Coupling device
AssigneeSynthes USA, LLC
InventorPeter Tanner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A coupling device for connecting tools with different configuration to a driving mechanism. The coupling device may have a longitudinal axis, a first clamping device which may engage a tool with a peg-shaped clamping segment and a second clamping device which may engage a tool with a generally flat portion. The coupling device may be used to connect a tool to a drive shaft which may be attached to a motor. The tools may be locked or unlocked relative to the coupling device by sliding a sleeve along the axis of the coupling device. The sleeve may be biased in a locked position by biasing means such as a spring. The coupling device may be configured so that the first and second tool may be prevented from rotating and/or moving axially with respect to the drive shaft.
Claims29
A coupling device having a longitudinal axis for connecting a tool with a drive shaft, the coupling device comprising:
- a first clamping device for connecting a first tool with the drive shaft, wherein the first clamping device has a first locking device with a locked and unlocked position;
- a second clamping device for connecting a second tool with the drive shaft, the second clamping device including a seat disposed around at least a portion of a periphery of the second clamping device to receive a portion of the second tool in a direction substantially transverse to and intersecting with the longitudinal axis, wherein the second clamping device has a second locking device with a locked and unlocked position;
- and
- an actuation mechanism sized and configured such that movement of the actuation mechanism in a first direction causes at least one of the first and second locking devices to be in the locked position and movement of the actuation mechanism in a second direction causes at least one of the first and second locking devices to be in the unlocked position,
- wherein the first clamping device comprises a rotative driver.
A coupling device having a longitudinal axis for connecting a tool with a drive shaft, the coupling device comprising:
- a first clamping device for connecting a first tool with the drive shaft, wherein the first clamping device has a first locking device with a locked and unlocked position;
- a second clamping device for connecting a second tool with the drive shaft, the second clamping device including a seat disposed around at least a portion of a periphery of the second clamping device to receive a portion of the second tool in a direction substantially transverse to and intersecting with the longitudinal axis, wherein the second clamping device has a second locking device with a locked and unlocked position;
- a sleeve moveable along the longitudinal axis, wherein movement of the sleeve in a first direction causes at least one of the first and second locking devices to be in the locked position and wherein movement of the sleeve in a second, opposite direction along cause at least one of the first and second locking devices to be in the unlocked position,
- wherein the first clamping device comprises a rotative driver.
A method of engaging at least one tool to a drive shaft comprising:
- providing a coupling device comprising:
- a first clamping device for connecting a first tool with the drive shaft, wherein the first clamping device has a first locking device with a locked and unlocked position and comprises a rotative driver;
- a second clamping device for connecting a second tool with the drive shaft, the second clamping device including a seat disposed around at least a portion of a periphery of the second clamping device to receive a portion of the second tool in a direction substantially transverse to and intersecting with a longitudinal axis of the coupling device, wherein the second clamping device has a second locking device with a locked and unlocked position;
- and
- an actuation mechanism sized and configured such that movement of the actuation mechanism moves at least one of the first and second clamping device between the locked and unlocked position, wherein the coupling device engages the drive shaft;
- engaging one of the first and second tools to the coupling device when at least one of the first and second clamping device is in an unlocked position;
- positioning one of the first and second tools against one of a first and second seat;
- and
- moving the actuation mechanism to cause the one of the first and second clamping device to move between the unlocked and locked position, thereby fixing one of the first and second tool relative to the drive shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.