US2357197A - Shearing device - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 29, 1944. v A oop 7 2,357,197

SHEARING DEVICE Filed Nov. -20, 1943 H. J ffaad fi/fm W Patented Aug. 29, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,357,197 SHEARING DEVICE 1 Arthur James Hood, Reno, Nev. Application. November 20, 19'43,Serial No. 511,145

(01. fil -258) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a shearing device, and more particularly to a surgical cast cutter, and is particularly designed for the removal of a plaster cast from a limb or other member. It is equally adaptable, however, for use in removing other material or sheets in similar situations wherein the space for introduction of the cutter is limited and it is important to avoid undue pressure or strains either on the material being cut or on the surface supporting the material.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a cast cutter'of the shears type which cuts a channel of appreciable width through the cast or other material, whereby it may be readily pushed forward after each snip without binding or lifting the adjacent edges.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cast, cutter which may be employed to sever the material of the cast by the removal of a continuous ribbon or by the removal of a series of successive pieces.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a scissors-type cast cutter of the type described, in which the upper jaw is formed with a discharge chamber of upwardly-flanged shape, whereby the cutaway portions of the cast are readily ejected.

Still another. object of the invention is the provision of a scissors-type cast cutter in which the curvature of the bottom part of the instrument, including the under face of the lower jaw and the under face of the lower handle, is such that the lower jaw may be slipped between the cast and limb with the jaws fully open and pushed in parallel with the limb without discomfort to the patient caused by undue pressure of the instrument against the flesh.

Other objects will more particularly appear in the course of the following description.

The invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combinations of parts hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

One sheet of drawings accompanies this specification as part thereof, in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved shearing device partly broken away to disclose details of the jaw structure;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the instrument;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end view of the instrument;

Figure 4 is a cross-section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure '5 is a fragmentary view of the cutter partially broken away in operation on a cast;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the jaws, illustrating a modified cutting edge.

Referring to the drawing, the improved shearing device comprises two members I and 2, each of which provides handle and jaw parts, respectively, for the cutter, the two parts being associated by a pivot screw 3.

The member I has its forward or jaw portion 4 of reduced width and the under and upper faces of this jaw portionare curved in the same direction with respect to the handle part I and inclined together to form a tapering toe member terminating in a thin point 5 adapted to be readily introduced beneath a cast with relatively slight compression of the flesh.

The reduced jaw portion 4 is proportioned to pass through a longitudinal slot 1 provided in the jaw portion of the member 2, the slot 1 having its forward end curved so that the jaw portion of the member 2 comprises an U-shaped part having sides 8-8 connected at their forward ends by a portion H. The sides 8-8 have their inner walls 9-9 flared upwardly (see Figure 4) so as to provide clearance for the jaw member 4 of member I and also ample clearance for the escape of the severed ribbon. The outer side walls of the portions 8-8 may be inclined inwardly on left in their full width as desired, the lower inner edges 13 of these portions forming shearing edges adapted to coact shearingly with the outer top side edges 14 of the jaw member 4, as is also illustrated in Figure 4. The side walls Ill-40 of the jaw member 4 are preferably inclined inwardly to provide clearance for the jaw member or such portions of this member as enter the slot 1.

The forward portion H connecting the sides 8 -8 of the slotted jaw member is formed to provide a downwardly directed transverse cutting edge 12, this cutting edge l2 being spaced above the cutting edges I3 of the side portions B-8, as is well illustrated in Figures 1 and 5.

The jaw member 4 is preferably constructed longer than the jaw member 8, so that the toe 5 of jaw 4 projects beyond the forward portion ll of the jaw 8.

If desired, the lower edges of the side portions of the jaw 8 may be serrated as indicated at l3 of Figure 6, and the upper face of the jaw 4 may be similarly serrated if desired, as indicated at M.

The handle part 2, the forward end of which is slotted to provide the jaw 8, is curved toward the handle lfwhich curvature, in conjunction with the curvature of the jaw 4 associated with the handle 2.

In operation, the toe 5 will be introduced beneath the cast and by partially closing the handles I and 2 the upper face I 4 of the jaw member 4 will progressively shear, in cooperation With 3 the under face of the side portions 88 of the slotted jaw, a ribbonmaterial, if desired. Having thus described my invention, I claim:

bers providing handle and Jaw parts, the jaw part of one member slotted to form a U-shaped 'ke strip S from the castcutting edge, the jaw part of the other member arranged to parti 1y enter the slot of the slotted 5 the U-shaped cutting edge.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the medial 10 restricted space.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the side portions of the U-shaped cutting edge of the slotted members providing handle and jaw parts, the 20 law part of one member slotted to form a U- 30 curved to conform with the curve of the slotted jaw part.

ARTHUR JAMES HOOD.

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