US2534706A - Dental mirror with replaceable reflector - Google Patents

Description

Dewa 119 3 950 L. a... GlTTELSON 2,534,706

DENTAL MIRROR WITH REPLACEABLE REFLECTOR Filed Sept. 1, 1949 INVENTOR ES ER L. GITTELSON ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 19, 1950 UNlTED STATES EAENT OFFICE- DENTAL MIRROR WITH REPLACEABLE REFLECTOR 1 Claim.

My present invention relates to dental mirrors and more particularly to that type of dental mirror in which the mirror element is readily replaceable by an easily performed manual operation, while at the same time the entire unit and the replaceable mirror element and retaining means are so constructed that recesses or pockets in which foreign matter may collect are obviated.

Dental mirror units With replaceable mirror elements have long been known, but the many difficulties attendant upon their use owing either to the nature of the manipulation required for replacement or to the dimculty in avoiding foreign matter collecting pockets and recesses have heretofore made the use of the one-piece mirror wherein the reflecting element was integral with the handle almost exclusive.

My present invention contemplates a ring retainer for a circular unitary reflecting member, the ring having an inner annular recess matching in cross-section the bevel or bevels of the reflecting member.

The ring is made of resilient metal and is provided with a radial outward extension. The extension is split longitudinally, the split or division also going through the ring so that the ring may be spread to remove the reflecting member and replace it with a new one.

When the ring and its split extensions are pressed together around a reflecting member with the split portions of the extension squeezed together, the reflecting member is held firmly in the ring. The composite extension when its parts are pressed together has a conical form tapering away from the ring. The end of the handle is provided with a socket also of conical form tapering toward the base. The angle of taper of the socket is preferably equal to the angle of taper of the extension. Thus, when the extension is pushed into the socket, it is firmly frictionally held.

Thus, with my invention, to replace a reflector it is only necessary to (1) pull the extension out of the handle socket (2) the resilience of the ring then causes it to spread to permit the reflector to drop out (3) insert a new reflector in the ring and squeeze the extension together (4) push the extension into the handle socket.

The pushing in of the extension imparts the final squeeze to the ring to hold the reflector properly in place.

Thereafter, the ring and the reflector it carries may readily be rotated at any time to a desired angle with respect to the handle especially in the case of a handle which has an obtuse angle bend of the type customary with dental mirrors.

The manipulation required with screw thread securing members is eliminated. The utilization of a solid unitary reflector unit whether with one reflecting surface or two reflecting surfaces, one of which may be concave, and the matching of the bevel of this solid reflector unit with the re-. cess in the ring eliminates recesses or pockets which may collect foreign matter and obviates the need for rubber or felt pads to reduce the size of the pockets.

The primary object of my invention, therefore, is the provision of a novel dental mirror with a readily removable and replaceable reflecting element.

An additional object of my invention is the combination of a resilient ring reflector holder having a conical extension with a conical socket in the handle to retain the extension and the ring.

Another object of my invention is to provide a means of securing a reflector to the handle of a dental mirror in such manner that rotation of the reflector for adjustment will not interfere with the securement and the means of securement does not reduce the rotatability of the reflector.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a solid unitary reflecting element having bevels matching the recess in the resilient ring whereby pockets or recesses which may collect foreign matter are avoided.

The foregoing and many other objects of my invention will become apparent in the following description and drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a composite view of my novel dental mirror.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of my novel ring retainer for the reflecting element of my novel dental mirror.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3of Figure 2 through the ring retainer.

Figure 4 is an end view of the reflecting element taken from line i l of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the split extension of the ring of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view through the end of the handle showing the socket for receiving the extension of the ring.

Referring to the figures, my novel dental mirror comprises a handle ill having a suitablev gripping surface H and a shank l2 havingan' obtuse angle bend l3 terminating in a socket Ill. The socket I4 is preferably a smooth bore reamed or otherwise machined to taper conically toward the base I5 thereof.

The ring is preferably made of resilient metal or half round wire bent into the form of the ring of Figure 2 with the ends 2|, 22 bent out so that when pressed together as seen in Figure 5, they form the shank 23.

The ring 20 bent from the half round wire into the form of Figure 2 and with the end extensions 2| and 22 pressed together is placed in a suitable tool which forms the beveled inner annular recess 25 in the ring. The ends 2!, 22 pressed together to form the shank 23 are then tapered to form the composite shank 23 into conical form as shown in Figure 5.

Preferably, although the angles are shown unequal, the angle of taper of opening !4 is equal to the angle of taper of shank 23 so that when shank 23 is forced in, it is a tight frictional fit in the socket or opening [4.

The reflector (see also Figure 4) is in this case shown as consisting of two plane mirrors 3| and 32 each having the annular bevel 33, 34 and cemented back to back by cement surface 35.

If desired, one of the elements 3!, 32 may be concave, or it may be a metallic or other backing of the same shape.

Cement surface 35 is a material which will remain unimpaired under repeated sterilizing operations, which will not harm the silvered surfaces of the mirrors and will make a smooth lamination between the mirrors without pockets, recesses and voids. A suitable cement for this purpose is 3-.M adhesive Formula No. EC-324, a product of the Minnesota Mining 8: Manufacturing Co. EC is a non-vulcanizing solvent type adhesive which has a relatively short tack range and air dries to tack free film in a short time. It has qualified under AAF specification 26554-3 Thermal limits-adhesion is not seriously impaired at temperatures up to 240 F. nor does it become brittle and lose adhesion down to -2-0 F.

Bond characteristics-very firm, flexible and tough.

The bevels 38, 39 of recess 25 in ring 20 match the bevels 33, 34 of the reflector.

When a reflector 30 is to be replaced in the unit, ring 2!] is pulled out, ends 2|, 22 of shank 23 are spread to permit the old reflector to drop r out.

.A new reflector 3B is inserted, the sides of the ring 20 are squeezed to bring ends 2| and 22 together tov form the shank 23, shank 23 is pushed into sock t IA where it is compressed to squeeze the ring 20 more firmly around the reflector 30; this causes the bevels 38, 39 of recess "25 of resilient ring 29 to climb the bevels 3|, 32 of the reflector 30 and thus ensure a tight annular securement of the reflector 30 without pockets, openings, vo ds or recesses in which foreign matter may collect.

Although the ring 20 carrying the reflector is thus securely held by the handle I!) against'removal, it may readily be rotated to bring the reflector 3!! to any desired angular position.

The formation of the entire reflector 30 as a single unit and the utilization of resilient ring 20 makes felt or rubber pads or spring cushions or other resilient elements unnecessary and prevents the formation of .pockets, recesses, voids or other elements or conformations wherein foreign matter may collect. Also, where desired,

individual separable mirrors may be used back to back in place of the single reflector.

The instrument may thus be sterilized as a unit with complete safety or may, if desired, be readily taken apart for sterilization.

Thus, every component part is open for sterilization. There are no porous elements or other surfaces which cannot be reached by the sterilizing process.

The utilization of pressure fit frictionally holdil'lg elements for connecting the ring and the handle permits the handle and the whole unit to have a slender tapered form without bulges or extensions which may harm the gums, the corners of the mouth or the lips when the dental mirror is in use.

While the importance of my invention lies in the simplified construction, the ready replaceability of the mirror, its adjustability, and the absolute cleanliness and sterilizability of the unit, it is also important for the elements heretofore known and used which my invention obviates.

No screw thread arrangements requiring complex manipulations are needed, no threading of split shafts is required, rotation of the reflector will not loosen it, relatively bulky swivel joints are eliminated, rubber or felt pads are not required and the formation of pockets or recesses in which foreign matter may collect does not occur.

The user may replace the mirror easily and immediately when it becomes scratched or clouded for any reason or when he desires for any reason to change from one type of mirror to another.

In theforegoing I have described by invention solely in connection with specific illustrative embodiments thereof. Since many variations and modifications of my invention will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosures herein contained but only by the appended claim.

I claim:

A dental mirror comprising a handle, a smooth surfaced conically shaped socket at one end of the handle, a reflector, a resilient metal retaining ring having an annular internal groove surrounding and supporting the reflector, an externally smooth surfaced conically shaped split shank formed from the ends of said retaining ring, said ends being internally engageable with each other and extending radially from said retaining-ring, said ring being soreadable at said shank when removed from said socket and permitting, when spread, replacement of said reflector; said shank being tapered at an angle equal to that of the socket, and'said shank extending'into the socket and frictionally gripped therein and being rotatable therein so as to be gripped with equal and maximum firmness at any angle to which it is rotated with respect to said handle.

LESTER L. GI'I'TELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 546,195 Sharp Sept. 10, 1

1.94".5 2 lVfowry Dec. 19, 1 3

2,1 1.0,005 .Greenberg Dec. 13, 1938

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