U.S. patent number RE29,687 [Application Number 05/746,081] was granted by the patent office on 1978-07-04 for air-vibrator dental scaler.
Invention is credited to Anthony T. Sertich.
United States Patent |
RE29,687 |
Sertich |
July 4, 1978 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Air-vibrator dental scaler
Abstract
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a dental scaler for
the cleaning of teeth in which the scraper is an air-driven
vibrator having a scraper mounted on a distal end of a rigid
tubular device, with the rigid tubular device being mounted within
a resilient support permissive of vibrations of the rigid tubular
device and the vibrations of the tubular device being brought about
by the exiting of air onto an air-cushioned rotary wheel mounted
around the tubular device rotatably, the rotation thereof resulting
from the force of the air from preferably a plurality of ports
permitting the air to exit from the ports against the inner surface
of the air rotary wheel, and the rotation of the rotary wheel
bringing about the vibrations which are imparted to the rigid
shaft, while the firmly supported tubular shaft within the
resilient support structure thereof itself amplifies the magnitude
of the vibrations by itself vibrating and transmitting its
vibrations back to the rotary wheel, the outlet ports from the
tubular device being angled laterally sidewardly in a direction
transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular device in a
preferred embodiment, as well as the ports being angled in an axial
direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular device
thereby enhancing the optimal flow of air from within the tubular
device into the space between the exterior surface of the tubular
device and the inner radius surface of the air wheel and preferably
also there being similar angular passages between the tubular
device and the outlet portions of the air wheel at end-points of
the air wheel axially.
Inventors: |
Sertich; Anthony T. (Staten
Island, New York, NY) |
Family
ID: |
23434108 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/746,081 |
Filed: |
November 30, 1976 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
364348 |
May 29, 1973 |
03811190 |
May 21, 1974 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
433/120; 175/56;
366/123; 366/125; 433/143 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C
17/20 (20130101); A61C 1/07 (20130101); D06F
19/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61C
1/00 (20060101); A61C 1/07 (20060101); A61C
17/20 (20060101); D06F 19/00 (20060101); A61C
17/16 (20060101); A61C 003/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;32/56,57,22,26,27,DIG.4
;259/1R,DIG.43 ;418/65,137 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Peshock; Robert
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein &
Cohen, Ltd.
Claims
I claim:
1. A vibrator device comprising in combination: support means;
rigid tubular means supported by .[.the.]. .Iadd.said
.Iaddend.support means, said tubular means including structure
defining an inlet port and spaced from the inlet port
.[.defining.]. at least one outlet port, .[. the.]. .Iadd.each said
.Iaddend.outlet port being defined in a side wall of .[.the.].
.Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means .Iadd.and being slanted angularly
relative to the outer surface of said tubular means such that an
imaginary, straightline extension of the axis of each outlet port
is offset from the longitudinal axis of said tubular
means.Iaddend.; a rotatable wheel means drivable by a fluid media,
said rotatable wheel means being operatively mounted .[.around said
tubular means.]. for rotation .[.there-around.]. .Iadd.around said
tubular means, .Iaddend..[.each.]. said .[.outlet port.].
.Iadd.rotatable wheel means .Iaddend.being located relative to
.[.the rotatable wheel means.]. .Iadd.each said outlet port
.Iaddend.such that the fluid .Iadd.exiting .Iaddend.from .Iadd.each
.Iaddend.said outlet port serves to propel the wheel
rotatably.[...]..Iadd., said inlet port being defined as an
end-opening to the said tubular means, and said rotatable wheel
means has an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of said
tubular means, said rotatable wheel means being mounted for
operative rotation such that fluid from each said outlet port
travels through the spacing between the inner surface of said
rotatable wheel means and an outer surface of said tubular means
and serves as a fluid-bearing cushion, said tubular means and said
rotatable wheel means being of configuration such that the space
therebetween during rotation of said rotatable wheel is filled
solely by the propelling fluid. .Iaddend.
2. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 1, in which
.Iadd.each .Iaddend.said outlet port .[.includes tubular structure
defining a passage from within the tubular means to space
communicating with the outlet port outside of the tubular means
with the passage being.]. .Iadd.is .Iaddend.slanted angularly
relative to the outer surface of the tubular means in a direction
substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of .[.the.].
.Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means.
3. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim .[.2.].
.Iadd.1.Iaddend., in which said tubular means includes a plurality
of .[.said.]. outlet .[.port with the.]. .Iadd.ports, said
.Iaddend.plurality of outlet ports .Iadd.being .Iaddend.spaced from
.[.one-another.]. .Iadd.one another .Iaddend.substantially equally
around .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.circumference of .[.the.].
.Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means.
4. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 3, in which
.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means is substantially linear
and rigid in construction and cylindrical in shape.
5. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 4, in which
.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.support means is of a substantially
resilient material. .[.
6. A vibrator device of claim 5, in which the inlet port is defined
as an end-opening to the cylindrical tubular means, and in which
said rotatable wheel has an inner diameter larger than an outer
diameter of the tubular means and is mounted therearound rotatably
operably such that fluid from the outlet ports travels through the
spacing between the inner radius of the rotatable wheel and an
outer radius surface of the tubular means serving as a
fluid-bearing cushion..].
7. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 1, in which
.[.the.]. .Iadd.said.Iaddend.support means is of a substantially
resilient material.[., in which the inlet port is defined as an
end-opening to the cylindrical tubular means, and in which said
rotatable wheel has an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter
of the tubular means and is mounted therearound rotatably operably
such that fluid from the outlet ports travels through the spacing
between the inner radius of the rotatable wheel and an outer radius
surface of the tubular means serving as a fluid-bearing
cushion.]..
8. A vibrator device of claim .[.6.]. .Iadd.5.Iaddend., in which
.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outlet ports are each .[.defined
continuous with said passage with the passage being.]. angled
axially.
9. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 8, in which
.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means has an outer surface
and .[.the rotary.]. .Iadd.said rotatable .Iaddend.wheel
.Iadd.means .Iaddend.has an inner surface such to define between
the outer surface and .[.the.]. inner surface an angular outlet
extending angularly radially for the exiting of .[.fluids.].
.Iadd.a fluid .Iaddend.from within the space between .[.the.].
.Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means and .[.the.]. .Iadd.said
.Iaddend.rotatable wheel .Iadd.means.Iaddend..
10. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 9, in which
.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.support means includes proximal and
distal portions spaced-apart and supporting spaced-apart integral
portions of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means, on each of
opposite sides axially of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.outlet
ports and of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.mounting position of
.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.rotatable wheel means.
11. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 10,
including .Iadd.scraper means .Iaddend.mounted on a distal end of
.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means. .[.a scraper
means.].
12. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 1,
including .Iadd.scraper means .Iaddend.mounted on .[.the.].
.Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means at a point spaced from .[.the.].
.Iadd.said .Iaddend.inlet port. .[., a scraper means.].
13. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 10,
including a vessel structure with the support means mounted within
said vessel structure.
14. A vibrator device of claim 1, including a vessel structure with
the support means mounted within said vessel structure.
15. A vibrator device of claim 14, including an agitator of about
X-cross-section, mounted extending axially from a distal end of the
tubular means.
16. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator .Iadd.device .Iaddend.of
claim 10, including opposing flanges extending radially from
.[.the.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means and .[.spaced-apart.].
.Iadd.spaced apart .Iaddend.from .[.one-another.]. .Iadd.one
another .Iaddend.on each of opposite sides of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said
.Iaddend.rotatable wheel means such that the axial .[.movement.].
.Iadd.positioning .Iaddend.of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said rotatable
.Iaddend.wheel means in each of opposite directions along .[.the.].
.Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means is .[.limited within a
predetermined range.]. .Iadd.maintained adjacent to said outlet
ports, said flanges being separated from the adjacent edges of said
rotatable wheel means during rotation thereof so as to permit the
propelling fluid to freely exit through the spaces
therebetween.Iaddend. .
17. .[.A.]. .Iadd.The .Iaddend.vibrator device of claim 2,
including opposing flanges extending radially from .[.the.].
.Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means and .[.spaced-apart.].
.Iadd.spaced apart .Iaddend.from .[.one-another.]. .Iadd.one
another .Iaddend.on each of opposite sides of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said
.Iaddend.rotatable wheel means such that the axial .[.movement.].
.Iadd.positioning .Iaddend.of .[.the.]. .Iadd.said rotatable
.Iaddend.wheel means in each of opposite directions along .[.the.].
.Iadd.said .Iaddend.tubular means is .[.limited within a
predetermined range.]. .Iadd.maintained adjacent to said outlet
port(s), said flanges being separated from the adjacent edges of
said rotatable wheel means during rotation thereof so as to permit
the propelling fluid to freely exit through the spaces
therebetween.Iaddend.. .Iadd. 18. A vibrator device comprising in
combination:
support means;
rigid tubular means supported at opposed ends thereof by said
support means, said tubular means including at least one inlet port
and at least one outlet port spaced from said inlet port, each
outlet port being defined in a side wall of said tubular means and
being slanted angularly relative to the outer surface of said
tubular means such that an imaginary, straight-line extension of
the axis of each output port is offset from the longitudinal axis
of said tubular means;
rotatable wheel means drivable by a fluid media and mounted for
rotation around said tubular means;
said rotatable wheel means being located relative to said outlet
port(s) such that fluid flowing therethrough serves to rotatably
propel said rotatable wheel means, whereby fluid transmitted
through said outlet port(s) rotatably propels said rotatable wheel
means, the flowing fluid serves as a fluid-bearing cushion upon
which said rotatable wheel means rotates, and the rotation of the
rotatable wheel means imparts vibrations to said tubular means;
said tubular means and said rotatable wheel means being of such
configuration that the space therebetween during rotation of said
rotatable wheel means is filled solely by the propelling fluid.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 19. The vibrator device of claim 18 wherein said
rotatable wheel means has an inner surface slightly larger than the
outer surface of said tubular means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 20. The
vibrator device of claim 18 wherein said tubular means is
substantially linear in construction and cylindrical in shape, and
said rotatable wheel means is cylindrical in shape and has an inner
diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of said tubular
means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 21. The vibrator device of claim 18 wherein
said support means is fabricated from a substantially resilient
material. .Iaddend..Iadd. 22. The vibrator device of claim 18
further including scraper means mounted on said tubular means, the
vibrations imparted to said tubular means being transmitted thereby
to said scraper means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 23. The vibrator device of
claim 18 wherein there are a plurality of outlet ports slanted
angularly relative to the outer surface of said tubular means, said
plurality of outlet ports being slanted in a direction
substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said tubular
means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 24. The vibrator device of claim 18 wherein
there are a plurality of outlet ports slanted angularly relative to
the outer surface of said tubular means, said plurality of outlet
ports also being slanted angularly relative to the longitudinal
axis of said tubular means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 25. The vibrator device
of claim 18 further including a casing having a proximal end and a
distal end; said support means being within said casing; said inlet
port is defined by one open end of said tubular means adjacent the
proximal end of said casing; said rotatable wheel means has an
inner surface slightly larger than the outer surface of said
tubular means, whereby fluid transmitted to said tubular means via
said inlet port flows outwardly through said outlet port(s) and the
space between the inner surface of said rotatable wheel means and
the outer surface of said tubular means to rotatably propel said
rotatable wheel means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 26. The vibrator device of
claim 25 further including scraper means mounted on said tubular
means adjacent the distal end of said casing, the vibrations
imparted to said tubular means being transmitted thereby to said
scraper means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 27. The vibrator device of claim 25
wherein said support means includes spaced-apart portions adjacent
the proximal and distal ends of said casing, said portions
supporting spaced-apart integral portions of said tubular means on
axially opposite sides of said outlet port(s) and the mounting
position of said rotatable wheel means, said tubular means
including a pair of spaced-apart guide means, one each on opposite
sides of the mounting position of said rotatable wheel means, such
that axial positioning of said rotatable wheel means along said
tubular means is maintained adjacent to said outlet port(s), said
guide means being separated from the adjacent edges of said
rotatable wheel means during rotation thereof so as to permit the
propelling fluid to freely exit through the spaces therebetween.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 28. A dental scaler comprising in combination:
a casing having a proximal end and a distal end;
substantially resilient support means within said casing;
rigid tubular means supported at the opposed ends thereof by said
support means, said tubular means including an inlet port and a
plurality of outlet ports spaced from said inlet port, said inlet
port being defined by one open end of said tubular means adjacent
the proximal end of said casing and each of said outlet ports being
defined in a side wall of said tubular means, said outlet ports
being slanted angularly relative to the outer surface of said
tubular means such that an imaginary, straightline extension of the
axis of each outlet port is offset from the longitudinal axis of
said tubular means;
scraper means mounted on said tubular means adjacent the distal end
of said casing;
rotatable wheel means drivable by a fluid media and mounted for
rotation about said tubular means, said rotatable wheel means
having an inner surface slightly larger than the outer surface of
said tubular means;
said rotatable wheel means being located relative to said outlet
ports such that fluid flowing therethrough serves to rotatably
propel said rotatable wheel means;
said tubular means and said rotatable wheel means being of such
configuration that the space therebetween during rotation of said
rotatable wheel means is filled solely by the propelling fluid;
whereby fluid transmitted to said tubular means via said inlet port
flows outwardly through said outlet ports and the space between the
inner surface of said rotatable wheel means and the outer surface
of said tubular means to thereby rotatably propel said rotatable
wheel means, the flowing fluid serves as a fluid-bearing cushion
upon which said rotatable wheel means rotates, and the rotation of
the rotatable wheel means imparts vibrations to said tubular means
which are transmitted to said scraper means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 29.
The dental scaler of claim 28 wherein said outlet ports are spaced
from one another substantially equally around the circumference of
said tubular means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 30. The dental scaler of claim
28 wherein said outlet ports are slanted angularly in a direction
substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said tubular
means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 31. The dental scaler of claim 28 wherein
said outlet ports are also slanted angularly relative to the
longitudinal axis of said tubular means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 32. The
dental scaler of claim 28 wherein said tubular means is
substantially linear in construction and cylindrical in shape, and
said rotatable wheel means is cylindrical in shape. .Iaddend..Iadd.
33. The dental scaler of claim 28 wherein said support means
includes spaced-apart portions adjacent the proximal and distal
ends of said casing, said portions supporting spaced-apart integral
portions of said tubular means on axially opposite sides of said
outlet ports and of the mounting position of said rotatable wheel
means, said tubular means includes a pair of spaced-apart guide
means, one each on opposite sides of the mounting position of said
rotatable wheel means, such that axial positioning of said
rotatable wheel means along said tubular means is maintained
adjacent to said outlet ports, said guide means being separated
from the adjacent edges of said rotatable wheel means during
rotation thereof so as to permit the propelling fluid to freely
exit through the spaces therebetween. .Iaddend..Iadd. 34. A dental
scaler comprising in combination:
a casing having a proximal end and a distal end;
substantially resilient support means within said casing;
rigid tubular means supported at the opposed ends thereof by said
support means, said tubular means being substantially linear in
construction, cylindrical in shape and including an inlet port and
a plurality of outlet ports spaced from said inlet port, said inlet
port being defined by one open end of said tubular means adjacent
the proximal end of said casing and each of said outlet ports being
defined in a side wall of said tubular means, said outlet ports
being slanted angularly relative to the outer surface of said
tubular means in a direction substantially transverse to the
longitudinal axis of said tubular means such that an imaginary,
straightline extension of the axis of each outlet port is offset
from the longitudinal axis of said tubular means;
scraper means mounted on said tubular means adjacent the distal end
of said casing;
cylindrical rotatable wheel means drivable by a fluid media and
mounted for rotation about said tubular means, said rotatable wheel
means having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer
diameter of said tubular means;
said rotatable wheel means being located relative to said outer
ports such that fluid flowing therethrough serves to rotatably
propel said rotatable wheel means;
said tubular means and said rotatable wheel means being of such
configuration that the space therebetween during rotation of said
rotatable wheel means is filled solely by the propelling fluid;
whereby fluid transmitted to said tubular means via said inlet port
flows outwardly through said outlet ports and the space between the
inner surface of said rotatable wheel means and the outer surface
of said tubular means to thereby rotatably propel said rotatable
wheel means, the flowing fluid serves as a fluid-bearing cushion
upon which said rotatable wheel means rotates, and the rotation of
the rotatable wheel means imparts vibrations to said tubular means
which are transmitted to said scraper means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 35.
The dental scaler of claim 34 wherein those of said outlet ports in
the same plane substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of
said tubular means are spaced from one another substantially
equally around the circumference of said tubular means. .Iaddend.
.Iadd. 36. The dental scaler of claim 34 wherein said support means
includes spaced-apart portions adjacent the proximal and distal
ends of said casing, said portions supporting spaced-apart integral
portions of said tubular means on axially opposite sides of said
outlet ports and of the mounting position of said rotatable wheel
means, said tubular means includes a pair of spaced-apart guide
means, one each on opposite sides of the mounting position of said
rotatable wheel means, such that axial positioning of said
rotatable wheel means along said tubular means is maintained
adjacent to said outlet ports, said guide means being separated
from the adjacent edges of said rotatable wheel means during
rotation thereof so as to permit the propelling fluid to freely
exit through the spaces therebetween.
Description
Broadly this invention relates to an air-driven tooth scaler and to
other utilities of the mechanism thereof.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Prior to the present invention, there have been in existence
electrically driven scraper vibration means of various structures
as well as recently an air driven vibration means for the purpose
of a dental scraper.
With the .[.selenoid.]. .Iadd.solenoid .Iaddend.type electrically
actuated type scrapers, there have existed undesirable features and
disadvantages such as for example the undesirability of using any
form of electricity in the vicinity of moisture which could
accidentally .[.braing.]. .Iadd.bring .Iaddend. about an electrical
shock to a dental patient, as well as the well-known fact that the
conventional electrically actuated scrapers currently available are
plagued with the problem of cooling necessitating the flow of
cooling water therethrough -- which flow of water not only
complicates the mechanism but additionally further increases the
real possibility of accidental shock as parts become worn and/or
aged at which time the possibility of short-circuits is increased.
Also, by virtue of the necessity of the electrically driven
mechanisms and together therewith the cooling thereof with water,
the structures are bulky and cumbersome in the handling thereof and
additionally are extremely costly in the many parts and cost
thereof plus the labor of manufacture being costly and
time-consuming, resulting in a high required price to the
dentist.
Air driven motors and vibrators heretofore known also have been of
a complex nature and bulky, but more importantly have been subject
.[. to rapid.]. to rapid deterioration and/or wear of the parts
thereof, particularly the bearing surfaces -- requiring repeated
and frequent replacement of such surfaces as well as also being
complicated in the manufacture thereof and not nearly so efficient
as the electrically actuated mechanisms, for example in the rate
and/or magnitude of vibrations attainable.
Also, with the previously electrically actuated as well as the
previously air vibrated scrapers, it has not been possible to
obtain the desired high level of vibration with the accompanying
high scraping efficiency and speed thereof without simultaneously
being plagued by the problems and disadvantages noted above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome
and/or avoid one or more difficulties, problems, and disadvantages
of scrapers of the type heretofore available, in the nature of
those discussed above.
Another object of the present invention is to obtain a new and
generically basic air vibrator having new and desirable advantages
as compared to vibrators heretofore available.
Another object is to obtain a new type of washing machine embodying
the new basic new air-vibrator mechanism of the present
invention.
Another object is to obtain air or other fluid-driven mechanism in
which vibrations are amplified therein automatically
inherently.
Other objects become apparent from the preceding and following
disclosure.
One or more objects of the present invention are obtained by the
invention as defined herein.
Broadly the invention includes an elongated tubular element firmly
supported by a preferably resilient support and having air or other
fluid fed thereinto and having channeling structure for effecting
the same, together with outlet ports along the elongated wall(s) of
the elongated tube directing the fluid from within the tubular
element sidewardly critically angularly at an angle less than
perpendicular to the outer side surface of the tubular element and
also preferably slanted angularly axially in a direction of the
longitudinal axis of the tubular element, with a loosely mounted
cylinder having opposite open ends preferably, with the cylinder
mounted around the tubular element extending concentrically
therethrough, and in a preferred embodiment there being mounted on
a distal end of the tubular element a dental scaler blade. In other
variation-embodiments of the invention, the vibrator has
exceptionally good and effective utility as a dish washer and/or a
washing machine for clothes, by virtue of the barely sonic and if
desired ultrasonic vibrator mechanism which churns the surrounding
water of a water-containing vessel with vigor and high intensity.
In such latter washer embodiment, it is possible to further churn
the water by having multiple vibrator mechanism instead of merely
one, although a single one has proven to exert unbelievable forces
on surrounding waters. An additional benefit as a side advantage in
such washer utility, is the airing of the clothes and/or dishes or
the like being washed, together with the air bubbles further
churning the water as well as facilitating the sudsing of the
detergent, soap, or the like. The vibrator mechanism may similarly
be employed in any other desired utility where high powered
vibrations are desirable at low cost and without the necessity of
close association of electricity with the water-laden parts or
areas of any particular apparatus or the like, such as a laboratory
sonicater.
THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 illustrates a distal end, side and top perspective view of a
preferred embodiment of the dental scraper of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view as taken along lines 2--2
of FIG. 1, illustrating in side cross-sectional view the inner
mechanism of the scraper of FIG. 1.
FIG. 2A illustrates an in-part view in cross-sectional view,
illustrating an optional construction consistent with the principle
of operation of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates an in-part view in cross-sectional view,
illustrating an optional construction of another portion of the
mechanism, consistent with the principle of operation of the
present invention.
FIG. 4A illustrates a transverse cross-sectional view as taken
along line 4A--4A of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4B illustrates an alternative embodiment comparable in its
view to that of FIG. 4A.
Likewise, FIG. 4C is an illustration of still another embodiment
and is a view comparable to those of FIGS. 4A and 4B.
FIG. 5 illustrates in partial cut-away a side-top perspective view
in an in-part view of a washing machine embodiment of the mechanism
of the present invention, as a vibrator washer.
FIG. 6 illustrates a side cross-sectional view as taken along lines
6--6 of FIG. 5, showing the upper washing compartment and the lower
vibrator-mechanism compartment, illustrating the vibrator mechanism
in side view.
FIG. 7 illustrates a view as taken along lines 7--7 of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Prior to describing in detail the elements and parts of the various
Figure illustrations, it is desirable to understand the heart of
the mechanism of the present invention.
In the development of the present invention by the inventor, over a
period of years many and differing mechanisms and principles were
tried and retried as variations thereof in an effort to find an
effective scraper of low cost, high efficiency, durability, and
convenient in size and handling and operation. Repeatedly there
.[.occured.]. .Iadd.occurred .Iaddend.failure. As the design of the
present invention began to .[.develope.]. .Iadd.develop.Iaddend.,
it was found that the bearing surfaces were totally
.[.unsatisfactary.]. .Iadd.unsatisfactory .Iaddend. in durability,
the bearings wearing out promptly as the air-driven mechanism spun
the cylinder around the tubular central element; moreover, the
intensity of vibrations was less than satisfactory. Frustrated by
an apparent plurality of insolvable problems, the inventor had
removed the bearing surfaces while holding a surrounding support
through which the vibrator tube (inner element) was threaded with
the support at the proximal end of the vibrator (where the air tube
is attached) and accidentally while merely fumbling therewith
pulled the vibrating tubular element into a substantially snug and
rigid engagement with the proximal circumscribing support of rubber
and in doing so was suprised to notice a sudden rise in the tone of
the vibrations from a low buzz to a high-pitched squeal, this being
indicative of a sudden high-level or rate or frequency of
vibrations not heretofore obtained. Upon further experimentation
thereafter, it was found that whenever a resilient material exerted
a securing pressure onto the tubular element, the tubular element
which apparently previously had vibrated in a wide-space cycle
became limited to a narrowed-space cycle and in the narrowed cycle
served to impart the increase frequency and narrowed range
space-wise to the continuing-spinning and driven outer revolving
circumscribing cylinder totally free of any bearing surfaces of
conventional types, the spinning cylinder picking-up additional
frequency from the high-pitched vibrating central tubular element
-- such that the vibrations initiated by the spinning outer tubular
cylinder became highly amplified and that the pitch of sound and
corresponding level of frequency increase each in direct proportion
to the resilient support pressure exerted onto the inner tubular
element. Moreover, it was unexpectedly additionally found that
unlike the prior devices, not only were no conventional bearings
needed nor required and not only was no cooling liquid or the like
required but to the contrary the .[.folw.]. .Iadd.flow .Iaddend. of
air served as the bearing-cushion as well as a heat sink
effectively cooling the parts to a lower temperature than the
temperature thereof prior to beginning the vibrations.
.[.Advantageiously.]. .Iadd.Advantageously .Iaddend.thereby it
became possible to eliminate both .[.colling.]. .Iadd.cooling
.Iaddend. liquids heretofore necessary with electrically actuated
scrapers, and to eliminate the problem of bearings and
.[.maintainance.]. .Iadd.maintenance .Iaddend.thereof necessary
with other prior scrapers. Thereafter, the efficiency of the novel
scraper and mechanism thereof was further perfected by the
streamlining of the flow passages, employing preferably slanted
passages axially as well as slanted exit passages at points between
the inner tube and the outer revolving tube, such serving to
enhance the easy flow of air and the latter exit passages at the
end of the outer revolving tube serving possibly also to increase
the pressure of the air against the revolving cylinder because of
the change of direction to radially outwardly but angularly to
obtain a greater efficiency out of the air in further increasing
the revolving speed of the revolutions of the revolving outer
cylinder.
In further experimentation, after achieving control of the
frequency and being possible even to attain ultrasonic vibration
rates if desired, the inventor with the inner tube at a high peak
level of vibrations inserted the vibrating inner tube element's
distal free end into surface waters of a vessel of water and was
suprised to have the water thrown from floor level onto the house
ceiling, this exemplifying the intensity and magnitude of force of
the vibrations against the water and accordingly the ability of the
novel vibrator to churn water within a vessel such as a dish washer
and/or a clothes washer, or other situation where intense vibrating
and/or circulating forces are desirable or utilizable.
Upon incorporation of the further developed mechanism, the inventor
has achieved a small and handy, safe scraper utilizable with the
dentists' normal air-tube for other instruments by merely
disconnecting another instrument and connecting-in the present
tooth-cleaning scraper, without heat nor electrical nor bearing nor
additional driving apparatus problems which plague other type
scrapers, as noted above.
In greater detail, FIGS. 1 through 4C illustrate a preferred dental
tooth scraper and variations thereof, showing in FIG. 1 a scraper
device 8 having a casing 9 with a distal-end central axially
aligned opening 10 through which a distal end of the inner tubular
element 19 extends with the scraper 11 mounted therein or thereon.
Air supply tube 12 having passage 13 is joined to air-receptacle 14
of which forward wall 14aa of FIG. 2 is forcibly pressed against
resilient rubber member 18 by virtue of the male threads 16 of
member 14 being screwed tightly axially into female threads 17 of
casing 9, pinning the rubber element 18 between the surface 14aa
and the flange 19aa of inner tubular element 19; note that it is
believed that the amplifying action results from or is at least
enhanced by the radially inwardly directed pressure on the tubular
cylinder 19, for example the forcible compressing of the member
14aa causing it to expand in also a radially outwardly and radially
direction -- or a tendency to thus-expand whereby the axial pinning
pressure is converted into radially inwardly directed supporting
pressure onto the tubular element 19, and as the member 14 is
.[.screw-in.]. .Iadd.screwed-in .Iaddend. more tightly and firmly,
the tone of the vibrations and frequency thereof increase
proportionately. Air apertures 15 typically provide outlets for the
air after it has proceeded from the inlet space 20 through the
tubular space 21 through the slanted holes 22 into space 26 and
forcibly against the inner surface of the outer cylindrical element
25 to thereby revolve the element 25, the air then exiting through
space 23 between the end-portion of element 25 and the guide
portion or element 24 into space 27 from which the air then
proceeds through outlet air apertures 15. Note that it is critical
for each embodiment of the present invention, that holes 22 be
angularly slanted as shown in each of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C as holes
22, 22a and 22b in order that the impelling air will strike the
annular inner surface of outer cylinder .[.15.]. .Iadd.25 .Iaddend.
at an angle to give required spinning torque thereto. Intentionally
omitted, it is totally impossible for the holes to be about totally
radially outwardly extending without slant or for the inner surface
of the member 25 to have consecutive wedge surfaces such that a
spinning torque is realized. Also, even without .[.wedge.]. wedge
surfaces on the inner surface of cylinder 25, and with the air
hitting it perpendicularly, once a spinning motion were imparted to
the outer rotatable cylinder 25 to thereby initiate the revolving
flow of the air, the cylinder 25 would by inertia and channeled air
be thereafter continued in its rotation or spinning if the air
pressure continued. However, the optimum preferred embodiment is
disclosed in FIGS. 1, 2, 2A, and 4A.
In the FIG. 2A, there is illustrated an optional mechanism of
compressing the element 18x between face .[.14bb.]. .Iadd.14aa
.Iaddend. and flange 19bb of casing 9aa such that the radially
inwardly expanding rubber element 18x is compacted against and
around the inner tubular element 19x.
It is possible that the embodiment 4B with three holes therearound
at spaced intervals axially as shown in FIG. 2, would be more
efficient and forcible in its driving torque(s) that a mere
two-holed embodiment as FIG. 4A or a single-holed embodiment (not
illustrated -- which would also with only one hole not produce an
evenly distributed revolving force), the two or three or more holes
around the curved surface serving to -- by preferably even spacing
-- make for smooth operation at a high efficiency. There may be
more than one or two rows axially of the tube of such holes, but
the number of holes must be kept below an ascertainable permissive
flow which would defeat the spinning-action torque by too much air
being release uncontrollably and/or by placing too much air
pressure within the space 26 serving to lessen the effective
spinning-torque(s).
Note that corresponding numbers define corresponding parts.
With reference to FIGS. 5 through 7, there is seen a washing
machine vessel 31 having an inner floor .[.32a.]. .Iadd.33
.Iaddend. with there mounted thereon a protector cage 28 with
apertures 29 and top portion 30, containing in the vessel wash
water 32, and the lid 34. The agitator 35 in cross-section is
typically "plus"-shaped or X-shaped in order to provide flange
surfaces thereby which upon vibration agitate efficiently the water
.[.32a.]. .Iadd.32, having a top surface 32a. .Iaddend. Other parts
of the vibrator mechanism correspond to those previously discussed
above.
It is within the scope and spirit of the present invention to make
such variations and modifications as would be apparent to a person
of ordinary skill in this art, including substitution of
equivalents in function. For example, the cylinder 25 optionally
may be devoid of the inwardly extending flange walls such that the
inner cylinder walls are straight all-the-way through as shown for
cylinder 25, but with the squared-off (non-angular) passage as in
FIG. 1, rather than the angular end walls of FIG. .[.2.]. .Iadd.3.
.Iaddend.
Finally, it should be noted that the male threads on the shaft of
the scaler and the mating female threads in the opening 10 of the
tube 19 must be pre-coordinated with the predetermined-direction of
spin of the cylinder 25 as determined by which lateral direction
(FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C) the apertures are angularly slanted, since in
one direction the male-threaded shaft tends to become more-tightly
screwed-into the female threads of hole 10, whereas in a
reverse-threaded direction (for the same unchanged direction of
spin of cylinder 25) the shaft 11 becomes rapidly unscrewed by the
vibrations; the same .[.phenominon.]. .Iadd.phenomenon .Iaddend. is
conventionally known to be true with auto-wheel mountings,
rotary-lawn mower blades and the like.
* * * * *