Quick Disconnect Cutting Edge For Earthworking Implements

Abstract

An earthworking implement, such as a loader bucket, terminates at its forward edge at a support having a laterally extending receptacle formed on a forward edge thereof. A cutting edge is disposed in the receptacle and is releasably attached to the support by quick disconnect means comprising a pin extending transversely through the support and cutting edge and a spring lock washer frictionally mounted on the pin for preventing axial movement of the pin relative to the support.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Earthworking implements, such as loader buckets, scrapers and bulldozer blades, have a cutting edge attached thereon for effecting various earth cutting, scraping or loading operations. Such cutting edges are normally cast and attached to the implement by weldments or bolts. The utilization of bolts or the like is preferred in many applications wherein periodic replacement of a worn cutting edge is required. During such replacement a workman must normally position himself under the implement for bolt removing purposes. Such replacement procedure is time-consuming and creates an obvious safety hazard. In addition, some conventional cutting edges are necessarily cast to form a cavity therein which mounts on a protruding tab of a support member.

SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide a economical and non-complex cutting edge for earthworking implements which is adapted to be replaced expeditiously without exposing the workmen to bodily harm. The earth-working implement comprises a support defining a receptacle on a forward edge thereof and a cutting edge, adapted to be roll-formed, having a mounting section disposed in the receptacle and cutting section extending forwardly of the support.

Quick disconnect means, detachably mounting the rear mounting section on the support, comprises a pin extending through axially aligned apertures formed through the support and the mounting section and annular locking means, such as a spring lock washer, mounted frictionally on the pin for preventing axial movement thereof. Quick removal of the pin is effected by merely driving the pin downwardly through the aligned apertures to disconnect the cutting edge from the support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned and exploded isometric view of a portion of an earthworking implement having a cutting edge detachably mounted on a forward edge thereof; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken in the direction of arrows II--II in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawing, a cutting edge assembly 10 comprises a plurality of identical and transversely aligned cutting edge segments 11. A support 12 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to a floor assembly 13 of a scraper, bulldozer blade, loader bucket or any other suitable earthworking implement. The support comprises upper and lower support members 14 and 15, respectively, secured together by transversely spaced casting webs 16.

In addition to joining and separating the support members from each other, the casting webs also function to absorb a substantial portion of thrust loads imposed on the cutting edge during implement operation. In particular, a shoulder 17 is formed on each lateral side of each cutting edge segment to abut a respective casting web when they are assembled together. The support members are suitably spaced apart to define a laterally extending and hereinafter described receptacle on a forward edge of the support. The casting webs divide the receptacle into a plurality of pockets, each receiving a rear mounting section of a respective cutting edge segment therein.

Each cutting edge segment is securely held in place by quick disconnect means comprising a pair of pins 18 each having an annular locking means, such as the illustrated spring lock washer 19, mounted thereon. Axially aligned apertures 20, 21 and 22 are formed through the rear mounting section of each cutting edge segment 11 and members 14 and 15, respectively, to receive the pin therein. Lock washer 19 is mounted in a circular recess 23 formed on support member 15 to frictionally engage outer surface portions of the pin to prevent axial movement thereof. The internal diameter of the lock washer is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the pin to provide such opposed frictional engagement, as schematically illustrated by arrows F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 in FIG. 2.

The receptacle for mounting the mounting section of each cutting edge segment on the support is generally depicted at 24 and preferably tapers rearwardly, as defined by rearwardly converging surfaces 25 and 26 formed on support members 14 and 15, respectively. Upper and lower surfaces 27 and 28 of the mounting section are tapered in a like manner to form a wedge-like engagement with receptacle 24 to prevent vertical movement of the cutting edge segment. Such arrangement, along with the abutment of shoulder 17 with casting webs 16, functions to directly transfer thrust loads imposed on the forward cutting section of the cutting edge segment to support 12 and floor assembly 13 directly. Apertures 20 preferably have a diameter which is slightly larger than the outside diameter of pins 18 to prevent the imposition of shear loads on the pin.

Since the composite cutting edge comprises individual cutting edge segments 11, each segment can be replaced without disturbing the other segments. Such removal can be expeditiously achieved by placing a punch in abutment with the upper end of pin 18 (FIG. 2) and by applying a removal force thereto by a hammer of the like. such removal force will disengage the pin from frictionally engaged lock washer 19 to permit the pin to fall below support member 15. Upon removal of the pins, the worn cutting edge segment may be removed and new cutting edge segment substituted therefor. The removed pin can then be reinserted into aligned apertures 20-22 by driving it into frictional engagement with lock washer 19.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An earthworking implement disposed for movement along a longitudinal axis thereof comprising

a support defining a receptacle extending laterally relative to said axis, said support comprising spaced upper and lower support members and a plurality of laterally spaced webs secured between said support members to define a plurality of separate pockets in said receptacle,

a cutting edge comprising a plurality of individual cutting edge segments each having a mounting section disposed in a respective one of said pockets and a cutting section extending forwardly of said support, and

quick disconnect means detachably mounting the mounting section of each segment on said support comprising

a pin disposed in axially aligned apertures formed through said support and said mounting section and

annular locking means mounted on said pin to frictionally engage outer surface portions thereof for preventing axial movement of said pin relative to said support.

2. The earthworking implement of claim 1 further comprising a shoulder formed on each lateral side of each cutting edge segment and abutting a forward end of a respective one of said webs.

3. The earthworking implement of claim 1 wherein inner, opposed surface portions of said upper and lower support members and outer surfaces of the mounting section of each of said cutting edge segments converge towards each other rearwardly to form a tapered wedge-like connection therebetween.

4. The earthworking implement of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the aperture formed through the rear mounting section of each cutting edge section is larger than the outside diameter of said pin.

5. The earthworking implement of claim 1 wherein said annular locking means comprises a spring lock washer.

6. The earthworking implement of claim 5 wherein said spring lock washer is seated in a circular recess formed on said lower support member.

7. The earthworking implement of claim 6 wherein two of said quick disconnect means detachably mount each cutting edge segment on said support.