Axially adjustable screw anchor

A system for connecting a first object to a second object, wherein said second object is precisely positioned with respect to said first object, said system comprising:

• an axially adjustable anchor, comprising:
• a base, said base having an axial sleeve, said axial sleeve defining an axial axis;
• a plunger slidably mounted to said base coaxial with respect to said axial axis, said plunger being located partly within said axial sleeve of said base, said plunger having a head located at a distal end of said plunger remote from said axial sleeve, said plunger having a first axial hole coaxial with said axial axis;
• antirotation means connected with said plunger and said axial sleeve for retaining said plunger in a fixed rotational position about said axial axis;
• mounting surface means connected with said head of said plunger, said mounting surface means having a mounting surface for mountably engaging the second object, said mounting surface means having a second axial hole coaxial with said axial axis;
• and
• connection means connected with said base and the first object for connecting the base stationary with respect to the first object;
• and
• a threaded fastener structured for threadably engaging said first axial hole of said plunger and for holding said second object with respect to said first object;
• wherein said mounting surface of said mounting surface means is selectively positionable with respect to said base by slidable movement of said plunger with respect to said axial sleeve, further wherein said plunger is caused to radially expand against said axial sleeve and thereby be held immovable with respect to said axial sleeve as said threaded fastener threads into said first axial hole after having passed through said second axial hole, said sleeve and said plunger are each respectively structured so that said plunger is slidable with respect to said sleeve and is subject to being made immovable with respect thereto over a range of slidable movement which is substantially more than slight.

A method for mounting a second object to a first object in which the second object is mounted with a precise predetermined position with respect to the first object, comprising the steps of:

• providing a plunger slidably mounted with respect to the first object;
• positioning an end of said plunger at a predetermined location with respect to the first object;
• moving the second object to a first position with respect to the second object whereat the second object contacts said end of said plunger;
• moving the second object to the precise predetermined position with respect to the first object, the second object simultaneously sliding said plunger with respect to the first object;
• and
• expanding said plunger with respect to the first object so as to prevent slidable movement of said plunger with respect to the first object, said end of said plunger thereby providing a mounting surface for the second object with respect to the first object at the precise predetermined position;
• wherein said step of moving the second object is over a range of slidable movement which is substantially more than slight.