The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 23, 1993
Filed:
Jul. 27, 1992
James Shen, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Rily Young, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A connector (12' or 12') is attached to the end of a dental vacuum hose (20) for enabling a valved handle (24) to be attached to the connector and thus coupled to the vacuum hose. A saliva ejector or a high-volume ejector can then be attached to the distal end of the valved handle. The end of the connector is closed with a crown cap (22) to prevent a vacuum rushing sound and keep the connector sanitary when the valved handle is not attached. The cap has a top spike or finial (22F) which enables the cap to be pried off the connector easily by pushing the lumen at the bottom of the valved handle over the finial and tilting the handle. The cap hangs by a tether (22T) after it is pried off. In lieu of a cap, a flip top (12'F) which is hinged to the top opening of the connector can be used; one side of the flip top can be pried with the bottom of the valved handle. Since the crown cap or the flip top can be removed with only one hand holding the handle, the dental professional does not have to touch the connector, thus avoiding soiling it with microorganisms and thereby avoiding the need for many awkward sanitary measures, such as sterilization of the connector and hose, use of plastic shields, etc.