Patent Application
20060078374
The present invention relates generally to securing pins and clips. The invention relates specifically to an ergonomic pin and clip for securing a receiving member such as a trailer hitch.
Pins and clips for securing receiving members are well known. Typically, in combination, they are simple mechanical devices, being constructed from only a few metal parts.
The pins, individually, are typically constructed from a hardened metal and are simply required to be durable and capable of withstanding heavy loads. Other pins are intended to shear under excessive loads, to prevent damage to associated components. Aside from physical dimension requirements, pins are for the most part very basic in design. Like the pins, the clips (or “pin retaining devices”) are also well known. So-called “quick connect/disconnect” or “hair pin” type securing clips, as well as “bridge pin clips” or “cotter pin clips” among others (collectively, also, “pin clips”) are typically utilized in combination with a pin which, together, prevent disengagement of a pin from a receiving member such as, for example, a trailer hitch assembly. In a particular use, the clip is inserted into a hole of, or is otherwise forcibly engaged with, the pin to prevent the pin from being unintentionally disengaged from the receiving member. The clip prevents the pin from moving excessively due to forces that would tend to cause the pin to “back out” from the receiving member.
Those who have used such conventional pins and clips appreciate how difficult they may be to manipulate, particularly in cold temperatures or when one does not have full use of fingers or a hand due to wearing a glove or mitten. Those with physical disabilities, such as missing fingers or a lack of strength or dexterity, also experience significant difficulties in attempting to use known pins and clips. Often, hand injuries result from a loss of one's grip on the pin and/or clip, or from the pin finally releasing under force from the user, and consequent accidental forceful impact with a nearby assembly. Relatively small clip dimensions can painfully cut into a user's skin. Also, as too often experienced by sportsmen while attempting to hitch a trailer to a vehicle, known pins and clips are notoriously easy to lose when accidentally dropped into snow or water. Thus, the known pins and clips are often anything but quickly connected or disconnected, or easy to use. Often, in cold environments, a user must use bare hands to manipulate pins and clips. Since a vast majority of pins and clips are fabricated from metal, substantial discomfort and even hypothermic injury can result from such manipulations.
Therefore, there exists a need for an ergonomic pin and clip which overcomes the drawbacks of the well known pins and clips. There also exists a need, generally, for a pin and clip which is easier to use, particularly for those with physical disabilities.
An object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic pin and clip which are generally easy to use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic pin and clip which are specifically easy to use by those with disabilities or having problems with manual dexterity.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic pin and clip which tend to prevent injuries, in use
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic pin and clip which are easy to find after being accidentally dropped.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic pin and clip which minimize discomfort when manipulated in cold environments.
In accordance with the present invention, an ergonomic pin and clip, for securing a receiving member and for securing the pin in the receiving member to prevent unintentional disengagement of the pin from the receiving member, respectively, includes a pin having a pin body with at least one elongated portion and at least one grip portion. The elongated portion of the pin is configured to engage and disengage the receiving member as desired by a user, and the grip portion of the pin is configured to be angled relative to the elongated portion, and to provide ergonomic gripping thereof by the user. Likewise, a clip or pin retaining device includes a clip body having an engagement portion and at least one grip portion. The engagement portion of the clip is configured to engage and disengage the pin, and the grip portion of the clip is configured to be angled relative to the engagement portion, and to provide ergonomic gripping thereof by the user.
a is a profile illustration of the ergonomic clip of
b is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of an ergonomic pin, constructed in accordance with the present invention.
c is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of an ergonomic clip, constructed in accordance with the present invention.
Referring to
To overcome the drawbacks of the prior art pins and clips as described above, the present invention provides novel and heretofore unknown features in a pin and clip. Specifically, with reference to
Although not illustrated, all or a selected portion of grip portion 24 of ergonomic pin 20 may be a soft material, to further enhance ergonomics. The soft material, such as may be provided by a so-called PVC plastisol, a fluidized bed plastisol coating, a plastisol dip molding, or other compliant material, may also advantageously be an insulating material. An insulating material may be of particular benefit when utilizing the pin in cold temperatures. Furthermore, the soft material may also be itself a selected color or separately colored as such by paint, for example. The selected color could be of high-visibility, or be a trademarked or brand-identifiable color as may be desired in a particular use of the present invention. A high-visibility material may be of particular benefit when the pin would be subject to being accidentally dropped in water or snow. Of course, portion 24 could advantageously be any combination of soft, insulating, and selected color materials.
With continued reference to
With reference now to
Preferred materials for construction of pin 20 and clip 26 are carbon steel or stainless steel.
Regarding an angle that may be advantageously provided between the grip portions and bodies of the pins and clips of the present invention, approximately 45 degrees is preferred; but any angle may be utilized that is consistent with ergonomic considerations and effects.
It is to be appreciated that although shown in
It is to be particularly appreciated that the pin and clip of the present invention may be advantageously used by those having physical disabilities, such as missing fingers, limited use of fingers or hands, or a lack of manual dexterity.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the accompanying figures, it will be understood, however, that other modifications thereto are of course possible, all of which are intended to be within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. It should be appreciated that components of the invention aforedescribed may be substituted for other suitable components for achieving desired results, or that various accessories may be added thereto.
Lastly, the choice, of course, of compositions, sizes, and strengths of various aforementioned components of the present invention are all a matter of design choice depending upon intended uses thereof.
Accordingly, these and other various changes or modifications in form and detail of the present invention may also be made therein, again without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
