Abstract: An assembly comprises first and second components provided with holes receiving a retaining element in the form of a pin, in order to retain the components together. The pin is made from a shape memory effect material, and is inserted into the holes in a straight configuration, following which a change in temperature causes a retaining portion of the pin to deform into a second configuration, in which withdrawal of the pin is prevented.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention includes an angle bracket with a hole for a fastener and a flange with a hole for coupling a wire to the angle bracket. The flange is arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the axis of the fastener and substantially perpendicular to the axis of the wire. Six embodiments of a bracket according to the invention are disclosed. According to the invention a wire is provided with a deformation or attachment at one end which prevents it from passing completely through the hole in the flange of the bracket. Eight embodiments of a wire according to the invention are disclosed. The wires of the invention may be used with some prior art brackets with little or no modification to the bracket. An unmodified prior art bracket is shown in conjunction with wires according to the invention and a slightly modified prior art bracket is shown with a wire according to the invention.

Abstract: A hitch pin for maintaining a clevis pin in a bore including a continuous wire member formed to include a straight portion ending in a constant radius hinge portion. A parallel portion extends from the hinge portion to a constant radius barb portion. The termination of the barb portion is located on the side of the straight portion opposite the parallel portion and resiliently maintained there by properties of the hinge portion as accentuated by material properties of the wire itself. The hitch pin may be installed in a bore defined in a clevis pin by applying force to the hinge portion after inserting the leadin portion in the bore. During installation, the barb portion is resiliently deformed about the clevis pin and returns to a preinstalled position when the hitch pin installation has been completed. Any forces attempting to remove the hitch pin cause the barb portion to strike the clevis pin presenting a mechanical obstruction to removal.

Abstract: A locking clamp assembly includes a circular band of flexible material having, first and second end portions and a series of indentations formed in the outer surface of the band along the length of the band at the first end portion. A housing is mounted on the second end portion of the band and has a channel formed therein which receives the first end portion of the band therethrough. A screw is also disposed within the channel and has a threaded portion with a plurality threads which threadably engage the indentations of the first end portion of the band so that when the screw is turned, the band is tightened and loosened. A locking device releasably locks the screw to the housing its desired position wherein the screw is prohibited from turning thereby preventing the tightening or loosening of the band.

Abstract: A mechanical rotary coupler for first and second coral shafts having slotted ends proximate one another, the coupler being formed of an elongated blade of resilient material longitudinally slit and folded on itself transverse to the slit to provide first and second resilient V-shaped strips connected by bridging portions at the ends of the blade, the strips respectively being adapted to engage the slots in the ends of the first and second shafts at regions on the strips spaced from the bridging portions.

Abstract: A positionally bistable domed annular disc includes a projection which engages a transverse through hole or a recess in a shaft to be retained. The disc fits concentrically about the shaft and is concave in different directions when in its two stable positions, respectively. In a cotter pin embodiment the projection extends from the outer rim of the disc and is bent to fit solidly in a transverse hole in the shaft. The projection is inserted when the disc is convex toward the hole and not surrounding the shaft. When switched to be concave toward the hole the disc surrounds the shaft to preclude longitudinal and rotative movement of the projection. In a retainer ring embodiment the projection is a plurality of fingers extending from one or both rims and arranged to engage the shaft or the bore in which the shaft is retained in its closed position. In a shaft coupling embodiment the projecting fingers engage two or more shafts in a manner which tolerates axial, radial and angular shaft misalignment.

Abstract: A hairpin style cotter key of wire-like stock having a pair of cooperable legs, utilizing the resilient means provided by said stock to create safe, reliable, and quick clamping means to various structural components to be held in place by the combination and interaction of the piercing means of the shorter straight leg and the receiving means of the longer intersecting leg in conjunction with the aforesaid leg of the present device.