Expandable collet anchor system and method

Abstract

An expandable collet body and anchor system incorporating a collet body anti-rotation feature and preferably collet body translation arresting means are disclosed. The collet body includes a first end, a first wall portion having at least two fingers, a second end including a head, a second wall portion, an annular protrusion and anti-rotation means where the anti-rotation means engages with an auxiliary structure defining a hole having an internal surface adapted to translationally accept the collet body and operatively function with the collet body anti-rotation means. The auxiliary may include a work piece to be optionally joined to another structure or a sleeve insert locatable in a hole defined by a work piece. Because the collet body is relatively free to translate within the auxiliary structure, a wide spectrum of work piece depths can be engaged with a single length collet body with the use of a stud to radially expand the fingers, thereby engaging a distal structure.

1 - 46 . (canceled) 
   
   
       47 . A method for removably fastening together at least a first or proximal object and a second or distal object with a collet body wherein the collet body comprises a first end defining a generally circular opening; a first wall portion adjacent to the first end, the first wall portion having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a progressing radial profile and defining at least two secondary slots extending longitudinally from the first end to thereby create at least two fingers having a distal end at the first end; a second end defining a generally circular opening; a second wall portion adjacent to the second end, the second wall portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface; an annular protrusion extending from the first wall portion having a leading face and a trailing face; and a collet body anti-rotation means for engaging with a mechanical ground of an auxiliary structure, wherein first and second surfaces as well as an interior sectional surface of each object define a hole having an axis, and wherein the holes have generally equal diameters and are in substantial axial alignment, the method comprising:
 a) inserting the collet body first end through both object holes and the collet body second end through at least a portion of the first or proximal object hole;   b) engaging the collet body anti-rotation means with the mechanical ground of the auxiliary structure, without deformation, whereby free rotation of the collet body is substantially prevented by the rotational, but not axial, interference of the collet body anti-rotation means with the auxiliary structure mechanical ground; and   c) presenting a radially outward force at a portion of the interior surface of the first wall portion.   
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the auxiliary structure is selected from one of the first object or the second object. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the auxiliary structure is a sleeve insert. 
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the radially outward force is presented at the collet body first end. 
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the collet body interior surface comprises a threaded portion and a cylindrical threaded stud complementary thereto and rotationally engaged therewith provides the radially outward force when rotationally advanced into the collet body. 
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the interior surface of the second wall portion comprises the threaded portion. 
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 51  wherein a portion of the threaded stud contacts the first or proximal object and the annular protrusion of the collet body contacts the second or distal object when the two objects are removably fastened together. 
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 47  further comprising causing the collet body to translate within the auxiliary structure by rotating a cylindrical stud that is rotationally engaged with the collet body. 
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 54  wherein the collet body translation is substantially without resistance. 
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the collet body anti-rotation means extends from the outer surface of the second wall portion. 
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the collet body anti-rotation means depends towards the inner surface of the second wall portion. 
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 47  wherein 
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 47  further comprising engaging a portion of the collet body with a portion of the auxiliary structure to prevent translation of the second end beyond the interior sectional surface of the second or distal object hole. 
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the collet body anti-rotation means engages a portion of the auxiliary structure to prevent translation of the second end beyond the interior sectional surface of the second or distal object hole. 
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 59  wherein a portion of the collet body engages a radially inwardly extending lip of the auxiliary structure to prevent translation of the second end beyond the interior sectional surface of the second or distal object hole. 
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the collet body anti-rotation means engages a radially inwardly extending lip of the auxiliary structure to prevent translation of the second end beyond the interior sectional surface of the second or distal object hole. 
   
   
       63 . A method for removably fastening together at least a first or proximal object and a second or distal object with a collet body wherein the collet body comprises a first end defining a generally circular opening; a first wall portion adjacent to the first end, the first wall portion having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a progressing radial profile and defining at least two secondary slots extending longitudinally from the first end to thereby create at least two fingers having a distal end at the first end; a second end defining a generally circular opening; a second wall portion adjacent to the second end, the second wall portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface; an annular protrusion extending from the first wall portion having a leading face and a trailing face; and a collet body anti-rotation means for engaging with a mechanical ground of an auxiliary structure, wherein first and second surfaces as well as an interior sectional surface of each object define a hole having an axis, and wherein the holes have generally equal diameters and are in substantial axial alignment, the method comprising:
 a) inserting the collet body first end through both object holes and the collet body second end through at least a portion of the first or proximal object hole;   b) engaging the collet body anti-rotation means with the mechanical ground of the auxiliary structure, without deformation, whereby free rotation of the collet body is substantially prevented by the rotational, but not axial, interference of the collet body anti-rotation means with the auxiliary structure mechanical ground;   c) translating the collet body within the auxiliary structure until the trailing face of the annular protrusion contacts the first surface of the second or distal object; and   d) presenting a radially outward force at the interior surface of the first wall portion.   
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 63  further comprising preventing unintentional translations of the collet body second end past the first surface of the second object by engaging a portion of the collet body with a portion of the auxiliary structure to prevent translation of the second end beyond the interior sectional surface of the second or distal object hole. 
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 63  wherein rotation of a cylindrical stud that is rotationally engaged with the collet body causes the collet body to translate within the auxiliary structure and to present the radially outward force to the interior surface of the first wall portion. 
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 63  wherein rotation of a cylindrical stud that is rotationally engaged with the collet body causes the collet body to translate within the auxiliary structure and to present the radially outward force to the interior surface of the first wall portion. 
   
   
       67 . A method for removing a collet body that has been used to fasten together at least a first or proximal object and a second or distal object wherein the collet body comprises a first end defining a generally circular opening; a first wall portion adjacent to the first end, the first wall portion having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a progressing radial profile and defining at least two secondary slots extending longitudinally from the first end to thereby create at least two fingers having a distal end at the first end; a second end defining a generally circular opening; a second wall portion adjacent to the second end, the second wall portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface; an annular protrusion extending from the first wall portion having a leading face and a trailing face; and a collet body anti-rotation means for engaging with a mechanical ground of an auxiliary structure, wherein first and second surfaces as well as an interior sectional surface of each object define a hole having an axis, and wherein the holes have generally equal diameters and are in substantial axial alignment, the method comprising:
 a) discontinuing a radially outward force presenting at the interior surface of the first wall portion;   b) translating the collet body within the auxiliary structure to withdraw the annular protrusion into the second or distal object;   c) disengaging the collet body anti-rotation means from the mechanical ground of the auxiliary structure; and   d) removing the collet body from the hole defined by the first or proximal object.   
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 67  wherein the disengagement of the collet body anti-rotation means from the mechanical ground of the auxiliary structure occurs prior to the translation of the collet body within the auxiliary structure to withdraw the annular protrusion into the second or distal object. 
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 67  wherein upon discontinuance of the radially outward force presenting at the interior surface of the first wall, the at least two fingers radially converge to facilitate transit through the second or distal object hole.