tooth assembly and method for releasably attaching a tooth to an adapter

专利摘要:
TOOTH ASSEMBLY, METHOD FOR RELEASELY COUPLING A TOOTH TO AN ADAPTER AND TOOTH BACKWARDS. The present invention concerns a tooth assembly (10) that includes an adapter (22) and a tooth. The adapter has a nose portion with a first predetermined configuration. The tooth is mounted on the nose portion of the adapter (26) through relative longitudinal movement. The tooth defines a blind cavity having a second predetermined configuration and an opening to a rear portion of the tooth. The second predetermined configuration is larger than the first predetermined configuration such that a space is provided between the nose portion of the adapter and the blind cavity when the adapter and tooth are disposed in operable combination with each other. A retaining member (70, 570, 670) releasably holds the tooth and the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) in operable combination with each other, and fills the space defined between the tooth cavity and the nose portion of the adapter to resist longitudinal movement between the tooth and the nose portion of the adapter. A method for releasably coupling a tooth to an adapter is also described.
公开号:BR112012002687B1
申请号:R112012002687-9
申请日:2010-08-04
公开日:2021-05-25
发明作者:Brian L. Launder；Charles Clendenning；Russell N. Drake
申请人:H&L Tooth Company；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] This disclosure of the invention generally relates to a tooth assembly, and more specifically to a tooth assembly that includes an adapter and a tooth disposed in releasably coupled relation to each other and to a related method for coupling releasably the tooth and adapter. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Excavation or excavation equipment used in mining, construction, and a myriad of other ground engaging operations typically includes a series of spaced apart tine sets that protrude forward and serve to break up the material to be gathered. in a bucket of such digging equipment. Such tooth sets are typically disposed side by side and in a horizontally adjacent relationship to each other.
[003] Such tooth sets can take on a myriad of shapes and sizes. As used herein, the phrases "tooth" and "wear part" are intended to include bead protectors, bead wrappers, starters and other ground contact tools including, but not limited to, beading teeth. engagement with the ground. For exemplary purposes, this embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described for use with a two-piece ground engaging tooth assembly. As mentioned, however, the present invention is equally applicable to other hitch equipment with the ground releasably attached to an edge or edge of a bucket or related digging equipment.
[004] The technique long ago recognized the advantages to be gained by constructing each tooth set as a two-part system. That is, the technique recognized the advantages to be gained by connecting a tine or tool to an adapter or bracket which, in turn, is connected to the bucket of the excavating equipment. Typically, the adapter or bracket is provided with a base portion that is configured for attachment to the edge or leading edge of a bucket and a free-end nose portion. The tooth is typically provided with a blind cavity or socket so that it allows the tooth to press fit longitudinally across and along at least a longitudinal section of the adapter nose portion. Adapter and tine size varies depending upon the particular excavation application. Various types of pin fastening systems were used to releasably interconnect the tooth and adapter in a combination operable in relation to each other.
[005] In some operations, such tooth sets are subjected to highly abrasive conditions and thus experience considerable and rapid wear. Unless the juncture between the component parts is properly press-fitted, wear problems can result, especially in the replacement part socket or cavity and along the nose portion of the adapter. Furthermore, the relatively high forces developed during some digging operations further add to the rapid wear of component parts of the tooth assembly. Additionally, pin fastening systems used to interconnect the tooth and adapter can be damaged or even destroyed by excessive loading in field applications which can result in inadvertent separation of the tooth from the adapter nose portion.
[006] In addition to wear in the socket or cavity area of the replacement part or tooth, the adapter nose portion can also become worn by use in the field. Consequently, and when a new replacement part is press-fitted into a worn nose portion of an adapter, gaps may exist between the adapter nose portion and the backfill tooth. As a result, there can be significant movement between the new replacement part and the nose portion of the adapter. This movement further wears down the nose portion of the adapter and increases loads by conventional pin clamping systems due to excessive tooth movement.
[007] In service, and although specific steps can be taken during wear part fabrication to prolong usefulness, a replacement part leading cutting edge sometimes wears out quickly and loses edge and thus inefficiencies in excavation operation and develops the need to replace such parts. As mentioned, the two-part construction of such a tooth assembly advantageously allows the tooth to be replaced independent of the adapter. Depending upon these conditions, an adapter can be successfully equipped with any amount of five to thirty replacement tines to keep the sharp penetrating edge to the tine set. In the field, replacement of worn teeth is common and sometimes a daily experience.
[008] Removal or separation of a worn or otherwise broken tooth from the tooth holder can involve a tedious and often difficult task of hammering or prying an elongated pin retainer from the registration gaps in the tooth and adapter. Removal of the pin retainer is typically accomplished by using a hammer to pry the pin retainer manually and end-to-end from the gaps in the tooth and adapter. Of course, with larger tooth sets, the retainer pins are sized proportionately larger and through this added to the manual effort and thus increase the time and effort involved to affect replacement and/or backfill tooth preparation. Problems involving when the hammer misses the target or other tools used to detachably hammer the pin holder and hit the operator's hand are well known. Dangerous splintering of the metal parts used to drive the pin holder from between the tine and adapter can also result. Of course, similar problems exist when the pin retainer is re-hammered into the gaps to re-attach the replacement part to the adapter. The non-availability of appropriate tools, i.e. hammers and drills, in the field is also a consistent and well-known problem.
[009] Many tooth assemblies arrange the pin retainer along a generally horizontal axis. When the tine sets are installed proximally side-by-side to each other across the edge of the bucket, however, the horizontal arrangement of the pin retainer for each tine set only adds to the time and effort required to remove initially the pin, so as to allow for the removal/preparation of the worn/broken part of the two-part system, and the subsequent reinsertion of the pin into the gaps recorded in the replacement part and adapter. Some operators use specially designed tools to facilitate the removal of horizontal pins.
[010] It is also known to arrange the pin holder in a generally vertical orientation. While advantageously improving access to the pin retainer, such retaining devices are more susceptible to forces applied thereto as a result of generally vertical bucket movements during a digging/digging operation. Furthermore, with a vertically oriented pin system, the hole or the bottom gap in the replacement part of the two-part backfill system is more exposed - when compared to a horizontal pin fastening system - to the ground surface on which the dump or bucket implant moves during a dump operation.
[011] Typically, moving to a single tooth design can create considerable difficulty for original equipment manufacturers, parts distributors, and end users since a new style adapter will most likely also need to be used to accommodate the innovative tooth and the fixing device. This can require costly maintenance of multi-part inventories throughout the complete part distribution system. This can also cause confusion as to which tooth and new pin will fit which adapter, which tool is needed, etc. These concerns listed above at least partially explain the reluctance of some manufacturers and even end users to accept and adopt a newer type of tooth set, even after considering the advantages such a new tooth set design might offer.
[012] Thus, there is a continuing need and desire for a backfill tooth assembly in which the wear portion or the tooth and adapter are releasably held in combination operable relative to each other and for a related method of coupling releasably the tooth to an adapter. Also, there is a continuing need and desire for a tooth assembly in which the wear portion can be removed and reassembled into the adapter without requiring the use of a hammer. Furthermore, there is an even greater need for a new tooth design that can manifest numerous advantages to the tooth manufacturer and still be used in combination with either new style adapters or with the existing population of older style adapters in the field. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[013] In view of the above, and in accordance with one aspect, a tooth assembly is provided that has a longitudinal axis and includes a tooth and an adapter. The tooth has sloping upper and lower walls and a rear opening socket formed therein. The tooth socket has a first transverse configuration defined, at least partially, by a pair of opposite sides laterally separated by a predetermined distance. At least one side of the tooth socket has a generally flat configuration. The adapter has a nose portion configured to be received longitudinally and accommodated in the tooth socket. The adapter nose portion has a second transverse configuration which is approximate, but smaller than the transverse configuration of the tooth socket so that when the adapter nose portion and the tooth are arranged in operable combination in relation to each other, a relief is defined between the confronting surfaces on the tooth socket and the adapter nose portion. The adapter nose portion further defines a recess to laterally accommodate a tooth-loaded, free-end latch projecting toward the longitudinal axis of the tooth assembly to releasably engage the tooth and adapter in combination operable in relation to themselves. A fastening member is insertable into the relief defined between the confronting surfaces in the tooth socket and the adapter nose portion so as to at least partially fill the relief and induce the tooth in a lateral direction relative to the adapter nose portion thereby maintaining forcibly the latch on the tooth securely within the recess in the adapter thereby inhibits longitudinal translation of the tooth relative to the adapter while the latch is retained within the recess defined by the adapter nose portion.
[014] In one form, the lock on the tooth is a fin formed integrally with the tooth. In one form, the tooth-loaded latch is mounted on the tooth. Preferably, a bottom wall of the tooth defines a hole extending through the tooth socket to accommodate side-to-side passage of a tool from an underside of the clamping member through which facilitates removal of the clamping member from the Operable coupling with tine and adapter.
[015] In one form, the clamping member has a shank portion with generally parallel opposite sides. To guide and facilitate insertion of the clamping member in an operable combination with and between the facing surfaces of the adapter nose portion and the tooth socket, a key and key path are provided between the clamping member and a facing side surface. of the tooth socket. To advantageously promote the removal of the attachment member between the backfill tooth and the adapter nose portion, the stem portion of the attachment member disposed between the tooth and the adapter nose portion preferably has an arcuate configuration between the opposite ends of the same. The configuration and lateral distance between the sides of the rod portion clamping member may vary between the different clamping members.
[016] A secondary lock is preferably provided in combination with the tooth assembly to releasably hold the clamping member in position between the tooth and the adapter nose portion. Magnetic material can be arranged in combination with the clamping member to inhibit negligent displacement of the same between the tooth and the adapter nose portion. In one form, the secondary lock is designed as a detent mechanism. In one form, a tooth loaded insert with a portion of the insert being arranged in operable combination and serving to hold the clamping member in position between the tooth and the adapter nose portion. In yet another form, the secondary latch includes magnetic material.
[017] According to another aspect, a set of teeth is provided that has a longitudinal axis and that includes an adapter and a tooth. The adapter has a nose portion with angled upper and lower surfaces that converge towards a free end thereof and a pair of sides that are laterally separated by a first predetermined distance. The adapter nose portion further defines a recessed opening to either side of the nose portion of the adapter. The tooth is mounted on the nose portion of the adapter in longitudinal relationship movement. The tooth has a top wall and a bottom wall and a blind cavity opening to the rear of the tooth. The tooth cavity has angled top and bottom surfaces that approximate the respective top and bottom angled surfaces in the nose portion of the adapter, and a pair of generally parallel side surfaces that extend between the top and bottom surfaces and are separate laterally by a second predetermined distance. The second preset distance is greater than the first preset distance. At least one side surface of the tooth cavity has a generally flat configuration. A free end latch on the tooth extends towards the axis of the tooth assembly and aligns with and extends into the recess in the nose portion of the adapter when the adapter and tooth are mounted longitudinally relative to each other. A clamping member is insertable between and in bearing contact with both the lateral surface of the tooth cavity and the respective side of the nose portion of the adapter to releasably hold the latch on the tooth within the recess in the adapter to prevent the longitudinal movement of the tooth and adapter in relation to each other.
[018] In one form, an opening is provided in the upper wall of the tooth. The opening extends into the tooth cavity and is disposed adjacent to the side surface of the blind cavity opposite the latch to allow at least a portion of said fastening member to pass downstream through and in operable combination between and in bearing contact with one side of the adapter and an adjacent side surface defining the cavity in the tooth. As such, the latch on the tooth is urged into the recess in the adapter so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the tooth and the adapter in relation to each other.
[019] In one embodiment, the lock on the tooth is a fin that is, formed integrally with the tooth. In another embodiment, the latch is formed as a tooth-loaded insert. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom wall of the tooth defines a passage hole which accommodates a tool used to facilitate removal of said attachment member from the operable engagement between said tooth and adapter.
[020] In a form, the clamping member has a pair of parallel sides. A key and key path in the tooth and clamping member facilitates insertion of the clamping member between the tooth and the adapter nose portion. Furthermore, and to facilitate removal of the clamping member from between the tooth and the adapter nose portion, at least that portion of the clamping member extends between the tooth and the nose adapter portion which has an arcuate configuration between the ends thereof. .
[021] Preferably, the secondary lock is provided to releasably hold the clamping member in operable combination with the adapter and tine. In one embodiment, such a secondary lock is designed as a detent mechanism. In one form, the clamping member includes magnetic material to releasably hold said clamping member in position between said tooth and the adapter nose portion. In another embodiment, an insert, carried by the tooth opposite the latch on the tooth, is disposed in operable combination with the clamping member to releasably hold the clamping member between the adapter and the tooth. In one form, such an insert is held in place by the magnetic material.
[022] According to another aspect, a tooth assembly is provided that has a longitudinal axis and includes an adapter and a tooth. The adapter has a base portion adapted to be attached to excavating equipment and a forwardly extending nose portion in a first predetermined configuration. The tooth is mounted on the adapter nose portion by the moving longitudinal relationship. The tooth defines a blind cavity opening just to the rear of the tooth. The tooth cavity has a second predetermined configuration. Remarkably, in that form, the second predetermined configuration defined by the tooth cavity is larger than the first predetermined configuration defined by the adapter nose portion so that a relief is defined between one side of the adapter nose portion and a facing lateral surface of the cavity. of tooth when the adapter and the tooth are arranged in combination operable in relation to each other. A tine lock releasably holds the tine and adapter nose portion in combination operable relative to each other. The latch projects toward the longitudinal axis of the tooth assembly and extends into a defined recess in the nose adapter portion when the nose adapter portion and tooth are disposed in operable combination relative to each other. A clamping member is insertable between and at least partially fills the space between the lateral surface of the tooth cavity and the facing side of the nose adapter portion and urges the latch into the recess defined in the nose adapter portion thereby resisting longitudinal movement between the tooth and the adapter nose portion while the clamping member is disposed between the tooth and the adapter nose portion.
[023] In one form, the latch in the tooth is formed as a free integral end of a fin that extends toward the longitudinal axis of the tooth assembly. Alternatively, however, the lock on the tooth can be formed as a tooth-loaded insert. In one form, the bottom wall of the tine defines a hole disposed adjacent to one of the side surfaces and extends through the blind cavity to the passage that accommodates side by side a tool used to facilitate removal of the engaging member's operable engagement member. the tooth and adapter.
[024] Preferably, a side-by-side portion of the clamping member extends across the entire side of the adapter when the clamping member is fully inserted into an operative position. In one embodiment, the attachment member portion insertable between the tooth and the adapter nose portion has an arcuate configuration between opposite ends thereof. Preferably, a key and key path defined by the tooth and the clamping member serve to guide the clamping member into an operable position between the tooth and the adapter. The clamping member preferably has two generally lateral and separate parallel sides.
[025] In accordance with yet another aspect, a tooth assembly is provided that has a longitudinal axis and includes an adapter and a tooth. The adapter has a base portion adapted to be attached to excavating equipment and a forwardly extending nose portion that has a first predetermined configuration. The tine is mounted on the nose portion of the adapter in longitudinal relationship and lateral movements. The tooth defines a blind cavity opening just to the rear of the tooth, with the blind cavity having a second predetermined configuration defined by at least one side extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tooth assembly. The second predetermined configuration of the tooth cavity is larger than the first predetermined configuration in the adapter nose portion so that when said adapter nose portion and the tooth are arranged in operable combination with respect to each other, a space is defined between at least said side in the tooth cavity extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tooth assembly and a confronting surface on the nose portion of the adapter. A clamping member is insertable in a direction extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tooth assembly so that a portion of the clamping member at least partially fills the space defined between one side in the generally parallel extending tooth cavity. to the longitudinal axis of the tooth assembly and a confronting surface on the adapter nose portion to positively urge the tooth in one direction so as to allow remaining configurations in the adapter nose portion and tooth cavity to resist longitudinal movement between the tooth and the adapter nose portion while the clamping member is disposed between the nose adapter portion and the tooth.
[026] In this embodiment, both sides of the adapter nose portion are angled inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the tooth assembly so that the transverse configuration of the lateral adapter nose portion decreases when measured from the free end of the adapter. In one form, at least a portion of the fastening member has a wedge-shaped design. In this alternative design, the other side surfaces of the blind cavity defined by the tooth are angled inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the tooth assembly so that the lateral width between the side surfaces of the blind cavity is greater at the closed end of the cavity than at an open end of the cavity.
[027] According to yet another aspect, a method for releasably coupling a tooth to an adapter is provided. The tooth must converge with the upper and lower wall and with a rear opening socket formed therein. The tooth socket has a first predetermined configuration. The adapter has a nose portion adapted to be received longitudinally and accommodated within the socket defined by the tooth. The adapter nose portion has a second preset configuration that complements but is smaller than the preset configuration defined by the tooth socket. As such, and when the tooth and the adapter nose portion are arranged in combination operable relative to each other, a space is defined between the tooth cavity and the adapter nose portion. The method of releasably coupling the tooth and adapter includes the step of: inserting a clamping member between the confronting side surface on the tooth socket and the adapter nose portion so as to couple the tooth and adapter in a combination operable in relation therewith and to inhibit longitudinal translation of the tooth relative to the adapter while the clamping member is retained between the tooth and the nose portion of the adapter.
[028] In one form, the method for releasably coupling the tooth to the adapter includes the additional step of: angling the tooth in a first lateral direction sufficiently to allow longitudinal translation of a free end of the adapter into the tooth socket. Furthermore, the method of releasably coupling the tooth to the adapter may further include the step of: angling the tooth in a second lateral direction sufficiently to align the tooth and adapter along a longitudinal axis defined by the tooth assembly. Preferably, the method of releasably coupling the tooth to an adapter further includes the step of: using a secondary locking apparatus to releasably secure said tooth and the adapter in operable combination relative to each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[029] Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a tooth assembly shape that incorporates the principles and teachings of this presentation; Figure 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the tooth assembly illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3 - 3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4 - 4 of Figure 3; Figure 4A is a view similar to Figure 4 showing an alternative form of latch for securing a tooth assembly wear portion and an adapter nose portion in operable combination; Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side view of one form of fastening member used in connection with the present disclosure; Figure 7 is a top plan view of the clamping member shown in Figure 7; Figure 8 is an elevation view of the clamping member shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is another side view of the clamping member shown in Figure 7; Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10 - 10 of Figure 4; Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the area covered in the dashed lines in Figure 4; Figure 12 is an enlarged top plan view, partially in section, showing part of a secondary latch for use in combination with this embodiment of the invention; Figure 13 is an elevation view of the part shown in Figure 12; Figure 14 is an end view of the part shown in Figure 12; Figure 15 is an enlarged sectional view of the area covered by the dotted lines in Figure 4; Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing an alternative secondary latch for use in combination with this embodiment of the invention; Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the alternative secondary latch for use in combination with this embodiment of the invention; Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 10 showing a preferred backfill tooth design to accommodate the secondary latch shown in Figures 16 and 17; Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing an alternative design for the clamping member to accommodate the secondary latch shown in the Figures. 16 and 17; Figure 20 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing another alternative secondary latch for use in combination with this embodiment of the invention; Figure 21 is also a view similar to Figure 4 showing another alternative secondary latch for use in combination with this embodiment of the invention; Figure 22 is an enlarged view of a fastening member similar to Figure 9 showing another alternative secondary latch design; Figure 23 is an elevation view of the clamping member shown in Figure 21; Figure 24 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the clamping member shown in the Figures. 21 and 22 in combination operable with a tooth assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; Figure 25 is an enlarged top plan view of another form of tooth assembly; Figure 26 is a partially sectional view of the tooth assembly shown in Figure 25; Figure 27 is a sectional view taken along line 27-27 of Figure 25; Figure 28 is a perspective view of another form of the tooth assembly; Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view of the tooth assembly shown in Figure 28; Figure 30 is a sectional view taken along line 30-30 of Figure 29; Figure 31 is an elevation view of another form of the attachment member; and The Figures. 32 through 36 are views of an alternative form of tooth assembly that incorporates principles and teachings of the present disclosure. DESCRIPTION OF ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[030] While this disclosure of the invention is capable of being embodied in multiple forms, the preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings and preferred embodiments will be hereinafter described, with the understanding of the present disclosure presenting examples of the disclosure which are not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments. illustrated and described.
[031] Referring now to the drawings, in which reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the various views, shown in Figure 1 is a series of two-part backfill tooth assemblies, with each assembly being identified generally by the numeral of reference 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the tooth assemblies are disposed in generally horizontal and proximal relationship to each other across an edge or rim 12 of an implant such as a bucket or the like 14. During operation, the bucket or blade 14, to which each set of teeth is attached, moves both vertically and horizontally. Each set of teeth 10 extends forwardly from the bead or set edge 12. Preferably, each set of teeth 10 is substantially identical in construction. Consequently, only one set of teeth will be discussed in detail.
[032] As shown in Figure 2, each tooth assembly 10 has a longitudinal axis 16 and includes a replaceable wear portion 20 and an adapter 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the replaceable wear portion 20 is designed as a backfill tooth . As mentioned, however, the wear part of the assembly 10 can take on a myriad of different designs other than a tooth, i.e. a starter, rim casings, wear cap, etc. without detracting from or deviating from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure of this invention.
[033] In the embodiment illustrated by way of example in Figure 3, the adapter 22 has an elongated and preferably unitary construction and includes a base portion 24 and an elongated nose portion 26 that projects forward from the base portion 24 To add to the wear resistance thereof, adapter 22 is preferably formed from a ferrous metal, i.e. steel or an alloy steel. The adapter base portion 24 is configured for proper attachment to the edge or rim 12 of the bucket or implant 14 by any suitable and well-known means including fasteners, welding, etc.
[034] The nose portion of adapter 26 can take any of a myriad of different designs without detracting from or deviating from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure of this invention. Suffice it to say, the configuration of the adapter nose portion 26 illustrated by way of example in Figures 3, 4 and 17 is such that a longitudinal cross-sectional configuration of the adapter nose portion 26 increases when measured backwards from from a free end of the adapter nose portion 26. In the example selected for illustrative purposes in Figure 3, the adapter nose portion 26 has upper and lower angled surfaces 32 and 34 which converge with respect to one another and toward each other. a free end 35 of adapter 22. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 4, the nose portion of adapter 26 additionally includes a pair of laterally spaced sides 36 and 38 which, in the exemplary form used, extend generally in parallel to one another. the other. As shown in Figure 4, sides 36 and 38 of the adapter nose portion 22 are laterally separated or spaced apart by a predetermined transverse distance PD 1. Suffice it to say, the adapter nose portion 26 has a first predetermined configuration.
[035] As shown in Figure 4, adapter or bracket 22 defines a recess or hole 39 disposed toward a rear portion of nose portion 26 and extends generally normal to the geometric axis of tooth assembly 16. In the shape shown in Figure 4, recess 39 is defined by a hollow hole 39' that opens to opposite sides 36 and 38 of the nose portion of adapter 26. In the illustrated embodiment, recess 39 has a closed marginal edge. In the illustrated embodiment, the closed marginal edge of recess 39 has a generally elliptical cross-sectional configuration that is elongated in an anterior-posterior direction, but could have other cross-sectional configurations, i.e. circular, square, triangular, etc. without detracting from or deviating from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure of this invention.
[036] In the example shown in Figure 3, the wear or tooth portion 20 of the assembly 10 has a longitudinally elongated wedge shape between an advancing cutting edge or edge 40, operative to engage the material to be worked, and a rear end 42 of the same. Like adapter 22, tooth 20 is preferably formed from a ferrous metal, i.e. steel or suitable alloy steel. Preferably, tooth 20 has a unitary design that includes an oblique upper wall 44 and a lower oblique wall 46 disposed in converging relationship toward end 40 of tooth 20. As shown in Figure 2, tooth 20 further includes a pair of walls sides 48 and 48' extending between walls 44 and 46. Of course, the outer sides of tooth 20 can take a myriad of different shapes from those shown without detracting from or deviating from the true spirit and scope of this revelation.
[037] As shown in Figure 4, the wear portion or tooth 20 defines an open-ended blind socket or cavity 50 to longitudinally receive and accommodate at least one section lengthwise of the nose portion of the adapter 26. Suffice it to say , the socket 50 has a predetermined configuration that complements or approximates the configuration of the nose portion of the adapter 26. In the illustrated form, the socket 50 has a larger cross-sectional configuration towards an open end than towards a closed end. the same. In the illustrated embodiment, the tooth cavity or socket 50 has upper and lower angled surfaces 52 and 54 (Figure 3) that complement the upper and lower angled surfaces 32 and 34, respectively, over the nose portion of the adapter 26 and which converge at relation to each other. Tooth cavity or socket 50 further includes a pair of laterally spaced side surfaces 56 and 58 which, in one form, extend generally parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis 16 of the tooth assembly 10. Suffice it to say , the adapter nose portion 26 and the tooth cavity or socket 50 have complementary configurations and/or cross-sectional designs. It should be appreciated, however, that the design, shape and/or configurations of the nose portion of the adapter 26 and the tooth cavity or socket 50 may be different from that shown for illustrative purposes without detracting from or deviating from the true spirit and scope of this disclosure. invention.
[038] As shown in Figure 4, the side surfaces 56 and 58 of the cavity 50 are laterally separated or spaced apart by a predetermined transverse distance PD 2; with the predetermined lateral distance PD2 being greater than the predetermined lateral distance PD1 defined between sides 36 and 38 of the nose portion of adapter 22. That is, the predetermined configuration of tooth cavity 50 is greater in cross-section than the configuration predetermined by the adapter nose portion 26. As such, and as shown in Figure 4, when the adapter nose portion 26 is operably placed together within the tooth cavity 50, a space or relief 59 is defined between a side of the nose portion of the adapter 26 and the facing side surface 58 of the cavity 50 which opens longitudinally to a rear portion of the wear portion of the tooth 20.
[039] In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, a free-end latch 60 extends into the socket 50 and toward the axis of tooth set 16. The latch 60 has a cross-sectional configuration that is equal to or less than the cross-section of recess 39 defined by the nose portion of adapter 26. Notably, the lateral distance separating the free end of latch 60 from the opposite lateral surface 58 of tooth cavity 50 is greater than the lateral distance separating opposite sides 36 and 38 of the adapter nose portion 26 whereby it permits longitudinal translation of the adapter nose portion 26 relative to the tooth socket 50 and the longitudinally passed latch 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch 60 is a tab 62 formed integral with tooth 20. As shown in Figure 4, when the nose portion of adapter 26 and tooth 50 are disposed in operable combination with each other, latch 60 is aligned with and it tends towards the recess 39 defined by the nose portion of the adapter 26. As such, the forces and working loads encountered by the tooth assembly 10 during operation are advantageously transferred from an excavation tooth 20 to the adapter 22 to the latch 60 and extending to the recess 39 over the nose portion of the adapter 26.
[040] In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 4A, a latch 60A extends into the tooth cavity 50 and toward the axis 16, but is formed independent of tooth 20. As shown in Figure 4A, tooth 20 is provided with a hole 45 in the sidewall 48 forwards from the rear end 42 of tooth 20 and which opens into tooth cavity 50. Preferably, hole 45 has a closed marginal edge defined by tooth 20. Hole 45 is located in alignment generally with the recess 39 defined by the nose portion of the adapter 26 when the tooth 20 is fitted in operable combination over the nose portion of the adapter 26.
[041] In this alternative embodiment, latch 60A includes a shank portion 60B and an axially aligned head portion 60C. Stem portion 60B of latch 60A is received and retained against axial movement within hole 45 in the side wall of tooth 48 by any suitable and well known means. As shown in Figure 4A, head portion 60C of latch 60A extends into socket 50 in general alignment with adapter nose portion recess 39 when tooth 20 and adapter nose portion 26 are in relative operable combination. with each other. Preferably, the cross-sectional configuration of the head portion 60C over the latch 60A is equal to or less than the cross section of the recess 39 defined by the nose portion of the adapter 26. Like the latch 60, the lateral distance separating the end free of the head portion 60C of the opposite lateral surface 58 of the tooth cavity 50 is greater than the lateral distance separating the opposite sides 36 and 38 of the nose portion of the adapter 26 by which it allows longitudinal translation of the nose portion. of adapter 26 relative to tooth socket 50 and past lock 60A. During operation, the forces and working loads encountered by the tooth assembly 10 are advantageously transferred from the backfill tooth 20 to the adapter 22 via the latch 60A which extends into the recess 39 over the nose portion of the adapter 22.
[042] From an understanding of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that latches 60 and 60A serve the same functional purpose and operate in the same manner to secure tooth 20 and the nose portion of adapter 26 in operable combination. As such, the description below will only refer to latch 60 to operably and releasably retain tooth 20 and the nose portion of the adapter in operable combination, but it should be appreciated that latch 60 could have a similar design to latch 60A without detract from or deviate from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure of this invention.
[043] According to the present disclosure, each set of tooth 10 is furthermore provided with a spacer or retainer member 70. Retainer member 70 is insertable in the relief or space 59 defined between the facing surfaces on the adapter nose portion 26 and tooth cavity 50 so as to at least partially fill relief 59 and urge tooth in a direction towards latch 60, thereby maintaining latch 60 within recess 39 in nose portion of adapter 26 so as to inhibit longitudinal translation of tooth 20 relative to the nose portion of adapter 26. Preferably, retainer member 70 extends in a direction with respect to longitudinal axis 16 of tooth assembly 10 so as to advantageously avoid the operating loads that are applied directly to it during the operation of the backfill tooth assembly 10.
[044] After tooth 20 is disposed in operable combination with adapter 22, a portion of retainer member 70 fits between the exterior of the nose portion of adapter 26 and the interior of tooth socket 50 opposite latch 60. By this design , member 70 advantageously avoids operating loads that are applied directly thereto during operation of backfill tooth assembly 10. As such, wear on retainer member 70 is minimized thereby allowing retainer member 70 to be reused. , if desired, when a replacement part 20 is re-attached to the adapter 22.
[045] In the form shown in Figures 6 through 9, the retainer or spacer member 70 includes an enlarged head portion 72 and a rod portion 74. The member 70 is preferably formed of metal, i.e. steel or other suitable material or non-compressible metal alloy, with the head portion 72 and the stem portion 74 preferably being formed integrally with respect to one another. In the illustrated form shown in Figures 2 and 3, the exposed section of the head portion 72 of member 70 generally follows the anterior-posterior profile of tooth 20 to promote movement of past material.
[046] Returning to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in Figures 6 through 9, the shank portion 74 of member 70 preferably includes two generally parallel and laterally spaced sides 76 and 78. Notably, the distance between sides 76 and 78 as well as the configuration of the stem portion 74 may change from one retainer member to another depending on the particular tooth socket and adapter nose portion combination or juncture to which the member 70 is to be inserted. The wear portion or tooth 20 is retained to the adapter 22 by the latch 60. In this embodiment, the tolerances of the shank portion 74 of the member 70 are generally controlled by the distance between the side surfaces 56 and 58 of the tooth socket 50. The combination of latch 60 and retaining member 70 allows the system of the disclosure of this invention to be used over markings of adapters from other manufacturers, even if the tolerances of those adapters from other manufacturers are not ascertainable with exact certainty.
[047] To reduce an accumulation of fine dirt solids between tooth 20 and retainer member 70 during tooth assembly operation and thereby facilitate removal of member 70 from tooth 20 and nose portion of adapter 26 , the stem portion 74 or the member 70 preferably has an arcuate configuration between the free distal end thereof and the end joined to the head portion 72. Additionally, and after the nose portion of the adapter 26 is arranged in operable combination with tooth 20, stem portion 74 of member 70 preferably extends through substantially an entire side of the nose portion of adapter 26 when member 70 is fully inserted into an operative position whereby the stress concentrations during operation of backfill tooth assembly 10 (Figure 1).
[048] In the form shown in Figures 6 and 9, the spacer or member 70 further includes an elongated wrench 79 which protrudes from side 76 of shank portion 74. The other side 78 of shank portion 74, i.e. , the side disposed in facing relationship with the side of the nose portion of the adapter 26 preferably has a generally flat surface configuration. For reasons discussed in more detail below, side 78 in member 70 preferably has a ramp and expansion surface 79a to effectively reduce the lateral width leading from the terminal end of stem portion 74 in member 70.
[049] In one form, the wrench 79 over the shank portion 74 on the member 70 has an arcuate configuration between opposite ends and extends for at least most and preferably the entire length of the shank portion 74 on the member 70. The configuration The arcuate configuration of the key 79 preferably complements the arcuate configuration of the shank portion 74 in the member 70 and advantageously limits the direction that the member 70 can be correctly inserted in operable combination with the tooth 20 and the nose portion of the adapter 26.
[050] In the example shown in Figure 10, the oblique top or top wall 44 of the wear portion or tooth 20 defines an opening 80 disposed adjacent to the side surface 58 of and extending to the blind cavity or socket 50 of the tooth 20. Notably, in the example illustrated in Figure 10, opening 80 defined by tooth 20 is disposed adjacent to that side surface 58 of blind cavity 50 opposite latch 60 (Figures 4 and 5). Opening 80 in tooth 20 allows rod portion 74 in member 70 (Figures 7 to 9) to pass end to end therebetween while limiting movement of enlarged head portion 72 from passing therebetween. As such, the marginal edge of opening 80 acts as a boundary interruption for member 70.
[051] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 10, an opening 81 in the bottom or bottom wall 46 of the wear portion 20 near the side surface 58 of the cavity 54 allows the passage of a suitably shaped tool T between them in order to engage and push upwardly against member 70 (Figures 6 to 9) whereby it facilitates removal on member 70, when required or desired, of the space or relief 59 between the wear portion 20 and the nose portion of the adapter 26 to perform repair/replacement of wear part 20. Passing tool T between opening 81 over tooth 20 will cause vertical displacement of member 70 through opening of tooth 80. Only after member 70 is removed between tooth 20 and tooth the nose portion of the adapter 26 that the wear part 20 may be tweaked by releasing the nose portion of the adapter 26 from operable engagement with the latch 60 (Figure 4) over the tooth 20 and consequently allow for longitudinal translation. tooth 20 with respect to the nose portion of adapter 26 to effect release of tooth 20 from adapter 22.
[052] Returning to Figure 3, when retainer member 70 is fully inserted in operable combination with tooth 20 and adapter 22, a portion of the head portion 72 on member 70 is overlying and disposed in confronting relationship with a portion of tooth 20. As shown in Figures 3 and 10, a slit or other suitably shaped recess 81a extends outside of tooth 20 from a marginal edge of opening 80. In addition to those steps mentioned above for effecting release in the tooth 20. engagement member 70 with tooth 20 and adapter 22, opening 81a further allows a suitably shaped tool (not shown) to be inserted between head portion 72 on member 70 and that portion of tooth 20 disposed in relation. of confrontation in this regard to effect separation between the member 70 and the tooth 20 by effecting the release of the member 70.
[053] Returning to Figures 10 and 11, the side surface 58 of the tooth cavity 50 opposite the latch 60 (Figure 4) preferably defines an arcuately shaped key path 82 to slidingly accommodate and guide the tip passage to key tip 79 therebetween when shank portion 74 in member 70 is inserted in operable combination with tooth 20 and adapter 22. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, key path 82 defines longitudinally spaced shoulders 94 and 96 which cooperate with longitudinally spaced sides 75 and 77 about key 79 to allow retainer member 70 to interact with tooth 20 while maintaining and orienting rod portion 74 of member 70 relative to tooth 20. In a preferred form, the member 70 has only one way of being inserted in operable combination with the nose portion of the adapter 26 and the tooth 20. It should be appreciated, however, the arrangement of the key 79 and the key path 82 could be readily revised. held. That is, key 79 can be provided on the side surface of tooth cavity 50 while key path 82 can be provided on side 78 of shank portion 74 without detracting from or deviating from the disclosure of this invention.
[054] Preferably, a secondary latch 90 is provided to releasably hold member 70 in position between tooth 20 and nose portion of adapter 26 during tooth assembly operation by way of inadvertently inhibiting tooth longitudinal separation 20 with respect to adapter 22. More specifically, and in the example shown in Figure 4, secondary latch 90 is disposed in operable combination with backfill tooth 20, nose portion of adapter 26, and member 70. It will be appreciated, however, and as discussed below, the secondary lock 90 can take on varied configurations without detracting from or deviating from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[055] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, secondary latch 90 is designed as a detent 92 to releasably hold member 70 between tooth 20 and the nose portion of adapter 26 during operation of the tooth assembly. excavation 10. More specifically, and as shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14, the mechanism 92 includes a spring 94 preferably having a hemispherical element 95 and 96 which protrudes longitudinally from each end thereof. Suffice it to say, the operative length OL of mechanism 92 (Figure 12) is greater than the lateral distance between the distal end of tooth projection 60 and the flat lateral surface 78 of latch 70 (Figure 4). As such, and when retainer member 70 is inserted between tooth 20 and the nose portion of adapter 26, and secondary latch 90 is disposed in the position shown in Figure 4, spring 94 is longitudinally compressed such that the elements 95 and 96 are continuously propelled in opposite longitudinal directions relative to each other.
[056] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the spring 94 is designed as a longitudinally compressible elastomeric member 97. Alternatively, however, a conventional mechanical spring or coil spring may be used as part of the mechanism 92. In the illustrated embodiment, elastomeric member 97 fits into recess or hole 39 in the nose portion of adapter 26 (Figures 4 and 15). Furthermore, elements 95 and 96 are preferably designed as ball bearings of metal, i.e. steel, which extend longitudinally from and are retained, as by vulcanization or other suitable process, at opposite ends of the elastomeric spring 94, of such that about half of each ball bearing 95, 96 extends beyond the respective free end of spring 94. By this design, mechanism 92 can be inserted into hole 39 in the nose portion of adapter 26 with elements 95, 96 extending longitudinally from each end thereof without detracting from the efficient and effective operation of the latch 90. Furthermore, and with the secondary latch realization illustrated in Figures 4 and 12 to 15, the secondary latch 90 advantageously cannot be installed from incorrect shape in operable combination with tooth 20, adapter nose portion 26 and member 70.
[057] As shown by way of example in Figures 4 and 15, and when latch 90 is arranged in operable combination with backfill tooth 20 with nose portion of adapter 26 and member 70, element 96 is urged by spring 94 into recess 98 suitably configured and defined in the generally flat face of side surface 78 of member 70. As will be understood, during insertion of member 70 into space 59 between wear portion 20 and nose portion of adapter 26, spring 94 compresses initially and longitudinally to allow rod portion 74 of member 70 to pass element 96. In that regard, and as member 70 is being inserted into recess 59 between wear portion 20 and portion of adapter nose 26, ramp or expansion surface 79a (FIG. 9) on member 70 progressively compresses spring 94 to facilitate installation of secondary latch 90 and reduce the likelihood of damage to member 96 of secondary latch 90.
[058] Continuous insertion of retaining member 70 into space or void 59 separating side 38 of the nose portion of adapter 26 from side surface 58 of tooth cavity 50 eventually causes recess 98 over face 78 of latch 70 aligns with element 96, which acts under compression of spring 94, causing element 96 to forcibly snap and engage recess 98 thereby inhibiting inadvertent removal of limb 70 from between tooth 20 and the nose portion of the adapter 26. The resiliency of the secondary latch 90, however, still allows for the purposeful removal of the retaining member 70 from between the tooth 20 and the nose portion of the adapter 26, thus allowing for repair and/or removing the wear part 20 when necessary or desired without the use of hammers or the like.
[059] Furthermore, the design of Mechanism 92 could be changed promptly without impairing or seriously departing from the actual spirit and scope of this presentation. That is, if desired, mechanism 92 could be designed with just a single detent 96 on only one end of spring 94 so as to act together with recess 98 in side surface 78 of latch 70. Alternatively, spherical projection 96 could be provided on the side surface 78 of the member 70, with the accommodating recess 98 for releasably securing the member 96 which is provided at the end of the spring 94.
[060] As mentioned, the secondary lock for holding member 70 between tooth 20 and the nose portion of adapter 26 can be of varied configurations without detracting or seriously departing from the spirit and scope of this presentation. In that regard, an alternative secondary lock arrangement is illustrated by way of example in Figures 16 and 17. This alternative form of the secondary lock is generally designated by reference numeral 190. adapter 26 and retaining member 70 that are similar to those mentioned above are identified by the same reference numerals.
[061] In that embodiment shown in Figure 16, the secondary latch 190 includes an elongated member 192 having an enlarged head portion 194 and a rod portion 196. extends axially from the head portion 194 of the member 192, is provided with external threads thereon. Furthermore, and as illustrated by way of example in Figures 16 and 17, the head portion 194 of the member 192 is configured to accommodate a tool (not shown) suitable for imparting rotation to the member 192 from outside the tooth or part. wear 20.
[062] When the wear portion 20 and the nose portion of the adapter 26 are arranged in operable combination with each other and, in the example shown in Figure 16, the head portion 194 and the stem portion 196 of the member 192 become extend end to end through a hole 195 (Figures 17 and 18) provided in the side wall of tooth 48'. Thereby, head portion 194 of member 192 is preferably accommodated within the confines defined by the closed edge of hole 195 in sidewall 48' of tooth 20 and protected from wear during operation of tooth assembly 20.
[063] In the example illustrated in Figure 16, and when the member 192 is inserted fully in operable combination with the wear portion 20 and the nose portion of the adapter 26, the end of the free stem portion 196 of the member 192 extends axially in the recess 39 in the nose portion of the adapter 26, thereby still inhibiting inadvertent longitudinal translation of the tooth 20 relative to the nose portion of the adapter 26. In the example shown, and to inhibit inadvertent separation of the latch of the member 70 from between tooth 20 and nose portion of adapter 26, threaded rod portion 196 of member 192 threadedly engages threaded opening 198 (FIG. 19) which extends through rod portion 74 of retention member 70. , retaining member 70 is held in position between tooth 20 and adapter 22 by secondary latch 190, thereby releasably keeping tooth 20 and adapter 22 in operable combination with each other until secondary latch 190 is r moved from the operable association with retaining member 70.
[064] To add strength and rigidity to the section of the nose portion of the adapter 26 that defines the hole 39, the secondary latch 190 may further include a metal, preferably steel, insert 197 between the end of the free latch 60 and the distal end of the threaded rod portion 196 of member 192. Preferably, insert 197 would have a cross-sectional configuration that is close to the cross-sectional configuration of hole 39 defined by the nose portion of adapter 26. In addition, insert 197 would have a length generally equal to the length separating the end of the free latch 60 from the distal end of the threaded rod portion 196 of the member 192 when the member 192 is fully engaged with the retaining member 70 to further and advantageously limit displacement and movements of the wear/tooth portion 20 on adapter nose portion 26 during operation of backfill tooth assembly 10.
[065] Another alternative secondary lock arrangement is illustrated by way of example in Figure 20. This alternative form of the secondary lock is generally designated by reference numeral 290. The elements of the wear portion 20, the nose portion of the adapter 26 and the retaining member 70, which are similar to those mentioned above, are identified by the same reference numerals.
[066] In the embodiment shown in Figure 20, the recess or hole 39 disposed towards the rear of the nose portion of the adapter 26 is defined by a pair of axially aligned blind holes 39a and 39b. Each void or opening 39a and 39b opens to a respective side 36 and 38 of the nose portion of the adapter 26. Furthermore, each void or opening 39a and 39b preferably has a closed marginal edge; with blind hole 39a which is configured to accommodate end to end latch 60 on tooth 20.
[067] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 20, the secondary latch 290 includes an elongated member 292 having an enlarged head portion 294 and a rod portion 296. axially from the head portion 294 of the member 292 is provided with external threading thereon. As with the secondary locking arrangement illustrated in Figure 16 and 17, the head portion 294 of member 292 is configured to accommodate a tool (not shown) suitable for imparting rotation to member 292 from outside the tooth or part. of wear 20.
[068] When the wear portion 20 and the nose portion of the adapter 26 are arranged in operable combination with each other and, in the example shown in Figure 20, the head portion 294 and the stem portion 296 of the member 292 become extend end to end through a hole 295 (similar to hole 195 illustrated in Figures 17 and 18) provided in the side wall of tooth 48'. Thereby, the head portion 294 of member 292 is preferably accommodated within the confines defined by the closed edge of hole 295 in sidewall 48' of tooth 20 and is protected from wear during operation of tooth assembly 20.
[069] When member 292 is inserted fully in operable combination with wear portion 20 and nose portion of adapter 26, a lengthwise portion of stem portion 296 of member 292 extends axially through the retaining member 70 and to recess 39b in the nose portion of adapter 26, thereby further inhibiting inadvertent longitudinal translation of tooth 20 relative to nose portion of adapter 26. In this embodiment, stem portion 296 of member 292 is dimensioned to so that the free end thereof engages and presses against the closed end of blind cavity 39b which advantageously moves tooth 20 laterally relative to the nose portion of adapter 26 and in a direction that still retains latch 60 on tooth 20 within of the blind cavity 39a on the other side of the nose portion of the adapter 26.
[070] In the example shown in Figure 20, and to inhibit inadvertent detachment of member 292 from retaining member 70, threaded rod portion 296 of member 292 engages with an aperture 298 (similar to aperture 198 illustrated in Figure 19 ) which extends through the shank portion 74 of the member 70. Thereby, the retaining member 70 is held in position between the tooth 20 and the adapter 22 by the secondary latch 290, thus releasably maintaining the tooth 20 and the adapter 22 in operable combination with one another until secondary latch 290 is removed from operable association with retaining member 70.
[071] Yet another alternate secondary latch arrangement is illustrated by way of example in Figure 21. Because of the similarity to latch 290, this alternate form of secondary latch is generally designated by reference numeral 290'. Elements of the wear portion 20, the adapter nose portion 26 and the retaining member 70 that are similar to those mentioned above are identified by the same reference numerals.
[072] With respect to Figure 21, and as in the embodiment shown in Figure 20, the recess or hole 39 disposed towards the rear of the nose portion of the adapter 26 is defined by a pair of axially aligned blind holes 39a and 39b. Each void or opening 39a and 39b opens to a respective side 36 and 38 of the nose portion of the adapter 26. Furthermore, each void or opening 39a and 39b preferably has the marginal edge closed. In the example shown, blind hole 39a is configured to accommodate end-to-end latch 60 on tooth 20.
[073] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 21, the secondary latch 290' includes an elongated member 292' that preferably has an enlarged head portion 294' and a shank portion 296'. In this embodiment, the complete member 292 or part thereof is formed from a magnetic material. While substantially any magnetic material would do, form member 292' from a magnetic material including neodymium and of the type sold by K&J Magnetics, Inc. in Jamison, PA. 18929 was found to be particularly beneficial.
[074] When the wear portion 20 and the nose portion of the adapter 26 are arranged in operable combination with each other and, in the example shown in Figure 21, the head portion 294' and the stem portion 296' of the member 292' extend end to end through a hole 295' (similar to hole 195 illustrated in Figures 17 and 18) provided in the side wall of tooth 48'. Thereby, the head portion 294' of member 292' is preferably accommodated within the confines defined by the closed edge of hole 295', in sidewall 48' of tooth 20, and is protected against wear during operation of tooth assembly 20 .
[075] When member 292' is inserted fully in operable combination with wear portion 20 and nose portion of adapter 26, a lengthwise portion of stem portion 296' of member 292' extends axially through an opening 298' in retaining member 70 (similar to opening 198 illustrated in Figure 19) and recess 39b in the nose portion of adapter 26, thereby still inhibiting inadvertent longitudinal translation of tooth 20 relative to nose portion. of adapter 26. The magnetic material from which member 292' is formed inhibits inadvertent separation of member 292' from retaining member 70 and tooth 20. In this way, retaining member 70 is held in position between tooth 20 and adapter 22 by secondary latch 290' thus releasably holding tooth 20 and adapter 22 in operable combination with each other, until secondary latch 290 is removed from operable association with retaining member 70 .
[076] To remove member 292', a portion of head portion 294 of member 292 facing side 48' of tooth 20 may be suitably configured to allow a tool (not shown) to engage in order to remove from effectively remove member 292' from tooth 20. Alternatively, another magnet can be used to effectively and magnetically withdraw member 282' axially from hole 295' to effectively release member 292' from retaining member 70 which effects the release of the tooth 20 from the nose portion of adapter 26.
[077] Yet another alternative secondary locking arrangement for keeping the retaining member 70 in operable association with and between tooth 20 and the nose portion of adapter 26 is illustrated by way of example in Figures 22, 23 and 24. The alternative secondary lock is generally designated by reference numeral 390. The elements of the wear part 20, the nose portion of the adapter 26 and the retaining member or lock 70, which are similar to those mentioned above, are identified by the same reference numerals. .
[078] This form of secondary latch 390 is preferably carried by retaining member 70 which has a substantially similar design to that discussed above. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be used for retaining member 70 as used above. As shown in Figures 22 and 23, this alternative form of secondary latch 390 is designed as a detent mechanism and preferably includes resiliently inclined elongate detent 391 extending longitudinally across and laterally from side 78 of the portion. of stem 74 of member 70 adapted to be disposed in facing relationship relative to the nose portion of adapter 26 when member 70 is inserted in operable combination with tooth 20 (Figure 24). While the free end of detent 391 extends laterally from stem portion 74 of member 70, it should be understood that detent 391 is preferably captured and carried by stem portion 74 of member 70. Furthermore, detent 391 is preferably configured with a chamfered bottom surface or edge 393 and an upper edge 395. Edge 395 preferably extends generally normally to the side 78 of stem portion 74 of member 70 adapted to be disposed in confronting relationship relative to the nose portion of the adapter 26 when member 70 is inserted in operable combination with tooth 20 (FIG. 24).
[079] Detent 391 of latch 390 is allowed to initially move inwardly toward side 78 of stem portion 74 of member 70, adapted to be disposed in confronting relationship relative to nose portion of adapter 26, when the member 70 is inserted between tooth 20 and the nose portion of adapter 26 (figure 24). When the retaining member 70 is fully inserted in operable combination with the tooth 20 and the nose portion of the adapter 26, the detent 391 returns to the position shown in Figure 24 under the influence of a resilient member 391'.
[080] In the embodiment shown in Figure 24, the marginal edge of opening 80 in the oblique upper wall 44 of tooth 20 is provided with a longitudinally elongated free-end bead 81'. Notably, the free end of bead 81' is disposed generally vertically in vertical alignment with side 38 of the nose portion of adapter 26 when tooth 20 and adapter 22 are disposed in operable combination relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, tooth 20 further defines a beveled or angled surface 83 that extends upwardly and laterally from the free end of bead 81' toward an upper surface on upper tooth wall 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the tooth 20 further defines a recess or recess 85 which extends laterally from the free end of bead 81' and which defines a shoulder 87 which extends at an angle of about 90° relative to the free end of bead 81'.
[081] Turning to Figures 22 and 23, this alternative form of secondary latch 390 may further include a second resiliently angled detent 397 that extends laterally from side 78 of rod portion 74 of retaining member 70 in vertically spaced relationship from detent 391. Detent 397 is adapted to be disposed in facing relationship relative to adapter nose portion 26 when member 70 is inserted into space 59 between adapter nose portion 26 and tooth 20 (figure 24). Preferably, detent 397 is similar in configuration to a button with a beveled outer edge 398. Like detent 391, detent 397 is captured and carried by detent 70 and operates under the influence of a resilient member 397'. As shown, detent 397 preferably has an outer diameter 399 generally equal to the outer diameter of recess 39 which opens to the side of the nose portion of adapter 26 to be disposed in facing relationship relative to member 70 when the portion of adapter nose 26 and tooth 20 are disposed in longitudinally locked relationship relative to one another. When member 70 is inserted into the relief or space 59 between tooth 20 and the nose portion of adapter 26, resilient detent 397 first moves inwardly toward side 76 of member 70. After retaining member 70 is fully inserted into the relief or space 59 between tooth 20 and the nose portion of adapter 26 (figure 24), detent 397 snaps or returns to a position, as shown in figure 24, under the influence of resilient member 397 '.
[082] As shown in FIG, 24, when the retaining member 70 is inserted through the opening 80 in the upper tooth wall 44 and into the space or relief 59 between the tooth 20 and the nose portion of the adapter 26, the edge beveled exterior 398 of detent 397 engages the upper slanted or beveled surface 83 extending from the edge of tooth 81' forcibly causing detent 397 to retract toward member 70 and move past the free end edge 81' on tooth 20. Since member 70 is further moved in space 59 between tooth 20 and adapter 22, the lower chamfered surface 393 in detent 391 engages the slanted or upper chamfered surface 83 extending from the bead of tooth 81' forcibly causing detent 391 to retract towards member 70 and move past the free end edge of tooth 81.
[083] Since the retaining member 70 is still further inserted into the opening 80 in the top wall 44 and the space 59 between tooth 20 the nose portion of the adapter 26 and when the top edge 395 of the stop 391 moves after the free end bead 81' on tooth 20, the resiliency of the detent 391 causes the detent 391 to spring into the recess or indentation 85 below the lip 81' inhibiting the retaining member 70 from being inadvertently displaced from the tooth 20a adapter nose portion 26. Preferably, and substantially concurrently with the action of detent 391, the other resilient detent 397 springs into recess 39 in the adapter nose portion 26, further retaining detent 70 against inadvertent displacement between tooth 20 and adapter nose portion 26 so as to inhibit longitudinal translation of tooth 20 relative to adapter nose portion 26. The resilience of detents 391 and 397 further permits removal of the retaining member 70, when necessary or desired, between tooth 20 and the nose portion of adapter 26 in order to effect repair/replacement of the wear part when necessary or desired.
[084] Figures 25 to 27 illustrate another set of two-part tooth that includes another shape of tooth and adapter. The tooth or wear part illustrated in Figures 25 to 27 is generally designated by the reference numeral 420. In the illustrated embodiment, the replaceable wear part 420 is designed as a backfill tooth. As mentioned, however, the wear part can have any one of a myriad of different designs of a tooth, ie the starter, lip casing, wear cap, etc. without impairing or departing from the real spirit and scope of the presentation of the invention. The adapter or bracket illustrated in Figures 25 to 27 is generally designated by reference numeral 422. The elements of such an alternative backfill tooth assembly, which are functionally analogous to the components or elements discussed above, with respect to the backfill tooth 20 and the adapter 22, are designated by reference numerals identical to those listed above, with the exception that this embodiment uses reference numerals in the 400 series.
[085] Referring to Figure 25, adapter 422 has an elongated and preferably unitary construction and includes a base portion 424 and an elongated nose portion 426 that projects toward the base portion 424. adapter 424 is configured to properly attach to the edge or rim 12 of the bucket or implant 14 by any suitable and well-known means including fasteners, welding etc.
[086] The configuration of the nose portion of adapter 426, illustrated by way of example in Figures 25 to 27, is such that a longitudinal cross-sectional configuration of the nose portion of adapter 426 increases as measured toward the rear from of the free end 435 of the adapter nose portion 426. In the example selected for illustrative purposes in Figures 26 and 27, the adapter nose portion 426 has angled lower and upper surfaces 432 and 434 that converge with respect to one another and toward each other. to the free end 435 of adapter 422. In the embodiment shown in Figure 25, the nose portion of adapter 426 further includes a pair of laterally spaced sides 436 and 438 which, in exemplary fashion, extend generally parallel to each other. Suffice it to say that the nose portion of adapter 426 has a first predetermined configuration.
[087] As shown in Figure 27, adapter or bracket 422 defines a recess or hole 439 disposed toward a rear of nose portion 426 and extending generally normal to the geometric axis of tooth assembly 416. shown in Figure 27, recess 439 is defined by a vertically disposed through hole that opens to upper and lower surfaces 432 and 434 of the nose portion of adapter 426. In the illustrated embodiment, recess 439 has a closed marginal edge.
[088] In the example shown in Figure 26, the wear portion or tooth 420 has a longitudinally elongated wedge shape between the front end or cutting edge 440, effective to engage the material to be worked, and a rear end 442 thereof. . Like adapter 422, tooth 420 is preferably formed of a ferrous metal, i.e., steel or alloy steel. Preferably, tooth 420 has a unitary design that includes an oblique upper wall 444 and a lower oblique wall 446 disposed in converging relationship toward end 440 of tooth 420. As shown in Figure 25, tooth 420 further includes a pair of walls sides 448 and 448' between walls 444 and 446, respectively (Figure 26). Certainly, the outer sides of tooth 420 can adopt a myriad of different shapes from what has been shown without detracting from or departing from the true spirit and scope of this revelation.
[089] As shown in Figure 25 through 27, the wear portion or tooth 420 defines an open-ended blind cavity or socket 450 to longitudinally receive and accommodate at least one section lengthwise of the nose portion of adapter 426 Suffice it to say, socket 450 has a predetermined configuration that complements or approximates the configuration of the nose portion of adapter 426. As illustrated, socket 450 has a larger transverse sectional configuration towards an open end of the that towards a closed end of it. In the illustrated embodiment, tooth cavity or socket 450 has angled upper and lower surfaces 452 and 454 (Figures 26 and 27) that converge with respect to one another. Tooth cavity or socket 450 further includes a pair of laterally spaced side surfaces 456 and 458 which, in one form, extend generally parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis 416. Suffice it to say, the portion adapter nose 426 and socket or tooth cavity 450 have complementary configurations and/or cross-sectional designs.
[090] As shown in Figures 26 and 27, surfaces 452 and 454 of tooth cavity 450 are spaced or otherwise separated by a vertical distance greater than the vertical distance separating the confronting surfaces 432 and 434 in the nose portion of adapter 426. That is, the predetermined configuration of tooth cavity 450 is greater in cross section than the predetermined configuration defined by the nose portion of adapter 426. As such, and as shown in Figure 27, when the adapter nose portion 426 is operably mounted in tooth cavity 450, a space or relief 459 is defined between surface 434 in adapter nose portion 426 and confronting surface 454 in tooth cavity 450.
[091] In the embodiment shown in Figure 27, a free-end latch 460 extends into socket 450 and toward the axis of tooth assembly 416. The latch 460 has a transverse sectional configuration that is equal to or less than the section. of the recess 439 defined by the nose portion of the adapter 426. Notably, the lateral distance separating the free end latch 460 from the opposite surface 454 of the tooth cavity 450 is such as to permit longitudinal translation of the nose portion of the adapter 426 in relation to tooth socket 450 and longitudinally passed lock 460.
[092] Latch 460 is preferably formed as a fin 462 formed integrally with tooth 420. As discussed above, therefore, other latch designs (see Figure 4A) can be used and provided without harming or departing from the true and new spirit concept of this disclosure of the invention. As shown in Figure 27, when adapter nose portion 426 and tooth 450 are disposed in operable combination with each other, latch 460 is aligned with, and extends in, recess 439 defined by adapter nose portion 426. As such, tooth 420 is locked to the nose portion of adapter 426 and the working loads and forces encountered by the tooth assembly during operation are advantageously transferred from backfill tooth 420 to adapter 422 via lock 460 which extends into recess 439 in the nose portion of adapter 26.
[093] In accordance with the present disclosure, and as illustrated by way of example in Figures 26 and 27, the tooth assembly is further provided with a spacer or retainer member 470. As with the retainer member 70 discussed above, the retainer member 470 is insertable into the relief or space 459 defined between the facing surfaces in the nose portion of the adapter 426 and the tooth cavity 450 so that it at least partially fills the relief 459 and urges the tooth toward the latch 460 thereby maintaining , latch 460 in recess 439 in adapter nose portion 426 so as to exhibit longitudinal translation of tooth 420 relative to adapter nose portion 426. Preferably, retainer member 470 extends in a direction relative to the longitudinal axis 416 of the tooth assembly so that it advantageously avoids operating the loads that are applied directly to it during operation of the backfill tooth assembly.
[094] As shown in Figure 27, and after tooth 420 is disposed in operable combination with adapter 422, a portion 474 of retainer member 470 fits between the exterior of the nose portion of the adapter 426 and the interior of the tooth socket 450 as opposed to latch 460. By this design, member 470 advantageously avoids operating loads that are applied directly to it during operation of the backfill tooth assembly. As such, wear on retainer member 470 is minimized thereby allowing retainer member 470 to be used again, if desired, when replacement part 420 is reattached to adapter 422.
[095] Retainer or spacer member 470 is preferably similar in design to latch 70 discussed in detail above and which includes an enlarged head portion 472 (Figure 26) and stem portion 474 (Figure 27). The exposed section of head portion 472 of member 470 generally follows tooth profile 420 to promote movement of past material.
[096] The inner tooth cavity surface 450 together with the retainer member 470 preferably has a key and key path design, generally identified in Figure 27 by reference number 479. The key and key path design 479 it is similar to the key and key path design discussed in detail above. Such design advantageously allows retainer member 470 to interact with tooth 420 so as to guide insertion of member 470 in operable combination with tooth 420 while preferably limiting direction retainer member 470 that can be correctly inserted in operable combination with tooth 420 and the nose portion of adapter 426.
[097] In the example shown in Figure 26, the sidewall 448' of the wear portion or tooth 420 defines an opening 480 disposed adjacent the surface 454 of, and extends through, to the blind cavity or socket 450 of the tooth 420. Notably, in the example illustrated in Figure 26, opening 480 defined by tooth 420 is disposed adjacent to that surface 454 of blind cavity 450 opposite latch 460. Opening 480 in tooth 420 allows rod portion 474 of member 470 ( Figure 27) Pass end-to-end ever since, while limiting the movement of the enlarged head portion 472 to pass it. As such, the marginal edge of opening 480 acts as a boundary break for member 470.
[098] An opening 481 (Figure 25) in sidewall 448 of wear portion 420 approaches surface 454 of cavity 450 that allows end-to-end passage of a properly formed tool (not shown) posteriorly so that it engages and drives. the member 470 whereby facilitates the removal of member 470, when required or desired, from the space or gap 459 between the wear part 420 and the nose portion of the adapter 426 to effect repair/replacement of the wear part 420 Passing the tool through opening 481 in tooth 420 will cause displacement of member 470 through tooth opening 480. Only after member 470 is removed from between tooth 420 and the nose portion of adapter 426, wear portion 420 can be diverted by releasing the nose portion of the adapter 46 for engagement with latch 60 (Figure 27) on tooth 420 and subsequently allows longitudinal translation of tooth 420 relative to the nose portion of the steel. adapter 426 to release tooth 420 from adapter 422.
[099] When retainer member 470 is fully inserted in operable combination with tooth 420 and adapter 422, a portion of head portion 472 of member 470 covers and is disposed in facing relationship relative to tooth portion 420. As shown in Figure 26, a slit or other properly formed recess 481a extends outside of tooth 420 from a marginal edge of opening 480. In addition to those steps mentioned above, to effect release of member 470 from engagement with tooth 420 and adapter 422 , aperture 481a further allows a suitably formed tool (not shown) to be inserted between head portion 472 of member 470 and portion of tooth 420 disposed in confronting relationship relative thereto to effect separation between member 470. and tooth 420 for effecting the release of member 470.
[0100] As shown in Figure 27, secondary latch 490 is preferably provided to releasably hold member 470 in position between tooth 420 and the nose portion of adapter 426 during operation of the tooth assembly by means of careless display separation of tooth 420 from adapter 422. More specifically, and in the example shown in Figure 27, secondary latch 490 is disposed in operable combination with backfill tooth 420, nose portion of adapter 426, and member 470 .
[0101] In the embodiment shown in Figure 27, the secondary latch 490 is designed as a detent 492 disposed in the recess 439 defined by the nose portion of the adapter 426 to releasably hold the member 470 between the tooth 420 and the portion of adapter nose 426 during operation of backfill tooth assembly 410. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 27, mechanism 492 is substantially similar to, and functions in substantially the same manner as, mechanism 92 discussed in detail above. It will be appreciated, therefore, and as discussed above, that the secondary lock 490 may have varied configurations without detracting from or departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[0102] Figures 28 through 30 illustrate yet another two-part tooth assembly that includes another form of tooth and adapter. The tooth or wear part illustrated in Figures 28 through 30 is generally designed by reference numeral 520. In the illustrated embodiment, the replaceable wear part 520 is designed as a backfill tooth. As mentioned, therefore, the wear part can adopt any of the myriad of different designs other than a tooth, ie a starter, rim casing, wear cap, etc. without detracting from or departing from the true spirit and scope of this revelation of invention. The adapter or bracket illustrated in Figures 28 through 30 is generally designed by reference numeral 522. The elements of this alternative backfill tooth assembly that are functionally analogous to those components or elements discussed above in connection with the backfill tooth 20 and adapter 22 are designed by reference numbers identical to those listed above with the exception of that realization which uses reference numbers in the 500 series.
[0103] Turning to Figure 28, adapter 522 has a unitary and preferably elongated construction and includes a base portion 524 and an elongated nose portion 526 that projects forward from the base portion 524. adapter base 524 is configured for proper attachment to the edge or rim 12 of the bucket or implant 14 by any well-known and suitable means including fasteners, soldering, etc.
[0104] The configuration of the nose portion of adapter 526, illustrated by way of example in Figures 28 through 30, is such that a longitudinal cross-sectional configuration of the nose portion of adapter 526 increases as measured toward the rear from from a free end of the nose portion of adapter 526. In the example selected for illustrative purposes in Figures 28 through 30, the nose portion of adapter 526 is configured in accordance with the instructions and principles set forth in US Patents No. 6,047. 487 and 6,247,255 assigned to H&L Tooth Company; the applicable portions of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0105] As shown in Figure 29, the nose portion of the adapter has angled top and bottom surfaces 532 and 534 converge with respect to each other and toward the free end 535 (Figure 30) of adapter 522. In the embodiment shown in Figure 29, adapter nose portion top surface 532 526 has two downwardly angled sides 536 and 538 disposed to opposite lateral sides of longitudinal axis 516 of tooth assembly 510. Similarly, adapter nose portion bottom surface 534 of adapter 526 has two upwardly angled sides 535 and 537 disposed to opposite side sides of the longitudinal axis 516 of tooth assembly 510. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 29, angled sides 535 and 536 are joined together along a 535' edge. Similarly, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 29, angled sides 537 and 538 are joined together along an edge 538'. Suffice it to say, the nose portion of adapter 526 has a first predetermined configuration.
[0106] As shown in Figures 29 and 30, adapter or bracket 522 defines a recess or hole 539 disposed toward a rear of nose portion 526 and extends generally normal to the geometric axis of tooth assembly 516. As shown in Figure 29, recess 539 is defined by an angled borehole that opens to the angled side 538 of the upper surface 532 of the nose portion of adapter 526 to a side of the longitudinal axis 516 of tooth assembly 510 and to the angled side 535 of the lower surface 534 of the adapter nose portion 526 on a side opposite the longitudinal axis 516 of tooth assembly 510 while passing generally through the longitudinal axis 516 of tooth assembly 510. Of course, recess 539 may alternatively be defined by an angled through hole that opens to the angled side 536 of the upper surface 532 of the nose portion of the adapter 526 to a side of the geometric shaft. longitudinal axis 516 of tooth assembly 510 and to the angled side 537 of the lower surface 534 of the nose portion of adapter 526 on a side opposite longitudinal axis 516 of tooth assembly 510 while passing generally through longitudinal axis 516 without prejudice or deviate from the true spirit and scope of this revelation of invention. In the illustrated embodiment, recess 539 has a closed marginal edge.
[0107] In the example shown in Figure 26, the wear portion or tooth 520 has a longitudinally elongated wedge shape between a front end or cutting edge 540, effective to engage the material to be worked, and the rear end 542 thereof. . Like adapter 522, tooth 520 is preferably formed of a ferrous metal, i.e., steel or alloy steel. Preferably, tooth 520 has a unitary design that includes an upper oblique surface 544 and a lower oblique surface 546 disposed in converging relationship toward end 540 of tooth 520. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 29, the upper or upper surface 544 of Tooth 520 includes two downwardly angled sides 545 and 547 disposed on opposite lateral sides of the longitudinal axis 516 of tooth assembly 510. Similarly, bottom surface 546 of tooth 520 has two upwardly angled sides 545' and 547' disposed on sides opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 516 of tooth assembly 510. Of course, the outer surfaces of tooth 520 can adopt a myriad of shapes other than those shown without detracting from or departing from the true spirit and scope of this disclosure.
[0108] As shown in Figures 29 and 30, the wear portion or tooth 520 defines an open-ended blind cavity or socket 550 to longitudinally receive and accommodate at least a lengthwise section of the nose portion of the adapter 526. suffice it to say, socket 550 has a predetermined configuration that complements or approximates the configuration of the nose portion of adapter 526. As illustrated, socket 550 has a greater transverse sectional configuration towards an open end than towards the a closed end of it. In the illustrated embodiment, tooth cavity or socket 450 has angled top and bottom surfaces 552 and 554 (Figure 29), respectively, which converge with respect to one another and toward the end of tooth cavity 450.
[0109] In the illustrated embodiment and as described in further detail in the aforementioned US patents to H&L Tooth Company, the upper surface 552 of the tooth cavity 550 is defined, at least in part, by two angled sides 553 and 555 disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 516. Similarly, and in the illustrated embodiment, the lower surface 554 of the tooth cavity 550 is defined, at least in part, by two angled sides 553' and 555' disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 516. Suffice it to say, tooth cavity 550 has a second predetermined configuration that approximates but is different from the first transverse sectional configuration defined by the nose portion of adapter 526.
[0110] As shown in Figures 29 and 30, the angled side 538 of the adapter nose portion top surface 532 and the angled side 555 of the tooth cavity top surface 552 550 are spaced apart or otherwise separated by a greater distance. than the distance of the angled side 536 of the upper surface of nose portion of adapter 532 and the angled side 555' of the lower surface 554 of tooth cavity 550. Because of the predetermined configuration of tooth cavity 550 being larger in section transverse than the predetermined configuration defined by the adapter nose portion 526, and as shown in Figures 29 and 30, when the adapter nose portion 526 is operably mounted in the tooth cavity 550, a space or relief 559 is defined between the angled side 538 in the nose portion of adapter 526 and the facing surface 555 in the tooth cavity 550.
[0111] In the embodiment shown in Figures 29 and 30, the free-end latch 560 extends into socket 550 and toward the axis of tooth assembly 516. The latch 560 has a transverse sectional configuration that is equal to or less than the cross-section of recess 539 defined by the nose portion of adapter 526. Notably, the distance separating the free end latch 560 from the opposing surface 555 of tooth cavity 550 is such as to permit longitudinal translation of the nose portion. of adapter 526 in relation to tooth socket 550 and longitudinally passed lock 560.
[0112] Latch 560 is preferably formed as a fin 562 formed integrally with tooth 520. As discussed above, therefore, other latch designs (see Figure 4A) can be used and provided without harming or departing from the true spirit and new concept of this revelation of invention. As shown in Figures 29 and 30, when adapter nose portion 526 and tooth 550 are disposed in operable combination with each other, latch 560 is aligned and extends in recess 539 defined by adapter nose portion 526. Thus, the working loads and forces encountered by the tooth assembly during operation are advantageously transferred from backfill tooth 520 to adapter 522 via latch 560 extending into recess 539 in the nose portion of adapter 526.
[0113] As illustrated by way of example in Figures 29 and 30, the tooth assembly is further provided with a spacer or retainer member 570. As with retainer member 70 discussed above, and as shown in Figure 30, the member retainer 570 is insertable into the relief or space 559 defined between the confronting surfaces in the nose portion of adapter 526 and tooth cavity 550 so that it at least partially fills the relief 559 and urges the tooth toward the latch 560 thereby maintaining the latch 560 in recess 539 in adapter nose portion 526 so as to exhibit longitudinal translation of tooth 520 relative to adapter nose portion 526. Preferably, retainer member 570 extends in a direction relative to longitudinal geometric axis 516 of the assembly so that it advantageously avoids operating loads that are applied directly to it during operation of the backfill tooth assembly.
[0114] As shown in Figure 29, and after tooth 520 is disposed in operable combination with adapter 522, portion 574 of retainer member 570 fits between the exterior of the nose portion of the adapter 526 and the interior of the tooth socket 550 opposite latch 560. By this design, member 570 advantageously avoids operating loads that are applied directly to it during operation of the backfill tooth assembly. As such, wear on retainer member 570 is minimized thereby allowing retainer member 570 to be used again, if desired, when replacement portion 520 is reattached to adapter 522.
[0115] Retainer or spacer member 570 is preferably similar in design to latch 70 discussed in detail above and includes an enlarged head portion 572 (Figures 28 and 29) and stem portion 574 (Figures 29 and 30). Preferably, the exposed section of head portion member 572 generally follows tooth profile 520 to promote movement of past material.
[0116] The inner tooth cavity surface 550 together with the retainer member 570 preferably has a key and key path design, identified generally in Figures 28 and 30 by reference number 579. The key and key path design 579 is similar to the key and key path design discussed in detail above, except in this embodiment, the key and key path design preferably has a generally linear design as compared to the arcuate or curved key and key path design discussed above. This design, however, alters the key and key path 579, preferably provided in combination with the retainer member 570 and the tooth cavity 550 which advantageously allows the retainer member 570 to interact with the tooth 520 so as to guide the insertion of the member. 570 in operable combination with tooth 520 while preferably limiting steering retainer member 570 is inserted in operable combination with tooth 520 and the nose portion of adapter 526.
[0117] In the example shown in Figure 29, the upper surface 544 of the wear portion or tooth 520 defines an opening 580 disposed adjacent to the angled side 555 and extending through the blind cavity or socket 550 of the tooth 520. Notably, in the example illustrated in Figure 29, opening 580 defined by tooth 520 is disposed adjacent to that angled side 555 of blind cavity 550 opposite latch 560. Opening 580 in tooth 520 allows rod portion 574 of member 570 (Figure 29) to pass end to end therethrough while limiting movement of the enlarged head portion 572 if member 570 passes completely into recess 539.
[0118] In the embodiment of the retaining member illustrated in Figures 29 and 31, a lower section of the retaining member 570 is configured to engage the nose portion of the adapter 526. That is, in the embodiment illustrated for exemplary purposes in Figure 29, the angled sides 536 and 538 on the upper surface 532 of the nose portion of the adapter are joined together along a longitudinally extending edge 538a. In the embodiment illustrated for exemplary purposes in Figure 29, the longitudinally extending edge 538a has a curved or arcuate configuration in cross-section. In addition, the lower section of the retaining member 570 is configured to engage the longitudinally extending edge 538a on the nose portion of the adapter, thereby adding stability and strength to the releasable conjunction between the tooth 520 and the nose portion. adapter nose 526.
[0119] As shown in Figure 29, an opening 581 in the lower surface 546 of the wear portion 520 near the angled side 555 of the cavity 550 allows the passage end-to-end of a properly shaped tool (not shown) through it with the purpose of engaging and pushing member 570, thereby facilitating the removal of member 570, when required or desired, from the space or span 559 between the wear part 520 and the nose portion of the adapter 526 to effect repair/replacement of the wear portion 520. Passing the tool through the opening 581 in the tooth 520 will cause displacement of the member 570 through the opening of the tooth 580. Only after the member 570 is removed from the tooth 520 and the nose portion of the adapter 526 a wear part 520 can be displaced to release the nose portion of adapter 526 from the operable engagement with latch 560 (Figures 29 and 30) on tooth 520 and subsequently allows longitudinal translation of tooth 520 in r linking to the nose portion of adapter 526 to release tooth 520 from adapter 522.
[0120] When retaining member 570 is fully inserted in operable combination with tine 520 and adapter 522, a portion of the head portion 572 of member 570 overlies and is disposed in facing relationship with respect to a tine portion 520 As shown in Figure 29, a slit or other properly shaped recess 581a extends outwardly of tooth 520 from a marginal edge of opening 580. In addition to those steps mentioned above to effect release of member 570 from engagement with tooth 520 and adapter 522, aperture 581a further permits a suitably shaped tool (not shown) to be inserted between the head portion 572 of member 570 and that portion of tooth 520 disposed in relative facing relationship thereto to effect separation between member 570 and tooth 520, thereby releasing member 570.
[0121] As shown in Figures 29 and 30, a secondary latch 590 is preferably provided to releasably hold member 570 in position between tooth 520 and the nose portion of adapter 526 during operation of the tooth assembly, inhibiting, thereby, the inadvertent longitudinal separation of tooth 520 from adapter 522. More specifically, and in the example shown in Figures 29 and 30, secondary latch 590 is disposed in operable combination with backfill tooth 520, the nose portion of adapter 526 and member 570.
[0122] In the embodiment shown in Figures 29 and 30, secondary latch 590 is designed as a detent 592 disposed within recess 539 defined by the nose portion of adapter 526 to releasably hold member 570 between tooth 520 and the nose portion of adapter 526 during operation of backfill tooth assembly 510. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 29 and 30, mechanism 592 is substantially similar and functions substantially the same as mechanism 92 discussed in detail above.
[0123] It should be noted, however, as discussed above, that the secondary lock 590 can take on varied configurations without detracting from or deviating from the spirit and scope of this description. For example, the secondary lock for releasably holding the locking member 590 operablely between the tooth 520 and the nose portion of the adapter 526 may involve forming the locking member 570 from a magnetic material. Alternatively, and as shown in Figures 29 and 30, a magnetic insert 595 may be carried by and formed as part of retaining member 570. While substantially any magnetic material would suffice, such magnetic insert 595 is preferably formed from a magnetic material. which includes neodymium and the type sold by K&J Magnetics, Inc. in Jamison, PA. 18929.
[0124] As shown in Figure 29, when retaining member 570 is fully inserted between tooth 520 and the nose portion of adapter 526, magnetic insert 595 is disposed in confronting and attractive relationship with a portion of backfill tooth 520 and/or a nose portion of adapter 526. As such, magnetic attraction between insert 595 in retainer member 570 and tooth 520 and/or nose portion of adapter 526 inhibits inadvertent displacement of retainer member 570 from manner operable between the tooth 520 and the nose portion of the adapter 560, thereby keeping the backfill tooth 520 locked to the nose portion of the adapter through the lock 560.
[0125] Yet another alternate tooth set design is illustrated for illustrative purposes in Figures 32 to 34. This alternate tooth set design is generally designed by reference numeral 610. The elements of this alternate tooth set design that are functionally analogous to those components discussed above referring to tooth assembly 10 are designed by the identical reference numeral to those listed above, except that this embodiment uses reference numerals in the 600 series.
[0126] Tooth assembly 610 has a longitudinal axis 616 and includes a replaceable wear portion 620 and an adapter and bracket 622. In the illustrated embodiment, the replaceable wear portion 620 is designed with a tooth. As mentioned, however, the wear portion of the assembly 610 may have several different designs other than a tooth, i.e. a starter, rim casing, wear cap, etc. without detracting from and deviating from the spirit and scope of this description of the invention.
[0127] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 32, the adapter 622 has an elongated and preferably unitary construction and includes a conventional base portion 624 and a longitudinally elongated nose portion 626 that protrudes forward from the base portion 624. The base portion of adapter 624 is configured to properly secure the edge or bead, a bucket or implant (not shown), by any suitable or well-known means, including fasteners, welding, etc. the nose portion of adapter 626 has a predetermined configuration. In the embodiment shown for exemplary purposes, the nose portion of adapter 626 has upper and lower angled surfaces 632 and 634, respectively, which converge with respect to one another toward a free end 635 of adapter 622.
[0128] In the form shown in Figure 33, the nose portion of adapter 626 further includes a pair of laterally spaced sides 636 and 638. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 33 and 34, sides 636 and 638 are oppositely angled relative to each other and are angled relative to the longitudinal tooth assembly axis 616 such that they converge toward the aft end of the nose portion of adapter 626. As such, the forward or free end 635 of the nose portion 635. adapter nose 626 has a lateral width greater than the lateral width across the rear end of the adapter nose portion 626.
[0129] The free-forward end 635 of the nose portion of adapter 626 preferably has a generally constant circular shape in plan to distribute the workloads applied thereto across a wider horizontal bearing surface. The design also enhances stabilization of the tooth-to-adapter connection by reducing horizontal movement in backfill applications.
[0130] In the illustrated embodiment, each side 636, 638 of the nose portion of adapter 626 has a rear exit angle of not less than about 7° and no more than about 22° with respect to the longitudinal axis 616 of tooth assembly 610. A rear rake angle of less than 7° creates a possible locking angle between tooth 620 and the nose portion of adapter 626 that could cause tooth removal problem after tooth assembly 610 has been used for long periods of field work and applied operating loads. A rear rake angle in excess of 22° would yield greater interference, or maintain energy between tooth 620 and the nose portion of adapter 626, but would likely cause nose compression or reduced cross section towards the rear of the nose portion of adapter 626, generating a generally weaker adapter 622.
[0131] As shown for exemplary purposes in Figure 32, the tooth or replaceable wear portion 620 of the assembly 610 has a longitudinally elongated wedge shape between an advancing end and a trailing end thereof. Preferably, excavation tooth 620 has a unitary design that includes an oblique upper wall 644 and an oblique lower wall 646 disposed in converging relationship toward the advancing end of tooth 620. As mentioned above, the external configuration of tooth 620 may present several projects without detracting from or deviating from the spirit and scope of this description.
[0132] As shown in Figure 33, tooth 620 defines an open-ended blind cavity or socket 650 to longitudinally receive and accommodate at least a lengthwise section of the nose portion of adapter 626 through relative longitudinal movement or translation. Blind cavity 650 defined by tooth 620 has a predetermined configuration that is larger than the predetermined configuration of the nose portion of the adapter. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 32, tooth cavity 650 has upper and lower angled surfaces 652 and 654, respectively, which complement the upper and lower angled surfaces 632 and 634, respectively, in the nose portion of adapter 626 and which converge with each other. . As shown in Figure 33, blind cavity or socket 650 defined by tooth 620 further includes a pair of laterally spaced side surfaces 656 and 658.
[0133] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 34, the side surface 658 of the blind cavity 650 generally extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 616 of the tooth assembly 610 when the tooth 620 is operably connected to the nose portion of the adapter 626. When tooth 620 is operably connected to the nose portion of adapter 626, the other side surface 656 of tooth cavity 650 is angled relative to the geometric axis of tooth assembly 616 such that surface 656 converges toward the rear end of cavity 650 and toward the longitudinal tooth assembly axis 616. Like, the closed end of tooth cavity 650 has a lateral width greater than the lateral width across the open end of cavity 650. Preferably, the rear exit angle of side surface 656 of cavity 650 is complementary to the rear exit angle associated with side 636 of the nose portion of adapter 62 6.
[0134] As shown in Figure 33, the nose portion of adapter 626 and the blind cavity of tooth 650 are configured with each other such that the rear portion of tooth 620 should be laterally displaced to the side with respect to the geometric axis of longitudinal tooth assembly 616 to allow the nose portion of adapter 626 to be inserted longitudinally into the blind cavity of tooth 650. After the nose portion of adapter 626 has been longitudinally fitted within the cavity of tooth 650, the rear end of the tooth 620 is again angled laterally toward longitudinal tooth assembly axis 616 to arrange tooth 610 and adapter 622 in axially aligned working relationship with each other. Because of this tooth angulation requirement, the opposite becomes necessary to remove tooth 620 from the operable combination with the nose portion of adapter 626.
[0135] As is evident from Figure 34, the nose portion of the adapter 626 and the blind cavity of the tooth 650 are configured and dimensioned together such that an opening or space 659 exists between the side 638 of the nose portion. of adapter 626 and the facing surface 658 of the blind tooth cavity 650 when the side 636 of the nose portion of the adapter 626 and the confronting surface 656 of the blind tooth cavity 650 are disposed in contacting and working relationship with each other.
[0136] At least partially filling space 659 while moving tooth 620 relative to the nose portion of adapter 626, tooth assembly 610 is provided with a retaining member 670 to hold tooth 620 and adapter 622 in combination operable with each other. In one form, retaining member 670 generally extends vertically to the longitudinal axis 616 of tooth assembly 610. To effect such ends, and in a manner similar to that discussed above in connection with tooth assembly 10, the member 670 is insertable into the space 659 between the wear portion 620 and the nose portion of adapter 626 through an opening 680 in the oblique top wall 644 (Figure 32) of tooth 620 and therefore prevents operating loads from being applied directly the same. During operation of tooth assembly 610, member 670 prevents tooth 620 from angling and disarticulated from the nose portion of adapter 626, thereby inhibiting tooth 620 from longitudinally translating or moving relative to the nose portion of the adapter 626 required in removing tooth 620 from the nose portion of adapter 626.
[0137] With the exceptions noted below, retaining member 670 is configured substantially similar to that discussed above with respect to retaining member 70. In the form shown in Figure 34, member 670 includes a stem portion 674 having two laterally spaced sides 676 and 678 with an arcuate configuration between the free end thereof and that end joined to a head portion of member 670 similar to the head portion 72 of member 70. In the embodiment shown for exemplary purposes in Figure 34, and thereafter the nose portion of adapter 626 being longitudinally disposed in combination with tooth 620, stem portion 674 of member 670 extends through substantially all of one side of nose portion of adapter 626 when member 670 is fully inserted into one position. operational.
[0138] In the embodiment shown in Figure 34, sides 676 and 678 of the stem portion 674 of the retaining member 670 diverge angularly from each other in a manner complementary to the angled side 638 in the nose portion of the adapter 626 and the side surface 658 of tooth cavity 650. As such, and when shank portion 674 of member 670 is inserted into space 659 between nose portion of adapter 626 and tooth 620, a bracing force is applied to tooth 620 and portion. of nose of adapter 626 during longitudinal translation of tooth 620 relative to adapter 622. The bracing action exerted by retaining member 670 will advantageously propel tooth 620 longitudinally over adapter 622.
[0139] Suffice it to say that a secondary latch similar to any described in detail above may be arranged in operable combination with latch 670. As above, the purpose of such secondary latch is to inhibit inadvertent displacement of retaining member 670 from the relief of space 659, separating the wear portion from the nose portion of the adapter.
[0140] A method of releasably attaching a wear portion or tooth to an adapter is also provided, wherein the tooth has a top wall and a bottom wall that converge towards a free end of the tooth and an opening socket rear formed on the same. The tooth socket has a first predetermined configuration. In one form, the tooth socket is defined by a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of laterally spaced side surfaces that extend between the top and bottom surfaces. The upper wall of the tooth defines an opening disposed adjacent to one of the side surfaces and extending through the socket. The adapter has a nose portion adapted to be longitudinally received and accommodated within the socket defined by the tooth. The nose portion of the adapter has a second predetermined configuration that is smaller than the first predetermined configuration of the tooth socket. In one form, the nose portion of the adapter has a pair of sides laterally spaced along the top and bottom surfaces. The predetermined configurations defined by the nose portion of the adapter and the tooth socket are such that a space is provided between the nose portion of the adapter and the tooth socket after the tooth and adapter are disposed in operable combination with each other. The method comprises the step of: inserting a retaining or locking member to engage the tooth and adapter in combination operable with each other through an opening in the tooth such that a portion of the retaining or locking member abuts against a side surface of the socket and a facing side of the nose portion of the adapter, thereby displacing the tooth to thereby inhibit longitudinal translation of the tooth relative to the adapter provided that the retaining member or latch is retained between the tooth and the nose portion of the adapter.
[0141] The method for releasably coupling the tooth and adapter in operable combination with each other may further include the step of: angling the tooth in a first lateral direction sufficiently to allow longitudinal translation of a free end of the adapter into the socket defined by the tooth. The method for releasably coupling the tooth and adapter in operable combination with each other may further include the additional step of: angling the tooth in a second lateral direction sufficiently to align said tooth and adapter along a longitudinal geometric axis defined by the tooth assembly. The method for releasably coupling the tooth and adapter in operable combination with each other may further include the further step of: using a secondary latch to releasably retain the tooth and adapter in operable combination with each other.
[0142] With the description of the present invention, variations between the size and configuration of the tooth socket and the nose portion of the adapter are readily tolerated and accepted. The simple project proposed by this description advantageously yields possibilities that are, until then, unknown to those skilled in the art. That is, by inserting a retainer or latch member having different designs of shank portion between the tooth and the nose portion of the adapter in a direction that generally extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal geometric axis of the tooth assembly, the Teeth manufactured, sold and distributed by different manufacturers can be used in combination with newly manufactured adapters, sold from distributed by other manufacturers or that existing population of adapters that already exists in the field. Consequently, an operator is not necessarily required to always return to the original equipment manufacturer for replacement parts just because no one else can supply parts for the particular model of tooth/adaptor combination being used by that operator. Instead, and with the description of the present invention, the operator merely selects a retainer or latch member that will accommodate the size variations between the tooth socket and the adapter nose portion of the particular parts, thereby opening a wide variety of possibilities that were, until then, unknown.
[0143] From what has been discussed, it will be noted that several modifications and variations can be carried out and carried out without detracting or deviating from the true spirit and innovative concept of this inventive description. Furthermore, it should be noted that the present description is intended to set forth examples that are not intended to limit the description to specific illustrated embodiments. Rather, this description is intended to cover, through the appended claims, all such modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the claims.

权利要求:
Claims (15)
[0001]
1. TOOTH ASSEMBLY (10, 410, 510, 610), which has a longitudinal geometric axis (16, 416, 516, 616), characterized in that the tooth assembly (10, 410, 510, 610) comprises: a tooth ( 20, 420, 520, 620) which has sloping upper and lower exterior walls and a socket (50, 450, 550, 650) with a rear opening formed therein, and the socket (50, 450, 550, 650) has a first transverse configuration defined by the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) which is greater towards an open end of the socket (50, 450, 550, 650) than towards a closed end of the socket (50, 450, 550, 650), wherein the first transverse configuration of the socket (50, 450, 550, 650) is at least partially defined by a pair of laterally opposite inner sides separated by a predetermined distance and wherein at least one side of the socket of the tooth (50, 450, 550, 650) has a flat configuration; an adapter (22, 422, 522, 622) having a nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) configured to be longitudinally received and accommodated within the socket (50, 450, 550, 650) defined by the tooth ( 20, 420, 520, 620), whereby the adapter nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) has a second transverse configuration that is close to the first transverse configuration of the socket (50, 450, 550, 650) defined by the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620), wherein the second transverse configuration of the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) is at least partially defined by two side walls (48, 448; 48', 448') laterally spaced, and wherein the lateral spacing between the side walls (48, 448; 48', 448') of the nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) of the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622 ) is less than the predetermined distance separating the opposite inner sides of the socket (50, 450, 550, 650) defined by the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) such that when the nose portion of the adap The keeper (26, 426, 526, 626) is arranged in operable combination with the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620), a relief (59, 459, 559, 659) is defined between at least one side interior wall in the socket of the tooth (50, 450, 550, 650) and a confronting side wall in the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626), wherein the relief (59, 459, 559, 659) opens longitudinally to a rear end of the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620), and the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) further defines a recess (39) to accommodate a free end latch laterally ( 60, 460, 560) on the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and projecting towards the longitudinal geometric axis (16, 416, 516, 616) of the tooth assembly (10, 410, 510, 610), coupling releasably, thereby, the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622) in operable combination with each other, after the latch (60, 460, 560) is inserted into the recess (39) and in which the latch (60, 460, 560) is a fin (62, 4 62, 562) formed integrally with the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620); and a retaining member (70, 570, 670) slidably insertable into the relief (59, 459, 559, 659) defined between the at least one inner side of the tooth socket (50, 450, 550, 650) and the facing sidewall in the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) through an opening defined in one of the upper and lower sloping outer walls of the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) so as to at least partially fill the relief (59, 459, 559, 659), abutting against the at least one inner side in the tooth socket (50, 450, 550, 650) and the facing side wall in the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526 , 626) and slidingly urge the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) in a lateral direction relative to the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626), thereby forcibly maintaining the latch ( 60, 460, 560) carried by the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) securely within the recess (98) in the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622), thereby inhibiting translation the longitudinal of the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) with respect to the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) provided that the latch (60, 460, 560) is retained within the recess (98) defined by the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626).
[0002]
TOOTH ASSEMBLY (10, 410, 510, 610) according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the outer walls of the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) defines a hole to accommodate the passage longitudinally from tip to tip of a tool used to facilitate removal of the retaining member (70, 570, 670) from between the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and adapter (22, 422, 522, 622).
[0003]
TOOTH ASSEMBLY (10, 410, 510, 610) according to claim 1, characterized in that a portion of the retaining member (70, 570, 670) has opposite and parallel sides, wherein at least one of the sides of the retaining member (70, 570, 670) and a confronting surface (454, 555, 656, 658) defining the socket (50, 450, 550, 650) on the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) has a key projecting therefrom, wherein at least one side of the retaining member (70, 570, 670) and a confronting surface (454, 555, 656, 658) defining the socket (50, 450, 550 , 650) in the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) define a key path to slidably accommodate the key when the retaining member (70, 570, 670) is inserted in operable combination with the tooth (20, 420 , 520, 620) and the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622).
[0004]
A TOOTH ASSEMBLY (10, 410, 510, 610) according to claim 1, further including a secondary latch (90, 190, 290, 290', 390, 490) to releasably hold the retaining member (70, 570, 670) in position between the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) to inhibit inadvertent lateral displacement movement of the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) relative to the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626), thereby securely holding the latch (60, 460, 560) within the recess (98) at the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626).
[0005]
5. TOOTH ASSEMBLY (10, 410, 510, 610), which has a longitudinal geometric axis (16, 416, 516, 616), characterized in that the tooth assembly (10, 410, 510, 610) comprises: an adapter ( 22, 422, 522, 622) with a nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) having a base portion adapted to be attached to excavating equipment and a nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) which extends forward having a first predetermined configuration defined, at least partially, by at least one flat surface; a tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) mounted on the nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) of the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622) through relative longitudinal movements, with the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) defines a blind cavity opening for a rear portion of the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620), wherein the blind cavity has a second predetermined configuration, wherein the second predetermined configuration is larger than the first predetermined configuration such that when the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) and the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) are arranged in operable combination with each other, a space is defined between surfaces faces in the blind tooth cavity (20, 420, 520, 620) and the nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) of the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622); a latch (60, 460, 560) on the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) to releasably hold the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) in interoperable combination, with the latch (60, 460, 560) protruding from an inner surface on the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) towards the longitudinal axis (16, 416, 516, 616 ) of the tooth assembly (10, 410, 510, 610) and extending into a recess (98) defined in the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) when the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) and the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) are arranged in interoperable combination; and a retaining member (70, 570, 670) is insertable in a direction extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal geometric axis (16, 416, 516, 616) of the tooth assembly (10, 410, 510, 610) of such that a portion of the retaining member (70, 570, 670) at least partially fills the space defined between the facing surfaces in the blind tooth cavity (20, 420, 520, 620) and the nose portion (26, 426 , 526, 626) of the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622) and positively urges the latch (60, 460, 560) into the recess (98) defined in the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626), thereby resisting longitudinal movement between the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) as long as the retaining member (70, 570, 670) is disposed between the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) and the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620).
[0006]
6. TOOTH ASSEMBLY (10, 410, 510, 610) according to claim 5, characterized in that the latch (60, 460, 560) is a projection with free end formed integrally with a surface of the blind cavity in the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and extending toward the longitudinal geometric axis (16, 416, 516, 616) of the tooth assembly (10, 410, 510, 610).
[0007]
7. TOOTH ASSEMBLY (10, 410, 510, 610) according to claim 5, characterized in that the lock (60, 460, 560) in the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) is an insert formed independently of and transported through the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620).
[0008]
TOOTH ASSEMBLY (10, 410, 510, 610) according to claim 5, characterized in that the retaining member (70, 570, 670) has opposite and parallel sides, wherein at least one side of the holding member retention (70, 570, 670) and a confronting surface (454, 555, 656, 658) defined by the blind cavity in the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) has a key protruding therefrom, and in which at least one side of the retaining member (70, 570, 670) and an abutting surface (454, 555, 656, 658) defined by the blind cavity in the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) define a key path for slidingly accommodate the key when the retaining member (70, 570, 670) is inserted in operable combination with the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and adapter (22, 422, 522, 622).
[0009]
A TOOTH ASSEMBLY (10, 410, 510, 610) according to claim 5, further including a secondary latch (90, 190, 290, 290', 390, 490) to releasably hold the retaining member (70, 570, 670) in position between the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626).
[0010]
10. TOOTH ASSEMBLY (10, 410, 510, 610), which has a longitudinal geometric axis (16, 416, 516, 616), characterized in that the tooth assembly (10, 410, 510, 610) comprises: an adapter ( 22, 422, 522, 622) with a nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) having a base portion adapted to be attached to excavating equipment and a nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) that extends forward having a first predetermined configuration; a tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) mounting over the nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) of the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622) through relative longitudinal and lateral movements, whereby the tooth ( 20, 420, 520, 620) defines a blind cavity opening for a rear portion of the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620), the blind cavity having a second predetermined configuration defined by at least one extending side parallel to the longitudinal geometric axis (16, 416, 516, 616) of the tooth assembly (10, 410, 510, 610), and wherein the second predetermined configuration is larger than the first predetermined configuration such that, when the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) and the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) are arranged in operable combination with each other, a space is defined between the at least one side in the tooth cavity. extending parallel to the longitudinal geometric axis (16, 416, 516, 616) of the tooth assembly (10, 410, 510, 610) and a surface c facing (454, 555, 656, 658) on the nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) of the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622); and a retaining member (70, 570, 670) insertable in a direction extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal geometric axis (16, 416, 516, 616) of the tooth assembly (10, 410, 510, 610) of such so that a portion of the retaining member (70, 570, 670) at least partially fills the space defined between the at least one side in the tooth cavity that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (16, 416, 516, 616 ) of the tooth assembly (10, 410, 510, 610) and a confronting surface (454, 555, 656, 658) on the nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) of the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622 ) to positively propel the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) in one direction, thereby allowing the remaining configurations in the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) and the tooth cavity to resist longitudinal movement between the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) provided that the retaining member (70, 570, 670) is disposed between the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) and the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620).
[0011]
TOOTH ASSEMBLY (10, 410, 510, 610) according to claim 10, characterized by the portion of the retaining member (70, 570, 670) insertable between the at least one side in the cavity of the tooth. extends parallel to the longitudinal geometric axis (16, 416, 516, 616) of the tooth assembly (10, 410, 510, 610) and a confronting surface (454, 555, 656, 658) on the nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) of the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622), have a wedge-shaped cross-sectional configuration.
[0012]
12. METHOD FOR RELEASELY COUPLING A TOOTH (20, 420, 520, 620) TO AN ADAPTER (22, 422, 522, 622), in an implant in contact with the ground, where the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) has a top wall and a bottom wall converging towards a free end of the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and a socket (50, 450, 550, 650) with a rear opening formed therein. that the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) defines a first predetermined configuration for the socket (50, 450, 550, 650), and that the default socket configuration (50, 450, 550, 650) is at least partially defined by a pair of laterally spaced side surfaces on the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620), and wherein the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622) has a nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) adapted to be longitudinally received and accommodated inside the socket (50, 450, 550, 650) defined by the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620), with the nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) of the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622) has a second default setting that complements but is smaller than the default setting set by the tooth socket (50, 450, 550, 650), and the second default setting on the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622) being by the at least partially defined by a pair of laterally spaced sides in the adapter nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626), and where, when the adapter nose portion (26, 426, 526, 626) and the tooth ( 20, 420, 520, 620) are arranged in operable combination with each other, a space is provided between the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) and the tooth socket (50, 450, 550, 650) , characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: inserting a retaining member (70, 570, 670) into the space between one side of the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) and a confronting surface (454, 555, 656, 658) side in the tooth socket (50, 450, 550, 650) such that at least a portion of the retaining member (70, 570, 670) bears against the between the socket (50, 450, 550, 650) and the facing surface (454, 555, 656, 658) side of the tooth socket (50, 450, 550, 650), thereby displacing the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) laterally with respect to the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626) to inhibit longitudinal translation of the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) with respect to the adapter (22, 422, 522 , 622) so long as the retaining member (70, 570, 670) is retained between the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and the nose portion of the adapter (26, 426, 526, 626).
[0013]
13. METHOD FOR RELEASELY COUPLING A TOOTH (20, 420, 520, 620) TO AN ADAPTER (22, 422, 522, 622) according to claim 12, characterized in that it includes the additional step of: angle the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) in a first lateral direction sufficiently to allow longitudinal translation of a free end of the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622) in the socket (50, 450, 550, 650) defined by tooth (20, 420, 520, 620).
[0014]
14. METHOD FOR RELEASELY COUPLING A TOOTH (20, 420, 520, 620) TO AN ADAPTER (22, 422, 522, 622) according to claim 13, characterized in that it includes the additional step of: angle the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) in a second lateral direction sufficiently to align the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and adapter (22, 422, 522, 622) along a longitudinal axis ( 16, 416, 516, 616) defined by the tooth assembly (10, 410, 510, 610).
[0015]
15. METHOD FOR RELEASELY COUPLING A TOOTH (20, 420, 520, 620) TO AN ADAPTER (22, 422, 522, 622) according to claim 12, characterized in that it includes the additional step of: using a lock secondary (90, 190, 290, 290', 390, 490) to releasably hold the retaining member (70, 570, 670) between the teeth (20, 420, 520, 620) and adapter (22, 422, 522, 622) and thereby releasably coupling the tooth (20, 420, 520, 620) and the adapter (22, 422, 522, 622) in combination operable with each other provided the retaining member (70, 570, 670) is retained among them.

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同族专利:

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公开号 | 公开日

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CL2012000291A1|2012-11-30|

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CN102472037B|2015-08-19|

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KR20120067992A|2012-06-26|

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CA2769925A1|2011-02-10|

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EP2462288A4|2016-10-26|

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US20110030248A1|2011-02-10|

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JP5744024B2|2015-07-01|

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MX2012001521A|2012-06-01|

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EP2462288A1|2012-06-13|

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KR101755734B1|2017-07-07|

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CL2015002458A1|2016-02-05|

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WO2011016858A1|2011-02-10|

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AU2010281638A1|2012-03-22|

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BR112012002687A2|2020-08-25|

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CN102472037A|2012-05-23|

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US8347530B2|2013-01-08|

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EP2462288B1|2018-12-12|

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HUE041905T2|2019-06-28|

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CA2769925C|2018-08-21|

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JP2013501176A|2013-01-10|

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AU2010281638B2|2015-09-17|

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法律状态:
2020-09-01| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

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2021-03-09| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

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2021-05-25| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 04/08/2010, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. PATENTE CONCEDIDA CONFORME ADI 5.529/DF |

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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US27354709P| true| 2009-08-05|2009-08-05|

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US61/273,547|2009-08-05|

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PCT/US2010/002165|WO2011016858A1|2009-08-05|2010-08-04|Tooth assembly and related method for releasably coupling a tooth to an adapter|

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