Locking pin for excavating equipment

• US 6,030,143 A
• Filed: 12/18/1997
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ESCO Group LLC (WEIR Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: ESCO Corporation (WEIR Group PLC)
• Inventors: Kreitzberg, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOCHNA, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US08/993,173
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 403/291, 403/374.1, 403/373, 403/355, 403/379.4, 403/379.6, 37/456, 37/457, 37/455, 172/772.5, 172/753
• US Class Current: 403/374.1
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2841 resilient
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7018 including separably interposed key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7064 by wedge or cam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7086 Wedge pin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7091 Expansible retainer

Abstract

An improved locking pin for locking together two pieces of equipment through aligned locking apertures. The pin comprises a steel casing, a steel insert and an elastomer member. The two steel parts assemble together in a particular sequence and are adjusted so that when completely assembled, the insert is locked into the casing with the body of the casing and the insert being parallel and spaced from one another. The elastomer member is interposed in the space defined between the casing and insert, and fills the space between the steel parts. The assembled steel parts are firmly locked together by introduction of the elastomer member into that space. There is no adhesive joining the steel and elastomer members which makes the pin more amenable for use in corrosive environments and also eases manufacture of the pin components. A tightly constructed locking pin also avoids the problems of the components becoming loose or lost.

Claims

1. A locking pin for joining together parts by insertion of said locking pin into aligned locking apertures, said locking pin comprising:

a first rigid member having a first body portion and arms formed on each end of said first body portion, each of said arms having a recess such that said recesses face one another and are defined by locking abutments at their ends and lateral sides;

a second rigid member having a second body portion and tabs formed on each end of said second body portion, said tabs being adapted for insertion into said recesses to bear against said locking abutments when said second member is assembled to said first member, said first body portion being spaced away from said second body portion to define a space therebetween; and

an elastomer member having locking tabs formed on each end of said elastomer member, said elastomer member interposed in said space between said first member and said second member, and said locking tabs being adapted to be inserted into said recesses such that said first member, said second member and said elastomer member are firmly locked together.

2. The locking pin of claim 1, wherein one of said recesses of said first member comprises a stepped configuration including a deep portion adjacent said first body and a shallow portion adjacent said locking abutment.

3. The locking pin of claim 1, wherein said first member and said elastomer engage one another by a mating rib and slot arrangement.

4. The locking pin of claim 1, wherein said second member and said elastomer engage one another by a mating rib and slot arrangement.

5. The locking pin of claim 1, wherein said elastomer is oversized such that assembly of said elastomer between said first member and said second member firmly affixes and preloads said locking pin.

6. A casing for a locking pin assembly comprising:

a longitudinal body portion; and

laterally extending arms provided at the ends of said body portion defining exterior portions and interior portions, each of said arms having an assembly recess provided on the interior portion thereof for receiving tabs of an insert member, each said recess defined by a locking abutment at the free end of said arm and lateral sides, so as to constrain movement of the insert member relative to said casing in all directions except toward and away from one another.

7. The casing of claim 6, wherein one said assembly recess comprises a stepped configuration with a deep portion adjacent said body and a shallow portion adjacent said locking abutment enabling sequential assembly of the locking pin.

8. The casing of claim 6, further comprising a rib provided on said body for engagement of a mating slot on another component of said locking pin assembly.

9. A rigid insert component for a locking pin assembly, said insert adapted for assembly into a rigid casing, said insert comprising:

a longitudinal body portion including an engagement structure disposed along said body portion for engaging an elastomer component of the locking pin assembly; and

insert tabs formed on each end of said body portion, said insert tabs being adapted for insertion into corresponding recesses of the casing to constrain said insert both vertically and laterally with respect to the casing.

10. The insert of claim 9, wherein said engagement structure comprises a longitudinal slot for receiving a mating rib on the other component.

11. A locking pin for joining together parts by insertion of said locking pin into aligned locking apertures, said locking pin comprising:

a first rigid member having a body extending in a longitudinal direction and including a first assembly structure;

a second rigid member having a body extending in the longitudinal direction and including a second assembly structure, said second rigid member assembled to said first rigid member and constrained in the longitudinal direction and in first and second lateral directions with respect to said first rigid member by cooperation of said first assembly structure with said second assembly structure; and

an elastomer member interposed between said first member and said second member to resiliently bias said first and second rigid members apart.

12. The locking pin of claim 11, wherein said first assembly structure comprises arms formed on each end of said first rigid member, said arms extending in second lateral direction which is orthogonal to the first lateral direction, and each of said arms having a recess such that said recesses face one another.

13. The locking pin of claim 12, wherein said second assembly structure comprises tabs formed on each end of said second rigid member, said insert tabs being adapted for insertion into said recesses.

14. The locking pin of claim 12, wherein one of said recesses has a stepped configuration to enable sequential assembly of said locking pin.

15. The locking pin of claim 12, wherein one of said recesses includes a channel portion and a locking portion which is orthogonal to said channel portion.

16. The locking pin of claim 11, wherein said elastomer member cooperates with said first and second assembly structures to hold said first rigid member and said second rigid member in spaced relation.

17. The locking pin of claim 11, wherein said first rigid member and said elastomer member are engaged to one another by an engagement structure.

18. The locking pin of claim 11, wherein said second rigid member and said elastomer member are engaged to one another by an engagement structure.

19. The locking pin of claim 11, wherein said first assembly structure comprises arms formed on each end of said first rigid member, said arms extending in second lateral direction which is orthogonal to the first lateral direction, and each said arm having an insert tab provided thereon.

20. The locking pin claim 19, wherein said second assembly structure comprises a recess provided in each end of said second rigid member for receiving said insert tabs.

21. The locking pin of claim 11, wherein said first assembly structure comprises arms formed on each end of said first rigid member, said arms extending in a second lateral direction which is orthogonal to the first lateral direction, one said arm having a first insert tab provided thereon and the other said arm having a first recess provided therein.

22. The locking pin of claim 21, wherein said second assembly structure comprises a second recess provided in one end of said second rigid member for receiving said first insert tab, and a second insert tab provided on the other end of said second rigid member for insertion into said first recess.