Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2 1 95272
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APPARATUS FOR FA~.~NlNG A MATRIX BAND TO A TOOTH
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate the preferred
embodiments of this invention,
S Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional
apparatus for fastening a matrix band to a tooth;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first
preferred embodiment of an apparatus for fastening a
matrix band to a tooth according to the present
invention;
Figure 3 is a sectional schematic view of the first
preferred embodiment of the fastening apparatus of the
present invention;
Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a
second preferred embodiment of an apparatus for
fastening a matrix band to a tooth according to the
present invention;
Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view
illustrating a single-direction positioning mechanism
of the second preferred embodiment of the fastening
apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view
illustrating another preferred embodiment of a single-
direction positioning mechanism of the fastening
apparatus according to the present invention;
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Figure 7 is a fragmentary exploded view of still
another preferred embodiment of a single-direction
positioning mechanism of the fastening apparatus
according to the present invention;
Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the
single-direction positioning mechanism of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a fragmentary exploded view of another
preferred embodiment of a locking means which is
mounted to a sliding block of the fastening apparatus
according to the present invention;
Figure 10 is a sectional view of the locking means
of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a fragmentary exploded view of still
another preferred embodiment of a locking means which
is mounted to a sliding block of the fastening
apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 12 is a sectional view of the locking means
of Figure 11;
Figure 13 is a fragmentary exploded view of a third
preferred embodiment of a fastening apparatus according
to the present invention.
Figure 14 is a sectional view of the third
preferred embodiment of Figure 13;
Figure 15 is a cross sectional view taken along the
lines A-A of Figure 13; and
Figure 16 is a cross sectional view taken along the
lines B-B of Figure 13.
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BACXGROUND OF THE lNV~ ON
l. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for
fastening a matrix band to a tooth in operative
dentistry.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to Figure 1, a conventional apparatus 1
for fastening a matrix band 2 to a tooth is shown to
comprise an elongated support frame 11, a sliding block
12, a threaded rod 13 and a nut member 14. The matrix
band 2 is in the form of an elongated thin strip and
has two ends 21 which are to be overlapped in order to
form a loop portion 22 to be sleeved onto a carious
tooth. The support frame 11 has a U-shaped retaining
member 111 with two slits 112 at a front end of the
support frame 11 in order to orient selectively the
loop portion 22 of the matrix band 2 to predetermined
directions. The support frame 11 further has a U-
shaped engaging portion 113 formed at a rear end
thereof. The sliding block 12 engages slidably the
support frame 11 and has an inclined slit 121 and a
threaded hole 122 extending through the inclined slit
121. The nut member 14 has an annular groove 141
formed at one end thereof. The annular groove 141
engages rotatably the U-shaped engaging portion 113 of
the support frame 11. The threaded rod 13-engages
threadedly the nut member 14 and the threaded hole 122
2 1 q~72
of the sliding block 12 and extends through the U-
shaped engaging portion 113 of the support frame 11.
Therefore, the overlapping end portions of the matrix
band 2 can be inserted into the inclined slit 121 and
the threaded hole 122 so as to be clamped by a front
end of the threaded rod 13. The connection of the loop
portion 22 and the overlapping end portions of the
matrix band 2 is retained by the U-shaped retaining
member 111.
In use, the loop portion 22 of the matrix band 2 is
sleeved onto a carious tooth, and the threaded rod 13
is rotated manually in order to permit the sliding
block 12 to move away from the retaining member 111,
thereby increasing the length of the overlapping end
portions and reducing the size of the loop portion 22
of the matrix band 2. Thus, the carious tooth is
sleeved tightly by the loop portion 22 of the matrix
band 2. The loop portion 22 of the matrix band 2 may
be released from the carious tooth by means of rotating
reversely the nut member 14.
However, the conventional fastening apparatus
suffers from slow movement of the sliding block 12
relative to the retaining member 111 by means of
rotating the nut member 14. In addition, the
conventional fastening apparatus will wobble during the
rotation of the nut member 14, thus resulting in
wobbling of the matrix band 2 which may hurt the
21 ~5272
patient's gingiva or mucosa.
8UMMARY OF THE lNV~ lON
It is therefore a main object of the present
invention to provide an apparatus for fastening a
matrix band to a tooth in which the matrix band can be
- quickly and stably fastened to and releasably from a
carious tooth.
According to one aspect of the present invention,
an apparatus for fastening a matrix band to a tooth
comprises:
an elongated support frame having front and rear
ends, the front end of the support frame being formed
, with a retaining member which engages slidably
i overlapping end portions of the matrix band in order to
orient selectively a loop portion of the matrix band to
predetermined directions;
an elongated slide member engaging slidably and
parallelly the support frame and having front and rear
ends, the front end of the slide member being formed
with a sliding block;
locking means provided on the sliding block of the
slide member for locking releasably the overlapping end
portions in the sliding block; and
a single-direction positioning mechanism for
permitting the sliding block of the slide member to
move away from the retaining member of the support
frame in order to pull the overlapping end portions of
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the matrix band to move rearward, thereby reducing the
size of the loop portion of the matrix band, but
locking releasably the slide member relative to the
support frame in order to prevent the sliding block
5from being moved toward the ret~ining member.
- According to another aspect of the present
invention, an apparatus is adapted to fasten two matrix
bands to two teeth. Each of the matrix bands has
length-variable overlapping end portions and a loop
10portion extending from the overlapping end portions.
The apparatus comprises:
an elongated support frame having front and rear
ends and two opposite faces, the support frame having
two retaining members which are formed spacedly
15adjacent to the front end of the support frame, each of
the retaining members engaging slidably the overlapping
end portions in order to orient selectively the loop
portion of the matrix band to predetermined directions;
two elongated slide members, each of the slide
20members engaging slidably and parallelly a respective
one of the opposite faces of the support frame and
having front and rear ends, the front end of each of
the slide members being formed with a sliding block;
two locking means, each being provided on the
25sliding block of a respective one of the slide members
for locking releasably a corresponding of the
overlapping end portions in the sliding block of the
21 9527~2
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respective one of the slide members; and
two single-direction positioning mechanisms, each
permitting the sliding block of the respective one of
the slide members to move away from a corresponding one
of the retaining members of the support frame, but
- locking releasably the respective one of the slide
members relative to the support frame in order to
prevent the sliding block of the respéctive one of the
slide members from being moved toward the corresponding
one of the retaining members.
DET~T~n DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Before the present invention is disclosed in
greater detail, it should be noted that like elements
are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout
the disclosure.
Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a first preferred
embodiment of an apparatus for fastening a matrix band
9 is shown to comprise an elongated support frame 3, an
elongated slide member 4, locking means 5 and a single-
direction positioning mech~n;sm 6.
The front end of the support frame 3 is formed with
a U-shaped retaining member 31 having two positioning
slits formed therein. The retaining member 31 engages
slidably overlapping end portions 92 of the matrix band
9 in order to orient selectively a loop portion 93 of
the matrix band 9 to predetermined directions. In this
embodiment, the loop portion 93 is bent to a
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perpendicular direction relative to the support frame
3.
The slide member 4 engages slidably and parallelly
the support frame 3. The slide member 4 has a sliding
s block 41 formed at a front end thereof and a U-shaped
support 42 formed at an intermediate portion thereof.
The sliding block 41 has an engaging groove 411 which
engages slidably the support frame 3. The U-shaped
support 42 has a through hole through which the support
frame 3 passes.
The locking means 5 is provided on the sliding
block 41 of the slide member 4 for locking releasably
the overlapping end portions 92 in the sliding block
41. The locking means 5 includes a slit S1 which is
formed in a front end of the sliding block 41 in order
to receive the overlapping end portions 92 of the
matrix band 9, a threaded hole 52 which is formed in
the sliding block 41 and which is communicated
transversely with the slit 51, and a locking bolt 53
threaded into the threaded hole 52 in order to fasten
the overlapping end portions 92 in the slit 51 of the
- sliding block 41, as best illustrated in Figure 3.
The single-direction positioning mechanism 6
- includes an L-shaped catch member 63 and a plurality of
detent teeth 61 formed adjacent to the rear end of the
support frame 3. The L-shaped catch member 63 has a
horizontal arm 631 which is connected pivotally
2 1 952~2
g
adjacent to the rear end of the slide member 4 between
the slide member 4 and the support frame 3 by means of
a pin 633. A detent pawl 632 extends downwardly from a
front end of the horizontal arm 631. A spring member
62 is connected to the rear end of the slide member 4
in order to bias the horizontal arm 631 to rotate and
cause the detent pawl 632 to engage one of the detent
teeth 61. Therefore, the sliding block 41 can be moved
away from the retAining member 31 while the detent pawl
632 slides over the detent teeth 61, and is prevented
from being moved toward the retaining member 31 when
- the sliding block 41 is moved away from the retaining
member 31 due to the engagement of the detent pawl 632
and one of the detent teeth 61. The size of the loop
portion 93 of the matrix band 9 is decreased gradually
- when the user grasps the U-shaped support 42 of the
slide member 4 with his fingers in order to move the
sliding block 41 away from the retaining member 31 so
that the loop portion 93 is sleeved firmly on a carious
tooth (not shown). By depressing a rear end of the
horizontal arm 631, the detent pawl 631 disengages one
of the teeth 61 so that the user can push the slide
member 4 forward to allow the sliding block 41 to move
toward the retaining member 31 in order to release the
matrix band 9 from the carious teeth.
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It is noted that the slide member 4 can be moved
quickly and stably with respect to the support frame 3
in order to permit the matrix band 9 to be tied onto or
released from the carious teeth.
S Referring to Figure 4, a second preferred
embodiment of an apparatus for fastening a matrix band
to a tooth of the present invention is shown. In this
emb~diment, the structures of the support frame 3, the
slide member 4 and the locking means S are similar to
those of the first embodiment. However, the single-
direction positioning mechanism of the second preferred
embodiment comprises a plurality of detent teeth 64
which are formed adjacent to the rear end of the slide
member 4, and an elongated housing 32 which is formed
lS longitudinally adjacent to the rear end of the support
frame 3. The housing 32 has a longitudinal hole 321
for receiving the rear end of the slide member 4 on
which the detent teeth 64 are formed. A transverse
hole 322 extends from a top face of the housing 32 to
the longitudinal hole 321 in the housing 32. A lock
pin 65 is received in the transverse hole 322, and a
coiled spring 651 is mounted in the transverse hole 322
in order to bias the lock pin 6S to move toward the top
face of the housing 32. A cam member 66 is connected
2S pivotably to the housing 32 within the transverse hole
322 by means of a pivot pin 661. The cam member 66 is
rotatable to a first position where the lock pin 6S is
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.
pushed by the cam member 66 against the biasing force
of the coiled spring 651 so as to engage one of the
detent teeth 64 of the support frame 3, as best
illustrated in Figure 5. Therefore, the sliding block
41 can be moved away from the retaining member 31
member but i8 prevented from being moved toward the
ret~;n;ng member 31 when the sliding block 41 is moved
away from the retaining member 31. The ca~ member 66
i8 further rotatable to a second position wherein the
lock pin 65 is biased by the coiled spring 651 so as to
disengage one of the detent teeth 64. Therefore, the
sliding block 41 of the slide member 4 can be moved
I freely toward the retaining member 31 of the support
3 frame 3 in order to release the loop portion 93 of the
matrix band 9.-
Figure 6 shows a modification of the single-
direction positioning mechanism 6 of the second
preferred embodiment. The single-direction positioning
mechanism comprises an elongated housing 67 formed
adjacent to the rear end of the support frame 3. The
housing 67 has a longitudinal through hole 674 with a
front end through which the rear end of the slide
member 4 extends. A seal member 673 is mounted
adjacent to the front end of the longitudinal through
hole 674 and contacts the slide member 4 so that the
- slide member 4 is extendible slidably and sealingly
into the longitn~; n~l through hole 674. A check valve
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member 671 is mounted adjacent to the rear end of the
housing 67, thereby permitting air to flow from the
longitudinal hole 674 to the exterior of the housing 67
but preventing air from flowing into the longitudinal
s through hole 674 via the check valve member 671.
Therefore, the sliding block 41 can move away from the
retaining member 31 while the air is forced out of the
rear end of the housing 67 via the check valve member
671 by means of the rear end of the slide member 4, but
is prevented from being moved toward the retaining
member 31 when the sliding block 41 is moved away from
the retaining member 31 due to the negative pressure in
the housing 67. The slide member 4 can be released to
move freely in the housing 67 by opening the check
valve member 671 and allowing air to flow into the
longitudinal through hole 674 by rotating the rotary
shaft 672.
Referring to Figures 7 and 8, another preferred
embodiment of a single-direction positioning mechanism
is shown to comprise a wedge-shaped groove 43 formed
transversely in an external face of the slide member 4
adjacent to the rear end of the slide member 4, a steel
ball 68 disposed in the wedge-shaped groove 43, and an
elongated housing 69 formed adjacent to the rear end of
the support-frame 3. The housing 69 has a longitudinal
through hole 693 with a front end 6931 through which
- the rear end of the slide member 4 extends and a
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13--
threaded rear end 6932. Two slits 694 extend from the
threaded rear end 6932 and are communicated with the
longitudinal through hole 693 in order to form a
~ resilient tongue 691 adjacent to the threaded rear end
6932 of the housing 69. A screw member 692 with a
tapered, externally threaded shaft 6921 engages
threadedly the threaded rear end 6932 of the
longitudinal through hole 693. The ball 68 is rolled
and clamped between the slide member 4 and an internal
wall face of the longitudinal through hole 693 in order
to prevent the sliding block 41 from being moved toward
- the retaining member 31. The ball 68 is released when
the screw member 692 is threaded into the threaded rear
end 6932 in order to lift the resilient tongue 691,
lS thereby permitting free movement of the slide member 41
relative to the support frame 3.
Figures 9 and 10 show another preferred embodiment
of a lock~ng means 5 of the fastening apparatus
according to the present invention. In this
embodiment, the locking means 5 comprises a slit 561
which is formed in a front end of the sliding block 41
in order to receive the overlapping end portions 92 of
the matrix band 9. A transverse hole 562 extends from
an external face of the sliding block 41 to the slit
561. A lock pin 54 is received in the transverse hole
562, and a coiled spring 541 is mounted in the
transverse hole 562 in order to bias the lock pin 54 to
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14
move toward the external face of the sliding block 41.
A cam member 55 is connected pivotably to the sliding
}~lock 41 within the transverse hole 56Z by means of a
pivot pin 563. The cam member 55 is rotatable.to a
first position where the lock pin 54 is pushed by the
cam member 55 against the biasing force of the coiled
spring 541 so as to engage the overlapping end portions
92 of the matrix band g, thereby preventing separation
of the overlapping end portions 92 from the sliding
block 41, as best illustrated in Figure 10, and a
second position wherein the lock pin 54 is biased by
the coiled spring 541 so as to disengage from the
overlapping end portions 92 of the matrix band 9.
Figures 11 and 12 show still another preferred
embodiment of a locking means of the fastening
apparatus according to the present invention. In this
embodiment, the locking means comprises a cam member 57
mounted rotatably to the sliding block 41 by means of a
pivot pin 571 so that the overlapping end portions 92
of the matrix band 9 can be clamped between the cam
member 57 and an external face 412 of the sliding block
41 when the cam member 57 is rotated to a f irst
position, and can be disengaged from the cam member 57
and the sliding block 41 when the cam member 57 is
rotated to a second position, as best illustrated in
Figure 12.
'
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Referring to Figures 13 and 14, a third preferred
embodiment of a fastening apparatus is used to fasten
two matrix bands to two teeth. Each of the matrix
bands 9 has length-variable overlapping end portions 92
and a loop portion 93 extending from the overlapping
end portions 92. The two loop portions 93 are spot-
welded to each other at a point 91 which is to be
disposed on a contact area of two adjacent teeth. The
fastening apparatus comprises an elongated support
frame 3, two elongated slide members 4, two locking
means 5 and two single-direction positioning mechanisms
6.
The support frame 3 has two retaining members 31
which are formed spacedly adjacent to a front end
thereof. The structure and action of the retaining
members 31 are the same as those of the first
embodiment. Each of the slide members 4 engaging
slidably and parallelly a respective one of the
opposite faces of the support frame 3. The front end
of each of the slide members 4 is formed with two
spaced sliding blocks 41, 41'. The lower faces of the
sliding blocks 41, 41~ of the upper slide member 4 are
formed with sliding grooves 411, 411' which engage
slidably two opposite rails 34 formed on the upper
portion of the support frame 3, as best illustrated in
Figure 15. The upper faces of the sliding blocks 41,
41' of the lower slide member 4 are formed with
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dovetail pro~ections 412, 412' which engage slidably a
dovetail groove 33 formed in the lower face of the
support frame 3, as best illustrated in Figure 16.
- Each of the locking means 5 is provided on the sliding
block 41 of a respective one of the slide members 4 for
locking releasably the overlapping end portions 92 in
the sliding block 41 of the respective one of the slide
members 4. The structure and action of the locking
means 5 are the same as those of the first embodiment.
The structure and action of the single-direction
positioning mechanisms 6 are the same as those of the
first embodiment. Thereby, the fastening apparatus can
be used to fasten two matrix bands 9 to two carious
teeth at the same time.
While the present invention has been described in
connection with what is considered the most practical
and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments
but is intended to cover various arrangements included
within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretations and equivalent arrangement.
