US4362167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diagnostic measuring instrument
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-02-06
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Granted: 1982-12-07
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Expires: 2001-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A diagnostic instrument comprising a pair of contact tips and control apparatus movable in a first direction to cause movement of the tips in opposite directions along a line normal to the first direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald R. Nicolai
- 👤 Oliver D. Hanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076; G; G01; G01B; G01B3/00; G01B3/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A diagnostic instrument comprising, in combination: (a) a probe assembly including a pair of elongated flexible filaments, a tongued control member to which first ends of said filaments are secured so that they extend therefrom in the same direction, and a pair of cupped tips at the other ends of said filaments; and (b) a guide assembly having first and second apposed portions, one of said portions being extended and receiving the tongue of said control member and guiding it in a first, longitudinal direction, said portions being separately channeled to pass said filaments respectively so that they change directions by generally 90° to extend laterally from one end of said guide assembly in opposite directions, whereby linear movement of said control member results in opposite motions of said tips along a line transverse to said guide assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A diagnostic instrument comprising, in combination: (a) a probe assembly including a pair of elongated flexible filaments, a tongued control member to which first ends of said filaments are secured so that they extend therefrom in the same direction, and a pair of cupped tips at the other ends of said filaments; and (b) a guide assembly having first and second apposed portions, one of said portions being extended and receiving the tongue of said control member and guiding it in a first, longitudinal direction, said portions being separately channeled to pass said filaments respectively so that they change directions by generally 90° to extend laterally from one end of said guide assembly in opposite directions, whereby linear movement of said control member results in opposite motions of said tips along a line transverse to said guide assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
An instrument according to claim 1 in which the extension of said one of said portions includes a flat surface having graduations extending in said first direction and correlated with the position of said control members as a function of the transverse distance between said tips of said filaments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
An instrument according to claim 1 and further including a marker sliding on and frictionally engaging the extension of said one of said portions for movement with respect to said graduations by movement of said control member in a first direction which increases said transverse distance between said tips.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An instrument according to claim 3 in which said filaments pass under said marker before reaching the channels in said portions of said guide assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An instrument accordingly to claim 1 in which said portions are formed with a bend, making a predetermined dihedral angle with said flat surface having an apex, to which the line joining said tips remain substantially parallel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-06 | 1986-06-07 | 1986-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-06 | 1990-06-07 | 1990-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-06 | 1994-06-07 | 1994-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |