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An R-clip, also known as an R-pin, R-key, hairpin cotter pin, hairpin cotter,
[.] bridge pin,
hitch pin clip or spring cotter pin, is a
fastener
A fastener (US English) or fastening (UK English) is a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. In general, fasteners are used to create non-permanent joints; that is, joints that can be removed or disman ...
made of a durable but flexible material, commonly hardened metal wire, resembling the shape of the letter "R".
R-clips are commonly used to secure the ends of round shafts such as
axle
An axle or axletree is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear. On wheeled vehicles, the axle may be fixed to the wheels, rotating with them, or fixed to the vehicle, with the wheels rotating around the axle. In the former case, beari ...
s and
clevis pin
A clevis fastener is a two-piece fastener system consisting of a ''clevis'' and a ''clevis pin head''. The clevis is a U-shaped piece that has holes at the end of the prongs to accept the clevis pin. The clevis pin is similar to a bolt, but is ...
s. The straight leg of the R-clip is pushed into a hole near one end of the shaft until the semicircular "belly" in the middle of the other, bent leg of the R-clip grips one side of the shaft resisting any force removing the R-clip from its hole. To assist insertion, the end of the bent leg is angled away from the straight leg. This angled end rides the side of the shaft and opens the "belly" mouth enough to pass the widest part of the shaft as the R-clip is inserted.
There is also a double loop variety when a wider range of suitable shafts is required, and to facilitate the attachment of a retaining tether to prevent the pin's loss when removed. It also spreads out the stresses more evenly for a longer life.
[.]
This type of pin is usually made of round wire of a harder metal than is appropriate for traditional cotter pins.
R-clips are similar in function to
split pin
A split pin, also known in the United States of America as a cotter pin or cotter key, is a metal fastener with two tines that are bent during installation, similar to a staple or rivet. Typically made of thick wire with a half-circular cross ...
s and
linchpins. Compared to split pins, they are easier to remove and are re-usable.
DIN 11024 is example of standard that defines a set of R-clips.
Uses
* Hitch pin clip (vehicles, towing, caravans)
* Hood pin (
stock car racing
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing run on oval tracks and road courses measuring approximately . It originally used production-model cars, hence the name "stock car", but is now run using cars specifically built for racing. It or ...
)
* Button attachment (brass buttons on certain military, railroad, and other uniform jackets)
* Body fastener (
radio-controlled car
'Radio-controlled cars'' (or RC cars for short) are miniature model cars, vans, buses, trucks or buggies that can be controlled from a distance using a specialized transmitter or remote. The term "RC" has been used to mean both "remote controll ...
)
See also
*
Circle cotter
*
Hairpin clip
*
Linchpin
*
Split pin
A split pin, also known in the United States of America as a cotter pin or cotter key, is a metal fastener with two tines that are bent during installation, similar to a staple or rivet. Typically made of thick wire with a half-circular cross ...
*
Spring pin
A spring pin (also called tension pin or roll pin) is a mechanical fastener that secures the position of two or more parts of a machine relative to each other. Spring pins have a body diameter which is larger than the hole diameter, and a chamfer ...
References
External links
* {{Commons category inline, R pins
Fasteners