Locking device for securing a pivot pin in a bore

Claim 1

In a steering axle assembly having a beam type axle, a boss having a bore therethrough at the outboard ends of the axle, a pivot pin in each bore, a bifurcated steering knuckle journally mounted on each pivot pin, each boss having a straight hole extending therethrough transversely to and intersecting with the bore, and a pin means in each hole for holding the pivot pins in the bores against rotation and axial shifting, wherein the improvement comprising: the pin means being a bolt having a head portion of a cross sectional size that is fully insertable in one end of the hole and being inserted in the hole, a shank portion extending from the head portion and merging into a threaded end portion extending from the boss at the opposite end of the hole, the head portion having a wedge-like axially extending flat surface positioned tangentially against the circumferential surface of the pivot pin; a tube inserted in the opposite end of the hole and being sleeved over the threaded end portion of the bolt, the tube having a chamfered inboard end, a portion of which tangentially engaging the circumferential surface of the pivot pin and being arcuately spaced from the tangential engagement of the flat surface of the head portion, the tube having an outboard end portion protruding from the boss at the opposite end of the hole; a washer sleeved over the threaded end portion of the bolt against the outboard end of the tube; and a nut torqued over the threaded end portion against the washer, the pressure of the torquing being a determined amount for causing the tangentially engaging flat surface of the bolt and the tangentially engaging portion of the inboard end of the tube to deform against the circumferential surface of the pivot pin and secure the pivot pin in the bore.