AU671191B2

AU671191B2 - Pin assembly for a shackle

Info

Publication number: AU671191B2
Application number: AU59666/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Wilfred Werner Krajewski
Original assignee: BANNERDECK Pty Ltd
Current assignee: BANNERDECK Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1993-01-29
Filing date: 1994-01-31
Publication date: 1996-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 2014-01-31
Also published as: AU5966694A

Description

TITLE: "PIN ASSEMBLY FOR A COMPONENT" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

THIS INVENTION relates to a pin assembly for a component. The pin assembly is particularly suitable for, but not limited to, use in shackles; pivot pins in mining, marine, military or transport equipment; or the like.

The invention also relates to shackles incorporating such pins.

2. Prior Art

Conventional locking or pivot pins are commonly retained by keepers which are releasably engaged in respective transverse slots adjacent one, or both, ends of the pins.

The keepers are often difficult to install (and remove) and the pins are subject to failure of the abutment member between the slots and the pin ends. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a pin assembly which has a simple, efficient locking system.

It is a preferred object to provide a locking system which can be provided at one end, or both ends, of the pin.

Other preferred objects will become apparent from the following description.

In one aspect, the present invention resides in a pin assembly for a component including: a pin engageable in aligned bores in first and second portions of the component, the pin having at at least one end a longitudinal bore and a transverse slot; a locking plate engageable in the transverse slot in the pin (and, optionally, in a transverse bore in the first portion (or second portion) of the component when aligned with the transverse slot); a locking pin engageable in the longitudinal bore of the pin to pass through a bore in the locking plate; and locking means to lock the locking pin in the end of the pin.

The other end of the pin may have a pin head rotatably or non-rotatably engageable in a socket (or bush) in the second (or first) portion of the component.

In an alternative embodiment, the other end of the pin may be secured by a second locking plate/locking pin/locking means, the locking plate being engageable in a transverse bore or slot in the second (or first) portion of the component.

Preferably, the locking pin has a peripheral groove which, when the locking pin is engaged in the pin, is aligned with a recess in one face of the locking plate. Preferably, the locking means includes a locking ring or circlip engageable in the peripheral grooves.

A resilient sealing ring may surround the locking ring in the recess. In a second aspect, the present invention resides in a pin assembly for a component including: a pin engageable in aligned bores in first and second portions of the component, the pin having at at least one end a longitudinal bore and a transverse slot; a locking plate engageable in the transverse slot in the pin (and, optionally, in a transverse bore in the first portion (or second portion) of the component when aligned with the transverse slot) ; and a locking stud having a shank engageable in the longitudinal bore of the pin to pass through a bore in the locking plate; and locking means to secure the locking stud in the end of the pin. The other end of the pin may have a pin head rotatably engageable in a socket (or bush) in the second

(or first) portion of the component.

Alternatively, the other end of the pin may be secured by a second locking plate/locking stud/locking means, the locking plate being engageable in a transverse bore (or slot) in the second (or first) portion of the component.

Preferably, at least a portion of the shank of the locking stud has a screw-thread. Preferably, the locking means includes a complementary screw-thread in the longitudinal bore of the pin and/or the bore in the locking plate. The longitudinal bore in the pin may be screw-threaded both internally and externally of the transverse slot. In a third aspect, the present invention resides in a pin assembly for a component including: a pin engageable in aligned bores in first and second portions of the component, the pin having at at least one end a longitudinal bore and a transverse slot; a locking plate engageable in the transverse slot in the pin (and, optionally, in a transverse bore in the first portion (or second portion) of the component when aligned with the transverse slot); a non-circular slot in the one end, aligned within the longitudinal bore; a substantially circular chamber in the one end interposed between the non-circular slot and the transverse slot; and a locking pin having a shank engageable in the longitudinal bore of the pin to pass through a bore in the locking plate and receivable in the chamber to secure the locking pin in the end of the pin.

The other end of the pin may have a pin-head rotatably or non-rotatably engaged in a socket (or bush) in the second (or first) portion of the component.

Alternatively, the other end of the pin may be secured by a second locking plate/locking pin means, the locking plate being engageable in a transverse bore (or slot) in the second (or first) portion of the component.

Preferably, the locking pin is rotatable in the chamber from a first (locking) position, at right angles to the non-circular slot, to a second (release) portion, aligned with the non-circular slot, to allow the locking pin to be released from the pin.

Preferably, the locking pin has a non-circular head or plate of the same, or similar, configuration as the non-circular slot, but of reduced dimensions.

Preferably, the chamber has at least one hole or depression engageable by a spring-loaded or resilient ball or stop to releasably secure the locking pin in the first (locking) position.

The locking pin may be rotated between the two positions by a tool inserted through the non-circular hole to engage the head or plate of the locking pin, or a nut or spigot on the head or plate (aligned with the shank) .

Preferably, load bearing bushes support the pin in the first and second portions of the component at least in the direction of pull.

Preferably, the bushes are cast of wear- resistant material and are secured (eg. by welding) non- rotatably in sockets formed in the first and second portions. In a fourth aspect, the present invention resides in a shackle assembly including: a substantially U-shaped shackle body having a head on one leg of the body and a tail on the other leg of the body; aligned bores in the head and tail; at least one transverse bore in the head and/or tail; and a pin assembly as hereinbefore described, the pin being engageable in the aligned bore in the head and tail and the locking plate being engageable in the transverse bore.

Preferably, the aligned bores are non- circular, and non-circular load bearing bushes in the aligned bores support the pin in the head and tail at least in the direction of pull on the shackle assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To enable the invention to be fully understood, a number of preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS 1 to 4 are respective side, side, end and end elevation view of a first embodiment of the pin;

FIG 5 is an exploded side elevation view of the locking system for the pin; FIG 6 is a side elevation of the assembled locking system for the pin;

FIG 7 is a section view of the assembled locking system;

FIG 8 is an end elevation view of the assembled locking system;

FIG 9 is a side view of a modified embodiment: of the pin with a pair of the locking systems;

FIG 10 is an exploded view of a shackle assembly incorporating the pin assembly of FIGS 1 to 8; FIG 11 is an end elevation of the assembled shackle assembly;

FIG 12 is a part-sectional side elevation of the shackle assembly;

FIG 13 is an exploded side elevation view of the locking system for a second embodiment of the pin;

FIG 14 is an end elevation of the assembled pin (the locking plate being omitted);

FIG 15 is a sectional side view of the assembled locking system; FIG 16 is an exploded view of a shackle assembly incorporating the pin assembly of FIGS 13 to 15;

FIG 17 is an end elevation of the pin of a third embodiment; FIG 18 is a sectional side view taken on line

18-18 on FIG 17;

FIG 19 is an end elevation of the locking pin of the third embodiment;

FIG 20 is a sectional view taken on line 20-20 on FIG 19;

FIG 21 is a side view of a tool to rotate the locking pin between its two positions; and

FIG 22 is an underside view of the tool. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS 1 to 8, the pin 20 has a shank 120 with a square pin head 121 at one end, a longitudinal bore 122 at the other end, associated with a transverse slot 123 and a transverse recess 124 (see FIGS 1 to 4) . A rectangular locking plate 30 has a body 131 with a bore 132 therethrough surrounded by a recess 133 at one end.

The locking pin 40 has a shank 141, with a peripheral grooves 142, and a head 143. A metal locking ring 80 (eg. a split washer) and a rubber sealing ring 70 complete the locking assembly.

The pin is assembled as follows.

The locking ring 80 and sealing ring 70 are located within the recess 133 in the locking plate 30.

The locking plate 30 is inserted through the transverse slot 123 in the pin 20 until its bore 132 is aligned with the longitudinal bore 122 in the pin shank 120. The locking pin 40 has its shank 141 inserted in the outer end of the longitudinal bore 122 of the pin shank 120 and the head 143 is then struck (eg. with a light hammer) to drive the lock pin 40 home, where the locking ring 80 engages the peripheral groove 142 in the locking pin 40.

The pin 20 is now locked in the component (not shown) .

As shown in FIG 9, at one end of the pin 20, the head 121 is replaced by a square or rectangular portion 121a and a locking plate 30/locking pin 40 combination is provided at each end to locate and secure the pin 20 in, eg. the head and tail of a shackle (not shown) .

Referring to FIG 10, the shackle assembly 1000 incorporates a shackle 10 and the pin 20.

The shackle 10 has a substantially U-shaped body 110 with a head 111 on one leg and a tail 112 on the other leg.

A pair of bushes 50, 60 cast from hard wearing material, are non-rotatably received (and secured by welding) in complementary recesses 115, 116 in aligned bores 113, 114 in the head 111 and tail 112. A transverse bore 117 intersects bore 113 and head 111.

The shackle 10 is assembled with the bushes 50, 60 welded in place. The locking ring 80 and sealing ring 70 are located within the recess 133 in the locking plate 30.

The pin 20 is inserted through the bore 114 in the tail 112 and then into the bore 113 in the head 111 until the pin head 121 is non-rotatably engaged by the bush 60. At each end, the shank 120 of the pin 20 is supported by the bushes 50, 60.

The locking plate 30 is inserted through the transverse bore 117 in the head 111 until its bore 132 is aligned with the longitudinal bore 122 in the pin shank 120.

The locking pin 40 has its shank 141 inserted in the outer end of the longitudinal bore 122 of the pin shank 120 and the head 143 is then struck (eg. with a light hammer) to drive the lock pin 40 home, where the locking ring 80 engages the peripheral groove 142 in the locking pin 40.

The pin 20 is now locked in the shackle 10.

Referring now to FIGS 13 to 15, the pin 202 has a shank 220, head 221, longitudinal bore 222 and transverse slot 223 substantially as hereinbefore described, with a circular recess 224 at the end of the pin 202.

The locking plate 203 has a body 231 with a screw-threaded bore 232 and recess 233.

The locking stud 204 has a shank 241, a screw- threaded portion 242 and a head 243.

A cover 207 and a clip 208 are received within the bore 232 of the lock plate 203 and an O-ring 209 is sealably engaged between the underside of the head 243 of the locking stud 204 and the end of shank 220 of the pin 202 about the longitudinal bore 222.

To assemble the pin, the clip 208 and cover

207 are placed in the recess 233 in the locking plate 203 which is inserted in the transverse slot 223 until the bore 222, 232 are aligned.

The shank 241 of the locking stud 204 is inserted into the longitudinal bore 222 of the pin 202 and the screw-threaded portion 242 is engaged with the threaded bore 232 of the locking plate 203 to secure the latter.

As the head 243 of the locking stud 204 is received within the recess 224 in the end of the pin 202, the head is protected against damage and the stud 204 can be removed with a suitable tool (eg. a power wrench) .

In an alternative embodiment, the bore 232 is plain, and the screw-threaded portion 242 of the locking stud 204 engages complementary screw threads in the longitudinal bore 222 above and/or below the transverse slot 223. In a further alternative, the stud 204 may be screw-threadably engaged in both the pin 202 and locking plate 203.

As hereinbefore described with reference to FIG 9, respective locking systems may be provided at each end of the pin 202.

With the embodiment of FIGS 13 to 15, a hammer is not required to lock the locking plate in position, enabling its application in confined spaces. FIG 16 shows how the pin assembly 203 is fitted to a shackle assembly 1010 and is supported in the aligned bores 1013, 1014 (in the head 1011 and tail 1012) by the non-circular bushes 1016 in the direction of pull. Referring to FIGS 17 to 20, pin 302 has a shank 320, head (not shown), longitudinal bore 322 and transverse slots 323 substantially as hereinbefore described.

The locking plate (not shown) is of the same configuration as locking plate 30 (see FIGS 5-7), where the recess 133 is omitted.

A non-circular slot 324 in the end of the pin 302 is connected to a circular chamber 325, connected to the bore 322, and interposed between the non-circular slot 324 and transverse slot 323.

The locking pin 304 has a shank 341 and a non- circular head 343. A pair of spring-loaded balls 345 are provided in the head 343.

To assemble the pin, the locking plate is inserted in the transverse slot 323 and the bore in the locking plate is aligned with longitudinal bore 322 in the pin 302.

The locking pin 304 is inserted through the non-circular slot 324 so that the shank 341 passes through the aligned bores in the locking plate and the pin 302.

The locking pin 304 is rotated through 90° until the spring-loaded balls 345 engage the locating holes 326 in the end of the pin 302. As the locking pin 304 is received within the end of the pin 302, it is protected against damage.

To release the locking plate, the rotation of the locking pin 304 is reversed, and the locking pin 304 is withdrawn. The locking pin 304 may be rotated by a tool

350 (see FIGS 21 and 21) which has a slot 351 in a head 352, rotatably by a bar 353, with a handle 354. By movement of the bar 353 through the head 352, different degrees of leverage are obtainable. Alternatively, a socket may be engaged on a hexagonal (or square) spigot 346 on the head 343 of the locking pin 304.

It will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee that the present pin assemblies have applications in many areas where two components must be hingedly connected together. Examples include hitch pins, heavy duty door pins, mounting or anchor pins for chains, shackle pins or the like.

The shackles 100, 1010, or modified versions thereof, may be used as dump shackles or drag shackles in mining equipment, chain shackles or the like.

Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A pin assembly for a component including: a pin engageable in aligned bores in first and second portions of the component, the pin having at at least one end a longitudinal bore and a transverse slot; a locking plate engageable in the transverse slot in the pin (and, optionally, in a transverse bore in the first portion (or second portion) of the component when aligned with the transverse slot); a locking pin engageable in the longitudinal bore of the pin to pass through a bore in the locking plate; and locking means to lock the locking pin in the end of the pin.

2. A pin assembly according to Claim 1 wherein: the other end of the pin has a pin head rotatably or non-rotatably engageable in a socket or bush in the second (or first) portion of the component.

3. A pin assembly according to Claim 1 wherein: the other end of the pin is secured by a second locking plate/locking pin/locking means, the second locking plate being engageable in a transverse bore or slot in the second (or first) portion of the component.

4. A pin assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein: the locking pin has a peripheral groove which, when the locking pin is engaged in the pin, is aligned with a recess in one face of the locking plate.

5. A pin assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein: the locking means includes a locking ring or circlip engageable in the peripheral grooves.

6. A pin assembly according to Claim 4 wherein: a resilient sealing ring surrounds the locking ring in the recess.

7. A pin assembly for a component including: a pin engageable in aligned bores in first and second portions of the component, the pin having at at least one end a longitudinal bore and a transverse slot; a locking plate engageable in the transverse slot in the pin (and, optionally, in a transverse bore in the first portion (or second portion) of the component when aligned with the transverse slot); and a locking stud having a shank engageable in the longitudinal bore of the pin to pass through a bore in the locking plate; and locking means to secure the locking stud in the end of the pin.

8. A pin assembly according to Claim 7 wherein: the other end of the pin has a pin head rotatably engageable in a socket or bush in the second (or first) portion of the component.

9. A pin assembly according to Claim 7 wherein: the other end of the pin is secured by a second locking plate/locking stud/locking means, the second locking plate being engageable in a transverse bore or slot in the second (or first) portion of the component.

10. A pin assembly according to any one of Claims 7 to 9 wherein: at least a portion of the shank of the locking stud has a screw-thread.

11. A pin assembly according to any one of Claims 7 to 10 wherein: the locking means includes a complementary screw-thread in the longitudinal bore of the pin and/or the bore in the locking plate, the longitudinal bore in the pin being (optionally) screw-threaded, both internally and externally of the transverse slot.

12. A pin assembly for a component including: a pin engageable in aligned bores in first and second portions of the component, the pin having at at least one end a longitudinal bore and a transverse slot; a locking plate engageable in the transverse slot in the pin (and, optionally, in a transverse bore in the first portion (or second portion) of the component when aligned with the transverse slot) ; a non-circular slot in the one end, aligned within the longitudinal bore; a substantially circular chamber in the one end interposed between the non-circular slot and the transverse slot; and a locking pin having a shank engageable in the longitudinal bore of the pin to pass through a bore in the locking plate and receivable in the chamber to secure the locking pin in the end of the pin.

13. A pin assembly according to Claim 12 wherein: the other end of the pin has a pin-head rotatably or non-rotatably engaged in a socket or bush in the second (or first) portion of the component.

14. A pin assembly according to Claim 12 wherein: the other end of the pin is secured by a locking plate/locking pin means, the second locking plate being engageable in a transverse bore or slot in the second (or first) portion of the component.

15. A pin assembly according to any one of Claims 12 to 14 wherein: the locking pin is rotatable in the chamber from a first (locking) position, at right angles to the non-circular slot, the allow the locking pin to be released from the pin.

16. A pin assembly according to Claim 15 wherein: the locking pin has a non-circular head or plate of the same, or similar, configuration as the non- circular slot, but of reduced dimensions.

17. A pin assembly according to any one of Claims 12 to 16 wherein: the chamber has at least one hole or depression engageable by a spring-loaded or resilient ball or stop to releasably secure the locking pin in the first (locking) position.

18. A pin assembly according to Cla_im 15 wherein: the locking pin is rotated between the two positions by a tool inserted through the non-circular hole to engage the head or plate of the locking pin, or to engage a nut or spigot on the head or plate (aligned with the shank) .

19. A pin assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 18 wherein: load bearing bushes support the pin in the first and second portions of the component at least in the direction of pull.

20. A pin assembly according to Claim 19 wherein: the bushes are cast of wear-resistant material and are secured non-rotatably in sockets formed in the first and second portions.

21. A shackle assembly including: a substantially U-shaped shackle body having a head on one leg of the body and a tail on the other leg of the body; aligned bores in the head and tail; at least one transverse bore in the head and/or tail; and a pin assembly as claimed in any one of

Claims 1 to 20, the pin being engageable in the aligned bore in the head and tail and the locking plate being engageable in the transverse bore.

22. A shackle assembly as claimed in Claim 21 wherein: the aligned bores are non-circular, and non- circular load bearing bushes in the aligned bores support the pin in the head and tail at least in the direction of pull on the shackle assembly.

23. A shackle assembly according to Claim 22 wherein: the bushes are cast of wear-resistant material and are non-rotatably secured in sockets formed in the aligned bores.