Torque transmitting ball joint driver having a rigid fixation mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12004754-B2
Application number	US-202217743925-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 13, 2022
Priority date	Jul 12, 2012
Publication date	Jun 11, 2024
Grant date	Jun 11, 2024

Abstract

An articulating driver having a ball-in-socket joint. The driver may include a driver tip having a spherical head, a retention cap having a domed surface to mate with the spherical head, an input shaft, a spring disposed in an end of the input shaft and in a recess of the retention cap opposite that of the domed surface, and a housing that receives the input shaft, the spring, the retention cap and the spherical head. The housing may have a tapered end to positionally retain the spherical head therein. In another aspect, the driver may include a driver tip coupled to the input shaft that includes an interface to engage a screw. A bushing may engage the driver tip at one end and receive the screw at the other end to retain the screw within the driver.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A driver having a ball-in-socket joint, comprising:
a driver tip having a spherical head;
a retention cap having a domed surface to mate with the spherical head;
an input shaft;
a spring disposed in an end of the input shaft and in a recess of the retention cap opposite that of the domed surface; and
a housing that receives the input shaft, the spring, the retention cap and the spherical head,
wherein the housing has a tapered end to positionally retain the spherical head therein, and
wherein the spherical head has a plurality of grooves defined in a surface thereof, the housing defines a plurality of holes, and each of the holes receives a pin that passes through the housing and is received within a respective groove of the spherical head, and
wherein torque applied at the input shaft is transmitted to the housing and to the driver tip by action of the pins within the grooves of the spherical head.

2. The driver of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of grooves have a shape to provide for up to 50° of angulation of the driver tip with respect to the input shaft over a 360° rotation of the input shaft.

3. The driver of claim 2 , wherein the grooves have a generally ovular shape and a W-shape cross-section within the spherical head.

4. The driver of claim 1 , wherein the grooves are positioned within the spherical head at offsets of approximately 120°.

5. The driver of claim 1 , wherein the grooves extend over an approximately 120° arc across a face of the spherical head.

6. The driver of claim 1 , wherein the spring exerts a force on the retention cap to positionally retain the spherical head within the housing.

7. The driver of claim 1 , wherein the driver can be a jointed awl, a screw driver or a drill.

8. The driver of claim 1 , wherein one end of the spring is received within a cavity in the end of the input shaft.

9. The driver of claim 1 , wherein the retention cap transmits force from the spring to the spherical head of the driver tip.

10. The driver of claim 1 , wherein the spherical head transmits torque to an attachment that is received within a bushing, and wherein the attachment is provided on an outer surface of the driver tip axially spaced from the spherical head.

11. The driver of claim 10 , wherein the bushing provides positional retention of the attachment.

12. The driver of claim 10 , wherein the bushing is made of polyester ether ketone (PEEK).

13. The driver of claim 1 , wherein a radius of the tapered end of the housing decreases to conform to the spherical head of the driver tip.

14. The driver of claim 1 , wherein the input shaft is coupled to the housing with a cross-pin.

15. The driver of claim 14 , wherein the cross-pin can be pressed-in, welded in place, threaded into the input shaft, or retained within a sleeve, the sleeve configured to prevent the cross-pin from backing out.

16. The driver of claim 1 , wherein the retention cap can be fabricated from PEEK, stainless steel, or polyethylene.

17. The driver of claim 16 , wherein the retention cap comprises a titanium nitride (TiN) coating configured to limit wear on the spherical head.

18. A driver having a ball-in-socket joint, comprising:
a driver tip having a spherical head;
a retention cap having a domed surface to mate with the spherical head;
an input shaft;
a spring disposed in an end of the input shaft and in a recess of the retention cap opposite that of the domed surface; and
a housing that receives the input shaft, the spring, the retention cap and the spherical head, wherein the input shaft is coupled to the housing with a cross-pin that extends into the input shaft,
wherein the housing has a tapered end to positionally retain the spherical head therein.

19. The driver of claim 18 , wherein the cross-pin can be pressed-in, welded in place, threaded into the input shaft, or retained within a sleeve, the sleeve configured to prevent the cross-pin from backing out.

20. The driver of claim 18 , wherein torque applied at the input shaft is transmitted to the housing and to the driver tip by action of pins received within grooves of the spherical head.

Assignees

• Depuy Synthes Products Inc

Inventors

• Fenn Matt
• Schoenly Jared
• Evans Dave
• White Michael

Classifications

• F16D3/207

  the pins extending radially inwardly from the coupling part · CPC title

• B25B23/10

  using mechanical gripping means · CPC title

• B25B23/0035

  Connection means between socket or screwdriver bit and tool · CPC title

• A61B17/7082

  for driving, i.e. rotating, screws or screw parts specially adapted for spinal fixation, e.g. for driving polyaxial or tulip-headed screws · CPC title

• A61B17/8875

  Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches · CPC title