Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6390659
-
Patent Number
6,390,659
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, April 25, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 21, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- O'Shea; Sandra
- Zeade; Bertrand
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 362 399
- 362 400
- 362 804
- 206 438
- 206 223
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A disposable light handle is designed for removable attachment to manually adjustable light fixtures employed in sterile medical settings. The light handle includes an elongated handle body, having one end closed, and an opposite end provided with a threaded portion. At the junction of handle body and threaded portion is an integrally formed circular shield that projects therefrom to provide a guard against contact between the hand of a user and the light fixture. The shield is sufficiently resilient and flexible to permit opposite sides of an outer periphery to bend into an overlying relationship to the handle body for minimizing width in storage. The shield is provided with loops located diametrically opposed to one another on the periphery of the shield. Connector projections are diametrically opposed to one another along the length of the handle body, and positioned to releasably receive thereon the loops when the shield is bent into an overlying relationship. Light handles are interconnectable in a package by providing an elongated groove originating in the closed end of each handle body and extending along a portion of the length of the surface of each handle body, and an insert projection on a surface substantially opposite the elongated groove of each handle body. The insert projection of one handle body is inerrable into the elongated groove of a second handle body, thereby allowing interconnection for minimizing space in packaging.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to disposable light handles for manually adjustable light fixtures utilized in sterile medical treatment and operating rooms, for example.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
In the field of disposable light handles, sterile light handles may be designed to provide ease of connection with light fixtures to allow medical personnel to maintain sterile conditions and to control movable light fixtures in medical operating rooms. It is a preference in the field that the disposable light handles can be compactly containerized for space-efficient storage and shipment while maintaining sterility of the light handles.
Typical of the prior art are those disposable light handles disclosed in the following U.S. Patents. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,598, to Ramirez, a surgical light handle is disclosed that includes a tubular handle, a circular generally planar shield, and a threaded portion. The circular shield includes two living hinges which permit opposing sides of the shield to be folded down against the handle for packaging and storage. These folded sides will not return to the plane of the shield of their own accord and require some external force for their alignment as parts of the shield. A plurality of tabs are disposed on the lower face of the shield, and a matching indentation is formed on the lower end of the handle to enable two side-by-side aligned handles to be frictionally engaged together as a unit by engaging the tabs of one handle with the indentations of the other handle. The circular shield is spread and held in an open configuration when the handle is attached to a separate adapter cap that provides tension against a central portion of the shield to return the folded sides of the shield to the plane of the circular shield, and attaches the handle and shield to a light fixture handle.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,288, to Reasner, a disposable plastic handle and shield for engaging a surgical light fixture handle is disclosed that includes a hollow handle with a threaded upper end portion and an integral, generally planar circular shield connected to the handle between the threaded upper end portion and the lower portion of the hollow handle. The shield includes a pair of spaced apart grooves in the shield underside to allow opposite sides of the shield to be folded downward onto the lower portion of the hollow handle for packaging and storage. Return of the downwardly folded sides of the shield to the plane of the circular shield is by mechanical leverage applied through an adaptor.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,156, to Hallings et al., a quick release focusing handle for surgical lights is disclosed that includes a hollow handle with an attachable end that encircles the focusing handle of the light. The attachable end includes a tensioning screw that is tightened against the focusing handle, and a circular shield that is attachable distal of the tensioning screw along the hollow handle. The shield is detachable as a unit from the hollow handle for packaging and storage.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,252, to Barron et al., a sterilizable multi-part handle for attachment to surgery room light fixtures is disclosed that includes a handle body portion, an end having a threaded head portion, and a separate circular disc that fits onto the threaded head portion end. The handle body portion is packaged by stacking of discs and handle bodies side-by-side with a retainer strap encircling the handle bodies.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved disposable light handle that connects with a light fixture, that can be compactly containerized for space-efficient and sterile storage and shipment until utilized in sterile medical environments, and that provides ease of unpackaging and assembly by sterile gloved medical personnel.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable light handle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a light handle that may be packaged in a sterile, space efficient configuration to minimize the volume of stored handle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a disposable light handle that provides ease of gripping in moist environments, and fits onto a multitude of light fixtures.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a disposable light handle that is easily removed from packaging and assembled by gloved medical personnel in sterile environments.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a disposable light handle for attachment to a manually adjustable light fixture such as light fixtures employed in surgical suites, dental offices and sterile medical settings. The present handle is designed to be removably attached to the light fixture employing an existing threaded attachment means on the light fixture and a mating threaded end of the disposable handle, and/or an adaptor interposed between the disposable handle and the light fixture attachment means.
The disposable light handle of the present invention includes an elongated handle portion, one end of which is closed, and the opposite open end of which is provided with a threaded portion. At the junction of the handle portion and the threaded portion there is provided a generally circular shield that is integrally formed with the handle portion and projects radially therefrom to provide a guard against contact between the hand of a user and the light fixture during attachment of the handle to the light fixture, and during grasping of the handle by the user for adjustment of the light fixture. In the preferred embodiment the shield is relatively thin, of substantially uniform wall thickness, and sufficiently resilient as permits the opposite sides of the outer periphery of the shield to be bendable into an overlying relationship to the handle portion, and to rebound to their relaxed state as a part of the shield. Further, the shield is preferably formed initially of a concave geometry such that the outer periphery of the shield drapes toward the closed end of the handle portion.
For purposes of minimizing space in the packaging and storage of the present disposable light handle, the shield is provided with open loop-type projections located diametrically opposed to one another on the outer periphery of the shield. The handle portion is provided with projections at locations along the length of the handle portion and disposed on opposite sides of the handle in position to releasably receive thereon the open loop-type projections of the shield when the shield is bent to position its opposite sides in overlying relationship to the handle portion.
As a further aspect of the present invention, provision is made for the interconnection of two light handles in a single package. This feature is accomplished in the preferred embodiment by providing an elongated groove in the closed end of the handle portion of a first light handle, the groove opening outwardly both from the side surface and of the distal surface of the closed end of the handle portion. On the same side of the first light handle as the location of its elongated groove, there is provided an elongated projection which is located at the junction of the handle portion and the shield. The projection extends away from the shield along a portion of the length of the handle portion in position to be received in the elongated groove of a second light handle. For packaging of first and second light handles in a single package, the closed end of the first light handle is positioned at the junction of the handle portion and shield of the second light handle such that the groove of the first light handle receives therein the projection of the second light handle and vice versa. This relative positioning of the two light handles further locates the closed end of the second light handle at the junction of the handle portion and shield of the first handle portion whereby the projection at the juncture of the handle portion and shield of the first light handle is received in the groove in the closed end of the second light handle thereby providing for two spaced apart interlocking locations of the first and second light handles. The elongated structure of these interlocking grooves and projections on the two light handles provides several advantages including ease of assembly and disassembly of the two light handles, and positive interlocking of the two light handles for handling during packaging operations and during removal of the two light handles under sterile conditions within a surgical suite such that the two light handles do not inadvertently separate during their removal from their packaging and are dropped outside the desired sterile field, for example.
In one embodiment, the junction between the handle portion and the shield is defined by a circular transition shoulder which is of greater thickness than the shield and provides strengthening of the interconnection of the shield to the handle portion. This enhanced strengthening of this juncture permits repeated flexing and enhanced resiliency of the shield relative to the handle portion as when bending the opposite sides of the shield into overlying relationship to the handle portion.
In an alternative embodiment, the light handle of the present invention is combined with an adaptor which receives the threaded portion of the light handle and a differently threaded or shaped receiver or receptacle on the light handle, thereby permitting the present light handle to be employed with differing existing light fixtures.
In an alternative embodiment, the handle portion of the present light handle is of a multi-sided cross-sectional geometry to aid in the sure grasping of the handle during its use. Further, the cross-sectional diameter of the handle portion preferably is varied from a first and smaller diameter nearest its closed end and a second and greater diameter commencing at the location of the projections thereon which receive the loop-type projections of the shield, and extending to the juncture of the handle portion and the shield. Employing these different diameters of the handle portion, the present invention provides for the orientation of the projections in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the handle portion. By this means, the projections are in position to readily receive and retain the loop-type projections of the shield, while also providing for the ready release of the loop-type projections from the projections on the handle when the present light handle is removed from its sterile packaging for use. Further, the placement and orientation of the projections on the handle minimizes their destruction or mutilation during handling and minimizes any likelihood that these projections will damage the glove of a user and thereby destroy the desired sterile field.
In an alternative embodiment, the disposable light handle includes an elongated body portion having an outer surface, a closed end and an opposite end adapted to be attached to a light fixture for manipulation of the light, and a generally circular shield extending radially from the body portion at a location adjacent the opposite end of the light handle. The light handle improvement comprises an elongated groove defined in the outer surface of the body portion, the groove originating at the closed end of the body portion and extending along a portion of the length of the body portion to terminate short of the shield, the groove having a cross-section having a perimeter which is continuous except for a single opening defined in the perimeter, the opening comprising less than one-half of the perimeter of the cross-section perimeter. The light handle improvement further comprises an elongated tongue projecting from the outer surface of the body portion at a location substantially opposite the location of the groove in the outer surface, the tongue originating adjacent the closed end of the body portion and extending along at least a portion of the length of the body portion, the tongue having a cross-section having a closed perimeter which is complementary to the cross-section of the groove, whereby the tongue is receivable within the groove to releasably interconnect a first light handle to a second light handle of like design.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The above mentioned objects and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the description contained herein, and by reference to the claims, read together with the drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of one embodiment of a disposable light handle in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a front view of the light handle of
FIG. 1
, illustrating a circular shield connected at a junction of the handle portion of the handle with a threaded portion;
FIG. 3
is a side view of
FIG. 2
, rotated ninety degrees, illustrating at least two loop-type projections originating on the periphery of the shield, with each loop-type projection connected to a connector positioned at the junction of the different diameters of the handle portion;
FIG. 4
is a bottom perspective view of the light handle of
FIG. 1
, illustrating at least two grooves in the first end of the handle body, plus at least one insert projection on the handle body aligned with one of the grooves in the first end;
FIG. 5
is a top perspective view of
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 6
is a detailed view of a loop on the periphery edge of the circular shield;
FIG. 7
is a detailed view of a connector projection extending toward the first end of the handle body of the present invention;
FIG. 8
is a bottom view of the first end of the handle body;
FIG. 9
is a top view of the second open end of the handle body;
FIG. 10
is a perspective view of the light handle connected to a light fixture;
FIG. 11
is a perspective view of a first handle body attached to a second handle body, with each shield bent to a position in overlying relationship to each handle body;
FIG. 12
is a perspective view of the light handle and an adaptor connected to a light fixture;
FIG. 13
a
is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the light handle;
FIG. 13
b
is a perspective view of
FIG. 13
a
illustrating details of a tongue and groove interlocking means on the handle body having an alternative shaped shield;
FIG. 14
is a perspective view of an opposite side of the embodiment of
FIG. 13
a
illustrating the handle body having an alternative shaped shield;
FIG. 15
is a cross-section of one embodiment of a groove of
FIG. 14
;
FIG. 16
is an alternative embodiment of
FIG. 14
; and
FIG. 17
is an alternative embodiment of
FIG. 14
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
An improved disposable light handle
10
incorporating various features of the present invention is disclosed and illustrated generally in
FIGS. 1-12
. The disposable light handle
10
can be compactly packaged for space-efficient and steril-estorage until utilized in sterile medical environments, and can be easily unpackaged and assembled by sterile-gloved medical personnel in surgical suites, dental offices, and medical treatment rooms. The light handle
10
can be sterilized and attached directly to an existing threaded attachment means, such as a threaded female receptacle, on a manually adjustable light fixture
77
(see FIG.
10
). Alternatively, an adaptor A (see
FIG. 12
) can be attached to the light handle
10
for connecting the light handle
10
to a light fixture
77
having a different diameter than the light handle
10
. The disposable light handle
10
allows medical and dental users in sterile operating rooms to grasp and adjust the light fixture
77
without destroying the sterile conditions of the user's gloved hands.
One embodiment of the light handle
10
comprises a handle body portion
12
of a generally elongated, hollow, cylindrical shape with a first end
14
defining a closed end
16
(see
FIG. 1
) projecting downward or toward the medical treatment area when the handle is removably attached to an existing threaded attachment means on a light fixture
77
(see FIG.
10
). The exterior surfaces
18
of the first end
14
may be formed as a smoothly curved or ribbed outer surface, or a multi-sided exterior shape with a plurality of outer surface portions
20
of generally equal width. A preferred multi-sided shape may include hexagonal or octagonal shaped outer surface portions
20
that may have equal widths for each exterior surface portion
18
. The multi-sided handle body
12
allows medical personnel who are wearing sterile and possibly wet gloves to easily grab and maintain a grip on the handle body
12
to quickly reposition the light fixture
77
during a surgical procedure.
In a preferred embodiment there is provided an increase from a first diameter of the handle body
12
at the closed end
14
, to a second diameter
24
at a generally central junction
22
along the length of the handle body
12
. The depicted junction
22
(see
FIGS. 2 and 3
) includes a bevel of transition
26
at the junction from the lesser diameter of the first end
14
, to the increased second diameter
24
of the handle body
12
. The second diameter
24
preferably extends distally from the junction
22
toward the second end
28
of the handle body
12
.
An open second end
28
of the handle body
12
, opposite the first end
14
, is provided with a threaded portion
36
, or spiral groove. The threaded portion
36
preferably includes external threads
37
(see FIGS.
1
and
2
). The threaded portion
36
preferably is integral with the handle body
12
at approximately a shield junction
30
on the handle body
12
that is distal to the generally central junction
22
.
At the shield junction
30
, there is provided a generally circular shield
34
, that is integrally formed with the handle body
12
at the shield junction
30
, and extends radially from the handle body
12
. The shield
34
projects outward from the handle body
12
to provide a guard against contact between the hand of a user and non-sterile areas of a light fixture
77
during attachment of the handle
10
to the light fixture
77
(see FIG.
10
), and during grasping of handle
10
by the user during manual adjustment of the light fixture
77
.
In the preferred embodiment, the shield
34
is relatively thin, of substantially uniform wall thickness, and sufficiently flexible and resilient to permit the opposite sides of the outer periphery
38
of the shield to be bent into an overlying relationship to the handle body
12
(see FIG.
3
), and for the shield to reassume its relaxed position when released from its bent state. Further, the shield is preferably formed initially of a concave shape such that the outer periphery
38
of the shield drapes toward the closed end
16
of the handle body
12
. The concave geometry of the shield
34
enhances the inherent resiliency of the shield in that bending of diametrically opposite sides of the shield toward the handle body
12
so deforms the circular geometry of the shield as to increase its tendency to return to its concave geometry when released from its bent state. In effect, the bending of the concave shield
34
stores more energy in the shield than does the bending of a planar shield.
In one embodiment, the shield junction
30
between the handle body
12
and the shield
34
is defined by a circular transition shoulder
32
that is of greater thickness than the shield
34
, and which extends radially from the handle body by a relatively short distance, approximately one quarter inch, for example. The shoulder
32
provides for a strengthening of the interconnection of the shield
34
to the handle body
12
, and permits repeated flexing of the shield
34
relative to the handle body
12
as when bending the shield
34
into overlying relationship to the handle body
12
for packaging purposes, or extending the shield for use when the handle body is attached to a light fixture
77
.
As noted above and shown in
FIGS. 3 and 11
, the shield
34
of the present invention may be resiliently bent into overlying relationship toward the outer surface
20
of the handle body
12
, and releasably secured in their bent positions. The present invention employs this feature for purposes of minimizing space in the packaging and storage of the present disposable light handle
10
. To this end, the shield
34
is provided with first and second attachment means such as open loop-type projections
64
,
66
located diametrically opposed to one another on the outer periphery
38
of the shield
34
(see
FIGS. 5
,
6
and
8
). The handle body
12
is provided with first and second connector means such as connector projections
50
,
50
′ at locations at approximately a mid-length distance along the length of the handle body
12
and disposed on opposite sides of the handle body
12
in position to releasably receive thereon the open loop-type projections
64
when the shield
34
is bent to position its opposite sides in overlying relationship to the handle body
12
. In a preferred embodiment, the open loop-type projections on the shield
34
comprise a first loop projection
64
, and a second loop projection
66
disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the periphery
38
of the handle body
12
(see FIG.
4
).
Referring to
FIGS. 3
,
6
and
7
, to maintain the opposite bent sides of the shield
34
in their overlying positions with respect to the handle body
12
, the handle body is provided with first and second connector projections
50
,
50
′, each of which projects from the other surface
20
of the handle body
12
, toward the closed end
16
. Each connector projection
50
,
50
′ is in position to receive one of the loop-type projections
64
,
66
on periphery
38
of shield
34
.
In
FIGS. 2
,
3
and
7
, each of the connector projections
50
,
50
′ comprise a flat planar body portion
51
,
51
′ and a distal end having a generally arcuate tip
54
,
54
′. The inboard edge
52
,
52
′ of each connector is integrally formed with the bevel
26
defined at the bevel of transition
26
on the handle body
12
such that the flat planar body portion
51
,
51
′ of the connector projections
50
,
50
′ have outboard ends that lie substantially parallel with, but spaced apart from the handle body
12
to define a slot
56
between each connector projection
50
,
50
′ and the handle body
12
. This slot
56
opens outwardly in a direction toward the closed end
16
of the handle body
12
, hence in a direction away from the shield
34
. Each slot
56
is dimensioned to accept therein one of the loop-type projections
64
,
66
on the periphery
38
of the shield
34
.
In the depicted embodiment of
FIGS. 4 and 5
, each of the loop-type projections
64
,
66
is of rigid or semi-rigid construction and includes first and second legs
68
,
70
, respectively (see FIG.
6
). One end
72
of each leg is integrally formed with and extends from the periphery
38
of the shield in an angled direction away from the lower surface
74
of the shield facing the closed end
16
. The outboard ends
76
,
78
of the legs are joined by a generally U-shaped cross member
80
which is integrally formed with the legs to define an opening
82
. Notably, the orientation of the U-shaped cross member
80
of each loop-type projection
64
,
66
lies in a plane which is generally parallel to, but spaced apart from the surface
74
of the shield
34
. Thus, when the periphery
38
of the shield
34
is bent into a position in which the shield overlies the handle body
12
, toward the closed end
16
, the plane of the U-shaped cross member
80
of the loop-type connector is oriented substantially parallel to the outer surface
20
of the handle body
12
. Further, when in this position adjacent the handle body, the U-shaped cross member
80
is disposed to readily enter the slot
56
defined by a connector projection
50
,
50
′ on the handle body
12
. To provide for entry of the U-shaped cross member
80
into the slot
56
defined by each connector projection
50
,
50
′, the location of each connector projection
50
,
50
′ along the length of the handle body
12
is selected to cause the connector projection (and its slot) to be disposed away from the shield junction
30
by a distance which places the opening of the slot
56
immediately adjacent to the location of the U-shaped cross member
80
of each loop-type projection
64
,
66
of the shield
34
. Thus, when the shield is bent into substantially complete overlying position with respect to the handle body
12
, the U-shaped cross member
80
is presented to the open end of the slot
56
for ready entry into the slot. Notably, the angularity of the mounting of the U-shaped cross member
80
with respect legs
68
,
70
connected to the surface
74
of the shield
34
, in concert with the slight angle of the legs away from the general plane of the shield
34
toward the first end
14
, positions the periphery
38
of the shield in spaced apart relationship to each projection connector
50
,
50
′ on the handle body
12
, thereby precluding the surface
74
of the shield
34
from interfering with entry of each cross member
80
,
80
′ into each slot
56
,
56
′.
However, it is to be noted that the connection of each loop-type connector
50
,
50
′ to the shield
34
is of a resilient nature so that the application of a force against the upper surface
73
of the shield adjacent the location of the loop-type connectors
64
,
66
, functions to bend the shield
34
loop-type connectors
64
,
66
toward the outer surface
20
of the handle body
12
. Continued force against the upper surface
73
of the shield urges each U-shaped cross member
80
into substantial parallel and close proximity with the outer surface
20
, hence positioning only the cross member
80
in actual engagement with the outer surface
20
of the handle body
12
and in position adjacent the open end of the slot
56
. Once the shield
12
has been bent into substantially complete overlying relationship to the outer surface
20
of the handle body
12
and upon release of a force employed to resiliently bend the shield
34
into its overlying position with respect to the handle body
12
, the resiliency of the shield
34
functions to urge each U-shaped cross member
80
,
80
′ in a direction toward the handle body/shield shoulder
32
, and hence into each slot
56
,
56
′ and to lock each U-shaped cross member
80
,
80
′ in each slot until the shield is again bent to the extent that the U-shaped cross member is urged away from and out of the slot. In this respect, release of the U-shaped cross member from the slot is readily accomplished by merely applying a force toward the closed end
16
against the outer surface
73
of the bent shield at a location intermediate the periphery of the shield and the shield juncture
30
to the handle body
12
. Once each U-shaped cross member
80
,
80
′ has been released from each respective slot
56
,
56
′, release of all applied bending force against the shield
34
permits the shield to resiliently return to its concave geometry as desired when applying the handle
10
to a light fixture
77
and when grasping the handle
10
for adjustment of the position of a light fixture
77
. Noting that the preferred embodiment includes first and second diametrically opposed projection connectors on the handle body
12
and first and second diametrically opposed loop-type connectors
64
,
66
on the periphery
38
of the shield
34
, a user may effect bending of both sides of the shield and locking of the loop-type connectors
64
,
66
of the shield in their respective slots
56
,
56
′ by merely grasping the shield between the thumb and forefinger of the user and squeezing the shield to position the loop-type connectors
64
,
66
in their respective positions for engagement, and to effect the engagement upon release of the bent shield
34
(see FIG.
3
). Disengagement of the sides of the shield from the handle body is performed in like manner, but with the bending force being applied to different locations on the bent shield (see arrow B of FIG.
3
).
As a further aspect of the present invention, provision is made for the interconnection of two disposable light handles (see
FIG. 11
) in a single package for compact storage and shipping. This feature is accomplished in the preferred embodiment by providing at least one elongated groove
44
, and preferably two opposed, elongated grooves
44
,
44
′, in the closed first end
14
of the handle body
12
of a first light handle (see FIGS.
1
and
4
). Each elongated groove
44
,
44
′ opens outwardly both from an outer surface
20
, and of the closed surface
16
of the first end
14
of the handle body
12
. On the same side of the first handle body
12
as the location of the first elongated groove
44
, there is provided an elongated, insert projection
58
which is located at the shield junction
30
of the handle body
12
and the shield
34
. The insert projection
58
extends along a portion of the length of the handle body
12
, extending toward the closed end
16
, and in an aligned position with the first elongated groove
44
, of the first handle body
12
, to receive therein the elongated groove
44
′ of a second light handle (see FIG.
11
).
For packaging of first and second light handles in a single package, the closed end
16
of the first light handle
10
is positioned near the shield shoulder
32
of the shield
34
′ of the second handle body
12
′, such that the groove
44
of the first light handle
12
receives therein the insert projection
58
′ of the second handle body
12
′, (see FIG.
11
). This relative positioning of the two light handles of like design further locates the closed end
16
′ of the second handle body
12
′, near the shield shoulder
32
of the shield
34
of the first handle body
12
. Concurrent with insertion of the second handle body
12
′ insert projection
58
′ into the groove
44
of the first handle, the insert projection
58
of the first handle body
12
is received in the groove
44
′ in the closed end
16
′ of the second handle body
12
′, thereby providing for two spaced apart interlocking locations of the first and second light handles. The elongated structures of the interlocking grooves
44
,
44
′ and insert projections
58
,
58
′ on the two light handle bodies provide several advantages. One advantage includes ease of assembly and disassembly of the two light handles as each respective insert projection inserts into the elongated grooves
44
,
44
′. Another advantage includes positive interlocking of the two light handles to maintain interlocked orientation during transport and removal of light handles under sterile conditions within a surgical room, such that the two light handles do not inadvertently separate during their removal from packaging and are dropped outside the desired sterile field, for example. A further advantage includes positive interlocking of the two light handles so that one handle does not rotate in relation to the other light handle during transport and/or during removal from packaging of the handles.
The open second end
28
of the handle body
12
includes a threaded portion
36
having external threads
37
or internal threads (not shown). This threaded portion
36
can be screwed directly onto a light fixture
77
, or can be combined with an adaptor A (see
FIG. 12
) which receives the threaded portion
36
of the second end
28
and connects to a differently threaded or shaped receiver or receptacle on the light fixture
77
, thereby permitting the present handle body
12
to be employed with different configurations of existing light fixtures.
Alternative embodiments for interlocking of a first handle body to a second handle body are illustrated in
FIGS. 13-17
as a tongue and groove releasably interlocking means. One alternative embodiment comprises a light handle body
112
including a multi-sided outer surface
114
having a outboard closed end
116
, a first side
118
, a second side
120
substantially diametrically opposed to the first side
118
. The first side
118
includes a first connector projection
142
located at a distance along the length of the first side
118
toward the second open end
128
. The second side
120
includes a second connector projection
144
located at a distance along the length of the second side
120
toward the second open end
128
and approximately opposite the location of the first connector projection (see
FIGS. 13
a
,
13
b
and
14
). A third side
122
is oriented between the first side
118
and the second side
120
, and a fourth side
124
is substantially diametrically opposed to the third side
122
. The handle body
112
may be tubular with four or more sides, or cylindrical or oval in cross-section with the connector projection means located on opposing sides of the perimeter of the cylindrical or oval handle body (not shown). An alternative embodiment provides a shield having a multi-sided shape, such as a hexagon (not shown), or an octagon
134
′ (see
FIG. 13
b
), or a generally square shape
134
″ (see FIG.
14
), with any of the cross-sectional shapes for the handle body
112
as stated above.
In one embodiment, a generally circular shield
134
is integrally formed with the handle body
112
proximate the open end
128
, with the central portion of the shield
134
having a shoulder
132
that is connected to a bevel
130
against the outer surface
114
of the handle body
112
(see
FIG. 13
a
). The shield
134
extends generally radially from the handle body
112
, and includes an outer periphery
136
of substantially uniform thickness over its area. The shield
134
is sufficiently resiliently flexible to permit diametrically opposed portions of the periphery
136
to be bent into overlying relationship to the handle body
112
. The periphery
136
includes first and second attachment means comprising a first loop
138
and a second loop
140
that are disposed at substantially diametrically opposed locations on the shield
134
. The first loop
138
is positioned on the periphery
136
to align with, and connect onto, the first connector projection
142
, and the second loop
140
is positioned on the periphery
136
to align with, and connect onto, the second connector projection
144
. The positions of the first connector projection
142
and second connector projection
144
are spaced along the length of the handle body
112
at a distance from the second open end
128
suitable for releasable engagement of the first loop
138
and second loop
140
on the shield with respective first
142
and second
144
connector projections to allow the flexible shield to be bent into overlying relationship and connected to the handle body
112
for compact storage and packaging.
The tongue and groove connection means of the depicted alternative embodiment for the handle body
112
includes an elongated groove
148
disposed in the third side
122
of the outer surface
114
. The groove
148
opens outwardly of the handle body
112
, With the groove
148
originating at, and opening outwardly of, the outboard closed end
116
and extending along a portion of the length of the third side
122
, ending at a ledge
158
that is located in spaced apart relationship to the shield
134
. The groove
148
includes a bottom wall
150
disposed inwardly of the outer surface
114
, and opposite side walls
152
,
154
which extend outwardly from the bottom wall
150
, toward the outer surface
114
, to form angled side walls
152
,
154
that have an opening width between the outer edges of the side walls
152
,
154
that is less than the width of the bottom wall
150
.
The tongue and groove interlocking means further includes an elongated tongue
162
projecting from the fourth opposing side
124
of the outer surface
114
. The tongue
162
extends from the outboard closed
116
along a portion of the length of the fourth side
124
and ends at a ledge stop
178
spaced apart from the bevel
130
and shoulder
132
of the shield
134
. The tongue
162
includes an outboard surface
164
which includes opposite side edges
166
,
168
which extend along substantially the length of the tongue
162
, and includes opposite side walls
170
,
172
which extend from the opposite side edges
166
,
168
and join the outboard surface
164
to the handle body
112
. The side walls
170
,
172
diverge from one another from their respective joinder locations
174
,
176
with the outer surface
114
of handle body
112
, to their respective joinder locations with the opposite side edges
166
,
168
of the tongue
162
, whereby a tongue of a first light handle is receivable within a groove of a second light handle of like design to thereby releasably interconnect the first and second light handles to one another.
Alternative cross-sections of the tongue and groove interlocking means are shown in
FIGS. 15-17
, viewed from the outboard closed end
116
. In
FIG. 15
, the cross-section of the tongue
162
and groove
148
having angled side walls is illustrated. In
FIG. 16
, the tongue
162
′ and groove
148
′ having complementary circular cross-sections is illustrated. In
FIG. 17
, the tongue
162
″ and groove
148
″ having complementary hexagonal cross-sections is illustrated. With the cross-section of the tongue of a first handle body complementary to the cross-section of a groove of a second handle body of like design, the tongue is receivable within the groove of the second handle body to thereby releasably interconnect the first and second light handles to one another.
While a preferred embodiment is shown and described, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the disclosure, but rather it is intended to include all modifications and alternative methods falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. One skilled in the art will recognize variations and associated alternative embodiments. The foregoing description should not be limited to the description of the embodiment of the invention contained herein.
Claims
- 1. A disposable light handle for a manually adjustable light fixture of the type employed in medical treatment and operating rooms, said light handle comprising:an elongated handle body portion having an outer surface and first and second opposite ends, a generally circular shield integrally formed with said handle body portion and extending generally radially from said handle body portion, said shield having an outer periphery and being relatively thin and of substantially uniform thickness over its area, and being sufficiently resiliently flexible as permits diametrically opposed portions of said periphery to be bent into overlying relationship to said handle body portion, first and second attachment means disposed on said periphery of said shield at substantially diametrically opposed locations, and first and second connector means disposed at respective substantially diametrically opposed locations on said outer surface of said handle body portion and spaced along the length of said handle body portion a distance suitable for releasably engagement of said first and second attachment means on said shield with respective ones of said first and second connector means disposed on said handle body portion.
- 2. The disposable light handle of claim 1, wherein the resiliency of said bent sides of said shield serves to retain said first and second attachment means on said shield in releasably engagement with said first and second connector means on said handle body portion.
- 3. The disposable light handle of claim 2, wherein the resiliency of said bent sides of said shield serves to return said bent sides to their relaxed state of radial orientation relative to said handle body portion, with said shield projecting outward in a concave geometry from said handle body portion such that said outer periphery drapes toward said first end.
- 4. The disposable light handle of claim 3, wherein each of said first and second attachment means disposed on said periphery of said shield comprises an open loop, each open loop is of suitable shape to readily and releasably engage respectively each one of said first and second connector means on said outer surface of said handle body portion when said shield is bent into overlying relationship to said handle body portion.
- 5. The disposable light handle of claim 4, wherein each of said open loop attachment means comprises first and second legs, each leg having one of its ends integrally formed with said periphery of said shield and projecting therefrom, each leg having an outboard end integrally joined by a cross-member to define an opening to engage each of said connector means.
- 6. The disposable light handle of claim 5, wherein each of said first and second legs extends angularly away from the general plane of said shield and in a direction toward said first end of said handle body portion.
- 7. The disposable light handle of claim 6, wherein each of said first and second connector means disposed on said handle body portion comprises a substantially flat planar body portion having inboard and outboard ends, said inboard end being integrally formed with said handle body portion and said outboard end extending in cantilevered fashion from and substantially parallel with said outer surface of said handle body portion to define an open space between said planar body portion and said outer surface of said handle body portion.
- 8. The disposable light handle of claim 7, wherein said distance suitable for the releasably engagement of said first and second attachment means with said first and second connector means is approximately a mid-length distance along said outer surface between said first and second opposite ends of said handle body portion.
- 9. The disposable light handle of claim 8, wherein said outer surface of said handle body portion further comprises a multi-sided outer surface having a multi-sided cross-sectional geometry that varies in diameter from a first and smaller diameter nearest said first end, to a second and greater diameter commencing at said mid-length distance along said outer surface of said handle body portion.
- 10. The disposable light handle of claim 9, wherein said first end further comprises a closed end, said first end including an elongated groove, said groove originating at said first end and extending axially toward said second end along said outer surface of said handle body portion, said groove opens outwardly both from said outer surface of said handle body portion and from said first end.
- 11. The disposable light handle of claim 10, wherein said outer surface further comprises an insert projection on said outer surface, said insert projection extends along the axis of said handle body portion, said insert projection is aligned with said elongated groove, said insert projection having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end extends toward said first end, said proximal end is proportioned to fit into said elongated groove, and said distal end extends toward said second end of said handle body portion.
- 12. The disposable light handle of claim 11, wherein said handle body portion of a first light handle is interconnectable to a second light handle having a second handle body portion of like design when the shields of each of said first light handle and said second light handle are bent into respective overlying relationship to each handle body portion with said loops of the shields attached respectively to said connector projections of each handle body portion, said elongated groove of said first handle body portion accepts the respective insert projection of said second handle body portion when said second end of said second handle body portion is aligned to said first end of said first light handle, thereby providing for two spaced apart and interconnected light handles for purposes of minimizing space in the packaging and storage of the disposable light handles.
- 13. A disposable light handle for a user adjustable light fixture such as employed in sterile medical treatment and operating rooms, said light handle is removably attachable to an existing threaded attachment means on the light fixture, said light handle comprises:a handle body, said handle body having an elongated generally cylindrical geometry and an exterior surface; a first end; a generally circular shield integrally formed with said handle body, said shield projecting outward from said handle body, said shield being sufficiently flexible to be resiliently bent toward said handle body; an outer periphery of said circular shield, said shield projects outward in a concave geometry from said handle body such that said outer periphery drapes toward said first end; a junction of said shield with said handle body, said shield junction having a circular shoulder of transition that extends radially from said handle body, said shoulder is integrally connected to said shield; at least two loops located diametrically opposed to one another on said outer periphery of said shield; at least two connector projections diametrically opposed to one another on said external surface of said handle body, said connector projections project toward said first end, said connector projections located on said handle body in position to releasably receive thereon said loops on said periphery when said shield in bent toward said first end of said handle body; a second end of said handle body, said second end opposite said first end, said second end having a generally cylindrical geometry and an exterior surface; a threaded portion on said exterior surface of said second end, said threaded portion is integral with said handle body at said shield junction; at least two elongated grooves originating at said first end, said grooves oriented along said exterior surface of said handle body, said grooves are located diametrically opposed to one another, said grooves extending axially toward said second end along said exterior surface, said grooves open outwardly both from said exterior surface and from said first end; and at least two insert projections on said exterior surface, said insert projections are located diametrically opposed to one another and aligned with said at least two elongated grooves, said insert projections extend along the axis of said handle body, each of said insert projections having a proximal end that extends toward said first end, said proximal end is proportioned to fit into one of said elongated grooves.
- 14. The disposable light handle of claim 13, wherein said at least two loops further comprise loops of suitable shape to readily and releasably engage respectively each one of said connector projections on said external surface of said handle body when said shield is bent into overlying relationship to said handle body.
- 15. The disposable light handle of claim 14, wherein each of said loops further comprise first and second legs, each leg having one of its ends integrally formed with said outer periphery of said shield and projecting therefrom, each leg having an outboard end integrally joined by a cross-member to define an opening to engage each of said connector projections.
- 16. The disposable light handle of claim 13, wherein said handle body of a first light handle is interconnectable to a second light handle having a second handle body of like design for purposes of minimizing space in the packaging and storage of disposable light handles, when the shields of said first light handle and said second light handle are bent in respective positions toward each handle body allowing said loops to attach over said respective connector projections, one of said elongated grooves on said first end of said first handle body accepts one of said insert projections of said second handle body when said second end of said second handle body is aligned toward said first end of said first handle body, thereby providing for two spaced apart and interconnected light handles for compact packaging and storage.
- 17. The disposable light handle of claim 13, wherein said threaded portion of said second end is releasably attachable to the existing threaded attachment means on the light fixture, whereby said shield provides a guard against contact between the hand of the user and the light fixture during attachment to, and movement of the light fixture.
- 18. A method of packaging at least two disposable light handles utilized for removable attachment to a manually adjustable light fixture of the type employed in medical treatment and operating rooms, each of the disposable light handles including a handle body having an elongated cylindrical shape having an external surface, a first end, and an opposite second end, the handle body joined along the length of the handle body with a generally circular shield integrally connected to the handle body, the shield having an outer periphery that projects outwardly in a concave geometry from the handle body when unbent, the outer periphery having at least two loops located diametrically opposed to one another on the periphery of the shield, the shield sufficiently flexible to be resiliently bent, and a connector means positioned at approximately mid-length of the handle body and aligned with each of the at least two loops, said method comprising the steps of:providing a plurality of handle bodies, including a first handle body and a second handle body; bending the resilient shield in an overlying position toward the first end of each handle body; connecting the at least two loops to the connector means on each handle body to releasably receive thereon the loops on the bent shield of said bending step; aligning the first end of said first handle body toward the second end of said second handle body with each shield bent in an overlying position toward each respective handle body; attaching said second handle body to said first handle body by an attaching means; and packaging said attached handle bodies of said attaching step for compact storing and shipping of said light handles.
- 19. The method of packaging of claim 18, wherein said connecting means of said connecting step further comprises:providing at least two connector projections diametrically opposed to one another on the external surface of each handle body, said connector projections positioned to releasably receive thereon the loops on the bent shield of said bending step; and placing the loops onto each respective connector projection, thereby releasably connecting the shield in bent overlying relationship toward the first end of each handle body.
- 20. The method of packaging of claim 19, wherein said attaching means of said attaching step further comprises:providing at least two elongated grooves originating at each first end, said grooves oriented along said outer surface of each handle body, said grooves are located diametrically opposed to one another, said grooves open outwardly both from said outer surface and from said first end of each handle body; and inserting one of at least two insert projections on said outer surface of each handle body into one of said grooves, said insert projections located diametrically opposed to one another and aligned with said at least two elongated grooves, said insert projections extend along the axis of each handle body, each of said insert projections is proportioned to fit into one of said elongated grooves when said handle bodies are attached together.
- 21. A package of a plurality of disposable light handles having light handles attachable together within the package, the light handles utilizable for a manually adjustable light fixture of the type employed in medical treatment and operating rooms, the package comprising:at least two handle bodies, each having an elongated generally cylindrical geometry, an outer surface, a first end, and a second opposite end; a generally circular shield integrally formed separately with each handle body, each of said shields projecting generally radially outward from each of said handle body portions, each of said shields being sufficiently flexible to be resiliently bent in position toward each respective handle body when placed within the package; an outer periphery of each of said shields, said shield projects outward in a concave geometry from said handle body such that said outer periphery drapes toward said first end when said handle bodies are not attached together; at least two loops located diametrically opposed to one another on said outer periphery of each of said shields; at least two connector projections diametrically opposed to one another on said outer surface of each handle body, said connector projections project toward each respective first end, said connector projections located on each handle body in position to releasably receive thereon said respective loops on each outer periphery when each shield is in bent position toward each respective first end of each handle body; at least two elongated grooves originating at each first end, said grooves oriented along said outer surface of each handle body, said grooves are located diametrically opposed to one another, said grooves extending axially toward said second end along said outer surface, said grooves open outwardly both from said outer surface and from said first end of each handle body; at least two insert projections on said outer surface of each handle body, said insert projections are located diametrically opposed to one another and aligned with said at least two elongated grooves, said insert projections extend along the axis of each of said handle body, each of said insert projections having a proximal end that extends toward said first end, said proximal end is proportioned to fit into one of said elongated grooves when said at least two handle bodies are attached together; and an enclosure within the package proportioned to enclose said at least two handle bodies attached together with said shields in bent position.
- 22. The package of a plurality of disposable light handles of claim 21, wherein said at least two loops further comprise loops of suitable shape to readily and releasably engage respectively each one of said connector projections on said outer surface of said handle body when said shield is bent into overlying relationship to said handle body.
- 23. The package of a plurality of disposable light handles of claim 22, wherein each of said loops further comprise first and second legs, each leg having one of its ends integrally formed with said shield periphery and projecting therefrom, each leg having an outboard end integrally joined by a cross-member to define an opening to engage each aligned connector projection.
- 24. In a disposable light handle including an elongated body portion having an outer surface, a closed end and an opposite end adapted to be attached to a light fixture for manipulation of the light, and a generally circular shield extending radially from the body portion at a location adjacent the opposite end of the light handle, the improvement comprising:an elongated groove defined in the outer surface of the body portion, said groove originating at said closed end of the body portion and extending along a portion of the length of the body portion to terminate short of the shield, said groove having a cross-section having a perimeter which is continuous except for a single opening defined in the perimeter, said opening comprising less than one-half of the perimeter of said cross-section perimeter; and an elongated tongue projecting from the outer surface of the body portion at a location substantially opposite the location of said groove in the outer surface, said tongue originating adjacent the closed end of the body portion and extending along at least a portion of the length of the body portion, said tongue having a cross-section having a closed perimeter which is complementary to the cross-section of said groove whereby said tongue is receivable within said groove to releasably interconnect a first light handle to a second light handle of like design.
- 25. The improvement of claim 24, wherein said cross-section of said groove includes a perimeter defined by a first wall having opposite side edges disposed within the body portion and opposite side walls also disposed within the body portion and extending outwardly from said respective ones of said opposite side edges of said first wall, said opposite side walls converging toward one another in a direction outwardly of the body portion, said opposite side walls terminating at the outer surface of the body portion to define an elongated opening into said groove, andwherein said tongue includes a cross-section which is complementary with the cross-section of said groove and includes a web portion extending along the length thereof which is receivable within said elongated opening defined at the outer surface of the body portion of a light handle by the converging opposite side walls of said groove.
- 26. The improvement of claim 25, wherein said perimeter of said cross-section of said groove decreases in a direction away from the closed end of the body portion.
- 27. A disposable light handle for a manually adjustable light fixture of the type employed in medical treatment and operating rooms, said light handle comprising:an elongated handle body portion including a multi-sided outer surface having a first side, a second side substantially diametrically opposed to said first side, a third side disposed between said first side and said second side, and a fourth side substantially diametrically opposed to said third side, said handle body portion having a closed outboard end, and an opposite end; a generally circular shield integrally formed with said handle body portion proximate said opposite end, and extending generally radially from said handle body portion, said shield having an outer periphery of substantially uniform thickness over its area, and being sufficiently resiliently flexible as permits diametrically opposed portions of said periphery to be bent into overlying relationship to said handle body portion; an elongated groove defined in said outer surface of said handle body portion and opening outwardly of said handle body portion, said groove originating at, and opening outwardly of, said closed end of said handle body portion and extending along a portion of the length of said handle body portion, said groove having a bottom wall disposed inwardly of said outer surface of said handle body portion and including opposite side walls which extend from opposite sides of said bottom wall outwardly of said handle body portion and inwardly of said groove; and an elongated tongue projecting from said outer surface of said handle body portion and extending from said closed end of said handle body portion along a portion of the length of said handle body portion, said tongue having an outboard surface which includes opposite side edges and which extends along substantially the length of said tongue, and including opposite side walls which extend from said opposite side edges of said outboard surface to said handle body portion and join said outboard surface to said handle body portion, said side walls diverging from one another from their respective joinder locations with said handle body portion to their respective joinder locations with said opposite side edges of said outboard surface of said tongue, whereby a tongue of a first light handle is receivable within a groove of a second light handle of like design to thereby releasably interconnect the first and second light handles to one another.
- 28. The disposable light handle of claim 27, wherein said light handle is a tubular handle body portion, and said end opposite said closed outboard end is open.
- 29. The disposable light handle of claim 27, wherein said light handle further comprises:first and second attachment means disposed on said periphery of said shield at substantially diametrically opposed locations, said first attachment means aligned with said first side, and said second attachment means aligned with said second side; and first and second connector projections disposed at respective substantially diametrically opposed locations on said first side and said second side respectively on said handle body portion and spaced along the length of said handle body portion a distance suitable for releasably engagement of said first and second attachment means on said shield with respective ones of said first and second connector projections disposed on said handle body portion.
- 30. The disposable light handle of claim 27, wherein the perimeter of said cross-section of said groove decreases in a direction away from said closed end of said handle body portion.
- 31. The disposable light handle of claim 30, wherein said groove terminates as a ledge.
- 32. The disposable light handle of claim 31, wherein said ledge is located in spaced apart relationship to said shield.
- 33. The disposable light handle of claim 27, wherein said groove of one light handle and said tongue of a further light handle of like design define complementary elements of a conventional tongue and groove interconnection.
- 34. The disposable light handle of claim 27, wherein said handle is tubular and said groove includes an open end at said closed end of said tubular handle body portion, said open end of said groove opening outwardly of said closed end of said tubular handle body portion, and wherein said tongue includes an end which is disposed substantially flush with said closed end of said tubular handle body portion.
- 35. The disposable light handle of claim 34, wherein said groove is of a decreasing cross-sectional area in a direction from said closed end of said tubular handle body portion toward said terminal ledge of said groove.
US Referenced Citations (18)