US3766925A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical clamp with cam-action lever
Assignee: Device Developments Inc
•
Filing: 1971-05-25
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1991-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A disposable plastic clamp particularly suited for medical uses is provided. The clamp is preferably made all in one piece and has three portions which are pivotally movable relative to each other. Two of these portions are jaws between which the object to be clamped is placed and the third portion is a cam-action lever arm which provides a high mechanical force for tightly closing the jaws of the clamp. A catch is also provided for holding the jaws closed in a fixed position.
Inventors
- 👤 J Rubricius
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/122; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/44; Y10T24/44641; Y10T24/44744; Y10T24/44752
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A clamp comprised of a unitary clamp body formed of one piece of plastic material and having at least three clamp portions pivotally linked together by bendable portions of the plastic clamp body, two of said clamp portions defining clamping jaws between which the object to be clamped is placed, and the third clamp portion comprising a lever arm which is positioned so as to bear against one of the clamp jaws in a manner to exert a force thereagainst to urge the clamp jaws together and compress the object to be clamped; a cam surface included on one of said lever arm and said one clamp jaw and adapted to be contacted by one of said one clamp jaw and said lever arm, respectively, when said lever arm first bears against said one clamp jaw to assist the urging of said jaws together; and means formed by the body and operatively associated with at least two of said clamp portions for holding the clamp jaws in a fixed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A clamp comprised of a unitary clamp body formed of one piece of plastic material and having at least three clamp portions pivotally linked together by bendable portions of the plastic clamp body, two of said clamp portions defining clamping jaws between which the object to be clamped is placed, and the third clamp portion comprising a lever arm which is positioned so as to bear against one of the clamp jaws in a manner to exert a force thereagainst to urge the clamp jaws together and compress the object to be clamped; a cam surface included on one of said lever arm and said one clamp jaw and adapted to be contacted by one of said one clamp jaw and said lever arm, respectively, when said lever arm first bears against said one clamp jaw to assist the urging of said jaws together; and means formed by the body and operatively associated with at least two of said clamp portions for holding the clamp jaws in a fixed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A clamp in accordance with claim 1, in which said cam surface is disposed on said lever arm and positioned so as to bear against one of said clamp jaws such that said lever arm is a cam-action lever arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A clamp in accordance with claim 1, in which said cam surface is disposed on one of said clamp jaws and positioned so as to bear against said lever arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
A clamp in accordance with claim 1, in which said means for holding the clamp jaws in a fixed position comprises a hook disposed on said lever arm and a recess catch situated in one of said clamp portions defining a clamp jaw, said hook and recess catch cooperating to maintain said clamp jaws in a closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A clamp in accordance with claim 4, in which said lever arm has an extending tail portion, and in which said hook is formed on the tail portion of said lever arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A clamp in accordance with claim 1, in which said means for holding the clamp jaws in a fixed position is adapted to hold the jaws in any of a series of closed positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A clamp in accordance with claim 6, in which the means for holding the clamp jaws in any of a series of closed positions comprises a ratchet mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A clamp in accordance with claim 7, in which said ratchet catch mechanism is comprised of cooperating portions formed on facing portions of the jaws.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A clamp in accordance with claim 1, in which the clamp is made of polypropylene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A clamp in accordance with claim 1, in which one of the clamp jaws is generally L-shaped.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
A clamp comprised of a unitary clamp body formed of one piece of plastic material and having at least three clamp portions pivotally linked together by bendable portions of the plastic clamp body, two of said clamp portions defining clamping jaws between which the object to be clamped is placed, and the third clamp portion comprising a lever arm which is positioned so as to bear against one of the clamp jaws in a manner to exert a force thereagainst to urge the clamp jaws together and compress the object to be clamped; and a cam surface included on one of said lever arm and said one clamp jaw and adapted to be contacted by one of said one clamp jaw and said lever arm, respectively, when said lever arm first bears against said one clamp jaw to assist the urging of said jaws together.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
145 words
A clamp comprised of a unitary clamp body formed of one piece of plastic material and having at least three clamp portions pivotally linked together by bendable portions of the plastic clamp body, two of said clamp portions defining clamping jaws between which the object to be clamped is placed, and the third clamp portion comprising a lever arm which is positioned so as to bear against one of the clamp jaws in a manner to exert a force thereagainst to urge the clamp jaws together and compress the object to be clamped; and a cam surface included on one of said lever arm and said one clamp jaw and adapted to be contacted by one of said one clamp jaw and said lever arm, respectively, when said lever arm first bears against said one clamp jaw to assist the urging of said jaws together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |