Patent ID: 6921263
Filing Date: 2005-07-26
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
1. An instrument, comprising: a body; a lever arm pivotably attached to said body and having three operative states consisting of a first detent state, a second detent state and a non-detent state; a latch having a first end attached to one of said body and said lever arm and a second end spaced from said first end and having a tip, said second end operatively configured so that said lever arm is selectably positionable only into ones of said three operative states by a user operating said latch; and first and second jaws wherein at least one of said first and second jaws is operatively coupled with said lever arm so that said at least one of said first and second jaws moves in conjunction with said lever arm when a user pivots said lever arm among said three operative states; wherein said latch has a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular at least at said second end to said one of said body and said latch to which said latch is attached, said latch including a first catch located adjacent said tip of said latch and extending away from said longitudinal axis by a first distance and a second catch located between said first catch and said first end of said latch and extending away from said longitudinal axis by a second distance less than said first distance.