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US 11,766,904 B2Granted
Apparatuses and locking elements including assist devices
AssigneeTruck Shields, LLC
InventorDennis H. Hancock
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pin assist device that eliminates the need to use a separate tool to insert and/or extract a cotter, or other fastening, pin. The pin assist device allows the user to easily insert or extract a pin in locations that are difficult to reach, in all types of weather and virtually all conditions. Related pin assist devices, hitch pins, and hitch pin assemblies are also disclosed.
Claims15
An apparatus, comprising:
- a retaining member, including:
- a first elongate portion;
- a second elongate portion;
- and
- a bend portion between the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion;
- and
- a retaining member assist device comprising a flexible material attached around the bend portion of the retaining member and comprising a single molded piece including:
- an insertion end wrapped fully around an outer surface, an inner surface, a top surface and a bottom surface of at least a portion of the bend portion;
- an extraction end opposite the insertion end;
- and
- a middle portion between the insertion end and the extraction end, the middle portion having a thickness less than a thickness of each of the insertion end and the extraction end.
8 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- a retaining pin, including:
- a first elongate portion;
- a second elongate portion;
- and
- a bend portion between the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion;
- and
- a pin assist device comprising:
- an extraction end;
- an insertion end wrapped fully around an outer surface, an inner surface, a top surface and a bottom surface of at least a portion of the bend portion;
- and
- a middle portion formed of a flexible material, the middle portion having a thickness less than a thickness of each of the insertion end and the extraction end;
- wherein the pin assist device comprises a single molded material.
9 more elements
A locking element, comprising:
- a retaining member, including:
- a first elongate portion;
- a second elongate portion;
- and
- a bend portion between the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion;
- and
- a flexible material forming:
- an insertion end attached to and surrounding an outer surface, an inner surface, a top surface and a bottom surface of the bend portion along a longitudinal axis of the bend portion;
- an extraction end opposite the insertion end;
- and
- a middle portion between the insertion end and the extraction end,
- the middle portion having a thickness less than a thickness of each of the insertion end and the extraction end;
- wherein the flexible material is configured to facilitate removal of the retaining member from another member.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.