Abstract: A cable reel that has at least one support frame having an outwardly extending braking gear member, the outwardly extending gear member being located off-center on the frame; a first flange having a central opening and a first hub portion surrounding the central opening, the central opening having an internal braking gear member engaging the outwardly extending gear member of the frame, thereby rotatably coupling the at least one support frame and the first flange; and a second flange opposing the first flange, the second flange having a second hub portion, the first and second hub portions being configured to mate with one another to support cable, wherein the engagement of the gear members providing a friction for cable payoff.

Abstract: A method of installing cable on a cable reel that has the steps of providing a cable reel that includes first and second opposing flanges, the first flange having a first hub portion and the second flange having a second hub portion, the first hub portion being longer than the second hub portion, the first hub portion having a plurality of flexible segments; placing a cable coil over the first hub portion and on the first flange so that the first hub portion extends through the cable coil; and inserting the second hub portion inside of the first hub portion, thereby expanding the flexible segments so that flexible segments engage the cable coil.

Abstract: A cable reel that has first and second opposing flanges. The first flange has a first hub portion and the second flange has a second hub portion. The first and second hub portions are axial aligned and configured to mate with one another to support cable. The first hub portion includes an elongated wall extends from the first flange. The elongated wall is sized to support cable. The elongated wall defines an inner area that is configured to accept the second hub portion. The elongated wall includes a plurality of flexible segments. The second hub portion includes a truncated wall that is receivable in the inner area of the first hub portion. The truncated wall includes a tapered outer surface for engaging and expanding the plurality of flexible segments.

Abstract: A method of installing cable on a cable reel that has the steps of providing a cable reel that includes first and second opposing flanges, the first flange having a first hub portion and the second flange having a second hub portion, the first hub portion being longer than the second hub portion, the first hub portion having a plurality of flexible segments; placing a cable coil over the first hub portion and on the first flange so that the first hub portion extends through the cable coil; and inserting the second hub portion inside of the first hub portion, thereby expanding the flexible segments so that flexible segments engage the cable coil.

Abstract: A cable reel that has at least one support frame having an outwardly extending braking gear member, the outwardly extending gear member being located off-center on the frame; a first flange having a central opening and a first hub portion surrounding the central opening, the central opening having an internal braking gear member engaging the outwardly extending gear member of the frame, thereby rotatably coupling the at least one support frame and the first flange; and a second flange opposing the first flange, the second flange having a second hub portion, the first and second hub portions being configured to mate with one another to support cable, wherein the engagement of the gear members providing a friction for cable payoff.

Abstract: A cable reel that has first and second opposing flanges. The first flange has a first hub portion and the second flange has a second hub portion. The first and second hub portions are axial aligned and configured to mate with one another to support cable. The first hub portion includes an elongated wall extends from the first flange. The elongated wall is sized to support cable. The elongated wall defines an inner area that is configured to accept the second hub portion. The elongated wall includes a plurality of flexible segments. The second hub portion includes a truncated wall that is receivable in the inner area of the first hub portion. The truncated wall includes a tapered outer surface for engaging and expanding the plurality of flexible segments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotating spindle assembly for a dental handpiece and a hollow cylindrical collet thereof to apply a variable gripping force by which to reliably retain a dental workpiece (e.g., a bur) and thereby prevent the bur from flying out of the collet when the bur is rotated at high speeds during a dental procedure. The collet includes a pair of collet members that are divided (i.e., spaced from one another) by a pair of longitudinally extending slots that are machined into opposite sides of the cylindrical collet. The pair of collet members are pivotally connected to one another at solid pivot junctions that are located in the pairs of slots.

Abstract: A support structure for a turbine motor for use in a dental handpiece includes a pair of resilient rings to capture and limit rotation of an outer race of a bearing supporting a rotor of the turbine motor. The turbine motor is supported by first and second bearing assemblies, the first bearing assembly being proximate a dental tool and the second bearing assembly being distal the dental tool. The pair of rings are preferably located on the first bearing assembly, but optionally could be located on only the second bearing assembly or on both first and second bearing assemblies. The support structure further includes a resilient spacer ring located on the second bearing assembly to provide axial pre-load to the bearing assemblies.

Abstract: A dental handpiece to releasably retain a workpiece (e.g. a dental bur) that is used to treat the teeth of a patient. The workpiece is clamped within a hollow collet between a pair of flexible clamping fingers having a spring-like memory. A collet actuator is arranged in spaced axial alignment with the collet. Both the collet and collet actuator are surrounded by a cylindrical spindle. An axial pushing force applied to a push-button of the handpiece causes the collet actuator to slide through the spindle towards the collet. A pair of wedge-shaped tips having an angle of approximately 22 degrees are carried by the collet actuator into the hollow collet to stress the pair of flexible clamping fingers thereof Accordingly, the clamping fingers are rotated outwardly and away from one another through a stroke gap so as to be moved into contact with the spindle, whereby the workpiece is released for removal from the collet.

Abstract: A compact apparatus and effective method for the cold sterilization and lubrication of a dental handpiece. By virtue of the present invention, a dental handpiece may be sterilized in a relatively short time without exposing the turbine assembly thereof to possible degradation, as has heretofore been caused by conventional methods of sterilization which utilize either high temperature or harmful chemicals. A unique pneumatic pump is described for pumping a supply of liquid sterilant through the interior of the handpiece and past the turbine assembly for destroying harmful bacteria. Next, a supply of water is pumped through the handpiece to flush away any sterilant residue. Lastly, a supply of turbine oil is passed through the handpiece to lubricate the turbine assembly and the components (e.g. bearings) thereof.

Abstract: A pneumatic-hydraulic proportional valve actuator system is provided having a relatively simple and adjustable means of achieving two stroking speeds by the hydraulic actuator, high speed in normal operation and low speed for small position adjustments and for the final part of any large position adjustments. This prevents overshoot and instability of the actuator.

Abstract: A pneumatic-hydraulic proportional valve actuator system is provided having a relatively simple and adjustable means of achieving two stroking speeds by the hydraulic actuator, high speed in normal operation and low speed for small position adjustments and for the final part of any large position adjustments. This prevents overshoot and instability of the actuator.