Patents by Inventor Edwin T. Van Valey

Edwin T. Van Valey 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).

  • Publication number: 20110200962
    Abstract: A dental model baseplate for use in the manufacture of a working dental model. The baseplate includes a connector element to fix a dental model articulator. An apparatus includes a plate portion and an adapter portion extending from the plate portion, the adapter portion configured for connecting to a portion of the dental articulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Edwin T. Van Valey
  • Patent number: 7597555
    Abstract: An extender device connects between the halves of an articulator thereby increasing the width of the articulator while still allowing the articulator to be handled as one piece during its application to the models. In an embodiment, the extender device is of a snap-fit design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Edwin T. Van Valey
  • Patent number: 6773260
    Abstract: A mold for forming a dental model base includes a bottom portion having a rear wall and a side wall at a periphery thereof which extends upwards to define a cavity. The walls have upper edges which define an opening to the cavity. The mold further includes a shaping element for forming a connection element of a pivot mechanism at the dental model base which rotationally mates with a corresponding connection element of the articulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Edwin T. Van Valey
  • Patent number: 6705864
    Abstract: A dental model articulator includes two hinge-jointed arms, each arm having segments connected to a hinge joint having mating elements, one integral to each segment of an arm. One element includes two cymbals that are coaxial on a major hinge axis and concave facing which resiliently capture between them a node of the mating element on the other segment which has the form of opposed, outwardly facing convexities. Multiaxial motion between the segments of each arm is accomodated by the rotation of the convexities of the node within detents at the apices of the cymbals. The extremities of each arm terminate in cylindrical rod-like elements that are parallel to the major hinge axis. The rods engage with transverse, cylindrical channels either cut-in, molded-in or affixed to the models. With the models positioned in centric occlusal relationship and the arms adjacently positioned and engaged, the four rods are adhesively fixed in the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Edwin T. Van Valey
  • Publication number: 20030008261
    Abstract: A dental model articulator includes two hinge-jointed arms, each arm having segments connected to a hinge joint having mating elements, one integral to each segment of an arm. One element includes two cymbals that are coaxial on a major hinge axis and concave facing which resiliently capture between them a node of the mating element on the other segment which has the form of opposed, outwardly facing convexities. Multiaxial motion between the segments of each arm is accomodated by the rotation of the convexities of the node within detents at the apices of the cymbals. The extremities of each arm terminate in cylindrical rod-like elements that are parallel to the major hinge axis. The rods engage with transverse, cylindrical channels either cut-in, molded-in or affixed to the models. With the models positioned in centric occlusal relationship and the arms adjacently positioned and engaged, the four rods are adhesively fixed in the channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventor: Edwin T. Van Valey
  • Patent number: 6499999
    Abstract: A dental model articulator includes two hinge-jointed arms, each arm having segments connected to a hinge joint having mating elements, one integral to each segment of an arm. One element includes two cymbals that are coaxial on a major hinge axis and concave facing which resiliently capture between them a node of the mating element on the other segment which has the form of opposed, outwardly facing convexities. Multiaxial motion between the segments of each arm is accomodated by the rotation of the convexities of the node within detents at the apices of the cymbals. The extremities of each arm terminate in cylindrical rod-like elements that are parallel to the major hinge axis. The rods engage with transverse, cylindrical channels either cut-in, molded-in or affixed to the models. With the models positioned in centric occlusal relationship and the arms adjacently positioned and engaged, the four rods are adhesively fixed in the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Edwin T. Van Valey
  • Patent number: 6402512
    Abstract: A clamp device and method for restraining a hinge joint of a model articulator to single axis vertical hinging motion is disclosed. The hinge joint comprises outwardly facing convexities restrained between elements that incorporate detents to mate with the convexities, the hinging action of the joint provided for by the rotation of the convexities while captured between the detents. The hinge joint further permits functional masticatory protrusive and lateral motions of the dental models articulated by the joint by allowing sliding motion of the convexities outside of the centric position of the detents. The clamp device placed around the joint prevents splaying of the elements of the joint, thereby limiting the functional motions of the joint thus and forcing the joint to a strictly hinging action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Edwin T. Van Valey
  • Publication number: 20020009688
    Abstract: A mold for forming a dental model base includes a bottom portion having a rear wall and a side wall at a periphery thereof which extends upwards to define a cavity. The walls have upper edges which define an opening to the cavity. The mold further includes a shaping element for forming a connection element of a pivot mechanism at the dental model base which rotationally mates with a corresponding connection element of the articulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Edwin T. Van Valey
  • Patent number: 6089863
    Abstract: A flexible mold for forming the base of a dental model includes a cylindrical element which defines a mating element of a pivot mechanism that provides angular adjustment and subsequent fixation of a corresponding connection element of a dental model articulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Edwin T. Van Valey
  • Patent number: 5957688
    Abstract: A dental model articulator includes two hinge-jointed arms, each arm having segments connected at a hinge joint having mating elements, one integral to each segment of an arm. One element includes two cymbals that are coaxial on a major hinge axis and concave facing which resiliently capture between them a node of the mating element on the other segment which has the form of opposed, outwardly facing convexities. Multiaxial motion between the segments of each arm is accommodated by the rotation of the convexities of the node within detents at the apices of the cymbals. The extremities of each arm terminate in cylindrical rod-like elements that are parallel to the major hinge axis. The rods engage with transverse, cylindrical channels either cut-in, molded-in or affixed to the models. With the models positioned in centric occlusal relationship and the arms adjacently positioned and engaged, the four rods are adhesively fixed in the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Edwin T. Van Valey