Importance

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Abstract

A medical clamp (14) formed from a unitary, molded plastic strip (10) folded at its midpoint (12) into a generally 'C' shape. Each leg (16, 18) has a base portion (20, 24) and an angled jaws portion (22, 26). A bar (42) extends from one base portion toward the other base portion (24), where, in the assembled clamp, it interengages another bar (44). Pincer members (28, 29) at the ends of the jaw portions have teeth (30) for securing the clamp to a sheet (35) or similar support surface on the operating table. One of the pincer members includes at its rear portion facing the midpoint of the strip, a wedge-like member (84), projecting substantially transverse to the leg. The other pincer member includes a ledge portion (86) acting as a stop surface adapted to received the wedge member in sliding interference fit as the jaws are closed. The interferece fit of the ledge portion and the wedge member limits the movement of one jaw relative to the other in a direction parallel to the legs, as the jaws are closed. The interaction of the wedge member and ledge in effect resists the tendency of one leg to move parallel relative to the other as the bars with hook (48) and retainer member (46) interengage for the purpose of locking the jaws together.

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First Claim