US3631990A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for orienting a rod or tube having a beveled end
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-06-24
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1990-06-24
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a method and apparatus for orienting a rod or tube having a beveled end. An example is the needle in an intravenous needle assembly which includes a grip for manipulation of the assembly during venipuncture. Basically, the apparatus comprises a tubular orienting cartridge including a beveled insert within the cartridge. A needle is inserted into the cartridge from a hopper and feeding device. After the needle is inserted in a horizontal position the tubular cartridge is rotated into an upright position and gently vibrated in order to align the beveled needle point on the corresponding beveled surface of the insert within the cartridge to thereby orient it. The orienting cartridge containing the properly oriented needle is thereupon rotated back to a horizontal position to deposit the needle within a mold with the beveled point thereof in proper alignment. The plastic hub, grip or wings are then molded in place about the needle. The beveled needle point of the resultant device is accordingly in proper alignment with the grip or wings for subsequent venipuncture.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilbert W Redmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:54
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29C45/14008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
Apparatus for feeding and orienting a rod or tube having a beveled end into a mold prior to introducing plastic into said mold to form the plastic about the rod or tube, said apparatus comprising: feeding means for sequentially and singly feeding a rod or tube into an orienting cartridge, said orienting cartridge comprising a tubular element having a passageway in one end thereof and a beveled insert positioned in the tubular element at the end of the passageway distal from the end of the tubular element, the beveled face of the insert substantially corresponding to the beveled end of the rod or tube and positioned contiguous to said passageway, said cartridge being rotatable from a first horizontal position to a vertical position to a second horizontal position whereby a rod or tube can be inserted into the passageway in said orienting cartridge while in the first horizontal position to orient the beveled end of the rod or tube while the cartridge is in the vertical position and thereafter position the oriented rod or tube for insertion into a mold when the cartridge is in the second horizontal position; and means to vibrate said orienting cartridge when in a vertical position to cause the beveled end of the rod or tube to orient in a mating relationship on the beveled face of the insert in said orienting cartridge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
Apparatus for feeding and orienting a rod or tube having a beveled end into a mold prior to introducing plastic into said mold to form the plastic about the rod or tube, said apparatus comprising: feeding means for sequentially and singly feeding a rod or tube into an orienting cartridge, said orienting cartridge comprising a tubular element having a passageway in one end thereof and a beveled insert positioned in the tubular element at the end of the passageway distal from the end of the tubular element, the beveled face of the insert substantially corresponding to the beveled end of the rod or tube and positioned contiguous to said passageway, said cartridge being rotatable from a first horizontal position to a vertical position to a second horizontal position whereby a rod or tube can be inserted into the passageway in said orienting cartridge while in the first horizontal position to orient the beveled end of the rod or tube while the cartridge is in the vertical position and thereafter position the oriented rod or tube for insertion into a mold when the cartridge is in the second horizontal position; and means to vibrate said orienting cartridge when in a vertical position to cause the beveled end of the rod or tube to orient in a mating relationship on the beveled face of the insert in said orienting cartridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
179 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the feeding means comprises a hopper arranged for retaining a plurality of said rods or tubes, said hopper having an opening therein for exit of the tubes or rods, the hopper being positioned on a fixed block, said block having a vertical slot therethrough in alignment with the opening in the hopper whereby the tubes or rods will pass by gravity from the hopper through the opening and into the slot; a second fixed block positioned beneath the first fixed block and having a slot therein offset from the slot in the first fixed block and in alignment with the passageway in the orienting cartridge wherein a single tube or rod can be inserted into the orienting cartridge from said slot; and a reciprocable shuttle having a slot therethrough and being reciprocable between the slots in said blocks to thereby pick up a tube or rod from the slot in the first fixed block and transfer it to the slot in the second fixed block for subsequent insertion into the orienting cartridge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the orienting cartridge includes a plug in said tubular element in engagement with the insert on the end of the insert distal from the beveled face thereof; and a spring positioned in said tubular element and retained between said plug and the end of the tubular element opposite the end haviNg the passageway therein to thereby bias the beveled insert toward the passageway.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the orienting cartridge projects from a holder, said holder being engageable with a rotatable shaft, said shaft arranged for rotation of the holder and cartridge through the aforesaid positions; and a pushpin aligned with the longitudinal axis of the oriented tube or rod when it is positioned in said mold to compensate for any varying length of the rods or tubes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the pushpin is cam operated.
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) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |