Gum removal tool

Abstract

A gum removal tool's open-ended housing defines a chamber. A turbo nozzle is mounted in the chamber with its output end facing the open end of the housing. A high-pressure water supply can be coupled to the turbo nozzle. The open end of the housing has structures/devices coupled thereto for supporting movement of the housing on a surface as well as movement of air therethrough.

1 . A gum removal tool, comprising:
 a rigid housing having an open end, said housing defining a chamber;   a turbo nozzle having an output end, said turbo nozzle mounted in said chamber with said output end facing said open end of said housing, said turbo nozzle adapted to have a high-pressure water supply coupled thereto; and   means coupled to said housing at said open end for supporting movement of said housing on a surface and movement of air therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 1 , further comprising a port formed in a wall of said housing, said port being adapted to have a vacuum source coupled thereto wherein, when said gum removal tool is supported by said means on the surface, said port is further from the surface than said output end of said turbo nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 1 , wherein said means comprises:
 a plurality of wheels coupled to said housing; and   a porous curtain coupled to said housing at said open end thereof.   
     
     
         4 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 3 , wherein said porous curtain comprises a brush made from a plurality of bristles. 
     
     
         5 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 3 , wherein each of said wheels is a swiveling wheel. 
     
     
         6 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 3 , wherein each of said wheels is adjustable in position with respect to said open end of said housing. 
     
     
         7 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 1 , further comprising a swiveling high-pressure fluid coupling assembly coupled to said turbo nozzle and adapted to have the high-pressure water supply coupled thereto, said assembly maintained outside of said housing. 
     
     
         8 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 1 , wherein said turbo nozzle has a water delivery rate capability of at least approximately 4 gallons per minute at a delivery pressure in the range of approximately 3000-4000 pounds per square inch for water temperatures up to approximately 200° F. 
     
     
         9 . A gum removal tool, comprising:
 a rigid housing having an annular open end, said housing defining a chamber, said housing further having a port formed in a wall thereof, said port being adapted to have a vacuum source coupled thereto;   a turbo nozzle having an output end, said turbo nozzle mounted in said chamber with said output end thereof opposing said annular open end of said housing, said turbo nozzle adapted to have a high-pressure water supply coupled thereto;   a plurality of wheels coupled to said housing, said wheels adapted to support movement of said housing on a surface;   a porous curtain coupled to said housing at said annular open end thereof for supporting movement of air therethrough, said porous curtain adapted to contact the surface as said wheels move on the surface; and   said port being further from the surface than said output end of said turbo nozzle when said wheels and said porous curtain are on the surface.   
     
     
         10 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 9 , wherein said porous curtain comprises a brush made from a plurality of bristles. 
     
     
         11 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 9 , wherein each of said wheels is a swiveling wheel. 
     
     
         12 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 9 , further comprising a swiveling high-pressure fluid coupling assembly coupled to said turbo nozzle and adapted to have the high-pressure water supply coupled thereto, said assembly maintained outside of said housing. 
     
     
         13 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 9 , wherein said turbo nozzle has a water delivery rate capability of at least approximately 4 gallons per minute at a delivery pressure in the range of approximately 3000-4000 pounds per square inch for water temperatures up to approximately 200° F. 
     
     
         14 . A gum removal tool, comprising:
 a rigid housing having an open end, said housing defining a chamber, said housing further having a port formed in a wall thereof;   a vacuum source coupled to said port;   a turbo nozzle having an output end, said turbo nozzle mounted in said chamber with said output end facing said open end of said housing;   a high-pressure water supply coupled to said turbo nozzle;   means coupled to said housing at said open end for supporting movement of said housing on a surface and movement of air therethrough; and   a controller coupled to said vacuum source and said water supply for controlling simultaneous activation and de-activation of said vacuum source and said water supply.   
     
     
         15 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 14  wherein, when said gum removal tool is supported by said means on the surface, said port is further from the surface than said output end of said turbo nozzle. 
     
     
         16 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 14 , wherein said means comprises:
 a plurality of wheels coupled to said housing; and   a porous curtain coupled to said housing at said open end thereof.   
     
     
         17 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 16 , wherein said porous curtain comprises a brush made from a plurality of bristles. 
     
     
         18 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 16 , wherein each of said wheels is a swiveling wheel. 
     
     
         19 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 14 , further comprising a swiveling high-pressure fluid coupling assembly coupled between said turbo nozzle and said water supply, said assembly maintained outside of said housing. 
     
     
         20 . A gum removal tool as in  claim 14 , wherein said turbo nozzle has a water delivery rate capability of at least approximately 4 gallons per minute at a delivery pressure in the range of approximately 3000-4000 pounds per square inch for water temperatures up to approximately 200° F.