Patent ID: 8480713

Claim:
A connector assembly for connecting an implant member with an elongate support member, comprising: a connector body including first and second receiver portions, said first receiver portion defining a first passage extending therethrough from an upper side to an oppositely facing lower side and arranged along a first axis, said second receiver portion defining a second passage extending therethrough and arranged along a second axis transverse to said first axis, said second passage sized to receive a portion of the elongate support member therein; a collet member defining a third passage extending therethrough and sized to receive a proximal portion of the implant member therein, said collet member extending through said first passage in said connector body and including an upper proximal portion extending axially beyond said upper side of said connector body and a lower distal portion extending axially beyond said lower side of said connector body, said collet member configured to pivot within said first passage of said connector body to position the collet member and the implant member at variable angular orientations relative to said first axis; a washer member defining an opening extending therethrough and positioned annularly about said lower distal portion of said collet member, said washer member positioned beneath said first receiver portion of said connector body with a top side of said washer member facing said lower side of said first receiver portion, one of said top side and said lower side defining a convex surface, another of said top side and said lower side defining a concave surface facing and generally aligned with said convex surface, wherein said concave surface has a concave curvature substantially corresponding to a convex curvature of said convex surface; and a lock member engaged with said upper proximal portion of said collet member and positioned adjacent said upper side of said first receiver portion of said connector body, said lock member configured to exert an upward force onto said collet member to pull said collet member and said washer member in an upward direction, said upward force drawing said convex and concave surfaces into compressed engagement to thereby lock said washer member and the implant member at a select angular orientation relative to said first receiver portion, said upward force also drawing an outer surface of said collet member against an inner engagement surface to inwardly displace a portion of said collet member into clamped engagement with the proximal portion of the implant member positioned within said third passage to thereby lock said collet member at a select position along the proximal portion of the implant member.