Patent US2112723A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4367730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water proof cover for endoscope
Assignee: Fujinon Corp
•
Filing: 1980-10-30
•
Granted: 1983-01-11
•
Expires: 2000-10-30
Abstract
Abstract An endoscope is provided with a water proof cover on its eyepiece portion or its connector portion to be connected with a light source system. The water proof cover is provided with a smooth engaging face on the internal periphery near its open end to be liquid tightly engaged with a packing ring mounted on the endoscope. There is provided a protective cover above the packing ring to prevent the ring from being damaged while the cover is removed from the endoscope. In a preferred embodiment, the water proof cover is provided with a protective sleeve which is slid into the protecting position to cover and protect the smooth engaging face while the water proof cover is removed from the endoscope. In a further preferred embodiment, the water proof cover is made into such a form as to enable the diopter ring to be rotated with the cover mounted on the endoscope.
Inventors
- 👤 Hitoshi Tanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00142; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00195
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
Structure for waterproofing a portion of an endoscope, said endoscope including an operating portion and a portion to be waterproofed, comprising: an annular connecting means for forming a connecting neck on an endoscope between an operating portion thereof and a portion to be waterproofed, said annular connecting means having a packing ring mounted therearound; a protective cover fixed to said connecting means for covering and protecting said packing ring, said protective cover forming a space surrounding said packing ring; a waterproof cover having a bottom and an open end opposite to said bottom, said open end being adapted for insertion into said space, said waterproof cover having a smooth engaging face on an interior portion thereof for liquid tightly engaging with said packing ring; and means for firmly mounting said waterproof cover on said connecting means at a position where said smooth engaging face is liquid-tightly engaged with said packing ring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
Structure for waterproofing a portion of an endoscope, said endoscope including an operating portion and a portion to be waterproofed, comprising: an annular connecting means for forming a connecting neck on an endoscope between an operating portion thereof and a portion to be waterproofed, said annular connecting means having a packing ring mounted therearound; a protective cover fixed to said connecting means for covering and protecting said packing ring, said protective cover forming a space surrounding said packing ring; a waterproof cover having a bottom and an open end opposite to said bottom, said open end being adapted for insertion into said space, said waterproof cover having a smooth engaging face on an interior portion thereof for liquid tightly engaging with said packing ring; and means for firmly mounting said waterproof cover on said connecting means at a position where said smooth engaging face is liquid-tightly engaged with said packing ring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said waterproof cover has a transparent viewing portion at its bottom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said waterproof cover has a protecting means for protecting said smooth engaging face while the waterproof cover is removed from said space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein said protecting means is a slidable sleeve movable between a protecting position to cover and protect said engaging face and a retracted position to expose said engaging face, said slidable sleeve being spring urged toward the protecting position and moved to said retracted position in response to the mounting of said waterproof cover in said space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure of claim 4 wherein said connecting means includes stopper means and said slidable sleeve has an abutment portion for engaging the stopper means for retraction of the slidable sleeve as the waterproof cover is inserted into the space surrounding the packing ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said structure comprises a second packing ring and said annular connecting means includes a diopter ring assembly, said diopter ring assembly being operative for adjustment of said eyepiece portion and wherein said protective cover is fixed to said diopter ring, said second ring is mounted on said connecting means, and said diopter ring is in slidable and liquid-tight contact with said second packing ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
170 words
Structure for waterproofing a portion of an endoscope, said endoscope including an operating portion and a portion to be waterproofed, comprising: an annular connecting means for forming a connecting neck on an endoscope between an operating portion thereof and a portion to be waterproofed, said annular connecting means having a packing ring mounted therearound; a protective cover fixed to said connecting means for covering and protecting said packing ring, said protective cover forming a space surrounding said packing ring; a waterproof cover having a bottom and an open end opposite to said bottom, said open end being adapted for insertion into said space, said waterproof cover having a smooth engaging face on an interior portion thereof for liquid tightly engaging with said packing ring; and means for firmly mounting said waterproof cover on said connecting means at a position where said smooth engaging face is liquid-tightly engaged with said packing ring, said waterproof cover having a protecting means for protecting said smooth engaging face while the waterproof cover is removed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
170 words
Structure for waterproofing a portion of an endoscope, said endoscope including an operating portion and a portion to be waterproofed, comprising: an annular connecting means for forming a connecting neck on an endoscope between an operating portion thereof and a portion to be waterproofed, said annular connecting means having a packing ring mounted therearound; a protective cover fixed to said connecting means for covering and protecting said packing ring, said protective cover forming a space surrounding said packing ring; a waterproof cover having a bottom and an open end opposite to said bottom, said open end being adapted for insertion into said space, said waterproof cover having a smooth engaging face on an interior portion thereof for liquid tightly engaging with said packing ring; and means for firmly mounting said waterproof cover on said connecting means at a position where said smooth engaging face is liquid-tightly engaged with said packing ring, said waterproof cover having a protecting means for protecting said smooth engaging face while the waterproof cover is removed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The structure of claim 7 wherein said protecting means is a slidable sleeve movable between a protecting position to cover and protect said engaging face and a retracted position to expose said engaging face, said slidable sleeve being spring urged toward the protecting position and moved to said retracted position in response to mounting thereof in said space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure of claim 8 wherein said connecting means includes stopper means and said slidable sleeve has an abutment portion for engaging the stopper means for retraction of the slidable sleeve as the waterproof cover is inserted into the space surrounding the packing ring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1438013A
Cited
US2794360A
Cited
US2908198A
Cited
US3131477A
Cited
US3510196A
Cited
US4240411A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-10 | 1986-07-12 | 1987-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-10 | 1990-07-12 | 1991-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-10 | 1994-07-12 | 1995-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |