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 ofPage: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007