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US 6,264,396 B1Granted
Ball socket clamping device
AssigneeMinnesota Scientific, Inc.
InventorWalter J. Dobrovolny
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractor support apparatus of the present invention includes a first support arm, a second support arm, and a first clamping member. The first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto. The first clamping member has a clamping bore that is adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls. The first clamping member retains the first and second support arms in a selected position when the clamp is in an open position. The first clamping member secures the first and second support arms in the selected position when the clamp is in clamping position.
Claims45
A retractor support apparatus comprising:
- a first support arm;
- a second support arm, wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto;
- and
- a first clamping member of a unitary construction having first and second leg portions defining a clamping bore adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls, wherein a slot separates the first and second leg portions, wherein the first clamping member retains the first and second support arms in a selected position when the first clamping member is in a nonclamping position, and wherein the first clamping member secures the first and second support arms in the selected position when the first clamping member is in a clamping position.
1 more element
A retractor support apparatus comprising:
- a first support arm;
- a second support arm, wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto;
- an extension rod;
- and
- a clamp comprising:
- a first clamping member having a clamping bore formed therein, wherein the clamping bore is adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls;
- a second clamping member pivotally mounted to the first clamping member, wherein the extension rod is attached to the second clamping member;
- and
- a handle operably engaging the first and second clamping members for moving the clamp between an open position and a clamping position.
6 more elements
A clamp for use in a retractor support apparatus, the clamp retaining first and second support arms in a selected position, the clamp comprising:
- pivot balls attached to the first and second support arms;
- and
- a first clamping member of a unitary construction having first and second leg portions defining a clamping bore adapted to receive and engagc the pivot balls, wherein a slot separates the first and second leg portions, wherein the first clamping member retains the pivot balls in a selected position when the first clamping member is in a nonclamping position, and wherein the first clamping member secures the pivot balls in the selected position when the first clamping member is in a clamping position.
A retractor support apparatus comprising:
- a first support arm;
- a second support arm wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto;
- and
- a clamping assembly wherein the clamping assembly comprises:
- a clamping members having
- an upper first clamp leg and a lower second clamp leg of integral construction, the first and second clamp legs defining a clamping bore, the clamping bore extending through the clamping member adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls in either a clamping or a nonclaamping position and to secure the first and second support arms in a selected position when the clamping member is in the clamping position.
3 more elements
An apparatus for use in surgical procedures to support retractors, the apparatus comprising:
- a first support arm;
- a second support arm wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto;
- and
- a clamping assembly including a clamping member having a first upper clamp leg and a second lower clamp leg integrally connected with each other and defining a clamping bore within the clamping member, the clamping bore being adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls, wherein the clamping member when in a nonclamping position permits the pivot balls to rotate within the clamping bore, and wherein the clamping member when in a clamping position, fixes the position of the pivot balls and prevents the pivot balls from rotating thereby securing the support arms in a selected position.
1 more element
A retractor support apparatus comprising:
- a first support arm;
- a second support arm, wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto;
- and
- a first clamping member constructed from a single piece of material having a first upper leg portion and a second lower leg portion defining a clamping bore adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls, wherein a slot separates the first upper leg portion and the second lower leg portion, wherein the first clamping member retains the first and second support arms in a selected position when the clamp is in an open position, and wherein the first clamping member secures the first and second support arms in the selected position when the clamp is in a clamping position.
1 more element
A retractor support apparatus comprising:
- a first support arm;
- a second support arm, wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto;
- and
- a first clamping member of unitarty construction and having a clamping bore adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls wherein the first clamping member reduces a circumference of the clamping bore thereby positioning the first clamping member into a clamping position such that the surfaces that define the clamping bore clamp the first and second support arms in the selected position.
1 more element
A retractor support apparatus comprising:
- a first support arm;
- a second support arm, wherein the first and second support arms each have a pivot ball attached thereto;
- and
- a first clamping member of unitary construction having first and second leg portions defining a clamping bore adapted to receive and engage the pivot balls, wherein the first clamping member secures the first and second support arms in a selected position when the first and second leg portions are moved to a clamping position.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.