Adjustable angle prophy angle adapter

Abstract

An adjustable angle adapter for a prophy angle comprises a nose, a rotating member, a body, a shaft, and a multi-axis rotation joint. The nose is configured to receive a portion of a prophy angle. The rotating member is positioned within the nose. The body is adjustably connected to the nose. The shaft is positioned within the body. The multi-axis rotation joint connects the shaft to the rotating member. The nose is rotatable relative to the body into at least a first configuration and a second configuration.

1 . An adjustable angle adapter for a prophy angle, comprising:
 a nose configured to receive a portion of a prophy angle;   a rotating member positioned within the nose;   a body adjustably connected to the nose;   a shaft positioned within the body; and   a multi-axis rotation joint connecting the shaft to the rotating member, wherein   the nose is rotatable relative to the body into at least a first configuration and a second configuration.   
   
   
       2 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 1 , wherein
 in the first configuration, the shaft and the rotating member share a common rotational axis; and   in the second configuration, a rotational axis of the shaft is at a non-zero degree angle to a rotational axis of the rotating member.   
   
   
       3 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a lock, wherein
 in a unlocked configuration of the lock, the nose is rotatable relative to the body, and   in a locked configuration of the lock, the lock preventing the nose from rotating relative to the body.   
   
   
       4 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a pivot connecting the body to the nose. 
   
   
       5 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 4 , wherein the nose rotates relative to the body about an axis substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the shaft and/or a rotational axis of the rotating member. 
   
   
       6 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 4 , where the pivot comprises opposing and mating faces that are at an angle, other than perpendicular, to a rotational axis of the rotating member and a rotational axis of the shaft. 
   
   
       7 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor integral with the body. 
   
   
       8 . An adjustable angle adapter for a prophy angle, comprising:
 a nose configured to receive a portion of a prophy angle;   a rotating member positioned within the nose;   a body adjustably connected to the nose; and   a shaft positioned within the body and connected to the rotating member, wherein   the nose is rotatable relative to the body into at least a first configuration and a second configuration while the shaft is rotating.   
   
   
       9 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 8 , wherein
 in the first configuration, the shaft and the rotating member share a common rotational axis; and   in the second configuration, a rotational axis of the shaft is at a non-zero degree angle to a rotational axis of the rotating member.   
   
   
       10 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 8 , further comprising a lock, wherein
 in a unlocked configuration of the lock, the nose is rotatable relative to the body, and   in a locked configuration of the lock, the lock preventing the nose from rotating relative to the body.   
   
   
       11 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 8 , further comprising a pivot connecting the body to the nose. 
   
   
       12 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the nose rotates relative to the body about an axis substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the shaft and/or a rotational axis of the rotating member. 
   
   
       13 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 11 , where the pivot comprises opposing and mating faces that are at an angle, other than perpendicular, to a rotational axis of the rotating member and a rotational axis of the shaft. 
   
   
       14 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 8 , further comprising a motor integral with the body. 
   
   
       15 . An adjustable angle adapter for a prophy angle, comprising:
 a nose configured to receive a portion of a prophy angle;   a rotating member positioned within the nose;   a body adjustably connected to the nose; and   a shaft positioned within the body, wherein   the nose is rotatable relative to the body into at least a first configuration and a second configuration,   the nose rotates relative to the body about an axis that intersects an intersection point between a rotational axis of the rotating member and a rotational axis of the shaft.   
   
   
       16 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 15 , wherein
 in the first configuration, the shaft and the rotating member share a common rotational axis; and   in the second configuration, a rotational axis of the shaft is at a non-zero degree angle to a rotational axis of the rotating member.   
   
   
       17 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 15 , further comprising a lock, wherein
 in a unlocked configuration of the lock, the nose is rotatable relative to the body, and   in a locked configuration of the lock, the lock preventing the nose from rotating relative to the body.   
   
   
       18 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 15 , further comprising a pivot connecting the body to the nose. 
   
   
       19 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 18 , wherein the nose rotates relative to the body about an axis substantially perpendicular to a rotational axis of the shaft and/or a rotational axis of the rotating member. 
   
   
       20 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 18 , where the pivot comprises opposing and mating faces that are at an angle, other than perpendicular, to a rotational axis of the rotating member and a rotational axis of the shaft. 
   
   
       21 . The adjustable angle adapter of  claim 15 , further comprising a motor integral with the body.