Protective shield for needle receiver

• US 4,573,975 A
• Filed: 01/04/1985
• Issued: 03/04/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brian S. Frist, Wayne H. Lazarus
• Original Assignee: Brian S. Frist, Wayne H. Lazarus
• Inventors: Lazarus, Wayne H., Frist, Brian S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Application Number:
  US06/688,734
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 604/192, 604/263
• US Class Current: 604/192
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3213 Caps placed axially onto the needle, e.g. equipped with finger protection guards axially-extensible protective sleeves A61M5/3243

Abstract

A protective shield surrounding a container for a hypodermic needle. The container is an elongate container for a needle, the container having a neck adapted to receive a closure. A protective shield is carried at the neck, the shield being foldable down against the body of the container. There is a cylindrical holder at the end of the closure so that, when the closure is in position, the holder, or closure extension, holds the protective shield in folded position. When the closure is removed, the shield expands out to provide the protective shield on reinsertion of the needle into the container.

Claims

1. A protective shield, for a needle receiver comprising a container for a hypodermic needle, said container having an open top for receiving said needle, and a neck portion adjacent to said open top, said protective shield including a piece of sheet material defining a central opening therethrough, said central opening being adapted to receive said neck portion of said container, said piece of sheet material having a periphery, and means for allowing said protective shield to fold whereby said periphery is effectively shortened and said sheet of material assumes a generally conical shape, a washer carried on said container adjacent to said neck for limiting the motion of said protective shield in one direction, and a retainer carried on said neck for holding said protective shield against said washer.

2. A protective shield as claimed in claim 1, said piece of sheet material having a plurality of slits extending radially of said neck of said container for defining a plurality of segments of said piece of sheet material, each segment of said plurality of segments being movable with respect to adjacent segments for allowing said sheet of material to assume a generally conical configuration.

3. A protective shield as claimed in claim 2, said piece of sheet material defining a disk so that said plurality of segments constitute segments of a circle, said slits extending from the circumference of said disk and terminating before said central opening so that said segments can be urged towards said container by allowing said segments to overlap at said slits.

4. In a container for a hypodermic needle, wherein said container includes a generally cylindrical body having a neck defined at one end thereof, and an opening at said one end for receiving a needle, and a closure receivable over said neck for closing said container and retaining said needle within said container, the improvement comprising a protective sheild received over said neck, said protective shield extending outwardly from said neck, said shield being so constructed and arranged that a needle mis-directed towards said opening for receiving a needle will engage said protective shield to prevent injury to a person holding said container, and wherein said protective shield comprises a piece of flexible sheet material having a generally circular configuration, said piece of sheet material defining a central opening for receiving said neck therethrough, a washer on said container for limiting motion of said piece of sheet material in one direction, and a retainer received on said neck for holding said piece of sheet material against said washer.

5. In a container as claimed in claim 4, the improvement wherein said piece of sheet material defines a plurality of slits generally radially thereof, said slits extending from the circumference and extending to a point radially outwardly of said central opening for defining a plurality of segments moveable relative to one another, adjacent edges of said segments being overlapped for shortening said circumference and causing said piece of material to assume a generally conical shape.

6. In a container as claimed in claim 5, the further improvement comprising means for urging said plurality of segments towards said container to place said protective shield in a folded condition.

7. In a container as claimed in claim 6, said means for urging said plurality of segments towards said container comprising a closure extension including a cylindrical body concentric with said closure and extending forwardly therefrom, the arrangement being such that said closure extension holds said protective shield in folded condition.

8. In a container as claimed in claim 7, the improvement wherein said piece of sheet material is sufficiently resilient that said segments tend to spread out when released to provide said protective shield, said washer being elastomeric to assist in urging said plurality of segments outwardly.