US006030143A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,030,143
`Feb. 29, 2000
`
`5/1984 Novotny et a1. .
`4,446,638
`4,481,728 11/1984 Mulder et a1. ...................... .. 37/456 X
`5,469,648 11/1995 Jones et a1. .
`Primary Examiner_Lynne H‘ Browne
`Assistant Examiner—David E. Bochna
`Attorney) Agent) Or Firm_Banner & WitCOff, Ltd‘
`
`Ulllted States Patent [19]
`Kreitzberg
`
`[54] LOCKING PIN FOR EXCAVATING
`EQUIPMENT
`
`[75] Inventor: John S. Kreitzberg, Portland, Oreg.
`.
`_
`.
`[73] Assignee. Esco Corporation, Portland, Oreg.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/993,173
`[22]
`Filed:
`Dec. 18, 1997
`
`7
`[51] Int. Cl. ..................................................... .. B25G 3/20
`[52] US. Cl. ................. .. 403/374.1; 403/355; 403/379.4;
`_
`403/3796; 37/457; 37/455; 172/753
`[58] Field of Search ............................... .. 403/291, 374.1,
`403/373> 355> 379~4>
`475575
`
`;
`
`-
`
`>
`
`[56]
`
`_
`References Clted
`US PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`An improved locking pin for locking together tWo pieces of
`equipment through aligned locking apertures. The pin com
`prises a Steel Casing, a Steel insert and an elastomer member‘
`The tWO Steel parts assemble together in a particular
`sequence and are adjusted so that When completely
`assembled, the insert is locked into the easing With the body
`of the casing and the insert being parallel and spaced from
`one another. The elastomer member is interposed in the
`space de?ned between the casing and insert, and ?lls the
`space between the steel parts. The assembled steel parts are
`?rmly locked together by introduction of ‘the’ elastomer
`member into that space. There is no adhesive _]O1I11I1g the
`steel and elastomer members Which makes the pin more
`amenable for use in corrosive environments and also eases
`inalrglfacture (if the
`cp?nponebrits. A tifghttlly constructetd
`oc ng pin a so avo1 s
`becommg loose (“10st
`
`-
`
`-
`
`e pro ems o
`
`e componen s
`
`22 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`ll"
`
`i "*4
`
`i
`
`58
`
`/56
`
`[t
`
`,
`
`ep enson .
`
`2,772,492 12/1956 Muftaugh-
`lsviurtl‘liugh '
`7/1975 Moreau .
`5/1979 Kaarlela'
`3/1980 Schwappach.
`8/1981 Fletcher et a1. .
`6/1982 Hahn et al. .
`
`,
`
`378947349
`471557665
`4,192,089
`4,282,665
`4,335,532
`
`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1006
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`Page 1 of 19
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`FIGI
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`Page 2 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 29, 2000
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`Sheet 2 0f 13
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`6,030,143
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`FIG. 2
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`Page 3 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 29, 2000
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`Sheet 3 0f 13
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`6,030,143
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`Feb. 29, 2000
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`Sheet 5 0f 13
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`6,030,143
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`FIG 7
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`FIG: 8
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`/28
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`F IG‘. 6
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`2
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`26
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`“
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`Page 6 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 29, 2000
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`Sheet 6 0f 13
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`6,030,143
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`F l6: // FIG 12
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`1
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`52
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`52
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`Fla /0
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`_ )6
`/
`
`56I _
`
`I
`
`=
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`Q2
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`~
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`'\
`P ‘58
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`Q54
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`__
`‘
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`"
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`“MT;
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`Page 7 of 19
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`Sheet 7 0f 13
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`6,030,143
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`Sheet 8 0f 13
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`Feb. 29, 2000
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`Sheet 9 0f 13
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`6,030,143
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`FIG I?
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`Page 10 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 10 0f 13
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`6,030,143
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`FIG. 18
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`A
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`\
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`142 134
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`130
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`148
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`120
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`5 x12
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`140130152
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`146
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`128
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`Page 11 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 29,2000
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`Sheet 11 0f 13
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`6,030,143
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`FIG. 19
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`A
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`230
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`248
`
`x
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`242 334
`L1
`
`
`
`) "WIIIHI
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`V222
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`220
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`Ill
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`, ---- --232
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`\246
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`_-nl_'_-____________
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`Page 12 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 29,2000
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`Sheet 12 0f 13
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`6,030,143
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`FIG. 20
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`FIG. 20A
`340
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`333
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`Page 13 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 29,2000
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`Sheet 13 0f 13
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`6,030,143
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`FIG. 21
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`AH
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`)
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`Page 14 of 19
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`

`
`1
`LOCKING PIN FOR EXCAVATING
`EQUIPMENT
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention pertains to an improved locking pin
`for use in securing points to adapters on excavating equip
`ment of all kinds, and especially for use in dredge equip
`ment.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`In mining and construction, excavating equipment ordi
`narily include a series of spaced apart teeth mounted across
`the digging edge of the excavator (eg the lip of a bucket).
`The teeth project forWardly to engage and break up the
`material to be gathered in the bucket. As can be appreciated,
`the teeth are subjected to highly abrasive conditions and
`experience considerable Wearing.
`In order to minimize the throW aWay material from used
`replacement parts, the teeth are manufactured of multiple
`parts, including an adapter and a point. The adapter is
`attached to the bucket’s lip and includes a forWardly pro
`jecting nose. The point includes a front digging end and
`de?nes a rearWardly opening socket into Which the adapter
`nose is received. In this Way, the point substantially envelops
`the adapter nose. The point is therefore subjected to abrasive
`conditions and must be frequently replaced. The points must
`be securely locked to the adapters to Withstand the heavy
`loading, but still be easily set and released for replacement
`of points in the ?eld. The locking pin must also be able to
`Withstand any of the environmental conditions to Which the
`teeth are exposed, preferably including potentially corrosive
`conditions such as Working in salt Water.
`In general, the point and adapter nose are provided With
`complimentary locking apertures for receiving a locking pin.
`A Wide variety of point-adapter nose con?gurations are
`possible. A feW examples are described in Us. Pat. No.
`5,469,648, Which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
`When the parts are assembled, the apertures are aligned to
`enable receipt of a locking pin. In some cases, a rigid pin is
`used in combination With a resilient keeper member. The
`keeper member is employed to hold the pin in the apertures
`and to tighten the engagement of the point over the adapter
`nose. In an alternative arrangement, a sandWich pin is used
`Without a separate keeper member. In general, a sandWich
`pin has a pair of a rigid portions Which are combined With
`a resilient portion in an integral construction such that the
`pin Works to secure the point in place and tighten the
`connection of the parts.
`While sandWich pins offer the convenience of using a
`single locking part, forming a pin With a cohesive, durable
`construction can be a problem. For instance, the resilient
`portion and the metal portion are typically ?xed together
`With an adhesive to maintain the pin as a single part. There
`is great reliance therefore on the adhesive bond betWeen the
`pieces. HoWever, adhesives can fail in corrosive environ
`ments resulting in detachment of the pieces of a locking pin
`and loss of the pin.
`During use, the pin is continuously loaded causing the
`metal portion to move against the resilient portion in a cyclic
`manner. The resilient material can lose its resilience through
`fatigue failure due to continuous loading so that the material
`is not sufficiently expansive to hold the pin in the aligned
`apertures. Loss of the pin results in a lost point, Which, in
`turn, exposes the adapter to premature Wear and possible
`damage to the equipment receiving the overburden With the
`lost point.
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`The continuous loading can also have an adverse effect on
`the adhesive bond betWeen the resilient portion and the
`metal portion resulting in a fatigue failure of the bond.
`In most lock assemblies employing sandWich pins, the
`elastomeric element in the pin must expand to maintain a
`tight ?t in the aligned assembly apertures and prevent loss of
`the pin. Once the maximum expansion of the elastomer
`member is reached, the pin may be lost or ejected. Therefore,
`in order to maximiZe the life of the components the apertures
`de?ned through the point and adapter nose, irrespective of
`Whether they are vertical or horiZontal apertures, are typi
`cally constructed so that the pin is initially inserted into a
`very tight arrangement.
`In order to keep the elastomer element and the rigid
`elements of the pin together, most sandWich pin components
`are manufactured by inserting the rigid metal elements into
`a mold, coating an adhesive on the metal elements and then
`injection molding the elastomer element. This injection
`molding method is typically labor intensive requiring
`manual placement of the metal elements into the mold,
`molding and then removing the part from the mold. In
`addition to the manual positioning, molding, and removing
`steps, this manufacturing method requires cleaning of the
`part Where primer and adhesive Were coated on the metal
`elements, and also cleaning the ?ashing and sprues from the
`part.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,648 to Jones, et al. discloses an
`excavating tooth secured together With a sandWich lock pin.
`The lock pin includes a rigid casing formed With one or tWo
`cavities for receiving elastomeric material and metal cover
`ings Which overlay the elastomeric material to prevent
`premature Wearing. The cavities into Which the coverings
`are received, however, are too shalloW to retain the cover
`ings during use. Consequently, adhesive or the like is
`required to secure the coverings against loss. Afailure of the
`adhesive due to corrosion or fatigue Will result in a failure
`of the pin and loss of the point or other Wear member.
`U.S. Pat. No. 2,772,492 to Murtaugh discloses a retaining
`key for securing the adapter of a dipper tooth to a lip of a
`bucket. The retaining key comprises a C-shaped member, a
`Wedge and a resilient pad interposed betWeen them.
`Although the Wedge has projections Which are received into
`recesses the recesses are laterally open on one side. As a
`result, there is no provision for laterally constraining the
`Wedge Within the casing. During installation and use the
`Wedge could slide out the side of the casing and be lost.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to an improved locking pin
`for use in securing a Wear member to a base, such as a point
`to an adapter, and especially for use With dredge products.
`The pin comprises tWo cooperative steel parts, a casing and
`an insert, and an elastomer part. The casing and insert have
`longitudinal bodies Which are generally parallel and spaced
`from one another. The tWo steel parts are assembled together
`in a particular sequence so that the components are ?rmly
`held together and constrained from movement in all but one
`direction—toWard and aWay from one another. The elasto
`meric member is interposed betWeen the assembled steel
`parts to resiliently bias the metal parts aWay from one
`another so that the parts are tightly constrained in all
`directions. The tight arrangement also does aWay With the
`need for an adhesive to bond the elastomer to the metal.
`Accordingly, the pin can be used Without fear of an adhesive
`failure due to fatigue or to a corrosive environment.
`By eliminating the need for an adhesive, manufacture of
`the parts is also eased by the elimination of at least three
`
`Page 15 of 19
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`

`
`3
`steps: inserting the metal parts into a mold; coating an
`adhesive to the metal parts; and cleaning the part of adhesive
`primer, ?ashing and sprues after molding. Since all of these
`steps are typically manual, time and labor are also saved by
`manufacturing the components independently and then
`assembling them together. The elastomeric member of the
`present invention is preferably manufactured separately in a
`largely automated line Which can produce pieces that do not
`require as much cleaning or ?nishing due to the use of high
`quality tooling.
`These and other features and advantages of the invention
`may be more completely understood from the folloWing
`detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the
`invention With reference to the accompanying draWings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an exploded, partial perspective vieW of an
`adapter and point being assembled together With a locking
`pin in accordance With a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a perspective vieW of the locking pin of the
`present invention shoWn assembled With an elastomer in
`place.
`FIG. 3 is a perspective vieW of the locking pin of FIG. 1
`shoWn Without the elastomer.
`FIG. 4 is an elevational vieW of the front side of the
`locking pin of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 5 is an elevational vieW of the rear side of the locking
`pin of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 6 is an end elevational vieW of the locking pin of
`FIG. 3.
`FIG. 7 is an elevational vieW of one side of the locking pin
`of FIG. 3
`FIG. 8 is an elevational vieW of the other side of the
`locking pin of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 9 is an elevational vieW of one side of the elastomer,
`the opposite side is shoWn in FIG. 13.
`FIG. 10 is an end elevational vieW of the elastomer of
`FIG. 9.
`FIG. 11 is an elevational vieW of the ribbed side of the
`elastomer of FIG. 9.
`FIG. 12 is an elevational vieW of the slotted side of the
`elastomer of FIG. 9.
`FIG. 13 is an exploded assembly vieW of the locking pin
`pieces of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 14 is an assembly vieW of the locking pin of FIG. 2
`shoWing the ?rst engagement of the insert to the casing.
`FIG. 15 is an assembly vieW of the locking pin of FIG. 2
`shoWing the assembly of both ends of the insert to the
`casing.
`FIG. 16 is an assembly vieW of the locking pin of FIG. 2
`shoWing the insert ?tted into the casing.
`FIG. 17 is an assembly vieW of the locking pin of FIG. 2
`shoWing the insert completely assembled into the casing and
`With the elastomer in place.
`FIG. 18 is an exploded assembly vieW of the casing and
`insert in accordance With a second preferred embodiment of
`the locking pin.
`FIG. 19 is an exploded assembly vieW of the casing and
`insert in accordance With a third preferred embodiment of
`the locking pin.
`FIG. 20 is an exploded assembly vieW of the casing and
`insert in accordance With a fourth preferred embodiment of
`the locking pin.
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`FIG. 20A is a cross-section taken generally along line
`20A—20A of FIG. 20.
`FIG. 21 is an exploded assembly vieW of the casing and
`insert in accordance With a ?fth preferred embodiment of the
`locking pin.
`FIG. 21A is a cross-section taken generally along line
`21A—21A of FIG. 21.
`FIG. 21B is a cross-section taken generally along line
`21B—21B of FIG. 21.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`The present invention pertains to an improved locking pin
`for locking together any tWo pieces Which are provided With
`aligned locking apertures. For ease of explanation, the
`locking pin of the present invention is generally described in
`this application in the exemplary context of locking together
`an adapter and a point of a tooth on excavating equipment.
`It is contemplated that the improved locking pin described
`herein could be used With a variety of other equipment.
`Operation of excavating equipment can cause the tooth and
`the locking pin to assume many different orientations. The
`components of the locking pin de?ne certain absolute ori
`entations or directions With respect to one another. The three
`main directional references used in this description are the
`longitudinal direction of the pin components, and ?rst and
`second lateral directions Which are orthogonal to one
`another and to the longitudinal direction. In addition, the
`locking pin and its elements are at times described With
`reference to relative directions such as front, rear, side, top
`and bottom. These relative directions are chosen arbitrarily
`for ease of explanation With the draWings only, and do not
`necessarily comport With the orientation that the pin may
`take in its Working environment.
`In the preferred embodiment of the present invention
`(FIGS. 1—17), a locking pin 10 is used to lock together an
`adapter nose 12 and point 14 by insertion of the pin into
`aligned locking apertures 16 and 18 respectively.
`Nevertheless, the locking pin can be used to secure other
`Wear members to a base in various excavating equipment.
`Locking pin 10 comprises a casing 20, an insert 22 and an
`elastomer member 24.
`Casing 20 is formed to have a generally C-shape With a
`longitudinal body portion 26 and laterally extending arms 28
`and 30 Which face one another. Arms 28 and 30 each have
`a receiving recess 32 and 34, respectively, on the side that
`faces the opposite arm (FIG. 13). Recess 32 has a stepped
`con?guration With a deeper and larger portion 36 proximate
`the body and a shalloWer and smaller portion 38 remote from
`the body. This remote portion 38 is closed at its outer end by
`a locking abutment 40. Recess 34 has a smoothly contoured
`con?guration With a locking abutment 42 at its outermost
`end. A longitudinal rib 44 is also preferably provided along
`the interior of body portion 26 to provide lateral support and
`an increased elastomer engagement surface to prevent unin
`tended lateral movement of the elastomer.
`Insert 22 has a longitudinal body Which is designed to
`overlay the elastomer When the locking pin is assembled.
`Insert 22 is assembled into casing 20 so that their bodies are
`generally parallel and spaced from one another (FIGS. 3—5
`and 13). Each end of insert 22 is provided With a tab that
`projects outWardly in the same longitudinal direction as the
`body. The tabs are not identical and are shaped to mate With
`the recesses of casing 20. Tab 46 is shaped for assembly into
`recess 32, Whereas tab 48 is shaped for assembly into recess
`34. More speci?cally, tab 46 has a shape Which corresponds
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`Page 16 of 19
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`6,030,143
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`to shallow portion 38 of recess 32. Likewise, tab 48 has a
`shape that corresponds to the shape of recess 34. With tabs
`46 and 48 received in recesses 32 and 34 and adjusted so that
`they abut locking abutments 40 and 42, respectively, the
`insert is constrained from movement relative to the casing in
`the longitudinal direction and a ?rst lateral direction. Since
`the sides of the recesses matingly engage the tabs of the
`insert, the recesses also limit any rotation of the insert
`relative to the casing. As a result, the insert and casing body
`can only move toWard and aWay from one another, and thus
`has only one degree of freedom in a second lateral direction.
`Insert 22 preferably has a longitudinal slot 50 along the
`surface that faces casing 20 for receiving a corresponding rib
`on the elastomer and providing a gripping location When the
`pin is completely assembled.
`Elastomer 24 has a shape that is similar to insert 22,
`although the dimensions are different for reasons that Will be
`apparent. Elastomer 24 has a body With a pair of outWardly
`projecting tabs 52 and 54. Tab 52 is siZed and shaped for
`receipt into the deeper portion 36 of recess 32. Tab 54 is
`received into recess 34. In an assembled locking pin, elas
`tomer 24 is interposed betWeen casing 20 and insert 22
`(FIGS. 2 and 13). The body of elastomer 24 is generally
`longitudinal and includes a longitudinal rib 56 on the insert
`side Which is received into slot 50 of the insert, and a
`longitudinal slot 58 on the casing side to receive rib 44 of the
`casing.
`The assembly process of the casing and insert are shoWn
`progressively in FIGS. 14—17. To assemble the casing and
`insert together, insert 22 is ?tted into locking relation With
`casing 20 by insertion of longer tab 46 into deeper portion
`36 of recess 32, thereby tilting the insert With respect to the
`casing. This alloWs shorter tab 48 to clear abutment 42 of
`casing, as indicated by arroW 60, and be received in recess
`34. When insert 22 is straightened out, FIG. 15, tab 46 is
`seated Within deep recess 36 and the bodies of casing 20 and
`insert 22 are brought into parallel relation. Insert 22 is then
`moved outWard With respect to casing body 20, FIG. 16, in
`the direction of arroW 62 so that tab 46 is seated in shalloW
`portion 38 of recess 32 and bears against locking abutment
`40. Simultaneously tab 48 moves outWard so that it bears
`against locking abutment 42. In this manner tabs 46 and 48
`are matingly received in recesses 32 and 34 so that the tabs
`bear against abutments 40 and 42 respectively. Casing 20
`and insert 22 thereby de?ne a space 21 therebetWeen.
`The assembled casing and insert are ?rmly locked
`together by introducing elastomer member 24 into space 21
`de?ned betWeen them. Elastomer 24 also essentially ?lls in
`the portions of recesses 32 and 34 of the casing adjacent the
`body, and the space in betWeen the casing and insert (FIG.
`17). This interposition of the elastomer member betWeen the
`casing and insert prevent the insert from slipping into deeper
`portion 36 of recess 32 and becoming loose or disassembled.
`For enhanced engagement, longitudinal slot 58 of elastomer
`24 receives longitudinal rib 44 of the casing, and longitu
`dinal rib 56 of elastomer 24 is received in longitudinal slot
`50 of the insert. These mated rib and slot relationships
`ensure that lateral movement of the elastomer is prevented
`and also provide a greater surface area of engagement
`betWeen the elastomer and the metal parts.
`While in the preferred embodiment the elastomer has a
`slot on the casing side and a rib on the insert side, it is to be
`understood that these could be reversed With a correspond
`ing change in the slot and rib of the casing and insert. In
`addition, any other means of enhancing the engagement of
`these components are contemplated to be Within the scope of
`this invention. For instance, a series of protrusions and
`mating recesses could be used in place of the solid rib and
`slot.
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`The assembly structures of the casing and insert, i.e. the
`recesses and tabs, can be arranged in a variety of con?gu
`rations Which alloW for sequential assembly and locking and
`restraining once pulled into parallel relation. FIGS. 18—21
`illustrate further preferred embodiments of the casing and
`insert. In these ?gures, the components are shoWn in an
`elevational vieW similar to FIG. 4.
`In a second preferred embodiment, FIG. 18, casing 120 is
`provided With assembly tabs 146 and 148 on arms 128 and
`130 respectively. Assembly tabs 146 and 148 are received
`into recesses 132 and 134, respectively. Assembly of the
`insert and casing of this pin Would occur in a similar
`sequence to that of the ?rst embodiment. Insert 122 is tilted
`so that tab 146 is inserted into deeper portion 136 of recess
`132. This alloWs tab 148 to clear abutment 142 of the casing,
`and be received in recess 134. When insert 122 is straight
`ened out, tab 146 is seated Within deep recess 136 and the
`bodies of casing 120 and insert 122 are brought into parallel
`relation. Insert 122 is then moved outWard With respect to
`casing body 120 so that tab 146 is seated in shalloW portion
`138 of recess 132 and bears against locking abutment 140.
`Simultaneously tab 148 moves to bear against locking
`abutment 142. In this manner tabs 146 and 148 are matingly
`received in recesses 132 and 134 so that the tabs bear against
`abutments 140 and 142 respectively. They are thus con
`strained from movement in any direction eXcept translation
`ally toWard and aWay from one another. Into the space
`de?ned betWeen casing 120 and insert 122, an elastomer is
`interposed as described above to further lock the compo
`nents into place.
`In a third preferred embodiment, FIG. 19, casing 220 is
`provided With an assembly tab 248 on an arm 230 and a
`recess 232 on an arm 228. Correspondingly, insert 222 is
`provided With a recess 234 at one end and an assembly tab
`246 on the other end. Of course the tab and recess arrange
`ment could be reversed on arms 228 and 230. The sequence
`of assembly Would begin With tilting of insert 222 to insert
`tab 246 into deeper portion 236 of recess 232. This alloWs
`tab 248 to clear abutment 242 of the insert, and be received
`in recess 234. When insert 222 is straightened out, tab 246
`is seated Within deep recess 236 and the bodies of casing 220
`and insert 222 are brought into parallel relation. Insert 222
`is then moved outWard With respect to casing body 220 so
`that tab 246 is seated in shalloW portion 238 of recess 232
`and bears against locking abutment 240. Simultaneously tab
`248 bear against locking abutment 242. In this manner tabs
`246 and 248 are matingly received in recesses 232 and 234
`so that the tabs bear against abutments 240 and 242 respec
`tively. The casing and insert are thus constrained from
`movement in any direction eXcept translationally toWard and
`aWay from one another. Into the space de?ned betWeen
`casing 120 and insert 122, an elastomer is interposed as
`described above to further lock the components into place.
`The fourth and ?fth preferred embodiments present a
`slightly different recess and structure. In these embodiments
`the tabs and recesses may be of equal length and depth since
`the tabs are inserted into the recesses from the side. The
`common feature in these embodiments is that vieWed in
`cross-section the recesses Would be L-shaped so that one leg
`of the L serves as the insertion area and the other leg of the
`L serves as the locking area including the locking abutment.
`Speci?cally, in FIG. 20, casing 320 has recesses 332 and
`334 Which have open ends 333 and 335, and locking
`abutments 340 and 342, respectively. As seen in FIG. 20A,
`open ends or channels 333 and 335 are in angled relation to
`locking abutments 340 and 342, and preferably in perpen
`dicular relation. Insert 322 includes assembly tabs 346 and
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`348 at its ends. To assemble the components together, insert
`322 is positioned so that tabs 346 and 348 are inserted into
`open channels 333 and 335 respectively. Insert 322 is then
`moved With respect to casing 320 until tabs 346 and 348 bear
`against locking abutments 340 and 342 respectively. It Will
`be apparent that in this embodiment insert 322 and casing
`320 are in parallel relation throughout the assembly process.
`The casing and insert are thus constrained from movement
`in any direction eXcept translationally toWard and aWay from
`one another. Into the space de?ned betWeen casing 320 and
`insert 322, an elastomer is interposed as described above to
`further lock the components into place.
`In the ?fth preferred embodiment, FIG. 21, casing 420 has
`recesses 432 and 434 Which have open ends or channels 433
`and 435, and locking abutments 440 and 442, respectively.
`In contrast to FIG. 20 in Which the open channels of the
`recesses are on the same side of the casing, the recesses of
`FIG. 21 have their open channels on opposite sides. That is,
`channel 435 is open to one side of casing 420, and channel
`433 is open to the opposite side. Channels 433 and 435 are
`in angled relation to locking abutments 440 and 442, and
`preferably in perpendicular relation. Insert 422 includes
`assembly tabs 446 and 448 at its ends. To assemble the
`components together, insert 422 is rotated so that tabs 446
`and 448 are positioned on opposites sides of casing 420 to
`insert the tabs into open channels 433 and 435 respectively.
`Insert 422 is then rotated With respect to casing 420 until the
`insert body 422 and casing 420 are in line Which brings tabs
`446 and 448 into recesses 432 and 434 respectively. Insert
`422 is moved outWard With respect to casing 420 until tabs
`446 and 448 bear against locking abutments 440 and 442
`respectively. In this embodiment insert 422 and casing 420
`are in parallel relation throughout the assembly process but
`insert 422 is rotated With respect to casing 420 about a lateral
`aXis. Once assembled the casing and insert are constrained
`from movement in any direction eXcept translationally
`toWard and aWay from one another. Into the space de?ned
`betWeen casing 420 and insert 422, an elastomer is inter
`posed as described above to further lock the components
`into place.
`In all of the embodiments, the elastomer is oversiZed for
`the space betWeen the casing and insert so that it preloads the
`assembled pin to increase the locking force of the three
`components. This pin consequently provides a higher aver
`age force for holding together the point and adapter nose
`over the range of compression of the pin as compared to
`conventional sandWich pins. In addition, this pin is easier to
`drive into an assembly since the casing and insert stay in
`essential parallel relation While being driven. This prevents
`the Wedge action of prior art pins Which squeeZe together at
`the beginning and then spread apart making driving dif?cult.
`The present pin With the compressible elastomer also does
`not require inordinate pounding or special placement tools
`as Would a rigid pin Which Was oversiZed for the space and
`forced into an interference ?t.
`Thus, the components of the completely assembled lock
`ing pin are tightly constructed together and present an
`integral piece for insertion into aligned locking apertures.
`Since the elastomer is held in place by structural constraints,
`there is no need for an adhesive to bond the elastomer to the
`metal parts. There is no concern therefore for the stability or
`durability of an adhesive When the piece is used even in
`corrosive environments. Also, the tightly assembled rela
`tionship of all three components ensures that no one piece
`can become loose and be ejected or lost even during appli
`cations of high forces.
`The locking pin of the present invention is shoWn in the
`draWings as having certain outer contours and surfaces. The
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`particular contours and surfaces are designed to be used With
`aligned locking apertures Which have a corresponding inner
`contour. The preferred embodiment of the invention is a
`locking pin for dredge equipment, but the exterior contours
`and surfaces of the casing and insert can be varied Without
`departing from the scope of the invention.
`While the preferred embodiment of the locking pin is
`intended for use With eXcavating equipment, dredge equip
`ment in particular, it is contemplated that the structure of the
`locking pin and the principles of its operation could be used
`to hold together any parts Which have aligned assembly
`apertures.
`From the foregoing detailed description, it Will be evident
`that there are a number of changes, adaptations, and modi
`?cations of the present invention Which come Within the
`province of those skilled in the art. HoWever, it is intended
`that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the
`invention be considered as Within the scope thereof as
`limited only by the claims appended hereto.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A locking pin for joining together parts by insertion of
`said locking pin into aligned locking apertures, said locking
`pin comprising:
`a ?rst rigid member having a ?rst body portion and arms
`formed on each end of said ?rst body portion, each of
`said arms having a recess such that said recesses face
`one another and are de?ned by locking abutments at
`their ends and lateral sides;
`a second rigid member having a second body portion and
`tabs formed on each end of said second body portion,
`said tabs being adapted for insertion into said recesses
`to bear against said locking abutments When said
`second member is assembled to said ?rst member, said
`?rst body portion being spaced aWay from said second
`body portion to de?ne a space therebetWeen; and
`an elastomer member having locking tabs formed on each
`end of said elastomer member, said elastomer member
`interposed in said space betWeen said ?rst member and
`said second member, and said locking tabs being
`adapted to be inserted into said recesses such that said
`?rst member, said second member and said elastomer
`member are ?rmly locked together.
`2. The locking pin of claim 1, Wherein one of said recesses
`of said ?rst member comprises a stepped con?guration
`including a deep portion adjacent said ?rst body and a
`shalloW portion adjacent said locking abutment.
`3. The locking pin of claim 1, Wherein said ?rst member
`and said elastomer engage one another by a mating rib and
`slot arrangement.
`4. The locking pin of claim 1, Wherein said second
`member and said elastomer engage one another by a mating
`rib and slot arrangement.
`5. The locking pin of claim 1, Wherein said elastomer is
`oversiZed such that assembly of said elastomer betWeen said
`?rst member and said second member ?rmly af?Xes and
`preloads said locking pin.
`6. A casing for a locking pin assembly comprising:
`a longitudinal body portion; and
`laterally extending arms provided at the ends of said body
`portion de?ning eXterior portions and interior portions,
`each of said arms having an assembly recess provided
`on the interior portion thereof for receiving tabs of an
`insert member, each said recess de?ned by a locking
`