Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6230424
-
Patent Number
6,230,424
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, December 8, 199825 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 15, 200123 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 037 446
- 037 449
- 037 450
- 037 451
- 037 460
- 037 444
- 172 810
- 172 811
- 172 772
- 172 7725
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A bucket assembly is disclosed. The bucket assembly includes a bucket having a base edge. The bucket assembly also includes a base edge protection assembly having (i) a digging plate having a forward edge with a pair of notches defined therein so that a tooth is formed from a portion of the digging plate that is interposed between the notches and (ii) a cover plate secured to the digging plate so that an edge slot is defined between the digging plate and the cover plate. The base edge protection assembly is secured to the bucket such that the base edge of the bucket is positioned within the edge slot of the base edge protection assembly.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an implement of a work machine, and more particularly to a base edge protection assembly for an implement of a work machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A work machine, such as an excavator, may include a bucket for moving or excavating dirt or other types of material. A number of teeth are typically attached to a base edge of the bucket in order to facilitate the excavating process. The teeth also help protect the base edge of the bucket from wear and tear encountered during the excavation process. Protection of the base edge extends the life of the bucket and reduces maintenance cost of the work machine. However, the teeth have to be periodically replaced due to the wear and tear they are subjected to during the excavation process.
Heretofore, some teeth have been secured to a bucket by first attaching an adapter to the base edge thereof and then securing the teeth to the adapter via a pin assembly. Typically, these pin assemblies include a number of parts which contact and exert a force on both the adapter and the tooth in order to effect the securement therebetween.
Another approach to secure teeth to a base edge of a bucket is to utilize a tooth bar. In particular, a tooth bar is designed to fit over the base edge of a bucket and a number of adapters are secured to the tooth bar. Replaceable teeth are then secured to the adapters with pin assemblies similar to the ones described above.
One disadvantage of having a pin assembly in contact with both the tooth and the adapter to effect securement therebetween is that the pin assembly may become loose as the tooth is subjected to substantial forces during a work operation. In particular, forces that are applied to the tooth during a work operation would then be transmitted to the pin assembly. Thereafter, forces which are applied to the pin assembly would be transmitted to the adapter. Consequently, the pin assembly would be subjected to a continuous compressing force during the work operation which may cause the pin assembly to become loose over a period of time. The presence of a loose pin assembly may cause inadvertent separation of the tooth from the adapter.
Furthermore, these types of tooth bars and pin assemblies typically include a relatively large number of parts which makes them relatively expensive, mechanically complex, and difficult to install.
What is needed therefore is a base edge protection assembly for an implement of a work machine which overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a base edge protection assembly for an implement of a work machine. The base edge protection assembly includes a digging plate having a forward edge with a pair of notches defined therein so that a tooth is formed from a portion of the digging plate that is interposed between the notches. The base edge protection assembly also includes a cover plate secured to the digging plate so that an edge slot is defined between the digging plate and the cover plate.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a bucket assembly for a work machine. The bucket assembly includes a bucket having a base edge. The bucket assembly also includes a base edge protection assembly having (i) a digging plate having a forward edge with a pair of notches defined therein so that a tooth is formed from a portion of the digging plate that is interposed between the notches and (ii) a cover plate secured to the digging plate so that an edge slot is defined between the digging plate and the cover plate. The base edge protection assembly is secured to the bucket such that the base edge of the bucket is positioned within the edge slot of the base edge protection assembly.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention there is provided an implement assembly for a work machine. The implement assembly includes an implement having a base edge. The implement assembly also includes a base edge protection assembly having (i) a digging plate having a forward edge with a pair of notches defined therein so that a tooth is formed from a portion of the digging plate that is interposed between the notches and (ii) a cover plate secured to the digging plate so that an edge slot is defined between the digging plate and the cover plate. The base edge protection assembly is secured to the implement such that the base edge of the implement is positioned within the edge slot of the base edge of the protection assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a partially exploded perspective view of a bucket assembly which incorporates features of the present invention therein;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of the bucket assembly of
FIG. 1
, with the base edge protection assembly secured to a base edge of the bucket;
FIG.
3
. is a perspective view of the base edge protection assembly of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is another perspective view of the base edge protection assembly shown in
FIG. 1
; and
FIG. 5
is an end elevational view of the base edge protection assembly of
FIG. 1
with the end brace and bracket removed (note that that a phantom view of the base edge of the bucket is shown positioned within the edge slot for clarity of description).
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Referring now to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, there is shown an implement assembly
10
, specifically a bucket assembly, which incorporates the features of the present invention therein. Implement assembly
10
includes a bucket
12
and a base edge protection assembly
16
. Bucket
12
includes wall segments
33
,
34
,
35
, and
36
. Bucket
12
also has a bucket cavity defined by wall segments
33
,
34
,
35
, and
36
. Wall segment
33
has a base edge
14
interposed between wall segments
34
and
36
.
Referring now
FIGS. 3
,
4
, and
5
, base edge protection assembly
16
includes a cover plate
18
, a digging plate
20
, and a pair of end braces
26
and
64
. Base edge protection assembly
16
also includes a pair of brackets
28
and
66
, a pair of guard plates
38
and
40
, and a number of straps
30
.
As shown more clearly in
FIG. 5
, cover plate
18
has an arcuate shape such that cover plate has a convex surface
54
and a concave surface
60
. Cover plate
18
also has an attachment edge
44
.
Referring back to
FIGS. 3 and 4
, digging plate
20
has a forward edge
58
, an upper surface
42
(see FIG.
5
), and an under surface
56
. Digging plate
20
also has a number of notches
22
defined in forward edge
58
so that a tooth
24
is formed from the portion of digging plate
20
that is interposed between notches
22
. Preferably, notches
22
are flame cut into forward edge
58
. It should be appreciated that the aforementioned notch
22
arrangement can also result in a tooth
24
which is not interposed between a pair of notches. Specifically, a tooth
24
can be formed on each end of digging plate
20
adjacent to a notch
22
. It should also be appreciated that the above described method of forming digging plate
20
results in digging plate
20
having a tooth support member
21
with teeth
24
extending from tooth support member
21
, wherein tooth support member
21
and teeth
24
are integrally formed together. Moreover, it should be appreciated that each tooth has the shape of a “half arrow head” as shown in FIG.
5
.
As shown in
FIG. 5
, cover plate
18
is positioned relative to digging plate
20
such that attachment edge
44
of cover plate
18
contacts upper surface
42
of digging plate
20
behind teeth
24
. Cover plate
18
is further positioned relative to digging plate
20
such that concave surface
60
of cover plate
18
faces upper surface
42
of digging plate
20
. Once cover plate
18
is positioned relative to digging plate in the above described manner, cover plate
18
is secured to digging plate
20
by welding attachment edge
44
to upper surface
42
. It should be appreciated that securing cover plate
18
to digging plate
20
in the above described manner results in an edge slot
46
being defined between cover plate
18
and digging plate
20
. Specifically, edge slot
46
is interposed between concave surface
60
and upper surface
42
.
Referring back to
FIGS. 3 and 4
, end brace
26
has an upper leg portion
52
and a lower leg portion
62
. End brace
26
is positioned relative to cover plate
18
and digging plate
20
such that upper leg portion
52
of end brace
26
contacts an end edge
48
of cover plate
18
. End brace
26
is further positioned relative to cover plate
18
and digging plate
20
such that lower leg portion
62
contacts an end edge
50
of digging plate
20
. Once positioned in the above described manner (i) upper leg portion
52
is welded to end edge
48
and (ii) lower leg portion
62
is welded to end edge
50
.
It should be appreciated that (i) end brace
62
also has an upper leg portion (not shown) and a lower leg portion (not shown) and (ii) that end brace
62
is secured to the opposite end edges of cover plate
18
and digging plate
20
in a substantially identical manner.
Bracket
66
is welded to upper leg portion
52
of end brace
26
. In a substantially identical manner, bracket
28
is welded to the upper leg portion of end brace
64
.
As shown in
FIG. 5
, each strap
30
is positioned relative to cover plate
18
and digging plate
20
such that each strap
30
is located directly behind a tooth
24
. Each strap
30
is further positioned relative to cover plate
18
and digging plate
20
so as to have (i) a portion
68
in contact with convex surface
54
of cover plate
18
and (ii) a portion
70
in contact with upper surface
42
of digging plate
20
. Once positioned as described above, (i) portion
68
is welded to convex surface
54
and (ii) portion
70
is welded to upper surface
42
.
As shown in
FIG. 4
, guard plate
38
is welded to under surface
56
of digging plate
20
such that guard plate
20
is adjacent to lower leg portion
62
of end brace
26
. Guard plate
40
is welded to under surface
56
of digging plate
20
such that guard plate
40
is adjacent to the lower leg portion of end brace
64
. Guard plate
38
helps protect the weld between lower leg portion
62
and end edge
50
against the wear and tear encountered during an excavation process. Guard plate
40
performs a substantially identical function with respect to end brace
64
.
It should be understood that abrasion resistant material can be applied to select portions of base edge protection assembly
16
so as to enhance the wear characteristics thereof. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,600 to Lukavich et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses applying hard material to selected surfaces of bucket teeth to increase their wear life. This method of applying a hardened material to enhance the wear life of bucket teeth can also be used to enhance the wear life of base edge protection assembly
16
of the present invention.
Referring now to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, base edge protection assembly
16
is positioned relative to bucket
12
such that base edge
14
of wall segment
33
is aligned with edge slot
46
. Base edge protection assembly
16
is then advanced toward bucket
12
such that (i) base edge
14
is located within edge slot
46
and (ii) brackets
28
and
66
extend into bucket cavity
32
. Bracket
28
is then secured to wall segment
34
via a nut and bolt. Bracket
66
is secured to wall segment
36
via a nut and bolt. Securing brackets
28
and
66
to wall segments
34
and
36
respectively, as described above attaches base edge protection assembly
16
to bucket
12
such that base edge
14
is located within in edge slot
46
.
Industrial Applicability
Implement assembly
10
can be utilized to excavate earth during the performance of a work function. Having base edge protection assembly
16
attached to bucket
12
in the above described manner during an excavation process has several advantages. For example, teeth
24
of edge protection assembly
16
facilitates the ability of implement assembly
10
to penetrate the ground, which in turn enhances the ability of implement assembly
10
to perform a digging function. In addition, having base edge
14
located within edge slot
46
of base edge protection assembly
16
protects base edge
14
of bucket
12
from the wear and tear implement assembly
10
encounters during an excavation process. Protection of the base edge
14
extends the life of bucket
12
and reduces the maintenance cost of implement assembly
10
. Moreover, it should be understood that base edge protection assembly
16
can be easy removed from bucket
12
once base edge protection assembly
16
wears out. Specifically, brackets
28
and
66
can be detached from wall segments
34
and
36
respectively, and base edge protection assembly
16
removed from bucket
12
. Once removed, a replacement base edge protection assembly
16
can be attached to bucket
12
in a manner substantially identical as previously discussed.
An additional advantage of base edge protection assembly
16
is that digging plate
20
is a unitary metallic plate (e.g. steel) with teeth
24
being formed by cutting notches into forward edge
58
of digging plate
20
. Forming teeth
24
in the above described manner results in teeth
24
being integral to digging plate
20
, and thus ensures that teeth
24
will not inadvertently become separated from bucket
12
during the performance of a work function. This is in contrast to other base edge protection or tooth bar assemblies which utilize adapters and pin assemblies to secure the teeth. These types of tooth bar assemblies (i.e. ones that utilize adapters and pin assemblies) are more prone to having their teeth inadvertently detached due to the wear and tear the adapters and pin assemblies are subjected to during an excavation process.
Base edge protection assembly
16
has additional advantages over other tooth bar designs that utilize adapters and pin assemblies. For example, forming teeth
24
by cutting notches
22
into forward edge
58
of digging plate
20
rather that utilizing adapters and pin assemblies for attaching the teeth results in a base edge protection assembly that (i) has relatively fewer parts, (ii) is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, (iii) is not as mechanically complex, and (iv) is relatively easy to install.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
Claims
- 1. An implement assembly, comprising:a bucket having a base edge; a digging plate having a tooth support member and a number of teeth extending from said tooth support member, wherein (i) said tooth support member is secured to said base edge of said bucket, and (ii) said tooth support member and said number of teeth are integrally formed together; a cover plate secured to said digging plate so that an edge slot is defined between said digging plate and said cover plate; and an end brace having an upper leg portion and a lower leg portion, wherein said base edge of said bucket is located within said edge slot when said tooth support member is secured to said base edge of said bucket, said upper leg portion of said end brace is secured to an end of said cover plate, and said lower leg portion of said end brace is secured to an end of said digging plate.
- 2. The implement assembly of claim 1, further comprising:a bracket secured to said upper leg portion of said end brace.
- 3. The implement assembly of claim 1, further comprising:a guard plate secured to an under surface of said digging plate such that said guard plate is adjacent to said lower leg portion of said end brace.
US Referenced Citations (25)