Patent ID: 6902583

Claim:
An attachment mechanism for securely connecting components of a modular prosthesis, the attachment mechanism comprising: a body comprising a first top end, a first bottom end, and a first internal surface bounding a bore extending between the first top end and first bottom end, the bore comprising a first socket formed at the first bottom end of the body, the body further having a first external prosthetic surface; a sleeve comprising a second top end, a second bottom end, and a second internal surface bounding a channel extending between the second top end and the second bottom end, the sleeve further comprising an external surface extending between the second top end and the second bottom end with a shoulder being formed thereon, the external surface of the sleeve comprising a second external prosthetic surface extending between the shoulder and the second bottom end, and an outer engagement surface extending between the shoulder and the second top end, a portion of the sleeve extending between the shoulder and the second top end forming a tubular protrusion at least a portion of the outer engagement surface and the second internal surface being formed on the tubular protrusion; and a shaft received within the bore of the body and the channel of the sleeve, an engaging portion of the shaft being disposed within and being smaller than a portion of the channel bounded by the tubular protrusion when the tubular protrusion is in a relaxed position, the tubular protrusion of the sleeve being pressed from the first bottom end of the body into the first socket so that the tubular protrusion is retained at the first bottom end of the body and forms an interference fit within the first socket of the body, the interference fit causing at least a portion of the first internal surface of the body to bias in secure frictional engagement with at least a portion of the outer engagement surface of the tubular protrusion of the sleeve and causing at least a portion of the second internal surface of the tubular protrusion of the sleeve to radially inwardly constrict in an elastic deformation so as to bias in secure frictional engagement with the engaging portion of the shaft, the interference fit between the tubular protrusion and the body being the sole mechanical connection between the sleeve and the body.