Clamping screw

Abstract

A clamping screw comprising a main body portion generally cylindrical in shape and having a length extending between a first end and a second end and an axis of rotation extending in the direction of the length. The main body portion comprises an outer surface having threads arranged along at least a portion of the length and an inner bore defining an opening at the second end of the main body portion. The clamping screw includes a head portion comprising a contacting surface, with the head portion being positioned adjacent the second end of the main body portion and being axially movable relative to the main body portion. A spring is provided to urge the head portion away from the main body portion in an axial direction. In a preferred embodiment, the inner bore extends along the entire length of the main body portion defining a first opening and a second opening at the respective ends of the main body portion. Releasably secured to the clamping head is a plunger that is axially movable within the inner bore and through the second end between a compressed position and an extended position. A spring engaging the plunger is included for providing a force to urge the plunger and clamping head away from the main body portion in an axial direction toward the extended position. Stop means is located within the inner bore at a location between the first end and the second end for providing a stationary contact surface for the resilient means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.