U.S. patent application number 14/424808 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-06 for dragline rigging components.
This patent application is currently assigned to BRADKEN RESOURCES PTY LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is Bradken Resources Pty Limited. Invention is credited to Reece Attwood.
Application Number | 20150218775 14/424808 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50182248 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150218775 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Attwood; Reece |
August 6, 2015 |
DRAGLINE RIGGING COMPONENTS
Abstract
A swivel link for dragline rigging, the swivel link having three
connection points interconnected by connecting arms, the connecting
arms defining an interior cavity of the swivel link
Inventors: |
Attwood; Reece; (Mayfield
West, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bradken Resources Pty Limited |
Mayfield West, NSW |
|
AU |
|
|
Assignee: |
BRADKEN RESOURCES PTY
LIMITED
Mayfield West, NSW
AU
|
Family ID: |
50182248 |
Appl. No.: |
14/424808 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
August 27, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2013/000950 |
371 Date: |
February 27, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
37/399 ;
403/161 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 9/006 20130101;
E02F 3/48 20130101; Y10T 403/32951 20150115; E02F 3/58 20130101;
E02F 9/2016 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E02F 3/58 20060101
E02F003/58; E02F 3/48 20060101 E02F003/48 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 27, 2012 |
AU |
2012903703 |
Claims
1. A wear member for a dragline rigging having at least one
connecting lug adapted to engage a connector, the at least one
connecting lug having a lug surface which in use is in a facing
arrangement with the connector, the wear member configured to be
positioned intermediate the at least one connecting lug and the
connector and contacting the connector at a bearing surface, the
bearing surface having an area greater than the lug surface.
2. The wear member of claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting
lug comprises a clevis lug having two spaced apart lug elements
with aligned pin cavities.
3. The wear member of claim 1, wherein the wear member comprises a
planar body and a shroud extending therefrom and configured in use
to enclose at least a portion of the connecting lug.
4. The wear member of claim 3, wherein the shroud extends from at
least a portion of the periphery of the planar body.
5. The wear member of claim 3, wherein the shroud extends away from
the bearing surface.
6. A wear member for a connecting lug in a dragline rigging, the
wear member comprising a planar body and a shroud extending from at
least a portion of the periphery of the planar body.
7. A connector for a dragline rigging, the connector comprising a
body and two throughholes oriented to allow greater than 100 degree
freedom of movement in two planes.
8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the two planes are
substantially perpendicular to one another.
9. The connector of claim 7, wherein the connector allows
approximately 180 degrees of freedom of movement in two planes.
10. The connector of claim 7, wherein the throughholes are oriented
such that they are substantially perpendicular to one another.
11. The connector of claim 7, wherein the throughholes comprise a
first throughhole adapted to connect with an upper spreader bar and
a second throughhole adapted to connect with a dump pulley.
12. The connector of claim 7, wherein the body comprises two
conjoined annular sections, the first throughhole extending through
a first annular section and the second throughhole extending
through a second annular section.
13. The connector of claim 7, further allowing greater than 5
degree freedom of movement axially along the length of the
connector.
14. A dragline rigging comprising at least one connecting lug
adapted to engage a connector, the at least one connecting lug
having a lug surface which in use is in a facing arrangement with
the connector, and a wear member configured to be positioned
intermediate the at least one connecting lug and the connector and
contacting the connector at a bearing surface, the bearing surface
having an area greater than the lug surface.
15. The dragline rigging of claim 14, further comprising a
connector having a body and two throughholes oriented to allow
greater than 100 degree freedom of movement in two planes.
16. The dragline rigging of claim 14, wherein the at least one
connecting lug extends from an upper spreader bar and the connector
is configured to engage a dump pulley.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a national stage application under 35
USC 371 of International Application No. PCT/AU2013/000950, filed
Aug. 27, 2013, which claims the priority of Australian Application
No. AU 2012903703, filed Aug. 27, 2012, the contents of which prior
applications are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to connection
elements and connectors for use in dragline rigging.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Dragline excavators are commonly employed to remove earth,
soil or other material in is preparation for open cut mining.
[0004] In dragline excavators, a bucket capable of scooping soil is
actioned from a boom. A dragline rigging supports the bucket from
the boom and couples to it to enable its action. The rigging is an
assembly of elements and cables by which the bucket is suspended
and operated. The dragline rigging is typically an array of
linkages between the bucket and the boom. It is beneficial to
provide connection elements allowing increased wear of the moving
parts and allowing for greater freedom of movement between aspects
of the dragline rigging.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Disclosed in a first aspect is a wear member for a dragline
rigging having at least one connecting lug adapted to engage a
connector, the at least one connecting lug having a lug surface
which in use is in a facing arrangement with the connector, the
wear member configured to be positioned intermediate the at least
one connecting lug and the connector and contacting the connector
at a bearing surface, the bearing surface having an area greater
than the lug surface.
[0006] The wear members allow for a connecting surface area to be
sacrificially worn away during movement of a connector with respect
to the upper spreader bar. In some forms the increased surface area
of the wear members allows increased wear and reduces the need for
maintenance and replacement.
[0007] In a second aspect, disclosed is a connector for dragline
rigging, the connector allowing greater than 100 degrees freedom of
movement in two planes. In some forms the connector allows greater
than 5 degree freedom of movement in a third plane. In some forms
the connector allows 5 degree freedom of movement axially along the
length of the link. In some forms the connector comprises two
throughholes oriented substantially perpendicularly to one
another.
[0008] The connector allows for increased lateral movement of the
dump pulleys with respect to the upper spreader bar which increases
the freedom of movement within the dragline rigging.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A preferred embodiment will now be described by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dragline rigging of one
embodiment of the disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective partially exploded view of a prior
art embodiment of the connection elements for a dragline
rigging;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective partially exploded view of one
embodiment of the connection elements in situ in a dragline
rigging;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective partially exploded view of prior art
wear members for a dragline rigging;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective partially exploded view of wear
members of one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a prior art connector for a
dragline rigging;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a connector of one
embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings which form part of the detailed
description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed
description, depicted in the drawings and defined in the claims are
not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilised and
other changes made without departing from the spirit or scope of
the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that
the aspect of the present disclosure as generally described herein
and illustrated can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated
and designed in a wide variety of configurations, all of which are
contemplated in this disclosure.
[0018] This disclosure is directed generally to connectors and wear
members for a dragline rigging for use in excavation, although the
connectors and wear members may be utilised in alternative
riggings.
[0019] In some forms, disclosed is a wear member for a dragline
rigging having at least one connecting lug adapted to engage a
connector, the at least one connecting lug having a lug surface
which in use is in a facing arrangement with the connector, the
wear member configured to be positioned intermediate the at least
one connecting lug and the connector and contacting the connector
at a bearing surface, the bearing surface having an area greater
than the lug surface.
[0020] In some illustrated forms the at least one connecting lug
comprises a clevis lug having two spaced apart lug elements with
aligned pin cavities.
[0021] In some forms, the wear member comprises a planar body and a
shroud extending therefrom and configured in use to enclose at
least a portion of the connecting lug.
[0022] In some forms the shroud extends from at least a portion of
the periphery of the planar body.
[0023] In some forms the shroud extends away from the bearing
surface.
[0024] In some forms, disclosed is a wear member for a connecting
lug in a dragline rigging, the wear member comprising a planar body
and a shroud extending from at least a portion of the periphery of
the planar body.
[0025] In some forms, disclosed is a connector for a dragline
rigging, the connector comprising a body and two throughholes
oriented to allow greater than 100 degree freedom of movement in
two planes.
[0026] In some forms the two planes are substantially perpendicular
to one another.
[0027] In some forms the connector allows approximately 180 degrees
of freedom of movement in two planes.
[0028] In some forms the throughholes are oriented such that they
are substantially perpendicular to one another.
[0029] In some forms, the throughholes comprise a first throughhole
adapted to connect with an upper spreader bar and a second
throughhole adapted to connect with a dump pulley.
[0030] In some forms the body comprises two conjoined annular
sections, the first throughhole extending through a first annular
section and the second throughhole extending through a second
annular section.
[0031] Disclosed in some forms is a dragline rigging comprising at
least one connecting lug adapted to engage a connector, the at
least one connecting lug having a lug surface which in use is in a
facing arrangement with the connector, and a wear member configured
to be positioned intermediate the at least one connecting lug and
the connector and contacting the connector at a bearing surface,
the bearing surface having an area greater than the lug
surface.
[0032] In some forms the rigging further comprises a connector
having a body and two throughholes oriented to allow greater than
100 degree freedom of movement in two planes.
[0033] In some forms the at least one connecting lug extends from
an upper spreader bar and the connector is configured to engage a
dump pulley.
[0034] As illustrated in the Figures, some illustrative embodiments
of wear members have increased bearing surface areas allowing for
increased wear on the wear members which act as sacrificial wear
elements for a forward connection between an upper spreader bar and
dump pulley assembly. In some forms this will increase the lifespan
of the wear members and thus may decrease costs and maintenance
times. Some illustrative embodiments of connectors allow for
greater lateral freedom of movement for a connector between an
upper spreader bar and a dump pulley.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, disclosed is a dragline rigging 1
providing support for a dragline excavation bucket 3. The dragline
rigging 1 comprises hoist chains 4 extending between an upper
spreader bar 6 and a lower spreader bar 7. The upper spreader bar 6
is configured to engage one or more dump pulleys 8. In the
illustrated form two dump pulleys 8 are provided. The connection 9
between the upper spreader bar 6 and the dump pulleys 8 in the
illustrated form allows for freedom of movement of the dump pulleys
8 with respect to the upper spreader bar 6 in at least one
direction.
[0036] The connection elements 11 of the present disclosure are
positioned intermediate the upper spreader bar connection 9 and the
dump pulleys 8.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a prior art connection 9 between the upper
spreader bar 6 and the dump pulleys 8. In this prior art assembly,
the connection elements 11 are configured to be positioned
intermediate a forward connection 12 and a dump pulley connector
13. The connection elements comprise a connector 15A having a body
16A. Two throughholes 17A and 18A extend through the body. The
forward throughhole 17A is positioned in use to engage the dump
pulley connector 13. The rearward throughhole 18A is configured in
use to engage the forward connection 12 of the upper spreader bar
6. A pin 19 is configured to be inserted through the forward
connection 12 and the rearward throughhole 18A to secure the
connector 15A with respect to the upper spreader bar 6.
[0038] Wear members 20A are positioned between the forward
connection 12 and the connector 15A and act as sacrificial wear
plates to reduce or minimize the wear on the forward connection.
The forward connection 12 comprises two lugs 22 in a clevis
arrangement extending from the upper spreader bar 6. Each lug 22
includes a pin cavity 23. The pin cavities 23 are aligned and
configured to allow engagement between the forward connection 12
and the connector 15A by means of a pin 24.
[0039] The wear members 20A are positioned intermediate the lugs 22
and a surface of the connector 15A.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, disclosed is a connector 15 and wear
members 20 forming connection elements 11 between a forward
connection 12 of an upper spreader bar 6 and a pulley connection 13
of a dump pulley 8. The wear members 20 include a shroud 28 which
acts to increase the bearing surface area of the wear members 20.
Detail of the wear members is best shown in FIG. 5.
[0041] FIG. 4 depicts the prior art wear members 20A which comprise
a planar body 26 having a throughhole 25.
[0042] As best shown in FIG. 5, disclosed is a wear member 20
configured to act as a sacrificial wear plate between a forward
connection 12 of a upper spreader bar 6 and a connector (not
illustrated in this Fig.). The wear member 20 comprises a planar
body 26. In the illustrated form the planar body includes a tab 27
extending in use toward the forward connection 12 of the upper
spreader bar 6 and acting to prevent relative rotation of the wear
member 20 with respect to the upper spreader bar 6. The wear member
20 further includes a shroud 28 extending outwardly from at least a
portion of the periphery of the planar body 26.
[0043] In use, the wear members are positioned intermediate a
connector (not illustrated in this Fig.). Two opposing wear members
are utilized in tandem such that a first wear member is in a facing
relationship with a first spaced apart lug 22 extending outwardly
from the upper spreader bar and a second wear member is in a facing
relationship with a second lug 22. The wear members 20 have
opposing shrouds 28 extending away from the planar body 26 to
encase a portion of the lug 22. In the illustrated form the shroud
28 is integral with the planar body 26 and fits snugly over the
lugs 22 to encase them.
[0044] The shroud 28 acts to increase the bearing area 29 of the
wear member 20, that is the area which contacts the connector 15.
This allows for increased wear of the wear member 20 before removal
and replacement is necessitated.
[0045] In some forms, the shroud 28 on the wear member 20 tends to
allow the wear member to be easily located and positioned with
respect to the spaced apart lugs 22 that form part of the forward
connection 12 of the upper spreader bar. This allows for ease of
assembly of the dragline rigging 1. Further the shroud 28 can add
additional strength to the wear member 20. In some not illustrated
forms the tab 27 is not required to reduce rotation of the wear
members 20 with respect to the upper spreader bar 6.
[0046] The wear member 20 has been described as having a shroud
extending from a portion of the periphery of the planar body 26.
However persons skilled in the art will be aware that alternative
shapes will provide the additional benefits of an increased bearing
area 29 with the connector 15. The bearing area 29 is greater than
the inner lug surface area 30. In some not illustrated forms the
shroud is a curved section of the planar body 26.
[0047] The connector 15 is best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0048] FIG. 6 depicts a prior art connector 15A having a connector
body 16 extending about two throughholes 17A and 18A. The
throughholes comprise a forward throughhole 17A and a rearward
throughhole 18A and the connector body is in the form of two
conjoined rings 32A extending about and defining the
throughholes.
[0049] The connector 15A is configured and positioned in use to
connect the forward connection 12 of the upper spreader bar 6 with
the dump pulley connector 13 extending from the dump pulley 8.
[0050] FIG. 7 discloses a connector 15 comprising two throughholes
17 and 18 extending through a body 16. The connector 15 is
configured to allow vertical movement at the connection between
rear throughhole 17 and the forward connection 12 through rotation
about an axis extending through rearward throughhole 17. The
rearward throughhole 17 is oriented such that the axis of the
rearward throughhole 17 extends laterally.
[0051] The forward throughhole 18 of the connector 15 is oriented
at an angle to the rearward throughhole 17. In the illustrated form
the forward throughhole 18 is oriented at a 90 degree angle with
respect to the rearward throughhole 17. Thus connection between the
forward throughhole 18 and the dump pulley connector 13 allows
horizontal or lateral movement between the dump pulley and the
connector 15 through rotation about an axis extending through the
forward throughhole 18.
[0052] In some forms the prior art connector allowed only a 15 to
25 degree freedom of movement laterally while the connector
disclosed herein allows a 170 to 180 degree freedom of
movement.
[0053] While the connector has been described as having a rearward
throughhole allowing vertical movement and a forward throughhole
allowing lateral movement, a person skilled in the art will be
aware that these planes could be angled or reversed.
[0054] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description
of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due
to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise"
or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an
inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated
features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further
features in various embodiments of the invention.
[0055] Variations and modifications may be made to the parts
previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of
the invention.
* * * * *