Claims
- 1. An orthodontic appliance, comprising:
a first attachment appliance attached to first teeth associated with a first jaw of a patient; a second attachment appliance attached to second teeth associated with a second jaw of the patient, wherein the first appliance and the second appliance are capable of association with the teeth of the patient for applying forces to and between the first appliance and the second appliance and the teeth associated with the first appliance and the second appliance; and a connecting element including a generally flat, elongated, resilient strip configured for developing an axial pushing force from end to end when flexed between the first attachment appliance and the second attachment appliance for moving the first teeth relative to the second teeth, the strip having a pair of end portions, an end cap mounted on one end portion of the strip and configured for attachment to an adjacent one of the first and second appliances, wherein the end cap has an end flange with an opening therethrough configured for bearing against the adjacent attachment appliance while allowing the connecting element to swivel relative to the adjacent attachment appliance, and means for mounting the other end of the connecting element to the other attachment appliance.
- 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for mounting the other end of the connecting element comprises a second end cap mounted on the other end portion of the connecting element configured for attachment to an adjacent one of the first and second appliances, the second end cap having an end flange with an opening therethrough configured for bearing against the adjacent attachment appliance while allowing the connecting element to swivel relative to the adjacent attachment appliance.
- 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a pin set through aligned holes in the end cap and the end portion of the strip on which the end cap is mounted, which pin mechanically secures the end cap to the strip.
- 4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a weld that secures the pin in the aligned holes.
- 5. A connecting element for use with a first attachment appliance attached to first teeth associated with a first jaw of a patient and a second attachment appliance attached to second teeth associated with a second jaw of the patient, wherein the first appliance and the second appliance are capable of association with the teeth of the patient for applying forces to and between the first appliance and the second appliance and the teeth associated with the first appliance and the second appliance, comprising:
a generally flat, elongated, resilient strip configured for developing an axial pushing force from end to end when flexed between the first attachment appliance and the second attachment appliance for moving the first teeth relative to the second teeth, the strip having a pair of end portions; an end cap mounted on one end portion of the strip and configured for attachment to an adjacent one of the first and second appliances, wherein the end cap has an end flange with an opening therethrough configured for bearing against the adjacent attachment appliance while allowing the connecting element to swivel relative to the adjacent attachment appliance, and means for mounting the other end of the connecting element to the other attachment appliance.
- 6. The connecting element of claim 5, wherein the means for mounting the other end of the connecting element comprises a second end cap mounted on the other end portion of the connecting element configured for attachment to an adjacent one of the first and second appliances, the second end cap having an end flange with an opening therethrough configured for bearing against the adjacent attachment appliance while allowing the connecting element to swivel relative to the adjacent attachment appliance.
- 7. The element of claim 6, further comprising a pin set through aligned holes in the end cap and the end portion of the strip on which the end cap is mounted, which pin mechanically secures the end cap to the strip.
- 8. The element of claim 7, further comprising a weld that secures the pin in the aligned holes.
- 9. A set for making connecting elements of claim 5 in variable sizes, comprising:
a plurality of the strips, wherein each strip has a mounting hole through the end portion by which it is to be connected to the end cap; and a plurality of the end caps, wherein each end cap has a mounting hole therein alignable with the mounting hole in the strip when the associated end portion of the strip is inserted into a slot in the end cap, and wherein the end flanges of the end caps are of varying lengths such that the opening through the end flange is in a variety of different positions relative to the strip.
- 10. The set of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of pins insertable into the aligned mounting holes for securing one the caps to the one of the strips.
- 11. The set of claim 10, further comprising a common container for the strips, end caps and pins.
- 12. An orthodontic appliance, comprising:
a first attachment appliance attached to first teeth associated with a first jaw of a patient; a second attachment appliance attached to second teeth associated with a second jaw of the patient, wherein the first appliance and the second appliance are capable of association with the teeth of the patient for applying forces to and between the first appliance and the second appliance and the teeth associated with the first appliance and the second appliance, and at least one of the first and second appliances includes an outward projection ending in a stop; a connecting element including a generally flat, elongated, resilient strip configured for developing an axial pushing force from end to end when flexed between the first attachment appliance and the second attachment appliance for moving the first teeth relative to the second teeth, the strip having a pair of end portions, and means for mounting the ends of the connecting element to the attachment appliances.
- 13. The appliance of claim 12, wherein at least one of the mounting means comprises a hole formed on one end portion of the strip through which outward projection extends, with the stop retaining the strip on the outward projection.
- 14. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the outward projection comprises a wire having one end mounted in a buccal tube which is attached to a band mounted on a rear molar, and having an arm which extends outwardly on which an end portion of the strip is mounted.
- 15. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the connecting element further comprises an end cap mounted on one end portion of the strip, and the mounting means further comprises a flange extending from the end cap having a mounting hole therein.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/275,814, filed Mar. 14, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60275814 |
Mar 2001 |
US |