Patents by Inventor Larry D. Potts

Larry D. Potts 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).

  • Patent number: 5193678
    Abstract: In operation of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment, a used surgical sharp is placed into a drop window or receiving opening. Once the sharp is resting upon the partial floor of the housing assembly, the user will engage a safety slide having a pinch style cutter mechanism, so that a mandrel and blade converge and shear any remaining suture material from a needle. This also closes a window protector over the receiving opening. A magnet properly aligns metal items for disposal. Once any suture material is cut from the needle, a safety device consisting of opposing intermeshable rakes sweeps the sharp along the partial floor and into the drop window. This sweeping motion is created by the user moving the shuttle assembly from front to rear from a first to a second position. The shuttle assembly must be moved to the second position before it can be returned to the first position. A counter is then engaged to advance one increment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Packaging Service Corporation of Kentucky
    Inventors: Michael T. Janocik, Larry D. Potts