Patents by Inventor Tom Benfield
Tom Benfield 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).
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Publication number: 20150062957Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved dental operatory lamp having an LED light source that directs light to a reflector that in turn reflects the light to illuminate a treatment area. In one embodiment, the lamp is adapted for efficient transfer of heat from the light source and into the environment. In another embodiment, the lamp is adapted to generate a predetermined pattern of light optimal for the treatment area. In other embodiments, the lamp includes structural features that enable the lamp to maintain optimum light intensity and/or temperature. Also, disclosed herein are unique reflector embodiments that intentionally provide a generally smooth surface, without facets, that reflect light at all visible and infrared wavelengths.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Joe Bria, H. Thomas Lockamy, Robert St. Louis, John Helgesen, Nabil Dagher, Ted Von Badinski, Tom Benfield, Austin Unsworth, Nathan Hemmer
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Patent number: 8931942Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved dental operatory lamp having an LED light source that directs light to a reflector that in turn reflects the light to illuminate a treatment area. In one embodiment, the lamp is adapted for efficient transfer of heat from the light source and into the environment. In another embodiment, the lamp is adapted to generate a predetermined pattern of light optimal for the treatment area. In other embodiments, the lamp includes structural features that enable the lamp to maintain optimum light intensity and/or temperature. Also, disclosed herein are unique reflector embodiments that intentionally provide a generally smooth surface, without facets, that reflect light at all visible and infrared wavelengths.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLCInventors: Joe Bria, H. Thomas Lockamy, Robert St. Louis, John Helgesen, Nabil Dagher, Ted Von Badinski, Tom Benfield, Austin Unsworth, Nathan Hemmer
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Patent number: 8814408Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved dental operatory lamp having an LED light source that directs light to a reflector that in turn reflects the light to illuminate a treatment area. In one embodiment, the lamp is adapted for efficient transfer of heat from the light source and into the environment. In another embodiment, the lamp is adapted to generate a predetermined pattern of light optimal for the treatment area. In other embodiments, the lamp includes structural features that enable the lamp to maintain optimum light intensity and/or temperature. Also, disclosed herein are unique reflector embodiments that intentionally provide a generally smooth surface, without facets, that reflect light at all visible and infrared wavelengths.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLCInventors: Joe Bria, H. Thomas Lockamy, Robert St. Louis, John Helgesen, Nabil Dagher, Ted Von Badinski, Tom Benfield, Austin Unsworth, Nathan Hemmer
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Publication number: 20130343080Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved dental operatory lamp having an LED light source that directs light to a reflector that in turn reflects the light to illuminate a treatment area. In one embodiment, the lamp is adapted for efficient transfer of heat from the light source and into the environment. In another embodiment, the lamp is adapted to generate a predetermined pattern of light optimal for the treatment area. In other embodiments, the lamp includes structural features that enable the lamp to maintain optimum light intensity and/or temperature. Also, disclosed herein are unique reflector embodiments that intentionally provide a generally smooth surface, without facets, that reflect light at all visible and infrared wavelengths.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: Joe Bria, H. Thomas Lockamy, Robert St. Louis, John Helgesen, Nabil Dagher, Ted Von Badinski, Tom Benfield, Austin Unsworth, Nathan Hemmer
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Patent number: 8459852Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved dental operatory lamp having an LED light source that directs light to a reflector that in turn reflects the light to illuminate a treatment area. In one embodiment, the lamp is adapted for efficient transfer of heat from the light source and into the environment. In another embodiment, the lamp is adapted to generate a predetermined pattern of light optimal for the treatment area. In other embodiments, the lamp includes structural features that enable the lamp to maintain optimum light intensity and/or temperature. Also, disclosed herein are unique reflector embodiments that intentionally provide a generally smooth surface, without facets, that reflect light at all visible and infrared wavelengths.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLCInventors: Joe Bria, H. Thomas Lockamy, Robert St. Louis, John Helgesen, Nabil Dagher, Ted Von Badinski, Tom Benfield, Austin Unsworth, Nathan Hemmer
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Patent number: 8096807Abstract: An instrumentation delivery unit which supports hand-held dental instruments. In one example first and second housing members form a sealed chamber. When the members are separated, access is permitted to the interior of the chamber, e.g., for maintenance purposes. A first portal suitable for connection to a vacuum line provides a partial vacuum in the chamber, and second portals provide connection via second vacuum lines between the chamber and dental devices to operate the devices. The housing includes hand piece holders each of an initial diametric size for receiving hand pieces up to a maximum diametric dimension, with one of the hand piece holders formed along two adjoining ones of the housing members. The adjoining housing members secure inserts between one another to provide a second diametric size smaller than the initial diametric size to thereby selectably accommodate hand pieces having a smaller diametric dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLCInventors: Tom Benfield, Joe Bria, John Helgesen, Austin Unsworth
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Patent number: 7922138Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dental apparatus having a flexible arm for a dental apparatus. A benefit of the inventive flexible arm is the ability to make fine adjustments in orientation of one end of the arm relative to the other. More specifically, the ability to adjust or optimize the horizontal attitude of a movable end of the arm quickly and easily without resorting to expensive and time consuming remanufacture of the arm components. Adjustment of the end of the arm is accomplished via an adjusting mechanism with a rotatable shaft having an offset pin, where rotation of the shaft caused the pin to translate as defined by the offset of the pin center relative to the shaft center.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLCInventors: Tom Benfield, Joe Bria
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Publication number: 20100227292Abstract: Disclosed is a dental chair and accessory unit that includes an adjustable support device that can be quickly and easily configured for either left hand or right hand operation and requires a minimum of valuable office floor space without resorting to expensive and time consuming disassembly and reassembly of the support device while providing a secure and stable support for the DAU. Also disclosed is a DAU with an adjustable support device as described above, configured for retrofit to an existing dental chair.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2009Publication date: September 9, 2010Inventor: Tom Benfield
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Publication number: 20100203465Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved dental operatory lamp having an LED light source that directs light to a reflector that in turn reflects the light to illuminate a treatment area. In one embodiment, the lamp is adapted for efficient transfer of heat from the light source and into the environment. In another embodiment, the lamp is adapted to generate a predetermined pattern of light optimal for the treatment area. In other embodiments, the lamp includes structural features that enable the lamp to maintain optimum light intensity and/or temperature. Also, disclosed herein are unique reflector embodiments that intentionally provide a generally smooth surface, without facets, that reflect light at all visible and infrared wavelengths.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Joe Bria, H. Thomas Lockamy, Robert St. Louis, John Helgesen, Nabil Dagher, Ted Von Badinski, Tom Benfield, Austin Unsworth, Nathan Hemmer
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Publication number: 20100190131Abstract: Disclosed is a dental utility system for managing dental utilities, including a dental utility housing, a dental delivery assembly base fixed to the front side of the dental utility housing, and a dental delivery assembly main arm horizontally pivotably connected to the dental delivery assembly base and which permits vertical movement of a dental delivery assembly main arm distal end. The dental delivery assembly base and a dental delivery assembly base cover define a dental utility housing utility pathway that directs dental utilities from the dental utility platform to the dental delivery assembly main arm. Also included are a dental utility platform, and a dental utility platform extendable mount. The dental utility platform extendable mount permits the dental utility platform to be positioned anywhere along a continuous range of positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2009Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventors: Tom Benfield, Joe Bria, John Helgesen, Austin Unsworth
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Publication number: 20100159415Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dental rear delivery unit for providing an increased range of positioning of a doctor's hand piece delivery head and an assistant's instrument work delivery head at a head end of a dental chair.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Tom Benfield, Joe Bria
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Publication number: 20100129770Abstract: An instrumentation delivery unit which supports hand-held dental instruments. In one example first and second housing members form a sealed chamber. When the members are separated, access is permitted to the interior of the chamber, e.g., for maintenance purposes. A first portal suitable for connection to a vacuum line provides a partial vacuum in the chamber, and second portals provide connection via second vacuum lines between the chamber and dental devices to operate the devices. The housing includes hand piece holders each of an initial diametric size for receiving hand pieces up to a maximum diametric dimension, with one of the hand piece holders formed along two adjoining ones of the housing members. The adjoining housing members secure inserts between one another to provide a second diametric size smaller than the initial diametric size to thereby selectably accommodate hand pieces having a smaller diametric dimensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Tom Benfield, Joe Bria, John Helgesen, Austin Unsworth
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Publication number: 20100092917Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dental apparatus having a flexible arm for a dental apparatus. A benefit of the inventive flexible arm is the ability to make fine adjustments in orientation of one end of the arm relative to the other. More specifically, the ability to adjust or optimize the horizontal attitude of a movable end of the arm quickly and easily without resorting to expensive and time consuming remanufacture of the arm components. Adjustment of the end of the arm is accomplished via an adjusting mechanism with a rotatable shaft having an offset pin, where rotation of the shaft caused the pin to translate as defined by the offset of the pin center relative to the shaft center.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2008Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Tom Benfield, Joe Bria
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Publication number: 20100061798Abstract: Disclosed herein is an articulated arm (60) of a dental examination light having a pivot bearing (20) with an adjustable resistance feature. The pivot bearing (20) includes a split bushing (40) with first and second edges (42, 48) is mounted in a channel (28) in an interior diameter (23) of a housing (22). A ramp (30) forms an end of the channel. An axle (24) is rotatably mounted in the bushing. A setscrew (36) is mounted in the housing tangentially to the bushing. A cutout (46) in the bushing receives a portion of the setscrew. Turning the setscrew pushes a front end of the setscrew against an abutment (47) of the bushing, pushing the first edge of the bushing into the ramp, which redirects the first end of the bushing radially inward against the axle when the setscrew is tightened, thus providing bearing resistance adjustment. The tangential orientation of the setscrew minimizes housing thickness required for the setscrew.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Inventors: Austin Unsworth, Tom Benfield
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Patent number: D606200Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Dental Equipment, LLCInventors: Austin Unsworth, Tom Benfield
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Patent number: RE46086Abstract: An instrumentation delivery unit which supports hand-held dental instruments. In one example first and second housing members form a sealed chamber. When the members are separated, access is permitted to the interior of the chamber, e.g., for maintenance purposes. A first portal suitable for connection to a vacuum line provides a partial vacuum in the chamber, and second portals provide connection via second vacuum lines between the chamber and dental devices to operate the devices. The housing includes hand piece holders each of an initial diametric size for receiving hand pieces up to a maximum diametric dimension, with one of the hand piece holders formed along two adjoining ones of the housing members. The adjoining housing members secure inserts between one another to provide a second diametric size smaller than the initial diametric size to thereby selectably accommodate hand pieces having a smaller diametric dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: DENTAL EQUIPMENT, LLCInventors: Tom Benfield, Joseph James Bria, III, John Paul Helgesen, Austin Unsworth