111111
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Adamic et ai.
`
`11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20020000053Al
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0000053 Al
`Jan. 3, 2002
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) TORQUE LOCKING SYSTEM FOR
`FASTENING A WEAR MEMBER TO A
`SUPPORT STRUCTURE
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Dwight L. Adamic, Edmonton (CA);
`Murray Smith, Edmonton (CA)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Kenneth I. Kohn
`Kohn & Associates
`30500 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 410
`Farmington Hills, MI 48334 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/882,825
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun. 16,2001
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jun. 27, 2000
`
`(CA) .......................................... 2,312,550
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. CI? ........................................................ E02F 9/28
`(51)
`(52) U.S. CI.
`........................................... 37/456; 172/772.5
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention is directed to a releasable locking
`assembly for attaching a wear member to a support structure.
`It may be used with excavating equipment for attaching
`ground-engaging teeth to adaptors, lip shrouds to bucket
`lips, or other analogous uses. The wear member includes at
`least one pin-retainer-receiving opening in one side. The
`opening is tapered, being narrower at its outer surface and
`wider at its inner surface. The support structure includes at
`least one pin-receiving recess which generally aligns with
`the opening in the wear member when the wear member and
`the support structure are operatively coupled. The pin
`retainer is a frustoconically shaped cylinder which is
`threaded internally. It is inserted into the opening in the wear
`member. The wear member is slidably mounted onto the
`support structure. The pin is an elongate body which is
`externally threaded. It is screwed into the pin retainer by the
`application of torque force from a standard ratchet tool. The
`pin extends through the wear member and into the recess in
`the support structure to lock the wear member to the support
`structure. The pin may be released using a ratchet tool and
`removed from the pin retainer. The wear member may then
`be removed from the support structure.
`
`l~
`
`Page 1 of 13
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005
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`

`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet I of 8
`
`US 2002/0000053 Al
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 2 of 8
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`US 2002/0000053 Al
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005
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`

`
`P a t e n t APPlication Pub l ica t ion
`F I G U R E 3
`
`J a n . 3, 2002 Sheet 3 o f 8
`US 200210000053 A l
`PIN RETAINER READY FOR
`INSTALLATION IN WEAR MEMBER
`
`6
`
`I I
`
`Page 4 of 13
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 2002/0000053 Al
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`Page 5 of 13
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005
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`THREADS AND RECESS FOR HEXAGONAL TURNING TOOL
`TURNABLE<TIIREA:llEDE'6eJ\:i::PfN l"'ITH EXTERNAL
`
`FIGURES
`
`Page 6 of 13
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005
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`

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`Patent Application publication
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`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 6 of 8
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`US 2002/0000053 Ai
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`Page 7 of 13
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005
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`

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`Patent Application publication
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`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 7 of 8
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`US 2002/0000053 Ai
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`Page 8 of 13
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 3, 2002 Sheet 8 of 8
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`US 2002/0000053 Al
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`I I
`I I
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`Page 9 of 13
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005
`
`

`
`US 2002/0000053 Al
`
`Jan. 3,2002
`
`1
`
`TORQUE LOCKING SYSTEM FOR FASTENING A
`WEAR MEMBER TO A SUPPORT STRUCTURE
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to the field of assem(cid:173)
`blies for fastening wear members to support structures, for
`example, ground engaging teeth to adaptors of powered
`equipment.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`types of excavating equipment utilize
`[0002] Many
`replaceable ground-engaging
`teeth. These
`teeth erode
`through use and are frequently replaced. Depending on the
`conditions, a given support structure or adaptor would be
`re-equipped with from 5 to 30 teeth to maintain a sharp
`penetrating edge during excavation. The ease of replacement
`of the teeth is important because it minimizes the amount of
`wasted throw-away material and also minimizes the down(cid:173)
`time of the tool.
`
`[0003] The prior art assemblies used to attach a tooth to
`the adaptor consist mainly of two designs, the wedge design
`and the pin design. In the wedge design, the tooth is joined
`to the adaptor by wedges which are hammered into corre(cid:173)
`sponding slots in the tooth and the adaptor. This design has
`the disadvantage that the wedges would often become
`dislodged during use of the excavating equipment. To pre(cid:173)
`vent this problem, the wedge was tack-welded in place.
`However, removal of the wedges became difficult and time
`consuming. It also required the drag-line bucket, for
`example, to be turned on its front end to gain access to the
`wedges. Further, during removal, the wedges had a tendency
`to shatter or break causing pieces to jam in the slots and
`posed a serious safety hazard to workers. Wedge designs are
`shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,256,622.
`
`[0004] Pin assemblies are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,121,
`993. This patent discloses a threaded pin and insert assembly
`for securing a tooth onto the adaptor. The threaded insert is
`placed into the adaptor pin opening. The tooth is placed over
`the adaptor. A lock washer is concentrically placed over the
`pin opening on the tooth. The pin is then screwed into the
`insert. This assembly had the disadvantage of being cum(cid:173)
`bersome and complex in design making it difficult to use and
`increasing the time needed to replace the tooth. As well, the
`pin has a tendency to loosen from the insert while the tooth
`is in use. Another pin assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
`3,410,010 which discloses a dipper tooth having a detent and
`key assembly inserted into a passage in the tooth and
`adaptor. This assembly suffers from the drawback that the
`key would often fall out of the passage during use of the
`tooth allowing the tooth to fall off the adaptor.
`
`[0005] These wedge and pin assemblies were used not
`only for attaching ground-engaging teeth to adaptors on
`excavating equipment but also for attaching other types of
`wear members to support structures such as for example,
`attaching a protective lip shroud to a bucket lip.
`
`[0006] There is therefore a need for an assembly to attach
`a removable wear member to a support structure in such a
`way that the assembly is easy to use, reliable, and economi(cid:173)
`cal to manufacture. The assembly needs to be easily installed
`and removed without the use of force or impact on the
`locking device. It needs to be easily installed and simple to
`
`remove so that wear member changes can be accomplished
`with minimum effort and maximum safety. It needs to
`remain functional throughout its service life so that even
`after a long period of use, it can still easily release a
`worn-out wear member that is due for replacement.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to
`[0007]
`overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. It is a further
`object to provide a locking assembly for attaching a wear
`member to a support structure that is easy to install and
`remove, does not require the application of any significant
`force or impact to install or remove, and that remains
`functional during long periods of use.
`
`[0008] There is therefore provided an assembly for opera(cid:173)
`tively attaching a wear member to a support structure,
`wherein the wear member and support structure respectively
`have a first and second passage which are co-extensive and
`form a common passage when the wear member is opera(cid:173)
`tively coupled to the support structure, the assembly com(cid:173)
`prising: a pin retainer receivable in non-rotatable position
`within the first passage; and pin means insertable within the
`pin retainer and extending through the first passage and into
`the second passage to operatively lock the wear member to
`the support structure.
`
`[0009] There is also provided an assembly for operatively
`attaching a wear member to a support structure, wherein the
`wear member and support structure respectively have a first
`and second passage which are co-extensive and form a
`common passage when the wear member is operatively
`coupled to the support structure, the assembly comprising: a
`pin retainer receivable in the first passage in the wear
`member, said pin retainer having an outer surface, an inner
`end and outer end; retaining means for retaining the pin
`retainer in the first passage; and pin means insertable within
`the pin retainer and extending through the first passage and
`into the second passage to operatively lock the wear member
`to the support structure.
`
`[0010] There is also provided in a further embodiment of
`the present invention a method for locking a wear member
`to a support structure wherein the wear member has a first
`passage and the support structure has a second passage
`which are coextensive when the wear member is operatively
`coupled to the support structure, comprising the steps of:
`inserting a pin retainer into the first passage in the wear
`member whereby the pin retainer is held in non-rotatable
`position; coupling the wear member to the support structure
`so that the first and second passages are co-extensive; and
`inserting a pin means into the pin retainer by the application
`of torque force wherein the pin means extends through the
`first passage and into the second passage to lock the wear
`member to the support structure.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention
`will now be described and may be better understood when
`read in conjunction with the following drawings in which:
`
`[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wear member
`having a pin receiving opening in the side wall thereof in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`[0013] FIG. 2a-d are side cross-sectional (a), side (b), top
`(c) and perspective (d) views of a pin retainer with internal
`threads for mounting in the wear member shown in FIG. 1.
`
`Page 10 of 13
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005
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`

`
`US 2002/0000053 Al
`
`Jan. 3,2002
`
`2
`
`[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wear member and
`a pin retainer from FIGS. 1 and 2.
`
`member tightly onto the support structure when the lock pin
`is fully inserted and tightened down in the pin retainer.
`
`[0015] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a wear
`member support structure having a pin receiving recess.
`
`[0016] FIG. 5a-c is a side (a), top (b), and bottom per(cid:173)
`spective (c) view of a turnable, externally threaded lock pin.
`
`[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a wear member
`mounted on a support structure with a lock pin positioned for
`installation.
`
`[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a wear member
`locked on a support structure with a lock pin.
`
`[0019] FIG. 8 is a side view of an alternative embodiment
`for the pin retainer.
`
`[0020] FIG. 9 is a top view of the alternative embodiment
`for the pin retainer shown in FIG. 8.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IRE
`INVENTION
`
`[0021] With reference to the Figures, there is provided an
`assembly and method for locking a wear member to a
`support structure. The locking mechanism may be used to
`lock a tooth to an adaptor, a lip shroud to a bucket lip, or for
`other analogous uses.
`
`[0022] The assembly comprises a pin retainer and lock
`pin. The retainer and pin are positioned in a wear member on
`a support structure having corresponding openings to lock
`the wear member to the support structure.
`
`[0023] An excavating tooth or wear member generally has
`a triangular shaped cross-section and is formed so as to be
`received over the working end of a support structure. A wear
`member 1 is shown in FIG. 1 and a support structure 3 in
`FIG. 4. The wear member has an external surface E and an
`internal surface I. The wear member has at least one pin(cid:173)
`retainer-receiving opening 5 extending through its wall from
`its external surface E to its internal surface I. This opening
`5 is positioned in one side of the wear member 1. The walls
`of this opening 5 are frustoconical in cross-section, being
`narrower at the external (wearable) surface E of the wear
`member 1 and wider at the internal surface I of the wear
`member 1. The frustoconical walls of the opening 5 are
`interrupted by at least one anti-rotation surface 6 that
`prevents the pin retainer, described below, from rotating
`within the opening 5. The support structure 3 has an upper,
`working end U. For the general ground-engaging tooth/
`adaptor class of wear member and support structure, the
`wear member is normally installed on the support structure
`by sliding the anterior cavity of the wear member on the
`protruding nose of the upper end U of the support structure.
`The two parts then fit snugly together. The support structure
`3 has an pin-receiving recess 7 which generally aligns with
`the pin-retainer-receiving opening 5 in the wear member 1
`when the wear member is in operational position on the
`support structure 3. Preferably, the central axis of the pin
`retainer, when installed in the opening 5 of the wear mem(cid:173)
`ber, lines up a small distance forward (toward the working
`end of the wear member) from the matching axis of the lock
`pin receiving recess 7 in the support structure 3. This
`intentional misalignment of the frustoconical pin and frus(cid:173)
`toconical recess creates a wedge effect that forces the wear
`
`[0024] The pin retainer 9 of the present invention is
`inserted into the pin-retainer-receiving opening 5 in the wear
`member 1. Therefore, its shape corresponds to the shape of
`the opening 5. It is shown in FIG. 2 as having an external
`surface which is generally circular. The pin retainer 9 is
`tapered. The external surface is shown with a fiat wall 11.
`This wall 11 corresponds to a fiat wall 6 on the inner surface
`of the pin-retainer-receiving opening 5 in the wear member
`1. When the pin retainer 9 is inserted into the pin-retainer(cid:173)
`receiving opening 5 in the wear member 1, the fiat wall 11
`of the pin retainer aligns with the corresponding fiat wall 6
`in the opening 5. The pin retainer is now held in a non(cid:173)
`rotatable position within the opening and will not turn inside
`the opening when torque is applied to install a pin in the
`retainer. The pin retainer 9 is threaded internally to receive
`a lock pin described below.
`
`[0025] The pin retainer described and shown in the draw(cid:173)
`ings is one preferred embodiment. Other configurations of
`the pin retainer are possible and would be obvious to a
`skilled person in this field. For example, the pin retainer
`need not be radially symmetric. Any polygonal shape would
`serve to prevent rotation of the pin retainer within a receiv(cid:173)
`ing hole of matching shape. Similarly, it is not necessary that
`the peripheral surface of the pin retainer have a frustoconical
`taper. The pin retainer must be received into the pin-retainer(cid:173)
`receiving opening in the wear member so that it cannot pass
`through the opening and fall out. The retainer (and corre(cid:173)
`spondingly the opening) may simply be wider on the inside
`surface than on the outside surface.
`
`[0026] An alternative embodiment for the pin retainer is
`shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. This pin retainer has a base portion
`6 and an extended portion 8. The extended portion has a
`band 10 with a wider diameter than the remaining sections
`of the extended portion. The outer section of the extended
`portion 8 of the pin retainer may be tapered to some degree
`to facilitate insertion into the opening 5. The band portion 10
`of the pin retainer fits into a corresponding groove in the
`inner surface of the opening 5 to retain the pin retainer in the
`opening. The shape of the opening would correspond to the
`shape of the pin retainer so that the pin retainer would be
`inserted into the opening and its band would 'snap' into the
`groove thereby holding the pin retainer in the opening. As
`shown in FIG. 9, the outer circumference of the pin retainer
`has two fiat surface walls 12. These walls will correspond to
`two fiat walls in the opening 5 to retain the pin retainer in a
`non-rotatable position in the opening.
`
`[0027] The pin retainer may be manufactured from any
`type of suitable material. Preferably, it is manufactured from
`a resilient polymer, such as for example resilient polycar(cid:173)
`bonate, however, other materials may be used.
`
`[0028] The lock pin 13 of the present invention is com(cid:173)
`prised of a generally circular elongated body as shown in
`FIG. 5. The pin 13 is threaded externally. Its threaded
`portions engage the matching threads on the interior of the
`pin retainer as shown in FIG. 6. It includes a frustoconical
`end 14 which protrudes into the anterior cavity of the wear
`member when the lock pin is threaded into the pin retainer
`in the installed position as shown in FIG. 7. In this position,
`the frustoconical end 14 of the pin is received into the pin
`receiving recess 7 in the support structure 3. The pin is
`
`Page 11 of 13
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005
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`

`
`US 2002/0000053 Al
`
`Jan. 3,2002
`
`3
`
`shown as having an opening 15. The opening 15 is shown as
`having a hexagonal shape. The pin 13 is received into the pin
`retainer 9 in the wear member 1 and the pin receiving recess
`7 in the support structure when the wear member is posi(cid:173)
`tioned on the support structure. The lock pin 13 generally
`corresponds to the internal shape of this pin retainer 9 and
`recess 7 and therefore, the shape of the pin may vary from
`that shown in FIG. 5.
`[0029] To lock a wear member 1 to a support structure 3,
`the pin retainer 9 is placed in the pin-retainer-receiving
`opening 5 in the wear member by inserting the retainer 9 into
`the opening 5 from the internal surface I of the wear
`member. This step is shown in FIG. 3. The retainer 9 is
`received into the tapered opening 5 and is locked in non(cid:173)
`rotatable position. The wear member 1 is installed on the
`support structure by sliding the anterior cavity of the wear
`member over the protruding nose of the working end U of
`the support structure 3 as shown in FIG. 6. The opening 5
`in the wear member should now generally align with the
`recess 7 in the support structure. The lock pin 13 is placed
`in the pin retainer 9 by screwing it into the retainer. The lock
`pin may be placed into the retainer prior to installation of the
`wear member on the support structure as long as the inner
`end of the lock pin is flush with the interior surface of the
`wear member or does not protrude into the anterior cavity of
`the wear member to interfere with the installation of the
`wear member on the support structure. The lock pin 13 is
`tightened in the retainer by torquing it down using a ratchet
`in the opening 15 of the lock pin. When fully inserted into
`the retainer, the lock pin extends through the opening 5 in
`the wear member 1 and into the recess 7 in the support
`structure 3. When fully inserted, the head of the lock pin 13
`will be flush with the external surface of the wear member.
`This locked positioned is shown in FIG. 7. A plug may be
`placed in the centre opening 15 of the lock pin 13 during use
`of the wear member 1 to prevent dirt and other debris from
`filling this opening 15. When the locking assembly is fully
`installed and the wear member is locked to the support
`structure, the locking assembly is contained within the wear
`member. It does not extend past the external surface of the
`wear member and therefore is not affected or deteriorated by
`the use of the wear member.
`
`[0030] To unlock the wear member from the support
`structure, a ratchet is used to rotate the pin 13 to loosen it
`from the pin retainer 9. The lock pin 13 is unscrewed from
`the pin retainer 9 either until its inner edge is flush with the
`inside surface of the wear member or it may be fully
`removed. The wear member 1 may then be removed from
`the working end U of the support structure 3. The pin
`retainer 9 may be removed from the opening 5 in the wear
`member 1 by pushing it towards the internal surface I of the
`wear member. The wear member and/or the locking assem(cid:173)
`bly may be replaced.
`
`[0031] The installation and removal of this assembly does
`not require any significant force or impact. The lock pin is
`tightened and removed from the pin retainer by the appli(cid:173)
`cation of torque from a standard ratchet tool. The equipment
`installer is therefore in no danger of personal injury by flying
`fragments of a broken hammer, locking pin, or wedge. The
`assembly contains only one moving part, the pin within the
`retainer. It does not contain internal cavities which would
`accumulate dirt and interfere with the operation of the
`locking assembly. The locking assembly is economic to
`
`manufacture and easy to install and therefore may be com(cid:173)
`pletely replaced by a new assembly every time the wear
`member is replaced.
`
`[0032] The above-described embodiments of the present
`invention are meant to be illustrative of preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ments of the present invention and are not intended to limit
`the scope of the present invention. Various modifications,
`which would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are
`intended to be within the scope of the present invention. The
`only limitations to the scope of the present invention are set
`out in the following appended claims.
`
`We claim:
`1. An assembly for operatively attaching a wear member
`to a support structure, wherein the wear member and support
`structure respectively have a first and second passage which
`are co-extensive and form a common passage when the wear
`member is operatively coupled to the support structure, the
`assembly comprising:
`
`a pin retainer receivable in non-rotatable position within
`the first passage; and
`
`pin means insertable within the pin retainer and extending
`through the first passage and into the second passage to
`operatively lock the wear member to the support struc(cid:173)
`ture.
`2. An assembly for operatively attaching a wear member
`to a support structure, wherein the wear member and support
`structure respectively have a first and second passage which
`are co-extensive and form a common passage when the wear
`member is operatively coupled to the support structure, the
`assembly comprising:
`
`a pin retainer receivable in non-rotatable position within
`the first passage, the pin retainer being threaded inter(cid:173)
`nally; and
`
`pin means having threaded portions corresponding to the
`threaded portions of the pin retainer, wherein when the
`pin is inserted into the pin retainer by the application of
`torque force, the pin extends through the first passage
`and into the second passage to operatively lock the
`wear member to the support structure.
`3. An assembly for operatively attaching a wear member
`to a support structure, wherein the wear member and support
`structure respectively have a first and second passage which
`are co-extensive and form a common passage when the wear
`member is operatively coupled to the support structure, the
`assembly comprising:
`
`a pin retainer receivable in the first passage in the wear
`member, said pin retainer having an outer surface, an
`inner end and outer end;
`
`retaining means for retaining the pin retainer in the first
`passage; and
`
`pin means insertable within the pin retainer and extending
`through the first passage and into the second passage to
`operatively lock the wear member to the support struc(cid:173)
`ture.
`4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the retaining means
`comprises at least one mating surface on each of the pin
`retainer and the first passage, said mating surfaces cooper(cid:173)
`ating to retain the pin retainer in non-rotatable position in the
`first passage.
`
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005
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`

`
`US 2002/0000053 Al
`
`Jan. 3,2002
`
`4
`
`5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the retaining means
`comprises at least one fiat wall on the outer surface of the pin
`retainer and at least one corresponding fiat surface on the
`inner surface of the first passage in the wear member
`wherein the fiat wall of the pin retainer and the fiat surface
`of the first passage correspond when the pin retainer is
`inserted into the first passage to maintain the pin retainer in
`the first passage in a non-rotatable position.
`6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the retaining means
`comprises a plurality of fiat walls on each of the pin retainer
`and the first passage which cooperate when the pin retainer
`is inserted into the first passage to retain the pin retainer in
`non-rotational position.
`7. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the retaining means
`further comprises a band on the pin retainer having a larger
`diameter than the immediate adjacent portions of the pin
`retainer; and a groove in the first passage wherein the band
`on the pin retainer is received into the groove in the first
`passage to maintain the pin retainer in position when the pin
`retainer is inserted into the first passage.
`8. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the retaining means
`further comprises a tapered surface on the outer surface of
`the pin retainer having the outer end of the pin retainer with
`a diameter less than the diameter of the inner end, and the
`first passage having a corresponding tapered inner surface,
`wherein when the pin retainer is inserted into the first
`passage and the wear member is operatively positioned on
`the support structure, the retaining means is held in position
`in the first passage.
`
`9. A method for locking a wear member to a support
`structure wherein the wear member has a first passage and
`the support structure has a second passage which are coex(cid:173)
`tensive when the wear member is operatively coupled to the
`support structure, comprising the steps of:
`
`inserting a pin retainer into the first passage in the wear
`member whereby the pin retainer is held in non(cid:173)
`rotatable position;
`
`coupling the wear member to the support structure so that
`the first and second passages are co-extensive; and
`
`inserting a pin means into the pin retainer by the appli(cid:173)
`cation of torque force wherein the pin means extends
`through the first passage and into the second passage to
`lock the wear member to the support structure.
`10. The method of claim 9 wherein the pin retainer and the
`first passage have corresponding surfaces which cooperate
`to retain the pin retainer in non-rotatable position.
`11. The method of claim 9 wherein the pin retainer and the
`first passage have corresponding surfaces which cooperate
`to retain the pin retainer in the first passage.
`12. The method of claim 10 wherein the pin retainer is
`held in the first passage by the support structure when the
`wear member is operatively positioned on the support struc(cid:173)
`ture.
`
`* * * * *
`
`Page 13 of 13
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`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1005