Universal scissors joint apparatus

Abstract

A universal joint apparatus comprises clamps, a locking mechanism, and a rod connecting the clamps and the locking mechanism. At least one clamp is a scissors clamp, i.e. a clamp comprising two segments fastened by a pivot. The scissors clamp generates extra compressive force on the object being held, providing a stable and rigid universal joint. Clamps are able to rotate with respect to each other, allowing for greater flexibility in usage. The universal joint apparatus is capable of being added to a support frame between other components. In one embodiment of the invention, the universal joint includes a dedicated retractor blade handle to ensure that the locked position of the cam handle is oriented substantially away from the operative site.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A universal joint apparatus comprising: 
 a clamping member comprising a first segment and a second segment, the segments fastened by a pivot at an intermediate point of at least one segment;    a locking mechanism; and    a rod associating the locking mechanism with the clamping member.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the segments of the clamping member are arranged adjacent to each other on one side of the pivot, the segments crossing each other at the pivot so that: 
 the first segment comprises the upper portion of the first clamping member on a first side of the pivot and also comprises the lower portion of the first clamping member on the second side of the pivot; and    the second segment comprises the lower portion of the first clamping member on the first side of the pivot and also comprises the upper portion of the first clamping member on the second side of the pivot.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional clamping member.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one additional clamping member comprises an upper segment and a lower segment, said segments 
 being parallel to each other;    having a space between them; and    being joined at one end.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a cam locking mechanism.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the cam locking mechanism comprises: 
 a handle; and  
 a cam connected to the handle and engaging the rod so that the cam operates the clamping members when selectively positioned by using the handle.  
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the rod comprises an eyehole.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the cam passes through the rod via the eyehole.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the cam comprises an axle that passes through the eyehole.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising at least one bushing placed between the clamping members.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first clamping member and the additional clamping members are independently rotatable with respect to each other.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism, first clamping member, and the additional clamping members are independently rotatable with respect to each other.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a nut attached to the end of the rod.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the at least one additional clamping member has a dedicated retractor blade handle.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the at least one additional clamping member has a dedicated retractor blade handle, the cam locking mechanism having an open position and a locked position, the orientation of the handle in the locked position being substantially parallel to the retractor blade handle.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the orientation of the locked position of the cam handle extends substantially away from an operative site.  
     
     
         17 . A universal joint apparatus comprising: 
 a first clamping member comprising a first segment and a second segment, the segments fastened by a pivot at an intermediate point of at least one segment;    a locking mechanism;    at least one other clamping member; and    a rod associating the locking mechanism, the first clamping member and the other clamping members.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the segments of the first clamping member are arranged adjacent to each other on one side of the pivot, the segments crossing each other at the pivot so that 
 the first segment comprises the upper portion of the first clamping member on a first side of the pivot and also comprises the lower portion of the first clamping member on the second side of the pivot;    and the second segment comprises the lower portion of the first clamping member on the first side of the pivot and also comprises the upper portion of the first clamping member on the second side of the pivot.    
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one additional clamping member comprises an upper segment and a lower segment, said segments 
 being parallel to each other;    having a space between them; and    being joined at one end.    
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the locking mechanism comprises a cam locking mechanism.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the cam locking mechanism comprises: 
 a handle; and  
 a cam connected to the handle and engaging the rod so that the cam operates the first clamping member and the additional clamping members when selectively positioned by using the handle.  
 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the rod comprises an eyehole.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the cam passes through the rod via the eyehole.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the cam comprises an axle that passes through the eyehole.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one bushing placed between the clamping members.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the clamping members are independently rotatable with respect to each other.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the locking mechanism, first clamping member, and additional clamping members are independently rotatable with respect to each other.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a nut attached to the end of the rod.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the at least one additional clamping member has a dedicated retractor blade handle.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the at least one additional clamping member has a dedicated retractor blade handle, the cam locking mechanism having an open position and a locked position, the orientation of the handle in the locked position being substantially parallel to the retractor blade handle.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the orientation of the locked position of the cam handle extends substantially away from an operative site.  
     
     
         32 . A universal joint apparatus comprising: 
 a first clamping member comprising a first segment and a second segment, the segments fastened by a pivot at an intermediate point of at least one segment;    a locking mechanism;    a second clamping member; and    a rod associating the locking mechanism, the first clamping member and the second clamping member.    
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the segments of the first clamping member are arranged adjacent to each other on one side of the pivot, the segments crossing each other at the pivot so that 
 the first segment comprises the upper portion of the first clamping member on a first side of the pivot and also comprises the lower portion of the first clamping member on the second side of the pivot;    and the second segment comprises the lower portion of the first clamping member on the first side of the pivot and also comprises the upper portion of the first clamping member on the second side of the pivot.    
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the second clamping member comprises an upper segment and a lower segment, said segments 
 being parallel to each other;    having a space between them; and    being joined at one end.    
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the locking mechanism comprises a cam locking mechanism.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein the cam locking mechanism comprises: 
 a handle; and  
 a cam connected to the handle and engaging the rod so that the cam operates the first clamping member and the second member when selectively positioned by using the handle.  
 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36  wherein the rod comprises an eyehole.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the cam passes through the rod via the eyehole.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the cam comprises an axle that passes through the eyehole.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a bushing placed between the first clamping member and the second clamping member.  
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the first clamping member and the second clamping member are independently rotatable with respect to each other.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the locking mechanism, first clamping member, and second clamping member are independently rotatable with respect to each other.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a nut attached to the end of the rod.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein at least one of the at least one additional clamping member has a dedicated retractor blade handle.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein at least one of the at least one additional clamping member has a dedicated retractor blade handle, the cam locking mechanism having an open position and a locked position, the orientation of the handle in the locked position being substantially parallel to the retractor blade handle.  
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the orientation of the locked position of the cam handle extends substantially away for an operative site.