Removable grommet device and method of using thereof
View Patent ↗A grommet device and method of using a grommet device is provided. A top structure has a top surface. An aperture having a central axis is positioned interior of the top structure. A sidewall is formed around the aperture and connected to the top structure. The sidewall is positioned substantially perpendicular from the top surface of the top structure. At least two upper protruding structures are connected to the top structure at different locations along the top structure, wherein each of the upper protruding structures extends into the aperture. At least two lower protruding structures extend from the sidewall at different locations along the sidewall, wherein each of the lower protruding structures have a flexing portion extending into the aperture, wherein each of the upper protruding structures are substantially radially aligned with the flexing portion of each of the lower protruding structures, respectively.
1. A grommet device comprising:
a circular top structure having a top surface, wherein an aperture having a central axis is positioned interior of the top structure;
a sidewall formed around the aperture and connected to the circular top structure, wherein the sidewall is positioned substantially perpendicular from the top surface of the circular top structure;
at least two upper protruding structures connected to the circular top structure at different locations along the circular top structure, wherein each of the at least two upper protruding structures extends into the aperture; and
at least two lower protruding structures extending from the sidewall at different locations along the sidewall, wherein each of the at least two lower protruding structures have a flexing portion extending into the aperture, wherein each the at least two upper protruding structures is substantially radially aligned with the flexing portion of each of the at least two lower protruding structures, respectively.
2. The grommet device of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall extends in a substantially perpendicular direction from the circular top structure a first distance terminating at a bottom edge of the sidewall, wherein a lowermost portion of the at least two upper protruding structures is substantially positioned aligned with the bottom edge of the sidewall.
3. The grommet device of claim 1 , wherein the at least two upper protruding structures further comprises:
a platform connected to the circular top structure, wherein the platform has an upper surface that is substantially planar with the top surface; and
a biasable arm integral with the platform, wherein the biasable arm angularly extends towards the central axis from the platform.
4. The grommet device of claim 3 , wherein the biasable arm further comprises first and second arm portions angularly connected together to form an upper contact point, wherein the upper contact point substantially faces the central axis.
5. The grommet device of claim 4 , wherein the upper contact point is axially movable between the sidewall and the central axis.
6. The grommet device of claim 1 , wherein the flexing portion of the at least two lower protruding structures further comprises:
an extending platform connected to the sidewall, wherein the extending platform is substantially aligned with the sidewall; and
a biasable arm integral with the platform, wherein a first section of the biasable arm is angularly connected to the extending platform and extends outwards from the central axis, and a second section of the biasable arm is connected to the first section and extends inwards towards the central axis.
7. The grommet device of claim 6 , wherein the extending platform has a radius that substantially matches a radius of the sidewall.
8. The grommet device of claim 6 , wherein the first section of the biasable arm is positioned radially exterior of the extending platform and the sidewall.
9. The grommet device of claim 6 , wherein the second section of the biasable arm further comprises first and second arm portions angularly connected together to form a lower contact point, wherein the lower contact point substantially faces the central axis.
10. The grommet device of claim 9 , wherein the lower contact point is axially movable between the extending platform and the central axis.
11. The grommet device of claim 1 , wherein the at least two upper protruding structures further comprises:
a platform connected to the circular top structure, wherein the platform has an upper surface that is substantially planar with the top surface; and
a biasable arm integral with the platform, wherein the biasable arm angularly extends towards the central axis from the platform;
wherein the flexing portion of the at least two lower protruding structures further comprises:
an extending platform connected to the sidewall, wherein the extending platform is substantially aligned with the sidewall; and
a biasable arm integral with the platform, wherein a first section of the biasable arm angularly is connected to the extending platform and extends outwards from the central axis, and a second section of the biasable arm is connected to the first section and extends inwards towards the central axis.
12. The grommet device of claim 11 , further comprising a medical instrument positioned within the aperture and substantially aligned with the central axis, wherein the medical instrument is contacted by the biasable arm of the at least two upper protruding structures and the second section of the biasable arm of the at least two lower protruding structures.
13. The grommet device of claim 12 , wherein when the medical instrument is positioned within the aperture and contacted by the biasable arm of the at least two upper protruding structures and the second section of the biasable arm of the at least two lower protruding structures, the at least two upper protruding structures and the flexing portions of the at least two lower protruding structures are in a biased position, wherein in the biased position, the at least two upper protruding structures and the flexing portions of the at least two lower protruding structures exert a force towards the central axis.