Patents by Inventor Robert R. Humphris, Jr.

Robert R. Humphris, Jr. 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).

  • Powered surgical instrument having locking systems and a clutch mechanism
    Patent number: 6257351
    Abstract: A surgical instrument having a locking mechanism for preventing an output shaft of the surgical instrument from rotating and a further locking mechanism for mounting a battery pack to a distal end of a housing of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument further includes a clutch mechanism for limiting the torque of a drive shaft of the surgical instrument. The locking mechanism for preventing the output shaft from rotating includes a locking switch which mates with a locking cap disposed on the output shaft. The locking mechanism for mounting the battery pack to the housing includes a groove at the distal end of the housing and a retaining ring which engages the groove when the battery pack is mounted on the housing. The clutch mechanism includes a clutch plate that interfaces with both the output shaft and the drive shaft and prevents failure of the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: MicroAire Surgical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Timmon Ark, Robert R. Humphris, Jr., Daniel McCombs
  • Powered surgical instrument having locking systems and a clutch mechanism
    Patent number: 6220368
    Abstract: A surgical instrument having a locking mechanism for preventing an output shaft of the surgical instrument from rotating and a further locking mechanism for mounting a battery pack to a distal end of a housing of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument further includes a clutch mechanism for limiting the torque of a drive shaft of the surgical instrument. The locking mechanism for preventing the output shaft from rotating includes a locking switch which mates with a locking cap disposed on the output shaft. The locking mechanism for mounting the battery pack to the housing includes a groove at the distal end of the housing and a retaining ring which engages the groove when the battery pack is mounted on the housing. The clutch mechanism includes a clutch plate that interfaces with both the output shaft and the drive shaft and prevents failure of the motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: MicroAire Surgical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Timmon Ark, Robert R. Humphris, Jr., Daniel McCombs