Shackle Assembly Locking Pin Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shackle connectors are bulky for use with small hand-held objects and have questionable integrity in retaining the pin, leading to potential failures that can cause injuries, resource wastage, and operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A shackle assembly with a unitary rigid body and a pin that uses various retaining structures such as collet elements, kerf cuts, and locking pins to securely lock the pin in place, preventing removal and ensuring stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional shackles with cotter pins, retaining rings, or nuts are used to secure the pin, then the pin can be retained in place, but these retaining devices can become loose, broken, or sheared off, leading to potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pin and retaining structure into a single integrated locking pin component. The locking pin includes a head portion with a collet element that expands to engage the opening in the side member, eliminating the need for separate cotter pins, retaining rings, or nuts. This merging of functions into one component reduces the number of parts that can fail while maintaining reliable pin retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin is designed to be self-retaining through its expandable collet element. When the locking pin is inserted, the collet element automatically expands to engage the opening in the side member, securing the pin in place without requiring additional retaining devices. The locking pin serves both as the fastening element and its own retaining mechanism.
2Reliability
If a split sleeve is used to retain the pin in hammerlock links, then the pin can be prevented from sliding out, but the split sleeve can catch on objects, become damaged, or be difficult to install without proper tools
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin's collet element is designed to be self-installing. When the locking pin is inserted through the pin opening, the collet element automatically expands to engage the opening in the side member, securing the pin without requiring separate installation tools or procedures. This eliminates the difficulty associated with installing split sleeves that require special tools.
3Reliability
If threaded nuts with locking inserts are used to secure the pin, then the pin can be retained, but the nuts can come unscrewed when the locking insert becomes worn or fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fastening and retaining functions into a single locking pin component. The locking pin uses an expandable collet element that engages the opening in the side member through radial expansion, eliminating the threaded nut and locking insert mechanism. This avoids the reliability issues associated with worn locking inserts while maintaining secure pin retention.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional shackle designs are used, then the connector can join items together, but the shackle becomes bulky for use with small hand-held objects
Solution Approach 1:
The shackle assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a side member with an opening, and a separate locking pin with an expandable collet element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for small size while maintaining their joining function, making the overall assembly suitable for use with small hand-held objects rather than requiring a bulky traditional shackle design.
Data Source
AI summary
A shackle assembly with a unitary body has a closed geometry with a primary opening therethrough. A first side member has a first side aperture extending transversely therethrough with a first inside surface. A second side member is spaced apart from the first side member and has a second side aperture extending transversely at least partially through the second side member. End portions extend between and connect the first side member and the second side member. The second side aperture is opposite the first side aperture and axially aligned with the first side aperture. A pin has a head portion positioned at least partially within the first side aperture and a tip portion positioned at least partially within the second side aperture. A pin body extending between the head portion and the tip portion along a central longitudinal axis and is sized to pass through the first side aperture.