U.S. patent number RE45,904 [Application Number 14/258,944] was granted by the patent office on 2016-03-01 for rotating clip orthodontic bracket.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ormco Corporation. The grantee listed for this patent is Ormco Corporation. Invention is credited to Robert T. Rudman.
United States Patent |
RE45,904 |
Rudman |
March 1, 2016 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Rotating clip orthodontic bracket
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a locking orthodontic
bracket that contains a mechanism that rotationally locks an
orthodontic archwire fully or partially within the bracket archwire
slot. The orthodontic bracket has a body containing a slot to
receive an orthodontic archwire, wings for tying ligature wires, a
base that is attachable to an orthodontic band or directly to a
tooth surface and a central recess in the front surface of the body
that contains the rotating clip device. The rotating clip device is
rotated to enclose an orthodontic archwire within the slot.
Inventors: |
Rudman; Robert T. (Denver,
CO) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ormco Corporation |
Orange |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ormco Corporation (Orange,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
44059884 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/258,944 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
12592078 |
Nov 20, 2009 |
8162660 |
Apr 24, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C
7/285 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61C
3/00 (20060101); A61C 7/28 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;433/10,11,13,14
;40/10,11,13,14 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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201085695 |
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Jul 2008 |
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CN |
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2003180712 |
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Jul 2003 |
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JP |
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2008130613 |
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Oct 2008 |
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WO |
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Other References
Japanese Patent Office, Office Action in Japanese Patent
Application No. 2012-539863, dated Feb. 20, 2014. cited by
applicant .
European Patent Office, Third Party Observation in European Patent
Application No. 10831890.8, dated Sep. 24, 2014. cited by applicant
.
European Patent Office, Supplementary European Search Report in
EP10831890.8 dated Nov. 24, 2014. cited by applicant .
International Searching Authority, International Search Report and
Written Opinion in International Application No. PT/US2014/042520
dated Sep. 25, 2014. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Wehner; Cary
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
.[.1. A rotating clip orthodontic bracket comprising: an
orthodontic bracket comprising a body, the body having a back, a
front with a center, left and right sides, a top and a bottom, the
body front contains an archwire slot extending horizontally left
side to right side shaped to receive an orthodontic archwire with
right and left ends, left and right tie wings at the top and bottom
body for tie wires or elastomeric ties for securing an archwire
within the archwire slot; a cylindrical recess with walls in the
center of the body front of the orthodontic bracket wherein the
cylindrical recess is open on the body front and extends towards
the body back wherein the cylindrical recess ends with a circular
floor; and a rotating clip within the cylindrical recess for
securing orthodontic archwires comprised of a circular base, two
attached opposing columns separated by open opposing sides which
allow the passage of an archwire through the archwire slot, each
column supporting a c-shaped extension with a free end and an
underside facing the bracket front wherein the circular base is
fitted to the wall adjacent to the circular floor, the opposing
columns are fitted to the cylindrical recess walls and the c-shaped
extensions extend on the bracket front in opposing directions, the
clip is fitted in the cylindrical recess and when the clip is
rotated in a clockwise rotation position the bracket slot is open
allowing the insertion and removal of an archwire and when the clip
is rotated in a counterclockwise position the c-shaped extensions
retain the archwire within the archwire slot at the right and left
ends of the archwire slot..].
.[.2. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 1 further
comprising top and bottom index pin notches in the center of the
front of the bracket between the left and right tie wings wherein
an index pin with a measuring notch is placed to guide the
placement of the orthodontic bracket on a tooth..].
.[.3. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein the
c-shaped extensions free end undersides each contain a bump
projecting downwards towards the front of the body of the
orthodontic bracket, the front of the body contains dimples shaped
to receive the respective bumps, the dimples are placed to receive
the respective dimples and lock the c-shaped extension in archwire
slot closed position when the rotating clip is rotated
counterclockwise and lock the c-shaped extension in the archwire
slot open position when the rotating clip is rotated
clockwise..].
.[.4. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket clip of claim 1 wherein
the c-shaped extensions free ends each have a surface facing the
front of the body of the orthodontic bracket, this surface is
beveled towards the c-shaped extension free end which facilitates
sliding the c-shaped extension free end over an orthodontic
archwire that has been placed in the archwire slot..].
.[.5. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein the
c-shaped extensions have flat undersides which enclose the archwire
passively in the archwire slot when the rotating clip is rotated
counterclockwise..].
.[.6. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein the
c-shaped extensions have round bumps extruding from their
undersides near their free ends which press down and hold the
archwire actively in the archwire slot when the rotating clip is
rotated counterclockwise..].
.[.7. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein the
bracket body face has cutouts adjacent to the archwire slot shaped
to receive the free ends of the c-shaped extensions which have
underside bumps in their free ends and middles and a channel on the
bracket body face under each c-shaped extension to guide the middle
underside bumps during the rotation of the rotating clip..].
.[.8. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein
there are four c-shaped extensions, two opposing extensions with
flat undersides which enclose the archwire passively when the
rotating clip is rotated counterclockwise and two c-shaped
extensions with underside bumps which enclose the archwire actively
in the archwire slot when the rotating clip is turned
clockwise..].
.[.9. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein the
c-shaped extensions each have a middle which contain an extension
tab which projects towards the archwire slot, the extension tab
encloses the archwire when the rotating clip is in the closed
position thus increasing the closure of the archwire in the
archwire slot..].
.[.10. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein the
top and bottom left and right wings have horizontal notches
extending to the body center from the left of the bracket and the
upper and lower right wings have horizontal notches extending to
the body center from the right of the bracket, the notches allow
attachment of orthodontic elastomeric power chains to the upper
wings only or to the lower wings only which prevents the
elastomeric chains from contacting and binding the archwire and
allows the archwire to be placed or removed without removing the
elastomeric chain..].
.[.11. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein
there are upper and lower index pin notches positioned between
adjacent tie wings to receive an index pin with a horizontal
measuring notch for positioning the orthodontic bracket upon a
tooth..].
.[.12. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 1 wherein the
cylindrical wall has a circular ring and the attached columns of
the rotating clip has a circular groove, wherein when the circular
ring is seated in the circular groove the rotating clip is allowed
to rotate without being unseated from the cylindrical
recess..].
.[.13. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 1 which is
comprised of a variety of materials including metal, plastic or
ceramic and decorative forms comprising a variety of colors,
glow-in-the-dark and LED lights which may be activated by the
patient tapping their teeth together..].
.[.14. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket comprising: an
orthodontic bracket comprising a body, the body having a back, a
front with a center, left and right sides, a top and a bottom, the
body front contains an archwire slot extending horizontally left
side to right side shaped to receive an orthodontic archwire with
right and left ends, left and right tie wings at the top and bottom
body for tie wires or elastomeric ties for securing an archwire
within the archwire slot; a cylindrical recess with walls in the
center of the body front of the orthodontic bracket wherein the
cylindrical recess is open on the bracket body front and extends
towards the bracket body back wherein the cylindrical recess ends
with a circular floor; and a rotating clip within the cylindrical
recess for securing orthodontic archwires comprised of a circular
base, two attached opposing columns separated by open opposing
sides which allow the passage of an archwire through the archwire
slot, the columns supporting first and second opposing sets of
c-shaped extensions, the first set with a c-shaped extension
adjacent to the top left tie wing, wherein the first opposing
c-shaped extension end undersides each have a bump and the second
opposing c-shaped extension end undersides are each flat, the
circular base is fitted to the cylindrical recess wall adjacent to
the circular floor, the opposing columns are fitted to the
cylindrical recess walls and the c-shaped extensions extend on the
bracket front in opposing directions, the clip is fitted in the
cylindrical recess and when the rotating clip is in a center
position the bracket slot is open allowing the insertion and
removal of an archwire in the archwire slot, when the rotating clip
is rotated in a counterclockwise position the bumps, on the
underside of the c-shaped extensions, push on the archwire to
retain the archwire actively within the archwire slot at the right
and left ends of the archwire slot, when the rotating clip is
rotated clockwise the flat undersurface of the c-shaped extensions
push on the archwire holding hold the archwire passively in the
archwire slot..].
.[.15. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 14 further
comprising top and bottom index pin notches positioned between
adjacent tie wings in the center of the front of the bracket body
wherein an index pin with a measuring notch is placed to guide the
placement of the orthodontic bracket on a tooth..].
.[.16. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket clip of claim 14
wherein the c-shaped extensions free ends each have a surface
facing the front of the body of the orthodontic bracket, this
surface is beveled towards the free ends which facilitates sliding
the c-shaped end over an orthodontic archwire that has been placed
in the archwire slot..].
.[.17. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 14 wherein
the bracket face has cutouts adjacent to the archwire slot shaped
to receive c-shaped extension ends with underside bumps and a
channel on the bracket face with adjacent underside bumps on the
c-shaped extensions wherein the cutouts guide the underside bumps
during the rotation of the rotating clip..].
.[.18. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 14 wherein
the c-shaped extensions have a middle which contain an extension
tab which projects towards the archwire slot, the extension tab
encloses the archwire when the rotating clip is in the closed
position thus increasing the closure of the archwire in the
archwire slot..].
.[.19. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 14 wherein
the top left and right wings have horizontal notches extending to
the body center from the left of the bracket and the lower right
and left wings have horizontal notches extending to the body center
from the of the bracket, the notches allow attachment of
orthodontic elastomeric power chains to the upper wings only or to
the lower wings only..].
.[.20. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 14 wherein
there are upper and lower index pin notches to receive an index pin
with a horizontal measuring notch for positioning the orthodontic
bracket upon a tooth..].
.[.21. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 14 wherein
the cylindrical wall has a circular ring and the attached columns
of the rotating clip has a circular groove, when circular ring is
seated in the circular groove the rotating clip is allowed to
rotate without being unseated from the cylindrical recess..].
.[.22. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 14 which is
comprised of a variety of materials selected from the group
consisting of metal, plastic and ceramic and decorative forms
comprising a variety of colors, glow-in-the-dark and LED lights
which may be activated by the patient tapping their teeth
together..].
.[.23. A method of straightening teeth using the rotating clip
orthodontic bracket of claim 14, comprising: attaching a rotating
orthodontic bracket to a tooth; rotating the orthodontic bracket
rotating clip to an archwire slot open position; placing an
orthodontic archwire into the archwire slot; enclosing the archwire
by rotating the rotating clip until the archwire is enclosed within
the archwire slot; opening the orthodontic archwire slot by
rotating the rotating clip into an archwire slot is open; and
removing the orthodontic archwire..].
.Iadd.24. A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising: a bracket
body including an archwire slot; and a clip including a clip body
and at least a first extension that extends laterally outward from
the clip body, the clip being configured to rotate between an
opened position and a first closed position and a second closed
position in both of which the first extension retains an archwire
in the archwire slot, wherein when the clip is rotated to the first
closed position, the first extension actively ligates the archwire
and when the clip is rotated to the second closed position, the
first extension passively ligates the archwire, wherein the clip
rotates about an axis of rotation that lies within the archwire
slot..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 24,
wherein the first extension is generally C-shaped..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 24,
wherein the first extension includes a protrusion that is
configured to project into the archwire slot when the clip is
rotated to the first closed position to actively ligate the
archwire, and when the clip is rotated to the second closed
position, the protrusion does not project into the archwire
slot..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 26,
wherein the bracket body further includes an indentation and when
the clip is in the second closed position, the protrusion is
received in the indentation..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 24,
wherein the bracket body includes a recess that is open to a front
surface of the bracket body and that defines the axis of
rotation..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 24,
wherein the clip body includes opposing walls that define opposing
openings therebetween and the first extension extends from one
opposing wall, and when the clip is in the opened position, the
opposing openings generally align with the archwire slot so that
the archwire passes through the opposing openings..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 24,
wherein the first extension includes a beveled leading
edge..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising: a bracket
body including an archwire slot and a recess open to a front
surface of the bracket body; and a clip including a clip body that
is configured to fit within the recess and at least a first
extension that extends laterally outward from the clip body and has
a protrusion that projects into the archwire slot, the clip being
configured to rotate between an opened position and a first closed
position and a second closed position in both of which the first
extension retains an archwire in the archwire slot, wherein
rotation of the clip from the opened position to the first closed
position positions the first extension so that the protrusion
projects into the archwire slot to actively ligate the archwire,
and by further rotation in the same direction from the first closed
position to the second closed position, the first extension spans
the archwire slot and moves the protrusion out of the archwire slot
to passively ligate the archwire..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 31,
wherein the first extension is generally C-shaped..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 31,
wherein the bracket body further includes an indentation and when
the clip is in the second closed position, the protrusion is
received in the indentation..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 31,
wherein the clip includes a second extension extending laterally
outward from the clip body, and the second extension retains the
archwire in the archwire slot when the clip is in each of the first
closed position and the second closed position..Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 34,
wherein the second extension has a second protrusion and when the
clip is rotated to the first closed position, the second protrusion
projects into the archwire slot and actively ligates the archwire,
and by further rotation in the same direction from the first closed
position to the second closed position, the second extension spans
the archwire slot and moves the second protrusion out of the
archwire slot..Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 35,
wherein the bracket body further includes a second indentation and
the second protrusion is received in the second indentation when
the clip is rotated to the second closed position..Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 34,
wherein each of the first extension and the second extension is
generally C-shaped so that in each of the first closed position and
the second closed position a portion of the first and second
extensions is transverse to the archwire slot proximate a mesial
side and a distal side of the bracket body,
respectively..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 31,
wherein the recess defines an axis of rotation and the axis of
rotation intersects the archwire slot..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 31,
wherein the clip body includes opposing walls that define opposing
openings therebetween and the first extension extends from one
opposing wall, and when the clip is in the opened position, the
opposing openings generally align with the archwire slot so that
the archwire passes through the opposing openings..Iaddend.
.Iadd.40. A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising: a bracket
body including an archwire slot and a recess, each of the archwire
slot and the recess being open to a front surface of the bracket
body; and a clip including a clip body that is configured to fit
within the recess and a first extension and a second extension each
extending laterally outward from the clip body, the clip being
configured to rotate between an opened position and a first closed
position and a second closed position in both of which the first
extension and the second extension retain an archwire in the
archwire slot, wherein when the clip is rotated to the first closed
position, the first extension and the second extension actively
ligate the archwire and when the clip is rotated to the second
closed position, the first extension and the second extension
passively ligate the archwire..Iaddend.
.Iadd.41. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 40,
wherein the first extension includes a first protrusion and the
second extension includes a second protrusion, and when the clip is
rotated to the first closed position, the first protrusion and the
second protrusion project into the archwire slot and actively
ligate the archwire, and when the clip is rotated to the second
closed position, the first protrusion and the second protrusion do
not project into the archwire slot..Iaddend.
.Iadd.42. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 41,
wherein the bracket body further includes at least one indentation
and when the clip is in the second closed position, the first
protrusion is received in the at least one
indentation..Iaddend.
.Iadd.43. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 40,
wherein each of the first extension and the second extension is
generally C-shaped so that in each of the first closed position and
the second closed position a portion of the first and second
extensions is transverse to the archwire slot proximate a mesial
side and a distal side of the bracket body,
respectively..Iaddend.
.Iadd.44. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 40,
wherein the recess defines an axis of rotation and the axis of
rotation intersects the archwire slot..Iaddend.
.Iadd.45. A rotating clip orthodontic bracket comprising: an
orthodontic bracket comprising a body, the body having a back, a
front with a center, left and right sides, a top and a bottom, the
body front contains an archwire slot extending horizontally left
side to right side shaped to receive an orthodontic archwire with
right and left ends, left and right tie wings at the top and bottom
body for tie wires or elastomeric ties for securing an archwire
within the archwire slot; a cylindrical recess with walls in the
center of the body front of the orthodontic bracket wherein the
cylindrical recess is open on the body front and extends towards
the body back wherein the cylindrical recess ends with a circular
floor; and a rotating clip within the cylindrical recess for
securing orthodontic archwires comprised of a circular base, two
attached opposing columns separated by open opposing sides which
allow the passage of an archwire through the archwire slot, each
column supporting a C-shaped extension with a free end and an
underside facing the bracket front wherein the circular base is
fitted to the wall adjacent to the circular floor, the opposing
columns are fitted to the cylindrical recess walls and the C-shaped
extensions extend on the bracket front in opposing directions, the
clip is fitted in the cylindrical recess and when the clip is
rotated in a clockwise rotation position the bracket slot is open
allowing the insertion and removal of an archwire and when the clip
is rotated in a counterclockwise position the C-shaped extensions
retain the archwire within the archwire slot at the right and left
ends of the archwire slot..Iaddend.
.Iadd.46. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 further
comprising top and bottom index pin notches in the center of the
front of the bracket between the left and right tie wings wherein
an index pin with a measuring notch is placed to guide the
placement of the orthodontic bracket on a tooth..Iaddend.
.Iadd.47. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein
the c-shaped extensions free end undersides each contain a bump
projecting downwards towards the front of the body of the
orthodontic bracket, the front of the body contains dimples shaped
to receive the respective bumps, the dimples are placed to receive
the respective dimples and lock the c-shaped extension in archwire
slot closed position when the rotating clip is rotated
counterclockwise and lock the c-shaped extension in the archwire
slot open position when the rotating clip is rotated
clockwise..Iaddend.
.Iadd.48. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket clip of claim 45
wherein the c-shaped extensions free ends each have a surface
facing the front of the body of the orthodontic bracket, this
surface is beveled towards the c-shaped extension free end which
facilitates sliding the c-shaped extension free end over an
orthodontic archwire that has been placed in the archwire
slot..Iaddend.
.Iadd.49. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein
the c-shaped extensions have flat undersides which enclose the
archwire passively in the archwire slot when the rotating clip is
rotated counterclockwise..Iaddend.
.Iadd.50. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein
the c-shaped extensions have round bumps projecting from their
undersides near their free ends which press down and hold the
archwire actively in the archwire slot when the rotating clip is
rotated counterclockwise..Iaddend.
.Iadd.51. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein
the bracket body face has cutouts adjacent to the archwire slot
shaped to receive the free ends of the c-shaped extensions which
have underside bumps in their free ends and middles and a channel
on the bracket body face under each c-shaped extension to guide the
middle underside bumps during the rotation of the rotating
clip..Iaddend.
.Iadd.52. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein
there are four c-shaped extensions, two opposing extensions with
flat undersides which enclose the archwire passively when the
rotating clip is rotated counterclockwise and two c-shaped
extensions with underside bumps which enclose the archwire actively
in the archwire slot when the rotating clip is turned
clockwise..Iaddend.
.Iadd.53. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein
the c-shaped extensions each have a middle which contain an
extension tab which projects towards the archwire slot, the
extension tab encloses the archwire when the rotating clip is in
the closed position thus increasing the closure of the archwire in
the archwire slot..Iaddend.
.Iadd.54. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein
the top and bottom left and right wings have horizontal notches
extending to the body center from the left of the bracket and the
upper and lower right wings have horizontal notches extending to
the body center from the right of the bracket, the notches allow
attachment of orthodontic elastomeric power chains to the upper
wings only or to the lower wings only which prevents the
elastomeric chains from contacting and binding the archwire and
allows the archwire to be placed or removed without removing the
elastomeric chain..Iaddend.
.Iadd.55. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein
there are upper and lower index pin notches positioned between
adjacent tie wings to receive an index pin with a horizontal
measuring notch for positioning the orthodontic bracket upon a
tooth..Iaddend.
.Iadd.56. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein
the cylindrical wall has a circular ring and the attached columns
of the rotating clip has a circular groove, wherein when the
circular ring is seated in the circular groove the rotating clip is
allowed to rotate without being unseated from the cylindrical
recess..Iaddend.
.Iadd.57. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 which
is comprised of a variety of materials including metal, plastic or
ceramic and decorative forms comprising a variety of colors,
glow-in-the-dark and LED lights which may be activated by the
patient tapping their teeth together..Iaddend.
.Iadd.58. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket comprising: an
orthodontic bracket comprising a body, the body having a back, a
front with a center, left and right sides, a top and a bottom, the
body front contains an archwire slot extending horizontally left
side to right side shaped to receive an orthodontic archwire with
right and left ends, left and right tie wings at the top and bottom
body for tie wires or elastomeric ties for securing an archwire
within the archwire slot; a cylindrical recess with walls in the
center of the body front of the orthodontic bracket wherein the
cylindrical recess is open on the bracket body front and extends
towards the bracket body back wherein the cylindrical recess ends
with a circular floor; and a rotating clip within the cylindrical
recess for securing orthodontic archwires comprised of a circular
base, two attached opposing columns separated by open opposing
sides which allow the passage of an archwire through the archwire
slot, the columns supporting first and second opposing sets of
c-shaped extensions, the first set with a c-shaped extension
adjacent to the top left tie wing, wherein the first opposing
c-shaped extension end undersides each have a bump and the second
opposing c-shaped extension end undersides are each flat, the
circular base is fitted to the cylindrical recess wall adjacent to
the circular floor, the opposing columns are fitted to the
cylindrical recess walls and the c-shaped extensions extend on the
bracket front in opposing directions, the clip is fitted in the
cylindrical recess and when the rotating clip is in a center
position the bracket slot is open allowing the insertion and
removal of an archwire in the archwire slot, when the rotating clip
is rotated in a counterclockwise position the bumps, on the
underside of the c-shaped extensions, push on the archwire to
retain the archwire actively within the archwire slot at the right
and left ends of the archwire slot, when the rotating clip is
rotated clockwise the flat undersurface of the c-shaped extensions
push on the archwire holding hold the archwire passively in the
archwire slot..Iaddend.
.Iadd.59. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 further
comprising top and bottom index pin notches positioned between
adjacent tie wings in the center of the front of the bracket body
wherein an index pin with a measuring notch is placed to guide the
placement of the orthodontic bracket on a tooth..Iaddend.
.Iadd.60. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket clip of claim 58
wherein the c-shaped extensions free ends each have a surface
facing the front of the body of the orthodontic bracket, this
surface is beveled towards the free ends which facilitates sliding
the c-shaped extension over an orthodontic archwire that has been
placed in the archwire slot..Iaddend.
.Iadd.61. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 wherein
the bracket face has cutouts adjacent to the archwire slot shaped
to receive c-shaped extension ends with underside bumps and a
channel on the bracket face with adjacent underside bumps on the
c-shaped extensions wherein the cutouts guide the underside bumps
during the rotation of the rotating clip..Iaddend.
.Iadd.62. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 wherein
the c-shaped extensions have a middle which contain an extension
tab which projects towards the archwire slot, the extension tab
encloses the archwire when the rotating clip is in the closed
position thus increasing the closure of the archwire in the
archwire slot..Iaddend.
.Iadd.63. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 wherein
the top left and right wings have horizontal notches extending to
the body center from the left of the bracket and the lower right
and left wings have horizontal notches extending to the body center
from the of the bracket, the notches allow attachment of
orthodontic elastomeric power chains to the upper wings only or to
the lower wings only..Iaddend.
.Iadd.64. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 wherein
there are upper and lower index pin notches to receive an index pin
with a horizontal measuring notch for positioning the orthodontic
bracket upon a tooth..Iaddend.
.Iadd.65. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 wherein
the cylindrical wall has a circular ring and the attached columns
of the rotating clip has a circular groove, when circular ring is
seated in the circular groove the rotating clip is allowed to
rotate without being unseated from the cylindrical
recess..Iaddend.
.Iadd.66. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 which
is comprised of a variety of materials selected from the group
consisting of metal, plastic and ceramic and decorative forms
comprising a variety of colors, glow-in-the-dark and LED lights
which may be activated by the patient tapping their teeth
together..Iaddend.
.Iadd.67. A method of straightening teeth using the rotating clip
orthodontic bracket of claim 58, comprising: attaching a rotating
orthodontic bracket to a tooth; rotating the orthodontic bracket
rotating clip to an archwire slot open position; placing an
orthodontic archwire into the archwire slot; enclosing the archwire
by rotating the rotating clip until the archwire is enclosed within
the archwire slot; opening the orthodontic archwire slot by
rotating the rotating clip into an archwire slot is open; and
removing the orthodontic archwire..Iaddend.
Description
.Iadd.CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS.Iaddend.
.Iadd.This application is a reissue application of U.S. Pat. No.
8,162,660 (application Ser. No. 12/592,078, filed Nov. 20, 2009),
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety
for all purposes..Iaddend.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a locking orthodontic bracket
that contains a mechanism that rotationally locks an orthodontic
archwire within the bracket archwire slot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Orthodontic brackets attached to teeth transmit forces, such as
produced by an archwire, to move the teeth. Brackets usually
contain an archwire slot for reception of the archwire. Orthodontic
brackets today are typically bonded to a tooth or welded to an
orthodontic band that is cemented to the tooth.
Brackets commonly use tie wings that project upwardly and
downwardly in pairs at the top and bottom of the installed bracket,
respectively. These wings permit the archwire to be held within the
archwire slot of the bracket by means of a twisted wire (ligature)
or an elastomeric o-ring. Currently there are varieties of brackets
that are self-ligating. These self-ligating brackets have taken
several forms.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,614 to Wildman, issued Mar. 10, 1992, discloses
a sliding closure that engages the front of the archwire. The
closure is recessed from the front or anterior surfaces of the
disclosed bracket. These sliding closures are also found in U.S.
Pat. No. 2,549,528 to Russell, U.S. Pat. No. 2,671,964 to Russell
et al. and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,131,474 to Johnson. Sliding closures
require the archwire also to be recessed within the archwire slot
before the closure can be moved over the archwire making it very
difficult for the user to visually confirm that the archwire is
properly seated within the archwire slot. A conventional bracket
has a visual front surface adjacent to the archwire slot making it
easy to see if the archwire is seated in the archwire slot. This is
not true in the recessed sliding closures. The actual archwire slot
surface is beneath the sliding closure. Damon solved this problem
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,275,557 (Jan. 4, 1994), 5,429,500 (Jul. 4,
1995) and 5,466,151 (Nov. 14, 1995).
An achievement of these patents is a ligating slide within a
bracket that maintains the normal features of protruding tie wings
or lugs and a closure in the form of a ligating slide that can
complete a continuous tube surrounding the archwire when the
closure is in a closed position. This can be achieved in a Siamese
or twin bracket configuration without covering or interfering with
projecting extensions on the bracket.
Pletcher, U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,435, discloses a locking slide member
that is flat and guided by upright slots formed along both sides of
the bracket and spanning the archwire slot thereby obscuring visual
access to the critical corners of the archwire slots at the side
edges of the bracket. Without this visual access being clear, one
installing an archwire within a bracket cannot be certain as to
proper seating of an archwire within the archwire slot before the
slide cover is moved to a closed position. No tie wings or lugs are
included in the illustrated bracket forms.
There is a modern esthetic requirement that the brackets be small.
A drawback of many self-ligating brackets the locking covers
increase the size of the bracket.
Damon, U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,118, discloses a sliding cover which
gives visual access to the archwire slot, but have achieved the
enclosure of the sliding cover by thickening the bracket in the
gingival area
A sliding spring cover, a hinged locking cover, a rotary sliding
cover, a ball type rotatable cover etc. have been disclosed in
different U.S. Patents. "Activa" produced by A Company, "Speed" and
"Edgelock" produced by Ormco Corporation, and others are typical
examples of ligature-less brackets that are commercially
available.
Of all these different locking means a sliding closure has been
considered desirable because it can be easily manipulated and it
reduces the time required for opening and closing of the arch wire
slot during periodic adjustments of the arch wire and provides more
precise control of the archwire. There are other means that are
more complex and difficult and expensive to manufacture. Springs
used as locking means are not strong enough to hold the arch wire
into the slot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a locking orthodontic bracket.
The locking orthodontic bracket is comprised of an orthodontic
bracket that contains a rotating clip device for locking an
orthodontic arch wire within the arch wire slot of the orthodontic
bracket. The orthodontic bracket is comprised of a body containing
a slot to receive an arch wire, wings for tying ligature wires, a
base that is attachable to an orthodontic band or directly to a
tooth surface and a central recess on the front surface of the body
that extends inwardly towards the base of the bracket. The
invention is a rotating clip for locking the orthodontic arch wire
within the arch wire slot. Rotation of the clip in one direction
leaves the archwire slot open for the insertion or removal of an
archwire and rotation in the opposite direction locks the archwire
in the archwire slot.
The rotating clip is comprised of a hollow cylindrical body with
wings extending from the body. The cylindrical body has a circular
base and two opposing vertical walls separated by opposing open
sides. The opposing open sides allow for the passage of an archwire
through the archwire slot and reduce friction during rotation of
the rotating clip. The circular body is fitted and mechanically
retained within the recess within the orthodontic bracket. The
bracket recess is shaped and sized to receive the hollow circular
body. The circular body and bracket recess may contain retentive
devises such as circular grooves with matching ridges that also
allow rotation of the rotating clip within the bracket recess. The
wings extend laterally from the vertical cylindrical body over the
surface of the orthodontic bracket. The tubular body is rotatable
within the recess of the orthodontic bracket. The rotation moves
the wings in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion. The bracket
clip insertion hole can be slightly skewed from a perfect circle to
allow friction grip when the clip is fully open or fully
closed.
In a preferred embodiment, the tips of the wings enclose an
orthodontic arch wire within the arch wire slot of the orthodontic
bracket when the rotating clip is rotated counterclockwise. A
clockwise rotation of the rotating clip opens the arch wire slot
for placement or removal of the orthodontic arch wire. The strength
transmitted to the wing tip is partially derived from the circular
shape of the attached cylindrical body and the intimate fitting of
the cylindrical body within the circular recess. The resulting
strength is increased allowing the wings to be thinner which is
advantageous for patient comfort. The underside of the wing, in one
embodiment, has a bump that actively holds the archwire in the
slot, as opposed to passively holding the archwire when the
underside of the wing is flat. In another embodiment the rotating
clip has two sets of wings wherein one pair actively engage the
archwire when the rotating clip is rotated in one direction and
passively holds the archwire when the rotating clip is rotated in
the opposite direction. In another preferred embodiment, the
locking clip wing is shaped to enclose most of the arch wire in the
archwire slot. In another preferred embodiment, the underside of
the locking clip wing contains a bevel to push the arch wire into
the arch wire slot. In a further embodiment, the underside of the
wing contains bumps for active clip design.
The bracket wall that retains the rotating clip remains open to
self cleanse, reducing calculus build up and stuck moving parts.
Tooth brush bristles can access the walls of bracket body. The
bracket body design remains the same for both active and passive
and active passive designs. The design allows the clinician to go
from passive to active to conventional and back at any point in
treatment. Height gauges may be used conventionally. The rotating
clip does not interfere with anatomical structures, such as gums
and other teeth, when in the open position. The rotating clip
orthodontic bracket may be comprised of metal, plastic or ceramic
or combinations thereof. Equivalent materials may be used. MIM
technology can be used for the bracket body wherein retention for
the clip is built within and there is a potential to use a
breakaway design in MIM for one piece bracket body assembly. The
door design will allow only the mesial or distal aspect of wing to
be engaged on severely rotated teeth as the wing door can close
around one wing while leaving the wire exiting the center of the
bracket. The wire can be engaged from both the gingival and the
occlusal in door design
There is an ability to cut out the facial aspect of the bracket
leaves latitude to maintain slot integrity while increasing bulk of
metal in body and arms , but allowing slot cover part of clip to be
thin for springiness (passive/active). It can be designed with
reciprocal open and closed doors. There are many designs in the
clip. The designs may be passive or active with the same bracket
body which can be a stand-alone twin without the rotating clip. The
wings may be altered for the use of non-binding power chains for
closing spaces or rotating teeth. Horizontal slots can be added
lateral surfaces of the wings. Vertical and horizontal channels may
be placed for accessories such as hooks and rotators.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view the body of the self-ligating
orthodontic bracket;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the body of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rotating clip of the
self-ligating orthodontic bracket;
FIG. 4 is a top perspective cutaway view of the body recess of the
self-ligating orthodontic bracket;
FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket in an open position;
FIG. 6 is a top perspective internal view of the rotating clip
resting within a cutout view of the body of the self-ligating
orthodontic bracket;
FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket with the rotating clip in a closed position;
FIG. 8 is a top perspective internal view of the self-ligating
orthodontic bracket with the rotating clip in a closed
position;
FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket with an archwire;
FIG. 10A is a fragmentary side view of the self-ligating
orthodontic bracket of FIG. 9 through A-A with beveled ends of the
rotating clip arms;
FIG. 10B is a fragmentary side view of the self-ligating
orthodontic bracket of FIG. 9 through A-A with beveled ends of the
rotating clip arms;
FIG. 10C is a fragmentary side view of the self-ligating
orthodontic bracket of FIG. 9 through A-A with beveled ends of the
rotating clip arms;
FIG. 11A is fragmentary side view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket of FIG. 9 through A-A with active bumps underside the clip
arm end;
FIG. 11B is a fragmentary side view of the self-ligating
orthodontic bracket of FIG. 9 through A-A with active bumps
underside the clip arm end;
FIG. 12A is fragmentary side view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket of FIG. 9 through A-A with retentive bumps underside the
clip arm end;
FIG. 12B is a fragmentary side view of the self-ligating
orthodontic bracket of FIG. 9 through A-A with retentive bumps
underside the clip arm end.
FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket with cutout channels;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket of FIG. 13 through B-B;
FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket with extension tabs in an open position;
FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket with extension tabs in a closed position;
FIG. 17A is cross-sectional view of FIG. 16 through C-C;
FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 16 through C-C;
FIG. 18A is cross-sectional view of FIG. 16 through D-D;
FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 16 through D-D;
FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket with an index pin;
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket of FIG. 19 through E-E;
FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket with a second pair of c-shaped extensions, all extensions
in the open position;
FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket with a second pair of c-shaped extensions wherein the
rotating clip is turned counterclockwise into a closed
position;
FIG. 23 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket with a second pair of c-shaped extensions wherein the
rotating clip is turned clockwise into a closed position;
FIG. 24 is top perspective views of a pair of self-ligating
orthodontic brackets with notches and attached elastomeric
chains;
FIG. 25 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket with a n attachable clip; and
FIG. 26 is a top perspective view of the self-ligating orthodontic
bracket with an attachable clip and anti-rotation notches.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention is comprised of a self-ligating orthodontic bracket
assembly 1. FIG. 1 discloses a bracket body 2 with a back 3 and a
front surface 4. The bracket body 2 has a left side 5 and right
side 6. An archwire slot 7 extends from left 8 to right 9 on the
front surface 3. Attached to the bracket body 2 are tie wings 10
positioned left 11 and right 12. The tie wings 10 extend outwardly
from the top 13 and bottom 14. The front surface 4 of the bracket
body 2 contains a cylindrical recess 15 with a circular wall 16
extending from a circular front 17 towards the body 2 back 3 ending
in a circular floor. The tie wings 10 fit within front surface 4
recesses 19 in order to make the tie wings 10 flush with the
bracket front surface 4. FIG. 2 shows the bracket body 2 in cross
section. FIG. 3 discloses a rotating clip 20 which is attached into
the cylindrical recess 15 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The rotating clip 20
has a circular base 21 with attached opposing columns 22 extending
at right angles to the circular base 21. Between the opposing
columns 22 are open opposing sides 23. Attached to each opposing
column 22 free end is a c-shaped extension 24. The c-shaped
extensions 24 each extend horizontally with a free end 25 and an
underside 26. The attached opposing columns 22 have an outer
circular periphery sized to fit the circular walls 16 of the
circular recess 15. The circular periphery contains a circular
groove 27. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the circular recess 15
disclosing the recess wall 16 with h a circular ring 26 which seats
into the circular groove 27 of the rotating clip 20. The circular
ring 26 circular groove 27 relationship allows the rotating clip 20
to be retained in the circular recess 15 and be free to rotate.
FIG. 5 discloses the invention in its preferred embodiment. The
rotating clip 20 is inserted in the cylindrical recess 15 of the
bracket body 2 wherein the circular base 21 is seated against the
circular floor 17. The c-shaped extensions 24 extend left 5 and
right 6 on the surface of the front 4 of the bracket body 2. The
open opposing sides 23 align with the horizontal archwire slot 7
allowing an archwire to o travel continuously from the left end 8
of the archwire slot 7 to the right end 9 of the archwire slot 7.
FIG. 6 discloses the rotating clip 20 as it sits within the bracket
body 2. A circular groove 27 is shown horizontally on the outer
surface of the attached opposing column 22. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the
rotating clip 20 in the open position wherein the c-shaped
extensions 24 do not enclose the archwire slot 7. In this open
position an archwire may be placed and removed from the archwire
slot 7. In FIG. 7 the rotating clip 20 is rotated counterclockwise
wherein the c-shaped extension 24 encloses the archwire slot 7
which would contain an archwire within the archwire slot 7. This is
called the closed position. FIG. 8 discloses the details of the
rotating clip 20 as it rests within the bracket body 2. The open
opposing sides 23 between the opposing columns 22 allow an archwire
30 to go between the left end 8 and right end 9 of the archwire
slot 7.
FIG. 9 discloses the rotating clip orthodontic bracket 1 with the
rotating clip 20 in an open position and an archwire 30 in the
archwire slot 7. FIGS. 10A are cross sections of FIG. 9 through
points A . . . A. The c-shaped extension 24 rests upon the bracket
body 2 and has a free end 25 with a beveled leading edge 28
underside 26 wherein the beveled leading edge 28 facilitates the
c-shaped extension 24 sliding over the archwire 30 as shown in FIG.
10B. FIG. 10C is a cross-section of the c-shaped extension 24 with
a bottom side 14 that is flat 31. In FIG. 10B, the flat 31 bottom
side 14 holds the archwire 30 passively in the archwire slot 7.
FIG. 11A discloses the cross-section of FIG. 9 wherein the bottom
14 of the c-shaped extension 24 has an active bump 33 that holds
the archwire 30 actively in the archwire slot 7 as shown in FIG.
11B. In FIG. 12A, the c-shaped extension 24 bottom 14 has a
retentive bump 33 and a dimple 34 in the bracket body 2. The
rotating clip 20 is held in a closed position when the retentive
bump 33 is seated in the dimple, FIG. 12B. FIG. 13 discloses
underside bumps 19, 35 that fit into a recess channel 41 on the
bracket front 4. The recess channel 41 guides the round bumps 35
during the rotation of the rotating clip 20. FIG. 14 is a
cross-section through B-B of FIG. 13. A round bump 35 on the bottom
surface of the c-shaped extension 24 fits into the cutout channel
41 of the bracket body 41 and a cutout channel 40 for receiving the
free end of the c-shaped extension 24 contains a dimple 34 for
receiving the dimple 34 on the bottom side of the c-shaped
extension 24. FIG. 15 discloses a tab 42 on each c-shaped extension
24 extending towards the archwire slot 7. The tab 42 bottom may be
smooth or may contain a bump 35. FIG. 16 shows the same rotating
clip orthodontic bracket 1, as in FIG. 15, wherein the C-shaped
extension 24 is in a first closed position. The first closed
position is where the underside retentive bump 35 shown in FIG. 14
is seated in the dimple 34 closest to the archwire slot 7 as shown
in FIG. 15. FIG. 16 discloses the tabs 42 not covering the archwire
slot 7. When the c-shaped extension 24 is rotated further
counterclockwise into the second dimple, FIG. 15, 34, the tabs 42
enclose the archwire slot 7. FIG. 17A shows a cross-section of FIG.
16 through C-C wherein two dimples, No. 1 dimple 43 and No. 2
dimple 44, are in the cutout channel 40 in the first position. FIG.
17B discloses the second position wherein the round bump 35 is in
the No. 2 dimple 44 which places a dimple over the archwire 30
which holds the archwire 30 actively. FIGS. 18A and 18B show FIG.
16 through D-D. FIG. 18A discloses the tab 42 with the smooth
underside 26 of the tab 42 above the archwire 30, holding the
archwire 30 passively. FIG. 18B shows the tab 42 further advanced
over the archwire wherein the underside 26 of the tab 42 has a bump
32 that actively holds the archwire 30. FIGS. 19 and 20 disclose an
index pin 45.
When orthodontic brackets are placed upon teeth they are ideally
positioned with the bracket slot a predetermined distance from the
incisal edge or occlusal surface of the tooth. In addition, the
horizontal direction of the orthodontic bracket is placed at a
right angle to the long axis of the tooth. An index pin 45, FIG.
19, is a pin vertically attached to the orthodontic bracket that
helps visualize the correct long axis placement of the orthodontic
bracket during its placement. FIG. 19 shows the index pin 45
attached to the self-ligating orthodontic assembly 1 in seats 46
between the left 11 and right 12 tie wings 10. FIG. 20 is a cross
section through E-E of FIG. 19. In addition, a measuring notch 47
shows the position of the underlying archwire slot 7 that is
helpful in the vertical positioning of the orthodontic bracket.
FIGS. 21-23 disclose another preferred embodiment of the invention
wherein there is a second pair of c- shaped extensions 24. FIG. 21
shows the self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly 1 in an open
position. The first c-shaped extensions 49 have a bump 35 on the
under side and the second c-shaped extensions have a flat underside
25a. FIG. 22 shows the rotating clip 20 rotated counterclockwise
wherein the underside bumps 35 engage and hold the archwire 30
actively. FIG. 23 shows the rotating clip 20 rotated clockwise
wherein the second c-shaped extensions 48 have a flat undersides
25a that engage and hold the archwire 30 passively. FIG. 24
discloses a modification of the bracket wings wherein the upper and
lower left wings have horizontal notches extending to the body
center from the left of the bracket and the upper and lower right
wings have horizontal notches 50 extending to the center 4 of the
bracket body 2 , the notches 50 allow attachment of orthodontic
elastomeric power chains 51 to the upper wings 13 only or to the
lower wings 14 only. Elastomeric chains 51 are a series of
connected islets made from an elastic material. The elastomeric
chains 51 are normally used to close spaces between teeth rotate
teeth and maintain the lack of spacing between teeth. The
elastomeric chains 51 normally circle all four bracket wings 10 and
secure the archwire 30 in the archwire slot 7. In the present
invention, the elastomeric chain 51 does not enclose the archwire.
The elastomeric chain 51 can be changed without disturbing the
archwire 30 or, conversely, the archwire 30 can be changed without
disturbing the elastomeric chain 51.
The invention may include integral hooks for rubber band wear by
the patient. In the alternative, channels may be placed in the
invention to receive removable hooks for rubber band and other
attachments. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket may be comprised
of a variety of materials including metal, plastic and ceramic and
decorative forms consisting of a variety of colors,
glow-in-the-dark and LED lights which may be activated by the
patient tapping their teeth together.
The invention, as described, is not limited to the specific
embodiments described as these are preferred embodiments. The
invention is claimed in any of its modifications within the proper
scope of its claims.
* * * * *