Locking device

A locking device for releasably securing members under tension, comprising an elongate locking pin with a series of axially spaced transverse detent surfaces disposed along the pin, an anchoring base provided with a bore for through passage of the said locking pin, said base extending in a plane transverse to the axis of said bore, a slide mounted on said base and slidable in a transverse direction relative to said axis, locking spring arm means provided on the slide and movable by sliding thereof between a locking position and an unlocking position, the locking spring arm means when in the said locking position engaging a selected one of the said detent surfaces of the locking pin when said pin is inserted in the said bore thereby to lock the said pin against withdrawal from the bore, the locking spring arm means when in the unlocking position being disengaged from the said detent surfaces, and abutment means on said base and engaging said locking spring arm means for moving the latter between a pin-engaging position and disengaged position on movement of the slide and locking spring means between said locking and unlocking positions respectively, said abutment means providing a reaction biasing the spring arm means and slide towards the locking position.