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`U5005088214A
`
`United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,088,214
`
`Jones
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Feb. 18, 1992
`
`
`[54] EXCAVATOR WEAR EDGE
`
`InventorI Lure" F- Jones, Aloha: Ores-
`[75]
`-
`.
`-
`[73] Asmgnee.
`ESCO Corporation, Portland, Oreg.
`[21] App]. No.: 642,390
`1e :
`an.
`,
`[22] F] d
`J
`17 1991
`[51]
`Int. 0.5 ................................................ E02F 9/28
`[52] US. Cl. ............................... 37/141 R; 37/142 A;
`l72/772.5
`[58] Field of Search ............. 37/141 R, 141 T, 142 R,
`”An A- 172/772 772 5 713
`’
`’
`'
`’
`References Cited
`
`[56]
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,870,667
`l/lggg glfrtaugh ......................... 37/142 R
`3’131’322
`312970 0:313:61,
`.
`_
`_
`. 37/141 R
`.
`3,621,594 11/1971 Hahn et al.
`.
`3,685,177
`8/1972 Hahn et al.
`
`37/142 A
`3,708,895
`1/1973 Griffith et al.
`
`37/141 R
`3,762,079 10/1973 Lukavich et al.
`3,864,853
`2/1975 Klett et a1.
`........................ 37/141 T
`3,995,384 12/1976 Wood .
`4,129,934 12/1978 Gettman .
`4,290,214
`9/1981 Stepe ................................. 37/141 T
`4,335,532
`6/1982 Hahn et al.
`37/142 R
`
`9/1983 Hahn et a1.
`4,404,760
`....................... 37/142 R
`4,414,764 11/1983 Johansson et a1.
`.
`37/142 A
`
`5/1984 Hemphill .......
`4,449,309
`37/141 R
`
`................ 37/141 R
`4,501,079
`2/1985 Hahn et a1.
`.
`6/1978 Schwappach .
`4,748,754
`4,932,473
`6/1990 Jones .
`5,016,365
`5/1991 Robinson .......................... 37/141 T
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`846248
`8/1960 United Kingdom ------------- 37/142 R
`.
`.
`”"1“” Ex“’"".'e’—Ra“d°lph A- Reese
`Asststant Exammer—Spencer Warmck
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Tilton, Fallon, Lungmus &
`Chestnut
`
`. ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A replaceable wear edge for the forward edge Of an
`excavator such as the lip or wing and which includes a
`generally U-shaped wear member equipped with a gen-
`erally T-shaped slot engageable with a conforming
`T-shaped boss on a confronting surface on the excava-
`tor, the wear member upper surface being equipped
`with a keeper-equipped opening for receiving a lock
`between the boss and wear member.
`
`15 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 1
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 18, 1992
`
`Sheet 1
`
`of4
`
`5,088,214
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 2
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 18, 1992
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`5,088,214
`
`FIG. 2
`
`3
`
`:
`
`T“?
`
`34
`
`6 29
`
`38
`58
`\WA 37
`
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 3
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 18, 1992
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`5,088,214
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 4
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 18, 1992
`
`Sheet 4 0:4
`
`5,088,214
`
`FIG. 10
`
`_
`
`45
`
`. i I
`(if.
`
`j
`
`59
`45 4947
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 5
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 5
`
`

`

`1
`
`EXCAVATOR WEAR EDGE
`
`5,088,214
`
`BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF
`INVENTION:
`
`This invention relates to an excavator wear edge and,
`more particularly, to a replaceable assembly for protect-
`ing a leading edge or edges of a bucket or like earth
`engaging implement.
`The invention finds utility in connection, for exam-
`ple, with the lip and/or wings of a dragline bucket,
`front end loader, face shovel, etc. In many instances the
`bucket may be equipped with transversely spaced exca-
`vating teeth to facilitate earth penetration. In the past,
`many operators have found it advantageous to protect
`both the bucket lip between teeth and the bucket wings
`am well. Exemplary of this is co-OWned US. Pat. No.
`3,621,594 marketed by ESCO Corporation of Portland,
`Oreg., U.S.A. under the trademark “ZIPPER LIP”.
`Another type of lip wear edge can be seen in co—owned
`US. Pat. No. 3,865,177. Other patents dealing with lip
`wear edges are US. Pat. Nos. 3,995,384 and 4,748,754.
`Other protective shrouds can be seen in co-owned US.
`Pat. Nos. 3,171,500; 4,129,934 and 4,932,478.
`The '384 patent shows a wear edge or bit for rear-
`ward slide mounting on a pair of trapezoidal mounting
`parts projecting upwardly from. the lip. each mounting
`part having underbeveled sides with which the bit
`mates. A rearwardly-extending tongue hooks over a
`side-driven sandwich pin to prevent forward move-
`ment.
`
`The ’754 patent shows a wear edge or cap for pivot
`mounting on an L-shaped retaining piece projecting
`upwardly from the lip, the cap having a recess which
`hooks onto the retaining piece. The cap has an opening
`rearward of the retaining piece for receipt of a sand-
`wich type lock.
`Both of the prior art constructions fail to achieve the
`conflicting goals of wear parts in excavating equipmen-
`t—to be reliably locked in place during operation yet
`being easily replaced when worn. In particular, the ever
`present shock loads prevent
`the realization of these
`contradictory goals. The combination of bearing sur-
`faces and lock permits movement of the prior art wear
`edges which can result in disengagement of the wear
`edge and deterioration of the lock.
`According to the invention, these disadvantages have
`been overcome through the provision of a generally
`U-shaped wear member having a T-shaped slot in one
`of the legs of the U-shape for rearward sliding engage-
`ment with a complementarily shaped boss on a face of
`the excavator and wherein the wear member
`is
`
`equipped with a transversely enlarged, keeper-equipped
`opening adjacent the rear end for the receipt of an es-
`sentially non-compressible lock which resists forward
`or disengaging movement and which is not subject to
`deterioration due to heavy, cyclic loadings.
`Other advantages and objects of the invention may be
`seen in the details of the ensuing specification.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING:
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
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`50
`
`55
`
`The invention is described in conjunction with an
`illustrative embodiment, in the accompanying drawing,
`in which:
`FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an exca-
`vator bucket and showing a boss-equipped lip at the
`lower left;
`
`65
`
`2
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view
`such as would be seen along the sight line 2-2 applied to
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the wear
`member of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a
`lip equipped with a modified boss;
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the
`sight line 5—5 of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 6’is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sec-
`tional view taken along the sight line 6—6 applied to
`FIGS. 2 and 3;
`FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but with parts
`omitted and as would been seen along the sight line 7-7
`applied to FIG. 1;
`FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but with the inven-
`tive lock installed and in the process of removal;
`FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but with the lock in
`
`a subsequent position incident to removal; and
`FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the lock‘
`embodying teachings of the inventions;
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`In the illustration given and with reference first to
`FIG. 1, the numeral 20 designates generally a bucket
`having sidewalls or wings as at 21 equipped with a
`forwardly-facing protector 22, and a rear wall 23 merg-
`ing into a bottom wall 24. The bottom wall 24 termi-
`nates in a forwardly positioned lip 25.
`The lip 25 is equipped with transversely spaced-apart
`excavating teeth generally designated 26 (see the lower
`right), each of which consists of an adapter 27 fixed to
`the lip 25 and a point or tip 28 releasably mounted on
`each adapter 27. The lip 25 is protected by the invention
`through the use of upstanding bosses 29 (see the lower
`left) on which are mounted wear members generally
`designated 30.
`
`LIP PROTECTOR
`
`As can be seen in FIG. 2, the wear member 30 is
`generally U-shaped having a longer upper or inner leg
`31 in confronting relation with the upper or inner face
`25a of the lip 25 and a [outer or outer shorter leg 32 in
`confronting relation with the lower or outer face 25b of
`the lip 25. The legs 31, 32 are connected by a forwardly
`projecting connecting portion 33 which is generally
`aligned with the lip 25 and provides a cutting or pene-
`trating edge as at 34 (see also FIG. 1).
`The boss 29 (again refen'ing to FIG. 1) is generally
`T-shaped and advantageously may be welded to the lip
`25. Alternatively, it may be integrally cast or bolted to
`the upper face 25a (compare FIGS. 6 and 4, respec—
`tively).
`Advantageously, the wear member 30 is equipped
`with a spaced~apart pair of rearwardly-extending legs as
`at 31 in FIG. 1. Only one leg is shown in FIG. 3 but
`each leg 31 contains a T-shaped slot 35 (see FIG. 6)
`which slidably receive the bosses 29.
`In other words, the bottom or inner surface 36 of the
`longer upper leg 31 (see FIG. 6) is equipped with the
`slot 35 to develop an advantageous longitudinal rear-
`ward mounting movement of the wear member 30 on
`the boss 29. For this purpose, the longer upper leg 31 is
`equipped with an opening 37 at the rear end thereof (see
`FIG. 3) to ensleevingly receive the boss 29.
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 6
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 6
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`

`

`3
`
`LOCK
`
`To accommodate the locking of the wear member 30
`in place on the lip 25, a lock generally designated 38 is
`provided. The lock 38 is mounted in a transversely
`enlarged Opening 39 (compare FIGS. 2 and 3 with FIG.
`7) in the outer or top surface 40 of the leg 31. The open-
`ing 39 communicates with the generally T-shaped slot
`35 and is positioned a spaced distance rearwardly of the
`cutting edge 34 and forwardly of the opening 37 so as to
`be aligned with the rear end 41 of the T—shaped boss 29
`(see FIG. 2).
`The construction of the lock 38 can be best appreci-
`ated by first referring to FIG. 10 where a pair of unitary
`steel castings or blocks 42 are seen in perspective at the
`upper right. Each is intended to fit within the opening
`39 in the fashion illustrated in FIG. 8. The lock block 42
`is relatively elongated transversely of each leg 31 and is
`equipped with a slot 43 at one end and an arcuate sur-
`face 44 at the other end. Received within the slot 43 is
`the latch assembly generally designated 45 (see FIG. 8
`and 10) which includes a rubber or elastomeric body 46
`bonded to a steel latch element 47. The slot 43 is cen-
`trally longitudinally recessed top and bottom as at 48
`(see FIG. 10) to receive upstanding and depending ribs
`49 on the latch assembly 45. Additionally, the slot 43
`has an inner end of partially arcuate nature as at 50 (see
`FIG. 10) so as to receive a similarly contoured portion
`51 on the latch assembly 45. Alternatively, the lock and
`latch arrangement can be manufactured as one unit
`using a substantially non-compressible but flexible mate-
`rial such as rubber to be confined in the opening 39.
`LOCK REMOVAL
`
`The basic steps of lock removal are illustrated in
`FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 8, it is seen that the latch ele-
`ment 47 is positioned under a keeper means or tab 52
`provided in the confronting sidewall 53 of the opening
`39 (see FIG. 7). The sidewall 53 in addition to providing
`the keeper means 52 is slotted as at 54 (see FIGS. 3 and
`10) to permit the insertion of a screwdriver tip illus-
`trated at 55 in FIG. 8. The other sidewall 56 of the
`opening 39 is equipped with an arcuate protrusion as at
`57 which is normally confronted by the arcuate recess
`44 of the lock block 42 so as to provide a pivot for the
`block 42.
`Upon pivoting upward movement of the screwdriver
`tip to the position 55’ illustrated in FIG. 9, the rubber
`body 46 is resiliently deformed so as to retract or upset
`(in effect) the latch assembly 45 and this action enables
`the latch element 47 to pass by the keeper means 52.
`It will be appreciated that installation is the reverse of
`the steps illustrated—the latch assembly 45 is retracted
`upon engaging the ramp or sloping wall 57 (see FIG. 7)
`of the keeper means 52 and thereafter snaps in place as
`it goes “over center” past the keeper means 52 to as-
`sume the configuration depicted in FIG. 8.
`In operation, the lock 38 including the block 42 and
`latch assembly 45 is not adversely stressed by impact
`loads or forces as in the prior art. The lock 38 remains
`confined between the rear wall 41 of the boss 29 and the
`rear wall 58 of the opening 39 (compare FIGS. 3 and
`10). This places the steel block 42 in compression but
`does not affect the latch assembly 45. Any stress on the
`latch assembly 45 merely shifts the latch element 47
`under the keeper means 52.
`The block 42 is equipped with longitudinally extend-
`ing flanges as at 59 (see FIG. 10) which are received
`
`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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`45
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`50
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`6O
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`65
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`5,088,214
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`4
`within similarly contoured recesses 60 in the top wall 40
`of the wear member 30 (see also FIG. 7). These ele-
`ments 59-60 enable the proper positioning of the lock 38
`within the opening 39.
`WING PROTECTOR
`
`The invention also finds advantageous application to
`the sides or wings 21 as well as other earth-engaging
`edges of an excavator. As previously pointed out rela-
`tive to FIG. 1, the wing 21 is covered by the protector
`22. A sectional view is seen in FIG. 5.
`Referring now to FIG. 5, one of the excavator sides
`or wings is designated 21 and is seen to be equipped
`with the inventive wear member designated 22. The
`wear member 22 is again seen to be generally U-shaped
`but in this embodiment has legs 31, 31’ which are sub-
`stantially of the same length in proceeding rearwardly
`from the forward connecting portion 33—as contrasted
`to what might be considered a J shape in the embodi-
`ment of FIG. 2.
`‘
`A difference between this embodiment and that pre-
`viously described is that each leg 31, 31’ is equipped
`with a lock generally designated 38. More particularly,
`each face of the wing 21 is equipped with a T-shaped
`boss 29 projecting laterally therefrom.
`As before,
`the legs 31, 31' are equipped with T-
`shaped slots 35 for engagement with the similarly-
`shaped bosses 29. At 0 the rearward end of each boss 29,
`the legs 31, 31’ are provided with lock-receiving open-
`ings 39 with the remainder of the locks 38 being dupli-
`cative of that described with respect to the lip protector
`embodiment.
`
`OPERATION
`
`The functioning of the two illustrated embodiments is
`substantially the same and, for convenience of descrip-
`tion, the operation will be described in connection with
`the lip protector embodiment of FIGS. 1—10.
`_
`Under loading, the wear element 30 can be subjected
`to various force components and in resisting these, the
`invention provides advantages not found in the prior
`art. For example, there may be a sizable positive thrust
`component T—s'ee the left hand portion of FIG. 2. With
`the inventive construction there is no deformation of
`the boss 29. This stems from the fact that this compo-
`nent extends longitudinally, i.e., the surfaces 29a, 29b on
`the boss 29 and confronting surfaces 35a, 35b in the
`wear member slot 35 extend longitudinally so as not to
`affect the bearing therebetween.
`-
`The provision of the generally T-shaped slot 35 in
`combination with the similarly contoured boss 29 makes
`possible advantageous installation and operation. By the
`straightforward rearward sliding movement of the wear
`member 30 on the boss 29, there is no need for any
`pivoting movement and this. in itself, makes possible for
`longer lower legs 32, according to intended design and
`usage. Also, by providing a relatively elongated bearing
`area between the boss 29 and the wear member 30,
`shock loads and other impacts can be readily transmit-
`ted from the portion 33 to the lip 25. This also provides
`an advantageous lateral stabilization but without the
`need for extensive locks or secondary surfaces.
`On the other hand, there may be a substantial nega-
`tive thrust, viz., a vector extending in the opposite di-
`rection to that depicted at T in FIG. 2. This is not an
`unusual occurrence —resulting, for example, from back
`drag. In such a situation, the lock 38, is subjected to
`compression which, in the case of the resilient locks of
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
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`

`

`5,088,214
`
`5
`the prior art, results in cyclic deformation and possible
`premature failure.
`In contrast, the invention provides for heavy loading
`and high compressive stresses on the lock generally
`designated 38 as a result of reaction forces resulting
`from normal operative loads at the leading edge of the
`wear member 30. It is because of this loading on the
`lock 38 that the invention provides an advantageous
`mounting for the lock 38 in the opening 39.
`Still further, the loading on the wear element 30 may
`produce a vertical component, viz., one at right angles
`to the vector T of FIG. 2. This could result in eccentric
`loading on the elements of the prior art supporting the
`wear elements but this is not the case with the instant
`invention.
`The invention has a boss 29 and a wear member 30
`arranged so that when vertically loaded will, in contrast
`with prior art, minimize bending stresses in the joint
`between the boss 29 and the structure on which it is
`mounted, viz., the lip 25. When vertically loaded the
`inventive construction with parallel surfaces of contact
`primarily experiences tensile stresses at the joint be-
`tween the boss and the lip.
`As the wear member/lip assemblies “wear in", the
`wear member 30 moves rearwardly on the lip 25. The
`inventive arrangement allows for substantial rearward
`movement before the boss 29 is encountered. In con-
`trast, the prior art wear edges had a very limited dis-
`tance in which they could move rearwardly before
`contact with the upstanding boss or other retaining
`member. Engagement or contact between the wear
`member 30 and boss 29 in the prior art constructions
`could cause shear failure of the boss and/or unloading
`of the lock and subsequent loss of the lock. Further, in
`the prior art, a certain amount of preload was required
`to prevent lock disengagement which is a drawback
`avoided by the instant invention.
`According to the invention, the bearing area between
`the wear member and boss that supports vertical load-
`ing between the parts is advantageously large so as to
`avoid deformation and/or abnormal wear. This feature,
`along with the advantageous positioning of the keeper
`for the laterally extending latch assembly 45 achieves
`both the result of avoiding disengagement by undue
`forward movement of the wear member 30 and deterio-
`ration of the lock 38.
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`35
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`4O
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`45
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`6
`gages a mating or similarly contoured boss 29. The
`required number of bosses may either be bolted or
`welded to the lip or integrally cast therewith.
`The wear member 30 is releasably held in position by
`means of a lock 38 installed in a generally rectangular
`opening 39 (see FIG. 3) in each leg 31. The transversely
`enlarged opening 39 is located rearwardly of the rear
`end of the boss 29. Thus, when a lock 38 is installed into
`each opening 39, the wear member 30 is prevented from
`moving off of the lip 25. Conversely, removal of each
`lock 38 allows easy disassembly of the wear member 30
`from the lip 25.
`The lock opening 39 has an arcuate protrusion 57 (see
`FIG. 7) at the upper edge normal to the leading edge or
`forward wall of the opening 39. The arcuate protrusion
`57 serves as a pivot point for installation of the lock as
`illustrated in FIG. 9. The sidewall 53 opposite to that
`equipped with the arcuate protrusion 57 is equipped
`with a tab or keeper means 52 which retains the latch
`assembly 45 in place—until the rubber body 46 is de-
`formed under the influence of a screw driver tip 55 so as
`to permit passage of the latch element 47 past the keeper
`means 52.
`By providing the keeper means to the side, i.e., later-
`ally offset from the T-shaped slot 35, the latch assembly
`45 is not substantially subjected to adverse stresses yet is
`advantageously located for easy replacement.
`While in the foregoing specification a detailed de-
`scription of an embodiment of the invention has been set
`down for the purpose of illustration, many variations in
`the details herein given may be made by those skilled in
`the art without departing from the spirit and scope of
`the invention.
`I claim:
`1. A wear edge assembly for an excavator provided
`with inner and outer faces terminating in a forward
`edge,
`a rearwardly-extending generally T-shaped boss se-
`cured to one of said faces spaced rearwardly of said
`forward edge,
`a generally U-shaped wear member slidably mounted
`on said faces and having a pair of legs so that said
`wear member extends around said excavator for-
`
`ward edge, each of said legs having inner and outer
`surfaces confronting respectively said excavator
`inner and outer faces, at least one leg of said mem-
`ber having a rearwardly—extending slot in its inner
`surface, said slot being generally T-shaped to re-
`The invention provides positive but releasable reten-
`ceive said generally T-shaped boss upon slidable,
`tion of a protective wear member to the leading edge of 50
`rearward movement thereon, said member one leg
`a bucket lip or bucket wings or sidewalls—these latter
`having a laterally enlarged opening in the outer
`also having wearable edges like the bucket lip.
`surface thereof adjacent the rear end of said boss
`Exemplary of the invention is a wear member utilized
`and communicating with said slot, said opening
`to protect the leading edge of a large front end loader
`being defined by front, rear and side walls, and
`bucket lip. Protection of earth-engaging bucket lips is a
`lock means in said opening confined between the rear
`constant maintenance problem and many forms of pro-
`end of said boss and the rear wall of said opening,
`tection have been utilized over the years. Normally,
`said lock means being equipped with laterally ex—
`wear edge protectors are welded, bolted, or mechani-
`tending latch means, and keeper means in one of
`cally attached. The most desirable designs are those that
`said opening side walls upsettably confining said
`are mechanically attached and easy to install and re-
`latch means whereby rearwardly exerted forces on
`move. Although the structure is illustrated for a front
`said latch means do not affect the keeper means.
`end loader lip and wings, variations of this design could
`2. The structure of claim 1 in which said legs are of
`be utilized on face shovels, cable shovels, draglines and
`unequal length to provide a generally J-shaped wear
`other earth moving equipment.
`member, said excavator forward edge being a horizon-
`The invention includes an easily changeable wear 65 tally-extending lip.
`member 30 with one or more rearwardly projecting
`3. The structure of claim 1 in which said legs are of
`portions or legs 31. As illustrated, the leg 31 includes a
`substantially the same length, said excavator forward
`T—shaped longitudinally extending slot 35 which en-
`edge being a vertically-extending wing.
`
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`55
`
`60
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`5,088,214
`
`7
`4. A wear edge assembly for an excavator provided
`with inner and outer faces terminating in a forward
`edge,
`a rearwardly-extending, generally T-shaped boss
`secured to one of said faces spaced rearwardly of
`said forward edge,
`a generally U-shaped wear member slidably mounted
`on said faces and having a pair of legs so that said
`Wear member extends around said excavator for-
`ward edge, each of said legs having inner and outer
`surfaces confronting respectively said excavator
`inner and outer faces, at least one leg of said mem-
`ber having a rearwardly-extending slot in its inner
`surface, said slot being generally T-shaped to re-
`ceive said generally T-shaped boss upon slidable
`rearward movement thereon, said member one leg
`having a laterally enlarged opening in the outer
`surface thereof adjacent the rear end of said boss,
`and communicating with said slot, said opening
`being defined by front, rear and side walls, and
`lock means in said opening confined between the rear
`end of said boss and the rear wall of said opening,
`said lock means being equipped with laterally ex-
`tending latch means, and keeper means in one of
`said opening side walls upsettably confining said
`latch means, the other sidewall of said opening
`being equipped with an integral arcuate protrusion,
`said lock means having an arcuate recess in con-
`fronting relation to said protrusion for coaction
`therewith in installation, retention and removal of
`said lock means.
`5. The structure of claim 4 in which said one sidewall
`is equipped with a tool insertion slot aligned with said
`keeper means.
`6. The structure of claim 4 in which said latch means
`includes a deformable portion and a metal wedge-
`shaped latch element engaging said keeper means, said
`lock means including a metal block mounted in said
`opening having slot means receiving said portions, said
`block being equipped with said arcuate recess.
`7. A wear edge assembly for an excavator provided
`with a lip element having upper and lower faces termi-
`nating in a forward edge,
`a rearwardly-extending, generally T-shaped boss
`secured to said upper face spaced rearwardly of
`said forward edge and extending rearwardly,
`a generally J-shaped wear member slidably mounted
`on said boss and having upper and lower legs with
`the upper leg having top and bottom surfaces, said
`wear member extending around said lip element
`forward edge, said member upper leg having a
`rearwardly-extending slot
`in its bottom surface
`contoured to receive said generally T-shaped boss
`upon slidable, rearward movement thereon, said
`member upper leg having a laterally enlarged
`opening in the top surface thereof adjacent end of
`said boss and communicating with said slot, said
`opening being defined by front, rear and side walls,
`and
`
`lock means in said opening confining between the
`rear end of said boss and the rear wall of said open-
`ing, said lock means being equipped with laterally
`extending latch means, and keeper means in one of
`said opening side walls upsettably confining said
`latch means whereby rearwardly exerted forces on
`said latch means do not affect the keeper means.
`
`8
`8. A wear edge assembly for an excavator equipped
`with a vertically-extending wing having inner and outer
`faces terminating in a forward edge,
`a rearwardly-extending, generally T-shaped boss
`secured to each of said faces spaced rearwardly of
`said forward edge and extending rearwardly,
`a generally U-shaped wear member slidably mounted
`on said bosses and having inner and outer legs, said
`wear member extending around said wing forward
`edge, each of said legs having inner and outer sur-
`faces confronting respectively said wing inner and
`outer faces, each leg having a rearwardly-extend-
`ing slot in its inner surface contoured to receive
`said generally T-shaped boss upon slidable, rear-
`ward movement thereon, each leg having a later-
`ally enlarged opening in the outer surface thereof
`adjacent the rear end of said boss and communicat-
`ing with said slot, each said opening being defined
`by front, rear and side walls, and
`lock means in said opening confined between the rear
`end of said boss and the rear wall of said opening,
`said lock means being equipped with laterally ex-
`tending latch means, and keeper means in one of
`said opening side walls upsettably confining said
`latch means.
`9. A replaceable wear member for the forwardly
`facing edge of an excavator, comprising:
`a unitary metal member having a general U-shape in
`side elevation providing a pair of spaced-apart legs
`connected by a forward connecting portion, each
`leg having inner and outer surfaces, at least one of
`said legs having its inner surface equipped with a
`generally T—shaped slot extending to the rearward
`end of said member so as to slidingly engage a
`complementarily contoured boss on the excavator,
`said at least one leg being equipped with a laterally
`enlarged opening in the outer surface thereof
`spaced from said member rearward end and com-
`municating with said slot and adapted to receive a
`locking block means, said opening being defined by
`front, rear and sidewalls, one of said sidewalls
`being equipped with a projection constituting
`keeper means
`for
`said locking block means
`whereby rearwardly exerted forces do not affect
`the keeper means.
`10. The structure of claim 9 in which the other side-
`wall of said opening is equipped with an integral arcuate
`protrusion for pivotally installing a
`locking. block
`means.
`11. The structure of claim 9 in which said one side-
`wall is equipped with a tool insertion slot aligned with
`said keeper means.
`12. A replaceable wear member for the forwardly
`facing edge of an excavator, comprising:
`-
`a unitary metal member having a general U-shape in
`said elevation providing pair of spaced-apart legs
`connected by a forward connecting portion, each
`having inner and outer surfaces, at least one of said
`legs having its inner surface equipped with a gener-
`ally T-shaped slot extending to the rearward end of
`said member so as to slidingly engage a comple-
`mentarily contoured boss on the excavator, said
`one leg being equipped with a transversely en-
`larged opening in the outer surface thereof spaced
`from said‘member rearward end and communicat-
`ing with said slot and adapted to receive a locking
`block means, said opening being defined by front,
`rear and sidewalls, one of said sidewalls being
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 9
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 9
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`5,088,214
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`9
`equipped with a projection constituting keeper
`means for said locking blOck means, said slot hav-
`ing a transversely enlarged portion to provide an
`extension of said opening, and tab means in said
`transversely enlarged portion constituting said
`keeper means whereby rearwardly exerted forces
`do not affect said keeper means.
`13. The structure of claim 12 in which said keeper
`means is equipped with a downwardly-facing surface
`having ends defined by said front and rear sidewalls.
`14. The structure of claim 13 in which said keeper
`means is equipped with a tool insertion slot intermediate
`the ends of said downwardly-facing surface.
`15. A replaceable wear member for a lip of an excava-
`tor, comprising:
`-
`a unitary metal member having a forward end and a
`rearward end, said member also having a general
`J-shaped in side elevation providing a longer upper
`
`10
`leg and a shorter lower leg connected by a forward
`connecting portion and top and bottom surfaces in
`said upper
`leg,
`said J-shape upper
`leg being
`equipped with a generally T-shaped slot extending
`upwardly from the bottom surface of said upper leg
`and extending to the rearward end of said member
`so as to slidingly engage a complementarily con-
`toured boss on said excavator lip-providing por-
`tlon,
`said member being equipped with a transversely en-
`larged generally rectangular opening in said top
`surface spaced from said rearward end and com-
`municating with said slot and adapted to receive a
`generally rectangular lock,
`said opening being equipped with longitudinally ex-
`tending keeper means whereby rearwardly exerted
`forces do not affect said keeper means.
`3
`I
`I
`t
`0
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30'
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 10
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2021 Page 10
`
`