l|||||||||||||ll||l||||||||l|||||||||||||||||||||l||||||l||||||||||||l||||||||||||||||||||
`
`US 20050229442A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0229442 A1
`Jones et al.
`43 Pub. Date:
`Oct. 20 2005
`9
`
`(54) WEAR EDGE ASSEMBLY
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(75) Inventors: Larren F. Jones, (US); Oan Jones,
`legal representative, (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`BANNER & WITCOFF
`1001 G STREET N W
`SUITE 1100
`WASHINGTON DC 20001 (Us)
`’
`(73) AssigneeZ ESCO Corporation Portland OR
`’
`’
`
`(21) App1_ No;
`
`10/812,348
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 30, 2004
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ...................................................... .. E02F 9/28
`(52) US Cl. .............................................................. .. 37/452
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`_
`A Wear assembly for protecting a structure, such as an
`excavating bucket, from Wear includes a lock for securing
`the Wear member in place. The lock includes a take-up
`element for tightening the ?t of the Wear member, a latch to
`retain the lock in the assembly during use, and an arrange
`ment for resisting loosening of the lock. With the assembly,
`the lock is able to effectively tighten the ?t of the Wear
`member on the lip, resist loosening of the ?t, and facilitate
`easy removal of the lock Without a concomitant increased
`risk of lock ejection.
`
`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005
`
`Page 1 of 22
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`

`
`Patent Application Publication Oct. 20, 2005 Sheet 1 0f 14
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`US 2005/0229442 A1
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`Page 2 of 22
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 20, 2005 Sheet 2 0f 14
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`US 2005/0229442 A1
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Page 3 of 22
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 20, 2005 Sheet 3 0f 14
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`US 2005/0229442 A1
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`Page 4 of 22
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 20, 2005 Sheet 4 0f 14
`
`US 2005/0229442 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 20, 2005 Sheet 5 0f 14
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`US 2005/0229442 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 20, 2005 Sheet 6 0f 14
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 20, 2005 Sheet 7 0f 14
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`US 2005/0229442 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 20, 2005 Sheet 8 0f 14
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`US 2005/0229442 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 20, 2005 Sheet 9 0f 14
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 20, 2005 Sheet 11 0f 14
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`US 2005/0229442 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 20, 2005 Sheet 12 0f 14
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`Patent Application Publication Oct. 20, 2005 Sheet 14 0f 14
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`

`
`US 2005/0229442 A1
`
`Oct. 20, 2005
`
`WEAR EDGE ASSEMBLY
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`[0001] The present invention pertains to a Wear assembly
`for protecting a structure subjected to an abrasive environ
`ment. In a preferred construction, the inventive Wear assem
`bly is particularly suited for protecting the digging edge of
`an excavator, such as an excavating bucket.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`[0002] Excavating buckets and other excavating equip
`ment are typically subjected to harsh conditions. A series of
`Wear members are usually provided to protect the digging
`edge and other portions of the bucket from premature Wear.
`Wear members have in the past been secured to the bucket
`in many different Ways.
`
`[0003] For example, in US. Pat. No. 4,570,365 to Bier
`With, the Wear members are secured to the lip of the bucket
`through the use of a Wedge and spool lock arrangement that
`is ?t through a hole in the lip spaced from the front edge. In
`this arrangement, the spool pinches the rear ends of the Wear
`member against the inner and outer faces of the lip as the
`Wedge is driven into the hole. HoWever, under Load, the legs
`of the Wear member can shift and cause loosening of the lock
`and possible loss of the Wear member. In addition, the
`formation of a hole in the tip Weakens the lip and lessens its
`ability to effectively resist large loads as it is forced into the
`ground.
`[0004] In US. Pat. No. 4,748,754 to SchWappach, a lateral
`boss is Welded to the inner face of the lip as a support for
`holding the Wear member to the lip. The Wear member has
`a rearWardly extending leg provided With an opening into
`Which the boss is received. A lock composed of a pair of
`opposed, generally C-shaped securing members joined by a
`central elastomer is placed in the opening betWeen the boss
`and the end of the leg. The elastomer expands to ?ll the
`opening and provide some tightening of the assembly.
`HoWever, the elastomer does not possess suf?cient strength
`for the lock to Well Withstand the expected loads. Hence, the
`Wear member can shift during use, Which may result in
`ejection of the lock and loss of the Wear member.
`
`[0005] Us. Pat. No. 5,088,214 to Jones discloses a Wear
`assembly Wherein a longitudinal boss is ?xed to the lip for
`receipt in a corresponding slot de?ned in the Wear member.
`A hole is formed in the Wear member to receive and position
`a lock against the rear end of the boss to hold the Wear
`member to the tip. The lock is a rigid, block-shaped member
`that provides ?rm resistance to the applied loads. White the
`use of a rigid member instead of an elastomeric body avoids
`overloading the lock during use, it does not provide any
`ability to tighten the mounting of the Wear member on the
`lip.
`[0006] Us. Pat. No. 5,653,048 to Jones et at. discloses a
`lock With a rigid body and a threaded plug to tighten the
`Wear member onto the lip. HoWever, the threaded plug can
`loosen during use in some circumstances due to vibration
`and impact forces. Moreover, the lateral latch construction
`used in both this patent as Well as the ’214 patent, can at
`times be dif?cult to release on account of ?nes being
`impacted in the expansion space for the elastomer.
`[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved
`assembly for attaching a Wear member to the digging edge
`of an excavator that avoids the problems of the prior art.
`
`[0008] The present invention pertains to an improved
`assembly for securing a Wear member to a structure sub
`jected to Wear in an abrasive environment. In a preferred
`construction, the Wear member protects the front digging
`edge of an excavating bucket.
`
`[0009] In one aspect of the invention, the Wear assembly
`includes a lock for securing the Wear member in place that
`is provided With improved means for tightening the ?t of the
`Wear member onto the lip and retaining the lock in the
`assembly during use. With the improved means, the lock is
`able to effectively tighten the ?t of the Wear member on the
`lip, resist loosening of the ?t, and facilitate easy removal of
`the lock Without a concomitant increased risk of lock
`ejection.
`
`[0010] In accordance With one aspect of the invention, the
`lock has a threaded take-up element that tightens the Wear
`member onto the lip and includes means to inhibit loosening
`during use. A tighter ?t results in reduced Wear in the
`components. In one preferred embodiment, the take-up
`element includes a threaded member and a resilient member.
`The resilient member resists loosening of the threaded
`member and applies an expanding force that continues to
`tighten the ?t of Wear member on the protected structure
`even after Wear begins to develop in the components. In
`addition, the threaded member provides a ?rm stop that
`resists overloading and lock ejection. In another construc
`tion, a threaded take-up member has an area of deformed
`threads to prevent inadvertent loosening of the take-up
`element.
`
`[0011] In accordance With another aspect of the present
`invention, an arcuate path is used to effectively retain the
`lock and yet still permit easy release When replacement of
`the Wear member is needed. In one embodiment, a lock body
`de?nes an arcuate path for receipt of a resilient latch
`member. The arcuate path enables the latch to be retracted
`into an open space free of impacted ?nes. In another
`embodiment, the Wear member de?nes an arcuate path for
`receipt of an arcuate lock. The arcuate path inhibits pin
`ejection, but still permits easy removal of the lock With a
`hammer.
`
`[0012] In accordance With another aspect of the invention,
`the lock utiliZes a resilient take-up element and a resilient
`latch in a construction that provides continued tightening
`Without an increased risk of lock ejection. In one embodi
`ment, an arcuate lock is ?t in an arcuate path. The lock
`includes an elastomeric body as the take-up element to
`tighten the Wear member on the lip. In this Way, the
`elastomeric body can apply a continued tightening force,
`and the rigid lock body in the arcuate path inhibits pin
`ejection.
`
`[0013] In accordance With another aspect, a shroud or
`other Wear member adapted to overlie the front digging edge
`of a bucket lip includes an arcuate passage Which opens on
`both ends in an upper, exterior surface of the Wear member
`for receiving a lock. The elimination of a large opening for
`receiving the lock increases the strength of the Wear mem
`ber. Moreover, the arcuate passage facilitates easy insertion
`and removal of the lock With a hammer.
`
`Page 16 of 22
`
`

`
`US 2005/0229442 A1
`
`Oct. 20, 2005
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective vieW of a Wear
`assembly in accordance With the present invention secured
`to a Lip of an excavator.
`
`[0015] FIG. 2 is a side vieW of the Wear assembly secured
`to the lip.
`
`[0016] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective vieW of the Wear
`assembly With the lip in phantom.
`
`[0017] FIG. 4 is a front perspective, exploded vieW of the
`Wear assembly on the lip With the lip shoWn in phantom.
`
`[0018] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective vieW of a boss of the
`Wear assembly.
`[0019]
`FIG. 6 is a rear perspective vieW of the Wear
`member.
`
`[0020] FIG. 7 is a rear vieW, in partial cross section along
`line VII-VII in FIG. 6, of the Wear assembly.
`
`[0021] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective vieW of a lock of the
`Wear assembly.
`
`[0022] FIG. 9 is a front perspective vieW of the lock.
`
`[0023] FIG. 10 is a partial rear perspective vieW, in partial
`cross section, of the Wear assembly With the lock being
`inserted.
`
`[0024] FIG. 11 is a partial rear perspective vieW, in partial
`cross section, of the Wear assembly.
`
`[0025] FIG. 12 is a partial rear vieW of the Wear member
`of a second embodiment.
`
`[0026] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective vieW of a second
`embodiment of a lock in accordance With the present inven
`tion With the lock body shoWn in phantom.
`
`[0027] FIG. 14 is a front perspective vieW of the second
`embodiment of the lock With the lock body shoWn in
`phantom.
`[0028] FIG. 15 is a partial rear perspective vieW, in partial
`cross section, of the second embodiment of the lock being
`inserted into the Wear assembly.
`
`[0029] FIG. 16 is a partial rear perspective vieW, in partial
`cross section, of the Wear assembly of the second embodi
`ment.
`
`[0030] FIG. 17 is a partial rear vieW of a Wear member of
`a third embodiment.
`
`[0031] FIG. 18 is a rear perspective vieW of a Lock for the
`third embodiment With the lock body shoWn in phantom.
`
`[0032] FIG. 19 is a front perspective vieW of the third
`embodiment of the lock in accordance With the present
`invention With the lock body shoWn in phantom.
`
`[0033] FIG. 20 is a partial rear perspective vieW, in partial
`cross section, of the third embodiment of the Wear assembly.
`
`[0034] FIG. 21 is a partial rear perspective vieW, in partial
`cross section, of the Wear assembly With the third embodi
`ment of the Wear assembly.
`
`[0035] FIG. 22 is a rear perspective vieW of a fourth
`embodiment of a Wear member.
`
`[0036] FIG. 23 is a rear vieW of a Wear member, in partial
`cross section along line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 22 of the
`fourth embodiment.
`
`[0037] FIG. 24 is a front perspective vieW of the lock of
`the fourth embodiment.
`
`[0038] FIG. 25 is a rear perspective vieW of the lock of the
`fourth embodiment With the lock body shoWn in phantom.
`
`[0039] FIG. 26 is a partial cross sectional vieW of the Wear
`assembly of the fourth embodiment lock taken along line
`XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 22, With the lock being inserted into
`the Wear member.
`
`[0040] FIG. 27 is a partial cross sectional vieW of the Wear
`member of the fourth embodiment lock taken along line
`XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 22, With the lock inserted into the Wear
`member.
`
`[0041] FIG. 28 is a front perspective vieW of the fourth
`embodiment of the Wear assembly secured to the lip.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0042] The present invention pertains to an assembly for
`securing a Wear member to a structure subjected to an
`abrasive Work environment. The inventive Wear assembly is
`particularly suited for protecting an edge of a structure, such
`as a digging edge of an excavating bucket.
`
`[0043] In a preferred construction, the Wear member is a
`shroud that overlies and protects the front digging edge of an
`excavating bucket lip 12. The lip includes an inner face 13,
`an outer face 14 and a front edge face 15 (FIGS. 1 and 2).
`While the illustrated lip includes an interior ramp surface 16,
`the invention can be used With other kinds of lips. Moreover,
`the inventive concepts can be used to secure other kinds of
`Wear members to other excavators.
`
`[0044] The invention is at times discussed in terms of
`relative terms, such as up, doWn, vertical, horiZontal, etc. for
`the sake of easing the description. These terms are to be
`considered relative to the orientation of the elements in FIG.
`1 (unless otherWise noted), and are not to be considered
`limitations on the invention. As can be appreciated, the Wear
`member can be used and oriented in a variety of Ways.
`
`[0045] Boss 20 has a body or ?rst leg 22 extending along
`outer face 14 of lip 12 (FIGS. 2-5). While boss 20 is
`preferably Welded to the lip, it could be formed (e.g., cast or
`forged) as an integral part of the lip or secured by mechani
`cal means. In addition, the boss could each be formed as a
`multiple of parts, Which are integral or spaced apart,
`although a one-piece member is preferred for simplicity and
`strength. In the preferred construction, body 22 includes
`holes 23 to facilitate Welding of the boss to the lip. Welding
`is also preferably provided along selected portions of the
`periphery of the boss, such as along brace 30 and the inner
`or second leg 39.
`
`[0046] Body 22 preferably includes a pair of rails 24
`extending along sideWalls 26 in a rearWard direction from
`front edge 15 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The rails project laterally
`outWard from each sideWall 26 to form a T-shaped cross
`sectional con?guration. Rails 24 have holding surfaces 25
`that are spaced from and facing outer face 14. As discussed
`beloW, rails 24 cooperate With a Wear member or (in this
`
`Page 17 of 22
`
`

`
`US 2005/0229442 A1
`
`Oct. 20, 2005
`
`case) shroud 28 to prevent its movement away from the lip.
`While a T-shaped con?guration is preferred, the rails could
`have other shapes, such as dovetail. Alternatively, the rails
`could be formed on the Wear member 28 and the slot in boss
`20.
`
`[0047] A brace 30 preferably extends laterally across the
`rear end of body 22 (FIGS. 2-5). In the preferred construc
`tion, the rear ends of rails 24 are integrally ?xed to brace 30
`to additionally support the rails When under load (FIG. 4).
`Such support at the rear end of the rails is particularly
`advantageous in resisting vertical loads that tend to rotate or
`sWing the Wear member about the front digging edge of the
`lip. Brace 30 further extends outWard of body 22 to de?ne
`a stop surface 32 adapted to abut a rear end 33 of shroud 28
`and thereby reduce the stress on the boss, Which in turn,
`reduces the stress along front edge 15 of lip 12.
`
`[0048] A front part 38 of boss 20 Wraps around front edge
`15 of lip 12 to de?ne an inner leg 39 along the ramp surface
`16. Front part 38 is preferably Wider than body 22 to provide
`a larger surface area to contact shroud 28 and lip 12 (FIG.
`5), but it could have the same or smaller Width than the body.
`Inner surface 40 of boss 20 (i.e., the surface that faces lip 12)
`is shaped to conform to the shape of the particular lip to
`Which it is ?xed (FIGS. 2 and 5). In this case, the inner
`surface 40 includes a ?rst portion 42 set against front edge
`15, a second portion 44 set against ramp 16, and a third
`portion 46 set against outer face 14. As seen in FIG. 2, inner
`leg 39 preferably overlies only ramp surface 16 so that the
`boss is outside or beloW the inner face 13 to avoid impeding
`the gathering or dumping of the excavated material. HoW
`ever, other arrangements for attaching the boss are possible.
`For example, if the front of the lip has a curved or other
`shape, inner surface 40 Would be changed to match the shape
`of the lip.
`
`[0049] The front face 48 of boss 20 preferably has a
`uniform curved shape to provide a smooth surface Without
`corners to act as a bearing face for shroud 28. In this Way,
`the boss is able to provide a better bearing surface than the
`front of lip 12 With its relatively sharp and thinner front
`digging edge. Nevertheless, other shapes for front face 48
`are possible. Alternatively, body 22 could be positioned
`Within the bucket so that third portion 46 is ?xed to inner
`face 13 instead of outer face 14.
`
`[0050] In the preferred construction, inner leg 39 includes
`a support 50, Which projects outWard to form an abutment
`for lock 56 (FIGS. 4 and 5). In particular, support 50
`includes a rear Wall 52 that de?nes an orthogonal Wall to
`oppose lock 56. In one preferred construction, rear Wall 52
`includes a recess 54, preferably centrally located, to coop
`erate With a plug member 58 of the lock (FIGS. 8-10).
`
`[0051] In the preferred construction, shrouds 28 have a
`front Working portion 66 that tapers to a narroWed front edge
`68, and a rear mounting portion 70 that is bifurcated to
`de?ne an inner leg 72 and an outer leg 74 (FIGS. 1-4 and
`6-7). Outer leg 74 has a generally ?at outer face 76 and a rear
`de?ector face 78 that is inclined forWardly aWay from lip 12
`to direct any earthen material aWay from the Wear member
`during reverse movement of the bucket. The inner face 80
`preferably has a pair of dogleg ?anges 82 that face inWard
`to de?ne a T-shaped slot 84 for receiving body 22 and rails
`24. Flanges 82 could have different shapes to de?ne a slot
`With a dovetail or other con?guration to complement the
`
`shape of rails 24. Alternatively, the ?anges could be replaced
`With a thicker outer leg that includes inner Walls to form the
`slot receiving the boss 20. Also, the tongue and groove
`arrangement could be reversed so that the boss is formed to
`de?ne the slot and the Wear member a tongue received into
`the slot (not shoWn).
`
`[0052] Shroud 28 includes an inner surface 85 that
`includes inner face 80 of outer leg 74, inner face 87 of inner
`leg 72, and an inner corner surface 89 at the intersection of
`legs 72, 74 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Inner corner surface 89 has a
`shape that generally matches front face 48 of boss 20 and
`abuts against it. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment,
`inner corner surface 89 has a generally uniform curved
`surface. When assembled, inner face 80 of outer leg 74
`overlies body 22 and outer face 14, and inner face 87 of
`inner leg 72 overlies inner leg 39 of boss 20 and ramp
`surface 16 of lip 12. Inner leg 72 includes, along inner
`surface 87, a cavity 91 siZed to receive support 50.
`
`[0053] Inner leg 72 includes an aperture 86 adapted to
`receive lock 56 therein. In the preferred embodiment, aper
`ture 86 has a main portion 90 having a generally rectangular
`con?guration to match the shape of the preferred lock,
`though other shapes are possible, and a stem portion 92 that
`opens in the rear Wall 94 of inner leg 72 to provide clearance
`for plug member 58 (FIGS. 4 and 6). The rear Wall 88 of
`aperture 86 forms a bearing surface to each side of stem
`portion 92 to abut lock 56.
`
`[0054] When shroud 28 is installed, it is slid over lip 12
`such that inner and outer legs 72, 74 straddle the lip (FIGS.
`1-4). Rails 24 of body 22 are ?t Within slot 84 as shroud 28
`is moved rearWard. The rearWard movement is continued
`until inside corner surface 89 abuts front face 48 of boss 20.
`At this juncture, rear ends 33 of ?anges 82 of outer leg 74
`are preferably placed in close proximity to stop surface 32.
`With cast parts, it is not practical for inside corner surface 89
`and rear ends 33 to simultaneously abut front face 48 and
`stop surface 32, respectively. HoWever, by placing rear ends
`33 in close proximity With stop surface 32, the tWo surfaces
`Will typically abut after a short amount of time as Wear
`develops in the parts to provide extra support for the loads
`applied to the shroud and provide enhanced protection for
`the tip.
`
`[0055] In the preferred construction, Lock 56 includes a
`body 101 having a generally parallelepiped con?guration
`that corresponds to the shape of aperture 86 (FIGS. 8-11),
`though other shapes can be used. The body includes a front
`Wall103, a rear Wall 104, and sideWalls 105, 106. Athreaded
`bore 109 extends through body 101 and opens in front and
`rear Walts 103, 104. Plug member 58 includes a threaded
`shank 111 to be threadedly received into bore 109, and a
`tool-engaging formation 113 on rear end 115. White in the
`preferred construction formation 113 is formed as a hex
`shaped socket, the socket could have other shapes or be
`replaced With other kinds of ?ats adapted to cooperate With
`tools to effect turning of the plug. The front end 117 of plug
`58 is adapted to project forWard and abut bearing face 119
`of boss 20 Within recess 54. In this Way, plug member 58 can
`be advanced so as to push against bearing face 119 of boss
`20, Which in turn, presses rear Wall 104 of lock 56 against
`rear Wall 88 of aperture 86. This movement of plug member
`58, then, causes shroud 28 to be pushed tightly against front
`face 48 of boss 20. A tighter ?t reduces the shifting of the
`
`Page 18 of 22
`
`

`
`US 2005/0229442 A1
`
`Oct. 20, 2005
`
`shroud during use, Which Will in turn reduce the amount of
`Wearing among the components.
`[0056] When shroud 28 is ?t onto lip 12, the front Wall 121
`of aperture 86 is generally aligned With rear Wall 52 of
`support 50, though it could also be spaced rearWard thereof,
`to permit lock 56 to ?t Within aperture 86 and be rearWard
`of support 50. In this Way, front Wall 103 opposes rear Wall
`52 of support 50 and front Wall 121 of aperture 86. Further,
`the recessed Wall 119 in recess 54 sets underneath a mid
`section 125 of inner leg 72 of shroud 28, i.e., forWard of
`aperture 86 (FIGS. 5 and 10). Accordingly, as plug member
`58 is advanced to engage recessed Wall 119, it extends
`underneath midsection 125. In this Way, plug member 58 not
`only functions as a take up member to tighten the ?t of the
`shroud against the boss, it also functions as a latch to hold
`the lock in aperture 86. Moreover, since the rear end 115 of
`plug member 58 sets Within stem portion 92 (Which can be
`easily cleared) the plug member can be easily retracted to
`remove the lock Without concern over impacted ?nes block
`ing the movement.
`[0057] In the preferred construction, one sideWall 105 of
`lock body 101 has an arcuate shape to ?t against an arcuate
`sideWall 127 of aperture 86 so that the lock can be easily
`sWung into aperture 86 (FIG. 10). The opposite sideWall106
`preferably includes a laterally projecting tang 129 to ease
`removal of lock 56 from aperture 86. Of course, lock body
`101 could omit these features or have other shapes.
`[0058] In the preferred construction, front Wall 103 of lock
`56 and front Walt 121 of aperture 86 each includes a channel
`131, 133 that are aligned to form a passage 135 extending
`through inner leg 72 of shroud 28. The passage is siZed to
`permit insertion of a punch or other slender tool (not shoWn).
`The punch is hammered against the threads of plug member
`58 adjacent front Wall 103 of lock 56 to peen the threads and
`prevent inadvertent loosening during use of the excavator.
`Of course, passage 135 could be de?ned in other Ways. Also,
`the peening does not prevent intentional WithdraWal of the
`plug member through the use of a Wrench.
`[0059] In use, shroud 28 is slid onto boss 20 With the body
`22 ?t Within slot 84 until inner corner surface 89 abuts front
`face 48. The front face of the boss is narroWer than the
`shroud and preferably ?ts into a recess in the shroud as
`disclosed in co-pending US. patent application Ser. No.
`10/425,605, ?led Apr. 30, 2003, Which is herein incorpo
`rated by reference in its entirety. As seen in FIG. 2, neither
`shroud 28, boss 20 nor lock 56 project into the excavator,
`i.e., above inner face 13. Accordingly, the assembly does not
`hinder the gathering or dumping of the load. Once the
`shroud is fully pushed onto the lip, aperture 86 is generally
`positioned just rearWard of rear Wall 52 of support 50. With
`plug member 58 generally ?ush or rearWard of front Wall
`103, arcuate sideWall 105 is set against curved sideWall 127
`and lock 56 sWung doWnWard into aperture 86. AWrench or
`other tool is then used to turn plug member 58 to advance the
`plug member beneath midsection 125 and against recessed
`Wall 119. Advancement of the plug continues to pull shroud
`28 tightly against front face 48. Once the plug has been fully
`advanced, a punch is slid into passage 135 and hammered
`against the threads of plug 58 adjacent front Wall 103 of lock
`56 to deform an area of the threads and prevent undesired
`loosening during use.
`[0060] Alternatively, a second lock 140 can be used to
`hold shroud 28a to boss 20 (FIGS. 12-16). Shroud 28a is the
`
`same as shroud 28 except Where disclosed as being different.
`Accordingly, the same reference numerals are used for like
`parts.
`
`[0061] In this arrangement, front Wall 121 of aperture 86
`preferably includes a depression 143 instead of channel 131
`(FIG. 12). OtherWise, the construction of the components is
`the same. Lock 140 has a body 145 preferably having
`generally a parallelepiped shape With a front Wall 147, a rear
`Wall 148, and sideWalls 149, 150 (FIGS. 13-14). As With
`lock 56, sideWall 149 has a concave, arcuate shape to pivot
`about sideWall 127, and a tang 153 to ease removal of the
`lock.
`
`[0062] Lock 140 further includes a take-up assembly 155
`comprising a plug 157 received in a pocket 159 in front Wall
`147, and a threaded pusher 161 received in a threaded bore
`163 extending inWard from rear Wall 148. Bore 163 connects
`With pocket 159 so that pusher 161 engages plug 157. Plug
`157 includes an elastomeric body 165 preferably composed
`of rubber or other resilient material, and a shell 167 com
`posed of steel or other hard material preferably bonded to the
`elastomeric body by molding or adhesive. The elastomeric
`body 165 ?ts Within a rear portion 173 of pocket 159, Which
`is slightly Larger than opening 175 in front Wall 147; that is,
`the elastomeric body is compressed to ?t Within opening 175
`and then expands into rear portion 173 to hold plug 157
`Within lock body 145. Rear portion 173, hoWever, is longer
`(front to back) to permit axial movement of the elastomeric
`body. Pusher 161 consists of a threaded shank having a blunt
`forWard end 169 to engage elastomeric body 165, and a rear
`end 171 provided With a hex socket or other Wrench
`engaging formation 172.
`
`[0063] Pusher 161 and plug 157 are initially retracted to
`facilitate insertion of Lock 140 into aperture 86. SideWall
`149 of lock 140 is, then, ?t against sideWall 127 and the lock
`sWung into aperture 86 in the same Way as Lock 56 (FIG.
`15). Once lock 140 is in place (FIG. 16), a Wrench is used
`to turn pusher 161, Which in turn, abuts the elastomeric body
`165 of plug 157. Advancement of pusher 161 continues so
`that shell 167 of plug 157 abuts rear Wall 52 of support 50
`and moves Lock body 145 rearWard. This movement of lock
`body 145 pulls shroud 28a tightly against front face 48 of
`boss 20. Pusher 161 is then further tightened to compress
`elastomeric body 165 so that it Will continue to apply a
`pulling force on shroud 28a to maintain a tight ?t even after
`Wear begins to develop through use. This compression of the
`resilient plug member 157 also applies pressure on the
`threaded pusher member 161 to resist loosening of the
`pusher during use.
`
`[0064] Lock 140 further includes a latch member 177 that
`is received into a threaded bore 179 in body 145 adjacent
`bore 163 and pocket 159. Latch member 177 preferably
`includes a threaded shank portion 181 threaded into bore
`179, an unthreaded latching portion 183 that projects for
`Ward of front Wall 147, and a hex socket 185 or other
`tool-engaging formation. Nevertheless, Latch 177 could be
`threaded along its entire length. The latching shank is
`preferably received in a depression 143 in shroud 28a and
`recess 54 to prevent inadvertent release of lock 140 from
`aperture 86. Since the latch does not receive the impact loads
`applied to the Wear member 28a, it is less inclined to release
`during use. Further, since it retracts into stem portion 92 of
`aperture 86, impacted ?nes should not hinder its rearWard
`
`Page 19 of 22
`
`

`
`US 2005/0229442 A1
`
`Oct. 20, 2005
`
`movement. Nevertheless, latch member 177 could be
`altered; e.g., it could be advanced by means other than a
`threaded shank or it could be received beneath midsection
`125 Without depression 143 (if made smaller and loWer in
`the lock).
`[0065] As another alternative, a third lock 190 could be
`used to secure shroud 28b to boss 20b. Shroud 28b and boss
`20b are the same as shroud 28 and boss 20 except Where
`differences are noted. Accordingly, the same numbers are
`used for the same parts.
`
`[0066] In addition, lock 190 is the same as lock 140 except
`for the latch and the omission of the pusher (although the
`pusher could be included if desired). Instead of latch 177,
`lock 190 includes an arcuate latch member 193 comprising
`an elastomeric body 195 composed of rubber or other
`suitable elastomer, a steel detent member 197 on one end of
`body 195, and a steel retainer member 199 on the other end
`of body 195. The components are preferably bonded
`together by molding or adhesive.
`[0067] An arcuate passage 201 is formed in body 191 of
`lock 190 for receiving latch 193 (FIGS. 18-19). Passage 201
`preferably extends from top Wall 203 to sideWall 205 of lock
`190. In this construction, passage 201 opens beloW tang 207.
`Passage 201 further includes a shoulder 209 near top surface
`203 to cooperate With retainer member 199. Retainer 197
`extends along the convex side 210 of the rear end 212 of
`body 195, and includes a ledge 214 to abut shoulder 209 to
`retain the latch in the lock.
`[0068] For use With lock 190, sideWall 211 of aperture 86
`includes a keeper 213 along the outer surface 215 of inner
`leg 72. Keeper 213 preferably sets beloW tang 207 to form
`an overhang for detent member 197 of latch 193. In addition,
`there is no need for recess 54 in support 50. As a result, rear
`Wall 52b preferably extends continuously across support 50
`Without recess 54.
`[0069] In use, lock 190 is sWung into aperture 86 in the
`same manner as locks 56, 140. Detent 197 preferably has a
`generally trapeZoidal shape, although other shapes are pos
`sible. Speci?cally, detent 197 has an elongate, curved con
`cave side 216 to match the curvature of the upper side 217
`of passage 201, and a shorter, curved convex side 218 to
`match the loWer side 221 of passage 201. The free end 223
`of detent 197 includes a ramp surface 225 that is inclined
`outWard and upWard from sideWall 205 of lock body 191. In
`this Way, ramp surface 225 functions to retract detent 197
`Within passage 201 against the bias of body 195 to permit
`passage of latch 193 past keeper 213 as the lock is sWung
`into aperture