Speculum for medical examination with a noiseless mechanical locking mechanism

Claim 1

A speculum comprising: cooperating first and second spreading members movable relative to one another between a closed position, to allow for insertion thereof into a body cavity, and a discrete, adjustable open position, to allow for medical inspection of said body cavity, said spreading members each including a handle element coupled thereto for moving said spreading members between said open and closed positions thereof; and means for releasably locking said spreading members in optionally determinable, discrete open positions, said locking means including a first locking element and a second locking element configured for mutual, releasable engagement with one another, each of which is coupled respectively to said first and second spreading members for movement therewith, with at least one of said locking elements being normally biased in a direction away from engagement with the other locking element, so as to require positive manual force to move said locking elements into mutual engagement and thereby releasably lock said spreading members in a desired open position, and so as to prevent undesired noises during movement of said spreading members between said open and closed positions by substantially eliminating contact between said locking elements during such movement.