Patent ID: 12215759

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing description of the figures is provided for the convenience of the reader. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments are not limited to the precise arrangements and configurations shown in the figures. Also, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and certain features may be shown exaggerated in scale or in generalized or schematic form, in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG.2shows a perspective view of a nut20coupled to a pin22embodiment of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the pin22is configured with a head24at a first end26and threads28formed at an opposing second end30, as shown inFIG.3. The second end30is also configured with one or more holes32formed thereon, as further described below. It will be appreciated that some pin22embodiments may be implemented without threads28and only the hole(s)32formed at the second end30.

FIG.4shows a perspective view of an outer sleeve34of a nut20embodiment of this disclosure. The outer sleeve34is configured with a central bore36.FIG.5shows a perspective view of an inner sleeve38of a nut20embodiment of this disclosure. The inner sleeve38is configured with a shaft40section for insertion into the central bore36of the outer sleeve34. In some embodiments, the inner sleeve38is configured with internal threads42formed near the shaft40end to engage with the threads28of pin22embodiments implemented with threading, as shown inFIG.3. The inner sleeve38is configured with one or more holes44to house one or more balls (further described below).

FIG.6Ashows a side view of an inner sleeve38embodiment of this disclosure. The sleeve38is configured with a groove46formed on the outer diameter surface of the shaft40section. The sleeve38end opposite the shaft40section includes an alignment mark48formed on the outer surface. A conventional spring50is also disposed over the shaft40section.

FIG.6Bshows a cross-section of the inner sleeve38along section A-A as depicted inFIG.6A. The sleeve38end opposite the shaft40section is formed as a housing51for a stair-stepped outer diameter52of the shaft40section at the end opposite the inner threaded42end. The shaft40section is formed with an internal annular void53to receive the pin22end (see pin end30ofFIG.3). One or more holes44are also formed along the shaft40section near the inner threaded42end. Each hole44is configured to embrace a locking ball54. The hole(s)44is formed to allow the ball54to extend into the internal annular void53without passing through and falling into the void53.

FIG.7Ashows a side view of an outer sleeve34embodiment of this disclosure. The outer surface of the sleeve34includes an alignment mark56formed thereon.FIG.7Bshows a cross-section of the outer sleeve34along section B-B as depicted inFIG.7A. The central bore36passes through the entire body of the outer sleeve34. The sleeve34is formed with a tapered inner diameter58near one end. The tapered inner diameter58provides a ramped surface which allows the locking ball(s)54on the inner sleeve38to move out radially from the hole(s)44when the sleeves34,38are actuated as described herein.

FIG.8shows another side view of an inner sleeve38embodiment of this disclosure. The sleeve38is configured with a pair of raised parapet60sections forming a channel62. The sleeve38is configured with a first parapet60section formed 180 degrees from a second parapet60section formed on the surface along the outer diameter of the shaft40section near the housing51. Each parapet60section runs for a short sector along the shaft40section surface. In this manner, the inner sleeve is configured with a pair of channels62formed along the outer diameter of the shaft40section surface. As shown inFIG.8, the alignment mark48is formed on the outer surface of the sleeve38to coincide with the location of one of the channels62.

Turning toFIG.9, a cross-section of a nut20formed by the mated outer34and inner38sleeves is shown. The shaft40section of the inner sleeve38is slidingly engaged within the central bore36of the outer sleeve34.FIG.9shows the pin22end (seeFIG.3item30) securely engaged within the open end of the inner sleeve38. With the pin22engaged with the nut20as shown inFIG.9, each locking ball54is pushed into a respective hole44on the inner sleeve38by the inner surface of the outer sleeve34. As such, the locking balls54engage with the holes32formed on the pin22end (FIG.3), thereby retaining the pin from rotation or extraction from the inner sleeve38. The spring (seeFIG.6Aitem50) provides an expansive force between the outer34and inner38sleeve to keep the locking ball(s)54positively engaged within the pin22hole(s)32.

As previously described, the outer sleeve34is configured with a tapered inner diameter58near the pin22receiving end. The tapered inner diameter58provides a ramped surface that respectively allows for inward and outward radial movement of the locking ball(s)54into or out of the hole(s)44on the inner sleeve38.FIG.9shows the outer sleeve34in an extended position relative to the inner sleeve38. In this position, the tapered inner diameter58contacts the locking balls54at the ramped surface forming the smallest inner diameter, thereby keeping each locking ball54fully seated within a hole44which in turn keeps the ball engaged within the pin22hole32.

To release the locking ball(s)54from engagement with the pin22hole(s)32, the outer sleeve34is manually pushed toward the inner sleeve38(to the left inFIG.9) by overcoming the spring50force. When the outer sleeve34is pushed toward the inner sleeve38, the ramped surface of the tapered inner diameter58will provide a larger inner diameter until there is sufficient space for radial movement of the locking ball(s)54to disengage from the pin22hole(s)32, thereby releasing the pin for rotation and extraction from the inner sleeve38.

To install the nut20on the pin22, the outer sleeve34is depressed into the inner sleeve38and rotated relative to the inner sleeve in order to align the alignment marks48,56. In this position, a pair of extensions64formed on the inner surface of the inner sleeve34engage with the channels62formed on the outer surface of the outer sleeve38shaft40section, thereby locking the nut20in the installation position such that the locking balls54are disengaged and the pin22end can be inserted into the nut or the nut can be threaded onto the pin22for embodiments with threaded pins. The alignment mark56on the outer sleeve34surface is timed to align with an extension64.

To lock the nut20onto the pin22, the outer sleeve34is manually rotated to offset the alignment marks48,56, thereby disengaging the extensions64from the channels62so the internal spring50can move the outer sleeve34into the fully extended position. The inner sleeve38may need slight rotation about the pin22until the outer sleeve34snaps into the fully extended position, indicating that the locking balls54are seated firmly in the pin22holes32. In the locked position, the outer sleeve34prevents outward radial movement of the locking balls54as described herein.

To release the nut20from the pin22, the outer sleeve34is rotated to align the alignment marks48,56and depressed into the inner sleeve38, compressing the spring50and allowing the locking ball(s)54to move radially outward away from the pin22and into the larger inside diameter provided by the tapered inner diameter58of the outer sleeve34, thereby releasing the locking ball(s) from the hole(s)32in the pin. With pin22embodiments configured with a threaded28end, the nut20can be rotated off the pin once the locking ball54is no longer held fast in the pin22hole32.

FIG.10shows a perspective view of a nut20embodiment of this disclosure. The nut20is shown in the installation position with the alignment marks48,56aligned such that the locking balls54are disengaged and the pin22end can be inserted into the nut20as described herein. Some embodiments may be configured with a snap ring66mounted in the groove46(FIG.6A) formed on the end of the shaft40section to hold the sleeves34,38together.

FIG.11shows a perspective view of a shackle100embodiment of this disclosure. The shackle100is configured with a body having a bow portion102, and first104and second106end portions. Each end portion104,106is configured with a pin opening108. A pin22is fitted through the pin openings108and secured onto the shackle100body by a nut20configured with at least one locking ball54to engage with the pin22as disclosed herein.

In light of the example embodiments described and illustrated herein, it will be recognized that numerous modifications could be applied to derive alternative embodiments of the present invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments may be implemented using conventional materials (e.g., steel, metal composites, etc.). What is claimed as the invention, therefore, are all implementations that come within the scope of the following claims.