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`USOOS465512A
`
`United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,465,512
`
`Livesay et a1.
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Nov. 14, 1995
`
`[54]
`
`IMPLEMENT ASSEMBLY WITH A
`MECHANICALLY ATTACHED ADAPTER
`
`5,134,793
`5,331,754
`
`8/1992 Bierwith .................................... 37/458
`7/1994 Ruvang ..................................... 37/457
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Richard E. Livesay, Peoria; Nathan G.
`Rozenboom, Metamora; Frederick J.
`Shane, Peoria, all of I11.
`
`Primary Examiner—Eric K. Nicholson
`Assistant Examiner—Robert Pezzuto
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—O. Gordon Pence; J. W. Burrows
`
`[73] Assignee: Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, 111.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 266,807
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 28, 1994
`
`Int. Cl.6 ........................................................ E02F 9/28
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl. ................................................. 37/457; 37/455
`[58] Field of Search .............................. 37/452, 453, 454,
`37/455, 456, 457, 458; 172/123, 699, 701.2,
`713, 719, 749, 751, 753; 299/91, 92; 403/355,
`379
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3/1971 Larson .................................... 287/103
`3,572,785
`3/1973 Dougall .
`37/457 X
`3,722,932
`
`3,774,324 11/1973 Laford
`....... 37/457
`11/1980 Davis .........
`4,231,173
`37/457
`
`5/1981 Hahn et a1,
`.. 37/457
`4,267,653
`6/1981 Jones ..................... 37/458
`4,271,615
`
`8/1981 Fletcher et a1.
`.. 37/142 A
`4,282,665
`11/1983 Bierwith .............
`4,413,432
`37/142 A
`
`....... 37/452
`4,980,980
`1/1991 Schadov et a1.
`
`Implement assemblies have previously used mechanically
`attached adapters that are secured to the base edge by bolts
`and/or other wedging type mechanisms. In these known
`implement assemblies, the wedge member has a tendency,
`during use, to become loose and fall out which allows the
`adapter to fall off of the base edge. In the subject arrange-
`ment, a clamp member is disposed in a longitudinally
`extending opening of an upper strap of an adapter and a
`wedge member is forcibly driven into the assembly such that
`the wedge member is disposed between the clamp member
`and the adapter to etfectively secure the upper strap in
`intimate engagement with a mounting portion of an imple-
`ment. At the same time, a resilient pad member is disposed
`between the adapter and the wedge member which efiec-
`tively biases the adapter into intimate contact with the
`mounting portion of the implement. This arrangement
`allows both the wedge member and the clamp member to
`move in conjunction with the adapter, thus, eliminating if
`not reducing any tendency of the wedge member to become
`loose and fall out.
`
`8 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
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`10\
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`62
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`20
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`64
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 14, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
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`5,465,512
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`Fig- .1. _
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`10\
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`62
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`20
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`64
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`(11" ‘/
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`48
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`34
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`22
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 14, 1995
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`5,465,512
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`20
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`4° ME
`l
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` 14
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 14,-1995
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
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`5,465,512
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 14, 1995
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`5,465,512
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`Fig-8-
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`\\\\\\\\\\\
`II!
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`20
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`34
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`

`

`1
`IMPLEMENT ASSEMBLY WITH A
`MECHANICALLY ATTACHED ADAPTER
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This invention relates generally to an earthworking imple—
`ment assembly and more particularly to an implement
`assembly with a mechanically attached adapter.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`Many implement assemblies have adapters secured to a
`base edge of the implement in various ways. In many of the
`implement assemblies, the adapter is secured to the base
`edge of the implement by welding the adapter to the base
`edge. In other implement assemblies, the adapter is bolted to
`the base edge. In these implement assemblies, it is many
`times difiicult to obtain a sufficient torque on the bolt to
`properly secure the adapter to the base edge. Even if
`sufficient torque can be achieved, it is many times difficult
`to remove the bolts when wanting to replace the worn out
`adapter. In some applications, the adapter is mechanically
`secured to the base edge assembly by utilizing a clamping
`assembly that is held in place by a tapered wedge. In these
`applications, the clamp secures the straps of the adapter to
`the base edge and at the same time secures the leading
`portion of the base edge against the bottom of a slot in the
`adapter. The wedge utilized in these applications transfers a
`force between the front portion of a slot in the base edge of
`the assembly to the clamping member and, subsequently, to
`the straps on the adapter. Since the clamping force is being
`transferred from the base edge to the clamping member, any
`motion of the adapter relative to the base edge is transferred
`through the wedge and clamping member, thus, many times
`causing the wedge member to become loose and possibly
`fall out, thus, losing the clamping force. It has been neces—
`sary to provide various forms of wedge retainers to attempt
`to maintain the wedge in its load transferring position.
`However, it has been found that many times the wedge has
`been seemed in its clamping position by welding the wedge
`to the clamp. Consequently, in order to remove the wedge
`and clamp, it is necessary to' burn off the weld which is time
`consuming and detrimental to the components.
`The present invention is directed to overcoming one or
`more of the problems as set forth above.
`
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`
`In one aspect of the present invention, an implement
`assembly with a mechanically attached adapter is provided
`and includes an implement having a mounting portion with
`an upper surface, a lower surface, a leading edge surface,
`and a vertically oriented longitudinally extending slot
`defined therein spaced rearwardly from the leading surface.
`The implement assembly also includes an adapter having an
`upper strap, a spaced apart
`lower strap having a force
`transferring surface thereon, and an inner connected abut-
`ment surface. The upper and lower straps of the adapter
`being adapted to receive the mounting portion therebetween.
`The upper strap has a generally flat surface on one side
`thereof and a vertically oriented longitudinally extending
`opening defined therein. A first surface is disposed on the
`upper strap of the adapter at one end of the opening and
`oriented at an acute angle with respect to the generally flat
`surface and a second surface is disposed at the other end of
`the longitudinally extending opening. A clamp member is
`also provided and disposed in the vertically oriented longi—
`tudinally extending opening and has a first surface thereon
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`that matingly engages the surface disposed on the upper
`strap at the one end of the opening. The clamp member also
`includes a second opposed surface. The implement assembly
`further includes a resilient pad member disposed in the
`forward end of the longitudinally extending slot between the
`upper and lower straps of the adapter. A wedge member is
`also provided and has a first surface operative to matingly
`engage the second opposed surface of the clamping member.
`A second surface is disposed on the wedge member spaced
`from and angled with respect to the first surface and opera-
`tive to contact and compress the resilient pad member during
`assembly to securely retain the interconnecting abutment
`surface in engagement with the leading surface of the
`mounting portion. The second surface of the wedge member
`also contacts the second surface of the longitudinally
`extending opening in the upper surface and the force trans-
`ferring surface on the lower strap.
`The present invention provides an implement assembly
`having a mechanically attached adapter wherein the force
`needed to secure the strap of the adapter securely to the
`mounting portion of the implement is obtained by the wedge
`member being secured between the ends of the longitudi—
`nally extending opening in the adapter and the clamping
`member. The adapter is held in intimate contact with the
`leading surface of the mounting portion of the implement by
`the force of the resilient pad acting between the wedge
`member and the forward side of the longitudinally extending
`slot
`in the mounting portion of the implement. Conse-
`quently, in the subject arrangement any relative movement
`between the adapter and the mounting portion of the imple-
`ment does not affect the clamping force between the wedge
`member and the clamp member since they are both moving
`in conjunction with any movement of the adapter. Therefore,
`there is no tendency for the wedge member to work loose
`during normal operation of the implement assembly.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an implement
`assembly illustrating all of the elements in their unas—
`sembled condition;
`FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the implement assembly of
`FIG. 1 with all of the elements in their assembled condition;
`FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of an alternate
`embodiment of the implement assembly illustrating all of
`the elements in their unassembled condition.
`
`FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the implement assembly of
`FIG. 3 with all of the elements in their assembled condition;
`FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of an alternate
`embodiment of the wedge member generally illustrated in
`FIGS. 1 and 3;
`
`FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment of a resilient pad
`member that is generally illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3;
`FIG. 7 is a sectional view like that of FIG. 2 but utilizing
`the wedge member and resilient pad member illustrated in
`FIGS. 5 and 6;
`FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of an alternate
`embodiment of the mounting portion of the implement
`assembly of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 9 is an end view of an alternate embodiment of the
`adapter illustrated in FIG. 3; and
`FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of the adapter of FIG.
`9 mounted on the mounting portion illustrated in FIG. 8.
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS.
`1 and 2, an implement assembly 10 is illustrated and
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`3
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`4
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`includes a mounting portion 12 of a portion of an implement
`14, an adapter 16, a clamp member 18, a wedge member 20,
`and a resilient pad member 22. The mounting portion 12 has
`an upper surface 24, a lower surface 26, a leading surface 28
`and a vertically oriented longitudinally extending slot 30.
`The longitudinally extending slot 30 is spaced rearwardly
`from the leading surface 28.
`The adapter 16 has an upper strap 32, a lower strap 34
`spaced from the upper strap 32, an interconnecting abutment
`surface 36 interconnecting the upper strap 32 and the lower
`strap 34 and a nose portion 38. The nose portion 38, in a
`well-known manner is adapted to receive a ground engaging
`tip (not shown). It is recognized that instead of having a nose
`portion 38, the tip could be integrally formed in place of the
`nose portion 38.
`The upper strap 32 has a generally flat surface 40 on the
`side thereof adjacent the upper surface 24 of the mounting
`portion 12 and a vertically oriented longitudinally extending
`opening 42 defined therein. A first surface 44 is disposed on
`the upper strap 32 at one end of the longitudinally extending
`opening 42 and oriented at an acute angle with respect to the
`generally flat, surface 40 thereon. A second surface 46 is
`disposed on the upper strap 32 at the other end of the
`longitudinally extending opening 42.
`The lower strap 34 has a generally flat surface 48 on the
`side thereof generally adjacent the lower surface 26 of the
`mounting portion 12 and a vertically oriented longitudinally
`extending opening 50 defined therein. A first surface 52 is
`disposed on the lower strap 34 at one end of the longitudi-
`nally extending opening 50 and oriented at an acute angle
`with respect to the generally flat surface 48 thereof. A force
`transferring surface 54 is disposed on the lower strap 34 at
`the other end of the longitudinally extending opening 50
`thereof.
`
`The clamp member 18 has a first surface 56 that engages
`the first surface 44 on the upper strap 32 and includes a
`second opposed surface 58. The clamp member 18 is dis-
`posed in the longitudinally extending opening 42 of the
`upper strap 32 and extends through the longitudinally
`extending slot 30 of the mounting portion 12 and into the
`longitudinally extending opening 50 of the lower strap 34. A
`third surface 60 is disposed on the clamp member 18 spaced
`from the first surface 56 and opposed to the second surface
`58 and operative to engage the first surface 52 at the one end
`of the longitudinally extending opening 50 on the lower
`strap 34.
`The wedge member 20 has a first surface 62 operative to
`engage the second opposed surface 58 of the clamp member
`18 and a second surface 64 spaced from and angled with
`respect to the first surface 62 thereof.
`The resilient pad member 22 is disposed in the forward
`portion of the longitudinally extending slot 30 of the mount-
`ing portion 12. The resilient pad member 22 as illustrated in
`FIGS. 1 and 2 has an elastomeric portion 66 and a non-
`resilient portion 68. It is recognized, that the non—resilient
`portion 68 could be omitted without departing from the
`essence of the invention. Likewise, it is recognized that the
`elastomeric portion 66 could be made of various types of
`elastomeric material without departing from the essence of
`the invention.
`
`Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, another embodiment of the
`implement assembly 10 is illustrated. All like elements have
`like element numbers. The mounting portion 12 of the
`implement 14 has the upper surface 24, the lower surface 26,
`the leading surface 28, and the vertically oriented, longitu-
`dinally extending slot 30 that is spaced rearwardly from the
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`leading surface 28. In the subject arrangement, an abutment
`member 72 is disposed in the forward end portion of the
`longitudinally extending slot 30 and extends upwardly from
`the upper surface 24 and downwardly from the lower surface
`26. The upper strap 32 has a groove 74 defined therein on the
`side thereof adjacent
`the generally flat surface 40 and
`located forwardly of the longitudinally extending opening
`42 therein.
`
`The lower strap 34 extends rearwardly from the intercon—
`necting abutment surface 36 and terminates at a location that
`is generally in line with the forward end of the longitudinally
`extending opening 42 in the upper strap 32. The force
`transferring surface 54 is disposed on the lower strap 34
`generally at its point of termination. A groove 76 is defined
`in the lower strap 34 on the side thereof adjacent
`the
`generally flat surface 48 thereof. The groove 76 extends
`from the force transferring surface 54 forwardly towards the
`nose portion 38.
`The clamp member 18 of the subject embodiment is
`disposed in the longitudinally extending opening 42 of the
`upper strap 32 and does not extend through the longitudi—
`nally extending slot 30 of the mounting portion 12. The
`clamp member 18 includes the first surface 56 and the
`opposed second surface 58.
`The resilient pad member 22 of the subject embodiment
`is generally the same as that set forth with respect to FIGS.
`1 and 2 except in the subject embodiment, the resilient pad
`member 22 has a greater overall height. It is recognized, that
`the resilient pad member 22 as used in either of the embodi-
`ments could have various shapes and/or sizes without
`departing from the essence of the invention.
`Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, an alternate embodiment
`of the wedge member 20 and the resilient pad member 22 is
`illustrated. The wedge member 20 of FIG. 5 has a groove 80
`defined in the second opposed surface 64 thereof and
`includes a plurality of teeth 82 disposed therein. The resil—
`ient pad member 22 of FIG. 6 has a plurality of teeth 84
`disposed on one side thereof and of a size suflicient to fit into
`the groove 80 of the wedge member 20 and engage the
`plurality of teeth 82 therein. The plurality of teeth 84 are
`preferably disposed on the non-resilient portion 68 of the
`resilient pad member 22. The interrelationship of the plu—
`rality of teeth 82 on the wedge member 20 and the plurality
`of teeth 84 on the resilient pad member 22 is clearly
`illustrated in FIG. 7. The interaction of the plurality of teeth
`82 and the plurality of teeth 84 act to retain the wedge
`member 20 in its assembled position. Even though the
`wedge member 20 and a resilient pad member 22 is illus—
`trated in FIG. 7 similar to the embodiment set forth in FIG.
`
`1, it is recognized that the same relationship would hold true
`if the wedge member 20 and the resilient pad member 22
`were utilized in the embodiment set forth in FIG. 3.
`
`Referring to FIGS. 8,9 and 10, another embodiment of the
`mounting portion 12 and the adapter 16 is illustrated. All like
`elements have like element numbers. In the subject embodi—
`ment, a block member 88 is disposed on the upper surface
`24 of the mounting portion 12 and is spaced rearwardly from
`the longitudinally extending slot 30 therein. The block
`member 88 has tapered longitudinally extending sides 90
`disposed thereon.
`The adapter of the subject embodiment is like that set
`forth in FIGS. 3 and 4 plus it has a dovetail groove 92
`defined in the upper strap 32 on the side thereof adjacent the
`generally flat surface 40 and extends from the longitudinally
`extending opening 40 to the rearward end thereof. The sides
`of the dovetail groove 92 are operative to engage the tapered
`
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`sides 90 of the block member 88 on the mounting portion 12
`when assembled thereon.
`
`It is recognized that various forms of the implement
`assembly could be utilized without departing from the
`essence of the invention. For example, the first surface 44 on
`the upper strap 32 of the adapter 16 and its mating first
`surface 56 on the clamp member 18 could have varying
`acute angles without departing from the essence of the
`invention. Likewise, the dovetail groove 92 of the adapter
`illustrated in FIGS. 9 and the mating block member 88 could
`have an inverted tee shape without departing from the
`essence of the invention.
`
`Industrial Applicability
`
`In the assembly and operation of the implement assembly
`10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the adapter 16 is mounted on
`the mounting portion 12 of the implement 14 such that the
`longitudinally extending openings 42 and 50 of the adapter
`16 are in alignment with the longitudinally extending slot 30
`in the mounting portion 12. Subsequent to placing the
`adapter 16 on the mounting portion 12, the resilient pad
`member 22 is placed in the forward end of the longitudinally
`extending slot 30 between the upper strap 32 and the lower
`strap 34. Next, the clamp member 18 is inserted and extends
`through the longitudinally extending slot 42 of the upper
`strap, the longitudinally extending slot 30 of the mounting
`portion 12 and into the longitudinally extending slot 50 of
`the lower strap 34. Once the clamp member 18 is inserted,
`it is moved rearwardly until the first and third surfaces 56,60
`thereof come into mating engagement with the first surface
`44 of the upper strap 32 and the first surface 52 of the lower
`strap 34. The wedge member 20 is now inserted into the
`longitudinally extending opening 42 of the top strap 32, the
`longitudinally extending slot 30 of the mounting portion 12
`and the longitudinally extending opening 50 of the lower
`strap 34 until the first surface 62 of the wedge member 20
`contacts the second surface 58 of the clamp member 18 and
`the second surface 64 thereof contacts the non-resilient
`
`portion 68 of resilient pad member 22. The wedge member
`20 is now forcibly driven further into the respective open-
`ings, compressing the resilient pad member 22 until the
`second opposed surface 64 thereof contacts the second
`surface 46 in the longitudinally extending opening 42 of the
`upper strap 32 and the force transferring surface 54 in the
`longitudinally extending opening 50 of the lower strap 34.
`The force being generated by driving the wedge member
`20 into place is transferred from the second surface 46 of the
`upper strap 32 and the load transferring surface 54 of the
`lower strap 34 through the respective first and third surfaces
`56,60 of the clamp member 18 into the respective first
`surface 44 of the upper strap 34 and the first surface 52 of
`the lower strap 34. This force urges the generally flat surface
`40 of the upper strap 32 and the generally flat surface 48 of
`the lower strap 34 into intimate contact with the respective
`upper and lower surfaces 24,26 of the mounting portion 12
`of the implement 14.
`Since the elastomeric member 66 is compressed during
`the installation of the wedge member 20, the force estab-
`lished between the wedge member 20 and the forward
`portion of the longitudinally extending slot 30 urges the
`adapter 16 rearwardly such that the interconnecting abut-
`ment surface 36 of the adapter 16 is held in intimate
`engagement with the leading surface 28 of the mounting
`portion 12.
`Any movement of the adapter 16 relative to the mounting
`portion 12 of the implement 14 is absorbed by the resilient
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`pad member 22. The wedge member 20 and the clamp
`member 18 both move in conjunction with the adapter 16,
`thus, there is no tendency for the wedge member 20 to move
`relative to the clamp member 18, consequently, reducing if
`not eliminating any tendency of the wedge member 20 to
`become loose and fall out.
`
`In the assembly and operation of the implement assembly
`10 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the longitudinally extending
`opening 42 in the upper strap 32 is lowered over the
`abutment member 72 until the generally flat surface 40 of the
`upper strap 32 contacts the upper surface 24 of the mounting
`portion 12. The adapter 16 is then moved rearwardly allow—
`ing the extending portions of the abutment member 72 to
`slide into the respective grooves 72,76 respectively located
`in the upper strap 32 and the lower strap 34. The rearward
`movement continues until
`the interconnecting abutment
`surface 36 of the adapter 16 contacts the leading surface 28
`of the mounting portion 12. The resilient pad member 22 is
`now inserted into the longitudinally extending opening 42 of
`the upper strap 32 and lowered until
`the resilient pad
`member 22 can be moved forwardly into the respective
`grooves 72,76 of the upper strap 32 and the lower strap 34
`until
`the elastomeric member 66 contacts the abutment
`member 72. Next, the clamp member 18 is inserted into the
`longitudinally extending opening 42 of the upper strap 32
`until it contacts the upper surface 24 of the mounting portion
`12. Subsequently,
`the clamp member 18 is moved rear—
`wardly until the first surface 56 thereof contacts the first
`surface 44 located on the upper strap 32 in the longitudinally
`extending opening 42 thereof.
`The clamp member 20 is now inserted into the longitu—
`dinally extending opening 42 of the upper strap 32 until the
`first surface 62 thereof contacts the second surface 58 of the
`
`clamp member 18 and the second surface 64 thereof contacts
`the non-resilient portion 68 of the resilient pad member 22.
`The wedge member 20 is now forcibly driven further into
`the longitudinally extending opening of the upper strap 32,
`thus, compressing the resilient pad member 22 until the
`second surface 64 of the wedge member 20 contacts the
`second surface 46 in the longitudinally extending opening
`42 of the upper strap 32 and the force transferring surface 54
`on the lower strap 34. The force established by the wedge
`member 20 between the respective second surface 46 of the
`upper strap 32 and the force transferring surface 54 of the
`lower strap 32 and the second surface 58 of the clamp
`member 18 is transferred to the first surface 44 of the upper
`strap 32 urging the generally flat surface 40 into intimate
`contact with the upper surface 24 of the mounting portion
`12. The force established by the compression of the resilient
`pad member 22 reacting against the abutment member 72 is
`transferred from the wedge member 20 into the adapter 16
`urging it rearwardly to maintain intimate contact between
`the interconnecting abutment surface 36 of the adapter 16
`and the leading surface 28 of the mounting portion 12.
`As explained with respect to the previous embodiment,
`any motion of the adapter 16 relative to the mounting portion
`12 is absorbed by the resilient pad member 22. Likewise, as
`noted previously, both the wedge member 20 and the clamp
`member 18 move with respect to any movement of the
`adapter 16, consequently, reducing if not eliminating any
`tendency of the wedge member 20 to become loose and fall
`out.
`
`In the assembly and operation of the alternate embodi-
`ments of the wedge member 20 and resilient pad member 22
`illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, the assembly is identical to that set
`forth in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 and also the
`
`embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4. The only difference being
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`that when the wedge member 20 is forcibly driven into the
`respective openings, the plurality of teeth 82 in the wedge
`member 20 rachet across the respective plurality of teeth 84
`in the resilient pad member 22. As can be clearly seen in
`FIG. 7, the wedge member 20 is further restrained from
`becoming loose by the interaction between the plurality of
`teeth 82 on the wedge member 20 and the plurality of teeth
`84 on the resilient pad member 22. An additional force is
`required to compress the elastomeric member 66 of the
`resilient pad member 22 to allow the plurality of teeth 82 on
`the wedge member 20 to move or rachet relative to the
`plurality of teeth 84 on the resilient pad member 22. This
`relationship further insures that the wedge member 20 does
`not become loose and fall out.
`
`Referring to the assembly and operation of the alternate
`embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8—10, the adapter 16 is
`installed on the mounting portion 12 in the same manner as
`that described with respect to the embodiments illustrated in
`FIGS. 3 and 4. The only difference being that as the adapter
`16 is being moved rearwardly on the mounting portion 12,
`the dovetail groove 92 of the upper strap 32 slips over the
`block member 88 such that the tapered sides 90 of the block
`member 88 are in close proximity to the sides of the dovetail
`groove 92. Consequently, any tendency of the upper strap 32
`to move upwardly away from the upper surface 24 of the
`mounting portion 12 results in the tapered sides 90 of the
`block member 88 coming into contact with the sides of the
`dovetail groove 92 inhibiting any further movement thereof.
`In view of the foregoing, it is readily apparent that the
`structure of the present invention provides an implement
`assembly 10 with a mechanically attached adapter 16 having
`a securing mechanism that holds the adapter in mating
`contact with the mounting portion 12 by using a wedge and
`clamp mechanism 18,20,22 While also insuring that
`the
`wedge and clamp both move with respect to the adapter 16,
`thus, eliminating if not totally reducing any tendency of the
`wedge member 20 to become loose and fall out.
`Other aspects, objects, and advantages of this invention
`can be obtained through a study of the drawings,
`the
`disclosure and the appended claims.
`We claim:
`
`1. An implement assembly with a mechanically attached
`adapter, comprising:
`an implement having a mounting portion with an upper
`surface, a lower surface, a leading surface, and a
`vertically oriented longitudinally extending slot defined
`therein spaced rearwardly from the leading surface,
`said slot having a forward end;
`an adapter having an upper strap, a spaced apart lower
`strap having a force transferring surface thereon and an
`interconnecting abutment surface, the upper and lower
`straps being adapted to receive the mounting portion
`therebetween, the upper strap has a generally flat bot-
`tom surface on one side thereof and a vertically ori-
`ented longitudinally extending opening defined therein,
`a first surface is disposed on the upper strap at one end
`of the opening and oriented at an acute angle with
`respect
`to the generally flat bottom surface and a
`second surface is disposed at the other end of the
`longitudinally extending opening;
`a clamp member disposed in the vertically oriented 10n—
`gitudinally extending opening and having a first surface
`thereon that matingly engages the first surface disposed
`on the upper strap at the one end of the longitudinally
`extending opening and a second opposed surface;
`a resilient pad member disposed in the forward end of the
`
`5
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`longitudinally extending slot between the upper and
`lower straps of the adapter; and
`a wedge member having a first surface operative to
`matingly engage the second opposed surface of the
`clamp member and a second surface spaced from and
`angled with respect to the first surface of the wedge
`member and operative to contact and compress the
`resilient pad member during assembly to securely
`retain the interconnecting abutment surface in engage—
`ment with the leading surface of the mounting portion
`and to contact the second surface of the longitudinally
`extending opening in the upper strap and the force
`transferring surface on the lower strap, both said wedge
`member and said clamp member being free of direct
`longitudinal
`engagement with the
`longitudinally
`extending slot of the mounting portion such that any
`motion of the adapter relative to the mounting portion
`is absorbed through the resilient pad member.
`2. The implement assembly of claim 1 wherein the wedge
`member has a plurality of teeth disposed on the opposed
`second surface thereof and the resilient pad member has a
`non-resilient portion on one side thereof with a plurality of
`teeth disposed thereon and operative to mate with the
`plurality of teeth on the wedge member.
`3. The implement assembly of claim 1 wherein the first
`surface on the clamp member that matingly engages the first
`surface disposed on the upper strap at the one end of the
`opening transfers a force from the clamp member to the
`upper strap urging the upper strap both rearwardly to main—
`tain the interconnecting abutment surface on the adapter in
`intimate engagement with the leading surface of the mount—
`ing portion of the implement and downwardly to maintain
`the generally flat bottom surface of the upper strap in
`intimate engagement with the upper surface of the mounting
`portion of the implement.
`4. The implement assembly of claim 3 wherein the
`resilient pad member has a non—resilient portion on one side
`thereof in sliding contact with the second surface of the
`wedge member.
`5. The implement assembly of claim 4 wherein the lower
`strap has a generally flat top surface on one side thereof and
`a vertically oriented longitudinally extending opening
`defined therein, a first surface is disposed on the lower strap
`at one end of the opening therein and oriented at an acute
`angle with respect to the generally flat surface thereof and
`the force transferring top surface is disposed at the other end
`of the opening therein, and the clamp member extends
`through the vertically oriented longitudinally extending slot
`and into the vertically oriented longitudinally extending
`opening in the lower strap and has a third surface thereon in
`mating engagement with the first surface disposed on the
`lower strap at the one end of the opening therein.
`6. The implement assembly of claim 4 wherein a groove
`is defined in the upper strap on the side thereof adjacent the
`generally flat bottom surface and forward of the longitudi—
`nally extending opening therein, an abutment member is
`disposed in the longitudinally extending slot between the
`forward end of the slot and the resilient pad member and
`extends upwardly from the top surface of the mounting
`portion into the groove in the upper strap.
`7. The implement assembly of claim 6 wherein a groove
`is defined in the lower strap on the side thereof adjacent the
`generally flat top surface thereof and the abutment member
`extends downwardly into the groove in the lower strap.
`8