US2276701A - Carrier for artificial teeth - Google Patents

Description

March 17, 1942.

CARRIER FOR ARTIFICIAL TEETH Filed May 25, 1940 INVEN TOR ATTORNEY G. T. PUSEY, JR 2,276,701

' ETEDR'EE TF'USEYHJR'.

Patented Mar. 17, 1942 UNlTE STTEd CARRIER FOR. ARTIFICIAL TEETH Application May 25, 1940, Serial No. 337,148

8 Claims.

This invention relates to carriers for artificial teeth, and particularly to carriers known in dental practice as cards.

Carriers of such character are employed for mounting sets of teeth, and each carrier usually comprises a base that is larger all around than the set to protect the teeth by the edges of the base under various conditions, as when the carriers are placed side by side in a drawer or other position.

The carriers are employed in comparing the artificial teeth to the natural or former artificial teeth of patients requiring new teeth, during which operations the teeth on the carriers are removed individually therefrom and replaced thereon.

Carriers prior to the present invention have been constructed with bases of solid relatively rigid material having grooves or depressions in which deformable material, such as wax, has been placed as a depository or mounting for the teeth, the latter having pins which are thrust into the wax.

With such construction, aligning the teeth, or straightening the set in the first place, as is done by girls in assembling the teeth on the carriers, is difficult, and requires considerable deftness and experience. The operation frequently requires adjustment of the teeth after the pins have been thrust into position to align or straighten the set,

and results in the expense of requiring skilled workers and loss of time, and has other disadvantages. I

Repeated withdrawals and replacements of the teeth in service quickly destroy the effectiveness of the wax for properly holding the teeth, and under high temperature conditions, as in the summer time, the teeth of the former carriers become partially coated or smudged with the wax; all of these factors tending to render the carriers of a moreor less temporary nature, with the consequent necessity of cleaning the teeth, and frequently replacing the carriers and the resulting expense, trouble and other disadvantages. With such devices, the teeth shake out of position, and are not kept fresh and clean at all times, and the cards are of short life, and cannot be reused.

Accordingly, it is among the objects of the invention to overcome all of the above-mentioned undesirable features, and to provide a card or carrier that shall be simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture and effective in service.

Another object of the invention is to provide an artificial teeth carrier that shall have formmaintaining means, or means in contra distinction to deformable wax of the former carriers, for readily deta-chably holding the teeth for such repeated employment over a substantially extended period of time, as to greatly enhance the usefulness, economy and desirability of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above indicated character that shall be easier to manufacture and assemble, and

wherein the mounting and straightening of the tooth set may be readily and directly effected in substantially one operation, without the adjustment frequently required to straighten the set, after mounting the teeth in wax, either during the initial assembly, or subsequent thereto in service.

A further object of the invention is to avoid the smudging and the necessity for cleaning the teeth, to render the device free from deformation, as is true of wax under high temperatures and repeated use, and to provide a device that is more permanent, that has form-maintaining teeth attaching means, and is free from all of the above-mentioned and incidental disadvantages of the prior art tructures.

According to the invention, a support member or base formed of any suitable material, such as wood, hard rubber, composition or the like, is provided With a longitudinally extending groove, and an element or insert of resilient sheet material, such as metal, Celluloid or the like is formed with a longitudinally extending channel seating within the base groove and supported by laterally extending fiangesengaging the top surface of the base. The channel side walls are cut or separated at spaced points to provide transversely aligned and substantially independently movable resilient gripping portions. An artificial tooth, either of the headed pin type or headless pin type; can be quickly and easily attached to the carrier or removed therefrom by causing the pins to be gripped by a pair of cooperating resilient portions or fingers, and although the gripping action is sufiicient to prevent accidental withdrawal, the teeth may be easily removed.

In another form of the invention, I contemplate that the carrier may be made entirely of metal, but the general arrangement and construction is as above described.

The device may be otherwise arranged, such as having one of the flanges of the insert return bent, out of the Way of a rubber ledge, Where the carriers are adapted to teeth having such ledges,

and forming it in one piece including all the required parts, as will hereinafter appear.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an artificial teeth carrier including a base and the insert constructed in accordance with the invention with a set of the teeth thereon;

Figure 2 is a view taken substantially n the line 2--2 of Figure 1, showing a headless pin, of

which the tooth may have one or two,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the device in cooperation with a pin having a head,

Figure 4 is a view similar toFigure 1 of the device in modified form for teeth having rubber ledges,

Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 2, taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the insert of Figures 1, 2 and 3,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the base of Figures 1, 2 and 3,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the base of Figures 4 and 5,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the insert of Figures 4 and 5, and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the invention in further modified form in which all necessary parts in this form, including the abovementioned base and insert, are combined in a single piece.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7, the device therein illustrated, comprises a base I4 and an insert or attaching means of the invention for mounting a set I! of artificial teeth l8 of usual construction.

The base M, as above generally indicated, may

I be constructed of any material, desirably of the rigidity or firmness of wood, Bakelite, hard rubber, composition and the like, and having the general form of an oblong block, although not so limited.

As best illustrated in Figure 7, an undercut groove extends longitudinally and generally centrally of base M, the groove having a transversely curved bottom surface 22 and plane side surfaces 23 sloping convergingly upwardly to the top of the base, whereby the upper open portion of the groove is narrower than the bottom surface 22. The provision of an undercut groove of this type insures that the insert will remain locked against upper withdrawal from the base upon withdrawal of the teeth, as will be further apparent from a description of the insert.

The insert, illustrated in this instance, as of metal, such as brass, may be constructed of any material having the desired characteristics of resilience and resistance to oxidation, such as Celluloid and other nonmetallic substances, and is also desirably in thin sheet form for the purposes stated, and to render it easy of manufacture, and assembly with the base.

Specifically the insert also has a bottom wall 25 of slightly downwardly curved or concave contour, and plane side walls 21 converging relative to each other upwardly to form a relatively narrow slot 28, along the sides of which extend flanges 29 and 30 having aligned slots 3| and 32 cut transversely therethrough and to a certain depth into the side walls 2! at relatively closely spaced positions along the base forming the insert into a plurality of form maintaining tooth supporting means having apertures for receiving the teeth attaching means or pins. The widths of the curved surface .22 and the bottom wall 25 of the insert are such that the insert may be thrust into position relative to the base M in a firm sliding fit in which position the side walls 21 extendupwardly toward each other and laterally away from the side surfaces 23 of the groove 20, as best indicated in Figure 2. The insert sides are thus spaced to allow lateral outward spring thereof, or movement away from each other, when teeth attaching means or pins 33 projecting from the teeth are thrust into position therebetween. The slot 28 is of such width, in relaxed condition of the spring material insert, as to require forcing apart of the slot edges by the teeth pins which are of greater shank diameter than the width of the slot.

When employing headless pins, as illustrated at 33, the pin shanks are gripped or frictionally held with suflicient force to prevent accidental withdrawal, when handling the carrier, and to insure a firm grip despite temperature variations. This is not true of former carriers employing wax as the pin holding means, and a construction described herein allows the teeth to be very easily withdrawn and replaced. The invention, in the form shown, has the advantage in common with cards employing wax, of allowing the teeth to be mounted anywhere along the device, but has the further very great advantages of avoiding the mutilation, softening and other adverse features of the wax. The teeth may each be of the one or two pin type, and the pins be headed or headless, or the set made up of an assortment of these, and still be operable with the carrier.

I have indicated in Figure 2 a tooth l8 having a headless pin 33, or two of such pins, in supported relation with the carrier, and in Figure 3, a tooth 34 having a headed pin 35, the only difference being in the snap fastener effect caused by inserting or withdrawing the headed pin while attaching and detaching the tooth. The headed pin, however, has a further effect providing a more positive lock to hold the teeth in position as against the frictional lock of the headless pin; teeth of each type having advantages, and the device being interchangeably employed with them.

Referring to Figures 4, 5, 8 and 9, I have shown a modification of my invention generally similar to that illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7, except that a recess is provided along one side of groove 20a forming a shelf 36 and the form of the insert is somewhat modified. In this modification, parts corresponding to the embodiment first described are designated by corresponding reference characters and the suflix (a) As is best illustrated in Figure 5, shelf 36 is provided to accommodate teeth of the type having a ledge 31 formed thereon, a tooth of this type being indicated at I811, one of a set indicated at Ila. The insert 15a has a flange 30a corresponding to flange 30 previously described and a cooperating longitudinally extending upper edge portion 29a which is bent inwardly in double layer relation to its associated side 21a of insert l5a to provide clearance for ledge 31.

The invention in the form of Figure 10, in which corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference characters each having the suflix (b), is generally similar in construction and operation to the structures above set forth, except that all the parts are embodied in a single piece of resilient sheet material of the character of the inserts above set forth.

The sheet material in the modification, Figure 10, is formed to provide supporting side flanges Mb, integral top flanges 29b and 36b, and a generally centrall disposed and longitudinally extending dovetail portion 28b supported by the top flanges. A series of aligned transversely extending and generally parallel grooves, indicated at 3th and 32?), each initiate generally centrally of vertical flanges Nb and terminate adjacent the base 252) of dovetail portion 28?). This, in effect, provides a plurality of individually operable resilient gripping means acting, as previously described, to firmly grip the projecting tooth pins.

It is understood that the flanges Mb, at their lower edges, may be extended laterally to provide increased bearing surface.

The spring movements of the individually mov-- able portions of the insert are local to each tooth pin so that when a tooth is removed or replaced the spring movements of the parts is not surficiently transmitted along the device to cause accidental dismounting of other teeth.

Although I have shown and described preferred forms of my invention I contemplate that numerous and extensive departures may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit of my invention and the scope of the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A carrier for artificial teeth of a type having pin means projecting therefrom, the carrier comprising a base, means associated with the base a for detachably receiving and gripping said pins, said means comprising a longitudinally extending member having upwardly converging side walls their upper edges spaced to form a groove for the reception of said pins, and the groove side walls being resiliently movable to eifect a gripping engagement with the pin at the uppermost portion of said side walls.

2. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having pin means projecting from the lingual side thereof, said carrier comprising resilient material formed to provide an elongate groove having side walls converging upwardly from the groove base, the upper part of the side walls being transversely slotted at spaced points to provide aligned and individually movable wall portions, and the uppermost part of aid aligned wall portions being spaced to resiliently grip the pin means therebetween.

3. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having an anchoring pin projecting from the lin ual side thereof, said carrier comprising resilient sheet material formed to provide an elongate groove having side walls converging upwardly from the groove base, at least one of said walls terminating upwardly in a laterally extending flange, the upper part of the side walls and flange being transversely slotted atspaced points to provide aligned and individually movable wall portions, and the uppermost part of said aligned wall portions being spaced to resiliently grip an anchoring pin therebetween.

4. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having an anchoring pin projecting from the lingual side thereof, said carrier comprising resilient ill) sheet material formed to provide an elongate groove having side walls converging upwardly from the groove base, each of said side walls terminating upwardly in a laterally extending flange, the upper part of the side walls and flanges being transversely slotted at spaced points to provide aligned and individually movable wall portions, and the uppermost part of said aligned wall portions being spaced to resiliently grip an anchoring pin therebetween.

5. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having an anchoring pin projecting from the lingual side thereof, said carrier comprising a rigid base having an elongate undercut groove therein, means associated with the base for detachably receiving and gripping said pins, said means comprising an insert of resilient sheet material formed to provide a longitudinal groove adapted to seat in the base groove, th insert groove side walls converging upwardly from the groove base to form an elongate slot normally of less width than a tooth pin, and the groove side walls being transversely slotted at spaced points to 'provide aligned and individually movable wall portions for resiliently gripping the pins at said slot.

6. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having an anchoring pin projecting from the lingual side thereof, said carrier comprising a base formed of rigid material having a longitudinal undercut groove therein, means associated with the base for resiliently and detachably gripping the pins, said means comprising an insert of resilient sheet material formed to provide an elongate groove adapted to seat within the base groove, the insert groove side walls converging upwardly from the groove base and terminating in laterally extending flanges, the side walls and flanges beingtransversely slotted at spaced points to provide aligned and individually movable wall portions, and the uppermost part of said wall portions being spaced to resiliently grip a tooth pin therebetween with the flanges supporting the lingual surface of the tooth.

7. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having pin means projecting therefrom, said carrier comprising resilient sheet material formed to provide top flanges and supporting side flanges, the top flanges supporting an elongate dovetail form channel, the upper part of the channel side walls and top flanges being transversely slotted at spaced points to provide aligned and individually movable wall portions, and the uppermost part of said wall portions being spaced to resiliently grip the pin means therebetween.

8. A carrier for artificial teeth of the type having an anchoring pin and a denture base engaging ledge projecting from the lingual side thereof, said carrier comprising a base of rigid material having an elongate undercut groove therein, an insert of resilient sheet material formed to provide an elongat groove adapted to seat within the base groove, the upper part of the insert groove side walls being transversely slotted at spaced points to provide aligned and individually movable wall portions for resiliently gripping a tooth pin, and the base having a recess in the top surfac thereof for receiving a tooth denture base ledge.

GEORGE T. PUSEY, JR.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent no, 2,276,701. Y March 17, 19!;2.

GEORGE T. PUSEY, JR.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correctionas follows: Page 2, first column, line 75, after "base" insert a comma; and second column, line 1, after "form" insert ahyphen; page 5, first column, line 59, claim 1, after "walls" insert --with--; and that the said Letters Patent should be reed with this correction therein that'the same may conform to the record of the csse in the Patent Office. I

Signed and sealed this 9th day of June, A, 1). 19m.

Henry Van Arsdale, eal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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