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:
Aug. 24, 2010
Filed:
Jun. 01, 2005
Richard R. Navarro, Strongsville, OH (US);
Dennis M. Madigan, Doylestown, OH (US);
Morton B. Albert, Akron, OH (US);
Randall R. Theken, Coventry Township, OH (US);
Richard R. Navarro, Strongsville, OH (US);
Dennis M. Madigan, Doylestown, OH (US);
Morton B. Albert, Akron, OH (US);
Randall R. Theken, Coventry Township, OH (US);
Theken Spine, LLC, Akron, OH (US);
Abstract
A locking screw assembly is provided which allows installation into a plate-like member using relatively little force, but which requires relatively great force for removal. The fastener has an annular locking ring provided within a groove in the head of the screw to allow the screw to sit within or flush with the anterior surface of the plate. The through-hole in the plate which receives the locking screw comprises an entrance, a collar section, an undercut, and an exit. The locking ring resides within the undercut. The locking ring has a leading surface that is chamfered or radiused and a trailing surface that is flat. The chamfer allows the locking ring to easily be inserted into the through-hole by interacting with a lead chamfer in the entrance. After installation, the flat trailing surface abuts a lip adjoining the collar section and the undercut and prevents the screw from being easily removed from the through-hole.