Abstract: A dental coupling member related to a first aspect of the invention comprises: a rod having, at one end region, a first coupling part that is coupled to a first attachment part of a first dental tool, and having a screw part at the other end region; and a cylindrical body having, in an inner circumferential surface of one end region, a screwed part into which the screw part is screwed, and having, at the other end region, a second coupling part that is coupled to a second attachment part of a second dental tool. This dental coupling member comprises a different-torque part at the screw part and/or the screwed part, the different-torque part having a different torque for screwing against the other of the screw part and the screwed part. This dental coupling member suppresses the occurrence of loosening between the screw part and the screwed part.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first member that includes a first element engageable with an inner surface of a head of a bone fastener and a second element engageable with an outer surface of the head. The first member defines a first-member longitudinal axis and the bone fastener defines a bone-fastener longitudinal axis. A second member defines a second-member longitudinal axis and is movable relative to the first member and engageable with the second element to dispose the first element and the second element with the head in a co-axial, capture orientation. wherein the first-member, bone-fastener, and second-member longitudinal axes are aligned. Systems, spinal constructs, implants and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A threaded joint includes a flange, a nut and a flexible seal. The flange, the nut and the flexible seal have threads respective inner surfaces, the threads having shapes complementary to threads on an outer surface of a stem. The flange is configured to allow the stem to move by rotation through the flange. The nut and the flexible seal are configured to move by rotation relative to the stem. The flange has a counter bore and the nut has a groove. The flexible seal has a first portion configured to fill the counter bore in the flange, and a second portion configured to fill the groove of the nut.

Abstract: A fastening mechanism including a shaft, wherein the shaft is effectively threaded; the shaft includes a threaded non-deformable material interspersed with at least one portion of a threaded deformable material.

Abstract: A threaded self-locking fastener, having a hollow body open at both ends and an elongated central through bore with a slot extending the length of the hollow body.Version 1 has sharp edges on the slot that dig into the bore of the work piece to prevent rotation. The fastener is used in conjunction with an internal driver. The driver located in the bore of the fastener engages detents to produce rotary drive motion. The driver also has a means of manipulating the first and second edges to facilitate assembly and disassembly.Version 2 has curved or chamfered edges in the slot and inward facing lobes also used in association with a driver. Rotation of the driver against the lobes causes the tubular fastener to be reduced in diameter against spring tension thereby allowing the fastener to freely rotate in the threaded bore of the work piece. By releasing the driver, the fastener expands and self locks in the threaded bore.

Abstract: The present invention entails a self-locking mechanism (10) for locking a rotatable member such as a screw, bolt, lock rod, etc. In the case of a lock rod (50) that secures a tool holder (126) within a tool block (122), the self-locking mechanism (10) of the present invention includes at least one cam surface (52) connected between the lock rod (50) and a rotating carrier (14) having at least one wedge surface (26). The rotating carrier (14), wedge surface (26), and cam surface (52) are shaped and disposed such that they can be rotated by a driver (16) in unison as the lock rod (50) is rotated between locked and unlocked positions. However, the rotating carrier (14), wedge surface (26) and cam surface (52) are disposed and shaped such that the cam surface (52) and wedge surface (26) will ,under the influence of the lock rod, move to a wedged self-locking position after the lock rod (50) has assumed a locked position.

Abstract: A fastener system is providing having a male threaded member and a female threaded member with arrangements for achieving a locking connection between the parts to prevent relative rotation of the parts due to vibration. In an embodiment of the invention, the male member is comprised of a folded over plate with threads formed on an end portion, either the folded end or the free ends, or both, which is engageable into the female member. In another embodiment, the male member is formed of two pieces overlying one another with threads formed on the overlying portions. The thickness, width and number of threads on the male member can be selectively determined to provide the desired torque for rotating the two members relative to one another. The male member can be configured as a linear member, an offset member, as a clevis, or other non linear shapes, which shapes are particularly easy to accomplish by forming the male member of two legs either by folding or as separate pieces.

Abstract: An improved temporary support pin which may be pushed into place rather than screwed into place and used with either English or metric threads. Resilient arms protruding from the support pin are depressed when a workpiece is pushed over them, and spring back into place to support the workpiece and allow a mechanic to have both hands free for replacing screws which attach the workpiece to its permanent mounting. The embodiment further includes a non-circular cross-section at the end gripped by the mechanic, to permit easy gripping, insertion, turning, and removal of the pin. The improved pin is preferably manufactured in one-step molding, significantly reducing the cost of its manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compressible screw-type locking mechanism including an oversized locking screw and a tool for compressing and rotatively driving the oversized locking screw through a threaded bore. Formed about the top of the locking screw is a head portion and extending downwardly from the head portion is a threaded shaft. At least one longitudinal slot extends through the head and at least partially through the shaft to form a locking screw with plural resilient segments. The locking screw assumes a normal expanded state with its threaded pitch diameter being oversized with respect to its companion bore. The locking screw is compressed by engaging the head thereof with the tool. In one embodiment, the compression of the locking screw is achieved through a torquing action. In a second embodiment, the compression is achieved by the axial movement of the tool.

Abstract: The screwed shank (2) of a screw (1) is divided into two halves (4, 5) by a slot (3) running centrally in longitudinal direction and two chamfers (7) running vertically to the slot (3) are provided on both long sides of the screwed shank (2). The screwed shank (2) can be inserted into the tapped hole without being obstructed by the thread parts on the two long sides of the slot (3) and the two halves of the screwed shank (2) move at first to the middle of the shank and then engage their external thread with the internal thread of the tapped hole.

Abstract: An adjustable threaded member for repeated adjustment to selected position in which a nylon insert acts against complementary threads to frictionally resist rotation of the threaded members. The nylon insert is in a recess, at least one outer end of which is enlarged to form spaces forwardly and rearwardly of the insert in the direction of rotation of the screw for the purpose of accumulating particles and a distorted portion of the nylon insert.