AN EXCAVATOR WEAR ASSEMBLY

Abstract

An excavator wear member is disclosed. The excavator wear member has a socket cavity opening at a rear end of the wear member. The socket cavity is at least partially defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed side walls and a front bearing face. The excavator wear member has tertiary fit faces extending laterally between each opposed side wall and one of the top wall or the bottom wall. Each of the tertiary fit faces also extends rearwardly substantially in a plane within the socket cavity from the front bearing face to a rear end of the socket cavity.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is concerned with a wear member assembly for earth excavating devices. The invention is concerned particularly, although not exclusively, with the mounting of a wear member to a mounting nose of a lip of an earth excavating device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Excavator tooth assemblies mounted to the cutting lip of excavator buckets and the like generally comprise a replaceable digging tooth and an adaptor which is secured by welding or the like to the cutting lip of a bucket or the like. The adaptor may in some instances comprise an adaptor body and an adaptor nose welded to the lip or integrally formed with the lip. The adaptor body has a socket-like recess at its rear end to receivably locate a spigot portion of the adaptor nose. The digging tooth is mounted to the front end of the adaptor body.

In use, excavator teeth, adaptors and noses are subjected to extensive load forces along a longitudinal axis as well as in vertical and transverse directions. A snug fit is required between the digging point and the front portion of the adaptor and also between the adaptor socket and the nose spigot portion and their respective mounting pins to avoid premature wear between the components.

The greatest loads experienced by excavator wear assemblies are vertical loads which tend to generate large moment forces capable of rotating a tooth off the front of an adaptor and/or rotating the adaptor off the nose. In addition, transverse and rotational loads are frequently imposed on such tooth assemblies.

Furthermore, after a degree of use peening occurs between faces on the nose and the wear member which are in contact and subject to load. Peening is wear that results in displacement of material on those faces. Peening has the capacity to reduce the effectiveness and capability of those abutting faces to continue to function to bear the loads which result from use.

This occurrence can reduce the longevity and/or reliability of the assembly.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above problems and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, the invention resides in an excavator wear member, the excavator wear member comprising a:

• • a socket cavity opening at a rear end of the wear member, the socket cavity at least partially defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed side walls and a front bearing face; and
  • tertiary fit faces extending laterally at an angle between each opposed side wall and one of the top wall or the bottom wall;
  • wherein each tertiary fit face also extends rearwardly substantially in a plane within the socket cavity from the front bearing face to a rear end of the socket cavity.

In another form, the invention resides in an excavator mounting nose, the mounting nose comprising:

• • a top surface, a bottom surface, two opposed side walls and a front bearing face; and
  • tertiary fit faces extending laterally at an angle between each opposed side wall and one of the top surface or the bottom surface;
  • wherein each tertiary fit face also extends rearwardly substantially in a plane from the front bearing face to a rear end of the mounting nose.

In a further form, the invention resides in a lock assembly to releasably secure an excavator wear member to a mounting nose, the lock assembly having:

• • a body member adapted to be located within a locking aperture of a wear member;
  • a latch member pivotally located within a cavity of the body member; and
  • a biasing member located within the cavity of the body member, the biasing member adapted to apply a force to the latch member that tends to urge the latch member to protrude at least partially outside of the cavity of the body member;
  • wherein the lock assembly is moveable between a locked position, where the latch member extends at least partially outside of the cavity under the force of the biasing member to thereby secure the wear member on the mounting nose and a release position whereby the latch member is located within the cavity of the body member and the wear member is able to be removed from the nose.

In a further form, the invention resides in an excavator wear assembly, the excavator wear assembly comprising:

• • an excavator mounting nose as defined above;
  • a wear member as defined above, the wear member adapted to receive at least a part of the excavator mounting nose in a socket cavity thereof; and
  • at least one lock assembly, the lock assembly adapted to releasably secure the wear member on the excavator mounting nose.

In a further form, the invention resides in an excavator wear member, the excavator wear member comprising:

• • a socket cavity opening at a rear end of the wear member, the socket cavity at least partially defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed side walls and a front bearing face;
  • a lock aperture extending through at least one of the side walls from an outer face thereof to the socket cavity; and
  • a lock assembly securely retained within the lock aperture;
  • wherein the lock assembly is moveable between a lock position to secure the wear member on an excavator mounting nose, a release position whereby the wear member is able to be moved from the excavator mounting nose and an intermediate position for shipping and transport of the wear member, whereby the lock assembly continues to be securely retained within the lock aperture in the intermediate position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of an excavator wear assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a mounting nose forming part of the excavator wear assembly shown in FIG. 1 and according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B shows a rear perspective view of the mounting nose shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C shows a sectional top view of the mounting nose shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D shows a top view of the mounting nose shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2E shows a side view of the mounting nose shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2F shows a front view of the mounting nose shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A shows a side view of a wear member forming part of the excavator wear assembly shown in FIG. 1 and according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B shows a sectional top view of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C shows a rear view of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D shows a rear right perspective view of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3E shows a further rear right perspective view of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3F shows a rear left perspective view of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3G shows a further rear left perspective view of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3H shows a sectional side view of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A with the section taken through a central axis of the wear member;

FIG. 4A shows a sectional side view of an internal face of a first side of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4B shows a perspective sectional view of an internal face of a first side of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4C shows a further perspective sectional view of an internal face of a first side of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4D shows a perspective sectional view of an external face of a first side of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4E shows a close up front perspective view of a lock aperture extending through a side wall of the wear member shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4F shows a close up rear perspective view of a lock aperture extending through a side wall of the wear member shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A shows a sectional side view of an internal face of a second side of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 5B shows a perspective sectional view of an internal face of a second side of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 5C shows a further perspective sectional view of an internal face of a second side of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 5D shows a perspective sectional view of an external face of a second side of the wear member shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 5E shows a close up rear perspective view of a lock aperture extending through a side wall of the wear member shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5F shows a close up front perspective view of a lock aperture extending through a side wall of the wear member shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 6A shows a sectional side view of a wear member according to an embodiment of the invention mounted upon a mounting nose according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6B shows a section top view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a top view of a lock assembly forming part of the excavator wear assembly shown in FIG. 1 and according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7B shows a top side perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C shows a side view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7D shows a bottom side perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7E shows a bottom side exploded perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7F shows a top side exploded perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 7A in-situ and positioned in a locked position;

FIG. 8B shows a sectional perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 7A in-situ and positioned in the locked position;

FIG. 8C shows a sectional top view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 7A in-situ and positioned in the locked position;

FIG. 9A shows a perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 7A in-situ and positioned in an intermediate or shipping position;

FIG. 9B shows a sectional perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 7A in-situ and positioned in the intermediate or shipping position;

FIG. 9C shows a sectional top view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 7A in-situ and positioned in the intermediate or shipping position;

FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 7A in-situ and positioned in the unlocked position;

FIG. 10B shows a sectional perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 7A in-situ and positioned in the unlocked position;

FIG. 10C shows a sectional top view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 7A in-situ and positioned in the unlocked position;

FIG. 11 shows an exploded perspective view of an excavator wear assembly according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12A shows a perspective rear view of a wear member forming part of the excavator wear assembly shown in FIG. 11 and according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12B shows a sectional partial side view of the wear member shown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13A shows a top perspective of a lock assembly in a locked position forming part of the excavator wear assembly shown in FIG. 11 and according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13B shows an underside perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A shows a top perspective of a lock assembly shown in FIG. 13A in a release position;

FIG. 14B shows an underside perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15A shows a sectional perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 13A in-situ in the locked position;

FIG. 15B shows a sectional top view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 13A in-situ in the locked position;

FIG. 16A shows a sectional perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 13A in-situ in an intermediate position;

FIG. 16B shows a sectional top view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 13A in-situ in an intermediate position;

FIG. 17A shows a sectional perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 13A in-situ in the release position;

FIG. 17B shows a sectional top view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 13A in-situ in the release position;

FIG. 18 shows an exploded perspective view of an excavator wear assembly according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19A shows a perspective view of a mounting nose forming part of the excavator wear assembly shown in FIG. 18 and according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19B shows a rear perspective of the mounting nose shown in FIG. 19A;

FIG. 19C shows a sectional top view of the mounting nose shown in FIG. 19A;

FIG. 19D shows a side view of the mounting nose shown in FIG. 19A;

FIG. 20A shows a sectional top view of a wear member forming part of the excavator wear assembly shown in FIG. 18 and according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20B shows a rear view of the wear member shown in FIG. 20A;

FIG. 20C shows a sectional side view of the wear member shown in FIG. 20A;

FIG. 21A shows a sectional side view of the wear member shown in FIG. 20A-C mounted upon the mounting nose shown in FIG. 19A-D;

FIG. 21B shows a section top view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 21A;

FIG. 22A shows a top side exploded perspective view of a lock assembly according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22B shows a bottom side exploded perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 22A;

FIG. 23A shows a sectional perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 22A positioned in the locked position;

FIG. 23B shows a sectional perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 22A in-situ and positioned in the locked position;

FIG. 24A shows a sectional perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 22A positioned in the intermediate or shipping position;

FIG. 24B shows a sectional perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 22A in-situ and positioned in the intermediate or shipping position;

FIG. 25 shows an exploded perspective view of an excavator wear assembly according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26A shows a sectional perspective view of a wear member forming part of the excavator wear assembly shown in FIG. 25 and according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26B shows a close-up perspective view, sectioned horizontally, of the wear member shown in FIG. 26A;

FIG. 27A shows a partially exploded perspective view of a lock assembly forming part of the excavator wear assembly shown in FIG. 25 and according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 27B shows a sectional plan view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 27A;

FIG. 27C shows a perspective view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 27A; and

FIG. 28 shows a sectional plan view of the lock assembly shown in FIG. 25 located within a lock aperture of the wear member shown in FIGS. 26A-B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows exploded perspective view of an excavator wear assembly 1000 according to an embodiment of the invention. Excavator wear assembly 1000 has a mounting nose 100, a wear member 200 adapted to receive at least a part of mounting nose 100 in a socket cavity (not shown in FIG. 1) opening at a rear end thereof. The excavator wear assembly 1000 further comprises two lock assemblies 300 in the embodiment adapted to releasably secure the wear member 200 on the mounting nose 100.

In the embodiment of the wear assembly 1000 described, the mounting nose 100 is a nose that is secured to a lip (not shown) of an excavator bucket (not shown) or integrally formed with the lip. Furthermore, in the embodiment described, the wear member is in the form of a tooth releasably secured to the nose by means of the two lock assemblies. A skilled addressee will appreciate that the invention may equally be embodied in a wear assembly in the form of an adaptor releasably secured to a mounting nose or a tooth releasably secured to a mounting nose at a forward end of an adaptor. Furthermore, only a single lock assembly may be used to releasably secure the wear member to the mounting nose.

FIG. 2A-2F shows various views of mounting nose 100. Mounting nose has a top surface 110, a bottom surface 120 and two opposed side walls 130.

Top surface 110 has a rear bearing surface 111 and a forward bearing surface 112 separated by an intermediate bearing surface 113. Each of rear bearing surface 111, forward bearing surface 112 and intermediate bearing surface 113 are planar surfaces. In the embodiment, rear bearing surface 111 and forward bearing surface 112 lie in planes substantially parallel to one another. There may be some divergence from being exactly parallel due to manufacturing considerations in respect of cast parts so as to allow a small draft of a few degrees as is known for cast parts.

An arcuate transition portion 114 separate rear bearing surface 111 from intermediate bearing surface 113. Similarly, an arcuate transition portion 115 separates forward bearing surface 112 from intermediate bearing surface 113.

Similarly, bottom surface 120 has a rear bearing surface 121 and a forward bearing surface 122 separated by an intermediate bearing surface 123. Each of rear bearing surface 121, forward bearing surface 122 and intermediate bearing surface 123 are planar surfaces. In the embodiment, rear bearing surface 121 and forward bearing surface 122 lie in planes substantially parallel to one another. Again, there may be some divergence from being exactly parallel due to manufacturing considerations in respect of cast parts so as to allow a small draft of a few degrees as is known for cast parts.

An arcuate transition portion 124 separates rear bearing surface 121 from intermediate bearing surface 123. Similarly, an arcuate transition portion 125 separates forward bearing surface 122 from intermediate bearing surface 123.

In the embodiment, intermediate bearing surface 113 of top surface 110 and intermediate bearing surface 123 of bottom surface 120 are rearwardly divergent. Furthermore, each of rear bearing surface 111 and forward bearing surface 112 of top surface 110 and rear bearing surface 121 and forward bearing surface 122 of bottom surface 120 all lie in planes substantially parallel to one another.

Each of opposed side walls 130 has a rear bearing surface 131 and a forward bearing surface 132 separated by an intermediate bearing surface 133. The intermediate bearing surfaces 133 on the respective opposed sidewalls diverge outwardly with respect to one another as intermediate bearing surfaces 133 extend from respective forward bearing surfaces 132 to rear bearing surfaces 131.

An arcuate transition portion 135 separates each forward bearing surface 132 from each intermediate bearing surface 131. A further arcuate transition portion 134 separates each intermediate bearing surface 133 from each rear bearing surface 131.

A lock recess 136 is located on each side wall 130. In the embodiment, a lock recess 136 is located on the forward bearing surface 132 of each side wall 130. Each lock recess 136 is formed from a rearwardly facing lock face 137 that extends from the forward bearing surface 132 into mounting nose 100. A location face 138 extends rearwardly from an inner end of each rearwardly facing lock face 137 and terminates at forward bearing surface 132. In this way, each lock recess 136 has a wedge shaped periphery when viewed in plan and a generally rectangular periphery when viewed from the side. Lock recess 136 is adapted to non-rotatably receive a respective lock assembly 300

The mounting nose 100 further comprises a front bearing face 140. Front bearing face 140 is planar and has an octagonal peripheral shape as shown and as discussed in greater detail below. An arcuate transition portion 141 separates front bearing face 140 from each of top surface 110, bottom surface 120 and each opposed side wall 130.

Mounting nose 100 further comprises upper tertiary fit faces 150A and 150B and lower tertiary fit faces 160A and 160B.

Each of the upper tertiary fit faces 150A and 150B extend in respective planes rearwardly from front bearing face 140 to a rear end of mounting nose 100. Each of the upper tertiary fit faces 150A and 150B extend laterally from top surface 110 to a respective opposed side wall 130.

In the embodiment, each upper tertiary fit face 150A and 150B is planar and extends laterally from top surface 110 to a respective side wall 130 and each is orientated at an angle downwardly with respect to both forward bearing surface 112 and rear bearing surface 111 of top surface 110.

Each of upper tertiary fit faces 150A and 150B is orientated at an angle with respect to both forward bearing surface 132 and rear bearing surface 131 of a respective opposed side wall 130. In the embodiment, the angle of orientation of these tertiary fit faces is about 45 degrees.

Each of the lower tertiary fit faces 160A and 160B extend rearwardly from front bearing face 140 to a rear end of mounting nose 100. Each of the lower tertiary fit faces 160A and 160B extend laterally from bottom surface 120 to a respective opposed side wall 130.

In the embodiment, each lower tertiary fit face 160A and 160B is planar and extends laterally from bottom surface 120 to a respective side wall 130 and each is orientated at an angle upwardly with respect to both forward bearing surface 122 and rear bearing surface 121 of bottom surface 120. Each of lower tertiary fit faces 160A and 160B is orientated at an angle with respect to both forward bearing surface 132 and rear bearing surface 131 of a respective opposed side wall 130. In the embodiment, the angle of orientation of these tertiary fit faces is about 45 degrees.

Upper tertiary fit face 150A is planar and has a rear portion 151A, a forward portion 152A and an intermediate portion 153A separating rear portion 151A and forward portion 152A, all lying in the same plane. In the embodiment, rear portion 151A has a relatively greater lateral extent than forward portion 152A. Forward portion 152A has a relatively greater lateral extent than intermediate portion 153A.

Upper tertiary fit face 150B is planar and has a rear portion 151B, a forward portion 152B and an intermediate portion 153B separating rear portion 151B and forward portion 152B, all lying in the same plane. Rear portion 151B has a relatively greater lateral extent than forward portion 152B. Forward portion 152B has a relatively greater lateral extent than intermediate portion 153B.

Lower tertiary fit face 160A is planar and has a rear portion 161A, a forward portion 162A and an intermediate portion 163A separating rear portion 161A and forward portion 162A, all lying in the same plane. Rear portion 161A has a relatively greater lateral extent than forward portion 162A. Forward portion 162A has a relatively greater lateral extent than intermediate portion 163A.

Lower tertiary fit face 160B is planar and has a rear portion 161B, a forward portion 161B and an intermediate portion 163B separating rear portion 161B and forward portion 162B, all lying in the same plane. Rear portion 161B has a relatively greater lateral extent than forward portion 162B. Forward portion 162B has a relatively greater lateral extent than intermediate portion 163B.

Each tertiary fit face is in a plane that is rearwardly divergent with respect to its opposing tertiary fit face. For example, upper tertiary fit face 150A is in a plane that is rearwardly divergent with respect to lower tertiary fit face 160B. Similarly, upper tertiary fit face 150B is in a plane that is rearwardly divergent with respect to lower tertiary fit face 160A.

Radial transition portions 170 separates top surface 110 from each respective upper tertiary fit face 150A,B. Radial transition portions 170 also separate each of opposed side walls 130 from respective upper tertiary fit faces 150A,B and respective lower tertiary fit faces 160A,B. Furthermore, radial transition portions 170 also separate bottom surface 120 from each respective lower tertiary fit face 160A,B. Each of the radial transition portions on mounting nose 100 avoid orthogonal corners which are undesirable for manufacturing purposes and also create zones of high stress whilst the wear assembly 1000 is in use.

Whilst the embodiment has been described with the mounting nose having tertiary fit faces extending laterally at an angle between each opposed side wall and each of the top surface and the bottom surface of the mounting nose, it will be appreciated that the mounting nose may be configured to have tertiary fit faces that extend laterally at an angle between each opposed side wall and one of the top surface or the bottom surface.

Mounting nose 100 is symmetrical about a horizontal plane that extends through a central axis of the mounting nose. Furthermore, mounting nose 100 is symmetrical about a vertical plane that extends through a central axis of the mounting nose.

FIGS. 3A-H shows a wear member 200 in the form of a digging tooth have a forward working end 201 and a socket cavity 202 opening at rear end thereof. Socket cavity 202 is adapted to receive at least a portion of mounting nose 100. Socket cavity 202 of wear member 200 is formed in part from a top wall 210, a bottom wall 220 and two opposed side walls 230.

Top wall 210 of socket cavity 202 is adapted to abut and engage with at least a portion of top surface 110 of mounting nose 100.

Top wall 210 has a rear bearing surface 211 and a forward bearing surface 212 separated by an intermediate bearing surface 213. Each of rear bearing surface 211, forward bearing surface 212 and intermediate bearing surface 213 are planar surfaces. In the embodiment, rear bearing surface 211 and forward bearing surface 212 lie in planes substantially parallel to one another. There may be some divergence from being exactly parallel due to manufacturing considerations in respect of cast parts so as to allow a small draft of a few degrees as is known for cast parts.

An arcuate transition portion 214 separate rear bearing surface 211 from intermediate bearing surface 213. Similarly, an arcuate transition portion 215 separates forward bearing surface 212 from intermediate bearing surface 213.

Bottom wall 220 of socket cavity 202 is adapted to abut and engage with at least a portion of bottom surface 120 of mounting nose 100 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Bottom wall 220 has a rear bearing surface 221 and a forward bearing surface 222 separated by an intermediate bearing surface 223. Each of rear bearing surface 221, forward bearing surface 222 and intermediate bearing surface 223 are planar surfaces. In the embodiment, rear bearing surface 221 and forward bearing surface 222 lie in planes substantially parallel to one another. Again, there may be some divergence from being exactly parallel due to manufacturing considerations in respect of cast parts so as to allow a small draft of a few degrees as is known for cast parts.

An arcuate transition portion 224 separates rear bearing surface 221 from intermediate bearing surface 223. Similarly, an arcuate transition portion 225 separates forward bearing surface 222 from intermediate bearing surface 223.

In the embodiment, intermediate bearing surface 213 of top wall 210 and intermediate bearing surface 223 of bottom surface 220 are rearwardly divergent. Furthermore, each of rear bearing surface 211 and forward bearing surface 212 of top wall and rear bearing surface 221 and forward bearing surface 222 of bottom wall 220 all lie in planes substantially parallel to one another.

Opposed side walls 230 of socket cavity 202 are each adapted to abut and engage with at least a portion of a respective side wall 130 of mounting nose 100 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Each of opposed side walls 230 has a rear bearing surface 231 and a forward bearing surface 232 separated by an intermediate bearing surface 233. The intermediate bearing surfaces 233 on the respective opposed sidewalls diverge outwardly with respect to one another as intermediate bearing surfaces 233 extend from respective forward bearing surfaces 232 to rear bearing surfaces 231.

An arcuate transition portion 235 separates each forward bearing surface 232 from each intermediate bearing surface 231. A further arcuate transition portion 234 separates each intermediate bearing surface 233 from each rear bearing surface 231.

A lock aperture 280 extends through each side wall 230 from an outer face thereof into cavity 202. In the embodiment, a lock aperture 280 extends through the forward bearing surface 232 of each opposed side wall 230.

The wear member 200 further comprises a front bearing face 240. Front bearing face 240 is adapted to abut and engage with front bearing face 140 of mounting nose 100 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Front bearing face 240 is planar and has an octagonal peripheral shape as shown and as discussed in greater detail below. An arcuate transition portion 241 separates front bearing face 240 from each of top wall 210, bottom wall 220 and each opposed side wall 230.

Wear member 200 further comprises upper tertiary fit faces 250A and 250B and lower tertiary fit faces 260A and 260B. Upper tertiary fit faces 250A and 250B are adapted to engage with upper tertiary fit faces 150A and 150B in circumstances of wear in use as discussed in greater detail below.

Each of the upper tertiary fit faces 250A and 250B extend in respective planes rearwardly from front bearing face 240 to a rear end of cavity 202 of wear member 200. Each of the upper tertiary fit faces 250A and 250B extend laterally from top wall 210 to a respective opposed side wall 230.

In the embodiment, each upper tertiary fit face 250A and 250B is planar and extends laterally from top wall 210 to a respective side wall 130 and each is orientated at an angle downwardly with respect to both forward bearing surface 212 and rear bearing surface 211 of top wall 210. Each of upper tertiary fit faces 250A and 250B is orientated at an angle with respect to both forward bearing surface 232 and rear bearing surface 231 of a respective opposed side wall 230. In the embodiment, the angle of orientation of these tertiary fit faces is about 45 degrees.

Each of the lower tertiary fit faces 260A and 260B extend rearwardly from front bearing face 240 to a rear end of cavity 202 of wear member 200. Each of the lower tertiary fit faces 260A and 260B extend laterally from bottom wall 220 to a respective opposed side wall 230.

In the embodiment, each lower tertiary fit face 260A and 260B is planar and extends laterally from bottom wall 220 to a respective side wall 230 and each is orientated at an angle upwardly with respect to both forward bearing surface 222 and rear bearing surface 221 of bottom wall 220. Each of lower tertiary fit faces 260A and 260B is orientated at an angle with respect to both forward bearing surface 232 and rear bearing surface 231 of a respective opposed side wall 130. In the embodiment, the angle of orientation of these tertiary fit faces is about 45 degrees.

Upper tertiary fit face 250A is planar and has a rear portion 251A, a forward portion 252A and an intermediate portion 253A separating rear portion 251A and forward portion 252A, all lying in the same plane. Rear portion 251A has a relatively greater lateral extent than forward portion 252A. Forward portion 252A has a relatively greater lateral extent than intermediate portion 253A.

Upper tertiary fit face 250B is planar and has a rear portion 251B, a forward portion 252B and an intermediate portion 253B separating rear portion 251B and forward portion 252B, all lying in the same plane. Rear portion 251B has a relatively greater lateral extent than forward portion 252B. Forward portion 252B has a relatively greater lateral extent than intermediate portion 253B.

Lower tertiary fit face 260A is planar and has a rear portion 261A, a forward portion 262A and an intermediate portion 263A separating rear portion 261A and forward portion 262A, all lying in the same plane. Rear portion 261A has a relatively greater lateral extent than forward portion 262A. Forward portion 262A has a relatively greater lateral extent than intermediate portion 263A.

Lower tertiary fit face 260B is planar and has a rear portion 261B, a forward portion 261B and an intermediate portion 263B separating rear portion 261B and forward portion 262B, all lying in the same plane. Rear portion 261B has a relatively greater lateral extent than forward portion 262B. Forward portion 262B has a relatively greater lateral extent than intermediate portion 263B.

Each tertiary fit face is in a plane that is rearwardly divergent with respect to its opposing tertiary fit face. For example, upper tertiary fit face 250A is in a plane that is rearwardly divergent with respect to lower tertiary fit face 260B. Similarly, upper tertiary fit face 250B is in a plane that is rearwardly divergent with respect to lower tertiary fit face 260A.

Radial transition portions 270 separates top wall 210 from each respective upper tertiary fit face 250A,B. Radial transition portions 170 also separate each of opposed side walls 230 from respective upper tertiary fit faces 250A,B and respective lower tertiary fit faces 260A,B. Furthermore, radial transition portions 270 also separate bottom wall 220 from each respective lower tertiary fit face 260A,B. Each of the radial transition portions on mounting nose 200 avoid orthogonal corners which are undesirable for manufacturing purposes and also create zones of high stress whilst the wear assembly 1000 is in use.

As shown, in the embodiment, cavity 202 has an octagonal peripheral cross section shape as it opens at a rear end of wear member 200.

Whilst the embodiment has been described with the wear member having tertiary fit faces extending laterally at an angle between each opposed side wall and each of the top wall and the bottom wall of the wear member, it will be appreciated that the wear member may be configured to have tertiary fit faces that extend laterally at an angle between each opposed side wall and one of the top wall or the bottom wall.

FIGS. 4A-C show sectional side and perspective views of an internal face of a first side wall 230 of wear member 230. FIGS. 4D-F show perspective and close up views of an external face of the first side wall 230 of the wear member 200.

As shown, lock aperture 280 extends through side wall 230 from an outer face thereof into cavity 202. In use, when the wear member 200 is located upon the mounting nose 100, each lock aperture 280 extending though a respective side wall 230 is configured to at least partially align with a respective lock recess 136 located on opposed side walls 130 of mounting nose 100.

Lock aperture 280 has an inner aperture 281 that opens within the cavity 202 of the wear member 200 and an outer aperture 282 that opens on an outer surface of side wall 230.

Inner aperture 281 has a generally arcuate forward face 283 and a rear bearing face 284. Rear face 284 of inner aperture 281 is generally forward facing and is adapted to bear load from a lock assembly (not shown in FIG. 4) as will be discussed in greater detail below. In the embodiment, rear face 284 is generally planar.

Inner aperture has an upper face 285 and a lower face 286 that each extend from respective opposite ends of rear bearing face 284 and terminate at respective opposite ends of generally arcuate forward face 283. Upper face 285 and lower face 286 are forwardly divergent.

In use, inner aperture 281 is adapted to locate therein a body of a lock assembly as will be discussed in greater detail below. In some embodiments, body of lock member (not shown in FIG. 4) is secured within inner aperture 281 by way of a chemical fastening means or mechanical fastening means.

Outer aperture 282 opens on an outer surface of side wall 230 and extends from that outer surface and terminates at inner aperture 281.

Outer aperture 282 has a generally arcuate forward face 287 and a rear face 288. Rear face 288 is tapered such that it is convergent with generally arcuate forward face 287 as outer aperture 282 extends from outer surface of side wall 230 to inner aperture 281. An upper face 289 extends from a top end of rear face 288 to an upper end of generally arcuate forward face 287. A lower face 290 extends from a lower end of rear face 288 to an upper end of generally arcuate forward face 287

Lower face 290 has an inwardly extending feature 292 located proximal generally arcuate forward face 287 creating an inwardly facing retaining surface 293 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Outer aperture 282 has a relatively smaller cross sectional area compared to inner aperture 281 thereby creating a load bearing lock face 294 between outer aperture 282 and inner aperture 281. Lock face 294 is adapted to abut and engage with an outer face of a body of a lock assembly in used as will be discussed in greater detail below.

FIGS. 5A-C show sectional side and perspective views of an internal face of a second side wall 230 of wear member 230 which is opposite and opposes the side wall shown in FIGS. 4A-F. FIGS. 5D-F show perspective and close up views of an external face of the second side wall 230 of the wear member 200.

The features of lock aperture 280 are the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 4A-F except that on this second opposing side wall 230, the feature 292 is located on upper face 289 proximal generally arcuate forward face 287 thereby creating an inwardly facing retaining surface 293 on an upper extent of the aperture as will be discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 6A shows a sectional side view of wear member 200 according to and mounted upon mounting nose 100 and FIG. 6B shows a sectional top view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 6A.

As shown, front bearing face 140 of mounting nose 100 abuts and engages with front bearing face 240 of cavity 202 of wear ember 200. This abutment carries axial loads when the excavator is digging.

Rear bearing surface 211 abuts and engages rear bearing surface 111, forward bearing surface 212 abuts and engages forward bearing surface 112, rear bearing surface 221 abuts and engages rear bearing surface 121 and finally forward bearing surface 222 abuts and engages forward bearing surface 122. This series of engaging and abutting surfaces bear transverse loads whilst the excavator is digging.

As shown, intermediate bearing surface 213 opposes intermediate bearing surface 113 and intermediate bearing surface 223 opposes intermediate bearing surface 123 when the wear member is initially mounted on the mounting nose. These opposing surfaces assist with fitment and there is preferably a small amount of clearance between these opposing surfaces. As mentioned previously, in use at least some of the primary bearing surfaces mentioned previously are subject to harsh loading and impact conditions and wear and peening tends to occur which affects the fit of the socket 202 of wear member 200 on mounting nose 100. As this wear occurs, particularly at the front bearing surface, the opposing intermediate bearing surfaces advantageously come into abutment and contact to thereby bear both axial and transverse load after a degree of internal wear or peening has occurred.

As shown, each forward bearing surface 131 abuts and engages with respective forward bearing surfaces 231. Furthermore, each rear bearing surface 132 abuts and engages with respective rear bearing surfaces 232. This series of engaging and abutting surfaces bear transverse loads whilst the excavator is digging.

Similar to above, each intermediate bearing surface 233 opposes a respective intermediate bearing surface 133 when the wear member is initially mounted on the mounting nose. These opposing surfaces assist with fitment and there is preferably a small amount of clearance between these opposing surfaces. As mentioned previously, in use at least some of the primary bearing surfaces mentioned previously are subject to harsh loading and impact conditions and wear and peening tends to occur which affects the fit of the socket 202 of wear member 200 on mounting nose 100. As this wear occurs, particularly at the front bearing surface, the opposing intermediate bearing surfaces advantageously come into abutment and contact to thereby bear both axial and transverse load after a degree of internal wear or peening has occurred.

As previously mentioned, excavator wear assembly 1000 further comprises two lock assemblies 300 in the embodiment adapted to releasably secure the wear member 200 on the mounting nose 100. A skilled addressee will recognize that embodiments may only have a single lock assembly 300 to achieve this function.

FIGS. 7A-F show various views of a lock assembly 300 according to an embodiment of the invention.

Lock assembly 300 has a body member 310, a latch member 330 pivotally secured to body member 310, a tab member 360 and a biasing member 301.

Body member 310 has an outer periphery that is complementary with the shape of inner aperture 281. Body member is adapted to be non-rotatably located within inner aperture 281. In a preferred embodiment, body member 310 is secured within inner aperture 281 by means of chemical or mechanical fastening means. Optionally, body member 310 is adapted to be loosely located within inner aperture 281 such that it is able to exit inner aperture 281 into cavity 202 in the absence of mounting nose 100 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Body member 310 has a generally arcuate forward wall 313 and a rear bearing wall 314. In use, generally arcuate forward wall 313 is adapted to oppose and engage generally arcuate forward face 283 of inner aperture 281. Furthermore, rear bearing wall 314 is adapted to oppose and engage rear bearing face 284 of inner aperture 281 in order to bear load and releasably secure the wear member 200 on the mounting nose as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Body member 310 also has an upper wall 315 and a lower wall 316 that each extend from respective opposite ends of rear bearing wall 314 and terminate at respective opposite ends of generally arcuate forward wall 313. Upper wall 315 and lower wall 316 are forwardly divergent in use.

Body member 310 also has an outer face 317 and an inner face 318. Outer face 317 is adapted to engage and oppose load bearing lock face 294 of aperture 280 when body member 310 is located within inner aperture 281 and wear member 200 is located on mounting nose 100. Furthermore, inner face 318 is adapted to oppose and engage side wall 130 of mounting nose 100 when body member 310 is located within inner aperture 281 and wear member 200 is located on mounting nose 100.

Body member 310 has an inner cavity 319 which opens on an inner face 318 and a tab aperture 320 extending from outer face 317 into inner cavity 319. Tab aperture 320 opens on outer face 317 of body member 310.

Tab aperture 320 has a generally arcuate forward wall 321 that has an arc that is substantially the same as the arc of generally arcuate forward wall 313. A ramp 322 extends about generally arcuate forward wall 321 within tab aperture 320. Ramp 322 is located inwards within tab aperture 320 of outer face 317. Ramp 322 has a first sloped portion 322A, a second sloped portion 322C and an apex portion 322B separating first sloped portion 322A from second sloped portion 322C.

First sloped portion 322A has a terminating end 322A′. Terminating end 322A′ of first sloped portion 322A is located relatively further within tab aperture 320 than a terminating end 322C′ of second sloped portion 322C such that terminating end 322A′ of first sloped portion 322A is further away from outer face 317 of body member 310 than terminating end 322C′ of second sloped portion 322C. Ramp 322 is configured such that first sloped portion 322A is convergent with outer face 317 of body member 310 as first sloped portion 322A extends from terminating end 322A′ to apex portion 322B. Furthermore, second sloped portion 322C is divergent with outer face 317 of body member 310 as second sloped portion 322C extends from apex portion 322B to terminating end 322C′. This configuration facilitates movement of lock member 300 between the locked position and the release position as arm 363 of tab member 360 traverses ramp 322 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Inner cavity 319 has a stop ledge 311 (shown in FIGS. 8C and 9C) located proximal inner face 318 within inner cavity 319. Inner cavity 319 also has a biasing ledge 312 as shown.

Lock assembly 300 further comprises a biasing member 301. Biasing member 301 is located within inner cavity 319 of body member 310. In particular, biasing member 301 is located such that a face of biasing member 301 opposes and engages biasing ledge 312 and is captively retained as such due to contact with a face of latch member 330 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Biasing member 301 is suitably formed from a resiliently deformable material such as a rubber, elastomer or the like. Biasing member 301 is adapted to provide a force on latch member 330 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Lock assembly 300 further comprises a latch member 330 pivotally secured to body member 310 within inner cavity 319. Latch member 330 has an inner face 331 and an outer face 332. Outer face has a first portion 332A which is substantially parallel with inner face 331 and a second portion 332B which is forwardly divergent to inner face 331.

A pair of pivot apertures 333 are located on opposing sides of latch member 330. Pivot apertures are adapted to accept pins 302 which pass through corresponding apertures in the body member to thereby rotatably secure latch member 330 to body member 310 at least partially within inner cavity 319.

Latch member 330 has a stop face 334 adapted to engage with stop ledge 311 of body member 310 when the lock assembly is in the locked and shipping position as discussed further below.

Furthermore, latch member 330 also has a lock face 335 adapted to engage with rearwardly facing lock face 137 of lock recess 136 on the mounting nose 100 when the lock assembly 300 is in the locked position to thereby releasably secure the wear member 200 to the mounting nose 100 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Latch member 330 has a projection 336 extending from second portion 332B of outer face 332. Projection 336 terminates with head portion 337. A lock indent 338 and a shipping indent 339 are located on an outer face of head portion 337. Lock indent 338 is radially spaced from shipping indent 339 as shown.

Latch member 330 is shaped to be substantially located within the inner cavity 319 and tab aperture 320 when the lock assembly 300 is in the release position as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Lock assembly 300 further includes a tab member 360 rotatably secured to head portion 337. Tab member 360 has a generally circular main portion 361 that has an inner cavity 362 adapted to rotatably embrace head portion 337. An arm 363 extends from main portion 361. Arm 363 has a blind bore 364 extending longitudinally of the arm 363 from inner cavity 362. Blind bore 364 has a biasing member 365 and a detent 366 located therein.

Biasing member 365 exerts a biasing force on detent 366 that tends to urge detent 366 out of blind bore 364. Detent 366 is adapted to be located within lock indent 338 and a shipping indent 339 when arm is rotatably located such that blind bore aligns with either of those indents 338,339. Otherwise, detent 366 contacts an outer face of head portion 337.

An underside of arm 363 is adapted to engage ramp 322 of body member 310. An upper face of main portion 361 has a tool location structure 361A to receive a driving tool or the like.

As previously mentioned, lock assembly 300 is adapted to move between a locked position whereby wear member 200 is releasably secured on mounting nose 100 and various faces of both members are in abutment as previously described, and a release position whereby wear member 200 is able to be removed from mounting nose 100. Preferably, lock assembly 300 is also able to be moved to a shipping position or intermediate position as discussed in greater detail below.

FIGS. 8A-C show lock assembly 300 in-situ located within lock aperture 280 on wear member 200. In the figures shown in FIGS. 8A-C the lock assembly 300 is in the locked position whereby the wear member 200 is releasably secured to mounting nose 100.

In this position, arm 363 of tab member 360 is located on ramp 322 at terminating end 322A′ of first sloped portion 322A and detent 366 is urged out of blind bore 364 by biasing member 365 and into locking indent 338. The location of detent 366 in locking indent 338 acts to releasably maintain the lock assembly 300 in the locked position as some force is necessary to rotate tab member 360 with respect to latch member 330. Also, arm 363 is located behind feature 292 of side wall 230 such that it contacts inwardly facing retaining surface 293.

In this position, biasing member 301 exerts a force on latch member 330 to urge latch member 330 to protrude at least partially outside cavity of body member 310. In the embodiment, latch member 330 extends out of body member 310 into lock recess 136 of mounting nose 100. In this position, lock face 335 of tab member 330 opposes and engages rearwardly facing lock face 136 to thereby releasably secure the wear member 200 to the mounting nose 100 as the abutment of those faces tends to resist axial forces that tend to urge the wear member 200 off the mounting nose 100.

As mentioned, in a preferred form the body member is permanently secured within the lock aperture by way of a chemical or mechanical fastening means. As forces are applied to lock face 335 of latch member 330 by way of rearwardly facing lock faces 137 of corresponding lock recesses 136 as wear member 200 is urged off mounting nose 100 in use, those forces are resisted by contact of bearing face 314 against corresponding rear face 284 of inner aperture 281.

FIGS. 9A and 9C show lock assembly 300 in-situ located within lock aperture 280 on wear member 200. FIG. 9B shows a sectional perspective view of lock assembly 300. In the figures shown in FIGS. 9A-C the lock assembly 300 is in an intermediate or shipping position.

This position differs from the locked position in that the arm of tab member 360 has been rotated on first sloped portion 322A of ramp 322 such that detent 366 has been urged back into blind bore 364 to overcome the force of biasing member 335 and then, at the appropriate location is urged into shipping indent 339. It is held in this position against further rotation by that location of detent 366 in shipping indent 339 unless force is applied to tool location structure 361A to rotate the tab member 360 relative to the latch member 330. It is in this position that the wear member 200 is transported for use.

There is often no mounting nose 100 present when in the shipping position, such as when wear member 200 is being delivered to site, and, in those circumstances, contact of stop face 334 on ledge 311 prevents latch member 330 from being completely ejected from cavity of body member 310.

FIGS. 10A and 10C show lock assembly 300 in-situ in the wear member 200 in the release position whereby wear member 200 is able to be removed from mounting nose 100. FIG. 10B shows a sectional perspective view of the lock assembly 300 in the release position.

In order to arrive at this position, tab member 360 has been rotated relative to latch member 330 such that an underside of arm 363 contacts ramp 322 and travels on first sloped portion 322A to apex portion 322B and then onto second sloped portion 322C to arrive at terminating end 322C′ of second sloped portion 322C.

The travel of arm 363 towards and over the apex portion 322B tends to force tab member 360 outwardly of the lock aperture 280. As tab member 360 is rotatably secured to head of latch member 330, this movement transmits a force on latch member 330 that is opposite to the biasing force provided by biasing member 301 and tends to draw latch member 330 back within cavity of body member 310.

The travel of arm 363 away from apex portion 322B towards terminating end 322C′ of second sloped portion 322C transmits a force on latch member 330 that is opposite to the biasing force provided by biasing member 301 and continues to draw latch member 330 back within cavity of body member 310.

As such, lock face 335 of latch member 330 is brought out of engagement with rearwardly facing lock face 136 of lock recess of mounting nose 100 and wear member 200 is free to be removed from mounting nose 100.

Furthermore, given the travel of arm 363 from terminating end 322A′ to apex portion 322B is against the force of biasing member 301, there is a friction force applied between underside of arm 363 and ramp 322 that increases from terminating end 322A′, when the lock assembly is in the locked position, that increases in strength to a maximum when arm 363 has travelled to apex portion 322B. Due to the configuration of second sloped portion 322C as previously described, the friction force to rotation of tab member continues to increase as arm travel from apex portion 322B to terminating end 322C′ of second sloped portion 322C.

FIG. 11 shows an exploded perspective view of an excavator wear assembly 2000 according to a further embodiment of the invention. As before, excavator wear assembly 2000 has a mounting nose 100, a wear member 2200 adapted to receive at least a part of mounting nose 100 in a socket cavity (not shown in FIG. 11) opening at a rear end thereof. The excavator wear assembly 2000 further comprises two lock assemblies 2300 in the embodiment adapted to releasably secure the wear member 2200 on the mounting nose 100.

Mounting nose 100 is the same mounting nose described above with reference to earlier embodiments and has the features as described. As before, mounting nose 100 is a nose that is secured to a lip (not shown) of an excavator bucket (not shown) or integrally formed with the lip. Furthermore, in the embodiment described, the wear member is in the form of a tooth releasably secured to the nose by means of the two lock assemblies. A skilled addressee will appreciate that the invention may equally be embodied in a wear assembly in the form of an adaptor releasably secured to a mounting nose or a tooth releasably secured to a mounting nose at a forward end of an adaptor. Furthermore, only a single lock assembly may be used to releasably secure the wear member to the mounting nose.

FIG. 12A shows a perspective rear view of wear member 2200 forming part of the excavator wear assembly 2000. FIG. 12B shows a sectional partial side view of wear member 2200.

Wear member 2200 has many of the same features as described previously with reference to wear member 200. However, wear member 2200 differs in that each lock aperture 2280 is of a different configuration as described below.

As before, lock aperture 2280 extends through side wall 2230 from an outer face thereof into cavity 2202. In use, when the wear member 2200 is located upon the mounting nose 100, each lock aperture 2280 extending though a respective side wall 2230 is configured to at least partially align with a respective lock recess 136 located on opposed side walls 130 of mounting nose 100 as previously described.

Lock aperture 2280 has an inner aperture 2281 that opens within the cavity 2202 of the wear member 2200 and an outer aperture 2282 that opens on an outer surface of side wall 2230.

Inner aperture 2281 has a forward face 2283 and a rear bearing face 2284. Rear bearing face 2284 of inner aperture 2281 is generally forward facing and is adapted to bear load from a lock assembly (not shown in FIG. 12) as will be discussed in greater detail below. In the embodiment, rear face 2284 is generally planar.

Inner aperture 2281 has an upper face 2285 and a lower face 2286 that each extend from respective opposite ends of rear bearing face 2284 and terminate at respective opposite ends of generally arcuate forward face 2283. Upper face 2285 and lower face 2286 are forwardly divergent.

In use, inner aperture 2281 is adapted to locate therein a body of a lock assembly as will be discussed in greater detail below. In some embodiments, body of lock member is secured within inner aperture 2281 by way of a chemical fastening means or mechanical fastening means.

Outer aperture 2282 opens on an outer surface of side wall 2230 and extends from that outer surface and terminates at inner aperture 2281.

Outer aperture 2282 has a forward face 2287 and a rear face 2288. Forward face 2287 and rear face 2288 extend within outer aperture 2282 from outer surface of side wall 2230 to inner aperture 2281 at an angle to the central axis of the inner aperture 2281. An upper face 2289 extends from a top end of rear face 2288 to an upper end of forward face 2287. A lower face 2290 extends from a lower end of rear face 2288 to an upper end of forward face 2287

Outer aperture 2282 has a relatively smaller cross sectional area compared to inner aperture 2281 thereby creating a load bearing lock face 2294 between outer aperture 2282 and inner aperture 2281. Lock face 2294 is adapted to abut and engage with an outer face of a body of a lock assembly in use as will be discussed in greater detail below.

FIGS. 13A and B show views of a lock assembly 2300 according to a further embodiment of the invention whilst the lock assembly is in a locked position. FIGS. 14A and B show views of a lock assembly 2300 according to a further embodiment of the invention whilst the lock assembly is in a release position. Lock assembly 2300 has a body member 2310, a latch member 2330 pivotally secured to body member 2310, a keeper member 2360 rotatably secured to body member 2310 and a biasing member 2301.

Body member 2310 has an outer periphery that is complementary with the shape of inner aperture 2281. Body member is adapted to be located within inner aperture 2281. In a preferred embodiment, body member 2310 is secured within inner aperture 2281 by means of chemical or mechanical fastening means. Optionally, body member 2310 is adapted to be loosely located within inner aperture 2281 such that it is able to exit inner aperture 2281 into cavity 2202 in the absence of mounting nose 100.

Body member 2310 has a forward wall 2313 and a rear bearing wall 2314. In use, forward wall 2313 is adapted to oppose and engage forward face 2283 of inner aperture 2281. Furthermore, rear bearing wall 2314 is adapted to oppose and engage rear bearing face 2284 of inner aperture 2281 in order to bear load and releasably secure the wear member 2200 on the mounting nose 100 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Body member 2310 also has an upper wall 2315 and a lower wall 2316 that each extend from respective opposite ends of rear bearing wall 2314 and terminate at respective opposite ends of forward wall 2313. Upper wall 2315 and lower wall 2316 are forwardly divergent in use.

Body member 2310 also has an outer face 2317 and an inner face 2318. Outer face 2317 is adapted to engage and oppose load bearing lock face 2294 of aperture 2280 when body member 2310 is located within inner aperture 2281 and wear member 2200 is located on mounting nose 100. Furthermore, inner face 2318 is adapted to oppose and engage side wall 130 of mounting nose 100 when body member 2310 is located within inner aperture 2281 and wear member 2200 is located on mounting nose 100.

Body member 2310 has an inner cavity 2319 which opens on an inner face 2318 and a keeper aperture 2320 extending from outer face 2317 into inner cavity 2319. Keeper aperture 2320 opens on outer face 2317 of body member 2310.

Inner cavity 2319 has a stop ledge 2311 (shown most clearly in FIGS. 15-17) located proximal inner face 2318 within inner cavity 2319.

Keeper aperture 2320 has a biasing ledge 2312 and a keeper ledge 2321 as shown most clearly in FIGS. 15-17.

Lock assembly 2300 further comprises a biasing member 2301. Biasing member 2301 is located within inner cavity 2319 of body member 2310. In particular, biasing member 2301 is located such that a face of biasing member 2301 opposes and engages biasing ledge 2312 and is captively retained as such due to contact with a face of latch member 2330 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Biasing member 2301 is suitably formed from a resiliently deformable material such as a rubber, elastomer or the like. Biasing member 2301 is adapted to provide a force on latch member 2330 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Lock assembly 2300 further comprises a latch member 2330 pivotally located within body member 2310 within inner cavity 2319. Latch member 2330 has an inner face 2331 and an outer face 2332. Outer face has a first portion 2332A which is substantially parallel with inner face 2331 and a second portion 2332B which is forwardly divergent to inner face 2331.

Latch member 2330 has a stop face 2334 adapted to engage with stop ledge 2311 of body member 2310 when the lock assembly is in the locked and intermediate positions as discussed further below. Stop face is also adapted to engage with a hold face 2311A of body member 2310 when the lock assembly is in the release position.

Furthermore, latch member 2330 also has a lock face 2335 adapted to engage with rearwardly facing lock face 137 of lock recess 136 on the mounting nose 100 when the lock assembly 2300 is in the locked position to thereby releasably secure the wear member 2200 to the mounting nose 100 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Latch member 2330 has a tool aperture 2336 extending within the latch member 2330 from outer face 2332. Tool aperture 2336 is configured to accept a tool, such as a pry bar or the like, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Latch member 2330 is shaped to be substantially located within the inner cavity 2319 and keeper aperture 2320 when the lock assembly 2300 is in the release position as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Keeper member 2360 is rotatably secured to body member 2310 and has an outer face 2361 and an inner face 2362. Inner face 2362 is adapted to bear against outer face 2332 of latch member 2330 when lock assembly 2300 is in the locked position. Keeper member 2360 has a biasing member 2363 and a slidable lock 2364 secured within a cavity opening on outer face 2361. Slidable lock 2364 has a lock lip 2364A adapted to abut against biasing ledge 2312 of body member 2310 when the lock assembly is in the locked position. Keeper 2360 also has a tool aperture 2364B configured to receive a tool such as a pry bar or the like.

Biasing member 2363 asserts a force on slidable lock 2364 that tends to keep lock lip 2364 in engagement with biasing ledge 2312 as will be discussed in greater detail below. Slidable lock 2364 is moveable within the cavity both against the force of biasing member 2363 and under force of biasing member 2363.

Keeper member 2360 also has a locking detent 2365 adapted to abut and engage with keeper ledge 2321 when the lock assembly 2300 is in the locked position. As previously mentioned, lock assembly 2300 is adapted to move between a locked position whereby wear member 2200 is releasably secured on mounting nose 100 and various faces of both members are in abutment as previously described, and a release position whereby wear member 2200 is able to be removed from mounting nose 100. Preferably, lock assembly 2300 is also able to be moved to a shipping position or intermediate position as discussed in greater detail below.

FIGS. 15 A and B show lock assembly 2300 in-situ located within lock aperture 2280 on wear member 2200. In the figures shown in FIGS. 15A and B the lock assembly 2300 is in the locked position whereby the wear member 200 is releasably secured to mounting nose 100.

In this position, biasing member 2301 exerts a force on latch member 2330 to urge latch member 2330 to protrude at least partially outside cavity of body member 2310. In the embodiment, latch member 2330 extends out of body member 2310 into lock recess 136 of mounting nose 100. In this position, lock face 2335 of latch member 2330 opposes and engages rearwardly facing lock face 136 to thereby releasably secure the wear member 2200 to the mounting nose 100 as the abutment of those faces tends to resist axial forces that tend to urge the wear member 2200 off the mounting nose 100.

As mentioned, in a preferred form the body member is permanently secured within the lock aperture by way of a chemical or mechanical fastening means. As forces are applied to lock face 2335 of latch member 2330 by way of rearwardly facing lock faces 137 of corresponding lock recesses 136 as wear member 200 is urged off mounting nose 100 in use, those forces are resisted by contact of bearing face 2314 against corresponding rear face 2284 of inner aperture 2281.

Furthermore, in this position locking detent 2365 of keeper member 2360 abuts and engage with keeper ledge 2321 of locking member. Furthermore, lock lip 2364A of slidable lock 2364 abuts and engages biasing ledge 2312 of body member 2310. This configuration ensures that keeper member 2360 is unable to rotate with respect to body member 2310.

FIGS. 16 A and B show lock assembly 2300 in-situ located within lock aperture 2280 on wear member 2200 and the lock assembly is in an intermediate position between the locked position described above and a release position to be described below.

In order to move lock assembly 2300 to this position, a tool, such as a pry bar or the like is inserted in tool aperture 2364B of keeper member 2360 and a force is applied to slidable lock 2364 by way of that tool against the biasing force of biasing member 2363. This application of force by the tool moves slidable lock laterally such that lock lip 2364 comes out of engagement with biasing ledge 2312 to thereby permit keeper member 2360 to rotate with respect to body member 2310 such that inner face 2362 of keeper member 2360 moves out of partial abutment with outer face 2332 of latch member 2330.

Keeper member 2360 continues to rotate with respect to body member 2310 until it at least partially extends out of lock aperture 2280 as shown.

FIGS. 17 A and B show lock assembly 2300 in-situ located within lock aperture 2280 on wear member 2200 and the lock assembly is in the release position whereby wear member 2200 is able to be removed from mounting nose 100.

A tool, such as a pry bar or the like, is inserted in tool aperture 2336 of latch member 2330 to thereby apply a force to latch member 2330 opposite to the biasing force of biasing member 2301. In this way latch member 2330 is moved out of lock recess 136 and lock face 2335 is moved out of engagement with rearwardly facing lock face 137.

This movement continues until latch member 2330 is wholly located within the cavity of body member 2310 as shown. As well as movement against the biasing force of biasing member 2301, application of force by the tool on the latch member 2330 also causes a small degree of forward movement of latch member 2330 within cavity of body member 2310 so as stop face 2334 is brought into engagement with hold face 2311A of body member as shown. This engagement holds latch member in position against the force applied to it by biasing member 2301.

FIG. 18 shows an exploded perspective view of an excavator wear assembly 3000 according to a further embodiment of the invention. Excavator wear assembly 3000 has many of the features as previously described with reference to earlier embodiments and thus they are not all redescribed and annotated. The description of this embodiment will focus on the features which differ from earlier embodiments and features in the figures that remain without annotation and/or are not described should be construed as being identical to those features in an earlier embodiment.

As before, excavator wear assembly 3000 has a mounting nose 3100, a wear member 3200 adapted to receive at least a part of mounting nose 3100 in a socket cavity (not shown in FIG. 18) opening at a rear end thereof. The excavator wear assembly 3000 further comprises two lock assemblies 3300 in the embodiment adapted to releasably secure the wear member 3200 on the mounting nose 3100.

FIG. 19A-D show various views of mounting nose 3100. As before, mounting nose 3100 has a top surface 3110, a bottom surface 3120 and two opposed side walls 3130.

As before, top surface 3110 has a rear bearing surface and a forward bearing surface separated by an intermediate bearing surface 3113. Each of rear bearing surface, forward bearing surface and intermediate bearing surface 3113 are generally planar surfaces. In the embodiment, rear bearing surface and forward bearing surface lie in planes substantially parallel to one another. There may be some divergence from being exactly parallel due to manufacturing considerations in respect of cast parts so as to allow a small draft of a few degrees as is known for cast parts.

Similarly, as before bottom surface 3120 has a rear bearing surface and a forward bearing surface separated by an intermediate bearing surface 3123. Each of rear bearing surface, forward bearing surface and intermediate bearing surface 3123 are planar surfaces. In the embodiment, rear bearing surface and forward bearing surface lie in planes substantially parallel to one another. Again, there may be some divergence from being exactly parallel due to manufacturing considerations in respect of cast parts.

In the embodiment, intermediate bearing surface 3113 of top surface 3110 and intermediate bearing surface 3123 of bottom surface 3120 are rearwardly divergent. These intermediate bearing surfaces 3113, 3123 are rearwardly divergent with respect to one another so as to interact with complementary bearing surfaces on the wear member in a different manner to that described with reference to previous embodiments as will be discussed in greater detail below.

As before, each of opposed side walls 3130 has a rear bearing surface 3131 and a forward bearing surface 3132 separated by an intermediate bearing surface 3133. The intermediate bearing surfaces 3133 on the respective opposed sidewalls diverge outwardly with respect to one another as intermediate bearing surfaces 3133 extend from respective forward bearing surfaces 3132 to rear bearing surfaces 3131.

As before, these intermediate bearing surfaces 3133 are configured to interact with complementary bearing surfaces on the wear member but in a different manner to that previously described with reference to previous embodiments as will be discussed in greater detail below.

As before, a lock recess 3136 is located on each side wall 3130. In the embodiment, a lock recess 3136 is located on the forward bearing surface 3132 of each side wall 3130. Each lock recess 3136 is formed from a rearwardly facing lock face 3137 that extends from the forward bearing surface 3132 into mounting nose 3100. A location face 3138 extends rearwardly from an inner end of each rearwardly facing lock face 3137 and terminates at forward lock face 3139. In this way, each lock recess 3136 has a generally rectangular shaped periphery when viewed in from both the side and in plan. Lock recess 3136 is configured to non-rotatably receive a respective lock assembly 3300.

FIGS. 20A-C show a wear member 3200 in the form of a digging tooth having, as before, a forward working end 3201 and a socket cavity 3202 opening at rear end thereof. Socket cavity 3202 is adapted to receive at least a portion of mounting nose 3100. Socket cavity 3202 of wear member 3200 is formed in part from a top wall 3210, a bottom wall 3220 and two opposed side walls 3230. The wear member 3200 further comprises a front bearing face 3240. As before, front bearing face 3240 is adapted to abut and engage with front bearing face of mounting nose 3100.

In this embodiment of the wear member 3200 a datum recess 3242 extends forwardly within the wear member 3200 from front bearing surface 3240 as shown. Datum recess 3242 is adapted to receive and securely retain an apparatus to monitor characteristics associated with wear member 3200 and also, optionally, to transmit the same to a remote receiver. Such apparatus are disclosed in WO 2021/026597, the contents of which are incorporated by cross reference.

As before, top wall 3210 of socket cavity 3202 is adapted to abut and engage with at least a portion of top surface 3110 of mounting nose 3100 and is formed in part from an intermediate bearing surface 3213. Similarly, and again as in previous embodiments described above, bottom wall 3220 of socket cavity 3202 is adapted to abut and engage with at least a portion of bottom surface 3120 of mounting nose 3100 and is formed in part from an intermediate bearing surface 3223.

Opposed side walls 3230 of socket cavity 3202 are each adapted to abut and engage with at least a portion of a respective side wall 3130 of mounting nose 3100 and are formed in part from an intermediate bearing surface 3233.

FIG. 21A shows a sectional side view of wear member 3200 according to the present embodiment described mounted upon mounting nose 3100 and FIG. 21B shows a sectional top view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 21A.

As shown, intermediate bearing surface 3213 opposes intermediate bearing surface 3113 and intermediate bearing surface 3223 opposes intermediate bearing surface 3123 when the wear member is initially mounted on the mounting nose.

These opposing surfaces assist with fitment and there is preferably a small amount of clearance between these opposing surfaces. As mentioned previously, in use at least some of the primary bearing surfaces mentioned previously are subject to harsh loading and impact conditions and wear and peening tends to occur which affects the fit of the socket 3202 of wear member 3200 on mounting nose 3100. As this wear occurs, particularly at the front bearing surface, the opposing intermediate bearing surfaces advantageously come into abutment and contact to thereby bear both axial and transverse load after a degree of internal wear or peening has occurred.

Similar to above, each intermediate bearing surface 3233 opposes a respective intermediate bearing surface 3133 when the wear member is initially mounted on the mounting nose. These opposing surfaces assist with fitment and there is preferably a small amount of clearance between these opposing surfaces. As mentioned previously, in use at least some of the primary bearing surfaces mentioned previously are subject to harsh loading and impact conditions and wear and peening tends to occur which affects the fit of the socket 3202 of wear member 3200 on mounting nose 3100. As this wear occurs, particularly at the front bearing surface, the opposing intermediate bearing surfaces advantageously come into abutment and contact to thereby bear both axial and transverse load after a degree of internal wear or peening has occurred.

However, the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20C has been configured such that a smaller gap is present between these intermediate bearing surfaces than other previously described embodiments above. The inventors have found that by varying the gap between these intermediate bearing surfaces, the time during operation at which these surfaces come into contact can be varied. The smaller the gap, the sooner after first use of the wear assembly the intermediate surfaces come into contact. Similarly, the larger the gap the longer after first use contact of the intermediate surfaces occurs.

The ability to selectively configure the extent of this gap through design and manufacturing allows for the provision of wear assemblies that are configured for a specific environment and/or particular digging conditions.

FIG. 22A shows a top side exploded perspective view of a lock assembly 3300 according to a further embodiment of the invention and FIG. 22B shows a bottom side exploded perspective view of the lock assembly 3300.

Except as described below, lock assembly 3300 has the same features and operates in a similar manner to the embodiment of the lock assembly described with reference to FIGS. 7-10. Additionally, the present embodiment of the lock assembly 3300 is adapted to releasably secure any embodiment of the wear member as described herein to any embodiment of a mounting nose as described herein.

As before, lock assembly 3300 has a body member 3310, a latch member 3330 pivotally secured to body member 3310, a tab member 3360 and a biasing member 3301.

Body member 3310 has an outer periphery that is complementary with the shape of the inner aperture of the wear member (identified with reference to annotation 281 in previous embodiments). Body member 3310 is adapted to be non-rotatably located within inner aperture 281. In a preferred embodiment, body member 3310 is secured within inner aperture 281 by means of chemical or mechanical fastening means. Optionally, body member 3310 is adapted to be loosely located within inner aperture 281 such that it is able to exit inner aperture 281 into cavity 202 in the absence of mounting nose 3100. Body member has features as previously described with reference to the embodiment disclosed at FIGS. 7-10.

Lock assembly 3300 has a latch member 3330 pivotally secured to body member 3310 with an inner cavity thereof as previously described with reference to earlier embodiments.

Latch member 3330 differs from earlier embodiments in that it has a positioning recess 3380 extending within the latch member 3330 at second portion 3332B of outer face 3332 as shown.

As before, lock assembly 3300 also includes a tab member 3360 rotatably secured to head portion 3337 of latch member 3330. Tab member 3360 differs from the embodiments previously described in that it has a lock indent 3368 and a shipping indent 3369 located on an inner face of tab member 3360 as shown.

Lock member 3300 also has a biasing member 3370 and a detent 3371 separated by washers 3372. Biasing member 3370, detent 3371 and washers 3372 are, in use, adapted to be located within positioning recess 3380.

In use, biasing member 3370 exerts a biasing force on detent 3371 that tends to urge detent 3371 out of positioning recess 3380. Detent 3371 is adapted to be located within lock indent 3368 and shipping indent 3369 when arm is rotatably located such that positioning recess aligns with either of those indents 3368 in the locked position and 3369 in the shipping position. Otherwise, detent 3371 contacts an inner face of tab member 3360 in an intermediate position.

Lock assembly 3300 also has a dust plug 3380 formed from a plug body 3381 and arms 3382 extending from plug body 3381 as shown. Plug body 3381 is adapted to be securely located within tool location structure 3361A of main portion 3361 of tab member 3360. Arms 3382 are adapted to be located within apertures 3390 of main body 3310 by way of an interference fit in use.

Dust plug 3380 is preferably formed from a resiliently deformable material such as a plastic or the like and functions to ensure that dirt and fines do not pack within tool location structure 3361A in use so as to ensure that that structure is accessible to a driving tool when it is necessary to move the lock away from the locked position in use.

As before, lock assembly 3300 is adapted to move between a locked position whereby wear member 3200 is releasably secured on mounting nose 3100 and various faces of both members are in abutment as previously described, and a release position whereby wear member 3200 is able to be removed from mounting nose 3100. Preferably, lock assembly 3300 is also able to be moved to a shipping position or intermediate position as discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 23A shows a sectional perspective view of lock assembly 3300 and FIG. 23B shows a sectional perspective view of lock assembly 3300 located within lock aperture 3280 on wear member 3200. In the figures shown in FIGS. 23A and B the lock assembly 3300 is in the locked position whereby the wear member 3200 is releasably secured to mounting nose 3100.

In this position, arm 3363 of tab member 3360 is located on ramp 3322 at terminating end 3322A′ of first sloped portion 3322A and detent 3371 is urged out of positioning recess 3380 by biasing member 3370 and into locking indent 3368. The location of detent 3371 in locking indent 3368 acts to releasably maintain the lock assembly 3300 in the locked position as some force is necessary to rotate tab member 3360 with respect to latch member 3330. Also, arm 3363 is located behind feature 3292 of side wall 3230 such that it contacts inwardly facing retaining surface thereof.

As before, in this position, biasing member 3301 exerts a force on latch member 3330 to urge latch member 3330 to protrude at least partially outside cavity of body member 3310. In the embodiment, latch member 3330 extends out of body member 3310 into lock recess 3136 of mounting nose 3100 to thereby releasably secure the wear member 3200 to the mounting nose 3100.

FIG. 24A shows a perspective sectional view of lock assembly 3300 and FIG. 24C shows lock assembly 3300 located within lock aperture 3280 on wear member 3200. In the figures shown in FIGS. 24A and B, the lock assembly 3300 is in an intermediate or shipping position.

This position differs from the locked position in that the arm 3363 of tab member 3360 has been rotated on first sloped portion 3322A of ramp 3322 such that detent 3371 has been urged back into positioning recess 3380 to overcome the force of biasing member 3370 and then, at the appropriate location is urged into shipping indent 3369. It is held in this position against further rotation by that location of detent 3371 in shipping indent 3369 unless force is applied to the tool location structure 3361A to rotate the tab member 3360 relative to the latch member 3330. Suitably, it is in this position that the wear member 3200 is transported for use.

There is often no mounting nose 3100 present when in the shipping position, such as when wear member 3200 is being delivered to site, and, in those circumstances, contact of stop face (not shown in this embodiment but is the same as the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 7) on ledge (again not shown in FIG. 24A or B) prevents latch member 3330 from being completely ejected from cavity of body member 3310.

Further rotation of tab member 3360 relative to latch member 3300 operates as before to move the lock assembly 3300 to the release position whereby the latch member 3330 is wholly located within cavity of body member 3310 and the wear member 3200 is able to be removed from the mounting nose 3100. As previously described with reference to the embodiment described at FIG. 7.

FIG. 25 shows an exploded perspective view of an excavator wear assembly 4000 according to a further embodiment of the invention. Excavator wear assembly 4000 has many of the features as previously described with reference to earlier embodiments and thus they are not all redescribed and annotated. The description of this embodiment will focus on the features which differ from earlier embodiments and features in the figures that remain without annotation and/or are not described should be construed as being identical to those features in an earlier embodiment.

As before, excavator wear assembly 4000 has a mounting nose 4100, a wear member 4200 adapted to receive at least a part of mounting nose 4100 in a socket cavity (not shown in FIG. 25) opening at a rear end thereof. The excavator wear assembly 4000 further comprises two lock assemblies 4300 in the embodiment adapted to releasably secure the wear member 4200 on the mounting nose 4100.

Mounting nose 4100 has previously been described variously with reference to previous embodiments.

FIG. 26A shows a sectional perspective view of wear member 4200 and FIG. 26B shows a close-up perspective view, sectioned horizontally, of wear member 4200.

Wear member 4200 has features as previously described with reference to earlier embodiments. Wear member 4200 additionally has location recesses present within inner aperture 4281 of each lock aperture 4280. In particular, and as shown, wear member 4200 has a forward location recess 4910 within arcuate forward face 4283, a lower location recess 4920 within lower face 4286 and an upper location recess 4930 within upper face 4285.

FIG. 27A shows a partially exploded perspective view of lock assembly 4300, FIG. 27B shows a sectional plan view of lock assembly 4300 and FIG. 27C shows a perspective view lock assembly 4300.

Lock assembly 4300 has features as previously described with reference to earlier embodiments. In the present embodiment, lock assembly 4300 additionally has a forward fitment recess 4380 located on generally arcuate forward wall 4313 of body member 4310. A location bore 4381 extends within body member 4310 from within forward fitment recess 4380 as shown. A second location bore, not shown, also extends within body member 4310 from within forward fitment recess 4380 as shown.

A forward biasing member 4390 is configured to be securely located within forward fitment recess 4380 as shown. Forward biasing member 4390 is formed from a body member 4391 and two tangs 4392 which extend from body member 4391 within location recess 4380. Body member 4391 of forward biasing member 4390 has an outer face that, in plan, generally traces the arc of arcuate forward wall 4313 of body member 4310 of lock assembly 4300.

In cross section, body member 4391 of forward biasing member 4390 tapers (as best seen in FIG. 28) such that it is proximal an inner face of forward fitment recess 4380 at end of forward fitment recess 4380 proximal an outer face 4317 of body member 4310 and is distal an inner face of forward fitment recess 4380 at an end of forward fitment recess proximal an inner face 4318 of body member 4310.

Furthermore, in use, a cavity is created between an inner wall of body member 4391 and an outer face of forward fitment recess 4380 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Preferably, forward biasing member 4390 is formed form a resiliently biasing material, such as a plastic or the like, and is located within forward fitment recess 4380 by way of an interference fit or the like. In use, the biasing forces of forward biasing member 4390 is adapted to urge outer wall of body member 4391 of forward biasing member 4390 into forward location recess 4910 of inner aperture 4281 of wear member 4200 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

An upper biasing member 4393 is resiliently configured to be securely located within an upper fitment recess 4382 of body member 4310 of lock assembly 4300 as shown. Upper fitment recess 4382 of body member 4310 of lock assembly has a location bore 4383 extending within body member 4310 of lock assembly 4300.

Upper biasing member 4393 has a body member 4394 and a tang 4395 extending from an underside of body member 4394 at least partially within location bore 4383 as shown. Body member 4394 of upper biasing member 4393 has an outer face that, in plan, generally traces the taper of upper wall 4315 of body member 4310 of lock assembly 4300 and additionally has tapered edges.

Preferably, upper biasing member 4393 is formed form a resiliently biasing material, such as a plastic or the like, and is located within upper fitment recess 4382 by way of an interference fit or the like. In use, the biasing forces of upper biasing member 4393 is adapted to urge outer wall of body member 4394 of upper biasing member 4393 into upper location recess 4930 of inner aperture 4281 of wear member 4200 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Similarly, a lower biasing member 4396 is resiliently configured to be securely located within a lower fitment recess 4384 of body member 4310 as shown. Lower fitment recess 4384 of body member 4310 has a location bore 4385 extending within body member 4310.

Lower biasing member 4396 has a body member 4397 and a tang 4398 extending from an underside of body member 4397 at least partially within location bore 4385 as shown. Body member 4397 of upper biasing member 4396 has an outer face that, in plan, generally traces the taper of lower wall 4316 of body member 4310 of lock assembly 4300 and has tapered edges.

Preferably, lower biasing member 4396 is formed form a resiliently biasing material, such as a plastic or the like, and is located within lower fitment recess 4384 by way of an interference fit or the like. In use, the biasing forces of lower biasing member 4396 is adapted to urge outer wall of body member 4397 of lower biasing member 4396 into lower location recess 4920 of inner aperture 4281 of wear member 4200 as will be discussed in greater detail below.

Lock assembly 4300 is adapted to be securely retained within inner aperture 4281 of lock aperture 4280 of wear member 4200 even when the wear member is not located on the mounting nose. In this way, the wear member is able to be conveniently shipped with the lock assembly already installed and mechanically retained within the lock aperture. In this way, a wear member is provided that has a lock resiliently retained within it. In the embodiment, two lock assemblies are resiliently retained within apertures extending either side of the wear member. Suitably, the lock assemblies are transported with the lock assembly in the intermediate or shipping position. A skilled addressee will appreciate that, in an alternative embodiment, a wear member may be provided with only a single lock assembly resiliently retained within it for transport.

FIG. 28 shows a sectional plan view of the lock assembly 4300 securely retained within lock aperture 4280 of wear member 4200.

To securely retain the lock assembly 4300 within the inner aperture 4281 of lock aperture 4280 of wear member 4200, lock assembly is pressed into the inner aperture 4281 from within the cavity of the wear member. The biasing members compress within their respective fitment recesses due to the force applied on to each by the respective walls of the inner aperture 4281. The biasing force due to this compression then releases once passage of the lock assembly 4300 within the lock recess reaches a point where each biasing member is urged within its respective location recess on the wall of the inner aperture of the wear member and then is held there under this force. In this position, lock assembly 4300 is adapted to be securely retained within inner aperture 4281 of lock aperture 4280 of wear member 4200.

It will be appreciated that whilst the lock assembly 4300 has been described with reference to being adapted to be securely retained within lock aperture 4280 of wear member 4200, the lock assembly may be securely non-rotatably retained within any suitably configured lock aperture of any excavator wear member. In other words, it is contemplated and disclosed herein that the lock assembly 4300 is not limited to use with a wear member having features as described.

The features in one embodiment can be used with features of another embodiment. The examples given and the combination of features disclosed are not intended to be limiting in the sense that they must be used together.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention. For example, individual features from one embodiment may be combined with another embodiment.

It will be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a digging tooth may be mounted to the mounting nose instead of an adaptor. Furthermore, the locks disclosed herein may also be used to secure other types of wear members to digging edges of excavators. Fore example, the locks may be utilised to secure a shroud to a lip of an excavator.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Claims

1. An excavator wear member, the excavator wear member comprising: a socket cavity opening at a rear end of the wear member, the socket cavity at least partially defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed side walls and a front bearing face; andtertiary fit faces extending laterally at an angle between each opposed side wall and one of the top wall or the bottom wall;wherein each tertiary fit face also extends rearwardly substantially in a plane within the socket cavity from the front bearing face to a rear end of the socket cavity.

2. The excavator wear member of claim 1, wherein the tertiary fit faces extend at an angle between each opposed side wall and each of the top wall and the bottom wall.

3. The excavator wear member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the tertiary fit faces also extend rearwardly from the front bearing face towards a rear end of the socket cavity.

4. The excavator wear assembly of any preceding claim, wherein each of the tertiary fit faces is substantially planar.

5. The excavator wear assembly of any preceding claim, wherein a rear portion of each tertiary fit face has a relatively greater lateral extent than an intermediate portion of each tertiary fit face.

6. The excavator wear assembly of any preceding claim, wherein a forward portion of each tertiary fit face has a relatively greater lateral extent than an intermediate portion of each tertiary fit face.

7. The excavator wear assembly of claim 2, wherein each tertiary fit face lies in a plane that is rearwardly divergent to a plane of an opposing tertiary fit face.

8. The excavator wear assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the top wall has a rear bearing surface and forward bearing surface separated by an intermediate bearing surface.

9. The excavator wear assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the bottom wall has a rear bearing surface and forward bearing surface separated by an intermediate bearing surface.

10. The excavator wear assembly of claims 8 and 9, wherein the intermediate bearing surface of the top wall and the bottom wall are rearwardly divergent.

11. The excavator assembly of claims 8 and 9, wherein the rear bearing surface and the forward bearing surface of the top wall and the rear bearing surface and the forward bearing surface of the bottom wall all lie in planes that are generally parallel.

12. The excavator wear assembly of any preceding claims, wherein each side wall has an intermediate bearing surface, the intermediate bearing surfaces diverge rearwardly with respect to each other.

13. The excavator wear assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the tertiary fit faces are adapted to engage with a corresponding tertiary fit face on an excavator mounting nose only after wear has occurred on other faces of the wear member and/or mounting nose.

14. An excavator mounting nose, the mounting nose comprising: a top surface, a bottom surface, two opposed side walls and a front bearing face; andtertiary fit faces extending laterally at an angle between each opposed side walls and one of the top surface or the bottom surface;wherein each tertiary fit face also extends rearwardly substantially in a plane from the front bearing face to a rear end of the mounting nose.

15. The excavator mounting nose of claim 14, wherein the tertiary fit faces extend at an angle between each opposed side wall and each of the top surface and the bottom surface.

16. The excavator mounting nose of claim 14 or 15, wherein each of the tertiary fit faces also extend rearwardly from the front bearing face towards a rear end of the mounting nose.

17. The excavator mounting nose of any of claims 14-16, wherein each of the tertiary fit faces is substantially planar.

18. The excavator mounting nose of any of claims 14-17, wherein a rear portion of each tertiary fit face has a relatively greater lateral extent than an intermediate portion of each tertiary fit face.

19. The excavator mounting nose of any of claims 14-18, wherein a forward portion of each tertiary fit face has a relatively greater lateral extent than an intermediate portion of each tertiary fit face.

20. The excavator mounting nose of any of claims 14-19, wherein each tertiary fit face lies in a plane that is rearwardly divergent to a plane of an opposing tertiary fit face.

21. The excavator mounting nose of any of claims 14-20, wherein the top surface has a rear bearing surface and forward bearing surface separated by an intermediate bearing surface.

22. The excavator mounting nose of any of claims 14-21, wherein the bottom surface has a rear bearing surface and forward bearing surface separated by an intermediate bearing surface.

23. The excavator mounting nose of any of claims 14-22, wherein the intermediate bearing surface of the top surface and bottom surface are rearwardly divergent.

24. The excavator mounting nose of any of claims 21 and 22, wherein the rear bearing surface and the forward bearing surface of the top surface and the rear bearing surface and the forward bearing surface of the bottom surface all lie in planes that are generally parallel.

25. The excavator mounting nose of any of claims 14-24, wherein each side wall has an intermediate bearing surface, the intermediate bearing surfaces diverge rearwardly with respect to each other.

26. The excavator mounting nose of any of claims 14-25, wherein each of the tertiary fit faces are adapted to engage with a corresponding tertiary fit face on an excavator wear member only after wear has occurred on other faces of the wear member and/or mounting nose.

27. A lock assembly to releasably secure an excavator wear member to a mounting nose, the lock assembly having: a body member adapted to be located within a locking aperture of a wear member;a latch member pivotally located within a cavity of the body member;a biasing member located within the cavity of the body member, the biasing member adapted to apply a force to the latch member that tends to urge the latch member to protrude at least partially outside of the cavity of the body member; andwherein the lock assembly is moveable between a locked position, where the latch member extends at least partially outside of the cavity under the force of the biasing member to thereby secure the wear member on the mounting nose and a release position whereby the latch member is located within the cavity of the body member and the wear member is able to be removed from the nose.

28. The lock assembly of claim 27 wherein the lock assembly is additionally moveable to an intermediate position wherein the lock assembly is located within the locking aperture of the wear member for shipping and/or transport of the wear member.

29. An excavator wear assembly, the excavator wear assembly comprising: an excavator mounting nose according to claim 14;a wear member according to claim 1, the wear member adapted to receive at least a part of the excavator mounting nose in a socket cavity thereof; andat least one lock assembly, the lock assembly adapted to releasably secure the wear member on the excavator mounting nose.

30. An excavator wear member, the excavator wear member comprising: a socket cavity opening at a rear end of the wear member, the socket cavity at least partially defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed side walls and a front bearing face;a lock aperture extending through at least one of the side walls from an outer face thereof to the socket cavity; anda lock assembly securely retained within the lock aperture;wherein the lock assembly is moveable between a lock position to secure the wear member on an excavator mounting nose, a release position whereby the wear member is able to be moved from the excavator mounting nose and an intermediate position for shipping and transport of the wear member, whereby the lock assembly continues to be securely retained within the lock aperture in the intermediate position.