HARRIS GELLMAN
Medical Practice in Fort Lauderdale, FL

2003021, Nov 20, 2003

May 20, 2002

10/151453

Andrew Markiewitz - Little Rock AR, US
Harris Gellman - Weston FL, US

F16B021/18

411/526000

A pin cap to protect the end of a pin that is usable with a range of pin sizes. The pin cap has a generally cylindrical shape with a closed end and an open end. The open end may have a tapered entry to facilitate insertion of the pin end into the pin cap. The interior of the body of the pin cap has a plurality of concave diaphragms with stellate center cuts. A pin is directed toward the center of each diaphragm while compression of the pin body compresses the diaphragms, thereby allowing the stellate center cut to open to allow the pin to pass through the diaphragm. When pressure on the pin body is relaxed, the stellate center cuts close down on the pin to hold it in place. By selecting the type of material used for the diaphragms, the number of diaphragms and the number of slots in the stellate center cut, the resistance of the pin cap to being pulled off the pin can be set. The concave shape of the diaphrams also resists removal of the pin cap from a pin. The internal side of the top of the pin cap may be textured with a “latticed” or “waffled” surface to provide a point of fixation for the end of the pin. The pin cap may be injection molded with the internal diaphragms being an integral part of the body, or alternatively, the diaphragms may be free floating between internal ledges within the body.