Patent ID: 8167908

Claim:
A transverse connector assembly, comprising; a connector body having a first end, a mid portion, and a second end, wherein the first end has a female threaded opening, wherein the second end has a rod hook, wherein the mid portion has a cutout and a cavity, and wherein the female threaded opening of the first end and the cutout and the cavity of the mid portion form a passage having a central axis; a male threaded insert for releasably coupling to the connector body via the female threaded opening of the first end of the connector body; and a transverse member having a head portion and an arm portion, wherein the arm portion has at least one curvature, wherein the head portion of the transverse member comprises a flattened area, wherein the head portion of the transverse member is insertable into the passage of the connector body such that the head portion of the transverse member is positioned in the cavity, wherein the arm portion extends from the head portion of the transverse member through the cutout of the mid portion of the connector body, and wherein the head portion of the transverse member rotates within the cavity of the mid portion of the connector body, wherein the arm portion of the transverse member is movable longitudinally with respect to the central axis of the passage of the connector body.