US3735492A - Dental amalgam carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A lever-type dental amalgam carrier in which the amalgam tips of the carrier are unitized operating ends and are rapidly interchangeable. Various embodiments of spring locks, insert locks, thread locks, twist locks, collet locks and swivel locks for mounting the amagam tips on the handle of the carrier are disclosed.

Description

llnited States Patent [191 Karter et al.

[ DENTAL AMALGAM CARRIER [76] Inventors: Jesse Karter, 7 Linden Lane, Old Westbury, Long Island, NY. 11568; Patrick Cullen, 141-05 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY. l 1354 [22] Filed: July 29, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 167,393

[52] U.S. Cl ..32/60 [51] Int. Cl ..A6lc 5/04 [58] Field of Search ..32/60, 40 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,476,793 7/1949 Arena ..32/60 [451 May 29,1973

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 309,333 4/1929 Great Britain ..32/60 Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock Attorney-Allison C. Collard [5 7] ABSTRACT A lever-type dental amalgam Carrier in which the amalgam tips of the carrier are unitized operating ends and are rapidly interchangeable. Various embodiments of spring locks, insert locks, thread locks, twist locks, collet locks and swivel locks for mounting the amagam tips on the handle of the carrier are disclosed.

15 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTED W2 91975 SHEET 1 BF 2 KARTER PATRICK CULLEN MGM ATTORNEY.

JESSE PATENTEU 3,735.492

SPLEI 2 OF 2 INVENTORS. JESSE KARTER PATRICK CULLEN I1 11 E1 E47.

ATTORNEY.

This invention relates to a dental amalgam carrier, and in particular, to a lever-type amalgam carrier in which the tip of the amalgam carrier is a unitized operating end so that it may be rapidly interchanged with a new end in order to replace a defective end or change the angle of amalgam insertion.

In present lever-type amalgam carriers, numerous problems arise during use which the function and efficiency of the carrier. Frequently, the plunger on the tip of the amalgam carrier becomes jammed with silver and freezes on the plunger rod of the carrier. The tip of the amalgam carrier then becomes useless, and, unless another usable tip is provided at the other end, the entire amalgam carrier must be repaired or disposed of. Some amalgam carriers have been designed to obviate this problem and have interchangeable ends or tips which are threadably coupled to a handle. However, most of these are difficult for the dentist to change in his office and require a substantial amount of time for a new tip to be mounted on the amalgam carrier. This is a great disadvantage during the performing of dental work, since the dentist cannot quickly remove the defective amalgam head and replace it immediately so that he may continue with his work without interruption.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a levertype amalgam carrier in which amalgam tips are unitized operating ends, i.e., all the parts thereof, such as the lever, plunger and mounting member, are integrally formed in one detachable unit, so that the amalgam lips are rapidly interchangeable on the handle of the amalgam carrier. Slidable and threadable mounting members allow both quick attachment or detachment of the amalgam carrier tip to or from the handle. In one embodiment of the invention, a cylindrical mounting member is slidably received within a cylindrical bore disposed in the end of the amalgam carrier handle and is locked therein by means of a ball-detent spring lock, by a rectangular pressure spring disposed within the cylindrical bore, or by a longitudinal clip which is connected to the mounting means and slidably disposed over the outside of the handle in a notch provided therein. The amalgam carrier tip is rigidly secured to the mounting means by any suitable means, such as a nut and bolt, or rivet. In other embodiments of the invention, the mounting means is threadably attached to the handle, or is attached by means of a pressure-twist lock, collet lock, insert lock or swivel look.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lever-type amalgam carrier with interchangeable amalgam tips which may be rapidly attached or de-' tached to or from the handle of the amalgam carrier during the .course of the performance of dental work.

It is another object according to the present invention to provide a lever-type amalgam carrier which is simple in design, easy to manufacture and efficient and reliable in operation.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which disclose several embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar references characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, partial cross-sectional side view of a lever-type amalgam carrier constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the handle of the amalgam carrier taken along section 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, partial cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the invention, shown with the amalgam tip removed, using a ball-detent spring lock mounting means;

FIG. 4 is an exploded, cross-sectional side view of another embodiment using a pressure clip locking means;

FIGS. 5 and 7 are exploded partial cross-sectional side views of embodiments of the invention in which the mounting means is threadably engaged on the bandle;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the threaded portion of the handle taken along section 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an exploded partial cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention using a pressure twist lock;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are exploded partial cross-sectional side views of embodiments of the invention using collet locks;

FIG. 11 is an exploded partial cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention, utilizing a ball-swivel lock;

FIG. 12 is an exploded partial cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention using an insert lock; and

FIGS. 13 and 13a are cross-sectional views taken along section l3-13 of FIG. 12 showing square and hexagon-shaped inserts.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a dental amalgam carrier having lever-type amalgam tip 10 consisting of cylindrical rod 11 which has cylindrical plunger 12 slidably disposed on its end. Lever 13 is longitudinally disposed over rod 11 and has an elongated elliptical or rectangular aperture provided at one end (not shown) which slides over the bent portion of rod 11 and into a notch provided at on plunger 12. The lever has a semi-cylindrical shape and is disposed over the longitudinal section of the rod. A spring member 14 is secured near the base of rod 11 and extends through aperture 13a provided in lever 13 over its top surface into the previously described aperture at the opposite end of the lever. When lever 13 is pressed towards rod 11, lever 13 will pivot about the rod and pull plunger 12 in a vertically upward direction along rod 11, thus inserting the amalgam. Spring 14 forces the plunger to return to its lower position and the lever to its original position shown in FIG. 1 upon release of the pressure on the end of lever 13.

Amalgam tip 10 is slidably disposed within cylindrical bore 15a within cylindrical mounting member 15 and is rigidly afiixed to member 15 by means of radially disposed fastening means 16, such as a rivet or nut and bolt, extending through member 15 and amalgam tip 10. Clip 17 is affixed to the end of amalgam tip 10 in front of member 15 and extends longitudinally along its length. Semi-cylindrical end member 17a is affixed to the end of clip 17. Cylindrical handle 18 has a longitudinal cylindrical bore 18a which slidably receives member 15. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, handle 18 also has a recess consisting of semi-cylindrical section 19 and elongated notch 19a substantially identical to the shape of clip 17, for receiving the clip when amalgam tip is inserted into handle 18 and thereby locking the amalgam tip on the end of the handle.

In order to attach amalgam tip 10 to handle 18, member is slidably pushed into bore 18a and clip 17 is bent outwardly and slid over the outer surface of the handle. As tip 10 is pushed further into the recess of the handle, end member 17a will slide down towards recess 19 until it is received by the recess and secures the tip in the handle. In order to remove the amalgam tip, clip 17 is bent outwardly from the handle until end member 17a is pulled out of recess 19. The tip may then be pulled out of the handle.

FIG. 3 discloses another embodiment of the invention in which cylindrical mounting member 20 has conical-shaped collar 21 disposed about it and rigidly affixed thereto. Amalgam tip 10 is not shown but is connected to member 20 in the same manner as described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1. Cylindrical bore 20a and fastening recesses 22 are provided for this purpose. Member 20 is provided with recess 23 containing spring 24 and ball 25. Member 20 is slidably received in cylindrical bore 26a and handle 26. Aperture 27 is radially disposed within handle 26 and is aligned with recess 23 so that when member 20 is inserted fully into handle 26, collar 21 abuts the end of the handle and ball is received in aperture 27. The amalgam tip is thereby locked and mounted in handle 26.

In order to remove the tip from the handle, a manual force is exerted along the longitudinal axis of the handle. This causes ball 25 to be pushed into recess 23 against the pressure of spring 24 and member 20 to slide out of bore 26a. When an amalgam tip is inserted into the handle, spring 24 urges ball 25 against the inside surface of bore 260 until it is aligned with aperture 27. Spring 24 then forces ball 25 into the aperture and the tip is locked in the handle.

FIG. 4 discloses an embodiment of the invention simar to that just described but having a pressure clip lock instead. Cylindrical member 20 is provided with substantially rectangular-shaped recesses 28 which have cylindrical-shaped recesses 29 provided adjacent collar 21. Pressure spring 30 is rectangular shaped and disposed within bore 26a. Spring 30 has semicylindrical end members 31 whose ends are disposed in radially disposed apertures 32 provided in handle 26. When member 20 is pushed into handle 26, pressure spring 30 slides along member 20 in recesses 28 until members 31 are received by recesses 29. Apertures 32 allow the ends of pressure spring 30 to expand radially outward within the bore when the forward portion of member 20 is inserted. When members 31 are received by recesses 29, collar 21 will abut the end of handle 26 and amalgam tip 16 will be securely locked into place. To remove the tip, manual force is exerted longitudinally along the length of the handle. This will cause members 31 to be compressed and member 20 may then be slidably removed from the handle.

All three of the embodiments previously described provide rapid interchange of amalgam tips by slidable insertion and removal. This allows a dentist to remove the tip at any time during the course of his work and to thereby minimize delays, or needless expense in disposing of an entire amalgam carrier.

In FIG. 5, another embodiment of the invention is shown in which mounting means 33 has a tapered forward portion consisting of two sections 340 and 34b within which longitudinal bore 200 is disposed for receiving the end of amalgam tip 10. Rear portion 340 contains threaded recess 35 which threadably engages threaded shaft 36 provided on the end of handle 26. In this embodiment, member 33 and amalgam tip 10 can be easily threaded on or off handle 26 in order to change amalgam tips. A nyloc insert 37, i.e., a nylon strip used to prevent loosening of a threaded joint may also be provided on shaft 36. As shown in FIG. 6, insert 37 is disposed in a longitudinal recess 38 provided in the surface of shaft 36 and ensures a snug engagement of recess 35 by shaft 36. This will prevent the tip from rotating on the shaft during the performance of dental work.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which member 33 has tapered front portions 34a and 34b and threaded shaft 39 disposed on the rear portion thereof. Shaft 39 is threadably engaged by threaded recess 40 provided in handle 26. The operation of this embodiment is similar to that of FIG. 5 just described. Shaft 39 may also be provided with a nyloc insert in order to tighten the connection between the members. The insert, however, is optional in either the embodiments of FIGS. 5 or 7.

In FIG. 8, mounting member 41 has tapered front portion 41a through which bore 20a is disposed. At the rear portion of member 41, cylindrical recess 42 is provided and has cylindrical member 43 affixed radially on the interior surface of the recess. Recess 42 slides over cylindrical projection 44 provided on handle 26 while member 43 is simultaneously slidably received in notch 45 and slides along notch 45 as member 41 is pushed back over projection 44. When member 43 reaches the end of the notch, member 41 is rotated clock-wise in the direction of arrow 26. The amalgam tip is thus locked on handle 26. To remove the amalgam tip, member 41 is rotated in a counterclock-wise direction and then pulled longitudinally from the handle.

In FIG. 9, handle 26 is provided with cylindrical member 47 having threaded portion 470 and tapered front portion 4712. Member 47 has a longitudinal bore 48 and slot 49 provided in the front portion thereof. Cylindrical mounting member 50 is provided with a front tapered portion consisting of sections 50a and 50b and also has a cylindrical rod 51 affixed to the rear portion thereof. Another cylindrical member 52 has longitudinal bore 53 having threaded portion 53a and front tapered portion 53b. In mounting member 51 on handle 26, member 52 is slidably disposed over the end of member 47 and cylindrical rod 51 is slidably disposed inside bore 48. Member 52 is then threadably engaged on threads 47a and tightened. Front portion 53b will then exert pressure on tapered portion 47a and force member 47 to tightly grip cylindrical rod 51. To remove an amalgam tip, member 52 is simply unscrewed from handle 26. Member 50 may then be easily pulled out.

It should be noted that this embodiment and the next two embodiments described have an additional feature which makes interchanging the tips paru'cularly easy during the performance of dental work. In each case, the mounting member merely has to be inserted into the handle and the locking means tightened. The dentist thus does not have to align the particular locking elements in order to properly secure the tip in the handle.

In FIG. 10, mounting means 54 is provided with tapered front sections 54a and 54b and longitudinally disposed cylindrical rod 55. Cylindrical member 56 has front tapered portion 58 and a longitudinal cylindrical bore having threaded portion 59. Handle 26 has a cylindrical member 66 having a threaded surface 600 affixed to the end thereof, and longitudinal bore 60b for receiving rod 55 of member 54.

When assembling an amalgam tip, member 56 is disposed over the end of the tip before member 54 is affixed to rod 11 to mount the tip in the handle. Rod 55 is then slipped into bore 60b and member 56 is slipped along rod 11 over the front portions 54a and 54b of member 54 until section 54c is disposed in bore 57 and threadably engaged and tightened on cylinder 60 until member 56 abuts the end of handle 26 and section 54c is secured against cylinder 66. In this way, the amalgam tip will be secured to the handle. The tip may be easily removed by unscrewing member 56 and pulling the tip from the handle.

In FIG. 11, mounting member 61 is provided with tapered front portion 61a and spherical member 61b provided on the rear portion thereof. Cylindrical member 62 has tapered front portion 62a and a longitudinal bore 63 which has threaded rear portions 64 and semispherical recess 65. Threaded solid cylinder 66 is mounted on the end of handle 26 and has threaded outer surface 660 and semi-spherical recess 66b for receiving end member 61b. In order to lock the amalgam tip on the handle, member 62 is slid over member 61 until end member 61b is received by recess 65. Member 62 is threaded over the outer surface of cylinder 66. When member 62 is tightened, member 61b will be pressed into recess 66b and prevented from rotating by the pressure exerted by member 62. The amalgam tip will thus be locked on the handle. To remove the tip, member 62 is simply unscrewed. The tip may then be pulled down from the handle.

In FIG. 12, mounting member 67 has conical-shaped collar 68 and longitudinal cylindrical rod 69 which is received slidably by cylindrical bore 71) provided in cylindrical member 71. Member 71 has flange 72 and radially disposed threaded aperture 73. Member 71 is received in bore 74 in handle 26. When member 71 is fully inserted, flange 72 will abut the end of handle 26. In order to mount the amalgam tip on the handle, rod 69 is slidably placed in bore 70 of member 71 and the composite structure is pushed into bore 74 of handle 26. When flange 72 abuts the end of handle 26,

threaded aperture 73 will be aligned with radially disposed aperture 75 provided in handle 26. Screw 76 is then threaded into aperture 73 and tightened so as to engage rod 69. In order to interchange amalgam tips, it is not necessary to remove member 71 but merely. loosen fastening screw 76 until rod 69 is able to be pulled from bore 70. Member 71 will be retained within bore 74 by screw 76 and a new amalgam tip having member 67 afixed thereto may be inserted into bore 70 and screw 76 tightened to secure another tip. FIGS. 13 and 13a show different embodiments of rod 69. The rod may be rectangular or hexagon shaped as illustrated, rather than cylindrically shaped as shown in FIG. 12. Bore 70 may also be the same shape as rod 69, or be a cylindrical bore in order to allow the three different types of rods to be inserted therein.

It is not necessary to include member 71 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, rod 69a may be thickened so as to fit within cylindrical bore 74, and aperture 75 threaded so as to receive screw 76. The amalgam tip may then be secured by tightening screw 76 against rod 69a. A whistle stop aperture 6% is provided in rod 69a for receiving the screw when it is tightened against the rod, thereby securing the amalgam tip in the handle.

While only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising:

at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam;

a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and

a cylindrical member slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto,

an elongated clip member, fixed to theend of said amalgam tip adjacent said cylindrical member, extending longitudinally along the length of said cylindrical member and having a semi-cylindrical end member disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said clip on the end thereof, and

a longitudinal bore disposed within said handle for receiving said cylindrical member,'and a recess of substantially the same shape as said clip disposed in the exterior surface of said handle for receiving said clip and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

2. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising:

at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam;

a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and

a cylindrical member slidably disposed on the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, said member having a collar disposed about and affixed thereto, a radially disposed recess provided in one end thereof, and a spring-loaded ball disposed in said recess, and

a longitudinal bore disposed within said handle for receiving said cylindrical member, and an aperture radially disposed in said handle for alignment with said recess in said cylindrical member when said member is inserted in said handle, for receiving said spring-loaded ball and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

3. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising:

at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam;

a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and

a cylindrical member slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, said member having a collar disposed about and affixed thereto, a longitudinally disposed recess disposed adjacent said collar, and a semi-cylindrical recess provided in said longitudinal recess at one end thereof, and

a longitudinal bore disposed within the handle for receiving said cylindrical member, a plurality of radially disposed apertures in the surface of said handle, and a rectangular-shaped pressure spring, disposed with said bore, having semi-cylindrical end members provided thereon whose ends are disposed in said radially disposed apertures for alignment with and reception in said semi-cylindrical recesses provided in said cylindrical member when said member is inserted in said handle and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

4. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising:

at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam I a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and

a cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, and a threaded recess disposed longitudinally in the rearward end thereof, and

a threaded cylindrical rod projecting longitudinally from one end of said handle, including a longitudinal recess disposed in the surface thereof and a nylon insert disposed in said longitudinal recess, for threadably engaging said recess in said cylindrical member and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

5. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising:

at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam;

a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and

a cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly afiixed thereto, and a threaded cylindrical rod disposed longitudinally from the rearward end of said cylindrical member, having a longitudinal recess provided in the surface thereof and a nylon insert disposed in said longitudinal recess, and

a threaded longitudinal recess disposed in the end of said handle for threadably engaging said threaded cylindrical rod and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

6. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising:

at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inseting the amalgam;

a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and

a cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly afiixed thereto, said member having a longitudinally disposed recess in the rearward portion thereof, and a radially disposed projecting member affixed to the inner surface of said recess, and

an elongated cylindrical projection longitudinally disposed from one end of said handle for slidable engagement in said recess of said cylindrical member and an L-shaped notch provided in the surface thereof for receiving said radially disposed projecting member when said handle is inserted in said recess and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

7. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising:

at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam;

a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and

a first cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, and an elongated cylindrical rod longitudinally disposed from the rearward end of said member,

a longitudinally disposed cylindrical projection provided at one end of said handle having a threaded portion provided at the rearward end thereof adjacent the end of said handle, a tapered forward portion, a longitudinal bore, and a radially disposed slot extending partially through said cylindrical projection, for receiving said cylindrical rod provided on said first cylindrical member, and

a second cylindrical member having a longitudinal bore having a threaded rear portion for engagement with the threaded portion of said cylindrical projection and a tapered forward section for slidable engagement with the forward portion of said cylindrical projection, for disposal between said first cylindrical member and said handle, over said cylindrical rod and projection, and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

8. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising:

at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam;

a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and

a first cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, and a longitudinal cylindrical rod disposed from the rearward portion thereof;

a longitudinal cylindrical projection disposed from one end of said handle having a threaded outer surface and a longitudinal bore for slidably receiving said cylindrical rod, and

a second cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion and a longitudinal cylindrical bore, the rear portion of which is threaded for engaging the threaded surface of said cylindrical projection and the front portion of which slidably engages the front portion of said first cylindrical member, for disposal over said first cylindrical member and said cylindrical projection on said handle, and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip to said handle.

9. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising:

at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam;

a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and

a first cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly afiixed thereto, and a sphericalshaped rear portion provided on the rear surface thereof,

a longitudinal cylindrical projection disposed from one end of said handle and having a threaded outer surface and a semi-spherical recess provided in the end thereof for receiving said spherical-shaped rear portion of said first cylindrical member, and

a second cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion and a longitudinal bore, the rear portion of which is threaded for engagement with the threaded outer surface of said cylindrical projecend of said amalgam tip and rigidly aflixed thereto,

said member having a collar disposed about and affixed thereto, and a longitudinal projecting member disposed from the rearward portion thereof, second cylindrical member having a longitudinal bore for slidably receiving said longitudinal projecting member, a circular flange at one end thereof for engagement with said collar on said first cylindrical member, and a radially disposed threaded aperture provided in the surface thereof, longitudinal bore provided in said handle for receiving said first and second cylindrical members, and a radially disposed aperture also provided in said handle for alignment with said threaded aperture in said second cylindrical member when said member is inserted in said handle and said flange abuts the end of said handle, and

fastening means disposed through said aperture provided in said handle, for threadably engaging said threaded aperture in said second cylindrical member and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

11. The dental amalgam carrier as recited in claim 10, wherein said second cylindrical member has a rectangular-shaped longitudinal bore, and wherein said longitudinal projecting member on said first cylindrical member is rectangular shaped so as to be slidably received by said longitudinal bore.

12. The dental amalgam carrier as recited in claim Q 110, wherein said second cylindrical member has a hexagon-shaped longitudinal bore, and wherein said longitudinal projecting member on said first cylindrical member is hexagon shaped so as to be slidably received by said longitudinal bore.

13. The dental amalgam carrier as recited in claim 10, wherein said second cylindrical member has a cylindrical-shaped longitudinal bore, and wherein said longitudinal projecting member on said first cylindrical member is a cylindrical rod which is slidably received by said longitudinal bore.

14. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising:

at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam;

a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and

a cylindrical member slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, said member having a collar disposed about and afiixed thereto, and a longitudinal projecting member, disposed from the rearward portion thereof,

a longitudinal bore for receiving said cylindrical member, and a radially disposed, threaded aperture, provided in said handle, and

fastening means, disposed through and threadably engaging said aperture provided in said handle, and engaging said cylindrical member, thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

15. The dental amalgam carrier as recited in claim 14, wherein said longitudinal projecting member further includes a triangular-shaped aperture, and wherein said threaded aperture in said handle is aligned with said triangular aperture in said projecting member when said member is inserted in said handle and said collar abuts the end of said handle, so that said fastening means engages said triangular aperture in said projecting member and thereby detachably mounts said amalgam tip on said handle.

:l= =t t

Claims (15)

1. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising: at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam; a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and a cylindrical member slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, an elongated clip member, fixed to the end of said amalgam tip adjacent said cylindrical member, extending longitudinally along the length of said cylindrical member and having a semicylindrical end member disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said clip on the end thereof, and a longitudinal bore disposed within said handle for receiving said cylindrical member, and a recess of substantially the same shape as said clip disposed in the exterior surface of said handle for receiving said clip and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

2. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising: at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam; a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and a cylindrical member slidably disposed on the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, said member having a collar disposed about and affixed thereto, a radially disposed recess provided in one end thereof, and a spring-loaded ball disposed in said recess, and a longitudinal bore disposed within said handle for receiving said cylindrical member, and an aperture radially disposed in said handle for alignment with said recess in said cylindrical member when said member is inserted in said handle, for receiving said spring-loaded ball and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

3. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising: at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam; a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and a cylindrical member slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, said member having a collar disposed about and affixed thereto, a longitudinally disposed recess disposed adjacent said collar, and a semi-cylindrical recess provided in said longitudinal recess at one end thereof, and a longitudinal bore disposed within the handle for receiving said cylindrical member, a plurality of radially disposed apertures in the surface of said handle, and a rectangular-shaped pressure spring, disposed with said bore, having semi-cylindrical end members provided thereon whose ends are disposed in said radially disposed apertures for alignment with and reception in said semi-cylindrical recesses provided in said cylindrical member when said member is inserted in said handle and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

4. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising: at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and a cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, and a threaded recess disposed longitudinally in the rearward end thereof, and a threaded cylindrical rod projecting longitudinally from one end of said handle, including a longitudinal recess disposed in the surface thereof and a nylon insert disposed in said longitudinal recess, for threadably engaging said recess in said cylindrical member and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

5. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising: at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam; a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and a cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, and a threaded cylindrical rod disposed longitudinally from the rearward end of said cylindrical member, having a longitudinal recess provided in the surface thereof and a nylon insert disposed in said longitudinal recess, and a threaded longitudinal recess disposed in the end of said handle for threadably engaging said threaded cylindrical rod and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

6. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising: at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam; a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and a cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, said member having a longitudinally disposed recess in the rearward portion thereof, and a radially disposed projecting member affixed to the inner surface of said recess, and an elongated cylindrical projection longitudinally disposed from one end of said handle for slidable engagement in said recess of said cylindrical member and an L-shaped notch provided in the surface thereof for receiving said radially disposed projecting member when said handle is inserted in said recess and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

7. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising: at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam; a handle for carryinG an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and a first cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, and an elongated cylindrical rod longitudinally disposed from the rearward end of said member, a longitudinally disposed cylindrical projection provided at one end of said handle having a threaded portion provided at the rearward end thereof adjacent the end of said handle, a tapered forward portion, a longitudinal bore, and a radially disposed slot extending partially through said cylindrical projection, for receiving said cylindrical rod provided on said first cylindrical member, and a second cylindrical member having a longitudinal bore having a threaded rear portion for engagement with the threaded portion of said cylindrical projection and a tapered forward section for slidable engagement with the forward portion of said cylindrical projection, for disposal between said first cylindrical member and said handle, over said cylindrical rod and projection, and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

8. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising: at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam; a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and a first cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, and a longitudinal cylindrical rod disposed from the rearward portion thereof; a longitudinal cylindrical projection disposed from one end of said handle having a threaded outer surface and a longitudinal bore for slidably receiving said cylindrical rod, and a second cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion and a longitudinal cylindrical bore, the rear portion of which is threaded for engaging the threaded surface of said cylindrical projection and the front portion of which slidably engages the front portion of said first cylindrical member, for disposal over said first cylindrical member and said cylindrical projection on said handle, and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip to said handle.

9. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising: at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam; a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and a first cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, and a spherical-shaped rear portion provided on the rear surface thereof, a longitudinal cylindrical projection disposed from one end of said handle and having a threaded outer surface and a semi-spherical recess provided in the end thereof for receiving said spherical-shaped rear portion of said first cylindrical member, and a second cylindrical member having a tapered forward portion and a longitudinal bore, the rear portion of which is threaded for engagement with the threaded outer surface of said cylindrical projection and the front portion of which is tapered for slidable engagement with the forward portion of said first cylindrical member, for disposal over said first cylindrical member and said cylindrical projection on said handle, and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

10. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising: at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam; a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and a first cylindrical member slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, said member having a collar disposed about and affixed thereto, and a longitudinal projecting member disposed from the rearward portion thereof, a second cylindrical member having a longitudinal bore for slidably receiving said longitudinal projecting member, a circular flange at one end thereof for engagement with said collar on said first cylindrical member, and a radially disposed threaded aperture provided in the surface thereof, a longitudinal bore provided in said handle for receiving said first and second cylindrical members, and a radially disposed aperture also provided in said handle for alignment with said threaded aperture in said second cylindrical member when said member is inserted in said handle and said flange abuts the end of said handle, and fastening means disposed through said aperture provided in said handle, for threadably engaging said threaded aperture in said second cylindrical member and thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

11. The dental amalgam carrier as recited in claim 10, wherein said second cylindrical member has a rectangular-shaped longitudinal bore, and wherein said longitudinal projecting member on said first cylindrical member is rectangular shaped so as to be slidably received by said longitudinal bore.

12. The dental amalgam carrier as recited in claim 10, wherein said second cylindrical member has a hexagon-shaped longitudinal bore, and wherein said longitudinal projecting member on said first cylindrical member is hexagon shaped so as to be slidably received by said longitudinal bore.

13. The dental amalgam carrier as recited in claim 10, wherein said second cylindrical member has a cylindrical-shaped longitudinal bore, and wherein said longitudinal projecting member on said first cylindrical member is a cylindrical rod which is slidably received by said longitudinal bore.

14. A dental amalgam carrier, comprising: at least one lever-type amalgam tip for carrying and inserting the amalgam; a handle for carrying an amalgam tip at either end thereof; and a cylindrical member slidably disposed over the end of said amalgam tip and rigidly affixed thereto, said member having a collar disposed about and affixed thereto, and a longitudinal projecting member, disposed from the rearward portion thereof, a longitudinal bore for receiving said cylindrical member, and a radially disposed, threaded aperture, provided in said handle, and fastening means, disposed through and threadably engaging said aperture provided in said handle, and engaging said cylindrical member, thereby detachably mounting said amalgam tip on said handle.

15. The dental amalgam carrier as recited in claim 14, wherein said longitudinal projecting member further includes a triangular-shaped aperture, and wherein said threaded aperture in said handle is aligned with said triangular aperture in said projecting member when said member is inserted in said handle and said collar abuts the end of said handle, so that said fastening means engages said triangular aperture in said projecting member and thereby detachably mounts said amalgam tip on said handle.

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