Offset reamers

Abstract

Low profile offset reamers include reamer heads with outer diameters that are substantially greater than the overall height of the working portion, which includes the reamer head, a reamer coupler, and a working tip that supports the reamer head and reamer coupler. The overall height is measured parallel to the rotational axis of the reamer head, and the outer diameter is measured perpendicular to the rotational axis.

1 . A reamer system comprising:
 a reamer head comprising an outer diameter, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a drive portion for torque transmission to the reamer head, and an aperture, wherein the outer diameter encircles the second side, wherein the second side comprises cutting features, wherein the aperture extends through the reamer head between the first and second sides; and   a reamer coupler that extends between a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the reamer coupler comprises a head extending from the first end toward the second end, a shaft extending from the second end toward the head, a drive portion for torque transmission to the reamer coupler, and a drive feature for torque transmission to the reamer head drive portion, wherein the reamer coupler comprises an overall height measured between the first and second ends;   wherein the reamer coupler is coupled to the reamer head so that the reamer head first side and the reamer coupler first end face the same way, the reamer coupler drive feature engages the reamer head drive portion for torque transmission, and the reamer coupler shaft extends through the reamer head aperture and protrudes from the reamer head second side;   wherein a ratio of the reamer coupler overall height to the reamer head outer diameter is less than or equal to 0.50.   
     
     
         2 . The reamer system of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the reamer coupler overall height to the reamer head outer diameter is less than or equal to 0.40. 
     
     
         3 . The reamer system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a working tip comprising a plate portion and a shaft portion, wherein the plate portion comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a hole that extends through the plate portion between the first and second surfaces, wherein the shaft portion extends obliquely outwardly from a periphery of the first surface;   wherein the reamer head comprises a cavity that extends into the reamer head through the first side;   wherein the reamer head, reamer coupler, and working tip are coupled together so that the reamer head first side, the reamer coupler first end, and the working tip first surface all face the same way, the reamer coupler extends through the working tip hole, and at least a portion of the working tip plate portion is received within the reamer head cavity.   
     
     
         4 . The reamer system of  claim 3 , wherein the reamer head comprises a shaft that encircles the reamer head aperture and is encircled by the reamer head cavity;
 wherein the reamer head and working tip are coupled together so that the reamer head shaft extends through the working tip hole.   
     
     
         5 . A reamer system comprising:
 a reamer head comprising an outer diameter, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a drive portion for torque transmission to the reamer head, and an aperture, wherein the outer diameter encircles the second side, wherein the second side comprises cutting features, wherein the aperture extends through the reamer head between the second side and the first side; and   a reamer coupler that extends between a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the reamer coupler comprises a head extending from the first end toward the second end, a shaft extending from the second end toward the head, a drive portion for torque transmission to the reamer coupler, and a drive feature for torque transmission to the reamer head drive portion;   wherein the reamer coupler is coupled to the reamer head so that the reamer head first side and the reamer coupler first end face the same way, the reamer coupler drive feature engages the reamer head drive portion for torque transmission, the reamer coupler shaft extends through the reamer head aperture and protrudes from the reamer head second side, and the reamer coupler first end protrudes outwardly a first distance from the reamer head first side;   wherein a ratio of the first distance to the reamer head outer diameter is less than or equal to 0.10.   
     
     
         6 . The reamer system of  claim 5 , comprising:
 a working tip comprising a plate portion and a shaft portion, wherein the plate portion comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a hole that extends through the plate portion between the first and second surfaces, wherein the shaft portion extends obliquely outwardly from a periphery of the first surface;   wherein the reamer head comprises a cavity that extends into the reamer head through the first side;   wherein the reamer head, reamer coupler, and working tip are coupled together so that the reamer head first side, the reamer coupler first end, and the working tip first surface all face the same way, the reamer coupler extends through the working tip hole, and at least a portion of the working tip plate portion is received within the reamer head cavity.   
     
     
         7 . The reamer system of  claim 6 , wherein the reamer head comprises a shaft that encircles the reamer head aperture and is encircled by the reamer head cavity;
 wherein the reamer head and working tip are coupled together so that the reamer head shaft extends through the working tip hole.   
     
     
         8 . A reamer system comprising:
 a reamer head comprising a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a torque input feature for torque transmission to the reamer head, and an aperture, wherein the second side comprises cutting features, wherein the aperture extends through the reamer head between the first and second sides; and   a reamer coupler that extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the reamer coupler comprises a head extending from the first end toward the second end, a shaft extending from the second end toward the head, a torque input feature for torque transmission to the reamer coupler, and a torque output feature for torque transmission to the reamer head torque input feature;   wherein the reamer head and reamer coupler are coupled together so that the reamer head first side and the reamer coupler first end face the same way, the reamer coupler torque output feature engages the reamer head torque input feature for torque transmission, the reamer coupler shaft extends through the reamer head aperture and protrudes from the reamer head second side, and the reamer coupler first end protrudes outwardly a first distance from the reamer head first side;   wherein a ratio of the first distance to the reamer coupler overall height is less than or equal to 0.22.   
     
     
         9 . The reamer system of  claim 8 , comprising:
 a working tip comprising a plate portion and a shaft portion, wherein the plate portion comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a hole that extends through the plate portion between the first and second surfaces, wherein the shaft portion extends obliquely outwardly from a periphery of the first surface;   wherein the reamer head comprises a cavity that extends into the reamer head through the first side;   wherein the reamer head, reamer coupler, and working tip are coupled together so that the reamer head first side, the reamer coupler first end, and the working tip first surface all face the same way, the reamer coupler extends through the working tip hole, and at least a portion of the working tip plate portion is received within the reamer head cavity.   
     
     
         10 . The reamer system of  claim 9 , wherein the reamer head comprises a shaft that encircles the reamer head aperture and is encircled by the reamer head cavity;
 wherein the reamer head and working tip are coupled together so that the reamer head shaft extends through the working tip hole.