# Patent

## Title
Method of attaching a ball lock pin

## Abstract

A method of attaching a ball lock pin. A bushing assembly is inserted in a first object such that an outer surface of the bushing assembly is received within the first object. A plurality of locking balls disposed on a shaft of the ball lock pin is inserted into the bushing assembly. The plurality of locking balls is outwardly urged to engage a first engagement portion of an inner surface of the bushing assembly.

## Background
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/644/810, filed Dec. 21, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,736,109.


BACKGROUND
Ball lock pins are used in a number of applications and settings to provide a quickly releasable attachment between two objects, items, workpieces, or the like. With the ball lock pin received through a hole in one of the objects, locking balls in the ball lock pin are urged outwardly to provide positive locking engagement between the ball lock pin and the other object, thereby holding the two objects in releasable attachment to each other.
However, when the locking balls are retracted and the ball lock pin is removed from positive locking engagement, the ball lock pin is no longer maintained in locking engagement with either of the objects. Unless the ball lock pin is tethered with a lanyard to one of the objects, the ball lock pin can be dropped and may possibly be lost.
The foregoing examples of related art and limitations associated therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.
SUMMARY
The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the problems described above in the Background have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.
In an exemplary embodiment, a retaining assembly for a ball lock pin includes a bushing assembly that is configured to attachably engage an object. The bushing assembly has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines an engagement portion, such as without limitation a radial groove, configured to receive locking balls urged therein in engagement. The outer surface is configured to be received within the object.
According to an aspect, the bushing assembly can include any suitable bushing member as desired. For example and without limitation, the bushing assembly can include bushing members such as a press fit bushing, a serrated press fit bushing, a diamond knurl bushing, a key insert bushing, a template bushing, and the like.
According to another aspect, the bushing assembly can be a lock bushing that is configured to receive therein a lock ring. The lock ring can be inserted into the lock bushing and around a tapered portion of a shaft of a ball lock pin to help prevent the ball lock pin from being removed from the bushing assembly.
In addition to the exemplary embodiments and aspects described above, further embodiments and aspects will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed description.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.
FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view of a ball lock pin received in an exemplary press fit bushing assembly;
FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of details of the bushing assembly of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of a ball lock pin received in an exemplary serrated press fit bushing assembly;
FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view of details of the bushing assembly of FIG. 2A;
FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view of a ball lock pin received in an exemplary diamond knurl bushing assembly;
FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view of details of the bushing assembly of FIG. 3A;
FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view of a ball lock pin received in an exemplary threaded key insert bushing assembly;
FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view of details of the bushing assembly of FIG. 4A;
FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view of a ball lock pin received in an exemplary template bushing assembly;
FIGS. 5B and 5C are cross sectional views of details of the bushing assembly of FIG. 5A;
FIG. 6A is a cross sectional view of a tapered ball lock pin received in an exemplary locking press fit bushing assembly;
FIGS. 6B and 6C are plan views of details of the bushing assembly of FIG. 6A;
FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view of a tapered ball lock pin received in an exemplary locking serrated press fit bushing assembly;
FIGS. 7B and 7C are plan views of details of the bushing assembly of FIG. 7A;
FIG. 8A is a cross sectional view of a tapered ball lock pin received in an exemplary locking diamond knurl bushing assembly;
FIGS. 8B and 8C are plan views of details of the bushing assembly of FIG. 8A;
FIG. 9A is a cross sectional view of a tapered ball lock pin received in an exemplary locking threaded key insert bushing assembly;
FIGS. 9B and 9C are plan views of details of the bushing assembly of FIG. 9A;
FIG. 10A is a cross sectional view of a tapered ball lock pin received in an exemplary locking template bushing assembly;
FIGS. 10B, 10C, and 10D are plan views of details of the bushing assembly of FIG. 10A; and
FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective views of a locking pin inserted in different positions in two objects.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
By way of overview, an exemplary retaining assembly for a ball lock pin includes a bushing assembly configured to attachably engage an object. The bushing assembly has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines an engagement portion configured to receive locking balls urged therein in engagement. The outer surface is configured to be received within the object. The bushing assembly can include any suitable bushing member as desired for a particular application, such as a press fit bushing, a serrated press fit bushing, a diamond knurl bushing, a key insert bushing, a template bushing, and the like. If desired, the bushing assembly can be a lock bushing configured to receive therein a lock ring. The lock ring can be inserted into the lock bushing and around a tapered portion of a shaft of a ball lock pin to help prevent the ball lock pin from being removed from the bushing assembly.
Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a ball lock pin 10 is received in engagement in an exemplary bushing 12. The ball lock pin 10 suitably is any known ball lock pin as desired. Locking balls 14 are disposed on a shaft 16 in a known manner such that the locking balls 14 can be urged outwardly to engage a workpiece as desired. Ball lock pins are well known in the art, and therefore a detailed description of construction and operation of the ball lock pin 10 is not necessary for an understanding.
In an exemplary embodiment, the bushing 12 is a press fit bushing. The bushing 12 has a surface 18 that is configured to be press fit into a surface 20 of an object 22. The object 22 may be any object as desired for a particular application and is not intended to be limited in any manner whatsoever.
The bushing 12 has a surface 24 that is configured to receive therein the shaft 16. An engagement portion 26, such as without limitation a concave radial groove, is defined in the surface 24. The engagement portion 26 is sized to receive therein the locking balls 14 when the locking balls 14 are urged outwardly. The locking balls 14 engage the engagement portion 26 to retain the ball lock pin 10 in the bushing 12. Because the bushing 12 is press fit into the object 22, the ball lock pin 10 thus remains with the object 22. By keeping the ball lock pin 10 with the object 22, the bushing 12 helps prevent the ball lock pin 10 from being dropped or possibly becoming lost.
With the ball lock pin 10 engaged within the bushing 12 as described above, the object 22 may be aligned with an object 28. The object 28 may be any object as desired for a particular application and is not intended to be limited in any manner whatsoever. The object 28 has a surface 30 that defines an engagement portion 32, such as a concave radial groove, as described above for the engagement portion 26. The shaft 16 can be inserted into the object 28 and the locking balls 14 can be urged outwardly to engage the engagement portion 32 in the same manner as described above, Thus, the ball lock pin 10 can attach the objects 22 and 28.
Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the ball lock pin 10 is received in engagement in an exemplary bushing 12A. The bushing 12A is a serrated press fit bushing that has a serrated surface 18A that is press fit into the surface 20 of the object 22. All other details of the bushing 12A are the same as the bushing 12 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) set forth above, and details of the ball lock pin 10 (FIG. 1A) and the objects 22 and 28 (FIG. 1A) are set forth above. Therefore, their repetition is not necessary for an understanding Like reference numbers refer to the same features described above.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the ball lock pin 10 is received in engagement in an exemplary bushing 12B. The bushing 12B is a diamond knurl bushing that has a diamond knurl surface 18B that is bonded with the surface 20 of the object 22 with a potting compound (not shown). All other details of the bushing 12B are the same as the bushing 12 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) set forth above, and details of the ball lock pin 10 (FIG. 1A) and the objects 22 and 28 (FIG. 1A) are set forth above. Therefore, their repetition is not necessary for an understanding. Like reference numbers refer to the same features described above.
Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the ball lock pin 10 is received in engagement in an exemplary bushing 12C. The bushing 12C is a threaded key insert bushing that has a threaded surface 18C that threadedly engages a threaded surface 20C of an object 22C. Key inserts 34 are provided to stake the bushing 12C to the object 22C. All other details of the bushing 12B and the object 22C (FIG. 1A) are the same as the bushing 12 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) and the object 22 (FIG. 1A) set forth above, and details of the ball lock pin 10 (FIG. 1A) and the object 28 (FIG. 1A) are set forth above. Therefore, their repetition is not necessary for an understanding. Like reference numbers refer to the same features described above.
Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the ball lock pin 10 is received in engagement in an exemplary bushing 12D. The bushing 12D is a template bushing that is made up of a template bushing member 13 and a locking sleeve 15. The template bushing member 13 defines the surface 24 and the engagement portion 26. The template bushing member 13 also defines a threaded surface 17 and an engagement land 21. The locking sleeve 15 defines a threaded surface 19, an engagement surface 23, and an outer surface 25. The template bushing member 13 is received in a counter-sunk opening in the object 22 such that a top surface of the engagement land 21 contacts a surface of the counter-sunk opening of the object 22. The locking sleeve 15 is threaded onto the template bushing member 13. The threaded surface 19 threadedly engages the threaded surface 17 until the engagement surface 23 of the locking sleeve 15 engages a top surface of the object 22, thereby attaching the template bushing 12D to the object 22. Details of the ball lock pin 10 (FIG. 1A) and the objects 22 and 28 (FIG. 1A) are set forth above. Therefore, their repetition is not necessary for an understanding Like reference numbers refer to the same features described above.
Referring now to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, a ball lock pin 10′ is received in engagement in an exemplary locking press fit bushing 12′. A portion 36 of the shaft 16 of the ball lock pin 10′ is tapered, such as by milling on a mill or other suitable method. The bushing 12′ defines a radial lock groove 38 that is sized to receive therein a lock ring 40. The lock ring 40 can be inserted into the lock groove 38 around the tapered portion 36 to help prevent the ball lock pin 10′ from being removed from the bushing 12′. All other details of the bushing 12′ and the ball lock pin 10′ are the same as the bushing 12 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) and the ball lock pin 10 (FIG. 1A) set forth above, and details of the objects 22 and 28 (FIG. 1A) are set forth above. Therefore, their repetition is not necessary for an understanding Like reference numbers refer to the same features described above.
Referring now to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the ball lock pin 10′ is received in engagement in an exemplary locking serrated press fit bushing 12A′. The bushing 12A′ defines the radial lock groove 38 that is sized to receive therein the lock ring 40. The lock ring 40 can be inserted into the lock groove 38 around the tapered portion 36 to help prevent the ball lock pin 10′ from being removed from the bushing 12A′. All other details of the bushing 12A′ are the same as the bushing 12A (FIGS. 2A and 2B) set forth above, and details of ball lock pin 10′ (FIG. 6A) and the objects 22 and 28 (FIG. 1A) are set forth above. Therefore, their repetition is not necessary for an understanding. Like reference numbers refer to the same features described above.
Referring now to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, the ball lock pin 10′ is received in engagement in an exemplary locking diamond knurl bushing 12B′. The bushing 12B′ defines the radial lock groove 38 that is sized to receive therein the lock ring 40. The lock ring 40 can be inserted into the lock groove 38 around the tapered portion 36 to help prevent the ball lock pin 10′ from being removed from the bushing 12B′. All other details of the bushing 12B′ are the same as the bushing 12B (FIGS. 3A and 3B) set forth above, and details of ball lock pin 10′ (FIG. 6A) and the objects 22 and 28 (FIG. 1A) are set forth above. Therefore, their repetition is not necessary for an understanding. Like reference numbers refer to the same features described above.
Referring now to FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, the ball lock pin 10′ is received in engagement in an exemplary locking threaded key insert bushing 12C′. The bushing 12C′ defines the radial lock groove 38 that is sized to receive therein the lock ring 40. The lock ring 40 can be inserted into the lock groove 38 around the tapered portion 36 to help prevent the ball lock pin 10′ from being removed from the bushing 12C′. All other details of the bushing 12C′ are the same as the bushing 12C (FIGS. 4A and 4B) set forth above, and details of ball lock pin 10′ (FIG. 6A) and the objects 22 and 28 (FIG. 1A) are set forth above. Therefore, their repetition is not necessary for an understanding. Like reference numbers refer to the same features described above.
Referring now to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D, the ball lock pin 10′ is received in engagement in an exemplary locking template bushing 12D′. A template bushing member 13′ defines the radial lock groove 38 that is sized to receive therein the lock ring 40. The lock ring 40 can be inserted into the lock groove 38 around the tapered portion 36 to help prevent the ball lock pin 10′ from being removed from the bushing 12D′. All other details of the bushing 12D′ are the same as the bushing 12D (FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C) set forth above, and details of ball lock pin 10′ (FIG. 6A) and the objects 22 and 28 (FIG. 1A) are set forth above. Therefore, their repetition is not necessary for an understanding Like reference numbers refer to the same features described above.
Referring now to FIG. 11A, the ball lock pin 10 or 10′ can be held within the object 22 and the object 22 (with the ball lock pin 10 or 10′ held therein) can be brought to the object. Because the ball lock pin 10 or 10′ engages any of the exemplary bushings (not shown for purposes of clarity) contemplated herein, a reduction can be made in probability of the ball lock pin 10 or 10′ being dropped or possibly lost while in transport to the object 28. With the ball lock pin 10 or 10′ engaged within the bushing (not shown), the object 22 may be aligned with the object 28.
Referring now to FIG. 11B, the shaft 16 can be inserted into the object 28 and the locking balls 14 can be urged outwardly to engage the engagement portion (not shown for purposes of clarity) in the same manner as described above, Thus, the ball lock pin 10 can attach the objects 22 and 28.
It is again emphasized that the objects 22 and 28 may be any objects as desired for a particular application and are not intended to be limited in any manner whatsoever.
While a number of exemplary embodiments and aspects have been illustrated and discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions, and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions, and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

## Claims

1. A method of attaching a ball lock pin, the method comprising:
inserting a bushing assembly in a first object such that an outer surface of the bushing assembly is received within the first object;
inserting, into the bushing assembly, a plurality of locking balls disposed on a shaft of the ball lock pin;
outwardly urging the plurality of locking balls to engage a first engagement portion of an inner surface of the bushing assembly; and
the ball lock pin passing through an open end of the bushing assembly.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
aligning the first object with a second object such that the shaft of the ball lock pin is receivable in the second object;
inserting, into the second object, the plurality of locking balls; and
outwardly urging the plurality of locking balls to engage a second engagement portion of an inner surface of the second object.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
responsive to the plurality of locking balls engaging the second engagement portion of the inner surface of the second object, withdrawing the ball lock pin until the plurality of locking balls engage the first engagement portion, wherein the ball lock pin is secured to the first object when the ball lock pin engages only the inner surface of the bushing assembly.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein engaging the plurality of locking balls with the second engagement portion secures the first object to the second object.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inserting the bushing assembly in the first object comprises:
inserting the bushing assembly in the first object to attachably engage the first object such that the outer surface of the bushing assembly is received within the first object.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the bushing assembly defines the first engagement portion in which the first engagement portion includes a concave groove shaped to at least partially receive the plurality of locking balls, and wherein the outer surface of the bushing assembly is shaped to be received within an opening in the first object and supports a plurality of serrations that extend longitudinally between the opposing ends of the bushing assembly.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the concave groove is a first radial groove and further comprising:
inserting a lock pin in a second radial groove of the bushing assembly after inserting the plurality of locking balls into the bushing assembly to prevent the plurality of locking balls from being removed from the bushing assembly.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inserting the bushing assembly in the first object such that the outer surface of the bushing assembly is received within the first object comprises:
inserting the bushing assembly in the first object such that the outer surface of the bushing assembly is press fit into the first object to be received within the first object.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the bushing assembly further comprises a body having a first length in which the first length of the body of the bushing assembly is configured to be shorter than a second length of the shaft of the ball lock pin, wherein the shaft of the ball lock pin is configured to extend through the body of the bushing assembly and beyond the body of the bushing assembly at one or more of the opposing ends of the bushing assembly.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
securing the outer surface of the bushing assembly to the first object.

11. A method of attaching a ball lock pin, the method comprising:
inserting a bushing assembly in a first object such that an outer surface of the bushing assembly is received within the first object;
inserting, into the bushing assembly, a plurality of locking balls disposed on a shaft of the ball lock pin;
outwardly urging the plurality of locking balls to engage a first engagement portion of an inner surface of the bushing assembly;
aligning the first object with a second object such that the shaft of the ball lock pin is receivable in the second object;
inserting, into the second object, the plurality of locking balls; and
outwardly urging the plurality of locking balls to engage a second engagement portion of an inner surface of the second object.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of inserting the bushing assembly in the first object comprises:
inserting the bushing assembly in the first object to attachably engage the first object such that the outer surface of the bushing assembly is received within the first object.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the bushing assembly comprises opposing ends in which each of the opposing ends is open and sized for the ball lock pin to pass through the bushing assembly.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the inner surface of the bushing assembly defines the first engagement portion in which the first engagement portion includes a concave groove shaped to at least partially receive the plurality of locking balls, and wherein the outer surface of the bushing assembly is shaped to be received within an opening in the first object and supports a plurality of serrations that extend longitudinally between the opposing ends of the bushing assembly.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the concave groove is a first radial groove and further comprising:
inserting a lock pin in a second radial groove of the bushing assembly after inserting the plurality of locking balls into the bushing assembly to prevent the plurality of locking balls from being removed from the bushing assembly.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the bushing assembly further comprises a body having a first length in which the first length of the body of the bushing assembly is configured to be shorter than a second length of the shaft of the ball lock pin, wherein the shaft of the ball lock pin is configured to extend through the body of the bushing assembly and beyond the body of the bushing assembly at one or more of the opposing ends of the bushing assembly.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of inserting the bushing assembly in the first object such that the outer surface of the bushing assembly is received within the first object comprises:
inserting the bushing assembly in the first object such that the outer surface of the bushing assembly is press fit into the first object to be received within the first object.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising:
responsive to the plurality of locking balls engaging the second engagement portion of the inner surface of the second object, withdrawing the ball lock pin until the plurality of locking balls engage the first engagement portion, wherein the ball lock pin is secured to the first object when the ball lock pin engages only the inner surface of the bushing assembly.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein engaging the plurality of locking balls with the second engagement portion secures the first object to the second object.

20. The method of claim 11 further comprising:
securing the outer surface of the bushing assembly to the first object.