US4242085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-purpose orthodontic bracket
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-11-13
•
Granted: 1980-12-30
•
Expires: 1998-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A multi-purpose orthodontic bracket has first and second arch wire receiving openings formed therein, the first arch wire receiving opening being larger than the second arch wire receiving opening. An arch wire contact surface is defined over a minor portion of the width of the bracket and is in communication with the second arch wire receiving opening. A support is provided on at least one of the front and rear portions of the bracket for at least partially defining the first arch wire receiving opening, the support including at least a plurality of support areas distributed along at least a major portion of the width of the bracket for receiving and supporting an arch wire thereon. The bracket further includes a retaining pin receiving slot which extends substantially perpendicularly to the arch wire receiving openings. Further disclosed are retaining pin structures and a further novel bracket configuration which has an integral bent-up arch wire contact surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Melvin Wallshein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A multi-purpose orthodontic bracket comprising: a rear portion adapted to be mounted to a surface of a tooth, a front portion, and an intermediate portion interconnecting said front and rear portions; means forming first and second arch wire receiving openings in at least a surface of at least one of said front and rear portions, said first arch wire receiving opening being larger than the second arch wire receiving opening; means defining an arch wire contact surface over a minor portion of the width of the bracket and in communication with said second arch wire receiving opening; support means on at least one of said front and rear portions for at least partially defining said larger first arch wire receiving opening, said support means including at least a plurality of support areas distributed along at least a major portion of the width of the bracket for receiving an arch wire thereon; and means defining a retaining pin receiving slot in said bracket extending substantially perpendicularly to the arch wire receiving openings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A multi-purpose orthodontic bracket comprising: a rear portion adapted to be mounted to a surface of a tooth, a front portion, and an intermediate portion interconnecting said front and rear portions; means forming first and second arch wire receiving openings in at least a surface of at least one of said front and rear portions, said first arch wire receiving opening being larger than the second arch wire receiving opening; means defining an arch wire contact surface over a minor portion of the width of the bracket and in communication with said second arch wire receiving opening; support means on at least one of said front and rear portions for at least partially defining said larger first arch wire receiving opening, said support means including at least a plurality of support areas distributed along at least a major portion of the width of the bracket for receiving an arch wire thereon; and means defining a retaining pin receiving slot in said bracket extending substantially perpendicularly to the arch wire receiving openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The bracket of claim 1 wherein said interconnecting intermediate portion of said bracket comprises at least a portion of said means defining said arch wire contact surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bracket of claim 1 wherein said means defining an arch wire contact surface depends from said intermediate interconnecting portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bracket of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said arch wire contact surface is substantially a point contact surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The bracket of any one of claims 1, or 3 wherein said support means is at the same level in the vertical direction as said arch wire contact surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bracket of claim 5 wherein said support means comprises at least one elongated ledge or shelf formed in at least one of said front and rear portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The bracket of claim 6 wherein said ledge or shelf is oriented at a predetermined angle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bracket of claim 6 including a ledge or shelf on both of said front and rear portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The bracket of claim 5 wherein said support means comprises a plurality of projections projecting from at least one of said front and rear portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The bracket of any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said support means is at an elevated level with respect to said arch wire contact surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bracket of claim 10 wherein said support means comprises at least one elongated ledge or shelf formed in at least one of said front and rear portions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The bracket of claim 10 wherein said ledge or shelf is oriented at a predetermined angle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bracket of claim 10 including a ledge or shelf on both of said front and rear portions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The bracket of claim 10 wherein said support means comprises a plurality of projections projecting from at least one of said front and rear portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bracket of claim 1 further comprising means defining at least one tie wire engaging slot or groove in said bracket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The bracket of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said means forming first and second arch wire receiving opening comprises wall portions, a first wall portion being formed in said front portion of said bracket and a second wall portion being formed in the rear portion of said bracket.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bracket of claim 16 wherein said wall portions are substantially parallel to the rear surface of said rear bracket portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The bracket of claim 16 wherein said wall portions are oriented at an angle relative to the rear surface of said rear bracket portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bracket of claim 16 wherein said wall portions and said support means define a substantially rectangular arch wire receiving opening for substantially non-rotationally receiving and retaining a rectangular arch wire.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bracket of claim 19 wherein said wall portions and support means define an angulated substantially rectangular arch wire receiving opening.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The bracket of claim 19 further comprising a retaining pin adapted to be received in said retaining pin slot, said retaining pin having means thereon extending over a substantial portion of the length of said arch wire receiving opening to securely retain an arch wire received therein.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The bracket of claim 21 wherein said pin presents at least one angulated surface for retaining an arch wire in said angulated arch wire receiving opening in an angulated orientation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bracket of claim 22 wherein said pin includes an elongated arch wire receiving slot therein and defining at least a part-rectangular opening for receiving and retaining a substantially rectangular arch wire therein.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bracket of claim 23 wherein said arch wire receiving opening of said pin is angulated in a predetermined direction.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
The bracket of claim 16 comprising a retaining notch in at least one of said wall portions for receiving at least a portion of a rectangular arch wire for retaining a rectangular arch wire in an angulated condition in said first arch wire receiving opening.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
The bracket of claim 20 further comprising a retaining pin adapted to be received in said retaining pin slot, said retaining pin having at least one angulated surface for retaining an arch wire in said angulated arch wire receiving opening in an angulated orientation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bracket of claim 26 wherein said pin includes an arch wire receiving slot therein and defining at least a part-rectangular angulated opening for receiving and retaining a substantially rectangular arch wire therein.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
57 words
The bracket of claim 1, further comprising a retaining pin adapted to be received in said retaining pin slot, said retaining pin having an angulated surface which extends substantially across said first arch wire receiving opening for retaining a substantially rectangular arch wire in said first arch wire opening in an angulated orientation relative to said bracket.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The bracket of claim 28 wherein said pin includes an arch wire receiving slot therein defining at least a part-rectangular angulated opening for receiving and retaining a substantially rectangular arch wire therein.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The bracket of claim 28 wherein said at least one angulated surface of said pin extends over a substantial length of said at least one arch wire receiving opening.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bracket of claim 28 wherein said angulation of said pin is about the longitudinal axis of said first arch wire receiving opening.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bracket of claim 31 wherein said angulated surface of said pin is angulated in a mesial-distal direction.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bracket of claim 28 wherein said angulated surface of said pin is angulated in a mesial-distal direction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
70 words
The bracket of claim 1, further comprising a retaining pin adapted to be received in said pin receiving slot, said pin having engaging means at the lower end thereof and said bracket having complementary engaging means at the lower end thereof which is adapted to be engaged by said engaging means of said pin when said pin is inserted in said slot, to thereby retain said pin in said slot.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bracket of claim 34 wherein said engaging means comprises irregular surfaces on said pin and bracket.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The bracket of claim 1 further comprising a notch formed in the front portion of said bracket in communication with said pin receiving slot.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The bracket of claim 36 further comprising a retaining pin adapted to be received in said pin receiving slot, said retaining pin having projection means thereon adapted to be received in said notch in said front portion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The bracket of claim 37 wherein said notch is a bottomed notch and limits the penetration of said pin in said pin receiving slot.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bracket of claim 1 further comprising a notch extending upwardly from the bottom of said front portion and in communication with said pin receiving slot.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bracket of claim 39 further comprising a retaining pin adapted to be received in said pin receiving slot and including an elongated lower leg which is engageable in said notch.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
40 words
The bracket of claim 40 wherein said elongated lower leg extends below the lower edge of said bracket when said pin is fully received in said pin receiving slot and is bendable so as to be engaged in said notch.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The bracket of claim 41 wherein said elongated lower leg portion of said pin includes means for engaging an auxiliary orthodontic apparatus.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
59 words
The bracket of claim 1 further comprising a retaining pin adapted to be received in said pin receiving slot, said pin having an elongated lower leg portion which is adapted to extend out of the bottom of said bracket when said pin is fully received in said bracket, said lower leg portion being bendable upwardly relative to said bracket.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bracket of claim 43 wherein said bendable lower leg portion includes means for engaging an auxiliary orthodontic device.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
60 words
The bracket of claim 1 further comprising a retaining pin adapted to be received in said pin receiving slot, said pin having an elongated lower leg portion which is adapted to extend out of the bottom of said bracket when said pin is fully received in said bracket, said lower leg portion including means for engaging an auxiliary orthodontic device.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bracket of claim 1 wherein said bracket is made of bent metal plate-like material.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
43 words
The bracket of claim 46 wherein said means defining an arch wire contact surface over a minor portion of the width of the bracket comprises a bent-over metal plate-like portion of said bracket which is integral with the intermediate portion of said bracket.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
50 words
The bracket of claim 47 wherein said bent-over portion extends from the lower surface of said intermediate portion of said bracket and is bent upwardly so as to extend to said second arch wire receiving opening, the resulting upper edge of said bent-over portion defining said arch wire contact surface.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
59 words
The bracket of either of claims 46 or 48 wherein said intermediate portion of said bracket is integral with said front and rear portions and extends between said front and rear portions, said intermediate portion having a stepped surface, the step of which defines said support means which at least partially defines said larger first arch wire receiving opening.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
112 words
In combination, a retaining and an orthodontic bracket, said bracket having an arch wire receiving opening and a pin retaining channel therein, the pin comprising: a shank for insertion in said pin retaining channel of said bracket; and a member extending transversely of said shank and defining a part rectangular receiving surface for engaging a rectangular arch wire, said part rectangular receiving surface including at least two substantially parallel surfaces extending from said shank at other than 90°, whereby when a rectangular arch wire is received in said part rectangular receiving surfaces at least one of a pre-torque and an axial deviation is applied to said arch wire relative to said bracket.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
112 words
In combination, a retaining and an orthodontic bracket, said bracket having an arch wire receiving opening and a pin retaining channel therein, the pin comprising: a shank for insertion in said pin retaining channel of said bracket; and a member extending transversely of said shank and defining a part rectangular receiving surface for engaging a rectangular arch wire, said part rectangular receiving surface including at least two substantially parallel surfaces extending from said shank at other than 90°, whereby when a rectangular arch wire is received in said part rectangular receiving surfaces at least one of a pre-torque and an axial deviation is applied to said arch wire relative to said bracket.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination of claim 50 wherein said at least two substantially parallel surface of said part rectangular receiving surface of said retaining pin are angulated about the longitudinal axis of the arch wire received in said pin to impart a pre-torque to the arch wire.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination of either of claims 50 or 51 wherein said at least two substantially parallel surfaces are further angulated so that they extend at an angle of other than 180° to the mesial-distal plane which lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a tooth to impart an axial deviation to the arch wire.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination of claim 50 wherein said part rectangular receiving surface includes at least three surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction of an arch wire, said three surfaces defining adjacent surfaces of a parallelogram, two of said surfaces opposing each other and being substantially parallel with each other.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 53 wherein said three surfaces define adjacent surfaces of a rectangle.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 50 wherein said transversely extending member extends from one end of said shank and the other end of said shank includes means for receiving auxiliary orthodontic devices.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
101 words
In combination, a retaining pin and an orthodontic bracket, said bracket having an arch wire receiving opening and a pin retaining channel therein, the pin comprising: a shank for insertion in said pin retaining channel of said bracket; and a member extending substantially transversely of said shank at one end of said shank and defining an arch wire engaging surface for engaging an elongated side wall of a rectangular arch wire, said arch wire engaging surface being at an angle of other than 90° relative to said shank to retain a rectangular arch wire in an angulated condition in a bracket.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
101 words
In combination, a retaining pin and an orthodontic bracket, said bracket having an arch wire receiving opening and a pin retaining channel therein, the pin comprising: a shank for insertion in said pin retaining channel of said bracket; and a member extending substantially transversely of said shank at one end of said shank and defining an arch wire engaging surface for engaging an elongated side wall of a rectangular arch wire, said arch wire engaging surface being at an angle of other than 90° relative to said shank to retain a rectangular arch wire in an angulated condition in a bracket.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 56 wherein said arch wire engaging surface is angulated about the longitudinal axis of an arch wire to impart a pre-torque to an arch wire received in said pin.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination of either of claims 56 or 57 wherein said arch wire engaging surface is angulated so that it extends at an angle of other than 180° to the mesial-distal plane which lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a tooth to impart an axial deviation to an arch wire received in said pin.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of any one of claims 56 or 57 wherein said member defines an elongated engaging surface extending from said shank in the longitudinal direction of an arch wire.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
57 words
The bracket of any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, further comprising in combination a retaining pin adapted to be received in said retaining pin receiving slot, said retaining pin having surface means thereon for engaging an arch wire and for retaining said arch wire in said arch wire receiving opening in an angulated stressed condition.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
128 words
An orthodontic bracket comprising: a rear portion adapted to be mounted to a surface of a tooth, a front portion, and an intermediate portion interconnecting said front and rear portions; means forming at least one arch wire receiving opening between said front and rear portions; means defining an arch wire contact surface over a minor portion of the width of the bracket and in communication with said arch wire receiving opening, said contact surface defining means including a bent-over integral portion of said bracket an end portion of which extends into communication with said arch wire receiving opening, said end portion at least partially defining said contact surface; and means defining a retaining pin receiving slot in said bracket extending substantially perpendicularly to the arch wire receiving opening.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
128 words
An orthodontic bracket comprising: a rear portion adapted to be mounted to a surface of a tooth, a front portion, and an intermediate portion interconnecting said front and rear portions; means forming at least one arch wire receiving opening between said front and rear portions; means defining an arch wire contact surface over a minor portion of the width of the bracket and in communication with said arch wire receiving opening, said contact surface defining means including a bent-over integral portion of said bracket an end portion of which extends into communication with said arch wire receiving opening, said end portion at least partially defining said contact surface; and means defining a retaining pin receiving slot in said bracket extending substantially perpendicularly to the arch wire receiving opening.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bracket of claim 61 wherein said bent-over portion is integral with said intermediate portion.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
51 words
The bracket of claim 62 wherein said bent-over portion extends from the lower surface of said intermediate portion of said bracket and is bent upwardly so as to extend to said second arch wire receiving opening, the resulting upper end portion of said bent-over portion defining said arch wire contact surface.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bracket of any one of claims 61, 62 or 63, wherein said bracket is made of bent metal plate-like material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-30 | 1984-06-30 | 1984-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-30 | 1988-06-30 | 1988-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-30 | 1992-06-30 | 1992-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |