Patent Application
20230323641
This disclosure is generally directed to an excavating assembly including a lock assembly that secures a wear member component to an excavating assembly. More particularly, this disclosure is directed to a wear member system secured using a releasable fastening system having an improved lock assembly with a collar.
Material displacement apparatuses, such as excavating buckets found on construction, mining, and other earth moving equipment, often include replaceable wear members such as earth engaging teeth, adapters, wear runners, shrouds, etc. These wear members are often removably carried by larger base structures, such as excavating buckets, or lips secured to excavating buckets, and come into abrasive, wearing contact with the earth or other material being displaced. For example, excavating tooth assemblies provided on digging equipment, such as excavating buckets and the like, typically comprise a relatively massive adapter portion which is suitably anchored to a structure of the equipment such as a forward bucket lip. A replaceable tooth typically includes an opening that releasably receives a nose of an adapter and the tooth is secured to the adapter with a fastening mechanism.
To prevent wearing or damage to the base structure between the tooth assemblies, which are typically spaced apart along the edge of the base structure, shrouds may be secured to the base structure between tooth assemblies. Shrouds may also be positioned along vertical sides or wings at the edges of the base structure.
There are a number of different types of fastening mechanisms to secure shrouds to a bucket lip or other base excavating structure. One method of mounting shrouds to a bucket is to form a series of holes vertically through the forward lip portion of the bucket. Corresponding holes are formed vertically through the shrouds, and, with the shrouds in place on the forward lip portion, the corresponding holes are aligned and wedges are driven therethrough. There are, however, disadvantages of the above-described wedge method of mounting shrouds to an excavating bucket. In the first instance, the wedge method removes material from the forward lip portion by forming a series of holes through the bucket. This may weaken the forward lip portion and provide further surfaces for wear to occur. Further, the need to pound in and later pound out a wedge can give rise to a safety hazard for the installing and removing personnel.
Various alternatives to pound-in fastening mechanisms have been proposed to releasably retain a shroud on an excavating bucket. While these alternative fastening mechanisms desirably eliminate the need to pound a wedge into and out of a bucket lip, they typically present various other types of problems, limitations, and disadvantages including, but not limited to, complexity of construction and use or undesirably high cost. In one example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,145 to Ruvang, a shroud having a generally C-shaped cross section is removably attached to the front edge of an excavating bucket lip by first placing the front lip edge in the interior of the wear shroud so that the top and bottom legs of the shroud respectively extend along the top and bottom sides of the lip. A rear end portion of the top shroud leg is then removably secured, using a J-bolt inserted into the top leg after the shroud is positioned on the bucket lip, to a base structure welded to the top side of the lip. A nut threaded onto the J-bolt at the rear end of the top shroud leg and facing the welded base structure prevents the forward removal of the installed wear shroud from the bucket lip. While this particular system has proven to be well suited for its intended purpose, it has several limitations and disadvantages. For example, the system requires that a portion of each shroud have a relatively high frontal projection area which increases the resistance to penetration of the shroud into the material being excavated. Additionally, portions of the fastening mechanism exposed to material being excavated may be subject to undesirable abrasion wear.
Some types of fastening mechanisms include a component rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. However, the continuous vibration, high impact, and cyclic loading of the shroud can result in inadvertent rotation of the fastening mechanism from a locked position to an unlocked position. This may cause excess wear on the fastening mechanism and/or inadvertent release of the shroud or affect the useful life of both the fastening mechanism and the shroud.
A need accordingly exists for an improved shroud assembly fastening mechanism.
Consistent with some examples, a lock assembly for securing a wear member to a support structure may include a collar and a pin. The collar may have a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, an outer circumferential profile including at least eight planar surfaces extending around a perimeter of the collar between the top and bottom surfaces, and a bore extending along a central axis from the top surface to the bottom surface. The pin may be configured for receipt in the bore of the collar.
Consistent with some examples, a lock assembly for securing a wear member to a support structure may include a collar and a pin. The collar may have a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a bore extending along a central axis from the top surface to the bottom surface. The collar may have an irregular outer circumferential profile about the central axis that is asymmetrical about any plane parallel to the central axis. The pin may be configured for receipt in the bore of the collar.
Consistent with some examples, a lock assembly for securing a wear member to a support structure may include a collar and a pin. The collar may have a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a bore extending along a central axis from the top surface to the bottom surface. The collar may have an irregular outer circumferential profile about the central axis. A rear surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface may be angled with respect to the central axis. The pin may be configured for receipt in the bore of the collar.
In some examples, at least a portion of a wall defining the bore of the collar may include first threads and at least a portion of an outer surface of the pin may include second threads corresponding to the first threads. The collar further may include a biased pin detent mechanism. A portion of the pin detent mechanism may extend into the bore. The pin may have an indentation adjacent to an upper end of the second threads that is configured to receive the portion of the pin detent mechanism when the pin is fully seated in the collar. The pin detent mechanism may include a flexible member and a rigid member secured to the flexible member. The collar may include a recess extending radially outward from the bore and axially inward from the top surface. The recess may be at least partially wedge-shaped with a narrower width at a front side adjacent to the bore and a greater width at a rear side opposite the bore. The flexible member of the pin detent mechanism may have a shape corresponding to the recess. The portion of the pin detent mechanism may be configured to pass through a channel formed in the second threads of the pin as the pin is rotated with respect to the collar. A top surface of the pin may be substantially flush with or recessed below the top surface of the collar when the pin is fully seated in the collar. In some examples, a collar may include a first biased detent mechanism extending outward from a first lateral side of the collar and a second biased detent mechanism extending outward from a second lateral side of the collar. The first biased detent mechanism may be disposed adjacent a first end of the collar and the second biased detent mechanism may be disposed adjacent a second end of the collar.
In some examples, a first biased detent mechanism may extend outward from a first front corner surface of the collar and a second biased detent mechanism may extend outward from a second front corner surface of the collar. A third biased detent mechanism may extend outward from a rear surface of the collar.
In some examples, the outer circumferential profile of the collar may be defined at least in part by a front surface, a rear surface, opposing side surfaces, and four corner surfaces. The outer circumferential profile of the collar may be laterally symmetrical about a plane extending from a front side of the collar to a rear side of the collar and extending between the top and bottom surfaces.
In some examples, the irregular outer circumferential profile of the collar may include a plurality of minor arcs each having a radius of curvature different than each other minor arc of the plurality of minor arcs. The irregular outer circumferential profile of the collar may be defined by a plurality of curved surfaces extending between adjacent sides of the collar. The irregular outer circumferential profile of the collar may be asymmetric about any plane parallel to the central axis. In some examples, the irregular outer circumferential profile of the collar may be defined by a plurality of minor arcs each having a radius of curvature different than each other minor arc of the plurality of minor arcs.
In some examples, a rear surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface and defining a rear side of the collar may be angled with respect to the central axis of the bore. The rear surface of the collar may be angled away from the central axis toward the bottom surface of the collar at approximately 1-20° with respect to the central axis of the bore, for example, at approximately 2-12°. A front side of the collar and a rear side of the collar may be tapered toward the central axis of the bore in a direction extending from the bottom surface to the top surface.
In some examples, a head of the pin may include a post having a hexagonal outer profile. A hexagonal recess may be formed into the post. The pin may include a shaft that narrows toward a tip of the pin disposed opposite a head of the pin. The shaft may have an outer surface that is angled at approximately 1-10° with respect to a central axis of the pin, for example, at approximately 2-4°. In some examples, the shaft may by cylindrical. In some examples, an upper portion of the shaft may be cylindrical and a lower portion of the shaft may narrow toward the tip. In some examples, an upper portion of the shaft may be angled with respect to a central axis of the pin at a first angle and a lower portion of the shaft may be angled with respect to the central axis of the pin at a second angle that is greater than the first angle.
Consistent with some examples, a wear member assembly for excavating equipment includes a wear member and a collar. The wear member may include an upper leg extending rearward away from a leading edge of the wear member to a rear surface. The leading edge may be configured to engage ground. A passage may extend along a first central axis through the upper leg from a top surface. A support structure recess may be formed into a lower side of the upper leg and extend rearward through the rear surface of the upper leg. The support structure recess may be configured to receive a support structure when the wear member is secured to excavating equipment. A lock recess may extend upward from a ceiling of the support structure recess to the passage. The collar may be configured for receipt within the lock recess of the wear member from the lower side of the upper leg. The collar may have a bore extending from a top surface of the collar to a bottom surface of the collar. The bore may be coaxial with the passage of the wear member when the collar is seated within the lock recess.
In some examples, a portion of the support structure recess may extend above the bottom surface of the collar. For example, lateral side portions of the support structure recess configured to receive wings of a support structure may extend upward above a bottom surface of the lock recess.
In some examples, the wear member may have at least one pocket formed into a wall of the lock recess and the collar may have at least one biased detent mechanism extending outward away from the bore. The at least one detent mechanism may be configured to be at least partially disposed within the at least one pocket when the collar is seated within the lock recess. The at least one detent mechanism may be configured to retain the collar within the lock recess. The at least one detent mechanism may include a first detent mechanism and a second detent mechanism extending from an opposing side of the collar from the first detent mechanism. The first detent mechanism may be disposed adjacent a first end of the collar and the second detent mechanism may be disposed adjacent a second end of the collar. The at least one pocket may include a first pocket and a second pocket disposed on opposing walls of the lock recess. The opposing walls of the lock recess may be tapered inward with respect to the first central axis toward the top surface of the wear member such that the opposing walls of the lock recess are spaced apart by a first distance in an upper region of the lock recess and by a second distance greater than the first distance in a lower region of the lock recess. The first distance may be less than a corresponding width of the collar from an outward facing surface of the first detent mechanism to an outward facing surface of the second detent mechanism such that, as the collar is inserted into the lock recess, the opposing walls increasingly compress a flexible member of each of the first and second detent mechanisms until the first and second detent mechanisms are aligned with a respective one of the first and second pockets.
In some examples, an outer circumferential profile of the collar may be defined by a plurality of curved surfaces extending between adjacent sides of the collar. The collar may have an irregular outer circumferential profile including a plurality of minor arcs each having a radius of curvature different than each other minor arc of the plurality of minor arcs. The irregular outer circumferential profile of the collar may be asymmetric about any plane parallel to a central axis of the bore. The lock recess may have an irregular circumferential profile corresponding to the irregular outer circumferential profile of the collar. The collar and lock recess may be sized and shaped such that the collar is installable into the lock recess in only one orientation. The collar may have a protrusion jutting forward along a front side of the collar. When the collar is seated within the lock recess, the bottom surface of the collar may be above ceiling of the support structure recess.
In some, examples, a central region of the upper leg may have an increased vertical profile relative to portions of the upper leg on each lateral side of the central region. The increased vertical profile may accommodate a height of the collar between the top and bottom surfaces of the collar to receive the collar in the lock recess with the bottom surface of the collar flush with or disposed above the ceiling of the support structure recess. A rear surface of the collar extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the collar and defining a rear side of the collar may be angled with respect to the central axis of the bore. The rear surface of the collar may be angled away from the central axis of the bore in a direction extending from the top surface of the collar to the bottom surface of the collar at approximately 1-20° with respect to the central axis of the bore, for example, at approximately 2-12°. A front side of the collar and a rear side of the collar may be tapered toward the central axis of the bore in a direction extending from the bottom surface of the collar to the top surface of the collar.
In some examples, the wear member may be a shroud and may further include a lower leg extending rearward away from the leading edge. The shroud may have a transverse channel formed between the upper leg and the lower leg. The transverse channel may be configured to receive a lip of the excavating equipment. The shroud may have a contact pad formed in the transverse channel. The contact pad may be configured to engage a front surface of the lip. A portion of the lower leg configured to lie adjacent a bottom surface of the lip may be angled at approximately 10-20° with respect to a portion of the upper leg configured to engage an upper surface of the lip, for example, at approximately 15°. In some examples, the portion of the upper leg may be parallel to the portion of the lower leg.
In some examples, the support structure recess may extend between two opposing slots extending forward from the rear surface and may be configured to receive opposing wings of a fixation base secured to the lip.
Consistent with some examples a wear member for excavating equipment may include a leading edge, an upper leg extending rearward away from the leading edge, a passage extending through the upper leg from a top surface of the wear member, and a fixation base recess formed into a lower side of the upper leg and extending rearward through a rear surface of the upper leg. The fixation base recess may extend laterally between two opposing slots that extend forward from the rear surface of the upper leg. Each of the two slots may be angled inward toward one another from the rear surface and may have a lower surface angled downward toward each other. The fixation base recess may be configured to receive a fixation base secured to a lip of excavating equipment. A portion of a bottom surface of the upper leg below each of the two slots may form a planar contact surface configured to engage the lip. In some examples, the portions of the bottom surface of the upper leg forming a planar contact surface may extend along a majority of the length of the upper leg.
In some examples, a pry surface may extend between the rear surface of the upper leg and a ceiling of the fixation base recess. At least one pry surface may extend between the top surface of the wear member and a surface defining the passage.
In some examples, a lock recess may extend upward from a ceiling of the fixation base recess to the passage. At least one pocket may be formed into a wall of the lock recess. Opposing walls of the lock recess may be tapered inward with respect to a central axis of the passage toward the top surface of the wear member. A circumferential profile of the lock recess may be defined in part by a plurality of curved surfaces. The lock recess may have an irregular circumferential profile including a plurality of minor arcs each having a radius of curvature different than each other minor arc of the plurality of minor arcs. The irregular circumferential profile of the lock recess may be asymmetric about any plane parallel to a central axis of the passage. The lock recess may have a notch extending forward away from a central axis of the passage. A rear wall of the lock recess may be angled with respect to a central axis of the passage. The rear wall may be angled at approximately 1-20° with respect to the central axis of the passage, for example, at approximately 2-12°. A front wall of the lock recess and a rear wall of the lock recess may be tapered toward a central axis of the passage.
In some examples, a wear member may include a lower leg that extends rearward away from the leading edge. The wear member may include a transverse channel formed between the upper leg and the lower leg. The transverse channel may be configured to receive the lip. A contact pad may be formed in the transverse channel. The contact pad may be configured to engage a front surface of the lip.
In some examples, a central region of the upper leg may have an increased vertical profile relative to portions of the upper leg on each lateral side of the central region. A raised region may be formed in the top surface of the upper leg in the central region. The passage may extend through the raised region. Each of the two slots may extend forward beyond a front wall of the lock recess.
Consistent with some examples, a fixation base has a bottom surface, a top surface, a central opening, and opposing first and second wings. The central opening may extend through the top surface and the bottom surface. The central opening may be bounded at a front side by a lock wall configured to engage a portion of a lock. Each of the first and second wings may extend upward and laterally outward away from the central opening. The first and second wings may be angled apart toward a rear side of the fixation base and may have a lower surface angled downward toward the central opening.
In some examples, a rear opening extends through the top surface and the bottom surface in an extension extending from a rear side of the fixation base. The rear opening may be separated from the central opening by a lateral wall. A rear wall of the extension may include a pry surface extending between a top surface of the rear wall and a front surface of the rear wall. The lateral wall may include a pry surface extending between a top surface of the lateral wall and a front surface of the lateral wall.
Consistent with some examples, a wear member assembly may include a fixation base, a wear member, and a lock assembly. The fixation base may be disposed on a lip and positioned behind a leading edge of the lip. The fixation base may have a bottom surface, a top surface, a central opening extending through the top surface and the bottom surface, and opposing first and second wings. The central opening may be bounded at a front side by a lock wall. The opposing first and second wings may extend upward and laterally outward away from the central opening. The first and second wings may be angled apart toward a rear side of the fixation base and may have a lower surface angled downward toward the central opening. The wear member may have a leading edge, an upper leg extending rearward away from the leading edge, a passage extending through the upper leg from a top surface of the wear member, a lock recess extending upward from a bottom side of the upper leg to the passage, and a fixation base recess formed into a lower side of the upper leg and extending rearward through a rear surface of the upper leg. The fixation base recess may extend laterally between two opposing slots that extend forward from the rear surface of the upper leg. At least a portion of the first and second wings of the fixation base may be positionable within the two opposing slots. The lock assembly may include a collar and a pin. The collar may be positioned within the lock recess of the wear member. The collar may have a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a bore extending along a central axis from the top surface to the bottom surface. The pin may be positionable within the bore of the collar and configured to extend from the collar into the fixation base to engage the lock wall of the fixation base.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following drawings and detailed description are exemplary and explanatory in nature and are intended to provide an understanding of the present disclosure without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In that regard, additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the drawings.
The accompanying drawings illustrate implementations of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
These Figures will be better understood by reference to the following Detailed Description.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, instruments, methods, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In addition, this disclosure describes some elements or features in detail with respect to one or more implementations or Figures, when those same elements or features appear in subsequent Figures, without such a high level of detail. It is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one or more implementations or Figures may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other implementations or Figures of the present disclosure. For simplicity, in some instances the same or similar reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
The present disclosure is directed to an excavating assembly that may include a fastening system that secures a wear member component within the excavating assembly. More particularly, this disclosure is directed to a wear assembly, such as a lip shroud assembly, that may include a wear member secured to a fixation base using a releasable fastening system having a lock assembly that includes a collar, a pin positionable within the collar, and detent mechanisms for securing the collar and the pin. The collar may be positionable within a portion of the wear member and secured thereto with snap-in detent mechanisms. The pin may be advanced into the collar and secured therein by threads and a snap-in detent mechanism which may provide haptic feedback to a user and/or prevent inadvertent loosening or removal of the pin. When so positioned, a portion of the pin may extend into a fixation base secured to a bucket lip or other excavating structure such that the pin interferes with removal of the wear member from the fixation base on the bucket lip. It should be appreciated that although described in the context of a wear member comprising a shroud and a support structure comprising a fixation base, the present disclosure may also be applicable for securing other wear members to support structures, for example, a tooth to an adapter, an intermediate adapter to an adapter, or a wear plate, such as a wear runner to an excavating structure.
Since the lock assembly employs mechanical interference to prevent inadvertent rotation of the pin, the lock assembly may be able to withstand vibration, high-impact, and cyclic loading while minimizing the chance of becoming inadvertently unlocked. In addition, some embodiments of the lock assembly may be arranged to emit an audible noise such as a click when various components achieve a locked or secured condition. Because of this, users such as machinery operators may have an easier time installing new shrouds and replacing old shrouds as compared to conventional fastening mechanisms.
A central region 130 of the ceiling 133 of the fixation base recess 121 extends downward toward the channel 114 in a similar manner to the raised region of the top surface on the opposite side of the upper leg 120. Within the central region 130 is a lock recess 136 that is configured to receive a collar of a lock assembly. The lock recess 136 is aligned with the passage 110 such that the passage 110 extends into the lock recess from the top surface 118.
Within the channel 114 are two ribs 132 extending along a top side of the lower leg 122. The ribs 132 have a substantially planar top surface configured to engage or lie adjacent to a bottom surface of a bucket lip when the shroud 104 is installed. Each rib extends upward on a front wall of the channel and intersects a contact pad 131 that extends between the two ribs 132. The contact pad 131 forms an engagement region where the shroud 104 contacts and bears against a front surface of a bucket lip during use. One or more portions of the lower leg 122 adjacent a bottom surface of the bucket lip, for example a top surface of each rib 132, may be parallel to or may be angled with respect to one or more portions of the upper leg 120 configured to contact a top surface of the bucket lip, for example a planar region disposed below a respective one of the two slots 128. In the illustrated example, the top surface of the ribs 132 is angled at approximately 15° with respect to the bottom surface of the upper leg 120. It should be appreciated that in some examples, one or more of the contact pad 131 and/or the ribs 132 may be omitted.
A pin detent 164 that is biased radially inward may be positioned within a correspondingly shaped recess extending radially outward from the bore 156 toward the protrusion 176. The pin detent 164 includes a flexible member 168 having a wedge shape and a prong 170 extending therefrom. The flexible member 168 may be formed from a resilient material, such as a rubber or polymer to exert a biasing force on the prong 170 when compressed, and the prong 170 may be formed from a rigid material, such as steel or another metal. The prong 170 is partially embedded within the flexible member 168 to bond the two together and extends through an outer surface thereof radially inward toward the central axis of the bore 156. The prong 170 may be positioned adjacent an end of the threads 166 nearest the top surface 154 with a tip of the prong extending into the bore 156.
An installation detent 162 that is biased outward from the collar 152 extends from each of the side surfaces 160 and 161 of the collar 152. Each installation detent 162 includes a flexible member 172 and a rigid member 174. The flexible member 172 may be formed from a resilient material, such as a rubber or polymer, and the rigid member 174 may be formed from steel or another metal. The rigid member 174 may have a stem or other extension (not shown) that is embedded within the flexible member 172 to bond the rigid member 174 to the flexible member 172. The installation detents 162 may be positioned within correspondingly shaped pockets extending into the collar 152 from the side surfaces 160 and 161 such that the flexible member 172 is fully disposed within a pocket and the rigid member 174 is at least partially disposed outside the pocket. The flexible members 172 may have a width dimension that is less than a corresponding width of the pocket to allow the flexible member 172 to be compressed and deformed within the pocket when the rigid member 174 is pressed inward toward the pocket.
As shown in the cross-section of
During use, the collar 152 may be subjected to substantial loading during use of the shroud 104. In this regard, the collar 152 must be sufficiently stout to accommodate the loads without breaking or plastically deforming. In this regard, the collar 152 may have a minimum wall thickness around its perimeter as may be calculated based on design loads and the material used in construction of the collar, e.g., steel. Because the installation detents 162 and pin detent 164 are positioned within recesses or pockets formed into the wall of the collar, those recesses form voids detracting from the thickness of the wall. Accordingly, the collar 152 may have a circumferential profile around the bore 156 that is greater in regions housing the detents 162 and 164 to provide the minimum wall thickness even in those regions. That is, the region forming the protrusion 176 houses the pin detent 164 and is accordingly extended outward at the front side 158 to provide a sufficient thickness of material between the pin detent 164 and the outer surface of the collar. Similarly, the regions adjacent the curved surfaces 165 and 169 house the installation detents 162 and are extended outward away from the bore 156 to provide a sufficient thickness of material between the installation detents 162 and the bore 156. Also, a bulge 175 may be formed along each lateral side surface 160 and 161, providing the minimum wall thickness around the bore 156. Bulge 175 on side surface 161 is formed as a portion of the curved surface 163. The lock recess 136 includes indentations within the walls corresponding in size and shape to receive the bulges 175. In some examples, the side surfaces 160 and 161 may be spaced further apart, providing the minimum wall thickness without inclusion of one or both bulges 175.
One or more of the outer surfaces of the collar 152 may be tapered or otherwise angled with respect to the top surface 154 and/or bottom surface 155. As shown in
The central opening 196 is enclosed laterally by sidewall 212 and sidewall 214. A front side of the central opening 196 is defined by a lock wall 206, at least a portion of which is shaped and sized in a manner corresponding to the shape and size of the shaft 192 of the pin 180. When the shroud 104 is secured to the fixation base 108 with the lock assembly 106, the portion of the shaft 192 near the tip 190 engages the lock wall 206 and the tip 190 of the pin 180 engages the bucket lip or is positioned near the bucket lip within the central opening 196. The lock wall 206 is tapered in manner similar to the shaft 192 at an angle equal to or slightly greater than a. In one example, a is approximately 3° and the lock wall 206 is approximately 4°. It will be appreciated that one or both of the shaft 192 and the lock wall 206 may have steeper or shallower angles with respect to the central axis 194, for example, in a range of approximately 0-10°.
A pry surface 208 is formed on the lateral wall 200 and a pry surface 210 is formed on a rear portion of the extension 205. The pry surfaces 208 and 210 are angled with respect to a top surface of the lateral wall 200 and extension 205 to facilitate access into the central opening 196 and rear opening 198 with a pry bar or other tool during removal of the shroud 104 and may provide a fulcrum for prying the shroud forward.
An outer surface 219 of each of the sidewalls 212 and 214 may be angled laterally outward and upward from the bottom surface 197 at an angle δ, which in some examples is approximately 45°, although it should be appreciated that surfaces 219 may be vertical or may be angled at any suitable angle with respect to the bottom surface. An inner surface 220 of each sidewall 212 and 214 extending outward from the central opening 196 may parallel to the outer surface 219. In the illustrated example, the inner surfaces 220 have a shallower angle than 6 with respect to the bottom surface 197. The outer surface 219 and inner surface 220 of each sidewall extends to a wing 218 formed on each lateral side of the fixation base 108. The wings 218 extend laterally outward and upward away from the central opening 196. The wings 218 are sized and shaped to be received in the slots 128 of the shroud 104 and to engage one or more surfaces forming the slots 128. The wings 218 may be substantially parallel or otherwise angled with respect to one another in a manner corresponding to the slots 128. In some examples, the wings 218 angle outward toward the rear side 202 of the fixation base 108 to facilitate ease of installation and removal of the shroud 104. A bottom surface of each wing 218, disposed laterally outward from the outer surfaces 219 of the sidewalls 212 and 214, may be horizontal or may be angled with respect to the bottom surface 197 of the fixation base 108 at an angle £, which may be approximately 10-45°, preferably about 20°. Having the wings angled upward in this manner may facilitate access with a welder to weld the fixation base 108 to a bucket lip around an outer perimeter of the bottom surface 197. The vertical profile of the fixation base 108 may include a depression in between the wings 218 as can be seen in
The shroud 104 may then be slid rearward onto the fixation base 108 as shown in
As will be appreciated, the interference caused by the pin 180 prevents the shroud 104 from being removed from the bucket lip in response to a force that would otherwise tend to pull the shroud forward with respect to the bucket lip, for example, as the bucket is moved rearward dragging the shroud along the ground. Such loading causes the shroud 104 to exert a forward force on the collar 152 which, in turn, transfers the force to the pin 180 which, in turn, transfers the force to the fixation base 108 via the lock wall 206.
While the rear or the extension 205 of the fixation base 108 may be vertical or substantially vertical, the front surface along the front side 201 of the fixation base 108 is angled with respect to the bottom surface 197 at an angle ζ, which may be approximately 20-50°.
As best seen in
In the illustrated example, three installation ramps 315 are position about the lock recess 336 in locations corresponding to installation detents of the collar. Specifically, in the illustrated example, two installation ramps 315 are positioned at the front corners of the lock recess 336 and one installation ramp 315 is centered at the rear of the lock recess 336. A pocket is formed into the walls of the lock recess 336 above each installation ramp 315, each pocket extending laterally outward from the lock recess 336 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the respective wall. The pockets are configured to receive an installation detent of the collar.
Installation detents 362 that are biased outward from the collar 352 extend from each front corner surface extending between side surfaces 360 and 361 and the front side 358 of the collar 352. Rear corner surfaces extend between the side surfaces 360 and 361 and the rear side 359. Each of the front and rear corner surfaces may be planar or curved. It should be appreciated that chamfering the corners of the collar 352 may help reduce critical stresses in the shroud and/or the collar. Another installation detent 362 extends from the rear side 359. The installation detents 362 may be positioned within correspondingly shaped pockets extending into the collar 352 from the respective outer surface. The collar 352 has a size and shape closely corresponding to the lock recess 336 of the shroud 304.
During use, the collar 352 may be subjected to substantial loading during use of the shroud 304. In this regard, the collar 352 must be sufficiently stout to accommodate the loads without breaking or plastically deforming. In this regard, the collar 352 may have a minimum wall thickness around its perimeter as may be calculated based on design loads and the material used in construction of the collar, e.g., steel. Because the installation detents 362 and pin detent 364 are positioned within recesses or pockets formed into the wall of the collar, those recesses form voids detracting from the thickness of the wall. Accordingly, the collar 352 may have a circumferential profile around the bore that is greater in regions housing the detents 362 and 364 to provide the minimum wall thickness even in those regions. That is, the collar 352 may have a smaller wall thickness about the bore along the sides 360 and 361 where no detents are positioned than near front side 358 and rear side 359.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the implementations encompassed by the present disclosure are not limited to the particular exemplary implementations described above. In that regard, although illustrative implementations have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change, combination, and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. It is understood that such variations may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, features of the example shroud and lock assembly of
Examples of a lock assembly are described below:
This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/329,807, filed Apr. 11, 2022, titled “Excavating Assembly with Collared Fastening System,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63329807 | Apr 2022 | US |
