Flexible Piston Rod
First Claim
1. A flexible piston rod, particularly for use in medicine dispensing devices, comprising a row of elements each having a top surface and a bottom surface as well as a lateral surface, the top surface of one element being connected to the bottom surface of the adjacent element by a hinge means located and adapted to allow the two adjacent elements to pivot from a first position where at least a portion of a top surface of one element abuts a corresponding portion of the bottom surface of the adjacent element, said first position corresponding to a rectilinear, relatively stiff configuration of the piston rod, to a second position wherein said top surface of one element is spaced from said bottom surface of the adjacent element corresponding to a curved configuration of said flexible piston rod.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible piston rod includes a piston and a row of elements, the top surface of one element being connected to the bottom surface of an adjacent element by a hinge that allows the two adjacent elements to pivot from a first position, where a portion of the top surface of one element abuts a corresponding portion of the bottom surface of the adjacent element and corresponding to a rectilinear, relatively stiff configuration of the piston rod, to a second position wherein the top surface of one element is spaced from the bottom surface of the adjacent element and corresponding to a curved configuration of the piston rod. Each element has cylindrical surface portions incorporating a thread for meshing with a corresponding thread of an actuator for displacing the piston rod longitudinally.
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Citations
7 Claims
- 1. A flexible piston rod, particularly for use in medicine dispensing devices, comprising a row of elements each having a top surface and a bottom surface as well as a lateral surface, the top surface of one element being connected to the bottom surface of the adjacent element by a hinge means located and adapted to allow the two adjacent elements to pivot from a first position where at least a portion of a top surface of one element abuts a corresponding portion of the bottom surface of the adjacent element, said first position corresponding to a rectilinear, relatively stiff configuration of the piston rod, to a second position wherein said top surface of one element is spaced from said bottom surface of the adjacent element corresponding to a curved configuration of said flexible piston rod.
- 6. A flexible piston rod comprising a strip of relatively stiff and resilient material having in the relaxed state an arcuate cross section taken transversely to the longitudinal direction of said strip, a longitudinal row of evenly space apertures being provided along the length of said strip for receiving projections of an actuator for displacing said strip in the longitudinal direction thereof.
Specification