US2700220A

US2700220A - Dental clamp

Info

Publication number: US2700220A
Application number: US411648A
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard C Peterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-02-23
Filing date: 1954-02-23
Publication date: 1955-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1972-01-25

Description

Jan. 25, 1955 H. c. PETERSON Q 2,700,220

' DENTAL CLAMP Filed Feb. 23, 1954 I NVENTOR United States Patent f DENTAL CLAMP Howard C. Peterson, Sioux Falls, S. Dak.

Application February 23, 1954, Serial No. 411,648

5 Claims, (Cl. 32-63) This invention relates to a dental clamp.

The invention is more particularly concerned with dental clamps used particularly for holding a dental matrix band in conformity with the surface of a tooth.

The clamp forming the subject matter of this application is an improvement on the clamp disclosed in my Patent No. 2,651,841 and to which patent reference may be-made for a more detailed disclosure of the use of the present clamp.

The clamp disclosed in my said patent comprises a circular body member formed of a single length of spring wire-like material from whose opposite ends project a pair of co-operating jaws in generally right angular relation to the plane of the circular body member. The

.jaws normally retain a closed position under the inherent resiliency of the body member and the latter is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed finger engageable projections for expanding the circular body member with a corresponding separation of the jaws in the application of the clamp.

While the patented structure, as above referred to, has proven satisfactory in the retention of a dental matrix in the manner disclosed in the patent, it has been found that the manipulation of the clamp required undue efiort on the part of a dentist for the reason that opposed radial outward pressures on the projections were necessary in order to effect separation of the jaws. Such radial outward pressures must of course be provided by a dentists fingers, either of one or of both hands.

The separation of the projections by fingers of one hand has been found to be difficult and in the use of both hands sacrifice is made of a possible need of adjusting the matrix band during the positioning of the clamp.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide a clamp for retaining a matrix band in operative position whereby same is capable of manipulation by r the thumb and forefinger of one hand and by the natural movement of the thumb and forefinger toward each other, as is exercised in the grasping of any object.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamp for the above noted purpose which includes a generally circular resilient body member and a pair of co-operating jaws normally retained in closed position by the inherent resiliency of the body member, and wherein finger engageable means are provided in operative association with the body member whereby same may be expanded with a corresponding separation of the jaws upon relatively little movement of opposed fingers toward each other and in opposition to the movement of the jaws.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved clamp shown in operative matrix band engaging position, and which figure corresponds to Fig. 1 of the said patent.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the improved clamp in normal jaw closed position.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view as observed in the plane of line 33 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view as observed from. the jaw side of the clamp.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view as observed in the plane of line 5-5 on Fig. 2.

f the above described figures, Nos. 1, 2 and 4 are on a somewhat enlarged scale while Nos. 3 and are on a still further enlarged scale.

plastic ribbon or matrix band B. The matrix band B' is of substantial length and is folded intermediate its ends with the fold engaging and conforming with the surface of tooth T to retain the filling F therein and the opposed wings of the folded band extend some distance from the fold internally and externally of other teeth T as is fully disclosed in my referred to patent. V v

The matrix band B is retained in firm engagement with tooth T and filling F by the improved clamp designated generally as 10 and which will now be described in detail.

The clamp comprises a circular body member 11 which is formed of relatively heavy gauge resilient wire-like material and the said body member has opposed ends from which project jaws 12 in substantially right angular relation to the plane of the body member, and 'which jaws {are provided with serrations 13 on their inner co-acting aces.

Disposed within the circular body member 11 is a resilient member 14 formed from a single length of wirelike material of substantially less gauge than that of the circular body member 11.

The member 14 includes a main arcuate body portion 15 which generally conforms to the inner circumference of the body member 11 and which is secured thereto at a point diametrically opposed to the jaws 12 by soldering or welding, as is indicated at 16.

The member 14 further includes a pair of spaced parallel arms 17 which project inwardly in right angular relation to a vertical plane extending between the jaws 12 and through the securement 16.

The member 14 has secured thereto as by soldering or welding a guide loop 18 adjacent the outer end of each arm 17 and such loops extend about the body member 11, as is more clearly indicated in Fig. 3.

Each arm 17 terminates in a loop 19 which depends from the plane of body member 11 in opposition to the jaws 12 and which loops are parallel with the vertical plane above referred to.

Each loop 19 includes an eye 20 which loosely re; ceives the opposing arm 17. The loops 19 provide finger engageable means whereby upon engagement thereof by a thumb and forefinger from the outer sides thereof, same may be moved toward each other as indicated by lines I and in the directions of arrows a in Fig. 4 and due to the connections 18 of the arms with the body member 11, same will be expanded with a consequent separation of the jaws 12, as indicated by lines I and in opposed directions indicated by arrows b and which directions are opposed to those of the movement of loops 19.

While the member 14 to some extent reinforces the body member 11, the provision of loops 19, movable toward each other, provides for separation of the jaws 12 under slight manual efiort and as will be apparent from Fig. 4, the jaws 12 will separate a distance substantially tigual to twice the distance of movement of each loop While I have disclosed my invention in accordance with a single specific structural embodiment thereof, such is to be considered as illustrative only, and not restrictive, llile scope of the invention being defined in the subjoined c aims.

What I claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. A clamp comprising a circular resilient body member having adjacent free ends from which project jaws at substantially right angles to the plane of the body member, and means within the body member including a pair of finger engageable members and connections between same and said body member whereby the body member is expanded with a corresponding separation of the jaws upon movement of said finger engageable members toward each other.

2. A clamp comprising a circular resilient body member having adjacent free ends from which project jaws at substantially right angles to the plane of the body Patent -.10. 25, 1955' member, a pair of parallel arms proiectinginwardly from Opposite sides of said body member and being in overlapped relation for portions of their extent, and a finger engageable member secured to the inner end of each arm whereby the body member is expandable and the jaws separable upon movement @of said finger engageable members :toward each other and in opposition ,to the direction of separating movement of athe jaws.

3.) A clamp comprising acircular resilient body member :having .adjacent free ends from which project jaws at sfubstantially right angles Lto the :plane of the body member, a resilient member disposed within said body member and including ,an-arcuate portion generally conforming )t0 the inner ;.cireumference of said body member, said .arcuate portion being connected ;to said body .member at apointdiametrically opposed tosaid jaws, the said resilient member further including a pair of spaced paral- 4,v lel arms projecting inwardly from opposite ends of said arcuate portion at right angles to a vertical plane extending between said'jaws and through said connection, said arms being in lapping relation adjacent said plane, and a finger engageable manipulating member on the inner end of each arm.

4. The structure according to claim 3, wherein said arcuate portion is slidably connected to said body member adjacent the outer end ofeach of said arms.

5. The structure according to claim 3; wherein each of said finger engageable manipulating members comprises a loop depending from the plane .of said body member in opposition to said jaws, each said loop being a continuation-of the-corresponding arm and ,having an eye freely receiving the opposing arm.

No references cited.