US6702814B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clamp assembly for an external fixation system
Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing LLC
•
Filing: 2002-02-12
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Granted: 2004-03-09
•
Expires: 2022-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A clamp assembly for an external fixation system includes a first clamp member for engaging a first elongated member. The first clamp member includes a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion. The first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving the first elongated member. The first and second jaw portions or members are connected by a hinge portion. The first jaw member includes a free end normally spaced apart from a free end of the second jaw a distance less than a diameter of the first elongated member. The first clamp member is elastically deformable to receive the first elongated member between the free ends of the first and second jaw members and into the laterally extending channel.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen B. Walulik
- 👤 Kirk J. Bailey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/60; A61B17/64; A61B17/6466; A61B17/645; A61B17/6491; A61B17/66; A61B17/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
A clamp assembly of an external fixation system for connecting first and second elongated members, the clamp assembly comprising: a first clamp member for engaging the first elongated member, the first clamp member including a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, the first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving the first elongated member, the first and second jaw portions connected by a first hinge portion, the first jaw portion including a free end normally spaced apart from a free end of the second jaw a distance less than a diameter of the first elongated member; a second clamp member having first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving a second elongated rod; a fastener connecting the first and second clamp members, wherein rotation of the fastener in a first direction draws the first and second clamp members together, and wherein cooperating serrations on the first and second clamp members prevent relative rotation between the first and second clamp members; and a nut engaged to the fastener and matingly received in a countersunk portion of the first jaw portion of the second clamp member, such that the nut does not rotate relative to the second clamp member, wherein the nut includes a lip which prevents rotation of the second elongated rod upon tightening of the clamp assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
A clamp assembly of an external fixation system for connecting first and second elongated members, the clamp assembly comprising: a first clamp member for engaging the first elongated member, the first clamp member including a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, the first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving the first elongated member, the first and second jaw portions connected by a first hinge portion, the first jaw portion including a free end normally spaced apart from a free end of the second jaw a distance less than a diameter of the first elongated member; a second clamp member having first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving a second elongated rod; a fastener connecting the first and second clamp members, wherein rotation of the fastener in a first direction draws the first and second clamp members together, and wherein cooperating serrations on the first and second clamp members prevent relative rotation between the first and second clamp members; and a nut engaged to the fastener and matingly received in a countersunk portion of the first jaw portion of the second clamp member, such that the nut does not rotate relative to the second clamp member, wherein the nut includes a lip which prevents rotation of the second elongated rod upon tightening of the clamp assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The clamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein further rotation of the fastener in the first direction draws together the first and second jaw portions of the first clamp member and the first and second jaw portions of the second clamp member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The clamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first hinge portion of the first clamp member is adapted to be resiliently deflected upon introduction of the first elongated rod into the laterally extending channel temporarily retaining the elongated rod into the channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The clamp assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a second hinge portion resiliently connecting the first and second jaw portions of the second clamp member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The clamp assembly of claim 4 , wherein the fastener includes a head portion that is rotatably received within a countersunk portion of the first jaw of the first clamp member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The clamp assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a washer matingly received in an aperture of the first jaw portion of the first clamp member, such that the washer does not rotate relative to the first clamp member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The clamp assembly of claim 6 , wherein the washer includes a lip preventing rotation of first elongated rod upon tightening of the clamp assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The clamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second clamp member is adapted to receive a second elongated rod having a smaller diameter than a diameter of the first elongated rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
225 words
A clamp assembly of an external fixation system for connecting first and second elongated members, the clamp assembly comprising: a first clamp member for engaging the first elongated member, the first clamp member including a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, the first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving the first elongated member, the first and second jaw portions connected by a first hinge portion, the first law portion including a free end normally spaced apart from a free end of the second jaw a distance less than a diameter of the first elongated member; a second clamp member having first and second law portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving a second elongated rod; a fastener connecting the first and second clamp members, wherein rotation of the fastener in a first direction draws the first and second clamp members together, and wherein cooperating serrations on the first and second clamp members prevent relative rotation between the first and second clamp members; and a washer matingly received in an aperture of the first jaw portion of the first clamp member, such that the washer does not rotate relative to the first clamp member, wherein the washer includes a lip preventing rotation of first elongated rod upon tightening of the clamp assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
225 words
A clamp assembly of an external fixation system for connecting first and second elongated members, the clamp assembly comprising: a first clamp member for engaging the first elongated member, the first clamp member including a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, the first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving the first elongated member, the first and second jaw portions connected by a first hinge portion, the first law portion including a free end normally spaced apart from a free end of the second jaw a distance less than a diameter of the first elongated member; a second clamp member having first and second law portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving a second elongated rod; a fastener connecting the first and second clamp members, wherein rotation of the fastener in a first direction draws the first and second clamp members together, and wherein cooperating serrations on the first and second clamp members prevent relative rotation between the first and second clamp members; and a washer matingly received in an aperture of the first jaw portion of the first clamp member, such that the washer does not rotate relative to the first clamp member, wherein the washer includes a lip preventing rotation of first elongated rod upon tightening of the clamp assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
211 words
A clamp assembly of an external fixation system for connecting first and second elongated members, the clamp assembly comprising: a first clamp member for engaging the first elongated member, the first clamp member including a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, the first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving the first elongated member, the first and second jaw portions connected by a hinge portion, the first jaw portion including a free end normally spaced apart from a free end of the second jaw a distance less than a diameter of the first elongated member; a second clamp member having first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving a second elongated rod; a fastener connecting the first and second clamp members, wherein rotation of the fastener in a first direction draws the first and second clamp members together; and a nut engaged to the fastener and matingly received in a countersunk portion of the first jaw portion of the second clamp member, such that the nut does not rotate relative to the second clamp member, wherein the nut includes a lip which prevents rotation of the second elongated rod upon tightening of the clamp assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
211 words
A clamp assembly of an external fixation system for connecting first and second elongated members, the clamp assembly comprising: a first clamp member for engaging the first elongated member, the first clamp member including a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, the first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving the first elongated member, the first and second jaw portions connected by a hinge portion, the first jaw portion including a free end normally spaced apart from a free end of the second jaw a distance less than a diameter of the first elongated member; a second clamp member having first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving a second elongated rod; a fastener connecting the first and second clamp members, wherein rotation of the fastener in a first direction draws the first and second clamp members together; and a nut engaged to the fastener and matingly received in a countersunk portion of the first jaw portion of the second clamp member, such that the nut does not rotate relative to the second clamp member, wherein the nut includes a lip which prevents rotation of the second elongated rod upon tightening of the clamp assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
203 words
A clamp assembly of an external fixation system for connecting first and second elongated members, the clamp assembly comprising: a first clamp member for engaging the first elongated member, the first clamp member including a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, the first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving the first elongated member, the first and second jaw portions connected by a hinge portion, the first jaw portion including a free end normally spaced apart from a free end of the second jaw a distance less than a diameter of the first elongated member; a second clamp member having first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving a second elongated rod; a fastener connecting the first and second clamp members, wherein rotation of the fastener in a first direction draws the first and second clamp members together, and a washer matingly received in an aperture of the first jaw portion of the first clamp member, such that the washer does not rotate relative to the first clamp member, wherein the washer includes a lip preventing rotation of first elongated rod upon tightening of the clamp assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
203 words
A clamp assembly of an external fixation system for connecting first and second elongated members, the clamp assembly comprising: a first clamp member for engaging the first elongated member, the first clamp member including a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, the first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving the first elongated member, the first and second jaw portions connected by a hinge portion, the first jaw portion including a free end normally spaced apart from a free end of the second jaw a distance less than a diameter of the first elongated member; a second clamp member having first and second jaw portions at least partially defining a laterally extending channel for receiving a second elongated rod; a fastener connecting the first and second clamp members, wherein rotation of the fastener in a first direction draws the first and second clamp members together, and a washer matingly received in an aperture of the first jaw portion of the first clamp member, such that the washer does not rotate relative to the first clamp member, wherein the washer includes a lip preventing rotation of first elongated rod upon tightening of the clamp assembly.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-03-09 | 2007-09-08 | 2008-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-09 | 2011-09-08 | 2012-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-09 | 2015-09-08 | 2016-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |