US4318694A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tooth-to-tooth retainer wire installation apparatus
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1980-11-20
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Granted: 1982-03-09
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Expires: 2000-11-20
Abstract
Abstract An elasticized stabilizer for temporarily immobilizing a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire as commonly applied in orthodontia. The stabilizer comprises an elongated filament with modifications or enlargements on each end. When the filament is stretched and placed between two adjacent teeth, the retainer wire is urged toward the teeth and held in position during installation.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul E. Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C5/00; A61C5/007; A61C7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer comprising an elongated filament portion sized to fit and extend between a pair of adjacent teeth, an eyelet formed adjacent one end of said filament portion for receiving and engaging such a wire and, through stretching of the filament portion, for urging the wire toward one side of such teeth, and reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion for acting against the opposite side of such teeth to inhibit withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer comprising an elongated filament portion sized to fit and extend between a pair of adjacent teeth, an eyelet formed adjacent one end of said filament portion for receiving and engaging such a wire and, through stretching of the filament portion, for urging the wire toward one side of such teeth, and reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion for acting against the opposite side of such teeth to inhibit withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
107 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer, in operative condition engaging and immobilizing such a wire, comprising an elongated filament portion fitting and extending between a pair of adjacent teeth in a stretched condition, an eyelet formed adjacent one end of said filament portion receiving and engaging such a wire and urging it toward one side of such teeth, and reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion acting against the opposite side of such teeth inhibiting withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer, in operative condition engaging and immobilizing such a wire, comprising an elongated filament portion fitting and extending between a pair of adjacent teeth in a stretched condition, an eyelet formed adjacent one end of said filament portion receiving and engaging such a wire and urging it toward one side of such teeth, and reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion acting against the opposite side of such teeth inhibiting withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer comprising an elongated filament portion sized to fit and extend between a pair of adjacent teeth, means joined adjacent one end of said filament portion for engaging such a wire and, through stretching of the filament portion, for urging the wire toward one side of such teeth, reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion for acting against the opposite side of such teeth to inhibit withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side tooth, and a pair of manipulation tabs, with one projecting from said engaging means, and the other projecting from said reaction means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer comprising an elongated filament portion sized to fit and extend between a pair of adjacent teeth, means joined adjacent one end of said filament portion for engaging such a wire and, through stretching of the filament portion, for urging the wire toward one side of such teeth, reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion for acting against the opposite side of such teeth to inhibit withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side tooth, and a pair of manipulation tabs, with one projecting from said engaging means, and the other projecting from said reaction means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
124 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer, in operative condition engaging and immobilizing such a wire, comprising an elongated filament portion fitting and extending between a pair of adjacent teeth in a stretched condition, means joined adjacent one end of said filament portion engaging such a wire and urging it toward one side of such teeth, reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion acting against the opposite side of such teeth inhibiting withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth, and a pair of manipulation tabs, with one projecting from said engaging means, and the other projecting from said reaction means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
124 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer, in operative condition engaging and immobilizing such a wire, comprising an elongated filament portion fitting and extending between a pair of adjacent teeth in a stretched condition, means joined adjacent one end of said filament portion engaging such a wire and urging it toward one side of such teeth, reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion acting against the opposite side of such teeth inhibiting withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth, and a pair of manipulation tabs, with one projecting from said engaging means, and the other projecting from said reaction means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
150 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer comprising an elongated filament portion sized to fit and extend between a pair of adjacent teeth, means joined adjacent one end of said filament portion for engaging such a wire, and, through stretching of the filament portion, for urging the wire toward one side of such teeth, reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion for acting against the opposite side of such teeth to inhibit withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth, and a knob joined to said reaction means opposite said filament portion, said engaging means including an elongated filament extension joined to said filament portion which is foldable about such a retainer wire, and an eyelet joined to said extension which is removably attachable to said knob.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
150 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer comprising an elongated filament portion sized to fit and extend between a pair of adjacent teeth, means joined adjacent one end of said filament portion for engaging such a wire, and, through stretching of the filament portion, for urging the wire toward one side of such teeth, reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion for acting against the opposite side of such teeth to inhibit withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth, and a knob joined to said reaction means opposite said filament portion, said engaging means including an elongated filament extension joined to said filament portion which is foldable about such a retainer wire, and an eyelet joined to said extension which is removably attachable to said knob.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer comprising an elongated filament portion sized to fit and extend between a pair of adjacent teeth, means joined adjacent one end of said filament portion for engaging such a wire and, through stretching of the filament portion, for urging the wire toward one side of said teeth, and reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion for acting against the opposite side of said teeth to inhibit withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth, said engaging means including an elongated filament extension joined at one end to said filament portion foldable about such a retainer wire, and an enlargement joined with the opposite end of said extension actable against the opposite side of such teeth.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer comprising an elongated filament portion sized to fit and extend between a pair of adjacent teeth, means joined adjacent one end of said filament portion for engaging such a wire and, through stretching of the filament portion, for urging the wire toward one side of said teeth, and reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion for acting against the opposite side of said teeth to inhibit withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth, said engaging means including an elongated filament extension joined at one end to said filament portion foldable about such a retainer wire, and an enlargement joined with the opposite end of said extension actable against the opposite side of such teeth.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
145 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer, in operative condition engaging and immobilizing such a wire, comprising an elongated filament portion fitting and extending between a pair of adjacent teeth in a stretched condition, means joined adjacent one end of said filament portion engaging such a wire and urging it toward one side of such teeth, reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion acting against the opposite side of such teeth inhibiting withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth, and a knob joined to said reaction means opposite said filament portion, said engaging means including an elongated filament extension joined to said filament portion and folded about the wire, and an eyelet joined to said extension removably attached to said knob.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
145 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer, in operative condition engaging and immobilizing such a wire, comprising an elongated filament portion fitting and extending between a pair of adjacent teeth in a stretched condition, means joined adjacent one end of said filament portion engaging such a wire and urging it toward one side of such teeth, reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion acting against the opposite side of such teeth inhibiting withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth, and a knob joined to said reaction means opposite said filament portion, said engaging means including an elongated filament extension joined to said filament portion and folded about the wire, and an eyelet joined to said extension removably attached to said knob.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
144 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer, in operative condition engaging and immobilizing such a wire, comprising an elongated filament portion fitting and extending between a pair of adjacent teeth in a stretched condition, means joined adjacent one end of said filament portion engaging such a wire and urging it toward one side of such teeth, and reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion acting against the opposite side of such teeth inhibiting withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth, said engaging means including an elongated filament extension joined at one end of said filament portion and folded about the wire, and an enlargement joined to the opposite side of said extension acting against the opposite side of such teeth.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
144 words
A unitary elasticized stabilizer for immobilizing temporarily a tooth-to-tooth retainer wire or the like during its installation, said stabilizer, in operative condition engaging and immobilizing such a wire, comprising an elongated filament portion fitting and extending between a pair of adjacent teeth in a stretched condition, means joined adjacent one end of said filament portion engaging such a wire and urging it toward one side of such teeth, and reaction means joined adjacent the other end of said filament portion acting against the opposite side of such teeth inhibiting withdrawal of the filament portion in a direction toward the one side of the teeth, said engaging means including an elongated filament extension joined at one end of said filament portion and folded about the wire, and an enlargement joined to the opposite side of said extension acting against the opposite side of such teeth.
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) | 1985-03-08 | 1985-09-07 | 1986-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-03-08 | 1989-09-07 | 1990-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-03-08 | 1993-09-07 | 1994-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |