Patent US3752149A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3752149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vaginal speculum
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-12-16
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A vaginal speculum of the bivalve type which includes two blades in superposed relation capable of moving from a closed position in which the blades are closely spaced to an open position in which they are widely spaced; said blades being movable between said open and closed positions along an arucate path which provides angular variation as well as separation in one sweeping movement.
Inventors
- 👤 A Rosenthal
- 👤 L Ungar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/32; A61B1/303
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A vaginal speculum of the bivalve type comprising: a pair of double-ended stems disposable in superposed nested relation with one of them contained by the other; a blade joined to one end of each stem at an obtuse angle thereto, the blade being integral with the stem and forming therewith a unitary sub-assembly, the said stems being relatively slidably movable in the nested relation aforesaid between a closed position in which said blades are disposed in close superposed relation to each other and an open position in which they are disposed in spread apart and generally registering inferior and superior relation to each other; guides on the respective sub-assemblies for retaining said stems in the said superposed relation while moving between the open and closed positions aforesaid; means for interconnecting said sub-assemblies with their stems in the relatively slidable and nested relation aforesaid; a ratchet on one sub-assembly and a co-operating pawl on the other disengageably engageable with said ratchet for releasably fixing the sub-assemblies at selected stations intermediate the open and closed positions aforesaid; and fulcrum means on which the sub-assemblies are relatively rockable to permit movement of said stems towards and away from each other; said pawl being engageable with said ratchet to fix the sub-assemblies at the intermediate stations aforesaid when said stems are moved away from each other and being disengageable from said ratchet to release said sub-assemblies for movement towards said closed position when said stems are moved towards each other; the sub-assembly occupying the superior position in the nested relationship aforesaid having a window permitting sighting between the blades.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
A vaginal speculum of the bivalve type comprising: a pair of double-ended stems disposable in superposed nested relation with one of them contained by the other; a blade joined to one end of each stem at an obtuse angle thereto, the blade being integral with the stem and forming therewith a unitary sub-assembly, the said stems being relatively slidably movable in the nested relation aforesaid between a closed position in which said blades are disposed in close superposed relation to each other and an open position in which they are disposed in spread apart and generally registering inferior and superior relation to each other; guides on the respective sub-assemblies for retaining said stems in the said superposed relation while moving between the open and closed positions aforesaid; means for interconnecting said sub-assemblies with their stems in the relatively slidable and nested relation aforesaid; a ratchet on one sub-assembly and a co-operating pawl on the other disengageably engageable with said ratchet for releasably fixing the sub-assemblies at selected stations intermediate the open and closed positions aforesaid; and fulcrum means on which the sub-assemblies are relatively rockable to permit movement of said stems towards and away from each other; said pawl being engageable with said ratchet to fix the sub-assemblies at the intermediate stations aforesaid when said stems are moved away from each other and being disengageable from said ratchet to release said sub-assemblies for movement towards said closed position when said stems are moved towards each other; the sub-assembly occupying the superior position in the nested relationship aforesaid having a window permitting sighting between the blades.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
A vaginal speculum as defined in claim 1 wherein: the means interconnecting the sub-assemblies as aforesaid include a post projecting from one said sub-assembly through a slot in the other and a cap on the projecting end of said post preventing withdrawal thereof from said slot in the nested relation aforesaid; the cap and slot being respectively shaped and dimensioned to permit passage of said cap through said slot when the sub-assemblies are displaced from said nested relation and rotated about said post to angular relation with each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vaginal speculum as defined in claim 1 wherein: said fulcrum means is located adjacent the juncture of the stem and blade of one said sub-assembly and forms part of the guide thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A vaginal speculum as defined in claim 1 wherein: the stem of the inferior sub-assembly includes a handle at its end opposite to that joined to the blade and the other of said stems has a finger press engageable by the thumb of a person holding the speculum by said handle for moving said other stem towards open position aforesaid and for rocking the superior sub-assembly on said fulcrum means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A vaginal speculum as defined in claim 2 wherein: said cap also constitutes the pawl.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
166 words
A vaginal speculum as defined in claim 2 wherein: said fulcrum means is located adjacent the juncture of the stem and blade of one said sub-assembly and forms part of the guide thereon; the stems of the respective sub-assemblies are arched for imparting a slight revolving movement to their associated blades when the stems move between open and closed position aforesaid; the slot is formed in the stem of the superior sub-assembly and the post projects therethrough from the stem of the other sub-assembly; the ratchet being formed on the exposed surface of the stem of the superior sub-assembly; said cap constitutes said pawl; and the stem of the inferior sub-assembly includes a handle at its end opposite to that joined to the blade and the other of said stems has a finger press engageable by the thumb of a person holding the speculum by said handle for moving said other stem towards open position aforesaid and for rocking the superior sub-assembly on said fulcrum means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vaginal speculum as defined in claim 5 wherein: said fulcrum means is located adjacent the juncture of the stem and blade of one said sub-assembly and forms part of the guide thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A vaginal speculum as defined in claim 5 wherein: the slot is formed in the stem of the superior sub-assembly and the post projects therethrough from the stem of the other sub-assembly; the ratchet being formed on the exposed surface of the stem of the said superior sub-assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vaginal speculum as defined in claim 7 wherein: the stem of the superior sub-assembly is arched for imparting a revolving movement to its associated blade when the stems move between open and closed positions aforesaid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vaginal speculum as defined in claim 7 wherein: the stems of the respective sub-assemblies are arched for imparting a revolving movement to their associated blades when the stems move between open and closed positions aforesaid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |