USRE7670E - curtix - Google Patents

Description

Z Sheets-Sheet l.

C. M; CURTIS. I Assignor by mesne assignments to M. M. Johnston.

DENTALENGIN'E.

Reissued May 8,1877.

'2 Sheets- Sheet 2.

C. M. CU R T I S.

Assignor by mesne assignments to M. M. Johnston.

DENTAL-ENGINE.

Reissued. May 8,1877.

. I!" 11411111147 41/1 4 rH Ina/em)"- CHARLES M. CURTIS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO MELVlLL-E JOHNSTON, OF NEW YORK CITY.

IMPROVEMENT IN DENTAL E'NGiNES.

Specification forming, part of Letters Patent No. 138,318, dated April 2.9, 1873; reissue No. 7,620, dated May 8,1877; application filed April 23, 3877. I

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, Onnnnns M. Gnarls, oflhiladelphia, in the county ofPhiladelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dental Engines, and in hand-pieces therefor; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as Will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

which form part of this specification.

-Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal central sectional view of the hand-piece. Big. 2 .1 side viesof the handpiece. li 3 are side views of the tool. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the base of a dental engine. Fig. 5 is a front view of the same. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the treadletripod. Fig: 7 is a side elevation of the engine complete. Fig. 8 is a side view of the upper portion of the flexible rod or shaft. Fig. '9 is a-sectional view of the lower portion of the flexible rod or shalt.

My invention relates to an improved form of dental hurling-engine, especially designedto assist in operations upon the natural teeth in the mouth.

The nature of this invention may be briefly stated as consisting in the peculiar construction of a continuously-rotating rod or shaft, and its supports and attachments, communicating motion from a fiy-wheel operated by the foot or other power to the tool, by which a great degree of tlexure and inobilityis ohtainedwithout undue friction, noise, or loss of power, dispensing with all cords, bands,

'and pulleys, and securing a steady continuous motion.

My invention also relates to the hand-piece, wh ch contains the tool-carrying spindle, or

that part of the rotary shaft which carries the tool. its object here is to provide nieans whereby the shafthiay be caused to always run true and even in its hearings in the handpiece, and whereby all looseness of bearing caused by wear can be readily taken up; fun. ther, to provide-a tool-locking mechanism, which is eontainedwithin the case of the handpiece, and is attached to and revolves with the tool-carrying shaft, and Whioh,lurtherniore, is arranged and adapted to be operatd throughan aperture in the case, in order to unlock the tool. i

The accompanying drawing represents these improvements.

A designates. a tripod or stand, from which rises a suitably shaped and arranged standard, B, to which it is secured. U is a beveled fly-wheel, fixed to the shaft E, which passes through hearings in the standard l5. This shalt is provided with a crank, e, which re ceives the double-jointed pitnian-rod F, eonneot l with the Wendie at. n, he trnmllo ishinged to the tripod or stand, and is in line with the axis of the lly-wheel. immediately over the fly-wheel, and engaging with its upper beveled edge, and secured in a bearing attached to the standard B, is a beveled frietion wheel or roller, H, of solid rnbber, hushed with brass, pressed down to the hywheel by the spring 1. To this t'ric tion-wheel the continuous rotating rod or shalt K is secured and keyed in a slotted sleeve-couplin g, 76, causing them to rotate together, and yet allowing the shalt to slide up and down freely to acconnnodnte the change in its lengthin position during lieilnre. L designates a tubular stai'i'orstandard, supporting and pro tectinn; the shaft hi. it is connected to .the standard B by a rotating or sleeve joint provided with a set-screw, K, so as to allow or prevent motion, at the will oi the operator. Above this, at convenient distances, are arranged one or more hinged joints of peculiar construction, attached to stall L by rotating; slee'ze joints provided WlLil set-screws, asat if], lhisjoint is formed by two diverging branches, hi hi, firmly attached to the staff L, or to a collar, L, closely fitting either inside or out side of the staff L, allowing it to rotate freely. The upper part of the joint is formed of two similar branches, N, of the upper section, with holes for pivots to pass through, and extending downward a suitable distance below them to afford suiiioient leverage for the springs or rubber rings designed to keep the staff in an upright position when not in use.

Grinch.

The two ends are connected by an elongated A ring, 0, embracing the stafl', the object of on either side of the staff, said springs or rubber rings being of equal strength, and so r arranged as not to be affected by the rotation of the staff; or these springs or rings might be attached directly to the branches N, and fastened, as shown, to the staff or sections. At each end of each section or length of the staff L, or at any convenient .point between the two extreme ends, are arranged suitable bearings for the rod or shaft K, and at each joint the ends-of the sections are connected by a universal or link joint.

' 'The several hinge-joints are properly balanced by springs of elastic rubber rings or other device, so as to bend with each other, giving the engine great latitude of motion, without interfering in the least with the rotation ofthe inclosed shaft, and at the same time giving it suflicient firmness for the purpose required. N ear the top of the shaft, and attached to it by a collar, so as to allow it to freely rotate around the staff L, is a short arm, S, curved upward, and carrying in suitable bearings a short shaft, T. This shaft is designed to change the direction of the shaft K from a vertical to a horizontal position, and is connected with the vertical portion by a welltempered spiral spring, U. The other end is also fitted with a short length of spiral spring, to which is attached a steel rod, V, which transmits motion to the hand-piece. Attached to the arm S, over the spring uniting the shaft 'lto the rod V,is pivoted an elastic flat spring,

X, through the free end of which the rod V passes. The object of this springfis to steady the rod, and prevent the vibration that would otherwise take place. This it does without interfering with its freedom of motion, and having the great advantage over a rigid arm, that there is no danger by actual torsion to bend or throw it out of shape, for, being very sensitive to the slightest motion, it leads it self to any position or direction that is necessary for it to assume. It also guards the apparatus from injury if the hand-piece be allowed to fall. suddenly, as may often happen in actual practice. At the top of the stafl',immediately above the armS, is arranged a small stone, W,'revolving with the sliait, designed for sharpening instruments, 8am," and between the bearings of the shaft T a" small grindstone, V, may besnitably secured.

My improvements in the hand-piece are illustrated clearly in Figs. 1 2, and 3.

The case of the handiece is marked 6 Within it is supported .the tool-carrying spindle d, that is designed to be connected with and rotated by the rotary shaft, as in ordinary dental engines. The spindle has its hearings in the case. These bearings, with which the case is provided, are marked h. They-are conical, one being at or near the front, and the other being at or' near the rear of the ease. to say, they have their bases opposite one an- .otherthe front bearing tapering toward the front, and the rearbearing tapering toward the rear. On the'-tool-carrying spindle d are formed correspondingly conical journals 4? i,

which rest in the bearings, as shown. By

spindle, and is detachably connected and held to the case, so that it may be moved when-' ever it'becomes necessary to take up wear. The connection is effected by means of a set or binding screw, l, which passes through the case, and bears on a flattened face formed on the periphery of the sleeve lengthwise there-' of. The sleeve is also removable, to permit the withdrawal of the spindle from the case, if this should at any time become necessary.

As a means of securing the tool to the I spindle, [provide a locking mechanism, which is contained within the case of the hand-piece, and is mounted on and revolves-with the spin dle. The locking mechanism which I thus employ interlocks with the tool, so as to prevent it from either revolving or moving longitudinally independently of the spindle by which it is carried. These features are shown in the drawing. The spindle d, at its front end, is provided with a socket to receive the shank of a tool, b. At right angles with the socket an aperture or hole is formed in the spindle, *whieh hole opens into the socket. In this hole is located a locking pin or stud, g which is mounted on one end of a lever, g, of the .fi rst order, which -is pivoted to the spindle, and arranged in a recess on the exterior thereof. The lever is, by means of a spring, 0, normally held in such position that the end of the locking-pin projects some distance into the socket. The tool b has its end beveled, so that when the same is inserted in the socket it may pass under and gradually lift the lock ing-pin. This continues until the tool has been s0 far inserted in the socket that a hole, a, in its shank comes under the pin. The lat ter then drops into the hole, and the tool is thus locked securely in place. To prevent torsional strain on the pin, the tool-socket may terminate in a bevel fitting around the beveled or flattened end of the tool, thus rehaving the pin" of the strain referred to.

To operate the'locking mechanism so as to release the tool, I-formiu the case an opening, 6 through which the locking-lever may be manipulated to raise the'pin, and so disengage it from the tool. The mechanism here em- They are also reversed-that is ployed for securing the tool in place is one that, as soon as it once engages with the tool, prevents the latter from either longitudinal or rotary movement independently of the toolcarrying spindle, and it must'be manipulated before the tool can be released and removed. In this it differs from those methods of holding the tool where the tool-shank is simply jam med in a socket and there secured by a set-screw, or where the tool can be unlocked or disengaged by partially rotating it,'and is free to be so moved. ()n the contrary, in the present case, the tool can have no independent movement, either rotary or otherwise, until the interlocking mechanism is first manipulated to disengage it from thetool, and to leave the latter free to be removed .from the socket. This mechanism, possessing the characteristics specified, is here termed interlockingmechanism to distinguish it from the other methods above referred to of securing the tool. It is manifest that when such a mech: nism is mounted on the spindle within the case or sleeve of the hand-piece, it is indispensable that there should be an opening or aperture in said case or sleeve, through which the mechanism can be reached; otherwise the tool, when once looked in place, could not be released without removing the spindle from the case.

The advantages of the above-described improvements may be stated as follows: The foot-plate of the treadle and pitman being on different sides of the standard which gives bearings to the fly-wheel, the operators leg is not liable to come in contact with said pitman-an annoyance experienced with a differentconstrnction. The arrangement of the shaft K with its sleeve-coupling permits free rotation with the beveled wheel H, the spring I keeping said beveled wheel pressed well against the driving-wheel, while the. key and slot in said coupling permit the shaft to slide up and down, to accommodate itself to the flexure at its joints. The means illustrated for changing the direction of the shaft from a vertical to a horizontal position-namely, the arm S, spring U, and short shaft possess great advantages. Were the spring alone employed, the changes could, of course, be

effected; but the shaft would lack the steadiness which my arrangement secures. This arrangement also alfords, as described, a hearing for a grindstone, which will often be found a very great convenience, andit enables me to efi'ect the swiveled arrangement, as described, whereby the outer extremity of the arm may be turned easily around on the main shaft to any desired position, and keyed securely in place. The fiat metal spring permits he horizontal portion or arm of the shaft to so easily raised or depressed, while it counteracts the tenden'cyof the shaft to lateral vibration. The improved construction and arrangement .of the parts of the hand-piece will also befound highly advantageous.

I prefer to use said universal joint, as the flex,

ure necessary at the points indicated is but slight, and this form of joint, nn'densuch circumstances, does not bind as the spring does.

I have described means, including aspring orsprings, for raising and holding the shaft in an upright position; but I do not claim, broadly, the employment of a spring for such purpose.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The arrangement of the treadle-plate and pitman on opposite sides of the standard, said pitman and plate being connected by an arm of the latter intersecting the standard, su stantially as described.

2. The combination of the wheel lL-bearing B, shaft K, and spring I, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the shaft K and slotted sleeve-coupling hand It, as shown and described.

4. The combination of the coupling M N with the staff L, or the extensions thereof, the branches being attached to said'stali L, or to a collar or sleeve, by suitable springs P P, as set forth. I v

5. In combination with the shaft K, the

curved arm S, bent spring U, and short shaft T, as set forth.

6. The flat spring X, in combination with arm S and rod V.

.7. in a hand-piece for dental engines, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a case provided with reversed conical bearings, and a tool-carrying spindle, held within the case, and provided with corresponding conical journals, which are received and supported in said bearings.

8. The combination, in a hand-piece for dental engines, of a tool-carrying spindle, provided with reversed conicaljournals, and a surrounding case provided with corresponding conicalbearings, one of which is adjustable to take up wear, substantially as set forth.

9. ln a hand-piece for dental engines, the

combination of a tool-carrying spindle, provided with reversed conical journals, asurrounding case provided with a front conical bearing to receive the front conical journal of the spindle, and a rear bearing-sleeve, encircling the spindle, adjustably and detachably connected with the case, and provided at its inner end with a conical bearing to receive the rear conical journal of the spindle, substantiall y as set forth.

- 10. The combination, ina hand-piece for dental engines, of a rotary tool-carrying spin- G36, 3 LCSREVG tfiulfit fiosk'ng mechanism, am; 1:51 zmii revel. u, spindle, paeventing iongitudit J. mwry movement 6% *he tool ind-again M113 0?. 1m pimfiu, and a an zozmdi. 5 case, W 3 cont ports 21w spu '3" is mmmd with ma Lpfrl tare 01' opening fihx'olrlg'ii v; is ichtlm inms'lockiug meshani m can mamgmizmzd. to reiease the i001, aabamntiliy as set iiurtah.

In testimnny that I claim the foregoing I have hemunw set my hand this 9th day of 1 February, 1877.

E E i sa s. M. CURTIS; g R031. GIBSON.

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