Attachment for removably supporting a partial denture

Abstract

An attachment for removably securing a partial denture to an adjacent natural tooth including a gudgeon member affixed to a natural tooth including a flat portion having a pinhole therein, a locking bar having at the first end a perpendicular extending pin portion of a diameter to be received in the gudgeon member pinhole and at the other end a hinge pin opening, a hinge pin pivotally received in the locking bar hinge pin opening, the hinge pin being adaptable to be affixed within a partial denture. .Iadd.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture to an adjacent natural tooth comprising: a gudgeon member adaptable to be affixed to a natural tooth including a flat portion extending in the plane of the alveolar ridge adjacent the natural tooth on which a denture is to be positioned, the flat portion having a pinhole therein the axis of which is perpendicular the plane of the flat portion;   a locking bar having a first and second end, the first end having a perpendicular extending integral pin portion of a diameter to be received, when the locking bar is in closed position, in said gudgeon member pinhole, the second end having a hinge pin opening therein, the axis of the hinge pin opening being perpendicular the plane of the pin portion; and   a hinge pin pivotally received in said locking bar hinge pin opening, the hinge pin being adaptable to be received in a partial denture.   
     
     
       2. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture to an adjacent natural tooth according to claim 1 wherein said flat portion of said gudgeon member is circular in all of the exterior configurations except that portion adjacent the part adaptable to be affixed to a natural tooth, the pinhole being in the center of such circular peripheral configuration. 
     
     
       3. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture to an adjacent natural tooth according to claim 1 wherein said locking bar first end includes an integral reduced width grasping portion projecting parallel the longitudinal axis of the locking bar and at the side thereof opposite said pin portion, such grasping portion being adaptable to be grasped with the fingernail for pivotation of the locking bar. 
     
     
       4. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture to an adjacent natural tooth according to claim 1 wherein said gudgeon member is an integral portion of a cap adaptable to be secured over a prepared natural tooth. 
     
     
       5. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture to an adjacent natural tooth according to claim 1 wherein said gudgeon member is in the form of a flat bar extending between spaced-apart natural teeth, the plane of said bar being in the plane of the alveolar ridge between the natural teeth, and said pinhole being adjacent one of the natural teeth. 
     
     
       6. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture to an adjacent natural tooth according to claim 5 wherein said gudgeon member flat bar has a cap portion at each end thereof, each cap portion being adaptable to be secured over a prepared natural tooth. 
     
     
       7. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture to an adjacent natural tooth according to claim 1 including means of retaining the locking bar in closed position. 
     
     
       8. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture to an adjacent natural tooth according to claim 7 wherein said locking bar first end includes a locking recess adjacent said pin portion, and including a spring lock member adaptable to be received in a partial denture and positionable therein to engage said locking recess when said locking bar is in closed position. 
     
     
       9. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture to an adjacent natural tooth according to claim 1 including a case member having, at one end thereof, an opening receiving said hinge pin whereby said locking bar is pivotally supported thereto, and having, at the other end thereof, a recess for pivotally receiving said gudgeon member. 
     
     
       10. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture to an adjacent natural tooth according to claim 9 wherein said case member is U-shaped in cross-section in a plane perpendicular the longitudinal axis and configured to partially receive said locking bar therein throughout substantially the full length of said locking bar when in the closed position. .Iadd. 11. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture within a mouth and comprising: a member adaptable to be affixed within the mouth including a flat portion extending in the plane of the alveolar ridge within the mouth adjacent to which a denture is to be positioned, the flat portion having a pinhole therein the axis of which is perpendicular the plane of the flat portion;   a locking bar having a first and second end, the first end having a perpendicular extending integral pin portion of a diameter to be received, when the locking bar is in closed position, in said member pinhole, the second end having a hinge pin opening therein, the axis of the hinge pin opening being perpendicular the plane of the pin portion; and   a hinge pin pivotally received in said locking bar hinge pin opening, the hinge pin being adapted to be received in a partial denture. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 12. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture within a mouth according to claim 11 wherein said locking bar first end includes an integral reduced width grasping portion projecting parallel the longitudinal axis of the locking bar and at the side thereof opposite said pin portion, such grasping portion being adaptable to be grasped with the fingernail for pivotation of the locking bar. .Iaddend..Iadd. 13. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture within a mouth according to claim 11 including means of retaining the locking bar in a closed position. .Iaddend..Iadd. 14. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture within a mouth according to claim 13 wherein said locking bar first end includes a locking recess adjacent said pin portion, and including a spring lock member adaptable to be received in a partial denture and positionable therein to engage said locking recess when said locking bar is in closed position. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 15. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture within a mouth according to claim 11 including a case member having, at one end thereof, an opening receiving said hinge pin whereby said locking bar is pivotally supported thereto, and having, at the other end thereof, a recess for pivotally receiving said member. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16. An attachment for removably supporting a partial denture within a mouth according to claim 15 wherein said case member is U-shaped in cross-section in a plane perpendicular the longitudinal axis and configured to partially receive said locking bar therein throughout substantially the full length of said locking bar when in the closed position. .Iaddend.