Patent Application
20230287661
This disclosure relates generally to mining, excavation and material handling equipment and, in an example described below, more particularly provides for support of a wear component on an implement.
The forward edge of material handling implements, such as buckets and shovels, etc., is subject to impacts, abrasion and other types of wear and damage. Expendable wear components, such as teeth, shrouds and adapters, can be used to protect a forward edge of a material handling implement. However, a fastening system used to releasably attach a wear component to an implement may not prevent wear and other damage due to contact between the wear component and the forward edge of the implement.
It will, therefore, be appreciated that improvements are continually needed in the art of reacting forces applied to wear components on material handling implements. Such improvements are provided to the art by the present disclosure, and these improvements can be realized in a wide variety of different configurations.
Representatively illustrated in
In the example of
The teeth 12 are typically rapidly worn down or otherwise damaged during use of the implement 10, and so the teeth are replaced periodically or when excessive wear is evident. Specially configured adapters 14 releasably secure the teeth 12 to a forward edge of a lip 16 of the implement 10 in this example. In other examples, the teeth 12 may be secured directly to the lip 16.
The teeth 12 and adapter 14 are merely examples of wear components that can be securely and conveniently attached to a material handling implement using the principles of this disclosure. Other examples of wear components include shrouds 18, 20 which protect forward material-engaging edges of the lip 16 and sides of the implement 10. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular types of wear components.
As used herein, the term “forward” is used to indicate a direction in which the implement 10 displaces to engage a material. Thus, a forward edge of the lip 16 would first engage the material, if the forward edge were not protected by the teeth 12, adapter 14 and shrouds 18, 20. The term “rearward” is used to indicate an opposite direction. Thus, in the
Referring additionally now to
As depicted in
In the
A fastening system 32 releasably secures the adapter 14 in position on the lip 16. In this example, the fastening system 32 is similar to a conventional “Whisler-type” fastening system, but other types of fastening systems may be used in keeping with the principles of this disclosure.
The tooth 12 is releasably secured to the adapter 14 by another fastening system 34. In other examples, the tooth 12 could be integrally formed with the adapter 14, instead of being separately attached to the adapter. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular type of wear component on the lip 16 of the implement 10.
Two abutment assemblies 40 are secured to the lip 16 at rearward ends of the adapter legs 22, 24. The abutment assemblies 40 abut the rearward ends of the adapter legs 22, 24 and thereby prevent rearward movement of the adapter 14 on the lip 16.
Thus, the abutment assemblies 40 react rearwardly directed forces applied to the adapter 14, for example, due to engaging a material (e.g., cutting into or breaking up the earth) with the implement 10. By reacting the rearwardly directed forces applied to the adapter 14, the abutment assemblies 40 can prevent, or at least significantly reduce, wear due to contact between the adapter and the forward edge 30 of the lip 16.
Referring additionally now to
In the
The base 42 is rigidly secured to the upper surface 26 of the lip 16. In this example, the base 42 is welded to the lip upper surface 26. In other examples, the base 42 could be attached using other means (such as, using one or more fasteners).
The nuts 48 are received in complementarily shaped recesses 50 formed in the base 42. Engagement between the nuts 48 and the recesses 50 prevents the nuts from rotating relative to the base 42 when the threaded members 46 are threaded into the nuts 48.
Preferably, the nuts 48 are of the type that resist unthreading of the threaded members 46. For example, each nut 48 can include a nylon or other member that is deformed when a threaded member 46 is threaded into the nut, so that the deformed member resists rotation of the threaded member relative to the nut. Other types of locking nuts may be used in other examples.
Referring additionally now to
When the abutment assembly 40 is fully assembled, cylindrical heads 54 of the threaded members 46 are received in openings 56 formed in the abutment 44. This engagement of the heads 54 in the openings 56 retains the abutment 44 on the base 42.
To assemble the abutment assembly 40, the nuts 48 are inserted into the recesses 50 (see
It will be appreciated that one of the advantages of this example of the abutment assembly 40 is that the abutment 44 can be installed, removed and replaced on the base 42, without requiring any welding or removal of any welds. Instead, the abutment 44 is mechanically and releasably attached to the base 42, for example, so that the abutment can be conveniently attached or detached when desired.
Referring additionally now to
As depicted in
At this point, the abutment 44 is spaced apart from the rearward end of the adapter leg 22. A rearwardly facing surface 58 formed on the adapter 14 does not contact a forwardly facing surface 60 formed on the abutment 44.
As depicted in
Eventually, the forwardly facing surface 60 of the abutment 44 contacts the rearwardly facing surface 58 formed on the adapter 14. In this position, the abutment 44, supported by the remainder of the assembly 40, will react rearwardly directed forces applied to the adapter 14.
Referring additionally now to
In this configuration of the assembly 40, note that a gap G1 is present between the abutment 44 and a forward face 62 of the base 42, and another gap G2 is present between the abutment and a rearward face 64 of the base. The gaps G1, G2 allow for variations in dimensions of the adapter 14 and assembly 40 (e.g., to provide for machining or casting tolerances), and variations in placement of the base 42 on the lip 16.
As depicted in
Referring additionally now to
In the
The engagement between the projection 70 and the recess 72 enables the assembly 40 to react lateral forces applied to the adapter 14 in operation. This acts to stabilize the adapter 14 on the lip 16 to further reduce wear between the adapter and the lip.
It may now be fully appreciated that the above disclosure provides significant advancements to the art of reacting forces applied to wear components on material handling implements. In examples described above, the abutment assembly 40 can react forces applied to the adapter 14 in operation of the implement 10. A position of the assembly 40 on the lip 16 can be adjusted as needed to account for dimensional variations in the adapter 14, lip 16 and assembly 40. The abutment 44 is releasably attached to the base 42, and in certain examples can be attached, detached and/or replaced, without welding or removal of any welds.
The above disclosure provides to the art an abutment assembly 40 for reacting forces applied to a wear component (such as the adapter 14) attached to a lip 16 of a material handling implement 10. In one example, the abutment assembly 40 can comprise: a base 42 configured to be rigidly secured to the lip 16, and an abutment 44 displaceable relative to the base 42 and configured to contact a surface 58 of the wear component 14.
In any of the examples described herein:
The abutment assembly 40 can include a threaded adjustment member 46. The abutment 44 may be displaceable relative to the base 42 in response to rotation of the threaded member 46.
The threaded member 46 may engage internal threads 53 in the base 42. The internal threads 53 may be formed in a nut 48 received in the base 42.
The threaded member 46 may engage an internal recess 68 formed in the abutment 44, and a head 54 of the threaded member 46 may be retained in an opening 56 formed in the abutment 44 opposite the internal recess 68. The abutment 44 may be displaceable into contact with the surface 58 of the wear component 14 in response to the rotation of the threaded member 46.
The wear component surface 58 may comprise a rearwardly facing surface of the wear component 14. The wear component 14 may be in contact with a forward edge 30 of the lip 16 when the abutment 44 contacts the rearwardly facing surface 58 of the wear component 14.
The abutment 44 may include a forwardly extending projection 70 configured to engage a rearwardly opening recess 72 formed in the wear component 14. The projection 70 may be configured to react lateral forces applied to the wear component 14.
The base 42 may be configured to be welded to the lip 16. The abutment 44 may be releasably secured to the base 42 without any weld. The abutment 44 may be replaceable without removal of any weld.
A method of securing a wear component 14 of a material handling implement 10 is also provided to the art by the above disclosure. In one example, the method may comprise: rigidly attaching a base 42 of an abutment assembly 40 to a lip 16 of the implement 10; positioning the wear component 14 on the lip 16; and then displacing an abutment 44 of the abutment assembly 40 relative to the base 42. The displacing step can include the abutment 44 contacting a surface 58 of the wear component 14.
In any of the examples described herein:
The positioning step can include contacting the wear component 14 with a forward edge 30 of the lip 16. The step of contacting the wear component 14 with the forward edge 30 of the lip 16 may be performed prior to the abutment 44 contacting the surface 58 of the wear component 14.
The rigidly attaching step may include welding the base 42 to the lip 16.
The displacing step may include rotating a threaded member 46 relative to the base 42. The rotating step can include threading the threaded member 46 into a nut 48 received in the base 42. The rotating step can include receiving an end 66 of the threaded member 46 in an internal recess 68 formed in the abutment 44, and receiving a head 54 of the threaded member 46 in an opening 56 formed in the abutment 44 opposite the internal recess 68.
A first gap G1 may exist between the abutment 44 and a forward face 62 of the base 42 and a second gap G2 may exist between the abutment 44 and a rearward face 64 of the base 42 when the abutment 44 contacts the wear component surface 58.
The wear component surface 58 may comprise a rearwardly facing surface.
The displacing step may include engaging a forwardly extending projection 70 formed on the abutment 44 with a rearwardly opening recess 72 formed in the wear component 14.
The method may include releasably securing the abutment 44 to the base 42 without welding. The method may include replacing the abutment 44 without removing any weld.
A material handling implement 10 is also described above. In one example, the material handling implement 10 can comprise: a lip 16; a wear component 14 attached to the lip 16; a base 42 rigidly secured to the lip 16; and an abutment 44 displaceable relative to the base 42 and in contact with a rearwardly facing surface 58 of the wear component 14.
In any of the examples described herein:
The material handling implement 10 may also include a threaded adjustment member 46. The abutment 44 may be displaceable relative to the base 42 in response to rotation of the threaded member 46.
The threaded member 46 may engage internal threads 53 in the base 42. The internal threads 53 may be formed in a nut 48 received in the base 42.
The threaded member 46 may engage an internal recess 68 formed in the abutment 44, and a head 54 of the threaded member 46 may be retained in an opening 56 formed in the abutment 44 opposite the internal recess 68. The abutment 44 may be displaceable into contact with the surface 58 of the wear component 14 in response to the rotation of the threaded member 46.
The wear component 14 may be in contact with a forward edge 30 of the lip 16 when the abutment 44 contacts the rearwardly facing surface 58 of the wear component 14.
The abutment 44 may include a forwardly extending projection 70 configured to engage a rearwardly opening recess 72 formed in the wear component 14. The projection 70 may be configured to react lateral forces applied to the wear component 14.
The base 42 may be welded to the lip 16. The abutment 44 may be releasably secured to the base 42 without any weld. The abutment 44 may be replaceable without removal of any weld.
Although various examples have been described above, with each example having certain features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for a particular feature of one example to be used exclusively with that example. Instead, any of the features described above and/or depicted in the drawings can be combined with any of the examples, in addition to or in substitution for any of the other features of those examples. One example's features are not mutually exclusive to another example's features. Instead, the scope of this disclosure encompasses any combination of any of the features.
Although each example described above includes a certain combination of features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for all features of an example to be used. Instead, any of the features described above can be used, without any other particular feature or features also being used.
It should be understood that the various embodiments described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of this disclosure. The embodiments are described merely as examples of useful applications of the principles of the disclosure, which is not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.
The terms “including,” “includes,” “comprising,” “comprises,” and similar terms are used in a non-limiting sense in this specification. For example, if a system, method, apparatus, device, etc., is described as “including” a certain feature or element, the system, method, apparatus, device, etc., can include that feature or element, and can also include other features or elements. Similarly, the term “comprises” is considered to mean “comprises, but is not limited to.”
Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the disclosure, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to the specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of this disclosure. For example, structures disclosed as being separately formed can, in other examples, be integrally formed and vice versa. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.
