External fixator apparatus

An apparatus for external fixation and stabilization of a bone fracture, having:

• a plurality of pins insertable into the bone at discrete longitudinal positions, at least two said pins being insertable on opposite sides of the fracture, said pins having distal ends extendable laterally from said bone;
• a bar having a non-circular cross sectional configuration, disposed adjacent said distal ends of said pins and securable to said pins at an orientation generally parallel to said bone;
• and
• first and second clamping means for anchoring said pins to said bar to prevent relative movement therebetween, each said clamping means comprising:
• a clamp removably securable to said bar for interconnecting said bar and at least one of said pins, said clamp having a body with a pair of substantially perpendicular holes formed therethrough, the first said hole being adapted to allow said bar to pass therethrough and rotate freely therein, and the second said hole being adapted to allow said distal end of one of said pins to pass therethrough and rotate freely therein;
• first and second annular shoulders formed in said body adjacent said first and second holes, respectively, each said shoulder having an interior surface forming a seat;
• a first ball collet having an aperture formed therethrough, said aperture being adapted to slidably receive said bar and grippingly engage said bar upon compression of said ball collet, said aperture having a non-circular cross sectional configuration conforming to the cross sectional configuration of said bar whereby rotational movement of said ball collet about said bar is prohibited, said ball collet being seatable within said seat formed in said first shoulder;
• and
• a first nut, having a central opening formed therein for allowing said bar to pass therethrough, said nut being adapted to engage said shoulder formed adjacent said first hole thereby retaining and compressing said ball collet within said seat, whereupon
• loosening said first nut allows free rotation of said clamp about said bar, and tightening said nut causes said ball collet to grippingly engage said bar such that said clamp is fixed with respect to said bar.