Expandable collet anchor system and method

A method for removably fastening together at least a first or proximal object and a second or distal object with a collet body wherein the collet body comprises a first end defining a generally circular opening;

• a first wall portion adjacent to the first end, the first wall portion having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a progressing radial profile and defining at least two secondary slots extending longitudinally from the first end to thereby create at least two fingers having a distal end at the first end;
• a second end defining a generally circular opening;
• a second wall portion adjacent to the second end, the second wall portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
• an annular protrusion extending from the first wall portion having a leading face and a trailing face;
• and a collet body anti-rotation means for engaging with a mechanical ground of an auxiliary structure, wherein first and second surfaces as well as an interior sectional surface of each object define a hole having an axis, and wherein the holes have generally equal diameters and are in substantial axial alignment, the method comprising:
• a) inserting the collet body first end through both object holes and the collet body second end through at least a portion of the first or proximal object hole;
• b) engaging the collet body anti-rotation means with the mechanical ground of the auxiliary structure, without deformation, whereby free rotation of the collet body is substantially prevented by the rotational, but not axial, interference of the collet body anti-rotation means with the auxiliary structure mechanical ground;
• and
• c) presenting a radially outward force at a portion of the interior surface of the first wall portion.

A method for removably fastening together at least a first or proximal object and a second or distal object with a collet body wherein the collet body comprises a first end defining a generally circular opening;

• a first wall portion adjacent to the first end, the first wall portion having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a progressing radial profile and defining at least two secondary slots extending longitudinally from the first end to thereby create at least two fingers having a distal end at the first end;
• a second end defining a generally circular opening;
• a second wall portion adjacent to the second end, the second wall portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
• an annular protrusion extending from the first wall portion having a leading face and a trailing face;
• and a collet body anti-rotation means for engaging with a mechanical ground of an auxiliary structure, wherein first and second surfaces as well as an interior sectional surface of each object define a hole having an axis, and wherein the holes have generally equal diameters and are in substantial axial alignment, the method comprising:
• a) inserting the collet body first end through both object holes and the collet body second end through at least a portion of the first or proximal object hole;
• b) engaging the collet body anti-rotation means with the mechanical ground of the auxiliary structure, without deformation, whereby free rotation of the collet body is substantially prevented by the rotational, but not axial, interference of the collet body anti-rotation means with the auxiliary structure mechanical ground;
• c) translating the collet body within the auxiliary structure until the trailing face of the annular protrusion contacts the first surface of the second or distal object;
• and
• d) presenting a radially outward force at the interior surface of the first wall portion.

A method for removing a collet body that has been used to fasten together at least a first or proximal object and a second or distal object wherein the collet body comprises a first end defining a generally circular opening;

• a first wall portion adjacent to the first end, the first wall portion having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a progressing radial profile and defining at least two secondary slots extending longitudinally from the first end to thereby create at least two fingers having a distal end at the first end;
• a second end defining a generally circular opening;
• a second wall portion adjacent to the second end, the second wall portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
• an annular protrusion extending from the first wall portion having a leading face and a trailing face;
• and a collet body anti-rotation means for engaging with a mechanical ground of an auxiliary structure, wherein first and second surfaces as well as an interior sectional surface of each object define a hole having an axis, and wherein the holes have generally equal diameters and are in substantial axial alignment, the method comprising:
• a) discontinuing a radially outward force presenting at the interior surface of the first wall portion;
• b) translating the collet body within the auxiliary structure to withdraw the annular protrusion into the second or distal object;
• c) disengaging the collet body anti-rotation means from the mechanical ground of the auxiliary structure;
• and
• d) removing the collet body from the hole defined by the first or proximal object.