United States Patent [19J
`Gale et al.
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006085448A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,085,448
`Jul. 11, 2000
`
`[54] MECHANICAL RETENTION SYSTEM FOR
`GROUND ENGAGING TOOLS
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Preston L. Gale, Mackinaw; Richard
`E. Livesay; Joseph W. Puckett, both
`of Peoria; Christopher J. Stickling,
`Dunlap, all of Ill.
`
`[73] Assignee: Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 09/243,779
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Feb. 3, 1999
`
`5,465,512 11/1995 Livesay eta!. ........................... 37/457
`5,719,070
`2/1998 Ruvang ..................................... 37/459
`5,724,756
`3/1998 Gale .......................................... 37/458
`5,782,019
`7/1998 Launder eta!. .......................... 37/446
`5,806,215
`9/1998 Matthews .................................. 37/452
`Primary Examiner-Eileen Dunn Lillis
`Assistant Examiner-Gary S. Hartmann
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm---0. Gordon
`Morrison
`[57]
`
`Pence; John W.
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`[51]
`
`[ 63] Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/961,304, Oct. 30,
`1997, abandoned.
`Int. Cl? ................................ E02F 9/28; B25G 3/00;
`F16D 1/00
`[52] U.S. Cl. ................................. 37/458; 37/452; 37/455;
`403/376
`[58] Field of Search .............................. 37/452, 453, 455,
`37/456, 457, 458, 459; 403/376, 380
`
`A mechanical retention system is disclosed for detachably
`retaining a ground engaging tool onto an earthworking
`implement. The retention system uses an elongated steel
`retainer, which has a convolute spring portion between
`opposite the end portions of the retainer to allow the retainer
`to be compressible in one direction in order to be mounted
`through a retainer opening in the tool into a retainer pocket
`in the mounting portion of the implement.
`
`19 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`10
`
`106
`
`110
`
`82
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`Page 1 of 19
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1003
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 11,2000
`Jul. 11, 2000
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`Sheet 1 0f 12
`Sheet 1 of 12
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`6,085,448
`6,085,448
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`-
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`10
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`Page 2 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jul. 11, 2000
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`Sheet 2 of 12
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`6,085,448
`6,085,448
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`EE-
`-
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`38
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`64 76
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`
`
`50
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`30
`3O
`
`14
`
`
`
`am \ ‘4
`
`
`22
`
`
`
`
`---20
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`~-r-r-r~~~---58 ~24
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`
`
`--------28
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`32
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`52
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`Page 3 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 11, 2000
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`Sheet 3 of 12
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`6,085,448
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`F_r_g_3_
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`38
`
`~----l---92
`!1~~~~~~~94
`
`~-----------L2--------------~
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`Page 4 of 19
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 11, 2000
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`Sheet 4 of 12
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`6,085,448
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`106
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`110
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`76
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`82
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`Page 5 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 11, 2000
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`Sheet 5 of 12
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`6,085,448
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`84
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`6
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`77
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`86
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`100j
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`80
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`Page 6 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jul. 11,2000
`Jul. 11, 2000
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`Sheet 6 0f 12
`Sheet 6 of 12
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`6,085,448
`6,085,448
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jul. 11,2000
`Jul. 11, 2000
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`Sheet 7 0f 12
`Sheet 7 of 12
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`6,085,448
`6,085,448
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`120
`120
`
`$35 -2-
`
`...- 8
`l
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`Page 8 of 19
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`Page 8 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 11, 2000
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`Sheet 8 of 12
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`6,085,448
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`F...:r_9 _a_
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`130
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`Page 9 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 11, 2000
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`Sheet 9 of 12
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`6,085,448
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`F..:c..g- 9 _
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`110A
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`111
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`110A
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`Page 10 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 11, 2000
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`Sheet 10 of 12
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`6,085,448
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`F.J:.g_lD_
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`76A
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`14
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`12
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`142
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`138
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`Page 11 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 11, 2000
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`Sheet 11 of 12
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`6,085,448
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`F-=r.g_la_
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`168~
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`1
`
`1588
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`1108-...........
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`---+-1508
`~-1568
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`92
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`92
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`Page 12 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
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`Jul. 11,2000
`Jul. 11, 2000
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`Sheet 12 0f 12
`Sheet 12 of 12
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`6,085,448
`6,085,448
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`159
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`168~
`
`--150
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`~-1068
`156
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`
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`Page 13 of 19
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`Page 13 of 19
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`

`

`6,085,448
`
`1
`MECHANICAL RETENTION SYSTEM FOR
`GROUND ENGAGING TOOLS
`
`RELATION TO OTHER PATENT APPLICATION
`
`The present application is a continuation-in-part of
`co-pending patent application Ser. No. 08/961,304, filed
`Oct. 30, 1997 with the same title as above.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates generally to ground engag(cid:173)
`ing tools for earthworking implements and the like and,
`more particularly, to a mechanical retention system for
`detachably retaining a replaceable tool onto such imple(cid:173)
`ments.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`5
`
`2
`lute spring portion and a thickness sufficient to define a first
`elevational portion and a second elevational portion. Each
`end portion has a flange extending therefrom within the
`confines of the first elevational portion a sufficient distance
`to provide the retainer with a predetermined length between
`the flanges that is greater than the predetermined length of
`the retainer opening. The spring portion is adapted to allow
`the forcible compression of the retainer to a length sufficient
`to permit the insertion of the flanges through the retainer
`10 opening wherein the first elevational portion is disposed in
`the retainer pocket where one of the sides of the retainer is
`in an abutting relation with the second abutment and the
`second elevational portion is positioned in the retainer
`opening where the other of the sides thereof is in an abutting
`15 relation with the first abutment and each of the flanges are
`disposed in abutting relation to the interior surface of the
`sidewall of the tool.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Earthworking implements, such as buckets, blades,
`rippers, bowls and the like, used on earthworking machines,
`such as loaders, excavators, tractors, scrapers and the like, 20
`commonly employ ground engaging tools that engage the
`earth being worked or materials being excavated or loaded.
`Because of the loading forces and highly abrasive materials
`encountered, ground engaging tools wear out rapidly and
`need to be replaced in order to protect the parent material of 25
`the implement and to keep the implement working at peak
`efficiency. Because of such frequent replacement, it is desir(cid:173)
`able to be able to quickly and easily remove the worn tool
`and replace it with a new one. Many types of retention
`devices, such as pins and the like, have been used in the past
`to retain the tool onto the tool mounting portion of the
`implement. Some typical examples of retention devices used
`for retaining bucket teeth are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
`5,068,986 issued Dec. 3, 1991 to Larren F. Jones for
`Excavating Tooth Point Particularly Suited for Large Dra- 35
`gline Buckets; U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,824 issued Dec. 28, 1993
`to Erwin D. Cornelius for Tooth Assembly with Leaf Spring
`Retainer; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,138 issued Jun. 13, 1995
`to Richard E. Livesay, et al for Tip to Adapter Interface.
`Many such prior retention devices perform satisfactorily,
`but are either complex and expensive, or require special
`tools or the large exertion of effort to remove and replace the
`retainers. Other retainers may simply fail during use, result(cid:173)
`ing in the loss of the tool from the implement.
`The present invention is directed to overcoming one or
`more of the problems encountered in the use of prior art
`tools and retention devices.
`
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
`mechanical retention system is provided for detachably
`retaining a replaceable tool onto an earthworking imple(cid:173)
`ment. The retention system includes a generally rectangular
`retainer opening through the sidewall of the tool that has a 55
`pair of opposing end surfaces and a pair of opposing side
`surfaces. One of the pair of opposing side surfaces defines
`a first abutment and the end surfaces are disposed a prede(cid:173)
`termined distance apart to provide the opening with a
`predetermined length. A retainer pocket is formed in the side 60
`surface of a mounting portion of the implement and is
`positionable in registry with the retainer opening. The
`pocket defines a second abutment oriented in an opposing
`relation to the first abutment. An elongated spring retainer is
`positionable between the abutments to retain the tool onto 65
`the implement. The retainer has a pair of opposite side
`surfaces, a pair of opposite end portions, an integral convo-
`
`FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an implement
`with a tool mounted onto a mounting portion thereof and
`being retained by a mechanical retention system embodying
`the principles of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the
`retention system taken generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the
`retention system taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the retainer and
`30 cover illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
`FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the retainer illustrated in
`FIG. 4.
`FIG. 6 a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 1,
`but of another implement and tool being retained by the
`mechanical retention system.
`FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of retention
`system of FIG. 6.
`FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the retainers taken
`40 along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
`FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
`the cover for the retainer.
`FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to
`that of FIG. 3, but illustrating another embodiment of the
`45 retainer.
`FIG.ll is a perspective view of the retainer shown in FIG.
`10.
`FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate
`50 embodiment of the mechanical retention system.
`FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, but showing the
`alternate embodiment mechanical retention system in the
`assembled state.
`
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS.
`1-5, an earthworking implement 10, which in the exemplary
`embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 is a bucket, has a ground
`engaging tool mounting portion or adapter 12 upon which is
`carried a replaceable ground engaging tool14, which in this
`case is a tooth. The tool or tooth 14 is detachably retained on
`the adapter 12 by a mechanical retention system 16 to be
`more fully described below. It should be appreciated that the
`exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings and
`described herein are merely for illustrative purposes, as it is
`contemplated that the present invention be used for other
`
`Page 14 of 19
`
`

`

`6,085,448
`
`10
`
`20
`
`3
`closely related ground engaging tool and implement appli(cid:173)
`cations. Examples of related implements include buckets
`and shovels, bulldozer and motor grader blades, rippers,
`scraper bowls and the like. Examples of tools for such
`implements include tips, cutting edges and cutting edge
`protectors, corner and side protectors, tooth couplers and
`adapters and the like. Such implements, mounting members
`and tools therefor are all well known in the art and all of such
`uses are intended to be covered by the present invention
`even though they have not been specifically shown or
`described herein, as those skilled in the art are readily able
`to incorporate the teachings of the present invention into
`such other applications.
`In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-5, the implement
`or bucket 10 has a cutting edge 18. The cutting edge 18, as
`customary in the art, carries a plurality of adapters, one of
`which is shown at 12. The adapter 12 is secured in the
`present embodiment to the cutting edge 18 by welding and
`has a forward tooth mounting portion or nose 20, as best
`shown in FIG. 2. The nose 20 extends along an axis 22,
`which is generally oriented along the normal direction of
`working forces exerted on the tooth 14 when the tooth 14 is
`in working engagement with the ground, as depicted by
`arrow 24, and has a blunt abutment surface 28 which is
`oriented in a direction normal to the normal working force
`direction 24 for receiving loading forces from the tooth 14.
`The nose 20 also has top and bottom side surfaces 30,32
`extending rearwardly from the abutment surface 28. Each
`top and bottom surface 30,32 is preferably provided with
`one of a pair of planar surfaces 34,36, adjacent, but normal
`to the abutment surface 28 for receiving working forces
`which are oblique to the normal working force direction 24.
`The top side surface 30 is provided with a retainer pocket 38
`having a bottom 40 and a side abutment 42. The side
`abutment 42 faces in the same direction as the direction of
`the normal direction 24 of the working forces and extends in
`a direction normal to the normal working force direction 24.
`The tooth 14 (FIG. 1) is preferably tapered with a sharp
`forward ground engaging edge 44 for penetrating the ground
`and a rearward mounting end portion 46. The mounting end 40
`portion 46 has a nose receiving socket 48 (FIG. 2) defined
`by top and bottom sidewalls 50,52, left and right hand
`sidewalls 54,56 and an abutment surface 58 at the bottom of
`the socket 48 which mates with abutment surface 28 of the
`adapter 12 for transferring loads into the adapter in the 45
`normal direction of working forces 24. The top and bottom
`sidewalls 50,52 have a stepped interior configuration with
`each having a planar surface 60,62 which mates with a
`respective one of the planar surfaces 34,36 of the nose 20 of
`the adapter 12 for transferring oblique forces acting on the 50
`tooth 14 into the nose 20 of the adapter 12.
`The tooth 14 also has a generally rectangular retainer
`opening 64 disposed through one of the sidewalls of the
`mounting end portion 46, which, in the embodiment shown,
`is in top sidewall 50. The retainer opening 64 has a pair of
`opposing end surfaces 66,68 and a pair of opposing side
`surfaces 70,72. When the tooth 14 is mounted onto the
`adapter, the retainer pocket 38 of the adapter 12 is disposed
`in registry with the retainer opening 64. The side surface 70
`which faces in a direction opposite to the normal working 60
`force direction 24 defines a first abutment 70 that is disposed
`in a spaced opposing relation to the side abutment or second
`abutment 42. The end surfaces 66,68 of opening 64 are
`disposed a predetermined distance apart to provide the
`opening with a predetermined length "L/'.
`The mechanical retention system 16 includes an elongated
`spring retainer 76 having a longitudinal axis 77. The retainer
`
`4
`76 is preferably an integral casting constructed of spring
`steel or other suitable metal. Retainer 76 includes a pair of
`opposites sides 78,80, a pair of opposite end portions 82,84
`and an integral convolute spring portion 86 between the end
`5 portions 82,84. The retainer 76 is of a thickness sufficient to
`define a first elevational portion 88 disposed below a phan(cid:173)
`tom line 89 in FIG. 3 and a second elevational portion 90
`disposed above line 89. Each end portion 82,84 has a flange
`92 extending therefrom within the confines of the first
`elevational portion a sufficient distance to provide the
`retainer 76 with a predetermined length L2 between the
`flanges 92 that is greater than the predetermined length L1 of
`the retainer opening 64. The spring portion 86 is adapted to
`allow the forcible compression of the retainer 76 from its
`15 longer non-compressed length L2 to a shorter compressed
`length sufficient equal to or less than the retainer opening
`length L1 to permit the insertion of the flanges through the
`retainer opening 64. When the retainer 76 is in its mounted
`position, as best shown in FIG. 3, the flanges 92 extend
`beyond the retainer opening 64 and are positioned to engage
`an interior surface 94 of the top sidewall 50 to lock the
`retainer 76 in place in its tooth retaining position wherein the
`first elevational portion 88 of the retainer 76 is disposed in
`the retainer pocket 38 where one side 78 (FIG. 2) of the
`25 retainer 76 is in an abutting relation with the second abut(cid:173)
`ment 42 and the second elevational portion 90 is positioned
`in the retainer opening 64 where the other side 80 thereof is
`in an abutting relation with the first abutment 70.
`As best shown in FIG. 5, the convolute spring portion 86
`30 of the retainer 76 is formed by a plurality of interleaved slots
`96 cut into the retainer, with a first set of the slots 98
`extending from one of the sides 78 toward the other side 80
`and with a second set of the slots 100 being disposed
`between adjacent ones of the first set of slots 98 and
`35 extending from the other of the sides 80 toward the one of
`the sides 78.
`Each of the end portions 82,84 of the retainer 76 has an
`upstanding boss 102 thereon that project above the spring
`portion 86. Each of the bosses 102 have a tool slot 104
`formed therein that opens toward its adjacent end surface 66,
`68 respectively, of the opening 64, which are adapted to
`receive a pry tool (not shown) for compressing the retainer
`76 in order to permit the removal of the retainer. The retainer
`76 has a bottom surface 114 and a chamfered corner 116
`between each of the end portions 82,84 and the bottom
`surface 114 to facilitate in the compression of the retainer 76
`as it is being placed into the retainer pocket 38.
`The retention system 16 also preferably includes cover
`106, which is adapted for receipt in and sized to close the
`retainer opening 64 above the retainer 76. The cover 106
`may be constructed entirely of an elastomeric material, such
`as rubber or plastic, and is provided with a plurality of
`fingers 108 that are adapted to be received into respective
`ones of the interleaved slots 98,100 of the retainer 76 to
`55 prevent debris from filling the slots during use. A tongue 110
`is provided on opposite ends of the cover, which are adapted
`to snap into a groove 112 formed on the inwardly facing side
`of each of the bosses 102 for retaining the cover to the
`retainer 76.
`Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, a cover 106Amay have
`a composite construction, where an upper cap portion 107
`and tongues 110A are made of plastic or rubber, but a lower
`finger portion 109 having fingers 108A is constructed from
`metal. Lower portion 109 also includes a pry groove 111 on
`65 its opposite end Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, there is
`shown an alternative mechanical retention system 16B
`which includes the retainer 76, a cover 106B, and a separate
`
`Page 15 of 19
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`

`

`6,085,448
`
`5
`cap 107B. The retainer 76 is substantially identical to the
`retainer 76 described above. The cover 106B is a single
`piece metal component having a number of fingers lOSE
`defined thereon. The fingers lOSE are configured to be
`received by a respective interleaved slot 9S,l00 of the 5
`retainer 76. Preferably, the metal of the fingers lOSE is
`stainless steel. The stainless steel construction of the fingers
`lOSE reduces potential corrosion between the fingers lOSE
`and the respective interleaved slots 9S,l00 of the retainer 76
`which receive the fingers lOSE. The reduction of corrosion 10
`between the fingers lOSE and the respective interleaved
`slots 9S,l00 reduces the likelihood that the cover 106B will
`bind to the retainer 76 in corrosive environments.
`Placing rigid metal fingers lOSE within the interleaved
`slots 9S,l00 also prevents compression of the convolute
`spring portion S6 of the retainer 76 in the general direction
`of arrows S5 and S7. By preventing the compression of the
`convolute spring portion S6, the flanges 92 of the retainer 76
`are maintained in contact with the respective interior sur(cid:173)
`faces 94 of the tooth 14 (see FIG. 3) thereby ensuring that
`the tooth 14 is retained in the adapter 12 by the retainer 76
`when the retainer 76 is positioned in the tooth retaining
`position.
`The cover 106B further has a knob portion 150 defined
`thereon. The knob portion 150 extends upwardly from the
`cover 106B in the general direction of arrow 152 and has a
`prying surface 156 defined thereon. It should be appreciated
`that a pry tool, such a screwdriver, can be urged against the
`prying surface 156 so as to urge the cover 106B in the
`general direction of arrow 152. By urging the cover 106B in 30
`the general direction of arrow 152, the cover 106B can be
`extracted from the retainer 76 when the alternate mechanical
`retention system 16B is assembled, as shown in FIG. 13. It
`should further be appreciated that the knob portion 150 is
`positioned within the retainer opening 64 (not shown) when
`the retainer 76 is positioned in the tooth retaining position
`thereby reducing wear on the knob portion 150 as the
`implement 10 is used during a work operation.
`The cap 107B of the alternate mechanical retention sys(cid:173)
`tem 16B is separate from the cover 106B as shown in FIG.
`12. The cap 107B is composed of a plastic material which
`can be compressed in the general direction of arrows S5 and
`S7. The cap 107B has a knob aperture 15S defined there(cid:173)
`through. The knob aperture 15S is operable to receive the
`knob portion 150 of the cover 106B when the alternate
`mechanical retention system 16B is assembled (as shown in
`FIG. 13).
`The cap 107B further has a pair of shoulders 159 defined
`along the outer surfaces thereof. A tongue HOB is defined in
`each of the shoulders 159. The tongues HOB are operable to
`engage a respective groove H2 of the retainer 76 when the
`alternate mechanical retention system 16B is assembled.
`The cap 107B further has a pair of engagement fingers 160
`defined thereon. The engagement fingers 160 are advanta(cid:173)
`geously configured to engage pair of notches 162 defined in
`the cover 106B.
`It should be appreciated that a force can be applied to the
`shoulders 159 in the general direction of arrows S5 and S7
`to distort the plastic cap 107B. Distortion of the cap 107B (i)
`facilitates engagement and disengagement of the tongues
`HOB of the cap 107B with the groves H2 of the retainer 76
`and (ii) facilitates engagement and disengagement of the
`engagement fingers 160 of the cap 107B with the notches
`162 of the cover 106B.
`To assemble the alternate mechanical retention system
`16B, the retainer 76 is positioned in the tooth retaining
`
`6
`position described above. The cap 107B is positioned such
`that the knob portion 150 of the cover 106B is received
`through the knob aperture 15S of the cap 107B. The cap
`107B is then secured to the cover 106B. In particular, the
`engagement fingers 160 of the cap 107B are positioned
`within the respective engagement notch 162 defined in the
`cover 106B thereby securing the cap 107B to the cover
`106B.
`The cover 106B is then positioned within the retainer 76.
`In particular, the fingers lOSE of the cover 106B are
`advanced in the general direction of arrow 154 into the
`respective interleaved slot 9S,l00 of the retainer 76. Place(cid:173)
`ment of the fingers lOSE in the respective interleaved slot
`9S,l00 prevents compression of the convolute spring portion
`S6 of the retainer 76 in the general direction of arrows S5 and
`15 S7. Placement of the fingers lOSE in the respective inter(cid:173)
`leaved slot 9S,l00 further prevents dirt or other debris from
`becoming packed within the interleaved slots 9S,l00 as the
`implement 10 is used during a work operation.
`As the fingers lOSE of the cover 106B are advanced into
`20 the respective interleaved slots 9S,l00 of the retainer 76, the
`tongues HOB of the cap 107B are urged into the respective
`groove H2 of the of the retainer 76 thereby securing the cap
`107B to the retainer 76. It should be appreciated that because
`the cap 107B spans the retainer opening 64 (shown in FIG.
`25 3) above the cover 106B, securing the cap 107B to the
`retainer 76 secures the cover 106B to the retainer 76.
`To disassemble the alternate mechanical retention system
`16B, the cover 106B is removed from the retainer 76. In
`particular, the fingers lOSE of the cover 106B are extracted
`from the respective interleaved slot 9S,l00 of the retainer
`76. To facilitate extraction of the cover 106B, the pry tool is
`urged against the prying surface 156 of the knob portion 150
`so as to advance the cover 106B in the general direction of
`arrow 152 with respect to the retainer 76. Advancing the
`35 cover 106B in the general direction of arrow 152 also
`advances the cap 107B in the general direction of arrow 152
`so as to cause the tongues HOB of the cap 107B to disengage
`from respective groove H2 of the of the retainer 76.
`Disengaging the tongues HOB from the cap 107B detaches
`40 the cap 107B from the retainer 76. The retainer 76 is then
`removed from the tooth retaining position as described
`above.
`In another embodiment of the present invention depicted
`in FIGS. 6-S, a larger tooth HS is shown for use on a larger
`45 implement or bucket (not shown). In such applications, the
`larger tooth HS is mounted to an intermediate member or
`coupler 120, instead of to an adapter. Also, it may be
`desirable to use two retainers 122, rather than the single
`retainer 76 depicted in the first embodiment. In such a case,
`50 the tooth HS is provided with a pair of retainer openings 124
`disposed through the opposite sidewalls 126,12S of the
`tooth. The coupler 120 has a nose portion 130 similar to nose
`portion of the adapter of the first embodiment, but has a pair
`of retainer pockets 132, one of such pockets being formed in
`55 a respective one of the side surfaces (not shown) of the nose
`portion 130. Each of such pockets 132 are positioned to be
`in registry with a respective one of the retainer openings 124
`when the tooth HS is mounted onto the coupler 120.
`As is apparent from the drawings that the features of the
`60 retainers 122 and their relationships to the features of the
`retainer pockets 132 and retainer openings 124 are similar in
`nature to those features and relationships of the first embodi(cid:173)
`ment and, therefore function in a similar manner, further
`description thereof is not deemed necessary and is omitted
`65 as any modifications as may be needed for its use in this
`embodiment will readily come to hand to those skilled in the
`art.
`
`Page 16 of 19
`
`

`

`6,085,448
`
`7
`Shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is another configuration for the
`retainer. The main difference between the retainer 76
`depicted in FIGS. 3-5 and retainer 76Adepicted in FIGS. 10
`and 11 is that retainer 76A is provided with a rounded
`bottom surface 13S, rather than the fiat bottom surface 114
`that retainer 76 has. Also, the nose portion 20 of the adapter
`12 is provided with a pocket 3SA having an arcuate bottom
`40A to match the rounded bottom surface 13S of retainer
`76A. The rounded configuration of retainer 76A and bottom
`40A is advantageous in providing the retainer 76A with a
`grater thickness, while minimizing the amount of material
`removed to provide the pocket 3SA in adapter 12, thereby
`increasing the strength of the adapter 12. The retainer 76A
`is also provided with a pry pocket 140 and a pry slot 142 in
`each of the bosses 102A and flanges 92A, respectively, in
`place of the tool slots 104 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
`Other applications of the present invention are also not
`shown or described, but will be readily apparent to those
`skilled in the art. For instance, the implement could as well
`be a ripper, with the mounting portion being a ripper shank
`and the tool being a ripper tip that is retained by the retainer
`of the present invention. Such retainer can also be used for
`retaining couplers to adapters, edge and corner protectors to
`buckets, blades and scraper bowls, as all of such applications
`are contemplated and are intended to fall within the scope of
`the appended claims hereto.
`Industrial Applicability
`The present mechanical retention system 16 affords many
`advantages of prior retention devices. For instance, the
`present retainer 76 is easily assembled into and removed
`from the retainer pocket 32 and retainer opening 64 without 30
`special tools and without the exertion of a large amount of
`effort. To install, the retainer 76 is placed into the opening
`and tapped down with the use of a hammer to compress the
`convolute spring portion S6. Once the flanges 92 pass the
`sides of the opening 64, the spring portion S6 will re-expand 35
`to its non-compressed state, where the flanges 92 will be
`seated against the interior surface 94 of the sidewall 50. The
`cover 106 is put in place to prevent the slots 96 from packing
`with dirt or other debris during use. To remove, the cover
`106 is pried out with a blade screwdriver. Such screwdriver 40
`is then inserted into one of the tool slots 104 and leverage is
`applied to the retainer 76 to cause it to be compress and pried
`out of the retainer pocket 32 and retainer opening 64.
`When using the alternate mechanical retention system
`16B, shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the retainer 76 is installed 45
`as described above. The cap 107B is then secured to the
`cover 106B by placing the engagement fingers 160 of the
`cap 107B within the notches 162 of the cover 106B. The
`cover 106B is then positioned within the retainer 76 by
`advancing the fingers lOSE within the respective interleaved 50
`slots 9S,l00 in the general direction of arrow 152. As the
`fingers lOSE advance, the tongues 110B of the cap 107B
`engage the respective groove 112 of the retainer 76 thereby
`securing the cap 107B and the cover 106B to the retainer 76.
`The metal fingers lOSE of the cover 106B prevent com- 55
`pression of the convolute spring portion S6 of the retainer 76
`in the general direction of arrows S5 and S7. The fingers
`lOSE further prevent the interleaved slots 9S,l00 from
`packing with dirt or other debris during use. To remove the
`alternate mechanical retention system 16B, the cover 106B 60
`is then extracted from the retainer 76 by applying the pry
`tool against the prying surface 156 of the knob portion 150
`so as to urge the cover 106B in the general direction of arrow
`152. Extracting the cover 106B also detaches the cap 107B
`from the retainer 76 as the tongues 110B of the cap 107B are 65
`disengaged from the grooves 112 of the retainer 76. The
`retainer 76 is then removed as described above.
`
`8
`With the retainer 76 in place, the tooth 14 is prevented
`from coming off the adapter 12 because it acts as a stop
`between the first abutment 70 of the retainer opening 64 and
`the second abutment 42 of the retainer pocket 40. Because
`5 of the elevational separation between such abutments 70,42,
`the retainer 76 is loaded in shear therebetween. It should be
`noted that the tooth 14 is assembled onto the adapter 12 by
`movement in the working force direction 24 along axis 22
`and can only be removed by movement in a direction
`10 opposite to direction 24. Because of this, such shear forces
`are only exerted on the opposite sides 7S,SO of the retainer
`76 and not in an end to end direction, as this would tend to
`compress the retainer 76. The retainer 76 is substantially
`rigid from side to side. End to end loading is prevented by
`15 the orientation of the longitudinal axis 77 of the retainer 76
`in a direction transverse to the axis 22.
`The operation of the retainers 122 in the embodiment
`shown in FIGS. 6-S is essentially the same as that described
`for the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, except for the
`20 fact that two retainers are employed, rather than one, and
`such retainers 122 are located in a respective one of the sides
`of the tooth, instead of in the top side wall as in the first
`embodiment.
`Other aspects and advantages of the present invention of
`25 this invention can be obtained through a study of the
`drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A mechanical retention system for detachably retaining
`a replaceable tool onto an earthworking implement, said
`implement including a mounting portion adapted to receive
`said tool and having an abutment surface in force receiving
`contact with a mating abutment surface of said tool, said tool
`having a sidewall with an interior surface positionable along
`a corresponding side surface of said mounting portion, said
`retention system comprising;
`a generally rectangular retainer opening through said
`sidewall of the tool, said opening having a pair of
`opposing end surfaces and a pair of opposing side
`surfaces, one of said pair of opposing side surfaces
`defining a first abutment and said end surfaces being
`disposed a predetermined distance apart to provide said
`opening with a predetermined length therebetween;
`a retainer pocket formed in said side surface of said
`mounting portion and positionable in registry with said
`retainer opening, said pocket defining a second abut(cid:173)
`ment