Staple Patents (Class 411/920)
  • Patent number: 10695053
    Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument includes an anvil with at least one staple pocket that defines a longitudinal axis. The staple pocket comprises a first cup and a second cup. The end effector also includes a staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan, William B. Weisenburgh, II, James W. Voegele, Mark S. Ortiz, Michael J. Stokes, Carl J. Shurtleff, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, James J. Bedi, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8893950
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus for applying tissue fasteners is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a handle assembly, an elongated body that extends from the handle assembly, and a tool assembly mounted on the end of the elongate body. The tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly for receiving the tissue fasteners and a housing assembly for receiving a looped member. The tool assembly is configured to advance the tissue fasteners into the looped member to secure tissue between the fasteners and the looped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stanislaw Marczyk
  • Patent number: 8728120
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a biomechanical fastener is provided and includes a backspan defining an upper surface, a lower surface and a pair of side surfaces; at least a pair of legs depending from the backspan; and at least one contact pad extending from the lower surface to the upper surface of the backspan. At least one of the pair of legs contacts at least one of the contact pads upon a formation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Blier
  • Patent number: 8631992
    Abstract: An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt; at least one staple including a crown fixed to and frangibly separable from the feeder belt, the crown having a first width, and a free end extending from the crown; and at least one pad wider than the first width, wherein each pad is associated with a corresponding crown. An exemplary surgical method using that exemplary apparatus may include placing the feeder belt in proximity to tissue; penetrating the free end of at least one staple into tissue, such that tissue is positioned between the free end and the crown; compressing the free end of at least one staple toward the crown, such that a compressive force is exerted toward the crown; distributing the compressive force across the pad of at least one staple; and shearing at least one staple from the feeder belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Cardica, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard A. Hausen, Bryan D. Knodel, Patrick Flanagan, Bennie Thompson
  • Patent number: 8393842
    Abstract: A strip of metallic fasteners in which a plurality of metallic fastener materials are aligned and adhered to each other, wherein a coating agent for adhering adjacent metallic fastener materials to each other includes 100 parts by weight of an acid group-containing styrene-butadiene base rubber and 10 to 100 parts by weight of a resin having a softening point of 120° C. or more, both being dissolved by an organic solvent. The strip of metallic fasteners are adhered to each other by a coating that does not contain a halogen compound. The strip of metallic fasteners has improved blocking resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Konishi Co., Ltd., Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Asano, Kunihiro Onishi, Ryo Koike, Ichinari Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8292154
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus for applying tissue fasteners is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a handle assembly, an elongated body that extends from the handle assembly, and a tool assembly mounted on the end of the elongate body. The tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly for receiving the tissue fasteners and a housing assembly for receiving a looped member. The tool assembly is configured to advance the tissue fasteners into the looped member to secure tissue between the fasteners and the looped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventor: Stanislaw Marczyk
  • Patent number: 7954687
    Abstract: A coated surgical fastener is provided for an easy visualization within tissue. The coated surgical fastener includes a core and a relatively non-reflective coating applied about the core. There is also disclosed an illuminated staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling device having a light source. The illuminated staple cartridge includes a transparent insert and a relatively nontransparent U-shaped outer channel at least partially surrounding the transparent insert. Windows formed in sides of the U-shaped outer channel allow defined amounts of light to project from the sides of the illuminated staple cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Michael Zemlok, Adam J. Ross, Peter Hathaway
  • Patent number: 7736110
    Abstract: A staple for attaching together first and second metal sheets is made of a length of round wire bent at the ends to form spaced apart depending metal legs, each having a metal piercing point at the end thereof adapted to pierce completely through the first sheet and at least partially through the second sheet and also adapted to spread the legs further apart during the piercing to a spread position in which the legs are anchored within the metal sheets and thereby attach the metal sheets together. The metal piercing points each having an outside bevel surface on the outside of the leg, an inside bevel surface on the inside of the leg, and a blunt end surface between the inside and outside bevel surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc, Tianjin University
    Inventors: Shuxin Wang, Pei-Chung Wang, Lianhong Zhang, Yuhong Liu, Weijing Liu, John D. Fickes
  • Patent number: 7510106
    Abstract: A driver structure configured to drive a U-character shaped staple including a pair of leg portions configured to pass through a bundle of papers and a crown for connecting the leg portions, the driver structure including a blade edge disposed to be in contact with the staple, first projecting parts provided at opposite end portions of the blade edge and disposed to be in contact with a corner between the crown and each of the leg portions for pressing the leg portions perpendicularly when the pair of leg portions pass through the papers, and second projecting parts provided on the blade edge in vicinity of the first projecting parts and configured to hold the crown in vicinity of the pair of leg portions when the pair of leg portions pass through the bundle of papers, each of the second projecting parts having a corner portion to engage with the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: MAX Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Manabe
  • Patent number: 7118020
    Abstract: A stapler is provided for stapling decorative staples into a sheet media, where the decorative staples have an indicia platform and a plurality of prongs. The stapler includes a base and a cartridge assembly pivotably mounted to the base. The cartridge assembly has a magazine for storing the decorative staples. A stapler head is provided with a ram configured to press downwardly on the indicia platform of the decorative staple, pushing the decorative staple out of the magazine such that the prongs enter a top side of a sheet media and deformed against the base on a bottom side of the sheet media. The ram is provided with ridges that extend below a table portion of the ram such that the ridges are disposed substantially directly above the prongs on the decorative staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventors: Chung-Heng Lee, Rebecca A. Nocella
  • Patent number: 7118318
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting and retaining a wire includes a molded body forming a passage adapted to receive and retain the wire between the molded body and a mounting structure. The apparatus also includes at least three apertures through the molded body where at least one aperture is positioned on an opposite side of the passage. At least one fastener is adapted to mount the molded body to the mounting structure while the molded body is adapted to prevent the at least one fastener from abutting the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Ryals, Geoffrey Sutcliffe
  • Patent number: 7104741
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fastener device that includes a base portion. At least one shank is coupled to the base portion. The at least one shank includes an end configured to be driven into a material. The at least one shank also includes a weakened shank region disposed between a first adjacent shank region and a second adjacent shank region. The weakened shank region includes a cross-section irregularly weakened with respect to the cross-sections of the first adjacent shank region and the second adjacent shank region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Joh. Friedrich Behrens AG
    Inventor: Burghardt Krohn
  • Patent number: 7044350
    Abstract: A stapler of the present invention includes a retaining part having a staple pusher, a storing section that stores a staple, and a receiving base that bends leg parts after piercing the staple pushed out by the staple pusher through a sheet material to bind the sheet material with the staple. The staple includes left and right shoulder parts against which the staple pusher abuts, leg parts extending substantially perpendicularly from the shoulder parts and a pattern part having an arbitrary shape and provided between the left and right shoulder parts. The pattern part is inclined against the leg parts and the storing section is provided, on one side thereof, with a take-out opening of the staple that is large enough to allow the pattern part to pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kameyama, Sannosuke Kameyama
  • Patent number: 6899501
    Abstract: A fastener for temporarily fastening a length of wire to the ground includes a U-shaped member having leg portions, a bridge portion bridging the leg portions, and a mount portion arranged at one end of the bridge portion. One of the leg portions has a length greater than the length of the bridge portion, and the mount portion is adapted to receive a visual indicator for identifying the location of the wire. An interior surface defined by the bridge of the U-shaped member captures the wire when the leg portions are inserted into the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: John LoGiudice
  • Patent number: 6386811
    Abstract: A staple (4) for a delicate material (22) comprises two flexible legs (46, 47) between a head portion (56) connecting the legs and an introduction end portion (57). Between the head and end portions is located a discontinuity portion (58) so that when the staple is pushed into the material (22), at least one of the legs (46, 47) inclines with respect to the head portion (45) and thus ensures good resistance to extraction. The two legs (46, 47) are bent (76, 77) inwardly in the discontinuity portion (58) of the whole assembly to diverge from one another upon fixing the staple to the delicate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Societe de Prospection et D Inventions Techniques Spit
    Inventors: Roland Almeras, Patrick Herelier
  • Patent number: 6305891
    Abstract: A fastening device comprises a “U” shaped spacer wherein the recess of the “U” shape is captured by the upper cross bar of a staple when the staple is used to fasten a protective sheeting to an item to be stored or transported. The spacer has a flat bottom surface and a flat side surface. The flat bottom surface increases the surface area of the staple in contact with the item during transport thereby reducing the chances that the protective sheeting may become torn from the item. The flat side surface increases the surface area of the standard staple during removal of the plastic sheeting because the spacer rotates about the crossbar of the staple. This rotation of the spacer reduces frictional contact between the spacer and the protective sheeting so that when the plastic sheeting is pulled from the lumber, the plastic sheeting will pull the spacer and the staple therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Mark S. Burlingame
  • Patent number: 6299400
    Abstract: A deck board fastener has first and second parallel straight prongs for insertion respectively into a deck board and a supporting joist, a crown coplanar with and joining the first and second prongs, a third prong extending from the crown at an angle to the first prong for securing a second deck board to the joist adjacent the first deck board and the crown has a driving surface in the plane of the first and second prongs and at a right angle to the axes of the first and second prongs. The angle between the third prong and the first prong is formed at the juncture of the third prong and the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Glenn J. Tebo
  • Patent number: 6168362
    Abstract: A continuous impact-driven fastener pack made of ultra-high strength plastic composite materials, for example, thermoplastic or thermoset materials for use in standard impact driving fasteners machines. The individual fasteners have sufficient compressive strength and flexural modulus such that the fastener may be used with commodity woods for construction, furniture making, or for building boats. Further, this fastener pack is non-corrodible and provides plastic fasteners having a length/diameter ratios of a working nail or staple, e.g., heretofore unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Utility Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Pamela S. Tucker, Nancy Showers
  • Patent number: 6113332
    Abstract: An extractable fastener system is disclosed using a staple configured to secure various pliant, planar and three-dimensional materials to a substrate, which staple has a retention base including a retention arch for positioning and securing three-dimensional linear retention material to secure pliant materials to the substrate, the staple also includes an integral extraction arch or arches thereon to facilitate access for an extraction tool to facilitate removal of the staple from the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Delmar J. Hill
  • Patent number: 6086304
    Abstract: A sheet of staples (11) are formed by arranging a plurality of straight staples (1) in a row like a sheet of paper, and a staple set (10) is formed as a result of connecting them to each other by gluing a at least uniaxially oriented film (12) on at least one surface of the sheet of staples (11) so that the longitudinal direction of the straight staple (1) coincides with the orientation of the film (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atuyoshi Hujishima, Ichinari Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6071053
    Abstract: An improved driving element, fastener placement system, method of fastening and combination of fastened workpieces are disclosed which include a generally U-shaped, staple-like fastener having a pair of legs spaced from each other by a crown which transversely extends between the upper ends of the legs to connect the legs to each other adjacent their upper ends and space the upper ends of the legs apart by a given distance. Each of the legs also has an opposite lower end which enter the respective workpieces which are to be fastened together. The fastener is positioned with the lower end of one leg in contact with one of the workpieces and the lower end of the other leg in contact with the other workpiece, and the fastener is then forcibly driven into the respective workpieces by a driving element which acts upon the crown in a manner to attempt or tend to shorten the distance between the upper ends of the legs by bending the crown and countersinking the legs and/or crown into the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Philip A. Kuhns
  • Patent number: 5993476
    Abstract: A surgical clip for connecting at least two bio-organic tissue members together, the clip comprising a body having two spaced legs and formed into a U-shape, each leg having a distal end which can be inserted into an opening in bone and each having a proximal end, the proximal ends of said at least two legs being connected to corresponding ends of a deformable bridge comprising two spaced apart bridge sections with a gap disposed between the bridge sections, the bridge sections being deformable by a force, the gap being changed by the force to cause the two spaced legs to move into engagement with side walls of the openings in the bone to which the clip is connected, the body comprising the at least two spaced legs and the two bridge sections comprising a single piece of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Jorge A. Groiso
  • Patent number: 5941652
    Abstract: An improved driving element, fastener placement system, method of fastening and combination of fastened workpieces are disclosed which include a generally U-shaped, staple-like fastener having a pair of legs spaced from each other by a crown which transversely extends between the upper ends of the legs to connect the legs to each other adjacent their upper ends and space the upper ends of the legs apart by a given distance. Each of the legs also has an opposite lower end which enter the respective workpieces which are to be fastened together. The fastener is positioned with the lower end of one leg in contact with one of the workpieces and the lower end of the other leg in contact with the other workpiece, and the fastener is then forcibly driven into the respective workpieces by a driving element which acts upon the crown in a manner to attempt or tend to shorten the distance between the upper ends of the legs by bending the crown and countersinking the legs and/or crown into the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Philip A. Kuhns
  • Patent number: 5893695
    Abstract: The invention pertains to an improvement upon staples, of the type used for fastening papers together and other materials together, whereby the crown of the staple is replaced with a rigid material extending beyond both staple prongs, allowing the staple to be removed by manually lifting up on the rigid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Inventor: Otis Steven Martin
  • Patent number: 5853414
    Abstract: An elastic clip for osteosynthesis for connecting at least two bone parts together, comprising a body having at least two spaced legs, each leg having a lower end which can be inserted into a bone part and each having an upper end, the upper ends of said at least two legs being attached to corresponding ends of an elastic bridge which is deformable by pressure and which preferably comprises at least two elongated sections which extend alongside each other. Preferably, the clip has four legs attached in pairs to each of the ends of the bridge, the legs of each pair being attached together. The two elongated sections have at least a portion where they are not connected together, so that the two bridge sections can be forced apart to hold the bone parts in place. Alternatively, the two bridge sections are spaced apart and brought together to hold two bone parts together with a prescribed spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Jorge A. Groiso
  • Patent number: 5846019
    Abstract: An improved driving element, fastener placement system, method of fastening and combination of fastened workpieces are disclosed which include a generally U-shaped, staple-like fastener having a pair of legs spaced from each other by a crown which transversely extends between the upper ends of the legs to connect the legs to each other adjacent their upper ends and space the upper ends of the legs apart by a given distance. Each of the legs also has an opposite lower end which enter the respective workpieces which are to be fastened together. The fastener is positioned with the lower end of one leg in contact with one of the workpieces and the lower end of the other leg in contact with the other workpiece, and the fastener is then forcibly driven into the respective workpieces by a driving element which acts upon the crown in a manner to attempt or tend to shorten the distance between the upper ends of the legs by bending the crown and countersinking the legs and/or crown into the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Philip A. Kuhns
  • Patent number: 5845882
    Abstract: A pipe hanger for suspending a pipe from a support structure at a variety of angles includes a stem and a flexible hook attached to the stem. The stem has at least one groove suitable for accepting a staple for hanging the pipe hanger from the support structure. The grooves may be polygonal, allowing the pipe hanger to be suspended at a variety of angles. The hook has a curved portion to accept a pipe in a snap-fit position. The stem may be shortened to a suitable length by severing the stem at any one of the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventors: B. Eugene Hodges, James Bruno
  • Patent number: 5772379
    Abstract: A staple fastener is provided with filler material disposed between its leg portions for filling a cavity in a substrate, which cavity is formed above a head of the staple when the staple is driven into the substrate. The filler material extrudes from the staple as it is driven into the substrate. In accordance with the preferred method, the staple fasteners are driven into the substrate with a power tool applicator to form the cavity and then a tampering plunger tamps the extruded filler material to conform to the surface of the substrate. In the preferred method, a first plunger is actuated first to drive the staple; and a second tamping plunger at an angle to the first plunger is actuated after the first plunger is retracted to tamp the material into cavity and then to smooth the exterior surface of the filler material to conform to the adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Kenneth Evensen
  • Patent number: 5738474
    Abstract: A surgical staple is provided which includes a bridge portion having at least two adjacent arcuate sections, each defining a constant radius of curvature along the arc length thereof. Transition portions are disposed at opposed end portions of the bridge portion, each having a curved profile. The surgical staple is further provided with legs having first end portions connected to the transition portions and second end portions extending therefrom. The surgical staple is constructed such that the legs move between an undeformed position substantially transverse to the bridge portion and a deformed position in which at least a portion of each of the legs is in approximation with the bridge portion. A drive member is also disclosed which is configured to urge a plurality of surgical staples from a staple cartridge when acted upon by an applied actuating force. The drive member has a support portion which complements the geometry of the bridge portion of the staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Blewett
  • Patent number: 5718548
    Abstract: A staple assembly 10 for use in a stapling tool (not shown) for fixing an elongate member such as a cable C onto a substrate such as a wooden beam. The staple assembly 10 comprises a staple 12 having a back 14 and legs 16 depending from opposite ends of the back 14. Also included is a saddle 18 for receiving the staple 12. The saddle comprises a body 20 and two posts 22 which depend from opposite ends of the body 20 in a parallel manner. The body 20 end posts 22 define a receptacle 24 for receiving the cable C. A groove 26 is formed along the outer surface of posts 22 and body 20 for seating the staple 18. A protuberance 28 is formed on the body 20 and extends into the receptacle 24 for engaging the cable C.In one embodiment, the staple 12 is provided with barbs 36 on the inside of legs 16 for engaging an under surface 38 of the posts 22. This prevents the staple 12 from separating from the saddle 18 during transportation and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Clipmaster Corporation PTY Ltd
    Inventor: Sergio Cotellessa
  • Patent number: 5695524
    Abstract: A staple and stapler for injecting the staple in a manner so that the staple maintains a near constant width upon penetration of material to be joined and during staple closure/forming such that material perturbation and staple to staple spacing may be minimized. The staple has a rectilinear bridge part from which depend oppositely positioned side parts and from the side parts a pair of straight legs. In a preferred embodiment, the oppositely positioned side parts consist of a proximal arcuate section attached to the bridge part and an oppositely directed distal arcuate section attached to the legs. The legs may have sharpened points. Also disclosed is a stapler adapted to force the oppositely directed distal arcuate sections outward, in one embodiment, thereby forcing a reaction of the legs of the staple to face each other in linear alignment and form a closed staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Tracor Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kelley, Phil McDuffie
  • Patent number: 5645567
    Abstract: A surgical staple has a base having first and second base segments defining in an un-deformed state a substantially V-shaped configuration having an apex, each base segment having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first base segment is joined to the first end of the second base segment at the apex of the V-shaped configuration so as to define a first angle between the first base segment and the second base segment of less than about 180.degree. and first and second legs each having a first end and a second end, the first and second legs being connected substantially perpendicularly at the first ends to the second ends of the first and second base segments respectively. A surgical stapler for applying surgical staples according to the invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventor: Lawrence Crainich
  • Patent number: 5620289
    Abstract: Colored staples with color identification components are disclosed. A plurality of staples is provided. Each such plurality has a central section in a first plane and end sections in planes spaced parallel with each other and perpendicular to the first plane. The staples have a common cross-sectional configuration throughout the majority of their extents and are formed with points at the ends of their ends remote from their central sections. Each plurality of the staples has a generally rectangular cross-section with parallel interior and exterior faces and parallel lateral faces therebetween. A plurality of cylindrical sleeves, one for each staple, are provided. Each sleeve has an interior opening of a rectangular cross-sectional configuration of a size and shape corresponding to the cross-sectional configuration of the staples and mounted thereon to cover essentially the entire central section. The color of the sleeves are constant for the plurality of staples to assist in identification purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Inventor: Rinda M. Curry
  • Patent number: 5449359
    Abstract: An elastic clip for osteosynthesis for connecting at least two bone parts together, comprising a body having at least two spaced legs, each leg having a lower end which can be inserted into a bone part and each having an upper end, the upper ends of said at least two legs being attached to corresponding ends of an elastic bridge which is deformable by pressure and which preferably comprises at least two elongated sections which extend alongside each other. Preferably, the clip has four legs attached in pairs to each of the ends of the bridge, the legs of each pair being attached together. The two elongated sections have at least a portion where they are not connected together, so that the two bridge sections can be forced apart to hold the bone parts in place. Alternatively, the two bridge sections are spaced apart and brought together to hold two bone parts together with a prescribed spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Inventor: Jorge A. Groiso
  • Patent number: 5439479
    Abstract: A surgical clip which comprises a staple having a central portion and first and second legs extending from said central portion. A retainer is provided having an opening dimensioned for passage of an end portion of each of said legs when the legs are bent from an open position to a closed position. A ratchet mechanism is provided in the form of a plurality of teeth disposed on the legs adapted to be engaged by a pawl of said retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: United States Surigcal Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Shichman, Boris Zvenyatsky
  • Patent number: 5393184
    Abstract: A self-retaining staple construction is provided having a retainer bridge from which extend a pair of spaced, sharp pointed staple legs which are capable of penetrating a structure. The staple is provided with opposed inwardly directed retainer projections which permit assembly of the staple construction to an object and which retain the staple in assembly with the object. These retainer projections may be defined by resilient or rigid retainer members and may include an adhesive composition for securing the staple to an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: Reinier Beeuwkes, III
  • Patent number: 5393186
    Abstract: A staple with parallel legs and two parallel cross pieces therebetween comprising a pair of parallel legs, the legs being formed with upper ends and lower ends, the lower edges being bevelled to facilitate movement into the surface to which the staple is to be secured; an upper first cross piece formed as an integral extension of the legs and extending therebetween at the upper end of the legs; and an intermediate second lower cross piece positioned parallel with the first upper cross piece at a location intermediate the ends of the legs and integrally formed therebetween, the entire staple including its legs and its first cross piece and its second cross piece being integrally formed of a rigid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: John G. Holloway
  • Patent number: 5360305
    Abstract: A clinch type staple has a U-shaped configuration with a pair of legs extending generally perpendicularly from a base portion of the staple with the outside surfaces of the distal ends of the legs being bevelled. The legs of the staple lie in spaced apart planes that are parallel to one another, but are angularly offset from one another in order to insure that the legs will not contact or interfere with each other as they are clinched into a workpiece. A plurality of such clinch staples can be manufactured into an assembly of clinch staples. The method of making such an assembly of clinch staples includes advancing a plurality of wires in parallel side-by-side relation in a flat planar array and adhering the wires to one another. A blank, severed from an end of the formed array, includes a plurality of side-by-side wire segments of equal length extending parallel to one another in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Duo-Fast Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Kerrigan
  • Patent number: 5350267
    Abstract: A system for attaching a rod, pipe or tube to a support surface in a spaced relationship thereto using plastic mounting devices, each of which has a central body portion, integral spaced apart leg portions and an inner arcuate surface greater than 180 degrees and having terminal end portions spaced from end surfaces of the leg portion, in an automated process wherein the leg portions are restrained from pivotal movement relative to the central body portion so that the portions of the mounting device adjacent to the terminal end portions will deform as they move over the rod, pipe or tube and then resile to move the rod, pipe or tube into the inner arcuate surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Inventor: Peter G. Mangone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5333979
    Abstract: Laminar joining staple formed of a rectangular metallic plate having a cutting edge along one side and at least two ridges arranged symmetrically with respect to the centerline plane of the plate, in which the two ridges include portions which diverge, with respect to the centerline plane, toward the cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Giuseppe Raffoni
  • Patent number: 5304204
    Abstract: A self-closing receiverless surgical fastener comprises a fastener body of biocompatible or bioabsorbable material including a bridge member and at least two tines extending from opposite ends of the bridge member. The tines are resiliently deformable from a normally closed position with the distal ends of the tines pointing toward each other to an open position with the distal ends of the tines extending substantially parallel to each other for penetrating into tissue. The tines are resiliently returnable to the closed position with the distal ends of the tines pointing toward each other to secure the fastener body to the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael F. Bregen
  • Patent number: 5258009
    Abstract: A malleable, bioabsorbable polymeric staple includes a back span with two legs depending perpendicularly therefrom that are deformed along an arcuate path toward each other initially and then upwardly toward the back span such that end points on each leg extend through a gap formed between an underside of the back span and a bend in an opposite leg. A surgical staple-deforming anvil for deforming the staples has a staple-receiving face formed with a pair of guiding path depressions each having an entry end lying on a longitudinal axis parallel to the back span of the staple, and an exit end. The guiding paths are arcuately shaped and form a groove curving and crossing each other approximately at the longitudinal axis. Accordingly, the legs of a staple driven toward the anvil and received in the guiding paths are initially bent toward each other and then steered upwardly and along the horizontally curved path toward the gap formed between the back span and the bend in the opposite leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventor: John A. Conners
  • Patent number: 5223675
    Abstract: An integral cable fastener having two parallel legs joined on one end by an integral cross member or bridge to form a curved cable engagement surface, the free ends of the legs having end barbs formed by sloping surfaces, and having transverse withdrawal resisting shoulders. Ribs on the concave inner surface of the bridge secure the cable against linear or lateral movement. Transverse drive surfaces on the bridge are axially aligned with the legs and barbs. Insertion depth control shoulders on the legs limit depth of insertion to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: Anthony W. Taft
  • Patent number: 5193959
    Abstract: The metallic staple particularly suitable for the butt joining of elements made of wood or the like, for example for manufacturing frames of paintings or other items, includes a rectangular lamina with longitudinal shapings and a transverse cutting edge. The shapings comprise a central V-shaped portion which is laterally blended with two wings which define respective inclined plane portions which diverge with respect to one another in the direction of insertion. The cutting edge has a two-sided taper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Brevetti M.A. S.r.l.
    Inventor: Alfredo Motta
  • Patent number: 5189766
    Abstract: A snap fit cable retainer is illustrated for accommodating multiple diameter cables in a snug fit configuration by having the bit portion between adjacent side legs being closer to the extremities of the legs than is the main bit portion of the overall connector. In this way, large diameter cables can be run lengthwise through the retainer and smaller diameter cables can be run crosswise through the retainer. The retainer can also accommodate a layer of cables in each direction simultaneously by placing the lower level in the crosswise direction through the retainer and the second layer on top in the lengthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Alcatel Network Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Weber
  • Patent number: 5158567
    Abstract: The anvilless surgical stapler includes a pair of stapling assemblies which are mounted on the articulated handles of an applicator. Each stapling assembly includes a mounting block and a staple cartridge which is slidably mounted within the block. Further, each cartridge has a housing with a plurality of openings in which staples are slidably received along with a plurality of pushers. When the stapling assemblies are brought together, one or more ribs in the mounting blocks cause the pushers to fire the staples from the openings of the staple cartridge housings. A pair of deformable lips are also provided at the mouth of each opening for deforming the legs of each staple inwardly toward each other in order to embed into the tissue without penetrating into the tissue. The lips also permit passage of the deformed staples under the biasing force of the pushers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventor: David T. Green
  • Patent number: 5137112
    Abstract: A staple is cut from a steel sheet with two parallel legs of rectangular cross section joined at one end by a broader web portion. The staple is driven partway into a roof understructure, leaving the web spaced therefrom to define an aperture for connection of a fall restraint lifeline to the staple which acts as an anchor for the lifeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventor: Steve Nichols
  • Patent number: 5089009
    Abstract: A surgical skin fastener with inwardly biased prongs. The fastener comprises a backspan, horizontal arms, and at least two prongs, each prong having at least one inwardly pointing barb. The prongs are resiliently biased inward for holding adjacent edges of body tissue in close contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation
    Inventor: David T. Green
  • Patent number: 5062753
    Abstract: A nail structure for providing a support surface for subsequent mounting and positioning of elevational rods for utilization particularly in surveying situations. The nail structure includes a first and second spike member orthogonally mounted to a lower or first leg of a generally triangular support truss head when the head is mounted to a main body support, wherein the main body support provides a planar support surface and includes a projection formed at an upper terminal end of the main body support to provide a planar impact head surface for permitting directing of the nail into various structural components such as utility poles. A further improved embodiment of the instant invention includes a benchmark nail structure, wherein a body member is formed with planar body sides for positioning indicator rods utilized in surveying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Inventor: Joseph E. Begue
  • Patent number: 5031864
    Abstract: The disclosed multi-use clamp consists of a unitary body having an elongated pointed shank and a hook cantilevered off of the shank opposite the pointed end. The hook has first and second concavely curved portions located outwardly adjacent the shank. These curved portions having curvatures corresponding to the outside surface of two differently sized conventional conduits, and the centers of these respective curvatures are spaced from the shank a distance corresponding to the curvature itself. A commercial version of the clamp would have the curvature of the inner curved portion correspond to a 1/2" size conduit, and would have the curvature of the outer curved portion correspond to a 3/4" size conduit. The clamp can thus be used with either size conduit, being driven into and be rigidly secured to a support structure, with the hook overlying the conduit for holding it relative to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: King Koral, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry J. Krol