United States Patent [19]
`Emrich et al.
`
`1111
`
`I~ llllllllllllllllllll~lllllllllllllllllllllllll
`5,666,748
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`US005666748A
`Patent Number:
`Date of Patent:
`
`[11]
`
`[45]
`
`[54] WEAR CAP AND COMPONENTS USEABLE
`THEREWITH
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Robert K. Emrich, Tigard, Oreg.; Eric
`D. Anderson, Woodland, Wash.
`
`[73] Assignee: ESCO Corporation. Portland, Oreg.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 570,437
`
`Dec. 11, 1995
`
`[22] Filed:
`Int. Cl.6
`........................................................ E02F 9/28
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. ................................. 37/453; 37/455; 37/457;
`403/374
`[58] Field of Search .............................. 37/453, 454, 455,
`37/456, 457; 172/713, 772. 772.5; 403/379,
`374,373
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Re. 33,454
`2,032,875
`2,204,718
`2,762,139
`2,8%,345
`2,934,842
`3,462,861
`3,845,578
`4,326,348
`4,335,532
`4,428,131
`
`1111990 Potter .
`3/1936 Graham ..................................... 37/453
`6/1940 Younie ...................................... 37/456
`9/1956 Launder .................................... 37/453
`7/1959 Pelday ....................................... 37/453
`5/1960 Van Buskirk ............................. 37/456
`8/1969 Kampert .................................... 37/453
`11/1974 Holmstrom ........................... 37/453 X
`4/1982 Emrich .
`6/1982 Hahn et al ..
`1/1984 Hahn .
`
`5/1986 Sjogren et al ............................ 37/453
`4,587,751
`1/1988 Manin.
`4,716,667
`8/1988 Rassmann et al .................... 37/457 X
`4,762,372
`5,056,243 10/1991 Sprunger et al .......................... 37/453
`5,075,986 12/1991 Smith et al ............................... 37/457
`5,088,214
`2/1992 Jones .
`5,224,282
`7/1993 Swick ........................................ 37/453
`5,241,765
`9/1993 Jones et al ..
`5,337,495
`8/1994 Pippens ..................................... 37/453
`5,526,592
`6/1996 Biecwith.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`605675
`812138
`
`9/1960 Canada .................................... 37/453
`5/1969 Canada .................................... 37/453
`
`PrirruJry Examiner-Terry Lee Melius
`Assistant Examiner-Victor Batson
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Banner & Witcoff. Ltd.
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`
`A wear cap for protecting the wearable surface of a structural
`member includes an outer wear surface and an inner mount(cid:173)
`ing surface. The inner mounting surlace is provided with a
`plurality of tabs and a lock which cooperate to securely
`attach the wear cap to the wearable surface. The tabs are
`inclined in a uniform direction at an acute angle to the
`mounting surface to minimize the amount of travel needed
`to install and remove the wear cap. The lock has a rigid hub
`and a shaft. The hub includes a pair of bearing faces which
`interact with the wear cap and the wearable surlace to
`effectively prevent loss of the wear cap during use.
`
`47 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1003
`
`Page 1 of 20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 1997
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 14
`Sheet 1 of 14
`
`5,666,748
`5,666,748
`
`-o
`
`
`
`Page 2 of 20
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`Page 2 of 20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 1997
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 14
`Sheet 2 of 14
`
`5,666,748
`5,666,748
`
`FIG. 2
`
`
`
`Page 3 0f 20
`
`Page 3 of 20
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 1997
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 3 of 14
`Sheet 3 of 14
`
`5,666,748
`5,666,748
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`Page 4 of 20
`
`Page 4 of 20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 1997
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 14
`Sheet 4 of 14
`
`5,666,748
`5,666,748
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`
`
`Page 5 0f 20
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`Page 5 of 20
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 14
`
`5,666,748
`
`8
`
`FIG. 4
`9
`
`6
`
`14
`
`6
`
`8
`
`9
`
`FIG. 5
`
`FIG. 6
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`
`Page 6 of 20
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 1997
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 6 of 14
`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`5,666,748
`5,666,748
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 7 0f 20
`
`Page 7 of 20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`5,666,748
`
`FIG. 11
`
`FIG. 12
`
`FIG. 13
`
`FIG. 14
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`FIG. 15
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`40
`
`64
`
`Page 8 of 20
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 8 of 14
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`Page 9 of 20
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 1997
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`5,666,748
`5,666,748
`
`FIG. 20
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`
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`
`FIG. 21
`
`
`
`29
`
`Page 10 of 20
`
`Page 10 of 20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 10 of 14
`
`5,666,748
`
`FIG. 22
`114
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`
`Page 11 of 20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`5,666,748
`5,666,748
`
`
`
`FIG. 25
`
`122
`
`122
`
`Page 12 of 20
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 12 of 14
`
`5,666,748
`
`14o
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`29
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`Page 13 of 20
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 13 of 14
`
`5,666,748
`
`FIG. 27
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`
`Page 14 of 20
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 16, 1997
`
`Sheet 14 of 14
`
`5,666,748
`
`FIG. 30
`90a
`
`FIG. 31
`
`FIG. 32
`;-90o
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`;-loa
`
`Page 15 of 20
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`

`

`5,666,748
`
`1
`WEAR CAP AND COMPONENTS USEABLE
`THEREWITH
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention pertains to wear members, and in
`particular, to the use of wear caps to protect surfaces
`subjected to wear.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`lock. The wear caps are well suited for attachment to either
`planar or non-planar surfaces. As a result, the need to
`compromise the design of a surface for attachment of a wear
`cap is avoided.
`The tabs and lock cooperate to provide a high level of
`strength in the wear cap connection which can indepen(cid:173)
`dently secure the wear cap to the wearable surface. In this
`way. the wear cap remains attached to the wearable surface
`even if the point or other wear member should break.
`10 Independent mounting also in certain environments enables
`the wear cap to be removed without removing other parts.
`The projecting tabs are inclined in a uniform direction at
`an acute angle to the mounting surface of the wear cap to
`minimize the amount of travel needed to install and remove
`15 the wear cap. This construction also minimizes the clearance
`required to permit removal or installation of the wear cap
`without removing other parts. The inclined tabs further ease
`removal of the wear cap in environments wherein soil fines
`compact tightly about the parts.
`The lock has a rigid hub and a shaft. The hub includes a
`pair of bearing faces which interact with the wear cap and
`the wearable surface to effectively prevent loss of the wear
`cap during use. The lock is mounted for rotation of the hub
`between a release position and a locked position. The use of
`25 a simple rotation of the hub enables the lock to be easily
`released despite the heavy compaction of soil fines.
`
`20
`
`Excavating equipment in normal use is subjected to
`conditions which cause significant wearing of the compo(cid:173)
`nents. To lengthen the usable life of the equipment, wear
`caps have been secured over the surfaces experiencing the
`greatest amount of wear. For instance, wear caps have been
`provided along the walls of a dragline bucket as set forth in
`U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33.454 to Potter and U.S. Pat. No.
`5.241,765 to Jones et al. Wear caps have also been used to
`cover exposed portions of an adapter such as disclosed in
`U.S. Pat No. 4,326.348 to Emrich, U.S. Pat. No. 4.335.532
`to Hahn et al.. U.S. Pat. No. 4.428,131 to Emrich, and U.S.
`Pat. No. 4,716,667 to Martin.
`Wear caps are frequently provided with a slot which is
`received over a tongue fixed to a wearable surface of the part
`to be protected. The slot is generally formed with aT-shaped
`configuration (e.g .• U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,532) or a dovetail
`configuration (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33,454) to prevent the
`wear cap from being pulled away from the wearable surface.
`While a slot and tongue connection is sufficient to hold the
`wear cap to the wearable surface, it at times places unde- 30
`sirable constraints on the design of the wearable part.
`Specifically. the use of a slot and tongue connection to
`secure the wear cap requires the wearable surface to have a
`relatively flat or linear shape. Accordingly, as seen for
`example in U.S. Pat. No. 4.335.532, the wearable surface of 35
`the adapter is built up to form a linear T-shaped tongue. This
`tongue construction requires the use of more material than
`would otherwise be required to provide the adapter with a
`sufficient level of strength.
`Further, a tongue and slot connection generally requires
`the wear cap to be axially moved a considerable distance (up
`to 100% of its length) for installation and removal. Removal
`of a wear cap via a long sliding motion has proven to be very
`difficult when tightly compacted with soil fines. Further,
`such axial movement of the wear cap frequently requires the
`removal of other parts (e.g .• points) in order to provide
`sufficient clearance.
`Wear caps typically rely upon the attachment of another
`wear member to hold it in place. For example, the wear caps
`disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,335,532 and U.S. Pat. No.
`4, 716,667 are each held to its respective wearable surface by
`the attachment of a point to the adapter. As a result, the point
`must always be removed to replace a worn wear cap, even
`if the point itself does not need to be replaced. Further, this
`dependent mounting of the wear cap may cause both the
`wear cap and the point to be lost if the point should break
`during use. Also. the requirement to interconnect the two
`wear members results in a more difficult assembly process.
`
`45
`
`BRJEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FlO 1 is a partial side view of a tooth having wear
`members in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is an exploded, partial perspective view of a wear
`cap and an adapter of the tooth.
`FIG. 3 is a side view of an adapter of the tooth.
`FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an alternative adapter
`construction.
`FIG. 4 is a top view of a wear cap for the tooth.
`FIG. 5 is a side view of the wear cap.
`FlO. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6---6 in
`40 FIG. 4.
`FlO. 7 is a front view of the wear cap.
`FIG. 8 is cross sectional view taken along line 8--8 in
`FIG. 4.
`FIG. ~ is a cross sectional view taken along line ~-~ in
`FIG. 4.
`FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along line 10-10
`in FlO. 4.
`FlO. 11 is a front view of a lock in accordance with the
`so present invention.
`FlO. 12 is a side view of the lock.
`FIG. 13 is a side view of the lock rotated 90° with respect
`to FIG. 12.
`FIG. 14 is a side view of the lock rotated 180° with respect
`to FIG. 13.
`FIG. 15 is a partial top view of the lock received into an
`opening of the wear cap.
`FIGS. 16-19 are partial cross sectional views taken along
`60 line 16--16 in FIG. 1, illustrating different orientations of
`the lock.
`FlO. 20 is a partial side view of the wear cap and adapter
`in partial section. illustrating the lock in the locked position.
`FIG. 21 is a exploded perspective view of another wear
`65 cap mounted to an adapter component (known by ESCO
`Corporation as a KWIK TIP® adapter) for the extricating
`tooth.
`
`55
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention pertains to the use of a wear cap to
`protect the wearable surface of a structural member sub(cid:173)
`jected to wearing by the relative sliding movement of
`another material, such as experienced in excavating equip(cid:173)
`ment. The wear cap of the present invention is secured to the
`wearable surface through the combined use of tabs and a
`
`Page 16 of 20
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`

`

`5,666,748
`
`FIG. 26 is a top view of the other wear cap.
`FIG. 27 is a side elevational view of the other wear cap.
`FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view taken along line 28--28
`in FIG. 26.
`FIG. 29 is a cross sectional view taken along line 29-29
`in FIG. 26.
`FIG. 30 is a front view of the other wear cap.
`FIG. 31 is a cross sectional view taken along line 31-31 15
`in FIG. 26.
`FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view taken along line 32---32
`in FIG. 26.
`
`3
`4
`FIG. 22 is a top view of the other adapter component.
`along its wear surface 14 so that it generally conforms to the
`shape of wearable surface 29 (FIGS. 2 and 5-10). Mounting
`FIG. 23 is a side view of the other adapter component.
`swface 16 is folllled with a central portion 32 which is
`FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view taken along line 24-24
`generally concave to overlie medial face 37 and a pair of
`in FIG. 22.
`FIG. 25 is a cross sectional view taken along line 25-25 5 generally planar flanking portions 34 (although the flanking
`in FIG. 22.
`portions could be slightly convex or concave) to overlie side
`faces 39. While flanking portions 34 engage side faces 39.
`central portion 32 is preferably spaced from medial face 37.
`Wear cap 10 is secured to wearable surface 29 through the
`10 use of tabs 36, 38 and a lock 40 (FIGS. 2 and 5-7). Tabs 36,
`38 each extend outward and rearward from mounting sur(cid:173)
`face 16 to define a rearwardly opening fastener. In the
`preferred construction, three tabs are formed to provide a
`secure and balanced attachment to the wearable swface.
`1\vo front tabs 36 are positioned in lateral alignment on
`flanking portions 34 adjacent the front and side walls 18. 22.
`24 of the wear cap. The rear tab 38 is centrally positioned
`rearward of front tabs 36 on central portion 32. Since rear tab
`38 is alone and cooperates with lock 40, it is preferably
`DEfAU..ED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`20 wider and larger than each front tab 36. Alternatively. the
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`tabs can be arranged in different locations or provided with
`different sizes. Additionally. the use of only two tabs or four
`In accordance with the present invention, wear caps are
`or more tabs could be employed to secure a wear cap of the
`used to protect swfaces which through use are subject to
`present invention.
`wearing. In this application, wear caps designed to protect
`To facilitate attachment of wear cap 10. wearable surface
`wearable surfaces of an excavating tooth are described as an
`29 includes three recesses 42, 44 for receiving tabs 36, 38
`example of the present invention. Nonetheless, the invention
`(FIGS. 2 and 3). Each recess 42. 44 is formed to define a
`is not so limited. Instead. the present wear caps can be used
`retaining shoulder 46, 48. The recesses mirror the configu(cid:173)
`to protect a wide array of wearable surfaces on all kinds of
`ration of tabs 36, 38, so that two laterally aligned recesses 42
`excavating equipment and on other equipment (e.g., ore
`30 are formed near the front of side faces 39, and a central,
`chutes) which are subject to wearing by the relative sliding
`rearward recess 44 is formed in medial face 37. While front
`movement of another material. As can be appreciated, the
`recesses 42 are sized to generally conform to the size of front
`same concepts and structures described for the wear caps
`tabs 36, rear recess 44 is extended forwardly to also receive
`below would be applicable to the wear caps designed for
`lock 40.
`attachment to other wearable surfaces.
`Tabs 36, 38 (FIGS. 2, 5 and 6) are each inclined in the
`In normal use, excavating teeth assume many different
`orientations. For purposes of explanation, the elements
`same general direction to the surface 32, 34 from which they
`extend at an acute angle a of preferably about 30 degrees;
`mentioned in this application are at times described in
`relative telllls. such as up and down. These directions should
`although other inclinations could be used. the angle should
`be understood with respect to the orientation of the compo- 40 generally be less than about 45 °. Likewise, shoulders 46, 48
`nents as shown in FIG. 1. unless stated otherwise.
`extend inward at essentially the same inclination as tabs 36,
`A wear cap 10 in accordance with the present invention
`38 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Tabs 36, 38 are received in recesses 42,
`includes an outer or wear surface 14, an inner or mounting
`44 and engaged against shoulders 46, 48 to resist movement
`swface 16. a front wall18, a rear wall 20, and a pair of side
`of wear cap 10 in rearward and outward directions relative
`walls 22. 24 (FIGS. 1-2 and 4-10). Although the wear cap 45 to wearable surface 29. Removal of wear cap 10 is achieved
`preferably has a generally rectangular shape with four
`by shifting the wear cap forwardly and upwardly as dictated
`by the engagement of tabs 32, 34 against shoulders 46. 48.
`peripheral walls. other configurations could be used.
`In the present example, wear cap 10 is designed for
`Due to the inclination and relatively short lengths of the
`attachment to an adapter 28 of an excavating tooth 25 (FIGS.
`tabs, wear cap 10 need only be shifted forwardly a distance
`1-3). The adapter includes a pair of bifurcated legs 30. 31 so equal to about ten percent of its entire length in order to
`which are secured to the lip of a bucket. and a nose 33 for
`effect removal. As a result. only a small gap 56 is needed
`mounting another wear member 35. Although legs 30, 31 are
`between wear cap 10 and wear member 35 to remove the
`preferably welded to the lip, they may be attached by
`wear cap without removing the wear member 35 mounted on
`nose 33 (FIG. 1). While soil fines will typically compact in
`mechanical means as well. Alternatively, the mounting end
`30' of the adapter 28' can be integrally cast with a digging 55 gap 56, the narrowness of the gap will effectively prevent the
`edge E of an excavator (FIG. 3A). Wear cap 10 is attached
`flow of material therethrough. As a result. the portion of the
`to a wearable surface 29 of top leg 30 which is located
`adapter exposed in gap 56 is shielded from excessive
`directly rearward of nose 33. Wearable surface 29 includes
`wearing by the compacted fines. In addition. despite the
`a medial face 37 and a pair of inclined side faces 39. The
`compaction of fines, wear cap 10 is relatively easy to remove
`medial face 37 is formed to have a generally convex 60 because of the small amount of movement needed to release
`the wear cap.
`configuration in the longitudinal direction. Side faces 39 are
`preferably planar but may have a slight convex or concave
`A releasable lock 40 is provided to prevent removal of
`curvature. As a result of this construction. the wearable
`wear cap 10 from wearable surface 29 (FIGS. 11-20). Lock
`surface 29 is generally non-linear in both the lateral and
`40 includes a rigid hub 64. preferably formed as a unitary
`longitudinal directions.
`65 block. which has front and rear bearing faces 66. 68 and
`Wear cap 10 has a bowed configuration which is generally
`peripheral walls 70, 72. In the preferred construction, bear(cid:173)
`concave along its mounting surlace 16 and generally convex
`ing faces 66, 68 are each formed to have a semi-circular
`
`25
`
`35
`
`Page 17 of 20
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`5,666,748
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`6
`5
`wearable surface 29 and latches 80 abut rails %. The bearing
`configuration. Peripheral wall 70 forms an arcuate configu-
`faces 102 of rails 96 are preferably inclined relative to each
`ration conforming generally to the arc of a circle for about
`other at an angle cp of about 90° to matingly abut end walls
`180°-240°. Peripheral wall72 is a substantially flat segment
`86 of tip 84. The angle cp of the bearing faces 102 could be
`joining the two ends of wall 70. Front and rear shafts 74, 76
`project orthogonally outward from bearing faces 66, 68 in 5 varied within a range of 60°-180°. At angles of 120°-180°.
`lateral alignment wUh the center of peripheral wall 72. In the
`contact with the latches 80 would be an edge contact with
`rails %. In addition. the rails could be eliminated altogether
`preferred construction. shafts 74, 76 are at the arcuate center
`of peripheral wall 70. As discussed below, this arrangement
`such that latches 80 would abut against the mounting surface
`16, but at the sacrifice of effective wear thickness of the wear
`permits the lock to be rotated without requiring dislodge-
`ment of the intergranular bonding existing among soil fines 10 cap. Alternatively. one or more latches may engage a keeper
`(not shown). such as a groove, to retain the lock in the locked
`compacted about the lock. Accordingly. Shafts 74. 76 are
`eccentrically positioned on bearing faces 66, 68. (i.e., off the
`position in lieu of the rails. One latch can be used so long as
`geometric center of the bearing faces) adjacent peripheral
`the keeper releasably prevents rotation of the lock in both
`wall 72. so that the hub 64 can be swung into its release and
`directions.
`In the locked position, rear bearing face 68 of lock 40
`locked positions as the lock is rotated about the shafts. 15
`Shafts 74, 76 are preferably integrally cast with hub 64. but
`opposes bearing face 92 of wear cap 10. and front bearing
`could also be attached by welding or other means.
`face 66 opposes front bearing walll03 at the front of recess
`A pair of resilient latches 78 project outward from sockets
`44 of adapter 28. With this construction. the rigid hub 64 of
`80 defined in peripheral wall 70 (FIGS. 16-19). The latches
`lock 40 prevents the wear cap from moving longitudinally
`are preferably spaced apart from each other at an angle 13 of 20 along wearable surface 29. As a result, tabs 36, 38 cannot be
`released from recesses 42. 44, which in turn functions to
`about 160° (FIG. 11); although other spacings could be used.
`independently secure wear cap 10 to wearable surface 29.
`Each latch 78 comprises an elastomer 82, such as silicone
`rubber, fit into a socket 80 where it is protected by the hub,
`The engagement of latches 80 against rails 96 functions to
`and an outwardly biased rigid metallic tip 84 (FIGS. 16-19).
`releasably retain hub 64 in its locked position. Since the
`Tip 84 is bonded to elastomer 82. The distal end of tip 84 25 axial loading is resisted by bearing faces 66, 68 of hub 64.
`includes a pair of end walls 86 which taper to form a
`latches 80 are not placed in a position to resist these loads.
`wedgeable end.
`The flat peripheral wall 72 preferably includes a pair of
`An opening 90 extending through wear cap 10 is provided
`notches 105 near each end to facilitate turning of lock 40 to
`to receive lock 40 (FIGS. 2, 4-7 and 16-20). In the preferred
`its release position. In particular, an elongate tool (e.g .. a
`embodiment, opening 90 is formed immediately forward of 30 screw driver or a drift pin) is engaged in a notch 105 and
`pressed or impacted to rotate hub 64 about shafts 74, 76,
`rear tab 38. such that the front surface of tab 38 defines a
`bearing face 92. A longitudinal bore 94 extends through tab
`against the bias of the latches 80 as they successively abut
`one of the rails %. Rotation of hub 64 is achieved with
`38 for receiving rear shaft 76 (FIGS. 2 and 4-7). Front shaft
`74 is received within a groove 93 to stabilize the lock. A pair
`relative ease even with the compaction of fines because the
`of rails % lie along each side of opening 90 in the same 35 lock only needs to overcome whatever bonding forces exist
`general direction as bore 94. In the preferred construction,
`between the lock and the fines, and does not need to
`side walls 98 of opening 90 adjacent mounting surface 16
`overcome the intergranular bonding strength of the fines
`define a groove 95 for receiving a ridge 99 formed along the
`themselves. Rotation of the hub is continued until it reaches
`periphery of front bearing face 66 to ensure proper mounting
`the release position. At this point. wear cap 10 can be
`of the longer rear shaft 76 in bore 94 (FIG. 15). Alteratively. 40 removed from wearable surface 29 by a forward and upward
`the shafts could be made the same length to permit mounting
`movement.
`In the illustrated example. wear member 35 is an adapter
`in either orientation.
`In use, rear shaft 76 is initially inserted into bore 94 with
`component (known by ESCO Corporation as a KWIK TIP®
`the linear peripheral wall72 facing toward opening 90. as in
`adapter) of a multi-part tooth. Nonetheless. the attachment
`its locked position (see FIG. 18). Lock40 is rotated to place 45 of wear cap 10 would be the same even if the wear member
`attached to nose 33 was a point or other member. Wear
`hub 64 in opening 90 before the wear cap is placed on
`wearable surface 29 (FIG. 16). At this point, lock 40 is in its
`member 35 comprises a top wall110, a bottom wall112. and
`release position wherein hub 64 is positioned in opening 90
`a pair of sidewalls 114. The top and bottom walls 110, 112
`with the flat peripheral wall 72 facing inward toward wear-
`are tapered toward the front end which is formed to define
`able surface 29. Hub 64 is positioned essentially above so a nose 116. The nose is adapted to mount a point 118 (FIG.
`mounting surface 16 so as to permit insertion of tab 38 into
`1), which is secured to the nose by a conventional lock
`recess 44. Tips 84 oflatches 78 engage against the side walls
`arrangement (not shown) received into hole 120 (FIGS. 22.
`98 of opening 90 in the release position. As seen in FIGS.
`23, and 25). Wear member 35 further includes a rearwardly
`16-19. side walls 98 are preferably inclined with respect to
`opening socket 122 into which nose 33 of adapter 28 is
`each other at an angle e of about 40°, but may be varied 55 received (FIGS. 22-25). Wear member 35 is preferably
`secured to adapter 28 by an extensible lock disclosed in the
`within a range of about 0°-90°.
`With wear cap 10 placed on wearable surface 29. opening
`co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/570.438.
`90 is substantially aligned with the extended front portion of
`entitled "Excavating Tooth" and filed on the same day
`recess 44. To secure wear cap 10 to wearable surface 29,
`herewith by inventors Larren F. Jones and Robert K. Emrich
`lock 40 is turned (FIG. 17) to its locked position (FIGS. 18 60 (attorney docket no. 51291.52544), which is hereby incor-
`and 20). An elongated tool (e.g .. a screw driver or drift pin)
`porated by reference. Nevertheless. other locking arrange-
`is used to engage depressions 73 defined in arcuate periph-
`ments could also be used.
`eral wall 70 to rotate hub 64 about an axis 101 defined
`Top and bottom walls 110. 112 are wearable surfaces
`which are protected by wear caps lOa. Each wear cap lOa
`through shafts 74, 76. Latches 78 are successively com-
`pressed into sockets 80 as they clear the walls 98 of opening 65 has essentially the same construction as wear cap 10. except
`90. In the locked position (FIG. 18). hub 64 is oriented such
`that it is shaped to generally conform to the shape of walls
`110. 112. In particular, wear cap lOa includes a wear surface
`that the flat peripheral wall 72 faces outward away from
`
`Page 18 of 20
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`5,666,748
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`10
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`7
`14a. a mounting surface 16a, a plurality of tabs 36a. 38a
`projecting from mounting surface 16a. and an opening 90a
`for receiving a lock 40. Unlike wear cap 10. all of the tabs
`36a. 38a of wear cap lOa extend from a generally planar
`central portion 32a. Further. flanking portions 34a extend
`along the rear portion of wear cap lOa. The extent of the
`flanking portions is variable. For instance. if desired. the
`flanking portion could include wings (not shown) which
`extend along the sides of wear member 35. Front wall 18a
`is formed with a central relief 123 to provide clearance for
`receipt of the lock into hole 120.
`Further. in the preferred embodiment. the rearward end
`124 of central portion 32a has a thinner construction than the
`front end 126 for material savings. Longitudinal ribs 128 are
`formed to provide added strength and rigidity to the wear
`cap. and to provide contact surfaces with wear member 35.
`Of course. other arrangements could be used to enhance the
`member's strength. The thinner construction of rearward
`end 124 provides sufficient clearance for shaft 74 to lie
`between wear cap 10 and wearable surface 29 to thereby
`stabilize the lock.
`Tabs 36a. 38a of wear cap lOa are received in recesses
`42a. 44a in the same way as discussed for wear caps 10.
`Additionally, lock 40 is usable with wear cap lOa and
`wearable surface 29 in the same way as discussed above for
`wear cap 10 and wearable surface 29. Nevertheless. locks
`which are varied in shape and size may be used as desired.
`For instance. a lock in accordance with the teachings of U.S.
`Pat Nos. 5,088.214 and 5.241,765 could be used.
`The above discussion concerns the preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the present invention. Various other embodiments
`as well as many changes and alterations may be made
`without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the
`invention as claimed.
`We claim:
`1. A wear assembly comprising:
`a structural member having a wearable surface, said
`wearable surface including a plurality of recesses;
`a wear cap to protect said wearable surface, said wear cap
`including a pair of opposite ends, a wear surface remote
`from the wearable surface. a mounting surface facing
`the wearable surface, a plurality of tabs projecting
`outward from said mounting surface and in the general
`direction of one of said ends to be received in said
`recesses defined in the wearable surface, at least one tab
`being spaced closer to one said end than at least one
`other said tab, an opening extending through said wear
`cap. and a bearing surface defined in said opening; and
`a lock received in said opening and in abutment with said
`structural member and said bearing surface for securing
`said wear cap to said structural member.
`2. A wear assembly in accordance with claim 1, in which so
`said tabs extend from said mounting surface in generally the
`same direction.
`3. A wear assembly in accordance with claim 2. in which
`said tabs are inclined at an acute angle to said mounting
`surface.
`4. A wear assembly in accordance with claim 1. in which
`said plurality of tabs includes at least one front tab and at
`least one rear tab.
`5. A wear assembly in accordance with claim 4, in which
`said opening is positioned adjacent said rear tab.
`6. A wear assembly in accordance with claim 1. further
`including a plurality of rails adjacent said opening to interact
`with said lock.
`7. A wear assembly in accordance with claim 1. in which
`said opening is positioned adjacent one of said tabs such that 65
`said one tab includes a bearing face along one side of said
`opening.
`
`8
`8. A wear assembly in accordance with claim 1. in which
`said lock includes a rigid hub provided with a front bearing
`surface. a rear bearing surface. and at least one shaft
`projecting from one of said bearing surfaces. wherein said
`5 hub is rotatable about said shaft between a release position
`and a locked position.
`9. A wear assembly in accordance with claim 8. which
`further includes at least one resilient latch which extends
`outward to releasably retain said hub in said locked position.
`10. A wear assembly in accordance with claim 1. in which
`said structural member is an adapter which includes a rear
`mounting end and a forwardly projecting nose for mounting
`a wear member.
`11. A wear assembly in accordance with claim 1. in which
`15 said wearable surface is provided with at least one front
`recess and at least one rear recess. wherein each said recess
`has a shoulder adapted to engage one of said tabs. and all of
`said shoulders are inclined in the same general direction.
`12. A wear cap to protect a wearable surface. said wear
`20 cap including a pair of opposite ends. a wear surface adapted
`to be remote from the wearable surface. a mounting surface
`adapted to face the wearable surface. a plurality of tabs
`projecting outward from said mounting surface and in the
`general direction of one of said ends to be received in
`25 recesses defined in the wearable surface. at least one tab
`being spaced closer to one said end than at lea