Adjustable Dental Tool Support with Movable Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool supports for dental instruments, such as drills, are inefficient due to the need for multiple storage boxes, which complicate procedures and increase the risk of cross-contamination, and previous designs either allow instruments to tilt freely or do not accommodate tools of varying lengths, making gripping and sterilization difficult.
Innovation Solution
A tool support with a horizontal retaining plate and movable base, featuring a rectangular hoop and slots for adjustable positioning, along with vertical tabs for easy gripping and cylindrical bores for secure vertical holding, allowing for variable distance adjustment and improved tool retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If instruments are stored in multiple separate boxes, then each instrument can be individually stored, but the procedure becomes more complicated and the risk of cross-contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate storage boxes into a single integrated support structure that can accommodate multiple instruments of different lengths. The support includes a base with vertical uprights and a retaining plate that creates individual slots for each instrument, combining the functionality of multiple boxes while reducing the number of separate components needed.
2Productivity
If instruments are stored in bulk in a sterilizer, then sterilization is simplified, but the number of manipulations increases during storage and retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure segments the storage space into individual slots or compartments for each instrument within a single container. This segmentation allows instruments to be sterilized together in bulk while maintaining individual identification and accessibility, reducing the need for separate handling of each instrument during storage and retrieval operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a support with fixed retaining plates is used, then instruments can be stored, but instruments of variable lengths cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates movable or adjustable retaining plates that can be repositioned along the vertical uprights to accommodate instruments of different lengths. The retaining plates can slide or be adjusted to different heights, providing dynamic adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure without complex mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If orifices are provided for tool reception, then tools can be stored, but tools can tilt freely around a vertical axis
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure provides different types of engagement features at different locations: wider slots or grooves at the top for easy insertion and retrieval, and narrower constraining features lower down to prevent tilting and stabilize the instrument orientation. This local variation in geometric constraints achieves both ease of operation and stability.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a support for holding at least one tool, in particular a surgical tool, especially a dental surgical tool, which tool has a length between a proximal end and a distal end, said support comprising at least one horizontal retaining plate (7) extending between two vertical uprights (8) and provided with at least one orifice (9) extending through the retaining plate (7), said orifice (9) being adapted to receive the tool, and a base (10) extending parallel to the retaining plate (7) and having a horizontal bearing surface opposite the retaining plate (7) and on which the distal end of the tool is intended to rest, said base (10) being movable relative to the retaining plate (7) such that the bearing surface is placed at a variable distance from the retaining plate (7);said support is remarkable in that it comprises a rectangular arch (11) attached to the upper end of the vertical uprights (8), said arch (11) extending horizontally, parallel to the retaining plate (7) which extends between the vertical uprights (8) from the middle part of said uprights (8), said vertical uprights (8) having a decreasing thickness from the upper wall of the retaining plate (7) to their upper ends.