Paragraph Number

88

Referring to FIGS. 15-18, an inserter 300 is configured for use with the fastener 100 of FIGS. 1-9. The inserter 300 includes a body 302 having a distal end 304 and a proximal end 306 including a handle portion 308. The body includes a pair of laterally spaced passages extending from the distal end 304 toward the proximal end 306 and each defining a passage axis 307. The passage axes 307 are angled 309 to align with the cavities 160 in the fastener 100. Side cuts or windows 310 communicate with the passages. Each passage receives a locking bolt 312 in axial sliding and rotating relationship. Each bolt 312 traverses one of the windows 310 exposing the portion of the bolt 312 within the window for manipulation. A knob 314 is fixed to each bolt 312, such as by pinning, to allow a user to rotate the bolt 312 about the passage axis 307 and to serve as a limit to axial travel of the bolt 312 as the knob abuts the proximal or distal margins 316, 318 of the window 310. Each bolt 312 includes a smooth cylindrical portion 320 sized to fit into the trailing portion 162 of the stepped cylindrical cavity 160 in one of the fastener legs. Each bolt 312 includes a threaded portion 322, distal to the smooth portion 320, sized to screw into the threaded leading portion 164 of the stepped cavity 160. The proximal end 306 of the inserter 300 includes a coupling member configured to rotationally couple to a cross guide discussed further below. As used herein, “coupling”, “coupling member”, or "coupler" refers to a mechanical device, apparatus, member, component, or structure, that is organized, configured, designed, arranged, or engineered to connect the ends of adjacent parts or objects. In certain embodiments, a coupling can be used to connect two shafts together at their ends for the purpose of transmitting power. In other embodiments, a coupling can be used to join two pieces of rotating equipment while permitting some degree of misalignment or end movement or both. In certain embodiments, couplings may not allow disconnection of the two parts, such as shafts during operation. (Search "coupling" on Wikipedia.com July 26, 2021. CC-BY-SA 3.0 Modified. Accessed July 27, 2021.) In the illustrative example of FIGS. 15-18, the coupling member includes a socket 324 extending distally into a top surface 325 of the handle portion 308 and a peripheral edge 326.

Added by DJM 12 2021