Everything You Need to Know About the Bent Hitch Pin

When you need to join parts together in an assembly, there are a few methods that you can follow based on your needs. Fasteners are one of the most common options for assembling parts together, allowing for temporary or permanent joints to be established and removed with ease. If you are particularly in search of a fastener that can temporarily join parts with easy removal, then threaded fasteners may not be the best choice. Instead, you should take advantage of a hardware component like the bent hitch pin, that of which is very useful for frequent joining and separation.

Bent hitch pins, also known as R-clips, are metallic clips that come in the form of a singular metal piece with two arms. While the construction material may differ, most are made from metal wire. The reason that bent hitch pins have the name “R-clip” is because of their structural design, one metal arm being straight, while the other is bent in such a way that it resembles the letter’s shape.

Bent hitch pins can be used in a similar manner to other cotter pin variations, designed to have the straight arm pressed into a preformed hole while the bent arm is inserted within an adjacent hole. Due to the shape of the bent arm, the pin will “snap” into place as the assembly becomes secured until the fastener’s removal. Typically, bent hitch pins are most commonly found in applications where there is a round shaft. This is because the rounded shaft accommodates the bent arm, ensuring a more secure fit.

If such a pin seems like a good choice for your particular operations, it is important to decide what construction material is most suitable for your project. As stated before, a majority of bent hitch pins are made from shaped metal wire, though this is not the only option available. For example, carbon steel and stainless steel are both also popular options, the choice between each coming down to things such as strength requirements, metal compatibility, corrosion concerns, and more.

Pins may also have finishes added as an extra outer layer, this allowing for increased capabilities and/or resistances. For example, a particular base material may be suitable for achieving certain strength requirements, while a coating like zinc or vinyl may be added later to enhance the corrosion resistance of the pin. With coatings, more diverse options are presented to users so that varying needs can be accommodated with ease.

Beyond the chosen material and finish, you should also consider the size of the pin that you procure. This is because the pin must be of a size that matches the holes on the components so that the assembly does not fall apart. Aside from pin spacing, the hole diameter and length is also important to consider.

Once you have made all of your determinations and are ready to begin the purchasing process, make sure to utilize Nascent Aero’s online RFQ services for the means of requesting quotes for your comparisons on any items of interest. Owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, we present customers access to an unrivaled inventory of items, presenting highly competitive pricing and rapid lead times on over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find parts that are ready for purchase at any time. With our unwavering dedication to quality control and export compliance, we proudly conduct operations with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accreditation. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our offerings and wish to speak with a representative, be sure to give us a call or email at your earliest convenience, and we would be more than happy to assist you however we can!

1. david clark
2. Posted on January 13, 2023
fasteners