Remote control latch pin mechanism

Claim 2

An automatic latch pin apparatus for handling auger flights comprising a holding member; said holding member being adapted to receive and engage an end of an auger flight; sleeve means movably mounted on said holding member, linkage means secured to sleeve means, said linkage means being constructed to move said sleeve means along the surface of said holding membEr; said sleeve means comprising a body, a latch pin transporting mechanism secured to said body and a latch pin connected to said transporting mechanism, said latch pin transporting mechanism comprising a housing secured to said body; a key plate secured to the housing, said key plate defining a key, a latch pin mounted on said key, said latch pin defining a channel which receives said key of said key plate allowing said latch pin to move along said key, said latch pin transporting mechanism when moved by said linkage means acting upon said latch pin to reciprocate said latch pin.

Claim 3

An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a guide block secured to said holding member, with said latch pin being slidably mounted on said guide block so that the action of said key on said latch pin moves said latch pin in said guide block.

Claim 4

An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 2, including a wear plate secured to said housing, said wear plate being positioned opposite said key plate to protect said guide block.

Claim 5

An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said latch pin channel is cut into said latch pin body at a substantially 20* angle.

Claim 6

An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key of said key plate projects from said key plate and diagonally extends across the surface of said key plate.

Claim 7

An automatic latch pin apparatus for handling auger flights comprising drive means, an auger flight receiving member mounted to said drive means, said auger flight receiving member being adapted to receive and hold an auger flight, a latch pin activator member moveably mounted on said flight receiving member, said flight receiving member comprising a base plate, a tubular body secured to said base plate, said tubular body defining a bore therein a plurality of splines projecting inwardly in said bore to define a plurality of splineways, and an aperture therein communicating with said bore, a guide block secured to said tubular body adjacent said aperture, and a latch pin slidably engaging said guide block, said activator member comprising a sleeve member, a collar secured to said sleeve member, a key plate housing secured to said key plate housing, said key plate having a projecting key, said latch pin being slidably mounted to said key and adapted to be driven by said key along said guide block surface, and linkage secured to said collar, said linkage adapted to act against said collar to propel said activator member along the surface of said receiving member to drive said latch pin into said receiving member.

Claim 8

An automatic latch pin apparatus for handling auger flights comprising drive means, an auger flight receiving member mounted to said drive means, said auger flight receiving member being adapted to receive and hold an auger flight, a latch pin activator member moveably mounted on said flight receiving member, said flight receiving member comprising a base plate, a tubular body secured to said base plate, said tubular body defining a bore therein a plurality of splines projecting inwardly in said bore to define a plurality of splineways, and an aperture therein communicating with said bore, a guide block secured to said tubular body adjacent said aperture, and a latch pin slidably engaging said guide block, said activator member comprising a sleeve member, a collar secured to said sleeve member, a key plate housing secured to said key plate housing, said key plate having a projecting key, said latch pin being slidably mounted to said key and adapted to be driven by said key along said guide block surface, and linkage secured to said collar, said linkage adapted to act against said collar to propel said activator member along the surface of said receiving member to drive said latch pin into said receiving member.

Claim 9

An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein each auger flight has a male end and a female end, said male end comprising a projecting tip having an aperture therein and a plurality of horizontally positioned splines secured thereto, said female end defining a bore having a diameter greater than the projecting tip of said male end and defining splineways which can receive the splines of the male end of another identical auger flight.

Claim 10

An automatic latch pin apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the male end of one said auger flight is received in the bore of said flight receiving member and the latch pin is driven into said receiving member and the aperture of the male end of the auger flight.

Claim 11

An automatic latch pin apparatus for handling auger flights comprising a holding member; said holding member being adapted to receive and engage an end of an auger flight; sleeve means movably mounted on said holding member, linkage means secured to sleeve means, said linkage means comprising a yoke and at least one driving rod connected to said yoke and being constructed to move said sleeve means along the surface of said holding member; said sleeve means comprising a body, a latch pin transporting mechanism secured to said body, said latch pin transporting mechanism comprising plate means secured to said body and a guide means diagonally defined by saiD plate means, a latch pin slidably connected to said guide means and adapted to be carried by said guide means, said latch pin transporting mechanism when moved by said linkage means acting upon said latch pin to reciprocate said latch pin.

Claim 12

An automatic latch pin apparatus for handling auger flights comprising a holding member; said holding member being adapted to receive and engage an end of an auger flight; sleeve means movably mounted on said holding member, linkage means secured to sleeve means, said linkage means comprising a yoke and at least one driving rod connected to said yoke and being constructed to move said sleeve means along the surface of said holding member; said sleeve means comprising a body, a latch pin transporting mechanism secured to said body, said latch pin transporting mechanism comprising plate means secured to said body and a guide means diagonally defined by saiD plate means, a latch pin slidably connected to said guide means and adapted to be carried by said guide means, said latch pin transporting mechanism when moved by said linkage means acting upon said latch pin to reciprocate said latch pin.