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Clip applicator

  • US 5,665,097 A
  • Filed: 04/21/1995
  • Issued: 09/09/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A clip applicator adapted to apply and remove C-shaped scalp clips wherein the C-shaped scalp clips each have two legs joined by a resilient bridge and including facing clamping jaws at their free ends and further wherein the bridge includes upper and lower ears adapted to urge the clamping jaws open in response to actuation of said clip applicator, said clip applicator comprising:

  • a body;

    a trigger movably fastened to said body, said trigger having a trigger first position and a trigger second position relative to said body, wherein said trigger is normally pivotally biased in its said trigger first position by spring means, said trigger comprising (i) means for moving said trigger from its said trigger first position to its said trigger second position, and (ii) a lever-engaging portion;

    a lever movably fastened to said body, said lever having a lever first position and a lever second position relative to said body, wherein said lever is normally pivotally biased in its said lever first position by spring means, said lever comprising an elongate beam having a clip-engaging portion disposed at a distal end thereof and a trigger-engaging portion disposed at a proximal end portion thereof, wherein said lever is movable from said lever first position to said lever second position in response to said trigger moving from said trigger first position to said trigger second position, and further wherein said trigger-engaging portion of said lever loosely engages said lever-engaging portion of said trigger such that said clip-engaging portion of said lever is movable relative to said body when said lever is in said lever first position;

    a magazine releasably fastened to said body and adapted to store a plurality of clips such that the free ends of the clips rest against the bridge of an adjacent and preceding clip, and to serially dispense the clips from said magazine, said magazine having an open end, said magazine comprising a tube having side walls, means for orienting the clips within said tube such that the free ends of the clips point towards the magazine open end, means for releasably locking the clips within said tube, and a lip projecting into said open end, said lip being shaped so as to be selectively engageable with the upper ear of each of the clips as each clip moves toward said open end, and said magazine being positioned on said body such that said clip-engaging portion of said lever is engageable with the lower ear of each of the clips as each clip moves toward said open end, and further wherein said clip-engaging portion of said lever moves toward said lip when said trigger is moved from said trigger first position toward said trigger second position; and

    means for urging the clips toward said open end.

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