Patent ID: 8551051

Claim:
A safety apparatus comprising: a first member including a proximal portion defining a cavity and a distal portion including an elongated post, the elongated post defining a longitudinal bore and being configured to receive a needle cannula, wherein the distal portion of the first member further includes a cylindrical race positioned about the elongated post such that the cylindrical race and elongated post define a second annular cavity, the cylindrical race defining a longitudinal slot extending through the cylindrical race; a second member mounted with the first member, the second member being movable between a first position whereby the needle is exposed and a second position whereby the needle is covered; and a lock mounted on the elongated post of the first member, wherein the second member is slidably movable along an outer surface of the lock, the lock including at least one tang that is movable radially outward to fix the second member in the second position when the second member has advanced over the at least one tang, the lock including a flange disposed at a distal end of the elongated post, wherein the tang and the flange are separated on the lock at a distance that provides a gap between a distal end of the tang and a proximal end of the second member when the second member is in the second position such that the second member is movable relative to the first member at least a distance that is equal to the gap.