US4849032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Orthodontic coil spring and method of making the same
Assignee: Tomy Co Ltd
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Filing: 1988-03-17
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Granted: 1989-07-18
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Expires: 2008-03-17
Abstract
Abstract An orthodontic coil spring is made of a shape-memory alloy wire which is wound into a coil and heat treated into a superelastic state. The coil spring imparts a predetermined spring force within a superelastic zone of deflection.
Inventors
- 👤 Kozo Kawaguchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:06
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F1/00; F16F1/02; F16F1/021; A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; C; C22; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/006; A61C2201/00; A61C2201/007; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S420/00; Y10S420/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of making an orthodontic coil spring for use in imparting forces to move a patient's teeth, said method comprising the following steps: winding a shape-memory alloy wire into a coil, and heating said coil for a fixed period of time within a fixed temperature range into a superelastic state for developing a predetermined spring force within a superelastic zone of deflection of said coil.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of making an orthodontic coil spring for use in imparting forces to move a patient's teeth, said method comprising the following steps: winding a shape-memory alloy wire into a coil, and heating said coil for a fixed period of time within a fixed temperature range into a superelastic state for developing a predetermined spring force within a superelastic zone of deflection of said coil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of making an orthodontic coil spring according to claim 1, wherein the time of heating said coil within said temperature range is decreased in order to increase the spring force of said coil throughout the superelastic zone of deflection of said coil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of making an orthodontic coil spring according to claim 1, wherein the time of heating said coil within said temperature range is increased in order to decrease the spring force of said coil throughout the superelastic zone of deflection of said coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of making an orthodontic coil spring according to claim 1, wherein said shape-memory alloy wire is wound into a coil having a close contact shape for making a tension coil spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of making an orthodontic coil spring according to claim 1, wherein said shape-memory alloy wire is wound into a coil having spaced pitch intervals for making a compression coil spring.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of making an orthodontic tension coil spring for use in imparting forces to move a patient's teeth, said method comprising the following steps: winding a shape-memory alloy wire into a coil having spaced pitch intervals, heating said coil for a fixed period of time within a fixed temperature range into a superelastic state for developing a predetermined spring force within a superelastic zone of deflection of said coil, and rewinding said coil in the opposite direction of said first winding, and into a coil having a close contact shape so that said coil is formed with initial tension for imparting spring force upon even slight deflection of said coil spring.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of making an orthodontic tension coil spring for use in imparting forces to move a patient's teeth, said method comprising the following steps: winding a shape-memory alloy wire into a coil having spaced pitch intervals, heating said coil for a fixed period of time within a fixed temperature range into a superelastic state for developing a predetermined spring force within a superelastic zone of deflection of said coil, and rewinding said coil in the opposite direction of said first winding, and into a coil having a close contact shape so that said coil is formed with initial tension for imparting spring force upon even slight deflection of said coil spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
An orthodontic coil spring for use in imparting forces to move a patient's teeth, said spring comprising: a shape-memory alloy wire, said wire being wound into a coil and heat treated into a superelastic state, said coil spring imparting a predetermined spring force within a superelastic zone of deflection of said coil spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
An orthodontic coil spring for use in imparting forces to move a patient's teeth, said spring comprising: a shape-memory alloy wire, said wire being wound into a coil and heat treated into a superelastic state, said coil spring imparting a predetermined spring force within a superelastic zone of deflection of said coil spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An orthodontic coil spring as described in claim 7, wherein said shape-memory alloy wire is made of a nickel-titanium alloy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An orthodontic coil spring as described in claim 7, wherein said coil spring imparts a substantially constant spring force throughout a superelastic zone of deflection of said coil spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
An orthodontic tension coil spring for use in imparting forces to move a patient's teeth, said spring comprising: a shape-memory alloy wire, said wire being heat treated into a superelastic state and wound into a coil having a close contact shape, said coil having initial tension for imparting a predetermined spring force upon even slight deflection of said coil spring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
An orthodontic tension coil spring for use in imparting forces to move a patient's teeth, said spring comprising: a shape-memory alloy wire, said wire being heat treated into a superelastic state and wound into a coil having a close contact shape, said coil having initial tension for imparting a predetermined spring force upon even slight deflection of said coil spring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
An orthodontic tension coil spring as described in claim 10, wherein said coil spring imparts a substantially constant spring force throughout a superelastic zone of deflection of said coil spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-17 | 1993-01-16 | 1993-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-17 | 1997-01-16 | 1997-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-17 | 2001-01-16 | 2001-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |