Abstract A fiber optics element is provided which includes a fiber optics bundle having at least two optical surfaces or faces and support means supporting at least a portion of the fiber optics bundle with one optical face in a desired initial position, and yieldable means cooperating with the fiber optics bundle to permit movement of said one optical face relative to its said initial position upon application of pressure to said one optical face. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber optics element includes a fiber optics bundle having an optical surface or face at each end, and is especially adapted for use in combination with a dental handpiece in a manner such that one optical face extends through the turbine housing portion of the dental handpiece. The fiber optics element further includes a tubular guide member, resilient support means in the form of a flexible tubular member, and a plunger assembly; the fiber optics bundle extends through each of the above components. The other optical face of the fiber optics element is adapted to be coupled under compression and in face to face alignment with a light emitting face of a second fiber optics bundle, which is connectable to a light source, to complete a light path to the light source. A dental handpiece, such as a drill handpiece, including the above fiber optics element is also provided.
A fiber optics element comprising a fiber optics bundle having first and second end portions, each terminating in an optical face, a first tubular guide member disposed about a first portion of said fiber optics bundle, a flexible tubular member disposed about a second portion of said fiber optics bundle disposed adjacent to said first portion thereof, and a plunger assembly comprising a tubular plunger member disposed about a third portion of said fiber optics bundle disposed adjacent to said second portion thereof, said third portion including said second end portion of said fiber optics bundle, said plunger assembly further including a second tubular guide member comprising first and second end portions and being disposed about said tubular plunger member, said plunger member including a stop element disposed between said plunger member and said second tubular guide member, said first end portion of said second tubular guide member being of a diameter such that it cannot pass over said stop element, and said plunger assembly further comprises spring means disposed about said tubular plunger member and between said stop element and said first end portion of said second tubular guide member, and said flexible tubular member includes an overlapping end portion thereof which is disposed about said tubular plunger member such that said second tubular guide member is biased by said spring member into engagement with said overlapping end portion which overlapping end portion thus serves as a stop for said second tubular guide member such that said fiber optics element comprises a self-supported plunger assembly whereby the second end portion thereof can be depressed into said second tubular guide member and held under compression.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
275 words
A fiber optics element comprising a fiber optics bundle having first and second end portions, each terminating in an optical face, a first tubular guide member disposed about a first portion of said fiber optics bundle, a flexible tubular member disposed about a second portion of said fiber optics bundle disposed adjacent to said first portion thereof, and a plunger assembly comprising a tubular plunger member disposed about a third portion of said fiber optics bundle disposed adjacent to said second portion thereof, said third portion including said second end portion of said fiber optics bundle, said plunger assembly further including a second tubular guide member comprising first and second end portions and being disposed about said tubular plunger member, said plunger member including a stop element disposed between said plunger member and said second tubular guide member, said first end portion of said second tubular guide member being of a diameter such that it cannot pass over said stop element, and said plunger assembly further comprises spring means disposed about said tubular plunger member and between said stop element and said first end portion of said second tubular guide member, and said flexible tubular member includes an overlapping end portion thereof which is disposed about said tubular plunger member such that said second tubular guide member is biased by said spring member into engagement with said overlapping end portion which overlapping end portion thus serves as a stop for said second tubular guide member such that said fiber optics element comprises a self-supported plunger assembly whereby the second end portion thereof can be depressed into said second tubular guide member and held under compression.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fiber optics element in accordance with claim 1 wherein said stop element comprises a shoulder of circular cross-section integral with the external walls of said tubular plunger member.