Abstract: A shank and replaceable tip of a ground working implement are defined from flat plate which is cut by laser or similar or is stamped to provide interconnecting elements between the replaceable tip and the lower end of the shank. At the lower end of the shank is provided a pocket defined by a recess cut into the lower end and a pair of plates welded on respective sides of the flat plate so that the projection of the replaceable tip extends into the pocket to hold the tip in place. This allows a rugged construction of the tip and various designs of tip can be manufactured simply by reprogramming the cutting process. A guide surface is mounted on the front plate of the shank with that guide surface defining a channel member with a leading edge increasing in radius of curvature from the lower end of the shank upwardly to a top of the guide surface spaced upwardly from the ground. This increase in width of the guide surface assists in discarding trash.

Abstract: An extensible lock for securing a wear member to a support structure of an excavator. The lock includes a base and a body which are extensible and retractable to hold and release the wear member, respectively. The body includes an inclined bearing face which engages a complimentary bearing face on the wear member to pull the wear member onto the support structure and prevent its inadvertent release.

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.

Abstract: The coupling joint has on the mating contact surfaces between the tooth and the tooth holder the following characteristics: the upper and lower surfaces which define the stabilisation planes comprise a substantially flat central surface and another two flat surfaces, one on each side of the said central surface, so that the interstice between the central flat surface and the corresponding facing surface of the tooth holder is smaller than the respective interstices between the lateral flat surfaces and the corresponding facing surfaces of the receiving cavity of the tooth; the upper and lower rear edges of the lugs of the tooth have a convex transverse structure; the internal vertical rear edge of the rear lugs of the tooth have surfaces of a shape matching the opposed faces of the tooth holder, giving rise to higher bearing surfaces in the case of transverse bearing on the tooth.

Abstract: A wear runner assembly includes a base which is representatively secured to an excavating bucket wall surface, and a wear runner which is releasably connectable to the base by moving the wear runner in a locking direction parallel to the surface to engage tongues on the base with grooves on the wear runner and thereby prevent removal of the wear runner from the base in a removal direction transverse to the surface and the locking direction. By moving the wear runner relative to the base in an unlocking direction opposite to the locking direction the connected wear runner may then be moved in the removal direction to separate the wear runner from the base.

Abstract: A tip assembly for an edge of an implement of a work machine includes an adapter secured to the edge of the implement. The adapter has an adapter aperture extending therethrough. The tip assembly also includes an implement tip having a tip aperture extending therethrough, the implement tip is positioned relative to the adapter such that the adapter aperture and the tip aperture align to form a passageway. The tip assembly further includes a sleeve subassembly positioned within the passageway. The sleeve subassembly includes (i) a first member, (ii) an intermediate member, and (iii) a second member. In addition, the tip assembly includes a fastener mechanically coupled to the sleeve subassembly wherein rotation of the fastener causes (i) the intermediate member to move in a first direction, and (ii) the first and second members to move in a second direction so as to tightly secure the sleeve subassembly within the adapter aperture.

Abstract: A wedging device locatable between two components and consisting of a plurality of parts connected together such that the device remains as a single cohesive assembly during all phases of operation. The wedging device comprises a spool having two inclined surfaces and a pair of wedges arranged such that each wedge is able to be moved up one of the inclined surfaces, respectively. The device also comprises a rotatable threaded member which extends through an aperture formed in the spool and is received by the wedges. Rotation of the threaded member when the device is located between the two components causes the wedges to move toward each other up the respective inclined surfaces of the spool and be pressed against one of the components to thereby force the spool against the other said component.

Abstract: An excavation cutting toolholder retention system. The cutting toolholder retention system includes a cutting toolholder having a flange recess and a holder engagement surface and a support block having a toolholder bore into which the cutting toolholder is inserted and a block pin bore intersecting the toolholder bore, the block pin bore defining a block engagement surface which is inclined downwardly relative to the toolholder bore. The cutting toolholder retention system further includes a pin having a pin shaft, the pin shaft having a pin flange which engages the flange recess so as to limit translational movement of the pin shaft. The pin engages the block engagement surface and the holder engagement surface such that the pin may be moved to draw the cutting toolholder into the toolholder bore.

Abstract: Retaining pin assemblies for use in releasably securing an excavating tooth or point to a mounting adaptor. Each pin assembly includes one or more holders insertable lengthwise in registering apertures in the adaptor and tooth and movable thereafter widthwise to cause interengagement. The holder and the apertures are provided with complementary portions. A locking member is inserted after engagement of the pin to fix the adaptor and tooth together.

Abstract: An earth working tooth having a proximal end for attachment to an earth working machine and a distal end defining a forward cutting edge for penetrating the ground. The tooth has top and bottom surfaces having similarly curved configurations diverging angularly away from each other and extending longitudinally between the forward cutting edge and the proximal end of the tooth. The tooth further comprises parallel and generally vertical sidewalls extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the tooth. The top surface of the tooth is further provided with a depressed and changing configuration that inhibits the forward cutting edge from blunting as the tooth wears resulting from harsh work environments in which the tooth finds utility.

Abstract: The device is distinctive in that tooth (D) and matching adapter (A) are both designed with matching shapes to allow, after assembly, the formation and definition of one or more spaces (V) of variable shape, as appropriate, the adapter and tooth being made with one or more openings allowing the filling and application of a special-purpose material (M) in the above-mentioned space(s), said special-purpose material fulfilling the functions of locking the tooth relative to the adapter by absolute contact between the tooth and adapter by forming a contact cushion that ensures distribution of the stresses and strains in all the areas filled by the material.

Abstract: The excavator tooth has a tooth holder (1) on one end of which a wedge-shaped tooth nose (3) is developed. The tooth nose (3) bears a wedge-shaped tooth cap (5) in which a wedge-shaped hollow space (24) is recessed. With the tooth cap (5) mounted, the hollow space (24) is pushed over the tooth nose (3), which thus supports the tooth cap (5). For a good support, the wedge surfaces (8, 9) of the tooth nose (3) have radii of curvature curved convexly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (16) and continuously decreasing from the tooth edge (7) to the nose root (17). In corresponding manner, the wedge surfaces (25, 26) of the hollow space (24) have concavely curved radii of curvature which continuously decrease from the base (28) to the mouth (29) of the hollow space (24). In this way a large application surface of the tooth cap (5) on the tooth nose (3) is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a signal indicative of loss or imminent loss of digging hardware normally arranged in operable association with an earth working implement.

Abstract: Bucket tip retention means for retaining an excavator bucket tip to an adapter on an excavator bucket including a retention pin extending through co-axial bores in the bucket tip and the adapter, the retention pin having a groove defined in a front face, a positioning shoulder extending from the rear face of the pin, and a resilient locking clip element retained in the locking clip groove by a clip retaining pin, the locking clip element having a first locking portion and a second locking portion extending from the locking clip groove for engaging the bore in the adapter and urging the positioning shoulder to engage the bore in the adapter.

Abstract: A spool and wedge assembly for securing replaceable cutting teeth or cutting elements to the nose portions of earth moving buckets. The spool and wedge assembly comprises first and second parallel longitudinally extended spool elements, which are transversely displaced apart to engage the aligned side walls of the securing element receiving apertures, and, first and second wedge shaped elements. The wedge and spool elements are interconnected by a longitudinally disposed screw threaded bolt mechanism which is tightened to draw the first and second wedge elements together while forcing the first and second spool elements apart, such that the cutting teeth are locked in position.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for protecting a base edge of a ground engaging implement of a work machine from wear. The apparatus includes a base edge cover and retaining apparatus of a construction adapted for time saving removal and installation. A mounting base is carried on the upper face of the base edge and has an opening therein. An upper flange element of the base edge cover has a bar projecting inwardly therefrom toward the upper face of the base edge. The bar is positionable within the opening of the mounting base and is captured in such opening by a detachable lock. The construction results in a reduction of waste of materials that must be discarded after the base edge cover is worn out.

Abstract: A pin assembly for securing large earth excavation teeth on the nose portions of their mounting adaptors attached to the shovel for excavating bucket of the excavating equipment. The pin assembly is comprised of an elongated steel bearing pin and a compressible flexpin adapted for mating engagement with and between the adaptor and the bearing pin. The bearing pin defines a convex bearing surface on the rearward side thereof for engaging portions of the excavation tooth and a concave bearing surface in the forward side thereof for mating engagement with a convex bearing surface defined by the rearward side of the flexpin.

Abstract: The device is distinctive in that tooth (D) and matching adapter (A) are both designed with matching shapes to allow, after assembly, the formation and definition of one or more spaces (V) of variable shape, as appropriate, the adapter and tooth being made with one or more openings allowing the filling and application of a special-purpose material (M) in the above-mentioned space(s), said special-purpose material fulfilling the functions of locking the tooth relative to the adapter by absolute contact between the tooth and adapter by forming a contact cushion that ensures distribution of the stresses and strains in all the areas filled by the material.

Abstract: An excavation tooth point longitudinally extending along an axis and having a pocket area extending inwardly through a rear end thereof is telescoped onto a nose portion of an adapter structure by inserting the nose portion into the tooth point pocket area. The inserted nose portion has a tapered side opening therein that is positioned between a corresponding pair of similarly tapered tooth side wall openings. To removably couple the tooth point to the adapter nose an elongated, wedge shaped connector member is inserted, small end first, through the generally aligned tooth and adapter openings. A bolt is then passed through a central opening in a flat spring member and tightened into a threaded axial opening in the small connector member end.

Abstract: Replaceable wear runners are disclosed for protecting a structure, such as a bucket, from abrasive materials. Such wear runners include a mounting base that is welded to the structure and a replaceable wear cover. Apparatus for releasably retaining the cover to the mounting base permits quick and easy mounting and removal of the wear cover without the use of special tools. The retaining apparatus includes an arcuate retainer that is slidably received into an arcuate slot accessible through the top of the cover.

Abstract: Couplers have been utilized to connect a tooth to an adapter of an implement. It is advantageous to have a coupler that effectively and efficiently transfers forces subjected to the tooth to the adapter of the implement. Furthermore, it is advantageous to have a coupler that can be quickly and easily mounted to the adapter and likewise is able to quickly and easily assemble and disassemble a tooth thereto. In the subject arrangement, a coupler is provided and has a tooth mounting portion with a nose portion having a pair of load bearing surfaces, a pair of spaced apart grooves, a pin opening, and a transverse opening that is oriented perpendicular with and in intersecting relationship with the pin opening. The coupler also includes an adapter receiving portion which has a cavity defined therein with a pair of spaced apart load transferring surfaces located in the cavity generally adjacent the bottom thereof and a retainer opening defined therein in intersecting relationship with the cavity.

Abstract: Mechanically attached adapters are beneficial in cutting edge assemblies for the ease of assembly and disassembly. However, they must be easily assembled and disassembled and must be able to withstand harsh operating conditions. In the subject arrangement, a cutting edge assembly is provided including a base edge having a stop member solidly secured thereto spaced from a leading edge thereof and extending upwardly from the base edge. A mechanically attached adapter has a forward working end portion and a rearward end portion for securing the mechanically attached adapter to the base edge. The rearward end portion has an upper strap portion, a lower strap portion spaced from the upper strap portion and interconnected therewith by an intermediate portion to define a cavity. The upper strap portion has an elongate slot which receives the stop member during assembly. A portion of the base edge is received in the cavity and a retainer mechanism is disposed in the elongate slot spaced from the stop member.

Abstract: Tooth assemblies having a tip attached to an adapter by a retaining mechanism is normally utilized in order to readily replace the tip which is a high wear element. It is advantageous to have a tip that due to its interface with the adapter allows effective transfer of forces being subjected to the tip directly to the adapter without creating undesired resultant forces trying to force the tip from the adapter. In the subject arrangement, a tip has a cavity with a load bearing bottom surface at the bottom of the cavity and a pair of parallel spaced apart load bearing surfaces adjacent thereto. The tip also has an ear extending from one of the side walls thereof, a longitudinally extending groove defined therein, and a pin receiving opening 56 defined therein that extends through a top wall, the one side wall and a bottom wall of the tip and intersects the longitudinally extending groove.

Abstract: A tooth assembly for mounting on the tooth horns of excavating or levelling apparatus buckets, shovels or alternative digging mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment the tooth assembly includes a wedge-shaped adapter for seating on a tooth horn, an insert removably seated in an insert cavity provided in each side of the adapter and a tooth point frontally engaging and bolted to the adapter by means of bolts threaded in the inserts, for engaging the material to be excavated. In another preferred embodiment top and bottom wear caps transversely slidably engage and bolt to the adapter adjacent to the tooth point for extending the life of the tooth assembly in the excavating or levelling operation.

Abstract: Tooth assemblies having a tooth attached to an adapter by a retaining mechanism is normally utilized in order to readily replace the tooth which is a high wear element. It is advantageous to have a retaining mechanism that is both simple, easy to install and remove and provides a high holding force to the pin to offset any tendency of the pin coming out during use. In the subject arrangement, a substantially flat leaf spring retainer is provided and is located in a retainer opening transverse to a pin. Upon installing the pin, the leaf spring is forced to flex. The force needed to flex the leaf spring is likewise the effective force holding the pin in its assembled position. A central groove is defined in the pin and is of a sufficient size to receive the portion of the leaf spring in contact therewith once the pin is in its installed position. Once the leaf spring drops into the central groove, the degree of deflection of the leaf spring is reduced resulting in the life of the leaf spring being increased.

Abstract: A one-piece locking pin (100) for use captively retaining a tooth (14) on an adapter portion (12) of an excavating tooth and adapter assembly has a primary wedge member (110) with an integral spring (120) extending upward from the member's distal end (116). A first positive stop member (130) extends from the wedge member (110) while an opposing second positive stop member (122) extends from the integral spring (12). After insertion, the locking pin (100) prevents separation of tooth (14) from adapter portion (12) while the first and second positive stop member (130, 122) prevent accidental loss of the locking pin (100) from the assembly. To remove the locking pin, a force sufficient to separate the first positive stop member (130) from the pin (100) is exerted to drive the pin (100) from the assembly.