Constant force hold tip protector for a safety catheter

A tip protector (30) for a safety catheter (10) includes an outer member (34) releasably engaged with the interior cavity of the catheter hub (16). The outer member (34) includes a generally fixed radially outwardly projecting portion (127, 134) to provide a holding force, and an inner member (32) axially shiftably received within the outer member (34). A needle cannula (22) received in the inner (32) and outer members (34) is operable to axially shift the inner member (32) between a distal position wherein the distal tip (24) extends distally of the tip protector (30), and a proximal position wherein the distal tip (24) is within the outer member (34). The holding force of the outer member (34) to the interior wall of the catheter hub (16) remains substantially constant irrespective of the position of the inner member (32) between the distal and proximal positions.