Including Pin Or Key Patents (Class 37/456)
  • Patent number: 7171771
    Abstract: A lock that includes a wedge and a spool are used to releasably secure separable components of an assembly together. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Esco Corporation
    Inventor: Terry L. Briscoe
  • Patent number: 7162818
    Abstract: Telescoped excavating support and wear members are releasably retained in their telescoped relationship by a connector pin assembly removably received in aligned connector openings in the members. A body portion of the pin assembly blocks removal of the wear member from the support member, and a lock member portion of the assembly is rotatable relative to the body, toward and away from a locking orientation, to releasably lock the body within the connector openings. A resilient detent member carried by the lock member slidingly and deformably engages a polygonally shaped interior side surface section of a body passage that rotatably receives the lock member, the detent member yieldingly resisting rotational movement of the lock member away from its locking orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Hensley Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Ruvang, Howard W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7144183
    Abstract: A locking assembly has two members which are moveable into coupling engagement with one another. The two members have lock engaging walls, and one of the members has an opening between the lock engaging walls for receiving a lock. The lock comprises a lock body and a retainer. The lock body has a channel for receiving a portion of the retainer. An end of the retainer extends underneath a retainer engaging wall, thus resisting movement of the lock out of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: ESCO Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron B. Lian, Christopher M. Carpenter, Emory D. Hungerford, deceased, Lorraine R. Hungerford, legal representative, Ray J. Morris
  • Patent number: 7121022
    Abstract: A locking assembly is disclosed. The locking assembly is for coupling a first member including a receiving area, and a second member having a receiving region. The locking system includes an interference element including an interfering portion that is received within the receiving area of the first member when the locking system couples the first member and the second member together, a biasing element, a cam, wherein the cam is adapted to cause the biasing element to be in a biased position or an unbiased position, and a wedge shaped structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Berkeley Forge and Tool, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Bierwith
  • Patent number: 7121023
    Abstract: A rotatable connector pin assembly is disposed within an opening in an adapter nose, with opposite ends of the pin portion of the assembly extending outwardly beyond opposite sides of the adapter nose in axially fixed orientations relative thereto, and is used to captively and releasably retain a replaceable excavating tooth point on the nose. The configuration of the opposite pin ends permits the overall pin assembly to remain in the adapter nose during removal of the point and replacement thereof, with the pin being rotatable between a first orientation in which its ends permit removal of a point from the nose, or installation of a point on the nose, and a second orientation in which the opposite pin ends block removal of the point from the adapter nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hensley Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard W. Robinson, Wayne A. Shamblin, Bruce L. Hart
  • Patent number: 7086185
    Abstract: In a device for coupling a tooth onto an adaptor nose with a key, the tooth includes a skirt shrouding the adapter nose beyond the key passage zone and having a configuration connected to a return wall, comprising a bordering ridge. The wall is provided in the width of the skirt and corresponds to the passage and positioning of the key. Proximate the ends of the wall, and in the thickness of the skirt, are provided passage openings for the key devoid of abutting function in operation and ensuring a guiding and stopping function only when the key is inserted or removed. The key comprises two components transversely mobile relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: AFE Metal
    Inventors: Charles Pasqualini, Jean Marc Noailly
  • Patent number: 7080470
    Abstract: A wear assembly that includes a wear member and a boss to define an opening for receiving a lock forward of the front edge face of the lip which can mount the wear member in a stable and balanced manner without a through-hole in the lip. The wear member includes an aperture and a rib to define bearing faces on opposite sides of a central plane of the lip. The boss includes rails to hold the wear member in place, and a brace at the rear end, which supports the rails on the boss, abuts the rear of the wear member to reduce the loading on the lip, and deflects earthen material away from the wear member under reverse loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: ESCO Corporation
    Inventor: Larren F. Jones
  • Patent number: 7069676
    Abstract: A rotatable connector pin assembly is disposed within an opening in an adapter nose, with opposite ends of the pin portion of the assembly extending outwardly beyond opposite sides of the adapter nose in axially fixed orientations relative thereto, and is used to captively and releasably retain a replaceable excavating tooth point on the nose. The configuration of the opposite pin ends permits the overall pin assembly to remain in the adapter nose during removal of the point and replacement thereof, with the pin being rotatable between a first orientation in which its ends permit removal of a point from the nose, or installation of a point on the nose, and a second orientation in which the opposite pin ends block removal of the point from the adapter nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hensley Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard W. Robinson, Wayne A. Shamblin, Bruce L. Hart
  • Patent number: 6993861
    Abstract: A wear assembly provided with a tapered opening and a complementary tapered lock wherein the lock can be pried into and from the opening to thereby eliminate the need for hammering. The lock is formed with a body and a latch that is movable between a hold position where the latch is engageable with a stop in the opening to releasably retain the lock in the opening and a release position where the latch disengages the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Esco Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Carpenter, David M. Graf
  • Patent number: 6976325
    Abstract: A connector pin assembly is disposed within an opening in an adapter nose, with opposite ends of a rotatable pin portion of the assembly extending outwardly beyond opposite sides of the adapter nose in axially fixed orientations relative thereto, and is used to captively and releasably retain a replaceable excavating tooth point on the nose. The configuration of the opposite pin ends permits the overall pin assembly to remain in the adapter nose during removal of the point and replacement thereof, with the pin being rotatable between a release orientation in which its ends permit removal of a point from the nose, or installation of a point on the nose, and a locking orientation in which the opposite pin ends block removal of the point from the adapter nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hensley Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard W. Robinson, Wayne A. Shamblin, Bruce L. Hart, John A. Ruvang
  • Patent number: 6959506
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a releasable locking assembly for attaching a wear member to a support structure. It may be used with excavating equipment for attaching ground-engaging teeth to adaptors, lip shrouds to bucket lips, or other analogous uses. The wear member includes at least one pin-retainer-receiving opening in one side. The opening is tapered, being narrower at its outer surface and wider at its inner surface. The support structure includes at least one pin-receiving recess which generally aligns with the opening in the wear member when the wear member and the support structure are operatively coupled. The pin retainer is a frustoconically shaped cylinder which is threaded internally. It is inserted into the opening in the wear member. The wear member is slidably mounted onto the support structure. The pin is an elongate body which is externally threaded. It is screwed into the pin retainer by the application of torque force from a standard ratchet tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Quality Steel Foundries Ltd.
    Inventors: Dwight L. Adamic, Murray Smith
  • Patent number: 6871426
    Abstract: A locking arrangement (1) for releasably locking a wear tooth (2) to a tooth adaptor (3); the wear tooth (2) being defined by a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of opposed sidewalls, each sidewall having an elongate slot (5) therethrough; the tooth adaptor (3) being of generally complementary shape to receive said wear tooth (2), and having an elongate cavity (6) on each opposed side thereof adapted to substantially align with a respective slot (5) of said wear tooth (2) when said wear tooth is installed on said tooth adaptor; said slot having a first inner surface, the locking arrangement including a retaining means (4) to be installed in each aligned cavity and slot to releasably lock said tooth (2) to said adaptor (3), the retaining means (4) including a pair of engaging retaining pieces (7, 8) adapted to fit in end-abutting relationship when in said locked position, whereby, an arcuate force is applied to at least one of said pieces (7, 8) to release said pieces from said locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventors: David Kim Keech, Alexander Hand
  • Publication number: 20040244236
    Abstract: A tooth adapter having an elastomeric clamp assembly and a method for using the same are provided. The system includes a tooth adapter having a first end operable to receive a removable tooth point and a second end having an upper blade and a lower blade, the upper and lower blades at least partially defining a cavity configured to receive a tooth horn. An upper insert is configured to be disposed at least partially within an orifice in the upper blade, and a lower insert is configured to be disposed at least partially within an orifice in the lower blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Scott Mautino
  • Patent number: 6799387
    Abstract: A removable adapter assembly includes a tapered body portion having a first end configured to receive a tooth horn, and a second end configured to receive a removable tooth. The tapered body may include first and second sides, which partially define a recess adjacent the first end. First and second interior surfaces of the first and second sides, respectively, have first and second gripping surfaces, respectively. The first and second gripping surfaces are configured to cooperate with a retractable insert that is coupled with the tooth horn. The tapered body is coupled with the tooth horn when the retractable insert is in a first extended position, and the tapered body may be removed from the tooth horn when the insert is in a second, retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: TRN Business Trust
    Inventor: Sherlock K. Pippins
  • Publication number: 20040139632
    Abstract: A connector pin assembly is disposed within an opening in an adapter nose, with opposite ends of a rotatable pin portion of the assembly extending outwardly beyond opposite sides of the adapter nose in axially fixed orientations relative thereto, and is used to captively and releasably retain a replaceable excavating tooth point on the nose. The configuration of the opposite pin ends permits the overall pin assembly to remain in the adapter nose during removal of the point and replacement thereof, with the pin being rotatable between a release orientation in which its ends permit removal of a point from the nose, or installation of a point on the nose, and a locking orientation in which the opposite pin ends block removal of the point from the adapter nose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Howard W. Robinson, Wayne A. Shamblin, Bruce L. Hart, John A. Ruvang
  • Publication number: 20040118021
    Abstract: A retainer for removably attaching a ground engaging tooth to an adapter. The retainer comprises a cylindrical steel member adapted to fit into a pocket defined in the outside surface of the adapter and an opening defined in an inside surface of the tooth. The retaining pin is further held in a locking position by a secondary retainer made of spring steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Williams J. Renski
  • Patent number: 6735890
    Abstract: A wear assembly includes an adapter with a nose, a wear member with a socket to receive the nose, and a lock to secure the wear member to the adapter. The nose and socket include complementary rails and grooves that vertically diverge as they extend from the front of the nose. The lock can have a tapered construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: ESCO Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Carpenter, Robert S. Fleck, Terry L. Briscoe, Daniel R. Danks, Venkat R. Gaurav, Larren F. Jones
  • Publication number: 20040083630
    Abstract: An excavating adapter/tooth point assembly has an interfit configuration in which the front end surface of the adapter base has a curved front surface portion that slidingly and complementarily engages a facing curved rear end surface portion of the tooth point. The adapter nose received in the tooth point pocket is somewhat smaller in cross-section that the pocket to permit a limited vertical rocking movement of the point relative to the adapter nose, about a connector structure captively retaining the point on the adapter nose, while transferring rearwardly directed excavating loads on the point to the curved sliding adapter/point interface area. Top and bottom sides of a rear end portion of the point have curved ear projections which extend rearwardly and outwardly along the adapter base and function as built-in wear guards that protect underlying surface portions of the adapter base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: John A. Ruvang
  • Patent number: 6725582
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an assembly for locking a first workpiece mountable onto a second workpiece. The first workpiece has an opening adapted to allow a locking pin to pass therethrough. The opening is cooperatively disposed with respect to a pin receiving means in the second workpiece when the first workpiece is mounted on the second workpiece. At least one of the first and second workpieces has a recess to receive a pin carrier. The assembly comprises a locking pin adapted to pass through the opening and be received by the pin receiving means when the first workpiece is mounted on the second workpiece; and a pin carrier receivable in the recess. The pin carrier has a pin receiving orifice and is alignable with both the opening and the pin receiving means when the first workpiece is mounted on said second workpiece. The assembly further comprises magnetic means on the locking pin and/or the pin carrier to magnetically attract the locking pin and the pin carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Quality Steel Foundries Ltd.
    Inventors: Dwight L. Adamic, Dennett Netterville
  • Patent number: 6708431
    Abstract: A rotatable connector pin assembly is disposed within an opening in an adapter nose, with opposite ends of the pin portion of the assembly extending outwardly beyond opposite sides of the adapter nose in axially fixed orientations relative thereto, and is used to captively and releasably retain a replaceable excavating tooth point on the nose. The configuration of the opposite pin ends permits the overall pin assembly to remain in the adapter nose during removal of the point and replacement thereof, with the pin being rotatable between a first orientation in which its ends permit removal of a point from the nose, or installation of a point on the nose, and a second orientation in which the opposite pin ends block removal of the point from the adapter nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Hensley Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard W. Robinson, Wayne A. Shamblin, Bruce L. Hart
  • Publication number: 20040016153
    Abstract: A system for coupling excavation equipment components is provided. The system includes a retainer pin having first and second detents which are extendable axially from a surface of the retainer pin, in response to rotation of a valve seated at least partially within a cylindrical bore which extends at least partially through the retainer pin. In accordance with the particular embodiment, the valve includes at least one slotted portion configured to receive the detents at least partially therein, when the detents are in a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: TRN BUSINESS TRUST
    Inventor: Sherlock K. Pippins
  • Publication number: 20030140531
    Abstract: A removable adapter assembly includes a tapered body portion having a first end configured to receive a tooth horn, and a second end configured to receive a removable tooth. The tapered body may include first and second sides, which partially define a recess adjacent the first end. First and second interior surfaces of the first and second sides, respectively, have first and second gripping surfaces, respectively. The first and second gripping surfaces are configured to cooperate with a retractable insert that is coupled with the tooth horn. The tapered body is coupled with the tooth horn when the retractable insert is in a first extended position, and the tapered body may be removed from the tooth horn when the insert is in a second, retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: TRN BUSINESS TRUST
    Inventor: Sherlock K. Pippins
  • Patent number: 6588965
    Abstract: A hydraulic fastening device for securement of two components, each component having an orifice at least partly therethrough adapted to be coaxially aligned, the fastening device including a body member adapted to be inserted within the orifice of each component when coaxially aligned. The body member includes a main body section and a hydraulic manifold section with a fluid conduit within at least the manifold section and containing a fluid therein. The device further includes at least one moveable protrusion in fluid contact with the fluid, adapted to protrude from the manifold section; and control means to control the movement of each protrusion means. The arrangement is such that, upon operation of the control means, each protrusion is moved between a protruding position and a retracted position and when in the protruding position, the two components are adapted to be fastened together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Keech Castings Australia Pty Limited
    Inventors: Garth Alexander Keech, David Kim Keech
  • Patent number: 6574892
    Abstract: The present invention includes a primary retainer pin having an internal secondary retainer pin operable to couple the primary retainer pin with an adapter for use with excavation equipment components. A removable tooth having first and second tooth sides is coupled with the adapter and at least partially covers the first adapter end. A central portion of the adapter defines an elongate slot which extends from a first adapter side to a second adapter side. First and second tooth sides include first and second openings, respectively, configured such that the first and second openings are aligned with an imaginary longitudinal axis of the elongate slot while the removable tooth is coupled with the adapter. The primary retainer pin extends at least partially through the first and second openings, and the elongate slot, to couple the removable tooth and the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: TRN Business Trust
    Inventor: George S. Creighton
  • Publication number: 20030101627
    Abstract: A rotatable connector pin assembly is disposed within an opening in an adapter nose, with opposite ends of the pin portion of the assembly extending outwardly beyond opposite sides of the adapter nose in axially fixed orientations relative thereto, and is used to captively and releasably retain a replaceable excavating tooth point on the nose. The configuration of the opposite pin ends permits the overall pin assembly to remain in the adapter nose during removal of the point and replacement thereof, with the pin being rotatable between a first orientation in which its ends permit removal of a point from the nose, or installation of a point on the nose, and a second orientation in which the opposite pin ends block removal of the point from the adapter nose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Howard W. Robinson, Wayne A. Shamblin, Bruce L. Hart
  • Patent number: 6564482
    Abstract: An excavating adapter/tooth point assembly has an interfit configuration in which the front end surface of the adapter base has a curved front surface portion that slidingly and complementarily engages a facing curved rear end surface portion of the tooth point. The adapter nose received in the tooth point pocket is somewhat smaller in cross-section that the pocket to permit a limited vertical rocking movement of the point relative to the adapter nose, about a connector structure captively retaining the point on the adapter nose, while transferring rearwardly directed excavating loads on the point to the curved sliding adapter/point interface area. Top and bottom sides Of a rear end portion of the point have curved ear projections which extend rearwardly and outwardly along the adapter base and function as built-in wear guards that protect underlying surface portions of the adapter base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: G. H. Hensley Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: John A. Ruvang
  • Publication number: 20030070330
    Abstract: An excavation tooth removably connected to an adapter connected to a shovel dipper, the adapter defining a first passageway, the excavation tooth having a tooth body defining a second passageway, a first cam receiving recess adjacent to one end of the second passageway, and a cam access orifice adjacent to the first cam receiving recess, a pin received in the second passageway defined by the tooth body and a cam which extends in a direction away from the pin, wherein the cam is received in the first cam receiving recess defined by the excavation tooth to removably secure the excavation tooth to the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: John R. Olds, Patrick Campomanes
  • Publication number: 20030024139
    Abstract: A wear assembly provided with a tapered opening and a complementary tapered lock wherein the lock can be pried into and from the opening to thereby eliminate the need for hammering. The lock is formed with a body and a latch that is movable between a hold position where the latch is engageable with a stop in the opening to releasably retain the lock in the opening and a release position where the latch disengages the stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Esco Corporation
    Inventors: Larren F. Jones, Christopher M. Carpenter, David M. Graf
  • Patent number: 6477796
    Abstract: A tip of a tooth assembly for a ground engaging implement or bucket is constructed with a necked down portion to provide the tip with a reduced cross-section sufficient to cause the tip to fail at the necked down portion when the tip is subjected to a sufficiently large vertical load in order to prevent the breakage of an adapter on which the tip is mounted. The tip also has side ears with side surfaces that are disposed at a slight angle relative to their mating side surfaces of the adapter ear pockets so as to diverge away from the side surface of their respective ear pocket. This construction prevents the distal ends of the ears from contacting the side surfaces when the tip experiences high side or lateral loads in order to alleviate lateral loads from being exerted on the distal ends of the ears through lateral contact with the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Erwin D. Cornelius
  • Patent number: 6467204
    Abstract: An adapter assembly which includes an adapter having first and second adapter ends and first and second adapter sides. A removable tooth having first and second tooth sides is coupled with the adapter, and at least partially covers the first adapter end. A retainer pin extends at least partially through first and second openings of the first and second tooth sides, respectively and through an elongate slot of the adapter. The retainer pin is operable to cooperate with the adapter adjacent the first and second openings to couple the removable tooth and the adapter. A secondary retainer pin extends from the adapter at least partially into the elongate slot and engages a recessed portion of the retainer pin, the secondary retainer pin being operable to limit movement of the retainer pin along an imaginary longitudinal axis of the elongate slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: TRN Business Trust
    Inventors: George S. Creighton, Peter Scott Mautino
  • Patent number: 6393739
    Abstract: An elongated excavating tooth assembly includes a replaceable tooth point and an adapter structure comprising (1) an intermediate adapter having a front end nose complementarily received in a rear end pocket of the point and captively retained therein by a first connector pin structure, and (2) a main adapter having a front end nose complementarily received in a rear end pocket of the intermediate adapter and captively retained therein by a second connector pin structure, and a rear end operatively securable to an excavating bucket lip. Special configurations of the point and adapter portions of the assembly, including horizontally elongated oval configurations of the noses, horizontal orientation of the connector pins, nose stabilization bosses at the nose connector openings, and complementarily scalloped adapter and point interface areas, provide the assembly with reduced size and improved strength, wear and operational characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: G. H. Hensley Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne A. Shamblin, John A. Ruvang, Howard W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6374521
    Abstract: A system for rapid and easy replacement of sacrificial machine parts, utilizing an adapter having a slot and a retainer pin fitted with at least one spring-loaded ball bearing suitable for engaging the slot when the retainer pin is inserted into the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: TRN Business Trust
    Inventor: Sherlock Pippins
  • Publication number: 20020023375
    Abstract: A tooth assembly for an excavating machine includes an adapter having first and second surfaces and first and second sides. The first surface of the adapter is generally tapered and converges toward a first end of the adapter. A tooth point is coupled with the adapter at the first end of the adapter, and the tooth point has a contact edge opposite the first end of the adapter. The tooth point also includes first and second sides, the first side having a slot adapted to receive a non-rotation ridge of a retainer pin to prevent rotation of the retainer pin with respect to the tooth point. A second end of the adapter is adapted to be removably coupled with a tooth horn. The tooth assembly further includes a central portion extending generally from the first side of the adapter to the second side, the central portion defining a central bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: TRN Business Trust
    Inventor: Sherlock Pippins
  • Publication number: 20020000053
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a releasable locking assembly for attaching a wear member to a support structure. It may be used with excavating equipment for attaching ground-engaging teeth to adaptors, lip shrouds to bucket lips, or other analogous uses. The wear member includes at least one pin-retainer-receiving opening in one side. The opening is tapered, being narrower at its outer surface and wider at its inner surface. The support structure includes at least one pin-receiving recess which generally aligns with the opening in the wear member when the wear member and the support structure are operatively coupled. The pin retainer is a frustoconically shaped cylinder which is threaded internally. It is inserted into the opening in the wear member. The wear member is slidably mounted onto the support structure. The pin is an elongate body which is externally threaded. It is screwed into the pin retainer by the application of torque force from a standard ratchet tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Dwight L. Adamic, Murray Smith
  • Publication number: 20010052196
    Abstract: A system for rapid and easy replacement of sacrificial machine parts, utilizing an adapter having a slot and a retainer pin fitted with at least one spring-loaded ball bearing suitable for engaging the slot when the retainer pin is inserted into the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: TRN Business Trust, a Delaware Business Trust
    Inventor: Sherlock Pippins
  • Patent number: 6321471
    Abstract: A device for coupling a tooth and tooth-carrier. The device including three successive areas from the median portion of a coupling part to its free end. A first area comprises stepped straight guides that open on lateral outer surfaces of the coupling part. Following the first area is a second guiding area comprising revolution surfaces, opposed to one another. A third, terminal area is shaped as a prismatic rod having its axis coinciding with that of the coupling part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Metalogenia, S.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Fernandez Muñoz, Francisco Perez Soria, Lorenzo Navarro Romero, Jose Antonio Laforet Alvarez
  • Patent number: 6247255
    Abstract: A multipiece excavating tooth assembly including an adapter, a digging or excavating tooth, and retaining pin structure for interconnecting the adapter and tooth in operable combination relative to each other. The tooth and adapter have a uniquely configured interface or conjuncture therebetween. Moreover, the conjuncture between the digging tooth and adapter is configured to advantageously orientate the retaining pin structure to avoid those problems inherent with conventional vertical and horizontal pin systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: H&L Tooth Company
    Inventor: Charles Clendenning
  • Patent number: 6158917
    Abstract: A pin retention mechanism which prevents longitudinal and/or rotational movement of a mounting pin, such as used for attaching a heavy equipment tool, which provides quick and easy removal. The pin retention mechanism comprises a housing having an opening in which an end of a mounting pin is adapted to be located, and a removable member which is inserted into the housing adjacent the end of the pin. The removable member may be provided with a protruding section which is adapted to extend through a groove in the end of the pin for preventing rotation thereof. The removable member is retained in the housing by a spring catch. In each embodiment, a safety cap screw can be utilized to eliminate movement of the removable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: Robert H. Wolin, William E. Wolin
  • Patent number: 6145224
    Abstract: An earthworking implement adapted to normally engage the ground in a primary direction of travel has a replaceable ground engaging tool retained onto a tool mounting portion of the implement by an elongated retainer. The tool mounting portion has an exterior surface with a first retainer pocket providing a first abutment surface facing in a direction substantially away from the primary direction of travel. The ground engaging tool, in turn, has an interior surface with a second retainer pocket positionable in alignment with the first retainer pocket and provides a second abutment surface disposed in a generally spaced, diametrically opposing relationship to the first abutment surface. An elongated retainer is positionable within the retainer pockets and has a pair of opposite solid end portions oriented to abut the first and second abutment surfaces such that the end portions restrict the tool from coming off the mounting portion in the direction of the primary direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Stickling
  • Patent number: 6108950
    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. The tooth point is removably coupled to the adapter nose using an elongated, wedge shaped connector member which is inserted, small end first, through the generally aligned tooth and adapter openings. An internal passage longitudinally extends through the large connector member end and receives an inner portion of a force exerting member which compresses a spring within the passage, the spring in turn resiliently biasing an outer portion of the force exerting member into abutment with an interior surface portion of the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: GH Hensley Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Ruvang, Wesley E. Martin
  • Patent number: 6092958
    Abstract: A bottom mount pin retainer is disclosed for retaining a mounting pin detachably mounting a first member of a ground engaging tool to a second member thereof. The pin retainer utilizes a retainer assemblage that is adapted to relieve a snap-ring employed for retaining the pin from high axial loads in an upward direction while preventing axial movement of the pin in a downward direction. A non-load bearing member used has sufficient load bearing capacity to restrain the upward movement of the snap-ring during the insertion of the pin into the pin openings in order to seat the snap-ring in its snap-ring groove in the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Preston L. Gale
  • Patent number: 6032390
    Abstract: In an excavation bucket, the nose of an adapter has two surfaces to take the horizontal loads and four surfaces to take the vertical loads. A pin holds and locks a tooth to the adapter. Projections on the pin engage sloping surfaces of the nose. A recess placed ahead of the nose of the adapter will become visible as the tooth erodes due to wear. A recess at the nose of the adapter indicates that the tooth has worn too much and, unless the tooth is replaced, will commence to cause wear of the adapter and adjacent parts. To attach the adapter to the lip of the excavation bucket, wedge members are joined together near one end thereof to form a wedge-shaped block insertable into a wedge-shaped space formed by a C-clamp surface and a slot in the lip. The block is forced into the space, and spring biased teeth carried by the lock box progressively enter and leave the recesses in the outer surface of the C-clamp. When the C-clamp is tight enough in the gap, the installation of the lock box is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Robert Bierwith
  • Patent number: 6018896
    Abstract: The present invention is a coupling device for locking an excavation tooth onto an adaptor. The adaptor and tooth have a passage extending therethrough. The device includes a pin and retainer. The retainer is inserted into the adaptor. The pin includes a retainer seat for engaging the retainer. The retainer seat has a front wall perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the passage and a back wall which slopes away from the front wall. As the pin is inserted into the passage, the retainer engages the pin until it enters the seat. The front wall then prevents the pin from being retracted from the passage. To remove the pin, force is applied to the driven end of the pin. The pin will continue through the passage while the retainer slides along the sloped back wall of the retainer seat. This arrangement allows for the easy insertion and removal of the pin with a relatively small amount of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Quality Steel Foundries Ltd.
    Inventor: Dwight Adamic
  • Patent number: 6014826
    Abstract: A trencher includes a frame. Ground engaging wheels and a chain are mounted on the frame. Sleeves are attached to and extend outwardly from the chain. Rotatable and fixed-orientation teeth can be mounted in the sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventors: Craig B. Walgren, John H. Walgren
  • Patent number: 6009644
    Abstract: A wedge assembly (10) to cooperate with a wedge element (11) to secure a tooth (12) to the projection (13) of a bucket of an earth-moving machine or ripper. The assembly (10) includes a pair of wedge halves (22, 23) which have external wedge surfaces (24, 25) which converge towards an end (21) of the assembly (10). Located internally of the wedge halves (22, 23) is a wedge member (33) having external converging wedge surfaces (24, 25) which engage converging internal wedge surfaces (30, 31) of the wedge halves. The wedge member (23) has a threaded end (38) which can be engaged by a "puller" to aid in moving the wedge member (33) to release the pressure on the wedge halves (22, 23) to facilitate removal of the wedge assembly (10) from engagement with the wedge element (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Justoy Pty, Ltd
    Inventor: Robert Ian Hedley
  • Patent number: 6000153
    Abstract: A tooth attachment for earth working equipment which is configured to receive a conventional cutter bit. The tooth attachment includes a body which defines an upper end and a lower end. The upper end defines a bit holder configured to receive a conventional cutter bit and the lower end is configured to be releasably securable to the post of an implement of earth working equipment such as dragline equipment, a backhoe, a bulldozer, a grader or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Jimmie L. Sollami
  • Patent number: 5992063
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly of ground engaging tool components which are attachable to the lip of a bucket of an earth moving machine. The assembly of tool components comprises a nosepiece attachable to the lip of the bucket, an adaptor attachable to the nosepiece and a tip attachable to the adaptor. The components are attachable to one another by spigot and socket arrangements, the relevant spigot in each case defining two opposed tapered faces and a pair of side faces spacing the tapered faces from one another, at least one of the side faces of the spigot defining a groove with opposed side walls which are tapered in an opposite sense to the taper on the opposed tapered faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Commerical SARL
    Inventor: Noel Raymond Mack
  • Patent number: 5987787
    Abstract: An assembly of ground engaging tool components which are attachable to the lip of a bucket of an earth moving machine. The assembly includes a nosepiece attachable to the lip of the bucket, an adapter attachable to the nosepiece, and a tip attachable to the adaptor. The components are attachable to one another by spigot and socket arrangements, the relevant spigot in each case defining two opposed tapered faces and a pair of side faces spacing the tapered faces from one another, at least one of the side faces of the spigot defining a groove with opposed side walls which are tapered in an opposite sense to the taper on the opposed tapered faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Wright Equipment Company (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Noel Raymond Mack
  • Patent number: 5964547
    Abstract: A connection pin assembly for attaching a replaceable implement to an earthworking bucket nose includes a spool and a wedge having respective ramping surfaces which convert relative axial movement into lateral expansion of the assembly. A screw member is located in a recess in the spool's ramping surface, a thread segment of the screw member engaging formations on the wedge to drive the axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Cutting Edge Pty. Limited
    Inventor: David Wayne Brinkley
  • Patent number: 5956874
    Abstract: A lock system removably connects an earth-engaging tooth point to an adapter. The forward-extending nose of the adapter fits within the rear-facing socket of the tooth point. A pair of opposing sides of the socket defines coaxial apertures. The adaptor has a hole through opposing sides. A locking pin is inserted into the apertures and the hole, thus fixedly connecting the tooth point to the adapter. The locking pin is retained by a keeper situated in an annular groove within one of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Columbia Steel Casting Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Garrick J. Ianello, Michael D. Moehnke