Claims
- 1. A dental instrument comprising:
an elongated metal tube, hollow at least at one end, having an exterior periphery and first and second spirals formed in the periphery; an overmolded plastic handle locked axially and rotatably to the metal tube; at least one cone having a stem and an instrument receiving portion wherein the stem includes at least one glue receiving feature whereby when the stem is inserted into a glue filled hollow end of the tube, the glue interacts with the feature and when cured, locks the cone to the tube to prevent at least rotation of the cone relative to the tube.
- 2. An instrument as in claim 1 wherein the glue feature comprises one of a slot in the stem, a hole in the stem, and a protrusion from the stem.
- 3. An instrument as in claim 2 which carries at least one treatment tip wherein the tip engages the instrument receiving portion of the cone with an interference fit.
- 4. An instrument as in claim 3 wherein the glue receiving feature comprises an axially oriented elongated slot formed in the stem wherein the instrument resists an applied torque in excess of 35 inch-pounds without rotation of the cone relative to the handle.
- 5. An instrument as in claim 1 wherein the stem is hollow, cylindrical and extends axially from the cone exhibiting a free end.
- 6. An instrument as in claim 5 wherein the glue receiving feature comprises one of a slot formed in the free end, a hole formed in the free end and, at least one glue contacting protrusion formed on the free end.
- 7. A dental treatment structure comprising:
a hollow stem having first and second ends wherein a lateral glue receiving opening is formed adjacent to one of the ends; an instrument receiving segment, coupled to the other end, on a common centerline, wherein the segment defines a symmetrical opening for receipt of a dental treatment applicator.
- 8. A structure as in claim 7 wherein the instrument receiving segment comprises a conical cross section which tapers toward the opening.
- 9. A structure as in claim 7 which includes one of an elongated metal handle with a stem receiving opening in at least one end thereof, and, a plastic handle with an elongated, centrally located stem receiving opening in at least one end thereof whereby glue in the opening of the selected handle fills the glue receiving opening, and when cured, forms a laterally extending obstruction which couples rotary motion between the selected handle and stem precluding relative motion therebetween.
- 10. A structure as in claim 9 wherein the plastic handle includes a hollow, axially oriented metal reinforcement.
- 11. A structure as in claim 10 wherein the metal reinforcement has an external periphery and carries at least one spiral thereon.
- 12. A structure as in clam 11 wherein the reinforcement carries at least first and second reverse spirals.
- 13. A structure as in clam 10 wherein the plastic handle carries molded gripping features on an exterior periphery thereof.
- 14. A method of assembling a dental instrument comprising:
forming an elongated handle with at least one hollow end; placing glue in the follow end; inserting a stem of an instrument supporting apparatus into the hollow end causing the glue to flow thereinto; curing the glue thereby forming a hardened glue mass which extends one of, in part radially through an opening in the stem, and, in part radially relative to a protrusion from the stem.
- 15. A method as in clam 14 which includes subjecting the handle and the apparatus to a torque of at least 35 inch-pounds; and
rejecting those which do not pass the test.
- 16. A method as in claim 14 wherein the forming step includes:
providing an elongated metal insert; molding a resin handle around the insert; and curing the resin handle.
- 17. A method as in claim 16 which includes molding the resin handle so that an end portion of the resin extends axially past an end surface of metal insert.
- 18. A method as in claim 14 wherein the forming step includes forming an elongated meal handle.
- 19. A method as in claim 14 which includes attaching a treatment applying tip to the instrument supporting apparatus.
- 20. A method as in claim 17 which includes attaching the apparatus to the end of the metal insert with an the end of the resin handle abutting a surface of the instrument supporting apparatus
- 21. A method as in claim 20 which includes forming at least one spiral on an exterior peripheral surface of the metal insert.
- 22. A method as in claim 21 which includes forming dual, reverse spirals on the exterior peripheral surface.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/308,624 filed Jul. 30, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60308624 |
Jul 2001 |
US |