Patent ID: 8778000

Claim:
An orthopedic plate assembly, comprising: a frame portion; a bearing rotatably coupled with the frame portion, wherein the bearing defines an opening configured to receive a fastener for fastening the frame portion to a body, wherein the bearing includes an outer surface that is eccentric to the opening such that a position of the opening with respect to the frame portion is adjustable as the bearing rotates and wherein the bearing includes at least a first ridge with an annular shape projecting into the opening to provide a first inner diameter in the opening and a second ridge with an annular shape projecting into the opening to provide a second inner diameter in the opening that is larger than said first inner diameter, wherein said opening provides a longitudinal direction of travel for said fastener, with the first inner diameter located in a first plane and the second inner diameter located in a second plane, the first plane and the second plane each extending perpendicularly to said longitudinal direction of travel and being spaced from one another along said longitudinal direction of travel; and a fastener receivable in the opening for fastening the frame portion to the body, wherein the fastener includes a tapered head section with threads, and wherein the fastener is advanceable in the opening in a direction from the second ridge toward the first ridge such that contact between the fastener and the bearing causes the bearing to radially expand and become non-rotatably locked in the frame portion in a manner that includes the tapered head section contacting the second ridge for preventing rotation of the bearing in the frame portion.