Patents by Inventor Richard J. Griffiths

Richard J. Griffiths 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: 8591226
    Abstract: An orthodontic device includes a bracket having a body and the body includes external surfaces. An archwire passageway is formed in the body. An aperture extends from one of the external surfaces of the body to the passageway. A pawl is attached to the body and includes stop and cam surfaces which extend into the aperture. An extendable archwire includes an adjustment portion having a locking surface and a loop-spring therein and the adjustment portion is inserted into and through the passageway. The pawl and the locking surface form a ratchet. The cam surface of the pawl interengages the extendable archwire as the extendable archwire is extended through the bracket under the application of force to the extendable archwire. The stop surface of the pawl interengages the locking surface of the adjustment portion of the extendable archwire preventing retraction of the extendable archwire upon discontinuation of the application of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventors: Richard J. Griffith, William Koenig
  • Publication number: 20110111358
    Abstract: An orthodontic device includes a bracket having a body and the body includes external surfaces. An archwire passageway is formed in the body. An aperture extends from one of the external surfaces of the body to the passageway. A pawl is attached to the body and includes stop and cam surfaces which extend into the aperture. An extendable archwire includes an adjustment portion having a locking surface and a loop-spring therein and the adjustment portion is inserted into and through the passageway. The pawl and the locking surface form a ratchet. The cam surface of the pawl interengages the extendable archwire as the extendable archwire is extended through the bracket under the application of force to the extendable archwire. The stop surface of the pawl interengages the locking surface of the adjustment portion of the extendable archwire preventing retraction of the extendable archwire upon discontinuation of the application of force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: RICHARD J. GRIFFITH, WILLIAM KOENIG
  • Patent number: 7871267
    Abstract: An orthodontic device includes a bracket having a body and the body includes external surfaces. An archwire passageway is formed in the body. An aperture extends from one of the external surfaces of the body to the passageway. A pawl is attached to the body and includes stop and cam surfaces which extend into the aperture. An extendable archwire includes an adjustment portion having a locking surface and a loop-spring therein and the adjustment portion is inserted into and through the passageway. The pawl and the locking surface form a ratchet. The cam surface of the pawl interengages the extendable archwire as the extendable archwire is extended through the bracket under the application of force to the extendable archwire. The stop surface of the pawl interengages the locking surface of the adjustment portion of the extendable archwire preventing retraction of the extendable archwire upon discontinuation of the application of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventors: Richard J. Griffith, William Koenig
  • Patent number: 7837466
    Abstract: An orthodontic device includes a bracket having a body and the body includes external surfaces. An archwire passageway is formed in the body. An aperture extends from one of the external surfaces of the body to the passageway. A pawl is attached to the body and includes stop and cam surfaces which extend into the aperture. An extendable archwire includes an adjustment portion having a locking surface and a loop-spring therein and the adjustment portion is inserted into and through the passageway. The pawl and the locking surface form a ratchet. The cam surface of the pawl interengages the extendable archwire as the extendable archwire is extended through the bracket under the application of force to the extendable archwire. The stop surface of the pawl interengages the locking surface of the adjustment portion of the extendable archwire preventing retraction of the extendable archwire upon discontinuation of the application of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventors: Richard J. Griffith, William Koenig
  • Publication number: 20090239189
    Abstract: An orthodontic device includes a bracket having a body and the body includes external surfaces. An archwire passageway is formed in the body. An aperture extends from one of the external surfaces of the body to the passageway. A pawl is attached to the body and includes stop and cam surfaces which extend into the aperture. An extendable archwire includes an adjustment portion having a locking surface and a loop-spring therein and the adjustment portion is inserted into and through the passageway. The pawl and the locking surface form a ratchet. The cam surface of the pawl interengages the extendable archwire as the extendable archwire is extended through the bracket under the application of force to the extendable archwire. The stop surface of the pawl interengages the locking surface of the adjustment portion of the extendable archwire preventing retraction of the extendable archwire upon discontinuation of the application of force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Richard J. GRIFFITH, William Koenig
  • Publication number: 20080248439
    Abstract: An orthodontic device includes a bracket having a body and the body includes external surfaces. An archwire passageway is formed in the body. An aperture extends from one of the external surfaces of the body to the passageway. A pawl is attached to the body and includes stop and cam surfaces which extend into the aperture. An extendable archwire includes an adjustment portion having a locking surface and a loop-spring therein and the adjustment portion is inserted into and through the passageway. The pawl and the locking surface form a ratchet. The cam surface of the pawl interengages the extendable archwire as the extendable archwire is extended through the bracket under the application of force to the extendable archwire. The stop surface of the pawl interengages the locking surface of the adjustment portion of the extendable archwire preventing retraction of the extendable archwire upon discontinuation of the application of force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: RICHARD J. GRIFFITH, William Koenig
  • Publication number: 20030027217
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of diarylsulfonylurea binding proteins (DBPs) as therapeutic targets for agents that suppress the release of inflammatory mediators such as interleukin IL-1 and IL-1&bgr;.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Pfizer Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Gabel, Richard J. Griffiths, James F. Eggler, Mark A. Dombroski, Kieran Geoghegan
  • Patent number: 6461822
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of diarylsulfonylurea binding proteins (DBPs) as therapeutic targets for agents that suppress the release of inflammatory mediators such as interleukin IL-1 and IL-1&bgr;.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Pfizer Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Gabel, Richard J. Griffiths, James F. Eggler, Mark A. Dombroski, Kieran Geoghegan
  • Publication number: 20020034764
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of diarylsulfonylurea binding proteins (DBPs) as therapeutic targets for agents that suppress the release of inflammatory mediators such as interleukin IL-1 and IL-1&bgr;.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER A. GABEL, RICHARD J. GRIFFITHS, JAMES F. EGGLER, MARK A. DOMBROSKI, GEOGHEGAN KIERAN