Rotating clip orthodontic bracket

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a locking orthodontic bracket that contains a mechanism that rotationally locks an orthodontic archwire fully or partially within the bracket archwire slot. The orthodontic bracket has a body containing a slot to receive an orthodontic archwire, wings for tying ligature wires, a base that is attachable to an orthodontic band or directly to a tooth surface and a central recess in the front surface of the body that contains the rotating clip device. The rotating clip device is rotated to enclose an orthodontic archwire within the slot.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rotating clip orthodontic bracket comprising:
 an orthodontic bracket comprising a body, the body having a back, a front with a center, left and right sides, a top and a bottom, the body front contains an archwire slot extending horizontally left side to right side shaped to receive an orthodontic archwire with right and left ends, left and right tie wings at the top and bottom body for tie wires or elastomeric ties for securing an archwire within the archwire slot;   a cylindrical recess with walls in the center of the body front of the orthodontic bracket wherein the cylindrical recess is open on the body front and extends towards the body back wherein the cylindrical recess ends with a circular floor; and   a rotating clip within the cylindrical recess for securing orthodontic archwires comprised of a circular base, two attached opposing columns separated by open opposing sides which allow the passage of an archwire through the archwire slot, each column supporting a c-shaped extension with a free end and an underside facing the bracket front wherein the circular base is fitted to the wall adjacent to the circular floor, the opposing columns are fitted to the cylindrical recess walls and the c-shaped extensions extend on the bracket front in opposing directions, the clip is fitted in the cylindrical recess and when the clip is rotated in a clockwise rotation position the bracket slot is open allowing the insertion and removal of an archwire and when the clip is rotated in a counterclockwise position the c-shaped extensions retain the archwire within the archwire slot at the right and left ends of the archwire slot.   
     
     
       2. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 1  further comprising top and bottom index pin notches in the center of the front of the bracket between the left and right tie wings wherein an index pin with a measuring notch is placed to guide the placement of the orthodontic bracket on a tooth. 
     
     
       3. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 1  wherein the c-shaped extensions free end undersides each contain a bump projecting downwards towards the front of the body of the orthodontic bracket, the front of the body contains dimples shaped to receive the respective bumps, the dimples are placed to receive the respective dimples and lock the c-shaped extension in archwire slot closed position when the rotating clip is rotated counterclockwise and lock the c-shaped extension in the archwire slot open position when the rotating clip is rotated clockwise. 
     
     
       4. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket clip of  claim 1  wherein the c-shaped extensions free ends each have a surface facing the front of the body of the orthodontic bracket, this surface is beveled towards the c-shaped extension free end which facilitates sliding the c-shaped extension free end over an orthodontic archwire that has been placed in the archwire slot. 
     
     
       5. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 1  wherein the c-shaped extensions have flat undersides which enclose the archwire passively in the archwire slot when the rotating clip is rotated counterclockwise. 
     
     
       6. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 1  wherein the c-shaped extensions have round bumps extruding from their undersides near their free ends which press down and hold the archwire actively in the archwire slot when the rotating clip is rotated counterclockwise. 
     
     
       7. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 1  wherein the bracket body face has cutouts adjacent to the archwire slot shaped to receive the free ends of the c-shaped extensions which have underside bumps in their free ends and middles and a channel on the bracket body face under each c-shaped extension to guide the middle underside bumps during the rotation of the rotating clip. 
     
     
       8. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 1  wherein there are four c-shaped extensions, two opposing extensions with flat undersides which enclose the archwire passively when the rotating clip is rotated counterclockwise and two c-shaped extensions with underside bumps which enclose the archwire actively in the archwire slot when the rotating clip is turned clockwise. 
     
     
       9. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 1  wherein the c-shaped extensions each have a middle which contain an extension tab which projects towards the archwire slot, the extension tab encloses the archwire when the rotating clip is in the closed position thus increasing the closure of the archwire in the archwire slot. 
     
     
       10. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 1  wherein the top and bottom left and right wings have horizontal notches extending to the body center from the left of the bracket and the upper and lower right wings have horizontal notches extending to the body center from the right of the bracket, the notches allow attachment of orthodontic elastomeric power chains to the upper wings only or to the lower wings only which prevents the elastomeric chains from contacting and binding the archwire and allows the archwire to be placed or removed without removing the elastomeric chain. 
     
     
       11. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 1  wherein there are upper and lower index pin notches positioned between adjacent tie wings to receive an index pin with a horizontal measuring notch for positioning the orthodontic bracket upon a tooth. 
     
     
       12. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 1  wherein the cylindrical wall has a circular ring and the attached columns of the rotating clip has a circular groove, wherein when the circular ring is seated in the circular groove the rotating clip is allowed to rotate without being unseated from the cylindrical recess. 
     
     
       13. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 1  which is comprised of a variety of materials including metal, plastic or ceramic and decorative forms comprising a variety of colors, glow-in-the-dark and LED lights which may be activated by the patient tapping their teeth together. 
     
     
       14. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket comprising:
 an orthodontic bracket comprising a body, the body having a back, a front with a center, left and right sides, a top and a bottom, the body front contains an archwire slot extending horizontally left side to right side shaped to receive an orthodontic archwire with right and left ends, left and right tie wings at the top and bottom body for tie wires or elastomeric ties for securing an archwire within the archwire slot;   a cylindrical recess with walls in the center of the body front of the orthodontic bracket wherein the cylindrical recess is open on the bracket body front and extends towards the bracket body back wherein the cylindrical recess ends with a circular floor; and   a rotating clip within the cylindrical recess for securing orthodontic archwires comprised of a circular base, two attached opposing columns separated by open opposing sides which allow the passage of an archwire through the archwire slot, the columns supporting first and second opposing sets of c-shaped extensions, the first set with a c-shaped extension adjacent to the top left tie wing, wherein the first opposing c-shaped extension end undersides each have a bump and the second opposing c-shaped extension end undersides are each flat, the circular base is fitted to the cylindrical recess wall adjacent to the circular floor, the opposing columns are fitted to the cylindrical recess walls and the c-shaped extensions extend on the bracket front in opposing directions, the clip is fitted in the cylindrical recess and when the rotating clip is in a center position the bracket slot is open allowing the insertion and removal of an archwire in the archwire slot, when the rotating clip is rotated in a counterclockwise position the bumps, on the underside of the c-shaped extensions, push on the archwire to retain the archwire actively within the archwire slot at the right and left ends of the archwire slot, when the rotating clip is rotated clockwise the flat undersurface of the c-shaped extensions push on the archwire holding hold the archwire passively in the archwire slot.   
     
     
       15. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 14  further comprising top and bottom index pin notches positioned between adjacent tie wings in the center of the front of the bracket body wherein an index pin with a measuring notch is placed to guide the placement of the orthodontic bracket on a tooth. 
     
     
       16. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket clip of  claim 14  wherein the c-shaped extensions free ends each have a surface facing the front of the body of the orthodontic bracket, this surface is beveled towards the free ends which facilitates sliding the c-shaped end over an orthodontic archwire that has been placed in the archwire slot. 
     
     
       17. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 14  wherein the bracket face has cutouts adjacent to the archwire slot shaped to receive c-shaped extension ends with underside bumps and a channel on the bracket face with adjacent underside bumps on the c-shaped extensions wherein the cutouts guide the underside bumps during the rotation of the rotating clip. 
     
     
       18. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 14  wherein the c-shaped extensions have a middle which contain an extension tab which projects towards the archwire slot, the extension tab encloses the archwire when the rotating clip is in the closed position thus increasing the closure of the archwire in the archwire slot. 
     
     
       19. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 14  wherein the top left and right wings have horizontal notches extending to the body center from the left of the bracket and the lower right and left wings have horizontal notches extending to the body center from the of the bracket, the notches allow attachment of orthodontic elastomeric power chains to the upper wings only or to the lower wings only. 
     
     
       20. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 14  wherein there are upper and lower index pin notches to receive an index pin with a horizontal measuring notch for positioning the orthodontic bracket upon a tooth. 
     
     
       21. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 14  wherein the cylindrical wall has a circular ring and the attached columns of the rotating clip has a circular groove, when circular ring is seated in the circular groove the rotating clip is allowed to rotate without being unseated from the cylindrical recess. 
     
     
       22. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 14  which is comprised of a variety of materials selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic and ceramic and decorative forms comprising a variety of colors, glow-in-the-dark and LED lights which may be activated by the patient tapping their teeth together. 
     
     
       23. A method of straightening teeth using the rotating clip orthodontic bracket of  claim 14 , comprising:
 attaching a rotating orthodontic bracket to a tooth;   rotating the orthodontic bracket rotating clip to an archwire slot open position;   placing an orthodontic archwire into the archwire slot;   enclosing the archwire by rotating the rotating clip until the archwire is enclosed within the archwire slot;   opening the orthodontic archwire slot by rotating the rotating clip into an archwire slot is open; and   removing the orthodontic archwire.   
     
     
       24. A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising:
 a bracket body including an archwire slot; and   a clip including a clip body and at least a first extension that extends laterally outward from the clip body, the clip being configured to rotate between an opened position and a first closed position and a second closed position in both of which the first extension retains an archwire in the archwire slot, wherein when the clip is rotated to the first closed position, the first extension actively ligates the archwire and when the clip is rotated to the second closed position, the first extension passively ligates the archwire, wherein the clip rotates about an axis of rotation that lies within the archwire slot.   
     
     
       25. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 24, wherein the first extension is generally C-shaped. 
     
     
       26. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 24, wherein the first extension includes a protrusion that is configured to project into the archwire slot when the clip is rotated to the first closed position to actively ligate the archwire, and when the clip is rotated to the second closed position, the protrusion does not project into the archwire slot. 
     
     
       27. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 26, wherein the bracket body further includes an indentation and when the clip is in the second closed position, the protrusion is received in the indentation. 
     
     
       28. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 24, wherein the bracket body includes a recess that is open to a front surface of the bracket body and that defines the axis of rotation. 
     
     
       29. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 24, wherein the clip body includes opposing walls that define opposing openings therebetween and the first extension extends from one opposing wall, and when the clip is in the opened position, the opposing openings generally align with the archwire slot so that the archwire passes through the opposing openings. 
     
     
       30. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 24, wherein the first extension includes a beveled leading edge. 
     
     
       31. A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising:
 a bracket body including an archwire slot and a recess open to a front surface of the bracket body; and   a clip including a clip body that is configured to fit within the recess and at least a first extension that extends laterally outward from the clip body and has a protrusion that projects into the archwire slot, the clip being configured to rotate between an opened position and a first closed position and a second closed position in both of which the first extension retains an archwire in the archwire slot, wherein rotation of the clip from the opened position to the first closed position positions the first extension so that the protrusion projects into the archwire slot to actively ligate the archwire, and by further rotation in the same direction from the first closed position to the second closed position, the first extension spans the archwire slot and moves the protrusion out of the archwire slot to passively ligate the archwire.   
     
     
       32. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 31, wherein the first extension is generally C-shaped. 
     
     
       33. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 31, wherein the bracket body further includes an indentation and when the clip is in the second closed position, the protrusion is received in the indentation. 
     
     
       34. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 31, wherein the clip includes a second extension extending laterally outward from the clip body, and the second extension retains the archwire in the archwire slot when the clip is in each of the first closed position and the second closed position. 
     
     
       35. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 34, wherein the second extension has a second protrusion and when the clip is rotated to the first closed position, the second protrusion projects into the archwire slot and actively ligates the archwire, and by further rotation in the same direction from the first closed position to the second closed position, the second extension spans the archwire slot and moves the second protrusion out of the archwire slot. 
     
     
       36. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 35, wherein the bracket body further includes a second indentation and the second protrusion is received in the second indentation when the clip is rotated to the second closed position. 
     
     
       37. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 34, wherein each of the first extension and the second extension is generally C-shaped so that in each of the first closed position and the second closed position a portion of the first and second extensions is transverse to the archwire slot proximate a mesial side and a distal side of the bracket body, respectively. 
     
     
       38. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 31, wherein the recess defines an axis of rotation and the axis of rotation intersects the archwire slot. 
     
     
       39. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 31, wherein the clip body includes opposing walls that define opposing openings therebetween and the first extension extends from one opposing wall, and when the clip is in the opened position, the opposing openings generally align with the archwire slot so that the archwire passes through the opposing openings. 
     
     
       40. A self-ligating orthodontic bracket comprising:
 a bracket body including an archwire slot and a recess, each of the archwire slot and the recess being open to a front surface of the bracket body; and   a clip including a clip body that is configured to fit within the recess and a first extension and a second extension each extending laterally outward from the clip body, the clip being configured to rotate between an opened position and a first closed position and a second closed position in both of which the first extension and the second extension retain an archwire in the archwire slot, wherein when the clip is rotated to the first closed position, the first extension and the second extension actively ligate the archwire and when the clip is rotated to the second closed position, the first extension and the second extension passively ligate the archwire.   
     
     
       41. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 40, wherein the first extension includes a first protrusion and the second extension includes a second protrusion, and when the clip is rotated to the first closed position, the first protrusion and the second protrusion project into the archwire slot and actively ligate the archwire, and when the clip is rotated to the second closed position, the first protrusion and the second protrusion do not project into the archwire slot. 
     
     
       42. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 41, wherein the bracket body further includes at least one indentation and when the clip is in the second closed position, the first protrusion is received in the at least one indentation. 
     
     
       43. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 40, wherein each of the first extension and the second extension is generally C-shaped so that in each of the first closed position and the second closed position a portion of the first and second extensions is transverse to the archwire slot proximate a mesial side and a distal side of the bracket body, respectively. 
     
     
       44. The self-ligating orthodontic bracket of claim 40, wherein the recess defines an axis of rotation and the axis of rotation intersects the archwire slot. 
     
     
       45. A rotating clip orthodontic bracket comprising:
 an orthodontic bracket comprising a body, the body having a back, a front with a center, left and right sides, a top and a bottom, the body front contains an archwire slot extending horizontally left side to right side shaped to receive an orthodontic archwire with right and left ends, left and right tie wings at the top and bottom body for tie wires or elastomeric ties for securing an archwire within the archwire slot;   a cylindrical recess with walls in the center of the body front of the orthodontic bracket wherein the cylindrical recess is open on the body front and extends towards the body back wherein the cylindrical recess ends with a circular floor; and   a rotating clip within the cylindrical recess for securing orthodontic archwires comprised of a circular base, two attached opposing columns separated by open opposing sides which allow the passage of an archwire through the archwire slot, each column supporting a C-shaped extension with a free end and an underside facing the bracket front wherein the circular base is fitted to the wall adjacent to the circular floor, the opposing columns are fitted to the cylindrical recess walls and the C-shaped extensions extend on the bracket front in opposing directions, the clip is fitted in the cylindrical recess and when the clip is rotated in a clockwise rotation position the bracket slot is open allowing the insertion and removal of an archwire and when the clip is rotated in a counterclockwise position the C-shaped extensions retain the archwire within the archwire slot at the right and left ends of the archwire slot.   
     
     
       46. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 further comprising top and bottom index pin notches in the center of the front of the bracket between the left and right tie wings wherein an index pin with a measuring notch is placed to guide the placement of the orthodontic bracket on a tooth. 
     
     
       47. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein the c-shaped extensions free end undersides each contain a bump projecting downwards towards the front of the body of the orthodontic bracket, the front of the body contains dimples shaped to receive the respective bumps, the dimples are placed to receive the respective dimples and lock the c-shaped extension in archwire slot closed position when the rotating clip is rotated counterclockwise and lock the c-shaped extension in the archwire slot open position when the rotating clip is rotated clockwise. 
     
     
       48. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket clip of claim 45 wherein the c-shaped extensions free ends each have a surface facing the front of the body of the orthodontic bracket, this surface is beveled towards the c-shaped extension free end which facilitates sliding the c-shaped extension free end over an orthodontic archwire that has been placed in the archwire slot. 
     
     
       49. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein the c-shaped extensions have flat undersides which enclose the archwire passively in the archwire slot when the rotating clip is rotated counterclockwise. 
     
     
       50. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein the c-shaped extensions have round bumps projecting from their undersides near their free ends which press down and hold the archwire actively in the archwire slot when the rotating clip is rotated counterclockwise. 
     
     
       51. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein the bracket body face has cutouts adjacent to the archwire slot shaped to receive the free ends of the c-shaped extensions which have underside bumps in their free ends and middles and a channel on the bracket body face under each c-shaped extension to guide the middle underside bumps during the rotation of the rotating clip. 
     
     
       52. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein there are four c-shaped extensions, two opposing extensions with flat undersides which enclose the archwire passively when the rotating clip is rotated counterclockwise and two c-shaped extensions with underside bumps which enclose the archwire actively in the archwire slot when the rotating clip is turned clockwise. 
     
     
       53. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein the c-shaped extensions each have a middle which contain an extension tab which projects towards the archwire slot, the extension tab encloses the archwire when the rotating clip is in the closed position thus increasing the closure of the archwire in the archwire slot. 
     
     
       54. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein the top and bottom left and right wings have horizontal notches extending to the body center from the left of the bracket and the upper and lower right wings have horizontal notches extending to the body center from the right of the bracket, the notches allow attachment of orthodontic elastomeric power chains to the upper wings only or to the lower wings only which prevents the elastomeric chains from contacting and binding the archwire and allows the archwire to be placed or removed without removing the elastomeric chain. 
     
     
       55. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein there are upper and lower index pin notches positioned between adjacent tie wings to receive an index pin with a horizontal measuring notch for positioning the orthodontic bracket upon a tooth. 
     
     
       56. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 wherein the cylindrical wall has a circular ring and the attached columns of the rotating clip has a circular groove, wherein when the circular ring is seated in the circular groove the rotating clip is allowed to rotate without being unseated from the cylindrical recess. 
     
     
       57. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 45 which is comprised of a variety of materials including metal, plastic or ceramic and decorative forms comprising a variety of colors, glow-in-the-dark and LED lights which may be activated by the patient tapping their teeth together. 
     
     
       58. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket comprising:
 an orthodontic bracket comprising a body, the body having a back, a front with a center, left and right sides, a top and a bottom, the body front contains an archwire slot extending horizontally left side to right side shaped to receive an orthodontic archwire with right and left ends, left and right tie wings at the top and bottom body for tie wires or elastomeric ties for securing an archwire within the archwire slot;   a cylindrical recess with walls in the center of the body front of the orthodontic bracket wherein the cylindrical recess is open on the bracket body front and extends towards the bracket body back wherein the cylindrical recess ends with a circular floor; and   a rotating clip within the cylindrical recess for securing orthodontic archwires comprised of a circular base, two attached opposing columns separated by open opposing sides which allow the passage of an archwire through the archwire slot, the columns supporting first and second opposing sets of c-shaped extensions, the first set with a c-shaped extension adjacent to the top left tie wing, wherein the first opposing c-shaped extension end undersides each have a bump and the second opposing c-shaped extension end undersides are each flat, the circular base is fitted to the cylindrical recess wall adjacent to the circular floor, the opposing columns are fitted to the cylindrical recess walls and the c-shaped extensions extend on the bracket front in opposing directions, the clip is fitted in the cylindrical recess and when the rotating clip is in a center position the bracket slot is open allowing the insertion and removal of an archwire in the archwire slot, when the rotating clip is rotated in a counterclockwise position the bumps, on the underside of the c-shaped extensions, push on the archwire to retain the archwire actively within the archwire slot at the right and left ends of the archwire slot, when the rotating clip is rotated clockwise the flat undersurface of the c-shaped extensions push on the archwire holding hold the archwire passively in the archwire slot.   
     
     
       59. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 further comprising top and bottom index pin notches positioned between adjacent tie wings in the center of the front of the bracket body wherein an index pin with a measuring notch is placed to guide the placement of the orthodontic bracket on a tooth. 
     
     
       60. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket clip of claim 58 wherein the c-shaped extensions free ends each have a surface facing the front of the body of the orthodontic bracket, this surface is beveled towards the free ends which facilitates sliding the c-shaped extension over an orthodontic archwire that has been placed in the archwire slot. 
     
     
       61. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 wherein the bracket face has cutouts adjacent to the archwire slot shaped to receive c-shaped extension ends with underside bumps and a channel on the bracket face with adjacent underside bumps on the c-shaped extensions wherein the cutouts guide the underside bumps during the rotation of the rotating clip. 
     
     
       62. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 wherein the c-shaped extensions have a middle which contain an extension tab which projects towards the archwire slot, the extension tab encloses the archwire when the rotating clip is in the closed position thus increasing the closure of the archwire in the archwire slot. 
     
     
       63. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 wherein the top left and right wings have horizontal notches extending to the body center from the left of the bracket and the lower right and left wings have horizontal notches extending to the body center from the of the bracket, the notches allow attachment of orthodontic elastomeric power chains to the upper wings only or to the lower wings only. 
     
     
       64. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 wherein there are upper and lower index pin notches to receive an index pin with a horizontal measuring notch for positioning the orthodontic bracket upon a tooth. 
     
     
       65. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 wherein the cylindrical wall has a circular ring and the attached columns of the rotating clip has a circular groove, when circular ring is seated in the circular groove the rotating clip is allowed to rotate without being unseated from the cylindrical recess. 
     
     
       66. The rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58 which is comprised of a variety of materials selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic and ceramic and decorative forms comprising a variety of colors, glow-in-the-dark and LED lights which may be activated by the patient tapping their teeth together. 
     
     
       67. A method of straightening teeth using the rotating clip orthodontic bracket of claim 58, comprising:
 attaching a rotating orthodontic bracket to a tooth;   rotating the orthodontic bracket rotating clip to an archwire slot open position;   placing an orthodontic archwire into the archwire slot;   enclosing the archwire by rotating the rotating clip until the archwire is enclosed within the archwire slot;   opening the orthodontic archwire slot by rotating the rotating clip into an archwire slot is open; and   removing the orthodontic archwire.