Dental Tool Sharpening Fixture Adapter

Abstract

An adapter for a fixture for sharpening dental instruments has an engagement arm for connecting to the fixture and for creating a holding space for different width sharpening stones, a bearing shelf for supporting different width sharpening stones, and a base member for supporting the adapter when connected to the fixture.

Claims

1. An adapter for a dental instrument sharpening fixture comprising: a. an engagement arm configured to slidingly engage a receiving space on said sharpening fixture, said engagement arm further including an offset feature; b. a bearing shelf extending horizontally from said engagement arm and terminating in an upward and downward extending adapter stone support; and c. an adapter base extending horizontally from a lower end of said adapter stone support.

2. The adapter of claim 1 wherein said offset feature is comprised of a pair of sawtooth extensions.

3. The adapter of claim 1 wherein said offset feature creates a receiving space to capture a thin sharpening stone.

4. The adapter of claim 1 wherein said sharpening fixture is comprised of an A-frame shaped structure, symmetrical about a center line, and further including a top support beam, a pair of angled legs, a pair of base members, and a pair of stone support risers.

5. The adapter of claim 4 wherein said offset feature is comprised of a pair of sawtooth extensions.

6. The adapter of claim 4 wherein said offset feature creates a receiving space to capture a thin sharpening stone

7. A fixture for sharpening dental instruments comprising: a. a top support beam; b. a first angled leg extending downward from a longitudinal edge of said support beam; c. a second angled leg extending downward from a longitudinal edge of said support beam; d. a first base member extending horizontally from said first angled leg; e. a second base member extending horizontally from said second angled leg wherein said second base member is longer than said first base member; f. a first riser extending upward from said first base member; g. a second riser extending upward from said first base member h. wherein said first angled leg, said first base member, and said first riser define a first receiving space to receive a sharpening stone; i. wherein said second angled leg, said second base member, and said second riser define a second receiving space to receive a sharpening stone; and j. wherein said second receiving space is configured to receive a thicker sharpening stone than said first receiving space.

8. The fixture of claim 7 further including an adapter for reducing the size of said first receiving space.

9. The fixture of claim 8 wherein said adapter is comprised of: a. an engagement arm configured to slidingly engage said first receiving space on said fixture, said engagement arm further including an offset feature; b. a bearing shelf extending horizontally from said engagement arm and terminating in an upward and downward extending adapter stone support; and c. an adapter base extending horizontally from a lower end of said adapter stone support.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like features and wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art version of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is an perspective view of an implementation of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view of a prior art version of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a side view of the insert of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the fixture of the present invention showing sharpening stones and with the insert placed;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a side view of the fixture of the present invention with sharpening stones placed; and

[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of the fixture of the present invention with the insert placed.

REFERENCE NUMBERS INCLUDED IN THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The below table provides a ready reference for the reference numbers used in the appended drawings and in this specification:

TABLE-US-00001 Ref. No. Description Ref. No. Description 100 Fixture 101 Standard stone 201 Adapter 202 Thin stone 301 Arc 302 Vertical axis 303 Support beam 304 Angled leg 305 Base 306 Stone support 401 Shelf 402 Adapter base 403 Adapter stone support 404 Engagement arm 405 Offset 501 Thin stone 502 Thick stone 601 Extended base 503 Offset space 307 Receiving space 600 Dual stone fixture

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION THROUGH THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art sharpening fixture 100 is shown. Disposed on fixture 100 are a pair of standard width sharpening stones 101. Referring to FIG. 2, fixture 100 is shown with one of the standard stones 101 removed and with the adapter 201 of the present invention shown engaged with fixture 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the prior art sharpening fixture 100 captures two equally thick sharpening stones 101.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 3, a side view of the prior art fixture 100 is shown. Fixture 100 is a generally A-Frame shaped structure which is symmetrical about a vertical axis 302 and includes a support beam 303 at the top, a pair of angled legs 304 extending angledly downward and terminating in a pair of base supports 305 which bear on a work surface (not shown). Extending from each base 305 is stone support 306, which extends upward, parallel to each angled leg 304. Angled leg 304, base 305, and stone support 306 create a receiving space 307. Preferably, arc 301 is on the order of 40 degrees, thereby creating the preferred angle for sharpening a dental instrument.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, the adapter 201 of the present invention is shown. Adapter 201 includes an engagement arm 404 that is sized to fit securely in receiving space 307. Engagement are 404 further includes a pair of offsets 405 that provide a secure connection in the receiving space 307. Extending horizonatally from engagement are 404 is bearing shelf 401. Shelf 401 terminates into adapter stone support 403 which extends generally vertically (upward and downward) and parallel to angled leg 304. Adapter base 402 extends horizontally from the bottom of adapter stone support 403.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 5, adapter 201 is shown engaged with fixture 100. The horizontal length of shelf 401 defines the thickness of a sharpening stone that may be disposed. As is further shown, offsets 405 are sized to create an offset space 503 between angled leg 304 and engagement arm 404. FIG. 5 shows both a think stone 501 and a thick stone 502 disposed via adapter 201.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment is shown, dual stone fixture 600. In this embodiment, the dual stone fixture 600 includes an extended base 601 on one side thereby creating the ability to hold both a standard stone 101 and a thick stone 502.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 7, dual stone fixture 600 is shown with adapter 400 inserted on the standard stone side. Thin stone 501 is shown inserted into offset space 503 and bearing against angled leg 304.

[0027] In use, a user first selects the dental instrument to be sharpened. Next, the user determines the sharpening stone thickness (standard, thin, or thick) that best positions the selected dental instrument for sharpening.

[0028] It will be readily seen by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention fulfills all the objects set forth above. After reading the foregoing specification, one of ordinary skill will be able to effect various changes, substation of equivalents and various other aspects of the invention as broadly disclosed herein. It is, therefore, intended that the protection granted hereon be limited only by he definition contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.