US4133339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Needle with deformable eye
Assignee: FLOSS AID CORP
•
Filing: 1977-08-11
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Granted: 1979-01-09
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Expires: 1997-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A needle for leading dental floss or other fibrous material through narrow apertures. A curved substantially rigid needle is provided with an eye having resilient, deformable sides for temporary expansion of the eye for ease of threading and for temporary compression in passing through narrow apertures.
Inventors
- 👤 Erik I. Naslund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C15/00; A61C15/04; A61C15/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A needle for leading dental floss and the like through narrow apertures comprising, a semi-rigid needle body having a rearward end defining an elongated eye between opposed resilient, deformable sides for temporary expansion and compression of the eye, said eye having a fixed forward and rearward radius between said opposed deformable sides, the combined maximum width of both of said deformable sides is less than twice the maximum width of the needle body apart from said eye.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A needle for leading dental floss and the like through narrow apertures comprising, a semi-rigid needle body having a rearward end defining an elongated eye between opposed resilient, deformable sides for temporary expansion and compression of the eye, said eye having a fixed forward and rearward radius between said opposed deformable sides, the combined maximum width of both of said deformable sides is less than twice the maximum width of the needle body apart from said eye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rearwardmost portion of said eye has a diminished thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body is curved.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said semi-rigid body has the rigidity of acetal polymeric plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said needle body has a forward portion whose thickness is tapered.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said needle body has a forward portion with a forward rounded end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each radius of curvature where said opposed deformable sides of said eye are joined is between 0.001 inches and 0.020 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a needle body portion extends rearward of said eye for reinforcing said eye.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A needle for leading dental floss and the like through narrow apertures comprising, a semi-rigid needle body having a pre-selected maximum body width, said body having a rearward end defining an eye between opposed, resilient deformable sides for temporary expansion and compression of the eye, said opposed deformable sides having thickness and width dimensions, the combined coplanar width of the two sides being less than the maximum body width of said needle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
A needle for leading dental floss and the like through narrow apertures comprising, a semi-rigid needle body having a pre-selected maximum body width, said body having a rearward end defining an eye between opposed, resilient deformable sides for temporary expansion and compression of the eye, said opposed deformable sides having thickness and width dimensions, the combined coplanar width of the two sides being less than the maximum body width of said needle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said needle body has a forward portion whose thickness is tapered.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said needle body has a forward portion with a forward rounded end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein a needle body portion extends rearward of said eye for reinforcing said eye, said portion and the rearwardmost portion of said eye having a diminished thickness.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said deformable sides of said eye are joined at each end, the rearward end of the eye defining a radius.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein each radius of curvature where said opposed deformable sides of said eye are joined is between 0.001 inches and 0.020 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said needle is made of acetal copolymer plastic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the combined maximum width of both of said deformable sides is less than 0.080 inches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US741556A
Cited
US1449068A
Cited
US1506262A
Cited
US2931371A
Cited
US3233800A
Cited
US3779256A
Cited
US3929144A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-08 | 1982-07-10 | 1983-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-08 | 1986-07-10 | 1987-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-08 | 1990-07-10 | 1991-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |