Assembly system for orthopedic components

Abstract

An assembly system configured to seat a first orthopedic component having either a male taper or a female taper with a second orthopedic component having the other of a male taper or a female taper. In one embodiment, the assembly system includes a taper seating connector having a fastener and a bushing moveable retained on the fastener. The fastener may be connected to the first orthopedic component and the bushing may be positioned adjacent the second orthopedic component. The corresponding tapers on the first and second orthopedic components may be configured to secure the first and second orthopedic components together. Thus, by exerting a sufficient force on the bushing, the bushing will move along the fastener, transferring the force to the second orthopedic component. In this manner, the corresponding tapers of the first and second orthopedic components may be seated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A taper seating connector, comprising:
 a fastener having a shaft and a hooked head, said shaft adapted for connection to a first orthopedic component having one of a male tapered surface and a female tapered surface;   a bushing retained on and moveable along said shaft of said fastener, said bushing positioned adjacent a second orthopedic component when said fastener is connected to the first orthopedic component, wherein the second orthopedic component has the other of said one of a male tapered surface and a female tapered surface, whereby movement of one of said fastener and said bushing results in corresponding movement of one of the first and second orthopedic components.