Shackle Clamp Assembly for Tool-Free Nut Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shackles used in lifting and hoisting systems, particularly in the oil and gas industry, face issues with cotter pins being misplaced or deformed, requiring the use of pliers for engagement and disengagement, which can disrupt work and pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A shackle clamp assembly that includes a cap assembly with a pin to retain the nut on the shackle bolt, eliminating the need for cotter pins and pliers, featuring a flexible material composition and a hanger assembly with a loop for secure positioning of the U-shaped shackle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cotter pins are used to retain the nut on the shackle bolt, then the nut is secured, but the cotter pin may be misplaced or deformed requiring pliers for removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic cotter pin from the system and replaces it with a cap assembly that integrates the retention function directly into the bolt end. The cap assembly includes a recess that receives the nut and a flange that prevents the nut from rotating off, eliminating the need for separate cotter pins and pliers for removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of nut retention and bolt end closure into a single cap assembly component. The cap assembly combines the protective cap function with the nut retention function through its recess and flange design, simplifying the overall system and eliminating the need for separate cotter pins.
2Ease of repair
If pliers are used to clamp down on the cotter pin for removal, then the cotter pin can be removed, but work is disrupted and safety issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cotter pin from the system entirely and replaces it with a cap assembly that can be removed without pliers. The cap assembly's design allows for simple manual removal by unscrewing the cap, eliminating the need for specialized tools and maintaining work continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly is designed to be self-retaining through its threaded connection and flange structure, eliminating the need for external tools like pliers for removal. The cap can be easily unscrewed and removed by hand, allowing operators to perform maintenance without disrupting work flow or requiring additional equipment.
3Reliability
If a cap assembly with pin is used to retain the nut, then the nut is securely maintained without cotter pins, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the cap assembly: protective cap, nut retention through recess, and rotation prevention through flange. This integration reduces the total number of separate components compared to using a traditional cap plus cotter pin system, thereby managing complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the bolt end, secures the nut through its recess, prevents nut rotation with its flange, and provides a clean finished appearance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall design.
Data Source
AI summary
A shackle clamp assembly has one end configured as a cap for insertion on the end of a shackle bolt attached to a U-shaped shackle and second end configured as a loop for attachment around the U-shaped shackle. The cap has an aperture that aligns with a through-bore in the end of the shackle bolt. A pin is inserted through the aperture of the cap and the through-bore of the shackle bolt to retain the cap on the end of the shackle bolt. The cap abuts the nut threaded on the end of the shackle bolt to ensure that the nut does not become disconnected from the shackle bolt.