Patents by Inventor William G. Willits

William G. Willits 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: 5376005
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a partial denture that includes a series of artificial teeth along with an opening formed on a ridge portion of the denture for allowing existing teeth to extend therethrough. In a preferred embodiment the partial denture is basically comprised of a relatively hard acrylic material. Around the opening formed in the ridge there is provided a relatively soft material and this includes an elastic strip that is formed in the partial denture adjacent the opening formed in the ridge for existing teeth. The elastic strip is molded adjacent the ridge opening and is particularly integrally molded with the relatively hard acrylic material that forms a substantial part of the partial denture. To assure a secure connection between the elastic retainer strip and the relatively hard acrylic material, there is provided a generally curved S-shaped molded joint between each end of the elastic retainer strip and the relatively hard acrylic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Lab One Enterprises, L.C.
    Inventors: William G. Willits, Thomas P. Schmitt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5364269
    Abstract: The present invention entails a partial denture that is basically constructed of a relatively hard acrylic material and includes a series of artificial teeth implanted along the ridge of the denture. The denture is particularly designed for a certain patient and is provided with at least one existing tooth opening for accommodating certain existing teeth of the patient. Formed about the buccal flange area of the denture and adjacent the existing tooth opening is an elastic retainer strip that is integrally molded with the relatively hard acrylic material of the denture. This elastic retainer strip engages the patient's gum in front of the existing teeth that project through the opening in the denture. On the opposite side of the existing tooth opening and opposite the elastic retainer strip there is provided a metal filler panel that is also bonded or integrally molded with the relatively hard acrylic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Lab One Enterprises, L.C.
    Inventors: William G. Willits, Thomas P. Schmitt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4764115
    Abstract: The present invention entails a partial denture formed of a relatively hard acrylic material. Molded into a selected portion of the denture is an area of relatively soft material. A teeth opening is formed in the soft material, the opening being at least slightly elongated to receive at least two successive existing teeth of the subject. Forming a part of the soft material and the existing teeth opening is an elastic retainer strip that engages the gum area of the subject adjacent the existing teeth. The elastic retainer strip engages or grips the subject's gum, resulting in the partial denture being secured within the subject's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Denture Clinic, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Willits, Thomas T. Schmitt