LATCHING ASSEMBLY FOR GROUND ENGAGING TOOLS

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a latching assembly for attachment of ground engaging tools to earthmoving equipment. The present invention has been designed for the attachment of a tooth or point to an adaptor located on a bucket edge, but is considered to have wider application in the attachment of ground engaging tools such as in the attachment of lip shrouds, wing shrouds and the like.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Buckets of excavating equipment are subject to significant abrasive wear during use. For this reason, replaceable ground engaging tools (GET) are located about the buckets in the areas most susceptible to wear. A number of different GET are used, including wing shrouds, heel shrouds, lip shrouds, adaptors, wear plates, teeth/points and corner shrouds.

The creation of reliable and efficient systems to connect GET to bucket edges has presented a consistent challenge, and there are many different systems currently available which seek to perform this task.

Traditionally, the attachment of GET to bucket edges is a two-stage process: the GET is located in at least an approximate position relative to the bucket, and then a separate lock is introduced to fix the GET in its position. This lock may be akin to a pin passing through an aperture in the bucket, or else may arranged to locate against a boss or similar formation on the bucket.

More recent developments of GET such as the Talon Engineering ‘Lockjaw’ incorporate a lock within the GET itself. The attachment process is thus simplified by changing the second stage of the two-stage process to one of engaging and tightening the lock, rather than introduction of the lock.

The disengagement of GET from bucket edges is generally a reversal of the attachment process. The lock is loosened and in most cases removed, and then the GET is removed from the bucket edge. The second part of this operation frequently requires the application of significant force, as the combined effect of compression forces during use and the capture of fines particles within the GET and the bucket means that the GET may well be tightly captured on the bucket, even following removal of the lock.

In a first aspect, the present invention seeks to simplify the attachment process of a GET to a bucket edge. In a second aspect, the present invention seeks to assist in the removal process of a GET from a bucket edge.

European patent number EP0203315 describes the attachment of a tooth to relatively small earth moving equipment such as a bull-dozer, grinder or ditcher. In such equipment a common arrangement is for a sacrificial tooth to be solid, with a root or shank which is received within an aperture of the earth moving equipment. The present invention is concerned with earth moving equipment subject to much greater forces, such as that used in mining. GET of the present type is hollow, arranged to locate about an adapter or about an edge of an earth moving bucket in order to actively protect the underlying structure from abrasive wear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a locking assembly for locking a ground engaging tool over a base, the locking assembly including a lock arranged to pivot between a locking position and a release position, the lock being biased into the locking position, the lock having a first face arranged to act against an activating surface of the base, wherein the action of the first face of the lock against the activating surface of the base causes pivoting of the lock into the release position. Advantageously, this allows the attachment of a GET to a bucket edge to be a one-stage process.

The lock may have a second face which is arranged to act against a resilient biasing means. The biasing means is preferably formed of elastically deformable material such as spring steel.

It is preferred that the second face is angled relative to the first face at an angle in the order of 40° to 70°. In a preferred embodiment, the second face is angled at about 50° relative to the first face.

The lock may have a third face which is arranged, in use, to engage with a holding face of the base. The third face may be arcuate.

It is preferred that the lock has a pivot axis, with the first face extending radially away from the pivot axis, the second face extending radially away from the pivot axis, and the third face curving at least part of the distance between the first face and the second face, the third face having a center of curvature at the pivot axis.

The lock may have a pry-tool receiving aperture or slot. Preferably, this is located within the third face of the lock.

It is preferred that the lock has two generally planar side faces.

The lock preferably has a pivot axle extending along the pivot axis. In a preferred embodiment the pivot axle extends beyond each of the lock side faces.

The lock assembly preferably includes a lock supporting member. The lock supporting member may include means for restraining the biasing means. The lock supporting member may include a bearing surface on which the pivot axle of the lock may locate.

The lock supporting member may be formed from a first body portion arranged to be connected to a second body portion. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second body portions may be arranged to be screwed together. The biasing means may be arranged to be clamped between the first and second body portions.

The first body portion preferably has a front face and a rear face which are angled with respect to each other so as to form a tapered shape. This allows the first body portion to be retained within the ground engaging tool.

In a preferred embodiment the rear face of the first body portion includes a channel in which an outer portion of the biasing means can be positioned.

The second body portion preferably has a lower face arranged, in use, to align with an internal surface of the ground engaging tool. The second body portion may have a rear face which forms an acute angle relative to the lower face. This results in a generally tapered shape which allows the second body portion to be retained within the ground engaging tool. It will be appreciated that the rear face of the first body portion and the rear face of the second body portion form a shallow ‘V’ shape in use.

The second body portion preferably includes two spaced arms extending from a front of the lower face. The arrangement is preferably such that the two spaced arms can locate, in use, against the two side faces of the lock. The spaced arms may each have an upper surface on which the pivot axle of the lock can locate.

The biasing means is preferably formed from a strip of spring steel. In a preferred embodiment the biasing means has an outer locating portion which is bent at about 90° relative to a second locating portion, an active portion which forms an obtuse angle of about 150° relative to the second locating portion, and an inner lip. In use, the outer locating portion may locate within the channel of the first body portion of the lock supporting member, the second locating portion may be clamped between the first and second body portions of the lock supporting member, the active portion may sit along the second face of the lock, and the inner lip may be arranged to bear against the second face of the lock when the lock is moved into its release position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a locking assembly for locking a ground engaging tool over a base, the locking assembly including a lock arranged to pivot between a locking position and a release position, the lock being biased into the locking position, the lock having a first face and second face, the first face being angled with respect to the second face at an angle between 40° and 70°, the second face acting against a resilient biasing means.

The biasing means is preferably formed of elastically deformable material such as spring steel.

In a preferred embodiment, the second face is angled at about 50° relative to the first face.

The lock may have an arcuate third face.

The lock may have a pry-tool receiving aperture or slot. Preferably, this is located within the third face of the lock.

It is preferred that the lock has two generally planar side faces.

The lock preferably has a pivot axle extending along the pivot axis. In a preferred embodiment the pivot axle extends beyond each of the lock side faces.

In a preferred embodiment the rear face of the first body portion includes a channel in which an outer portion of the biasing means can be positioned.

The second body portion preferably has a lower face. The second body portion may have a rear face which forms an acute angle relative to the lower face. This results in a generally tapered shape which allows the second body portion to be retained within the ground engaging tool. It will be appreciated that the rear face of the first body portion and the rear face of the second body portion form a shallow ‘V’ shape in use.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a ground engaging tool having an internal socket arranged to locate about a base, and an external wear face. The ground engaging tool preferably has a lock receiving aperture extending between the external wear face and the internal socket.

The lock receiving aperture may have a forward portion and a rear portion. The rear portion preferably has a lateral width greater than that of the forward portion.

The rear portion of the lock receiving aperture may have a rear wall including a first tapered face which tapers inwardly from the external wear face, and a second tapered face which tapers inwardly from the internal socket. The first and second tapered faces are preferably disposed at an obtuse angle relative to each other of about 150°.

The rear portion of the lock receiving aperture may have a front wall on either side of the forward portion. The front wall preferably includes a first portion extending from the external wear face towards the internal socket, a second portion extending from the internal socket towards the external wear face, and a third portion connecting the first and second portions. The second portion may be forwardly spaced relative to the first portion, with the second portion and third portion together defining a lock axle receiving cavity opening into the internal socket.

The ground engaging tool is preferably arranged to house the locking assembly. The lateral width of the rear portion is preferably slightly larger than that of the lock supporting member. The lateral width of the front portion is preferably slightly larger than that of the lock.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a ground engaging tool having an internal socket arranged to locate about a base, the ground engaging tool including a locking assembly, the locking assembly including a lock arranged to pivot between a locking position and a release position, the lock being biased into the locking position, the lock having a first face arranged to act against an activating surface of the base, wherein the action of the first face of the lock against the activating surface of the base causes pivoting of the lock into the release position.

It will be understood that the ground engaging tool and the locking assembly of the fourth aspect of the present invention may have any of the features described in relation to earlier aspects of the present invention.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a base for receiving the ground engaging tool. The base, which may be an adaptor, preferably has a side surface within which a lock receiving recess is formed. The lock receiving aperture preferably has a holding face at a front thereof, the holding face arranged, in use, to engage with the third face of the lock.

The holding face may be flat. Preferably, the holding face is angled with respect to the upper surface of the base at an angle of about 75°.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a ground engaging tool releasing means having a shaft with an inner end and an outer end. An inner portion extending from the inner end of the shaft is cylindrical, and arranged to be received with a pin-receiving aperture in a base on which a ground engaging tool is attached. The outer end of the shaft has a tool-receiving formation. A cam surface is located on the shaft remote from the inner end, the cam surface being arranged to engage with a surface of the ground engaging tool and to provide a releasing force to the ground engaging tool when the shaft is rotated.

It will be appreciated that uses of terms such as ‘upper’, ‘lower’, ‘side’, ‘horizontal’, ‘vertical’ and the like are used herein for ease of description, and that the locking assembly and other components described can be positioned in a variety of spatial orientations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a wear assembly incorporating an adaptor being a base in accordance with the present invention; a point being a ground engaging tool in accordance with the present invention; and a locking assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the locking assembly of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are perspectives of a lock from within the locking assembly of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are perspectives of a first body portion of a lock supporting member within the locking assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4c is a side view of the first body portion of FIGS. 4a and 4b;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are perspectives of a second body portion of the lock supporting member within the locking assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5c is a side view of the second body portion of FIGS. 5a and 5b;

FIG. 6 is a perspective of a resilient biasing means within the locking assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7a is an assembled view from the front of the locking assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7b is an assembled view from the rear of the locking assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective of the point of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away view showing an internal surface of the point of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a cut-away view of a lock receiving aperture within the point of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11a is a perspective of a protective insert from within the locking assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11b is a side view of the protective insert of FIG. 11a;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective of the point of FIG. 1 in which the locking assembly of FIG. 1 has been assembled;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective of the point in the condition of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cut-away front view of the point and lock assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a cut-away rear view of the point and lock assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a cut-away internal view of the point and lock assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 17a is a perspective of the adaptor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17b is a close perspective of a nose of the adaptor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a perspective of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown prior to location of the point onto the adaptor;

FIG. 19 is a perspective of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown during a first stage of locating the point onto the adaptor;

FIG. 20 is a cross section of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown during the stage of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a cross section of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown during a second stage of locating the point onto the adaptor;

FIG. 22 is a cross section of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown during a third stage of locating the point onto the adaptor;

FIG. 23 is a cross section of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown during a fourth stage of locating the point onto the adaptor;

FIG. 24 is a perspective of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown during the fourth stage of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a cross section of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown following location of the point onto the adaptor;

FIG. 26 is a front cut away view of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown following location of the point onto the adaptor;

FIG. 27 is a rear cut away view of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown following location of the point onto the adaptor;

FIG. 28 is a cross section of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown prior to the inclusion of the protective insert of FIG. 11a;

FIG. 29 is a cross section of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown following the inclusion of a protective insert;

FIG. 30 is a front cut away view of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown following the inclusion of a protective insert;

FIG. 31 is a cross section of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown during an initial stage of removal of the point from the adaptor;

FIG. 32 is a cross section of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown during a second stage of removal of the point from the adaptor;

FIG. 33 is an upper perspective of a portion of the wear assembly of FIG. 1 shown during a third stage of removal of the point from the adaptor;

FIG. 34 is an upper perspective of the portion of the wear assembly of FIG. 33 shown during a fourth stage of removal of the point from the adaptor;

FIG. 35 is a cut away view through the portion of the wear assembly of FIG. 33 shown during the fourth stage of removal of the point from the adaptor;

FIG. 36 is a perspective of a removal tool for use in conjunction with an aspect of the present invention; and

FIGS. 37 to 40 are sequential views of use of the removal tool of FIG. 36 in conjunction with the wear assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, FIG. 1 shows a wear assembly 10 having a base, which in this embodiment is an adaptor 12; a ground engaging tool, which in this embodiment is a point 14, and a locking assembly 16.

The locking assembly 16 is shown in FIG. 2. It is formed by a lock 18; a lock supporting member 19 having a first body portion 20, a second body portion 22, and two connecting screws 24; and a resilient biasing means formed by a spring steel strip 26.

The lock 18 is shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. The lock 18 has a main body 28 which is approximately the shape of a prism based on a circle sector having an included angle of about 50°. The main body 28 has a flat first face 30, a flat second face 32 which is angled relative to the first face 30 at an angle of about 50°, and an arcuate third face 34. The third face 34 has a center of curvature along a pivot axis 35, which is close to a line of intersection between the first and second faces 30, 32.

The main body 28 has planar side faces 36.

The lock 18 includes a pivot axle 38 which is aligned along the pivot axis 35 of the main body 28. The pivot axle 38 is cylindrical, and includes extension portions 40 extending to either side of the side faces 36. The arrangement is such that the axial extent of the pivot axle 38 is about twice the width of the main body 28, meaning that each extension portion 40 extends beyond its associated side face 36 by about half of the width of the main body 28.

A pry-tool receiving slot 42 extends across the third face 34 from one side face 36 to the opposing side face 36. The pry-tool receiving slot 42 is located close to the second face 32.

The first body portion 20 of the lock supporting member 19 is shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c. The first body portion 20 has a lateral width similar to that of the pivot axle 38 of the lock 18.

The first body portion 20 has an upper face 44, a lower face 46, a front face 48 and a rear face 50. The upper face 44 and front face 48 are generally perpendicular to each other. The rear face 50 is tapered inwardly away from the upper face 44, such that it forms an angle of about 75° relative to the upper face 44. The lower face 46 is generally perpendicular to the rear face 50, with the lower face 46 being angled relative to the front face 48 by an angle of about 105°. A shoulder 49 extends forwardly of the front face 48. The shoulder 49 has a lateral width about half that of the first body portion 20, and is centrally positioned across the front face 48.

Two threaded screw holes 52 extend between the upper face 44 and the lower face 46, perpendicular to the upper face 44.

A channel 54 is recessed centrally in the rear face 50, extending between the lower face 46 and the upper face 44. The channel 54 is sized to receive a portion of the steel strip 26 as will be described below.

The second body portion 22 of the lock supporting member 19 is shown in FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c. The second body portion 22 has a lateral width corresponding to that of the first body portion 20.

The second body portion 22 has a lower face 56, an upper face 58, a front face 60 and a rear face 62. The lower face 56 and the front face 60 are generally perpendicular to each other. The rear face 62 is tapered inwardly away from the lower face 56, such that it forms an angle of about 75° relative to the lower face 56. The upper face 58 is tapered downwardly away from the front face 60, such that it forms an angle of about 75° relative to the front face 60. The upper face 58 is angled relative to the rear face 62 by an angle of about 120°.

Two screw holes 64 extend between the lower face 56 and the upper face 58, perpendicular to the lower face 56. The screw holes 64 are positioned so as to align, in use, with the screw holes 52 of the first body portion 20. The screw holes 64 have countersunk openings within the lower face 56 arranged to receive, in use, heads of connecting screws 24.

Two spaced arms 66 extend from a lower end of the front face 60. The spaced arms 66 are separated by a gap 68 which is slightly wider than the main body 28 of the lock 18. The spaced arms 66 each have an upper face 70, which is located about halfway up the front face 60. The arrangement is such that the extension portions 40 of the pivot axle 38 of the lock 18 can rest on the upper faces 70 of the spaced arms 66, with the main body 28 of the lock 18 locating within the gap 68. The upper faces 70 thus combine to form a bearing face.

The front face 60 has a tapered portion 69 within the gap 68, such that the tapered portion 69 is angled at about 30° in a forward direction towards the lower face 56.

The steel strip 26 is shown in FIG. 6. The steel strip 26 is formed from a single rectangular strip having a width about two-thirds that of the main body 28 of the lock 18.

The steel strip 26 has an outer locating portion 72 having a length slightly less than the vertical extent of the rear face 50 of the first body portion 20; a second locating portion 74 which extends at about 90° from the outer locating portion 72 through a distance equal to the breadth of the upper face 58 of the second body portion 22; an active portion 76 which extends away from the second locating portion 74 at an angle of about 150° (such that it is oriented at about 120° with respect to the orientation of the outer locating portion 72), the active portion 76 having a length about half the longitudinal extent of the second face 32 of the lock 18; and an inner lip 78 which is parallel to the second locating portion 74, and has a length about one third that of the active portion 76.

The locking assembly 16 is shown in an assembled form in FIGS. 7a and 7b. The steel strip 26 is located such that the outer locating portion 72 locates within the channel 54 of the first body portion 20. The second locating portion 74 is sandwiched between the lower face 46 of the first body portion 20 and the upper face 58 of the second body portion 22. The first and second body portions 20, 22 are joined together by the connecting screws 24 which can be introduced from the lower face 56 of the second body portion 22 into aligned screw holes 52, 64 of the first and second body portions 20, 22. The arrangement is such that the connecting screws 24 locate on either side of the second locating portion 74. Tightening of the connecting screws 24 clamps the steel strip 26 into position.

The lock 18 is located with the extension portions 40 of the pivot axle 38 located on the upper faces 70 of the spaced arms 66. As shown in the drawings the active portion 76 of the steel strip 26 locates against the second face 32 of the main body 28. The first face 30 of the main body 28 locates against the tapered portion 69 of the front face 60 of the second body portion 22, between the spaced arms 66. It will be understood that in practice the first face 30 and the second face 32 may not at the same time both be in contact with the second body portion 22 and the steel strip 26 respectively. Instead, the lock 18 may be constrained to pivot between the two contact points, which may represent rotation in the order of 30°.

The lock 18 is arranged to be mounted within a lock receiving aperture 80 of the point 14.

The point 14 has an internal socket 82 which is arranged to be received over a nose 120 of the adaptor 12. As a result, the point 14 has an outer wear surface 84 which is exposed, and an internal surface 86 which, in use, bears against the nose 120. The lock receiving aperture 80 is located within a side wall of the point 14, and extends between the outer wear surface 84 and the internal surface 86.

The lock receiving aperture 80 is broadly “T-shaped”, with a forward portion 90 which is relatively long and narrow and a rear portion 92 which is relatively short and wide. The arrangement is such that the forward portion 90 has a width slightly wider than that of the main body 28 of the lock 18. The rear portion 92 has a width slightly wider than that of the lock supporting member 19.

The rear portion 92 has a rear wall 94 which extends across the width of the rear portion 92. The rear wall 94 has two tapered faces: a first tapered face 96 which tapers inwardly from the outer wear surface 84, and a second tapered face 98 which tapers inwardly from the internal surface 86.

The first tapered face 96 forms an angle of about 105° with respect to the outer wear surface 84. The second tapered face 98 forms an angle of about 105° with respect to the internal surface 86. The first tapered face 96 forms a shallow ‘V-shape’ with respect to the second tapered face 98, with the first and second tapered faces being relatively disposed at an angle of about 150°.

The rear portion 92 has two front walls 100, each of which extends from a side edge of the rear portion 92 to the forward portion 90. Each front wall 100 has a first portion 102 which extends in a generally perpendicular direction from the outer wear surface 84, a second portion 104 parallel to the first portion 102 and forwardly spaced relative to the first portion 102, the second portion 104 extending in a generally perpendicular direction from the internal surface 86, and a third portion 106 generally parallel to the outer wear surface 84, the third portion 106 being located about halfway between the outer wear surface 84 and the internal surface 86 and acting to connect the first and second portions 102, 104.

The size of the lock receiving aperture 80 is such that the first body portion 20 of the lock supporting member 19 can be received in the rear portion 92, with the rear face 50 of the first body portion 20 bearing against the first tapered face 96, and the front face 48 of the first body portion 20 bearing against the first portion 102 of the front wall 100. Similarly, the second body portion 22 of the lock supporting member 19 can be received in the rear portion 92, with the rear face 62 of the second body portion 22 bearing against the second tapered face 98, and the two spaced arms 66 bearing against the second portion 104 of the front wall 100.

When thus positioned the extension portions 40 of the pivot axle 38 of the lock 18 are held in lock axle receiving cavities 107 formed by the upper faces 70 of the spaced arms 66; the third portions 106 of the front walls 100; the front face 60 of the second body portion 22; and the second portions 104 of the front walls 100.

The forward portion 90 of the lock receiving aperture 80 is sufficiently long that the main body 28 of the lock 18 can freely pivot within it.

A protective insert 110 arranged to locate over the locking assembly 16 is shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b. The protective insert 110 has a locating tab 112 arranged, in use, to locate beneath the shoulder 49 of the first body portion 20 of the lock supporting member 19, a first protective surface 114 extending from the locating tab 112 and arranged to locate over the main body 28 of the lock 18, a tapered second protective surface 116 extending away from the first protective surface 114 at an angle of about 120°, and a locating end 118 extending from the second protective surface 116 in a direction substantially parallel to the first protective surface 114, the locating end 118 arranged to locate against the internal surface 86 of the point 14 beneath the forward portion 90 of the lock receiving aperture 80.

The positioning of the locking assembly 16 within the lock receiving aperture 80 is shown in FIGS. 12 to 16. It will be appreciated that the tapered shape of the first and second body portions 20, 22 allows each of them to be secured in position within the rear portion 92 of the lock receiving aperture 80, with the connecting screws 24 holding the locking assembly 16 in position.

When thus assembled, it will be appreciated that the upper face 44 of the first body portion 20 appears as a depression within the outer wear surface 84, and the lower face 56 of the second body portion 22 is essentially level with the internal surface 86. In this assembled configuration much of the main body 28 of the lock 18 projects into the internal socket 82 of the point 14.

The adaptor 12 has a forward projecting nose 120 sized and shaped to be received within the internal socket 82 of the point 14. The nose 120 has a primary activating surface, being a front surface 122. The nose 120 also has a secondary activating surface, being a side surface 124 perpendicular to the front surface 122. A lock receiving recess 126 is formed within the side surface 124. The lock receiving recess 126 has a rear wall 128 slightly inclined relative to a perpendicular of the side surface 124, and two side walls 130 generally perpendicular to both the side surface 124 and the rear wall 128. The side walls 130 are spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the width of the main body 28 of the lock 18.

The lock receiving recess 126 has a floor 132 which is generally parallel to the side surface 124. The floor 132 is sufficiently spaced from the side surface 124 such that the lock 18 will clear the floor 132 when the wear assembly 10 is in a locked configuration as will be described below.

The lock receiving recess 126 has a holding face formed by a front wall 134. The front wall 134 forms an angle of about 75° with respect to the side surface 124.

The lock receiving recess 126 has bevelled joins between the floor 132 and the front wall 134 and rear wall 128 respectively.

Assembly of the wear assembly 10 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 30.

As shown in FIG. 18, the point 14 is provided with the locking assembly 16 arranged within as described above. It is oriented such that the internal surface 86 within which the lock receiving aperture 80 is formed is arranged to be moved over the side surface 124 of the adaptor 12 in which the lock receiving recess 126 is formed.

As the nose 120 is initially brought into the internal socket 82 there is no contact with the lock 18. This is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

As the nose 120 is brought further forward (or the point 14 pushed rearwardly) an edge of the front surface 122 contacts the first face 30 of the lock 18 as shown in FIG. 21. The action of the front surface 122 against the first face 30 causes pivoting of the lock 18 about the pivot axle 38. The second face 32 of the lock 18 acts against the active portion 76 of the steel strip 26, causing the steel strip 26 to flex. Once the outer edge of the first face 30 clears the edge of the front surface 122, the lock 18 is held in this pivoted position by action of the side surface 124 against the first face 30. This is shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.

As the front surface 122 reaches the internal end of the internal socket 82, the lock 18 moves to a position directly over the lock receiving recess 126. The active portion 76 of the steel strip 26 acts against the second face 32 of the lock 18, causing the lock 18 to pivot back to its neutral position. The third face 34 of the lock 18 now bears against the front wall 134 of the lock receiving recess 126. This action prevents forward movement of the point 14 relative to the adaptor 12, and thus locks the point 14 in position on the nose 120. This is shown in FIGS. 24 to 27.

Once the point 14 has been locked in position as shown in FIGS. 24 to 27, the protective insert 110 can be positioned over the locking assembly 16. As shown in FIG. 28, this is achieved by inserting the locating end 118 into the gap between the internal surface 86 of the point 14 and the side surface 124 of the adaptor nose 120 at a forward most end of the forward portion 90 of the lock receiving aperture 80. The protective insert 110 can then be rotated into an inserted position whereby the locating tab 112 locates beneath the shoulder 49 of the first body portion 20 of the lock supporting member 19. The inserted position of the protective insert 110 is shown in FIGS. 29 and 30.

When the point 14 is to be removed from the adaptor 12, the protective insert 110 is first removed. In the embodiment of the drawings the protective insert 110 is shown with an aperture through which a tool can be inserted for this purpose. It is then necessary to cause pivoting of the lock 18 into a release position. This can be achieved by use of a pry-tool such as a screw driver 140 into the pry-tool receiving slot 42 as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32.

For ease of removal of the point 14, a wedge 142 may be inserted into the forward portion 90 of the lock receiving aperture 80 in order to bear against the third face 34 of the lock 18 and hold the lock 18 in a release position. This is shown in FIGS. 33 to 35. It will be appreciated that once the wedge 142 is in position the screw driver 140 may be removed.

Further removal of the point 14 from the adaptor 12 may be assisted by use of a ground engaging tool releasing means or removal tool 160 as shown in FIG. 36. The removal tool 160 is formed along a central axis, with an inner cylindrical portion 162 extending from an inner end 164; and an outer square-sectioned portion 166 extending from an outer end 168. The square-sectioned portion 166 includes a tool receiving formation 172 arranged to receive a square ended tool (not shown).

The removal tool 160 has an eccentric cam 174 located between the inner cylindrical portion 162 and the outer square-sectioned portion 166. The eccentric cam 174 has a flat first face 176 which is level with one side of the square-sectioned portion 166; a flat second face 178 which is level with the opposing side of the square-sectioned portion 166; and a curved third face 180. The third face 180 curves through 90°, having one end which is an extension of the second face 178 and another end which abuts the first face 176 at a right angle.

The adaptor 12 includes a cylindrical pin-receiving aperture 190 at an end of the nose 120 remote from the front surface 122. The adaptor 12 is formed with a ridged wall 192 forming the boundary of the nose 120, the ridged wall 192 being arranged, in use, to abut an outermost wall 194 of the point 14. The ridged wall 192 is curved around the pin-receiving aperture 190, meaning that the pin-receiving aperture 190 can be accessed even with the point 14 locked onto the nose 120.

The removal tool 160 is arranged such that when the inner cylindrical portion 162 is positioned within the pin-receiving aperture 190 then the first face 176 of the cam 174 abuts the ridged wall 192 and the second face 178 of the cam 174 abuts the outermost wall 194 of the point 14. This can be seen in FIG. 38.

A square-ended tool can be inserted into the tool receiving formation 172 and the removal tool 160 rotated about its axis as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40. This causes the third face 180 of the cam 174 to bear against the outermost wall 194 of the point 14, and to provide a force against the point 14 urging it away from the ridged wall 192. This has the effect of loosening the point 14 from the nose 120 of the adaptor 12 and allowing for ready removal.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A locking assembly 16 for locking a ground engaging tool 14 over a base 12, the locking assembly 16 including a lock 18 arranged to pivot between a locking position and a release position, the lock 18 being biased into the locking position, the lock 18 having a first face 30 arranged to act against an activating surface 122, 124 of the base 12, wherein the action of the first face 30 of the lock 18 against the activating surface 122, 124 of the base 12 causes pivoting of the lock 18 into the release position.
2. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lock 18 has a second face 32 which is arranged to act against a resilient biasing means 26.
3. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the biasing means 26 is formed of elastically deformable material such as spring steel.
4. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second face 32 is angled relative to the first face 30 at an angle between 40° and 70°.
5. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second face 32 is angled at about 50° relative to the first face 30.
6. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lock 18 has a third face 34 which is arranged, in use, to engage with a holding face of the base 12.
7. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 6, wherein the third face 34 is arcuate.
8. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lock 18 has a pivot axis 35, with the first face 30 extending radially away from the pivot axis 35, the second face 32 extending radially away from the pivot axis 35, and the third face 34 curving at least part of the distance between the first face 30 and the second face 32, the third face 34 having a center of curvature at the pivot axis 35.
9. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lock 18 has a pry-tool receiving aperture or slot 42.
10. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pry-tool receiving slot 42 is located within the third face 34 of the lock 18.
11. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lock 18 has a pivot axle 38 extending along the pivot axis 35.
12. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lock 18 has two generally planar side faces 36, and the pivot axle 38 extends beyond each of the lock side faces 36.
13. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the locking assembly 16 includes a lock supporting member 19 having a bearing surface 70 on which the pivot axle 38 of the lock 18 may locate.
14. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking assembly 16 includes a lock supporting member 19 having means for restraining the biasing means 26.
15. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 13, wherein the lock supporting member 19 is formed from a first body portion 20 arranged to be connected to a second body portion 22.
16. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 15, wherein the biasing means 26 is arranged to be clamped between the first and second body portions 20, 22.
17. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first body portion 20 has a front face 48 and a rear face 50, the front face 48 and the rear face 50 being angled with respect to each other so as to form a tapered shape.
18. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 17, wherein the rear face 50 of the first body portion 20 includes a channel 54 in which an outer portion 72 of the biasing means 26 can be positioned.
19. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second body portion 22 has a lower face 56 arranged, in use, to align with an internal surface 86 of the ground engaging tool 14.
20. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 19, wherein the second body portion 22 has a rear face 62 which forms an acute angle relative to the lower face 56.
21. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second body portion 22 includes two spaced arms 66 extending from a lower end of a front face 60.
22. A locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the biasing means 26 has an outer locating portion 72, the outer locating portion 72 being bent at about 90° relative to a second locating portion 74; and an active portion 76, the active portion 76 forming an obtuse angle of about 150° relative to the second locating portion 72.
23. A ground engaging tool 14 having an internal socket 82 arranged to locate over a base 12, and an external wear face 84, the ground engaging tool 14 having a lock receiving aperture 80 in which is located a locking assembly 16 as claimed in claim 1
24. A ground engaging tool 14 having an internal socket 82 arranged to locate over a base 12, and an external wear face 84, the ground engaging tool 14 having a lock receiving aperture 80 extending between the external wear face 84 and the internal socket 82, the lock receiving aperture 80 having a forward portion 90 and a rear portion 92, the rear portion 92 having a lateral width greater than that of the forward portion 90.
25. A ground engaging tool 14 as claimed in claim 24, wherein the rear portion 92 of the lock receiving aperture 80 has a rear wall 94 including a first tapered face 96 which tapers inwardly from the external wear surface 84, and a second tapered face 98 which tapers inwardly from the internal socket 82.
26. A ground engaging tool 14 as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first and second tapered faces 96, 98 are disposed at an obtuse angle relative to each other of about 150°.
27. A ground engaging tool 14 as claimed in claim 24, wherein the rear portion 92 of the lock receiving aperture 80 has a front wall 100 on either side of the forward portion 90, each front wall 100 including a first portion 102 extending from the external wear face 84 towards the internal socket 82, a second portion 104 extending from the internal socket 82 towards the external wear face 84, and a third portion 106 connecting the first and second portions 102, 104, whereby the second portion 104 is forwardly spaced relative to the first portion 102, with the second portion 104 and third portion together 106 defining a lock axle receiving cavity 107 opening into the internal socket 82.
28. A ground engaging tool 14 as claimed in claim 24 when used to house a locking assembly 16 for locking the ground engaging tool 14 over a base 12, the locking assembly 16 including a lock 18 arranged to pivot between a locking position and a release position, the lock 18 being biased into the locking position, the lock 18 having a first face 30 arranged to act against an activating surface 122, 124 of the base 12, wherein the action of the first face 30 of the lock 18 against the activating surface 122, 124 of the base 12 causes pivoting of the lock 18 into the release position.
29. A ground engaging tool releasing means 160 having an inner end 164 and an outer end 168, the ground engaging tool releasing means 160 having a cylindrical inner portion 162 extending from the inner end 164, the inner portion 162 being arranged to be received within a pin-receiving aperture 190 in a base 12 on which a ground engaging tool 14 is attached; the ground engaging tool releasing means 160 having a tool-receiving formation 172 at the outer end 168; wherein the ground engaging tool releasing means has a cam surface 174 remote from the inner end 164, the cam surface 174 being arranged to engage with a surface 194 of the ground engaging tool 14 and to provide a releasing force to the ground engaging tool 14 when the ground engaging tool releasing means 160 is rotated.

Priority Claims (1)

Number	Date	Country	Kind
2021904194	Dec 2021	AU	national

PCT Information

Filing Document	Filing Date	Country	Kind
PCT/AU2022/051479	12/9/2022	WO

LATCHING ASSEMBLY FOR GROUND ENGAGING TOOLS

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Abstract

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Priority Claims (1)

PCT Information