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. 29, 2016
Filed:
Jul. 15, 2013
3m Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Lee C. Yick, Placentia, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
An aesthetic ceramic material is combined with a resilient metal to obtain an aesthetic self-ligating appliance with an easily operable latch mechanism. The appliance uses a door assembly that includes a ceramic ligating cover coupled to a resilient clip pivotable about a hinge mechanism. The clip functions as a latch to reversibly secure the clip and ligating cover to the appliance and retain an archwire in an archwire slot, and is capable of providing active ligation whereby the clip elastically deflects while directly or indirectly providing a continuous force to the archwire. Advantageously, the clip has a configuration that allows an orthodontic practitioner to pivot open the door assembly with minimal force while preventing the inadvertent opening of the door assembly as a result of normal forces applied by the archwire against the door assembly during the course of treatment.