[002] in the veterinary industry especially with regards to horses, it is vitally important to have a horse's teeth floated to allow the horse to properly grace and grind its food. In many instances weight !oss relates to teeth which are too long and as such the anima! is not capable of properly pulverizing its food.

[003] Floating means to smooth or contour a horse's teeth with a file (also known as a "float"). Unlike your own teeth, your horse's teeth keep growing. At times, a horse's teeth may develop sharp edges, making it difficult for it to chew food, hold a bit, or simply have pain and discomfort inside its mouth.

[004] An adult horse may have between 36-44 permanent teeth. And just like humans, your horse gets two sets of teeth in its lifetime. Your horse starts out with temporary baby teeth and by age five, will most likely have her full set of permanent teeth.

[005] The horse's front teeth cut hay and grass, while the top and bottom cheek teeth grind the forage between the flat surfaces in a sideways motion. This grinding action breaks down the food into a pulp before swallowing which helps it to be digested better. If a horse is unable to grind down food all the way due to uneven teeth surfaces, the unchewed food will not be digested properly. [006] Most often, points develop on the upper cheek teeth toward the outside of the mouth next to the horse's cheek as well as on the bottom cheek teeth toward the inside of the mouth next to the horse's tongue. These points can then cut into the cheek and tongue making the animal uncomfortable. [007] A further sign that a horse's teeth may need to be floated is if it consistently drops food from its mouth and weight loss is noticed.

[008] To float the teeth, the veterinarian uses a float and a dental wedge. A "float" is a file or rasp used for filing down uneven edges on the teeth of a horse. A "dental wedge" is a device used to keep the mouth of the horse open during the floating procedure.

[009] Different types of floats exist of which the most commonly known includes a serrated flat edged blade which is attached to a handle portion, normally manufactured from stainless steel.

[0010] The handle portion is generally angled to allow for easy access to back teeth in the horse's mouth.

[0011 ] A problem generally associated with these types of floats is the costs of blade repair or sharpening. In the past, the entire dental float was destroyed once the blade has become blunt. However, recent designs has allowed for the blade to be removed from the handle portion, and either dispensed or sharpened. [0012] Current designs allows for the blade to be removably secured to an engagement means provided at the end of the float, which blade may then be sharpened. [0013] In general, the blade is secured within niche having at least two side wall to ensure that the blade does not move sideways relative to the float. However, it will be appreciated that a problem with these types of design, allows for the blade to be sharpened approximately 5 to 7 times before the serrated edge of the blade is obstructed by the side walls, resulting in the blade being dispensed.

[0014] It is an object of the current invention to provide a dental float with a removable blade which may be sharpened between two and five times more than any existing design, as well as provide a method for prolonging the life of an existing blade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The invention provides for a dental float which includes a housing secured to at least one end of a shaft, the housing including at least one groove formation which may receive and may be engageable with a serrated blade.

[0016] The dental float may include a serrated blade, which blade may include a body serrated at least on one side thereof, and including complementary shaped dovetailed formations on the opposite side, which may be engageable with the complementary shaped groove formations provided on the housing. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the serrated blade teeth may be irregular systematically spaced to prolong sharpness. [0017] The housing may further include an aperture which may be screw threaded and capable to receive a suitable fastener, to lock the serrated blade in position within the housing. [0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastener may be a locking screw and may extend through the aperture to press against the serrated blade. It will be appreciated that by engaging the serrated blade with the groove formations provided on the housing, and inserting the locking screw to press against the blade, it may be secured in position.

[0019] It will further be appreciated that a blade will protrude further relative to the housing allowing for the blade to be sharpened repeatedly.

[0020] The invention further extends to a method of increasing the lifetime of a serrated blade for use on a dental float, which method includes the step of securing a base to at least one side of a serrated blade to define a dovetailed engagement formation, the base being engageable with complementary shaped groove formations provided on a dental float housing. [0021 ] The base may be removably secured to the one side of the serrated edge and may be secured by means of a suitable fastener, alternatively may be glued alternatively welded or braced. The base may be trapezoidal in cross sections so that when secured to the serrated edge, a dovetailed engagement formation may be defined.

[0022] In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the dovetailed formation may form an integral part of the serrated edged blade. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a dental float according the invention; Fig 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the dental float and serrated blade;

Fig 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a dental float and serrated blade;

Fig 4 is a plan view of the serrated blade.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a dental float combination 10, which includes a dental float 12 having a housing 14 secured to a shaft 16, and a serrated blade 18, which is engageable with the housing 14 as hereinafter described. [0025] The housing 14 is generally secured to one end of the shaft 16 by means of any suitable fastener, but in a preferred embodiment is welded to the shaft 16. [0026] The housing 14 includes engagement formations 20, which engagement formations are generally dovetailed groove formation extending along at least two sides of the housing 14 along its length. [0027] The housing further includes an aperture 22, which aperture 22 is screw threaded and is capable to receive a complementary shaped locking screw 24. It will be appreciated that any type locking screw 24 may be utilised.

[0028] The serrated blade 18 includes a body 26 being serrated at one side 28 and having complementary shaped engagement formations 30 provided on the opposite side thereof.

[0029] The engagement formations 30 defines a dovetailed groove formation and is complementary shaped to dovetailed groove formations provided on the housing 14.

[0030] In use, the serrated blade 18 is engaged with the housing 14 by sliding the serrated edge into the dovetailed groove formations 20. It will be appreciated that the serrated blade 18, once engaged with the formations 20, are restricted in movement and more particularly in any movement perpendicular relative to the housing.

[0031 ] The locking screw 24, is inserted into the aperture 22 and is tightened until it abuts the bottom side 32 of the serrated blade 18, forcing the serrated blade 18 upwards relative to the housing 14, ensuring that the dovetailed formation 30 engages with the complementary shaped grooves 20 provided on the housing 14.

[0032] Generally the housing and serrated blade 18 is rectangular in plan view. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable shape or size may be utilised such a an oval sizes. [0033] Furthermore, the serrated blade 18 once engaged with the housing 14 may be glued instead of utilising a locking screw to secure the serrated blade 18 in position. [0034] Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention. The dental float 38 and housing 40 is of similar constructions as hereinbefore described. However, in this embodiment the serrated edged blade 34 is secured to a base 36.

[0035] The base 36 includes a dovetailed formation 37 which is engageable with the groove formations 42 provided on the housing 40. The serrated blade 34 is normally glued to the base 36. However, it will be appreciated that the serrated blade 34 may be secured to the base 36 by means of any suitable fastener such a screw and may even be welded. [0036] In use, the serrated blade 34 is secured to the base 36 which is engaged with the complementary shaped grooves 42 provide don the housing 40. A locking screw 44, of similar constructions than hereinbefore described is use to secure the serrated blade 34 and base 36 in position. It will be appreciated that the locking screw 44 will force the base 36 upward to engage with the groove formations 42 securing the serrated blade 34 and base 36 in position.

[0037] A further embodiment is where the base is trapezoidal in cross section and once secure one side of the serrated blade 34, a dovetailed engagement formation 36 is defined.

[0038] It will be appreciated that the base 34 may either be secured to the serrated blade to define the dovetailed formations, alternatively, the base 34 may include grooves specifically shaped to define a dovetailed formation to engage with the complementary shaped formations 42 provided on the housing 40. [0039] Figure 3 illustrates a yet further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the serrated edged blade 54 does not include a base, but is shaped to define a trapezoidal in cross section. [0040] Once again the dental float 50 and housing 52 is of similar constructions than hereinbefore described having groove formations 58 provided on the housing 52.

[0041 ] It will be appreciated that the serrated area 56 will be smaller in area relative to the embodiments hereinbefore described as the larger side of the trapezoidal, will engage with the groove formations 58 provided on the housing 52.

[0042] Figure 4 illustrates the pattern of the teeth defined on the serrated edged blade 60. It is important to note that the teeth are irregularly but systematically spaced to prolong the sharpness of the blade 60.

[0043] It will be appreciated that many other embodiments exist which fall within the scope of the current invention. For example, the formations provided on the housing may vary and more particularly may be u-shaped in plan view. [0044] Furthermore, the dental float may include a "bumper" at the operatively front end of the housing to protect any damage to gums of an animal. Also, the shape of the housing may vary and may be manufacture from any suitable material such as a high tensile strength steel material or stainless steel. [0045] The serrated blade and housing may be of any suitable shape or size and may include rounded edges to ensure that, when use, it would not cut the gums of the animal.