US3653389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposable forceps
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1970-01-19
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Granted: 1972-04-04
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Expires: 1990-01-19
Abstract
Abstract Disposable forceps are molded from a suitable sterilizable plastic material and they have a pair of arms joined together at inner ends by a hinge section of reduced cross-section so that outer sections of the arms are disposed substantially parallel to each other when the arms are in their normally inoperative position. When the arms are operated, the outer ends of the teeth engage before or simultaneously with the engagement of the innermost ends of the strengthening ribs. Alignment lugs are provided on an inside surface of each arm which have mateable surfaces to prevent any transverse misalignment between the teeth during engagement therebetween and outer ends of the alignment lugs engage recesses in the inside surfaces of the arms to prevent overstressing and rocking of the teeth.
Inventors
- 👤 Suel Grant Shannon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
In a forceps having a pair of elongated arms projecting longitudinally from a unitary connecting section, with tips adjacent to the free ends of said arms being engageable upon pivotal action of said arms toward each other, the combination comprising: a pair of diverging portions of said arms projecting longitudinally from said connecting section, a pair of elongated straight sections unitary with and projecting longitudinally from said corresponding diverging portions, each of said diverging portions including a first flexible hinge section of relatively thin cross-section immediately adjacent to the connecting section, each of said diverging portions further including a second relatively thiCk section unitary with and immediately adjacent to a corresponding flexible hinge section, said elongated arms being provided with corresponding elongated strengthening ribs, each of said ribs projecting laterally from and unitary with said relatively thick section and said elongated straight section of a corresponding arm, each of said ribs having a first end terminating at said relatively thin hinge section of a corresponding arm to prevent strengthening of said hinge section, each of said ribs having a second end projecting longitudinally beyond a free end of a corresponding arm to define one of said tips, and said tips of said ribs being provided with teeth, and said tips of said ribs being provided with teeth, which teeth are interengageable upon flexing of said hinge sections to allow pivotal action of said arms toward each other, said second ends of said ribs extending longitudinally beyond the free ends of said arms and being tapered to define said projecting tips.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
In a forceps having a pair of elongated arms projecting longitudinally from a unitary connecting section, with tips adjacent to the free ends of said arms being engageable upon pivotal action of said arms toward each other, the combination comprising: a pair of diverging portions of said arms projecting longitudinally from said connecting section, a pair of elongated straight sections unitary with and projecting longitudinally from said corresponding diverging portions, each of said diverging portions including a first flexible hinge section of relatively thin cross-section immediately adjacent to the connecting section, each of said diverging portions further including a second relatively thiCk section unitary with and immediately adjacent to a corresponding flexible hinge section, said elongated arms being provided with corresponding elongated strengthening ribs, each of said ribs projecting laterally from and unitary with said relatively thick section and said elongated straight section of a corresponding arm, each of said ribs having a first end terminating at said relatively thin hinge section of a corresponding arm to prevent strengthening of said hinge section, each of said ribs having a second end projecting longitudinally beyond a free end of a corresponding arm to define one of said tips, and said tips of said ribs being provided with teeth, and said tips of said ribs being provided with teeth, which teeth are interengageable upon flexing of said hinge sections to allow pivotal action of said arms toward each other, said second ends of said ribs extending longitudinally beyond the free ends of said arms and being tapered to define said projecting tips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said first end portions of said ribs are initially in opposed spaced relationship and are engageable with said hinge section being retained in bowed and generally diverging relationship upon pivotal action of said arms toward each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, each of said ribs is continuous from its first end to its second end thereof, said ribs having mutually opposed sinusoidal sections with a pair of lugs protruding from each sinusoidal section and spaced longitudinally along a corresponding rib, and said lugs of one rib overlap the corresponding lugs of the other rib upon pivotal action of said arms toward each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
The structure as recited in claim 3, wherein said sinusoidal section of each rib is located along said straight section of a corresponding arm, said straight section is provided with a pair of generally arcuate recesses on opposite sides of said rib at the sinusoidal sections thereof, and each pair of lugs is provided with a generally arcuate end portion for mating registration within corresponding arcuate recesses to prevent any rocking motion of said interengaged teeth and to define stop means for limiting the pressure between said interengaged teeth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said first ends of said ribs are engageable to define a secondary pivot point for said arms, and thereby shorten the effective working pivotal length of said arms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said first end portions of said ribs are initially in opposed spaced relationship and are engageable with said hinge section being retained in bowed and generally diverging relationship upon pivotal action of said arms toward each other, and wherein, said first ends of said ribs are engageable to define a secondary pivot point for said arms, and thereby shorten the effective working pivotal length of said arms.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-04 | 1975-10-04 | 1976-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-04 | 1979-10-04 | 1980-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-04 | 1983-10-04 | 1984-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |