Quick release ball type locking pin and production tool

A quick release ball type locking pin, comprising:

• a tubular body formed along an axis and including a forward end and a rearward end;
• the tubular body including an internal bore defined by an internal tubular wall surface, and an external tubular body surface;
• a locking ball having an outside ball diameter;
• a locking ball retainer socket formed in the tubular body, and including an external opening along the external body surface and an internal socket wall leading from the external opening into the internal bore;
• the internal socket wall including a ball retainer flange formed by a first outer wall section defining the external opening and including a cross-sectional dimension less than the outside ball diameter and leading inward with respect to the axis from the external opening to a first edge spaced inward of the external opening;
• the internal socket wall also including a flared section leading from the first edge to a second edge;
• a ball receiving section leading inward to the internal bore from the second edge;
• wherein the ball is movably received in the locking ball retainer socket for movement therein between an outward operative position wherein part of the ball abuts the ball retainer flange and extends radially beyond the external tubular body surface, and a release position radially inward of the operative position;
• and
• an actuator within the internal bore and configured to selectively allow movement of the ball to the release position, and to lock the ball against movement from the operative position.

A quick release ball type locking pin, comprising:

• a tubular body of a circular cross-sectional shape formed along an axis and including a forward end and a rearward end;
• the tubular body including an internal bore defined by an internal tubular wall surface, and an external tubular body surface formed at a prescribed external tube diameter with respect to the axis;
• a sleeve insert within the internal bore including an actuator receiving bore centered on the axis;
• a locking ball;
• a locking ball retainer socket formed in the tubular body and sleeve insert;
• wherein the locking ball is received in the locking ball retainer socket for movement therein between an outward operative position wherein part of the ball extends radially beyond the external tubular body surface, and a release position radially inward of the operative position;
• and
• an actuator within the internal bore and configured to selectively allow movement of the ball to the release position, and to lock the ball against movement from the operative position.

A quick release ball type locking pin as defined by claim 29 wherein the actuator is comprised of:

• an elongated actuator shaft slidably received within the internal bore and the actuator receiving bore of the sleeve insert;
• a spacer collar slidably received within the internal bore and in abutment with the insert sleeve and extending axially therefrom;
• a spring having one end engaging the spacer collar within the internal bore and extending axially therefrom to a button engaging end;
• and
• an actuator button mounted to the actuator shaft and slidably received within the internal bore, engaging the spring and extending therefrom to a finger access end projecting outwardly of the tubular body.