WO2008116266A1

WO2008116266A1 - Tool assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2008116266A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000428
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barry Hull; Joe Muscara
Original assignee: Barry Hull; Joe Muscara
Priority date: 2007-03-26
Filing date: 2008-03-26
Publication date: 2008-10-02

Abstract

A tool assembly (11) comprising a mirror (17) secured to a first end of a sleeve (19), a handle, a light source (21) and a switching means (23). The mirror (17) is rotatably secured to the sleeve (19) allowing it to move between a first position and a second position. The mirror (17) is releasably retained in the first position or second position by an indexing mechanism (27). The sleeve (19) has an opening (31) at a first end to releasably receive the handle.

Description

Tool Assembly

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a tool assembly, the tool assembly being particularly adapted for inspections.

Background Art

In the area of dentistry a dentist carries out basic examination of a patient's teeth using an inspection tool comprising a mirror attached to a long handle, typically at an angle thereto.

To allow the dentist to see into the mouth a large overhead light is positioned so that the light is concentrated on the patient's teeth. However, as the dentist operates between the light and the patient, the dentist's hands often block the light, rendering it difficult to inspect the patient's teeth with the inspection tool.

Numerous inspection tools have been developed which incorporate a light. However, these tools are either too large, require manual activation of the light, and/or are difficult and expensive to properly sterilise.

Inspection tools are also used in other industries to view areas which cannot be otherwise inspected. In these situations it is also advantageous to be able to direct a light onto the area to be inspected.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

It is an object of this invention to provide a tool assembly to ameliorate, mitigate or overcome, at least one disadvantage of the prior art, or which will at least provide the public with a practical choice. Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention provides a tool assembly, the assembly comprising a mirror secured to a first end of a casing, a light source and a switching means adapted to activate the light source when the assembly is orientated in an operating position.

The switching means may also deactivate the light source when the assembly is in a non-operating position.

Preferably the operating position is defined when the assembly is within a predetermined angle range.

The switching means may incorporate a levelling mechanism which monitors the angle of the assembly.

The switching means may be encapsulated in the casing.

The light source may be encapsulated within or is integral with an insert which is received in the casing. In one aspect of the invention the insert may have a window through which the light from the light source may pass. In another aspect the light source may be located on an external portion of the insert.

The light source may be a light emitting diode (LED).

The insert may comprise an external protective layer. The light source may extend beyond the protective layer.

Preferably the mirror and casing are the only components which enter a patient's mouth allowing for easy replacement or sterilisation thereof.

The casing may have a window through which the light from the light source passes.

The mirror may be angled relative to the casing. The mirror may be rotatably secured to the casing.

Preferably the mirror is adapted to rotate relative to the casing between a first position and a second position. The first position and second position may be angularly spaced substantially 180° to each other. In the first position the light may be directed onto the area of the patient's mouth being examined.

In the second position the light is reflected off the mirror onto the area of the patient's mouth being examined.

The mirror and casing may incorporate an indexing mechanism such that the mirror may be indexed to be releasably retained in the first position, second position, or positions therebetween.

A first end portion of the casing may be narrower than a second end portion of the casing. Preferably the second end of the casing has an opening through which the insert is received. The opening may have a cover which fits thereover. The cover may be threadingly secured to the casing.

Preferably the insert has a power source. The power source may be in the form of a rechargeable battery pack.

The assembly may further comprise a recharging device.

The casing may be configured to support alternative implements, such as a scalpel, thereto.

The present invention further provides a tool assembly, the assembly comprises a mirror secured to a first end of a casing, a light source and a switching means, the mirror being rotatably secured to the casing allowing it to move between a first position and a second position, the mirror being releasably retained in the first position or second position.

The first position and second position may be angularly spaced substantially 180° to each other. - A -

In the first position the light may be directed onto the area of the patient's mouth being examined.

The present invention further provides a tool assembly, the assembly comprises a mirror secured to a first end of a sleeve, a handle, a light source and a switching means, the mirror being rotatably secured to the sleeve allowing it to move between a first position and a second position, the mirror being releasably retained in the first position or second position by an indexing mechanism, the sleeve having an opening at a first end to releasably receive the handle.

The present invention still further provides a tool assembly, the assembly comprising a mirror secured to a first end of a sleeve, a light source and a switching means adapted to activate the light source when the assembly is orientated in an operating position, the sleeve having an opening at a first end to releasably receive a handle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of several specific embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is side view of a tool assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of an insert of the tool assembly shown in figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of an indexing mechanism used in the tool assembly of figure 1.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention Referring to the figures the invention according to an embodiment is in the form of a tool assembly 11. The tool assembly 11 comprises a casing 10 having a first end portion 15a, a second end portion 16a and an opening 31 at a second end 33. The casing 10 is adapted to receive an insert 13 through the opening 31 whereby it is releasably retained therein.

The opening 31 has a cover 35 which encapsulates the insert 13 within the casing 10.

The insert 13 has a first end portion 15b and second end portion 16b which are adapted to fit in the respective portions 15a, 16b of the casing 10. The insert 13 has an external protective layer 14 therearound.

The tool assembly 11 also comprises a mirror 17 rotatably mounted to the casing 10 at an angle thereto. The tool assembly 11 also comprises a light source, in the form of an LED 21 , and a switching means 23 to activate the LED 21. The switching means 23 incorporates a levelling mechanism 25 which monitors the orientation of the tool assembly 11. In operation, when the tool assembly is at a predetermined angular orientation range, the operating position, the switching means 23 activates the LED 21.

The switching means 23 also deactivates the LED 21 when in a non-operating position. Again this is determined by the orientation of the tool assembly 11. The orientation of the tool assembly 11 required to activate the LED 21 is not necessarily the same orientation required to deactivate the LED 21.

In other embodiments the switching means may not deactivate the LED 21 until it has been in the non-operating position for a period of time.

The mirror 17 is capable of rotating with respect to the casing 10 between a first position and a second position, angularly spaced substantially 180° to each other.

The mounting of the mirror 17 on casing 10 incorporates an indexing mechanism 27 so that the mirror 17 is releasably retained in the first position or second position. The indexing mechanism comprises a housing 51 rotatably secured to a body 53 at the first end portion 15a. The housing 51 is adapted to threadingly receive the mirror 17 therein. The housing 51 has a detent 55 which is adapted to be received in one of two recesses 57 formed in the body 53, depending on the position the mirror 17 is in. The detent 55 is biased outwardly from a central region of the housing 51. The recesses 57 are spaced at 180° to each other. When in one of the recesses 57 the mirror will be in one of the first or second positions. The detent 55 is adapted to retract from the respective recess 57 when a force is applied to the mirror allowing it to rotate towards the next position.

The casing 10 also comprises a window 20 through which the light from the LED 21 may pass. The window 20 is at a first end 32 of the casing 10.

The light projects through the window 20 so that when the mirror 17 is in the first position the light can be directly directed onto the area of the patient's mouth being examined, and when in the second position the light is reflected off the mirror 17 onto the area of the patient's mouth being examined.

The tool assembly 11 also comprises a power source in the form of a rechargeable battery pack 29. The tool assembly 11 is adapted to be received in a docking station (not shown) when the tool assembly 11 is not in use to recharge the battery pack 29.

As the insert 13 can be easily removed from the casing 10, the same insert 13 can be fitted with a new/sterilised casing 10a and mirror 17a ready for the next patient. The used mirror 17 and casing 10 can then be sterilised or disposed.

As the mirror 17 moves between a first position and a second position, the mirror can be easily rotated between positions to aid the dentist when examining teeth, providing a greater degree of control on where the light is concentrated.

As the light source is activated according to the orientation of the tool assembly 11 , the dentist does not need to operate an on/off switch when the light is required or when the light is no longer required. As shown in the figures the first end portion 15a of the casing 10 is smaller than a second end portion 16a. This allows the portion of the tool assembly 11 inserted into the patient's mouth to be of a similar size as conventional inspection tools.

Whilst this embodiment relates to the use of the tool assembly 11 in dentistry, it is to be understood that the tool has applications in other industries in which obstructed areas require inspection and is therefore not limited to the application described above..

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

The Claims Defining the Invention are as Follows:

1. A tool assembly comprising a mirror secured to a first end of a casing, a light source and a switching means adapted to activate the light source when the assembly is orientated in an operating position.

2. The tool assembly according to claim 1 wherein the switching means also deactivates the light source when the assembly is in a non-operating position.

3. The tool assembly according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the operating position is defined when the assembly is within a predetermined angle range.

4. The tool assembly according to claim 1 , 2 or 3 wherein the switching means incorporates a levelling mechanism which monitors the angle of the assembly.

5. The tool assembly according to claim 1 , 2, 3 or 4 wherein the switching means is encapsulated in the casing.

6. The tool assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light source is encapsulated within or is integral with an insert which is received in the casing.

7. The tool assembly according to claim 6 wherein the insert has a window through which the light from the light source can pass.

8. The tool assembly according to claim 6 wherein the light source is located on an external portion of the insert.

9. The tool assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light source is a light emitting diode (LED).

1O.The tool assembly according to claim 6, 7, 8 or 9 wherein the insert comprises an external protective layer. - -

11. The tool assembly according to claim 10 wherein the light source extends beyond the protective layer.

12.The tool assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the casing has a window through which the light from the light source passes.

13.The tool assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mirror is angled relative to the casing.

14.The tool assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mirror is rotatably secured to the casing.

15.The tool assembly according to claim 14 wherein the mirror is adapted to rotate relative to the casing between a first position and a second position.

16.The tool assembly according to claim 15 wherein the first position and second position are angularly spaced substantially 180° to each other, whereby in the first position the light is directed directly onto the area of the patient's mouth being examined, and in the second position the light is reflected off the mirror onto the area of the patient's mouth being examined.

17.The tool assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the mirror and casing incorporate an indexing mechanism such that the mirror can be indexed to be releasably retained in the first position, second position, or positions therebetween.

18.The tool assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a first end portion of the casing is narrower than a second end portion of the casing.

19.The tool assembly according to claim 18 wherein the second end of the casing has an opening through which the insert is received, the opening having a cover which fits thereover.

2O.The tool assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 19 wherein the insert has a power source.

21 The tool assembly according to claim 20 wherein the power source is in the form of a rechargeable battery pack, the assembly further comprising a recharging device.

22.The tool assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the casing is configured to support alternative implements, such as a scalpel, thereto.

23.A tool assembly, the assembly comprises a mirror secured to a first end of a casing, a light source and a switching means, the mirror being rotatably secured to the casing allowing it to move between a first position and a second position, the mirror being releasably retained in the first position or second position.

24.The tool assembly according to claim 23 wherein the first position and second position are angularly spaced substantially 180° to each other whereby in the first position the light is directed directly onto the area of the patient's mouth being examined, and in the second position the light is reflected off the mirror onto the area of the patient's mouth being examined.

25.A tool assembly according to any one of the preceding claims for use in dentistry wherein the mirror and casing are the only components which enter a patient's mouth allowing for easy replacement or sterilisation thereof.

26.A tool assembly, the assembly comprises a mirror secured to a first end of a sleeve, a handle, a light source and a switching means, the mirror being rotatably secured to the sleeve allowing it to move between a first position and a second position, the mirror being releasably retained in the first position or second position by an indexing mechanism, the sleeve having an opening at a first end to releasably receive the handle.

27.A tool assembly, the assembly comprising a mirror secured to a first end of a sleeve, a light source and a switching means adapted to activate the light source when the assembly is orientated in an operating position, the sleeve having an opening at a first end to releasably receive a handle.

28.A tool assembly as substantially herein described with reference to the drawings.