Abstract: A dental flossing device is characterized by a flossing circuit comprising a floss supply spool and a take-up spool mounted to a housing containing a gear train assembly adapted to rotate the take-up spool in a winding direction. The floss feeds from the supply spool along a pair of prongs forming a forked extension of the handle and is stretched across the forked prongs and appropriately tensioned to be inserted into a user's mouth for flossing. To maintain hygiene, the take-up spool is mounted outside the housing. In a manually operated embodiment, a manually depressible trigger projecting from the housing is operable to rotate the take-up spool with reverse rotation thereof being prevented with a ratchet mechanism. Release of the manually depressible trigger reversely rotates the supply spool through a short arcuate interval to remove slack and then locks the supply spool against unwinding rotation through gear teeth.

Abstract: A dental flossing device is characterized by a flossing circuit comprising a floss supply spool and a take-up spool mounted to a housing containing a gear train assembly adapted to rotate the take-up spool in a winding direction. The floss feeds from the supply spool along a pair of prongs forming a forked extension of the handle and is stretched across the forked prongs and appropriately tensioned to be inserted into a user's mouth for flossing. To maintain hygiene, the take-up spool is mounted outside the housing. In a manually operated embodiment, a manually depressible trigger projecting from the housing is operable to rotate the take-up spool with reverse rotation thereof being prevented with a ratchet mechanism. Release of the manually depressible trigger reversely rotates the supply spool through a short arcuate interval to remove slack and then locks the supply spool against unwinding rotation through gear teeth.

Abstract: An athletic performance measuring device is provided which can be conveniently worn on the user's finger is disclosed. The device can provide a variety of functions such as lap counting and timing. An actuator is provided in the form of a thumb switch, to allow the counter/timer to be held and operated by one hand, without disrupting the athlete's performance.

Abstract: A root canal filler assembly including a single use obturator and a multiple use elongate inserter tool is disclosed. The oburator includes a metallic core and a plasticizable coating, preferably formed of gutta percha. One end of the metallic core extends beyond the plasticizable coating to support a connector assembly. The multiple use inserter tool is removably connectable to the oburator to insert, remove, adjust, and reposition the obturator in a root canal. The inserter tool includes at one end a connector assembly which engages the obturator and at the other end a handle to facilitate manipulation of the assembly by the dentist. The elongate inserter tool may be reused as required, both to remove or reposition a previously inserted obturator and to insert additional obturators in other root canals.A method of filling and sealing a root canal employing the disclosed root canal filler assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A root canal filler assembly including a single use obturator and a multiple use elongate inserter tool is disclosed. The oburator includes a metallic core and a plasticizable coating, preferably formed of gutta percha. One end of the metallic core extends beyond the plasticizable coating to support a connector assembly. The multiple use inserter tool is removably connectable to the oburator to insert, remove, adjust, and reposition the obturator in a root canal. The inserter tool includes at one end a connector assembly which engages the obturator and at the other end a handle to facilitate manipulation of the assembly by the dentist. The elongate inserter tool may be reused as required, both to remove or reposition a previously inserted obturator and to insert additional obturators in other root canals.A method of filling and sealing a root canal employing the disclosed root canal filler assembly is also provided.