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US 12,708,230 B2Granted
Rod connector system and methods of use
AssigneeHouse of Atlas, LLC
InventorJason Moss
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rod connector is provided having a body defining a first shaft portion, a second shaft portion, and a circumferential ridge projecting radially from the body between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion. The first shaft portion is configured to engage a first rod and the second shaft portion is configured to engage the second rod. In some embodiments, the first rod and the second rod abut the circumferential ridge when the rod connector is inserted into the first rod and the second rod, the circumferential ridge providing a smooth transitional surface between the first rod and the second rod.
Claims16
A rod connector comprising:
- a one-piece body, the one-piece body defining a first shaft portion configured to engage a first rod, a second shaft portion configured to engage a second rod, and a circumferential ridge projecting radially from the body between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, the circumferential ridge directly engaging the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion and being entirely solid,
- wherein the first shaft portion includes a first outer surface, the second shaft portion includes a second outer surface, and voids are formed in the first outer surface and the second outer surface, wherein respective bottoms of the voids are recessed from the first outer surface or the second outer surface, wherein a ratio between an area of the voids and an area of the first and second outer surfaces is from about 0.6 to about 5.
A rod connector comprising:
- a one-piece body, the one-piece body defining a first shaft portion configured to engage a first rod, a second shaft portion configured to engage a second rod, and a circumferential ridge projecting radially from the body between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, the circumferential ridge directly engaging the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion and being entirely solid,
- wherein the first shaft portion includes a first outer surface, the second shaft portion includes a second outer surface, and voids are formed in the first outer surface and the second outer surface,
- wherein respective bottoms of the voids are recessed from the first outer surface or the second outer surface, wherein the voids define radially positioned groupings of distinct pockets in series along an axis of the one-piece body.
A rod connector comprising:
- a one-piece body, the one-piece body defining a first shaft portion configured to engage a first rod, a second shaft portion configured to engage a second rod, and a circumferential ridge projecting radially from the body between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, the circumferential ridge directly engaging the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion and being entirely solid,
- wherein the first shaft portion includes a first outer surface, the second shaft portion includes a second outer surface, and voids are formed in the first outer surface and the second outer surface, wherein respective bottoms of the voids are recessed from the first outer surface or the second outer surface,
- the rod connector further comprising at least one tab extending axially from the circumferential ridge, an outer surface thereof defining a substantially continuous surface with the circumferential ridge.
A rod connector comprising:
- a one-piece body, the one-piece body defining a first shaft portion configured to engage a first rod, a second shaft portion configured to engage a second rod, and a circumferential ridge projecting radially from the body between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, the circumferential ridge directly engaging the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion and being entirely solid,
- wherein the first shaft portion includes a first outer surface, the second shaft portion includes a second outer surface, and voids are formed in the first outer surface and the second outer surface, wherein respective bottoms of the voids are recessed from the first outer surface or the second outer surface,
- wherein the first shaft portion includes first longitudinal ridges projecting radially from the body and extending between the circumferential ridge and a first end of the rod connector and the second shaft portion includes second longitudinal ridges projecting radially from the body extending from between the circumferential ridge and a second end of the rod connector;
- and
- the first longitudinal ridges each include a first segment adjacent the circumferential ridge and a second segment angled relative to the first segment and between the first segment and the first end that is tapered.
2 more elements
A rod system, comprising:
- a first hollow rod;
- a second hollow rod;
- and
- a rod connector, the rod connector comprising a one-piece body defining a first shaft portion for engaging the first rod, a second shaft portion for engaging the second rod, and a circumferential ridge projecting radially from the body between the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion,
- wherein the first rod and the second rod have a first outer diameter substantially the same as a second outer diameter of the circumferential ridge such that when the first rod and the second rod engage the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, respectively, until the first rod and the second rod are adjacent the circumferential ridge, a substantially smooth transition is provided between the first rod, the circumferential ridge, and the second rod,
- wherein the first shaft portion includes a first outer surface and the second shaft portion includes a second outer surface, the first and second outer surfaces sized to engage the first and second rod, respectively, in a friction fit connection, the first outer surface and the second outer surface including voids, wherein respective bottoms of the voids are recessed from the first outer surface or the second outer surface,
- wherein a ratio between an area of the voids and an area of the first and second outer surfaces is from about 0.6 to about 5.0.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.