Patent ID: 8147530

Claim:
A variable angle locking mechanism assembly for use in an orthopedic implant, comprising: an implant having a through opening having a longitudinal axis and a concavely rounded wall about the longitudinal axis; a ring shaped insert having a central opening with a lateral surface and having a convexly rounded side wall and sized to fit in the through opening in the implant at a plurality of angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the through opening, the side wall including an opening that allows the radial expansion of the insert, the central opening of the insert including at least one raceway in the lateral surface of the central opening and wherein the at least one raceway has a starting point and decreases in the radial dimension from its starting point, the insert further having an expansion slot; and a fastener that is adapted to extend through the through opening and which includes at least one radially extending expansion member which radially increases along a length thereof and which engages the raceway of the insert whereby the expansion member of the fastener can engage the raceway of the insert to selectively lock the insert at an angle in the through opening relative to the longitudinal axis.