US3769968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Speculum
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-22
•
Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1991-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A vaginal speculum including a pair of dilator blades each equipped with a handle, a viewing window formed in one of the handles for viewing the space between the blades, and adjustment means associated with the handles for adjusting the relative positions of the handles to thereby adjust the relative positions of the blades. The adjustment means include a sliding trunnion arrangement, which permits both a pivotal movement of one blade relative to the other, and also a relative longitudinal movement of the blade handles which provides an opening or closing action between the blades. Further included in the adjustment means associated with the handles is a cam mechanism adapted for releasably locking the two blades in any fixed position within their plane of relative movement. A cam plate carried by one of the handles is located in the plane common to both the handle and its associated dilator blade, and projects through a longitudinal slot formed in the other handle. A rotating cam member supported from one wall of the slot is utilized for fastening the cam plate in any desired position.
Inventors
- 👤 L Blount
- 👤 A Hernandez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A vaginal speculum comprising: a first generally L-shaped member providing a first dilator blade and a handle therefor; a second generally L-shaped member providing a second dilator blade and a handle therefor, said first member fitting over said second member and said handles being adapted to be separated by an angle of about 25* when said two blades are in closed parallel relationship; means for supporting said two members in movable relationship to each other, so that said two blades may be separated by a desired distance, and concurrently opened to a desired angle up to a maximum of about 25*, including a trunnion formed on the handle of said second member and a pair of longitudinally extending slideways formed on said first member and adapted to be engaged by the pins of said trunnion; and means for releasably fastening said members in a selected relative position, including a cam plate which depends downwardly from the handle of said first member and is located in the plane common to the blade and handle of said first member, an elongated slot formed in the handle of said second member and adapted to receive said cam plate therein, and a cam member received in saiD slot and cooperable with said cam plate for fastening said cam plate relative to said handle of said second member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A vaginal speculum comprising: a first generally L-shaped member providing a first dilator blade and a handle therefor; a second generally L-shaped member providing a second dilator blade and a handle therefor, said first member fitting over said second member and said handles being adapted to be separated by an angle of about 25* when said two blades are in closed parallel relationship; means for supporting said two members in movable relationship to each other, so that said two blades may be separated by a desired distance, and concurrently opened to a desired angle up to a maximum of about 25*, including a trunnion formed on the handle of said second member and a pair of longitudinally extending slideways formed on said first member and adapted to be engaged by the pins of said trunnion; and means for releasably fastening said members in a selected relative position, including a cam plate which depends downwardly from the handle of said first member and is located in the plane common to the blade and handle of said first member, an elongated slot formed in the handle of said second member and adapted to receive said cam plate therein, and a cam member received in saiD slot and cooperable with said cam plate for fastening said cam plate relative to said handle of said second member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A speculum as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cam member is rotatably supported from one wall of said slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
177 words
A vaginal speculum comprising: a first generally L-shaped member providing a first dilator blade and a handle therefor; a second generally L-shapped member providing a second dilator blade and a handle therefor, said first member fitting over said second member and said blades being adapted to be separated at their distal ends when said two handles are in closed parallel relationship; attachment means supporting the corner portion of said first member from the corner portion of said second member in both pivotal and slidable relationship therewith so that the proximal portions of said blades may be separated by a desired distance and the distal ends thereof may concurrently be opened; and means for releasably fastening said members in a selected relative position, including a cam plate which depends downwardly from the handle of said first member and is received within an elongated slot formed in the handle of said second member, and a cam member received in said slot and supported from one wall thereof and selectively rotatable for exerting a locking pressure upon said cam plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
177 words
A vaginal speculum comprising: a first generally L-shaped member providing a first dilator blade and a handle therefor; a second generally L-shapped member providing a second dilator blade and a handle therefor, said first member fitting over said second member and said blades being adapted to be separated at their distal ends when said two handles are in closed parallel relationship; attachment means supporting the corner portion of said first member from the corner portion of said second member in both pivotal and slidable relationship therewith so that the proximal portions of said blades may be separated by a desired distance and the distal ends thereof may concurrently be opened; and means for releasably fastening said members in a selected relative position, including a cam plate which depends downwardly from the handle of said first member and is received within an elongated slot formed in the handle of said second member, and a cam member received in said slot and supported from one wall thereof and selectively rotatable for exerting a locking pressure upon said cam plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A speculum as claimed in claim 3 wherein when said blades are precisely parallel, the angle between said two handles is about 25* .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
The speculum claimed in claim 3 wherein said first generally L-shaped member includes a generally ring-shaped portion attached to the rearward end of said blade forming a viewing window; and wherein said attachment means includes downwardly depending flanges formed on respective sides of said viewing window, a longitudinal slideway formed in each of said flanges, and a trunnion formed on said handle of said second member and having pins adapted to engage said slideways.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A speculum as claimed in claim 5 wherein the forward ends of said slideways are inclined downward at an angle of about 10* relative to said handle of said first member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A speculum as claimed in claim 5 wherein said slideways have smooth longitudinally extending surfaces which are relatively tightly engaged by the pins of said trunnion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A speculum as claimed in claim 5 wherein said trunnion has upwardly extending ears, and said ring-shaped portion of said first member has longitudinally extending recesses formed in its under surface adjacent said flanges and which are engaged by said ears.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A speculum as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cam member is rotatably supported from a hole in one side of said slot.
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) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |