Wheel lock for thumbwheel actuated device

Abstract

A wheel lock or clip for maintaining position of a thumbwheel or wheel of a rotary actuated delivery device includes an arcuate or curved body having a live hinge extending therefrom, the hinge connected to an arm having an engagement tooth extending therefrom. The tooth is operatively connected to tab for actuation by a user to disengage the engagement tooth from teeth of gear or barrel of a wheel or a thumbwheel of the rotary actuated device to thereby allow free movement of the wheel or thumbwheel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A clip for limiting movement of a barrel having a plurality of grooves on an outer surface thereof, the clip comprising:
 an arcuate body having a first end and second end spaced from the first end, the arcuate body deformable to move the first end and the second end relative to one another;   a tab adjacent the first end and connected to the first end by a living hinge;   an engagement tooth adjacent a connection point of the tab and the living hinge, the engagement tooth extending away the tab; and   additional teeth at an inner side of the arcuate body extending away from the second end of the arcuate body.   
     
     
         2 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is operatively connected to the engagement tooth such that motion of the tab causes movement of the engagement tooth. 
     
     
         3 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement tooth and the additional teeth are complementary to grooves on the barrel. 
     
     
         4 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement tooth is adjacent a connection point of the tab and the living hinge. 
     
     
         5 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the living hinge comprises an arm connected to the arcuate body adjacent the first end, a bent portion connected to the arm portion at an end opposite a connection with the first end, and an extending portion extending between the bent portion and the tab. 
     
     
         6 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein the body, the living hinge, the engagement tooth, and the tab are a single, unitary structure. 
     
     
         7 . The clip of  claim 1 , wherein said clip is formed is a single unitary structure. 
     
     
         8 . A clip for limiting movement of a barrel having a plurality of grooves on an outer surface thereof, the clip comprising:
 a body;   an arm connected to and extending from the body, the arm comprising a u-bend, such that arm is movable toward and away from the body with the u-bend having hinge-like properties;   an engagement tooth extending from the arm and sized to be received in at least one of said grooves of said barrel; and   a tab operatively connected to the engagement tooth such that motion of the tab causes motion of the engagement tooth.   
     
     
         9 . The clip of  claim 8 , further comprising at least additional teeth operatively connected to the body, the additional teeth sized to be received in corresponding ones of said grooves of the barrel. 
     
     
         10 . The clip of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two additional teeth are spaced apart from the engagement tooth along the body. 
     
     
         11 . The clip of  claim 9 , further comprising a bridge extending from and adjacent to the body, wherein the additional teeth extend from a portion of the bridge. 
     
     
         12 . The clip of  claim 11 , wherein the bridge comprises a living hinge. 
     
     
         13 . The clip of  claim 8 , wherein the bent portion is a living hinge. 
     
     
         14 . The clip of  claim 8 , wherein the bent portion and the substantially straight portion are a single, unitary structure. 
     
     
         15 . The clip of  claim 8 , wherein the body, the arm, the engagement tooth and the tab are a single, unitary structure. 
     
     
         16 . The clip of  claim 8 , wherein the body is substantially curved. 
     
     
         17 . The clip of  claim 8 , wherein said clip is formed is a single unitary structure.