ANTI-TIPPING RETAINER FOR A RETAINING MECHANISM

Abstract

An anti-tipping retainer has a lug receiving portion defining a lug receiving slot that extends partially through the lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall. A drive portion has recess for turning the retainer. At least a first detent receiving surface is disposed on the outside of the lug receiving portion proximate to the first sidewall or the second sidewall. The drive portion further includes a tab that has a bearing surface extending between a first stop surface and a second stop surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to retaining mechanisms employed on work implement assemblies such as bucket assemblies used by earth moving, mining, construction equipment and the like for attaching a tip to an adapter of the work implement assembly. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an anti-tipping retainer used in such retaining mechanisms that may be less prone to becoming cocked or tipped in the tip.

BACKGROUND

Machines such as wheel loaders, excavators, and the like employ work implement assemblies including bucket assemblies, rakes, shears, etc. that have teeth or tips attached to them to help perform work on a material such as dirt, rock, sand, etc. For example, teeth or tips may be attached to a bucket assembly to help the bucket assembly to penetrate the ground, facilitating the scooping of the dirt into a bucket. Adapters are often attached to the work edges (e.g. the base edge, the side edge, etc.) of the bucket or other work implement so that different styles of teeth or tips may be attached to the work implement. Also, the tips or teeth may be replaced easily when worn by providing a retaining mechanism that is used to selectively hold the tip onto the adapter or to allow the tip be removed from the adapter.

Such a retaining mechanism such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,762,015 that includes a retainer with a tab that is rotated 180 degrees from a locking position to an unlocking position where a tip or the like may be removed from the adapter. This process may be reversed after a new or repaired tip is to be attached to the adapter once more. During the locking and unlocking of the retainer, the retainer may become undesirably cocked or tipped.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An anti-tipping retainer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a lug receiving portion defining a first maximum outside dimension. The lug receiving portion may also define a lug receiving slot that extends partially through the lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall. A drive portion may define a second maximum outside dimension, and at least a first detent receiving surface may be disposed on the outside of the lug receiving portion proximate to the first sidewall or the second sidewall. The drive portion may further include a tab extending from the drive portion. The tab may include a first stop surface, a second stop surface, and a bearing surface extending between the first stop surface and the second stop surface.

An anti-tipping retainer according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a cylindrical lug receiving portion including an outside cylindrical surface defining a radial direction, a circumferential direction, and a cylindrical axis, and defining an outside cylindrical surface diameter. The cylindrical lug receiving portion may also define a lug receiving slot that extends radially partially through the cylindrical lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall. A drive cylindrical portion may define a drive cylindrical portion diameter that is less than the outside cylindrical surface diameter, and at least a first detent receiving surface may be disposed on the outside of the cylindrical lug receiving portion proximate to the first sidewall or the second sidewall. The drive cylindrical portion further may include a tab extending radially from the drive cylindrical portion, the tab including a first stop surface, a second stop surface, and an arcuate bearing surface extending between the first stop surface and the second stop surface that is radially interposed between the drive cylindrical portion and the outside cylindrical surface.

A tip assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a tip that includes a body that defines a longitudinal axis, a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a lateral axis that is perpendicular to the vertical axis and the longitudinal axis. The body may include a forward working portion disposed along the longitudinal axis including a closed end, and a rear attachment portion disposed along the longitudinal axis including an open end. The rear attachment portion may define an exterior surface, an adapter nose receiving pocket extending longitudinally from the open end, a retaining mechanism receiving aperture in communication with the adapter nose receiving pocket and the exterior surface, an adapter nose lug receiving groove extending longitudinally from the open end to the retaining mechanism receiving aperture, and an anti-tipping retainer disposed in the retaining mechanism receiving aperture. The retaining mechanism receiving aperture may include a counterbore including a counterbore surface defining a counterbore maximum diameter, a radial direction, a counterbore longitudinal axis, and a thru-hole defining a thru-hole surface, and a thru-hole minimum diameter that is less than the counterbore maximum diameter. The anti-tipping retainer may include an arcuate bearing surface that is disposed along the counterbore longitudinal axis radially proximate to the thru-hole surface at the thru-hole minimum diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work implement assembly such as a bucket assembly using retaining mechanisms with an anti-tipping retainer configured according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tip and adapter subassembly of FIG. 1, shown in isolation from the work implement assembly of FIG. 1, showing an anti-tipping retainer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the tip of FIG. 2 without the adapter, showing a retaining mechanism and its components according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in an unlocked configuration.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the of the retainer of FIG. 2, showing the retainer being rotated from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration, and vice versa.

FIG. 5 is a rear sectional view of the retaining mechanism and adapter of FIG. 4 illustrating the assembly of the retainer and retainer sleeve into the tip.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the anti-tipping retainer of FIG. 2 shown in isolation.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the anti-tipping retainer of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the anti-tipping retainer of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the anti-tipping retainer of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the anti-tipping retainer of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a right side view of the anti-tipping retainer of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a left side view of the anti-tipping retainer of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In some cases, a reference number will be indicated in this specification and the drawings will show the reference number followed by a letter for example, 100a, 100b or a prime indicator such as 100′, 100″ etc. It is to be understood that the use of letters or primes immediately after a reference number indicates that these features are similarly shaped and have similar function such as is often the case when geometry is mirrored about a plane of symmetry. For ease of explanation in this specification, letters or primes will often not be included herein but may be shown in the drawings to indicate duplications of features discussed within this written specification.

A work implement assembly using tip assemblies and an anti-tipping retainer according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussed.

Starting with FIG. 1, the work implement assembly 100 may take the form of a bucket assembly 100′ that may be used by a wheel loader and that includes an enclosure 101 that defines an opening 102 that communicates with a generally enclosed interior. Starting from the rear of the bucket assembly 100 as shown in FIG. 1, the bucket assembly 100 includes a curved shell profile 104, which is attached to a rear wall 106 at the top end of the shell 104. The other end of the shell is attached to the bottom plate 108 of the assembly 100. A top plate 110 is attached to the top end of the rear wall 106. The top plate 110 transitions to a spill guard 112 that is designed to funnel material into the interior of the bucket and prevent material from spilling out of the bucket. Reinforcing ribs 119 are provided that are attached to the top plate 110 and the spill guard 112, providing reinforcement for strength. Two substantially flat end plates 114 are attached to the side edges of the spill guard 112, top plate 110, rear wall 106, bottom plate 108 and shell 104.

A side edge assembly 115 is attached to each end plate 114 while a front edge assembly 116 is attached to the front edge of the bottom plate 108 of the bucket assembly 100. The front edge assembly 116 includes a base edge 117 that is attached to the bottom plate 108, a plurality of center adapters 118 attached to the base edge 117, and a plurality of tips 200 (may also be referred to as tools, teeth, etc.) with each one of the plurality of tips 200 being attached to one of the plurality of center adapters 118. Also, two corner adapters 120 are also attached to the base edge and the side edges 122 of the bucket assembly 100′. Tip 200 may also be attached to the corner adapters 120.

Moreover, a plurality of base edge protectors 124 are also provided with each one of the base edge protectors 124 positioned between center adapters 120 and between a center adapter 120 and a corner adapter 120. A side edge protector 126 is also provided that is attached to the side edge 122 proximate to a corner adapter 120.

It is to be understood that the work implement assembly may take other forms other than a bucket assembly including rake assemblies, shear assemblies, etc. In addition, a differently configured bucket that is meant to be used by an excavator may also use various embodiments of a tip, retaining mechanism, retainer, adapter, tip assembly, and tip and adapter assembly, etc. as will be discussed herein.

A tip 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 2 thru 5 that may be used with an anti-tipping retainer 300 to form a tip assembly 400 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Starting with FIGS. 2 thru 5, the tip 200 may comprise a body 202 that defines a longitudinal axis 204, a vertical axis 206 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 204, and a lateral axis 208 that is perpendicular to the vertical axis 206, and the longitudinal axis 204. The body 202 may include a forward working portion 210 disposed along the longitudinal axis 204 including a closed end 212, and a rear attachment portion 214 disposed along the longitudinal axis 204 including an open end 216.

Focusing on FIG. 3, the rear attachment portion 214 defines an exterior surface 218, an adapter nose receiving pocket 220 extending longitudinally from the open end 216, and a retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222 in communication with the adapter nose receiving pocket 220 and the exterior surface 218. An adapter nose lug receiving groove 224 may extend longitudinally from the open end 216 to the retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222. At least one retainer sleeve receiving slot 226 may be in communication with the retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222 and the adapter nose receiving pocket 220. More specifically, the at least one retainer sleeve receiving slot 226 may be in communication with a counterbore 228 (see FIG. 5) that forms part of the retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222.

FIGS. 3 thru 5 show the anti-tipping retainer 300 may be disposed in the retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222, and may be rotated from an unlocked configuration such as shown in FIG. 3 to an locked configuration, and vice versa. A plastic spring member 230 (may also be referred to as a retainer sleeve) may be disposed in the at least one retainer sleeve receiving slot 226 that engages the anti-tipping retainer 300 to help prevent the unintentional rotation of the anti-tipping retainer 300 via detents.

Now, the tip assembly 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 thru 12.

Starting with FIGS. 3 and 5, the anti-tipping retainer 300 may be disposed in the retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222. More particularly, the retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222 may include a counterbore 228 that holds the anti-tipping retainer 300.

Focusing on FIG. 5, the counter bore 228 may define a counterbore surface 232 having a counterbore maximum diameter 234, a radial direction 236, a counterbore longitudinal axis 238, and a thru-hole 240 including a thru-hole surface 242 defining a thru-hole minimum diameter 244 that is less than the counterbore maximum diameter 234. As seen in FIG. 4, the anti-tipping retainer 300 includes an arcuate bearing surface 302 (may also be referred to as an arcuate guide surface) that is disposed radially and axially proximate to the thru-hole surface 242 at its thru-hole minimum diameter 244. Other configurations of these various features are possible in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the arcuate bearing surface 302 may be spaced away from the thru-hole surface 242 a radial clearance distance 246 ranging from 0 mm to 6.0 mm. As a result of this structure, tipping or cocking of the anti-tipping retainer may be reduced as the arcuate bearing surface contacts the thru-hole surface, limiting the angular displacement of the retainer.

Looking at FIGS. 5 and 8 together, the arcuate bearing surface 302 defines an arcuate bearing surface area 304. In some embodiments, the arcuate bearing surface area 304 ranges from 30.0 mm² to 500.0 mm². It should be noted that the arcuate bearing surface area is shown to be reduced by detent grooves (hereinafter referred to as detent receiving surfaces). This may not be the case in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Further details of the anti-tipping retainer 300 are shown in FIGS. 5 thru 12. The anti-tipping retainer 300 may include a cylindrical lug receiving portion 306 including an outside cylindrical surface 308, and defining an outside cylindrical surface diameter 310 (see FIG. 7). The cylindrical lug receiving portion 306 may also define a lug receiving slot 312 that extends radially partially through the cylindrical lug receiving portion 306, forming a first sidewall 314, a second sidewall 316, and a catch surface 318 connecting the first sidewall 314 to the second sidewall 316 (see FIGS. 3, 5, 8, and 12). The anti-tipping retainer 300 may also include a drive cylindrical portion 320 defining a drive cylindrical portion diameter 322 (see FIG. 7) that is less than the outside cylindrical surface diameter 310, and at least a first detent receiving surface 324 disposed on the outside of the cylindrical lug receiving portion 306 proximate to the first sidewall 314 or the second sidewall 316 (see FIG. 8).

Looking at FIGS. 6 and 7, the drive cylindrical portion 320 may further include a tab 326 extending radially past the cylindrical portion diameter 322. The tab 326 may include a first stop surface 328, and a second stop surface 330 that both abut the tip 200 to limit the amount of rotation of the anti-tipping retainer 300 (see also FIG. 4). The arcuate bearing surface 302 may extend circumferentially from the first stop surface 320 to the second stop surface 330 when not interrupted by the detent receiving surfaces 324 (see FIG. 11). The arcuate bearing surface 302 may be interrupted by the at least first detent receiving surface 324 that may extend axially completely through the tab 326. Also, the arcuate bearing surface 302 may be radially interposed between the drive cylindrical portion 320 and the outside cylindrical surface 308.

As best seen in FIG. 11, the drive cylindrical portion 320 defines a first axial height 332 along the counterbore longitudinal axis 238, the tab 326 defines a second axial height 334 along the counterbore longitudinal axis 238 that is the same as the first axial height 332. Consequently, the tab 326 and the drive cylindrical portion 320 are axially flush with each other. This may not be the case in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

In certain embodiments as shown in FIG. 7, the outside cylindrical surface diameter 310 may range from 30.0 mm to 80.0 mm, while the drive cylindrical portion diameter 320 may range from 20.0 mm to 80.0 mm. Also, the tab 326 may extend radially from the drive cylindrical portion 320 radially past the cylindrical portion diameter 322 a radial distance 336 ranging from 3.0 mm to 10.0 mm.

The arcuate bearing surface 302 may defines an arcuate bearing surface angular extent 338 about the counterbore longitudinal axis 238 ranging from 15.0 degrees to 50.0 degrees in some embodiments.

The drive cylindrical portion 320 may define a rectangular shaped recess 340 that is centered on the counterbore longitudinal axis 238. The at least first detent surface 324 may include a groove surface 342 that extends along the counterbore longitudinal axis 238 completely through the cylindrical lug receiving portion 306. The arcuate bearing surface 302 may disposed at least partially diametrically opposite to the groove surface 342 in some but not necessarily all embodiments of the present disclosure. The anti-tipping retainer 300 may be configured to be accessible from the exterior surface 218 of the tip so that a user may use a tool to drive or rotate the spring loaded retainer from an unlocked to a locked configuration, or vice versa.

Referring back to FIGS. 4 and 5, the tip 200 may define at least one retainer sleeve receiving slot 226 that is in communication with the counterbore 228. The tip assembly 400 may further comprising a plastic spring member 230 that is disposed in the counterbore 228 and that engages the groove surface 342 via a plastic protuberance for preventing the unintentional rotation of anti-tipping retainer 300. The detent receiving surface may be a flat surface in certain embodiments of the present disclosure, and the plastic spring member may be replaced with one or more metallic springs, etc.

Focusing now on FIGS. 6 thru 12, an anti-tipping retainer 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that may be provided as a replacement part will be discussed.

Focusing on FIG. 7, the anti-tipping retainer 300 may include a lug receiving portion 306′ defining a first maximum outside dimension 310′. The lug receiving portion 306′ may also define a lug receiving slot 312 that extends partially through the lug receiving portion 306′, forming a first sidewall 314, a second sidewall 316, and a catch surface 318 connecting the first sidewall 314 to the second sidewall. The first and the second sidewalls may be flat, conical, etc. The catch surface may be arcuate such as cylindrical, conical, etc.

The anti-tipping retainer 300 may also include a drive portion 320′ defining a second maximum outside dimension 322′, and at least a first detent receiving surface 324 disposed on the outside of the lug receiving portion 306′ that is disposed proximate to the first sidewall 314 or the second sidewall 316. Other configurations are possible in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

The drive portion 320′ may further include a tab 326 extending from the drive portion 326. The tab 326 may include a first stop surface 328, a second stop surface 330, and a bearing surface 302′ (may also be referred to as a guide surface) extending (e.g. circumferentially, axially) between the first stop surface 328 and the second stop surface 330. The first stop surface and the second stop surface may be configured to contact the tip to prevent the anti-tipping retainer from being over rotated while the bearing surface may provide enough surface area such that the anti-tipping retainer is not prone to become cocked in the tip.

As alluded to earlier herein, the lug receiving portion 306′ may include a cylindrical lug receiving portion 306 including an outside cylindrical surface 308 defining a radial direction 344, a circumferential direction 346, and a cylindrical axis 348. The first maximum outside dimension 310′ may be an outside cylindrical surface diameter 310, while the drive portion 320′ may include a drive cylindrical portion 320 and the second maximum outside dimension 322′ may be a drive cylindrical portion diameter 322 that is less than the outside cylindrical surface diameter 310 of the cylindrical lug receiving portion 306.

In order to provide enough guidance as shown in FIGS. 7, 9, and 12, the bearing surface 302′ may be an arcuate bearing surface 302 (complimentarily shaped to the hole in the tip) that is radially interposed between the outside cylindrical surface 308 and the drive cylindrical portion 320. The arcuate bearing surface 302 may define an arcuate bearing surface area 304. In addition, the arcuate bearing surface area may range from 30.0 mm² to 80.0 mm², while the arcuate bearing surface 302 may define an arcuate bearing surface angular extent 338 about the cylindrical axis 348 that may range from 15.0 degrees to 50.0 degrees.

The drive portion 320′ may defines a rectangular shaped recess 340 (e.g. square, etc.) that is centered on the cylindrical axis 348. Other configurations are possible in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Also as best seen in FIG. 7, the at least first detent surface 324 may include a groove surface 342 extending axially completely through the lug receiving portion 306′, and the arcuate bearing surface 302 may be disposed at least partially diametrically opposite to the groove surface 342. Similarly, a first blend surface 352 may connect the arcuate bearing surface 302 to the first stop surface 328, and a second blend surface 352′ may connect the arcuate bearing surface 302 to the second stop surface 330. These blend surfaces are not included when calculating the surface area, angular extent, etc. of the arcuate bearing surface. Again, other configurations are possible in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Another embodiment of an anti-tipping retainer 300 of the present disclosure that may be provided as a replacement part will now be described with continued reference to FIGS. 6 thru 12.

The anti-tipping retainer 300 may comprise a cylindrical lug receiving portion 306 may include an outside cylindrical surface 308 defining a radial direction 344, a circumferential direction 346, and a cylindrical axis 348. The anti-tipping retainer 300 may define an outside cylindrical surface diameter 310, and the cylindrical lug receiving portion 306 may also define a lug receiving slot 312 that extends radially partially through the cylindrical lug receiving portion 306, forming a first sidewall 314, a second sidewall 316, and a catch surface 318 connecting the first sidewall 314 to the second sidewall 316.

The anti-tipping retainer 300 may also have a drive cylindrical portion 320 defining a drive cylindrical portion diameter 322 that is less than the outside cylindrical surface diameter 310, and at least a first detent receiving surface 324 disposed on the outside of the cylindrical lug receiving portion 306 proximate to the first sidewall 314 or the second sidewall 316.

The drive cylindrical portion 320 may further include a tab 326 extending radially from the drive cylindrical portion 320. The tab 326 may include a first stop surface 328, a second stop surface 330, and an arcuate bearing surface 302 extending between the first stop surface 328 and the second stop surface 330 that is radially interposed between the drive cylindrical portion 320 and the outside cylindrical surface 308.

Also, the drive cylindrical portion 320 may define a first axial height 332, the tab 326 may define a second axial height 334 that is the same as the first axial height 332, forming a flush front face of the drive portion 320′, but not necessarily so. The outside cylindrical surface diameter 310 may range from 30.0 mm to 80.0 mm, while the drive cylindrical portion diameter 322 may range from 20.0 mm to 50.0 mm in certain embodiments. The tab 326 may extend radially from the drive cylindrical portion 320 a radial distance 336 ranging from 3.0 mm to 10.0 mm in certain embodiments.

Again, it should be noted that any of the dimensions, angles, ratios, surface areas and/or configurations of various features may be varied as desired or needed including those not specifically mentioned herein. Although not specifically discussed, blends such as fillets are shown to connect the various surfaces. These may be omitted in other embodiments and it is to be understood that their presence may be ignored sometimes when reading the present specification unless specifically mentioned.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In practice, a machine, a work implement assembly, a tip assembly, a tip and adapter assembly, an anti-tipping retainer, and/or any combination of these various assemblies and components may be manufactured, bought, or sold to retrofit a machine or a work implement assembly in the field in an aftermarket context, or alternatively, may be manufactured, bought, sold or otherwise obtained in an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) context.

Any of the aforementioned components may be made from any suitable material including iron, grey-cast iron, steel, plastic, rubber, foam, etc.

The provision of a bearing surface for the retainer may help prevent the undesirable cocking or tipping of the retainer. This may help reduce the need for maintenance over the life the retaining mechanism or tip that uses such a mechanism.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed assembly and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the apparatus and methods of assembly as discussed herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention(s). Other embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, some of the equipment may be constructed and function differently than what has been described herein and certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in an order that is different than what has been specifically mentioned or in some cases performed simultaneously or in sub-steps. Furthermore, variations or modifications to certain aspects or features of various embodiments may be made to create further embodiments and features and aspects of various embodiments may be added to or substituted for other features or aspects of other embodiments in order to provide still further embodiments.

Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. An anti-tipping retainer comprising:

a lug receiving portion defining a first maximum outside dimension, the lug receiving portion also defining a lug receiving slot that extends partially through the lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall;

a drive portion defining a second maximum outside dimension; and

at least a first detent receiving surface disposed on the outside of the lug receiving portion proximate to the first sidewall or the second sidewall;

wherein the drive portion further includes a tab extending from the drive portion, the tab including a first stop surface, a second stop surface, and a bearing surface extending between the first stop surface and the second stop surface.

2. The anti-tipping retainer of claim 1 wherein the lug receiving portion includes a cylindrical lug receiving portion including an outside cylindrical surface defining a radial direction, a circumferential direction, and a cylindrical axis, and the first maximum outside dimension is an outside cylindrical surface diameter, and the drive portion includes a drive cylindrical portion and the second maximum outside dimension is a drive cylindrical portion diameter that is less than the outside cylindrical surface diameter of the cylindrical lug receiving portion, and the bearing surface is an arcuate bearing surface that is radially interposed between the outside cylindrical surface and the drive cylindrical portion.

3. The anti-tipping retainer of claim 2 wherein the arcuate bearing surface defines an arcuate bearing surface area that is at least 30.0 mm2.

4. The anti-tipping retainer of claim 2 wherein the arcuate bearing surface area is interrupted by the at least first detent receiving surface.

5. The anti-tipping retainer of claim 4 wherein the at least first detent receiving surface extends axially completely through the tab.

6. The anti-tipping retainer of claim 2 wherein the drive portion defines a rectangular shaped recess that is centered on the cylindrical axis, the at least first detent receiving surface includes a groove surface extending axially completely through the lug receiving portion, and the arcuate bearing surface is disposed at least partially diametrically opposite to the groove surface.

7. The anti-tipping retainer of claim 5 further comprising a first blend surface connecting the arcuate bearing surface to the first stop surface, and a second blend surface connecting the arcuate bearing surface to the second stop surface.

8. An anti-tipping retainer comprising:

a cylindrical lug receiving portion including an outside cylindrical surface defining a radial direction, a circumferential direction, and a cylindrical axis, and defining an outside cylindrical surface diameter, the cylindrical lug receiving portion also defining a lug receiving slot that extends radially partially through the cylindrical lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall;

a drive cylindrical portion defining a drive cylindrical portion diameter that is less than the outside cylindrical surface diameter; and

at least a first detent receiving surface disposed on the outside of the cylindrical lug receiving portion proximate to the first sidewall or the second sidewall;

wherein the drive cylindrical portion further includes a tab extending radially from the drive cylindrical portion, the tab including a first stop surface, a second stop surface, and an arcuate bearing surface extending between the first stop surface and the second stop surface that is radially interposed between the drive cylindrical portion and the outside cylindrical surface.

9. The anti-tipping retainer of claim 8 wherein the arcuate bearing surface defines an arcuate bearing surface area ranging from 30.0 mm2 to 80.0 mm2.

10. The anti-tipping retainer of claim 8 wherein the drive cylindrical portion defines a first axial height, and the tab defines a second axial height that is the same as the first axial height.

11. A tip assembly comprising:

a tip that includes a body that defines a longitudinal axis, a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a lateral axis that is perpendicular to the vertical axis and the longitudinal axis, the body including: a forward working portion disposed along the longitudinal axis including a closed end; and a rear attachment portion disposed along the longitudinal axis including an open end; wherein the rear attachment portion defines an exterior surface; an adapter nose receiving pocket extending longitudinally from the open end; a retaining mechanism receiving aperture in communication with the adapter nose receiving pocket and the exterior surface; an adapter nose lug receiving groove extending longitudinally from the open end to the retaining mechanism receiving aperture; and

an anti-tipping retainer disposed in the retaining mechanism receiving aperture;

wherein the retaining mechanism receiving aperture includes a counterbore including a counterbore surface defining a counterbore maximum diameter, a radial direction, a counterbore longitudinal axis, and a thru-hole defining a thru-hole surface defining a thru-hole minimum diameter that is less than the counterbore maximum diameter, and the anti-tipping retainer includes an arcuate bearing surface that is disposed along the counterbore longitudinal axis radially proximate to the thru-hole surface at the thru-hole minimum diameter.

12. The tip assembly of claim 11 wherein the arcuate bearing surface is spaced away from the thru-hole surface a radial clearance distance ranging from 0 mm to 6.0 mm.

13. The tip assembly of claim 12 wherein the arcuate bearing surface defines an arcuate bearing surface area that is at least 30.0 mm2.

14. The tip assembly of claim 13 wherein the anti-tipping retainer comprises:

a cylindrical lug receiving portion including an outside cylindrical surface, and defining an outside cylindrical surface diameter, the cylindrical lug receiving portion also defining a lug receiving slot that extends radially partially through the cylindrical lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall;

a drive cylindrical portion defining a drive cylindrical portion diameter that is less than the outside cylindrical surface diameter; and

at least a first detent receiving surface disposed on the outside of the cylindrical lug receiving portion proximate to the first sidewall or the second sidewall; and

the drive cylindrical portion further includes a tab extending radially past the cylindrical portion diameter, the tab including a first stop surface, a second stop surface, and the arcuate bearing surface extends between the first stop surface and the second stop surface, the arcuate bearing surface being radially interposed between the drive cylindrical portion and the outside cylindrical surface.

15. The tip assembly of claim 14 wherein the at least first detent receiving surface extends axially completely through the tab.

16. The tip assembly of claim 14 wherein the drive cylindrical portion defines a first axial height along the counterbore longitudinal axis, and the tab defines a second axial height along the counterbore longitudinal axis that is the same as the first axial height.

17. The tip assembly of claim 15 wherein the arcuate bearing surface area ranges from 30.0 mm2 to 80.0 mm2.

18. The tip assembly of claim 15 wherein the arcuate bearing surface defines an arcuate bearing surface angular extent about the counterbore longitudinal axis ranging from 15.0 degrees to 50.0 degrees.

19. The tip assembly of claim 14 wherein the drive cylindrical portion defines a rectangular shaped recess that is centered on the counterbore longitudinal axis, the at least first detent surface includes a groove surface extending along the counterbore longitudinal axis completely through the lug receiving portion, and the arcuate bearing surface is disposed at least partially diametrically opposite to the groove surface.

20. The tip assembly of claim 19 wherein the tip defines at least retainer sleeve receiving slot that is in communication with the counterbore, and further comprising a plastic spring member that is disposed in the counterbore and that engages the groove surface for preventing the unintentional rotation of anti-tipping retainer.