Rail clamp

• US 4,901,964 A
• Filed: 01/22/1985
• Issued: 02/20/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas E. Mcconnell
• Original Assignee: Bernard E. Mcconnell
• Inventors: McConnell, Bernard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Olson, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US06/693,145
• Time in Patent Office: 1,855 Days
• Field of Search: 248/214, 248/225.31, 248/228, 248/231.3, 248/231.5, 248/231.6, 248/231.7, 248/316.5, 248/316.6, 248/643, 248/72, 24/514, 24/513, 24/569, 269/237, 269/239, 269/238
• US Class Current: 248/231.51
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 13/101 Clamping means for connecting accessories to the operating table supports as part of surgical instruments A61B90/50
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/10 using screws
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/103 with a hinge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44504 Threaded cylindrical rod and mating cavity

Abstract

A clamp for attaching surgical support apparatus onto the side rail of an operating table includes a clamp body having an attachment portion adapted for coupling engagement with surgical support apparatus, a fixed jaw member for engaging the upper corner portions of the side rail, a movable compression member for engaging the lower corner portions of the side rail, and driving means for moving the compression member to an open, retracted position allowing positioning of the jaw member and compression member about the opposite sides of the rail, and to an extended position in which the compression member is urged against a lower edge portion of the side rail with the rail being confined and compresssed between the fixed jaw and compression member. According to this arrangement, a compressive force is transmitted by the turn screw through the compression member against the side rail which firmly anchors the clamp at any desired position along the rail. The clamp is removed from the rail simply by releasing the turn screw to allow the compression member to return to its retracted position, whereupon the clamp assembly may be completely removed from the side rail without disturbing the established positions of other surgical support devices also attached to the rail.

Claims

1. A clamp for attaching support apparatus onto a side rail of the type having exterior side surfaces formed along common edges comprising, in combination:

a clamp body having an attachment portion adapted for coupling engagement with support apparatus, a fixed jaw member projecting from said clamp body for engaging said side rail, and having a cavity for receiving a compression member;

said fixed jaw member having a first flange portion projecting transversely with respect to said clamp body, and having a second flange portion attached to said first flange portion and projecting transversely thereto;

said clamp body having a planar surface for engaging a major exterior side surface of said side rail, and said first flange portion having an inside planar surface joining said clamp body planar surface substantially at a right angle, and said second flange portion having an inside planar surface inclined with respect to the planar surface of said clamp body for engaging an edge portion of said rail;

a compression member being mounted within said clamp body cavity for movement away from said fixed jaw member to an open, retracted position allowing positioning of said fixed jaw member and said compression member about opposite exterior side surfaces of said rail, and for movement from the retracted position to an extended position allowing confinement and engagement of said rail on opposite exterior side surfaces thereof by said fixed jaw portion and said compression member;

said compression member being mounted on said clamp body for pivotal movement to and from its extended and retracted positions, said compression member comprising a cam for engaging said drive means and a jaw carried by said cam having an inside planar surface for engaging an edge portion of said side rail; and

,

means coupled to said clamp body for driving said compression member from its open, retracted position to its extended position.

2. A clamp as defined in claim 1,

said clamp body having a threaded bore communicating with said locking cavity, and said driving means comprising a threaded shaft received in threaded engagement with said threaded bore, said shaft advancing into and withdrawing from said locking cavity in response to rotation and counter-rotation, respectively, of said shaft.