Dental and medical mirrors with no loosening screws

Abstract

This invention relates to dental and medical mirrors used in dental clinics and hospitals, which consist of a mirror body that is held by hand during use and a mirror holder that is connected to the mirror body, has a mirror attached to one end, and is replaced after a specified period of use.The mirror body and mirror holder are connected using an elastic connection method rather than the conventional screw connection method, which not only allows them to be easily and securely connected to each other by a simple insertion and insertion operation, but also completely eliminates loosening of screws that can occur during treatment using the mirror.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to dental and medical mirrors used in dental clinics and hospitals, and more specifically to dental and medical mirrors that consist of a mirror body that is held by hand during use and a mirror holder that is connected to the mirror body, has a mirror at one end, and is replaced after a specified period of use.The mirror body and mirror holder are connected using an elastic connection method rather than the conventional screw connection method, so that they can be easily and securely connected to each other by a simple insertion and insertion operation, and also completely eliminates loosening of screws that can occur during treatment using the mirror. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, dental and medical mirrors are tools used for treating or examining the oral cavity, and are composed of a mirror body that is held by hand during use and a mirror holder that has a mirror attached to one end and can be connected to the mirror body by a screw fastening system at the other end. Such dental and medical mirrors are mainly inserted into the oral cavity to illuminate dark areas or to flip and pull tissues such as the tongue or cheek.

[0003] 1 and 2, a conventional dental or medical mirror is composed of a mirror holder 1 having a mirror 3 at one end, and a mirror body 2 that is shaped like a bar and can be easily held by the practitioner's hand when using the mirror. One end of the mirror body 2 has a longitudinal axial hole formed therein, so that one end of the mirror holder 1 is inserted into and coupled to the axial hole of the mirror body 2. A screw thread is formed on the inner surface of a certain portion of the axial hole of the mirror body 2, and the one end of the mirror holder 1 that is inserted into the axial hole of the mirror body 2 has a corresponding screw thread formed thereon. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the mirror holder 1 and the mirror body 2 are structured to be coupled to each other via a thread-like coupling portion 4 using a screw fastening method.

[0004] However, with such conventional dental and medical mirrors, the thread-like joint connecting the mirror body and mirror holder would often loosen at any moment during treatment, especially when repeated pulling and pulling movements were required on tissues such as the cheek and tongue. This caused the need to stop the treatment and tighten the screws again before using the mirror, which resulted in a problem of immediately reducing the concentration of medical professionals who should be concentrating on treatment and examination. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a dental and medical mirror that can easily and securely connect the mirror body and mirror holder to each other by a simple insertion and fitting operation, and can also be easily removed (uncoupled, separated) as needed, but has the function of preventing the connection between the mirror body and mirror holder held by hand from loosening and becoming detached, particularly during treatment in which the mirror is used to repeatedly turn up the cheek, tongue, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention to achieve the above object is a dental and medical mirror used during intraoral examination and treatment, characterized in that it includes: a mirror body having a longitudinal axial hole formed at one end, a C-type spring accommodating section on the outer surface of one side where the axial hole is formed, in which a C-type spring is positioned, and at a predetermined position of the C-type spring accommodating section, at least one fastener accommodating side through-hole is formed that passes through the outer surface to the axial hole and in which a fastener is positioned; a fastener positioned in the fastener accommodating side through-hole; a C-type spring located in the C-type spring accommodating section, with at least one first fastener seat provided at a position corresponding to the fastener accommodating side through-hole; and a mirror holder having a mirror at one end and a fastener section on the outer surface of the other end inserted into the axial hole of the mirror body, the fastener section having at least one second fastener seat.

[0007] Preferably, the fastening portion further includes an axial hole insertion guide portion, which makes it possible to avoid the resistance to entry caused by the fastener protruding toward the axial hole when the fastening portion of the mirror holder portion enters the axial hole of the mirror main body portion.

[0008] More preferably, the shaft hole insertion guide portion is formed in a flat shape from the end of the fastening portion to at least the same position on the circumference where the second fastener seat portion is formed.

[0009] Preferably, the C-shaped spring receiving portion is formed in a groove shape along the circumference of the mirror main body on one outer surface where the shaft hole is formed.

[0010] More preferably, the first and second fastener seats are formed as recesses or through-holes that can accommodate and support fasteners.

[0011] Preferably, the outer surface of the adjacent portion of the C-shaped spring accommodating portion is provided with at least one anti-slip portion recessed toward the longitudinal vertical central axis to prevent slippage when the mirror portion is fastened or when the mirror is in use.

[0012] More preferably, three of the anti-slip portions are formed in the shape of grooves or flat surfaces along the circumference. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The present invention has the advantage that the mirror body and the mirror holder can be easily and securely connected to each other by a simple insertion and fitting operation, and can also be easily removed as needed. This robust and distinctive connection structure has the advantage that the connection between the mirror body and the mirror holder, which are held by hand, will not loosen and become detached, especially during treatments in which the mirror is used to repeatedly flip the cheeks or tongue, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a dental and medical mirror according to the prior art; [Figure 2] 1 is a combined perspective view of a dental and medical mirror according to the prior art; [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a dental and medical mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a dental and medical mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a combined perspective view of a dental and medical mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 6] 6(a) and 6(b) are cross-sectional views sequentially illustrating a process of inserting a mirror holder into a mirror body in a dental and medical mirror according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are cross-sectional views sequentially showing the process of rotating and joining the mirror holder part relative to the mirror main body part when the mirror holder part is inserted into the mirror main body part in a dental and medical mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a dental and medical mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a dental and medical mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view of a dental and medical mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] 3 to 5, a dental and medical mirror 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a mirror body 10 that can be held by a practitioner's hand and has a longitudinal axial hole formed at one end, and a mirror holder 20 that has a mirror 30 at one end and a fastening part that is inserted into the axial hole of the mirror body at the other end.

[0018] The mirror body 10 is provided with a C-type spring receiving portion 12 in which the C-type spring 30 is positioned on the outer surface of one side where the axial hole is formed. Preferably, the C-type spring receiving portion 12 is formed as a groove along the circumference of the mirror body 10 on the outer surface of one side where the axial hole is formed, as shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, at least one fastener receiving side through-hole 14 is formed at a predetermined position of the C-type spring receiving portion 12, penetrating from the outer surface to the axial hole.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 5, a fastener 40 is positioned in the fastener receiving side through-hole 14. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the C-shaped spring 30 is positioned in the C-shaped spring receiving portion 12 of the mirror body 10, and has at least one first fastener seat 32 at a position corresponding to the fastener receiving side through-hole 14. Preferably, the first fastener seat 32 of the C-shaped spring 30 is formed as a groove or a through-hole capable of receiving and supporting the fastener 40.

[0020] The fastener 40 is located between the fastener accommodating side through-hole 14 of the mirror main body 10 and the first fastener seating portion 32 of the C-shaped spring 30, and as a result, the elastic action of the C-shaped spring 30 is configured to urge the fastener 40 seated in the fastener accommodating side through-hole 14 toward the axial hole.

[0021] The mirror holder 20 has a mirror 50 mounted at one end, and a fastening portion including at least one second fastener seat 22 on the outer surface of the other end that is inserted into the axial hole of the mirror body 10. Preferably, the second fastener seat 22 of the mirror holder 20 is configured as a recess or a through-hole that can accommodate and support the fastener 40. As shown in FIG. 4 , the fastening portion further includes an axial hole insertion guide 24 that enables the fastening portion of the mirror holder 20 to avoid insertion resistance caused by the fastener 40 protruding toward the axial hole when it is inserted into the axial hole of the mirror body 10.

[0022] Preferably, the shaft hole insertion guide portion 24 is formed in a groove or flat shape from the end of the fastening portion to at least the same position on the circumference where the second fastener seat portion 22 is formed.

[0023] 4, at least one anti-slip portion 16 recessed toward the vertical central axis in the longitudinal direction is provided on the outer surface of the adjacent portion of the C-shaped spring receiving portion 12 to prevent the hand from slipping when fastening to the mirror portion or when using the mirror. Preferably, at least two, preferably three, anti-slip portions 16 are formed in the shape of a groove or a flat surface along the circumference.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dental and medical mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 5 illustrates the state immediately before the mirror body 10 and mirror holder 20 of the dental and medical mirror of the present invention are coupled together. Referring to FIG. 5, the fastener 40 is positioned between the fastener-receiving side through-hole 14 of the mirror body 10 and the first fastener seat 32 of the C-shaped spring 30, and the fastener 40 is maintained partially protruding toward the axial hole due to the elasticity of the C-shaped spring 30. To smoothly insert the fastener portion of the mirror holder 20 into the axial hole of the mirror body 10 without resistance from the protruding fastener 40, the axial hole insertion guide 24 formed at one end of the mirror holder 20 must be inserted in a direction corresponding to the fastener 40 protruding toward the axial hole. Therefore, the axial hole insertion guide portion 24 functions to guide the insertion direction of the mirror holder portion 20 so that when the fastening portion of the mirror holder portion 20 enters the axial hole of the mirror main body portion 10, the entry resistance caused by the fastener 40 protruding toward the axial hole side can be avoided.

[0025] Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are cross-sectional views of a dental and medical mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention, sequentially showing the process of inserting a mirror holder part into a mirror main body part, and Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are cross-sectional views of a dental and medical mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention, sequentially showing the process of rotating the mirror holder part relative to the mirror main body part to join them when the mirror holder part is inserted into the mirror main body part.

[0026] Fig. 6(a) is a diagram showing a state before insertion, and Fig. 6(b) is a diagram showing an intermediate process in which the mirror holder unit 20 is partially inserted into the mirror main body unit 10. Referring to Fig. 6(b), when the shaft hole insertion guide unit 24 formed at one end of the mirror holder unit 20 is inserted in a direction corresponding to the fastener 40 protruding toward the shaft hole, the structural characteristics of the shaft hole insertion guide unit 24, which is formed in a groove shape or a flat shape, allow the fastener 40 to be smoothly inserted without any resistance from the protruding fastener 40.

[0027] 7(a) is a diagram showing a state in which the mirror holder part 20 is completely inserted into the mirror main body part 10. When the mirror holder part 20 is slowly rotated relative to the mirror main body part 10 in this state as shown in FIG. 7(b) (or the mirror main body part 10 is rotated relative to the mirror holder part 20, the same effect can be achieved), the fastener 40 seats on the second fastener seat part 22 of the mirror holder part 20 at a specific position where the second fastener seat part 22 of the mirror holder part 20 and the protruding fastener 40 correspond to each other, and as a result, a firm elastic connection between the mirror main body part 10 and the mirror holder part 20 is completed via the fastener 40 pressed by the elastic action of the C-shaped spring.

[0028] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to such specific structures. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations of the present invention may be made without departing from the technical spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. However, it should be made clear in advance that such simple design modifications of materials or modified structures also clearly fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In dental and medical mirrors used during oral examinations and treatments, a mirror body having a longitudinal axial hole formed at one end, a C-type spring receiving section provided on the outer surface of the side on which the axial hole is formed, in which a C-type spring is positioned, and at least one fastener receiving side through-hole formed at a predetermined position of the C-type spring receiving section, which passes through from the outer surface to the axial hole and in which a fastener is positioned; a fastener positioned in the fastener-receiving side through-hole; a C-shaped spring located in the C-shaped spring receiving portion, the C-shaped spring having at least one first fastener seat provided at a position corresponding to the fastener receiving side through-hole; a mirror holder part having a mirror at one end and a fastening part having at least one second fastener seat on the outer surface of the other end inserted into the axial hole of the mirror body part.

2. 2. The dental and medical mirror of claim 1, wherein the fastening portion further includes an axial hole insertion guide portion, which makes it possible to avoid the resistance to insertion caused by the fastener protruding toward the axial hole when the fastening portion of the mirror holder portion enters the axial hole of the mirror main body portion.

3. 3. The dental and medical mirror according to claim 2, wherein the shaft hole insertion guide portion is formed in a groove-like or flat shape from the end of the fastening portion to at least the same position on the circumference where the second fastener seating portion is formed.

4. 2. The dental and medical mirror according to claim 1, wherein the C-shaped spring receiving portion is formed as a groove along the circumference of the mirror body on one outer surface where the shaft hole is formed.

5. 2. The dental and medical mirror according to claim 1, wherein the first fastener seating portion and the second fastener seating portion are formed as grooves or through-holes that can accommodate and support fasteners.

6. 2. The dental and medical mirror of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the adjacent portion of the C-shaped spring accommodating portion is provided with at least one anti-slip portion recessed toward the longitudinal vertical central axis to prevent slippage when fastened to the mirror portion or when the mirror is in use.

7. 7. The dental and medical mirror according to claim 6, wherein the anti-slip portion is formed in three grooves or flat surfaces along the circumference.

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