The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 29, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 09, 1996
Shunshiro Yoshimi, La Quinta, CA (US);
Rick B Delamarter, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Angela Melton, Palm Desert, CA (US);
Mike Stednitz, Indio, CA (US);
Alphatech Manufacturing, Inc., Palm Desert, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention includes a bone fixation apparatus comprising a bone fixation element, a linking member, and a coupling member. The coupling member has a first channel for receiving a portion of the bone fixation element and a second channel for receiving a portion of the linking member. The first and second channels are configured within the coupling member so as to allow communication of a securing force from the bone fixation element to the linking member such that the bone fixation element is rigidly secured with respect to the linking member. The bone fixation element may incorporate a conical load bearing surface which contacts the linking member through a third channel in the coupling member. Upward axial movement provided by nut tightening forces the load bearing surface of the bone fixation element against the linking member, thereby securing both within the coupling member.