United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11]
`
`Patent Number:
`
`5,469,648
`
`Jones et a1.
`
`[45]
`Date of Patent:
`Nov. 28, 1995
`
`US005469648A
`
`[54] EXCAVATING TOOTH
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Larren F. Jones, Aloha; Robert K.
`Emrich, Tigard; Ian R. Bingham,
`Beaverton, all of Oreg.
`
`[73] Assignee: Esco Corporation, Portland, Oreg.
`
`[21]
`
`122}
`
`App]. No.: 291,711
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 16, 1994
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`[63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 12,467, Feb. 2, 1993, aban-
`doned.
`
`[51]
`[52]
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`Int. Cl.6 ........................................................ E02F 9/28
`
`U.S. Cl.
`.............
`. 37/457; 37/455
`Field of Search ..
`. 37/457, 458, 456,
`
`37/455, 452, 446
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,312,802
`2,368,611
`2,568,075
`2,669,153
`2,702,490
`3,511,126
`3,526,435
`3,733,722
`3,748,762
`3,774,324
`3,879,867
`3,894,349
`4,087,928
`4,129,934
`4,155,665
`4,192,089
`4,213,257
`4,231,173
`4,271,615
`
`3/1943 Crawford.
`1/1945 Clavnoce .................................. 37/457
`9/1951 Launder.
`2/1954 Launder.
`2/1955 Launder.
`5/1970 Watts.
`9/1970 Knekeler ................................... 37/457
`5/1973 Launder .
`7/1973 Tar-rant.
`11/1973 Lafond.
`4/1975 Ericson et a1.
`7/1975 Moreau.
`5/1978 Mickus.
`12/1978 Gettrnan .
`5/1979 Kaarlela .
`3/1980 Schwappach.
`7/1980 Johansson et a1.
`11/1980 Davis.
`6/1981 Jones.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`4,355,532
`4,446,638
`4,481,728
`4,516,340
`4,579,494
`4,596,3 18
`4,823,487
`4,835,888
`4,881,331
`4,911,505
`4,965,945
`5,068,986
`5,074,062
`5,134,793
`5,152,088
`5,361,520
`
`6/1982
`5/1984
`11/1984
`5/1985
`4/1986
`6/1986
`4/1989
`6/1989
`11/1989
`3/1989
`10/1990
`12/1991
`12/1991
`8/1992
`10/1992
`11/1994
`
`.
`
`.
`Hahn et a1.
`Novotny et a1.
`Mulder et al.
`.
`Launder .
`Bierwith .
`Bidol .
`Robinson .
`Hemphill .
`Paizes .
`Emrich ...................................... 37/457
`Emrich .
`Jones .
`Hahn et a1.
`Bierwith .
`Hahn .
`Robinson .
`
`.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2930804
`
`'2/1981 Germany ................................. 37/457
`
`‘ Primary Examiner—Dennis L. Taylor
`Assistant Examiner—Spencer K. Warnick
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Banner & Allegretti, Ltd.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An excavating tooth for use on a wide variety of excavating
`equipment is comprised of a point, an adapter and a sand-
`wich lock pin. The pin includes a rigid casing and a plurality
`of independently depressible protrusions. One of the pro-
`trusions resiliently engages a face defined on the nose of the
`adapter to tighten the connection of the point on the nose.
`One other of the protrusions extends into an opening defined
`by the point to secure the lock pin to the point. With respect
`to an external locking tooth, the opening defined in the point
`includes a pair of bosses which define a reduced portion of
`the opening. The reduced portion matingly receives and
`holds the ends of the rigid casing of the pin. The independent
`locking of the pin and the mating receipt of the casing in the
`point opening reduces the likelihood of pin loss due to
`overloading of the elastomeric material, wearing of the
`components or jacking forces.
`
`,, 40 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 1
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 11
`
`5,469,648
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 2
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 11
`
`5,469,648
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 3
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 1995
`
`Sheet 3 of 11
`
`5,469,648
`
`Z.07..
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 4
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 4
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 1995
`
`Sheet 4 of 11
`
`5,469,648
`
`149d
`
` FIG.12
`
`
`
`g..- _..-____..______-_____._
`\\-.--‘--.-.---IJ- urnrrnrt‘ I
`‘1
`-r
`
` 36
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 5
`
`ON
`
`')
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 1995
`
`Sheet 5 of 11
`
`5,469,648 .
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 6
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 1995
`
`Sheet 6 of 11
`
`5,469,648
`
`5.0.“.
`
`N:
`
`
`
`m..07..
`
`o2,,
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 7
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 7
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 1995
`
`Sheet 7 of 11
`
`5,469,648
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 8
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 1995
`
`Sheet 8 of 11
`
`5,469,648
`
`wfi
`§§Q\\‘~X\l
`
`FIG.22
` 2|8b
`
`lllb
`
`‘-'-V FIG.23
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 9
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 1995
`
`Sheet 9 of 11
`
`5,469,648
`
`FIG. 29
`
`246
`
`25|
`
`2700
`
`
`250
`
`253
`
`232
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 10
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 10
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 1995
`
`Sheet 10 of 11
`
`5,469,648
`
`
`
`In
`
`'51?—-—
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 11
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 11
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 28, 1995
`
`Sheet 11 of 11
`
`5,469,648
`
`
`
`FIG. 34
`
`32K.
`
`2525
`
`35
`
`322
`
`35
`
`'
`
`324
`
`525
`
`Fl G. 35
`325
`[321
`
`524
`
`322
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 12
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 12
`
`

`

`1
`EXCAVATING TOOTH
`
`5,469,648
`
`2
`
`This application is a continuation—in—part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 08/012,467, filed Feb. 2, 1993, now
`abandoned.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention pertains to an excavating tooth
`adapted for use on excavating equipment of all kinds—such
`as, front end loaders, backhoes, draglines, rippers, etc.
`
`BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`In use, points are often subjected to jacking or fluttering
`forces. More specifically, as the point is forced through the
`ground it is constantly exposed to endless variations in
`resistance caused by rocks, roots, concrete and other dis-
`continuities in the ground. These variations are magnified in
`front end loaders which are driven forward along the ground
`and thus experience additional vertical and transverse move-
`ments of the bucket during loading. In any event, these
`variations in resistance tend to apply forces having signifi—
`cant vertical components to the points. Moreover, the loads
`generally reverse directions at a rapid rate on the point such
`that upward and downward forces act repeatedly on the
`points. In large operations loads upwards of 200,000 pounds
`would not be unexpected.
`As can be appreciated, a vertical load on the front edge of
`the point tends to apply a large moment force to the point,
`which if not resisted, would rotate the point off the adapter
`nose. These moment forces also apply large stresses on the
`bearing faces of the nose and cause deformation and wear to
`the nose. Moreover, as can be seen in FIG. 2 of the ’487
`patent, the rear wall of the aperture in the point engages the
`rear of the lock pin. As the point is forced to rotate under the
`moment force, a corresponding force (i.e., one with a
`vertical component) is applied to the pin. With constant
`reversing of the loads in jacking forces, the pin can be
`worked free and ejected from the aperture even without
`failure of the elastomer or over-wearing of the components.
`Although the unique construction of the adapter nose and the
`socket of the point in U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,173 to Davis has
`to some degree alleviated the problem, it does not provide a
`perfect solution for all applications.
`Ejection of the pin can be partially alleviated if the lock
`pin is inserted through a set of aligned apertures oriented in
`a horizontal direction (i.e., parallel with the lip of the
`bucket). A tooth with this construction is referred to as a side
`locking tooth. An example of such a construction is shown
`in U.S. Pat. No. 2,669,153 to Launder. With this construc—
`tion, rotational movements of the point in a vertical plane do
`not apply forces along the pin’s axis to eject
`the pin.
`Nevertheless, significant transverse jacking forces can be
`applied to the point and thus transmitted to the pin along its
`axis. Moreover, because of the typical close spacing of the
`teeth on a bucket, very little access space is provided to
`insert and remove the pins. In the field, the pins are usually
`manually inserted and removed by an individual using a
`pointed tool and a sledge hammer. Accordingly, difficulties
`in replacing the points are frequently encountered. Due to
`these shortcomings,
`teeth with this construction have
`become known as “Knuckle Busters.”
`
`In all of these lock assemblies, the point is movable
`farther up on the adapter nose as the nose becomes worn. As
`a result, the elastomeric element must expand a correspond-
`ing amount to maintain a tight fit and prevent loss of the pin.
`Once the maximum expansion of the member is reached, the
`pin may be lost or ejected. Therefore, in order to maximize
`the life of the components the apertures defined through the
`point and adapter nose, irrespective of whether they are
`vertical or horizontal apertures, are typically constructed so
`that the pin is initially inserted into a very tight arrangement.
`A tight fit leads to difficulty in inserting and removing the
`pin. Difficulty in replacing the points causes increased
`downtime and a greater likelihood that workers may avoid
`timely replacement of the points.
`To overcome many of the disadvantages associated with
`central and side locking teeth, excavating teeth with external
`locking constructions have been developed. An example of
`a popular external locking tooth is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 13
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`In mining and construction, most excavating equipment
`ordinarily include a series of spaced apart teeth mounted
`across a bucket lip. The teeth project forwardly to engage
`and break up the material to be gathered in the bucket. As
`can be appreciated, the teeth are subjected to highly abrasive
`conditions and thus experience considerable wearing.
`In order to minimize the loss of material due to replace-
`ment of parts, the teeth are manufactured as two parts—an
`adapter and a point. The adapter is attached (e.g., by
`welding) to the bucket’s lip and includes a forwardly pro-
`jecting nose. The point defines a rearwardly opening socket
`into which the adapter nose is received and includes a front
`digging edge. The point substantially envelops the adapter
`nose and thereby tends to protect the nose from wear. As a
`result, however, the point is subjected to abrasive conditions
`and must be frequently replaced. In general, five to thirty
`points may be successively mounted onto a single adapter, ~
`depending upon the severity of the application. Due to the
`large loads and impacts applied to the teeth, it is essential
`that the points be securely locked to the adapters. Yet, since
`the points are changed in the field, the locks must be easily
`set and released. While many styles of locks have been
`developed, they commonly include the use of a lock pin.
`According to one common arrangement, the point and
`adapter nose are each provided with a central
`locking
`aperture. When the parts are assembled, the apertures are
`aligned to enable receipt of a lock pin. In some cases, a rigid
`pin is used in combination with a resilient keeper member.
`The keeper member is employed to hold the pin in the
`apertures and to tighten the engagement of the point over the
`adapter nose. An example of this type of tooth is disclosed
`in U.S. Pat. No. 2,312,802 to Crawford. In an alternative
`arrangement, a sandwich pin may be used without a separate
`keeper member. In general, a sandwich pin is comprised of
`a rigid portion to provide adequate strength to hold the point
`to the adapter and a resilient portion to secure the pin in
`place and tighten the connection of the parts. An example of
`this construction is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,487 to
`Robinson.
`
`Teeth with these constructions, however, experience a
`number of shortcomings. The formation of central apertures
`in both the point and adapter nose weakens the overall
`strength of the tooth. In addition, under heavy longitudinal
`loading of the point, the keeper or elastomeric portion of the
`lock is forced to accept loads beyond its capacity. This
`phenomenon is exacerbated in situations involving a par—
`tially worn adapter nose. Frequent or cyclic overloading of
`the resilient component can result in premature failure of the
`member. Failure of the keeper or elastomer can lead to loss
`of the pin and hence the point. If a point is lost, the adapter
`will be quickly ruined as the nose is not made to resist highly
`abrasive conditions.
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
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`

`

`5,469,648
`
`.
`
`3
`4,965,945 to Emrich. As can be seen in FIG. 3 of the ’945
`patent, the point is provided with a pair of vertically spaced
`lugs which are placed to each side of a central ledge or
`shoulder formed on the side of the adapter nose. A rigid lock
`pin is inserted vertically between the lugs of the point and
`the ledge of the adapter nose to couple the components
`together. The pin preferably has an arcuate configuration
`which is slightly flexed (i.e., straightened) when inserted to
`tighten the overall assembly of the tooth. A transverse
`resilient plug is provided to lock the pin in place. The plug
`is comprised of a helical spring encased in a resilient foam
`material.
`
`This external locking construction avoids the formation of
`enlarged apertures in the components and thereby provides
`a stronger tooth. Further, the transverse orientation of the
`resilient plug shields it from the major forces applied to the
`point. Overloading of the plug is thus avoided. However, this
`lock pin and plug combination does not attain the advan-
`tages of a one-piece lock.
`An alternate external locking construction using a sand—
`wich lock pin, as shown in US. Pat. No. 5,152,088 to Hahn,
`has also been used. In this construction, the adapter nose has
`a vertical channel defined along one of its sides to receive
`the pin. The point includes a rearwardly extending tongue in
`opposed relation to the channel and an inwardly directed lug.
`The lock pin is comprised of rigid front and rear faces which
`resist the major loads applied to the point, and an elastomer
`provided with a pair of transverse locking detents adapted
`for receipt in recesses defined in the adapter nose and the
`tongue. While this construction performs well in smaller
`sized teeth, it does not provide an adequate solution for all
`circumstances.
`
`The present invention pertains to a tooth, comprised of a
`point, an adapter and a sandwich pin, which has a construc—
`tion unknown in the prior art. The tooth of the present
`invention is much less susceptible to pin loss due to over-
`loading of a pin elastomer, the eifects of jacking forces or
`wear to the adapter nose. Moreover, the points can be readily
`replaced in the field.
`According to one aspect of the invention, an excavating
`tooth is comprised of an adapter, a point, and a sandwich pin.
`The adapter includes a forwardly projecting nose and an
`opening associated with the nose. The point includes a front
`digging edge, a socket which is matingly received over the
`adapter nose, and a first opening which aligns with the
`adapter opening for receipt of the sandwich pin. The point
`further includes a second opening proximate to the first
`opening. The pin is comprised of a rigid casing and a
`plurality of independently depressible protrusions. One of
`the protrusions resiliently engages a portion of the adapter
`nose to tighten the attachment of the point onto the nose. At
`least one other protrusion extends into the second opening of
`the point to securely lock the pin to the point. The indepen-
`dent operation of the protrusions functions to alleviate pin
`loss due to overloading of the elastomeric material,
`the
`eifects of jacking forces or wear to the adapter nose.
`According to another aspect of the invention, the sand-
`wich pin includes a rigid casing member and a plurality of
`elastomeric members. One of the elastomeric members
`forms a first protrusion which engages and presses against a
`portion of the adapter nose to eifect tightening of the point
`onto the nose. At least one other elastomeric member forms
`a second protrusion which functions to lock the pin to the
`point. The locking elastomer is separate and apart from the
`tightening elastomer and is shielded from the major forces
`applied to the point by the rigid casing. Since the lockng
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`
`elastomer is isolated from the loading forces it cannot be
`overloaded. As a result, pin loss due to failure of an
`elastomeric member is virtually eliminated. The use of a
`separate locking elastomer further reduces the likelihood of
`pin ejection under jacking forces.
`In another aspect of the invention, the rigid casing of the
`pin is matingly received and held in at least a portion of the
`pin opening defined by the point. In this way, the point
`independently holds the pin, regardless of the longitudinal
`position of the point on the adapter nose. This independent
`holding of the pin causes the pin to move with the point as
`it is repeatedly jerked under jacking forces. This integral
`movement of the pin with the point virtually eliminates the
`thrust forces formerly applied by the point in ejecting the pin
`from the opening. Hence, the pin is substantially prevented
`from being lost due to jacking forces or wear to the adapter
`nose. The holding of the pin by the point also permits the
`assembly of a “looser” tooth construction. In other words,
`since the pin is held by the point, the pin does not need to
`be inserted into a tight tooth assembly. As a result, the pin
`opening in the present invention can be formed with a
`minimum clearance to permit easy driving of the pin in the
`field.
`
`In the tooth illustrated in FIGS. 5—8 of the ’487 patent, the
`lock pin is received into a slot defined in the point. As seen
`in FIG. 8 thereof, the slot includes shoulders which are
`shown to matingly receive the pin. However, a closer
`inspection reveals that the construction is wholly unwork-
`able. More specifically, when the pin is inserted, it is driven
`vertically downward into the aligned openings. As seen in
`FIG. 5 thereof, the pin has a central segment rearward of the
`shoulders which is broader than its end portions. The mating
`receipt of the pin’s end portions in the point openings (as
`seen in FIG. 8) would preclude the passage of the broader
`central segment through the same opening. As a result, this
`patent fails to provide a useful teaching in this regard.
`According to another aspect of the invention, a point of an
`external locking tooth includes a pair of vertically spaced
`apart lugs disposed rearwardly of the point’s body. The lugs
`are attached to the body by an ear which forms an extension
`of one of the point’s sidewalls. The ear attaches to a sidewall
`of the point with broad arcuate transition segments at the top
`and bottom ends of the ear. This broad arcuate configuration
`is important in maintaining stress levels at this juncture point
`within a range of acceptable levels. In addition, the body, the
`ear and the lugs collectively define an opening in which the
`lock pin is received. A boss is provided opposite each lug to
`facilitate mating receipt of the pin in the point opening.
`However, the provision of such a boss requires the formation
`of a sharper comer between the ear and the body than is
`desired adjacent the top and bottom ends of the ear. The use
`of the sharper curvature needed for the boss at the top and
`bottom ends of the ear would cause greater than desired
`amounts of stress in the point under heavy loading. The
`bosses holding the pin in the opening are therefore offset
`from the top and bottom ends of the car so that the point is
`provided with the broad arcuate transition structures as well
`as the desired bosses.
`
`In another aspect of the invention, a sandwich pin
`includes an arm which projects rearward to extend between
`the lugs and the adapter nose when the pin is assembled in
`an external locking tooth. The arm stabilizes the orientation
`of the pin to prevent unwanted turning of the pin in the pin
`opening. The arm also prevents an erroneous insertion of the
`pin during assembly of the tooth.
`In another aspect of the invention, the point defines an
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 14
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 14
`
`

`

`5
`
`6
`
`5,469,648
`
`opening adapted to receive a lock pin therein. The point
`further includes a plurality of recesses along the opening to
`receive locking detents of the inserted pin. This multiple,
`independent locking construction between the pin and the
`point creates a positive locking assembly which alleviates
`unintended release or loss of the pin from the pin opening.
`According to another aspect of the invention, the lock pin
`has a single elastomeric member which uniquely cooperates
`with a rigid casing to define a pair of independently depress-
`ible protrusions. The elastomeric member includes a front
`protrusion which engages a face of the adapter nose and a
`rear protrusion which is inserted into a gap defined between
`a pair of walls or lugs of the point. The front protrusion
`tightens the connection of the point onto the adapter nose
`and the rear protrusion locks the pin to the point. The
`independently depressible nature of the rear protrusion pro-
`vides a secure locking function to alleviate unintended
`release of the pin, isolates the rear protrusion from the front
`protrusion to lessen the afiects on the pin of heavy loading,
`and enhances the mating receipts of the pin’s rigid casing in
`the pin opening of the point to securely lock the pin to the
`point even when assembled on a worn and loose fitting
`adapter nose.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an exploded, partial perspective View of an
`external locking tooth in accordance with one embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of the point of the tooth.
`FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3—3 in
`FIG. 2.
`
`FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the adapter nose of the tooth.
`FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the adapter nose.
`FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the lock pin of the
`tooth.
`
`FIG. 7 is a partial front elevational view of the lock pin.
`FIG. 8 is a cross sectional View taken along line 8—8 in
`FIG. 6.
`
`4o
`
`FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line 9—9 in
`FIG. 6.
`
`FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along line 10—10
`in FIG. 6.
`
`'45
`
`FIG. 11 is an exploded side view of the lock pin.
`FIG. 12 is a partial, top plan view of the assembled tooth.
`FIG. 13 is a cross sectional View taken along line 13—13
`in FIG. 12 showing an initial step in a process for assembly
`of the pin info, tooth.
`FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view taken along line 13—13
`in FIG. 12 showing a medial step in the process for assembly
`of the pin into the tooth.
`FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view taken along line 13—13
`in FIG. 12 showing the assembled tooth.
`FIG. 16 is an exploded, partial perspective view of a
`center locking tooth in accordance with a second embodi—
`ment of the present invention.
`FIG. 17 is an exploded, partial top plan View of the point
`and adapter nose of the second embodiment.
`FIG. 18 is an exploded, partial side elevational view of the
`point and adapter nose of the second embodiment.
`FIG. 19 is a partial cross sectional view of the assembled
`tooth taken along line 19—19 in FIG. 17.
`FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the lock pin of the second
`embodiment.
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`FIG. 21 is an exploded, partial perspective view of a third
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view taken in the position of
`line 13—13 in FIG. 12 of a tooth in accordance with a fourth
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the lock pin of the
`fourth embodiment.
`
`FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view taken along line 24—24
`in FIG. 23.
`
`FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view taken along line 25—25
`in FIG. 23.
`
`FIG. 26 is a partial cross sectional view taken in the
`position of line 13—13 of FIG. 12 of a tooth in accordance
`with a fifth embodiment of the invention.
`
`FIG. 27 is a side elevational of the lock pin of the fifth
`embodiment.
`
`FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view taken along line 28—28
`in FIG. 27.
`
`FIG. 29 is a cross sectional view taken along line 29—29
`in FIG. 27.
`
`FIG. 30 is a partial cross sectional view taken in the
`position of line 19—19 in FIG. 18 of a sixth embodiment of
`the invention.
`
`FIG. 31 is a perspective view of pin in accordance with a
`seventh embodiment of the invention.
`
`FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view taken along line 32—32
`in FIG. 31.
`
`FIG. 33 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along
`line 33—33 in FIG. 32, which only illustrates the casing.
`FIG. 34 is a rear elevational view of the rear detent.
`
`FIG. 35 is an cross sectional view taken along line 35—35
`in FIG. 34.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`The present invention pertains to an excavating tooth
`comprised of a point, an adapter and a sandwich type lock
`pin. The tooth is adapted to connect to excavating equipment
`of all kinds for use in a wide variety of operations. As can
`be appreciated, operation of the equipment will cause the
`present teeth to assume many different orientations. Never-
`theless, for purposes of explanation, the elements of the
`teeth are at times described in regard to relative directions
`such as up and down. These directions should be understood
`with respect to the orientation of the teeth as shown in FIGS.
`1 and 16, unless stated otherwise.
`invention
`In a preferred embodiment of the present
`(FIGS. 1—15), a tooth 10 includes a point 12, an adapter 14
`and a sandwich pin 16. Tooth 10 preferably has an external
`locking construction similar to that set forth in U.S. Pat. No.
`4,965,945 to Emrich, which is incorporated herein by refé
`erence. Nevertheless, variations on the construction may
`also be used.
`
`Adapter 14 includes a shank (not shown) adapted to be
`secured to the front lip of a bucket (not shown), and a nose
`18 projecting forwardly from the lip (FIGS. 1 and 4—5).
`Nose 18 is preferably formed with a helical construction
`similar to that originally set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,532
`to Hahn et a1., which is also incorporated herein by refer-
`ence. The helical construction, however, is not essential to
`the present invention. A vertically oriented keyway 20 is
`formed along one side of adapter nose 18. Keyway 20 is
`defined by a rearwardly facing ledge or shoulder 22, a side
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 15
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2022 Page 15
`
`

`

`5,469,648
`
`7
`wall 24 and a rear wall 26. Side and rear walls 24, 26
`preferably merge together in an arcuate transition segment.
`The keyway is designed and sized to receive lock pin 16 and
`lugs 28a, 28b of point 12 (FIGS. 1 and 12).
`Point 12 has a generally wedge-shaped tapering construc-
`tion which includes a front digging edge 30 and a body 32
`including a socket 42 for receiving adapter nose 18 (FIGS.
`1—3). Body 32 is defined by a top wall 34, a bottom wall 35,
`a pair of side walls 36, 37, and a rear wall 38. Socket 42
`opens rearwardly in rear wall 38 to matingly receive therein
`adapter nose 18 and mount point 12 onto adapter 14. A pair
`of vertically spaced lugs 28a, 28b are disposed rearwardly of
`rear wall 38 to interact with lock pin 16 and keyway 20 to
`lock the tooth assembly together. Lugs 28a, 28b are attached
`to body 32 by an ear 44 which forms an extension of side
`wall 36. A second pair of lugs 28c, 28d of the same
`construction may be provided on the other side of the point
`to enable the point to be flipped over and thereby extend its
`useful life. Lugs 28a, 28b are oriented inwardly at approxi-
`mately right angles to ear 44.
`In use, point 12 is received over adapter nose 18 such that
`the nose is matingly received in socket 42 (FIGS. 1 and
`12—15). Lugs 28a, 28b are received in the upper and lower
`portions of keyway 20. Ledge 22 extends substantially
`vertically between lugs 28a, 28b. Lugs 28a, 28b, ear 44, rear
`wall 38 and keyway 20 cooperatively define a pin opening
`50 for receiving lock pin 16 therethrough. As a result, lock
`pin 16 is driven vertically into and out of pin opening 50 to
`lock and release point 12 to and from adapter nose 18.
`Lock pin 16 is comprised of a rigid casing 54 and a pair
`of elastomeric members 56, 57 (FIGS. 6—11). Elastomers 56,
`57 are received and held within pockets 60, 61 defined in the
`medial and upper portions, respectively, of casing 54. Elas-
`tomer 56 cooperates with a rigid plate 125 to form a first
`protrusion 58 which resiliently engages ledge 22 of adapter
`nose 18 to tighten the connection of point 12 on the nose.
`Elastomer 57 cooperates with a rigid detent 142 to form a
`second protrusion 59 which is received into a recess 151
`(FIG. 15) defined in the point to lock the pin to the point.
`Elastomer 57 is separate and apart from tightening elastomer
`56 and is thus independently depressible and isolated from
`the loading and wear of elastomer 56.
`
`Casing 54 (FIGS. 6—11) is an elongated rigid member
`preferably composed of a metallic material. Casing 54
`preferably has a slightly arcuate configuration, although a
`straight pin could also be used. The use of an arcuate pin
`permits current points to be easily modified to accept the use
`of lock pin 16. Rear walls 64, 65 of casing 54 are concave
`in shape while front wall 67 is convex. The concave curva—
`ture of rear wall 64 is shaped to conform to the arcuate inner
`faces 48a, 48b of lugs 28a, 28b.
`In general, casing 54 has a body segment 70 and a
`rearwardly extending arm 72. Arm 72 extends along the
`length of pin 16 and preferably has a generally hook-like
`configuration; although other shapes could be used. Arm 72
`is adapted to extend between the distal ends 74a, 74b of lugs
`28a, 28b and side wall 24 of keyway 20. Arm 72 includes an
`end face 76 which abuts ends 74a, 74b and an inner surface
`77 which abuts against side wall 24. Arm 72 functions to
`stabilize the orientation of pin 16 and prevent unwanted
`turning of the pin. Ann 72 further prevents the erroneous
`insertion of pin 16 in keyway 20 during assembly.
`At the bottom 80 of pin 16, body segment 70 has a
`generally block-like configuration (FIGS. 6 and 10). A
`tapered section 82 is provided along the front wall 67 of the
`body to ease the assembly of the tooth, as discussed below.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`SO
`
`55
`
`6O
`
`65
`
`8
`
`Chamfers 83a, 83b are also provided along the bottom of
`rear walls 64, 65, respectively, to facilitate easier insertion of
`the pin into opening 50. A flat striking face 84 is defined at
`the top 86 of pin 16. Face 84 is struck by a user to drive the
`pin into and out of opening 50.
`A relatively large pocket 60 is defined along the midsec—
`tion of pin 16 (FIGS. 6 and 9). In this section, casing 54 has
`a substantially T—shaped configuration. More specifically,
`body 70 includes a substantially rectangular base segment
`88 having a front wall 89, a side wall 90 and a rear wall 91.
`Base segment 88, at an end opposite to side wall 90,
`intersects a transverse segment 99 defined by arm 72 and an
`inner sidewall 101. Sidewall 101 extends forwardly from
`base 88 and intersects with front wall 67 of pin 16. Front
`wall 67 defines a reduced portion 67a adjacent pocket 60.
`Front wall portion 67a, sidewall 101 and base segment 88
`cooperate to define a shallow side cavity 103 for receiving
`a portion 56a of tightening elastomer 56. At the top and
`bottom of elastomer 56, front wall 67 and side wall 68
`cooperate to define a pair of stop portions 67b, 67c which
`extend towards one another. The stop portions 67b, 67c each
`cooperate with the inner wall 102 of sidewall 101 to define
`shallow top and bottom cavities 104, 105 adapted to receive
`elastomer portions 56b, 56c. During manufacture of the pin,
`elastomer 56 is flexed and “popped” into pocket 60 and
`cavities 103—105. These cavities function to retain elastomer
`56 in casing 54. In lieu of or in addition to the array of
`cavities 103—105, the elastomer may be bonded to the inner
`walls of the casing.
`Casing 54 along the top 86 of pin 16 defines pocket 61
`adapted to receive and retain locking elastomer 57 (FIGS. 6
`and 8). Front wall 67 and inner sidewall 101 extend com-
`pletely about pocket 61 in a substantially L-shaped configu-
`ration. Front wall 67 deflnes a shallow cavity 107 adjacent
`sidewall 101. Cavity