Abstract: The locking pin assembly includes an elongate pin housing and a pin mechanism insertably mounted into a bore in the pin housing. The pin mechanism includes at least one rotator section integral with a pin shaft. A rotation-locking member is integrally attached to the bottom of the pin shaft, the locking member having a non-circular shape. An elongate post having a rotation-locking collar attached to one end of the post is slidable in a keyhole extending through the pin. A non-circular recess is formed in the rotation-locking collar, which selectively receives the locking member therein. A spring is disposed behind the rotation-locking collar. The spring normally biases the locking collar into engagement with the locking member. A key is provided to axially push the post to selectively disengage the locking member for selective rotation of the rotator section between locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: An earth engaging wear member is rearwardly telescoped onto a support member and is releasably retained thereon by specially designed connector apparatus extending through aligned connector openings in the wear and support members. The connector apparatus includes a spool member rearwardly bearing against the wear member, a shim member forwardly spaced apart from the spool member and having a sloping rear surface, and a wedge screw member interposed between the spool and shim members. The wedge screw member has a non-tapered body threadingly engaging the spool member side portion, and a non-threaded, radially sloped surface area rampingly engaging the sloped shim surface area. Threaded advancement of the wedge screw member rearwardly moves the wear member relative to the support member to tighten an operationally-created loosened interfit therebetween.

Abstract: A lock assembly, and wear assemblies including wear parts incorporating the lock assembly, having a locking pin with a dowel extending outwardly that is received in a slot of a retaining member. The slot of the retaining member has a narrowed section which is narrowed to a width that is less than the cross sectional dimension of the part of the dowel that is received in the narrowed section. In use, the locking pin is rotated and the dowel traverses the slot of the retaining member including passing through, or at least being received by, the narrowed section of the slot. The slot may optionally have a seat that receives the dowel after passing through the narrowed section.

Abstract: A replaceable wear point of excavating equipment, such as a tooth of an excavator bucket, is mounted on the bucket's nose piece using a conventional fastener arrangement plus an adhesive, preferably epoxy, injected into the tooth pocket to fill a gap between the nose piece and the tooth pocket. For injecting the epoxy, a hole is preferably formed through the tooth to communicate into the bottom of the tooth pocket. The injected epoxy preferably squeezes out of the tooth pocket opening and is smoothed to form an epoxy fillet along the junction of the tooth and the nose piece. The epoxy fills gaps, holds the tooth tight against wiggling on the nose piece, and seals out grit and water, to prevent or reduce interior wear of the tooth pocket and the nose piece, and to prevent or delay the tooth from falling off the nose piece.

Abstract: A mechanical system (1) includes a support (10), a tooth (20) and a device (30) for interconnecting the two components. The device includes an elastic sheath (40) having an inner cavity (48) and an outer wall (44) adjustable in a housing (14) of the support, and a key (50) adjustable in the cavity. The sheath and the key can be rotated together in a fixed manner about a pivoting axis in the housing, between an insertion configuration and a locking configuration, thereby forming a coupling connection between the tooth and the support. The inner cavity extends into the sheath along an eccentric axis that is radically staggered in relation to the pivoting axis. The inner cavity is provided with elements for rotatably securing to driving elements (59) arranged on the key. A heavy-construction machine bucket including such a system, and a method for implementing such a system are also described.

Abstract: A system to attaching a tooth to a bucket shank comprises a ring seat in the shank having a cam. A locking ring having a corresponding cam is seated in the seat and has an interior channel bounded by shoulders. A locking pin of a dissimilar material to the ring includes a lobe sized to correspond to the channel. Once inserted through apertures in the tooth and the shank, the pin may be rotated to force the lobe over the shoulders and to be housed in the channel to securely hold the pin in place.

Abstract: A coupling system for coupling a wear element to an adapter for excavators and similar machinery and the components thereof. The coupling system is formed by a wear element, preferably a tooth though possibly a bucket protection element, a tooth bar or adaptor element and a securing system for securing the two elements, formed mainly by a pin. In addition, the securing system can include a retaining element with resilient properties, associated with the pin.

Abstract: Coupling assemblies for releasably holding separable parts together, and in particular for releasably securing a wear member to a support structure in excavating equipment are formed so as to provide increased take up to ensure a tight fit of the wear member on the support structure even if considerable deviation between the parts exists due to wearing, manufacturing variations or the like. The coupling assemblies are suitable for securing points, adapters, shrouds, or other replaceable component to various excavating equipment. The components of the coupling assembly include a wedge and a spool that pivots about a fulcrum when the wedge is driven into assembly for increased take up capabilities. The spool is rotatably engaged around a fulcrum of the support structure and has a bearing portion that bears against and moves the wear member to be secured to thereby take up any gaps between the engaging surfaces of these members.

Abstract: A wear assembly for excavating equipment which includes a wear member and a base each with upper and lower stabilizing surfaces that are offset and at overlapping depths to reduce the overall depth of the assembly while maintaining high strength and a stable coupling. The nose and socket each includes a generally triangular-shaped front stabilizing end to provide a highly stable front connection between the nose and wear member for both vertical and side loading. The lock is movable between hold and release positions to accommodate replacing of the wear member when needed, and secured to the wear member for shipping and storage purposes.

Abstract: A multipiece wear assembly including an adapter and a wear part. The adapter has a nose portion with a first predetermined configuration. The wear part is assembled onto the adapter nose portion by relative longitudinal movement and defines a blind cavity opening to a rear thereof. The blind cavity of the wear part has a second predetermined configuration. In one form, the second predetermined configuration defined by the blind cavity is greater than the first predetermined configuration defined by the adapter nose portion such that a relief is provided between the adapter nose portion and the blind cavity when the adapter and wear part are arranged in operable combination relative to each other. Lock structure is provided on one of the adapter nose portion and wear part for maintaining the wear part and adapter nose portion in operable combination.

Abstract: Coupling assemblies for releasably holding separable parts together, and in particular for releasably securing a wear member to a support structure in excavating equipment are formed so as to provide increased take up to ensure a tight fit of the wear member on the support structure even if considerable deviation between the parts exists due to wearing, manufacturing variations or the like. The coupling assemblies are suitable for securing points, adapters, shrouds, or other replaceable component to various excavating equipment. The components of the coupling assembly include a wedge and a spool that pivots about a fulcrum when the wedge is driven into assembly for increased take up capabilities. The spool is rotatably engaged around a fulcrum of the support structure and has a bearing portion that bears against and moves the wear member to be secured to thereby take up any gaps between the engaging surfaces of these members.

Abstract: A tooth retention device for attachment to an excavator bucket, which has a tooth mounting portion, a fork shaped body fitting over the edge of the bucket, a clamp passing through the body and the bucket, and a wedge holding the clamp in position, in which the wedge has a threaded rod and a threaded block on the rod. The rod is rotatable to move the block between locked and released positions.

Abstract: A wear assembly for excavating equipment which includes a wear member and a base each with upper and lower stabilizing surfaces that are offset and at overlapping depths to reduce the overall depth of the assembly while maintaining high strength and a stable coupling. The nose and socket each includes a generally triangular-shaped front stabilizing end to provide a highly stable front connection between the nose and wear member for both vertical and side loading. The lock is movable between hold and release positions to accommodate replacing of the wear member when needed, and secured to the wear member for shipping and storage purposes.

Abstract: Detachable fastening system between a male piece (2) and a female piece (1), pin (3) and female piece (1), specifically for use in machines for moving earth and stones. It is formed by a tooth (2) with a transverse aperture, a tooth holder (2) with another transverse aperture, a pin with an intermediate nipple, and an elastic tensor (4) located in a complementary cavity of the tooth holder (2). The penetration and subsequent rotation of the pin (3) immobilizes it axially, as it is held in said angular position by the action of the tensor (4). In addition, the pin (3) has at one end a projection that interacts with a groove ramped helicoidally and fitted in the aperture of the tooth in order to absorb the axial forces, by unloading the tensor (4) thereof, and also in order to limit the angular distance traveled by the pin between the blocking and unblocking positions, and in order to facilitate possible extraction thereof.

Abstract: A wear assembly for securing a wear member to excavating equipment that includes a base having a nose and a wear member having a socket. The nose and socket are each provided with one or more complementary stabilizing surfaces in central portions thereof.

Abstract: The locking pin assembly includes an elongate pin housing and a pin mechanism insertably mounted into a bore in the pin housing. The pin mechanism includes at least one rotator section integral with a pin shaft. A rotation-locking member is integrally attached to the bottom of the pin shaft, the locking member having a non-circular shape. An elongate post having a rotation-locking collar attached to one end of the post is slidable in a keyhole extending through the pin. A non-circular recess is formed in the rotation-locking collar, which selectively receives the locking member therein. A spring is disposed behind the rotation-locking collar. The spring normally biases the locking collar into engagement with the locking member. A key is provided to axially push the post to selectively disengage the locking member for selective rotation of the rotator section between locked and unlocked positions.

Abstract: A lock assembly to lock two members together, typically an excavator wear member, such as a tooth, on to an adaptor. The lock assembly has a locking pin with a flange portion and a retaining assembly that receives the locking pin. The retaining assembly includes a locking member, in the form of a locking ring, which deforms radially when a tapered portion of the locking pin is inserted into the retaining assembly. In the locked position, the locking ring engages with the flange portion of the locking pin to prevent withdrawal of the locking pin from the retaining assembly.

Abstract: An excavator tooth mounting member attachable to an abutment of an excavator shovel, for supporting an excavator tooth, wherein the abutment has an opening, and having a tooth mounting member with an opening, attachable to the abutment, a two part wedge secured within the openings which can be operated to expand or contract, and a rotary bolt in the wedge.

Abstract: A tooth assembly for excavating equipment may include an adapter having first and second tapered surfaces and first and second sides, the first and second tapered surfaces defining an opening at a first end of the adapter. The tooth assembly may also include a tooth horn having first and second tapered surfaces, the adapter configured to be removably coupled to the tooth horn at the first end of the adapter, the first and second tapered surfaces of the tooth horn abutting the first and second surfaces of the adapter in a coupled position. The first side of the tooth horn may be adapted to receive a removable insert. A retaining pin may be configured to be removably fastened to the removable insert, the retaining pin removably securing the adapter to the tooth horn. The retaining pin may include a flexible reinforcement collar.

Abstract: A tooth retention device for attachment to an excavator bucket, which has a tooth mounting portion, a fork shaped body fitting over the edge of the bucket, a clamp passing through the body and the bucket, and a wedge holding the clamp in position, in which the wedge has a threaded rod and a threaded block on the rod. The rod is rotatable to move the block between locked and released positions.

Abstract: A fastener for securing a tooth adapter to the bucket or other piece of earth moving equipment which provides for mechanical advantage whereby tightening of one portion, procures a multiplication of force, for providing secure engagement.

Abstract: Detachable fastening system between a male piece (2) and a female piece (1), pin (3) and female piece (1), specifically for use in machines for moving earth and stones. It is formed by a tooth (2) with a transverse aperture, a tooth holder (2) with another transverse aperture, a pin with an intermediate nipple, and an elastic tensor (4) located in a complementary cavity of the tooth holder (2). The penetration and subsequent rotation of the pin (3) immobilizes it axially, as it is held in said angular position by the action of the tensor (4). In addition, the pin (3) has at one end a projection that interacts with a groove ramped helicoidally and fitted in the aperture of the tooth in order to absorb the axial forces, by unloading the tensor (4) thereof, and also in order to limit the angular distance travelled by the pin between the blocking and unblocking positions, and in order to facilitate possible extraction thereof.

Abstract: An earth engaging wear member is rearwardly telescoped onto a support member and is releasably retained thereon by specially designed connector apparatus extending through aligned connector openings in the wear and support members. The connector apparatus includes a spool member rearwardly bearing against the wear member, a shim member forwardly spaced apart from the spool member and having a sloping rear surface, and a wedge screw member interposed between the spool and shim members. The wedge screw member has a non-tapered body threadingly engaging the spool member side portion, and a non-threaded, radially sloped surface area rampingly engaging the sloped shim surface area. Threaded advancement of the wedge screw member rearwardly moves the wear member relative to the support member to tighten an operationally-created loosened interfit therebetween.

Abstract: A work implement includes a ground engaging tool with a first through-hole, an adapter with a second through-hole, a retaining pin, a metal bushing and a metal retainer. The retaining pin is inserted into the first and second through-holes disposed in a state in which the ground engaging tool is in contact with the adapter. The retaining pin is inserted in an inside of an cylindrical member of the bushing, which is disposed at an end portion of the retaining pin inside the first through-hole. The metal retainer prevents the bushing from coming loose from the retaining pin by sandwiching the bushing between the metal retainer and the adapter at the end of the retaining pin. The bushing is disposed in a state that allows movement in an axial direction of the retaining pin between the adapter and the retainer on an outer peripheral face of the retaining pin.

Abstract: Wear assembly for machinery includes wear and support elements and a retaining pin for attaching them to each other. The retaining pin has protrusions and the wear element has cavities such that the protrusions can be passed therethrough. The support element has a recess for receiving one of the protrusions. In a first position the retaining pin can be inserted into the wear and support elements. In a second position one protrusion is snap fitted in one cavity so the retaining pin cannot be rotated to the wear and support elements and the other protrusion is received into the recess abutting an inner surface of the wear element such that the retaining pin cannot be displaced axially to the wear and support elements.

Abstract: A wear assembly for use on various kinds of earth working equipment that includes a base with a supporting portion, a wear member with a cavity into which the supporting portion is received, and a lock to releasably secure the wear member to the base. The supporting portion is formed with top and bottom recesses that receive complementary projections of the wear member. These recesses and projections include aligned holes so as to receive and position the lock centrally within the wear assembly and remote from the wear surface. The lock includes a mounting component that defines a threaded opening for receiving a threaded pin that is used to releasably hold the wear member to the base. The separate mounting component can be easily manufactured and secured within the wear member for less expense and higher quality than forming the threads directly in the wear member.

Abstract: A mounting pin assembly having a retaining member which includes a locating surface and a boss extending from the locating surface. The mounting pin assembly also has a locating member slidably mountable upon the locating surface of the retaining member. The locating member also has an enlarged portion defined by an outwardly divergent face. The mounting pin assembly also has a tensioning member extending between and coupling the boss of said retaining member and the locating member. The tensioning member is configured to cause relative contraction of the mounting pin assembly such that the locating member is drawn upon the locating surface of the retaining member towards the boss when a tensile force is applied to the tensioning member.

Abstract: A retaining pin assembly for an excavator tooth assembly. The retaining pin assembly has opposable locating members each having a shank portion able to be slidably insertable via a respective retaining pin aperture on opposite sides of a wear member into a transversely extending mounting aperture of a mounting nose of an excavator. Each locating member also has an enlarged inwardly convergent tapered wedge portion adjacent a normally outer end. The retaining pin assembly also has a tensionable retaining member extending between the locating members from one side of the retaining pin assembly. When tension is applied to the retaining member relative contraction of the locating members occurs to urge the wear member into engagement with the mounting nose by wedging engagement between each of the wedge portions and a rear wall of respective retaining pin apertures.

Abstract: A bucket tooth assembly is mounted to an adapter provided to a distal end part of a bucket of construction equipment. The bucket assembly includes a bucket tooth and a latching member. The bucket tooth has a cavity for inserting the adapter and a through-hole that is provided to the side face and communicates through to the adapter when the bucket tooth has been mounted to the adapter. The through-hole has a center axis. The latching member is fitted inside the through-hole and having a rotational axis disposed along a direction of the center axis and a bottom part provided to an end on an adapter side in an axial direction. The latching member is rotated to switch between a first state in which the bottom part is held inside the through-hole and a second state in which the bottom part protrudes toward a concave portion on the adapter side.

Abstract: A tooth retention device for attachment to an excavator bucket, which has a tooth mounting portion, a fork shaped body fitting over the edge of the bucket, a clamp passing through the body and the bucket, and a wedge holding the clamp in position, in which the wedge has a threaded rod and a threaded block on the rod. The rod is rotatable to move the block between locked and released positions.

Abstract: An excavation retention assembly is provided for mounting a tooth to an excavating apparatus. The assembly in one embodiment includes a tooth and an adaptor end of a working member of an excavating apparatus. The tooth includes a cavity for mating with an end of the adaptor, an opening for receiving a fastening member and a fastening receptacle in the cavity opposite the opening in the tooth for receiving the fastening member. The adaptor includes a passage which aligns with the opening in the tooth and the fastening member. The fastening member passes through the aligned opening of the tooth, the passage of the adaptor and into the fastening receptacle for securing the tooth to the adaptor.

Abstract: A wear assembly for excavating equipment which includes a wear member and a base each with upper and lower stabilizing surfaces that are offset and at overlapping depths to reduce the overall depth of the assembly while maintaining high strength and a stable coupling. The nose and socket each includes a generally triangular-shaped front stabilizing end to provide a highly stable front connection between the nose and wear member for both vertical and side loading. The lock is movable between hold and release positions to accommodate replacing of the wear member when needed, and secured to the wear member for shipping and storage purposes.

Abstract: A wear assembly for excavating equipment which includes a wear member and a base each with upper and lower stabilizing surfaces that are offset and at overlapping depths to reduce the overall depth of the assembly while maintaining high strength and a stable coupling. The nose and socket each includes a generally triangular-shaped front stabilizing end to provide a highly stable front connection between the nose and wear member for both vertical and side loading. The lock is movable between hold and release positions to accommodate replacing of the wear member when needed, and secured to the wear member for shipping and storage purposes.

Abstract: A connector pin assembly is insertable into aligned openings in telescoped ground engaging wear and support members to releasably hold the wear member on the support member. The assembly has a tubular outer housing that is nonrotatably received in the openings. A connector pin longitudinally extends through the housing and is rotatable relative thereto among selectively variable rotational orientations in which the pin is releasably locked to the housing by cooperative detent structures carried by the housing and the pin. Outer end portions of the pin perform two functions which are controlled by rotating the pin relative to the housing. First, outer pin member end portions are rotatable to selectively hold the wear member on the support member or release it therefrom. Second, the outer pin end portions are rotatable to adjustably tighten the wear member onto the support member.

Abstract: A wear assembly for securing a wear member to excavating equipment that includes a base having a nose and a wear member having a socket. The nose and socket are each provided with one or more complementary stabilizing surfaces in central portions thereof.

Abstract: A tooth assembly including an adapter and a tooth. The adapter has a nose portion with a first predetermined configuration. The tooth is assembled onto the adapter nose portion by relative longitudinal movement. The tooth defines a blind cavity having a second predetermined configuration and opening to a rear of the tooth. The second predetermined configuration defined by the tooth cavity is greater than the first predetermined configuration defined by the adapter nose portion such that a space is provided between the adapter nose portion and the blind cavity when the adapter and tooth are arranged in operable combination relative to each other. A securement member releasably maintains the tooth and the adapter nose portion in operable combination relative to each other. The securement member fills the space defined between the tooth cavity and the adapter nose portion to resist longitudinal movement between the tooth and the adapter nose portion.

Abstract: A retention system for a ground-engaging tool includes a pin. The pin may include a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis of the pin; a radial projection extending from a first end of the shaft; and a head disposed at a second end of the shaft, the head having a non-circular axial cross-section. The system may also include a retainer collar. The collar may include an annular wall surrounding a recess configured to receive the first end of the shaft; an axial slot in an inner surface of the annular wall, the axial slot extending from a first end of the annular wall inward and being configured to receive the radial projection; and a circumferential slot connected to the axial slot in the inner surface of the annular wall, the circumferential slot being configured to receive the radial projection of the pin.

Abstract: A wear plate assembly includes a base, a wear plate, and a key. The wear plate is moveable with respect to the base between free and applied conditions. In the applied condition of the wear plate, the base and the wear plate cooperate to form a keyway for receiving the key. The keyway is located below the top of the base. The key is moveable between a first position corresponding to an unlocked configuration of the wear plate assembly and second position corresponding to a locked configuration of the wear plate assembly.

Abstract: An excavation tooth lock assembly to lock a first tooth member to a second tooth member, the first tooth member having a body that incorporates a socket which is configured to receive a nose portion of the second tooth member, a locking space provided when the second tooth member is received in the first tooth member, wherein the lock assembly comprises a lock which is configured to be inserted into the locking space in an operative position to lock the first tooth member to the second tooth member, and inter-engaging elements disposed on the lock and one or both of the first and second tooth members, the elements configured to engage to releaseably retain the lock within the locking space in its operative position.

Abstract: A lock for an excavation tooth assembly, the lock comprising: a body; first and second engaging portions mounted to the body and movable between respective first and second positions; wherein the engaging portions being interdependent so that movement of at least one of the first and second engaging portions causes a corresponding movement of the other of the first and second engaging portions.

Abstract: A wear member assembly for a lip of an earth excavating device comprises a first wear member, a second wear member and a retaining pin. The first wear member is mounted to the lip. The first wear member includes a boss extending outwardly from one of its opposite sides. The second wear member is mounted adjacent the first wear member. The second wear member includes a socket in one of its sides. The socket is adapted to receive the boss of the first wear member. The second wear member includes a retaining pin passage in communication with the socket. The retaining pin is removably located in the retaining pin passage. The retaining pin has a first bearing face adapted to oppose and engage a face of the boss received in the socket and a second bearing face which bears against a load bearing face of the retaining pin passage.

Abstract: An excavator tooth assembly comprises a first wear member and a second wear member. The second wear member is releasably mountable on the first wear member. The first wear member has a lock face. The second wear member also has a lock face. The lock face of the first wear member opposes the lock face of the second wear to define a lock passage therebetween when the second wear member is mounted on the first wear member. The excavator tooth assembly includes a lock pin which is adapted to be received in the lock passage to releasably secure the second wear member to the first wear member.

Abstract: A lock assembly for an excavator wear assembly, the lock assembly a locking pin having at least one dowel extending outwardly therefrom. The lock assembly also includes a retaining member having a seat and a cavity and a biasing member located within the cavity of the retaining member. The biasing member is adapted to exert a biasing force on the dowel to releasably retain the dowel within the seat of the retaining member.

Abstract: A tooth and adaptor assembly is provided for a dipper bucket. The assembly can have an adaptor having a rear portion for attaching to the dipper bucket, a tooth capable of releasable attachment to the adaptor and a retainer pin for securing the tooth to the adaptor. The adaptor comprises a tapering intermediate portion that narrows to a rectangular front portion, and a wedge portion that extends perpendicularly therefrom. The adaptor further comprises at least one socket cavity for receiving a leg extension having an inwardly pointing hook disposed on the tooth. The tooth has a tip at its front end for digging and a socket at its rear end configured to receive the front and intermediate portions of the adaptor. A passageway is formed between the wedge portion and the leg hook for receiving a retainer pin to secure the tooth to the adaptor.

Abstract: An excavator implement attachment system can include a tooth having a pocket formed therein, an insert received in a recess formed in an adaptor nose and a threaded fastener which releasably secures the tooth on the nose, the fastener having a helical thread formed thereon which is eccentric relative to a fastener body. A tooth can include a pocket with at least one side wall which has an insert-receiving recess and generally planar insert-engaging interface surfaces formed therein, with one interface surface resisting rotation of the tooth about a longitudinal axis in one direction, and another interface surface resisting rotation of the tooth about the longitudinal axis in an opposite direction. An excavator tooth can include a pocket bounded by opposing side walls, with at least one of the side walls having an insert-receiving recess internally formed thereon, whereby the recess receives an insert installed in an adaptor nose.

Abstract: A work implement includes a ground engaging tool with a first through-hole, an adapter with a second through-hole, a retaining pin, a metal bushing and a metal retainer. The retaining pin is inserted into the first and second through-holes disposed in a state in which the ground engaging tool is in contact with the adapter. The retaining pin is inserted in an inside of an cylindrical member of the bushing, which is disposed at an end portion of the retaining pin inside the first through-hole. The metal retainer prevents the bushing from coming loose from the retaining pin by sandwiching the bushing between the metal retainer and the adapter at the end of the retaining pin. The bushing is disposed in a state that allows movement in an axial direction of the retaining pin between the adapter and the retainer on an outer peripheral face of the retaining pin.

Abstract: A connector pin assembly is insertable into aligned openings in telescoped ground engaging wear and support members to releasably hold the wear member on the support member. The assembly has a tubular outer housing that is nonrotatably received in the openings. A connector pin longitudinally extends through the housing and is rotatable relative thereto among selectively variable rotational orientations in which the pin is releasably locked to the housing by cooperative detent structures carried by the housing and the pin. Outer end portions of the pin perform two functions which are controlled by rotating the pin relative to the housing. First, outer pin member end portions are rotatable to selectively hold the wear member on the support member or release it therefrom. Second, the outer pin end portions are rotatable to adjustably tighten the wear member onto the support member.

Abstract: A lock that includes a wedge that is used to releasably secure separable components of an assembly together. The wedge can be used with a spool. The wedge and spool are threadedly coupled together to drive the wedge into and out of an opening in the assembly without hammering or prying. The direct coupling of the wedge and spool eliminates the need for bolts, washers, nuts and other hardware so as to minimize the number of parts. As a result, the lock is inexpensive to make, easy to use, and unlikely to become inoperative because of lost or broken parts or due to fines or other difficulties encountered in harsh digging environments. Further, the wedge can be driven into the assembly to provide the degree of tightness necessary for the intended operation and/or to re-tighten the assembly after incurring wear during use. A latch assembly is preferably provided to securely hold the wedge in place and avoid an undesired loss of parts during use.

Abstract: The invention comprises a coupling system for coupling a wear element to an adapter for excavators and similar machinery and the components thereof. The invention relates to a coupling system formed by a wear element, preferably a tooth though possibly a bucket protection element, a tooth bar or adaptor element and a securing system for securing said two elements, formed mainly by a pin. In addition, said securing system can include a retaining element with resilient properties, associated with the pin.

Abstract: A lock for securing a wear part to earth-working equipment that is foldable between a retaining position to hold the wear part to the equipment and a release position that permits removal of the lock and release of the wear part from the equipment. The lock includes a retainer for releasably holding the lock in the retaining position. The retainer may comprise a threaded wedge received into a complementary threaded passage.