Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
An assembly of a needle guard for a hub and attached needle, comprising: an elongate guard member mounted on the hub for rotatable movement thereon, the guard member including an elongate, longitudinal slit adapted to interfit with the needle prior to use, the guard member defining engaging means for a rotatable locking member; and, a locking member mounted on the guard member, and adapted for forward movement therealong, the locking member providing an elongate slit coinciding with the slit of the guard member; whereby: i. prior to use the needle is adapted to interfit into the slit of the guard member; ii. during use, the guard member and attached locking member are adapted to rotate away from the needle; iii. following use, the guard member and attached locking member are adapted to rotate back to interfit with the used needle; and, iv. the locking member is adapted to be advanced along the needle guard and rotatably locked along the engaging means while moving the locking slit out of alignment with, and to occlude the needle, thereby protecting against accidental needle stick injuries.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
An assembly of a needle guard for a hub and attached needle, comprising: an elongate guard member mounted on the hub for rotatable movement thereon, the guard member including an elongate, longitudinal slit adapted to interfit with the needle prior to use, the guard member defining engaging means for a rotatable locking member; and, a locking member mounted on the guard member, and adapted for forward movement therealong, the locking member providing an elongate slit coinciding with the slit of the guard member; whereby: i. prior to use the needle is adapted to interfit into the slit of the guard member; ii. during use, the guard member and attached locking member are adapted to rotate away from the needle; iii. following use, the guard member and attached locking member are adapted to rotate back to interfit with the used needle; and, iv. the locking member is adapted to be advanced along the needle guard and rotatably locked along the engaging means while moving the locking slit out of alignment with, and to occlude the needle, thereby protecting against accidental needle stick injuries.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 1, including locking shoulders mounted on the guard member to engage the locking member thereby.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 1, including a flange member depending from the hub, the guard member being mounted rotatably on the flange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 1, in which the guard member defines trunnion arms mounted on the hub portion of the assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly of claim 1, in which the guard member provides locking studs, and the locking member provides at least one locking slit adapted to rotatably engage the locking studs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 1, in which the guard member and locking member are constructed of an injection molded plastic.