US3964167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposable tooth shade guide
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-10-24
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Granted: 1976-06-22
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Expires: 1994-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A disposable tooth shade guide is provided operable for use by a dentist in determining by comparison the particular shade of an artificial tooth that may be substituted for a natural tooth of a patient. The tooth shade guide includes an elongated holder of generally rectangular configuration. At one end thereof the holder has an artificial tooth secured thereon. The artificial tooth embodies the configuration of a natural tooth and is colored a predetermined shade selected from the various colors which natural teeth most commonly are found to have. The artificial tooth is mounted on the holder by means of a pin which is suitably fastened to the rear of the artificial tooth so as to project outwardly therefrom substantially at right angles to the major axis of the artificial tooth. The pin is passed through an opening provided therefor at the aforementioned one end of the holder. A lock ring is passed over the free end of the pin after the latter is passed through the holder thereby locking the artificial tooth to the holder, yet permitting the former to pivot relative to the latter. A cap is detachably mounted over the artificial tooth on the holder. The cap is suitably dimensioned and configured so as to be receivable on the artificial tooth with a snap fit. In addition, the cap is preferably provided with an outwardly extending tab operable for use in removing the cap from engagement with the artificial tooth and also as a means upon which an identifying letter, numeral, symbol, etc. may be applied to distinguish one cap from another. The cap is colored a predetermined shade whereby when mounted on the artificial tooth the cap is effective to alter the basic color of the artificial tooth to produce a variation in the shade thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 John G. Yerkes, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C19/00; A61C19/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A tooth shade guide member operable for use by a dentist in determining by comparison the particular shade of an artificial tooth that may be substituted for a natural tooth of patient comprising: a. a tooth-simulating member having at least a front face dimensioned and configured to provide the appearance of a natural tooth, said tooth-simulating member being formed of a non-toxic material and having a preselected visible coloration; b. an alongated mounting member operable as a support for said tooth-simulating member and formed of a non-toxic material; c. means pivotably mounting said tooth-simulating member adjacent one end of said mounting member for pivotal movement relative thereto; and d. translucent cover means detachably secured on said front face of said tooth-simulating member, said cover means being formed of a non-toxic material transmitting light therethrough, said cover means when mounted on said front face of said tooth-simulating member having a coloration effective to alter said visible coloration of said tooth-simulating member so as to produce a variation in the shade of the apparent coloration of said tooth-simulating member from that seen when said cover means is dismounted from said front face of said tooth-simulating member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A tooth shade guide member operable for use by a dentist in determining by comparison the particular shade of an artificial tooth that may be substituted for a natural tooth of patient comprising: a. a tooth-simulating member having at least a front face dimensioned and configured to provide the appearance of a natural tooth, said tooth-simulating member being formed of a non-toxic material and having a preselected visible coloration; b. an alongated mounting member operable as a support for said tooth-simulating member and formed of a non-toxic material; c. means pivotably mounting said tooth-simulating member adjacent one end of said mounting member for pivotal movement relative thereto; and d. translucent cover means detachably secured on said front face of said tooth-simulating member, said cover means being formed of a non-toxic material transmitting light therethrough, said cover means when mounted on said front face of said tooth-simulating member having a coloration effective to alter said visible coloration of said tooth-simulating member so as to produce a variation in the shade of the apparent coloration of said tooth-simulating member from that seen when said cover means is dismounted from said front face of said tooth-simulating member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tooth shade guide member as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting is generally rectangular in configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
The tooth shade guide member as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a pin having one end thereof affixed to said tooth-simulating member and extending outwardly therefrom substantially at right angles to the major axis thereof, said pin extending through said mounting member and having the free end thereof projecting outwardly therefrom, said mounting means further including locking means on said free end of said pin operable to lock said tooth-simulating member and said mounting member in the assembled condition thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tooth shade guide member as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover means comprises a cap dimensioned and configured to snugly fit over said front face of said tooth-simulating member, said cap snap fitting over said front face of said tooth-simulating member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The tooth shade guide member as set forth in claim 4 wherein said cap includes a tab extending therefrom and formed integrally therewith, said tab being operable for use in dismounting said cap from said front face of said tooth-simulating member, and for receiving thereon identifying means operable for distinguishing said cap from another cap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The tooth shade guide member as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover means comprises dimensioned and configured to overlie said front face of said tooth-simulating member, said covering being detachably mounted on said front face of said tooth-simulating member by interposed pressure sensitive adhesive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
197 words
A tooth shade guide member operable for use by a dentist in determining by comparison the particular shade of an artificial tooth that may be substituted for a natural tooth of a patient comprising: a. a tooth-simulating member having at least a front face dimensioned and configured to provide the appearance of a natural tooth, said tooth-simulating member being formed of a non-toxic material and having a preselected visible coloration; b. an elongated mounting member formed of a non-toxic material and generally rectangular in configuration; c. means pivotably mounting said tooth-simulating member on said mounting member adjacent to one end thereof and for pivotal movement relative thereto; and d. a translucent disposable cap dimensioned and configured to snugly fit over said front face of said tooth-simulating member, said cap being formed of a non-toxic material transmitting light therethrough, said cap being detachably mounted on said front face of said tooth-simulating member having a coloration effective to alter said visible coloration of said tooth-simulating member so as to produce a variation in the shade of the apparent coloration of said tooth-simulating member from that seen when said cap is dismounted from said front face of said tooth-simulating member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
A tooth shade guide member operable for use by a dentist in determining by comparison the particular shade of an artificial tooth that may be substituted for a natural tooth of a patient comprising: a. a tooth-simulating member having at least a front face dimensioned and configured to provide the appearance of a natural tooth, said tooth-simulating member being formed of a non-toxic material and having a preselected visible coloration; b. an elongated mounting member formed of a non-toxic material and generally rectangular in configuration; c. means pivotably mounting said tooth-simulating member on said mounting member adjacent to one end thereof and for pivotal movement relative thereto; and d. a translucent disposable cap dimensioned and configured to snugly fit over said front face of said tooth-simulating member, said cap being formed of a non-toxic material transmitting light therethrough, said cap being detachably mounted on said front face of said tooth-simulating member having a coloration effective to alter said visible coloration of said tooth-simulating member so as to produce a variation in the shade of the apparent coloration of said tooth-simulating member from that seen when said cap is dismounted from said front face of said tooth-simulating member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
208 words
A tooth shade guide member operable for use by a dentist in determining by comparison the particular shade of an artificial tooth that may be substituted for a natural tooth of a patient comprising: a. a tooth-simulating member having at least a front face dimensioned and configured to provide the appearance of a natural tooth, said tooth-simulating member being formed of a non-toxic material and having a preselected visible coloration; b. an elongated mounting member formed of a non-toxic material and generally rectangular in configuration; c. means pivotably mounting said tooth-simulating member on said mounting member adjacent to one end thereof and for pivotal movement relative thereto; and d. a translucent covering dimensioned and configured to overlie said front face of said tooth-simulating member, said covering being formed of a non-toxic material transmitting light therethrough, said covering being detachably mounted on said front face of said tooth-simulating member by interposed pressure sensitive adhesive, said covering when mounted on said front face of said tooth-simulating member effective to alter the visible coloration of said tooth-simulating member so as to produce a variation in the shade of the apparent coloration of said tooth-simulating member from that seen when said covering is dismounted from said front face of said tooth-simulating member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
208 words
A tooth shade guide member operable for use by a dentist in determining by comparison the particular shade of an artificial tooth that may be substituted for a natural tooth of a patient comprising: a. a tooth-simulating member having at least a front face dimensioned and configured to provide the appearance of a natural tooth, said tooth-simulating member being formed of a non-toxic material and having a preselected visible coloration; b. an elongated mounting member formed of a non-toxic material and generally rectangular in configuration; c. means pivotably mounting said tooth-simulating member on said mounting member adjacent to one end thereof and for pivotal movement relative thereto; and d. a translucent covering dimensioned and configured to overlie said front face of said tooth-simulating member, said covering being formed of a non-toxic material transmitting light therethrough, said covering being detachably mounted on said front face of said tooth-simulating member by interposed pressure sensitive adhesive, said covering when mounted on said front face of said tooth-simulating member effective to alter the visible coloration of said tooth-simulating member so as to produce a variation in the shade of the apparent coloration of said tooth-simulating member from that seen when said covering is dismounted from said front face of said tooth-simulating member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-22 | 1979-12-22 | 1980-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-22 | 1983-12-22 | 1984-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-22 | 1987-12-22 | 1988-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |