External fixation clamp using a trigger mechanism and stored spring energy

A clamping device for clamping fixation elements of an external fixation system, the clamping device comprising:

• a post having a yaw axis and a spherical head at a first end opposite a second end;
• first and second clamps secured to the post and configured to rotate about the yaw axis;
• a saddle assembly disposed between the first and second clamps;
• and
• a tightening component operatively coupled to the second end of the post, wherein at least one of the first and second clamps comprises:
• first and second jaws cooperatively arranged to capture a fixation element therebetween, the fixation element having a roll axis along which the first clamp is configured to translate and about which the first clamp is configured to rotate;
• and
• a sliding latch configured to be linearly translated relative to one of the first and second jaws to set the first and second jaws in an open position and in a provisionally locked position;
• and
• a jaw spring that is relatively compressed when the first and second jaws are in the provisionally locked position and that is relatively uncompressed to bias a clamping portion of one of the first and second jaws away from a clamping portion of the other of the first and second jaws when the first and second jaws are in the open position, and
• wherein the tightening component is configured in a manner that an action of tightening the tightening component simultaneously fully locks a position and orientation of the first and second clamps relative to the post and the fixation element.