A self-locking bracket with a flexible locking plate

Abstract

This utility model discloses a self-locking bracket with a flexible locking plate. The bracket body has locking plate receiving grooves and connecting holes in the working wings on both sides. The flexible connecting posts at both ends of the flexible locking plate can elastically expand and insert into the corresponding connecting holes to achieve rapid locking of the archwire. When it is necessary to open, the locking plate can be easily pried open through the locking plate opening groove and locking plate notch located on the outside of the working wing to retract the connecting post and disengage it from the connecting hole, thereby releasing the archwire. This structure is simple, provides stable locking, and is easy to open, making it suitable for orthodontic treatment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to orthodontic brackets, specifically to a self-ligating orthodontic bracket with a flexible locking plate. Background Technology

[0002] In orthodontic treatment, brackets are the most commonly used component. Currently, various self-ligating brackets are available for clinical use, greatly facilitating archwire locking within the brackets for clinicians. However, existing self-ligating brackets mostly use metal sliding locking plates and elastic fasteners to lock the archwire within the bracket. However, the sliding structure is complex, requires high manufacturing precision, and is costly; the locking plate-fastener fit is prone to loosening or falling off due to prolonged friction; and considerable force is required to push the locking plate during clinical opening, making it less user-friendly. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a self-ligating bracket with a simpler structure, more convenient operation, and more reliable locking. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the problems existing in the background technology, this utility model provides a self-locking bracket with a flexible locking plate, which utilizes the expansion and fitting of flexible materials and the cooperation of flexible connecting posts and connecting holes to achieve rapid locking and unlocking. It has a simple and stable structure and a long service life.

[0004] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0005] A self-locking bracket with a flexible locking plate includes a bracket body and a flexible locking plate:

[0006] The bracket body is provided with a bow wire groove and a first working wing and a second working wing located on both sides of the bow wire groove. A first locking plate receiving groove is provided in the first working wing, and at least one first connecting hole is provided in the first locking plate receiving groove. A second locking plate receiving groove is provided in the second working wing, and at least one second connecting hole is provided in the second locking plate receiving groove.

[0007] The flexible locking plate includes a locking plate body, at least one first flexible connecting post and at least one second flexible connecting post provided on the locking plate body, wherein the first flexible connecting post and the second flexible connecting post can be elastically inserted into the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole respectively to lock the locking plate.

[0008] The aforementioned self-locking bracket with a flexible locking plate, wherein the flexible locking plate, the first accommodating groove of the locking plate, and the second accommodating groove of the locking plate form an integral accommodating groove with an interference fit in size.

[0009] In the aforementioned self-locking bracket with a flexible locking plate, both the first flexible connecting post and the second flexible connecting post are cylindrical or conical structures, with a diameter larger than that of the connecting hole to create an interference fit.

[0010] The aforementioned self-locking bracket with a flexible locking plate has an annular stop flange in the first connecting hole and an annular stop flange in the second connecting hole to prevent the first flexible connecting post and the second flexible connecting post from accidentally coming off.

[0011] The aforementioned self-locking bracket with a flexible locking plate has a first locking plate receiving groove and a second locking plate receiving groove located on both sides of the bracket's symmetrical center line, and are symmetrically arranged.

[0012] The aforementioned self-locking bracket with a flexible locking plate has a locking plate opening groove provided on the side wall of the locking plate first receiving groove or the locking plate second receiving groove away from the bow wire groove. There is a height difference between the bottom surface of the locking plate opening groove and the bottom surface of the locking plate first receiving groove, and the height difference forms an opening inclined guide surface.

[0013] The aforementioned self-locking bracket with a flexible locking plate also has a locking plate notch on the side of the locking plate body corresponding to the locking plate opening slot.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages: the locking plate is made of flexible material, eliminating the need for metal slides and spring buckles, simplifying the structure and reducing manufacturing costs; the flexible connecting column is self-locking, ensuring a stable lock and preventing loosening; the opening slot-notch design allows doctors to easily open the lock with a single-point pry, making operation convenient; the locking plate material can be injection molded in one piece, combining with the bracket body in a heterogeneous manner, resulting in good biocompatibility. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a self-locking bracket structure with a flexible locking plate according to this utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the main structure of the self-locking bracket after the flexible locking plate has been removed.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible locking plate structure of a self-locking bracket with a flexible locking plate according to the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A side view of the structure.

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the bottom structure.

[0020] In the figure, the base plate is 1, the bracket body is 2, the first working wing is 21, the first receiving groove of the locking piece is 211, the second working wing is 22, the second receiving groove of the locking piece is 221, the first connecting hole is 212, the second connecting hole is 222, the locking piece opening groove is 223, the flexible locking piece is 3, the locking piece body is 30, the locking piece notch is 32, the first flexible connecting post is 33, the second flexible connecting post is 31, and the bow wire groove is 4. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0022] See Figure 1-5 A self-locking bracket with a flexible locking plate comprises a base plate 1, a bracket body 2, and a flexible locking plate 3. The bracket body 2 has an archwire groove 4, which is laterally opened along the bracket body 2 for the insertion of orthodontic archwires. A first working wing 21 and a second working wing 22 are respectively provided on both sides of the archwire groove 4, and a first locking plate receiving groove 211 and a second locking plate receiving groove 221 are respectively machined on the upper surfaces of the first working wing 21 and the second working wing 22. At least one first connecting hole 212 is provided in the first locking plate receiving groove 211, and at least one second connecting hole 222 is provided in the second locking plate receiving groove 221. Correspondingly, the flexible locking plate 3 includes a locking plate body 30, and a first flexible connecting post 33 and a second flexible connecting post 31 are respectively provided on the lower bottom surface of the locking plate body 30. Both the first flexible connecting post 33 and the second flexible connecting post 31 are made of an elastically expandable material, such as silicone. After the first flexible connecting post 33 and the second flexible connecting post 31 are inserted into the first connecting hole 212 and the second connecting hole 222 respectively, the flexible locking piece 3 is connected to the bracket body 2, and the bow wire is locked in the bow wire groove. The first flexible connecting post 33, when inserted into the first connecting hole 212, achieves an interference fit; similarly, the second flexible connecting post 31 and the second connecting hole 222 also have the same interference fit. In specific implementations, to better achieve the connection between the locking piece and the bracket body, a larger number of flexible connecting posts and connecting holes can be provided; it is not limited to one on each working wing side, but can also include two or more.

[0023] The first flexible connecting post 33 and the second flexible connecting post 31 are designed to better fit with their respective connecting holes, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the diameter of the end portion of the first flexible connecting post 33 and the second flexible connecting post 31 is larger than the diameter of the post body. Furthermore, to facilitate insertion of the post body into the connecting hole, an insertion chamfer is provided at the top of the larger diameter end portion. Of course, in specific implementations, the following structures can also be adopted:

[0024] 1. "Umbrella-shaped-mushroom head" structure: The diameter of the top of the column is greater than the diameter of the column body, forming a stop cap; the lower edge of the cap is chamfered at 15-25° to facilitate pressing in.

[0025] 2. "Hooked Ring Rib" Structure: 1-2 flexible ring ribs with a height of about 0.05-0.10mm are machined on the outer perimeter of the column to form a hooked effect.

[0026] 3. "Wedge-shaped groove" structure: 2-4 V-shaped slits are made longitudinally on the column, allowing the column to contract radially during pressing and automatically expand upon release. All of these structures are designed to ensure a tighter connection between the column and the connecting hole.

[0027] In practical implementation, to achieve better connection, the first flexible connecting post 31 and the second flexible connecting post 33 are preferably configured as cylindrical or conical structures with a diameter larger than the diameter of the connecting hole to create an interference fit. Furthermore, an annular stop flange can be provided in the first connecting hole 212, and an annular stop flange can also be provided in the second connecting hole 222 to prevent the first flexible connecting post 31 and the second flexible connecting post 33 from accidentally dislodging.

[0028] The flexible locking plate 3 is also made of an elastically expandable material, such as a polymer with elastic memory or silicone. The flexible locking plate 3, together with the first receiving groove 211 and the second receiving groove 221, forms an integral receiving groove with an interference fit in dimensions, further ensuring the locking effect of the locking plate.

[0029] In practical implementation, to facilitate opening the lock plate, such as Figures 2 to 5 As shown, a lock plate opening groove 223 is provided on the outer side of the second receiving groove 221 of the lock plate, which is used to place the wedge end of the opening tool to facilitate prying open the lock plate. In specific implementation, the lock plate opening groove 223 can be provided on the side wall away from the archwire groove of either the first receiving groove 211 or the second receiving groove 221 of the lock plate as needed. There is a height difference between the bottom surface of the groove 223 and the bottom surface of the first receiving groove (221) of the lock plate, forming an opening inclined guide surface to facilitate prying open the lock plate. In order to facilitate prying open by hand, a lock plate notch 32 can be further provided on the corresponding side wall of the flexible lock plate 3. When it is necessary to replace or adjust the archwire, the doctor can pry open the lock plate opening groove 223 by hand or with the help of special opening forceps, and pry it with the lock plate notch 32 so that the first flexible connecting post 33 and the second flexible connecting post 31 are respectively dislodged from the first connecting hole 212 and the second connecting hole 222, and the flexible lock plate 3 can be pulled out.

[0030] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the utility model, but the scope of protection of the utility model is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions conceived without creative effort should be included within the scope of protection of the utility model. Therefore, the scope of protection of the utility model should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A self-locking bracket with a flexible locking plate, characterized in that: Includes the bracket body (2) and the flexible locking plate (3): The bracket body (2) is provided with a bow wire groove (4) and a first working wing (21) and a second working wing (22) located on both sides of the bow wire groove. The first working wing (21) is provided with a locking plate first receiving groove (211) and at least one first connecting hole (212) is provided in the locking plate first receiving groove (211). The second working wing (22) is provided with a locking plate second receiving groove (221) and at least one second connecting hole (222) is provided in the locking plate second receiving groove (221). The flexible locking plate (3) includes a locking plate body (30), and the locking plate body (30) is provided with at least one first flexible connecting post (33) and at least one second flexible connecting post (31). The first flexible connecting post (33) and the second flexible connecting post (31) can be elastically inserted into the first connecting hole (212) and the second connecting hole (222) respectively to lock the locking plate.

2. The self-locking bracket with a flexible locking piece as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible locking plate (3) and the locking plate first receiving groove (211) and the locking plate second receiving groove (221) form an integral receiving groove that achieves an interference fit in size.

3. A self-locking bracket with a flexible locking piece as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Both the first flexible connecting post (33) and the second flexible connecting post (31) are cylindrical or conical structures with a diameter larger than that of the connecting hole to create an interference fit.

4. The self-locking bracket with a flexible locking piece as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The first connecting hole (212) is provided with an annular stop flange, and the second connecting hole (222) is also provided with an annular stop flange to prevent the first flexible connecting post (33) and the second flexible connecting post (31) from accidentally coming off.

5. A self-locking bracket with a flexible locking piece as described in claim 1, 2, or 4, characterized in that: The first receiving groove (211) and the second receiving groove (221) of the locking piece are located on both sides of the center line of the bracket and are symmetrically arranged.

6. A self-locking bracket with a flexible locking piece as described in claim 1, 2, or 4, characterized in that: A locking plate opening groove (223) is provided on the side wall away from the bow wire groove of the first receiving groove (211) or the second receiving groove (221) of the locking plate. There is a height difference between the bottom surface of the locking plate opening groove (223) and the bottom surface of the first receiving groove (211) of the locking plate, and the height difference forms an opening inclined guide surface.

7. A self-locking bracket with a flexible locking piece as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The side of the lock plate body (30) corresponding to the lock plate opening groove (223) is also provided with a lock plate notch (32).

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