Device for external fixation of bone fragments

A device for the reduction of bone fractures, of the type having pins intended to be inserted in groups into portions of bone to be mutually fixed or realigned, said pins being connected by sliding universal articulated couplings to at least one rigid tie-rod, said device comprising a plurality of said couplings, each coupling including

• a T-shaped member having two arms exhibiting respective longitudinal slots,
• two nut-and-bolt assemblies respectively disposed in said slots,
• clamping means cooperating with each of said nut-and-bolt assemblies for adjustably clamping and unclamping end portions of said pins to said two arms,
• a spherical adapter sleeve split by staggered slots and slidingly mounted on said tie-rod,
• a coupling locking clamp comprising a ring portion having a spherical-shaped inner clamping surface embracing and fitted to said adapter sleeve and two straight end portions to which clamp lugs having respective screw holes are integrally affixed, and
• a further nut-and-bolt assembly traversing said clamp lugs through said screw holes for securing said coupling locking clamp to the upright of said T-shaped member and, when tightened, for simultaneously preventing both swivelling of said coupling locking clamp and said T-shaped member about the center of said spherical adapter sleeve and sliding of said adapter sleeve, together with said coupling locking clamp and said T-shaped member, along said tie-rod.