Patent ID: 8075603

Claim:
A ball and socket fastener comprising: an anchoring member having a shank and a spherical connector; a connecting assembly having a socket constructed and arranged for receipt of said spherical connector within a first end of said connecting assembly and a securing element securable to a second end of said connecting assembly, said connector assembly includes a plurality of pockets in the form of cylindrical bores that are located within the side wall of the connector assembly, each of said bores having a longitudinal axis that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector assembly, an upper retainer ring disposed within said socket and positionable along an upper surface of said spherical connector, a bearing surface operatively engaging a lower surface of said spherical connector so that said connecting assembly moves polyaxially with respect to said anchoring member, a resilient component positioned between said connecting assembly and said upper retaining member, a first end of said resilient component positioned within said pocket, a second end of said resilient component cooperating with an upper surface of said upper retaining member, said resilient component having a first length in a unbiased state and a second shorter length in a compressed state, said resilient component in said compressed state exerting a force upon said upper retaining ring that in turn exerts a force upon the spherical connector which in turn exerts a force upon said bearing surface that is in cooperative engagement with said lower portion of said spherical connector, wherein said connecting assembly can be moved into a predetermined position relative to said spherical connector and maintain said predetermined relative position under the force exerted by said resilient component, said securing element traversable between an unlocked position and a locked position for controlling said polyaxial movement.