Patent ID: 7097616

Claim:
A surgical joint for connecting first and second support members, the surgical joint comprising: a first clamping member comprising a clamping bore wherein a first support member is positionable within the clamping bore and comprising a pawl pivotally mounted to the first clamping member and wherein an end of the pawl engages the first support member to retain the first clamping member in a selected position on the first support member when the first clamping member is not frictionally engaging the first support member; a second clamping member comprising a socket wherein the socket accepts a portion of a second support member; a shaft disposed through the first clamping member and in communication with the second clamping member; and an actuating mechanism coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first clamping member to frictionally engage the first support member and the second clamping member to frictionally engage the second support member.