Anti-rotation retaining pin
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsAndrew Chuckta, Matthew D. Parekh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A retaining pin having anti-rotation features is provided. The retaining pin may comprise a pin shaft coupled to a retaining flange. The pin shaft may be inserted into a structural member proximate a shaft and a nut. The retaining flange may comprise an anti-rotation void defined by a first arm and a second arm and configured to engage the shaft. In response to the nut coupling the retaining flange to the shaft, the retaining pin may at least partially reduce movement and rotation of the shaft relative to the retaining pin.
Claims19
A retaining pin, comprising:
- a retaining flange comprising a flange body having a top surface and a first end opposite a second end and a pin shaft coupled to the first end of the flange body;
- an anti-rotation void defining a void through the flange body proximate the second end, wherein the anti-rotation void comprises an opening on an outer edge of the retaining flange;
- a first arm defining a first circumferential edge of the anti-rotation void proximate the second end;
- and
- a second arm defining a second circumferential edge of the anti-rotation void proximate the first end, wherein at least one of the first arm or the second arm comprises a finger extending in a first direction away from the top surface of the flange body proximate the opening.
A structural component, comprising:
- a first portion proximate a second portion;
- a shaft coupled to the second portion;
- and
- a retaining pin, comprising:
- a pin shaft having a first shaft end opposite a second shaft end, wherein the second shaft end is pivotally coupled to the first portion of the structural component;
- a retaining flange comprising a flange body having a top surface and a first flange end opposite a second flange end, wherein the first flange end is coupled to the second shaft end of the pin shaft;
- an anti-rotation void defining a void through the flange body proximate the second flange end, wherein the anti-rotation void comprises an opening on an outer edge of the retaining flange;
- a first arm defining a first circumferential edge of the anti-rotation void proximate the second flange end, wherein the first arm comprises a first finger extending in a first direction away from the top surface of the flange body proximate the opening;
- and
- a second arm defining a second circumferential edge of the anti-rotation void proximate the first flange end, wherein the second arm comprises a second finger extending in the first direction away from the top surface of the flange body proximate the opening.
A method of installing a retaining pin, comprising:
- inserting a pin shaft of the retaining pin into a pin void of a first portion of a structural component, wherein a second portion of the structural component comprises a shaft;
- pivoting the retaining pin about the pin shaft, wherein in response to pivoting the retaining pin, a retaining flange of the retaining pin contacts the shaft;
- and
- tightening a nut onto the shaft, wherein in response to tightening the nut onto the shaft, the nut contacts the retaining pin causing the retaining pin to retain the shaft and at least partially limit rotation of the shaft relative to the pin shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.