formed hollow shank portion, comprising the steps of: a. selecting a metal tubular member having: i. an outside diameter at least about equal to the largest diameter of said head portion in the formed drill; ii. an overall length at least about equal to the length of the formed drill; and iii. a wall thickness sufficient to provide the necessary strength as said largest diameter of said head portion for drilling at air turbine speeds; b. radially inwardly deforming said tubular member proximate a first end thereof to form said shank portion and to form a first area of said head portion extending from said largest diameter of said head portion to said shank portion, said first area sloping toward said shank portion; and c. radially inwardly deforming said tubular member proximate a second end thereof to form a second area of said head portion extending from said largest diameter of said head portion toward said second end and sloping away from said shank portion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of manufacturing a lightweight dental drill suitable for use with a high-speed, air turbine, dental handpiece, said drill having a hollow head portion and an integrally formed hollow shank portion, comprising the steps of: a. selecting a metal tubular member having: i. an outside diameter at least about equal to the largest diameter of said head portion in the formed drill; ii. an overall length at least about equal to the length of the formed drill; and iii. a wall thickness sufficient to provide the necessary strength as said largest diameter of said head portion for drilling at air turbine speeds; b. radially inwardly deforming said tubular member proximate a first end thereof to form said shank portion and to form a first area of said head portion extending from said largest diameter of said head portion to said shank portion, said first area sloping toward said shank portion; and c. radially inwardly deforming said tubular member proximate a second end thereof to form a second area of said head portion extending from said largest diameter of said head portion toward said second end and sloping away from said shank portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
A method of manufacturing a lightweight dental drill as defined in claim 1 wherein, said deforming steps are accomplished by first gripping said tubular member proximate said second end and axially urging said first end of said tubular member into swage forming means to form said shank portion and said first area; thereafter removing said tubular member from said swage forming means; and thereafter gripping said shank portion and axially urging said second end into swage forming means to form said second area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
A method of manufacturing a lightweight dental drill as defined in claim 2 wherein, said tubular member is selected to have a length substantially greater than the length of the formed drill, said shank portion and first area being formed at a position along said tubular member leaving a length of said tubular member between said first area and said second end greater than the length of said second area to enable gripping of said tubular member during formation of said shank portion and said first area, and said shank portion being formed of a length greater than the length of said shank portion of the formed drill to enable gripping of said tubular member by said shank portion during formation of said second area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method of manufacturing a lightweight dental drill as defined in claim 3 and the step of: severing said tubular member to remove a portion thereof proximate said second end to define a length of said tubular member between the position of severing and said first area about equal to the length of said second area, said severing step being accomplished before formation of said second area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method of manufacturing a lightweight dental drill as defined in claim 4, and the steps of: machining and plunge grinding the exterior surface of said drill after said radial deforming steps to insure dynamic balance of said drill; forming at least one opening in at least one of said first area and said second area; aNd as a last step severing said shank portion proximate said first end to reduce said shank portion to the desired overall length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of manufacturing a lightweight dental drill as defined in claim 1 and the step of: reducing the wall thickness of said tubular member to a thickness sufficient to provide the necessary strength in the formed drill for operation at air turbine speeds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of manufacturing a lightweight dental drill as defined in claim 1 wherein, said first area and said second area are each formed as frusto-conical surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of manufacturing a lightweight dental drill as defined in claim 7 wherein, said frusto-conical surfaces meet at a common base at the largest diameter of said head portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2227817A
Cited
US3393452A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-30 | 1978-12-30 | 1979-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-12-30 | 1983-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-30 | 1986-12-30 | 1987-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |