Quick-acting shackle

Abstract

A shackle device has a bow having first and second legs with first and second alignment holes passing through the legs; a catch head secured to the bow outside the second leg and aligned with the second aperture, the catch head comprising a metal ball in a radial passage; and an anchor pin adapted to fit into the catch head through the first and second holes, the anchor pin having a circumferential groove at an end proximate the entry catch head. The anchor pin is placed into the catch head through the first and second holes such that the catch head moves the balls radially into the circumferential grooves in the anchor pin locking the anchor pin in the bow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of devices for connecting lifting equipment to a load, and more particularly to an element that facilitates the connection of chain or cable web slings, roundslings and different lifting equipment from a lifting equipment to a load to be lifted. Background Art

[0002] In the conventional art, a shackle (sometimes also referred to as a shackle) is a U-shaped or Ω-shaped metal element that is fixed to the opening of the U-shaped element with a U-shaped pin or bolt. Various quick release locking pins are known in the art for use with shackles.

[0003] Safe and quick application and release are desirable attributes of a shackle and in the prior art shackles have been subject to varying degrees of difficulty. There is a clear need for a shackle that is very safe when locked, quick to release with one hand by the user and quick to apply and lock. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A shackle device is provided, comprising: a bow member having first and second legs, wherein first and second alignment holes extend through the legs. A catch head can be secured to the bow member beyond the second leg and aligned with the second hole, the catch head including a metal ball bearing in a radial channel. An anchor pin is adapted to be assembled into the catch head through the first and second holes, the anchor pin having a circumferential groove near an end where it enters the catch head. In this embodiment, the anchor pin is placed into the catch head through the first and second holes, causing the catch head to radially move the ball bearing into the circumferential groove in the anchor pin, thereby locking the anchor pin in the bow member.

[0005] In one embodiment, the capture head comprises: a body having a generally hollow cylindrical cross-section, the body being closed at a first end and open at a second end, having external threads; and a plurality (three or more) of channels extending radially and equally spaced apart at a point along the length of the body, the body being rigidly connected to the bow, the external threads engaging with internal threads in the inner diameter of a second hole through a second leg. In this embodiment, the body is rigidly connected to the bow by engaging external threads on an end of the body facing the bow with internal threads in a hole through a leg of the bow. The capture head also comprises: a plunger located within the body, the plunger having an outer diameter that is a sliding fit with the inner diameter of the body; and a first compression spring located between the closed end of the body and the plunger, the first compression spring biasing the plunger toward the bow.

[0006] In another embodiment, the capture head further includes a locking sleeve having an inner diameter that engages the outer diameter of the body and a conical shape at one end. The sleeve captures the locking pin in an L-shaped recess, the L-shaped recess having a first longitudinal leg and a second leg at a right angle to the longitudinal leg. The first longitudinal leg limits the sleeve to a limited length of translation along the axis of the body, and the second leg limits the sleeve to a limited amount of rotation about the body. The sleeve is urged toward the bow by a second compression spring between a first shoulder on the sleeve and a second shoulder on the body. In this embodiment, a first retaining ring is added, positioned on the bow on the opposite side of the capture head, and a second retaining ring is included. The second retaining ring is positioned on the end of the anchor pin opposite the end inserted through the hole in the leg of the bow. A tether of a certain length is provided between the retaining rings to enable the anchor pin to be inserted and removed through the hole in the leg of the bow. The tether between the retaining rings ensures that the anchor pin is always retained with the bow.

[0007] Furthermore, the anchor pin is removed from the hole in the leg of the bow, the ball is completely restrained by the outer diameter of the plunger outside the outer diameter of the anchor pin, the ball restrains the sleeve away from the bow, and wherein the anchor pin is placed through the hole in the leg of the bow and against the plunger, the plunger is urged against the first compression spring, the plunger is moved toward the closed end of the body, the circumferential groove in the anchor pin aligns with the ball, and the sleeve, urged by the second compression spring, moves the ball into the groove and captures the ball in the groove, locking the anchor pin in the capture head. In this embodiment, the user rotates the sleeve, retaining the ball in the groove of the anchor pin, and can lock the sleeve in the forward position, while the locking pin in the second leg of the L-shaped recess locks the anchor pin in the bow. The anchor pin is locked in the capture head. The user rotates the sleeve to align the locking pin with the longitudinal legs of the L-shaped recess and pulls the sleeve toward the closed end of the body, causing the plunger, urged by the first compression spring, to move the anchor pin in a direction away from the closed end of the body. The edge of the recess in the anchor pin moves the ball radially out of the recess, and the outer diameter of the plunger moves to retain the ball outside the outer diameter of the anchor pin. In this embodiment, the user can completely pull the unlocked anchor pin out through the hole in the leg of the bow.

[0008] A method for providing a shackle may also be provided, comprising the steps of: placing an anchor pin having a circumferential groove at one end of the anchor pin proximate an alignment hole in a leg of a bow, the end having the circumferential groove entering a capture head rigidly fixed to the bow, the capture head having three or more balls in equally spaced radial channels; and moving the anchor pin to a position where the circumferential groove aligns with the radial channels of the capture head, wherein the balls enter the circumferential groove and lock the anchor pin in the bow. In this embodiment, the capture head comprises: a body having a generally hollow cylindrical cross-section, the body being closed at a first end and open at a second end, having external threads; and a plurality (three or more) of channels extending radially and equally spaced at a point along the length of the body, the body being rigidly connected to the bow, the external threads engaging internal threads in an inner diameter of a second hole through a second leg, wherein the step of moving the anchor pin translates the anchor pin in the body and aligns the groove with the channels in the body.

[0009] An additional step is provided, including rigidly attaching the body to the bow by engaging external threads on an end of the body facing the bow with internal threads in a hole through a leg of the bow. The capture head may also include: a plunger located within the body, the plunger having an outer diameter that slides with the inner diameter of the body; and a first compression spring located between the closed end of the body and the plunger, the first compression spring biasing the plunger toward the bow, including moving the anchor pin against the plunger compressing the first compression spring. Furthermore, the capture head includes a locking sleeve having an inner diameter that engages the outer diameter of the body and a conical shape at one end, the sleeve capturing the locking pin in an L-shaped recess, the L-shaped recess having a first longitudinal leg and a second leg at right angles to the longitudinal leg, the first longitudinal leg limiting the sleeve to a limited length of translation along the axis of the body, the second leg limiting the sleeve to a limited amount of rotation about the body, the sleeve being urged toward the bow by a second compression spring between a first shoulder on the sleeve and a second shoulder on the body.

[0010] Further steps may be included, including: removing the anchor pin from the hole in the leg of the bow, completely confining the ball bearing outside the outer diameter of the anchor pin by the outer diameter of the plunger, moving the ball confining sleeve away from the bow, and placing the anchor pin against the plunger through the hole in the leg of the bow, pushing the plunger against the first compression spring, moving the plunger toward the closed end of the body, aligning the circumferential groove in the anchor pin with the ball bearing, and the sleeve, urged by the second compression spring, moving the ball bearing into the groove and capturing the ball bearing therein, locking the anchor pin in the capture head. In this embodiment, the user rotates the sleeve, retaining the ball bearing in the groove of the anchor pin, locking the sleeve in the forward position, while a locking pin in the second leg of the L-shaped recess locks the anchor pin in the bow.

[0011] Furthermore, the anchor pin is locked in the capture head, the sleeve is rotated to align the locking pin with the longitudinal legs of the L-shaped recess, and the sleeve is pulled toward the closed end of the body, so that the plunger, urged by the first compression spring, can move the anchor pin in a direction away from the closed end of the body, the edge of the recess in the anchor pin radially moves the ball out of the recess, and the outer diameter of the plunger moves to retain the ball outside the outer diameter of the anchor pin. The user then completely pulls the unlocked anchor pin out through the hole in the leg of the bow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1A 1 is an assembly diagram of a quick-action shackle in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 1B 1 is an assembly diagram of a quick-action shackle in an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A A sectional view of the assembly taken in the plane of the figure along the center line of the pin inserted into the bow of the shackle.

[0015] Figure 3A is a side view of an anchor pin in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3B The present invention Figure 1B Side view of the anchor pin in the illustrated embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3C is a top view of a locking sleeve in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 A cross-sectional view showing the anchor pin fully inserted.

[0019] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a partially withdrawn anchor pin in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention with the anchor pin fully withdrawn.

[0021] Figure 7 is a flow chart describing the insertion and locking of an anchor pin in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8 is a flow chart describing the unlocking and retraction of an anchor pin in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1AThe figure shows an assembly diagram of a quick-action shackle 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shackle 100 comprises a U-shaped bow 101 with an aligned hole at the end thereof to accommodate an anchor pin 102, which can be inserted into and removed from the bow. In this example, anchor pin 102 has a head end 108 with a shoulder to contact the end of the bow, thereby securing the anchor pin within the bow. Bow 101 has a first retaining ring 110, and pin 102 has a second retaining ring 109 at head end 108. An attachment cable 120 is connected between the two retaining rings to keep the anchor pin attached, regardless of insertion or removal from the bow. When anchor pin 102 is fully inserted through the bow as shown, head end 108 contacts the bow, and the anchor pin is locked in place by capture head 103. This capture head has a body 105 securely attached to bow 101 by engaging external threads on one end of the body with internal threads in a hole extending through one leg of bow 101. The threads are not shown in FIG1 . Thus, body 105 is constrained to be rigid relative to the bow. Body 105 has an externally threaded anchor pin 106, the threaded portion of which engages internal threads in a portion of body 105. Locking pin 106 engages an L-shaped recess 107 in knurled sleeve 104.

[0024] Figure 1B is a side view of a shackle assembly in an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1A Shackle assembly and Figure 1B The significant difference between the shackle components is that Figure 1B The components have Figure 1A The components of the different anchor pins 122, Figure 1A The assembly utilizes an anchor pin 102. Anchor pin 122 has a hexagonal head 123. As shown, head 123 has diagonal holes through two facets of the hexagonal shape for receiving a cable 120 that secures the anchor pin to the bow. The inventors believe that the optional hexagonal head of the anchor pin provides a better grip for the user when removing the anchor pin from the bow and reinserting and locking it through the bow.

[0025] Capture head 103 and its components Figure 1A Examples and Figure 1B The same as in the embodiment of Figure 3CThe L-shaped notch 107 is shown in a top view, showing longitudinal legs 121a in the direction of the anchor pin's axis and legs 121b in the direction of rotation of the sleeve 104 about the body 105. The sleeve 104 can rotate slightly about the body 105, limited by the length of the legs 121b of the L-shaped notch 107, and can translate slightly toward or away from the bow in the direction of the anchor pin's axis, limited by the length of the legs 121a of the L-shaped notch 107. An important aspect of implementing the novel quick-action shackle 100 is the two-step safety feature, where, in the first step, the user must twist the catch head 103, while the second step requires the user to pull, thereby preventing accidental release of the anchor pin 122.

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1 taken in the plane of the figure along the axis of the anchor pin 102 inserted into the shackle bow. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, in addition to the portion passing through the head end of the anchor pin, Figure 1B The cross section will be Figure 1A The cross section of the bow 101 can be seen in full cross section, with the retaining ring 110, but without Figure 1A The bow 101 has holes 111 and 112 passing through the lower ends of the legs of the bow. The common inner diameter of the holes 111 and 112 is larger than the outer diameter of the anchor pin 102 or 122, so that the anchor pin can pass through the holes 111 and 112. The hole 111 on the side facing the capture assembly 103 has an internal thread. The body 105 of the bow has external threads on the side facing the bow, which engage with the internal threads in the hole 111. The mating threads are formed by Figure 2 Component number 118 indicates.

[0027] Figure 2 The shackle assembly is shown in FIG, with the anchor pin 102 fully inserted and locked to the leg of the bow 101 by the catch assembly 103. A plurality of balls 116 are shown trapped in radial channels in the hollow cylindrical portion of the body 105. The balls 116 are shown engaged in grooves 117 and restrained to maintain full engagement by the front portion 119 of the sleeve 104, which completely surrounds the balls and prevents them from disengaging from the grooves 117 of the anchor pin 102. In various embodiments, there must be at least three balls, but in some embodiments, there are more. A compression spring 115 is applied in the space between the sleeve 104 and the body 105 and serves to urge the sleeve 104 toward the bow 101. This spring tension must be overcome to pull the sleeve 104 out of the locked position.

[0028] exist Figure 3A The anchor pin 102 is shown in a side view of FIG. Figure 2As shown, the anchor pin 102 has a total length L1 from the inside of the head end 108 to the end that extends into the capture head 103. The portion of the anchor pin 102 that extends through the holes 111 and 112 in the legs of the bow 101 has a diameter D1 that is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the holes 111 and 112. The second portion of the length L2 has a slightly smaller diameter D2. Adjacent the end of the anchor pin that extends into the capture head 103, a circumferential groove 117 is provided. The groove 117 has a partially circular cross-section and a depth that is slightly less than half the diameter of the ball 116. This depth is important for the operation of the capture head when locking and unlocking. As shown Figure 2 As shown, a groove is provided to engage with a single ball of the plurality of balls 116 , which are trapped in a capture hole of the body 105 .

[0029] exist Figure 3B Anchor pin 122 is shown in a side view of FIG. 1 and is identical to anchor pin 102 except for the hexagonal head.

[0030] Reference again Figure 2 A plunger 113 is provided within the capture head 103. The plunger has a first portion on the end facing the bow 101, the outer diameter of which is a sliding fit within the inner diameter of a portion of the body 105, and a second portion on the end facing away from the bow 101, the second portion being a sliding fit within an aperture in the body 105, allowing the plunger 113 to slide within the body 105 along the axis of the locking pin. The plunger 113 is urged away from the closed end of the body 105 by a strong compression spring 114. In the locked position shown, the anchor pin 102 is locked in place by a ball 116 in a groove 117 of the anchor pin, and the plunger 113 has been urged against the spring 114, so that in this locked position, the considerable spring force from the spring 114 acts on the plunger 113, and thus on the locked anchor pin 102.

[0031] Figure 4 A situation is shown in which the operator has rotated sleeve 104 to disengage pin 106 from the locked position of L-shaped notch 107 and has pulled sleeve 104 away from bow 101 against spring 115 so that it no longer fully restrains the ball 116 in groove 117 of anchor pin 102. At this point, front portion 119 of sleeve 104 no longer fully restrains ball 116 in groove 117 of anchor pin 102. In this situation, when plunger 113 moves to the right, toward bow 101, the edge of groove 117 pushes ball 116 out of groove 117, releasing the anchor pin for removal. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same operation is performed for anchor pin 122.

[0032] Figure 5The next situation is shown in which the anchor pin 102 has moved a distance L3 and one end of the plunger 113 is flush with the lateral position of the ball 116. The ball 116 is radially outside the end diameter of the anchor pin and in this position the ball restraining sleeve 104 slides forward under the influence of the spring 115. From this position, the anchor pin 102 can be completely removed from the bow through the holes 111 and 112. Figure 6 The anchor pin is shown completely removed from the bow 101. It should be remembered that the anchor pin will still be tethered to the bow by the cable 120 as shown in Figure 1 .

[0033] For replacing and locking the anchor pins through the holes 111 and 112 in the legs of the bow, reference may be made to the previous figures. Figure 5 , it can be assumed that the anchor pin 102 has been placed through the holes 112 and 111 to the position shown against the plunger 113. In this case, as Figure 5 As shown, when the sleeve 104 is withdrawn, the anchor pin is pushed into the capture head 103, pushing the plunger 113 to the left, depressing the spring 114, and aligning the groove 117 with the ball 116 in the body 105, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown. When the ball 116 no longer restrains the sleeve 104 against the spring 115, the sleeve 104 moves forward, toward the bow 101, and the portion 119 moves over the ball, locking the ball in the groove. At this point, the user rotates the sleeve 104 to engage the pin 106 in the leg 121b of the L-shaped recess 107, and the anchor pin is fully engaged and locked in place.

[0034] exist Figure 7 The flowchart shown in FIG. 1 shows the process of inserting and locking the anchor pin 102 through the bow 101 and locking the anchor pin in the capture head 103. Step 701 is the initial situation. Figure 6 , wherein the anchor pin 102 is fully withdrawn from the bow 101. In this initial condition, the ball 116 restricts the sleeve 104 from moving toward the bow 101 under the influence of the spring 115. At step 702, the user inserts the anchor pin through the holes 112 and 111 of the bow 101 to contact the plunger 113. This condition is as shown in FIG. Figure 5 At step 703, the user pushes the anchor pin against the plunger 113, depressing the spring 114. The plunger 113 moves to the left, and the anchor pin 102 moves to align the groove 117 with the ball 116, at which point the ball enters the groove 117, releasing the sleeve 104 to move forward under the influence of the spring 115, and the sleeve presents Figure 2 In the position shown, the ball is locked in the groove 117. At step 704, the user rotates the sleeve 104 to capture the pin 106 in the leg 121b of the L-shaped recess 107.

[0035] Figure 8 The process of releasing an anchor pin from a capture head and removing it from a bow is shown. At step 801, an initial situation is shown, wherein anchor pin 102 is locked in place by ball bearing 116 locked in groove 117 by sleeve 104. At step 802, the user rotates sleeve 104 to align pin 106 with leg 121a of L-shaped notch 107 and pulls sleeve 104 away from bow 101. At step 803, the edge of groove 117 pushes ball bearing 116 radially outward, and pin 102 is released and ejected by the force of spring 114. At step 804, the user removes pin 102 from the bow.

[0036] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments shown and described are purely exemplary and are not limiting on the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims.

Claims

1. A shackle device, comprising: a bow having first and second legs, wherein first and second alignment holes extend through the legs; a capture head secured to the bow member beyond the second leg and aligned with the second hole, the capture head comprising a metal ball in a radial channel; and an anchor pin adapted to fit into the capture head through the first and second holes, the anchor pin having a circumferential groove near the end where it enters the capture head, The anchor pin is placed into the capture head through the first and second holes, so that the capture head moves the ball radially into the circumferential groove in the anchor pin, locking the anchor pin in the bow.

2. The shackle device according to claim 1, wherein: The capture head includes: a body having a generally hollow cylindrical cross-section, the body being closed at a first end and open at a second end, and having an external thread; and a plurality (three or more) of channels extending radially and equally spaced at a point along the length of the body, the body being rigidly connected to the bow member, the external threads engaging with internal threads in the inner diameter of the second hole through the second leg.

3. The shackle device according to claim 2, wherein: The body is rigidly connected to the bow by engaging external threads on an end of the body facing the bow with internal threads in a hole through the leg of the bow.

4. The shackle device according to claim 2, wherein: The capture head also includes a plunger within the body, the plunger having an outer diameter that slides with the inner diameter of the body, and a first compression spring between the closed end of the body and the plunger, the first compression spring biasing the plunger toward the bow.

5. The shackle device according to claim 4, wherein: The capture head also includes a locking sleeve, the inner diameter of which engages with the outer diameter of the main body and is conical at one end, the sleeve captures the locking pin in an L-shaped recess, the L-shaped recess has a first longitudinal leg and a second leg at right angles to the longitudinal leg, the first longitudinal leg limits the sleeve to a limited length of translation along the axis of the main body, the second leg limits the sleeve to a limited amount of rotation around the main body, the sleeve is pushed toward the bow member by a second compression spring between a first shoulder on the sleeve and a second shoulder on the main body.

6. The shackle device according to claim 5, further comprising: a first retaining ring located on the bow member on an opposite side of the capture head; and a second retaining ring located on the end of the anchor pin opposite the end inserted through the hole in the leg of the bow, with a lacing of a certain length between the retaining rings to enable the anchor pin to be inserted and removed through the hole in the leg of the bow, the lacing between the retaining rings ensuring that the anchor pin is always retained with the bow.

7. The shackle device according to claim 5, wherein: The anchor pin is removed from the hole in the leg of the bow, the ball is completely restrained outside the outer diameter of the anchor pin by the outer diameter of the plunger, the ball restrains the sleeve away from the bow, and wherein the anchor pin is placed through the hole in the leg of the bow and against the plunger, the plunger is urged against the first compression spring, the plunger moves toward the closed end of the body, the circumferential groove in the anchor pin is aligned with the ball, and the sleeve, urged by the second compression spring, moves the ball into the groove and captures the ball in the groove, locking the anchor pin in the capture head.

8. The shackle device according to claim 7, wherein: The user rotates the sleeve, retaining the ball in the groove of the anchor pin, locking the sleeve in the forward position while the locking pin in the second leg of the L-shaped recess locks the anchor pin in the bow.

9. The shackle device according to claim 8, wherein: The anchor pin is locked in the capture head, and the user rotates the sleeve to align the locking pin with the longitudinal leg of the L-shaped recess and pulls the sleeve toward the closed end of the body, so that the plunger pushed by the first compression spring can move the anchor pin in a direction away from the closed end of the body, the edge of the groove in the anchor pin radially moves the ball out of the groove, and the outer diameter of the plunger moves to keep the ball outside the outer diameter of the anchor pin.

10. The shackle device according to claim 9, wherein: The user can pull the unlocked anchor pin completely out through the hole in the leg of the bow.

11. A method for providing a shackle, comprising: placing an anchor pin having a circumferential groove at one end of the anchor pin adjacent to an alignment hole through a leg of the bow, the end having the circumferential groove entering a capture head rigidly secured to the bow, the capture head having three or more balls in equally spaced radial channels; and The anchor pin is moved to a position where the circumferential groove is aligned with the radial channel of the capture head, where the balls enter the circumferential groove and lock the anchor pin in the bow.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The capture head includes: a body having a generally hollow cylindrical cross-section, the body being closed at a first end and open at a second end, and having an external thread; and a plurality (three or more) channels extending radially and equally spaced at a point along the length of the body, the body being rigidly connected to the bow member, the external threads engaging with internal threads in the inner diameter of the second hole through the second leg, wherein the step of moving the anchor pin translates the anchor pin in the body and aligns the groove with the channel in the body.

13. A method according to claim 12, comprising rigidly connecting the body to the bow by engaging external threads on an end of the body facing the bow with internal threads in a hole through the leg of the bow.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The capture head also includes: a plunger located within the body, the plunger having an outer diameter that slides with the inner diameter of the body; and a first compression spring located between the closed end of the body and the plunger, the first compression spring biasing the plunger toward the bow, including moving the anchor pin against the plunger compressing the first compression spring.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The capture head also includes a locking sleeve, the inner diameter of which engages with the outer diameter of the main body and is conical at one end, the sleeve captures the locking pin in an L-shaped recess, the L-shaped recess has a first longitudinal leg and a second leg at right angles to the longitudinal leg, the first longitudinal leg limits the sleeve to a limited length of translation along the axis of the main body, the second leg limits the sleeve to a limited amount of rotation around the main body, the sleeve is pushed toward the bow member by a second compression spring between a first shoulder on the sleeve and a second shoulder on the main body.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: a first retaining ring located on the bow member on an opposite side of the capture head; and a second retaining ring located on the end of the anchor pin opposite the end inserted through the hole in the leg of the bow, including a lacing tie having a certain length connected between the retaining rings so that the anchor pin can be inserted and removed through the hole in the leg of the bow, the lacing tie between the retaining rings ensuring that the anchor pin is always retained with the bow.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The anchor pin is removed from the hole in the leg of the bow, the ball is completely confined outside the outer diameter of the anchor pin by the outer diameter of the plunger, the ball confines the sleeve away from the bow, and the anchor pin is placed against the plunger through the hole in the leg of the bow, the plunger is pushed against the first compression spring, the plunger moves toward the closed end of the body, the circumferential groove in the anchor pin is aligned with the ball, and the sleeve, pushed by the second compression spring, moves the ball into the groove and captures the ball in the groove, locking the anchor pin in the capture head.

18. The method of claim 17 including a user rotating the sleeve to retain the ball in the groove of the anchor pin, locking the sleeve in a forward position while the locking pin in the second leg of the L-shaped recess locks the anchor pin in the bow.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein The anchor pin is locked in the capture head, and the sleeve is rotated to align the locking pin with the longitudinal leg of the L-shaped recess, and the sleeve is pulled toward the closed end of the body, so that the plunger pushed by the first compression spring can move the anchor pin in a direction away from the closed end of the body, the edge of the groove in the anchor pin radially moves the ball out of the groove, and the outer diameter of the plunger moves to keep the ball outside the outer diameter of the anchor pin.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising the user fully pulling the unlocked anchor pin through the hole in the leg of the bow.

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