Coupling pin and method of use thereof

A method for insertion of a pin into an aperture having a cross-sectional dimension, including the following steps:

• a) providing a pin comprising a carriage member and a riding member longitudinally slidable over the carriage member, said carriage member and riding member being mutually inclined longitudinally, and together complimenting each other to form a uniform pin having a load bearing body portion with a nominal cross-sectional dimension dimensioned to fit the cross-sectional dimension of the aperture;
• the load bearing body portion being constituted by both a portion of the carriage member and a portion of the riding member;
• the pin being displaceable between a load-bearing position whereby the carriage member and the riding member substantially overlap one another, and an insertion/retraction position wherein the carriage member and the riding member are axially-shifted and any overlapping portions of the carriage member and the riding member which constitute the body portion together have a cross-sectional dimension smaller than that of the nominal cross-sectional dimension;
• b) inserting the pin in the insertion/retraction position into the aperture, such that the carriage member is disposed therein;
• and
• c) applying a force to the riding member such that it moves longitudinally with respect to the carriage member, into said load-bearing position such that said body portion with said nominal cross-sectional dimension is formed within the aperture.