Improved Means for Locking the Handles of Obstetric Forceps and other Instruments.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov.. 1894
Complete Specification Left, 16th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 28th Sept., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Locking the Handles of Obstetric Forceps and
other Instruments.
EDMOND MCWILLIAM BOURKE 1 Theresa Terrace Ravenscourt Park
London W. Surgeon Accoucheur (registered as of Curraghleagh Claremorris
County of Mayo) do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention is a mechanical construction which by the action of a wheel called
propeller which when fixed (say to) the handle of one blade of an obstetric forceps
if put in action can cause a bar to project from that handle to its fellow and the
said bar by the action of another wheel called a clasp which is attached to opposite
handle can be retained there fixed till released. This invention never has been in
use before and can be applied to any handle of an instrument which is worked in
opposition to another handle or the like.
Derest SN 1801
Improved Means for Locking the Handles of Obstetric Forceps and
other Instruments.
EDMOND MC WILLIAM BOURKE 1 Theresa Terrace Ravenscourt Park
London W. Surgeon etc. (registered as of Curraghleagh Claremorris in the
County of Mayo Ireland 1882) do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The lock consists of a flat racked bar which can be propelled from one handle to
the other by turning a small wheel through the center of which the bar passes.
The wheel is inserted in the handle and the hole in its center through which the bar
passes is a screw. The bar by the continued action of the wheel can be made to
pass to and enter an oblong opening in the opposite handle and enter a like hole in
a similar wheel inserted in the opposite handle; and by a half turn of this wheel.
the head of the bar which is also an oblong can be there retained thus forming a
complete lock. When not in use the bar can be screwed into the handle. The
wheels projects just sufficiently to allow of them beeing turned by the finger and
thumb. This lock has not been in use before and can be applied to the haudles of
any instrument or tool or mechanical appliance at any part of their construction
requireing a locked adjustment such as my invention showes.
Sheet I showes an obstetric forceps fitted with the invention. The forcep is
represented with handles open so as to show the screwed adjustment bar extending
from handle.
Sheet II Fig. I end elevation of the handle of the forcips figured on Sheet I
which contains the screwed adjustment bar 3. Fig. II end elevation of the other
handle containing the wheel with milled edges which forms the lock.

page_text: Sheet III Fig. I section A. B in Fig. I Sheet 2 Fig. II section through A. B
in Fig. II Sheet 2.
REFERENCE FIGURES.
1 is the steel of forceps forming blades and portion of handles.
2 is the outer caseing which completes the handles.
3 is the flat adjustment bar with screwed edge. At its end it has an oblong
section so as to form a catch with 6.
4 is a wheel with milled edges inserted in one handle of the forceps with screwed
hole in its center, through which the adjustment bar 3 works. The rotation of this
wheel regulates compression of the forceps by the projection or retraction of
the bar.
5 is a piece fixed to the handle having an oblong hole through which the screwed
adjustment bar (which has an oblon section) passes, and which prevents rotation of
the adjustment bar.
6 is a wheel with milled edges having an oblong hole in its center through which
the head of the adjustment bar 3 passes and by a half turn of this wheel the head
of the bar 3 can be retained. Thus forming the lock. It is similar to 4 and like
it is inserted in the handle of the forceps opposite to 4.
Having now particularly described the nature of my said invention and in
what manner the said is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is
The application of the invention as herein before described and figured as attached
to the handles of a forceps for all purposes requiring a locked adjustment whether
of the handles or any other part of the mechanism.
Dated this 16th day August 1895.
EDMOND MCWILLIAM BOURKE,
Surgeon, etc.