US3556100A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ampoule applicator
Assignee: Ampoules Inc
•
Filing: 1968-08-02
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Granted: 1971-01-19
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Expires: 1988-08-02
Abstract
Abstract An applicator for hypodermic ampuls having one end for receiving a hypodermic ampul and another end for housing and retaining a spring-biased plunger in a cocked or ready-to-fire position. An outer sleeve is provided with a camming surface which releases the cocked plunger upon axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the inner housing. Interference surfaces are provided between the overlapping outer and inner sleeves so that a predetermined force must be applied to the outer sleeve to perform the firing operation. The camming surface and interference surfaces provide means spacing the major portion of the outer housing from the inner housing. The major portion of the inner housing which is overlapped by the outer housing is substantially free of surface-to-surface sliding contact with the outer housing. A removable snap-in washer is provided at the lower end of the applicator to retain the hypodermic ampul therein and to permit the ampul to be removed for periodic inspection or replacement. The spring-biased plunger is stamped from a flat sheet and has a bent end portion for applying force to the ampul.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred A Hurschman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/178; A61M5/20; A61M5/2033; A61M2005/2006; A61M2005/2013; A61M2005/2073
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In an ampul applicator for use with a hypodermic ampul having a needle housed therein and having a diaphragm adapted to be punctured by the needle, said applicator including an inner housing, said ampul being mounted in one end of said inner housing, a plunger mounted within said inner housing and having one end provided with a releasable detent held by a portion of said inner housing, spring means biasing said plunger toward said ampul, an outer housing slidably mounted on and substantially overlapping said inner housing and having means to release said detent upon axial movement of said outer housing toward said one end of said inner housing so that said spring means will drive said plunger axially against said ampul to effect an injection, in combination therewith the improvement comprising means spacing the major portion of said outer housing from said inner housing and defining at least one relatively small zone of surface-tosurface sliding contact between the inner and outer housings, the area of said contact zone being substantially less than the remaining area of the inner housing which is overlapped by the outer housing, and said remaining area being substantially free of surface-to-surface sliding contact with said outer housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In an ampul applicator for use with a hypodermic ampul having a needle housed therein and having a diaphragm adapted to be punctured by the needle, said applicator including an inner housing, said ampul being mounted in one end of said inner housing, a plunger mounted within said inner housing and having one end provided with a releasable detent held by a portion of said inner housing, spring means biasing said plunger toward said ampul, an outer housing slidably mounted on and substantially overlapping said inner housing and having means to release said detent upon axial movement of said outer housing toward said one end of said inner housing so that said spring means will drive said plunger axially against said ampul to effect an injection, in combination therewith the improvement comprising means spacing the major portion of said outer housing from said inner housing and defining at least one relatively small zone of surface-tosurface sliding contact between the inner and outer housings, the area of said contact zone being substantially less than the remaining area of the inner housing which is overlapped by the outer housing, and said remaining area being substantially free of surface-to-surface sliding contact with said outer housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a plurality of relatively small zones of surface-to-surface sliding contact between said inner and outer housings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said zone of surface-to-surface contact forms an acute angle outwardly relative to the direction of axial movement of said outer housing toward said one end of said inner housing whereby the amount of pressure required to move said outer housing relative to said inner housing increases in said axial direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement according to claim 3 wherein the acute angle is of magnitude such that the required pressure is between 3 and 6 pounds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said relatively small zone of surface-to-surface sliding contact is formed by a radially inwardly extending lip on said outer housing which engages a portion of said inner housing, and said portion of said inner housing forms an acute angle outwardly relative to the direction of axial movement of said outer housing toward said one end of said inner housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said plurality of zones includes a first zone which comprises a radially inwardly extending lip on said outer housing which engages a portion of said inner housing and a second zone formed by a plurality of ribs extending inwardly within said outer housing which are engaged by one end of said inner housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The improvement according to claim 6 wherein said portion of said inner housing and said ribs form acute angles outwardly relative to the direction of axial movement of said outer housing toward said one end of said inner housing whereby the amount of pressure required to move said outer housing relative to said inner housing increases in said axial direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement according to claim 7 whErein said acute angles are of magnitude such that the required pressure is between 3 and 6 pounds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
207 words
In an ampul applicator for use with a hypodermic ampul having a needle housed therein and having a diaphragm adapted to be punctured by the needle, said applicator including an inner housing, said ampul being mounted in one end of said inner housing, a plunger mounted within said inner housing and having one end provided with a releasable detent held by a portion of said inner housing, spring means biasing said plunger toward said ampul, an outer housing slidably mounted on said inner housing and having means to release said detent upon axial movement of said outer housing toward said one end of said inner housing so that said spring means will drive said plunger axially against said ampul to effect an injection, in combination therewith the improvement wherein said plunger includes a flat sheet metal body portion disposed in a plane and a flat sheet metal ampul-engaging portion of single piece construction with said body portion, said ampul-engaging portion having an ampul-engaging surface of substantially greater transverse cross-sectional area than the transverse cross-sectional area of said sheet metal body portion, and said ampul-engaging portion including a pair of tabs disposed in opposite directions and forming angles with the plane of the body portion of the plunger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
207 words
In an ampul applicator for use with a hypodermic ampul having a needle housed therein and having a diaphragm adapted to be punctured by the needle, said applicator including an inner housing, said ampul being mounted in one end of said inner housing, a plunger mounted within said inner housing and having one end provided with a releasable detent held by a portion of said inner housing, spring means biasing said plunger toward said ampul, an outer housing slidably mounted on said inner housing and having means to release said detent upon axial movement of said outer housing toward said one end of said inner housing so that said spring means will drive said plunger axially against said ampul to effect an injection, in combination therewith the improvement wherein said plunger includes a flat sheet metal body portion disposed in a plane and a flat sheet metal ampul-engaging portion of single piece construction with said body portion, said ampul-engaging portion having an ampul-engaging surface of substantially greater transverse cross-sectional area than the transverse cross-sectional area of said sheet metal body portion, and said ampul-engaging portion including a pair of tabs disposed in opposite directions and forming angles with the plane of the body portion of the plunger.
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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) | 1974-01-18 | 1974-07-20 | 1975-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-18 | 1978-07-20 | 1979-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-18 | 1982-07-20 | 1983-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |