The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 04, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 22, 2003
Michael J. Morawski, Haverhill, MA (US);
Dana M. Cote, Saugus, MA (US);
Patrick T. Thrailkill, Hamden, CT (US);
David S. Seebauer, Southington, CT (US);
Mohan Rajasekaran, Bristol, CT (US);
Michael J. Morawski, Haverhill, MA (US);
Dana M. Cote, Saugus, MA (US);
Patrick T. Thrailkill, Hamden, CT (US);
David S. Seebauer, Southington, CT (US);
Mohan Rajasekaran, Bristol, CT (US);
Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US);
Abstract
The present device and method includes a handle, a blade connected to the handle, and a guard slidably mounted partially within the handle for sliding movement between a retracted position in which the blade is exposed for use, and an extended position for covering the sharp cutting edge of the blade. In the retracted position, an exposed guard radius is provided at the distal end of the handle to allow improved handle control and blade orientation. The exposed guard radius is positioned to allow the user to firmly grip a large distal handle portion which is molded as a single piece with the blade holder, preventing unwanted blade or handle movement due to guard mechanism tolerances. A leaf spring and detent is provided to fix the guard in the extended and retracted position, and provide slight resistance during movement between each position. Additionally, an antitravel mechanism is incorporated in the guard to prevent accidental retraction from the fully extended position.