Patents by Inventor Donald E. Fratz

Donald E. Fratz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8882497
    Abstract: An appliance and methods are described that include embodiments of a mandibular advancement or positioning device which can use elastic bands to pull the jaw forward. The appliance has an upper plastic tray conforming to the patient's upper teeth and including a set of retention hooks coupled to the upper plastic tray via being encased in plastic, one on the right and one on the left anterior buccal portion of an upper plastic base. The appliance also has a lower plastic tray conforming to the patient's lower teeth and has a set of bite pads integrated with a second set of plastic retention hooks encased in plastic extending outwardly from the tooth. The appliance includes the upper and lower plastic trays and specially formed elastic bands of a plurality of lengths and strengths replaceably attached to the retention hooks on both sides of the trays to pull the mandible forward for treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Frantz, Donald E. Fratz
  • Publication number: 20120295211
    Abstract: An appliance and methods are described that include embodiments of a mandibular advancement or positioning device which can use elastic bands to pull the jaw forward. The appliance has an upper plastic tray conforming to the patient's upper teeth and including a set of retention hooks coupled to the upper plastic tray via being encased in plastic, one on the right and one on the left anterior buccal portion of an upper plastic base. The appliance also has a lower plastic tray conforming to the patient's lower teeth and has a set of bite pads integrated with a second set of plastic retention hooks encased in plastic extending outwardly from the tooth. The appliance includes the upper and lower plastic trays and specially formed elastic bands of a plurality of lengths and strengths replaceably attached to the retention hooks on both sides of the trays to pull the mandible forward for treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: FRANTZ DESIGN, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Frantz, Donald E. Fratz