GB2035187A - Improvements in forceps - Google Patents

Abstract

A pair of forceps, with resilient arms (10) having narrow gripping tips (14) and a flattened cross-section towards their united end, have spaced from their united end means (16) for establishing, at least in the gripping condition of the forceps, a rigid web between the arms to resist lateral deflection of the arms and disengagement of the tips. The web may permanently join the arms, or one or more separate web portions (16a, 16b) may act to establish the web when the arms are brought towards each other. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in forceps This invention relates to forceps, tweezers or the like (herein generally referred to as forceps).

More particularly, the invention is concerned with forceps of the type which comprise two divergent arms resiliently joined at their convergent end, so that their tips are normally apart, but by manual pressure on the arms can be brought together to grip an article.

One of the problems associated with such forceps, particularly where they have relatively narrow tips, is that the tip sometimes cross, particularly when appreciable gripping pressure is applied to the arms, causing the article being held to be dropped or damaged. It is an object of this invention to alleviate this problem.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a pair of forceps of the kind described, in which the arms have a flattened cross-section towards their convergent end, and spaced from their union at that end are provided with means for establishing a rigid web between the arms at least in the gripping condition of the forceps, to resist relative lateral deflection of the arms which might bring the tips out of engagement. In one form, said means comprises a perma nentwebjoining the arms. In another form, two web portions are separate when the arms are in the relaxed condition, but engage when the arms are brought towards each other in use. In a third form a single web on one arm is spaced from the other arm when the arms are relaxed, but engages the other arm in use.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, two embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a pair of forceps embodying the invention, and Figs. 2 and 3 show perspective views of part of a modified form of forceps.

Referring to Fig. 1, the forceps are injection moulded from plastics material, for example nylon, and comprise a pair of divergent arms 10, joined together at their convergent end 12, so that the tips 14 are normally apart as shown. Each arm is of generally flat cross section, but tapers towards its tip 14, so as to provide tips of relatively narrow width. The broad flat cross section at the convergent end fulfils a number of functions, for example in making the forceps easier to handle, providing sufficient resilient stiffness to the arms, but also particularly providing a considerable degree of stiffness against relative lateral deflection of the arms. In other words, the arms tend to remain one above the other when the forceps are being manipulated.However, since the tips are relatively narrow, and since they are spaced some distance from the conjoined ends of the arms, with conventional forceps it is relatively easy to produce sufficient relative lateral deflection of the arms at the tips to cause the tips to cross, particularly when appreciable pressure is applied to the arms. The forceps then largely or completely lose their grip on the article being held, and this can be inconvenient, or even dangerous in the case of surgical use of forceps.

The embodiments of Fig. 1 provides a web 16, integrally moulded with the rest of the forceps, which joins the arms at a position spaced from their convergent end, and extends over the width of the arms at that point. This has the effect of providing a certain amount of extra stiffness holding the arms apart, but more importantly it provides an appreciable extra degree of stiffness against relative lateral deflection, and makes it less likely that the tips will cross in use. The invention is thus particularly applicable to forceps in which the arms taper towards their free ends to provide relatively narrow tips.

In the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3, instead of a single web 16, two separate web portions 16a, 16bare provided, mutually inwardly facing on the two arms.

These web portions are slightly spaced apart when the arms are relaxed, as shown in Fig. 2, but engage each other when the arms are brought together, as in Fig. 3, and thereby resist lateral deflection by the friction between the two web portions pressed together. The mutually facing surfaces of the web portion may be roughened to assist this.

Instead of two web portions, a single web may be provided on one of the arms, but spaced from the other arm when the arms are relaxed, and engageable with the other arm in use.

1. A pair of forceps of the type which comprise two divergent arms resiliently joined at their convergent end, so that their tips are normally apart, but by manual pressure on the arms can be brought together to grip an article, characterised in that the arms have a flattened cross-section towards their convergent end, and spaced from their union at that end are provided with means for establishing a rigid web between the arms at least in the gripping condition of the forceps, to resist relative lateral deflection of the arms which might bring the tips out of engagement.

2. Forceps according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises a permanent web joining the arms.

3. Forceps according to claim 1 wherein two web portions are separate when the arms are in the relaxed conditon, but engage when the arms are brought towards each other in use.

4. Forceps according to claim 1 wherein a single web on one arm is spaced from the other arm when the arms are relaxed, but engages the other arm in use.

5. Forceps according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the web extends across the full width of the arms.

6. Forceps according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the arms taper towards the free ends to provide relatively narrow tips.

7. Forceps substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in forceps This invention relates to forceps, tweezers or the like (herein generally referred to as forceps). More particularly, the invention is concerned with forceps of the type which comprise two divergent arms resiliently joined at their convergent end, so that their tips are normally apart, but by manual pressure on the arms can be brought together to grip an article. One of the problems associated with such forceps, particularly where they have relatively narrow tips, is that the tip sometimes cross, particularly when appreciable gripping pressure is applied to the arms, causing the article being held to be dropped or damaged. It is an object of this invention to alleviate this problem. Accordingly, the present invention provides a pair of forceps of the kind described, in which the arms have a flattened cross-section towards their convergent end, and spaced from their union at that end are provided with means for establishing a rigid web between the arms at least in the gripping condition of the forceps, to resist relative lateral deflection of the arms which might bring the tips out of engagement. In one form, said means comprises a perma nentwebjoining the arms. In another form, two web portions are separate when the arms are in the relaxed condition, but engage when the arms are brought towards each other in use. In a third form a single web on one arm is spaced from the other arm when the arms are relaxed, but engages the other arm in use. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, two embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a pair of forceps embodying the invention, and Figs. 2 and 3 show perspective views of part of a modified form of forceps. Referring to Fig. 1, the forceps are injection moulded from plastics material, for example nylon, and comprise a pair of divergent arms 10, joined together at their convergent end 12, so that the tips 14 are normally apart as shown. Each arm is of generally flat cross section, but tapers towards its tip 14, so as to provide tips of relatively narrow width. The broad flat cross section at the convergent end fulfils a number of functions, for example in making the forceps easier to handle, providing sufficient resilient stiffness to the arms, but also particularly providing a considerable degree of stiffness against relative lateral deflection of the arms. In other words, the arms tend to remain one above the other when the forceps are being manipulated.However, since the tips are relatively narrow, and since they are spaced some distance from the conjoined ends of the arms, with conventional forceps it is relatively easy to produce sufficient relative lateral deflection of the arms at the tips to cause the tips to cross, particularly when appreciable pressure is applied to the arms. The forceps then largely or completely lose their grip on the article being held, and this can be inconvenient, or even dangerous in the case of surgical use of forceps. The embodiments of Fig. 1 provides a web 16, integrally moulded with the rest of the forceps, which joins the arms at a position spaced from their convergent end, and extends over the width of the arms at that point. This has the effect of providing a certain amount of extra stiffness holding the arms apart, but more importantly it provides an appreciable extra degree of stiffness against relative lateral deflection, and makes it less likely that the tips will cross in use. The invention is thus particularly applicable to forceps in which the arms taper towards their free ends to provide relatively narrow tips. In the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3, instead of a single web 16, two separate web portions 16a, 16bare provided, mutually inwardly facing on the two arms. These web portions are slightly spaced apart when the arms are relaxed, as shown in Fig. 2, but engage each other when the arms are brought together, as in Fig. 3, and thereby resist lateral deflection by the friction between the two web portions pressed together. The mutually facing surfaces of the web portion may be roughened to assist this. Instead of two web portions, a single web may be provided on one of the arms, but spaced from the other arm when the arms are relaxed, and engageable with the other arm in use. CLAIMS

1. A pair of forceps of the type which comprise two divergent arms resiliently joined at their convergent end, so that their tips are normally apart, but by manual pressure on the arms can be brought together to grip an article, characterised in that the arms have a flattened cross-section towards their convergent end, and spaced from their union at that end are provided with means for establishing a rigid web between the arms at least in the gripping condition of the forceps, to resist relative lateral deflection of the arms which might bring the tips out of engagement.

2. Forceps according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises a permanent web joining the arms.

3. Forceps according to claim 1 wherein two web portions are separate when the arms are in the relaxed conditon, but engage when the arms are brought towards each other in use.

4. Forceps according to claim 1 wherein a single web on one arm is spaced from the other arm when the arms are relaxed, but engages the other arm in use.

5. Forceps according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the web extends across the full width of the arms.

6. Forceps according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the arms taper towards the free ends to provide relatively narrow tips.

7. Forceps substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.