United States Patent [19J
`Clendenning
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006079132A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,079,132
`Jun.27,2000
`
`[54]
`
`EXCAVATING TOOTH ASSEMBLY
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Charles Clendenning, Broken Arrow,
`Okla.
`
`[73] Assignee: H&L Tooth Co., Tulsa, Okla.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/938,909
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 26, 1997
`
`[51]
`[52]
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`Int. Cl? ........................................................ E02F 9/28
`U.S. Cl. .................................. 37/457; 37/454; 37/450
`Field of Search .............................. 37/450, 454, 452,
`37/455, 457, 456, 458; 403/150, 153, 297,
`355
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,406,471 10/1968 Duplessis .................................. 37/457
`3,621,594 11/1971 Hahn eta!. ........................... 37/457 X
`3,650,053
`3/1972 Baer .......................................... 37/457
`3,707,788
`1!1973 Sturgeon ................................... 37/457
`4,338,736
`7/1982 Radigan ................................ 37/142 A
`4,516,340
`5/1985 Launder ................................ 37/142 A
`4,727,663
`3/1988 Hahn ..................................... 37/142 A
`5,272,824 12/1993 Cornelius .................................. 37/458
`
`5,435,084
`5,456,029
`5,617,655
`5,765,301
`
`7/1995 Immel ................................... 37/457 X
`10/1995 Cornelius .................................. 37/456
`4/1997 Launder eta!. .......................... 37/457
`6/1998 Clendenning ............................. 37/457
`
`Primary Examiner-Victor Batson
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John W. Harbst
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A multipiece excavating tooth assembly including an
`adapter and an excavating tooth. A fastener releasably inter(cid:173)
`connects and maintains the excavating tooth in operable
`combination with the adapter. When assembled, an elon(cid:173)
`gated nose portion of the adapter extends into a blind cavity
`defined by and which opens to a rear end of the excavating
`tooth. The adapter and tooth define a pair of fore-and-aft
`spaced stabilizing lands for advantageously transferring
`impact forces imparted to the tooth assembly during an
`excavating operation. Each stabilizing land on the tooth
`assembly is comprised of a pair of generally horizontal fiats
`arranged in confronting relation relative to each other when
`the excavating tooth is arranged in operable combination
`with the adapter. Each stabilizing land further includes a
`generally vertical stabilizing wall arranged in at least par(cid:173)
`tially surrounding relation relative to the fiat.
`
`30 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`CATERPILLAR EXHIBIT 1006
`
`Page 1 of 16
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Jun.27,2000
`Jun. 27,2000
`
`Sheet 1 0f5
`Sheet 1 of 5
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`6,079,132
`6,079,132
`
`, \wfim 3
`2i“
`
`
`
`
`i 106
`53
`16
`
`
`‘-,--F ‘V
`
`
`
`
`b
`
`62
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`26
`
`FIG. 1
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`Page 2 of 16
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`Page 2 of 16
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.27,2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
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`6,079,132
`
`FIG. 3
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`108
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`12~
`
`FIG. 4
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`32
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`35
`/
`.. ·<-21
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`31
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`Page 3 of 16
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.27,2000
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`Sheet 3 of 5
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`6,079,132
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`274
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`276
`
`FIG. 5
`
`FIG. 6 210'\
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`223
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`272
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`Page 4 of 16
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.27,2000
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
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`6,079,132
`
`FIG. 7
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`231
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`353
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`312
`)
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`326
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`350
`323
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`392 353
`
`FIG. 8
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`Page 5 of 16
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.27,2000
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
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`6,079,132
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`412
`)
`
`FIG. 10
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`414
`
`410-.....
`
`FIG. 9
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`472
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`412
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`J~l
`\'o/f{ffjl
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`423
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`430
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`Page 6 of 16
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`

`

`6,079,132
`
`10
`
`20
`
`1
`2
`EXCAVATING TOOTH ASSEMBLY
`including an adapter and an excavating tooth. To promote its
`repair and, if necessary, replacement, a fastener maintains
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`the excavating tooth in operable relationship with and
`The present invention relates generally to an excavating
`releasably connected to the adapter. The excavating tooth
`tooth assembly for a shovel or dipper bucket of large
`5 preferably has a hollow mounting end defining a cavity
`excavating equipment, and more particularly, to a mating
`configured to mate with a nose portion of the adapter. The
`configuration of an adapter and an excavating tooth which
`hollow mounting end of the tooth includes inner tapered
`improves the being surfaces for absorbing vertical loads and
`surfaces adapted to mate with outer tapered surfaces on the
`inhibits lateral movement of the excavating tooth with
`nose portion of the adapter.
`respect to the adapter during use.
`In one aspect of the invention, the outer tapered surfaces
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`of the adapter are each configured with a pair of fore-and-aft
`Earthworking tools such as excavating teeth are com(cid:173)
`spaced stabilizing land sections. Each stabilizing land sec(cid:173)
`monly known in the industry for use in conjunction with
`tion on the nose portion of the adapter defines a fiat surface
`earthmoving implements such as shovels or dipper buckets.
`extending generally parallel to the centerline of the adapter.
`Typically, such teeth are mounted on spaced apart adapters 15 Additionally, each stabilizing land section on the adapter has
`or nose pieces of the implement to facilitate repair and, when
`a substantially vertical stabilizing wall extending thereabout
`necessary, replacement of the teeth should they become
`for advantageously transmitting forces acting on the tooth
`broken or dull. Periodic replacement is often necessary since
`assembly toward a centerline of the adapter thereby enhanc-
`the tools are subject to extreme loads and wear due to
`ing performance characteristics of the tooth assembly.
`operating conditions where they encounter rock, sand and
`The inner tapered surfaces at the hollow mounting end of
`other types of abrasive earthen materials.
`the tooth each have a configuration complementary to that
`The adapters are generally configured with a nose portion
`on the outer surface on the adapter. That is, the inner tapered
`having a triangular or tapered portion when viewed in
`surfaces at the hollow mounting end of the excavating tooth
`longitudinal section. The excavating teeth are also provided
`each have a pair of fore-and-aft spaced stabilizing lands or
`with a generally triangular or tapered cavity or hollow for a
`mating fit with the nose portion of the adapters. To secure the 25
`transmitting sections. Each stabilizing land on the tooth
`excavating tooth to the adapter, and to allow for replacement
`likewise defines a fiat extending generally parallel to the
`of the tooth, a removable fastener such as a retaining pin is
`longitudinal axis of the tooth and sized relative to the lands
`typically inserted through opposing holes in the excavating
`on the adapter to readily and easily allow the tooth assembly
`tooth and through a bore in the adapter.
`to slidably fit endwise over and about the adapter. As will be
`As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the bore 30
`appreciated, the rearmost stabilizing land or transmitting
`is formed in the adapter and the opposing holes are formed
`section on the tooth is adapted to mate with the rearmost
`in the excavating tooth with exacting accuracy and precise(cid:173)
`stabilizing land section on the adapter while the foremost fiat
`ness to assure an appropriate and mating fit between the
`or transmitting section on the tooth is adapted to mate with
`parts. As will be appreciated, an error in placement of the
`the foremost land section on the adapter.
`bore in the adapter or the opposing holes in the digging tooth 35
`In a preferred form of the invention, each stabilizing land
`can result in poor mating between confronting surfaces on
`on the adapter and excavating tooth further includes a
`the tooth and the adapter. Such misfittings can cause sig(cid:173)
`substantially vertical wall expending from the fiat defined by
`nificant problems resulting in undue wear between the
`the respective stabilizing land. The generally vertical stabi-
`component parts during operation of the digging or exca(cid:173)
`40 lizing walls of the stabilizing lands on the tooth are config(cid:173)
`vating tooth assembly.
`ured to mate with the corresponding stabilizing walls on the
`In response to the tremendous forces exerted on the
`respective land sections on the adapter to facilitate trans(cid:173)
`digging tooth during excavation, the tooth tends to move
`mission of forces between the excavating tooth and the
`laterally, vertically or rotationally relative to the adapter,
`adapter during operation of the excavating tooth assembly.
`thereby causing undesirable wear on the respective parts.
`In another aspect of the invention, a bore extends through
`Moreover, during an excavating operation tremendous 45
`the rearward land section of the adapter, and a hole extends
`forces are placed on the removable fastener used to hold the
`through the rearward stabilizing lands or transmitting sec(cid:173)
`excavating teeth on to their respective adapter. As a result of
`tions of the tooth to act in conjunction with the bore for the
`the forces acting on the tooth, the pin often becomes loose
`insertion of a fastener therethrough to secure the tooth to the
`and fails to operably hold the tooth onto the adapter.
`adapter. As will be appreciated, providing a generally hori(cid:173)
`Accordingly, the tooth separates from the adapter causing 50
`zontal fiat on the adapter facilitates location and fabrication
`additional problems during the excavating operation.
`of the bore by inhibiting the tool used to make the bore from
`Thus, there is a continuing need and desire for an exca(cid:173)
`"dancing" along the angled surface of the adapter. That is,
`vating tooth assembly which is configured to optimize
`the fiats defined by the rear stabilizing lands of the adapter
`distribution of forces between the components thereof and
`55 are each intersected by and generally surround the centerline
`prevent undesirable movement therebetween in order to
`of the bore extending through the adapter for accommodat(cid:173)
`minimize the frequency with which the parts must be
`ing the fastener used to releasably interconnect the excavat(cid:173)
`replaced, thereby reducing the overall number of replace(cid:173)
`ing tooth to the adapter. Thus, fabrication costs are reduced
`ment parts and the time required to perform the replacement
`and the accuracy of the bore dimensions can be more
`operations. Also, there continues to be a need and a desire
`60 precisely controlled.
`for an excavating tooth assembly which is specifically
`In a preferred form of the invention, the generally vertical
`designed to enhance the holding ability of the removable
`stabilizing walls of the land sections on the adapter and
`retainer thereby inhibiting inadvertent separation and loss of
`excavating tooth have complementary shapes to promote the
`the excavating tooth relative to the adapter.
`transfer of forces acting on the tooth to the adapter and, thus,
`65 to the implement, thereby significantly aiding in the distri(cid:173)
`bution of the relatively large forces acting on the excavating
`teeth. To further facilitate the transmission of lateral forces
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In view of the above, and in accordance with the present
`invention, there is provided an excavating tooth assembly
`
`Page 7 of 16
`
`

`

`6,079,132
`
`4
`tooth assembly including elastomeric material disposed
`between components of the tooth assembly;
`FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 1
`showing still another alternative form of a multipiece exca-
`5 vating tooth assembly including elastomeric material dis(cid:173)
`posed between components of the tooth assembly; and
`FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of
`FIG. 9.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`3
`acting on the tooth, a forward end portion of the adapter is
`bowed outwardly and a forward end portion of the cavity in
`the tooth is a corresponding concave shape for matingly
`receiving said nose piece.
`The present invention provides significant advantages
`over other excavating tooth assemblies. By providing mul(cid:173)
`tiple horizontal and vertical stabilizing surfaces which mate
`in abutting relationship, especially in the vicinity of the bore
`in the adapter and the holes in the tooth, the transmission of
`vertical and horizontal forces from the excavating tooth to 10
`the adapter is optimized. As will be appreciated by those
`skilled in the art, the ability to effectively transfer forces
`between the adapter and the excavating tooth furthermore
`reduces wear between the component parts of the tooth
`assembly thus resulting in cost savings for replacement parts 15
`and labor.
`According to another aspect of the present invention,
`elastomeric material is disposed between the adapter and the
`tooth to inhibit movement between the component parts of
`the tooth assembly thereby blunting the transference of
`forces between the tooth and the adapter and, thus, prolong(cid:173)
`ing the usefulness of the engaging surfaces on the digging
`tooth assembly. In one form of the invention, an elastomeric
`spring is provided between the forward end portion of the
`adapter and the internal wall defined by the cavity in the
`tooth for continually urging the mating surfaces defined on
`the excavating tooth and the adapter into positive engage(cid:173)
`ment relative to each other. Besides acting to blunt endwise
`impact forces between the tooth and the adapter, this elas(cid:173)
`tomeric material furthermore augments the holding ability of
`the fastener extending through the tooth and the adapter. In
`another form of the invention, elastomeric material is
`arranged along, and preferably about the adapter to resil(cid:173)
`iently fill tolerance voids and gaps between the components
`of the tooth assembly thereby blunting the impact forces
`inherent between such components during operation of the
`tooth assembly.
`The present invention, together with further objects and
`advantages, will be best understood by reference to the 40
`following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings.
`
`While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment
`in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will
`hereinafter be described a preferred embodiment of the
`invention with the understanding that the present disclosure
`is to be considered as setting forth an exemplification of the
`invention which is not intended to limit the invention to the
`specific embodiment illustrated.
`Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
`20 numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,
`there is shown in FIG. 1 an excavating tooth assembly 10
`including an adapter or support 12 and an excavating tooth
`14. An elongated fastener 16 releasably interconnects and
`maintains the adapter 12 and tooth 14 in operating relation-
`25 ship relative to each other.
`Although only a single tooth assembly 10 is shown in
`FIG. 1 as being attached to an excavating implement 18 such
`as a forward lip 20 of a bucket or the like, it will be
`30 understood by those skilled in the art that on typical exca(cid:173)
`vating equipment, a plurality of spaced apart tooth
`assemblies, substantially identical to the tooth assembly 10,
`would extend from the bucket lip 20. Moreover, and as used
`herein, the terms horizontal and vertical refer generally to
`35 the orientation of the excavating implement or equipment
`when disposed on the ground, and wherein the excavating
`movement of the bucket 18 would be primarily in the
`vertical direction, although horizontal loads and forces are
`also imparted on the tooth assembly 10 during a normal
`excavating operation.
`As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the adapter or support 12
`has an elongated configuration defining a longitudinal cen(cid:173)
`terline 21. The adapter or support 12 includes a conventional
`base portion 22 and a axially aligned nose portion 23
`extending forwardly from and preferably formed integral
`with the base portion 22. The base portion 22 is preferably
`configured for releasable securement, as by a conventional
`wedge locking mechanism (not shown), to the forward lip 20
`of the shovel or dipper bucket 18 of the earth excavation
`50 apparatus. As is conventional, the excavating tooth 14 fits
`endwise along and about the nose portion 23 of the adapter.
`As shown, the nose portion 23 of the adapter or support
`12 has a forwardly tapered configuration including angularly
`converging top and bottom exterior surfaces 24 and 26,
`55 respectively, for mating with and carrying the tooth 14. The
`nose portion 23 of the adapter or support 12 further includes
`laterally spaced side walls 28 and 30 (FIGS. 2 and 4). In the
`preferred form of the invention, the laterally spaced side
`walls 28, 30 likewise have a slight forwardly tapering slant
`60 thereto in the longitudinal direction thereof. Otherwise, the
`side walls 28, 30 each have a vertical orientation and are
`generally parallel to each other.
`In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1,
`2 and 4, a terminal end region 31 of the nose portion 23 of
`65 the adapter 12 defines a pair of laterally slanted surfaces 32
`and 34 that laterally and angularly diverge away from the
`centerline 21 of the adapter 12. In the illustrated form of the
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of a 45
`multipiece excavating tooth assembly according to the
`present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.
`
`1;
`
`FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 1
`but showing components of the multi piece excavating tooth
`assembly of the present invention in axially separated rela(cid:173)
`tion relative to each other;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an adapter forming part of
`the excavating tooth assembly;
`FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 1
`showing an alternative form of a multipiece excavating tooth
`assembly including elastomeric material disposed between
`components of the tooth assembly;
`FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.
`
`5;
`
`FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 but showing
`an alternative form of elastomeric material disposed
`between components of the excavating tooth assembly;
`FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 1
`showing another alternative form of a multi piece excavating
`
`Page 8 of 16
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`

`

`6,079,132
`
`5
`
`5
`invention, and to facilitate fabrication of the adapter 12, the
`terminal end portion 31 of the adapter 12 defines an out(cid:173)
`wardly bowed, curved terminal end portion. As will be
`appreciated, the laterally curved configuration at the termi(cid:173)
`nal end 31 of the adapter 12 provides surfaces which, when
`a line is drawn tangential thereto, form an acute or diverging
`angle relative to the longitudinal centerline 21 of the adapter
`12.
`Moreover, in a preferred form of the invention, the free or
`terminal end portion 31 of the adapter 12 is provided with an
`upper radius 33 and a lower radius 35 at the juncture of the
`upper and lower surfaces 24 and 26, respectively. This
`configuration of the distal end of the adapter 12 assists in
`stabilizing the tooth 14 and provides a self-centering feature
`when the tooth 14 is under horizontal side loads.
`The exterior slanted surfaces 24 and 26 on the support or
`adapter 12 each have recessed areas 40 arranged toward a
`distal end of the adapter 12. Preferably, the recessed areas 40
`are equally disposed on the surfaces 24 and 26 and relative
`to the longitudinal centerline 21 of the adapter 12. Each
`recessed area 40 defines a fiat substantially horizontal sta(cid:173)
`bilizing surface or forward land 42 on the adapter 12.
`Each land 42 protrudes inwardly from the respective
`slanted surfaces 24, 26 on the adapter 12 to define a
`generally fiat or horizontal surface 43 extending generally
`parallel to the axis 21 of the adapter 12. As will be
`appreciated, a predetermined vertical distance is measurable
`between the fiat or generally horizontal surfaces 43 of the
`lands 42 on the surfaces 24, 26 of the adapter 12. Moreover,
`each forward land 42 is bordered by a curvilinear and
`generally vertical stabilizing wall 44. As will be described
`below, the horizontal forward lands 42 provide greater load
`distribution to absorb extreme vertical loads imparted to the
`tooth assembly during operation while the vertical stabiliz(cid:173)
`ing walls 44 provide additional vertical bearing surfaces to
`assist in absorbing extreme horizontal loads imparted to the
`tooth assembly 10 during an excavating operation.
`As is conventional in multipiece tooth assemblies, the
`adapter 12 is further provided with a bore 46 for accommo(cid:173)
`dating endwise passage of the fastener 16 therethrough
`thereby permitting the tooth 14 to be releasably maintained
`in operable association with the support or adapter 12. In the
`illustrated form of the invention, bore 46 defines an axis 48
`extending vertically through a rearward portion of the
`tapered extension 23 of adapter 12 and opens to the tapered
`surfaces 24 and 26. As will be appreciated by those skilled
`in the art, the bore 46 accommodates endwise passage of the
`fastener 16 through the adapter or support 12. The bore 46
`is suitably formed in the adapter 12 preferably using a drill
`but a punch may also be used in some circumstances.
`The adapter 12 further defines a pair of fiat substantially
`horizontal stabilizing surfaces or rearward lands 52 on the
`slanted surfaces 24 and 26 of the support 12 in surrounding
`relation relative to the axis 48 of the bore 46. As shown in 55
`FIG. 1, the lands 52 are equally disposed on the surfaces 24
`and 26 and relative to the longitudinal axis 21 of the adapter
`12. Each land 52 protrudes outwardly from the respective
`slanted surface 24, 26 of the adapter 12 to define a generally
`horizontal or fiat surface 53 extending generally parallel to
`the axis 21 of the adapter 12. A predetermined vertical
`distance is measurable between the fiats or generally hori(cid:173)
`zontal surfaces 53 defined by the lands 52 on the surfaces 24,
`26 of the adapter 12.
`As with the forward lands 42, the rearward lands 52 define
`curvilinear vertical stabilizing walls 54 extending there(cid:173)
`about. The walls 54 provide additional vertical bearing
`
`6
`surfaces to assist in absorbing extreme horizontal loading
`imparted to the tooth assembly 10. In particular, side load
`distribution is transferred from horizontal to vertical in the
`areas of the adapter 12 surrounding the bore 46. The
`rearward lands 52 also provide greater vertical load distri(cid:173)
`bution to absorb extreme vertical loads. Thus, the combi(cid:173)
`nation of the forward and rearward lands 42 and 52,
`respectively, substantially increases the stability of the tooth
`assembly 10 over a vast range of forces acting thereon
`during operation of the tooth assembly 10. Moreover, the
`10 additional material provided by the rearward lands 52
`strengthens the area of the adapter surrounding the bore 46,
`which is typically the weakest area of the adapter 22.
`It will be appreciated that although the terminal end
`portion 31 and the vertical stabilizing walls 44, 54 of the
`15 adapter 12 are preferably curvilinear, they could define other
`shapes capable of absorbing horizontal loads acting on the
`adapter 12. For example, the terminal end portion 31 and
`vertical stabilizing walls 44, 54 could each be configured
`with a V-shape since both sides of the "V" are eschewed or
`20 divergent from the centerline 21 of the adapter 12.
`When the excavating tooth 10 is assembled, the excavat(cid:173)
`ing tooth 14 is configured for endwise accommodation along
`and about a lengthwise portion of the nose portion 23 of the
`adapter 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the excavating tooth 14 has
`25 an elongated configuration defining a longitudinal axis 61
`and with a lateral cutting edge 62 extending generally
`transverse to axis 61 disposed at one end thereof and a
`hollow mounting end 63 disposed at an opposite end thereof
`for allowing the tooth 14 to be mounted endwise onto the
`30 adapter 12.
`As shown, the tooth 14 includes upper and lower exterior
`surfaces 64 and 66, respectively, which extend rearwardly
`from the cutting edge 62 and extend toward the rear end 63
`of the tooth 14. As the surfaces 64, 66 extend rearwardly
`35 from the edge 62, they angularly diverge away from each
`other. In the illustrated form of the invention, the upper and
`lower surfaces 64, 66 on the tooth 14 preferably have
`substantially corresponding radii. Moreover, and as shown
`in FIG. 2, the tooth 14 has a pair of laterally spaced side
`40 walls 68 and 70 which have a slightly tapering longitudinal
`configuration and which extend vertically and generally
`parallel relative to each other between the upper and lower
`surfaces 64 and 66, respectively, of the tooth 14.
`As is conventional in multipiece tooth assemblies, the
`45 tooth 14 defines a blind cavity 72 (FIG. 3) opening to the
`rear end 63 of the tooth 14. The shape of the cavity 72
`generally corresponds in configuration to the tapered exten(cid:173)
`sion 23 of the adapter 12 so that the tooth 14 can fit endwise
`thereon in mating relationship relative to the adapter 12. In
`50 a preferred form, the edge of the cavity 72 defined by the
`tooth 14 has an inwardly directed radius 73 (FIG. 3) extend(cid:173)
`ing thereabout to facilitate and guide endwise insertion of
`the nose portion 23 of the adapter 12 into a mating relation-
`ship or fit with the tooth 14.
`As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cavity 72 defined by
`tooth 14 includes upper and lower interior surfaces 74 and
`76, respectively, extending forwardly from the open rear end
`of the cavity 72 toward the forward edge 62 (FIG. 1) of the
`tooth 14 and converging toward each other at substantially
`60 the same angle that the exterior surfaces 24 and 26 are
`disposed on the nose region 23 of the adapter 12. As shown
`in FIG. 2, a pair of generally vertical interior side walls 78
`and 80 further serve to define the cavity 70. As will be
`appreciated, the interior side walls 78 and 80 of cavity 70 are
`65 configured to accommodate and mate with the exterior side
`walls 28 and 30, respectively, on the nose region of the
`adapter 12.
`
`Page 9 of 16
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`

`

`6,079,132
`
`7
`In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2
`and 3, the interior slanted surfaces 74 and 76 of cavity 72
`converge toward each other and terminate in an end wall 81
`defining a pair of laterally slanted surfaces 82 and 84. The
`laterally slanted surfaces 82 and 84 angularly diverge away
`from the centerline 61 of the tooth 14. In the preferred form
`of the invention, and as shown in FIG. 2, the laterally slanted
`surfaces 82, 84 defined by end wall 81 generally parallel the
`laterally slanted surfaces 32 and 34 defined at the terminal
`end portion 31 of adapter 12. In a most preferred form of the
`invention, and to facilitate fabrication of the cavity 32
`defined by tooth 14, the terminal end wall 81 of cavity 72
`defines a concavely bowed surface that generally parallels
`the bowed surface at the terminal end portion 31 of the nose
`portion of adapter 12.
`As illustrated in FIG. 3, the interior slanted surfaces 74
`and 76 of cavity 72 have recessed areas 90 arranged toward
`the open end of the cavity 72 defined by tooth 14. The
`recessed areas 90 define rear stabilizing lands 92 disposed
`on the surfaces 74 and 76 of cavity 72 so as to mate with the
`pair of rearward stabilizing lands 52 on the nose portion 23
`of the adapter 12.
`In the illustrated form of the invention, the stabilizing
`lands 92 are equally disposed on the surfaces 74 and 76 and
`relative to the longitudinal axis 61 of the tooth 14. Each
`stabilizing land 92 protrudes inwardly from the respectively
`slanted surface 74, 76 of cavity 72 on the tooth 14 to define
`a generally fiat or horizontal surface 93 extending generally
`parallel to the axis or longitudinal centerline 61 of the tooth
`12. A predetermined vertical distance equal to or somewhat
`greater than the vertical distance between the rearward lands
`52 on the adapter 12 separates the generally parallel surfaces
`93 defined on the interior surfaces 74 and 76 of the cavity 72
`defined by tooth 14. Additionally, each fiat or horizontal
`surface 93 is bordered by a curvilinear generally vertical
`stabilizing wall 94. Suffice it to say, the stabilizing wall 94
`has a configuration which complements and generally cor(cid:173)
`responds to the stabilizing wall 54 arranged in surrounding
`relation relative to the rearward lands 52 defined on the nose
`portion 23 of adapter 12.
`The slanted upper and lower interior surfaces 74, 76
`defined by cavity 72 of tooth 14 furthermore include a pair
`of forward stabilizing lands 102 arranged toward and rear(cid:173)
`wardly extending from the terminal wall81 of the cavity 72. 45
`The stabilizing lands 102 are disposed on the surfaces 74 and
`76 of cavity 72 so as to mate with the pair of forward lands
`42 on the nose portion 23 of the adapter 12.
`In the illustrated form of the invention, the stabilizing
`lands 102 protrude from the slanted surfaces 74, 76 of cavity
`72 and are equally disposed on the surfaces 74, 76 and
`relative to the longitudinal axis 61 of the tooth 14. Each
`stabilizing land 102 defines a generally fiat or horizontal
`surface 103 extending generally parallel to the longitudinal
`axis or center line 61 of the tooth 14. A predetermined 55
`vertical distance equal to or somewhat greater than the
`predetermined vertical distance between the forward lands
`42 on the adapter 12 separates the generally parallel surfaces
`103 defined on the interior slanted surfaces 74, 76 of the
`cavity 72 defined by tooth 14. By this design, the tooth 14
`can be endwise fitted along and about a lengthwise portion
`of the nose portion 23 of the adapter 12 without the various
`pairs of stabilizing surfaces on the adapter 12 and tooth 14
`interfering with each other during assembly of the tooth
`assembly 10.
`Additionally, each stabilizing land 102 is bordered by a
`curvilinear and generally vertical stabilizing wall104. Suf-
`
`8
`fice it to say, the stabilizing wall104 of stabilizing land 102
`has a configuration which compliments and generally cor(cid:173)
`responds to the stabilizing wall 44 arranged in surrounding
`relation relative to the pair of forward lands 42 on the nose
`5 portion 23 of the adapter 12. As will be appreciated by those
`skilled in the art, if other configurations of the stabilizing
`walls 44, 54 or 94, 104 were provided on the adapter 12 or
`tooth 14, the complimentary or associated surface on the
`mating component of the tooth assembly 10 would be
`10 correspondingly shaped to mate therewith.
`The tooth 14 further defines a pair of axially aligned holes
`or openings 106 and 108 for accommodating endwise pas(cid:173)
`sage of the fastener 16 therethrough thereby permitting the
`tooth 14 to be releasably attached and maintained in oper-
`15 able connection with the adapter 12. The relationship of the
`openings 106, 108 relative to the bore 46 in the adapter 14
`is important to maintain the fastener 16 in operable relation
`with the tooth assembly during excavating operations. In the
`illustrative form of the invention, and because of the pre-
`20 ferred disposition of bore 46 defined by adapter 12, the holes
`or openings 106, 108 are arranged in general vertical rela(cid:173)
`tionship relative to each other.
`The fastener 16 for releasably interconnecting and main(cid:173)
`taining the adapter 12 in tooth 14 in operable relation
`25 relative to each other can take many forms. In the illustrated
`embodiment, the fastener 16 is preferably of the type dis(cid:173)
`closed in co-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,301 issued to C.
`Clendenning on Jun. 16, 1998; the full disclosure of which
`is incorporated herein by reference.
`As shown in FIG. 1, fastener 16 preferably comprises an
`elongated insert 112 and a retaining pin 114. The insert 112
`includes a rigid elongated cylindrical sleeve 118 surrounded
`by a resilient member 120. Sleeve 118 is preferably fabri-
`35 cated from steel or the like and defines an internal bore 119
`which opens to opposite ends of the sleeve 118. As shown
`in FIG. 1, the insert 112 has a length generally equal to the
`predetermined distance separating the fiats 53 defined by the
`stabilizing lands 52 on the slanted surfaces 24 and 26 of the
`40 nose portion 23 of adapter 12. Preferably, the resilient
`member 120 surrounds about a 270° circumferential portion
`of the sleeve 18 such that a portion of the sleeve is preferably
`free of resilient materi