Patent Publication Number: US-2010109348-A1

Title: Locking Pin

Description:
The present application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/971,571 entitled Locking Pin, filed Jan. 9, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A wide array of locking pins or fasteners are known, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,650 (LLauge); U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,332 (Murphy); and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0231690 (Cooley et al.). However, a continuing need exists for low cost locking pins capable of quickly, easily, reliably and securely connecting elements while permitting quick, easy and nondestructive disconnection of connected elements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a locking pin. The locking pin includes a catch, a biasing means, a stop, a strut and an activation member. The catch is radially respositionable relative to the longitudinal axis of the locking pin as between an outward expanded position and an inward contracted position. The biasing means biases the catch towards the outward expanded position. The stop is longitudinally spaced from the catch and extends radially outward from the longitudinal axis. The strut cooperatively interconnects the biasing means and the stop. The activation member is operably associated with at least one of the catch and the biasing means for repositioning the catch towards the inward contracted position against the bias of the biasing means when the activation member is repositioned in a first direction along a path relative to the stop. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional perspective view of one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of another embodiment of the invention locking together overlapping elements. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of another embodiment of the invention with parts separated to facilitate viewing of otherwise obstructed components. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the invention shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the bottom portion of the invention shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the insert unit portion of the invention shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For ease of reference, the various components and features of the claimed invention will be generically identified by a common base reference number (i.e., strut  30 ), with a superscript designation provided when that component or feature on a specific embodiment is being referenced (i.e., locking pin  30   3  for the strut on the third embodiment). 
     Referring generically to  FIGS. 1-9 , the invention is a locking pin  10 . The locking pin  10  includes a strut  30 , a stop  40 , a catch  50 , a biasing means  60  and an activation member  70 . The locking pin  10  is configured and arranged for releasably connecting an overlapping set of an uppermost element E 1  a lowermost element E 3  and any number of intermediate elements E 2  by inserting the locking pin  10  into aligned holes H 1 , H 2  and H 3  in the elements E 1 , E 2  and E 3  respectively, until the stop  40  engages the exposed major surface (unnumbered) of the uppermost element E 1  and the catch  50  is biased into a circumferential channel C provided within the hole H 3  in the lowermost element E 3 . For purposes of clarity only, the balance of the disclosure shall be based upon use of the locking pin  10  to interconnect only an uppermost element E 1  and a lowermost element E 3 . 
     The strut  30  is configured and arranged to provide the necessary structural framework for supporting and interconnecting the other components of the interlocking pin  10 . The strut  30  has a proximal end  30   p  and a distal end  30   d , cooperatively interconnects the stop  40  and the biasing means  60  on the locking ping  10 , and is configured and arranged for insertion into holes H 1  and H 3  provided in an uppermost element E 1  and a lowermost element E 3  to be connected by the locking pin  10 . 
     The stop  40  extends radially R outward from the longitudinal axis x of the locking pin  10  for engaging the exposed major surface (unnumbered) of an uppermost element E 1  when the locking pin  10  is fully inserted into aligned holes H 1  and H 3  in an uppermost element E 1  and a lowermost element E 3  with the catch  50  biased into the circumferential channel C in the lowermost element E 3 . By contacting the exposed major surface (unnumbered) of an uppermost element E 1  the stop  40  prevents continued movement of the locking pin  10  into the holes H 1  and H 3 . 
     The catch  50  is configured and arranged for locking insertion into and selective retraction from a circumferential channel C provided within a hole H 3  in a lowermost element E 3  to be connected by the locking pin  10 . The catch  50  is longitudinally spaced from the stop  40  and is radially R respositionable relative to the longitudinal axis x of the locking pin  10  as between an outward expanded or locking position and an inward contracted or retraction position. 
     The biasing means  60  is constructed, configured and arranged to bias the catch  50  towards the outward expanded position. Substantially any of the well know devices and techniques for providing such a bias may be usefully employed in this invention, including specifically, but not exclusively rubber bands, springs, rubber gaskets, pressurized air chambers, etc. 
     The activation member  70  is constructed, configured and arranged to selectively reposition the catch  50  from an outward expanded or locking position into an inward contracted or retraction position against the bias of the biasing means  60 . The activation member  70  has a proximal end  70   p  and a distal end  70   d , and is operably associated with at least one of the catch  50  and the biasing means  60  for repositioning the catch  50  towards the inward contracted position when the activation member  70  is repositioned in a first direction along a path relative to the stop  40 . 
     The invention encompasses a wide range of embodiments. Without intending to be limited thereby, several specific embodiments of the invention are described in detail below. 
     First Embodiment 
     A first embodiment of the locking pin  10   1  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The first embodiment of the locking pin  10   1  includes a strut  30   1 , a stop  40   1 , a catch  50   1 , a biasing means  60   1  and an activation member  70   1  constructed as a single unitary continuous elastic piece. 
     The strut  30   1  is a hollow cylinder defining a longitudinally x extending central bore  39   1 . 
     The stop  40   1  is an annular flange extending radially R outward from the proximal end  30   1   p  of the strut  30   1 . 
     The biasing means  60   1  is an elastic bellows  60   1  with a forward disc  61  and a rearward disc  62  defining an apex  60   1   A . The inner periphery (unnumbered) of the forward disc  61  cooperatively engages the strut  30   1  while the inner periphery (unnumbered) of the rearward disc  62  cooperatively engages the activation member  70   1 . 
     The catch  50   1  is a ring attached to the bellows  60   1  at the apex  60   1   A . 
     The activation member  70   1  is slidably engaged within the bore  39   1  defined by the strut  30   1 , with the proximal end  70   1   p  of the activation member  70   1  projecting in a first longtitudinal direction x 1  out from the proximal end  30   1   p  of the strut  30   1 , and the distal end  70   1   d  of the activation member  70   1  cooperatively engaging the rearward disc  62  of the bellows  60   1 . 
     Movement of the activation member  70   1  in the second longitudinal direction x 2  relative to the strut  50   1  effects a longitudinal x separation of the inner periphery of the forward disc  61  and the inner periphery of the rearward disc  62  against the bias of the bellows  60   1 , thereby effecting a radial R repositioning of the catch  50   1  relative to the longitudinal axis x of the locking pin  10   1  from an outward expanded position towards an inward contracted position. Release of the activation member  70   1  allows the bellows  60   1  to return to its biased position, thereby returning the catch  50   1  to the outward expanded position. 
     A pair of longitudinally x projecting finger tabs  80   1  can be provided on the stop  40   1  for facilitating retraction of the locking pin  10   1 . The finger tabs  80   1  depicted in  FIG. 1  are radially spaced from and diametrically positioned about the longitudinal axis x. The finger tabs  80   1  project longitudinally x from the stop  40   1  in a first longitudinal direction x 1  away from the catch  50   1 . The finger tabs  80   1  are configured and arranged for engaging the tips of a pointer finger (not shown) and a middle finger (not shown). The finger tabs  80   1  facilitating retraction of a locking pin  10   1  by allowing a user to pull the finger tabs  80   1  in the first longitudinal direction x 1  with a pointer (not shown) and middle (not shown) fingers while pushing the activation member  70   1  with the thumb (not shown) on the same hand (not shown) in a second longitudinal direction x 2  opposite the first longitudinal direction x 1  to reposition the catch  50   1  into the inward retraction position, thereby permitting the locking pin  10   1  to be pulled out from the holes H 1  and H 3  in the connected elements E 1  and E 3  respectively. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment of the locking pin  10   2  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The second embodiment of the locking pin  10   2  is formed from a single, unitary, continuous strand  201  of elastic material, such as an elongated cylindrical filament, with a generally sinusoidal shape. Various lengths along the shaped strand  201  function as a strut  30   2 , a stop  40   2 , a catch  50   2 , a biasing means  60   2  and an activation member  70   2 . The generally sinusoidal shape of the strand  201  defines a central apex  201   A , and radially spaced left and right nadirs  201   N . 
     The strand  201  defines a strut  30   2  on each side extending from the length functioning as the stop  40   2  to the length functioning as the activation member  70   2 . 
     Laterally extending arched wings  40   2  extending from each strut  30   2  function as a stop  40   2 . 
     The catch  50   2  is formed by outwardly extending protrusions  201   P  provided proximate each nadir  201   N  on the strand  201 . 
     The longitudinally extending lengths of the strand  201  on either side of the central apex  201   A  function as the biasing means  60   2  for laterally y biasing the catch  50   2  away from the central longtiduinal axis x of the locking pin  10   2 . 
     The length of the strand  201  extending inward from each catch  50   2  towards the longitudinal axis x of the locking pin  10   2  at an acute angle, preferably an angle of about 20° to 60°, relative to the longitudinal axis x functions—in cooperation with the finger tab  80   2  formed at the apex  201   A  of the strand  201 —as the activation member  70   2 . 
     The locking pin  10   2  can be pulled out from the holes H 1  and H 3  in connected elements E 1  and E 3  by simply gripping the locking pin  10   2  at the apex  201   A  and pulling “up” in the first longitudinal direction x 1  away from the elements E 1  and E 3 . Pulling “up” on the locking pin  10   2 , causes the angled activation members  70   2  on each side of the strand  201  to slide against the upper corner (unnumbered) of the channel C in the lowermost element E 3 , thereby causing the catch  50   2  to move inward towards the longitudinal axis x of the locking pin  10   2 , from an outward expanded position towards an inward contracted position, until the catch  50   2  is completely removed from the channel C. 
     Third Embodiment 
     A third embodiment of the locking pin  10   3  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The third embodiment of the locking pin  10   3  is nearly identical to the second embodiment of the locking pin  10   2  except that the longitudinally x extending lengths of the strand  301  extending from the central apex  301   A  to the nadirs  301   N  on each side are rigidly attached to one another so as to prevent radial R repositioning of these lengths relative to one another, thereby shifting the length of the strand  301  functioning as the biasing means  60   3  from these longitudinally x extending lengths of the strand  301  to the laterally y extending lengths of the strand  301  at the nadirs  301   N . 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     A fourth embodiment of the locking pin  10   4  is shown in  FIG. 4 . The fourth embodiment of the locking pin  10   4  employs a single, unitary, continuous strand  401  of elastic material, such as an elongated cylindrical filament, to form the strut  30   4 , stop  40   4 , catch  50   4  and biasing means  60   4 , in this embodiment a pair of leaf springs  60   4 . The activation member  70   4  in the fourth embodiment is a separate component configured and arranged to interact with the strand  401 . 
     The strand  401  defines a strut  30   4  on each side extending from the length functioning as the stop  40   4  to the length functioning as the biasing means  60   4 . 
     Laterally y extending arched wings  40   4  extending from each strut  30   4  function as stops  40   4 . 
     The catch  50   4  is formed by legs  50   4  extending laterally y outward from the distal end  60   4   d  of each leaf spring  60   4 . 
     The lengths of the strand  401  extending in the second longitudinal direction x 2  from each strut  30   4  form leaf springs  60   4 . The leaf springs  60   4  extend from the struts  30   4  at an acute angle, preferably at a 10° to 60° angle, relative to the longitudinal axis x of the locking pin  10   4 . The leaf springs  60   4  may be linear or curved, so long as they can be operably engaged by the activating member  70   4  for inward movement against the bias exerted by the leaf springs  60   4  towards the longitudinal axis x of the locking pin  10   4 . 
     The activation member  70   4  is a rigid member with longitudinal x channels  79  for slidably engaging the strut  30   4  and the leaf springs  60   4 , When slid along the length of the leaf springs  60   4  in the second longitudinal direction x 2  the activation member  70   4  progressively squeezes the leaf springs  60   4  laterally y inward towards one another against the outward bias exerted by the leaf springs  60   4 . 
     The locking pin  10   4  can be retracted from the holes H 1  and H 3  in connected elements E 1  and E 3  in a fashion similar to the technique used to retract the first embodiment of the locking pin  10   1 . A user simply pulls “up” on the finger tabs  80   4  formed by each stop  40   4  in the first longitudinal direction x 1  with the pointer (not shown) and middle (not shown) fingers while pushing the activation member  70   4  “downward” with the thumb (not shown) on the same hand (not shown) in a second longitudinal direction x 2  opposite the first longitudinal direction x 1  to reposition the catches  50   4  into an inward retraction position, thereby permitting the locking pin  10   4  to be pulled out from the holes H 1  and H 3  in the connected elements E 1  and E 3  respectively. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     A fifth embodiment of the locking pin  10   5  is shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 . The fifth embodiment of the locking pin  10   5  includes a strut  30   5 , a stop  40   5 , a catch  50   5 , a biasing means  60   5  and an activation member  70   5 . 
     The strut  30   5  is a hollow cylinder defining a longitudinally x extending central bore  39   5 . The distal end  30   5   d  of the strut  30   5  is beveled to provide an inclined surface. 
     The stop  40   5  is an annular flange extending radially R outward from the proximal end  30   5   p  of the strut  30   5 . 
     The activation member  70   5  is slidably engaged within the bore  39   5  defined by the strut  30   5 . The activation member  70   5  includes a base  71  configured and arranged to engage the distal end  30   5   d  of the sleeve  30   5 , and a finger  72  longitudinally x extending from the base  71  through the bore  39   5  in the sleeve  30   5  with a proximal end  72   p  of the finger  72  projecting longitudinally x beyond the proximal end  30   5   p  of the sleeve  30   5 . The “forward” facing outer edge  71   i  on the base  71  is beveled. 
     The biasing means  60   5  is a spring  60   5  positioned within the bore  39   5  defined by the sleeve  30   5  and restrained between a shoulder (unnumbered) projecting into the bore  39   5  from the sleeve  30   5  and a shoulder (unnumbered) on the finger  71  of activating member  70   5  for biasing the activating member  70   5  in a first longitudinal direction x 1  away from the catch  50   5 . 
     The catch  50   5  is a radially expandable elastic O-ring or retaining ring positioned intermediate the distal end  30   5   d  of the sleeve  30   5  and the base  71  of the activation member  70   5 . When the activating member  70   5  is in its biased position abutting the base  71  of the activation member  70   5 , the facing beveled edges  30   5   i  and  71   i  on the strut  30   5  and the base  71  of the actuation member  70   5  respectively, force the catch  50   5  to expand outward by moving the catch  50   5  “up” one or both of the beveled edges  30   5   i  and  71   i.    
     Movement of the activation member  70   5  in the second longitudinal direction x 2  relative to the strut  50   5  effects a longitudinal x separation of the facing beveled edges  30   5   i  and  71   i  on the strut  30   5  and the base  71  of the actuation member  70   5  against the bias of the spring  60   5 , thereby allowing the catch  50   5  to move “down” the beveled edges  30   5   i  and  71   i  so as to effect a radial R repositioning of the catch  50   5  relative to the longitudinal axis x of the locking pin  10   5  from an outward expanded position to an inward contracted position. Release of the activation member  70   5  allows the spring  60   5  to force the beveled edges  30   5   i  and  71   i  back towards one another, thereby returning the catch  50   5  to the outward expanded position. 
     A pair of longitudinally x projecting finger tabs  80   5  can be provided on the stop  40   5  for facilitating retraction of the locking pin  10   5 . The finger tabs  80   5  depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6  are radially R spaced from and diametrically positioned about the longitudinal axis x. The finger tabs  80   5  project longitudinally x from the stop  40   5  in a first longitudinal direction x 1  away from the catch  50   5 . The finger tabs  80   5  are configured and arranged for engaging the tips of a pointer finger (not shown) and a middle finger (not shown). The finger tabs  80   5  facilitate retraction of a locking pin  10   5  by allowing a user to pull the finger tabs  80   5  in the first longitudinal direction x 1  with a pointer (not shown) and middle (not shown) fingers while pushing the distal end  72   5   d  of the finger  72  on the activation member  70   5  with the thumb (not shown) on the same hand (not shown) in a second longitudinal direction x 2  opposite the first longitudinal direction x 1  to allow the catch  50   5  to repositioned itself into the inward retraction position, thereby permitting the locking pin  10   5  to be pulled out from the holes H 1  and H 3  in the connected elements E 1  and E 3  respectively. 
     Sixth Embodiment 
     A sixth embodiment of the locking pin  10   6  is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The sixth embodiment of the locking pin  10   6  includes separate and independent housing  11  and insert  12  units. The housing unit  11  embodies the strut  30   6  and stop  40   6 , while the insert unit  12  embodies the catch  50   6 , biasing means  60   6  and activation member  70   6 . 
     The strut  30   6  is a hollow cylinder defining a longitudinally x extending central bore  39   6 . A plurality of circumferentially spaced openings  38  are provided through the sidewall (unnumbered) of the strut  30   6  proximate the distal end  30   6   d  of the strut  30   6  for accommodating passage of the catches  50   6  on the insert unit  12 . 
     The stop  40   6  is an annular flange extending radially R outward from the proximal end  30   6   p  of the strut  30   6 . 
     The biasing means  60   6  is a plurality of circumferentially spaced outwardly biased concave leaf springs  60   6 . Each leaf spring  60   6  has longitudinally spaced proximal  60   6   p  and distal  60   6   d  ends and a radial apex  60   6   A  intermediate the ends  60   6   p  and  60   6   d . The proximal ends  60   6   p  of the leaf springs  60   6  are interconnected for cooperatively engaging an inner shoulder (not shown) within the bore  39   6  of the strut  30   6 . The distal ends  60   6   d  of the leaf springs  60   6  cooperatively engage the activation member  70   6 . 
     The catches  50   6  are projections extending radially R from the apex  60   6   A  of each leaf spring  60   6 . The catches  50   6  are sized, shaped, configured and arranged for passage through the openings  38  in the strut  30   6  and into locking insertion into and selective retraction from a circumferential channel C provided within a hole H 3  in a lowermost element E 3  to be connected by the locking pin  10   6 . The catches  50   6  are radially R respositionable relative to the longitudinal axis x of the locking pin  10   6  as between an outward expanded or locking position and an inward contracted or retraction position. 
     Insertion of the insert unit  12  into the bore  39   6  of the housing unit  11  and movement of the activation member  70   6  in the second longitudinal direction x 2  relative to the strut  50   6  effects a longitudinal x separation of the proximal  60   6   p  and distal  60   6   d  ends of the leaf springs  60   6  against the bias of the leaf springs  60   6  so as to effect an inward movement of the catches  50   6  towards the longitudinal axis x of the locking pin  10   6 . 
     As with the first and fifth embodiments, a pair of longitudinally x projecting finger tabs  80   6  can be provided on the stop  40   6  for facilitating retraction of the locking pin  10   6 . The finger tabs  80   6  depicted in  FIG. 8  are radially spaced from and diametrically positioned about the longitudinal axis x. The finger tabs  80   6  project longitudinally x from the stop  40   6  in a first longitudinal direction x 1  away from the catches  50   6 . The finger tabs  80   6  are configured and arranged for engaging the tips of a pointer finger (not shown) and a middle finger (not shown). The finger tabs  80   6  facilitate retraction of the locking pin  10   6  by allowing a user to pull the finger tabs  80   6  in the first longitudinal direction x 1  with a pointer (not shown) and middle (not shown) fingers while pushing the activation member  70   6  with the thumb (not shown) on the same hand (not shown) in a second longitudinal direction x 2  opposite the first longitudinal direction x 1  to reposition the catch  50   6  into the inward retraction position, thereby permitting the locking pin  10   6  to be pulled out from the holes H 1  and H 3  in the connected elements E 1  and E 3  respectively.