Patent · US Expired

One piece multi-purpose clamp

US4526172A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
10References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 25, 1983
Grant dateJul 2, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 25, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B17/2804
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A unitary, one-piece multi-purpose plastic clamp is disclosed which is adaptable for a wide variety of uses. The clamp includes a pair of pivotally interconnected pincer portions, and a pair of pivotally interconnected handle portions, with the pincer portions further respectively pivotally connected to the handle portions. Movement of finger grips defined by the handle portions toward each other creates a clamping force between the respective clamping surfaces of the pincer portions. In order to maintain the clamp in a closed, clamping condition, first and second locking structures are respectively provided on the handle portions of the clamp. The first and second locking structures respectively preferably comprise at least one first locking tooth and at least one second locking tooth which releasably engage each other, and which are selectively disengagable by relative disengaging movement of the handle portions of the clamp. The clamp includes structure for resisting relative disengaging movement of the handle portions, thereby avoiding inadvertent or accidental release of the clamp.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.