Quick Disconnect Pin Assembly

This invention relates in general to disconnect pins and in particular to a new and useful disconnect pin assembly construction in which a pin is lockable in a bushing by means of a locking ring and which includes release means for releasing the ring so that it is moved out of a locking position to easily permit withdrawal of the pin.

At the present time disconnect pins are known which include locking rings which are arranged so as to permit insertion of the pin into a receiving bushing and effectively prevent the pin's withdrawal. A disadvantage in the known construction is that there is no readily available means for facilitating the connection and disconnection.

The present invention provides a quick disconnect pin assembly in which a pin is insertable into a receiving bushing and has a locking ring which is adapted to engage between an end shoulder of a recess of the bushing and a seat defined adjacent one end of a locking ring groove of the pin. The locking ring is constructed so that it will engage against the shoulder of the bushing and prevent withdrawal of the pin. The invention also provides means for easily disengaging the locking ring from a locking position so as to facilitate withdrawal of the pin. In one embodiment this is achieved by providing a centering rod within a central bore of the pin which is threadably engaged with a sliding sleeve which has end portions which are movable upon axial shifting of the centering pin to engage and release the locking pin. The centering pin is moved easily by means of a button release which is slidably mounted in the side of the disconnect pin and which when moved against the force of a spring shifts the axial position of a center pin to move a release slide to dislodge the locking ring.

In another embodiment of the invention the locking ring is removed merely by depressing a slide against the force of a holding spring which is mounted on the inner end of the pin assembly and is shiftable along the pin so as to dislodge the locking ring.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide an improved quick disconnect pin having simple means for releasing the pin for disengagement when desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved quick disconnect pin assembly construction which is simple in design, rugged in construction and ecomomical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a quick disconnect pin assembly constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing the interlocking of the pin and bushing;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the releasing mechanism in the course of movement to release the retaining ring;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the pin in a released position; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in particular the invention embodied therein in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 comprises a quick disconnect pin assembly construction generally designated 10 which includes a receiving bushing generally designated 12 adapted to be positioned on a first fixed part for example as a fastener for securing a plurality of plates together, a bumper for absorbing a load applied to a pin carried on a fixed member, a securing device on a wall or similar object for holding a weight or other object, for theft-proof fasteners or for decorations.

The receiving bushing 12 has an interior bore 14 with a bore face having an axially extending recess 16. The recess 16 terminates on the withdrawal end thereof in a shoulder or abutment 18.

A disconnect pin or pin assembly generally designated 20 is insertable into the bore 14 and it has a side face 22 with an annular groove 24 defined thereon which is disposed so that it will be in alignment with the recess 16 when the pin 20 is in an inserted position within the bushing 22. The side face 22 includes a portion 22a between groove 24 and an end face thereof which is of less diameter than the remaining side face so as to define a locking ring seat 26 at one end of the groove.

A resilient locking ring 28 is engageable on the seat 26 between the pin 10 and the bushing 12 and it is of a size and resilience such that it is pushed into the groove 24 upon insertion of the pin into the bushing, but it locks between the seat 26 and the shoulder 18 to prevent withdrawal of the pin after it is inserted. The locking position is shown for example in FIG. 3. The construction is such as to prevent withdrawal of the pin after it is inserted into the bushing 12.

In accordance with the invention release means 30 are provided which are associated with the pin 20 and the receiving bushing 12 and in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 comprise a release member 32 which is connected for example by means of a threaded connection to a control member 34 which is slidable in the disconnect pin 20 and which includes a head portion 34a located in a recess 36 at the top of the pin. A resetting spring in the form of a cup spring member 38 is disposed within the recess 36 and bears against an annular shoulder 38 at its ends and the head portion 34a of the control member 34 to urge it to a reset position. In the position shown in FIG. 2 the control member 34 is in the reset position in which an annular skirt 32a of the release member 32 is disposed below the resilient locking ring 28 leaving it in a position such that it can block withdrawal of the pin 20. A release button 40 is mounted for sliding movement on an inclined plane 42 defined on the interior of the recess 36. The button 40 is biased to a non-actuated position by means of a spring 44 and it may be urged against this spring by depressing it with a person's finger to cause the member 40 to move to the right of the position shown in FIG. 2 and thereby raise the control member 34 upwardly along with the release member 32. This upward movement continues until as shown in FIG. 5 the locking ring 28 is dislodged from a locking position and the entire pin 20 is movable out of engagement with the bushing 12. When the releasing means 30 is reset by the action of the spring 38 the locking ring 28 is capable of moving back into a position at which it blocks removal of the pin.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 6 the bushing 12' is provided for receiving a pin 20' having release means 30' which includes a release member 32' with a skirt 32a' provided for releasing the locking ring 28' similarly to the other embodiment. In this embodiment however a resetting spring 46 is disposed between a shoulder 48 of the pin 20' and a shoulder 50 of the release member 32'. The spring 46 biases the member 32' in a downward direction in which the skirt 32a' is spaced away from the locking ring 28'. The shaft-like projection of the pin 20' designated 52 is slidably engaged in the release member 32'. When the release member 32' is pressed against the force of the spring 46 skirt portion 32a' comes into contact with the locking ring 28' and dislodges it from a locking position which it occupies in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. This permits release of the pin 20' from the bushing 12'.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.