Snake Bite Kit

Abstract

A snake bite kit having an elongated handle on one end of which is a lancing device with a poison extractor telescopically mounted along the other end of the handle. The lancing device is provided with a pair of cutting blades mounted on a flat spring with a trigger arrangement for releasing the blades in the cutting action. The poison extractor consists of a tubular member having a valved mouthpiece at one end for creating a suction in order to draw blood and the snake poison from one's flesh. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to first aid treatment for poisonous snake bites and is more particularly directed to a kit or outfit that permits the lancing of the flesh at the position of the snake bite and the extraction of the venom therefrom. 2. Description of the Prior Art The conventional snake bite kits do not combine the lancing device and the poison extractor as a single device, but merely consist of a suction device and an ordinary knife for making the incisions. People normally abhor the thought of lancing a person's flesh even when done to save one's life. Also, there is a danger that the person making incisions at the position of a snake bite may not know how deep the cuts have to be in order to arrive at the depth at which the poison has penetrated. Another bad feature of the present suction devices for removing venom from a person bitten by a snake is that it requires a second person to operate the suction device. If a person stricken and bitten by a poison snake is alone, he would not be able to apply the suction device, but would need a second person to actuate it. The present invention contemplates avoiding the above indicated fault in the conventional snake bite kits. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a snake bite kit that is in the form of a single compact and lightweight device consisting of a lancing device on which is telescopically mounted a venom extractor. Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact snake bite kit made up of both the lancing device and the suction device which can be actuated by a single person even by the stricken person himself to incise the bitten person's flesh and remove the venom therefrom. A further object of the present invention is to provide a snake bite kit with a lancing device which is automatic in operation having a pair of blades mounted on a spring member that is released by a trigger arrangement to cut into the flesh at any desired depth. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a snake bite kit with a suction device sufficiently long to reach any part of a person's body, even by the stricken person himself and which device is capable of withdrawing large quantities of blood and venom. With these and other objects in view, the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snake bite kit constructed in accordance with my invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a similar view with the venom extractor removed and showing the cutting blades of the lancing device in the released position.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of venom extractor.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals are used to designate similar parts throughout the several views, the numeral 10 refers to my snake bite kit which consists of a lancing device L and a poison extractor P, the latter being normally in position on the former as best shown by FIG. 1 when not in use. When my snake kit 10 is to be used, the poison extractor P is removed from the lancing device L and both instruments are then used accordingly in the treatment of a snake bite.

The lancing device L consists of an elongated handle 11 at the free end 12 of which is an open chamber 13 in which the cutting mechanism is contained. The cutting mechanism consists of a pair of cutting blades 14 that are mounted on the free end of a flat spring 15 whose other end is imbedded in the body of the handle 11 as best shown by FIGS. 2 and 3. When released the blades 14 extend through an opening 16 communicating with the chamber 13 in the free end 12. At the upper portion of the free end 12 is a second opening 17 communicating with the chamber 13 in which an S-shaped trigger 20 is mounted. The trigger 20 that is pivoted by a pin 21 is provided with a catch 22 that engages the free end of the flat spring 15 when in its cocked position as shown by FIG. 2. A trigger spring 23 engages the bottom portion of the trigger 20 to yieldingly maintain the trigger 20 normally in its cocked position. The trigger spring 23 has one end embedded in the handle 11. To return the blades 14 to their cocked position after having been released by the trigger 20, there is provided an elongated rod 24 that extends through the two blades 14 and terminate beyond the free end 12 to permit a person to be able to manipulate the blades 14 from outside of the lancing device L. The free end 12 is provided with an arcuate slot 25 on each side of the chamber 13 to permit the swinging of the rod 24 as the blades 14 shift from one position to the other. The lower face 26 through which the blades 14 extend when in a cutting position is slanted with relation to the axis of the handle 11 to permit a person to vary the depth of the cut to be made by the blades 14 as is explained hereinafter.

In the normal use of my lancing device L the blade opening 16 is placed over the person's flesh at the position of the snake bite. The trigger 20 is pressed to pivot against the spring pressure 23 and release the cutting blades 14. The spring 15 will cause the blades 14 to swing downwardly past the opening 16 and face 26 to cut into the flesh. If a deep cut is desired, the face 26 of the free end 12 is placed flat on the surface of the flesh to be cut. Then the blades 14 will make its deepest cut. If a shallow cut is desired, the face 26 will be tilted with relation to the surface of the flesh to be cut permitting only a portion of the blades 14 to enter the flesh.

To extract the venom from a snake bite after the incisions have been made, the poison extractor P is then used, It is first removed from its telescopic position on the handle 11 and the open end 30 is placed over the incised section of the flesh. A person then places his mouth over the tip 31 and sucks air therefrom to bring about a partial vacuum in the chamber 32. When a sufficient vacuum has been created in the chamber 32, and the person stops withdrawing air through the tip 31, the coil spring 33 will cause the ball valve 34 to become seated on valve seat 35 to prevent air from entering the chamber 32. Blood and including the snake poison will be drawn into the partial vacuumed chamber 32 and thereby purge the victim of the snake bite of the poisonous liquid injected by the snake into the person when bit.

After my snake bite kit 10 has been used, it is readily washed, cleaned and sterilized. By replacing the poison extractor P on the handle 11 of lancing device L the kit 10 is ready to be stored and also ready to be used again in the event another person is bit by a poisonous snake. It can readily be seen that my snake bite kit 10 is light in weight, compact and complete to both lance and remove the venom from a snake bitten person. Also, since a knife is not needed in my device, a person will not be reluctant to cut another person's flesh and will not make the mistake of failing to cut deep enough to get to the position of the venom inasmuch as the trigger 20 releasing the cutting blades 14 will cause the blades 14 to cut to the recommended depth or a lesser depth if desired. Having a poison extractor P with a tube approximately 18 inches long permits a person to reach any area on his body where a snake has bitten him.

Claims

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A snake bite kit comprising an elongated handle member having an open chamber at one end, cutting blades, resilient means yieldingly mounting said blades in said chamber, trigger means pivotally mounted on said handle engaging and restraining said blades from swinging out of said chamber, means actuating said trigger for releasing said blades and swinging said blades beyond said chamber, further means mounted on said blades for returning said blades to said engaged position with said trigger means, a suction device telescopically mounted on said elongated handle, said suction device forming a chamber open at one end when removed from said handle, a duct at said other end, check valve means mounted in said duct, and a tubular tip member mounted at said duct to permit a person to withdraw air from said chamber past said valve and through said tubular tip member when said open end of said suction device has been placed on an incised flesh of a person bitten by a poisonous snake and the partial vacuum in said chamber withdraws blood and poison from said wound.

2. The structure as recited by claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises a flat spring embedded at one end and said cutting blades mounted at the other end, said chamber having a first opening in alignment with said cutting blades, said chamber having a second opening with pivot means mounting said trigger means at said second opening, a second spring engaging said trigger means yieldingly maintaining said blades in engaged position whereby upon pivoting said trigger means said blades are released to swing through said first opening, and said further means comprises a rod extending through slots in said chamber and secured to said cutting blades for returning said blades to said engaged position with said trigger means.

3. The structure as recited by claim 2 wherein said check valve comprises a valve seat, a ball valve normally seated on said valve seat and a coil spring yieldingly urging said ball to be seated on said valve seat.