(12) Unlted States Patent
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 8,024,874 B2
`
`McClanahan et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`US008024874B2
`
`(54) WEAR ASSEMBLY FOR EXCAVATING
`MACHINES
`Inventors: Robert McClanahan, Milwaukie, OR
`(US); Adam Stitzel, Manlius, NY (US)
`
`(75)
`
`-
`.
`~
`(73) A551gnee. ESCO Corporatlon, Portland, OR (US)
`( * ) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 15403) by 0 days.
`
`.
`(21) APPL No" 115113634
`.
`Filed:
`
`(22)
`
`Aug. 28, 2006
`
`37/452
`
`?/1333 1201:5011
`Zafiéaigg : *
`ep
`...............................
`,
`,
`12/1986 Curtis et a1.
`4,625,437 A
`6/1988 S h
`h
`4,748,754 A
`2/1992 £1123???....................... 37/450
`5,088,214 A >x<
`12/1992 Pippins
`5,172,501 A
`1/1993 Klett
`5,177,886 A
`7/1994 Hutchins et a1.
`5,325,615 A
`5/1995 Comellus
`5,412,885 A
`6/1996 3
`'th
`5,526,592 A
`9/1996 135$
`5,553,409 A
`6/1997 Renski
`5,634,285 A
`1/1998 Jones et a1.
`5,709,043 A
`2/1998 Ruvang
`5,713,145 A
`9/1998 Renski
`5,806,216 A
`12/1998 Comellus
`5,852,888 A
`9/1999 Ianello et a1.
`5,956,874 A
`11/1999 Mack
`5,987,787 A
`6,145,224 A * 11/2000 Stickling ......................... 37/458
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2007/0044349 A1
`
`Mar. 1, 2007
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(60)
`
`RBIatEd US. Application Data
`.
`.
`.
`.
`ggovgolgrslal applicatlorllNo.160/712,91115, fiégfifslgfixgg
`,
`, prov151ona
`app 1cation
`o.
`,
`,
`filed on Jan. 10, 2006.
`
`“CRODON® Wear Plate Product Groups.” chr0mcorp.com/cr0d0n/
`productscfm. 1996. Chromium Corporation Product Info. Oct. 11,
`2003.
`<http://web.archive.0rg/web/*/http://www.chr0mcorp.com/
`“Odom r0ducts.cfm>.*
`p
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`E02F 9/28
`(52) US. Cl.
`............................................ 37/452; 37/446
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................... 37/446,
`37/450, 4527456
`See application file for complete search history.
`e erences
`1 e
`R f
`C't d
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(56)
`
`1,419,047 A
`2,311,463 A *
`2,987,838 A *
`3,762,079 A
`3,851,413 A
`3,947,982 A
`
`6/1922 Hanks et a1.
`2/1943 Page ............................... 37/455
`6/1961 Stratton .......................... 37/459
`10/1973 Lukavich et a1.
`12/1974 Lukavich
`4/1976 Mantovani
`
`
`
`56
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner 7 Thomas Will
`Assistant Examiner 7 Mai Nguyen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm 7 Steven P. Schad
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A wear member that includes a pair of legs defining a slot
`straddles the digging edge of a piece of excavating equip-
`ment. In one construction, the slot is formed at its front end
`with a pair of inclined surfaces and a laterally extending ridge
`that is fit within a complementary channel on the digging
`edge. A lock is received within an opening in the wear mem-
`ber to releasably secure the wear member to the digging edge.
`
`21 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
` & 7A
`
`
`.‘......“‘.“....‘“—/
`
`
`OOJ5B
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 1
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 1
`
`

`

`US 8,024,874 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`6,151,812 A
`6’230’424 B1 *
`6,564,482 B2
`
`11/2000 Bierwith
`.
`5/2001 Renski et al. """""""""" 37/446
`5/2003 Ruvang
`
`6’735 ’890 B2
`6348103 132
`2002/0078607 A1*
`2004/0083630 A1 *
`
`5/2004 Carpenter et al.
`”005 Hohmann et 4
`6/2002 Perry et al.
`...................... 37/446
`5/2004 Ruvang ........................... 37/456
`
`“CRODON General Specifications.” chromcorp.com/specs.cfm.
`1996. Chromium Corporation Technical Specifications. Mar. 17,
`2006.
`<http://Web.archive.org/Web/*/http://Www.chromcorp.com/
`crodon/specs.cfm>. *
`Berkeley ForgeiTLC Dipper Lip and Hardware System for Electric
`Shovels [Bulletin No. 2003—sc, Berkeley, CA].
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 1 019
`
`US 8,024,874 B2
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 3
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 of9
`
`US 8,024,874 B2
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 4
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of9
`
`US 8,024,874 B2
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 5
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of9
`
`US 8,024,874 B2
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`
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 6
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 8,024,874 B2
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`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 7
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 7
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 6 of9
`
`US 8,024,874 B2
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 8
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`I:n:2.0—"—2:m:cW7%.k?M,
`upmm?o?9N:3
`
`U
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 9
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 27, 2011
`
`Sheet 8 of9
`
`US 8,024,874 B2
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 10
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 10
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.27,2011
`
`Sheet90f9
`
`US 8,024,874 B2
`
`
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 11
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`

`

`US 8,024,874 B2
`
`1
`WEAR ASSEMBLY FOR EXCAVATING
`MACHINES
`
`The present application is co-pending of US. provisional
`application Ser. No. 60/712,915, filed Aug. 30, 2005 and of
`co-pending US. provisional application Ser. No. 60/758,179,
`filed Jan. 10, 2006.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention pertains to a wear assembly for use
`along the digging edge of an excavating machine.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Excavating equipment of all kinds and sizes include vari-
`ous wear parts to protect the front digging edge from damage
`and wear. As a result, the wear parts are commonly subjected
`to highly abrasive materials and used under arduous condi-
`tions. To withstand the rigors of digging, the wear parts must
`be securely held to the excavating equipment to prevent their
`loss during use. Nevertheless, due to the harsh environment,
`the parts frequently wear out and need replacement.
`A myriad of ways for attaching the wear parts have been
`developed with varying degrees of success in securely hold-
`ing the parts during digging and facilitating easy replacement
`when the part is worn. For example, wear parts are often
`attached to the digging edge by welding to prevent loss during
`use. While welding securely holds the parts to the edge, it
`makes replacement difficult. Buckets and other digging
`equipment provided with weld-on wear parts are usually
`taken out of service for replacement in a shop. Such action
`typically results in the bucket or other digging equipment
`being out of service for an extended period of time.
`To avoid the difficulties posed by welded parts, many wear
`parts are mechanically attached to the digging edge. For
`example, wear parts may be secured by Whisler-style attach-
`ments, bolting, etc. While such means facilitate replacement
`in the field, they also require the formation of holes in the
`digging edge, thus tending to weaken the equipment. More-
`over, some mechanical attachments are susceptible to unde-
`sirable loosening.
`US. Pat. No. 5,088,214 discloses a mechanically attached
`wear member that relies upon a boss instead ofholes in the lip.
`Nevertheless, these parts can be difficult to manufacture and
`at times experience high levels of stress in the legs under
`certain loading.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention pertains to a wear assembly to pro-
`tect the digging edge of excavating equipment, such as the lip
`of a bucket. The wear assembly includes a wear member
`mounted to a support structure of the equipment, and lock to
`hold the wear member to the support structure.
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the wear
`member includes an inwardly projecting support that bears
`against the base to provide enhanced resistance to back drag
`and certain vertical loads. The support and base include
`complementary surfaces that are inclined relative to the cen-
`tral plane of the lip, with the support being rearward of this
`surface of the base.
`
`In one construction, the base includes inclined upper and
`lower surfaces adapted to receive and mate with inner sur-
`faces of the wear part. The wear part further includes a pair of
`spaced apart legs that straddle the digging edge rearward of
`the boss. With the upper and lower surfaces inclined down-
`
`5
`
`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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`60
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`2
`
`ward, the support projects upward into the space defined
`between the legs of the wear part. The support then bears
`against the lower inclined surface of the base during upward
`vertical loading of the wear member, thus, decreasing the
`resistance and concomitant stress generated in the upper leg.
`Accordingly, the leg can have a reduced construction, which
`requires less steel in its manufacture, reduces the amount of
`material discarded at the time of replacement, has a smaller
`risk of failure, and facilitates easier removal.
`In another aspect of the invention, a wear member for
`excavating equipment includes a rearwardly-opening cavity
`for receiving a support structure. The cavity has upper and
`lower surfaces at its front end that are inclined in the same
`
`general direction relative to a central plane of the support
`structure to provide enhanced support.
`Another aspect of the invention pertains to a wear member
`for protecting a digging edge of excavating equipment. The
`wear member includes a pair of legs that straddle the digging
`edge, and a transverse ridge on one of the legs to be received
`into a complementary channel in the digging edge. The ridge
`provides enhanced support during use and reduces stress in
`the opposite leg.
`Another aspect of the invention pertains to a wear member
`that includes a pair of legs defining a slot for receiving a
`digging edge of excavating equipment. The front end the slot
`dips downward and is closed by an abutting surface. In this
`way, the wear member has better support and experiences less
`stress.
`
`In another aspect ofthe invention, a support structure in the
`form ofan insert, formed of a harder material than the digging
`edge, is used to replace the portion of the edge adapted to
`support the wear member. In this way, the base is able to better
`protect the lip from wear. In one construction, the base is fixed
`within a recess formed in the front edge of the digging equip-
`ment that surrounds the base on three sides. To enhance its
`
`attachment, the rear wall of the base preferably has a gener-
`ally V-shaped configuration.
`In another aspect of the invention, the wear part includes a
`leg that at least partially extends over a face of the digging
`equipment. On account of the mechanical attachment, the
`wear part will tend to shift under the heavy loading typically
`associated with digging operations. To lessen the wear caused
`by this shifting, a wear plate is secured between the leg and
`the equipment.
`In accordance with one other aspect of the invention, the
`base and wear part are formed with complementary curved
`bearing faces. The base includes a forward-facing convex
`bearing surface, and the wear part a corresponding rearward-
`facing concave bearing surface. The bearing faces are prefer-
`ably curved about two generally perpendicular axes such that
`the concave bearing face has generally shallow bowl-like
`configuration. The corresponding convex and concave sur-
`faces provide better support for the wear part under loading at
`angles to the longitudinal axis of the assembly.
`In a preferred construction of the present invention, the
`wear assembly provides high reliability in operation. The
`system stably supports the wear member in a reduced stress
`environment that resists breakage under heavy loading and
`provides an extended usable life. It is easy to manufacture,
`requires reduced maintenance, and provides an easy replace-
`ment procedure. The inventive system reduces wear on the
`underlying digging edge of the equipment and minimizes the
`amount of material to be discarded when replacement is
`required.
`The present inventive system is further able to withstand
`loads and provide suitable protection with a smaller part as
`compared to many conventional mechanically attached parts.
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
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`

`

`US 8,024,874 B2
`
`3
`It enables mechanical attachment of the wear part without the
`formation of holes in the equipment or reliance on adjacent
`adapters. Additionally, it does not suffer loss due to unin-
`tended loosening of fastening means.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wear assembly in accor-
`dance with the present invention mounted on a lip of a bucket.
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wear assembly.
`FIG. 3 is a front view of the wear assembly.
`FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the wear assem-
`bly.
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view ofthe lip with the front portion
`of the base omitted.
`
`FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the base relative
`to the lip.
`FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG.
`
`3.
`
`FIG. 8 is a side view of the wear member.
`
`FIG. 9 is an exploded, bottom perspective view of the wear
`assembly.
`FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the wear assembly
`taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 3, with a tool in place to
`facilitate removal of the lock.
`
`FIG. 11 is bottom perspective view of a portion of a lip of
`an alternative construction.
`
`FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in
`FIG. 3.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The present invention pertains to a wear assembly for pro-
`tecting a digging edge of an excavating machine such as the
`lip ofan excavating bucket. While the assembly is particularly
`suited for securing a shroud to a lip, the inventive concepts
`can be used to secure other wear members (e.g., adapters,
`points, wings and the like) to bucket lips or other excavating
`equipment. For ease of discussion, this application describes
`the inventive assembly in terms of mounting a shroud to a
`bucket.
`
`A wear assembly 10 in accordance with one embodiment
`of the present invention includes a wear member 12 in the
`form of a shroud, a base or support structure 14, and a lock 16
`(FIGS. 1-7).A shroud is a wear member that fits over the front
`edge 17 of an excavating bucket 18, between the excavating
`teeth, to protect the bucket lip 20 and direct the earthen
`material into the bucket. FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a lip
`20 that includes forwardly projecting noses 22 for supporting
`points (not shown). The noses and points collectively define
`the excavating teeth that penetrate and break up the ground
`ahead ofthe bucket. While noses 22 are shown as being a cast
`part of the lip, they could be attached as adapters by welding
`or mechanical attachment. In any event, shroud 12 is placed
`over the front edge of lip 20 between noses 22.
`Lip 20 includes a base or support structure 14, which is
`either formed as an insert fixed to lip 20 for supporting the
`shroud 12 (FIGS. 4-7) or as a fixed portion of the lip that
`supports the shroud (FIGS. 11 and 12). In one construction
`(FIGS. 4-7), base 14 is welded within a recess 24 in lip 20,
`although it could be secured by other means. The recess can
`be formed as a configuration of a cast lip or by being cut into
`the lip. Recess 24 is defined by a generally U-shaped support-
`ing wall 26 having a rear portion 26a and two side portions
`26b. Base 14 includes a complementary mounting wall 28
`that includes a rear section 2811 that opposes rear portion 26a,
`
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`
`and two side sections 28b that oppose side portions 26b. A
`weld 30 is used to hold mounting wall 28 to supporting wall
`26 along these three sections of the base for a secure attach-
`ment. As seen in FIG. 7, mounting wall 28 preferably has a
`V—shaped, convex configuration to facilitate effective weld-
`ing, i.e., a weld 30 is applied along upper and lower faces 28a,
`28b to hold the base in place. Alternatively, the supporting
`surface could be formed with a V—shaped configuration, or
`different shapes entirely could be used for both the mounting
`and supporting surfaces 26, 28. In any event, recess 24 pref-
`erably surrounds base 14 on three sides to securely hold the
`base in place during digging.
`In this construction (FIGS. 4-7), base 14 is preferably cast
`as a one-piece member with two portions, i.e., a rear portion
`37 and a front portion 46, though other constructions could be
`used. The rear portion defines a mounting structure that
`defines mounting surface 28. The front portion defines a boss
`that projects forward and cooperates with the wear member to
`provide a stable and secure attachment. The base is preferably
`composed of a harder material than the lip to better resist
`wearing caused by its engagement with wear part 12. Never-
`theless, the lip is not necessarily softer than the base. While
`the lip is commonly made to emphasize toughness, which can
`lead to it being softer, the lip can be of equal or greater
`hardness as compared to the base. It is in any event preferable
`for the base to be formed of a hard material in order to resist
`
`wearing.
`In the illustrated example (FIGS. 1 and 7), lip 20 includes
`a ramp 32 as part ofthe inside face 34 of the bucket. Ramp 32
`converges toward outside wall 36 to define the narrow front
`edge 17. Rear portion 37 ofbase 14 includes an upper wall 38
`generally associated with ramp 32, and a lower wall 40 that is
`generally co -extensive with outside wall 3 6. A lateral channel
`or recess 99 extends across base 14 for receiving a support
`100 of wear member 12 as discussed below. As seen in FIG.
`
`4, rear portion 37 is received entirely within recess 24. Nev-
`ertheless, other arrangements could be used. In addition, the
`inventive wear assembly could be used in connection with
`lips having different constructions.
`In one embodiment, front portion 46 includes a forwardly
`projecting body 48 and an upstanding boss 50. In a preferred
`construction, boss 50 extends rearward partially over rear
`portion 37 (FIGS. 4-7). Front portion 46 includes a front
`surface 52, side surfaces 54, a top surface 56, and a bottom
`surface 58. Top and bottom surfaces 56, 58 are generally
`parallel to each other and inclined upward as they extend
`rearward. For example, surfaces 56, 58 are inclined at about
`the same angle (e.g., about 30° to the center plane 59 of lip
`20). In one construction, surface 56 is inclined at an angle of
`about 33° to plane 59 whereas surface 58 is inclined at an
`angle of about 30°. Nevertheless, surfaces 56, 58 could be the
`same or varied relative to each other by more than three
`degrees, and in some uses much more than three degrees.
`Additionally, surfaces 56, 58, could be inclined at angles
`larger or smaller than 30°. While top and bottom surfaces 56,
`58 are preferably generally planar, they could have some
`lateral or longitudinal curvature in a convex or concave direc-
`tion.
`
`Front surface 52 is preferably formed with a convex curved
`shape which curves about two generally perpendicular axes.
`In particular, front surface 52 is curved generally about a
`vertical axis so that it curves rearward as it approaches each
`respective side surface 54. Preferably, front surface 52 is also
`curved generally about a horizontal axis so that it also curves
`rearward as it approaches each ofthe top and bottom surfaces
`56, 58. In one preferred construction, the curvatures resemble
`arcs of ellipses. Nevertheless, front surface 52 could be
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
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`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
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`US 8,024,874 B2
`
`5
`defined as a spherical segment, by curvatures that follow
`different paths, or by curvatures that vary. Front surface 52
`could also be formed with a generally planar configuration or
`curved about a single axis or axes extending in only one
`direction.
`
`When the base 14' is formed as a portion of the lip (i.e.,
`without a separate insert), the base has the same boss and
`channel features as when the base is a welded insert in the lip.
`For example, the lip and base configuration shown in FIG. 7
`could be formed as a single, one piece portion integral with
`the lip. One example ofsuch a lip is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
`In FIG. 12, the rear wall of the boss that engages the lock is
`received within a cavity in the shroud 12' and not seen.
`Shroud 12 includes a front wearable portion 66 and a rear
`mounting portion 68 (FIGS. 1-4 and 7-8). Front portion 66 is
`illustrated as having top and bottom converging walls 70, 72
`that converge to a narrow front edge 74. Mounting portion 68
`includes a pair of spaced apart legs 76, 78 that are adapted to
`define a slot or cavity 90. The slot is generally open along its
`sides so that legs 76, 78 straddle the wider digging edge of lip
`20. Top leg 76 includes an outer wear surface 80 and an inner
`surface 82 overlying base 14 and ramp 32. Likewise, bottom
`leg 78 includes an outer wear surface 84 and an inner surface
`86 overlying base 14 and outside face 36 of lip 20. In the
`illustrated embodiment, legs 76, 78 diverge in a rearward
`direction to collectively have a generally V—shaped configu-
`ration to correspond to the shape of the lip. The use of diverg-
`ing legs also facilitates easier removal from the lip. Neverthe-
`less, the shape of the legs could be varied to accommodate
`different lip shapes or different uses. Also, while top leg 76
`could extend rearward of ramp 32, it preferably sets only on
`the ramp for reduced material in its manufacturing, reduced
`waste at the time of its replacement, less risk of failure, and
`easier installation and removal from the lip.
`The front end 91 of cavity 90 is defined at the intersection
`oflegs 76, 78 to receive the front portion 46 ofbase 14. This
`front end is defined by a front abutting surface 92 adapted to
`abut front surface 52, side walls along side surfaces 54, a top
`face 96 extending over top surface 56, and a bottom face 98
`along bottom surface 58. The front end of the cavity is
`adapted to matingly receive front portion 46 of base 14.
`However, since the base and shroud are preferably cast steel
`parts,
`it would be common for some looseness to exist
`between the components even when new.
`Front face 92 is preferably curved about two generally
`perpendicular axes to abut against front surface 52. This abut-
`ment of front face 92 against front surface 52 is the primary
`means for resisting the substantial axial loads expected dur-
`ing use. As can be appreciated, the digging operation causes
`loads to be applied against the shroud in many different
`directions. Hence, such loads are typically applied with ver-
`tical and/or lateral components along with the axial compo-
`nent. The curvature of abutting surfaces 52, 92 enables the
`shroud to rock about the base as the loads are applied to
`increase stability ofthe shroud and better resist the loads. This
`interaction of abutting surfaces 52, 92 is essentially the same
`as described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,729,052, whichis incorporated
`herein by reference.
`Shroud 12 is installed onto base 14 by sliding base 14 into
`cavity 90 (FIGS. 4 and 7). As best seen in FIG. 7, the shroud
`is slid upward on an inclined path defined by top and bottom
`faces 96, 98 ofcavity 90 sliding along top andbottom surfaces
`56, 58 of boss 46 until front face 92 abuts front surface 52.
`Bottom face 98 engages along bottom surface 58 so that a
`support 100 is formed to resist back drag forces and forces
`with upwardly-directed vertical components. Support 100
`preferably resists upwardly-directed loads in combination
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`with other supporting surfaces such as top leg 76 of shroud 12.
`Shroud 12' (FIG. 12) is shown with a shortened lower leg 78'
`as an alternative to the longer leg 78 (FIG. 7). In this arrange-
`ment, support 100' fits within recess 99' and forms the end of
`lower leg 78'. Nevertheless, shroud 12 could also be used in
`connection with base 14'.
`
`In the preferred construction, base 14 or 14' provides a
`laterally extending channel or recess 99 or 99' to enable
`support 100 to extend upward a greater distance. This length-
`ened extension provides a greater surface area for contact
`between the base 14 and support 100, and raises the support
`farther above the applied upwardly directed load to front edge
`74 for enhanced resistance. Support 100 extends along all or
`most of the width of bottom surface 58 so as to project into
`recess 99. This formation of support 100 defines a lateral
`ridge along cavity 90 between front portion 66 and bottom leg
`78. Nevertheless, support 100 could be formed as a non-
`elongated projection or as a series of non-elongated projec-
`tions received in complementary recesses. In a preferred con-
`struction,
`support
`100 has
`a generally symmetrical
`configuration with an inclined engagement surface 98 and an
`oppositely inclined bracing surface 102 for enhanced support
`and less localized stress in the part. Also, the positioning of a
`projecting support 100 adjacent the crux ofthe intersection of
`legs 76, 78 provides a stronger assembly.
`As noted, the engagement of support 100 against base 14
`provides enhanced resistance to upwardly directed loads on
`the wear member, which are expected in most digging opera-
`tions (FIG. 7). More specifically, an upwardly directed load L
`applied to the front edge 74 of shroud 10 tends to cause the
`shroud to “rotate” about base 14; i.e., the front edge 74 is
`pushed upward and the top leg 76 is pushed downward against
`the lip. If support 100 is not provided against the downwardly
`inclined bottom surface 58, the rearwardly extended top leg
`76 is forced to provide greater resistance in a cantilever form
`to prevent the shroud from rolling off of the lip. In high
`loading of the shroud, this can place great stress on the leg,
`which in the past has at times led to breakage of the wear
`member. The provision of support 100 also enables top leg 76
`to have a short extension and lie only against the ramp to
`lessen the needed steel and ease manufacturing of the part.
`Front surface 98 of support 100 is inclined to be generally
`transverse to many of the loads applied to the front of the
`shroud and thereby provide enhanced resistance to the rolling
`of the shroud. In the preferred construction, front surface 98
`has generally the same inclination as bottom surface 58. As
`discussed above, the inclination can vary and be chosen
`depending on the size and anticipated use of the wear part in
`order to maximize support from the loads expected for the
`particular operation.
`Downwardly-directed loads on shroud 12 are resisted pri-
`marily by top face 96 bearing against base 14 and bottom leg
`78 bearing against lip 20. Top face 96 and the corresponding
`top surface 56 are each inclined to provide a surface that is
`transverse to many of the loads having downwardly directed
`force components and thereby provide enhanced resistance.
`Moreover, the securing of the top leg with the lock tends to
`resist rocking ofthe shroud and thus imposes less stress on the
`bottom leg. Nevertheless, since there is no support provided at
`the top of cavity 90, bottom leg 78 preferably extends across
`lip 20 a greater distance than leg 76. Also, to reduce wearing
`of the outside face 36, a wear plate 103 is preferably welded
`to lip 20 between leg 78 and outside face 36.Altematively, top
`and bottom surfaces 56, 58 could be inclined in the opposite
`directions if desired for certain kinds of digging operations.
`Side faces 94 are placed alongside side surfaces 54 for
`proper positioning of shroud 10 on lip 20, and to resist side
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO |PR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 14
`
`Caterpillar v. ESCO IPR2015-00409
`ESCO Exhibit 2024 Page 14
`
`

`

`US 8,024,874 B2
`
`7
`loading applied to the shroud. Since base 14 is preferably
`formed of a harder material than the lip, it is better able to
`resist side loading without suffering undue wear as compared
`to a conventional front cast tab on the lip. The base also
`projects forward a greater distance than conventional tabs.
`Top leg 76 extends rearward of boss 46 and is formed with
`an opening 104 to receive lock 16. Opening 104 extends
`rearward of boss 46 to receive the lock between the rear face
`
`107 of opening 104 and rear wall 106 of base 14. In the
`preferred construction, rear wall 106 is formed at the end of
`arm 50. Alternatively, arm 50 could be omitted and rear wall
`106 formed at the rear end ofbody 48. In either case, rear wall
`1 06 is preferably positioned forward ofthe rear portion 28a of
`mounting wall 28 so that the lock sets on upper wall 38 rather
`than directly on lip 20. Opening 104 preferably has a rectan-
`gular shape, though other configurations could be used.
`Lock 16 includes a body 108 that preferably matches the
`shape of opening 104 and thus in the illustrated embodiment
`has a block-like shape provided with a front wall 110, a rear
`wall 111 and sidewalls 112-113 (FIGS. 1-3). When installed
`in opening 104, front wall 110 opposes rear wall 106 ofboss
`46 and rear wall 111 opposes rear face 107 of opening 104.
`The engagement ofthe lock with the shroud and base prevents
`the shroud from sliding forwardly from the lip. Similar to the
`lock disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,088,214, incorporated herein
`by reference, body 108 includes a tang 118 extending from
`sidewall 112 and a latch 119 extending from sidewall 113
`(FIG. 10). Tang 118 fits under a ledge 120 defined within
`opening 104 and forms a fulcrum 122 about which lock 16
`rotates into opening 104. Latch 119 is preferably formed on a
`side opposite tang 118 to releasably hold the lock in opening
`104, although latch 119 could be formed on other surfaces as
`well. Latch 119 has a steel tab 126 to fit under a keeper 128
`defined in opening 104, and a resilient member 130 to enable
`the tab 126 to be retracted to release the lock. Resilient mem-
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`ber 130 is preferably composed of rubber or other elastomer.
`A pry tool 132 can be used to release latch 119 and remove
`lock 16 from opening 104. Alternatively, the latch could be a
`fixed formation on sidewall 112 with a resilient member
`
`formed on sidewall 113 to permit release ofthe latch from the
`keeper. Lock 16 could also include a take-up element such as
`disclosed in US. Pat. No. 5,653,048 incorporated herein by
`reference.
`
`In some applications, the shrouds 10 can be large and
`heavy. In these circumstances, an eye 116 is formed on top of
`the shroud to facilitate the attachment of a hook or the like by
`way of a crane. During digging, however, the eye will wear
`out and not be available for lifting the shroud from the lip for
`replacement. To enable the attachment of a hook, opening 104
`is also preferably formed with an extension 104a rearward of
`lock 16.
`
`In the preferred construction, a depression 130 is formed
`on the top converging wall 70 to act as a wear indicator. More
`specifically, when the depression is no longer visible, the user
`knows that it is time to replace the shroud. The depression is
`sized and positioned so that replacement occurs when most of
`the working portion 66 has worn away but before cavity 90 is
`exposed through the working portion thus exposing base 14 to
`the highly abrasive material.
`The above discussion concerns the preferred embodiments
`of the present invention. Various other embodiments as well
`as many changes may be made without departing from the
`spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the
`claims.
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`The invention claimed is:
`
`8
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`1. A wear member for protecting a digging edge of an
`excavating bucket, the wear member comprising:
`a front portion adapted to contact abrasive materials during
`digging by the excavating bucket;
`a pair of rearwardly extending legs that define a cavity
`therebetween to receive the digging edge, the cavity
`being open at a rear end to receive the digging edge and
`having a front end that dips downward relative to the rear
`end and is closed by a rearward facing abutting surface
`defining a front abutting surface, the front end being
`defined by an upper surface, a lower surface, and the
`front abutting surface that extends between the upper
`and lower surfaces, the upper surface, the lower surface
`and the front abutting surface each overlying and bear-
`ing against corresponding walls of the digging edge to
`resist loads applied during digging, the upper and lower
`surfaces being inclined in the same general direction
`relative to a central plane of the digging edge, the lower
`surface generally facing toward the front abutting sur-
`face, and the cavity being latera