The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application serial number 62/732,403 filed on September 17, 2018.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fasteners and such as for healthcare, aerodynamics, robotics, industrial, automotive, construction, infrastructure, engineering, agriculture, military, and/or similar applications. More specifically, the present invention is a path-compliant fastener that connects two or more non-aligned components through a pre-determined path and one or more coupling mechanism(s).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is discussed pertaining applications in dental implantology and for medical prosthetics, in general. Healthcare professionals use fasteners for medical treatments, often relying on a straight-line access. Oral surgeons and Orthopedists use fasteners to secure prosthetics or to secure bones together. Dental implants are utilized by dental professionals to replace missing teeth. For two-piece dental implants, angled or multi-unit abutments are often used to correct angulation, access and esthetic challenges. There are currently no fasteners that can adapt to a pre determined path to fasten two or more bodies together to facilitate angulation, access and esthetic correction versus multiple components to achieve the same. An objective of the present embodiment of the invention is to improve and simplify fixation, removal, retrievability, functionality, visualization and esthetic outcomes for medical treatments. An objective of the present embodiment of the invention is to provide users with a device that fastens two or more bodies that engage with each other through a coupling mechanism and a guided channel or pre-determined path. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a precision-guided fastener to secure two or more coupling bodies that engage with each other through a guide channel. The guide channel may function as a rigid structure, a pre-determined path with an opening for change in orientation, angulation, structural strength and/or directional guidance. A fastener receiver can be integrated into or attached within at least one first body. A path-compliant fastener is secured to at least one second body, wherein the first body and the second body are non-aligned bodies. The path-compliant fastener can be a solid body, wherein one or more sections of the path-compliant fastener being path-compliant, or one section being path-compliant: A solid shaft in a straight-line correlation or a path-compliant shaft that is inserted through the guide channel to secure the first body. The fastener receiver and the path-compliant fastener are threadedly engaged with each other thus securing the two non-aligned bodies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fastener receiver and the path-compliant fastener of the present invention, wherein the path-compliant fastener is positioned within the second non-aligned body.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastener receiver of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view for the fastener receiver of the present invention, showing the plane upon which a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a cross section view for the fastener receiver of the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 3, showing the first embodiment of the first fastening section.

FIG. 5 is a front view for the fastener receiver of the present invention, showing the plane upon which a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a cross section view for the fastener receiver of the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 5, showing the second embodiment of the first fastening section. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the path-compliant fastener of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the path-compliant fastener, wherein the path-compliant fastener is a single body.

FIG. 9 is an exploded side view of the path-compliant fastener, wherein the path- compliant fastener is configured with the detachable head section, the detachable shaft section, and the detachable second fastening section.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the guide channel, wherein the guide channel being the slidable adaptor.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the guide channel, wherein the guide channel being the slidable adaptor.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the guide channel, wherein the guide channel is integrated into the second non-aligned body.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention, wherein the guide channel is engaged within the fastener receiver, and the path-compliant fastener is attached to the first embodiment of the first fastening section.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention, wherein the guide channel is engaged within the fastener receiver, and the path-compliant fastener is attached to the second embodiment of the first fastening section.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a fastener for securing two or more non-aligned bodies to each other. The present invention can be of any shape, size, material, features, type or kind, orientation, location, quantity, configuration, components, and arrangements of components that would allow the present invention to fulfill the objectives and intents of the present invention. The present invention includes a fastener receiver 1, a path- compliant fastener 11, and a guide channel 17 as shown in FIG. 1-12. The guide channel 17 comprises an interlocking coupling seat section 18 and an elongated section 19 as shown in FIG. 10-12. The path-compliant fastener 11 comprising a head section 12, a shaft section 14, and a second fastening section 15 as shown in FIG. 7-9. More specifically, the fastener receiver 1 is configured to fasten at least one first non-aligned body and functions similar to a nut apparatus. The path-compliant fastener 11 is configured to fasten at least one second non-aligned body and functions similar to a screw apparatus. The guide channel 17 functions as a channel so that the path-compliant fastener 11 can be guided towards the fastener receiver 1. Depending upon different embodiments of the present invention, the guide channel 17 can be either integrated into the second non-aligned body or inserted into the second non-aligned body as a separate component.

In reference to general configuration of the present invention, the interlocking coupling seat section 18 and the elongated section 19 are adjacently connected to each other as the elongated section 19 is integrated or inserted into the second non-aligned body. In reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 13-14, the interlocking coupling seat section 18 is concentrically positioned within the fastener receiver 1 thus aligning the second non- aligned body into the first non-aligned body. The head section 12 and the second fastening section 15 are oppositely positioned of each other about the shaft section 14 thus completing the overall profile of the path-compliant fastener 11. As a result, the head section 12 is adjacently positioned to a top edge 20 of the guide channel 17 as the top edge 20 stops and positions the head section 12 flush to the outer surface of the second non-aligned body. The shaft section 14 is concentrically enclosed by the elongated section 19 that determines the insertion path of the shaft section 14. The second fastening section 15 extends through the interlocking coupling seat section 18 and threadedly engaged within the fastener receiver 1, about a bottom edge 21 of the guide channel 17.

The path-compliant fastener 11 can be of any shape, size, material, features, type or kind, orientation, location, quantity, components, and arrangements of components that would allow the present invention to fulfill the objectives and intents of the present invention. However, it is preferred that the path-compliant fastener 11 is made of a material that is strong, durable, elastic, medical-grade, flexible with and/or without elasticity, non-flexible, rotatable, chain or coil structure, cost-efficient, easily

manufacturable, plastically deformable, hygienic, sterile, tough, and/or lightweight. In reference to FIG. 7-9, the head section 12 can be of a shape such that the perimeter of the head section 12 can engage with a fastening tool that contains an internal or external polygonal or conical-shaped cavity, wherein the fastening tool can be a bolt driver or any other similar fastening tools. Furthermore, a drive opening 13 of the present invention can traverse into the head section 12, opposite of the shaft section 14, so that the drive opening 13 can engage with a fastening tool such as screwdrivers that match the corresponding profile of the drive opening 13 or any other similar fastening tools that match the corresponding profile of the drive opening 13. The profile of the drive opening 13 can be configured onto a triangular profile, a phillips profile, a flat profile, a star profile, a hexagonal profile, or any geometric profile. The shaft section 14 delineates the overall length of the path-compliant fastener 11 and preferably comprises a smaller diameter than the head section 12. The second fastening section 15 functions as engaging bodies so that the path-compliant fastener 11 can be attached to the fastener receiver 1.

An example of the second fastening section 15 can be a thread body, a groove body, and any other types of engaging bodies. The second fastening section 15 preferably comprises a diameter similar to the shaft section 14 or a smaller diameter than the shaft section 14.

In reference to FIG. 8 that illustrates the path-compliant fastener 11 as a single component, the head section 12 is adjacently connected to the shaft section 14. The head section 12 is preferably larger in dimension or tapered towards the shaft section 14 so that the head section 12 can stop the path-compliant fastener 11 about the outer surface of the second non-aligned body. The second fastening section 15 is adjacently connected to the shaft section 14, opposite of the head section 12. For example, the head section 12 and the second fastening section 15 can be soldered to the shaft section 14 thus illustrating permanent connection points.

In reference to FIG. 9 that illustrates the path-compliant fastener 11 as multiple components, the head section 12 is adjacently attached to the shaft section 14. The head section 12 is preferably larger in dimension or tapered towards the shaft section 14 so that the head section 12 can stop the path-compliant fastener 11 about the outer surface of the second non-aligned body. The second fastening section 15 is adjacently attached to the shaft section 14, opposite of the head section 12. For example, the head section 12 and the second fastening section 15 can be magnetically coupled to the shaft section 14 thus illustrating removable connection points. The shaft section can also be encapsulated in a sleeve, of any material or configuration type, to prevent the winding of the shaft and to facilitate flexure.

In some embodiment, the second fastening section 15 can comprise a uniform diameter from a top end of the second fastening section 15 to a bottom end of the second fastening section 15 thus delineating a cylindrical body. In some embodiment, the bottom end of the second fastening section 15 can be of a diameter smaller than a diameter of the top end of the second fastening section 15 such that the bottom end of the second fastening section 15 is appeared to be tapering from the top end of the second fastening section 15. In some embodiment, the top end of the second fastening section 15 and the bottom end of the second fastening section 15 can comprise different diameters that are dissimilar but do not exceed the diameter of the shaft section 14.

In reference to FIG. 12, when the guide channel 17 is integrated into the second non-aligned body, the elongated section 19 traverses through the second non-aligned body in such a way that the interlocking coupling seat section 18 is outwardly or inwardly positioned from the second non-aligned body. More specifically, the interlocking coupling seat section 18 is concentrically positioned to the elongated section 19 so that the second fastening section 15 is able to effortlessly traverse through the elongated section 19 and interlocking coupling seat section 18 before engaging with the fastener receiver 1. The top edge 20 of the guide channel 17 is positioned adjacent to the elongated section 19 and positioned opposite of the interlocking coupling seat section 18 so that the head section 12 can be positioned flush with the outer surface of the second non-aligned body. The bottom edge 21 of the guide channel 17 is positioned adjacent to the interlocking coupling seat section 18 as the length of the elongated section 19 is measured from the top edge 20 to the bottom edge 21.

In reference to FIG. 10-11, when the guide channel 17 is a slidable adapter that inserts into the second non-aligned body, the elongated section 19 is encircled within a channel opening of the second non-aligned body. Resultantly, the interlocking coupling seat section 18 is outwardly or inwardly positioned from the second non-aligned body and concentrically positioned to the elongated section 19 thus enabling the second fastening section 15 to effortlessly traverse through the elongated section 19 and interlocking coupling seat section 18 before engaging with the fastener receiver 1. The top edge 20 of the guide channel 17 is positioned adjacent to the elongated section 19 and positioned opposite of the interlocking coupling seat section 18 so that the head section 12 can be positioned flush with the outer surface of the second non-aligned body. The bottom edge 21 of the guide channel 17 is positioned adjacent to the interlocking coupling seat section 18 as the length of the elongated section 19 is measured from the top edge 20 to the bottom edge 21. It is preferred that the slidable adaptor is configured similar to a thin- walled, hollow, and cylindrical-shaped object, while maintaining a path of any shape, size, features, and/or type or kind. A length of the slidable adaptor is preferably shorter than a length of the path-compliant fastener 11. It is preferred that an outer diameter of the slidable adaptor is slightly smaller than a diameter head section 12 so that the head section 12 is able to stop within the second non-aligned body. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the slidable adaptor can contain structural features that facilitate permanent deformation and/or bending of the path- compliant fastener 11.

The fastener receiver 1 can be of any shape, size, material, features, type or kind, orientation, location, quantity, components, and arrangements of components that would allow the present invention to fulfill the objectives and intents of the present invention. However, it is preferred that the fastener receiver 1 is made of a material that is strong, durable, elastic, medical-grade, flexible with and/or without elasticity, rotatable, cost- efficient, easily manufacturable, plastically deformable, hygienic, sterile, tough, and/or lightweight. The fastener receiver 1 can be a simple feature such as a thread pattern of wall, which is integrated into the first non-aligned body, or can be a separate apparatus that is attached to the first non-aligned body.

In reference to FIG. 2, the fastener receiver 1 that is configured to fasten to the first non-aligned body preferably comprises a body 2, at least one external thread 3, and a first fastening section 4. The body 2 determines the overall shape of the fastener receiver 1 and functions as base 6 for the external thread 3 and the first fastening section 4. More specifically, the external thread 3 is geometrically connected around the body 2 so that the external thread 3 can attach the body 2 to the first non-aligned body. The first fastening section 4 is terminally integrated into the body 2 so that the second fastening section 15 can be attached with the first fastening section 4. An example of the first fastening section 4 can be a thread body, a groove body, and any other types of engaging bodies.

A first embodiment of the first fastening section 4 comprises an opening 5, a base

6, a channel wall 7, and a first threaded connector 8 as shown in FIG. 3-4 and FIG. 13. The second fastening section 15 is a second threaded connector 16 that is configured to engaged with the first threaded connector 8. The second threaded connector 16 is preferably positioned external about the path-compliant fastener 11 and visible. More specifically, the opening 5 traverses into the body 2 so that the base 6 and the channel wall 7 can be delineated by the opening 5. The first threaded connector 8 is geometrically connected around the channel wall 7, wherein the first threaded connector 8 can be a protrusion that extends into the opening 5 or a groove that traverses into the channel wall

7. The second fastening section 15 is concentrically positioned within the opening 5 so that the second threaded connector 16 is able to engage with the first threaded connector 8 thus attaching the first non-aligned body and the second non-aligned body together.

A second embodiment of the first fastening section 4 comprises the opening 5, the base 6, the channel wall 7, an elongated platform 9, and the first threaded connector 8 as shown in FIG. 5-6 and FIG. 14. The second fastening section 15 is the second threaded connector 16 that is configured to engaged with the first threaded connector 8. The second threaded connector 16 is preferably positioned internal about the path-compliant fastener 11 and hidden. More specifically, the opening 5 traverses into the body 2 so that the base 6 and the channel wall 7 can be delineated by the opening 5. The elongated platform 9 is concentrically connected onto the base 6, wherein the channel wall 7 encircles the elongated platform 9. The first threaded connector 8 is geometrically connected around the elongated platform 9, wherein the first threaded connector 8 can be a protrusion that extends towards the channel wall 7 or a groove that traverses into the elongated platform 9. The second fastening section 15 is concentrically positioned around the elongated platform 9 so that the second threaded connector 16 is able to engage with the first threaded connector 8 thus attaching the first non-aligned body and the second non-aligned body together.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred

embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.