US3041729A - Pliers for releasing retaining clamp from dental matrix band - Google Patents

Description

July 3, 1962 B. F. TOFFLEMIRE PLIERS FOR RELEASING RETAINING CLAMP FROM DENTAL MATRIX BAND Filed April 13, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

B ENJAM IN I- TOFFLEMIRE ATTORNEY July 3, 1962 a. F. TOFFLEMIRE 3,041,729

PLIEIRS FOR RELEASING RETAINING CLAMP FROM DENTAL MATRIX BAND Filed April 13, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tl [3: E5 INVENTOR.

BENJAMIN FTOFFLEMIRE ATTORNEY 3,041,729 Patented July 3, 1962 United States Patent Ofifice PLIERS FOR RELEASING RETAINING CLAMP FROM DENTAL MATRIX BAND Benjamin F. Tolllemire, P.O. Box 677, Lafayette, Calif. Filed Apr. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 102,735 4 Claims. (CI. 32-63) This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 45,841, which was filed in the United States Patent Oflice on July 28, 1960, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to improvements in pliers for releasing a retaining clamp from a dental matrix band. It consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In my copending application on Pliers for Releasing Retaining Clamp From Dental Matrix Band, Serial No. 45,481, now abandoned, I show a retaining clamp that is adapted to be placed on overlapped end sections of a looped matrix band which encircles a patients tooth. Further improvements in the clamp are shown in my copending application on Matrix Band Retaining Clamp, which was filed in the United States Patent Ofiice on March 6, 1961, Serial No. 93,435.

Briefly stated, the retaining clamp is adapted to be interposed between the looped portion of the band and a matrix retainer, the latter being anchored to the projecting end sections of the band. After the retainer has been Tactuated to constrict the looped portion'bf 'the band around the patients tooth, the clamp may be cn'mped upon the overlapped end sections of the band, and the matrix retainer may be entirely removed from the patients mouth. Thereafter, the excess ends of the band may be sheared 05, leaving the retaining clamp to hold the band firmly around the patients tooth.

An object of the present invention is to provide pliers for releasing the retaining clamp from the overlapped end sections of the matrix band, after the tooth has been restored or an impression taken. Moreover, the pliers may be utilized for removing the released clamp from the patients mouth with facility and ease.

It is proposed in this invention to provide pliers having specially designed contacting jaws which are adapted to be introduced over an arch that interconnects a pair of legs of a substantially U-shaped retaining clamp, the latter being arranged to straddle the overlapped'end sections of the matrix band. Stop means on the pliers are adapted to bear against the retaining clamp so as to confine the free ends of the jaws to the arch of the clamp, whereby the legs of the clamp will be spread apart and released from the matrix band, when the arch is compressed by moving the jaws of the pliers toward one another. While the grip or bite of the pliers is still maintained on the clamp, the latter may be lifted out of the patients mouth by the pliers; I

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification continues. The novel features of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

v Drawing For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a bucco-lingual sectional view showing my matrix band retaining clamp as being interposed between the looped portion of a matrix band and the head of a matrix retainer, the clamp being crimped upon the overlapped end sections of the band;

FIGURE 2 is an occlusal view of FIGURE 1, the jaws of my pliers being indicated by dot-dash lines;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of my pliers, the latter being disclosed in open position;

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of one form of the retaining clamp;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the vertical plane VV of FIGURE 1, the jaws of the pliers being illustrated by dot-dash lines at the start of the clamp-releasing operation;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5, but disclosing the jaws of the pliers as being closed and the released retaining clamp being removed from the matrix band;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of a modified form of my clamp-releasing pliers;

FIGURE 8 is a view disclosing the jaw handles of the modified pliers separated one from the other;

' FIGURE 9 is an isometric view of another form of the retaining clamp;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the pliers shown in FIGURE 7, disclosing the jaws of the pliers as being closed upon the retaining clamp illustrated in FIGURE 9 and this clamp being released from the matrix band.

While I have shown only the preferred forms of my invention, it should be understood that various changes, or modifications, may be made within the scope of the annexed claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

Detailed Description In order that the use of my improved pliers may be fully understood, I shall first describe the application of a looped dental matrix band to a patients tooth, the constricting of the band around the tooth, and the crimping of a retaining clamp on the overlapped end sections of the 'band, whereby the matrix retainer may be removed entirely from the patients mouth. Thereafter, I shall describe the construction and operation of my pliers.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be noted that I have shown a looped matrix band designated generally at: A, the looped portion 10 of which encircles a patients tooth B. The overlapped end sections 11 of the band project from the looped portion 10 so as to be engaged with a matrixretainer C, the details of which will be set forth as the specification proceeds.

The first form of my matrix band retaining clamp D, as shown in FIGURE 4, is adapted .to be interposed between the looped portion 10 of the band A and a slotted head E of the matrix retainer C. This clamp is a substantially U-shaped member having a pair of spaced legs 12 which are interconnected by an arch 13. These legs define a slot 14 therebetween that is open at one end of the legs, whereby the clamp may be applied over the occlusal edges 15 of the overlapped end sections 11 of the looped matrix band A, and the clamp moved gingivally, i.e., towards the patients gums 16, so that the legs 12 will straddle the overlapped end sections 11 of the band.

It will be observed that the retaining clamp D has a proximate end section 17 that is curved in an occlusalgingival direction so as to approximately correspond with the adjacent axial contour 18 of the banded tooth (see FIGURES 1 and 4).

The slot 14 is dimensioned so that the" overlapped end sections 11 of the band A may be pulled therethrough, when the matrix retainer C is actuated in the manner hereinafter described, thus constricting the looped portion 10 of the band A around the patients tooth. The legs 12 of the clamp D must be thick enough, or constructed with lugs 12a so that the legs will not be pulled into the slot of the retainer head E during the constricting of the band.

The material of the clamp D is pliant, such as aluminum or copper, so that the legs 12 may be crimped upon the end sections 1 1 of the band in firm clamping relation therewith. Any suitable tool may be used for this crimping operation. My copending application, which was filed in the United States Patent Oflice on March 6, 1961, illus trates one type of such a tool, but I do not wish to be confined thereto.

With particular reference to FIGURES 1, 2 and 4, it will be seen that one of the legs 12 may be preformed with an inwardly-extending rib 19 that projects toward a registering groove 20 fashioned on the interior of the other leg 12. This arrangement will provide interlocking &- sets 21 in the overlapped end sections 11 of the band, when the retaining clamp D is crimped. Also, a projece tion 22 may be formed in one of the legs 12 and a mating recess (not shown) fashioned in the other leg 12; when the legs are crimped on the band. The purpose of the rib 19 and the groove 20 is to positively anchor the retaining clamp D against slippage along the lengths of the end sections 11 of the band. The projection 22 will aid in preventing such slippage.

With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the matrix retainer C selected for illustration is the subject matter of my United States Patent No. 2,502,903. It is shown frag mentarily in these views. The retainer C is provided with a bar 23 on which a matrix-clamping block 24 is slidably mounted. The head E is carried by the bar 23, and defines four parallel and spaced-apart fingers 25. As shown in FIGURE 2, the overlapped end sections 11 of the band A are guided through selected slots defined by these fingers, and are adapted to be introduced into a diagonally extending slot 26 formed in the block 24, and clamped thereto by a spindle 27 threaded into this block. The latter may be retracted along the length of the bar 23 so as to draw the looped portion 10 of the matrix band A tightly against the axial contour of the banded tooth B.

During the constricting of the band A, the overlapped end sections 11 are pulled through the slot 14 of the clamp D. Obviously, the latter is not crimped upon the matrix band A until after the band has been pulled tightly around the tooth B by actuating the matrix retainer C.

After the retaining clamp D has been positively crimped upon the overlapped end sections 11 of the band A, the matrix retainer may be disengaged from the band and entirely removed from the patients month. At this time, the excess parts of the end sections that project beyond the clamp D may be sheared oil or turned back, leaving the retaining clamp D to hold the looped portion 10 of the matrix band around the banded tooth. This will afford thev operator greater access and improved visibility of the operative field, less bulk of equipage, and a greater degree of comfort to the patient.

Subsequent to filling the prepared cavity 28 in the tooth (see dot-dash lines in FIGURE 2) or taking an impression thereof, it will be necessary to remove the retaining clamp D from the overlapped end sections 11 of the band A. For this purpose, I have provided the first form of my clamp-releasing pliers F which are disclosed in FIGURES 3, and 6 of the drawing.

In its structural features, the pliers F define a pair of coacting jaws G and H, which are adapted to be introduced over the arch 13 of the in FIGURES 5 and 6. Each jaw defines a free end. Moreover, the pliers F have a pair of operating handles 29 and 30, which are swingably secured together by a journal pin 31 for closing and opening movements. A leaf spring 32 may be fixed to one of the handles and bears against the other handle, as disclosed in FIGURE 3, so as to yieldingly urge the handles 29 and 30 apart and thus open the jaws G and H.

It will be noted that the jaws G and H are fixed 'to the handles 29 and 30, respectively, and these jaws are movable toward and away from one another by actuating the handles. Stop means designated generally at J in FIG- URES 3, 5 and 6 have been provided on the pliers F retaining clamp D, as shown 7 A k disposed to bear against the retaining clamp D for limiting movement of the jaws G and H in a gingival direction so as to confine the free ends of the jaws G and H to the arch 13 of the retaining clamp D, whereby the legs 12 of the clamp will be spread apart and thus be released from the end sections 11 of the band A, when the arch 13 is compressed by moving the jaws of the pliers toward one another, as shown in FIGURE 6. I

Now I shall describe the stop means I in more detail. It will be observed that a notch 33 is formed in one of the jaws, such as the jaw G, and the other jaw is provided with a projection 34 registering with this recess. This projection is disposed adjacent to the gingival-facing end of the jaw H and is designed to abut the arch 13 of the retaining clamp D, when the latter is initially straddled by the jaws G and H (see FIGURE 5), and this arrangement will confine the jaws to the arch of the clamp.

As clearly shown in FIGURE 6, the legs 12 will be spread apart and thus released from the end sections 11. of the band A, when the arch 13 is compressed by moving the jaws G and H toward one another, as suggested by the arrows 35 in this view. The movement of the legs 12 away from one another is indicated by the arrows 36 in this same view.

Particular attention is called to the fact that the projection 34 is dimensioned to strike the bottom of the recess 33 before the arch 13 is completely sheared oil, when the arch is compressed, whereby the pliers may be utilized for removing the released clamp D from the patients mouth.

It will be observed that the recess 33 has an arcuate wall 2 33a whose center of curvature coincides with the axis of, the journal pin 31. Also, the projection 34 has an arcuate wall 340 that has the same center of curvature as that of the arcuate wall 330. These two arcuate walls main-, tain sliding contact with one another at all times, when the handles 29 and 30 are opened and closed, whereby the arch 13 of the clamp D is prevented from passing occlusally beyond the projection 34 during insertion of the clamp D between the jaws G and H and subsequent compression of the arch 13. g

The jaws G and H have undercut bevels at their gingivali facing ends to define sharp edges 37 and 38, respectively, 1 which are adapted to bite into the arch -13 to thereby prevent ejection of the clamp D from between the jaws on initial compression pressure of the jaws thereagainst. The undercut bevels of the pair of jaws converge relative to one another toward the free ends of the jaws. As the sharp edges 37 and 38 bite into'the outer surfaces of the arch 13 of the clamp D, there is a bi-lateral, concentric pull toward the center of the arch, resulting in an outward spreading of the legs 12 and thus releasing the clamp D from the matrix band A, as disclosed in FIGURE 6. The sharp edges 3'7 --38 of the jaws, while retaining their bite on the arch '13, constitutes means whereby the pliers F may be utilized for removing the released clamp D from the patients mouth. Thereafter, the matrix band A may be removed from around the patients tooth.

It will be apparent that the pliers F is a simple-operated, compound-function dental tool that may be used for spreading the retaining clamp D at the conclusion of the filling operation and, at the same time, the pliers will hold the retaining clamp during removal of the latter from the patients mouth, thereby obviating any possibility of the patient swallowing the detached clamp in the alimentary tract, or inhaling it in the air passage. Moreover, removing the clamp D at the instant of its detachment, without further action or effort on the part'of the operator, obviates any need for probing blindly around the accumulated saliva, under the patients tongue or searching for the detached clamp. I

As the sharp edges 37 and 38 bite into the exterior sides of the arch 13, a non-slipping grip of the pliers F on the retaining clamp D is assured. Movement of the handles 29 and 30 toward one another, thereby compressing the arch 13, automatically spreads the legs 12 apart, releas ing the grip of the clamp D on the overlapped end portions 11 of the band A. Then the clamp D is removed occlusally with the same pliers-all in one continuous motion and with no additional action or effort on the part of the operator. After removal of the clamp from the patients mouth, it may be placed on the bracket table of the conventional dental chair, or into a scrap-metal container by simply releasing the handles 29 and 30, aided by the action of the spring 32 in tending to spread the handles of the pliers apart.

Referring to the modified form of my retaining clamp D disclosed in FIGURES 9 and 10, this embodiment is fully illustrated in my copending application on a Matrix Band Retaining Clamp, which was filed in the United States Patent Otfice on March 6, 1961. It is similar to the clamp illustrated in FIGURE 4, and like reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts.

However, it will be noted in FIGURE 9 that a pair of spaced lugs 1211 are disposed on the exterior surfaces of the gingival corners of each of the legs 12 of the retaining clamp D. Moreover, this modified clamp is bi-laterally contoured with rounded or curved recesses 17' conforming to the axial contour 18 of the banded tooth B. Thus, the clamp D may be applied to either the buccm or the lingual surfaces on the upper or lower arch, and on either the right or left side of the patients mouth.

-It will be observed from FIGURE 9 that the arch 13 of the modified retaining clamp D is provided with preformed scorings or grooves 40 in opposite exterior surfaces thereof, which are designed to receive the sharp edges 37-38 of the pliers F to facilitate the gripping and opening of the clamp D.

Referring now to the modified embodiment of the clamp-releasing pliers F, as illustrated in FIGURES 7, 8 and 10, these pliers are similar to the pliers F shown in FIGURES 3, 5 and 6; accordingly, like reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts. In the modified pliers F, the jaws G and H have the shape clearly shown in FIGURE 10. These jaws are swingably secured to gether by a countersunk screw 31 located in the position shown in FIGURES 7 and 10.

As illustrated in FIGURE 10, the arcuate walls 33a and 34a of the notch 33 and the projection 34, respectively, do not necessarily contact one another. However, the

Walls 33a and 34a are disposed in adjacent relation at all times, whereby the arch 13 of the clamp D or D will be prevented from passing occlusally beyond the projection 34 during introduction of the jaws G and H over the clamp and subsequent compression of the arch. The stop means I substantially extends from one jaw to the other, even when the handles 29 and 30 are opened. This will present an obstruction to limit movement of the jaws gingivally by engaging with the arch 13 of the retaining clamp.

Furthermore, the jaws G and H have undercut bevels at their gingival-facing ends which define the sharp edges 37 and 38. These undercuts converge with respect to one another in a direction toward the free ends of the jaws. It will be noted that the distance from the curved wall 34a of the stop means I to the sharp edges 37 and 38 of the pliers F or F is equal to the distance from the summit of convexity of the arch 13 to the preformed scorings 40 in the opposite exterior surfaces of the arch 13, whereby these sharp edges will register with the preformed scorings, when the summit of the arch abuts the stop means I.

The modified embodiment of my clamp-releasing pliers F has been stream-lined and made less bulky than the pliers F. The jaws G and H interfit in the area around the screw 31, and are thinner and more compact than the corresponding jaws G and H of the pliers F. This will materially facilitate the use of the clamp-releasing pliers in the patients mouth, affording the dentist a clearer view of the operative fielda feature. highly desirable in the dental art.

I claim:

1. In pliers for releasing a retaining clamp from overlapped end sections of a looped matrix band which encircles a patients tooth, the clamp being applied over the occlusal edges of said end sections of the band and being substantially U-shaped to define a pair of legs straddling said end sections and having an arch interconnecting the legs adjacent to said occlusal edges: a pair of coacting jaws adapted to be introduced over the arch of the retaining clamp, each defining a free end adapted for projecting gingivally relative to the banded tooth; a pair of operating handles swingably secured together for closing and opening movements; each handle having one of the jaws fixed thereto; the jaws being movable toward and away from one another by actuating the handles; and stop means on the pliers adjacent to the fi'ee ends of the jaws disposed to bear against the arch of the retaining clamp for limiting movement of the jaws in a gingival direction so as to confine the free ends of the jaws to the arch of the retaining clamp, whereby the legs of the clamp will be spread apart and thus be released from saidend sections of the band, when the arch is compressed by moving the jaws of the pliers toward one another; each jaw having an undercut bevel at its gingival-facing end to define a sharp edge adapted to bite into said arch of the retaining clamp to thereby prevent ejection of the clamp from between the jaws on' initial compressive pressure of the jaws thereagainst; the undercut bevels of the pair of jaws converging relative to one another in a direction toward K the gingivally-projecting free ends of the jaws; the sharp edges of the jaws, while retaining their bite on said arch, constituting means whereby the pliers may be utilized for removing the released clamp from the patients mouth.

2. Thepliers as defined in claim 1; and in which the same stop means is made to limit movement of the jaws toward one another to the extent that the arch of the retaining clamp will not be completely sheared off, when the arch is compressed.

3. The pliers as defined in claim 1; and in which the distance from the stop means to the sharp edges of the jaws is equal to the distance from the summit of convexity of the arch to preformed scorings provided in opposite exterior surfaces of the arch, whereby the sharp edges will register with the preformed scorings, when the arch abuts the stop means.

4. The pliers as defined in claim 1; and in which the same stop means provides an obstruction substantially extending from one jaw to the other to limit movement of the jaws in a gingival direction by engaging with the arch of the clamp, even when the handles are moved into open position, whereby the arch of the clamp will be prevented from passing occlusally beyond the stop means during introduction of the jaws over the clamp and subsequent compression of the arch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 983,844 Shannon Feb. 7, 1911 2,154,580 Pern'n et a1. Apr. 18, 1939 2,375,512 Baade May 8, 1945 2,575,800 Eicher Nov. 20, 1951 2,698,483 Berkowitz Ian. 4, 1955

Images