U.S. patent application number 10/621691 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for excavation tooth installation assembly and method.
Invention is credited to Duke, Alan.
Application Number | 20050011089 10/621691 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34063035 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050011089 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Duke, Alan |
January 20, 2005 |
Excavation tooth installation assembly and method
Abstract
A solid steel retaining pin (D) has a stop member (E) on a lower
end for limiting the extent to which the pin is moved upwardly
through the recess (C) into the excavation teeth (A) and adapter
during installation. An upper recess (B) is defined by a thickened
conical upper surface of the bases of the teeth to protect the
bolts (G) carried by upwardly extending shanks (F) during
digging.
Inventors: |
Duke, Alan; (Inman,
SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RALPH BAILEY, P.A.
125 Broadus Avenue
Greenville
SC
29601
US
|
Family ID: |
34063035 |
Appl. No.: |
10/621691 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
37/456 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 9/2833
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
037/456 |
International
Class: |
E02F 009/28 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An excavation tooth and fastener assembly for installation upon
an earth moving implement having an adaptor with an upright opening
comprising: an excavation tooth having a tooth point at one end and
a tooth base at an opposite end configured for reception upon the
adapter; a first upper recess in the tooth base accessible from an
exterior of the tooth base; a second lower recess in the tooth base
opposite the first upper recess; an upright opening in the tooth
base joining the first and second recesses; a retaining pin
including a stop member with an engageable surface at one end for
abutting an interior surface within the vertical opening to limit
entrance of the pin into the vertical opening during insertion of
the pin from a bottom of the assembly; and a shank on the retaining
pin at an opposite end configured for securable engagement by a
suitable fastener; whereby the retaining pin is vertically
insertabler through the tooth and adaptor for securement therein by
a fastener.
2. An excavation tooth and fastener assembly for the installation
of excavation teeth on an adapter secured to a leading edge of an
earth moving implement comprising: an excavation tooth carried by
the adapter having at one end a tooth point and at the end a tooth
base configured for reception upon the adapter; an upper recess in
the tooth base accessible from an exterior of the tooth base; a
lower recess in the tooth base opposite the upper recess accessible
form an exterior of the tooth base; a retaining pin having an
engageable surface to limit the extent to which the pin enters into
the vertical opening; and an upright shank carried by one end of
the retaining pin configured for securably engagement by a
compatible fastener in the upper recess; whereby the retaining pin
is vertically insertable through the lower recess into the opening
positioning the shank in the upper recess for securement by the
fastener.
3. The excavation tooth and assembly set forth in claim 2 including
a thickened upper surface of the tooth for protecting the fastener
from shearing forces during digging.
4. The excavation tooth and fastener assembly set forth in claim 2
wherein the engageable surface includes a lateral projection at a
bottom of the pin.
5. The excavation tooth and fastener assembly set forth in claim 2
wherein the pin is wedge shaped in cross section narrowing toward
the tooth point.
6. The excavation tooth fastener assembly set forth in claim 2
including a lock nut carried by the upright shank.
7. The excavation tooth and fastener assembly including a vertical
passageway extending through the tooth and the adapter for
reception of the pin.
8. The excavation tooth and fastener assembly set forth in claim 2
wherein said pin and shank have a forward inclination.
9. For use in securing an excavation tooth having a tooth point on
one end and a tooth base at the other end configured for reception
upon an adaptor secured to a leading edge of an earth moving
implement a retaining pin comprising: an elongated steel retaining
member; an engageable surface carried at a lower end of the
retaining members to limit the extent to which the pin may enter a
vertical opening in the adapter; and an upright threaded shank
carried by the other end of the retaining pin configured for
securable engagement by a compatible fastener; whereby the
retaining pin is insertable upwardly through the tooth base and
adapter for securement by the fastener.
10. An excavation tooth and fastener assembly for the installation
of excavation teeth on an adapter secured to a leading edge of an
earth moving implement comprising: an excavation tooth having a
tooth point on one end and a tooth base at the other end configured
for reception upon the adaptor; an upper recess in the tooth base
accessible from an exterior of the base; a lower recess in the
tooth base accessible form an exterior of the tooth base; a
retaining pin; an engageable surface to limit the extent to which
the pin enters a vertical opening in the adapter; and an upright
threaded shank carried by one end of the retaining pin configured
for securable engagement by compatible fastener; whereby the
retaining pin is insertable through the adapter and int the upper
and lower recesses for securement by the fastener.
11. An excavation tooth and fastener assembly for the replacement
of worn teeth on an earth moving implement having an adaptor
secured to the implement comprising: an excavation tooth carried by
the adapter having at one end a tooth point and at an opposing end
a hollow tooth base configured for reception upon the adaptor; a
first upper recess and a second lower recess in the tooth base in
corresponding symmetrical alignment with the vertical opening in
the adaptor for creating a vertical opening therethrough; an
integral raised cone surrounding and shielding the first upper
recess in the tooth base; a retaining pin having an enlarged
projection at one end and a threaded shank at an opposing end for
securable engagement by correspondingly threaded fastener, whereby
the retaining pin is vertically insertable through the lower recess
into the vertical opening in the adaptor, the enlarged projection
of the retaining pin limiting the distance the pin enters the
vertical opening and the upper recess for engagement by fastener to
secure the tooth through the adaptor to the implement.
12. A method of installing an excavation tooth and fastener
assembly on an adapter secured to a leading edge of an earth moving
implement comprising the steps of: providing an excavation tooth
having a tooth point on one end and a tooth base at the other end
configured for reception upon the adaptor; inserting a retaining
pin through a lower recess in the tooth base opposite an upper
recess accessible form an exterior of the tooth base; limiting the
extent to which the pin enters a vertical opening in the adapter;
and securing an upper end of the retaining pin by a compatible
fastener; whereby the retaining pin is insertable through the
adapter and in the upper and lower recesses for securement by the
fastener;
13. The method of installing an excavation tooth as set forth in
claim 12 wherein the compatible fastener is a bolt, and including
the step of holding the pin in a up position by suspending the pin
from the bolt.
14. The method of installing an excavation tooth as set forth in
claim 12 including the step of providing a recess in a thickened
surface of the tooth to protect the bolt form shearing forces
during digging.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the securement of excavation teeth
upon the shank, more commonly referred to as the adapter, welded to
the steel lip of a backhoe bucket and the like.
[0002] In accordance with the prior art, excavation teeth are
secured to the adapter utilizing an elongated vertical steel pin
having a rubbery center section forming a sandwich. The pin is
driven through a vertical opening or passageway in a base portion
of the tooth and a forward projection of the adaptor.
[0003] The rubbery center section is formed by a suitable
deformable resilient material such as neoprene so that when the pin
is driven into the vertical opening the pin presses against the
walls of the adapter after insertion. As the tooth is used often,
sometimes in elevated temperature environments, the constant
pressure on the pin causes the rubber-like substance to weaken so
that the pin then falls out through the bottom of the tooth and
adaptor installation assembly resulting in the loss of the tooth.
After suitable hydraulic mechanism is repeatedly used to load the
bucket with soil or rock, there is a resulting movement of the pin,
resulting in ware so that the tooth is no longer serviceable and
has to be replaced.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,520,224 illustrates a pin and its use
generally in accordance with the prior art as described above. The
deformable material is resilient and consists of neoprene of
suitable duronmentor hardness. The prior art is further illustrated
by the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,823,487, 5,724,756, 6,393,738,
6,467,204, and 6,492,469.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It has been found that an improved solid pin maybe
constructed in such a way as to avoid loosening due to the wear of
the rubbery material sandwiched between the steel members in the
prior art pins.
[0006] Accordingly, it is an important object of the invention to
provide an excavation tooth assembly and method that includes the
provision of a solid pin for securement of the excavating tooth in
a fixed position upon an adapter carried by an excavation bucket
and the like.
[0007] Another important object of the invention is to provide a
tooth assembly method including the use of a solid pin which may be
readily installed by insertion through a lower base portion of the
teeth and through a vertical opening extending upwardly through the
adapter and upper portion of the base of the tooth.
[0008] Another important object of this invention is to provide
securement for a solid steel pin constructed of an elongated solid
section having at the top an upwardly extending threaded shank for
carrying a fastener.
[0009] Another important object of the invention is to provide a
thickened, conical outwardly extending area at an upper surface of
the tooth base for receiving a fastener such as a lock nut on the
threaded shank within an opening in the thickened area so as to be
protected from damage resulting from engagement of rocks and
similar obstacles during excavation.
[0010] Another important object of the invention is the provision
of an engaging stop surface preferably formed by a lateral
extension at a lower end of the pins to limit upward movement of
the pins as they are inserted through a bottom of the assembly into
the upright passageway extending upwardly through the adapter and
thickened area on the upper surfaces of the teeth.
[0011] The pin is preferably configured so as to match the aligned
upper and lower surfaces of the tooth base and therefore is
inclined slightly forwardly to accommodate the inclination of the
teeth resulting from their positioning on the adapter. The lateral
lower projection is inclined slightly upwardly and the threaded
shank is inclined outwardly toward the points of the teeth.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a slightly
forwardly tapering configuration to the teeth matching the
elongated inwardly, tapering surfaces defining the upright passage
way.
[0013] The objects of the invention are accomplished generally by
the combination of implement tooth and implement retaining pin
assembly for securing the teeth to the adapter wherein the
retaining pin comprises a stop member at one end and a threaded
nipple at the other end for engagement by a lock nut, and wherein
opposed surfaces are provided on the teeth to aid in engaging the
stop member against going completely through the assembly and
against rotation of the pins in the upright passageway.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The construction designed to carry out the invention will
hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.
[0015] The invention will be more readily understood from a reading
of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying
drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the
invention is shown and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view looking downwardly
toward an adaptor carried at a leading edge of an excavation bucket
illustrating excavation teeth constructed in accordance with the
invention attached to the adaptor.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation illustrating
the positioning of a solid steel pin within an upright opening in a
base of the tooth and in the adapter and including a thickened
conical upper portion of the base defining a recess for containing
and protecting a threaded fastener.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a right front perspective view, at an enlarged
scale, illustrating an elongated solid steel pin constructed in
accordance with the invention having a slight wedge shaped forward
taper in cross-section and forwardly inclined upper portion
carrying an inclined threaded shank, also forwardly inclined toward
the point of the tooth, for receiving a washer and lock nut
together with a forwardly extending stop member integral with the
elongated pin at the bottom for limiting the extent to which it may
be inserted into the vertical opening from the bottom.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view looking toward a front and side
at the point of an excavation tooth having a thickened conical
section at the upper opening for protecting a pin fastening member
from shearing forces during excavation.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional elevation illustrating a
vertical opening in the base of the tooth together with a
longitudinal alignment member for positioning the tooth upon the
adapter.
[0021] FIG. 6-A illustrates a top plan view of an excavating tooth
and assembly apparatus for positioning the teeth upon the leading
edge of a bucket.
[0022] FIG. 6-B is a bottom plan view illustrating the forwardly
tapering construction of the pin and vertical opening and
[0023] FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional elevation illustrating the
positioning of the pin stop member upon the adapter after
installation of a tooth.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] The drawings illustrate an excavation tooth and fastener
assembly and method of excavation installing teeth on an adapter
secured to a leading edge of an earth-moving implement. An
excavation tooth A has a tooth point on one end and a tooth base at
the other end configured for reception upon the adapter. An upper
recess B in the tooth base is accessible from an exterior of the
tooth base. A lower recess C in the tooth base opposite the upper
recess is also accessible from an exterior of the tooth base.
[0025] An elongated retaining pin D has a stop member E to limit
the extent to which the pin enters a vertical opening in the
adapter during installation. An upright threaded shank F carried by
one end of the retaining pin is configured for engagement by a
compatible fastener G so that, after the retaining pin is inserted
through the adapter into the upper and lower recesses in the tooth
base and secured by the fastener, a new tooth is fixed upon the
adapter.
[0026] The method for replacement of worn teeth contemplates
limited insertion of a retaining pin upwardly through the tooth and
the adapter, and then securing the pin by a fastener located in an
upper recess in the tooth. Preferably, the upper recess is defined
by an opening in a thickened outwardly raised generally conical
portion in the tooth base to protect the tooth against dislodgment
of the fastener as by engagement by rocks or other obstructions
during excavation.
[0027] The apparatus and method of the invention is useful both for
original installations and for the replacement of worn members of
the assembly.
[0028] A typical excavation tooth A is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and
4-7 as having point 10 on one end and a base 11 on the other end
for reception on the adaptor 12 on the forward lower lip 13 of a
bucket such as illustrated at 14. The base 11 of the teeth has a
rectangular opening 11a and opposed recesses 11 b therein for
receiving the adapter 12 as shown in FIG. 7. The adapter has a
recess as illustrated in FIG. 2 at 12 for reception upon the lip
13. An upper, generally cylindrical recess B is formed in a
thickened upper wall of the base 11 in the shape of a conical
projection 15. The upper recess B is accessible from the exterior
of the tooth as is the opposed lower recess C that has forwardly
tapering walls 16a and 16b as shown in FIG. 6-B.
[0029] The elongated upright retaining pin D is best illustrated in
FIG. 3 as having a stop member E at a lower end to limit the extent
to which the pin enters an upright opening or passageway 17
extending through the base and its adapter. Passage of the pin is
limited by engagement of the stop member E with the adapter. An
upright threaded shank F is carried for engagement by a compatible
fastener G on an upper end of the pin.
[0030] The stop member F is inclined upward toward the end as
illustrated at 18 and has inwardly tapering sides 19 and 20
corresponding to the walls 16a and 16b in the base as shown in FIG.
6-B. The tapering sides 19 and 20 extend upwardly defining an
elongated intermediate portion 21 of the pin D. The intermediate
portion 21 is also illustrated as being inclined forwardly as does
the threaded shank F to assume proper alignment within the upright
passageway 17. During digging no forces are excerpted upon the lock
nut G except to hold the pin in the up position suspended from the
bolt.
[0031] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes
in variations may be made in pin and tooth construction without
departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.
* * * * *