Instrument fastening system

Claim 1

A medical equipment mounting system comprising: a rail having a slotted channel, said rail having a plurality of opposing lateral flanges such that said flanges form a restrictive opening along said channel, said rail for mounting a plurality of medical equipment; bracket means for coupling said medical equipment to said rail, said bracket means comprising: a bracket body for securing said medical equipment; a shell having a hollow core for coupling said bracket body to said rail, said shell having lips which are fitted to engage said flanges; a stud having a bracket end and a rail end, said bracket end coupled to said bracket body, said stud passing through said hollow core of said shell and said rail end extending past said shell such that said rail end may be inserted into said slotted channel, said rail end of said stud having a flattened head, said flattened head having an increased diameter such that when said rail end is fitted into said slot, said stud may be moved along said slot until said flattened head is positioned behind said flanges, said flanges preventing said flattened head from passing through said restreictive opening, thereby securing said bracket means to said rail; spring means for clamping the lips of said shell to said flanges of said rail, said spring means encased within said hollow core of said shell, said shell having means for retaining said spring means within said hollow core, such that said spring means when compressed extends said flattened head located beyond said flanges, and releasing compression on said spring means retracts said stud forcing said flattened head against interior surface of said flanges, thereby further coupling said bracket means to said rail, and preventing rotation of said bracket means; whereby medical equipment is secured at a fixed location.