Appeal No. 1998-2831 Page 8
Application No. 08/541,013
contact with the protrusion 26a. A trigger 40, coupled to the
leaf spring member 44 is shiftable between a lock position and
a release position. When the trigger 40 is in its lock
position, the protective shield 26 cannot be moved from the
extended position. When the trigger 40 is in its release
position, the protective shield 26 can travel to its retracted
position. When the protective shield 26 moves to its
retracted position, the protective shield 26 disengages the
trigger 40 so that when the protective shield 26 returns to
its extended position, it locks in place, even through the
trigger 40 is in its release position.
Holmes teaches (column 4, line 22, to column 5, line 21)
that his trocar assembly operates and is used as follows:
Prior to use, the trocar assembly will typically be in
the assembled form shown in FIGS. 1-3 with the raised
rectangular section 16d fitting into recess 50a, and with
the obturator and shield inserted through the opening in
grommet 66, cavity 70, and the lumen of trocar tube 56.
The trocar shield is normally locked in its extended
position as shown in FIGS. 1-3 for safety purposes and
for storage. In this position the piercing tip is
shielded and cannot be damaged by inadvertent contact
with other surfaces. In this locked position spring 28
biases shield 26 forwardly with lip 26a limiting the
forward travel by contact against the inner surface of
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