US1085235A - Dental forceps. - Google Patents

Description

R. L. ANDERSON.

DENTAL PORGEPS.

APPLICATION FILED 001212. 1911.

Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

RUFUS L. ANDERSON, 0F PLANT CITY, FLORIDA.

DENTAL FORCEPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 12, 1911.

Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

Serial No. 654,262.

To ZZZ 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, RUFUs L. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Plant City, in the county of Hillsboro and State of Florida, have invented new and useful improvements in Dental Forceps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to dental forceps, and the primary object of the same is to provide devices of this class with removable and interchangeable beaks as well as reversible and interchangeable handles and particular means of a conveniently operable character to secure the parts together whereby the beaks may be easily and quickly removed from the handles for` the purpose of cleansing or for the purpose of substituting beaks of a different shape so that a large number of various kinds or styles of forceps may be produced by the use of a comparatively small number of fundamental parts.

It is proposed to make the forceps in sets and of different dimensions for use in adult and juvenile operations and to reduce the complement of forceps as ordinarily constructed to compact form and without requiring the usual large number of dental instruments of this class that must necessarily be employed to meet dental contingencies, but avoiding depletion or curtailment of the operating equipment. The improved dentalv forceps is also as near perfect in its aseptic characteristics as it is possible to attain, and the parts thereof may be readily separated and sterilized.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed in preferred form.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pair of forceps embodying the features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of the beaks with its fulcrum member and shank and a portion of one of the handles shown in section and particu larly illustrating the locking means for the handle. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the fulcrum members of the beaks, the said members being shown separated. Fig. 4 is a detail longitudinal section of the socket extremity of one of the handles. Fig. 5 is a detail elevation, partially in section, of a portion of one of the handles and one of the beaks showing a changed association of the handle and beak. Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken in the plane of the line 6 6, Fig. 2. Fig. 7 illustrates detail views of the handle locking means.

The numerals 5 and 6 designate the handles, and 7 and 8 the beaks, the latter respectively having socket members 9 and l0 and Shanks 11. The beaks 7 and 8 may be of any contour adapted for a specific purpose or operation and as hereinbefore indicated it is proposed to use a plurality of beaks with each set of instruments or with a certain complement of handles, but in all instances the sockets or fulcrum members 9 and 10 of the beaks as well as the shanks 11 and the engaging extremities of the handles 5 and 6 relatively to the said Shanks will be the same in their structural essentials in accordance with the features of the invention. The socket 9 of the beak 8, for instance, is formed with a circularl seat 12 opening through one side thereof, and projecting into the said seat at diametrically opposite points are the terminals of pins 13 which are held within the said fulcrum member 9, as clearly shown by Fig. 3. The fulcrum member 10 of the beak 7 is formed with a central stud or projection 14 of the same form as the seat 12 to snugly fit in the latter, the seat having exactly the same depth as the length of the stud or projection 14 so that the two contiguous faces of the fulcrum members 9 and bers are assembled in operative relation. The stud or projection 14; near its free end is formed with a circumferential groove 15 with opposite intersecting grooves 16 extending' through the outer extremity of the stud to permit the ends of the pins 13 to pass into the groove 15 in assembling the two fulcrum members, the proper position of the two handles and beaks of the forceps to at` tain thc assemblage of the two fulcrum members being when the two handles or beaks are open to their maximum extent so that in the ordinary opening and closing movements of the beaks and handles acci@ dental separation of the beaks will be prevented.

ln practice forceps are never opened to their maximum extent except in cleaning operations, and therefore the inwardly projecting ends of the pins 13 will have free movement in the portions of the groove 15 at points away from or out of alinement with the counter-inlet grooves 16. As soon, however, as the handles and beaks are fully 10 will closely engage when the said mem-.

the stem with the body of the shank. The

body of the shank at the point of intersection or juncture thereof wit-h the stem 17 and and preferably at the inner part or adjacent to the inner edge of the said body is formed with a forwardly projecting recess 19. Each handle has its forward extremity constructed with a longitudinal socket 2O of a depth equal to the length of each stem 17, and projecting beyond the forward end of each handle is a lip or lug 21 to enter the recess 19 to prevent the handle from turning on the stem when the two parts are assembled. Each handle and stem is also provided with an interacting locking means to prevent longitudinal displacement of the handle on the stem when it is desired that they shall remain in positive association. This locking means consists of a pin 22 having an inner semicircular groove 23 near the inner terminal thereof, an intermediate segmental recess 24, and an outer angularly disposed operating arm or handle 25 terminating in an enlarged thumb-piece or grip 26. The groove 23 presents opposite abutting shoulders 27 and is engaged by a screw 28, see F ig. 6, which Voperates to hold the pin 22 in applied position and also limits the movement of the said pin in opposite maximum directions or limits the said pin to a half-turn in its extreme movements in opposite directions. Each stem 17 is formed with a semicircular groove 29 extending across the same to receive a portion of the pin 22 when the latter is turned to throw the recess 24C out of engagement or coincidence with the said stem. At the point where the pin 22 is inserted, the handle extremity is enlarged or slightly swelled, as at 30, and formed with a semicircular seat or groove 31, the said groove or seat 31 and the groove 29 being simultaneously formed while the stem 17 and socket extremity of the handle are assembled by drilling the said parts with a suitable tool.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the arm 25 o-f each pin 22 is thrown forwardly in longitudinal alinement with relation to the socket extremity of the handle with which it engages, the corresponding pin 22 will be so turned that a solid portion thereof will engage the groove 29 ofthe stem 17 and lock the handle against longitudinal movement. By turning the arm 27 rearwardly its full predetermined extent, the

recess 24 of the pin 22 will be brought around in coincidence with the groove 29 of the stem and clear the latter and permit the handle tobe withdrawn. When the arms 25 are turned forward in locking position the thumb-pieces or grips will form a convenient means for bracing the thumb of the operator in applying the necessary pushing force on the forceps in using the latter and to obtain a firm grip on the tooth. The handles 5 and 6 may also be shaped at their gripping extremities as shown, or any other suitable contour may be given thesame similar to handles ordinarily adopted in different constructions of forceps. It will also be understood that the handles of eachset of instruments embodying the features of the invention may differ in contour and likewise the beaks will be made in different forms and vary in structuralv details as may be desired.

Either one or both handles and beaks may be changed or reversed or the two handles may be changed in position relatively to a single set of beaks for upper and lower and right and left usage and correspondingly change the direction of extent of the beaks without requiring a separation of the fulcrum members of the beaks. With a comparatively small number of fundamental parts, or handles and beaks, various forms of forceps may be produced with convenience to the operator and materially less cost in the necessary equipment of forceps.

One of the most important features of the improved structure is that the joints of all the parts are close and will preclude the accumulation of dirt therein as well as secre v tions from Yteeth treated or operated upon and the lodgment of disease germs. Parts of the forceps can be readily separated and sterilized, and by this means a thoroughly aseptic instrument is provided. As will be understood, all the parts of the improved forceps will also be made of high grade steel or other metal suitable for the purpose and in some instances may be composed of metals varying in degrees of hardness.

lhat is claimed is:

1. A dental forceps comprising beaks having rearwardly projecting stems and intermediate fulcrum means, handles having sockets at their forward extremities to de-V tachably engage the stems, locking means transversely disposed in the sockets to engage the stems, and means inclosed within the sockets for preventing the lateral with. drawal of the locking means from the sockets.

2. A dental forceps comprising coperating beaks having rearwardly projecting stems and recesses adjacent to said stems, handles having sockets at their forward extremities to detachably engage the stems and also provided with lips to lit in the reprojecting portions which form a thumb brace close to the ulcrum means to receive a pressure exerted in a forward direction.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set 15 l my hand in presence of two subscribing witeesses and prevent turning of the handles, i and locking means for the handles carried by the sockets of the latter to engage the stems i to prevent longitudinal movement of the handles on the stems.

3. A dental forceps comprising coperatnesses. ino' beaks having rearwardly projecting l T Steins7 handles having fulcrum means and y RUFUS L' ANDERSON sockets to detachably receive the stems, and Titnessesr locking means carried by the sockets to en- CHAS. S. HYER, gage the stems and provided with exterior F. B. KEEFER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner o1' Patents, Washington, D. C.

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