James E Thurman

US Patent:

59645903, Oct 12, 1999

Filed:

Mar 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/039300

Inventors:

Gerald Ray Loddeke - O'Fallon MO
James R. Thurman - Cadet MO
Mark M. Rose - Crystal City MO

Assignee:

Young Dental Manufacturing Company - Earth City MO

International Classification:

A61C 306

US Classification:

433125

Abstract:

A maintenance-free dental prophylaxis angle includes a one-piece body including a sleeve and a head. The sleeve and head define intersecting bores. A one-piece drive gear including an enlarged bearing part and a forward gear end is journaled directly in the sleeve and held axially between a retaining ring engaging the rear of the enlarged bearing part and a ball engaging the forward gear end. A one-piece driven gear is journaled solely in a cap which is press fit in the head bore The driven gear is engaged and driven by the drive gear. The driven gear includes an upper bur tube and a lower gear part. The gear part of the driven gear rests on the ball, and is restrained from axial movement by the cap and the ball, which forms a thrust bearing for the driven gear. A dental tool is connected to the bur tube of the driven gear, and forms a seal with the cap.