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Publication Number
US-10064647-B2
Publication Date
2018-09-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A blade disarmer is provided herein. The blade disarmer includes a base member having an elongated portion, a bottom portion, and first and second walls extending from the elongated portion. A cover member is removably attached to the base member forming a cavity therebetween. The cover member includes a hinge separating a body portion and a tab. A pair of dome-shaped portions is disposed on the tab configured to assist a pair of side surfaces of the tab proximate each respective dome-shaped portion to flex laterally. A closure mechanism is disposed on the first and second walls and configured to maintain the tab in a plurality of positions. First and second protrusions extend into the cavity.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a blade disarmer for a scalpel, including a base member and a cover member removably attached to the base member to form a cavity therebetween. The cover member includes a hinge separating a body portion and a tab, and the tab is pivoted as the cover member is moved relative to the base member. The base member includes walls defining the cavity, and the cover member cooperates with the tab to provide one or more blade-receiving cavities.
A closure mechanism disposed on first and second walls maintains the tab in a plurality of positions. Dome-shaped portions positioned over openings defined by the tab and the openings are configured to assist side surfaces of the tab proximate each respective dome-shaped portion to flex towards a center of the tab as the tab is moved between the plurality of positions and contacts the closure mechanism. The cover member includes first and second protrusions extending into the cavity and configured to contact a blade within the cavity.
The protrusions contact and bend blade portions as the tab moves between positions, where the protrusions contact the blade’s distal heel portion to bend it about an apex. Elongated ribs extend from the cover member into the cavity and are disposed between the protrusions and the hinge, and are configured to hold a proximal cutting portion in a planar orientation while the distal heel portion is bent out of plane.
The cover member further includes a shoulder mating portion to align and limit insertion, and the blade is retained in an enclosed cavity when the tab is in a closed tab position.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three independent claims centered on a blade disarmer architecture with a base member and a cover member forming a cavity, using a hinged tab and a retention/positioning arrangement to control how internal protrusions contact and bend a blade while ribs and dome-shaped features guide blade geometry and tab movement.
Hinged tab with dome-shaped portions and closure mechanism to flex tab side surfaces
A cover member attached to the base member forming a cavity, wherein the cover member includes a hinge separating a body portion and a tab; a pair of dome-shaped portions respectively positioned over a pair openings defined by the tab; and a closure mechanism disposed on the first and second walls and configured to maintain the tab in the plurality of positions, wherein the pair of dome-shaped portions and the pair of openings are configured to assist a pair of side surfaces of the tab proximate each respective dome-shaped portion to flex towards a center of the tab as the tab is moved between a plurality of positions and contact the closure mechanism.
Protrusions contacting and bending a blade distal heel
First and second protrusions extending into the cavity configured to contact a blade within the cavity; wherein the first and second protrusions are configured to bend a distal heel portion of a blade disposed within the cavity when the tab is moved from a first position to a second position.
Elongated ribs holding a proximal cutting portion planar
A pair of elongated ribs extending from the cover member into the cavity, wherein the ribs are disposed between the protrusions and the hinge; and the elongated ribs are configured to keep a proximal cutting portion of the blade planar.
Detent-positioned tabs relative to an apex and a protrusion
A plurality of tabs pivotably coupled to the body portion; a first protrusion extending from a surface of the cover member towards the base member; and first and second detents disposed on each of the plurality of walls, wherein the first detent is disposed at a first distance from the elongated portion and the first protrusion is disposed forwardly of the apex when the tab is disposed between the first detent and the second detent and wherein the second detent is disposed at a second distance from the elongated portion and the first protrusion is disposed rearwardly of the apex when the tab is disposed between the second detent and the base member.
Removably attached cover member forming a cavity with pivotably coupled tabs
A base member defining an elongated portion forming an apex, a bottom portion, and a plurality of walls extending from the elongated portion; a cover member having a body portion removably attached to the base member forming a cavity therebetween; and a plurality of tabs pivotably coupled to the body portion.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive coverage is directed to a blade disarmer that uses a hinged tab with dome-shaped portions and a closure mechanism, including detents, to flex and retain the tab in multiple positions, while internal protrusions contact and bend a blade’s distal heel portion and elongated ribs guide the blade’s proximal cutting portion to a planar orientation.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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