Release pin

Abstract

A releasable locking member, having a handle, a spindle, and a shank connected at a first end to the handle. The shank has an opening extending through along a longitudinal axis thereof. A shaft extends through an opening of the shank. The shaft has a first portion, a second portion, and a central portion extending between the first and second portions. An actuator member is connected to the first portion of the shaft. A spindle is connected to the second portion of the shaft. A biasing member is positioned between the actuator member and a wall of the handle.

1 . A releasable locking member, comprising: 
 a handle;    a shank connected at a first end to said handle, wherein said shank has an opening extending through along a longitudinal axis thereof;    a shaft extending through said opening of said shank, wherein said shaft has a first end portion, a second end portion, and a separate central portion extending between the first and second end portions;    an actuator member connected to said first end portion of said shaft;    a spindle connected to said second end portion of said shaft; and    a biasing member positioned between said actuator member and a wall of said handle.    
   
   
       2 . The releasable locking member of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second end portions of said shaft are formed of a different material than said third portion.  
   
   
       3 . The releasable locking member of  claim 1 , wherein said first end portion and said second end portion of said shaft each comprises a knurled portion.  
   
   
       4 . The releasable locking member of  claim 3 , wherein said first end portion of said shaft is press fit into a bore of said actuator member.  
   
   
       5 . The releasable locking member of  claim 3 , wherein said second end portion of said shaft is press fit into a bore of said spindle.  
   
   
       6 . The releasable locking member of  claim 3 , wherein said first end portion and said second end portion are formed of heat-treated, high grade stainless steel.  
   
   
       7 . The releasable locking member of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one ball which is positioned within a groove formed on said shaft.  
   
   
       8 . The releasable locking member of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one ball moves radially into at least one bore formed on an outer surface of said shank.  
   
   
       9 . The releasable locking member of  claim 1 , wherein said handle comprises a pair of laterally extending walls and an opening formed therebetween.  
   
   
       10 . The releasable locking member of  claim 1 , wherein said biasing member comprises a compression spring interposed between a wall of said handle and a flange of said actuator member.  
   
   
       11 . The releasable locking member of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator member comprises a knob.  
   
   
       12 . The releasable locking member of  claim 1 , wherein said handle is attached to said shank via a threaded connection.  
   
   
       13 . The releasable locking member of  claim 1 , wherein said biasing member is in an extended position between said actuator member and said handle wall in an unlocked position.  
   
   
       14 . The releasable locking member of  claim 1 , wherein said biasing member is in a compressed position when said actuator member is manually depressed and said locking member is in a locked position.  
   
   
       15 . The releasable locking member of  claim 7 , wherein said shaft moves axially along said opening of said shank until said at least one ball radially extends into the bore of said shank.  
   
   
       16 . The releasable locking member of  claim 1 , wherein said spindle comprises a detent portion within an opening of said spindle.  
   
   
       17 . The releasable locking member of  claim 16 , wherein said shaft comprises a grooved portion which selectively receives said detent portion of said spindle for securing said spindle to said shaft.  
   
   
       18 . The releasable locking member of  claim 1 , wherein said spindle comprises an opening having a straight portion and a tapered portion, and said shaft comprises a portion having a straight section and a tapered section, wherein said tapered section of said shaft is selectively received within said tapered portion of said spindle opening for securing said shaft to said spindle.  
   
   
       19 . The releasable locking member of  claim 1 , wherein said spindle comprises an opening, having a tapered portion, a straight portion and an edge formed between said straight and tapered portions.  
   
   
       20 . The releasable locking member of  claim 19 , wherein said shaft comprises a tapered section and a straight section, and an edge formed between said straight and tapered sections.  
   
   
       21 . The releasable locking member of  claim 20 , wherein said shaft is inserted into said opening of said spindle until said edge of said shaft abuts said edge of said spindle.  
   
   
       22 . The releasable locking member of  claim 1 , wherein said shaft comprises a straight section, a tapered section and an end member having a tapered section and a shoulder formed thereon.  
   
   
       23 . The releasable locking member of  claim 22 , wherein said spindle comprises an opening having a straight portion, a tapered portion and an end portion having a ledge formed therein.  
   
   
       24 . The releasable locking member of  claim 23 , wherein said shaft is inserted into said opening of said spindle until said shoulder engages said ledge of said end portion of said spindle opening.  
   
   
       25 . A releasable locking member, comprising: 
 a handle;    an elongated member connected to said handle;    a shaft extending through an opening of said elongated member, said shaft comprising separate first, second and third portions;    an actuator knob secured to said first portion of said shaft; and    a spindle secured to said second portion of said shaft.    
   
   
       26 . The releasable locking member of  claim 25 , wherein said first and second portions of said shaft are fabricated of a different material than said third portion.