Assembly for an Excavating Apparatus with Flexible Reinforcement Collar
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.
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This invention relates to replaceable machine parts that are exposed to high wear and repeated shock loading, and in particular to an assembly for an excavating apparatus with a flexible reinforcement collar.
BACKGROUNDDigging and leveling apparatus such as draglines, backhoes, front-end loaders and the like often use replaceable tooth assemblies which are mounted on the tooth horns to provide sacrificial parts that are exposed to the repeated shock loading and high wear occasioned by the digging operation. In such systems, each tooth assembly typically includes a wedge-shaped adapter which mounts directly on the tooth horn of the bucket, shovel or alternative digging or scraping mechanism of the equipment. A wedge-shaped tooth point is frontally seated on and rigidly pinned to the adapter for engaging the material to be excavated.
SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSUREIn accordance with particular embodiments of the present disclosure, the disadvantages and problems associated with tool assemblies for an excavating apparatus have been substantially reduced or eliminated.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a tooth assembly, comprises an adapter having first and second tapered surfaces and first and second sides, the first and second tapered surfaces converging toward a first end of the adapter. The tooth assembly further comprises a tooth point coupled with the adapter at the first end, the tooth point having a contact edge opposite the first end of the adapter. The second end of the adapter is adapted to be removably coupled with a tooth horn. In particular embodiments, the first side of the adapter includes an internal cavity extending at least partially through the first side, the internal cavity adapted to receive a removable insert, the cavity having a complementary shape to the removable insert. A retaining pin is operable to be removably fastened to the removable insert, the retaining pin removably securing the tooth point to the adapter, the retaining pin comprising a flexible reinforcement collar.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a tooth assembly, comprises 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 further comprises 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, and 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 includes an internal cavity extending at least partially through the first side, the internal cavity adapted to receive a removable insert, and the cavity having a shape complementary to the removable insert. The tooth assembly further comprises a retaining pin operable to be removably fastened to the removable insert, the retaining pin removably securing the adapter to the tooth horn, and the retaining pin comprising a flexible reinforcement collar.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a retaining pin for a tooth assembly comprises an elongated threaded portion operable to be fastened to a threaded portion of a removable insert. The retaining pin further comprises a head portion, wherein the head portion is at least partially tapered and configured to abut a cooperatively shaped tapered portion of a removable insert, and the removable insert is operable to be positioned in a cavity of a replaceable machine component in an installed configuration. The retaining pin further comprises a flexible reinforcement collar coupled to the head portion.
Embodiments or the present disclosure are particularly suited to accomplish quicker and easier replacement of teeth used for excavating equipment such as draglines, bucket wheels, but also is applicable to other types of equipment having sacrificial parts subject to high wear. Additionally, quicker changeovers for sacrificial parts of machines, especially digging and excavating equipment may be provided utilizing embodiments of the present disclosure. Reduced wear and tear for components of the equipment may be provided by a retaining pin in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The attachment system of the present disclosure is described further herein with particular reference to the attachment of replaceable teeth to excavating equipment, and more particularly to the assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,337,495 and 6,052,927, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to and may be used with other machines using replaceable parts. Examples of such machines include down-hole drills and related tools, conveyor belt parts, center wear shrouds and wing shrouds on dragline buckets, track shoes for tracked vehicles, machine gun and artillery breech parts and the like.
As further illustrated in
Moreover, the heads of the side plate bolts 32 are securely recessed inside respective side plate recesses 29, provided in the side plates 26, to minimize the possibility of shearing side plate retainer pins 32 from tooth assembly 1.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of side plate bolts 32 is provided with retainer pin shoulder 32a located beneath the head thereof. In some embodiments, the heads of the respective side plate bolts 32 are spaced from the recess shoulder 29a of each side plate recess 29. This spacing facilitates limited movement of the top wear cap 22 and bottom wear cap 36 with respect to the adapter 3 as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,501 and serves as a stress-relieving function to minimize damage to tooth assembly 1 by operation of the excavation or other equipment upon which tooth assembly 1 is mounted.
Referring now to
As illustrated in
Accordingly, in some embodiments, tooth point 15 is afforded a range of movement on adapter nose 11 due to a space between the heads of tooth point retainer pins 33 and the periphery of tooth point retainer pin openings 14 and working gap 37 to relieve digging stresses.
It will be appreciated from a consideration of the drawings that embodiments of the present disclosure exhibit multiple favorable structural characteristics not found in conventional assemblies. The interlocking relationship between top wear cap 22 and bottom wear cap 36, along with the transverse, slidable mounting of these structural members and the removable mounting of tooth point 15 on adapter 3 facilitate an extremely strong, versatile wear-resistant assembly. Furthermore, recessing of respective side plate bolts 32 and tooth point retainer pins 33, as well as side plates 26 of top wear cap 22 and bottom wear cap 36 provided in opposite sides of the adapter 3 facilitate excavation and leveling of all types of material without fear of shearing the respective side plate bolts 32 and tooth point retainer pins 33. Moreover, use and replacement of top wear cap 22, bottom wear cap 36 and tooth point 15 independently or in concert, is quickly and easily facilitated in an optimum manner by simply removing side plate bolts 32 and tooth point retainer pins 33, sliding top wear cap 22, bottom wear cap 36 and tooth point 15 from adapter 3 and replacing these members by reversing this procedure. Shock and impact resistance of tooth assembly 1 is facilitated by mounting top wear cap 22 and bottom wear cap 36 and tooth point 15 in a non-rigid, but secure relationship on adapter 3 to facilitate a selected minimum movement of top wear cap 22, bottom wear cap 36 and tooth point 15 with respect to adapter 3 during operation. Use of inserts 41 to mount tooth point 15 on the adapter 3 facilitates quick and easy removal and replacement of tooth point 15 without risk of cross-threading a tooth point bolt directly into tapped holes provided in the adapter 3. Such tapped holes are subject to various types of damage and inserts 41 are capable of easy replacement to avoid this problem. In particular embodiments, tooth assembly 1 is mounted on each tooth horn 2 of a bucket or shovel of an excavating apparatus in a conventional manner, utilizing spool 38 and wedge 39. It should be appreciated that alternative means for mounting tooth assembly 1 to a tooth horn of such equipment may also be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Horizontal clearance at reference numeral 101 in approximate direction of shock: about ⅛ inch to about ¼ inch.
Vertical clearance at reference numeral 102 normal to approximate direction of shock: about 1/32 inch to about 3/16 inch; preferably about 1/16 inch to about ⅛ inch.
Horizontal clearance at reference numeral 103 normal to approximate direction of shock: about 1/32 inch to about 1/16 inch. In certain embodiments, if larger clearances are used, teeth will tend to move forward and contact the bolts, causing failure by bending or fracture; whereas if smaller clearances are used there will be interference from the castings, notably between adapter 3 and tooth point 15.
It will be understood that the arrangements of springs or ball bearings and slots illustrated in
During excavation and/or mining operations, adapter 3 is subject to significant wear and tear. Extreme shock loading is experienced as removable adapter 3 impacts adjacent earth, rocks, and other abrasive material. Therefore, it is desirable to make adapter 3 readily replaceable with a new or reconditioned component of similar or identical configuration. Otherwise, tooth horn 2, or buckets, shovels or other excavation equipment would need to be replaced more frequently, increasing equipment and labor costs associated therewith. By providing a removable adapter 3 at a location upon tooth horn 2 that would otherwise experience the most wear, the service life of such equipment is prolonged by replacing selected parts associated with the excavation equipment.
In order to prevent excessive wear of tooth horn 2, for example, adapter 3 is coupled with and at least partially conceals and/or protects tooth horn 2 from abrasive materials during excavation. Adapter 3 includes first and second tapered surfaces 336 and 338 and first and second sides 340 and 342. First and second sides 340 and 342 may be generally parallel to one another. First and second tapered surfaces 336 and 338 and first and second sides 340 and 342 cooperate to define an opening 344 at first end 345. Opening 344 converges toward a second end 346 of adapter 3. Opening 344 is configured to at least partially receive tooth horn 2. Accordingly, opening 344 generally corresponds to the shape of tooth horn 2 such that adapter 3 may be slidably mounted on tooth horn 2 and held in place using pin assembly 334.
As discussed above, tooth horn 2 is configured to be received in opening 344. In particular embodiments, tooth horn 2 may include first and second tapered surfaces 348 and 350 that correspond generally with first and second tapered surfaces 336 and 338 of adapter 3. Accordingly, first and second tapered surfaces 348 and 350 may converge toward a first end 356 of tooth horn 2. Tooth horn 2 also includes first and second sides 352 and 354 that may be generally parallel to one another. When adapter 3 and tooth horn 2 are coupled, first and second sides 352 and 354 of tooth horn 2 may be disposed adjacent to first and second sides 340 and 342 of adapter 3.
The configuration of adapter 3 and tooth horn 2 may vary significantly within the teachings of the present disclosure. For example, although adapter 3 is described as having first and second tapered surfaces 336 and 338, other embodiments may include only one tapered side. Alternatively, adapter 3 may not have any tapered sides. Furthermore, although adapter 3 is described as having first and second sides 340 and 342 that are generally parallel to one another, in other embodiments one or both of first and second sides 340 and 342 may be tapered such that first and second sides 340 and 342 may not be parallel to one another. Such alterations may also be made to tooth horn 2 within the teachings of the present disclosure. In general, the configurations of the excavation components are selected to receive and provide protection from excessive wear caused during excavation operations.
In particular embodiments, tooth horn 2 also includes pin bore 358 that originates at first side 352 of tooth horn 2 and extends at least partially through tooth horn 2. In the illustrated embodiment, pin bore 358 extends through tooth horn 2 from first side 352 to second side 354. Pin bore 358 is configured to at least partially receive pin assembly 334 through first end 352 and/or second end 354. Pin bore 358 and pin assembly 334 cooperate to provide for the simplified installation and/or removal of adapter 3 from tooth horn 2. Accordingly, adapter 3 may be installed, removed or replaced by an operator in the field, quickly and easily. Additionally, the configuration of pin bore 358 and pin assembly 334 prevent shifting of adapter 3, with respect to tooth horn 2 during use.
Pin assembly 334 includes an elongate insert 360. Insert 360 is configured to be at least partially received within pin bore 358. Accordingly, the shape and size of pin bore 358 corresponds generally to the shape and size of insert 360. The configurations of pin bore 358 and insert 360 may vary significantly within the teachings of the present disclosure. In particular embodiments, insert 360 may be of a geometric shape that includes a number of sides 370 of equal width 372. Because the shape of pin bore 358 corresponds with the shape of insert 360, pin bore 358 may also be of a geometric shape that includes a number of sides of equal width. In particular embodiments insert 360 and pin bore 358 may each be of a shape having between three and eight sides 370. In the particular embodiment illustrated in
In some embodiments, pin assembly 334 also includes one or more plugs 362 configured to cooperate with a plug bore 364. Plug bore 364 extends at least partially through insert 360 and is configured to at least partially receive one or more plugs 362 therein. In the illustrated embodiment, plug bore 364 extends entirely through insert 360 from a first end 366 to a second end 368. Accordingly, plug bore 364 is configured to receive a first plug 362a at first end 366 and a second plug 362b at a second end 368. It is recognized, however, that plug bore 364 need not extend entirely through insert 360. Where plug bore 364 does not extend entirely through insert 360, a single plug 362 may be used.
Because plugs 362 are received in plug bore 364 of insert 360, the shape of plugs 362 corresponds generally to the shape of plug bore 364. Thus, where plug bore 364 is substantially cylindrical, plugs 362 are also substantially cylindrical. In the illustrated example, plugs 362 include a generally cylindrical, tapered surface 374 that corresponds to a tapered surface 376 of insert 360. Tightening of a plug 362 forces tapered surface 374 of plug 362 along tapered surface of insert 360 to at least partially prevent overtightening of plug 362 beyond an installed position. The configuration of plugs 362 and corresponding plug bore 364 may vary significantly, however, within the teachings of the present disclosure.
In operation, plugs 362 and insert 360 cooperate to couple adapter 3 to tooth horn 2 in the installed position. As such, sides 346 and 348 of adapter 3 include respective openings 378 and 380, which are configured to at least partially receive a portion of plugs 362. The respective positions of openings 378 and 380 upon sides 346 and 348 are selected to align with first and second ends 364 and 366 of plug bore 358, respectively. In other words, when adapter 3 is properly positioned upon tooth horn 2, plug bore 358 and openings 378 and 380 are aligned such that an imaginary central longitudinal axis I extends through openings 378 and 380 and insert 360. In the installed position, plugs 362 are inserted through openings 378 and 380 and into at least a portion of plug bore 358 to couple adapter 3 to tooth horn 2. In the correct installed position, plugs 362 may be recessed from sides 340 and 342 of adapter 3 by approximately 0.125 to 1.000 inches. In particular embodiments, plugs 362 may be recessed from sides 340 and 342 of adapter 3 from 0.25 to 0.5 inches.
In the illustrated embodiment, plugs 362 each include a head 382. Head 382 may be outfitted with a groove 384 to enable the removal and replacement of plugs 362 through openings 378 and 380. As will be described in further detail with regard to
In the illustrated embodiment of
Elastomeric member 357 may be provided in one of a number of different materials, including rubber, plastic, or other deformable materials that generally exhibit memory. In other words, such material may be compressed and yet return to its initial shape. Elastomeric member 357 may be coupled with, or be integral with adapter 3 and/or tooth horn 2, in order to simplify installation. For example, elastomeric member 357 may be coupled with the interior portion of adapter 3 (e.g., using an adhesive material). Thus, when tooth horn 2 is coupled with adapter 3 using insert 360, the holes of these components may be configured such that elastomeric member 357 will be at least slightly compressed to remove any slack between such components.
In the illustrated embodiment, non-rotation tab 304 extends the full length of insert 360 from a first end 306 of insert 360 to a second end 308 of insert 360. However, non-rotation tab 304 need not extend the entire length of insert 360. Non-rotation tab 304 may originate at first end 306 and extend some suitable distance toward second end 308 without reaching second end 308. Non-rotation tab 304 operates to eliminate the rotation of insert 360 in the installed position in plug bore 358. Non-rotation tab 304 also operates to provide strength to pin assembly 334.
Pin assembly 334 also includes a plug bore 310 that is configured to cooperate with one or more plugs 362. Plug bore 310 and plugs 362 may be configured similarly to plug bore 364 and plugs 362, respectively, as described above with regard to
The teachings of the present disclosure may be used for coupling various excavation, earth moving, and/or mining equipment components. In general, any removable and/or replaceable component will benefit from the fastening and component cooperation techniques disclosed herein. More specifically, removable adapters may be coupled with tooth horns of buckets, shovels, or practically any heavy equipment components in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Similarly, ripper shanks may be coupled with various removable components provided to protect the ripper shank and/or prolong the life of the ripper shank. Another example of excavation equipment incorporating aspects of the present disclosure is described with regard to
Pin assemblies 404 may be inserted through openings 406, into an internal bore through shank 402, and extend at least partially into openings 406 formed in shroud 400. A plug like those described above, may be used to secure pin assembly 404 within shroud 400, to prevent lateral movement of pin assemblies 404. Removable tooth 408 is also coupled with shank 400 using pin assembly 404. For purposes of this specification, shroud 400 may be considered a removable tooth, which protects one end of shank 402. As discussed above, the teachings of the present disclosure may be used to removably couple practically any components. Removable tooth 408, shank 402, and shroud 400 are described and shown herein, for illustrative purposes.
Shroud 400 and tooth 408 are used to protect shank 402 from the abrasive environment encountered during excavation. Accordingly, shroud 400 is placed at a location upon shank 402 where significant wear and tear is anticipated. By providing a removable shroud 400 and removable tooth 408, wear and degradation of shank 402 is reduced, thereby increasing its overall service life.
In some embodiments, a clearance or gap may exist between a head of fasteners (such as, for example, plug 362 and/or retainer pins 33) and a bore or slot into which those fasteners are inserted. For example, as shown in
Although the present disclosure has been described with several embodiments, numerous changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A tooth assembly, comprising:
- an adapter having first and second tapered surfaces, and first and second sides, the first and second tapered surfaces converging toward a first end of the adapter;
- a tooth point coupled with the adapter at the first end, the tooth point having a contact edge opposite the first end of the adapter;
- a second end of the adapter adapted to be removably coupled with a tooth horn;
- the first side of the adapter including an internal cavity extending at least partially through the first side, the internal cavity adapted to receive a removable insert, the cavity having a complementary shape to the removable insert; and
- a retaining pin operable to be removably fastened to the removable insert, the retaining pin removably securing the tooth point to the adapter, the retaining pin comprising a flexible reinforcement collar.
2. The tooth assembly of claim 1, wherein a side of the tooth point defines at least one opening configured to receive the retainer pin, the side of the tooth point configured to secure the removable insert within the cavity of the adapter, and wherein the flexible reinforcement collar abuts at least a portion of the at least one opening of the tooth point when the retaining pin is in an installed configuration.
3. The tooth assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible reinforcement collar comprises an annular ring fastened to a head of the retaining pin.
4. The tooth assembly of claim 3, wherein the flexible reinforcement collar at least partially comprises neoprene.
5. The tooth assembly of claim 3, wherein the flexible reinforcement collar maintains the adapter and the tooth point in a snug alignment relative to each other in an installed configuration.
6. The tooth assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible reinforcement collar is operable to at least partially absorb shock between the adapter and the tooth point.
7. A tooth assembly, comprising:
- 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;
- 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 including an internal cavity extending at least partially through the first side, the internal cavity adapted to receive a removable insert, the cavity having a shape complementary to the removable insert; and
- a retaining pin operable to be removably fastened to the removable insert, the retaining pin removably securing the adapter to the tooth horn, the retaining pin comprising a flexible reinforcement collar.
8. The tooth assembly of claim 7, wherein a side of the adapter defines at least one opening configured to receive the retainer pin, the side of the adapter configured to secure the removable insert within the cavity of the tooth horn, and wherein the flexible reinforcement collar abuts at least a portion of the at least one opening of the adapter when the retaining pin is in an installed configuration.
9. The tooth assembly of claim 7, wherein the flexible reinforcement collar comprises an annular ring fastened to a head of the retaining pin.
10. The tooth assembly of claim 9, wherein the flexible reinforcement collar at least partially comprises neoprene.
11. The tooth assembly of claim 9, wherein the flexible reinforcement collar retains the adapter and the tooth horn in a snug alignment relative to each other in an installed configuration.
12. The tooth assembly of claim 7, wherein the flexible reinforcement collar is operable to absorb shock between the adapter and the tooth horn.
13. A retaining pin for a tooth assembly comprising:
- an elongated threaded portion operable to be fastened to a threaded portion of a removable insert;
- a head portion, wherein the head portion is at least partially tapered and configured to abut a cooperatively shaped tapered portion of a removable insert, the removable insert operable to be positioned in a cavity of a replaceable machine component in an installed configuration; and
- a flexible reinforcement collar coupled to the head portion.
14. The retaining pin of claim 13, wherein the retaining pin is configured to removably secure a first component of the tooth assembly to a second component of the tooth assembly.
15. The tooth assembly of claim 13, wherein the flexible reinforcement collar comprises an annular ring fastened to the head portion of the retaining pin.
16. The tooth assembly of claim 13, wherein the flexible reinforcement collar at least partially comprises neoprene.
17. The tooth assembly of claim 13, wherein the flexible reinforcement collar retains a first component of the tooth assembly and a second component of the tooth assembly in a snug alignment relative to each other in an installed configuration.
18. The tooth assembly of claim 13, wherein the flexible reinforcement collar is operable to absorb shock between a first component of the tooth assembly and a second component of the tooth assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 11, 2012
Publication Date: Oct 17, 2013
Applicant: Trinity Industries, Inc. (Dallas, TX)
Inventor: Sherlock K. Pippins (Dallas, TX)
Application Number: 13/444,589
International Classification: E02F 9/28 (20060101);