The present disclosure is directed to a piercing tip and, more particularly, to a piercing tip for a shear.
A conventional heavy-duty shear typically employs upper and lower jaws with shear blades of hardened steel on both the upper jaw and the lower jaw. The distal end of a movable jaw member is provided with a replaceable piercing tip by which a workpiece is pierced and severed during closure of the jaw members relative to one another.
A suitable piercing tip is configured with sufficient strength to withstand the high forces required to shear an object. In addition, repeated use subjects the piercing tip to extreme wear and accordingly may require frequent replacement. Therefore, features that extend the life of a piercing tip and minimize down time are also desirable.
An example of a replaceable piercing tip is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,839,969 which issued to Jacobson et al. on Jan. 11, 2005 (“the '969 patent”). The piercing tip of the '969 patent includes two L-shaped sections that contact each other underneath a jaw. The piercing tip is positioned and held in place only by a plurality of cap-screws that pass through the jaw. These and other features of the piercing tip of the '969 patent may be less than ideal.
The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems of the prior art.
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a piercing tip for a shear. The piercing tip may include a first part configured to be secured to a jaw of the shear. The first part may include a first planar surface configured to abut a first side surface of the jaw. The piercing tip may also include a second part configured to be secured to the jaw and the first part. The second part may include a planar portion including an inner surface configured to abut a second side surface of the jaw. The second part may also include a projecting portion including an upper surface configured to abut a lower surface of the jaw, and a projecting surface abutting the first planar surface of the first part.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a piercing tip for a shear. The piercing tip may include a planar first part configured to be secured to a jaw of the shear. The first part may include a first planar surface, and a second planar surface configured to abut a first side surface of the jaw. The first part may also include a first pair of seat surfaces formed between the first and second planar surfaces, and a second pair of seat surfaces formed between the first and second planar surfaces. The second pair of seat surfaces may be symmetrically arranged with respect to the first pair of seat surfaces. The piercing tip may also include a second part configured to abut a second side surface and a lower surface of the jaw, and abutting the second planar surface of the planar first part. The first part may be reversible between a first orientation in which the first pair of seat surfaces are exposed for use as a cutting edge and the second pair of seat surfaces abut seat surfaces of the jaw, and a second orientation in which the second pair of seat surfaces are exposed for use as a cutting edge and the first pair of seat surfaces abut the seat surfaces of the jaw
Upper jaw 14 may include a replaceable piercing tip 18. Piercing tip 18 may be arranged to cover a lower piercing portion of upper jaw 14. Piercing tip 18 may protect upper jaw 14 and form cutting edges and contact surfaces that cooperates with a cutting edge of lower jaw 12 for piercing and cutting an object (e.g., a metal beam) placed between the jaws. Piercing tip 18 may be formed of a material sufficient to withstand high piercing and cutting forces, such as a hard metal (e.g., hardened steel).
As shown in
The extent of outer surfaces 23, 24, 25, 26 may define an outer cutting edge of piercing tip 18. As shown in
As shown in
In exemplary embodiment, first part 22 may be secured to upper jaw 14 to cover one side of lower piercing portion 32. In securing first part 20 to upper jaw 14, first part 20 may be configured to fit in a first cutout region formed by upper jaw 14 such that inner surface 48 abuts first side surface 34 and seat surface 50 abuts adjacent seat surfaces 42. In certain embodiments, seat surface 50 may also abut a surface 29 of collar member 28. A dowel 54 may be positioned in cavities 44 and 51 to align first part 20 with upper jaw 14.
First part 20 may also include attachment holes 56 configured to receive a portion of a bolt 30. Some attachment holes 56 may be through-holes extension from outer surface 24 to inner surface 48 and configured to receive an upper end of a bolt 30. The through-holes may include corresponding cavities in outer surface 24 that are configured to receive a head portion of a bolt 30. Other attachment holes 56 may be threaded holes configured to receive a threaded lower end of a bolt 30.
As shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, projecting portion 60 may extend from planar portion 58 towards first part 20 (e.g., when connected to upper jaw 14). Projecting portion 60 may include an upper surface 68 and a projecting surface 70, together defining projecting portion 60 with portions of outer surface 25 and the bottom surface. Upper surface 68 may be sized and shaped to correspond to lower surface 38 of upper jaw 14. For example, upper surface 68 may be curved to match a curved lower surface 38. A cavity 72 may be formed in projecting surface 70. In some embodiments, a radiused corner 67 may be formed between inner surface 62 and upper surface 68 of projecting portion 60 of second part 22. Radiused corner 67 may correspond to a chamfered corner 39 of upper jaw 14 (as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, second part 22 may be secured to upper jaw 14 to cover at least two sides of lower piercing portion 32. In securing second part 22 to upper jaw 14 and first part 20, second part 22 may be configured to fit in a second cutout region formed by upper jaw 14 such that inner surface 62 abuts second side surface 36, seat surface 64 abuts seat surface 42, upper surface 68 abuts lower surface 38, and projecting surface 70 abuts a portion of inner surface 48 of first part 22. In an exemplary embodiment, upper surface 68 may be sized and shaped to cover the entire lower surface 38. A dowel 74 may be positioned in cavities 46 and 66 to align second part 22 with upper jaw 14. Similarly, a dowel 76 may be positioned in cavities 52 and 72 to align first part 20 with second part 22.
Second part 22 may also include attachment holes 56, each configured to receive a portion of a bolt 30. As with first part 20, some attachment holes 56 of second part 22 may include through-holes extension from outer surface 26 to inner surface 62 and configured to receive an upper end of a bolt 30. The through-holes may include corresponding cavities in outer surface 24 that are configured to receive a head portion of a bolt 30. Other attachment holes 56 may be threaded holes configured to receive a threaded lower end of a bolt 30.
In an exemplary embodiment, bolts 30 may extend through attachment holes 56 and through-holes 43 of upper jaw 14 to secure first part 20 and second part 22 to each other and upper jaw 14. As shown in
In securing piercing tip 18A to upper jaw 14A, first part 20A and second part 22A may be positioned to abut a lower piercing portion of upper jaw 14A in the same manner that first part 20 and second part 22 abut upper jaw 14, as described above. In addition, inner surface 82 may abut and cover a front surface of upper jaw 14A. In this way, second part 221 be secured to upper jaw 14A to cover at least three sides of lower piercing portion 32. Upper seat surface 64A may abut a seat surface 42 of upper jaw 14A, including a seat surface 42 that extends around a front of upper jaw 14A. In this way, upper seat surface 64A, together with a seat surface 50 of first part 20A (shown only in
In an exemplary disclosed embodiment, first part 120 may be similar to first part 20. For example, first part 120 may be a planar component, defined by an outer surface 124, an inner surface 148, and a plurality of seat surfaces 150. However, first part 120 may differ from first part 20 in that first part 120 is symmetrical. For example, as shown in
Second part 122 may be similar to second part 22, including a planar portion 158 defined at least in part by an outer surface 126, an inner surface 162 and a seat surface 164, and a projecting portion 160 defined at least in part by an upper surface 168 and a projecting surface 170. Inner surface 162 and projecting surface 170 may include cavities 166 and 172, respectively. A radiused corner 167 may be formed between inner surface 162 and upper surface 168 of projecting portion 60 of second part 122. In an exemplary disclosed embodiment, second part 122 may differ from second part 22 only in attachment holes 156 formed between outer surface 126 and inner surface 162. For example, each attachment hole 156 in second part 122 may be a through-hole configured to receive an upper end of a bolt 30 (instead of some attachment holes 156 being threaded holes configured to receive a threaded lower end of a bolt 30, as with second part 22). However, it should be understood that attachment holes 156 may be arranged in other configuration (e.g., such that second part 122 is identical to second part 22). In some embodiments, second part 122 may include an extension portion (not shown) that is similar to extension portion 80 depicted in
First part 120 and second part 122 may be secured to upper jaw 14 and each other in a manner similar to that described above with respect to first part 20 and 22. In particular, first part 120 may be positioned in a first cutout region formed by upper jaw 14 such that inner surface 148 abuts first side surface 34 and some of seat surfaces 150 (e.g., seat surfaces 150A) abut corresponding seat surfaces 42. In some embodiments, a portion of a seat surface 150 may also abut surface 29 of collar member 28. A dowel 54 may be positioned in cavities 44 and 151 to align first part 120 with upper jaw 14.
In addition, second part 122 may be configured to fit in a second cutout region formed by upper jaw 14 such that inner surface 162 abuts second side surface 36, seat surface 164 abuts seat surface 42, upper surface 168 abuts lower surface 38, and projecting surface 170 abuts a portion of inner surface 148 of first part 120. Dowel 74 may be positioned in cavities 46 and 166 to align second part 122 with upper jaw 14. Similarly, dowel 76 may be positioned in cavities 152A and 172 to align first part 120 with second part 122.
In an exemplary disclosed embodiment, the symmetry of first part 120 allows it to be reversible. In other words, first part 120 may be configured to be secured in the corresponding cutout region of upper jaw 14 in more than one orientation. In a first orientation, first part 120 may be arranged such that seat surfaces 150A abut seat surfaces 42 of upper jaw 14, as described above. In this orientation, seat surfaces 150B are exposed for use as a cutting edge during operation of shear 10. In a second orientation, first part 120 may be rotated 180° and positioned such that seat surfaces 150B abut seat surfaces 42. In this orientation, seat surfaces 150A are exposed for use as a cutting edge during operation of shear 10. As described above, in the first orientation, dowel 76 may be positioned in cavity 152A, with cavity 152B unused (except for receipt of a portion of a bolt 30). In the second orientation, however, the positions may be reversed, and dowel 76 may be positioned in cavity 152B, with cavity 152A unused (except for a portion of a holt 30). In some embodiments, a washer or spacer (now shown) may be placed in the unused cavity 152A or 152B.
In an exemplary embodiment, bolts 30 may extend through attachment holes 156 and through-holes 43 of upper jaw 14 to secure first part 120 and second part 122 to each other and upper jaw 14. As shown in
The exemplary disclosed piercing tips may be applicable to any shear that includes demolition shears and scrap shears. As disclosed herein, a piercing tip may be removably secured to an upper jaw of a shear to protect a lower piercing portion and provide sufficient strength to withstand forces associated with a shearing operation. In addition, various features of the exemplary disclosed piercing tips may provide for secure attachment, ease of replacement, and increased part life, among other advantages. Exemplary processes for attachment and use of the exemplary disclosed piercing tips will now be described.
In order to secure piercing tip 18 to upper jaw 14, first part 20 may be positioned in a corresponding cutout region formed by upper jaw 14. Dowel 54 may be positioned in cavities 44 and 51 such that first part 20 may be aligned with upper jaw 14 and moved into the correct position. Second part 22 may also be positioned in a corresponding cutout region formed on an opposing side of upper jaw 14. Dowel 74 may be positioned in cavities 46 and 66 such that second part 22 may be correctly aligned and positioned with respect upper jaw 14. Dowel 76 may be positioned in cavities 52 and 72 to ensure that first part 20 with is correctly aligned and positioned with respect to second part 22.
As shown in
A process for positioning and securing an alternative piercing tip 18A may be substantially the same as the process for securing piercing tip 18. However, piercing tip 18A may be positioned such that extension portion 80 covers a front of lower piercing portion and abuts an additional seat surface 42 adjacent the front surface.
After the first part 20 and second part 22 are positioned and secured via bolts 30, piercing tip 18 may be ready to be used for shearing operations. For example, hydraulic controls may be operated to move upper jaw 14 in relation to lower jaw 12. Upper jaw 14 may pivot towards lower jaw 12 until piercing tip 18 enters lower jaw 12, shearing an object placed therebetween. In the process of shearing an object, pressure forces may be transferred from shearing tip 18 to upper jaw 14. In particular, forces on the cutting surfaces of piercing tip 18 may primarily be transferred to upper jaw 14 through the engaging contact of upper surface 68 with lower surface 38 and seat surfaces 50 and 64 with seat surfaces 42. Piercing tip 18 may be tightly secured to upper jaw 14 such that transfer of these forces is distributed across the surfaces.
Piercing tip 118 may be attached and used in the same manner as piercing tip 118. In addition, piercing tip 118 may be used in a process to reverse the orientation of first part 120. For example, piercing tip 118 may be secured to upper jaw 14 with seat surfaces 150A abutting seat surfaces 42 and seat surfaces 150B exposed. While in this position, piercing tip 118 may be repeatedly used in shearing operations, such as those described above. As a result, parts of piercing tip in contact with the objects being sheared (e.g., cutting edges adjacent seat surfaces 150B) may become worn. Subsequently, first part 120 may be removed from upper jaw 14, rotated 180°, and repositioned in a second orientation with seat surfaces 150B abutting seat surfaces 42 and seat surfaces 150A exposed, in this way, unworn edges may be exposed for shearing operations and the life of first part 120 may be extended.
The configuration of the exemplary disclosed piercing tips 18, 18A, and 118 for attachment and use in the exemplary processes described above may provide several advantages. For example, use of alignment dowels allows for ease of attachment, correct positioning, and tight securement of each part of the piercing tip to the upper jaw. Further, the configuration of a second part to extend and cover an entire lower surface of a lower piercing portion avoids contact of the two parts directly beneath the lower surface of the upper jaw, allowing transferred forces to be spread across a single, large surface. In addition, the positioning of a bolt through the projecting portion of the second part allows for direct connection of the two parts and improved securement of the piercing tip.
The alternative features and embodiments may also provide advantages over previous piercing tip designs. For example, use of an extension portion to cover the front portion of the upper jaw may further protect the upper jaw. In addition, the extension portion may allow for abutment of seat surfaces on a third (front) side of the upper jaw, further spreading out the transfer of forces from the piercing tip to the upper jaw. In an embodiment in which the first part of the piercing tip is reversible, aspects such as ease of attachment and part life may also be improved.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the piercing tip of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure, Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, additional embodiments may combine and incorporate features depicted in the various disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.