Patents by Inventor Jeff Smithers

Jeff Smithers 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: 6257887
    Abstract: A dental hand instrument comprises an elongated handle formed of a thermosetting plastic and a metal working tip inserted into an end of the handle. The handle may be a multi-part assembly with replaceable working tip end sections. The handle has a bore provided in the end to accommodate a shank end of the tip. The handle and the tip are subjected to heat treatment to partially melt a portion of the thermosetting plastic adjacent to the shank end to bind the shank in solid plastic-to-metal contact along the shank end. The shank end of the tip is provided with a non slip surface that is encompassed and embedded in the thermosetting plastic so that the tip will not turn during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: American Eagle Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad B. Heckerman, Russ Jenkins, Dennis Meuchels, Jeff Smithers