Patent ID: 8657819

Claim:
A clamping device for use in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements, comprising at least one clamping assembly having first and second jaws, providing at least one recess to accommodate an element to be clamped along a longitudinal axis of the recess, a one-piece locking unit having a shaft portion coupled to the second jaw and a head portion, the head portion having a maximum dimension greater than the shaft portion; a locking element having a through bore; wherein each of the first and second jaws has a through bore extending along a central axis to accommodate the locking unit shaft portion extending there through, wherein the first jaw is positioned adjacent to the head portion of the locking unit, wherein the head portion of the locking unit is adapted for operating a clamping action abutting against the first jaw to allow the jaws to close, wherein the locking element is mounted between a surface on the locking unit head portion facing the first jaw and a surface on the first jaw, wherein the maximum dimension of the locking unit head portion has a larger diameter than the through bore of the second jaw, wherein the maximum dimension of the head portion of the locking unit has a smaller diameter than the through bore of the first jaw, wherein the locking element comprises at least one locking surface which can be rotated to be selectively brought into and out of positive locking with the surface of the locking unit head facing the first jaw for allowing removal or blocking removal of the locking element from the clamping device.