Patent ID: 7125379

Claim:
An assembly for exchanging retractor support arms within a retractor support clamp, the assembly comprising: a main body having a surface defining a cavity extending into the main body from a first end and at least one through bore intersecting the cavity; a pivot ball attached to a second end of the main body wherein the pivot ball engages the retractor support clamp; a support arm having an end portion having a substantially complimentary configuration to the surface defining the cavity wherein the end portion is positionable within the cavity; and a retaining mechanism disposed about the main body and in communication with the end portion for retaining the end portion within the main body; and wherein the retaining mechanism comprises: at least one spheroidal member positioned within the through bore wherein the spheroidal member has a first portion extending into the cavity and a second portion extending beyond an outer surface of the main body; and a housing having a through bore wherein the housing is disposed about the main body and moveable thereon wherein an engaging surface which defines a portion of the through bore engages the second portion of the spheroidal member and forces the first portion of the spheroidal member into the end portion when the housing retains the end portion within the main body.