Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide haptic button assemblies in which the haptic button has a low profile while still providing a satisfying tactile response or sensation to a user. Advantageously, the haptic button assemblies may have a profile that, for example, enables the assembly to be incorporated into the free space along an edge of a portable computing device. The haptic assemblies may, for example, be arranged to move the button perpendicularly with respect to the edge of the device.

Abstract: A fixing structure of a dental handpiece has a transmission assembly for connecting a handpiece head, a positioning sleeve sleeved onto the transmission assembly and having a positioning member thereon, and a casing composed of a front casing and a rear casing. The front casing is sleeved onto the positioning sleeve. The rear casing is detachably connected to one end of the front casing. The front casing is provided with a push member. The push member is inserted inwardly to lean against the positioning member for the positioning member to be tightly pressed against an outer circumferential surface of the transmission assembly so that the front casing, the positioning sleeve and the transmission assembly are fixed and connected together.

Abstract: A known rotary tool holder (10) comprises a rotary tool gripper (11) and a non-rotary part (16) presenting a flat front wall (18), the rotary tool gripper projecting from the flat front wall and comprising a shaft segment (15) having two shaft flats (12, 13). A kit to assist in the manual change of a tool from such a rotary tool holder comprises a forked holding element (20) provided with two fingers (22, 23) that are suitable to be fitted by their inside on the two shaft flats, and a locking plate (30) that comprises a recess (31) and is suitable to be fixedly mounted on the front wall with the recess facing it, said recess being configured to house the two fingers fitted on the two shaft flats when the locking plate is mounted on the front wall, the recess extending across the locking plate and being delimited by two steps (32, 33) against which the two fingers can be fitted by their outside.

Abstract: A clamping device for a dental tool in a dental turbine handpiece having at least one clamping lever that is supported in a fulcrum and that extends along the axis of a tool shank to be clamped, wherein the clamping lever is designed and arranged such that the tool shank can be clamped using the clamping lever and that on rotation of the clamping device, through the effect of the centrifugal force, the clamping lever is radially deflected about the virtual fulcrum, so as to increase the clamping force acting on the tool shank.

Abstract: A hand-held instrument, for dental or surgical use, intended to rotate a rectilinear detachable tool (13) includes a tubular sheath (1); a hollow shaft (3) rotatably mounted inside the sheath with an upstream portion (5) and a downstream portion (6) which in turn includes an upstream portion (11) partially clamped around the upstream portion (5) of the shaft and a downstream portion (12) of which the inside diameter substantially matches the outside diameter of the tool (13); a clamp (14) rigidly rotationally connected to the shaft (3) but movable along the axis thereof, which clamp is placed inside and concentric with the upstream portion (5) of the shaft; and elements for moving the clamp (14) longitudinally so that the jaws (17) thereof penetrate under the upstream portion (5) of the shaft (3) thereby gripping the tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved dental tool drive arrangement for a handpiece with a drive head, the tool drive arrangement permitting length adjustment of the tool in the drive head by concentrically supporting the tool in the drive head at any position from a fully inserted position to a maximum retracted position. The tool drive arrangement preferably includes a tool and a rotatable tool supporting element for concentrically supporting the tool from the fully inserted to the maximum retracted position, the tool preferably including a maximum retraction indicator for indicating to a user when the tool has been retracted to the maximum retraction position. This provides a significant advantage over the prior art by allowing a user to adjust the exposed length of a rotatable tool, preferably a dental bur, without exceeding safe operating limits.

Abstract: A motor element for a dental medical handpiece or a motor spindle has an elongated shank, rotatably mounted in which there is a drive shaft and a longitudinally-extending rod, a tool-holder for a tool within the rod, and a disconnectable coupling between the rod and the tool-holder. A locking element secures the coupling to prevent the coupling from becoming disconnected from the elongated shank. The locking/unlocking of the coupling is effected by a relative movement between the tool-holder and the tool.

Abstract: In the case of a motor element, in particular of dental technical handpiece or a motor spindle, which at least in its front region has an elongated shank, rotatably mounted in which there is a hollow drive shaft, arranged in whose front end region there is a collet chuck for a tool that is connected in its rear end region by means of a coupling to a rod that extends towards the rear and is pretensioned towards the rear or towards the front by means of the force of a spring and can be displaced towards the front or towards the rear against the force of the spring by means of an actuating mechanism, with the spring being stayed on the draw rod towards the rear and being stayed against an inner first shoulder of the drive shaft towards the front, arranged at the front end region of the spring there is at least one supporting element that is elastically pretensioned radially outwards and springs out behind the shoulder when the draw rod is pushed with the spring from the front into the drive shaft, and the suppor

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for locking a dental instrument having a rotating spindle, formed by a hollow spindle and adapted to receive the head of an instrument, and a locking spring formed by a lower ring extending on a common side by two branches or a plurality of elastic branches. Each branch is provided with a pin engaged in an annular groove provided in the head of the instrument. There is a push-button having, in its underside, a central conical pressure head adapted to space apart radially the branches of the locking spring to release the pins from the annular groove of the instrument. The locking branches are housed in the slots provided in the rotary spindle to lock in rotation the spring relative to the rotary spindle, the spring being moreover maintained axially between the push-button and a shoulder of the rotary spindle.

Abstract: In a hand held piece for dental or surgical use comprising a resilient clamp (20) for holding the cylindrical shank (16) of a tool, the height of the head (3) of the piece can be reduced owing to an inverted arrangement of the clamp in relation to the arrangement of the prior art. The clamp is slideably mounted in a hollow shaft (6), its flexible jaws (31) being directed forwards to enter into contact with a loosening sleeve (19) fixed in a front end of the shaft, i.e. on the tool side. The clamp is longitudinally connected to a pusher (22) manually activated by the operator for opening the clamp. A snap fit device (28) offers a higher initial resistance to movement of the clamp than the standard minimum axial pull force of the tool.

Abstract: A press-type bit-holding mechanism of a dental high-speed handset, including a hollow rotary shaft, a push button accommodated in the hollow rotary shaft and a holder barrel also accommodated in the hollow rotary shaft. The push button has a first coupling section formed with two opposite splits and two opposite first projecting posts. The first projecting posts and the splits are interlaced with each other. The holder barrel has a second coupling section has two second splits and two second projecting posts complementary to the first splits and the first projecting posts of the first coupling section of the first coupling section of the push button.

Abstract: At the front, a handpiece (1) has a clamp (10) fitted to tightly grip the shank of a removable tool housed in guide holes (23, 25). The clamp has two or more levers (26) attached to an annular section (22) of the clamp by elastic joints (27), each of which has a gripping jaw (20) to grip the tool shank. On each lever, the gripping jaw (20) is located much closer to the joint (27) than to a supporting surface, on which a tightening mechanism (17) exerts a centripetal force so that the lever multiplies this force. The tightening mechanism preferably has a sliding sleeve (40) having a conical inside surface (44), which produces the force at the levers of the clamp by means of balls (45) housed in the holes of a hollow rotatable shaft (11).

Abstract: A manual chuck includes a turbine having a centrally disposed aperture and a spindle including an elongated shaft portion positionable into the aperture in a substantially vertical direction. The spindle further includes a head portion integral with the shaft portion and a centrally disposed aperture formed therein and extending substantially vertically and downwardly through the shaft portion. The chuck function includes a locking member substantially aligned with the spindle aperture and for allowing the chuck to be rotated between predetermined locked and unlocked positions. The chuck further includes a cap for causing the spindle and the locking member to rotate respectively and a plurality of flexible washers disposed between the cap and the locking member.

Abstract: A dental handpiece is disclosed, which includes a tool holder for receiving and detachably holding a dental treatment tool therein, and a tubular compressor disposed around the tool holder. The tubular compressor has a flared inner surface along a portion of its length. The tool holder and the tubular compressor are relatively slidable with respect to each other between tool holding and releasing positions. The tool holder has a plurality of integral presser tongues. Each of the presser tongues is partially separate from the tool holder with a slit to have a free tip and a connecting root with a reduced thickness. The flared inner surface of the tubular compressor elastically urges the tongues into pressure contact with the dental treatment tool to securely hold the tool in position, when the tool holder and the tubular compressor are in the tool holding position.

Abstract: A dental handpiece is disclosed, which includes a tool holder for receiving and detachably holding a dental treatment tool therein, and a tubular compressor disposed around the tool holder. The tubular compressor has a flared inner surface along a portion of its length. The tool holder and the tubular compressor are relatively slidable with respect to each other between tool holding and releasing positions. The tool holder has a plurality of integral presser tongues. Each of the presser tongues is partially separate from the tool holder with a slit to have a free tip and a connecting root with a reduced thickness. The flared inner surface of the tubular compressor elastically urges the tongues into pressure contact with the dental treatment tool to securely hold the tool in position, when the tool holder and the tubular compressor are in the tool holding position.

Abstract: A chuck having a pair of opposed clamp pads, each pad engaging a tool shank at sharp corners along a pair of angularly-spaced lines of contact. Tapered outer surfaces on the clamp pads are crowned to engage a cooperating taper on a sleeve at the midpoint between the opposite ends of a pad. The clamp pads are carried by a guide bushing that reciprocates within a shaft bore to provide movement of the clamp pads inwardly or outwardly.

Abstract: A resecting tool contains a rotatable chuck inside a base for engaging the drive shaft of a motor. The chuck extends into a tubular casing that has an outer actuator sleeve. The sleeve is limited to rotation relative to the casing and is used to move a pair of locking elements or balls in separate helical slots in the casing. Each ball is seated in a collar that abuts a collet receiver inside the casing. During implement changeover, the collar abuts the collet receiver and acts as a brake to prevent accidental actuation of the chuck of the tool. The collet receiver is spring-biased into contact with a first collet which closely receives a tool implement within the resecting tool. The sleeve is used to manipulate the collet to clamp onto and unclamp the tool implement. A collet coupling is located on the front end of the casing and has a collet nut on its forward end. The collet nut houses a second collet with a serpentine cut for engaging and retaining a guide sleeve for supporting the tool implement.

Abstract: The grip chuck spindle assembly is used to hold burs and drills in dental high speed handpieces. The grip chuck spindle assembly consists of three parts. An outer spindle which is hollow having three different diameter bores and a outer diameter sized to receive press fitted bearings and an impeller. A clamping bushing at the bur end of the spindle which has two bores one to freely accept burs and drills and a smaller bore at the end with longitudinal slots that run into a tear drop hole which together form the two clamping fingers. The third part is a plunger with one wedge shape end which engages the clamping bushing slots, and when pressure is applied to the plunger the wedge spreads the end of the clamping bushing open to allow removal or insertion of a bur or drill. The entire assembly is held together by the bur end, i.e., the larger bore end, of the spindle being crimped closed.

Abstract: A head assembly for a medical handpiece includes a head housing and a rotor spindle contained in the housing. The spindle defines a longitudinal through-bore with an internal screw thread. An adjustable chuck is received within the through-bore of the spindle and has a complementary external screw thread adapted for mating with the internal thread of the spindle. The chuck has a top opening forming a keyway and a bottom opening adapted for receiving and holding a bur. A chuck key is attached to the housing, and includes a hand grip at its top end for being manipulated by a user and a chuck engaging bottom end. The chuck key is axially moveable between an operative position and an inoperative position. Upon rotation of the chuck key in the operative position, the chuck threadably moves relative to the spindle to an open position for receiving and removing the bur.

Abstract: A clamping device for clamping a rodlike member to a housing, particularly a dental tool to a handpiece, includes a tapered sleeve and a tapered collet received within the tapered sleeve, both having open ends for receiving the rodlike member. A depressible button is engageable with the closed end of the tapered collet to move the collet outwardly of the tapered sleeve, thereby to expand the tapered collet and to permit removal or insertion of the rodlike member. Several improved versions are also described including an annular seal carried by the open end of the tapered sleeve, a coiled spring urging the tapered collet inwardly of the tapered sleeve, an air bearing rotatably mounting an air turbine and the tapered sleeve, etc.

Abstract: A high speed air-driven powerhead in a dental handpiece includes an automatic chuck with outside surfaces protection from overheating. An autochuck release push button on the back of the powerhead is constructed of low thermal conductivity and heat reflective materials to reduce heat due to friction from inadvertent contact with the chuck while rotating. In addition, a sudden stop mechanism is provided which arrests chuck rotation if the force of contact exceeds a level which would raise the temperature of the push button beyond a predetermined threshold. A vortex air barrier is also provided to seal the front end bearing of the powerhead. The barrier also permits spacing which prevents static axial overload of the bearing and eliminates possible damage to the bearing.

Abstract: A dental instrument holder (10) comprises a clamping sleeve (28) having two cylindrical annular closed bearing regions (50, 52) axially spaced apart is arranged in the driven hollow shaft (22) accommodating the dental instrument. A spring-loaded clamping region (56) is located between these cylindrical bearing regions (52, 54), which clamping region preferably has two spring tongues (62, 64) partitioned by a U-shaped incision or indent (58, 60) from the clamping sleeve (28). The clamping sleeve (28) and the structural part (22) adjacent thereto may execute a relative axial movement between two positions: in the first, the clamping position, the elastically spring-loaded clamping region (56) of the clamping sleeve (28) is pressed radially inwards by a conical actuating surface (70) provided on the structural part (22).

Abstract: A chucking device for a dental tool in a dental handpiece or angle head includes a clamping sleeve with resilient tongues. The resilient tongues of the clamping sleeve are arranged at a distance from each of the two ends of the clamping sleeve. On the side on which an actuating member for the resilient tongues is provided, the internal width of the clamping sleeve is greater than the external diameter of the tools to be used. The actuating member for the resilient tongues is an essentially tubular member whose external diameter corresponds to the internal width of the clamping sleeve and whose internal diameter corresponds to the external diameter of the tools to be used.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a collet chuck in which a chuck section of a collet is so formed as to provide a greater chucking force when the collet chuck is turned. To accomplish this object, a collet chuck is provided in which a collet mounted on the axis of rotation of a rotating element which rotates in one direction, and having a chuck section which is guided for closing by a guide section of a retainer which is interposed between the rotating element and the collet and moves on the axis of rotation, is adapted to hold a member to be chucked by inserting into an insertion hole of the collet, and the chuck section of the collet is formed in a spiral configuration having a plurality of slits cut from one end of the retainer side and in the opposite direction of rotation along the direction of the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A dental cutting tool holder which prevents the occurrence of sliding between the cutting tool and collet chuck at high-speed rotation, and prevents dislocation of the cutting tool securely, comprising a collet chuck into which a dental cutting tool is inserted detachably, and which comprises a right cylindrical section and a plurality of arc-section segments which are contiguous to the cylindrical section and divided in a circumferential direction; a rotor into which the collet chuck is inserted, and which is driven for rotation around the axis of rotation together with the collet chuck; and a clamping member which intervenes between the collet chuck and the rotor to press the respective segments inward in a radial direction by its displacement toward one end of the axis relative to the collet chuck while releasing the inward, radially pressed condition by its displacement toward the other end of the axis. The respective segments are formed with recess sections and an axially extending protrusion section.

Abstract: A clamping device for clamping a rodlike member to a housing, particularly a dental tool to a handpiece, includes a tapered sleeve and a tapered collet received within the tapered sleeve, both having open ends for receiving the rodlike member. The inner diameter of the sleeve and outer diameter of the collet decrease from their open ends to their opposite ends. The tapered collet is formed with an axial slit starting from its open end and extending along a part of its length towards its closed end, permitting the collet to contract in diameter in order to firmly clamp the rodlike member. A depressable button is engageable with the closed end of the tapered collet to move the collet outwardly of the tapered sleeve, thereby to expand the tapered collet and to permit removal or insertion of the rodlike member.

Abstract: A dental handpiece contains a tool for dental treatment operation, tool holding members for detachably and rotatably holding the tool, tool detachment members for abutting against the tool holding members to detach the tool from the tool holding members, and rotatable contact members capable of being point-contacted with the tool holding members. The rotatable contact members when contacted with the tool holding members is rotatable with the tool holding members.

Abstract: A handpiece for use in small-scale surgery and microsurgery, for example, oral surgery or surgery in the ear, nose and throat area includes a handpiece sleeve and a collet chuck which is rotatable about an axis and is arranged in the handpiece sleeve. The collet chuck is spring-biased and can be released by an actuating member. The collet chuck serves to hold a tool and is composed of two tubular members which are movable relative to each other along the axis of rotation of the collet chuck. A chucking lever for releasing the collet chuck is pivotable about a lever axis which is directed essentially in normal direction relative to the collet chuck axis. The actuating member includes a drive member which is movable in axial direction together with the two tubular members of the collet chuck, but does not rotate together with the tubular members. The drive member projects with a portion thereof in direction of the collet chuck axis into an undercut portion of the chucking lever.

Abstract: A chucking device for holding a dental tool by a collet chuck with collet chuck sleeve, wherein the collet chuck can be released by a push button against the force of clamping spring. The collet chuck sleeve has at both ends thereof axial slots, so that it is constructed at both ends as a collet chuck. The casing of the collet chuck is undercut at both ends, wherein the undercut at the side of the tool is mounted in an axially fixed, but rotating conical seat and the undercut on the side of the push button is mounted in a conical seat of an actuating member. The actuating member is under the influence of the clamping spring and, for releasing the collet chuck, the actuating member is displaceable against the force of the clamping spring toward the axially fixed seat. Instead of the collet chuck, it is also possible to provide two axially spaced apart groups of radially displaceable clamping elements.

Abstract: A rotary dental drive tool has a rotatable driving member which is connected to a working tool via a self-tightening chuck, the rotatable driving member rotating in a clockwise direction during use. The chuck includes a chuck member having a tool-engaging internal surface portion for receiving a working tool therein, the chuck member having a tapered outer surface portion which is engageable with a tapered inner surface portion of the rotatable driving member so as to press the tool-engaging internal surface portion of the chuck member against the working tool to fixedly engage the working tool with said rotatable driving member via the chuck member. The chuck member has a left-hand threaded screw member on an outer surface portion thereof, which is engageable with a left-hand threaded screw portion on an inner surface portion of the rotatable driving member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a handpiece for dental medical treatment in which a head portion encasing therein an air turbine is detachably mounted on a handpiece body whereby the handpiece body capable of being subjected to high temperature sterilization by boiling is repeatedly used whereas the head portion is discarded after use to maintain the aseptic state of the whole handpiece and positively prevent secondary infection such as AIDS, hepatitis, etc. in an actual medical site. Furthermore, the construction of the air turbine and molding of various parts are simplified so that the head portion can be provided at extremely low cost to effectively prevent infection of AIDS, hepatitis, etc. as mentioned above.

Abstract: A clamping arrangement for clamping a cylindrical shaft of a tool in a dental handpiece includes a clamping sleeve having resilient tongues for gripping the cylindrical shaft and being capable of being moved radially outward by an adjustable plunger to release the shaft. In order to achieve a largely wear-free tool guidance, the tool shaft is held at least at its distal end of the tool in a guide bushing, which is firmly joined to the hollow shaft. The guide contains an arrangement which enables axial mobility of the plunger, prevents twisting of the plunger so as to enable transmission of the force between the plunger and a manipulator which actuates the plunger.

Abstract: A chucking device for a dental handpiece includes a cutting tool, a collet having a plurality of slits to permit the cutting tool to be received and attached in position in the collet, a rotational sleeve for transmitting rotation to the collet, a locking member adapted to permit the diameter of the collet to be changed, and a coil spring thrusting the locking member along the inserting direction of the cutting tool. The outer periphery of the collet has a tapered surface adapted to be enlarged in diameter along the inserting direction of the cutting tool. The locking member is shifted along the tapered surface under the thrusting force of the coil spring to change the diameter of the collet to hold the cutting tool therein. When the locking member is pressed down against the coil spring, the locking member is then moved along the tapered surface in a direction opposite to the inserting direction of the cutting tool to release the cutting tool to permit the tool to be detached from the collet.

Abstract: A device for preventing intrusion of foreign matter into a dental handpiece includes an end cap secured to a bur sleeve for rotation in unison with the bur sleeve. Around the end cap, there are delimited gap sections the one end of which communicates with a forward or lower ball bearing positioned towards a tool inserting opening and the other end of which is opened at the foremost part of the handpiece. A discharge port passing through the main body of the handpiece and communicating with the gap sections is formed at the foremost part of the handpiece. With rotation of the bur sleeve, the end cap is rotated so that the pressure within the gap sections is decreased to suck the foreign matter, such as cut tooth particles or chips, which is expelled to outside through the discharge port under the centrifugal force of the end cap.

Abstract: A socket, which receives a tool having a cylindrical shaft and which is mounted for rotation to rotate the tool, has an outer sleeve which receives a clamping sleeve and a ram for engaging a first end of the clamping sleeve. The first end of the clamping sleeve is provided with slots defining resilient tongues which are moved from a clamping position radially outward to a position for releasing the shaft by engagement with the ram. The ram has either an outer conically tapered surface or partially conically outer tapered surfaces on projections which engage inner tapered surfaces of each of the tongues or fingers. Preferably, the tapers of the ram and fingers are selected so that only substantially a line contact is formed therebetween to reduce the force necessary to move the fingers or tongues radially outward to the declamping or disengaging position.

Abstract: The improved dental handpiece comprises an operating sleeve slidably mounted on an outer circumference of the rotor shaft, said operating sleeve being formed with a flange, a spring for normally biasing the operating sleeve frontwardly, an operation collar threadedly engaged with an outer circumference of the outer cylinder, a pusher ring interposed between an inner surface of the operation collar and a front surface of the flange of the operating sleeve, a cylindrical portion formed at a front portion of the rotor shaft for receiving the main shaft of the working tool, a plurality of key holes formed through a wall of the cylindrical portion at a position opposed to an inner surface of the operating sleeve in such a manner as to be arranged at equal intervals on the same circumference, each of said key holes having a segment-like shape in cross section, a plurality of chuck keys engaged in the key holes, each of said chuck keys having a shape corresponding to the shape of each key hole in such a manner that

Abstract: A scalpel is provided including a chuck shaft having a diametric slot at its front end into which the rear end of a blade is inserted. The blade is provided with a cylindrical collar intermediate its ends which abuts against the front end of the chuck shaft. Over the blade and integral collar is threadedly mounted a retaining sleeve which engages with the exterior surface of the chuck shaft. As the retaining sleeve is threaded onto the chuck shaft, it radially compresses the front end of the chuck shaft so that the surfaces of the slot engage firmly and securely with the rear end of the blade, having previously been inserted therein.

Abstract: A clamping arrangement, especially for the clamping or gripping engagement of dental implements, consisting of a receiving sleeve which is rotatably supported in a handpiece and is connected with a rotary drive, which includes at least one rod-shaped elongated clamping element exerting a radially inwardly directed pressure against the shaft of the implement which is inserted into the receiving sleeve because of contact against an inclined track oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the clamping arrangement. The handpiece can pertain to a straight handpiece or to an angled handpiece (elbow) with an angled headpiece.

Abstract: A device for releasing a tool from a tool fastening mechanism of a dentist's handpiece comprises a push-piece that is held in an outer, inoperative position by a spring, and a slide mounted on a rotor of the dentist's handpiece. Upon being pressed, the push-piece engages the slide to release a tool fastened in the rotor. In order to prevent the push-piece from overheating when it is in contact with the slide while the slide is rotating at high speed, the push-piece carries a disc and the slide carries a ball. The disc and the ball are for instance made of sintered hard metal and are located where the push-piece and the slide engage such as to have substantially a point contact between them on the rotational axis of the slide.

Abstract: A chuck for receiving a plain shank of a dental burr is rotatably mounted in the head of a dental handpiece and is driven by a pinion or by turbine vanes. The chuck comprises a sleeve adapted to receive the shank of a burr and provided with at least one elongate clamping claw which is movable radially between an inner clamping position and an outer releasing position. Facing grooves in the clamping claw and in an actuating member which is movable axially relative to the sleeve define a ramp way for a row of bearing balls. The ramp way extends in a direction which is generally axial but is inclined at an angle of 1.degree. to 4.degree. to the axis so that the clamping claw is moved radially by axial movement of the actuating member. The clamping claw is spring biased to clamping position and is movable to releasing position by a push button for moving the actuating member axially relative to the sleeve and thereby moving the clamping claw radially outwardly.

Abstract: A dental handpiece grips a removable dental tool by teeth within the end of a resilient quill carried within the spindle of said handpiece and when rotated in one direction by the handpiece turbine providing an axial force on the dental tool tending to draw the tool axially into the quill despite any opposite pull due to teeth on the dental tool.

Abstract: A device for opening and closing a chuck for a dental handpiece has a handle portion and a powerhead assembly including a hollow driving shaft having, adjacent to its outer orifice, a forwardly outwardly tapering portion defining a small diameter rear portion and a large diameter front portion. A hollow cylindrical chuck has a forwardly outwardly tapering outer peripheral surface joining a small diameter rear surface and a large diameter front surface corresponding to the respective driving shaft portions. The chuck is slidably inserted into the driving shaft. Three radial openings are formed at equally spaced positions in the forwardly outwardly tapering outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical chuck. A plate-shaped chucking die having a concave bottom surface is slidably fitted into each radial opening to hold a dental tool.

Abstract: A screw (22) having the circumference of its head (23) toothed like a pinion firmly holds the cylindrical shank of a rotary tool in position in a slotted sleeve (17). A rack (25) on the front end of the hollow cylindrical spindle (24) meshes with the pinion or head (23) of the screw (22). The retraction or advance of the rack (25) is effected by a grooved ring (20) through screws (35,36) whose cylindrical heads are engaged in two helical guide slots provided in a nosepiece (19) and which are anchored in a pusher ring (28) indirectly applied against the rear face of the hollow cylindrical spindle (24).

Abstract: In a dental handpiece, a drawback bur chuck actuable to open by a cam lever mounted atop the handpiece head and acting axially downward on the chuck against a spring which urges the chuck upward into clamping engagement with a bur shank when the cam lever is in its closed position. The cam lever is rotatable on the axis of the chuck to a position to suit the convenience of the user. The chuck is removable for cleaning and positive means are provided to prevent over travel of the chuck to thereby prevent its permanent deformation.

Abstract: An attachment component is provided to allow a vibratory-type dental tool to use low cost, disposable surgical blades. The attachment component includes a collet member having a slot into which the shank of the blade is inserted and a sleeve member for being attached to the handle of the dental tool and having a cavity for receiving the collet member to cause the blade to be wedged within the slot.

Abstract: A device for opening and closing a chuck for a dental handpiece has a handle portion and a powerhead assembly including a hollow driving shaft having, adjacent to its front end, a fowardly outwardly tapering portion joining a small diameter rear portion and a large diameter front portion. A hollow cylindrical chuck has a forwardly outwardly tapering outer peripheral surface joining a small diameter rear surface and a large diameter front surface corresponding to the respective driving shaft portions. The chuck is slidably inserted into the driving shaft. Three radial openings are formed at equally spaced positions in the forwardly outwardly tapering outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical chuck. A disc-shaped chucking die is slidably fitted into each radial opening to hold a dental tool. A chuck pusher is held in a socket with a disc plate spring interposed between the socket and the chuck pusher, and the pusher is movable for axially displacing the chuck to hold or release the dental tool.

Abstract: Device for fixing drill bits into the head of air motors for hand-held dentists' tools, of the type incorporating a clip in the rotor inside which the shank of the drill bit is inserted. The fixing clip (6) includes longitudinal slits (7) and is acted on at one of its ends by an elastic means which tends to close the head (10) of the clip (6) on to the drill shank by the cooperation of an inclined surface (11) formed on the head of the clip with a matching inclined surface (12) formed on the inside face of the rotor (2), the head of the air motor being further provided with means which allow the shank of the drill to be released, by compressing said elastic means.

Abstract: A dental handpiece has a hollow main body enclosing a central rotating spindle equipped with tool grip means adjacent its forward end; spring means effects axial movement of the spindle in an inward direction for actuating the tool grip means to provide a gripping function and release means moves the spindle outwardly against the bias of the spring means for deactivating the tool grip means with the release means including a unitary plate removably mounted in the main body with first and second levers being pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the plate so as to be substantially positioned within the confines of the main body; driving ends of the levers are engageable with the spindle for moving the spindle axially outwardly of the main body to deactivate the grip means. The levers are on diametrically opposite sides of the axis of the handpiece and are mounted for pivotal movement in a plane passing through the axis of the hand instrument.

Abstract: The invention is an improved endodontic apparatus device for holding instruments, particularly endodontic drill files that are energized and vibrated by ultrasonic means. The invention also provides for the flow-through of solutions during debriding and irrigating of root canals. The invention consists of a hollow tube-like means for conducting solution and directing it in the axial direction of the endodontic drill file; the hollow tube-like means incorporates a special holding means at the outboard end thereof for mounting the drill file in a position so that ultrasonic waves can be transmitted to the drill file to cause it to vibrate in a manner that improves debriding of the root canals. The special holding means at the end of the hollow tube-like means retains the drill file in a firm position to receive the transmitted ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: A dental handpiece includes a drive shaft rotatably supported interiorly thereof, the drive shaft being hollow at least at the operating end thereof and having an internal thread; and a tubular friction collet in the hollow space having an external thread end evidencing in the inoperative condition thereof inwardly bent resilient tongues formed by a plurality of slits for the receipt and gripping of the shaft of an implement. The external thread of the friction collet is arranged at the implement-sided end thereof as in a threaded collet, the friction collet having an external conical surface and the hollow drive shaft having an internal conical surface cooperating with the external conical surface.