Patent ID: 7753939

Claim:
An attachment device adapted for use with a tension link, the tension link including a tension link head and shaft, the device comprising: a shank having first and second ends, said first end having a securing mechanism, and said second end devoid of threads and comprising at least a wall defined by a hollow core, a first expansion slot disposed on said wall, and a central aperture, wherein said wall includes a curved exterior surface, wherein said second end is expandably deformable to accommodate the insertion of the tension link head through the central aperture and into said hollow core, and wherein the tension link head is retained within said hollow core after insertion therein; wherein said attachment device receivingly accepts a connector, said connector comprising a head receptacle that at least partially surrounds said second end when said connector is seated on said attachment device, said head receptacle having a curved surface for engaging the curved exterior surface of the second end when the connector is seated on the attachment device, wherein when the tension link head is inserted in the hollow core and the connector is seated on the attachment device, said head receptacle limits the deformation of the second end when a tensile force is applied through the tension link, thereby securing the tension link head within the hollow core, said tensile force operating to secure the connector to the attachment device.