Patent ID: 8888742

Claim:
A protective shield for covering a needle, comprising: a coupling member; a cap defining a recessed space extending between a first end and a second end along a lengthwise axis, the cap being hinged at the first end to the coupling member and pivotable relative to the coupling member between a first position aligned with a longitudinal centerline of a needle occupying a portion of the recessed space and a second position non-aligned with the longitudinal centerline of the needle; and a plug at the second end of the cap and having a plug portion extending away from the second end, said plug being slidable along the lengthwise axis of the cap from the second end of the cap to the first end of the cap so as to cover the needle occupying the portion of the recessed space; wherein the plug comprises a hollow tubular body having an open end, and the tubular body comprises a rack of teeth configured to engage a pawl to restrict the displacement of the tubular body to a single direction.