The present disclosure relates to ground engaging tools, and more particularly, to protecting edges of ground engaging tools.
Many machines include ground engaging tools for performing tasks like digging, tilling, ripping, loading, and/or other excavation tasks and the like. Such ground engaging tools often include one or more lips with edges on them. For example, excavating buckets often include lips with edges on them. If such lips are left unprotected, contact with soil, rock, and other materials may damage or wear the edges of the lips. Repairing or replacing the lip of such a ground engaging tool due to wear or damage of the edge may involve significant expense. Accordingly, many ground engaging tools include removable edge protectors mounted to their lips to shield the edge of the lip from contact with soil, rock and other materials.
For example, Published U.S. Patent Application No. 2010/0162594 to Bierwith (“the '594 application”) discloses a power driven shovel with a shroud attached to its lip. The shroud of the '594 application includes an aperture that aligns with an aperture in a forward portion of the lip on the power driven shovel. A nut fits in the aperture in the forward portion of the lip, and a screw extends through the aperture in the shroud into the nut to secure the shroud to the lip.
Although the '594 application discloses a shroud mounted to a forward edge of a lip on a power driven shovel, certain disadvantages may persist. For example, the configuration of the provisions used to secure the shroud to the forward portion of the lip may be conducive to losing some of the retention hardware. Specifically, if the screw used to secure the shroud to the lip works loose, it could separate from the power driven shovel and get lost.
The disclosed system may help solve one or more of the foregoing problems.
One disclosed embodiment relates to an edge protector for mounting to a lip of a ground engaging tool and shielding an edge of the lip. The edge protector may include a tip configured to extend forward from the edge of the lip of the ground engaging tool. The edge protector may also include a first mounting leg extending rearward from the tip. Additionally, the edge protector may include a second mounting leg extending rearward from the tip and spaced from the first mounting leg by a recess configured to receive the lip of the ground engaging tool between the first mounting leg and the second mounting leg. The first mounting leg may include a lock cavity configured to house a lock in such a manner that the lock is sandwiched between the first mounting leg and the lip of the ground engaging tool.
The disclosure further relates to an edge protector for mounting to a lip of a ground engaging tool and shielding an edge of the lip. The edge protector may include a tip configured to extend forward from the edge. The edge protector may also include a first mounting leg extending rearward from the tip. The first mounting leg may include a lock bulge extending outward from an outer surface of the second mounting leg and a lock cavity configured to receive a lock inward of the lock bulge.
The disclosure also relates to a ground engaging tool assembly. The ground engaging tool assembly may include a lip of a ground engaging tool, the lip having an edge. The ground engaging tool assembly may also include an edge protector mounted to the lip. The edge protector may include a dip extending forward of the edge. The edge protector may also include a first mounting leg extending rearward from the tip adjacent a first side of the lip. Additionally, the edge protector may include a second mounting leg extending rearward from the tip and spaced from the first mounting leg by a recess configured to receive the lip of the ground engaging tool between the first mounting leg and the second mounting leg. The second mounting leg may include a lock cavity configured to house a lock in such a manner that the lock is sandwiched between the second mounting leg and the lip of the ground engaging tool.
Each edge protector 12 may be configured to mount to lip 16 and shield edge 18 thereof. To that end, each edge protector 12 may include a tip 20 that extends forward from and shields edge 18. As used herein, the term “forward” refers generally to the direction in which edge 18 faces, and the term “rearward” refers generally to the opposite direction.
The tip 20 of each edge protector 12 may have various shapes. As shown in
In addition to tip 20, edge protector 12 may include various other structures. For example, edge protector 12 may include a mounting leg 24 and a mounting leg 26, both extending rearward from tip 20. As best shown in
Mounting legs 24, 26 may have various shapes. A mounting leg 24, 26 may either extend generally straight rearward from tip 20, or a mounting leg 24, 26 may have one or more portions that angle upward or downward. As best shown in
Edge protector 12 may have various configurations at the sides of recess 28. As best shown in
Edge protector 12 may have various provisions for transferring forces applied to edge protector 12 to lip 16. As best understood with reference to
Ground engaging tool assembly 10 may include various provisions for securing edge protector 12 to lip 16. In some embodiments, ground engaging tool assembly 10 may employ pins 62 (shown in
In some embodiments, lip 16 may include passages 68 in which pins 62 may reside. As best shown in
Each pin 62 may be configured to sit within one of passages 68. In some embodiments, each pin 62 may have one end 76 with a larger cross-sectional size than the other end 78. In such embodiments, each pin 62 may have a shoulder 80 between end 76 and end 78. End 76 may have a cross-section that fits within end 70 of passage 68, and end 78 may have a cross-section that fits within end 72 of passage 68. Accordingly pin 62 may sit within passage 68 with the ends 76, 78 disposed within ends 70, 72, respectively, of passage 68 and shoulders 80, 74 abutting one another. In some embodiments, end 76 of pin 62 may be longer than end 70 of passage 68, such that end 76 extends out of end 70 of passage 68. Similarly, end 78 of pin 62 may be longer than end 72 of passage 68, such that end 78 extends out of end 72 of passage 68.
In addition to the foregoing features, each pin 62 may include various other features. As shown in
Provisions for housing locks 64 may be included in edge protector 12. For example, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 10A-C, edge protector 12 may include lock cavities 88 for housing locks 64. In some embodiments, lock cavities 88 may be formed in mounting leg 24 adjacent inner surface 48 thereof. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 10A-C, edge protector 12 may include a lock bulge 90 outward of each lock cavity 88. In the example shown in the figures, lock bulges 90 may extend outward from outer surface 50 of mounting leg 24.
Edge protector 12 may have various numbers and/or arrangements of lock cavities 88 and lock bulges 90. As shown in the figures, in some embodiments, edge protector 12 may include two lock cavities 88 and two lock bulges 90 spaced laterally with respect to one another. Lock cavities 88 and lock bulges 90 may be laterally spaced from one another by approximately the same distance as two of passages 68 in lip 16, such that lock cavities 88 may substantially align with these passages 68 and the pins 62 placed in them.
Lock cavities 88 may have various configurations. In some embodiments, each lock cavity 88 may be configured to sandwich one of locks 64 between mounting leg 24 and lip 16. For example, as best shown in
On the rear side of lock-rotation axis 96, each lock cavity 88 may open into a slot 98 that extends rearward from the lock cavity 88 along inner surface 48 of mounting leg 24. Each slot 98 may have a cross-section configured to allow passage of some or all of the part of a pin 62 that extends outward of upper surface 38 of lip 16. For example, as best shown in
As best shown in
Locks 64 and retainer bushings 66 may have various configurations. In some embodiments, locks 64 and retainer bushings 66 may be configured to seat within inner surfaces 92 of lock cavities 88 in a manner allowing locks 64 to rotate at least partially around lock-rotation axes 96. As best shown in
As best shown in
Retainer bushing 66 may be configured to mate with inner surface 92 of lock cavity 88. As shown in
As best shown in
In some embodiments, retainer bushing 66 may include one or more detents for engaging corresponding detents of lock 64. For example, as best shown in
Lock 64 may be configured to mate with inner surface 116 of retainer bushing 66. For example, as best shown in
Lock 64 may have provisions for engaging the detent projections 130 of retainer bushing 66 to releasably hold lock 64 in certain positions about lock-rotation axis 96. For example, as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A-7C, lock 64 may include detent recesses 132 extending radially inward from outer surface 122 of skirt 120. Detent recesses 132 may have a shape configured to mate with detent projections 130. In the embodiment shown in the figures, detent recesses 132 may include a concave curved surface, such as a constant-radius curved surface, extending radially inward from frustoconical portion 124 of outer surface 122. In some embodiments, detent recesses 132 may be spaced approximately the same distance from one another as detent projections 130. Thus, where detent projections 130 are spaced approximately 180 degrees from one another, detent recesses 132 may likewise be spaced approximately 180 degrees from one another. Accordingly, lock 64 may be positioned in retainer bushing 66 with frustoconical portion 124 of outer surface 122 seated against frustoconical portion 118 of inner surface 116 of retainer bushing 66 and detent projections 130 extending into detent recesses 132.
Lock 64 and retainer bushing 66 may be configured to allow one or both of detent recesses 132 and detent projections 130 to deflect to disengage one another. For example, one or both of detent recesses 132 and detent projections 130 may be constructed of a flexible material, including but not limited to a plastic material or an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, retainer bushing 66 may be constructed wholly of such a flexible material.
In some embodiments, lock 64 and/or retainer bushing 66 may include provisions for axially securing lock 64 within retainer bushing 66 and, thus, within lock cavity 88. For example, as best shown in
Each lock 64 may also include provisions for receiving at least part of one of pins 62 extending from lip 16. For example, as best shown in
As best shown in
As noted above, lock 64 may be installed in retainer bushing 66 and lock cavity 88 with frustoconical portion 124 of outer surface 122 of lock 64 mated to frustoconical portion 118 of inner surface 116 of retainer bushing 66 and detent recesses 132 of lock 64 mated to detent projections 130 of retainer bushing 66. When lock 64 is disposed in this position, open end 136 of lock slot 134 may face rearward and align with slot 98 on inner surface 48 of mounting leg 24. This state may allow freely sliding a portion of a pin 62, such as frustoconical boss 82, into or out of lock slot 134 through open end 136 and slot 98. This may allow freely sliding edge protector 12 onto or off of lip 16. Accordingly, this position of lock 64 may be considered an unlocked position.
Lock 64 may also have a locked position where lock 64 is rotated around lock-rotation axis 96 to a position where closed end 138 of lock slot 134 is disposed adjacent slot 98 at the rear side of lock cavity 88. In this state, the portion of lock skirt 120 adjacent closed end 138 may preclude sliding frustoconical boss 82 of pin 62 into or out of lock slot 134. This may prevent freely sliding edge protector 12 onto or off of lip 16. The locked position of lock 64 may be approximately 180 degrees from the unlocked position about lock-rotation axis 96. In the locked position, as in the unlocked position, detent recesses 132 of lock 64 may engage detent projections 130 of retainer bushing 66, which may releasably hold lock 64 in the locked position.
To rotate lock 64 between the unlocked position and the locked position, sufficient torque may be applied to lock 64 about lock-rotation axis 96 to cause detent projections 130 and/or detent recesses 132 to deflect and disengage from one another. Once the detents disengage one another, frustoconical portion 124 of outer surface 122 of lock skirt 120 may slide along frustoconical portion 118 of inner surface 116 of retainer bushing 66, as lock 64 rotates around lock-rotation axis 96. Once lock 64 rotates approximately 180 degrees around lock-rotation axis 96, detent projections 130 and detent recesses 132 may reengage one another to releasably hold lock 64 in that rotational position.
Ground engaging tool assembly 10 may include various provisions for rotating lock 64 about lock-rotation axis 96. As best shown in
As best shown in
Each tool opening 156 may have various shapes. As best shown in
Ground engaging tool assembly 10, edge protector 12, and the various other components discussed above are not limited to the configurations shown in the figures. For example, edge protector 12 may include a different number of lock cavities 88, and the assembly 10 may employ a different number of pins 62, locks 64, and retainer bushings 66. Additionally, in lieu of pins 62, ground engaging tool assembly 10 may employ projections integrally affixed to lip 16. Furthermore, edge protector 12, lock cavities 88, locks 64, and retainer bushings 66 may have different configurations than those shown in the figures and discussed above.
Ground engaging tool assembly 10 and edge protector 12 may have use for various excavating and similar tasks. When assembled to lip 16, edge protector 12 may protect edge 18 of lip 16 from impact with soil, rock, and other substances encountered in such tasks. This may prolong the life of lip 16 and edge 18 thereof.
The disclosed configurations of ground engaging tool assembly 10 may allow readily attaching edge protector 12 to lip 16 and removing edge protector 12 from lip 16 for service and/or replacement. In preparation to attach edge protector 12 to lip 16, pins 62 may be inserted into passages 68 in lip 16 with ends 76 of pins 62 protruding from upper surface 38 of lip 16 and ends 78 protruding from lower surface 40 of lip 16. Additionally, retainer bushings 66 and locks 64 may be installed into lock cavities 88 with locks 64 in their unlocked position. As discussed above, with locks 64 in their unlocked position, open ends 136 of lock slots 134 may face rearward so that they register with slots 98 in mounting leg 24.
With pins 62 installed in lip 16 and locks 64 in their unlocked positions, edge protector 12 may be slid rearward to slide lip 16 into recess 28 between mounting legs 24, 26. This may involve sliding ends 78 of pins 62 through slots 100 in mounting leg 26. When pins 62 are fully inserted into slots 100, ends 78 of pins 62 may rest on bosses 102 at the forward ends of slots 100. Simultaneously, frustoconical bosses 82 of opposite ends 76 of pins 62 may slide through slots 98 into lock slots 134.
From this state, edge protector 12 may be releasably secured to lip 16 by rotating locks 64 about lock rotation axis 96 to rotate closed end 138 of lock slot 134 behind frustoconical boss 82 of pin 62, capturing pin 62 in lock 64 and lock cavity 88, preventing edge protector from sliding forward off of lip 16. Edge protector 12 may be removed from lip 16 by rotating locks 64 back to their unlocked positions shown in
When edge protector 12 is installed to lip 16, the retaining hardware of ground engaging tool assembly 10 may be securely captured by mounting legs 24, 26 and lip 16. For example, locks 64 may be sandwiched between inner surfaces 92 of lock cavities 88 of mounting leg 24 and upper surface 38 of lip 16. This may help ensure that locks 64 do not work loose and become lost. The inclusion of lock bulges 90 on edge protector 12 may facilitate capturing locks 64 between mounting leg 24 and lip 16. Additionally, in some embodiments, pins 62, locks 64, and retainer bushings 66 may be constructed with lengths such that their collective length when assembled is approximately the same as the distance between each boss 102 in slot 100 of mounting leg 26 and the inner surface 92 of lock cavity 88. As a result, pins 62, locks 64, and retainer bushing 66 may be snugly retained between mounting legs 24 and 26. This may help ensure that these components remain in place and hold edge protector 12 to lip 16, even as lip 16 and edge protector 12 wear.
Other embodiments of the disclosed systems will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the systems disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.
This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/570,223, filed Dec. 13, 2011, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61570223 | Dec 2011 | US |