Abstract: An end link for use with heavy equipment includes a body and a swivel ball bushing. The body has first and second openings and defines a main body plane. The first opening has a slot located on a side thereof proximate the second opening and a truncated substantially spherical inner surface. The swivel ball bushing is seated within the first opening. The swivel ball bushing has a truncated substantially spherical outer surface in nesting engagement with the inner surface of the body and a projection at one end seated in the slot. The projection and slot are shaped to allow rotation of the swivel ball bushing relative to the body in two opposing directions about one axis of rotation or two mutually perpendicular axes of rotation.

Abstract: A repair link for chain comprises a body and first and second loop sections. The body has a longitudinal axis. The first loop section extends from the body and defines a first loop opening with a first loop axis extending normal to the first loop opening. The second loop section extends from the body opposite the first loop section. The second loop section defines a second loop opening with a second loop axis extending normal to second loop opening. The first loop axis and the second loop axis are non-parallel. Each of the first and second loop sections has a removable loop segment. Each removable loop segment is removable to open the respective loop opening to couple the repair link to another link of chain, and reassembleable with the respective loop section in a locked position to secure the removable loop segment and enclose the respective loop opening.

Abstract: A stud end link comprises a main body having first and second openings and a swivel ball bushing. The first opening and swivel ball each have truncated spherical surfaces to allow the swivel ball to be seated within the first opening, while permitting the swivel ball to pivot a limited amount about a lateral axis within the first opening. The first opening includes a slot to facilitate installation and removal of the swivel ball. In some implementations, the swivel ball includes a tab which matingly fits within the slot to prevent rotation of the swivel ball about an axis perpendicular to the main body.

Abstract: A locking device that connects to a grooved end of a dragline pin includes a lock block and a lock pin. The lock block has a through opening sized to receive the end of the pin. There is a bore formed in the lock block and transversely intersecting the through opening which is dimensioned to receive the lock pin. The lock pin is configured to pass through a portion of the grooved end of a received dragline pin received in the through opening to lock the dragline pin and any attached dragline component.

Abstract: A readily releasable wedge assembly for holding a wire rope in a socket comprises first and second wedge components and a release assembly. The first and second wedge components are joined together adjacent respective first ends thereof at a pin connection. The first and second wedge components have respective second ends opposite the first ends, which are spaced from the first ends in a longitudinal direction. The first and second wedge components are pivotable relative to each other about the pin connection and together define an outer periphery shaped to receive a wire rope. The release assembly is positioned between the second ends of the wedge components. The release assembly is threadedly actuatable to release the first and second wedge components from an expanded position and reconfigure the wedge assembly into a contracted position allowing the wedge assembly to be removed from a socket.

Abstract: A readily releasable wedge assembly for holding a wire rope in a socket comprises first and second wedge components and a release assembly. The first and second wedge components are joined together adjacent respective first ends thereof at a pin connection. The first and second wedge components have respective second ends opposite the first ends, which are spaced from the first ends in a longitudinal direction. The first and second wedge components are pivotable relative to each other about the pin connection and together define an outer periphery shaped to receive a wire rope. The release assembly is positioned between the second ends of the wedge components. The release assembly is threadedly actuatable to release the first and second wedge components from an expanded position and reconfigure the wedge assembly into a contracted position allowing the wedge assembly to be removed from a socket.

Abstract: A locking device that connects to a grooved end of a dragline pin includes a lock block and a lock pin. The lock block has a through opening sized to receive the end of the pin. There is a bore formed in the lock block and transversely intersecting the through opening which is dimensioned to receive the lock pin. The lock pin is configured to pass through a portion of the grooved end of a received dragline pin received in the through opening to lock the dragline pin and any attached dragline component.

Abstract: A dump block with a self-adjusting bearing includes two side sections, a sheave with a peripheral groove and a central bore, a bearing assembly, and a sheave pin. The sheave pin has a first end with a shoulder, a second end with a threaded portion, and a bearing support section of a predetermined length extending between the first and second ends. The sheave pin is positioned within the bearing assembly and adjusted by urging the sheave pin to translate in the direction of the second end. A fastener is secured to the threaded section at a location between the two side sections.

Abstract: A coupling link for connecting chain includes a generally C-shaped link member, a lock member, and a securing member. The C-shaped link member defines an interior opening and has first and second opposing ends that are spaced from each other by a gap. The lock member is shaped to couple the first and second ends together. The securing member is operable to secure the lock member to the link member and to urge the first and second ends of the link member closer together.

Abstract: A chain link has a substantially centrally located juncture section with a first eye portion integrally connected to one end of the juncture section and a second eye portion integrally connected to the opposite end of the juncture section. The eye portions extend longitudinally outwardly from opposite ends of the juncture section and are disposed at a substantial angle relative to each other at opposite ends of the link. Such link may be connected to contiguous links to form a segment of a chain, with all of the links in a segment of chain thus produced having substantially the same orientation when the chain is held straight.

Abstract: A chain link has a substantially centrally located juncture section with a first eye portion integrally connected to one end of the juncture section and a second eye portion integrally connected to the opposite end of the juncture section. The eye portions extend longitudinally outwardly from opposite ends of the juncture section and are disposed at a substantial angle relative to each other at opposite ends of the link. Such link may be connected to contiguous links to form a segment of a chain, with all of the links in a segment of chain thus produced having substantially the same orientation when the chain is held straight.

Abstract: A chain link has a substantially centrally located juncture section with a first eye portion integrally connected to one end of the juncture section and a second eye portion integrally connected to the opposite end of the juncture section. The eye portions extend longitudinally outwardly from opposite ends of the juncture section and are disposed at a substantial angle relative to each other at opposite ends of the link. Such link may be connected to contiguous links to form a segment of a chain, with all of the links in a segment of chain thus produced having substantially the same orientation when the chain is held straight.

Abstract: A chain link comprising a shank portion connected to a pair of eye portions at each end of the shank so as to form a dog-bone shape with eyelets at the ends. The eyelets are formed by a Y-shaped root section that is connected to a half-torus-shaped hat section. The cross-section profile of the shank portion is round, square, or, alternatively, an I-beam shape. The eye portions include an inner portion having an arcuate inner surface and an outer portion being substantially rectangular in cross-section. The chain link is preferably made of a high-strength alloy steel and is especially well-suited for use in dragline hoist chains.

Abstract: A cable socket wedge has two wedge halves held apart by at least three blocks, such that cutting the blocks allows the wedge halves to collapse inward, loosening the wedge and cable in the socket. Crushable inserts are located in the spaces between adjacent pairs of the blocks, between the wedge halves so as to provide sufficient crushable volume to allow the wedge halves to move toward each other when the blocks are cut. The wedge is employed with a socket having a window therein. The window is positioned in the socket such that, with a properly sized cable and wedge, the central of the three blocks is accessible through the window in the socket when a cable is secured and tightened with the wedge in the socket.

Abstract: A lock system removably connects an earth-engaging tooth point to an adapter. The lock system is particularly suited to tooth points for large excavating buckets, such as dragline buckets. The forward-extending nose of the adapter fits within the rear-facing socket of the tooth point. Ears extend back from the tooth point on both sides of the adapter and define apertures adapted to receive pins. A hole in the adapter is also adapted to receive the pins. The pins extend through the apertures and into the hole, thus fixedly connecting the tooth point to the adapter. To remove the tooth point, both pins can be driven into the adapter hole and housed there concurrently. The tooth point can then be removed and the pins later driven out of the hole. A lock system also connects a main body pin to a rigging part. The lock system is particularly suited to large rigging parts, such as for draglines.

Abstract: A lock system removably connects an earth-engaging tooth point to an adapter. The forward-extending nose of the adapter fits within the rear-facing socket of the tooth point. A pair of opposing sides of the socket defines coaxial apertures. The adaptor has a hole through opposing sides. A locking pin is inserted into the apertures and the hole, thus fixedly connecting the tooth point to the adapter. The locking pin is retained by a keeper situated in an annular groove within one of the apertures.

Abstract: An elongated chain link comprising a pair of opposing U-shaped end portions connected by a pair of parallel leg portions. The leg portions are connected to each other by a pair of crosswise tie-bars situated toward the end portions approximately equally offset from the cross-axial centerline of the link. Additional crosswise tie-bars may be added to prevent the legs of the link from collapsing together when a large side-load is applied to the link. The leg portions are substantially square in cross section, while the end portions comprise an inner portion having an arcuate inner surface and an outer portion being substantially rectangular in cross-section. The chain link is preferably made of a high-strength cast alloy steel and is especially well-suited for use in dragline drag and hoist chains.

Abstract: A lock system removably connects an earthengaging tooth point to an adapter. The lock system is particularly suited to tooth points for large excavating buckets, such as dragline buckets. The forward-extending nose of the adapter fits within the rear-facing socket of the tooth point. Ears extend back from the tooth point on both sides of the adapter and define apertures adapted to receive pins. A hole in the adapter is also adapted to receive the pins. The pins extend through the apertures and into the hole, thus fixedly connecting the tooth point to the adapter. To remove the tooth point, both pins can be driven into the adapter hole and housed there concurrently. The tooth point can then be removed and the pins later driven out of the hole.