Locking quick-release pin assembly

• US 9,657,763 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2015
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Johnson, Dennis R.
• Primary Examiner(s): GALL, LLOYD A
• Application Number:
  US14/850,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20170074309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 70175-180, 70 34, 70386, 70232, 70DIG 57, 292DIG 37, 411348, 280507
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 19/109 Temporary rivets, e.g. with a spring-loaded pin special clamping devices for workpieces to be riveted together, e.g. operating through the rivet holes B21J15/42; hand tools for temporarily connecting sheets before or during assembly operations B25B31/005
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/16 using rollers or balls clamps for rods or tubes telescopically engaged F16B7/1409; used in anti-theft monitors, e.g. as used for articles of clothing in shops E05B73/0017
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/165 with balls or rollers for connections of rods or tubes engaged telescopically F16B7/1409
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/14 Cap nuts; Nut caps or bolt caps
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 41/005 Measures against unauthorised operation of bolts, nuts or pins F16B23/0007, F16B23/0061, F16B23/0069, F16B23/0076 and F16B31/02 take precedence; locks, keys E05B; for valves, taps or cocks F16K35/00; for pipe-joints with swivel-nuts F16L19/005
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5628 Valve encasing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5637 With padlock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5867 Encased

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a locking quick-release pin assembly. A cover comprises a body with an opening at a first end, a domed second end, and a plurality of tabs extending from the body. Each tab of the plurality of tabs has a hole. Each hole is concentric with another hole of another tab of the plurality of tabs.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a piece of equipment;

a quick-release pin associated with the piece of equipment, wherein the quick-release pin comprises a button portion configured to enable the quick-release pin to be removed from the piece of equipment when the button portion is depressed;

a lock comprising a shackle; and

a cover associated with the quick-release pin, the cover comprising a body with an opening at a first end, a domed second end, and a plurality of tabs extending from the body, wherein;

each tab of the plurality of tabs has a hole;

each hole of each tab of the plurality of tabs is concentric with another hole of another tab of the plurality of tabs;

each hole of each tab of the plurality of tabs is configured to receive the shackle of the lock, wherein concentric holes are configured to receive the shackle simultaneously; and

the cover is configured to prevent access to the quick-release pin when the shackle of the lock is located in at least one hole of at least one tab of the plurality of tabs.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tabs comprises:

two pairs of tabs.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the body includes a number of curved indentations configured to contact a handle portion of the quick-release pin.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises:

a connector configured to receive a strap.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the cover is formed of a high visibility material, wherein high visibility material is defined as a material distinguishable against a color of the piece of equipment.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the cover is formed of a polymeric material.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the high visibility material is further defined as having a desired color or a desired luminescence.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the quick-release pin comprises a number of ball detents and wherein the button portion is further configured to activate the number of ball detents when the button portion is depressed.

9. A locking quick-release pin assembly comprising:

a quick-release pin with a button portion, a handle portion, and a shank portion, wherein the handle portion is positioned between the button portion and the shank portion and wherein the button portion is configured to enable the quick-release pin to be removed from a piece of equipment when the button portion is depressed; and

a cover having a body and a plurality of tabs extending from the body, wherein;

the body has a cavity configured to conceal the button portion;

each tab of the plurality of tabs has a hole configured to receive a shackle of a lock on a shank-side of the handle portion;

the shank-side of the handle portion is an opposite side of the handle portion from the button portion; and

the cover is configured to prevent access to the quick-release pin when the shackle of the lock is located in at least one hole of at least one tab of the plurality of tabs.

10. The locking quick-release pin assembly of claim 9 further comprising:

a first lock having a first shackle, wherein the first shackle extends through a first hole in a first tab of the plurality of tabs and a second hole in a second tab of the plurality of tabs.

11. The locking quick-release pin assembly of claim 10 further comprising:

a second lock having a second shackle, wherein the second shackle extends through a third hole in a third tab of the plurality of tabs and a fourth hole in a fourth tab of the plurality of tabs, wherein the shank portion is between the first lock and the second lock.

12. The locking quick-release pin assembly of claim 9, wherein the cover is formed of a high visibility material, wherein high visibility material is defined as a material distinguishable against a color of a piece of equipment associated with the cover and the locking quick-release pin assembly.

13. The locking quick-release pin assembly of claim 9, wherein the cover is formed of a polymeric material.

14. The locking quick-release pin assembly of claim 9, wherein the cover further comprises:

a connector configured to receive a strap.

15. The locking quick-release pin assembly of claim 9 further comprising:

at least one of a flag or a tag extending through at least one hole of the plurality of tabs, wherein a tag comprises an item with an identifying text and a flag comprises a flexible indicator.

16. The locking quick-release pin assembly of claim 15, wherein the identifying text comprises information containing one of an operator name, a time of lock placement, or a type of maintenance performed.

17. The locking quick-release pin assembly of claim 15, wherein the flag further comprises a flexible material sent through the at least one hole.

18. A method of locking a quick-release pin comprising:

placing a cover over a handle portion of the quick-release pin to conceal a button portion of the quick-release pin, wherein the quick-release pin further comprises;

a shank portion, wherein the handle portion is between the shank portion and the button portion, wherein the cover has a body with a cavity concealing the button portion and a plurality of tabs extending from the body, and wherein each tab of the plurality of tabs has a hole configured to receive a shackle of a lock on a shank-side of the handle portion, wherein the shank-side of the handle portion is an opposite side of the handle portion from the button portion; and

placing a first shackle of a first lock through a first hole of a first tab of the plurality of tabs and a second hole of a second tab of the plurality of tabs, wherein placing the first shackle of the first lock through the first hole and the second hole causes the cover to prevent access to the quick-release pin.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

placing a second shackle of a second lock through a third hole of a third tab of the plurality of tabs and a fourth hole of a fourth tab of the plurality of tabs.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

removing the first shackle of the first lock from the first hole and the second hole after placing the second shackle of the second lock through the third hole and the fourth hole, wherein placing the second shackle of the second lock through the third hole and the fourth hole causes the cover to prevent access to the quick-release pin.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

placing a flag or a tag through at least one hole of the plurality of tabs, wherein a tag comprises an item with identifying text and a flag comprises a flexible indicator.