Patent ID: 7914225
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A release pin for selective engagement with at least one work piece, said release pin moving between a locked condition and an unlocked condition, said release pin comprising: an outer extent and an inner extent defining the overall length of said release pin in a longitudinal direction; a shank extending along a shank axis in said longitudinal direction between an outwardly facing base end and an inwardly facing distal end, said shank having an exterior surface sized to extend longitudinally into an opening in an associated work piece and an internal passage extending in said longitudinal direction between said base end and said distal end and generally parallel to said exterior surface, said shank further including at least one transverse pocket disposed near said distal end and extending radially from said shank axis between said internal passage and said exterior surface; a bushing joined to said shank at said base end, said bushing having an inwardly facing abutment surface for engaging the associated work piece and an outwardly facing outer surface longitudinally spaced from said abutment surface such that said longitudinal extent of said bushing is defined by said abutment surface engaging the associated work piece and said outer surface and defines a bushing height, said bushing further having an inwardly extending tapered surface between said abutment surface and said outer surface for providing a low profile of said pin, said bushing further including a central passage extending between said abutment surface and said outer surface and aligned with said internal passage, said abutment surface extending radially beyond said exterior surface of said shank such that said abutment surface limits the longitudinal insertion of said shank into the associated opening; a spindle shaft extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end within said internal and central passages, said spindle shaft having a larger shaft portion near said second end and adjacent said base end of said shank, a smaller diameter undercut near said first end and adjacent said distal end of said shank, and a bearing portion extending between said larger shaft portion and said undercut, said spindle shaft being moveable relative to said shank and said bushing within said internal and central passages; a locking ball positioned in each said at least one transverse pocket and each said at least pocket including a crimped edge portion limiting radially outward movement of said ball such that said locking ball is maintained in said at least one pocket between said crimped edge and said spindle shaft, wherein when in said locked condition, said spindle shaft is aligned with said shank such that said ball engages said bearing portion, and wherein when said spindle shaft is moved longitudinally outward within said internal passage to said unlocked condition, said spindle shaft is aligned with said shank such that said ball can enter said undercut; a spring positioned within said internal passage and engaging said larger shaft portion at one end and said bushing at another end, said spring engaging said spindle shaft such that said spring urges said spindle shaft inwardly from said unlocked condition to said locked condition; and a knob fixed to said second end of said spindle shaft, said knob extending outwardly from said bushing and having an outer surface defining an outer extent of said knob and said outer extent of said release pin, said knob further having an inner surface opposite of said outer knob surface and said inner and outer knob surfaces defining a knob height, said inner knob surface engaging said outer surface of said bushing when said knob is in said locked condition and said inner knob surface being spaced from the outer bushing surface when said pin is in said unlocked condition, said knob further having an inwardly extending tapered surface between said outer knob surface and said inner knob surface for providing a low profile of said pin and prevent removal of the pin by hand when in the locked condition, outward movement of said knob actuating said spindle shaft to align said ball in said recess such that said release pin is actuated from said locked condition to said unlocked condition, said spring opposing said outward movement and automatically moving said release pin back to said locked condition when said knob is released, said pin having an outer longitudinal height defined by the spacing between said abutment surface of said bushing and said outer extent of said knob, said outer longitudinal height being less than 1 inch when said release pin is in said locked condition.