US3899044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Music stethoscope
Assignee: Butler Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1974-03-27
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1994-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A stethoscope composed of a one-piece frame or body of molded plastic adapted to support a pair of flexible sound tubes, the frame including a pair of spaced flexible legs V-shaped in cross section to receive the sound tubes therein with retaining lugs integral with the body and overlying portions of the sound tube to removably secure the latter, the V-shaped legs being provided with longitudinal stiffening ribs at their external apical portions to lessen the likelihood of leg breakage when they are flexed.
Inventors
- 👤 Elmer J Stumpf
- 👤 Allan D Mockabee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B7/00; A61B7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A stethoscope comprising a generally U-shaped body having spaced legs and a connecting bridge, each leg comprising a resilient element V-shaped in cross section to provide a sound tube trough, each leg being composed of two acutely angled wall elements joined at their inner side edges and having free outer side edges, a series of lugs disposed at spaced points along the outer side edges and extending laterally inwardly therefrom so as to extend partially over the V-shaped trough, said bridge being flat in plane substantially the same as the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of said legs, the bridge constituting a stiffening element between the flexible legs, and sound tubes lying in the V-shaped trough and partially beneath said lugs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A stethoscope comprising a generally U-shaped body having spaced legs and a connecting bridge, each leg comprising a resilient element V-shaped in cross section to provide a sound tube trough, each leg being composed of two acutely angled wall elements joined at their inner side edges and having free outer side edges, a series of lugs disposed at spaced points along the outer side edges and extending laterally inwardly therefrom so as to extend partially over the V-shaped trough, said bridge being flat in plane substantially the same as the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of said legs, the bridge constituting a stiffening element between the flexible legs, and sound tubes lying in the V-shaped trough and partially beneath said lugs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure in claim 1, and an integral flexible reinforcing rib along the external apical portion of said V-shaped trough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure in claim 1, and said lugs being disposed alternately on opposite sides of said V-shaped trough longitudinally thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The structure in claim 1, one of said wall elements being wider than the other, said lugs being staggered from one wall element to the other and spaced lengthwise of the legs, and the lugs on the wider of said wall elements being disposed a greater distance than those on the other of said wall elements from the apex of the angle defined by said wall elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure in claim 4, and an integral flexible reinforcing rib along the external apical portion of said V-shaped trough.
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) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |