Southco, Inc.

Other

Thomas J Ellis

Harry L Dickerson

Edward A McCormack

William R Frame

Steven M Lubeck

Steven P Horst

Joel Gillard

Thomas V Aukzemas

Lianli Ji

Michael D Menta

Danin Sewalt

Kyle Sareyka

James Wanstall

Richard Lewis

Device for fixing bone. In some embodiments, the device may comprise a plate member and a pair of hooks members. The plate member may have a pair of opposing edges arranged opposite each other. The pair of hook members each may project from a position adjacent the same edge of the plate member, to form a space to receive a same bone between the plate member and each of the hook members. Both hook members may be configured to contact a same side of the same bone. The plate member and a hook member may define first and second aligned apertures. The device also may comprise a fastener configured to extend from the first aperture, through the bone, and into locked engagement with the second aperture.

Bone fixation system

Systems, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for fixing bones, such as rib bones, with bone plates.

Bone plates

Captive screw

A captive screw including a screw and a ferrule is disclosed. One end of the ferrule is adapted for engagement to a hole in a panel to be secured by the captive screw. The screw has an annular flange that is captured within the bore of the ferrule. The screw has a shaft with a threaded portion. The threaded portion of the screw shaft can be made to extend from the ferrule to varying amounts as the screw is moved relative to the ferrule between extended and retracted positions. An optional spring may be provided in the ferrule to bias the screw toward the retracted position.

A drive rivet fastens a plurality of panel members together as a unit. The drive rivet is installed within preformed holes which are drilled or punched through each of the panel members. The drive rivet includes a head portion which abuts the outer surface of the first panel member when installed. A shank portion extends from the head portion and includes a plurality of expansible prongs on its distal end which protrude out from the opposite end of the panel members. The shank portion includes at least a first area of substantially constant diameter and a second area of decreased diameter less than that of the first area which is not in contact with the panel members when the drive rivet is received therein. A generally elongated bore is formed within the drive rivet which is adapted for receiving an expander pin. The expander pin is driven through the elongated bore which urges the expansible prongs outward, which causes the shanks second area of decreased diameter into engagement with the panel members, in order for securing the panel members in the fastened position.

Drive rivet

A captive screw attachable an upper panel, for attaching the upper panel to a lower surface, the lower surface having a threaded hole, the captive screw having a screw, a ferrule that attaches to the upper panel, a thin-walled, cylindrical hollow knob and protrusions integral to the outer perimeter of the head portion of the screw to rigidly secure the perimeter of the head of the screw to the inner surface of the knob, the protrusions providing a press-fit of the screw to the inner surface of the knob where the screw is pressed into the knob from the underside of the knob.

A torque screw having a screw with a head and a threaded shaft, a knob having a central longitudinal axis coaxial with the screw and a one-directional ratchet disposed between the knob and the screw that engages to allow the screw to be disengaged in a counter-clockwise direction using the knob, and engages when rotated in a clockwise direction to a predetermined torque value. Once that predetermined torque value is reached, the ratchet is caused to slip such that the knob turns relatively freely with respect to the screw.

Torque screw fastener

A method of making a knob and ferrule for a captive screw is disclosed, the knob integrally attached to the screw, the ferrule attachable to a panel. The method of making the knob includes providing an aluminum alloy base metal for the knob, pressing by cold-forming the base material into a generally cylindrical cup-shaped article using at least one pressing operation, the cup having a generally cylindrical side wall, removing any base material situated outside the perimeter of the cup-shaped cylindrical article, and providing a hole in the bottom of the cup, coaxial with the hollow cylindrical walls of the cup, thereby forming the knob. The method of making the ferrule includes providing a metal base material for the ferrule, pressing the base material, by cold-forming, into a cylindrical article using at least one pressing operation, the cylindrical article having a cylindrical side wall having an outer surface, cold-forming an attachment device an end of the ferrule; and removing any base material situated outside the perimeter of the cylindrical article, thereby forming the ferrule. All major parts of the captive screw, including the knob, ferrule and screw may be cold formed.

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Wilmington, DE, United States of America

Thomas J Ellis