Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a central ramp, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the central ramp capable of being moved in a first direction to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed down an endoscopic tube.

Abstract: A drive system including a bit with a bit end configured to provide targeted frictional engagement with a fastener. The bit end has an outer leading wall tapered with respect to the bit end longitudinal axis at a leading wall angle selected from leading wall angle values ranging within a leading wall angle tolerance band and the fastener has an inner recess wall tapered with respect to the fastener longitudinal axis at a recess wall angle selected from recess wall angle values ranging within a recess wall angle tolerance band, wherein the leading wall angle values within the leading wall angle tolerance band and the recess wall angles values within the recess wall angle tolerance band do not overlap when the outer leading wall contacts the inner pilot recess wall at a targeted focal area to achieve a desired level of frictional engagement between the pilot end and the fastener.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a fastener head having a dual zone socket area and a mating driver bit according to aspects of the present technology include a fastener configured with driving surfaces adapted to provide enhanced engagement between each other during use. The fastener includes a recessed socket area with a sidewall that has an upper inwardly tapering section and a lower vertical section that extends to the bottom of the recessed socket area. The upper inwardly tapering section of the sidewall may also include an offset relative to the lower vertical section to create asymmetrical driving and removal surfaces. The technology also includes a corresponding mating driver bit configured with mating surfaces to the fastener to provide enhanced engagement between the fastener and mating driver bit. The technology also allows either the fastener or the driving bit to be used with preexisting fasteners and driver bits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a screwing tool with a longitudinal axis X comprising a first, drive part, which can receive torque, and a second, transmission part, which is designed to cooperate with a screw, in order to re-transmit to it the torque received, the second part having a conical peripheral envelope with three longitudinal concavities with conical generatrices, defining three identical radial transmission lobes, each of which has, in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a distal tangential portion which extends according to an arc of a circle, and is extended on both sides by two connection portions, each of which is defined by a curve comprising a substantially radial main part, and having a point of inflection before re-joining a proximal joining region which ensures the joining with an adjacent connection portion. The joining regions have a cone angle which is smaller than the cone angle of the tangential portions, and is substantially less than 5°, preferably less than 3°.

Abstract: A fastener is provided, including: a driven end including an engaging hole which includes three slots recessed radially and angularly arranged in intervals, each of the three slots being formed as a part of a rectangle and including two right angles, every adjacent two of the three slots defining a rib therebetween.

Abstract: A tool bit includes a hexagonal drive portion, a working end, and a shank interconnecting the drive portion and the working end. The shank includes an outer peripheral surface. The outer peripheral surface tapers an entire length of at least one of the shank and the working end in a direction away from the drive portion.

Abstract: A locking member particularly adapted to lock a cover onto an electrical connector which connects an electrical transmission conductor to a distribution conductor is provided. The locking member includes a tip portion, a gripping portion, a holding portion, and a head portion, where the tip portion has a smaller cross-sectional area than the gripping portion and where the head portion is a widest portion of the locking member. The present disclosure is also directed insulating cover assemblies that include an insulating cover and a locking member contemplated by the present disclosure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a screw and corresponding screw driver for driving the screw into a dental implant at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the implant. The screw has a polygonal interface and the screw driver has a matching interface for driving the screw to rotate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a fastener head having a dual zone socket area and a mating driver bit according to aspects of the present technology include a fastener configured with driving surfaces adapted to provide enhanced engagement between each other during use. The fastener includes a recessed socket area with a sidewall that has an upper inwardly tapering section and a lower vertical section that extends to the bottom of the recessed socket area. The upper inwardly tapering section of the sidewall may also include an offset relative to the lower vertical section to create asymmetrical driving and removal surfaces. The technology also includes a corresponding mating driver bit configured with mating surfaces to the fastener to provide enhanced engagement between the fastener and mating driver bit. The technology also allows either the fastener or the driving bit to be used with preexisting fasteners and driver bits.

Abstract: Fasteners, drivers, punches, fastener systems, and methods of making fasteners, drivers, punches, and fastener systems are disclosed herein. The fasteners may include a recess having a groove in an inner transition surface. Corresponding drivers may include one or more stabilizing ribs for interfacing with the groove in the fastener recces for providing stability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a jet regulator (3) having a jet regulator housing (4), which has, on the housing outer circumference thereof, an external thread (5), by means of which the jet regulator (3) can be mounted in an internal thread provided in the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting, wherein an outflow-side housing end face (6) of the jet regulator housing (4) is designed as a grid or mesh structure, which has throughflow holes (7) for the water flowing through the jet regulator (3) and which has at least one tool engagement surface designed as a slit-shaped recess (8, 9) in this grid or mesh structure and intended for a turning tool. It is characteristic of the jet regulator according to the invention that a second slit-shaped recess (9) is provided in the slit base of this first recess (8), the second recess likewise being intended as a tool engagement surface, and that the second recess (9) has a smaller recess cross section than the first recess (8).

Abstract: The invention provides a screw in which the screw head (1) has a slot (2) in the upper surface of the screw head, an upper peripheral wall (9) of regular planform extending down from the rim of the slot into the screwhead, the upper peripheral wall (9) being generally aligned with the axis of the screw to form a recess (3), a sloping transition surface (15), extending downwardly and inwardly with respect to the lower edge of the upper peripheral wall (9), and a further recess (11) extending downwardly from the lower edge of the sloping transition surface (15), in which the dimensions of the screw head are such that when the screwhead is engaged by a tool (6) having upper (16) and lower (17) engagement sections, and in which the upper engagement section (16) extends downwardly with respect to the axis of the screw to which the tool is to engage and the lower engagement section (17) extends further downwardly, and in which there is at least one protrusion (or rib) (21) on the inside wall (12) of the further rec

Abstract: Screw for introducing into an underground, comprising a screw shaft and a screw head which is adjoining the screw shaft, in which a drive is formed for rotary driving the screw by a drive element, wherein the drive comprises a hollow wing section at an outer side of the screw with a circular hollow core and hollow wings which are provided along the circumference, wherein the drive comprises a hollow recess section at an inner side of the screw, and wherein the drive at a transition between the hollow wing section and the hollow recess section comprises a chamfer section whose outer surface is angled with respect to an outer surface of the hollow wing section and with respect to an outer surface of the hollow recess section.

Abstract: A hexagonal wrench includes a body with at least one function end which is a twisted and equal-sided column. The twisted and equal-sided column includes a root section, an end section and a middle section which formed between the root section and the end section. A maximum twist angle is defined between the root section and the end section, and the maximum twist angle is equal to or less than 30 degrees. The root section has a first cross section and the end section has a second cross section. The first cross section is larger than second cross section.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a member defining a longitudinal axis and including an engagement portion. The engagement portion includes at least one element engageable with an implant fastener. The at least one element includes a drive interface and an arcuate surface spaced from the drive interface. The arcuate surface includes at least one interference point engageable with the implant fastener. Implants, systems, constructs and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a bolting tool that includes a mounting portion and a torque transfer portion. A bolt assembly is mounted to the mounting portion. The bolt assembly includes a bolt and a nut threaded onto a position along an external threaded portion of the bolt. The torque transfer portion transfers tightening torque to the bolt and the nut of the bolt assembly mounted to the mounting portion. The mounting portion includes a bolt engagement portion, which is engageable with a head of the bolt, a nut engagement portion, which is engageable with the nut, and a coupling portion, which couples the nut engagement portion to the bolt engagement portion coaxially and with a predetermined spacing therebetween.

Abstract: An implant is provided with an upper portion in which an internal socket extends. The implant can be tightened by a turning instrument which has first lateral surfaces that can cooperate with corresponding second lateral surfaces in the internal socket. One or more of the first and/or second lateral surfaces is/are arranged completely or partially with friction-enhancing means. The implant and the tool are arranged with interacting parts which extend beyond the first and second lateral surfaces and completely or substantially take up bending moments which act in or on said portion or are directed toward said portion and occur in the event of skewing, or a tendency toward skewing, between the implant and the tool. The arrangement counteracts mechanical stresses in said portion, the latter being able to retain its original shape even in the case of implants with small dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive tool, a screw and a system for transmitting a drive torque. The drive tool can be guided in a receiving recess of a connecting partner, in particular in a receiving recess of the screw, and transmit the drive torque during a rotation about a central axis. The drive tool has radially outwardly projecting first projections which are wedgeshaped in cross-section and which are suitable for transmitting the drive torque to the connecting partner. The drive tool comprises a quasi-cylindrical section in which all of the surface lines in the region of the quasicylindrical section form an angle of less than 10° with the central axis, but the outer face is, at least in sections, of conical form such that the surface lines in the respective section are inclined by at least 1.5° with respect to the central axis.

Abstract: Devices and methods for aligning the components of polyaxial screws are described herein. In one embodiment, an alignment instrument includes an elongate frame having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of connection caps slidably disposed along the elongate frame. Each connection cap can removably couple to a polyaxial screw extension tube and selectively lock relative to the elongate frame such that a distance between the plurality of connection caps and an angular orientation of each connection cap relative to the elongate frame is maintained. The instrument can also include a transverse angle indicator to indicate an angular orientation of the elongate frame in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongate frame. The device can, for example, capture the orientation of a plurality of polyaxial screws during spinal surgery such that the screws can be returned to the same orientation after manipulation to correct a spinal deformity, etc.

Abstract: A fastening system including a pin member and a key for engaging the pin member. The pin member includes a shank portion and a recess formed within an end face of the shank portion. The recess includes a plurality of splines and recesses that form first and second bearing surfaces oriented at angles. The key includes a key head having a plurality of splines and grooves that form first and second bearing surfaces oriented at angles. The plurality of splines and recesses of the pin member and the plurality of splines and recesses of the key are adapted to communicate with each other when tightening and loosening the pin member.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for customizing microwave energy distribution within a chamber to accommodate various load characteristics. Aspects of the present invention customized configurations of ports, deflectors, waveguides, conducting rods, and slots to shape and distribute energy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an enhanced driving bit according to various aspects of the present technology include a bit comprising a plurality of driving surfaces having a limited length and a shoulder portion positioned between the driving surfaces and a mid-body portion of the bit. The length of the driving surfaces is selected to allow complete insertion into a recessed socket area of a fastener such that the entire driving surface is positioned within the recessed socket area. The shoulder surface is configured to distribute localized stresses away from the driving surfaces to the mid-body portion more efficiently to reduce a potential for breakage of the driving surfaces during use.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving fasteners includes a rotatable bit having a bit tip mateable with a fastener, a vacuum source, and a rotatable sleeve having an outlet in communication with the vacuum source. The bit may be press fit within the sleeve such that the bit and the sleeve are rotatable together. Aspects of a method of rotating a fastener with a apparatus for driving fasteners, the apparatus for driving fasteners having a rotatable bit having a bit tip, and a rotatable sleeve having an outlet, wherein the bit is press fit within the sleeve such that the bit and the sleeve are rotatable together, the method including providing a vacuum to the outlet of the sleeve, engaging the bit tip and the sleeve with the head of the screw with assistance from the vacuum, and rotating the bit, thereby rotating the sleeve and the fastener.

Abstract: A screw with a screw head which has a drive that includes cams that are formed by recesses introduced around the cams. The cams are used to transmit torque, in which, on the cam end facing the screw head, a cam has a cam head surface inclined with respect to a plane that extends perpendicular to the screw axis. The radial extension of the cams is arranged and designed such that the cams center a tool introduced into the screw drive. The cam head surface has a first surface and a second surface, each of which is inclined in its respective rotational direction and which intersect each other in an intersection line.

Abstract: An interchangeable socket for a socket wrench or other tool is disclosed. The socket has a fastener-receiving end, dimensioned to receive and fit a specified fastener. The socket has a post-receiving end dimensioned to receive and fit a square cross-section drive post. The post-receiving end has a square cross-section hollow bounded by four walls intersecting at corners of the hollow. The post-receiving end has guide surfaces that intersect with the four walls and each other. The guide surfaces cooperate with the drive post to rotate and align the drive post with the square cross-section hollow. The guide surfaces are symmetric with respect to the four walls. The guide surfaces are symmetric with respect to the corners of the square cross-section hollow.

Abstract: Endosseous dental implants and abutments for deterring tissue loss, such as loss of buccal bone, at the site of the implant/abutment. An exemplary implant may include longitudinally extending externally threaded and unthreaded regions each extending over only a circumferential portion of the external circumference of the implant. The implant may include an internal passage extending along the shaft having a frusto-conical region extending over only a circumferential portion of the internal passage. An exemplary abutment may include a distal connection end comprising a frusto-conical region thereat extending over only a circumferential portion of the external circumference of the connection end to provide a frusto-conical connection region and non-frusto-conical connection region.

Abstract: Improved techniques for avoiding and remediating connector-related stripping and other material damage are provided. In some aspects, specialized drive heads and systems are provided in conjunction with sensors for detecting proper distance characteristics and contact orientations (a.k.a., “seating”) with connectors, which, upon sensing improper seating, reduce, reverse-pulse or otherwise alter or remove power. The specialized driver heads may include reverse-grip members that pull the driver-head into the seated position. In other aspects, multiple-section connector sets are included, which may be self-tightening, and create detectable conditions of potential tightening energy being expended and/or loosening occurring, allowing an external sensor to sense such a condition and identify a connector that has loosened, slipped, or may be in need of recharging or tightening. A specialized connector head may selectively break away before stripping and thereby expose a stronger, secondary driver head.

Abstract: A driver instrument for engaging and transferring rotational torque to a bone anchor already screwed into a bony structure. The driver instrument may be advanced through an incision while disengaged from the bone anchor and thereafter engaged in a driver socket of the bone anchor. The driver instrument includes an elongate shaft extending distally from a handle, a tapered distal tip, and a driver engagement feature located proximally of the tapered distal tip. The tapered distal tip and the driver engagement feature are configured such that the longitudinal rotational axis of the driver instrument automatically moves into parallel alignment with the longitudinal rotational axis of the bone anchor as the driver engagement feature of the driver instrument is advanced into the driver socket of the bone anchor.

Abstract: Injection-molded devices and systems for graft or other tissue delivery, methods for their single-use in delivery of an implant, and kits for their sterile delivery to a practitioner are disclosed herein. Systems for implant delivery comprise an injection moldable implant body and an insertion device comprising: an inner and outer shaft that form a locking mechanism that secures an implant body in place and releases it upon placement within a patient. Systems are configured to be manufactured by injection molding, such that they can be cost-effectively manufactured and discarded after a single use to avoid costs and risks associated with re-sterilization and cleaning, but can in some cases optionally also be manufactured by machining to be re-sterilized and reused.

Abstract: A fastener system including a threaded fastener having a slot formed in the fastener head. Facets are formed in the slot walls, each facet having an angle of less than ninety degrees with respect to the base of the slot such that the slot has a variable width and at least a portion of the width of the base is greater than the width of the opening of the slot. A driver bit includes a blade configured to be inserted into the slot of the fastener. At least a portion of the free end of the blade has an increased width such that the blade is locked within the slot of the fastener when torque is applied to the driver bit.

Abstract: A screw has a head with a cross-shaped groove having first to fourth wing grooves, each having bilaterally-formed inner side faces defined by opposing base-end inner side faces, opposing intermediate inner side faces and opposing distal-end inner side faces angled at angles relative to each other so that the first angle of the base-end inner side face<the second angle of the intermediate inner side face<the third angle of the distal-end inner side face. The base-end inner side faces define a trapezoidal base, the distal-end inner side faces define an inverse-trapezoidal distal-end groove, and the intermediate inner side faces define an approximately parallel intermediate groove between each base-end groove and each distal-end groove. Each of the inner side faces is provided with an elevation angle spreading toward an opening face of the cross-shaped groove.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide a fastener system having straight walled driving surfaces that provides a reliable stick fit feature, while also improving stability of engagement between the system components. A feature of the new system is to allow engagement of existing standard straight walled drivers in the new system.

Abstract: The invention provides for an improved screw and screwdriver. The self-locking screw and screwdriver, the JacLock™ Screw and JacLock™ Screwdriver, is designed to improve insertion and/or removal of a screw. The new screw head differs from normal horizontal cut/slotted screw heads and cross cut/slotted screw heads. The invention calls for a standard vertical cut/slot in the screw head along with two cross cuts/slots in the head of the screw equi-distant from the center of the horizontal standard slot. The screwdriver has a redesigned head that will fit into the three cuts/slots in the new screw. Once the screwdriver is inserted into the screw head it will lock in place making it easier to insert or remove the screw. The design results in improved torque and eliminates the possibility of the screwdriver slipping off the head of the screw and possibly damaging the head of the screw.

Abstract: A fastener system including a threaded fastener having a slot formed in the fastener head. Facets are formed in the slot walls, each facet having an angle of less than ninety degrees with respect to the base of the slot such that the slot has a variable width and at least a portion of the width of the base is greater than the width of the opening of the slot. A driver bit includes a blade configured to be inserted into the slot of the fastener. At least a portion of the free end of the blade has an increased width such that the blade is locked within the slot of the fastener when torque is applied to the driver bit.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide a fastener system having straight walled driving surfaces that provides a reliable stick fit feature, while also improving stability of engagement between the system components. A feature of the new system is to allow engagement of existing standard straight walled drivers in the new system.

Abstract: A fastener for locking two or more sheet sections together comprises a shaft tapered at one end and having a driving head at the other end with a relatively coarse thread running from the tapered end towards the head and a relatively fine thread between the coarse thread and the head. The fine thread has a pitch which is approximately equal to the thickness of the sheet sections and extends from the head for from two to six threads.

Abstract: A fastener system is constructed wherein the installation and removal drive surfaces intersect an enlarged core diameter in a transitional surface that extends between the installation and removal surfaces of adjacent wings. The transitional surface has a concave form that conforms to the core diameter. The projections of the driver in the system are formed in a blunt shape.

Abstract: An article for use in a torque transmitting system which has a drive surface configuration having side and end surfaces is disclosed. The end surface tapers upwardly and outwardly from a lowermost point provided along a longitudinal axis to the side surface. The end surface defines a plurality of identically configured lobes that extend from a first point to a second point. The first point of one lobe is identical to the second point of an adjacent lobe. The first and second points of each lobe are provided along an imaginary circle having its center along the longitudinal axis. Each lobe extends from the first point to the second point by a series of edges that are straight, concave and/or convex. Two of the edges are tangential to the imaginary circle. The side surface extends upwardly from the edges defining the plurality of lobes.

Abstract: A fastener system is constructed wherein the installation and removal drive surfaces intersect an enlarged core diameter in a transitional surface that extends between the installation and removal surfaces of adjacent wings. The transitional surface has a concave form that conforms to the core diameter. The projections of the driver in the system are formed in a blunt shape.

Abstract: A fastener system is constructed wherein the installation and removal drive surfaces intersect an enlarged core diameter in a transitional surface that extends between the installation and removal surfaces of adjacent wings. The transitional surface has a concave form that conforms to the core diameter. The projections of the driver in the system are formed in a blunt shape.

Abstract: A screw having stabilized strength, combination with a driver bit that best fits the screw, and a header punch for producing the screw. The screw having stabilized strength has letter Y-shaped bit-fitting grooves formed in the head portion of the screw. Forming the grooves makes fitting of a corresponding driver to the screw easy, prevents occurrence of a cam-out phenomenon to enhance work efficiency, makes torque transmission to be made smoothly and sufficiently, and stabilizes strength. The bit-fitting grooves are formed in a letter Y shape that is substantially equally divided into three sections in the circumferential direction, the grooves being formed at positions required distances away from the central portion of the screw head.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screw capable of efficiently transmitting rotational force of a driver bit to the screw while obtaining excellent interlocking effect of the driver bit with a cross-shaped groove of the screw.

Abstract: A screw assembly includes hollow first screw and a second screw smaller than the first screw in size. A first thread is defined on an outer surface of the first screw. A receiving hole is defined in the first screw. The second screw is adapted to be received in the receiving hole to engage with the first screw.

Abstract: Facetted impression elements are disclosed. The impression elements can be located, for instance, on an anvil roll and may be used during an embossing or bonding process. The impression elements include at least two chamfered surfaces that at least partially surround the top surface. The chamfered surfaces are at an angle to the top surface that lower and reduce drag that may occur between the impression element and a sheet of material as the impression element enters and exits the sheet. In one embodiment, the impression element includes a first chamfered surface having an angle of from about 5° to about 40° and a second chamfered surface having an angle of from about 40° to about 70°.

Abstract: The invention provides a screw head having a hexalobular slot (2) in the upper surface of the screw head, an upper peripheral wall (9) of hexalobular planform extending down into the screw head, the upper peripheral wall (9) being parallel or near parallel to the axis of the screw, a sloping transition surface (15) extending downwardly and inwardly with respect to the lower edge of the upper peripheral wall (9), and a tapered recess (11) extending downwardly from the lower edge of the sloping transition surface (15), in which the dimensions of the screw head are such that when the screw head is engaged by a tool (6) having upper (16) and lower engagement (17) sections, the lower engagement section (17) is tapered, and there is a ‘stick fit’ between the surface of the tapered recess (11) and the external surface of the lower tapered engagement section (17), and there is no engagement with the sloping transition surface (15).

Abstract: A fastener with a recess head wherein the drive head has four lobular recess channels. Each channel comprises a first wall, a second wall, a bottom surface and a recess sidewall. The first and second walls have portions opposing each other and a constant radius of curvature to form a continuously and smoothly forming wall of the channel. A torque producing driver tool is defined with cross sectional signature substantially complementary in size and shape of the recess of the drive head of the fastener for matable engagement. A recess punch for manufacturing the fastener is also defined and comprises a punch holder and a punch pin integral with the holder.

Abstract: An article for use in a torque transmitting system which has a drive surface configuration having side and end surfaces is disclosed. The end surface tapers upwardly and outwardly from a lowermost point provided along a longitudinal axis to the side surface. The end surface defines a plurality of identically configured lobes that extend from a first point to a second point. The first point of one lobe is identical to the second point of an adjacent lobe. The first and second points of each lobe are provided along an imaginary circle having its center along the longitudinal axis. Each lobe extends from the first point to the second point by a series of edges that are straight, concave and/or convex. Two of the edges are tangential to the imaginary circle. The side surface extends upwardly from the edges defining the plurality of lobes.

Abstract: An isolation mount is provided including a frame bracket having an aperture therein. A fastener is received in the aperture. The fastener includes a threaded shaft and a cone-shaped head portion integrally formed with the threaded shaft. The cone-shaped head portion includes a narrow end and a relatively wider end with the narrow end being closer to the threaded shaft than the wider end and a tool engaging portion on the head portion. An elastomeric member is disposed between the fastener and the frame bracket. The design integrates multiple features into a single element thereby greatly improving the assembly process and cost of the isolation mount.

Abstract: A flange headed screw. The flanged headed screw has a threaded shank portion with a shank diameter, a distal tip, and a proximal end. A stop flange with a diameter that is larger than the shank diameter of the threaded shank located at the proximal end of the threaded shank portion. A projection portion extends from the stop flange, and the projection portion has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the stop flange. A driving head with a driving engagement located at a proximal end of the projection portion.

Abstract: A threaded screw fastener has a point, a shank and a head. The point is a ballistic point. The shank comprises a linear travel area, preferably unthreaded, adjacent to the point and a threaded area between the linear travel area and the head. The head is a bugle head formed with a Phillips-style recess configured to receive a driver or driving bit. The fastener is configured fasten a surface material to a substrate material and to be linearly driven into the materials before rotation of the fastener is required, thus reducing the number of rotations required to drive the fastener. The fastener is particularly suited to be used with powered driving tools that utilize both linear and rotating driving means.