Interchangeable tool operating apparatus with plural motion
First Claim
1. A tool operating apparatus for driving alternatively at least a first tool and a second tool from a single tool driving means to which each of said tools can be removably coupled, in which the tool driving means comprises a rotatable shaft and a support in which the shaft is journaled for rotation around its longitudinal axis, and tool engagement means fixed to the shaft, the first tool having a first aperture for receiving the shaft and means in the first aperture to engage the tool engagement means for rotating the first tool with the shaft, the second tool having a second aperture for receiving the shaft and the tool engagement means, and means on the second tool to engage the support so as to hold the second tool non-rotatably fixed to said support, the shaft and the tool engagement means being free to rotate relative to the second tool within the second aperture, and means in the second aperture for coupling with the tool engagement means to drive the second tool in an oscillatory path relative to said axis during rotation of the shaft in the second aperture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Novel tool operating apparatus is exemplified in a dental treatment device capable of driving alternatively at least a first tool and a second tool, each tool being intended to execute a different form of motion, with a single tool driving means to which each of several different tools can be removably coupled. The driving means includes a rotatable drive shaft fitted with tool engagement means in the form of a disc affixed to the shaft and lying in a plane that makes an acute angle with the rotational axis of the shaft. One tool can be fitted over the shaft to engage the disc so as to rotate the tool with the shaft. A second tool can be fitted over the shaft so that the shaft can rotate within the tool, but the tool will not rotate with the shaft. The second tool has means for cooperating with the shaft so as to execute an oscillatory motion relative to the shaft axis. Tools capable of two optional forms of oscillatory motion are disclosed--in one the motion is parallel to the axis of the shaft; in another the motion is nutational. The drive shaft can be provided with a fluid passage on its rotational axis through which to provide fluid such as a dental treatment agent to the tools, and each form of tool can be fitted with ducts for dispensing such an agent. Further tools suitable for endodontal use are disclosed.
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Citations
34 Claims
- 1. A tool operating apparatus for driving alternatively at least a first tool and a second tool from a single tool driving means to which each of said tools can be removably coupled, in which the tool driving means comprises a rotatable shaft and a support in which the shaft is journaled for rotation around its longitudinal axis, and tool engagement means fixed to the shaft, the first tool having a first aperture for receiving the shaft and means in the first aperture to engage the tool engagement means for rotating the first tool with the shaft, the second tool having a second aperture for receiving the shaft and the tool engagement means, and means on the second tool to engage the support so as to hold the second tool non-rotatably fixed to said support, the shaft and the tool engagement means being free to rotate relative to the second tool within the second aperture, and means in the second aperture for coupling with the tool engagement means to drive the second tool in an oscillatory path relative to said axis during rotation of the shaft in the second aperture.
- 15. In a dental treatment device for driving alternatively at least a first tool and a second tool, each tool being intended to execute a different form of motion, tool driving means to which each of said tools can be removably coupled, the driving means including a drive shaft, a support for said shaft in which the shaft is journaled for rotation around its longitudinal axis, and tool-engagement means fixed to a portion of the shaft extending from the support, the first tool having a first aperture to receive said extending portion of the shaft and means in the first aperture to engage said tool engagement means for rotating the first tool with the shaft, the second tool having a second aperture to receive said extending portion of the shaft and means resiliently to engage said support so as to hold the second tool non-rotatably fixed to the support, whereby the shaft can rotate within said second aperture relative to the second tool, and means in the second aperture for coacting with the shaft during rotation thereof within the second aperture to drive the second tool in an oscillatory path relative to said axis.
- 23. A tool operating apparatus comprising a rotatable shaft and a support in which the shaft is journaled for rotation around its longitudinal axis, a disc centrally affixed to the shaft at an acute angle to said axis, a tool member having a cylindrical aperture opening at one end for receiving said shaft and disc, means at the open end of the tool member for non-rotationally affixing the tool member to the support so that the shaft and disc can rotate in the aperture relative to the tool member, the aperture having a bottom wall that is substantially in a plane at an acute angle to said axis, a portion of the tool member between the support and said bottom wall being elastically stretchable in the direction of said axis and acting to hold the bottom wall in contact with a limited region of the disc which describes a circular path on the bottom wall when the shaft is rotated, so as to cause the portion of the tool member remote from the support to execute oscillatory motion substantially parallel to said axis.
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30. A tool operating apparatus for driving alternatively and selectively one of a variety of different tools from a single rotatable shaft that is journaled in a support for rotation around its longitudinal axis, comprising a tool driving and mounting means affixed to the shaft for driving tools of a first type that are intended to rotate with the shaft when mounted thereon, and a second tool mounting means affixed to the support for mounting tools of a second type that are not intended to rotate with the shaft but are intended to coact with said tool driving means on the shaft for drive purposes, said second tool mounting means providing a non-rotative attachment for holding a tool of said second type non-rotatively attached to said apparatus in engagement with said tool driving means of said shaft for driving a tool of said second type in an oscillatory mode.
- 31. A tool operating apparatus for driving alternatively a variety of tools from a single operator, means to couple a first tool to said operator for motion exclusively in a first mode, and means to couple a second tool to said operator for motion exclusively in a second mode.
Specification