US Patent 7854723 Needle shield assembly having hinged needle shield

A needle shield assembly including a hinged needle shield is provided. A ramp is provided in proximity to a hinge that connects the needle shield to base assembly. The ramp is preferably flexible, and, if compressed, resiliently urges the needle shield to a preferred angular position with respect to a syringe. The needle shield is movable between a fully opened position where it is canted at an angle with respect to the syringe and a closed position in which it envelops the needle. One or more locking elements are preferably provided on the needle shield for maintaining it in a locked, needle protecting position.