Connecting apparatus for connecting pins and/or rod elements of an external fixator, external fixator, and device for outpatient emergency care

A connecting apparatus for the purpose of connecting pins and/or rod elements of an external fixator, having a first clamping arrangement for fastening at least one pin and/or rod element and a second clamping arrangement for fastening at least one pin and/or rod element, the first and second clamping arrangements being mounted to be rotatable relative to each other via a rotary joint about an axis of rotation and to be pivotable relative to each other via a pivot joint about a pivot axis which runs perpendicular to the axis of rotation characterized in that a traction means which can be subjected to a tensile load is guided through the first and second clamping arrangements, the rotary joint and the pivot joint, and is designed to fix the first and second clamping arrangement, and to lock them in different angular positions with respect to the axis of rotation and the pivot axis by creating a tensile force in the axial direction along the traction means;

• wherein the connecting apparatus is characterized in that the rotary joint comprises at least two mutually adjoining rotary joint components which are mounted to be rotatable relative to each other about the axis of rotation, and which can be locked in different positions relative to each other by means of the traction means, wherein a first spring means, which is designed to brace the rotary joint components away from each other in the axial direction, is arranged between the rotary joint components and to absorb transverse loads and forces in the axial direction;
• and
• wherein the first spring means is formed as a single piece together with one of the rotary joint components, wherein the first spring means protrudes in the axial direction out of the rotary joint component.