AU767142B2 - A locking mechanism - Google Patents

Description

r7 AUSTRAL IA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant THE A'NI CGRPORA-T-I-ON-L-I-M-I-TED'f J Y-e/ 4 AUYi PA4) L',r,A ej) Invention Title: A LOCKING MECHANISM a The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 11/09 '03 THU 16:33 FAX 61299255911 GRIFFITH HACK Z009 2- A LOCKING MECHANISM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a locking mechanism for a rigging pin which is retractably received in an aperture of a rigging component such as shackles, sockets and equalisers in large dragline rigging equipment.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The applicant's Australian complete patent application No. 74059/98 discloses a locking device for releasably securing a pin in a shackle of a dragline bucket. The locking device is relatively complicated in 15 construction including a strip-like body portion, a drive screw, a sliding nut portion and a diamond-shaped locking element. The locking device is inserted in an opening in the shackle which aligns with an annular groove in the pin to prevent retraction of the pin from the shackle. The 20 locking device is retained in the shackle by the lateral displacement of the locking element into locking 99:.o engagement with a corresponding recess in the opening of the shackle.

In AU 727916 a locking device is disclosed for 25 retaining a pin in a shackle. The pin is held in place by a holding member which can be easily removed because the various- components are maintained in loose contact.

Disengagement and dislodgment of the locking device during use can occur which is undesireable.

,SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a locking mechanism for use with a rigging pin which is retractably received COMS ID No: SMBI-00412769 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:40 Date 2003-09-11 11/09 '03 THU 16:33 FAX 61299255911 GRIFFITH HACK 2010 3 in an aperture of a rigging component, said locking mechanism comprising: a locking bar capable of being retractably received in an opening in the rigging component so as to releasably engage a recess in the rigging pin wherein axial movement of the pin is prevented; and a retaining element capable of releasably engaging the rigging component and the locking bar to prevent longitudinal movement of said bar, the retaining element being resiliently deformable and adapted to releasably engage a slot in the locking bar, wherein deformation of the retaining element effects disengagement of the retaining element -with the rigging component or the locking bar whereupon the locking bar can be retracted from the recess of the rigging pin which can be retracted from the aperture of the rigging component.

Preferably the retaining element comprises an elongate retaining plug having opposing longitudinal edge portions, one portion adapted to releasably engage the S* slot in the locking bar and the other portion adapted to engage a respective slot in the rigging component.

The recess is usually an annular recess formed in the 25 rigging pin.

Preferably the elongate 'retaining plug includes a resiliently flexible polymeric body formed about a rigid steel insert. More preferably the polymeric body is formed from a composite polyester/polyurethane material.

Typically the locking bar is tapered at at least one end with the slot formed adjacent said tapered end and COMS ID No: SMBI-00412769 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:40 Date 2003-09-11 11/09 '03 THU1 16:33 FAX 81299255911 GRIFFITH HACK ZOil 4transverse to an axis of said bar whereby said taper promotes deformation of the retaining plug whilst the locking bar is inserted into the opening of the rigging component until the retaining plug aligns with and expands into the slot of the locking bar. More typically said tapered end includes a cavity having a longitudinally oriented ramped surface, the cavity being adapted to receive a removal tool which upon insertion is configured to engage the ramped surface and the retaining plug to deform said plug wherein it is disengaged from the locking bar to permit its retraction from the opening of the 00o0 rigging component.

Generally the opening in the rigging component is an elongate throughgoing opening. Typically the locking bar is tapered at both ends wherein insertion of said bar can be effected from either end of said throughgoing opening.

More typically the slot formed in the rigging component is one of a pair of slots.

Generally the rigging component is a shackle, socket or equaliser such as that used in a dragline bucket.

However, it should be appreciated that the invention 25 equally extends to other applications involving the releasable locking of a rigging pin to a rigging component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention several preferred embodiments of a locking mechanism for use with a rigging COMS ID No: SMBI-00412769 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:40 Date 2003-09-11 11/09 '03 THU 16:34 FAX 81299255911 GRIFFITH HACK R012 pin will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view in part cross section of a locking mechanism inserted across an aperture of a rigging component together with a removal tool; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the locking mechanism of Figure 1 together with part of a rigging pin; and Figure 3 is an elevational view being in part crosssection of a locking mechanism for use with a rigging pin and a U-shaped rigging component.

0oo s• DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in Figures 1 and 2 there is a locking 15 mechanism shown generally as 10 for a rigging pin which is retractably received in an aperture 14 of a rigging component. In this embodiment the rigging pin and rigging component are in the form of a shackle pin 12 and shackle 16, respectively.

The locking mechanism 10 comprises a locking bar 18 and a retaining element which in this example is in the form of an elongate retaining plug 20. The locking bar 18 is retractably received in a through-going opening 22 25 formed in the shackle 16. The retaining plug 20 is configured to releasably engage slots 24 and 26 formed in the shackle 16 and the locking bar 18, respectively.

The locking bar 18 is in cross section generally Ishaped having a web 28 and opposing flanges 30 and 32.

The upper flange 30 includes the slot 26 adjacent one end with opposing ends of the locking bar 18 including a taper formed in the flange 30. The web 28 of the locking bar 18 COMS ID No: SMBI-00412769 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:40 Date 2003-09-11 11/09 '03 THU 16:34 FAX 61299255911GRFIH AC 01 GRIFFITH HACK 10013 -6 also includes a pair of longitudinally spaced apart and elliptical -shaped cut outs such as 34. A cavity 36 is formed in the end of the locking bar 18 adjacent the slot 26. The cavity 36 is in the form of a channel having a longitudinally oriented ramped surface 38. Thus, as shown in Figure 1, the channel-shaped cavity 36 is designed to receive a removable tool 40 which upon insertion is configured to engage the ramped surface 38. The removal tool 40 includes a wedge-shaped tang 42 that is designled to locate between the ramped surface 38 and the retaining plug 2 0 -so as to def orm the plug 2 0 and thus ef fect its disengagement from the locking bar 18.

The shackle pin 12 of this embodiment is in cross- 15 section shaped circular and is a clearance f it within the aperture 14 of the shackle 16. The opening 22 is throughgoing and oriented generally perpendicular to an axis of the shackle pin 12. The throughgoing opening 22 intersects an upper portion of the aperture 14 and importantly aligns with an annular recess 44 formed in the *.shackle pin 12. The throughgoing opening 22 is elongate and shaped generally rectangular in cross-section so as to *.retractably receive the locking bar 18. The locking bar 18 is thus slidably received within the annular recess 44 of the shackle pin 12 so as to prevent axial movement of the shackle pin 12.

The retaining plug 20 of this embodiment includes a resiliently flexible polymeric body 46 formed about a steel insert 48. The retaining plug 20 also includes a void 50 which allows deformation. or compression of the retaining plug 20 to effect its disengagement from the locking bar 18. The polymeric body is formed from a COMS ID No: SMBI-00412769 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:40 Date 2003-09-11 11/09 '03 THU 16:34 FAX 61299255911 GRIFFITH HACK 0 7composite polyester/polyurethane material with specific mechanical properties suited to this application. It is also understood that the polyester/polyurethane material bonds to the steel insert 48.

The corresponding slots 24 and 26 formed in the shackle 16 and the locking bar 18, respectively, are similar in cross-sectional shape and shaped complementary to opposing edge portions of the retaining lug 20. The void 50 is designed to locate within the shackle 16 whereas the steel insert 48 locates within the slot 26 of the locking bar 18.

In operation, one of the tapered ends of the locking 15 bar 18 deforms or compresses the retaining plug 20 when the locking bar 18 is driven into the throughgoing opening 22 of the shackle 16. The retaining plug 20 then expands into the slot 26 of the locking bar 18 to positively lock both the locking bar 18 and the shackle pin 12 in position. Removal of the locking bar 18 is then effected with the removal tool 40 wherein the retaining plug 20 is compressed into the slot 24 of the shackle 16 and is disengaged from the slot 26 of the locking bar 18. The locking bar 18 can then be driven clear of the S" 25 throughgoing opening 22 and the shackle pin 12 can be retracted from the aperture 14 of the shackle 16.

Advantageously, the shackle 16 of this embodiment includes a pair of the slots 24 whereby the locking bar 18 can be inserted from either end of the throughgoing hole 22.

As shown in Figure 3 the locking mechanism 10 is shown arranged to engage a shackle pin 12 in two places to a U-shaped shackle 16A. The pin 12 is engaged in an Z014 COMS ID No: SMBI-00412769 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:40 Date 2003-09-11 11/09 '03 THU 16:34 FAX 61299255911GRFIHAC J01 GRIFFITH HACK [a 015 -8aaperture 14A formed at a position in and adjacent to each of the respective ends 41, Si of the ar-ms 40, 50 of the tishackle and to extend between those arms 40, 50. Each arm 50 also has a transverse through-going opening 22A into each* of which a locking bar 18 is retractably received. In all respects, the locking mechanism 10 is similar in construction to that of the previous embodiment and only the shackle is of a different embodiment.

Now that preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in some detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the locking mechanism for a rigging pin has at least the following advantages: Wi the locking mechanism is relatively simple in construction with a reduced number of components; the locking mechanism is particularly suited to rigging components where, for example, access from one side of the rigging component may be preferred; and (iii) the int er- engagement of the various components of the locking mechanism ensures that the components are maintained in close contact reducing the incidence of disengagement and dislodgment of the locking device during use.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described.

For example, the locking mechanism may extend to other applications where a rigging pin is to be releasably fitted to a rigging component. The locking bar may vary in its specific construction depending on the opening formed in the rigging component.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00412769 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:40 Date 2003-09-11 11/09 '03 THU 16:35 FAX 61299255911 GRIFFITH HACK 0o16 -9- All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

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Claims (7)

1. A locking mechanism for use with a rigging pin which is retractabl~y received in an aperture of a rigging component, said locking mechanism comprising: a locking bar capable of being retractably received in an opening in the rigging component so as to releasably engage a recess in the rigging pin wherein axial movement of the pin is prevented; and a retaining element capable of releasably engaging the rigging component and the locking bar to prevent longitudinal movement of said bar, the retaining element being resiliently deformable and adapted to releasabty engage a slot in the locking bar, wherein deformation of the retaining element effects disengagement of the retaining element with the rigging component or the locking bar whereupon the locking bar can be retracted from the recess of the rigging pin which can be retracted from the aperture of the rigging component. a2. A locking mechanism as defined in claim I. wherein the retaining element comprises an elongate retaining plug having opposing longitudinal edge portions, one portion adapted to releasably engage the slot in the locking bar and the other portion adapted to engage a respective slot in the rigging component.

3. A locking mechanism as def ined in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the recess is an annular recess formed in the rigging pin.

4. A locking mechanism as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate retaining plug COMS ID No: SMBI-00412769 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:40 Date 2003-09-11 11/09 '03 THIT 16:35 FAX 61299255911 GRIFFITH HACK 11 includes a resiliently flexible polymeric body formed about a rigid steel insert. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein the polymeric body is formed from a composite polyester/polyurethane material.

6. A locking mechanism as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking bar is tapered at at least one end with the slot formed adjacent said tapered end and transverse to an axis of said bar whereby said taper promotes deformation of the retaining plug whilst the locking bar is inserted into the opening of the rigging component until the retaining plug aligns with and S. 15 expands into the slot of the locking bar.

7. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 6 wherein said tapered end includes a cavity having a longitudinally oriented ramped surface, the cavity being adapted to receive a removal tool which upon insertion is configured to engage the ramped surface and the retaining plug to deform said plug wherein it is disengaged from the locking bar to permit its retraction from the opening of the •.o0 rigging component.

8. A locking mechanism as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the opening in the rigging component is an elongate throughgoing opening.

9. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 8 wherein the locking bar is tapered at both ends wherein insertion of said bar can be effected from either end of said throughgoing opening. o018 COMS ID No: SMBI-00412769 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:40 Date 2003-09-11 11/09 '03 THU 16:35 FAX 61299255911 GRIFFITH HACK o1019 12 A locking mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein the slot formed in the rigging component is one of a pair of slots. 11 A locking mechanism substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 11th day of September 2003 BRADKEN RESOURCES PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK oe oooo oooo oooo e o oor COMS ID No: SMBI-00412769 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:40 Date 2003-09-11