HINGE PIN

Abstract

A pin according to the present disclosure is configured to connect at least two component parts by engaging, in an engaging direction, in superposed apertures of the component parts. The pin comprises a body having a drilled portion with a borehole extending in the engaging direction, the borehole configured to be at least partially traversed by a securing element, and at least one fixation element for fixing the securing element at the bored portion.

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting at least two component parts, comprising: a body having a borehole formed therein along a longitudinal axis of the body; a securing element disposed within the borehole; and at least one fixation element configured to secure the securing element in the borehole.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fixation element includes two slip pins configured to fix the securing element at two different positions within the borehole.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the slip pins are disposed within slip pin holes formed in the body.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securing element includes at least one of a rod, a wire, a wire rope, and a chain.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the body is shaped as a circular cylinder.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the borehole has a cross-sectional diameter between about 1 mm and about 12 mm.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securing element has a cross-sectional diameter between about 0.5 mm and about 3 mm.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cotter pin disposed through the body and configured to couple the apparatus to the at least two component parts.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a head positioned at an end of the body, wherein the head has a diameter larger than a diameter of the body.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the borehole is closed at the end where the head is positioned and is open at the opposite end.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body includes one or more members coupled together.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two component parts form part of a drill floor.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two component parts are hinges.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two component parts form a clamping device for use on an oil rig.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the fixation element is a groove formed in a top surface of the head, the groove configured to receive a retainer coupled to the securing element.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the groove has a diameter larger than a diameter of the borehole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 1a illustrates an exemplary pin, according to one embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 1b illustrates the pin of FIG. 1a connecting two component parts, according to one embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 2a illustrates a side view of the pin of FIG. 1a, according to one embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 2b illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pin of FIG. 2a, according to one embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 2c illustrates another side view of the pin shown in FIG. 2a in a broken situation when divergent forces act on the pin, according to one embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 2d illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pin of FIG. 2c, according to one embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates the pin of FIG. 1a, according to another embodiment.

[0038] For clarity, identical reference numerals have been used, where applicable, to designate identical elements that are common between figures. Additionally, elements of one embodiment may be advantageously adapted for utilization in other embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In FIG. 1a, an exemplary pin 10 according to one embodiment is shown in perspective view. The pin 10 includes a body 100 shaped as a circular cylinder, and a head 12 having a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the body 100. The head 12 is configured to provide blocking for component parts 30a, 30b (shown in FIG. 1b) when the pin 10 is engaged with the component parts 30a, 30b. In one embodiment, the head 12 is formed integrally with the body 100, and in another embodiment, the head 12 is coupled to the body 100. In yet another embodiment, the pin 10 includes a head 12 disposed at each end of the body 100. In yet another embodiment, the body 100 of the pin 10 is formed by two or more members (such as pin units) coupled together.

[0040] The pin 10 may further include a cotter pin 13 disposed through the body 100 and configured to secure the pin 10 to one or more component parts as shown in FIG. 1b. When the cotter pin 13 is removed from the body 100, the pin 10 can be inserted, in an engaging direction D, in superposed apertures of component parts of appropriate dimension. Thereafter, the cotter pin 13 may be inserted again into the body 100 to prevent removal of the pin 10 from the component parts. The head 12 and the cotter pin 13 then fix the pin 10 within the superposed apertures of the component parts.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the pin 10 further comprises two fixation elements 14a, 14b, such as split pins, that are disposed within two split pin holes 11a, 11b formed in the body 100. The fixation elements 14a, 14b are configured to secure a securing element 20 at two different positions within the body 100 of the pin 10, as shown in FIG. 1b. In one embodiment, split pins may be inserted into the split pin holes 11a, 11b so as to fix, within the body 100 of the pin 10, the securing element 20 as indicated in FIGS. 1b, 2b, 2d. Such split pin holes 11a, 11b may, for example, traverse the body 100 in a direction orthogonal to the engaging direction D of the pin 10. Between the split pin holes 11a, 11b, a borehole 15 (as shown in FIG. 2b) extends within the body 100 of the pin 10 in the engaging direction D.

[0042] FIG. 1b illustrates the pin 10 coupling two component parts 30a, 30b together, according to one embodiment. The two component parts 30a, 30b each have a respective aperture 31a, 31b that are superposed with respect to each other and are configured to receive the pin 10. The pin 10 connects component part 30a to component part 30b by traversing the apertures 31a, 31b when aligned. The pin 10 has been inserted in the apertures 31a, 31b and is fixed therein by the head 12 (blocking as the pin 10 passes through) at the one side and by a cotter pin 13 at the other side. The component parts 30a, 30b may pivot (at least up to a predetermined angle) around the pin 10.

[0043] In one embodiment, the pin 10 is used as a hinge pin and the component parts 30a, 30b are hinges that are coupled together by the pin 10. In another embodiment, the component parts 30a, 30b form parts of a drill floor that are coupled together by the pin 10. In yet another embodiment, the component parts 30a, 30b form a clamping device that is coupled together by the pin 10 for use on an oil rig.

[0044] As indicated by dotted lines, fixation elements 14a, 14b, shown as split pins, have been inserted into the split pin holes 11a, 11b, respectively. Thereby, the securing element 20 is fixed, the securing element 20 traversing the borehole 15 (shown in FIG. 2b) of the pin 10 in the engaging direction D. In the depicted example, the securing element 20 may be a wire or a wire rope, for instance.

[0045] In FIGS. 2a, 2b, a side view and a longitudinal cross section of the pin 10 are shown from a first direction. As can be seen in FIG. 2b, the pin 10 includes the borehole 15 extending down along the longitudinal axis of the body 100 in the engaging direction D. The borehole 15 is one-sided, as the pin 10 is closed at its one end by the head 12 and open at the opposite end. As further shown, the body 100 of the pin 10 has diameter d.sub.1, and the borehole 15 has a diameter d.sub.2. To avoid that the stability of the pin 10 is unfavourably reduced by the borehole 15, in one embodiment d.sub.2 is at most the half of d.sub.1, resulting in a cross sectional area of the borehole 15 that is at most 25% of a cross sectional area of the body 100 of the pin 10.

[0046] In one embodiment, the borehole 15 has a cross-sectional diameter of at least 1 mm. In another embodiment, the borehole 15 has a cross-sectional diameter of at least 3 mm. In yet another embodiment, the borehole 15 has a cross-sectional diameter of at least 5 mm. In one embodiment, the borehole 15 has a cross sectional diameter of at most 8 mm. In another embodiment, the borehole 15 has a cross sectional diameter of at most 10 mm. In yet another embodiment, the borehole 15 has a cross sectional diameter of at most 12 mm. Accordingly, the borehole 15 is wide enough to receive an appropriate securing element 20.

[0047] Depending on the respective utilization, the pin 10 may have one of various shapes. In one embodiment, the pin 10 may include at least one section of the body 100 which is essentially prism shaped, and may be configured to hold the securing element 20 extending in a longitudinal direction of the prism shaped section. Accordingly, the component parts 30a, 30b connected by the pin 10 having a prism shape section of the body 100 may be joined so as to enclose a fixed angle, whereas pivoting of the component parts 30a, 30b about the prism shaped section is inhibited. In another embodiment, the pin 10 may include at least one section of the body 100 which is essentially shaped as a circular cylinder, and may be configured to hold the securing element 20 extending in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical section. Such shape allows for a simple insertion of the pin 10 into superposed apertures of component parts 30a, 30b. The shape of the pin 10 may also provide for a pivotable connection of the component parts 30a, 30b when the component parts are joined by the cylindrical section of the body 100.

[0048] The body 100 of the pin 10 may have a wide variety of dimensions. In one embodiment, the pin 10 has a cross-sectional diameter in the range of 0.5 cm to 5 cm. In another embodiment, the body 100 has a cross-sectional diameter in the range of 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm. According to yet another embodiment, the body 100 has a cross-sectional diameter in the range of 50 cm to 100 cm.

[0049] In one embodiment, within the borehole 15, the securing element 20 is fixed by the fixation elements 14a, 14b, shown as split pins. The split pins engage loops 21a, 21b of the securing element 20 when the split pins are inserted into the split pin holes 11a, 11b of the pin 10. The securing element 20 is thereby fixed at two positions by the fixation elements 14a, 14b, which fixed positions are configured to encompass stacked portions of component parts 30a, 30b when the pin 10 is connecting the component parts 30a, 30b together. For example, when the component parts 30a, 30b each comprises a punched or ring-like portion framing the respective superposed apertures of the component parts 30a, 30b, the fixation elements 14a, 14b may be configured to fix the securing element 20 at opposite sides of the body 100 of the pin 10, having the punched portions therebetween. Therefore, when the securing element 20 is fixed by the fixation elements 14a, 14b, the securing element 20 bridges at least one transition of one component part 30a to the second component part 30b. Thus, the transition region, which is the most susceptible region within which the pin 10 resides due to leverage forces applied by the component parts 30a, 30b, is secured.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the securing element 20 includes at least one of a rod, a wire, a wire rope, and/or a chain. According to one embodiment, the securing element 20 includes at least one flexible portion. Such flexibility provides for an increased resistance with respect to breakage, even if shearing strains act on the pin 10.

[0051] In one embodiment the securing element 20 has a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm. In another embodiment, the securing element 20 has a thickness of between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm. The thickness of the securing element 20 includes the cross-sectional diameter, orthogonal to a length of the securing element 20, which, when used, traverses the borehole 15 in the engaging direction. The diameter provides for a durable and resistant securing element 20. In particular, the flexibility of the securing element 20 inhibits bent damages due to shearing forces in a case of pin breakage.

[0052] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the pin 10, wherein the fixation element may include a groove 300 formed within an interior surface of the borehole 15 and/or an exterior surface of the body 100. The groove 300 may be configured to receive a retainer 302 coupled to the securing element 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the groove 300 may be formed in a top surface of the head 12, thereby forming an enlarged entrance of the borehole 15. The diameter and/or width of the groove 300 and the retainer 302 are greater than the diameter of the borehole 15. The groove 300 is thus adapted to provide a socket for the retainer 302 (such as a plate-like cap or base) of the securing element 20. The top surface of the retainer 302 may be substantially flush with the top surface of the head 12, or alternatively may be recessed below the top surface of the head 12. In another embodiment, the groove 300 may include a screw thread adapted to receive, screwed therein, the retainer 302 of the securing element 20. Additionally, in another embodiment, the groove 300 may be positioned at the outer surface of the body 100 and configured to have a rope of the securing element 20 looped around at least a portion of the body 100. The groove 300 may also include a through-hole connecting the groove 300 with the borehole 15. The through-hole may be adapted to receive a T-piece provided at an end of the securing element 20. At least a portion of the T-piece may be configured to be threaded through the through-hole in the groove.

[0053] FIGS. 2c and 2d show another side view and a longitudinal cross section of the pin 10 in a situation where the pin 10 is broken. In both FIG. 2c and FIG. 2d, one or more divergent forces acting on the pin 10 via the component parts 30a, 30b has resulted in the body 100 of the pin 10 breaking. Due to the securing element 20 in the borehole 15, the pieces of the pin 10 remain connected even in this broken stage. In use, the pin 10 may thus continue to connect component parts 30a, 30b, inhibiting that one or more of them fall down or otherwise disadvantageously leave a dedicated position.

[0054] In one embodiment, the pin 10 and/or the body 100 of the pin 10 may include at least two pin units connectable with each other or (e.g., detachably) connected with each other by a mounting element (such as a screw joint) comprised by at least one of the pin units. The borehole 15 extends through the at least two pin units, and the pin 10 may include a straining assembly for straining the securing element 20 after connecting the pin units. The strained securing element 20 may, further to the above mentioned securing of the pin function in a case of breakage, strengthen the connection of the pin units.

[0055] It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the preceding examples are exemplary and not limiting. It is intended that all permutations, enhancements, equivalents, and improvements thereto that are apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings are included within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims include all such modifications, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of these teachings.