Floating shot pin assembly and method

A floating shot pin assembly comprising:

• a body having a shaped internal void including an inward tapered mid-portion;
• a cylinder connected to a lower side of the body, the cylinder having a linearly movable cylinder shaft connectable to a source of motive power;
• and
• a pin retainer shaft at least partially housed within the internal void and connected to the cylinder shaft by a coupler, the pin retainer shaft including a shaped shoulder portion corresponding to the inward tapered mid-portion of the body;
• where in an extended state, the cylinder shaft urges the shaped shoulder portions of the pin retainer shaft to engage with the inward tapered mid-portion of the body creating a locked position to support a workpiece on a pin while work is performed;
• and upon completion of work, the cylinder shaft retracts pulling the pin retainer shaft to a floating state allowing the pin retainer shaft to float within clearances in the body and in the coupler thereby relieving part pressure on the pin during extract and while the workpiece is removed.