Dynamic compression device and driving tool

Claim 1

An apparatus for fastening objects, comprising: an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end; an external anchor section on a distal portion of the body for anchoring the distal portion of the body to an object; a spring section in the body at a location between the anchor section and the proximal end, the spring section allowing the body to elongate from an initial length when being fastened in the object, but urging the body toward the initial length; a proximal drive surface at a location proximal of the spring section for imparting torque to the body proximal of the spring section; a distal drive surface at a location distal of the spring section for imparting torque to the body distal of the spring section at the same time torque is imparted by the proximal drive surface; wherein the body is hollow, and the apparatus further comprises: a stabilizing pin that is inserted into the body after the body is in full engagement with the object, the stabilizing pin extending through the spring section and being rotatable relative to the spring section during insertion of the stabilizing pin into the body.

Claim 2

An apparatus for fastening objects, comprising: an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end; an external anchor section on a distal portion of the body for anchoring the distal portion of the body to an object; a spring section in the body at a location between the anchor section and the proximal end, the spring section allowing the body to elongate from an initial length when being fastened in the object, but urging the body toward the initial length; a proximal drive surface at a location proximal of the spring section for imparting torque to the body proximal of the spring section; a distal drive surface at a location distal of the spring section for imparting torque to the body distal of the spring section at the same time torque is imparted by the proximal drive surface; wherein the body is hollow, and the apparatus further comprises: a stabilizing pin that is inserted into the body after the body is in full engagement with the object, the stabilizing pin extending through the spring section and being rotatable relative to the spring section during insertion of the stabilizing pin into the body.

Claim 3

An apparatus for fastening objects, comprising: an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end; an external anchor section on a distal portion of the body for anchoring the distal portion of the body to an object; a spring section in the body at a location between the anchor section and the proximal end, the spring section allowing the body to elongate from an initial length when being fastened in the object, but urging the body toward the initial length; a proximal drive surface at a location proximal of the spring section for imparting torque to the body proximal of the spring section; a distal drive surface at a location distal of the spring section for imparting torque to the body distal of the spring section at the same time torque is imparted by the proximal drive surface; and a driving tool having a distal drive member that engages the distal drive surface and a proximal drive member that simultaneously engages the proximal drive surface, the proximal drive member being carried by the driving tool for rotation in unison with the distal drive member.

Claim 4

An apparatus for fastening objects, comprising: an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end; an external anchor section on a distal portion of the body for anchoring the distal portion of the body to an object; a spring section in the body at a location between the anchor section and the proximal end, the spring section allowing the body to elongate from an initial length when being fastened in the object, but urging the body toward the initial length; a proximal drive surface at a location proximal of the spring section for imparting torque to the body proximal of the spring section; a distal drive surface at a location distal of the spring section for imparting torque to the body distal of the spring section at the same time torque is imparted by the proximal drive surface; and a driving tool having a distal drive member that engages the distal drive surface and a proximal drive member that simultaneously engages the proximal drive surface, the proximal drive member being carried by the driving tool for rotation in unison with the distal drive member.

Claim 10

An apparatus for fastening objects, comprising: an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end; an external threaded section on a distal portion of the body; a head formed on the proximal end of the body; a cavity extending through the head into the body, defining a side wall with an interior side and an exterior side; a slot extending through the side wall from the interior side to the exterior side, the slot extending helically along the body at a location between the threaded section and the head, defining a spring section; a proximal drive surface on the body at a location proximal of the spring section to impart torque to the body proximal of the spring section; a distal drive surface within the cavity at a location distal of the spring section to impart torque to the body distal of the spring section, the proximal and distal drive surfaces being positioned for receiving a tool that simultaneously applies torque to both of the drive surfaces to rotate the threaded section into engagement with an object without applying torque to the spring section; and a stabilizing pin placed in the cavity after the apparatus has been driven fully into engagement with the object, the stabilizing pin extending through the spring section and being rotatable relative to the body during insertion of the stabilizing pin into the cavity.

Claim 11

An apparatus for fastening objects, comprising: an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end; an external threaded section on a distal portion of the body; a head formed on the proximal end of the body; a cavity extending through the head into the body, defining a side wall with an interior side and an exterior side; a slot extending through the side wall from the interior side to the exterior side, the slot extending helically along the body at a location between the threaded section and the head, defining a spring section; a proximal drive surface on the body at a location proximal of the spring section to impart torque to the body proximal of the spring section; a distal drive surface within the cavity at a location distal of the spring section to impart torque to the body distal of the spring section, the proximal and distal drive surfaces being positioned for receiving a tool that simultaneously applies torque to both of the drive surfaces to rotate the threaded section into engagement with an object without applying torque to the spring section; and a stabilizing pin placed in the cavity after the apparatus has been driven fully into engagement with the object, the stabilizing pin extending through the spring section and being rotatable relative to the body during insertion of the stabilizing pin into the cavity.

Claim 16

An apparatus for fastening objects, comprising: an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end; an external threaded section on a distal portion of the body; a head formed on the proximal end of the body and having an external flange; a cavity extending through the head into the body, defining a side wall with an interior side and an exterior side; a slot extending through the side wall from the interior side to the exterior side, the slot extending helically along the body at a location between the threaded section and the head, defining a spring section that elongates when the apparatus is deployed; a proximal drive socket located within the head; a distal drive socket located within the cavity distal of the spring section; a driving tool having an elongated shank that inserts into the cavity to secure the fastener to an object; a distal drive member located on a distal end of the shank, the distal drive member engaging the distal drive socket to rotate the distal drive socket; and a proximal drive member carried by the shank for axial sliding movement relative to an axis of the shank for simultaneously engaging the proximal drive socket while the distal drive member engages the distal drive socket and the spring section elongates, the proximal drive member being rotatable with the shank to rotate the proximal drive socket simultaneously with the distal drive socket.

Claim 17

An apparatus for fastening objects, comprising: an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end; an external threaded section on a distal portion of the body; a head formed on the proximal end of the body and having an external flange; a cavity extending through the head into the body, defining a side wall with an interior side and an exterior side; a slot extending through the side wall from the interior side to the exterior side, the slot extending helically along the body at a location between the threaded section and the head, defining a spring section that elongates when the apparatus is deployed; a proximal drive socket located within the head; a distal drive socket located within the cavity distal of the spring section; a driving tool having an elongated shank that inserts into the cavity to secure the fastener to an object; a distal drive member located on a distal end of the shank, the distal drive member engaging the distal drive socket to rotate the distal drive socket; and a proximal drive member carried by the shank for axial sliding movement relative to an axis of the shank for simultaneously engaging the proximal drive socket while the distal drive member engages the distal drive socket and the spring section elongates, the proximal drive member being rotatable with the shank to rotate the proximal drive socket simultaneously with the distal drive socket.

Claim 21

A method of fastening a first object to a second object, comprising: (a) forming a hole through the first object and into the second object; (b) providing a fastener with an external anchor section, a spring section, a proximal drive surface at a location proximal of the spring section, and a distal drive surface at a location distal of the spring section; (c) providing a tool with a distal drive member and a proximal drive member; and (d) engaging the distal drive member with the distal drive surface and the proximal drive member with the proximal drive surface, inserting the fastener into the hole, and simultaneously rotating the distal and proximal drive members to secure the anchor section in a portion of the hole in the second object; and after step (d), withdrawing the tool and securing a stabilizing pin within the cavity by rotating the stabilizing pin relative to the fastener.

Claim 22

A method of fastening a first object to a second object, comprising: (a) forming a hole through the first object and into the second object; (b) providing a fastener with an external anchor section, a spring section, a proximal drive surface at a location proximal of the spring section, and a distal drive surface at a location distal of the spring section; (c) providing a tool with a distal drive member and a proximal drive member; and (d) engaging the distal drive member with the distal drive surface and the proximal drive member with the proximal drive surface, inserting the fastener into the hole, and simultaneously rotating the distal and proximal drive members to secure the anchor section in a portion of the hole in the second object; and after step (d), withdrawing the tool and securing a stabilizing pin within the cavity by rotating the stabilizing pin relative to the fastener.