Abstract:
A pin assist device that eliminates the need to use a separate tool to insert and/or extract a cotter, or other fastening, pin. The pin assist device allows the user to easily insert or extract a pin in locations that are difficult to reach, in all types of weather and virtually all conditions. Related pin assist devices, hitch pins, and hitch pin assemblies are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/418,442, filed Jan. 27, 2017, and entitled “COTTER PIN ASSIST DEVICE,” pending, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/344,902, filed Jun. 2, 2016, the disclosure of each of which applications is hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to pin insertion and extraction devices and assemblies utilizing the pin insertion and extraction devices. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein related to pin assist devices for use with one or more types of retaining pins configured to assist a user in inserting and removing a retaining pin associated with the pin assist device without the need of an external tool. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A cotter pin (also known as an R-pin, cotter pin, or hairpin cotter pin) is a fastener made of springy material, usually hardened metal wire. Cotter pins are commonly used to secure the ends of round shafts such as axles and clevis pins. Cotter pins may include a straight leg connected to a bent leg. The straight leg of the cotter pin is pushed through a hole at one end of a shaft until the middle, or belly, of the bent leg grips the side of the shaft away from the straight leg. The cotter pin is usually bent so that it remains in constant tension and will not come loose from the hole into which it has been inserted without the user applying some force to remove. The end of the bent leg most often is built to point away from the straight leg to facilitate insertion of the cotter pin. 
         [0004]    Cotter pins are frequently used in connecting various components and can be located in recessed locations with limited access that hinder a user&#39;s ability to insert and extract the cotter pin. Some have attempted to solve the problem of inserting and extracting a cotter pin by designing tools that are separate from the cotter pin, such as cotter pin extracting pliers. In a typical scenario, a cotter pin is used to secure a ball mount hitch to a receiver tube on a vehicle. Once the hitch is inserted into the receiver tube, a hitch pin is inserted through holes located in both the hitch and receiver. A cotter pin is then inserted into a hole in the hitch pin to prevent the hitch pin from falling out. When dealing with this scenario, the last thing a user should have to worry about is locating a tool to help with the insertion and extraction of the cotter pin. In addition, such a tool is often useless in facilitating the insertion of a cotter pin. 
         [0005]    Similarly, other retaining pins also encounter similar problems. For example, linchpins, trailer safety pins, snap pins, and other retaining members may require additional tools to assist in the insertion and extraction thereof. These pins all utilize mechanical force, such as a spring, to form a latch or stop to retain (e.g., lock) the retaining pin in place. 
         [0006]    In addition to being located in difficult to reach areas, such retaining pins often rust and bind to the shaft or member that they are intended to retain in place. Rusting of the retaining pins increases a difficulty of withdrawing the retaining pin from the shaft and removing the shaft (e.g., a hitch pin) from, for example, a hitch receiver. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Embodiments disclosed herein include pin assist devices, hitch pins, and hitch pin assemblies including the hitch pins and pin assist devices. For example, in accordance with one embodiment, a pin assist device comprises an insertion end operably coupled to a retaining pin, an extraction end opposite the insertion end, the extraction end comprising a gripping element, and a middle portion between the insertion end and the extraction end, the middle portion having a thickness less than a thickness of each of the insertion end and the extraction end. 
         [0008]    In additional embodiments, a hitch pin assembly comprises a hitch pin and a retaining pin. The hitch pin comprises an elongate portion comprising a retaining pin receiver on a distal end thereof, and a bent portion comprising a gripping element, the gripping element comprising at least one protrusion in a direction toward the distal end of the elongate portion. The retaining pin comprises a portion configured to engage the retaining pin receiver, a latching element configured to retain the retaining pin in the retaining pin receiver, and a pin assist device comprising a flexible material coupled to at least one of the retaining pin and the latching element. 
         [0009]    In further embodiments, a hitch pin comprises a cylindrical elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a retaining pin receiver at the distal end of the cylindrical shaft, and a handle extending away from the proximate end of the cylindrical elongate shaft at an angle. The handle comprises a protrusion on a base of the handle, the protrusion protruding in a direction toward the distal end of the cylindrical elongate shaft, and a gripping element comprising a resilient material around at least a portion of the handle, the gripping element having a curved surface configured to receive a finger of a user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pin assist device, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the pin assist device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the pin assist device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the pin assist device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an end view of the pin assist device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the pin assist device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the pin assist device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an end view of the pin assist device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side view showing the interior of the pin assist device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the disclosure inserted into a hitch pin; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a top view of a pin assist device, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the pin assist device of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another pin assist device, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a pin assist device, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a top view of a pin assist device, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a side view of a hitch pin including a gripping element, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a hitch pin with a gripping element, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular pin assist device, retaining pin including the pin assist device, hitch pin or component thereof, but are merely idealized representations employed to describe illustrative embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. 
         [0028]    As used herein, the term “retaining member” means and includes a structure configured for retaining and/or locking another structure, such as, for example, a shaft, in place. By way of nonlimiting example, a retaining member may include a locking pin (e.g., a round lock pin, a square lock pin, etc.), a linchpin, a cotter pin, a clip, a plunger pin, a detent pin, a clevis pin, another type of retaining member, another pin for retaining, for example, a hitch pin, in place. As used herein, the terms “retaining member” and “retaining pin” are used interchangeably. 
         [0029]    As used herein, the term “retaining member assist device” means and includes a device coupled to or configured to be coupled to a retaining member. A retaining member assist device may be configured to facilitate insertion and extraction of a retaining member associated with the retaining member assist device into or from another structure (e.g., a shaft). As used herein, the terms “retaining pin assist device,” “retaining member assist device,” and “pin assist device” are used interchangeably. 
         [0030]    Embodiments disclosed herein provide a pin assist device that is attached to a retaining pin and provides a means for a user to effectively grip the retaining pin to either insert or extract it without having to locate and use a separate tool. 
         [0031]    Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a retaining pin that includes an insertion portion for grasping the retaining pin to allow for easy insertion thereof into a hitch pin without using a separate tool. 
         [0032]    Additional embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a device that includes an extraction portion that allows for easy removal of the retaining pin from a hitch without using a separate tool. 
         [0033]    An embodiment of a device that can be easily grasped by the user to insert or extract the retaining pin is described. An advantage of the device is that the insertion function and extraction function can be accomplished by a single device that is attached to the retaining pin. 
         [0034]    The embodiments described herein may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings, however, are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
         [0035]    The embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to pin assist devices for use with retaining pins such as cotter pins, linchpins, locking pins, retaining pins, plunger pins, detent pins, clevis pins, and other locking or retaining pins. Embodiments of the disclosure further relate to retaining pins, such as cotter pins, linchpins, locking pins, plunger pins, detent pins, and clevis pins including the pin assist devices. Embodiments of the pin assist device may enable a user to more easily manipulate, grip, insert and remove the associated retaining pin from another member, such as a hitch pin or a trailer hitch (e.g., a draw bar), a hitch receiver, etc. The pin assist device may improve a user&#39;s ability to manipulate the associated pin while wearing gloves. 
         [0036]    Some embodiments relate to hitch pins including a gripping element, which hitch pins may be used with the pin assist device and associated retaining pin. Hitch pins with the gripping element may facilitate easier insertion and extraction of the hitch pin compared to conventional hitch pins. 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  illustrates a pin assist device  10  (e.g., a cotter pin  11 ) attached to a pin assist device  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the pin assist device  10  is made out of a flexible material (e.g., resilient material) and is fixedly attached to the cotter pin  11 . The pin assist device  10  includes an insertion end  12  (e.g., a coupling end), an extraction end  14  (e.g., a gripping end), and a middle section  13  connecting the insertion end  12  to the extraction end  14 . The end of the cotter pin  11  is encased in the flexible material, which material is thicker around the cotter pin  11  and the insertion end  12 , tapers off in the middle section  13  and is thicker again at the extraction end  14 . In other words, the pin assist device  10  has a greater thickness at the insertion end  12  and the extraction end  14  and a lesser thickness at the middle section  13 . 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, the thickness of the extraction end  14  may be between about 2 mm and about 10 mm, such as between about 2 mm and about 4 mm, between about 4 mm and about 6 mm, between about 6 mm and about 8 mm, or between about 6 mm and about 8 mm. However, the disclosure is not limited to a particular thickness of the extraction end  14 . In some embodiments, the thickness of the extraction end  14  is between about 7 mm and about 8 mm. 
         [0039]    The thickness of the middle section  13  may be between about 2 mm and about 6 mm, such as between about 2 mm and about 3 mm, between about 3 mm and about 4 mm, between about 4 mm and about 5 mm, or between about 5 mm and about 6 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the middle section  13  is about 3 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the middle section  13  may be equal to about half a thickness of the extraction end  14 . 
         [0040]    The thickness of the insertion end  12  may be between about 2 mm and about 10 mm, such as between about 2 mm and about 4 mm, between about 4 mm and about 6 mm, between about 6 mm and about 8 mm, or between about 6 mm and about 8 mm. However, the disclosure is not limited to a particular thickness of the extraction end  14 . In some embodiments, the thickness of the insertion end  12  is between about 7 mm and about 8 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the insertion end  12  is equal to about the thickness of the extraction end  14 . 
         [0041]    The difference in thickness between the insertion end  12  and middle section  13  may provide a grip that a user may hold, for example, when inserting the cotter pin  11  into another structure (e.g., into a hitch pin). The difference in thickness between the insertion end  12  and the middle section  13  may also provide stability to the cotter pin  11  when it is inserted into the another structure. While it may be useful to vary the thickness between the insertion end  12  and middle section  13  of the pin assist device  10  in some embodiments, the pin assist device  10  can also be made of a uniform thickness. 
         [0042]    The pin assist device  10  may include one or more elements to facilitate gripping thereof by a user. In some embodiments, a gripping portion of the pin assist device  10  may be defined by the middle section  13  and the extraction end  14 . By way of nonlimiting example, the pin assist device  10  may include a textured surface including one or more bumps, ridges, grooves, holes, protrusions, etc. In some embodiments, the extraction end  14  and the middle section  13  may include the gripping elements. In some embodiments, the material of the pin assist device  10  may comprise a material exhibiting a high surface roughness. In some embodiments, the material of the pin assist device comprises a high friction material, such as a material having a coefficient of static friction between about 0.7 and about 1.3, such as between about 0.7 and about 0.9, between about 0.9 and about 1.1, or between about 1.1 and about 1.3. In some embodiments, the coefficient of static friction may be between about 1.1 and about 1.2. 
         [0043]    The durometer of the pin assist device  10  may be varied to increase or decrease the tension (e.g., the rigidity) of the cotter pin  11 . For instance a material with a higher durometer may cause the tension in the cotter pin  11  to be stronger (e.g., higher), making the cotter pin  11  more difficult to insert or withdraw. A material with a lower durometer may cause less tension in the cotter pin  11 , making it easier to insert or withdraw. Depending on how the cotter pin  11  is used, the durometer of the material may be varied to best meet the user&#39;s desired purpose. 
         [0044]    As used herein, a durometer of a material means and includes a type A durometer of the material, as measured using, for example, the ASTM D2240 standard test method for measuring durometer. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, the durometer of the pin assist device  10  material may be between about 30 and about 100, such as between about 30 and about 40, between about 40 and about 50, between about 50 and about 60, between about 50 and about 60, between about 60 and about 70, between about 70 and about 80, between about 80 and about 90, or between about 90 and about 100. In some embodiments the durometer of the pin assist device  10  material may be between about 75 and about 85. In some embodiments, the durometer may be about 80. The pin assist device  10  may comprise rubber, silicon, nylon, rope, leather, and combination thereof. 
         [0046]    In use and operation, when it is desired to remove the cotter pin  11 , the user grasps the extraction end  14  of the pin assist device  10 , which has a grip that results from the flexible material on the extraction end  14  being thicker than the middle portion  13  of the pin assist device  10 . Instead of reaching for a separate tool like a pair of pliers or a screwdriver, the user simply grabs the raised extraction end  14  and pulls to remove the cotter pin  11 . Often in circumstances when a cotter pin is being utilized, the user will be wearing gloves. Because of the tapered ends (i.e., the insertion end  12  and the extraction end  14  or, a transition from the middle section  13  to each of the insertion end  12  and the extraction end  14 ) of the pin assist device  10 , a user can easily insert or extract a cotter pin  11  with or without gloves. The user can also extract the cotter pin  11  from various angles because of the flexibility of the pin assist device  10 . This is particularly useful when the desired pin assist device  10  to be removed is in a hard to reach location. The user can simply grasp the extraction end  14  of the pin assist device  10  and pull to extract the cotter pin  11  without the need to pull in a direction that is parallel to the pin (e.g., parallel to the legs of the cotter pin  11 ). 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 7 , the difference in thickness between the insertion end  12 , middle section  13  and extraction end  14  is shown. While the pin assist device  10  is illustrated as being fixedly attached to a cotter pin  11 , it is understood that the pin assist device  10  could also be removably attached (e.g., coupled, locked, otherwise secured, etc.) to a cotter pin  11 . In some embodiments, the pin assist device  10  comprises a removable coupling, such as at the insertion end  12  for removably attaching the pin assist device  10  to the cotter pin  11 . The removable coupling may include, by way of nonlimiting example, a U-bolt, a threaded portion, a snap connector, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO®), or other means for coupling the pin assist device  10  to the cotter pin  11 . 
         [0048]    Although  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9  show the pin assist device  10  and cotter pin  11  as comprising a single molded piece, in other embodiments, the pin assist device  10  may include two or more components that are secured or otherwise coupled to each other, at least one of which may be coupled to the cotter pin  11 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6  show opposite sides of the pin assist device  10  and illustrate that the insertion end  12  is created when the desired flexible material is formed around cotter pin  11 . In other words, in some embodiments, the pin assist device  10  (such as the insertion end  12  thereof) may substantially surround an end of the cotter pin  11  and couple the pin assist device  10  to the cotter pin  11 . In some embodiments, a hole  15  may be defined in the extraction end  14  of the device to allow for easy storage of the pin assist device. 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  shows the thickness T of extraction end  14  of the pin assist device  10  in relation to middle portion  13  and insertion end  12 . The extraction end  14  can be easily grasped to assist in the extraction of a cotter pin. In some embodiments, the thickness of the extraction end  14  is greater than a thickness of the insertion end  12 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 8  is an end perspective that shows cotter pin  11  in relation to the insertion end  12 . In some embodiments, the thickness of insertion end  12  may enable a user to get a better grip of the cotter pin  11  to allow for easy insertion of the cotter pin  11 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side view showing a cutaway of the cotter pin assist device  10  and the cotter pin  11  and the location of the cotter pin  11  embedded in the flexible material on the insertion end  12  of the pin assist device  10 . Although  FIG. 9  illustrates the pin assist device  10  coupled to a cotter pin  11 , the disclosure is not so limited. In other embodiments, a pin assist device may be coupled to another type of pin, such as a lynch pin (e.g., a linchpin, ring catch pin, ring latch pin), a locking pin (e.g., a safety pin, a snapper pin, a wire snap pin, a coupler locking pin, a square loop wire lock pin, a round loop wire lock pin, a shaft lock pin, etc.), a retaining pin, a hitch pin, a detent pin, a plunger pin, a clevis pin, etc. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , a pin assist device  20  is shown, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.  FIG. 11  is a top view of the pin assist device  20  and  FIG. 12  is a top view of the pin assist device  20  after the pin assist device  20  is coupled to a pin  24 . The pin  24  may comprise a retaining pin, such as cotter pins, linchpins, locking pins, retaining pins, plunger pins, detent pins, clevis pins, and other locking or retaining pin. 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, the pin assist device  20  may comprise a flexible strap  21 . The flexible strap  21  may include an opening  22  on a first end  25  of the flexible strap  21  and a gripping element  23  on an opposing, second end  26  of the strap. The opening  22  may comprise an elongated opening  22  extending longitudinally along a length of the flexible strap  21 . The flexible strap  21  may be removably coupled to the pin  24 , by wrapping (e.g., enveloping, surrounding, sandwiching) around a portion of the pin  24  and inserting (e.g., threading) the second end  26  of the flexible strap  21  with the gripping element  23  through the opening  22  to form a wrapped portion  23 , such as a lanyard hitch (e.g., ring hitch, larks head, cow hitch) knot, etc. In other words, in some embodiments, the flexible strap  21  may be coupled to the pin  24  with a lanyard hitch. 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, the flexible strap  21  may include one or more clasps, buttons, snaps, hooks, rings, buckles, knots, etc., located and positioned to couple with a respective clasp, button, snap, hook, ring, buckle, etc. after wrapping the flexible strap  21  around the pin  24 . Once the strap  21  is coupled to the pin  24  the user may grasp the gripping element  23  to pull the pin  24  free (i.e., such as from a hitch pin). In other words, the gripping element  23  may be used to remove the pin  24  from a corresponding shaft (e.g., a hitch pin). In some embodiments, a wrapped portion  27  of the strap  21  may provide a thicker area upon which the user may push to insert the pin  24 . Accordingly, in some embodiments, a pin assist device  20  may be removable coupled to a pin  24 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , a pin assist device  30  may be coupled to a lynch pin  100 . A lynch pin  100  may comprise a locking element  102  (e.g., a ring, a pin latching accessory, a latching element, etc.) and a pin  104 . The locking element  102  may be biased toward the pin  104  such that the locking element  102  maintains a clamping force against the pin  104 . The pin assist device  30  may be coupled to the locking element  102  of the lynch pin  100 . The locking element  102  may be attached (e.g., coupled) to an insertion end  32  of the pin assist device  20 . A user may grip the pin assist device  30  at an extraction end  34  thereof and pull the pin assist device  30  to overcome the clamping force of the locking element  102  against the pin  104 . 
         [0057]    The pin assist device  30  may comprise a flexible (e.g., resilient) material, such as rubber, silicon, nylon, rope, leather, etc. In some embodiments, the pin assist device  30  is secured to the lynch pin  100 , such as molded thereto. In other embodiments, the pin assist device  30  is removably attached to the lynch pin  100 , such as with a buckle, a strap, hook and loop fasteners, one or more buttons, one or more snaps, etc. The insertion end  32  of the pin assist device  30  may encapsulate an end of the lynch pin  100 . As described above with reference to the pin assist device  10  ( FIG. 1 ), a thickness of the pin assist device  30  may vary across a length thereof. For example, the pin assist device  30  may have a greater thickness at the extraction end  34  and the insertion end  32  than at a middle portion thereof, which thicknesses may be the same as the thickness of the extraction end  14  and the thickness of the insertion end  12  of the pin assist device  10  described above with reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 14 , is a pin assist device  40 , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. The pin assist device  40  may be coupled to a locking pin (also referred to as a lock pin)  200 . Although  FIG. 14  illustrates a round loop wire lock pin  200 , the disclosure is not so limited. In other embodiments, the locking pin  200  may comprise a safety pin, a snapper pin (e.g., a wire snap pin), coupler locking pin, a shaft lock pin, a loop wire lock pin (e.g., a square loop wire lock pin, etc.), another locking pin, etc. The pin assist device  40  may be coupled to any locking pins known in the art in a similar manner. The round loop wire lock pin  200  may comprise a wire loop  202  (e.g., pin latching accessory), a pin  204 , a locking mechanism  206  (e.g., mechanism pin catch, latching element), and a pin head  208  with the wire loop  202  rotatably connected to the pin head  208 . When in a locked position, the pin  204  may be inserted into the locking element  206  of the wire loop  202 . To release the round loop wire lock pin  200  from the locked position the pin  204  may be removed from the locking element  206 , thereby allowing the wire loop  202  to rotate in a direction away from the pin  204 . The pin assist device  40  may be coupled to the wire loop  202  at an insertion end  42  thereof. The user may grip the pin assist device  40  at an extraction end  44  thereof and pull to deflect the wire loop  202 , removing the pin  204  from the locking element  206 . The user may also grip the extraction end  44  and pull to deflect the wire loop  202  to insert the pin  204  into the locking element  206 . In some embodiments, the pin assist device  40  may be rotatably coupled to the wire loop  202 . In other words, in some such embodiments, the pin assist device  40  may be configured to rotate around the wire loop  202 . Although  FIG. 14  illustrates the pin assist device  40  coupled to the wire loop  202 , the disclosure is not so limited. In other embodiments, the pin assist device  40  may be coupled to the pin catch  206 . 
         [0059]    The pin assist device  40  may comprise a flexible (e.g., resilient) material, such as rubber, silicon, nylon, rope, leather, etc. In some embodiments, the pin assist device  40  is secured to the locking pin  200 , such as molded thereto. In other embodiments, the pin assist device  40  is removably attached to the locking pin  200 , such as with a buckle, a strap, hook and loop fasteners, one or more buttons, one or more snaps, etc. 
         [0060]    As described above with reference to the pin assist device  10 , a thickness of the pin assist device  40  may vary across a length thereof. For example, the pin assist device  40  may have a greater thickness at the extraction end  44  and the insertion end  42  than at a middle portion thereof, which thicknesses may be the same as the thickness of the extraction end  14  and the thickness of the insertion end  12  of the pin assist device  10  described above with reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 15  is a top view of a pin assist device  50 , in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. The pin assist device  50  may be coupled to an external hitch pin  300 . The external hitch pin  300  may be configured similar to a cotter pin; however, the external hitch pin  300  may not have a straight section. For example, the external hitch pin  300  may include a curved latching section  302  configured to latch on the outside of an element. The external hitch pin  300  may further include a head section  304  connected to the curved latching section  302 . The pin assist device  50  may be coupled to the external hitch pin  300  at the head section  304  of the external hitch pin  300 . The user may apply a force to an insertion end  52  of the pin assist device  50  when inserting the external hitch pin  300  into, for example, a hitch pin or other retaining member. The user also may grip an extraction end  54  and pull to remove the external hitch pin  300 . As described above with reference to the pin assist device  50 , a thickness of the pin assist device  50  may vary across a length thereof. For example, the pin assist device  50  may have a greater thickness at the extraction end  54  and the insertion end  52  than at a middle portion thereof, which thicknesses may be the same as the thickness of the extraction end  14  and the thickness of the insertion end  12  of the pin assist device  10  described above with reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9 . 
         [0062]    The pin assist device  50  may comprise a flexible (e.g., resilient) material, such as rubber, silicon, nylon, rope, leather, etc. In some embodiments, the pin assist device  50  is secured to the external hitch pin  300 , such as molded thereto. In other embodiments, the pin assist device  50  is removably attached to the external hitch pin  300 , such as with a buckle, a strap, hook and loop fasteners, one or more buttons, one or more snaps, etc. 
         [0063]      FIG. 10  shows a cotter pin  11  attached to pin assist device  10  inserted into a hitch pin  16 . The hitch pin  16  is used to secure a hitch  17  to a receiver  18 . The pin assist device  10  may be inserted by a user by gripping the pin assist device  10  at the insertion end  12  and pushing the cotter pin  11  through a hole  19  in the hitch pin  16 . In order to remove the hitch pin  16 , the user may grip the pin assist device  10  at the extraction end  14 , extract cotter pin  11  and then remove the hitch pin  16 . Once the hitch pin  16  is removed, the user can remove the hitch  17  from receiver  18 . Although  FIG. 10  illustrates the pin assist device  10 , it is understood that the pin assist device may include any of the pin assist devices  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50  described above with reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 11  through  FIG. 15 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a hitch pin  400 , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. The hitch pin  400  may be formed of metal materials such as, stainless steel, hardened and unhardened steel, brass, etc. The hitch pin  400  may include an elongate portion  402  (e.g., an elongate shaft) and a handle  404 . In some embodiments, the elongate portion  402  may be cylindrical in shape and may extend along a longitudinal axis L 100  thereof. 
         [0065]    In use and operation the elongate portion  402  may be inserted through the receiver  18  ( FIG. 10 ) and hitch  17  ( FIG. 10 ) to secure the hitch  17  to the receiver  18 . The user may grip the handle  404  when inserting and/or removing the hitch pin  400 . The handle  404  may include a gripping element  416 , including a curved surface  430 . The curved surface  430  may have a radius of curvature between about 1.0 cm and about 3.0 cm, such as between about 1.0 cm and about 1.5 cm, between about 1.5 cm and about 2.0 cm, between about 2.0 cm and about 2.5 cm, or between about 2.5 cm and about 3.0 cm. In use and operation, a user may grasp the handle  404  and wrap a finger (e.g., an index finger) around the curved surface  430 . A proximal end  440  of the hitch pin  400  may include an arcuate surface shaped and configured to be received in a palm of a user during insertion and extraction of the hitch pin  400 . 
         [0066]    In some embodiments, the elongate portion  402  may include a retaining pin receiver  406  positioned on the distal end of the elongate portion  402 . The retaining pin receiver  406  may define a passageway (e.g., bore, hole, or opening) through the elongate portion  402  in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L 100  of the elongate shaft  402 . The retaining pin receiver  406  may be configured to receive a retaining pin, such as one of the retaining pins described above with reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10  through  FIG. 15  to secure the hitch pin  400  within the hitch  17  ( FIG. 10 ) and receiver  18  ( FIG. 10 ). 
         [0067]      FIG. 17  illustrates a hitch pin  400 ′ including a retaining pin receiver  407 , in accordance with other embodiments of the disclosure. Some embodiments may utilize an annular groove at the distal end of the elongate portion  402  about (e.g., around) a longitudinal axis L 100  of the retaining pin receiver  407 . The annular groove may include a smaller diameter portion  408  (e.g., a neck) between a proximal shoulder  410  and a distal shoulder  409 . A retaining pin (e.g., cotter pin, locking pin, reverse hitch pin, lynch pin, indent pin, plunger pin, clevis pin, etc.), such as one of the retaining pins described above with reference to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10  through  FIG. 15  may clamp over the smaller diameter portion  408  for locking the hitch pin  400  in place. 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the handle  404  may extend at an angle away from the longitudinal axis L 100  of the elongate portion  402 . The handle  404  may include at least one protrusion  412  on a base  414  thereof. The protrusion  412  may extend toward the distal end of the elongate portion  402 . In some embodiments, the protrusion  412  extends toward the distal end of the elongate portion  402  in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L 100  of the elongate portion  402 . In some embodiments, the protrusion  412  extends at an angle between about 60° and about 120° relative to an axis L 200  of the handle, such as at an angle between about 60° and about 75°, between about 75° and about 90°, between about 90° and about 105°, or between about 105° and about 120°. In some embodiments, the protrusion  412  extends at an angle of about 90° relative to the axis L 200 . 
         [0069]    The protrusion  412  may be positioned and located such that in use and operation, at least one of finger of a user&#39;s hand may rest thereon when handling (e.g., inserting, extracting) the hitch pin  400 ,  400 ′. As described above, in some embodiments, the arcuate surface may be configured to be received in a palm of a user&#39;s hand. In some embodiments the protrusion  412  may be integrally formed with the handle  404 . In other embodiments, the protrusion  412  may be formed individually and attached to the handle  404 . The protrusion  412 , may be  404  attached to the handle  404  by any suitable method. By way of nonlimiting example, the protrusion  412  may be welded, brazed, threaded, interference fit, molded, lashed, shrink fitted, attached with one or more adhesives, etc., to the handle  404 . 
         [0070]    In some embodiments, the handle  404  may include a gripping element  416  comprising a resilient material, a flexible material, or a material that is both resilient and flexible. The gripping element  416  may include a front portion  420  and a back portion  422 , located further from the distal end of the elongate portion  410  than the front portion  420 . The front portion  420  may be connected to the back portion  422  with side portions  424 . Accordingly, in some embodiments, the gripping element  416  may substantially surround an entire circumference of the handle  404 . The gripping element  416  may have a durometer (e.g., a type A durometer) between about 40 and about 90. In some embodiments, the durometer of the gripping element  416  may be between about 75 and about 85. The gripping element  416  may comprise rubber, foam, silicone, nylon, leather, another flexible material, and combinations thereof. 
         [0071]    The gripping element  416  may have a thickness between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, such as between about 1 mm and about 2 mm, between about 2 mm and about 4 mm, between about 4 mm and about 6 mm, between about 6 mm and about 8 mm, or between about 8 mm and about 10 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the gripping element  416  may vary along a circumference thereof. In some such embodiments, the front portion  420  and the back portion  422  may have a thickness greater than a thickness of the side portions  424 . In other embodiments the side portions  424  may be thicker than the front portion  420  and back  422  portion. In yet other embodiments, the thickness may be different in each of the front portion  420 , the back portion  422 , and the side portions  424 . In other embodiments, the thickness of the gripping element  416  may be substantially uniform around the circumference thereof. 
         [0072]    In some embodiments, the gripping element  416  may be formed around at least portion of the handle  404 . In some embodiments the gripping element  416  may be formed around the base  414  of the handle  404  and a top portion of the handle  404  may be exposed. In other embodiments, the gripping element  416  may cover substantially all surfaces of the entire handle  404  (e.g., substantially all surfaces of the bend portion of the hitch pin  400 ,  400 ′). 
         [0073]    The gripping element  416  may include at least one ridge  418 . The at least one ridge  418  may protrude annularly about (e.g., around) a longitudinal axis L 200  of the handle  404 . The at least one ridge  418  may comprise a plurality of ridges spaced along the length of the handle  404 . In some embodiments, the gripping element  416  includes two ridges extending around the handle  404 . 
         [0074]    The description of the invention above should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the disclosed embodiment because those who are skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to devise other equivalent forms thereof within the scope of the invention. Variations and changes, which are obvious to one skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope and nature of the present invention.