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US4147163A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Medical instrument and handle assembly
Assignee: Welch Allyn Inc
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Filing: 1977-09-06
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Granted: 1979-04-03
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Expires: 1997-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A battery handle for an electrically illuminated diagnostic instrument, the handle being able to accommodate either non-rechargeable or rechargeable cells. The handle is constructed so that rechargeable cells can be recharged without removing the cells from the handle. Non-rechargeable cells are insulated from the recharging circuit so that if the handle is inadvertently placed in a recharging unit with non-rechargeable cells in it, the latter will not be damaged. The handle includes a neck portion to which different diagnostic instruments can be releasably connected, and with no instruments attached the neck portion can be used as a general illuminator with particular utility as a throat illuminator.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard W. Newman
- 👤 John D. Connors
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00002; A61B1/00025; A61B1/00027; A61B1/00032; A61B1/00034; A61B1/227
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A battery handle for a medical diagnostic instrument, the handle being arranged to accommodate either non-rechargeable or rechargeable type cells, a pair of the latter cells being assembled in a pack that is dimensionally different than a pair of the former, a movable contact member engageable with a terminal of whichever type of cell is employed in the handle, means in the handle to complete a circuit between the cells and a light source, said last-named means including means for conducting current from one end of the handle to the other, current conducting means forming a part of the recharging circuit for the rechargeable cells, said last-named means being insulated from the handle current conducting means, the movable contact members when engaging the terminal of a non-rechargeable cell being position so as to contact the handle current conducting means, the movable contact member when engaging the terminal of a rechargeable cell being positioned so as to contact the recharging circuit current conducting means whereby the cell can be recharged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A battery handle for a medical diagnostic instrument, the handle being arranged to accommodate either non-rechargeable or rechargeable type cells, a pair of the latter cells being assembled in a pack that is dimensionally different than a pair of the former, a movable contact member engageable with a terminal of whichever type of cell is employed in the handle, means in the handle to complete a circuit between the cells and a light source, said last-named means including means for conducting current from one end of the handle to the other, current conducting means forming a part of the recharging circuit for the rechargeable cells, said last-named means being insulated from the handle current conducting means, the movable contact members when engaging the terminal of a non-rechargeable cell being position so as to contact the handle current conducting means, the movable contact member when engaging the terminal of a rechargeable cell being positioned so as to contact the recharging circuit current conducting means whereby the cell can be recharged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A battery handle as defined in claim 1 wherein the handle includes a light source, and a neck portion to which the head portion of the diagnostic instrument can be releasably secured, the light source being positioned in said neck portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A battery handle as defined in claim 2 wherein the instrument head portion is secured to the handle neck portion by a threaded connection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A battery handle as defined in claim 2 wherein the light source and neck portion are arranged so that the handle can be effectively used for diagnostic purposes with or without the instrument head portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
204 words
A battery handle for a medical diagnostic instrument, the handle being adapted to accommodate either non-rechargeable or rechargeable type cells, a pair of the latter being assembled in a pack having a different length than the overall length of a pair of the former, a movable contact in the handle engageable with a terminal of whichever type cell is employed in the handle, said contact being spring biased into engagement with the terminal, means in the handle to complete a circuit between the cells and a lamp, said last-named means including means for conducting current from a point in the handle adjacent the movable contact to one terminal of the lamp, a current conducting member forming a part of the recharging circuit for the recharging cells, said last-named member being adjacent the movable contact and insulated from the means for conducting current to said one lamp terminal, the movable contact when engaging the terminal of a non-rechargeable cell being positioned so as to contact the means for conducting current to said one lamp terminal, the movable contact when engaging the terminal of a rechargeable cell being positioned so as to contact the conducting member of the recharging circuit whereby the cell can be recharged.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
204 words
A battery handle for a medical diagnostic instrument, the handle being adapted to accommodate either non-rechargeable or rechargeable type cells, a pair of the latter being assembled in a pack having a different length than the overall length of a pair of the former, a movable contact in the handle engageable with a terminal of whichever type cell is employed in the handle, said contact being spring biased into engagement with the terminal, means in the handle to complete a circuit between the cells and a lamp, said last-named means including means for conducting current from a point in the handle adjacent the movable contact to one terminal of the lamp, a current conducting member forming a part of the recharging circuit for the recharging cells, said last-named member being adjacent the movable contact and insulated from the means for conducting current to said one lamp terminal, the movable contact when engaging the terminal of a non-rechargeable cell being positioned so as to contact the means for conducting current to said one lamp terminal, the movable contact when engaging the terminal of a rechargeable cell being positioned so as to contact the conducting member of the recharging circuit whereby the cell can be recharged.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A battery handle as defined in claim 5 wherein a portion of the conducting member of the recharging circuit is accessible from outside the handle for recharging.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A battery handle as defined in claim 5 wherein the handle includes a lamp, and a neck portion to which the head portion of the diagnostic instrument can be releasably secured, the lamp being positioned in the neck portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A battery handle as defined in claim 7 wherein the instrument head portion is secured to the handle neck portion by a threaded connection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A battery handle as defined in claim 7 wherein the lamp and neck portion are arranged so that the handle can be effectively used for diagnostic purposes with or without the instrument head portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A battery handle as defined in claim 7 together with heat insulating means encircling the lamp.
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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) | 1982-04-02 | 1982-10-02 | 1983-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-02 | 1986-10-02 | 1987-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-02 | 1990-10-02 | 1991-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |