Patent ID: 8858604

Claim:
A cervical plate assembly comprising: a plate having first and second openings formed therethrough; a first fastener extending through the first opening and adapted to be secured to a first vertebra; a second fastener extending through the second opening and adapted to be secured to a second vertebra; a locking member that selectively retains the first and second fasteners to the plate, the locking member having an engagement structure; and a jam screw having an engagement structure that cooperates with the engagement structure of the locking member such that movement of the jam screw relative to the locking member causes the locking member to engage the plate to prevent movement of the locking member relative to the plate; wherein the locking member is movable relative to the plate between a locked position, wherein the locking member retains the first and second fasteners to the plate, and an unlocked position, wherein the locking member does not retain the first and second fasteners to the plate; and wherein either: (1) the locking member is rotatable relative to the plate between the locked and unlocked positions; (2) portions of the locking member extend over outer end surfaces of the fasteners when in the locked position; or (3) portions of the locking member extend into grooves provided in the fasteners when in the locked position.