CA2262229A1 - Curing device for light-induced curing of dental materials - Google Patents
Curing device for light-induced curing of dental materials Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2262229A1 CA2262229A1 CA002262229A CA2262229A CA2262229A1 CA 2262229 A1 CA2262229 A1 CA 2262229A1 CA 002262229 A CA002262229 A CA 002262229A CA 2262229 A CA2262229 A CA 2262229A CA 2262229 A1 CA2262229 A1 CA 2262229A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hand
- support
- supply station
- curing device
- held apparatus
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C19/00—Dental auxiliary appliances
- A61C19/003—Apparatus for curing resins by radiation
- A61C19/004—Hand-held apparatus, e.g. guns
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
- A61G15/00—Operating chairs; Dental chairs; Accessories specially adapted therefor, e.g. work stands
- A61G15/14—Dental work stands; Accessories therefor
- A61G15/16—Storage, holding or carrying means for dental handpieces or the like
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
- Glass Compositions (AREA)
- Surface Treatment Of Glass Fibres Or Filaments (AREA)
- Heating, Cooling, Or Curing Plastics Or The Like In General (AREA)
Abstract
A curing device for light-induced curing of dental materials includes a hand-held apparatus containing a light source whereby the hand-held apparatus is pistol-shaped and comprises a main body and a grip connected to the main body. A cable connects the grip of the hand-held apparatus to a supply station. A support for receiving the hand-held apparatus is provided. The support is detachably connected to the supply station or a stand such that the support in which the hand-held apparatus is received is storable at the supply station or separate from the supply station.
Description
CURING DEVICE FOR LIGHT-INDUCED CURING aF DENTAL
MATERIALS
Background of the Invention The present invention relates to curing device, especially for light-induced curing of dental materials, having substantially a pistol-shape with a grip whereby the grip is connected by a cable to a supply station and whereby the supply station has a support for supporting the curing device.
Such a light curing device, in the following referred to as , hand-held apparatus, is known from European patent application 0 168 364 or German Gebrauchsmuster 92 12 892. These known solutions have a cable connection between the grip of the substantially pistol-shaped hand-held apparatus and the supply station. For ergonomic reasons, the cable exits the hand-held apparatus usually at the lower end of the grip in order to prevent that the cable will be a nuisance when manipulating the device in the vicinity of a patent's mouth.
The supply station has a supportforsupporking the hand-held apparatus which support receives the grip of the hand-held apparatus. While such a support for a hand-held apparatus operated by batteries, as known from European patent application ~ 9e so o~r2. s . rvO~,4R North q»ral~ . ~~emann - 2e57.rl.18.898 588 800, can be realized without problems) the more powerful cable-supplied version of a hand-held apparatus, that is - independent of battery operation, requires special measures at the support in order to accommodate the cable connection for such plug-in supports.
German Gebrauchsmuster 95 12 $92 therefore provides special slots. However, this requires the cable to be inserted exactly at this location. This complicated insertion has already been realized in the known Gebrauchsmuster so that instead of one slot two slots are provided which both are suitable for extending the cable therethrough.
Even though these slots provide a plurality of insertion possibilities) i.e.) in the case of two slots two insertion possibilities, the insertion of the grip into this location at the support requires a 1 b relatively great manipulation precision and especially requires the careful attention of the dentist. However, such an attention to detail is undesirable for such hand-held apparatus because the dentist should be able to concentrate fully on the actual dental work without having to attend to special manipulation problems for the dental apparatus he uses.
It is thus understandable that such hand-held apparatus are r8F t0 0ya2.B- IYOCLAR lVortn Amerlce . gats"~,nrn~ .2F67.1!~~e.s9e t carelessly placed onto the treatment table or an auxiliary tray where the hand-held apparatus is unprotected. The sensitive end of the light guide is exposed) and) when accidentally catching the connecting cable between the supply station arid the hand-held apparatus, the apparatus can be easily pulled off the table and damaged, especially since the surtaces of the hand-held apparatus as well as of the table or tray are usually very smooth for reasons of hygiene.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light curing device of the aforementioned kind which is improved with rQSpect to manipulation and storage so as to be accepted by dentists as welt as with n?sQect to ergonomic aspects.
Summary of the Invention A curing device for light-induced curing of dental materials according to the present invention is primarily characterized by:
a hand-held apparatus containing a light source;
the hand-held apparatus being pistol-shaped comprising a main body and a grip connected to the main body;
a cable connected to the grip for connecting the hand-held apparatus to a supply station;
a support for receiving the hand-held apparatus;
' -3-!9d !D O~s;.8 - IVOCLAR North I4merios ~ Splar~r~n - 2d!S7.fl 18.801 the support detachably connectable to the supply station or a stand such that the support in which the hand-held apparatus is received is storable at the supply station or separate from the supply station.
Advantageously, the support has a bracket for supporting at least a portion of the main body in front of the grip.
Preferably, the bracket provides slanted supporting surfaces along both sides of the main body and beneath the main body.
The bracket is preferably comprised of a bent wire and has two ends insertable into a holder at the supply station or into the stand.
The cable preferably has plugs for detachably connecting the cable to the supply station and the grip.
The cable is preferably provided in different lengths such that an appropriate length is selectable as needed.
The bracket preferably includes two lateral portions and a curved center portion positioned between the tateral portions.
The bracket is advantageously comprised of a bent wire and has two lower a»ds. When viewed from the ends, the bracket has two parallel, upwardly extending legs and first transition portions extending forwardly in a longitudinal direction of the main body. The f98 ZO PQ2. B ~ lYOCLAR NprtA America . Splanemann . z6y~.p-18.898 lateral portions are connected to the first transition portions and extends to the rear of the main body parallel to the longitudinal direction. The bracket includes two second transition portions extending downwardly and toward one another and connecting the lateral portions and the central curved portion.
The lateral portions preferably have a length between the first and second transition portions that is greater than the width of the grip in the longitudinal direction.
The length of the valor portions is approximately half the length of the main body. , The grip is preferably received and partly surrounded by the central curved portion.
Advantageously, the hand-held apparatus is positionable in the support only in one defined position and the hand-held apparatus, when incorrectly placed into the support) wilt right itself relative to the support in order to assume the defined position.
Expediently, the hand-held apparatus has a light guide having an end portion angled downwardly. The end portion of the light guide has an end facing the surface of the supply station and positioned directly adjacent to that surtace when the hand-held apparatus is received in the support inserted into the holder.
f Q8 so osz. a - rvOCLAI7 fVo~, am~a . Spte"N"err" . aa67-I1a e.aea Between the surface of the supply station and the end face of the light guide a safety distance of 1 cm to 2 cm is provided.
The support, when inserted into the stand) is plaoeable onto a table.
The stand has a support plate extending beneath the end portion of the light guide of the curing device when received in the support.
The support plate has a clamping device for securing the support plate at a table.
The present invention also relates to an apparatus for light-induced curing of dental materials wherein the apparatus Comprises a supply station and a hand-held apparatus containing a light source. Preferably, the hand-held apparatus is pistol-shaped and includes a main body and a grip connected to the main body. A
cable connects the grip of the hand-held apparatus to the supply station. A support for receiving tire hand-held apparatus is provided. The support is detachably connectable to the supply station such that the support in which the hand-held apparatus is received is storable at the supply station or separate from the supply station.
According to the present invention, the light curing device is 198 f0 048.6 ~ IvpCCAR Norfi Aroerico - Splanemann ~ 285~d118.898 supported in a support at the supply station whereby the support for the light curing device is detachably supported at the supply station and, when needed, can be removed therefrom. The support together with the light curing device can thus be stored separate from the supply station.
According to an especially advantageous embodimer tt of the invention, the support is embodied such that the hand-held apparatus Is supported at least partially by the support in front of the grip whereby it is especially advantageous when the center of gravity of the hand-held apparatus, when supported on the support, is positioned above the support such that a vertical line through the center of gravity is clearly spaced from the edges of the support and Pxtends through the support. Preferably, a slanted position of the hand-held apparatus is provided sci that the grip of the hand-held apparatus points toward the user. However, the sensitive light guide is well protected because it extends above the supply station. The angled end portion of the light guide may be facing the supply station and in this manner is especially protected.
Relative to the surface of the supply station,, the support together with the light guide and the front end of the hand-held apparatus thus define a triangle whereby the embodiment of the _7.
9 08 t 0 Pl2.6 - I VOCGAR Npr(h pmwh . $p)~rm,~,~n ~ 2057118.696 support as a bracket has the additional advantage that the light curing device when famished with a vibration-sensitive halogen - lamp as a light source is essentially dampened even when positioned in the support rather quickly. The light source is thus exposed to vibrations to a lesser extent as compared to a hand-held apparatus that is placed quickly onto a hard surface or inserted with its grip into a support with a fixed bottom portion.
A careful treatment e~f the light source is also important with respect to dental-techniotogical reasons. It has been observed that multiple vibrations reduce the service life of the employed halogen light source substantiaily in the same way as the voltage-controlled switching action of the tight source resulting in a high current peak.
Inventively) it is thus advantageous that, when a lamp-protecting switching function for the tight source is provided, the conventional service life of the light source can be used to the full extent and that this service life is surprisingly not shortened by vibrations.
Inventively, the suppcirt is detachably connected to the supply station. This opens possibilities with respect to separating the support ftom the supply station and to store the hand-held ' apparatus at a spacing from the supply station. The dentist is thus _g_ t98 70 042. a - lVpCtAR NpKlr Amerla . SplAnempnn - 2657.IJ.18.R48 able to position the supply station at a remote location, for example, in a covered location so that it is protected from dust. Within his working range, the dentist thus has to deal only with the hand-held apparatus and the support therefor) In this context it is especially favorable to connect the cable by a detachable plug connection to the hand-held apparatus and the supply station because then cables of different lengths can be used in order to provide for a sirnple adaptation to the respective spaclal requirements.
The support for the light curing device may have different shapes and, for example, can be a stand made of plastic or metal.
Such a stand can be anchored, for example) in three bores within the supply station and can then be positioned on a table surface.
The three-point design ensures secure placement onto flat surtaces.
The stand can also have three legs which are elastic and which) when placed onto a surface, will spread. Also, the stand can be provided with a single or multiple legs which allow placement onto a surface.
It is furthermore especially advantageous that the inventive hand-held apparatus can be easily manipulated by the dentist without requiring special attention that~would be taken away from fhe patent in order to be able t0 carry out the precise manipulation _g_ 198 f0 042.8 -1VOCLAR NoIM Amerl~a . Splenlmsnn . 2e5T-n-18.891 steps for handling the apparatus, V1lhen placing the hand-held apparatus onto the support, without the dentist taking special precautions, especially when the support is slanted and provides a substantially V-shaped supporting action for the handheld apparatus, the hand-held apparatus easily and automatically slides due to the slanted positioning of the support into its defined end position) even when it is placed onto the support In a slightly canted ar laterally slightly misaligned manner.
According to a further especially advantageous embodiment it is suggested to embody the support as a bracket which is supported on a stand that is independent of the supply station- This stand can then be conryected to a working surface) for example, by clamping screws, and the supply station itself is positioned below the working surface. it is thus out of sight, less susceptible to 95 soiling, and will also not impede other actions to be performed by the dentist.
In this design the working surface is practically a replacement for the surface of the supply station and thus provides due to its arrangement a protection of the relatively sensitive end portion of the light guide which is therefore less susceptible to soiling.
With the inventive simple and inexpensive means a ' -10-s P8 ~D 042. B - IYOCtAR North /lrreries - Splen~msrnr - 2857d1~t 8.698 significant improvement of the manipulation of such light curing devices can be achieved which fulfill to a large degree the requirements of a dental practice.
It is understood that the precise design of the inventive bracket can be adapted as needed to a wide range of specifications.
Preferably) the bracket is comprised of two lateral portions which extend symmetrically to one another and provide a substantially U or V-shaped support surface which is self centering.
The design can expediently be provided such that a threading (catching) of the light guide end portion is no longer possible at one of the lateral portions or the central curved portion, even when the end portion of the light guide is angled or slanted and pointed downwardly.
Preferably, the central curved portion is positioned lower so that the end portion of the light guide cannot catch thereon, even if the hand-held apparatus is inserted carelessly. ' While the disclosed embodiments show a shape of the lateral portions that is closed in the forward direction, according to a modifred embodiment it is also possible to design the lateral portions such that no forvvard curved transition portions are provided or to design them such that they extend radially relative to the hand-t98 !b D~~.6 ~ It~oC~ /yes qmErY~p . gp~,n - ~g7-ff 18.62D
held apparatus.
While hand-held apparatus with angled light guide end portions conventionally have light guides that are rotatable relative to the apparatus, so that they are useable for light polymerization in the upper jaw as well as in the lower jaw, the fight guides at the end of the treatment are sometimes rotated~such that the light guide end portions face downwardly. ~ This is the most favorite position with regard to preventing soiling, and in this most common position the inventive design of a light curing device provides a special protection for the end portion of the fight guide.
The spacing of the end portion of the light guide to the surface, i.e., to the surface to the supply station or to the working surface, is preferably such that even for a maximum spring action of the bracket and for a respective harsh manipulation of the end portion of the light guide, the end portion is stiN safely spaced from the surface, while it is advantageous that in the resting and unstressed position of the bracket the end portion of the light guide is at most a few centimeters away from the surface in order to provide especially good protection of the end portion.
According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention it is suggested that the support is comprised of wire which ~ 12-r98 t0 Oc2.6- fvOCLAR Nprfi AmeHCS- Sp~anemarrn -?867.1618,89E
can be easily cleaned and disinfected and which is easily insertable into the supply station or a stand. If needed) the bracket made of wire can be removed and completely introduced into a disinfection bath. Even when this is not required, the inventive support is any case easy to clean and has no comers that are prone to soiling, as, for example the design of German Gebrauchsmuster 92 12 $92.
According to a further especially advantageous aspect of the invention the surface' of the supply station is curved. This aesthetically especially pleasing design allows for an alignment of the surface parallel to the end portion of the light guide.
The Length of the support is preferably somewhat smaller than the length of the main body of the hand-held apparatus and substantially smaller than the total length of the hand-held apparatus inclusive the light guide. This size consideration allows for a safe supporting action, but provides a compact design of the inventive bracket.
Preferably, the supply station is a flat element having a height so that it i:rts into the standardized drawers of dental practice furniture. Accordingly, it is possible to position the supply station in such drawers. When removing the cable from the plug-in connection at the supply station, the light curing device and the _ 33 .
rss 10 Pt2. a - ~VOCLAR NortAAmerlce ~ Splbnemaim. x~S7.n.t8.89A
support for the sight curing device cen be completely separated from the supply station and can be stored separately.
. Brief Description of the Drawings The object and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following specfication in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventnre light curing device, showing the hand-. held apparatus inserted in the support;
Fig. 2 shows the inventive support in an embodiment comprising a bracket made of wire;
Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive light,curing device in which the support is inserted into a separate stand.
1 ~ Description of Preferred Embodiments' ' The present invention will now described in detail with the aid of several specific embodiments utilizing Figs. 1 through 3.
The embodiment of a light curing device 10 represented in Fig. 1 comprises a supply station 12 and a hand-held apparatus 14 connected by cable 16. The cable 16 is provided at both ends with plug connections and is supplied in various precut lengths.
t981D 041.8 - IYOCL,AR North A~r~iCe - Sptenemamr - 286T n-18.898 The hand-held apparatus is subst2~ntiatly pistol-shaped. Its main body 18 comprises a substantially cylindrical part 20 ending in a cone 22 and having a transition into a light guide 24.
A grip 26 extends at a slant to the rear and downwardly from the part 20. It is furnished in a manner known per se with a switch 28 for switching on and off the light source contained in the main body 18. The end 30 of the light guide 24 is angled and has an end face 32 which, in the position shown in Fig. 1, points downwardly.
Inventively, a support 34 for the hand-held apparatus is provided which, in the shown embodiment, is positioned on the supply station 12. The support 34 has a bracket 36 for receiving the hand-held apparatus 14 whereby the bracket 36 safely supports the main body 18 at the supply station due to its special design.
The bracket 36 has tinro lateral portions 38 and 40 whereby 15~ in Fig. 1 only the lateral portion 38 can be seen while the lateral portion 40 (shown in Fig, 2) in the representation according to Fig.
1 is covered by the main body 18 of the apparatus 14. The lateral portions 38 and 40 are connected to one another by a central curved portion 32. In the position represented in Fig, 1) which is the . end position of the hand-held apparatus 14 in the support 34, the central curved portion 42 surrounds the grip 2G on three sides and - 15 ~-rF! 100426 - IVC1CLAR Np~pr Am~If~ - $p~rtgmArM ~ ygS;.ll.16.89t extends practically over the entire length of the grip, when viewed in the axial or longitudinal direction of the light curing device.
The lateral portions in the shown embodiment are embodied such that to the front and to the rear they have a first and a second transitions 44 and 46, as can be seen especially in Fig. 2.
. The supply station 12 has at its surface 48 two bores spaced from one another into which the two ends of the bracket 36 are inserted. Since the bracket 36 during manipulation, i.e., when removing or placing the hand-held apparatus 14, is never loaded with respect to pulling forces, an insertion of the ends of the bracket without snap-connection is sufficient whereby it is undet~Stood that, if needed, such a snap-connection could be provided.
The surface 48 of the supply station 12 is of a special design.
In a plan view the surface 48 is substantially trapezoidal in shape.
The surtace 48 in the vicinity of a shorter side of the trapeze has a greater curvature than in the vicinity of the longer side. The curvature of the surface 48 is thus mere pronounced at the shorter side than at the longer side whereby a harmonic and uniform transition of the curvature from the short to the long trapeze side is provided. The design is selected such that the supply station 12 based on its surface shape provides the impression of a _16_ 798 t0 042.8 -lYOCLAR Nosh AmHfCS - ~o18»lmporl ~ ?$51-I~~~ 8.898 parallelepiped that is compressed whereby this compression is greater at one side than at the other.
This design is not only aesthetically especially pleasing) but also advantageous in that the electric circuits and the supply for the hand-held apparatus can be without problems housed within the supply station 12. Furthermore) this design in connection with the bracket 36 provides excellent protection of the end face 32. When the bracket 36 at its rear portion is positioned adjacent to the short trapeze side, the hand-held apparatus remains with slightly more than its forward half above the supply station. Accordingly, the light guide 24 does not project forwardly past the front edge 50 of the supply station 12. Instead) the angled end 30 of the light guide 24 ends at a dawnwardly slanted area of the surface 48 so that the end face 32 extends substantially parallel to the surface 48.
~ This design allows to position the hand-held apparatus such that the grip 28 is easily accessible since only the supply station 12 ' is below the grip 26, while the end face 32 is still well protected.
The supply station can be adapted in .wide ranges to the respective requirements. While in the shown embodiment a plug-connection 52 for the cable 16 is provided whereby the mains connection 54 as well as the onJoff switch 56 are positioned rg8 t0 042.6 ~ IVOCLAR Ivp~tr A~ . ~npn,snn . X57-!118.N88 adjacent to one another, it is understood that the arrangement of these connections and operating elements can be provided in any suitable design according to the specific requirements. Also, if needed, venting slots for the optionally needed cooling of a transformer or of the current and voltage control for supplying the hand-held apparatus 14 may be provided) preferably at a vertical wall of the supply station 12. Mowever, the compact design with small surfaces of the inventive supply station 12 is especially ' preferred and easy to clean.
While the represented embodiment of the inventive light curing device 94 shows a position in which the bracket 3~ is inserted into the supply station 12, according to a modified embodiment it is suggested to provide an auxiliary holder which, if needed, may also be the only support or holder. Tt~e auxiliary holder is comprised of a bracket 3fi according to Fig. 2 which is supported in a suitable manner. For example, the bracket 36 can be inserted into a support plate which extends .preferably parallel to the hand-held apparatus 14 and extends to a position below the end portion of the light guide. A respective support plate can be embodied as a cast part and, for example, can be fastened with clamping screws to a treatment table while the supply station 12 is stored) preferably ,~e ,0 0~2. s - rvpCLaR n~ortn Amenca . 5prsnemsrrh . 26srdi., 8.88Q
' covered, for example, in a drawer.
The preferred embodiment of the inventive bracket 36 can be seen in Fig. 2. From one end 60 of the bracket 36 an upwardly extending leg 62 projects. The upper end of the upwardly extending ieg 62 is bent in the forvvard direction and extends substantially horizontally at a slant to form a front curved transition portion 44.
Here the lateral portion 38 begins and the wire is bent by 180° to the rear at the this transition portion 44. The main leg of ahe lateral portion 38 extends not horizontally but at a slant upwardly, according to the position of the hand-held apparatus 14 of the support 34.
At the rear end of the main leg 66, the lateral portion 38 has a rearward curved transition portion 4C which is bent 180° so that the wire extends again in the forward direction parallel to the main leg 62 and provides an auxiliary leg 68 of the lateral portion 38.
The auxiliary leg 68 extends substantially into the area of the upward portion of the leg 62 and it is then bent toward the central curved portion 42. The central curved portion 42 extends at a slant downwardly so that the grip 26 of the hand-held apparatus 14 is preferably positive-lockingly, with a slight wedging action, received between the auxiliary leg 68 of the left and the right lateral portions _19_ 186 t0 02.0 - IVOCLAR Nafh Nnerke - Splenemsnn ~ ?861.,1/-18.89~
38, 40 while the central curved portion 42 provides an abutment in the forward direction.
By lowering the central curved portion 42 below a plane defined by the two auxiliary legs 68, it is achieved that fnr a normal introduction of the hand-held apparatus into the support no contact between the end portion 30 of the light guide 24 and the central curved portion 42 is possible.
The lateral portion 40 is symmetrically embodied to the lateral portion 38 so that bracket 36 ends' by an upwardly extending leg 70 having lower end 72.
In a modified embodiment it is suggested that the forward transition portion 44 is bent outwardly away from the axis of the hand-held apparatus 14. In this embodiment the transition portion between the upward Legs 62, 70 and the forward transition portion 44 is Located at the extension of the auxiliary leg 68 and forms the forward and lower support surtaoe for the main body 18 of the apparatus 14. Starting at this support surface, the forward transition portions 44) in comparison tp the representation of Fig. 2, are bent outwardly, i.e., radially away from. the hand-held apparatus 14 so that even for a greatly rotated introduction of the angled end portion of the light guide there is no risk that the end wilt catch.
2p -79B 70 02.6. II~QGy,,4R Nerlh Ankrf~ . ~anemann _ 215;-I!~tS.60A
Since, however, this type of introduction in practice is not very relevant, the shown embodiment of the inventive bracket 36 of Fig. 2 is preferred.
It is understood that the inventive bracket 36 can be inserted in the same manner into an additional stand or into the supply ' station 12. 1f needed) it is also possible to simply provide a bracket 36 which) as desired by the customer, i.e., the dentist, can be interchangeably inserted into the separate stand or the supply station ~ 2.
According to a further preferred embodiment it is suggested that the support itself is a stand. In this embodiment, no additional stand is provided and the support can be removed from the supply station and pieced onto any planar surface for storage. The support can) for example, be embodied such that it has three legs arranged such that even when the hand-held apparatus 14 is inserted, its . stability is ensured.
Fig. 3 shows a possible embodiment of a stand 80. The auxiliary stand 80 receives the bracket 36 in Cutouts 82 and 84 which are embodied as bores of sufficient depth in the downward direction and provide a stable supporting action. Preferably, the bores 82 and 84 have metallic sleeves which allow for a wear-f98 !0 o~2.6 ~ I~AR North Ameriee- tiplensmsnn - 265~.It.18.8E~A
resistant insertion and removal of the bracket 3f> whereby fitting with respect to the leg 62 and 70 can be ensured without play.
In the shown embodiment the auxiliary stand 80 comprises a substantially flat, rectangular plate extending overthe entire length of the tight curing device 14 so that the end portion 30 of the tight guide is positioned above the auxiliary stand 80 and does not project in the forward direction past the plate.
The stand 80 can be placed in any suitable manner onto a support surface. For example, it may embodied as a metal plate so that, because of its own weight) ~ii provides suffcient stability. it is also possible to provide the stand 80 with suction cups which provide a secure storage on any table-tike surtace.
The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but, also encompasses~any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.
!98 !0 042.6 - I VDCLAR Noah AmMCA - $p1A»9mA»» . ~~./l-18.8A8
MATERIALS
Background of the Invention The present invention relates to curing device, especially for light-induced curing of dental materials, having substantially a pistol-shape with a grip whereby the grip is connected by a cable to a supply station and whereby the supply station has a support for supporting the curing device.
Such a light curing device, in the following referred to as , hand-held apparatus, is known from European patent application 0 168 364 or German Gebrauchsmuster 92 12 892. These known solutions have a cable connection between the grip of the substantially pistol-shaped hand-held apparatus and the supply station. For ergonomic reasons, the cable exits the hand-held apparatus usually at the lower end of the grip in order to prevent that the cable will be a nuisance when manipulating the device in the vicinity of a patent's mouth.
The supply station has a supportforsupporking the hand-held apparatus which support receives the grip of the hand-held apparatus. While such a support for a hand-held apparatus operated by batteries, as known from European patent application ~ 9e so o~r2. s . rvO~,4R North q»ral~ . ~~emann - 2e57.rl.18.898 588 800, can be realized without problems) the more powerful cable-supplied version of a hand-held apparatus, that is - independent of battery operation, requires special measures at the support in order to accommodate the cable connection for such plug-in supports.
German Gebrauchsmuster 95 12 $92 therefore provides special slots. However, this requires the cable to be inserted exactly at this location. This complicated insertion has already been realized in the known Gebrauchsmuster so that instead of one slot two slots are provided which both are suitable for extending the cable therethrough.
Even though these slots provide a plurality of insertion possibilities) i.e.) in the case of two slots two insertion possibilities, the insertion of the grip into this location at the support requires a 1 b relatively great manipulation precision and especially requires the careful attention of the dentist. However, such an attention to detail is undesirable for such hand-held apparatus because the dentist should be able to concentrate fully on the actual dental work without having to attend to special manipulation problems for the dental apparatus he uses.
It is thus understandable that such hand-held apparatus are r8F t0 0ya2.B- IYOCLAR lVortn Amerlce . gats"~,nrn~ .2F67.1!~~e.s9e t carelessly placed onto the treatment table or an auxiliary tray where the hand-held apparatus is unprotected. The sensitive end of the light guide is exposed) and) when accidentally catching the connecting cable between the supply station arid the hand-held apparatus, the apparatus can be easily pulled off the table and damaged, especially since the surtaces of the hand-held apparatus as well as of the table or tray are usually very smooth for reasons of hygiene.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light curing device of the aforementioned kind which is improved with rQSpect to manipulation and storage so as to be accepted by dentists as welt as with n?sQect to ergonomic aspects.
Summary of the Invention A curing device for light-induced curing of dental materials according to the present invention is primarily characterized by:
a hand-held apparatus containing a light source;
the hand-held apparatus being pistol-shaped comprising a main body and a grip connected to the main body;
a cable connected to the grip for connecting the hand-held apparatus to a supply station;
a support for receiving the hand-held apparatus;
' -3-!9d !D O~s;.8 - IVOCLAR North I4merios ~ Splar~r~n - 2d!S7.fl 18.801 the support detachably connectable to the supply station or a stand such that the support in which the hand-held apparatus is received is storable at the supply station or separate from the supply station.
Advantageously, the support has a bracket for supporting at least a portion of the main body in front of the grip.
Preferably, the bracket provides slanted supporting surfaces along both sides of the main body and beneath the main body.
The bracket is preferably comprised of a bent wire and has two ends insertable into a holder at the supply station or into the stand.
The cable preferably has plugs for detachably connecting the cable to the supply station and the grip.
The cable is preferably provided in different lengths such that an appropriate length is selectable as needed.
The bracket preferably includes two lateral portions and a curved center portion positioned between the tateral portions.
The bracket is advantageously comprised of a bent wire and has two lower a»ds. When viewed from the ends, the bracket has two parallel, upwardly extending legs and first transition portions extending forwardly in a longitudinal direction of the main body. The f98 ZO PQ2. B ~ lYOCLAR NprtA America . Splanemann . z6y~.p-18.898 lateral portions are connected to the first transition portions and extends to the rear of the main body parallel to the longitudinal direction. The bracket includes two second transition portions extending downwardly and toward one another and connecting the lateral portions and the central curved portion.
The lateral portions preferably have a length between the first and second transition portions that is greater than the width of the grip in the longitudinal direction.
The length of the valor portions is approximately half the length of the main body. , The grip is preferably received and partly surrounded by the central curved portion.
Advantageously, the hand-held apparatus is positionable in the support only in one defined position and the hand-held apparatus, when incorrectly placed into the support) wilt right itself relative to the support in order to assume the defined position.
Expediently, the hand-held apparatus has a light guide having an end portion angled downwardly. The end portion of the light guide has an end facing the surface of the supply station and positioned directly adjacent to that surtace when the hand-held apparatus is received in the support inserted into the holder.
f Q8 so osz. a - rvOCLAI7 fVo~, am~a . Spte"N"err" . aa67-I1a e.aea Between the surface of the supply station and the end face of the light guide a safety distance of 1 cm to 2 cm is provided.
The support, when inserted into the stand) is plaoeable onto a table.
The stand has a support plate extending beneath the end portion of the light guide of the curing device when received in the support.
The support plate has a clamping device for securing the support plate at a table.
The present invention also relates to an apparatus for light-induced curing of dental materials wherein the apparatus Comprises a supply station and a hand-held apparatus containing a light source. Preferably, the hand-held apparatus is pistol-shaped and includes a main body and a grip connected to the main body. A
cable connects the grip of the hand-held apparatus to the supply station. A support for receiving tire hand-held apparatus is provided. The support is detachably connectable to the supply station such that the support in which the hand-held apparatus is received is storable at the supply station or separate from the supply station.
According to the present invention, the light curing device is 198 f0 048.6 ~ IvpCCAR Norfi Aroerico - Splanemann ~ 285~d118.898 supported in a support at the supply station whereby the support for the light curing device is detachably supported at the supply station and, when needed, can be removed therefrom. The support together with the light curing device can thus be stored separate from the supply station.
According to an especially advantageous embodimer tt of the invention, the support is embodied such that the hand-held apparatus Is supported at least partially by the support in front of the grip whereby it is especially advantageous when the center of gravity of the hand-held apparatus, when supported on the support, is positioned above the support such that a vertical line through the center of gravity is clearly spaced from the edges of the support and Pxtends through the support. Preferably, a slanted position of the hand-held apparatus is provided sci that the grip of the hand-held apparatus points toward the user. However, the sensitive light guide is well protected because it extends above the supply station. The angled end portion of the light guide may be facing the supply station and in this manner is especially protected.
Relative to the surface of the supply station,, the support together with the light guide and the front end of the hand-held apparatus thus define a triangle whereby the embodiment of the _7.
9 08 t 0 Pl2.6 - I VOCGAR Npr(h pmwh . $p)~rm,~,~n ~ 2057118.696 support as a bracket has the additional advantage that the light curing device when famished with a vibration-sensitive halogen - lamp as a light source is essentially dampened even when positioned in the support rather quickly. The light source is thus exposed to vibrations to a lesser extent as compared to a hand-held apparatus that is placed quickly onto a hard surface or inserted with its grip into a support with a fixed bottom portion.
A careful treatment e~f the light source is also important with respect to dental-techniotogical reasons. It has been observed that multiple vibrations reduce the service life of the employed halogen light source substantiaily in the same way as the voltage-controlled switching action of the tight source resulting in a high current peak.
Inventively) it is thus advantageous that, when a lamp-protecting switching function for the tight source is provided, the conventional service life of the light source can be used to the full extent and that this service life is surprisingly not shortened by vibrations.
Inventively, the suppcirt is detachably connected to the supply station. This opens possibilities with respect to separating the support ftom the supply station and to store the hand-held ' apparatus at a spacing from the supply station. The dentist is thus _g_ t98 70 042. a - lVpCtAR NpKlr Amerla . SplAnempnn - 2657.IJ.18.R48 able to position the supply station at a remote location, for example, in a covered location so that it is protected from dust. Within his working range, the dentist thus has to deal only with the hand-held apparatus and the support therefor) In this context it is especially favorable to connect the cable by a detachable plug connection to the hand-held apparatus and the supply station because then cables of different lengths can be used in order to provide for a sirnple adaptation to the respective spaclal requirements.
The support for the light curing device may have different shapes and, for example, can be a stand made of plastic or metal.
Such a stand can be anchored, for example) in three bores within the supply station and can then be positioned on a table surface.
The three-point design ensures secure placement onto flat surtaces.
The stand can also have three legs which are elastic and which) when placed onto a surface, will spread. Also, the stand can be provided with a single or multiple legs which allow placement onto a surface.
It is furthermore especially advantageous that the inventive hand-held apparatus can be easily manipulated by the dentist without requiring special attention that~would be taken away from fhe patent in order to be able t0 carry out the precise manipulation _g_ 198 f0 042.8 -1VOCLAR NoIM Amerl~a . Splenlmsnn . 2e5T-n-18.891 steps for handling the apparatus, V1lhen placing the hand-held apparatus onto the support, without the dentist taking special precautions, especially when the support is slanted and provides a substantially V-shaped supporting action for the handheld apparatus, the hand-held apparatus easily and automatically slides due to the slanted positioning of the support into its defined end position) even when it is placed onto the support In a slightly canted ar laterally slightly misaligned manner.
According to a further especially advantageous embodiment it is suggested to embody the support as a bracket which is supported on a stand that is independent of the supply station- This stand can then be conryected to a working surface) for example, by clamping screws, and the supply station itself is positioned below the working surface. it is thus out of sight, less susceptible to 95 soiling, and will also not impede other actions to be performed by the dentist.
In this design the working surface is practically a replacement for the surface of the supply station and thus provides due to its arrangement a protection of the relatively sensitive end portion of the light guide which is therefore less susceptible to soiling.
With the inventive simple and inexpensive means a ' -10-s P8 ~D 042. B - IYOCtAR North /lrreries - Splen~msrnr - 2857d1~t 8.698 significant improvement of the manipulation of such light curing devices can be achieved which fulfill to a large degree the requirements of a dental practice.
It is understood that the precise design of the inventive bracket can be adapted as needed to a wide range of specifications.
Preferably) the bracket is comprised of two lateral portions which extend symmetrically to one another and provide a substantially U or V-shaped support surface which is self centering.
The design can expediently be provided such that a threading (catching) of the light guide end portion is no longer possible at one of the lateral portions or the central curved portion, even when the end portion of the light guide is angled or slanted and pointed downwardly.
Preferably, the central curved portion is positioned lower so that the end portion of the light guide cannot catch thereon, even if the hand-held apparatus is inserted carelessly. ' While the disclosed embodiments show a shape of the lateral portions that is closed in the forward direction, according to a modifred embodiment it is also possible to design the lateral portions such that no forvvard curved transition portions are provided or to design them such that they extend radially relative to the hand-t98 !b D~~.6 ~ It~oC~ /yes qmErY~p . gp~,n - ~g7-ff 18.62D
held apparatus.
While hand-held apparatus with angled light guide end portions conventionally have light guides that are rotatable relative to the apparatus, so that they are useable for light polymerization in the upper jaw as well as in the lower jaw, the fight guides at the end of the treatment are sometimes rotated~such that the light guide end portions face downwardly. ~ This is the most favorite position with regard to preventing soiling, and in this most common position the inventive design of a light curing device provides a special protection for the end portion of the fight guide.
The spacing of the end portion of the light guide to the surface, i.e., to the surface to the supply station or to the working surface, is preferably such that even for a maximum spring action of the bracket and for a respective harsh manipulation of the end portion of the light guide, the end portion is stiN safely spaced from the surface, while it is advantageous that in the resting and unstressed position of the bracket the end portion of the light guide is at most a few centimeters away from the surface in order to provide especially good protection of the end portion.
According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention it is suggested that the support is comprised of wire which ~ 12-r98 t0 Oc2.6- fvOCLAR Nprfi AmeHCS- Sp~anemarrn -?867.1618,89E
can be easily cleaned and disinfected and which is easily insertable into the supply station or a stand. If needed) the bracket made of wire can be removed and completely introduced into a disinfection bath. Even when this is not required, the inventive support is any case easy to clean and has no comers that are prone to soiling, as, for example the design of German Gebrauchsmuster 92 12 $92.
According to a further especially advantageous aspect of the invention the surface' of the supply station is curved. This aesthetically especially pleasing design allows for an alignment of the surface parallel to the end portion of the light guide.
The Length of the support is preferably somewhat smaller than the length of the main body of the hand-held apparatus and substantially smaller than the total length of the hand-held apparatus inclusive the light guide. This size consideration allows for a safe supporting action, but provides a compact design of the inventive bracket.
Preferably, the supply station is a flat element having a height so that it i:rts into the standardized drawers of dental practice furniture. Accordingly, it is possible to position the supply station in such drawers. When removing the cable from the plug-in connection at the supply station, the light curing device and the _ 33 .
rss 10 Pt2. a - ~VOCLAR NortAAmerlce ~ Splbnemaim. x~S7.n.t8.89A
support for the sight curing device cen be completely separated from the supply station and can be stored separately.
. Brief Description of the Drawings The object and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following specfication in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventnre light curing device, showing the hand-. held apparatus inserted in the support;
Fig. 2 shows the inventive support in an embodiment comprising a bracket made of wire;
Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive light,curing device in which the support is inserted into a separate stand.
1 ~ Description of Preferred Embodiments' ' The present invention will now described in detail with the aid of several specific embodiments utilizing Figs. 1 through 3.
The embodiment of a light curing device 10 represented in Fig. 1 comprises a supply station 12 and a hand-held apparatus 14 connected by cable 16. The cable 16 is provided at both ends with plug connections and is supplied in various precut lengths.
t981D 041.8 - IYOCL,AR North A~r~iCe - Sptenemamr - 286T n-18.898 The hand-held apparatus is subst2~ntiatly pistol-shaped. Its main body 18 comprises a substantially cylindrical part 20 ending in a cone 22 and having a transition into a light guide 24.
A grip 26 extends at a slant to the rear and downwardly from the part 20. It is furnished in a manner known per se with a switch 28 for switching on and off the light source contained in the main body 18. The end 30 of the light guide 24 is angled and has an end face 32 which, in the position shown in Fig. 1, points downwardly.
Inventively, a support 34 for the hand-held apparatus is provided which, in the shown embodiment, is positioned on the supply station 12. The support 34 has a bracket 36 for receiving the hand-held apparatus 14 whereby the bracket 36 safely supports the main body 18 at the supply station due to its special design.
The bracket 36 has tinro lateral portions 38 and 40 whereby 15~ in Fig. 1 only the lateral portion 38 can be seen while the lateral portion 40 (shown in Fig, 2) in the representation according to Fig.
1 is covered by the main body 18 of the apparatus 14. The lateral portions 38 and 40 are connected to one another by a central curved portion 32. In the position represented in Fig, 1) which is the . end position of the hand-held apparatus 14 in the support 34, the central curved portion 42 surrounds the grip 2G on three sides and - 15 ~-rF! 100426 - IVC1CLAR Np~pr Am~If~ - $p~rtgmArM ~ ygS;.ll.16.89t extends practically over the entire length of the grip, when viewed in the axial or longitudinal direction of the light curing device.
The lateral portions in the shown embodiment are embodied such that to the front and to the rear they have a first and a second transitions 44 and 46, as can be seen especially in Fig. 2.
. The supply station 12 has at its surface 48 two bores spaced from one another into which the two ends of the bracket 36 are inserted. Since the bracket 36 during manipulation, i.e., when removing or placing the hand-held apparatus 14, is never loaded with respect to pulling forces, an insertion of the ends of the bracket without snap-connection is sufficient whereby it is undet~Stood that, if needed, such a snap-connection could be provided.
The surface 48 of the supply station 12 is of a special design.
In a plan view the surface 48 is substantially trapezoidal in shape.
The surtace 48 in the vicinity of a shorter side of the trapeze has a greater curvature than in the vicinity of the longer side. The curvature of the surface 48 is thus mere pronounced at the shorter side than at the longer side whereby a harmonic and uniform transition of the curvature from the short to the long trapeze side is provided. The design is selected such that the supply station 12 based on its surface shape provides the impression of a _16_ 798 t0 042.8 -lYOCLAR Nosh AmHfCS - ~o18»lmporl ~ ?$51-I~~~ 8.898 parallelepiped that is compressed whereby this compression is greater at one side than at the other.
This design is not only aesthetically especially pleasing) but also advantageous in that the electric circuits and the supply for the hand-held apparatus can be without problems housed within the supply station 12. Furthermore) this design in connection with the bracket 36 provides excellent protection of the end face 32. When the bracket 36 at its rear portion is positioned adjacent to the short trapeze side, the hand-held apparatus remains with slightly more than its forward half above the supply station. Accordingly, the light guide 24 does not project forwardly past the front edge 50 of the supply station 12. Instead) the angled end 30 of the light guide 24 ends at a dawnwardly slanted area of the surface 48 so that the end face 32 extends substantially parallel to the surface 48.
~ This design allows to position the hand-held apparatus such that the grip 28 is easily accessible since only the supply station 12 ' is below the grip 26, while the end face 32 is still well protected.
The supply station can be adapted in .wide ranges to the respective requirements. While in the shown embodiment a plug-connection 52 for the cable 16 is provided whereby the mains connection 54 as well as the onJoff switch 56 are positioned rg8 t0 042.6 ~ IVOCLAR Ivp~tr A~ . ~npn,snn . X57-!118.N88 adjacent to one another, it is understood that the arrangement of these connections and operating elements can be provided in any suitable design according to the specific requirements. Also, if needed, venting slots for the optionally needed cooling of a transformer or of the current and voltage control for supplying the hand-held apparatus 14 may be provided) preferably at a vertical wall of the supply station 12. Mowever, the compact design with small surfaces of the inventive supply station 12 is especially ' preferred and easy to clean.
While the represented embodiment of the inventive light curing device 94 shows a position in which the bracket 3~ is inserted into the supply station 12, according to a modified embodiment it is suggested to provide an auxiliary holder which, if needed, may also be the only support or holder. Tt~e auxiliary holder is comprised of a bracket 3fi according to Fig. 2 which is supported in a suitable manner. For example, the bracket 36 can be inserted into a support plate which extends .preferably parallel to the hand-held apparatus 14 and extends to a position below the end portion of the light guide. A respective support plate can be embodied as a cast part and, for example, can be fastened with clamping screws to a treatment table while the supply station 12 is stored) preferably ,~e ,0 0~2. s - rvpCLaR n~ortn Amenca . 5prsnemsrrh . 26srdi., 8.88Q
' covered, for example, in a drawer.
The preferred embodiment of the inventive bracket 36 can be seen in Fig. 2. From one end 60 of the bracket 36 an upwardly extending leg 62 projects. The upper end of the upwardly extending ieg 62 is bent in the forvvard direction and extends substantially horizontally at a slant to form a front curved transition portion 44.
Here the lateral portion 38 begins and the wire is bent by 180° to the rear at the this transition portion 44. The main leg of ahe lateral portion 38 extends not horizontally but at a slant upwardly, according to the position of the hand-held apparatus 14 of the support 34.
At the rear end of the main leg 66, the lateral portion 38 has a rearward curved transition portion 4C which is bent 180° so that the wire extends again in the forward direction parallel to the main leg 62 and provides an auxiliary leg 68 of the lateral portion 38.
The auxiliary leg 68 extends substantially into the area of the upward portion of the leg 62 and it is then bent toward the central curved portion 42. The central curved portion 42 extends at a slant downwardly so that the grip 26 of the hand-held apparatus 14 is preferably positive-lockingly, with a slight wedging action, received between the auxiliary leg 68 of the left and the right lateral portions _19_ 186 t0 02.0 - IVOCLAR Nafh Nnerke - Splenemsnn ~ ?861.,1/-18.89~
38, 40 while the central curved portion 42 provides an abutment in the forward direction.
By lowering the central curved portion 42 below a plane defined by the two auxiliary legs 68, it is achieved that fnr a normal introduction of the hand-held apparatus into the support no contact between the end portion 30 of the light guide 24 and the central curved portion 42 is possible.
The lateral portion 40 is symmetrically embodied to the lateral portion 38 so that bracket 36 ends' by an upwardly extending leg 70 having lower end 72.
In a modified embodiment it is suggested that the forward transition portion 44 is bent outwardly away from the axis of the hand-held apparatus 14. In this embodiment the transition portion between the upward Legs 62, 70 and the forward transition portion 44 is Located at the extension of the auxiliary leg 68 and forms the forward and lower support surtaoe for the main body 18 of the apparatus 14. Starting at this support surface, the forward transition portions 44) in comparison tp the representation of Fig. 2, are bent outwardly, i.e., radially away from. the hand-held apparatus 14 so that even for a greatly rotated introduction of the angled end portion of the light guide there is no risk that the end wilt catch.
2p -79B 70 02.6. II~QGy,,4R Nerlh Ankrf~ . ~anemann _ 215;-I!~tS.60A
Since, however, this type of introduction in practice is not very relevant, the shown embodiment of the inventive bracket 36 of Fig. 2 is preferred.
It is understood that the inventive bracket 36 can be inserted in the same manner into an additional stand or into the supply ' station 12. 1f needed) it is also possible to simply provide a bracket 36 which) as desired by the customer, i.e., the dentist, can be interchangeably inserted into the separate stand or the supply station ~ 2.
According to a further preferred embodiment it is suggested that the support itself is a stand. In this embodiment, no additional stand is provided and the support can be removed from the supply station and pieced onto any planar surface for storage. The support can) for example, be embodied such that it has three legs arranged such that even when the hand-held apparatus 14 is inserted, its . stability is ensured.
Fig. 3 shows a possible embodiment of a stand 80. The auxiliary stand 80 receives the bracket 36 in Cutouts 82 and 84 which are embodied as bores of sufficient depth in the downward direction and provide a stable supporting action. Preferably, the bores 82 and 84 have metallic sleeves which allow for a wear-f98 !0 o~2.6 ~ I~AR North Ameriee- tiplensmsnn - 265~.It.18.8E~A
resistant insertion and removal of the bracket 3f> whereby fitting with respect to the leg 62 and 70 can be ensured without play.
In the shown embodiment the auxiliary stand 80 comprises a substantially flat, rectangular plate extending overthe entire length of the tight curing device 14 so that the end portion 30 of the tight guide is positioned above the auxiliary stand 80 and does not project in the forward direction past the plate.
The stand 80 can be placed in any suitable manner onto a support surface. For example, it may embodied as a metal plate so that, because of its own weight) ~ii provides suffcient stability. it is also possible to provide the stand 80 with suction cups which provide a secure storage on any table-tike surtace.
The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the specific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but, also encompasses~any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.
!98 !0 042.6 - I VDCLAR Noah AmMCA - $p1A»9mA»» . ~~./l-18.8A8
Claims (19)
1. A curing device for light-induced curing of dental materials, said curing device comprising:
a hand-held apparatus containing a light source;
said hand-held apparatus being pistol-shaped comprising a main body and a grip connected to said main body;
a cable connected to said grip for connecting said hand-held apparatus to a supply station;
a support for receiving said hand-held apparatus;
said support detachably connectable to the supply station or a stand such that said support in which said hand-held apparatus is received is storable at the supply station or separate from the supply station.
a hand-held apparatus containing a light source;
said hand-held apparatus being pistol-shaped comprising a main body and a grip connected to said main body;
a cable connected to said grip for connecting said hand-held apparatus to a supply station;
a support for receiving said hand-held apparatus;
said support detachably connectable to the supply station or a stand such that said support in which said hand-held apparatus is received is storable at the supply station or separate from the supply station.
2. A curing device according to claim 9, wherein said support has a bracket for supporting at least a portion of said main body in front of said grip.
3. A curing device according to claim 2, wherein said bracket provides slanted supporting surfaces along both sides of said main body and beneath said main body.
4. A curing device according to claim 2, wherein said bracket is comprised of a bent wire and has two ends insertable into a holder at the supply station or into the stand.
5. A curing device according to claim 1, wherein said cable has plugs for detachably connecting said cable to the supply station and said grip.
6. A curing device according to claim 1, wherein said cable is provided in different lengths such that an appropriate length is selectable as needed.
7. A curing device according to claim 2, wherein said bracket includes two lateral portions and a curved center portion positioned between said lateral portions.
8. A curing device according to claim 7, wherein:
said bracket is comprised of a bent wire and has two lower ends;
when viewed from said ends, said bracket has two upwardly extending legs and first transition portions extending forwardly in a longitudinal direction of said main body;
said lateral portions are connected to said first transition portions and extend to the rear of said main body parallel or diverging to said longitudinal direction;
said bracket including two second transition portions extending downwardly and toward one another and connecting said lateral portions and said central curved portion.
said bracket is comprised of a bent wire and has two lower ends;
when viewed from said ends, said bracket has two upwardly extending legs and first transition portions extending forwardly in a longitudinal direction of said main body;
said lateral portions are connected to said first transition portions and extend to the rear of said main body parallel or diverging to said longitudinal direction;
said bracket including two second transition portions extending downwardly and toward one another and connecting said lateral portions and said central curved portion.
9. A curing device according to claim 7, wherein said lateral portions have a length between said first and second transition portions that is greater than a width of said grip in said longitudinal direction.
10. A curing device according to claim 9, wherein said length of said lateral portions is approximately half a length of said main body.
11. A curing device according to claim 7, wherein said grip is received and partly surrounded by said central curved portion.
12. A curing device according to claim 1, wherein said hand-held apparatus is positionable in said support only in one defined position and wherein said hand-held apparatus, when incorrectly placed into said support, will right itself relative to said support in order to assume said defined position.
13. A curing device according to claim 4, wherein said hand-held apparatus comprises a light guide having an end portion angled downwardly.
14. A curing device according to claim 13, wherein said end portion of said light guide has an end face facing a surface of the supply station and positioned directly adjacent to the surface of the supply station when said hand-held apparatus is received in said support inserted into the holder.
15. A curing device according to claim 14, wherein between said surface of said supply station and said end face of said light guide a safety distance of 1 to 2 cm is provided.
16. A curing device according to claim 1, wherein said support when inserted into the stand is placeable onto a table.
17. A curing device according to claim 1, wherein the stand has a support plate extending beneath an end portion of a light guide of said curing device when received in said support.
18. A curing device according to claim 17, wherein the support plate has a clamping device for securing the support plate at a table.
19. An apparatus for light-induced curing of dental materials, said apparatus comprising:
a supply station;
a hand-held apparatus containing a light source;
said hand-held apparatus being pistol-shaped comprising a main body and a grip connected to said main body;
a cable connecting said grip of said hand-held apparatus to said supply station;
a support for receiving said hand-held apparatus;
said support detachably connectable to said supply station such that said support in which said hand-held apparatus is received is storable at said supply station or separate from said supply station.
a supply station;
a hand-held apparatus containing a light source;
said hand-held apparatus being pistol-shaped comprising a main body and a grip connected to said main body;
a cable connecting said grip of said hand-held apparatus to said supply station;
a support for receiving said hand-held apparatus;
said support detachably connectable to said supply station such that said support in which said hand-held apparatus is received is storable at said supply station or separate from said supply station.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19810042A DE19810042C1 (en) | 1998-03-09 | 1998-03-09 | Portable light source e.g. for hardening dental materials |
| DE19810042.6 | 1998-03-09 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2262229A1 true CA2262229A1 (en) | 1999-09-09 |
Family
ID=7860212
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002262229A Abandoned CA2262229A1 (en) | 1998-03-09 | 1999-02-17 | Curing device for light-induced curing of dental materials |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0941711B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH11290349A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE286369T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2262229A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE19810042C1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7144250B2 (en) * | 2003-12-17 | 2006-12-05 | Ultradent Products, Inc. | Rechargeable dental curing light |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3423896A1 (en) * | 1984-06-28 | 1986-01-09 | ESPE Fabrik pharmazeutischer Präparate GmbH, 8031 Seefeld | DEVICE FOR IRRADIATING DENTAL MATERIALS |
| US5013240A (en) * | 1990-06-19 | 1991-05-07 | International Equipment & Supply Corp. | Portable dental apparatus |
| US5147204A (en) * | 1991-08-08 | 1992-09-15 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Co. | Dental material curing apparatus |
| DE4211230C2 (en) * | 1992-04-03 | 1997-06-26 | Ivoclar Ag | Rechargeable light curing device |
| US5397892A (en) * | 1994-01-07 | 1995-03-14 | Coltene/Whaledent, Inc. | Fiber optic light source for a dental curing lamp with two pegs for removably aligning the source with an intensity detector |
-
1998
- 1998-03-09 DE DE19810042A patent/DE19810042C1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1999
- 1999-02-04 EP EP99101638A patent/EP0941711B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-02-04 AT AT99101638T patent/ATE286369T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-02-04 DE DE59911387T patent/DE59911387D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-02-17 CA CA002262229A patent/CA2262229A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-03-08 JP JP11060923A patent/JPH11290349A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ATE286369T1 (en) | 2005-01-15 |
| JPH11290349A (en) | 1999-10-26 |
| EP0941711A2 (en) | 1999-09-15 |
| DE19810042C1 (en) | 1999-06-17 |
| DE59911387D1 (en) | 2005-02-10 |
| EP0941711B1 (en) | 2005-01-05 |
| EP0941711A3 (en) | 2002-06-12 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6322358B1 (en) | Curing device for light-induced curing of dental materials | |
| US5518310A (en) | Mobile cart for electrosurgical instrument and accessories therefor | |
| CA1133052A (en) | Cordless vacuum cleaner storing and recharging system | |
| US7422431B2 (en) | Medical/dental suction nozzle holster | |
| ES2602838T3 (en) | Vacuum Cleaner Layout | |
| EP2724700A1 (en) | Disposable urology drainage bag | |
| US20080318183A1 (en) | Bite block with snap-in positionable fluid ejector | |
| US6260233B1 (en) | Removable hose and tool caddy for a vacuum cleaner | |
| EP2355765A1 (en) | Medical ventilator cart | |
| CA2733855C (en) | Cover for a dental tool hanger and method for use thereof | |
| CA2262229A1 (en) | Curing device for light-induced curing of dental materials | |
| GB2346088B (en) | Disposable articulator having tray support with opening which accepts a projection from a tray | |
| CA2100766A1 (en) | Extractor for use in dental treatment | |
| US6334233B1 (en) | Vacuum cleaner with snap-fit handle and torque-reducing support | |
| JPH04288161A (en) | Medical apparatus for dental use | |
| US7131837B2 (en) | Vertically and horizontally standing dental scaler system and method | |
| JP3032289U (en) | Dental laboratory desk | |
| KR102167656B1 (en) | Graver set for dental technician | |
| WO1994013243A1 (en) | Dental control unit with removable cover | |
| CN217244075U (en) | Storage device for suction head of dust collector | |
| CN211749166U (en) | Toothbrush bearing and hanging part and toothbrush hanging frame | |
| CN213518165U (en) | Computer accessory protection device | |
| JPH0428582Y2 (en) | ||
| US20050175958A1 (en) | Utensil holder for dental care | |
| JPH105155A (en) | Vertical type vacuum cleaner |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |