Patents Assigned to Dental Equipment, LLC
  • Patent number: 8967573
    Abstract: A track and carriage system including a mounting plate, a first track removably secured to the mounting plate and receiving a first carriage movable therein, a second track removably secured to the mounting plate and receiving a second carriage movable therein. The first and second tracks are positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to one another such that the carriage of the first track moves independently of and in parallel with the carriage of the second track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: Nathan Andrew Hemmer
  • Patent number: 8931942
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved dental operatory lamp having an LED light source that directs light to a reflector that in turn reflects the light to illuminate a treatment area. In one embodiment, the lamp is adapted for efficient transfer of heat from the light source and into the environment. In another embodiment, the lamp is adapted to generate a predetermined pattern of light optimal for the treatment area. In other embodiments, the lamp includes structural features that enable the lamp to maintain optimum light intensity and/or temperature. Also, disclosed herein are unique reflector embodiments that intentionally provide a generally smooth surface, without facets, that reflect light at all visible and infrared wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Bria, H. Thomas Lockamy, Robert St. Louis, John Helgesen, Nabil Dagher, Ted Von Badinski, Tom Benfield, Austin Unsworth, Nathan Hemmer
  • Publication number: 20140263866
    Abstract: A track and carriage system including a mounting plate, a first track removably secured to the mounting plate and receiving a first carriage movable therein, a second track removably secured to the mounting plate and receiving a second carriage movable therein. The first and second tracks are positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to one another such that the carriage of the first track moves independently of and in parallel with the carriage of the second track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DENTAL EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventor: Nathan Andrew Hemmer
  • Patent number: 8814408
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved dental operatory lamp having an LED light source that directs light to a reflector that in turn reflects the light to illuminate a treatment area. In one embodiment, the lamp is adapted for efficient transfer of heat from the light source and into the environment. In another embodiment, the lamp is adapted to generate a predetermined pattern of light optimal for the treatment area. In other embodiments, the lamp includes structural features that enable the lamp to maintain optimum light intensity and/or temperature. Also, disclosed herein are unique reflector embodiments that intentionally provide a generally smooth surface, without facets, that reflect light at all visible and infrared wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Bria, H. Thomas Lockamy, Robert St. Louis, John Helgesen, Nabil Dagher, Ted Von Badinski, Tom Benfield, Austin Unsworth, Nathan Hemmer
  • Publication number: 20140106326
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a dental mannequin simulation device and system for providing a simulated dental procedure is provided herein. The dental mannequin simulation device includes a dental mannequin head configured to simulate a head of a human or non-human animal, a sensor associated with the dental mannequin to sense a condition of the dental mannequin, and a signal output device to provide feedback to a user based in response to the condition, wherein the condition is motion, position, or orientation or frequency thereof, or physical contact with the mannequin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: DENTAL EQUIPMENT, LLC (d/b/a Pelton & Crane)
    Inventor: Nathan Hemmer
  • Publication number: 20130198676
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and computer readable medium for managing a project is provided in the form of a project management tool for designing a medical practice, wherein the tool is adapted guide a user through at least partial or a predetermined amount of completion of a design project through a series of phases, each phase comprising one or more predetermined action items for the design project, wherein the project management tool, when executed by a processor, generates a graphical user interface adapted to allow progression through each phase in the series of phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: DENTAL EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventor: DENTAL EQUIPMENT, LLC
  • Patent number: 8459852
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved dental operatory lamp having an LED light source that directs light to a reflector that in turn reflects the light to illuminate a treatment area. In one embodiment, the lamp is adapted for efficient transfer of heat from the light source and into the environment. In another embodiment, the lamp is adapted to generate a predetermined pattern of light optimal for the treatment area. In other embodiments, the lamp includes structural features that enable the lamp to maintain optimum light intensity and/or temperature. Also, disclosed herein are unique reflector embodiments that intentionally provide a generally smooth surface, without facets, that reflect light at all visible and infrared wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Bria, H. Thomas Lockamy, Robert St. Louis, John Helgesen, Nabil Dagher, Ted Von Badinski, Tom Benfield, Austin Unsworth, Nathan Hemmer
  • Patent number: 8388205
    Abstract: An electrically powered light source including a light emitting diode (LED) having variable chromaticity, which is adapted for use in a dental operatory. A dental operatory lamp includes a thermally conductive housing having a front directed toward the operating area and a rear away from the operating area; a generally elliptical reflector located on the rear of the thermally conductive housing; at least one heat pipe; a plurality of color LEDs projecting light toward the elliptical reflector, the plurality of LEDs being in thermal contact with the at least one heat pipe; and an optical light guide for combining light from said LEDs. Another embodiment of the lamp includes at least two user selectable light spectra, one of said spectra providing white light with color temperature in the range 4000° K-6000° K and one spectra having reduced output in the wavelength range 400-500 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie Swayne, H. Thomas Lockamy, Nabil Dagher, Wei Li
  • Patent number: 8096807
    Abstract: An instrumentation delivery unit which supports hand-held dental instruments. In one example first and second housing members form a sealed chamber. When the members are separated, access is permitted to the interior of the chamber, e.g., for maintenance purposes. A first portal suitable for connection to a vacuum line provides a partial vacuum in the chamber, and second portals provide connection via second vacuum lines between the chamber and dental devices to operate the devices. The housing includes hand piece holders each of an initial diametric size for receiving hand pieces up to a maximum diametric dimension, with one of the hand piece holders formed along two adjoining ones of the housing members. The adjoining housing members secure inserts between one another to provide a second diametric size smaller than the initial diametric size to thereby selectably accommodate hand pieces having a smaller diametric dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Benfield, Joe Bria, John Helgesen, Austin Unsworth
  • Patent number: 8070322
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are examination light embodiments. A light having a frame for holding the light has a frontal support member with first and second lateral sides. Disposed on each first and lateral sides are one or more actuators for controlling functionality of the light. A first and second handle are associated with the first and second lateral sides, respectively. The one or more actuators are located proximate to the first and second handles to enable movement and functionality control of the light that requires the use of only one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: Austin Unsworth
  • Patent number: 8016470
    Abstract: An electrically powered light source including a light emitting diode (LED) having variable chromaticity, which is adapted for use in a dental operatory. A dental operatory lamp includes a thermally conductive housing having a front directed toward the operating area and a rear away from the operating area; a generally elliptical reflector located on the rear of the thermally conductive housing; at least one heat pipe; a plurality of color LEDs projecting light toward the elliptical reflector, the plurality of LEDs being in thermal contact with the at least one heat pipe; and an optical light guide for combining light from said LEDs. Another embodiment of the lamp includes at least two user selectable light spectra, one of said spectra providing white light with color temperature in the range 4000° K-6000° K and one spectra having reduced output in the wavelength range 400-500 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Wei Li, Jamie Swayne, Austin E. Unsworth, Nabil Dagher, H. Thomas Lockamy
  • Patent number: 7922138
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dental apparatus having a flexible arm for a dental apparatus. A benefit of the inventive flexible arm is the ability to make fine adjustments in orientation of one end of the arm relative to the other. More specifically, the ability to adjust or optimize the horizontal attitude of a movable end of the arm quickly and easily without resorting to expensive and time consuming remanufacture of the arm components. Adjustment of the end of the arm is accomplished via an adjusting mechanism with a rotatable shaft having an offset pin, where rotation of the shaft caused the pin to translate as defined by the offset of the pin center relative to the shaft center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Benfield, Joe Bria
  • Patent number: 7878471
    Abstract: A unitary support for a flat panel video monitor includes a yoke that may be attached to a back side of the monitor in two or more different orientations, and handles extending from opposite side ends of the yoke. The handles may extend diagonally from the side ends of the yoke, imparting the support with a general appearance of the letter “W.” The yoke is also configured to be secured directly to a coupler at the end of an extension arm. A coupler attachment element of the yoke and a support attachment element of the coupler may have engagement features that are configured complementarily to each other to prevent undesired movement of the support relative to the coupler and the extension arm. The complementary engagement features may also enable attachment of the coupler to the support in two or more discrete orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Austin Everett Unsworth, Gary DeCarr, Nathan Hemmer
  • Patent number: 7871130
    Abstract: A biarticulating headrest having a chair mount adapted for attachment at one end thereof to a back support section of a chair. The headrest includes a base plate on the backside thereof. One or more headrest mounts can be attached to the base plate at a first end thereof. A first axis can be attached to a second end of one or more of the headrest mounts and a second axis can be attached to a second end of the one or more chair mounts. The headrest includes a biarticulating headrest locking mechanism, wherein the positioning assembly is movably engaged to the first axis at a first end and to the second axis at the second end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Fernandes da Silva Netto, Nilton Albano Junge
  • Patent number: 7824202
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dental lamp socket assembly especially adapted for use with dental lamps. The dental lamp socket assembly is configured to dramatically increase the ease at which bulbs can be placed and/or replaced in and out of the socket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Bria, Austin Unsworth
  • Publication number: 20100201176
    Abstract: A biarticulating headrest having a chair mount adapted for attachment at one end thereof to a back support section of a chair. The headrest includes a base plate on the backside thereof. One or more headrest mounts can be attached to the base plate at a first end thereof. A first axis can be attached to a second end of one or more of the headrest mounts and a second axis can be attached to a second end of the one or more chair mounts. The headrest includes a biarticulating headrest locking mechanism, wherein the positioning assembly is movably engaged to the first axis at a first end and to the second axis at the second end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: DENTAL EQUIPMENT, LLC, DBA PELTON & CRANE
    Inventors: Jose Fernandes da Silva Netto, Nilton Albano Junge
  • Patent number: D620628
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: Austin Unsworth
  • Patent number: D622396
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: Austin E. Unsworth
  • Patent number: D622897
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: Austin Unsworth
  • Patent number: RE46086
    Abstract: An instrumentation delivery unit which supports hand-held dental instruments. In one example first and second housing members form a sealed chamber. When the members are separated, access is permitted to the interior of the chamber, e.g., for maintenance purposes. A first portal suitable for connection to a vacuum line provides a partial vacuum in the chamber, and second portals provide connection via second vacuum lines between the chamber and dental devices to operate the devices. The housing includes hand piece holders each of an initial diametric size for receiving hand pieces up to a maximum diametric dimension, with one of the hand piece holders formed along two adjoining ones of the housing members. The adjoining housing members secure inserts between one another to provide a second diametric size smaller than the initial diametric size to thereby selectably accommodate hand pieces having a smaller diametric dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: DENTAL EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Benfield, Joseph James Bria, III, John Paul Helgesen, Austin Unsworth