Non-removeable safety pin

Abstract

A non-removable safety pin ( 20 ) for an excavator coupler for securing a latching hook thereof. The safety pin ( 20 ) comprises a head ( 26 ), a shaft ( 24 ), a distal end ( 22 ) and a longitudinal axis starting at the head ( 26 ), extending along the shaft ( 24 ) and terminating at the distal end ( 22 ), wherein either or both of the shaft ( 24 ) and the distal end ( 22 ) are keyed so as to have an element thereon that extends relative to a side of the shaft. The element prevents removal of the safety pin from a hole ( 36 ) in which the safety pin ( 20 ) is inserted.

1 . A safety pin comprising a head, a shaft, a distal end and a longitudinal axis starting at the head, extending along the shaft and terminating at the distal end, wherein either or both of the shaft and the distal end are keyed so as to have an element thereon that extends relative to a side of the shaft. 
     
     
         2 . The safety pin of  claim 1 , wherein the element extends outwards. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The safety pin of  claim 1 , wherein the head extends radially outward from the side of the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The safety pin of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft has one, two, three or more flat sides or faces. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The safety pin of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the safety pin is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         13 . The safety pin of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end has steps therein. 
     
     
         14 . The safety pin of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end has flat sides. 
     
     
         15 . The safety pin of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the safety pin has a transverse hole therein. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A hole for receiving a safety pin in combination with a safety pin comprising a head, a shaft, a distal end and a longitudinal axis starting at the head, extending along the shaft and terminating at the distal end, wherein either or both of the shaft and the distal end are keyed so as to have an element thereon that extends relative to a side of the shaft. 
     
     
         21 . The combination of  claim 20 , wherein the shape or size of the hole is defined, at least in part, by a plate. 
     
     
         22 . The combination of  claim 21 , wherein the plate is removable. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The combination of  claim 20 , wherein the shaft has one, two, three or more flat sides or faces. 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A coupler for coupling an accessory to an excavator, comprising the combination of a hole in the coupler and a safety pin comprising a head, a shaft, a distal end and a longitudinal axis starting at the head, extending along the shaft and terminating at the distal end, wherein either or both of the shaft and the distal end are keyed so as to have an element thereon that extends relative to a side of the shaft. 
     
     
         44 . The coupler of  claim 43 , wherein the hole is in a side plate of the coupler. 
     
     
         45 . The coupler of  claim 44 , wherein there is also an opposing hole in axial alignment with the first hole, the opposing hole being in an opposite side plate of a coupler. 
     
     
         46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . The coupler of  claim 43 , wherein the shaft has one, two, three or more flat sides or faces. 
     
     
         54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . The coupler of  claim 43 , wherein the distal end of the safety pin is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         57 . The coupler of  claim 43 , wherein the distal end has steps therein. 
     
     
         58 . The coupler of  claim 43 , wherein the distal end has flat sides. 
     
     
         59 . The coupler of  claim 43 , wherein the distal end of the safety pin has a transverse hole therein. 
     
     
         60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . (canceled)