Patents by Inventor Leonard H. Schnipke

Leonard H. Schnipke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Guide for inserting articles into cartridges
    Patent number: 6158205
    Abstract: An improved guide fixture is disclosed. The guide fixture includes two portions forming a guide passage. The first portion funnels a discrete element into a second portion. A knife edge located adjacent a slot in the guide passage separates the discrete element from a holder while the discrete element is inserted into a cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Schnipke Family Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Leonard H. Schnipke, Ronald J. Schnipke, Donald K. Schnipke
  • Apparatus and method for assembling staple drivers in a cartridge
    Patent number: 5836147
    Abstract: Apparatus for assembling staple drivers in a cartridge to be used during surgery includes a fixture having tapered converging passageways to guide staple drivers into alignment with pockets in the cartridge. After the staple drivers are properly in place to be pushed into the pockets of the cartridge, a plunger with blade-shaped projections descends such that the blades project through the fixture and the passageways therein to push the drivers into the pockets. To prevent the drivers from falling out of the pockets through the entrance opening where they were inserted, a pocket locking or blocking element is applied to the cartridge after the drivers are in the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Schnipke Family Partnership
    Inventor: Leonard H. Schnipke
  • Method for assembling a surgical stapling cartridge
    Patent number: 5653928
    Abstract: Method for assembling staple drivers in a cartridge to be used during surgery includes a fixture having tapered converging passageways to guide staple drivers into alignment with pockets in the cartridge. After the staple drivers are properly in place to be pushed into the pockets of the cartridge, a plunger with blade-shaped projections descends such that the blades project through the fixture and the passageways therein to push the drivers into the pockets. To prevent the drivers from falling out of the pockets through the entrance opening where they were inserted, a pocket locking or blocking element is applied to the cartridge after the drivers are in the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Schnipke Family Partnership
    Inventor: Leonard H. Schnipke