Abstract:
Locking devices as well as methods of their manufacture and use are disclosed. One locking device includes first and second legs operatively coupled together to form a perimeter substantially uninterrupted from a proximal end of the first leg to a proximal end of the second leg. The proximal ends are separated by an opening, and each proximal end respectively defines a passage. A keyway extends from the first leg passage, and first and second shoulders are adjacent the keyway. A receiving area extends from the second leg passage. A locking pin passes through the second leg passage and is movable between an open position, a closed position, and an intermediate position. The locking pin has a key and a stop that prevent the locking pin from passing entirely through the second leg passage. A biasing member biases the locking pin in various ways.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/626,276 filed Sep. 26, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to the field of fastening systems. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of quick release fastening systems utilizing permanently fastened locking pins. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Fastening systems such as shackles are commonly used in a variety of industries to secure two or more objects to each other. For example, construction workers may use a shackle to secure a heavy load to a crane. Tow truck drivers may utilize a shackle to secure a vehicle to a tow truck. Or sailors may use a shackle to fasten a ship to a dock. Typically, shackles have a U or C-shaped housing having two legs, each of which has an opening for the passage of a clevis or locking pin. Unsurprisingly, it is desirable for manufacturers of shackles to ensure that the locking pin does not completely separate from the housing; separated locking pins are prone to being misplaced, and a missing locking pin prevents the shackle from being used as desired. Complex mechanisms have been developed to ensure retention of the locking pin with the housing. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,927 to Epstein discloses a shackle having a U-shaped member, a locking lever having an outwardly projecting finger, and a clevis pin having two perpendicular grooves therein that allow for the passage of a clevis pin and prevent the clevis pin from separating from the U-shaped member. Drawbacks remain in prior art shackles, however (e.g., complications in manufacturing, difficulties in use, attention that must be paid not to clog relatively small openings in locking pins, etc.), and new quick release fastening systems that may overcome some of these and/or other deficiencies are desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented elsewhere. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, a locking device includes first and second legs operatively coupled to one another to form a perimeter substantially uninterrupted from a proximal end of the first leg to a proximal end of the second leg. The first leg proximal end and the second leg proximal end are separated by an opening, and the first leg proximal end and the second leg proximal end each respectively defining a passage. The first leg proximal end has a keyway extending from the first leg passage, and the first leg proximal end has first and second shoulders adjacent the keyway. The second leg proximal end has a receiving area extending from the second leg passage. A locking pin passes through the second leg passage. The locking pin has a key and a stop that prevent the locking pin from passing entirely through the second leg passage such that the locking pin is inseparable from the second leg proximal end. The locking pin has first and second ends, and the key is at the locking pin first end. The locking pin is movable between an open position wherein the opening is generally unobstructed and the key is seated in the receiving area, a closed position wherein the opening is obstructed by the locking pin and the key is seated against the first leg proximal end with the first and second shoulders preventing the key from reaching the keyway, and an intermediate position wherein the key extends beyond the first and second shoulders to access the keyway. A biasing member is included that biases the locking pin such that the key seats against the first leg proximal end when the locking pin is at the closed position, such that the key passes at least partially through the keyway when the locking pin is at the intermediate position and the key is aligned with the keyway, and such that the locking pin moves to the closed position when the locking pin is at the intermediate position and the key is aligned distinctly from the keyway and the first and second shoulders. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, a locking device includes first and second legs operatively coupled to one another to form a perimeter substantially uninterrupted from a proximal end of the first leg to a proximal end of the second leg. The first leg proximal end and the second leg proximal end are separated by an opening, and the first leg proximal end and the second leg proximal end each respectively define a passage along a common imaginary axis. The first leg proximal end has a first side relatively adjacent to the second leg and a second side relatively distant from the second leg. Moreover, the first leg proximal end has a keyway extending from the first leg passage, and the first leg proximal end has first and second shoulders adjacent the keyway at the second side. A locking pin passes through the second leg passage. The locking pin has a key and a stop that prevent the locking pin from passing entirely through the second leg passage such that the locking pin is inseparable from the second leg proximal end. The locking pin has first and second ends, and the key is at the locking pin first end. The locking pin is movable between an open position wherein the opening is at least partially unobstructed, a closed position wherein the opening is completely obstructed by the locking pin and the key is seated against the first leg proximal end with the first and second shoulders preventing the key from reaching the keyway, and an intermediate position wherein the key extends beyond the first and second shoulders to access the keyway. A biasing member is included that biases the locking pin such that the key seats against the first leg proximal end when the locking pin is at the closed position, such that the key passes at least partially through the keyway when the locking pin is at the intermediate position and the key is aligned with the keyway, and such that the locking pin moves to the closed position when the locking pin is at the intermediate position and the key is aligned distinctly from the keyway and the first and second shoulders. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a quick release fastener in a locked position in accordance with one embodiment of the current invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the quick release fastener of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the quick release fastener of  FIG. 1 , showing a key of a rotatable closure element facing away from a keyway in a first leg of a connecting member. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the quick release fastener of  FIG. 1  with the key of the rotatable closure element abutting against a stop in the first leg of the connecting member. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the quick release fastener of  FIG. 1  with the key of the rotatable closure element abutting against the stop. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the quick release fastener of  FIG. 1  showing a biasing member of the rotatable closure element in a compressed position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the quick release fastener of  FIG. 1  illustrating rotation of the rotatable closure element while the biasing member is in a compressed position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of the quick release fastener of  FIG. 1  with the biasing member in the compressed position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the quick release fastener of  FIG. 1  with the biasing member in the compressed position and the key aligned with the keyway. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of the quick release fastener of  FIG. 1  with the biasing member in the compressed position and the key within the keyway. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the quick release fastener of  FIG. 1  showing the rotatable closure element sliding towards a second leg of the connecting member. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the quick release fastener of  FIG. 1  with the key in a key receiver of the second leg. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for quickly and conveniently securing two or more objects to each other.  FIG. 1  shows one embodiment  100  of a quick release fastener in accordance with the teachings of the current invention. As can be seen, the quick release fastener  100  has a first leg  110 , a second leg  130 , a connecting member  150 , and a closure element (or “locking pin”)  200 . 
         [0021]    The first leg  110  and the second leg  130  are connected to each other (e.g., at respective distal ends) by the connecting member  150 . The legs  110 ,  130  and the connecting member  150  are shown in the drawings as collectively being C-shaped. People of skill in the art will appreciate however that the elements may be of other shapes so long as a substantially uninterrupted perimeter is formed from a proximal end of the first leg to a proximal end of the second leg (e.g., U-shaped). The connecting member  150  may be made of wrought iron, galvanized carbon steel, metal alloys, or other desirable materials that will allow the connecting member  150  to support heavy loads. 
         [0022]    The first leg  110  may have an end piece  112  (e.g., at its proximal end) and the second leg  130  may have an end piece  132  (e.g., at its proximal end). The end piece  112  of the first leg  110  may be generally circular and have an opening (or “passage”)  114  (see  FIG. 2 ). The end piece  132  of the second leg  130  may similarly be generally circular and have an opening (or “passage”)  134  (see  FIG. 2 ). As discussed in more detail below, the opening  114  and the opening  134  may be configured for the passage of a rod  202  of the closure element  200 . The first leg  110 , the second leg  130 , the end piece  112  of the first leg  110 , the end piece  132  of the second leg  130 , and the connecting member  150  may be of a unitary construction as shown. Or, for example, the legs  110 ,  130  may be constructed separately and secured to the connecting member  150  (e.g., via rivets or other fasteners, threading, et cetera). The first leg  110  (including the end piece  112 ) and the second leg  130  (including the end piece  132 ) may be made of the same materials as the connecting member  150 , or may be constructed of different suitable materials. 
         [0023]    Attention is now directed to  FIG. 2 . The closure element  200  may have a proximal end  202 P and a distal end  202 D, and a push plate  204 , a biasing member  206 , and an end cap (or “stop”)  208  may be included. The end cap  208  may be coupled to the rod  202  in various ways. For example, the end cap  208  may include two opposing openings  210 A and  210 B, the rod  202  may include an opening  212  at the proximal end  202 P, and a locking member  222  (e.g., a cylindrical pin) may pass through the openings  210 A,  212 ,  210 B. The locking member  222  may be secured within the openings  210 A,  212 ,  210 B by a press fit, threading, adhesive, et cetera. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other methods of securing the end cap  208  at the proximal end  202 P may alternately be utilized. For example, the rod  202  may be externally threaded, and corresponding internal threadings may be provided in the end cap  208  for securement of the end cap  208  at the proximal end  202 P. 
         [0024]    The rod  202  may have a seating feature  214 , and as discussed in more detail herein, the biasing member  206  may cause the push plate  204  to push against and rest adjacent the seating feature  214 . In the figures, the seating feature  214  is shown as being effectuated by dividing the rod  202  into two portions  216  and  218 , with the diameter of the portion  216  being greater than the diameter of the portion  218 . As can be seen, the portion  216  may extend from the distal end  202 D, and the portion  218  may extend from the proximal end  202 P. The smaller diameter of the portion  218  may allow the biasing member  206  to push the push plate  204  and cause it to rest against a head  220  of the portion  216 . People of skill in the art will appreciate from the disclosure herein that other methods may also be utilized to provide the functionality of the seating feature  214 . 
         [0025]    Once assembled, the embodiment  100  has the push plate  204  located at the seating feature  214 , the end cap at the end  202 P, and the biasing member  206  between the push plate  204  and the end cap  208 . With the end cap  208 , the push plate  204 , and the biasing member  206  configured in this fashion, the biasing member  206  is retained over the rod  218  and may push against the push plate  204  and the end cap  208 . The biasing member  206  may be, for example, a durable coil spring having a first end  206 A and a second end  206 B. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , once configured between the push plate  204  and the end cap  208  as discussed above, the first end  206 A of the biasing member  206  pushes against the push plate  204  and biases the push plate  204  to, in turn, push against the seating feature  214 . The second end  206 B of the biasing member  206 , conversely, pushes against the end cap  208 . In some embodiments, the end cap  208  is configured to be conveniently removable from the rod  202 , so that the biasing member  206  may be replaced with another biasing member  206  (e.g., if the tensile strength of the biasing member  206  is diminished after repeated use). 
         [0026]    The first leg  110  may have a distal side  110 D (which faces away from the second leg  130 ) and a proximal side  110 P (which faces towards the second leg  130 ). Stops (or “shoulders”)  116 A and  116   b  may be formed at the distal side  110 D of the first leg  110 . A distal end  118 D of a keyway  118  (or “groove”) may originate between the stops  116 A and  116 B, and the keyway  118  may extend all the way from the distal side  110 D of the first leg  110  to its proximal side  110 P. The keyway  118  may terminate at a proximal end  118 P at the proximal side  110 P of the first leg  110 , and it will be appreciated that the proximal end  118 P of the keyway  118  may be generally identical to its distal end  118 D. The keyway  118  may be configured for the passage of a key  224 , as discussed in more detail below. 
         [0027]    The second leg  130  may have a distal side  130 D (facing towards the first leg  110 ) and a proximal side  130 P (facing away from the first leg  110 ). A key receiver  136  which faces the proximal side  110 P of the first leg  110  may be formed within the distal side  130 D of the second leg  110 . Unlike the keyway  118  which extends all the way from the distal side  110 D of the first leg  110  to its proximal side  110 P, the key receiver  136  may include a stop  136 S and terminate between the distal side  130 D and the proximal side  130 P of the second leg  130 . 
         [0028]    The distal end  202 D of the locking pin  200  may be brought adjacent the proximal side  130 P of the second leg  130  and passed through the opening  134  in the end piece  132  of the second leg  130  such that the distal end  202 D of the rod  202  is between the first leg  110  and the second leg  130 . The rod  202  may include an opening  226  (see  FIG. 8 ) at distal end  202 D, and the opening  226  may be configured for the passage of the key  224 , which may have a flush end  224 A and a protruding end  224 B. More specifically, the key  224  may be received in the opening  226  such that the flush end  224 A does not protrude from the rod  202 , and such that the protruding end  224 B extends beyond the rod  202 . The key  224  may be permanently fastened to the rod  202  in this fashion by using, for example, threading, adhesive or other suitable methods. 
         [0029]      FIG. 11 , for example, shows the quick release fastener  100  fully assembled. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the quick release fastener  100  may be assembled by various methods and in various orders and steps, and that various elements (e.g., the key  224  and the rod  202 ) may be formed (e.g., cast or milled) from a single piece of material. 
         [0030]    When the distal end  202 D of the locking pin  200  is at any point between the end piece  112  of the first leg  110  and the end piece  132  of the second leg  130  (as shown in  FIG. 11 , for example), the locking pin  200  may be freely rotated. More specifically, the locking pin  200  may be rotated by rotating the end cap  208 , which as outlined above, may be secured to the rod  202  at the proximal end  202 P by the locking member  222 . As will be appreciated, the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  may be selectively moved to face the attachment member  150 , or for example, face away from the attachment member  150  by rotation of the locking pin  200 . 
         [0031]    The locking pin  200  may also be moved laterally by pushing and pulling the end cap  208  towards and away from the second leg  130  respectively.  FIG. 12  shows the extent to which the distal end  202 D can be laterally moved away from the end piece  112  of the second leg  110 . Specifically, as the locking pin  200  is pulled laterally in the direction A (see  FIG. 12 ), the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  enters the key receiver  136  and abuts against the stop  136 S (see  FIG. 2 ), preventing further lateral movement of the locking pin  200  in direction A. As can be seen in  FIG. 12 , in this unlocked (or “open”) position, the distal end  202 D of the locking pin  200  does not protrude from the opening  134 , ensuring that the locking pin  200  does not interfere with an object that is to be secured by the quick release fastener  100 . 
         [0032]    Attention is now directed to  FIG. 9 , which shows the extent to which the distal end  202 D of the locking pin  200  can be laterally moved past the opening  114  in the end piece  112  of the first leg  110 . Specifically, as the end cap  208  is pushed towards the second leg  130  in direction B, the push plate  204  abuts against the proximal side  130 P of the second leg  130  (and specifically, against the end piece  132  of the second leg  130 ) and the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  moves past the proximal end  118 P of the keyway  118  and becomes aligned with the distal end  118 D of the keyway  118  (see  FIG. 10 ). As the end cap  208  is moved further in direction B to the intermediate position of  FIG. 9 , the biasing member  206  is compressed between the push plate  204  (which is abutting against the end piece  132 ) and the end cap  208 , causing the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  to laterally move beyond the distal end  118 D of the keyway  118 . If the force being applied to the end cap  208  to push the rod  202  in direction B is eliminated, it will be appreciated that the biasing member  206  will decompress and cause the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  to once again enter the keyway  118  (see  FIG. 10 ). If, on the other hand, the end cap  208  is rotated as shown in  FIG. 8  while the biasing member  206  is compressed and after the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  has advanced in direction B beyond the distal end  118 D of the keyway  118  (i.e., while at the intermediate position), then after the force being applied to the end cap  208  is eliminated, the biasing member  206  may decompress and cause the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  to abut against the distal side  110 D of the first leg (and more specifically, the end piece  112  or the stops  116 A,  116 B). Further lateral movement of the distal side  202 D of the rod  202  towards the second leg  130  will therefore be prevented (unless the rod  202  is rotated by rotating the end cap  208 , as discussed below). 
         [0033]    While the distal side  202 D of the locking pin  200  as shown in  FIG. 8  cannot be laterally moved towards the second leg  130  because of the abutting of the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  against the distal side  110 D of the first leg  110 , it will be appreciated that such lateral movement will occur if the end cap  208  (or rod  202 ) is rotated such that the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  becomes adjacent the distal end  118 D of the keyway  118 . To prevent such lateral movement of the rod  202  unintentionally by rotation of the end cap  208 , the end cap  208  may be rotated such that the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  faces away from the connecting member  150  (see  FIG. 1 ) and abuts against the end piece  112 . Once the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  abuts against the end piece  112  as shown in  FIG. 1 , the rod  202  may no longer be laterally displaced unintentionally through rotation. More specifically, if the end cap  208  is now rotated, the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  will abut against the stops  116 A or  116 B (see  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  5 ), preventing the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  from becoming adjacent the keyway  118 . The locking pin  200  will accordingly be firmly secured in a locked (or “closed”) position. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, when the locking pin  200  is in the locked position (as in  FIG. 1 , for example), it may be desirable for the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  to be rotatable by at least ninety degrees relative to the first leg  110  and the second leg  130 . In some embodiments, it may further be desirable for the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  to be rotatable by at least one hundred and eighty degrees relative to the first leg  110  and the second leg  130 . 
         [0035]    Unlocking of the fastener  100  may be effectuated conveniently. Specifically, to unlock the fastener  100 , the end cap  208  may first be pushed in direction B as shown in  FIG. 6 , which may cause the biasing member  206  to compress and the protruding end  224 B to extend in direction B beyond the stops  116 A,  116 B (i.e., causing the locking pin  200  to reach the intermediate position). While the protruding end  224 B is extending in direction B beyond the stops  116 A,  116 B, the end cap  208  may be rotated until the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  becomes aligned with the distal end  118 D of the keyway (see  FIG. 9 ). The end cap may then be pulled in direction A ( FIG. 11 ), until the protruding end  224 B of the key  224  is received by the key receiver  136  ( FIG. 12 ). 
         [0036]    Thus, as described herein, the quick release fastener  100  may, by a handful of movements, be put in a locked position from an unlocked position and vice versa. Indeed, the locking and unlocking of the quick release fastener  100  may be effectuated by one hand within a matter of seconds, allowing for significant added flexibility for the user. 
         [0037]    Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.