Retaining pin with self biasing keeping means

Abstract

A retaining pin with self biasing keeping means has a head and a tubular pin that has a plurality of detent fingers on its end. The detent fingers are formed by slitting and deforming the ends of the pin. The detent fingers are bent to extend beyond the outside diameter of the pin with the forward ends terminating in a diameter smaller than that diameter. As the pin is inserted in a matched opening, the detent fingers compress to allow the pin to penetrate the opening and then return to their original position to retain them therein. To remove the pin, the process is reversed. The instant retaining pin with self biasing keeping means is conducive to modern mass production methods of production such as cold heading.

1 . A retaining pin with self biasing keeping means comprising:
 a pin having an outside diameter and an inside diameter;   a head portion for restraining movement of said pin past said portion;   a plurality of detent fingers radially disposed along an opposite end of said pin; and   said plurality of detent fingers being adapted to have a portion that extends beyond said outside diameter wherein when said pin is inserted in a matched opening, said detent fingers being adapted to compress and return to an original position to retain said pin therein.   
     
     
         2 . The retaining pin with self biasing keeping means according to  claim 1  wherein said plurality of detent fingers are formed by deforming said opposite end. 
     
     
         3 . The retaining pin with self biasing keeping means according to  claim 1  wherein said plurality of detent fingers terminating in a diameter smaller than said outside diameter.