EP1027504A1 - Systeme de retention mecanique pour instruments venant en contact avec le sol - Google Patents

Systeme de retention mecanique pour instruments venant en contact avec le sol

Info

Publication number
EP1027504A1
EP1027504A1 EP98953920A EP98953920A EP1027504A1 EP 1027504 A1 EP1027504 A1 EP 1027504A1 EP 98953920 A EP98953920 A EP 98953920A EP 98953920 A EP98953920 A EP 98953920A EP 1027504 A1 EP1027504 A1 EP 1027504A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
retainer
tool
opening
abutment
retention system
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98953920A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Preston L. Gale
Richard E. Livesay
Christopher J. Stickling
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Caterpillar Inc
Original Assignee
Caterpillar Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Caterpillar Inc filed Critical Caterpillar Inc
Publication of EP1027504A1 publication Critical patent/EP1027504A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
    • E02F9/28—Small metalwork for digging elements, e.g. teeth scraper bits
    • E02F9/2808—Teeth
    • E02F9/2816—Mountings therefor
    • E02F9/2825—Mountings therefor using adapters
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
    • E02F9/28—Small metalwork for digging elements, e.g. teeth scraper bits
    • E02F9/2808—Teeth
    • E02F9/2816—Mountings therefor
    • E02F9/2833—Retaining means, e.g. pins
    • E02F9/2841—Retaining means, e.g. pins resilient

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to ground engaging tools for earthworking implements and the like and, more particularly, to a mechanical retention system for detachably retaining a replaceable tool onto such implements.
  • Earthworking implements such as buckets, blades, rippers, bowls and the like, used on earthworking machines, such as loader, excavators, tractors, scrapers and the like, commonly employ ground engaging tools that engage the earth being worked or materials being excavated or loaded. Because of the loading forces and highly abrasive materials encountered, ground engaging tools wear out rapidly and need to be replaced in order to protect the parent material of the implement and to keep the implement working at peak efficiency. Because of such frequent replacement, it is desirable to be able to quickly and easily remove the worn tool and replace it with a new one. Many types of retention devices, such as pins and the like, have been used in the past to retain the tool onto the tool mounting portion of the implement.
  • the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems encountered in the use of prior art tools and retention devices.
  • a mechanical retention system for detachably retaining a replaceable tool onto an earthworking implement.
  • the retention system includes a generally rectangular retainer opening through the sidewall of the tool that has a pair of opposing end surfaces and a pair of opposing side surfaces. One of the pair of opposing side surfaces defines a first abutment and the end surfaces are disposed a predetermined distance apart to provide the opening with a predetermined length.
  • a retainer pocket is formed in the side surface of a mounting portion of the implement and is positionable in registry with the retainer opening. The pocket defines a second abutment oriented in an opposing relation to the first abutment .
  • An elongated spring retainer is positionable between the abutments to retain the tool onto the implement .
  • the retainer has a pair of opposite side surfaces, a pair of opposite end portions, an integral convolute spring portion and a thickness sufficient to define a first elevational portion and a second elevational portion.
  • Each end portion has a flange extending therefrom within the confines of the first elevational portion a sufficient distance to provide the retainer with a predetermined length " between the flanges that is greater than the predetermined length of the retainer opening.
  • the spring portion is adapted to allow the forcible compression of the retainer to a length sufficient to permit the insertion of the flanges through the retainer opening wherein the first elevational portion is disposed in the retainer pocket where one of the sides of the retainer is in an abutting relation with the second abutment and the second elevational portion is positioned in the retainer opening where the other of the sides thereof is in an abutting relation with the first abutment and each of the flanges are disposed in abutting relation to the interior surface of the sidewall of the tool.
  • Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an implement with a tool mounted onto a mounting portion thereof and being retained by a mechanical retention system embodying the principles of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the retention system taken generally along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the retention system taken generally along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the retainer and cover illustrated in Figs . 2 and 3.
  • Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the retainer illustrated in Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 6 a fragmentary perspective view similar to Fig. 1, but of another implement and tool being retained by the mechanical retention system.
  • Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of retention system of Fig. 6.
  • Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the retainers taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7.
  • Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the cover for the retainer.
  • Fig. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to that of Fig. 3, but illustrating another embodiment of the retainer.
  • Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the retainer shown in Fig. 10.
  • an earthworking implement 10 which in the exemplary embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 is a bucket, has a ground engaging tool mounting member or adapter 12 upon which is carried a replaceable ground engaging tool 14, which in this case is a tooth.
  • the tool or tooth 14 is detachably retained on the adapter 12 by a mechanical retention system 16 to be more fully described below.
  • a mechanical retention system 16 to be more fully described below.
  • Examples of related implements include buckets and shovels, bulldozer and motor grader blades, rippers, scraper bowls and the like.
  • Examples of tools for such implements include tips, cutting edges and cutting edge protectors, corner and side protectors.
  • Mounting members 12 may include such things as tooth couplers and adapters and the like. Such implements, mounting members and tools therefor are all well known in the art and all of such uses are intended to be covered by the present invention even though they have not been specifically shown or described herein, as those skilled in the art are readily able to incorporate the teachings of the present invention into such other applications.
  • the implement or bucket 10 has a cutting edge 18.
  • the cutting edge 18, as customary in the art, carries a plurality of adapters, one of which is shown at 12.
  • the adapter 12 is secured in the present embodiment to the cutting edge 18 by welding and has a forward tooth mounting portion or nose 20, as best shown in Fig. 2.
  • the nose 20 extends along an axis 22, which is generally oriented along the normal direction of working forces exerted on the tooth 14 when the tool is in working engagement with the ground, as depicted by arrow 24, and has a blunt abutment surface 28, which is oriented in a direction normal to the normal working force direction 24 for receiving loading forces from the tooth 14.
  • the nose 20 also has top and bottom side surfaces 30,32 extending rearwardly from the abutment surface 28.
  • Each top and bottom surface is preferably provided with one of a pair of planar surfaces 34,36, adjacent, but normal to the abutment surface 28 for receiving working forces which are oblique to the normal working force direction 24.
  • the top side surface 30 is provided with a retainer pocket 38 having a bottom 40 and a side abutment 42.
  • the side abutment 42 faces in the same direction as the direction of the normal direction 24 of the working forces and extends in a direction normal to the normal working force direction 24.
  • the tooth 14 (Fig. 1) is preferably tapered with a sharp forward ground engaging edge 44 for penetrating the ground and a rearward mounting end portion 46.
  • the mounting end portion 46 has a nose receiving socket 48 (Fig. 2) defined by top and bottom sidewalls 50,52, left and right hand sidewalls 54,56 and an abutment surface 58 at the bottom of the socket 48, which mates with abutment surface 28 of the adapter 12 for transferring loads into the adapter in the normal direction of working forces 24.
  • top and bottom sidewalls 50,52 have a stepped interior configuration with each having a planar surface 60,62 which mate with a respective one of the planar surfaces 34,36 of the nose 20 of the adapter 12 for transferring oblique forces acting on the tooth 14 into the nose 20 of the adapter 12.
  • the tooth 14 also has a generally rectangular retainer opening 64 disposed through one of the sidewalls of the mounting end portion 46, which, in the embodiment shown, is in top sidewall 50.
  • the retainer opening 64 has a pair of opposing end surfaces 66,68 and a pair of opposing side surfaces 70,72.
  • the side surface 70 which faces in a direction opposite to the normal working force direction 24 defines a first abutment that is disposed in a spaced opposing relation to the side abutment or second abutment 42.
  • the end surfaces 66,68 of opening 64 are disposed a predetermined distance apart to provide the opening with a predetermined length "L ⁇ ' .
  • the mechanical retention system 16 includes an elongated spring retainer 76 having a longitudinal axis 77.
  • the retainer 76 is preferably an integral casting constructed of spring steel or other suitable metal .
  • Retainer 76 includes a pair of opposites sides 78,80, a pair of opposite end portions 82,84 and an integral convolute spring portion 86 between the end portions 82,84.
  • the retainer 76 is of a thickness sufficient to define a first elevational portion 88 disposed below a phantom line 89 in Fig. 3 and a second elevational portion 90 disposed above line 89.
  • Each end portion 82,84 has a flange 92 extending therefrom within the confines of the first elevational portion a sufficient distance to provide the retainer 76 with a predetermined length L 2 between the flanges 92 that is greater than the predetermined length L x of the retainer opening 64.
  • the spring portion 86 is adapted to allow the forcible compression of the retainer 76 from its longer non-compressed length L 2 to a shorter compressed length sufficient equal to or less than the retainer opening length L x to permit the insertion of the flanges through the retainer opening 64.
  • the flanges 92 extend beyond the retainer opening 64 and are positioned to engage an interior surface 94 of the top sidewall 50 to lock the retainer 76 in place in its tooth retaining position wherein the first elevational portion 88 of the retainer 76 is disposed in the retainer pocket 38 where one side 78 (Fig. 2) of the retainer 76 is in an abutting relation with the second abutment 42 and the second elevational portion 90 is positioned in the retainer opening 64 where the other side 80 thereof is in an abutting relation with the first abutment 70.
  • Fig. 2 As best shown in Fig.
  • the convolute spring portion 86 of the retainer 76 is formed by a plurality of interleaved slots 96 cut into the retainer, with a first set of the slots 98 extending from one of the sides 78 toward the other side 80 and with a second set of the slots 100 being disposed between adjacent ones of the first set of slots 98 and extending from the other of the sides 80 toward the one of the sides 78.
  • Each of the end portions 82,84 of the retainer 76 has a upstanding boss 102 thereon that project above the spring portion 86.
  • Each of the bosses 102 have a tool slot 104 formed therein that opens toward its adjacent end surface 66, 68 respectively, of the opening 64, which are adapted to receive a pry tool (not shown) for compressing the retainer 76 in order to permit the removal of the retainer.
  • the retainer 76 has a bottom surface 114 and a chamfered corner 116 between each of the end portions 82,84 and the bottom surface 114 to facilitate in the compression of the retainer 76 as it is being placed into the retainer pocket 38.
  • the retention system 16 also preferably includes cover 106, which is adapted for receipt in and sized to close the retainer opening 64 above the retainer 76.
  • the cover 106 may be constructed entirely of an elastomeric material, such as rubber or plastic, and provided with a plurality of fingers 108 that are adapted to be received into respective ones of the interleaved slots 98,100 of the retainer 76 to prevent debris from filling the slots during use.
  • a tongue 110 is provided on opposite ends of the cover, which are adapted to snap into a groove 112 formed on the inwardly facing side of each of the bosses 102 for retaining the cover to the retainer 76.
  • a cover 106A may have a composite construction, where an upper cap portion 107 and tongues 110A are made of plastic or rubber, but a lower finger portion 109 having fingers 108A is constructed from metal. Lower portion 109 also includes a pry groove 111 on its opposite ends.
  • a larger tooth 118 is shown for use on a larger implement or bucket (not shown) .
  • the larger tooth 118 is mounted to an intermediate member or coupler 120, instead of to an adapter.
  • the tooth 118 is provided with a pair of retainer openings 124 disposed through the opposite sidewalls 126,128 of the tooth.
  • the coupler 120 has a nose portion 130 similar to nose portion of the adapter of the first embodiment, but has a pair of retainer pockets 132, one of such pockets being formed in a respective one of the side surfaces (not shown) of the nose portion 130. Each of such pockets 132 are positioned to be in registry with a respective one of the retainer openings 124 when the tooth 118 is mounted onto the coupler 120.
  • FIG. 10 and 11 Shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is another configuration for the retainer.
  • the main difference between the retainer 76 depicted in Figs. 3-5 and retainer 76A depicted in Figs. 10 and 11 is that retainer 76A is provided with a rounded bottom surface 138, rather than the flat bottom surface 114 that retainer 76 has.
  • the nose portion 20 of the adapter 12 is provided with a pocket 38A having an arcuate bottom 40A to match the rounded bottom surface 138 of retainer 76A.
  • the rounded configuration of retainer 76A and bottom 40A is advantageous in providing the retainer 76A with a grater thickness, while minimizing the amount of material removed to provide the pocket 38A in adapter 12, thereby increasing the strength of the adapter 12.
  • the retainer 76A is also provided with a pry pocket 140 and a pry slot 142 in each of the bosses 102A and flanges 92A, respectively, in place of the tool slots
  • the implement could as well be a ripper, with the mounting portion being a ripper shank and the tool being a ripper tip that is retained by the retainer of the present invention.
  • Such retainer can also be used for retaining couplers to adapters, edge and corner protectors to buckets, blades and scraper bowls, as all of such applications are contemplated and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims hereto.
  • the present mechanical retention system 16 affords many advantages of prior retention devices. For instance, the present retainer 76 is easily assembled into and removed from the retainer pocket 32 and retainer opening 64 without special tools and without the exertion of a large amount of effort. To install, the retainer 76 is placed into the opening and tapped down with the use of a hammer to compress the convolute spring portion 86. Once the flanges 92 pass the sides of the opening 64, the spring portion 86 will re-expand to its non-compressed state, where the flanges 92 will be seated against the interior surface 94 of the sidewall 50. The cover 106 is put in place to prevent the slots 96 from packing with dirt or other debris during use.
  • the cover 106 is pried out with a blade screwdriver. Such screwdriver is then inserted into one of the tool slots 104 and leverage is applied to the retainer 76 to cause it to be compress and pried out of the retainer pocket 32 and retainer opening 64.
  • the tooth 14 With the retainer 76 in place, the tooth 14 is prevented from coming off the adapter 12 because it acts as a stop between the first abutment 70 of the retainer opening 64 and the second abutment 42 of the retainer pocket 40. Because of the elevational separation between such abutments 70,42, the retainer 76 is loaded in shear therebetween. It should be noted that the tooth 14 is assembled onto the adapter 12 by movement in the working force direction 24 along axis 22 and can only be removed by movement in a direction opposite to direction 24. Because of this, such shear forces are only exerted on the opposite sides 78,80 of the retainer 76 and not in an end to end direction, as this would tend to compress the retainer 76.
  • the retainer 76 is substantially rigid from side to side.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Component Parts Of Construction Machinery (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un système (16) de rétention mécanique destiné à retenir, de manière amovible, sur un outil (10) de terrassement, un instrument (14) venant en contact avec le sol. Le système (16) de rétention utilise un dispositif de retenue (76) allongé, en acier, qui comporte une partie ressort (86) en spires placée entre des parties terminales (82, 84) opposées du dispositif de retenue (76) de sorte que ce dernier se comprime dans un sens et puisse être monté, par une ouverture (64), dans l'appareil (14) dans une poche (38) de retenue d'une partie de fixation (20) de l'outil (10).
EP98953920A 1997-10-30 1998-10-23 Systeme de retention mecanique pour instruments venant en contact avec le sol Withdrawn EP1027504A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US96130497A 1997-10-30 1997-10-30
US961304 1997-10-30
PCT/US1998/022448 WO1999023315A1 (fr) 1997-10-30 1998-10-23 Systeme de retention mecanique pour instruments venant en contact avec le sol

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1027504A1 true EP1027504A1 (fr) 2000-08-16

Family

ID=25504308

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98953920A Withdrawn EP1027504A1 (fr) 1997-10-30 1998-10-23 Systeme de retention mecanique pour instruments venant en contact avec le sol

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1027504A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU1117199A (fr)
CA (1) CA2305617A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999023315A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6085448A (en) * 1997-10-30 2000-07-11 Caterpillar Inc. Mechanical retention system for ground engaging tools
US6145224A (en) * 1998-11-06 2000-11-14 Caterpillar Inc. Ground engaging tools for earthworking implements and retainer therefor
US6194080B1 (en) 1998-12-16 2001-02-27 Caterpillar Inc. Replaceable wear member
NZ594016A (en) 2006-03-30 2012-11-30 Esco Corp Wear teeth for bucket edge teeth of digging machines
MX2009002096A (es) * 2006-08-25 2009-03-11 James A Calderwood Dispositivo rompedor mejorado que incluye una punta de alta traccion.
US9670648B2 (en) 2015-08-10 2017-06-06 Caterpillar Inc. Replaceable tip systems for a tine

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2325991A (en) * 1943-04-07 1943-08-03 Marshall J White Bucket tooth unit
US2610417A (en) * 1949-01-28 1952-09-16 Arthur N Crawford Locking device for removable points for earth-working tooth units
US2861362A (en) * 1956-05-31 1958-11-25 Liard Maurice Digger tooth construction
DE1652484B1 (de) * 1967-05-08 1972-01-20 Deloro Ugine Carbone Befestigungsvorrichtung fuer eine auf einen Werkzeugschaft,insbesondere einen Schraemmeisselschaft fuer Kohlengewinnungsmaschinen aufsetzbare Schneidkappe
FR2165180A5 (fr) * 1971-12-21 1973-08-03 Bourlier Jacques
DE3611493A1 (de) * 1986-04-05 1987-10-15 Orenstein & Koppel Ag Grabschaufel fuer bagger
US5088214A (en) * 1991-01-17 1992-02-18 Esco Corporation Excavator wear edge

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9923315A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2305617A1 (fr) 1999-05-14
WO1999023315A1 (fr) 1999-05-14
AU1117199A (en) 1999-05-24

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