US727483A - Dental mouth-mirror. - Google Patents

Description

EATENTED MAY. 5, 1903'. 0. s. STREET.

DENTAL MOUTH MIRROR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 190 2.

ND MODEL.

INVENTOH M4 0515M ATTORNEY [Q &\ rlllllllllllllllnlln Illa QM. @AEMQ UNiTn STATES Patented May 5, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

DENTAL MOUTH-MIRROR.

SPECIFICATION forming. part of Letters Patent No. 727,483, dated May 5, 1903.

Application filed March 21, 1902. Serial No. 99,257. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTOPHER S. STREET, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dental llIouth-Mirrors, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to dental mouth-mirrors. Such devices are employed in dental surgery, the mirror mounted on the end of a long handle being inserted in the mouth of the patient to reflect cavities and relative positions thereof and of contiguous teeth and gum. Such devices have their chief utility in enabling the dental surgeon to see the cavity during the process of filling it with goldleaf, &c.; but at such time the mirror, unless provided with a retaining-point, as will hereinafter appear, must be withdrawn from the mouth after inspection of the cavity from time to time, because the two hands of the surgeon during the filling are engaged, one of them with the retaining-point and the other of them with the plugging instrument.

The objects of my present invention are to provide a dental mouth-mirror having a retaining-point carried thereby which shall be supported in a simple and efficient manner from the back of the mirror and extend over the mirror in a desirable location, all as will hereinafter appear.

To these ends myinvention consists of the device having the distinguishing features of construction hereinafter described, the essentials in the several combinations of parts to perform the respective functions of the device being pointcd out in the claims.

In the drawings illustrating my invention, Figure l is an elevation in perspective of my device; Fig. 2, a sectional view thereof on the line 1 2 of'Fig. 1, the section being exaggerated to show more clearly the construction. Fig. 3 is a plan view from the under side of the instrument, the retaining-point on the upper side being indicated by dotted lines; and Fig. 4. is a vertical section through line 3 4 of Fig. 3, illustrating a feature of the device.

The state of the art in dental hand-mirrors ness of the mirror.

- is best stated by reference to Fig. 1 of the combination with such a device I apply my improvements now to be described.

The handle a has a narrow metallic portion a, on which the base of the mirror-frame b is mounted, usually connected thereto by soldering. The mirror 0 is usually in the form of a flat disk. The supporting-frame b, in which the mirror is mounted and held, is a metallic disk with a fiat base I), (see Fig. 2,) shallow vertical rim b and an inturned annular flange b The distance between the base I) and the flange b is equal to the thick- Hence the latter is held firmlyin place within the said mounting. To such device I apply my point-holder d, which is a flat narrow strip of metal, one side (1 of which coincides with the base I) of the mirror-frame and is secured to said base at its center, preferably by a set-screw d or other like means, which will constitute a pivotal connection in order that said holder d may be adjusted to any point on the periphery of the mirror-holder b.

The strip of metal forming the point-holder dis bent upward from the base, forming a short vertical side (i and then inwardly to form the side (1 the extreme end of which is thickened in any suitable manner and screwthreaded, as shown at d", Fig. 2, to receive the screw-threaded end of the point d". Various forms and shapes of points are employed in this branch of dentistry, they being necessarily mounted on long operating-handles. The variety of these points in length, curves, double curves, and other shapes to adapt them to reach all kinds of cavities in teeth of naturally diiferent shapes, character, and location in the mouth is quite extensive. With my device I use the same points; but instead of mounting them on a handle I provide them with a short vertical screw-threaded ende, said end being adapted to register with the screw-threaded opening in the end (1 of the holder d. By such means of pivotal connection any of the known varieties of points can be used with my device, the substitution of one for another involving no more than unscrewing one from the holder and substitut ing another therein. Aside from that advantage the pivotal mountingof the point in the holder gives a freedom of movement relatively to the holder on the application of manual pressure through the handle a.

An additional feature of my invention, which is not essential to it, but adds to its utility, is the locking device, consisting in serrating the inturned annular flange b of the mirror-holder b, as shown in Fig. l and exaggerated section, Fig. 4, the serrations it being ,diametrical. The coacting element is made by sex-rating or grooving the under face of the overlapping part or arm (1 in the direction of its length, as at m. (See Fig. 4.) As there is more or less spring or resiliency in said overlapping arm d of the pointholder, it is obvious that pressure on the point when applied to a tooth will cause the serrations h to register with the grooves m and lock the point-holder to the inturned flange b of the mirror-holder and that on removal of the whole device from the mouth of the patient the parts will return to normal relative position and the locking contact of said parts be removed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with a dental mouthmirror comprising an operating-handle, a flat disk-shaped frame with upturned flange edge and a disk-like mirror held within the same, of a radially-adjustable point-holder consisting of a single metallic strip, a pivot or setscrew connecting said strip to the back or the base of the mirror-frame, the opposite end of said single strip being turned to partly overlap the mirror and provided with means over the mirror to removably support a dental point; substantially as described.

2. In combination with a dental mouthmirror, comprising a handle, a disk-like mirror, and a flat disk-shaped frame therefor having an annular flanged edge which is radially serrated, of a point-holder composed of a metallic strip pivotally mounted at one end on the base of the mirror-frame, then bent upward and over the said frame and provided thereat with longitudinal grooves on its under face, the other and upper end of said strip having means thereat to removably support a point-holder, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof. I have hereunto affixed my signature this 19th day of March, A. D. 1902.

CHRISTOPHER S. STREET.

\Vitnesses:

MAUD RIGHTMIRE STREET, CHAS. P. RooNEY.

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