Moving locking connector
AssigneeECA Medical Instruments
InventorsJohn Nino, David Ivinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A twisting sleeve or collar which is cylindrical and has an elongated guide or channel fluidly connecting the outer annular wall with the inner annular wall of the sleeve is disclosed. A connector having at least one open end and an elongated slot with a floor and a pin guide through the floor is further disclosed. The pin guide is open to the inside of the connector. Between the sleeve and the slot is a pin, having a pin head visible through the elongated guide, and two opposing soring arms of a size and shape to fit in said slot, and a pin body which movably fits inside pin guide.
Claims17
A locking tool-mounting connector, comprising:
- an elongated connector (20) with an open end (24) forming a tool guide (26) a slot (25) and a pin guide (27) extending into the open end;
- a movable sleeve (500) having a L shaped pin catch guide (600);
- and,
- a movable pin assembly (30) having a pin head (38), a first curved spring arm (32) and a second curved spring arm (34) extending therefrom, a pin body (36) having a distal end (37);
- and,
- wherein the arms are asymmetrical, with one arm above the other arm.
A method of reversibly affixing a shaft to a connector, the method comprising:
- placing a pin of a pin assembly in an L shaped catch within an elongated connector;
- placing a movable sleeve having pin catch guide over the pin assembly and the elongated connector whereby the pin head is visible through the pin catch;
- inserting a tool shaft with a retention fixture into the open end of the elongated connector;
- and,
- sliding the sleeve along the connector whereby the movable sleeve compresses the two spring arms of the pin assembly and urges the distal end of the pin through the guide into the retention fixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.