U.S. patent application number 11/479662 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for release pin.
This patent application is currently assigned to Jergens, Inc.. Invention is credited to David Craig Hageman, James C. Klingenberg, Robert C. Soltis.
Application Number | 20070001408 11/479662 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37588521 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070001408 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Soltis; Robert C. ; et
al. |
January 4, 2007 |
Release pin
Abstract
A releasable locking member, having a handle, a spindle, and a
shank connected at a first end to the handle. The shank has an
opening extending through along a longitudinal axis thereof. A
shaft extends through an opening of the shank. The shaft has a
first portion, a second portion, and a central portion extending
between the first and second portions. An actuator member is
connected to the first portion of the shaft. A spindle is connected
to the second portion of the shaft. A biasing member is positioned
between the actuator member and a wall of the handle.
Inventors: |
Soltis; Robert C.; (Parkman,
OH) ; Klingenberg; James C.; (Concord, OH) ;
Hageman; David Craig; (Chagrin Falls, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAY, SHARPE, FAGAN, MINNICH & MCKEE, LLP
1100 SUPERIOR AVENUE, SEVENTH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Assignee: |
Jergens, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37588521 |
Appl. No.: |
11/479662 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60696412 |
Jul 1, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
279/2.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 21/165 20130101;
B23B 31/1071 20130101; Y10T 279/1045 20150115; F16B 19/109
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
279/002.12 |
International
Class: |
B23B 31/40 20060101
B23B031/40 |
Claims
1. A releasable locking member, comprising: a handle; a shank
connected at a first end to said handle, wherein said shank has an
opening extending through along a longitudinal axis thereof; a
shaft extending through said opening of said shank, wherein said
shaft has a first end portion, a second end portion, and a separate
central portion extending between the first and second end
portions; an actuator member connected to said first end portion of
said shaft; a spindle connected to said second end portion of said
shaft; and a biasing member positioned between said actuator member
and a wall of said handle.
2. The releasable locking member of claim 1, wherein said first and
second end portions of said shaft are formed of a different
material than said third portion.
3. The releasable locking member of claim 1, wherein said first end
portion and said second end portion of said shaft each comprises a
knurled portion.
4. The releasable locking member of claim 3, wherein said first end
portion of said shaft is press fit into a bore of said actuator
member.
5. The releasable locking member of claim 3, wherein said second
end portion of said shaft is press fit into a bore of said
spindle.
6. The releasable locking member of claim 3, wherein said first end
portion and said second end portion are formed of heat-treated,
high grade stainless steel.
7. The releasable locking member of claim 1, further comprising at
least one ball which is positioned within a groove formed on said
shaft.
8. The releasable locking member of claim 7, wherein said at least
one ball moves radially into at least one bore formed on an outer
surface of said shank.
9. The releasable locking member of claim 1, wherein said handle
comprises a pair of laterally extending walls and an opening formed
therebetween.
10. The releasable locking member of claim 1, wherein said biasing
member comprises a compression spring interposed between a wall of
said handle and a flange of said actuator member.
11. The releasable locking member of claim 1, wherein said actuator
member comprises a knob.
12. The releasable locking member of claim 1, wherein said handle
is attached to said shank via a threaded connection.
13. The releasable locking member of claim 1, wherein said biasing
member is in an extended position between said actuator member and
said handle wall in an unlocked position.
14. The releasable locking member of claim 1, wherein said biasing
member is in a compressed position when said actuator member is
manually depressed and said locking member is in a locked
position.
15. The releasable locking member of claim 7, wherein said shaft
moves axially along said opening of said shank until said at least
one ball radially extends into the bore of said shank.
16. The releasable locking member of claim 1, wherein said spindle
comprises a detent portion within an opening of said spindle.
17. The releasable locking member of claim 16, wherein said shaft
comprises a grooved portion which selectively receives said detent
portion of said spindle for securing said spindle to said
shaft.
18. The releasable locking member of claim 1, wherein said spindle
comprises an opening having a straight portion and a tapered
portion, and said shaft comprises a portion having a straight
section and a tapered section, wherein said tapered section of said
shaft is selectively received within said tapered portion of said
spindle opening for securing said shaft to said spindle.
19. The releasable locking member of claim 1, wherein said spindle
comprises an opening, having a tapered portion, a straight portion
and an edge formed between said straight and tapered portions.
20. The releasable locking member of claim 19, wherein said shaft
comprises a tapered section and a straight section, and an edge
formed between said straight and tapered sections.
21. The releasable locking member of claim 20, wherein said shaft
is inserted into said opening of said spindle until said edge of
said shaft abuts said edge of said spindle.
22. The releasable locking member of claim 1, wherein said shaft
comprises a straight section, a tapered section and an end member
having a tapered section and a shoulder formed thereon.
23. The releasable locking member of claim 22, wherein said spindle
comprises an opening having a straight portion, a tapered portion
and an end portion having a ledge formed therein.
24. The releasable locking member of claim 23, wherein said shaft
is inserted into said opening of said spindle until said shoulder
engages said ledge of said end portion of said spindle opening.
25. A releasable locking member, comprising: a handle; an elongated
member connected to said handle; a shaft extending through an
opening of said elongated member, said shaft comprising separate
first, second and third portions; an actuator knob secured to said
first portion of said shaft; and a spindle secured to said second
portion of said shaft.
26. The releasable locking member of claim 25, wherein said first
and second portions of said shaft are fabricated of a different
material than said third portion.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional
application Ser. No. 60/696,412 filed on Jul. 1, 2005, which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Releasable securing devices, such as ball pins, are commonly
used for joining the parts of industrial fixtures releasably
together. Such ball pins have a hollow, hardened stem inserted
through mating bores in the parts to be joined, the stem
terminating in an abutment surface to be pressed against the top
side of the parts; and depressible or retractable ball detents near
the tip of the pin, to engage the parts on their bottom side.
[0003] Quick connect ball locking devices generally include a
plurality of detents, such as balls, trapped within a tube but
protruding out openings therein. A ball actuator is reciprocal
within the tube and movable from a first position wherein the balls
are retracted substantially within the tube or moved outwardly a
sufficient distance to lock the balls within a mating receptacle.
An example of such a ball locking device is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,394,594 which is incorporated by reference herein.
[0004] One of the objects of the present invention is to improve
such releasable securing devices by making their length adjustable,
to assure a precise tight fit, and permit various strengths of
materials to be used to withstand axial loads on the pins.
[0005] Referring in particular to FIG. 1, in previous fastener
devices, a compression spring 1 is mounted within an enlarged bore
2 at one end of the pin shank 3 and this spring normally holds a
shoulder 4 on the spindle 6 against an abutment 5 on the pin shank.
In this position of the parts the land 6 hold the balls 8 in a
projected position. An actuator button 9 on the shank may be moved
manually to bring a groove 11 into registry with the balls and
thereby permit radially inward movement of the balls to a release
position.
[0006] A problem with these existing release pins is that the
springs are captured within a bore of the pin shank and are not
easily accessible from outside of the release pin. Thus it is
difficult to change the size of the spring without also changing
the cavity size of the pin. A spring being positioned outside of
the cavity allows the release pin to be easily reloaded, and also
increases the strength of the release pin.
[0007] Furthermore, existing release pins do not have a shaft
design which allows for interchangeable shafts with different
lengths and materials. Thus, there is a need for providing a
capability for different shaft lengths and material types as well
as various methods of securing the shaft to the release pin
assembly.
[0008] Thus, it is desirable to develop a new and improved release
pin with an interchangeable shaft which overcomes the
above-mentioned deficiencies and others while providing
advantageous overall results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] This invention relates to fastener devices and is
particularly directed to quick release pin assemblies. Devices of
this type employ a shaft having a spindle which is movable axially
within a longitudinal bore in the shank of a pin. Movement of the
spindle acts to cause radial movement of balls outward beyond the
outer surface of the pin shank to form a projecting abutment. One
or more land portions on the movable spindle holds the balls in a
projected position, while a groove or ramp in the spindle permits
the balls to be moved radially inwardly so that they do not project
beyond the outer surface of the shank.
[0010] Release pins are commonly used as shear pins and typically
pass through aligned apertures in adjacent plates. A stop surface
at one end of the shank engages one of the plates and the balls
when projected lie closely adjacent the remote surface of the other
plate. Since it is desirable in many cases to restrict to a minimum
axial movement of the pin with respect to the plates, existing
release pin assemblies must be manufactured in a large number of
effective lengths for each nominal diameter for the pin shank.
Thus, pin assemblies must be available in a number of lengths
measured from the stop surface on the pin shank to the position of
the locking balls. This requirement necessitates the manufacture of
pin shanks of various lengths, and up to the time of the present
invention required a corresponding number of spindles of different
lengths. Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention
to provide pins of various lengths to accommodate various
applications.
[0011] The release pin of the present invention has a handle
attached to a shank. A shaft is mounted within the bore of the
shank and has a button mounted at one end and a spindle mounted at
an opposite end. A spring is mounted between the button and the
handle and is positioned outside of the shank so that the spring
can be easily removed and replaced.
[0012] The shaft has a first end and a second end which is secured
to a main body of the shaft and can be made of various materials,
such as heat treated high grade stainless steel. The ends of the
shaft can be made of high grade steel to withstand axial loads
placed on the opposite ends of the shaft.
[0013] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a releasable
locking member has a handle and a shank connected at a first end to
the handle. The shank has an opening extending through along a
longitudinal axis thereof. A shaft extends through the opening of
the shank. The shaft has a first end portion, a second end portion,
and a separate, interchangeable central portion extending between
the two end portions. An actuator member is connected to a first
end portion of the shaft. A spindle is connected to a second end
portion of the shaft. A biasing member is positioned between the
actuator member and a wall of the handle.
[0014] Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a pin
shaft which has ends made of different materials than the shaft
central portion.
[0015] Yet another aspect of the invention is the provision of a
shaft having removable ends, wherein the central portion of the
shaft can be replaced with different length shafts.
[0016] Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent
to those of average skill in the art upon a reading and
understanding of the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Further aspects of the invention will become apparent by
reference to the detailed description when considered in
conjunction with the figures, wherein like reference numbers
indicate like elements through the several views, and wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view in cross-section of an
existing release pin;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a release pin in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the
release pin of FIG. 2 in a locked position;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the release pin of
FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view in cross-section of the
release pin of FIG. 2 in an unlocked position;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view in partial cross section
of a release pin in a disassembled configuration illustrating the
handle, shaft and spindle in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view illustrating the
connection of a shaft and a spindle in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a shaft and spindle in
a detached configuration in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the shaft and spindle
of FIG. 8 in an attached configuration;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a shaft and spindle in
a detached configuration in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the shaft and spindle
of FIG. 10 in an attached configuration;
[0029] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a shaft and spindle in
a detached configuration in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the shaft and spindle
of FIG. 12 in an attached configuration;
[0031] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a shaft and spindle in
a detached configuration in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the shaft and spindle
of FIG. 14 in an attached configuration;
[0033] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view in partial cross-section
illustrating installation of a shaft end into a spindle; and
[0034] FIG. 17 is a side elevational view in partial cross-section
illustrating installation of a shaft end into a spindle having a
cam.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Referring now to the drawings, in particular FIGS. 2 and 3,
a quick release pin assembly 10 includes a pin member 12 having a
shank 14 and a handle 16. The shank has a central axial bore 18
extending along a longitudinal axis of the shank and open at one
end 20 and terminating at a shoulder 22. A shaft 24 is mounted
within the bore 18 for axial sliding movement. A spindle 26 is
mounted on an end portion of the shaft and constitutes a land or
edge 27 which serves to hold a pair of radially movable balls 30 in
their fully projected position. That is, the balls move radially in
lateral bores 32 in shank 14. The outer ends of the bores 32 can be
"staked" to reduce the size of the openings 34 which intersect the
outer cylindrical surface 36 of the shank 14, and this reduced size
opening retains each ball from laterally escaping. Referring to
FIG. 5, the shaft 24 is moved further axially to bring the spindle
out of alignment with the balls, allowing the balls 30 to move
radially inwardly along a ramped edge 37 so that they fall into
openings. 34 and no longer extend beyond the outer surface 36 of
the shank 14.
[0036] An actuator button or knob 40 is fixed to the shaft in a
manner described below and the button has a flange 42 which is
engaged by a compression spring 44 on an underside 45 of the flange
mounted within the enlarged opening or bore 46 of the handle 16.
One end of the spring 44 engages surface 55 of the handle and the
other end engages underside 45 of the flange 42. The handle is
secured to the shank by any convenient means such as, for example
by press fit, brazing, swaging or screw threading. In the
particular connection illustrated in the drawings, the shank and
handle are connected by means of the threaded fit along the
surfaces 50, 51.
[0037] Cylindrical portion 52 of the actuator knob abuts surface 55
of the handle bore 46 when the knob is depressed as shown in FIG.
5. When an exposed end surface 58 of the actuator knob is manually
depressed to compress the spring 44, the "land" portion 27 of the
spindle moves along the central axial bore 18 and away from the
position of the balls and allows the balls to drop into engagement
with the ramped portions 37 of the spindle. This is the unlocked
position of the release pin.
[0038] Laterally extending walls 60 of the handle 16 can be of
various shapes or designs to provide a surface for engagement by
fingers of the operator.
[0039] In accordance with the present invention, the shaft 24 has a
central portion 63 formed of solid cylindrical material and a first
end portion 64 is received within a bore 66 in the actuator button
40. A second end portion 65 of the shaft is received within a bore
68 of the spindle 26. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, ends 64, 65 each
has a separate, knurled portion 70, 72 which causes a friction or
press fit between the shaft and the bores 66 and 68 of the button
40 and spindle 26, respectively, to secure the shaft to the button
40 and spindle 26. The end portions 70, 72 can be fabricated from
various materials, such as heat treated high grade stainless steel,
which is often used in military applications. By having separate
end portions 70 and 72 mounted to central portion 63 of the shaft,
the ends can be made of different material than the overall shaft;
thus reducing costs. Furthermore, various lengths of shafts can be
easily used by replacing the interchangeable central portions of
the shaft with different length or different material central
portions.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, to align and install the
knurled end portion 72 into spindle bore 68, the spindle 26 may be
placed on a support surface 200. The shaft 24 is pushed downwardly
until portion 72 is fully inserted into bore 68. Referring to FIG.
17, a cam guide 202 can be provided on outer edge 204 of the
spindle to facilitate insertion of the shaft.
[0041] Portions 70 and 72 can be made of a variety of materials,
such as heat treated hardened high grade stainless steel as
required for certain military applications. Separate end portions
can be provided on end portions of the shaft to be attached onto
the shaft to withstand axial shear loads at the ends of the shaft.
Referring to FIG. 3, loads found on shank 14 through its thickness
b may be transformed to shaft 24 through its thickness c if axial
movement of the shank occurs through dimension d.
[0042] After inserting the end of the shaft into the bore of the
actuator button a swaging tool (not shown) is brought into
engagement with a portion of the actuator button to permanently
attach the actuator button to the shaft.
[0043] The shaft, actuator button, balls, spring and spindle are
then assembled with respect to the handle 16 in the manner shown in
FIG. 3. The surfaces 50, 51 are connected together to form a
permanent connection between the handle and the shank. Spring 44 is
positioned within a cavity of the handle so that the spring can be
replaced by other springs or various lengths and strengths. Since
the spring is not actually enclosed in a bore of the handle as
shown in the prior art of FIG. 1, it is easily removable without
disassembly of the entire pin structure.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, an alternate method of
securing the spindle to the shaft is shown. Shaft 80 has a grooved
section 82 which selectively receives a detent portion 84 in a bore
86 of a spindle 88. As the shaft is inserted into the bore, the
detents flex or move so that the diameter of the shaft may move
axially within the bore.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, another alternative embodiment
is shown. In the embodiment, a shaft 90 has an end portion 92 with
a straight section 94 and a tapered or angled section 96. A
shoulder 97 is formed at an edge between the straight section 94
and the angled section 96. A spindle 98 has a bore 99 also with a
straight section 100 and an angled or tapered section 101 which
extends to an outer edge 102 of the spindle. The shaft is inserted
into the spindle until the shoulder 97 abuts the edge 102 of the
spindle. The outer edge 102 of the spindle flexes slightly to
accommodate an end 103 of the shaft and help retain the shaft
within the spindle bore.
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, yet another embodiment of
the shaft and spindle arrangement is shown. In this embodiment, a
shaft 110 has a straight edge portion 112 at an end of the shaft
and a tapered wall portion 114 which abuts the straight portion. A
shoulder 116 is formed between the straight portion and the tapered
portion. A spindle 120 has a central axial bore 122 therethrough
having two portions, a straight portion 124 and a tapered wall
portion 126. The tapered wall portion is positioned adjacent an
outer edge 128 of the spindle. A ledge 130 is formed between the
walls of the tapered portion and the walls of the straight portion.
When the shaft is inserted into the bore of the spindle, the
straight portion 112 of the shaft extends into the bore until the
shoulder 116 of the end of the shaft is able to flex slightly to
enable the shoulder 116 to move past the ledge 130 and then snap
into place and abut the ledge so that the shaft cannot be pulled
out of the spindle once the shoulder engages the ledge (see FIG.
13).
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, another embodiment of the
shaft and spindle interface is shown. Shaft 140 has an end portion
having a straight portion 142, and a tapered wall portion 144. An
end section 146 of the shaft has a straight portion 148
substantially the same diameter as the straight portion 142. A
tapered portion 150 is formed adjacent straight portion 148 and
terminates at a flat wall 152 of the end section 146.
[0048] A spindle 160 has a central axial bore 162 having a first
straight portion 164, a tapered wall portion 166, and a second
straight portion 168. Portions 164 and 168 have substantially the
same diameter. Portion 168 has an axial length sufficient to
accommodate the end section 146 of the shaft.
[0049] Shaft 140 is inserted into axial bore 162 of the spindle 160
until end section 146 engages straight portion 168. Then, a
shoulder 170 on end section 146 formed between straight portion 148
and tapered section 144 engages a ledge 172 formed between straight
portion 168 and tapered portion 166 of spindle 160 (see FIG. 15).
This engagement prevents the shaft from being pulled out of the
spindle.
[0050] The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference
to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and
alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the
preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary
embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and
alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended
claims or the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *