Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
3~
The present invention relates generally to
improvements for a liquid-dispensing device operated by a
constant or uniform force of a pair of constant torque
springs, said springs, as is well understood, being of the
type that assumes a configuration cf helical coils according
to its built-in tendency, and more particularly relates to
obviating any binding tendency of said springs during
operation of the within inventive device while maintaining
the simplicity of the construction in the within inventive
device, its portability, and other noteworthy attributes as
will become more apparent as the description proceeds.
Designed specifically for medical objectives, such
as intravenous feeding or the dispensing of the evaporative
fluid of the device of U.S. patent 4,253,464, althou~h not
necessarily limited to such end uses, the device itself is of
the general classification having an operational mode which is
particularly suitable to be powered by constant torque springs.
In ~.S. Patent 4,447,238, a device of the nature
contemplated po~red by a single constant torque spring is
described and illustrated, whereas the embodiment herein
described and disclosed contemplates the use of a pair of
cooperating constant torque springs.
Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a medically-oriented liquid~dispensing device,
efficiently powered by two constant torque springs in which
there is achieved both linear tracking unaffected by the force
feedback of the helical coils of the springs and convenient
handling of the device as a result of use of noteworthy
tracking structure which is embodied in the device, all as
will be more particularly described herein.
A spring operated device for dispensing a liquid
for achieving a medical or similar objective demonstrating
objects and advantages of the present invention includes a
3~
rectangular-shaped housing bounding an internal compartment
having a top cover disposed in covering relation over said
compartmen-t. The cover has a centrally located slot
oriented longitudinally thereof opening into the compartment.
In the compartment there is disposed a source of liquld in a
collapsible bag. ~lso operating in the compartment is a slide
member disposed in pushing contact against the liquid-filled
bag. A pair of constant torque springs of the -typeadapted to
assume the form of helical coils are disposed on opposite sides
of the bag and each is operatively connected at one end to the
slide member and at its opposite end to an end of the housing so
as to urge the slide member through sliding movement through the
compartment in response to the assumption of said helical coils
at the spring end that is connected to the slide member, One
significant structural feature is an upstanding leg on the slide
member which is disposed in projected relation into the slot of
said cover so as to be adapted to track along the slot during
the sliding movement of the slide member. Cooperating with said
upstanding leg is a clip means connected to extend from the
housing so that the free or unconnected end thereof is adapted
to selectively engage the tracking member preparatory to
commencing the liquid-dispensing service of the device.
The above brief description, as well as further
objects, features, and advantages of the pLesent invention,
will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following
detailed description of a presently preferred, but nonetheless
illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present
invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a typical
end use of the withln device for intravenous feeding;
Figs. 2-5 are more particularly concerned with
illustrating the structural features of the device. In a
~41~83~
preferred embodiment, the construction material of the device is
a transparent plastic. Accordingly, Fiy. 2 is a plan view in
which internal structural fea-tures are visible through the
transparent cover of the device;
Fig. 3 is a side elevational view as seen in the
direction of the arrows 3-3 in Fig. 2 illustrating further
structural details;
Fig. 4, like Fig. 2, is also a plan view, but taken
along line 4-4 of Fig. 3 to illustra-te additional internal
structural features; and
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
Fig. 2 illustrating details of the upstanding leg of the slide
member of the within device.
Referring to the drawings, and particularly Fig. 1,
the within inventive device, generally designated 10, is
illustrated in a typical end use in which it is used for
intravenous feeding. That is, and as will be explained in
greater detail subsequently, the device 10 is noteworthy in that
it is operated by a pair of springs and is effective in
dispensing liquid, which in the end use illustrated in Fig. 1
is an appropriate intravenous medicant through a tube 12 to an
intravenous site 14. Consistent with achieving a medical or
similar objective, it will also be understood that the device 10
is also appropriate to use as the fluid source 38 of the device
10 of U.S. patent 4,253,464, issued March 3, 1981, entitled
"Method and Device for Contributing to the Obviating of Male
Infertility." The specific end uses are mentioned to highlight
certain noteworthy operating requirements for the device IO,
namely that it is capable of dispensing in a uniform fashion a
liquid, and that it is spring-operated so that it is portable
and therefore can be conveniently worn by the patient, such as
on the patient's arm as illustrated in Fig. 1 when used for
intravenous feeding, and on the patient's body when used for
the medical objective of U.S. patent 4,253,46~.
3:~
In a preferred embodiment, the construction material
for the device 10 is any suitable clear or transparent plastic
material. Using this construction material, the device
includes a rec~angular housing 16, consisting of the usual
side, end and boittom walls and, warran-ting specific mention, a
top panel or cover 18 which is disposed in any suitable manner
in covering relation over an internal compartment 20 which is
bounded by the housing 16, 18. A significant structual feature
of the top cover 18 is a centrally located, longitudinally
oriented slot 22 which opens in-to the compartment 20 and which
in eross-secti.on, as illustrated in the sectional view of Fig.
S has two walls, 24 and 26, along opposite sides to cooperate
in forming a shoulder for a tracking function which will soon
be described.
Disposed within the compartment 20 is a source of
liquid, identified by the reference number 30, which will be
understood to be appropriate for the medical objective that is
intended to be accomplished, said liquid being contained within
a eollapsible bag 32 which has outlet 34 which, in the
illustrated end use, is connec-ted to an intravenous tube and
needle 12.
A next significant component of the device 10 ~
consists of a slide member 40 whleh is disposed for sllding
movement also in the compartment 20 and, more partieularly, in
pushing eontaet against the eollapslble bag 32. ~To achieve an
aetual interconnected relationship between the bag :32 and front
of the slide;member 40, use may be made of cooperating Velcro
patehes at the interface of~the eontactlng surfaces of the bag
and slide member, as at 43~. ~
To power slide member 40 in sliding movement from
a~ inltial startlng positlon, as at tho top of Flg. 2, to a
:
~24~3~
final position which, of course, would be to the bottom of
Fig. 4, in which instance -the fluid 30 would be forced out of
the bag 32 through outlet 3~, use is made of a pair of constant
torque springs generally designated 50 and 51. Since each
constant torque spring 50 and 51 is a well understood and
commercially available component, and each is identically
embodied in the device except along opposite sides of the bag
32, a detailed description only of spring 50 is believed
necessary for purposes of understanding the within invention
and structural features of spring 51 similar thereto will be
designated by the same but primed reference numeral. It
suffices to note that spring S0 is of the type which exerts a
constant or uniform force and has a natural tendency to assume
the shape of helical coils, as indicated at 52. To permit
this, slide member 40 includes a rotatably mounted core 54 on
which one end of the spring 50 assumes the shape of helical
coils 52, while the opposite end, as at 56, lS stationarily
connected adjacent an end of the housing 16 in any appropriate
manner, such as by using the screw and clamp 58. That is, and
in accordance with the:well understood operatlonal mode of the
constant torque spring 50, the end not attached to the housing
16 is under a spring urgency and:therefore~assumes the form of
helical coils 52 about the core 54 which shortens the supply
,
length of the spring 50. ~Slnce the end 56 is conneoted at 58
to the housing 16, shortening in the~spring;50;must in:turn
result in the slide member 40 being urged through sliding
: , :
movement through the~compartment 20. Slnce the slide member 40
is ln pushing contact agalnst the~bag 32, this of course results
in the desired~dlspensing~of the llquid therefrom under the
constant or uniform force~of~the spring S0.
.
: 6
~2~83~
To contribute significantly to the ease of handling
and using the device 10, even though it contemplates the
controlled use of spriny bias, advantageous use is made of an
accessible projection from -the side member 40. That is, an
upstanding leg 60 is provided as an integral part of the slide
member 40, the upper portion of said leg projecting into and
contacting the lower wall of slot 22 of the top cover 18.
Connected to the projecting end of the leg 60 is an operative
tracking member 42, the connection being made by as simple an
expedient as a screw 64. As is perhaps best illustrated in
Figs. 2 and 5, the tracking member 62 is readily confined to
track along the slot 22 by the bottom corners thereof being
guided along the shoulders formed by the cooperating walls 24
and 26 which are part of the slot construction of the top
cover 18.
At this point in the description it should be noted
that the tracking member 62 is advantageously provided with a
transverse slot 66 for receiving an unattached end of a spring
clip 68, of appropriate springy construction material, which is
attached at its opposite end to the rear wall of the housing 16,
as by the screw 70. As a result, and as is perhaps best
illustrated in Fig. 3j the clip spring 68 can effectively
engage the tracking member 62 and in this manner hold the slide
member 40 in its ready position to the top of the device 10.
When it is deslredj~ however, to start the liqu.id-dispensing
function of the device lO, a flnger grip of:the:clip spring 68
is adapted to be engaged and lifted out of slot 66 thereby
rele`asing the slide member 40 for movement under the spring
urgency cf the two springs~:50 and 51 again~st the liquid-filIed
bag 32.
3~
In some end uses, the condi-tion for maintaining
sterile the liquid being dispensed is consistent with making
use of the same plastic bag 32. tn this instance an
appropriate vacuum tube would be connected to the extending tube
34 and in withdrawing the slide member 40 back to its starting
position another supply of fluid would, of course, be drawn into
the bag 32. During this time, of course, the slide member 40 is
eased into its starting position and held in place by the
resilient clip 68. Repetitious use of the same bag 32 might be
particularly applicable for the end use contemplated Eor the
device 10 in the referred-to U.S. patent 4,253,464. If a fresh
bag 32 is necessary, bottom plate 74 is unscrewed at 76 to
permit this.
A latitude of modification, change and substitution
is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances
some features of the invention will be employed without a
corresponding use of other~features. Accordingly, it is
appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and
in manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention
herein. ~ ~
:
,
:: :: ~ ~
