Support for working tool

Abstract

A shroud retention system (30) may include a retainer pallet bracket (102) having: a top surface; a bottom surface parallel to the top surface; a retainer pallet engagement surface (110) extending between the bottom surface and the top surface, wherein the retainer pallet engagement surface (110) may be inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the top surface; a rear surface (124) opposite the retainer pallet engagement surface (110); a through hole (120) penetrating the retainer pallet engagement surface (110) and the rear surface (124); and one or more protrusions extending from the retainer pallet engagement surface (110).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a bracket for a work tool and, more particularly, to a bracket for use with a shroud retention system of a work tool. Background Art

[0002] Earth-moving machines such as excavators, shovels and wheel loaders include earth-moving work tools that engage and / or move various earth materials. These work tools typically have one or more cutting tools or tooth assemblies mounted on the edge of the work tool, such as the lip of a bucket. The exposed portions of the edge of the work tool between adjacent tooth assemblies come into contact with the ground or earth material and are subject to significant wear and impact, causing them to wear. In order to extend the useful life of the work tool, wear pieces or shields are attached to the work tool between adjacent tooth assemblies to protect the exposed portions of the edge of the work tool.

[0003] Although wear parts protect the edge of the work tool, wear parts are still subject to significant wear and may require periodic repair or replacement. Removal and / or replacement of wear parts may require removal of the wear part from the edge of the work tool and assembly of the repaired or new wear part on the work tool. The machine must be removed from service while such replacement or repair is performed. The time required to remove and reassemble the wear part may be determined by the mechanism used to retain the wear part on the work tool. It is desirable to have a retention system that allows for rapid assembly and disassembly on the job site to allow the machine to be returned to service as quickly as possible.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 9,938,695 (the "'695 Patent"), issued to Bjerke on April 10, 2018, describes a shield retention system that is intended to address the speed and ease of assembly and disassembly described above. The shield retention system of the '695 Patent includes a retainer plate that can be locked in place within a channel of a shield to retain the shield in place on a work tool. However, in some circumstances and / or under certain loads, the retainer plate may inadvertently move to an unlocked position and cease to retain the shield on the work tool. Therefore, there is a need to secure the retainer plate of the shield retention system.

[0005] The system of the present disclosure may solve one or more of the above problems and / or other problems in the art. However, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, rather than by the ability to solve any particular problem. Summary of the invention

[0006] In one aspect, a shield retention system may include a retainer pallet bracket having: a top surface; a bottom surface parallel to the top surface; a retainer pallet engagement surface extending between the bottom surface and the top surface, wherein the retainer pallet engagement surface may be inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the top surface; a rear surface opposite the retainer pallet engagement surface; a through hole extending through the retainer pallet engagement surface and the rear surface; and one or more protrusions extending from the retainer pallet engagement surface.

[0007] On the other hand, a shield retention system may include a retainer pallet bracket having: a top surface; a bottom surface parallel to the top surface; a retainer pallet engagement surface extending from the bottom surface to the top surface, wherein the retainer pallet engagement surface may be inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the top surface; and a rear surface opposite to the retainer pallet engagement surface; wherein when a force is applied to the rear surface, the retainer pallet engagement surface may be configured to engage with the retainer pallet and inhibit movement of the retainer pallet through a plane parallel to the retainer pallet engagement surface.

[0008] On the other hand, a shield retention system may include a compressor block, which includes a compressor front surface, a compressor rear surface opposite to the compressor front surface, and a hole extending from the compressor rear surface into the compressor block, wherein the compressor rear surface can be tilted relative to the compressor front surface, a retainer tray includes a retainer front surface, a retainer rear surface opposite to and substantially parallel to the retainer front surface, a first through hole extends from the retainer front surface to the retainer rear surface, wherein the retainer tray can be positioned so that the retainer front surface engages with the compressor rear surface, a retainer tray bracket includes a retainer tray engagement surface, a rear surface opposite to the retainer tray engagement surface, a second through hole extends from the retainer tray engagement surface to the rear surface, wherein the retainer tray engagement surface can be tilted relative to the rear surface, a bolt extends through the first through hole and the second through hole and is fixed in the compressor block, wherein the compression force applied by the bolt can cause the retainer tray engagement surface to engage with the retainer tray and inhibit movement of the retainer tray through a plane parallel to the retainer tray engagement surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary work tool according to aspects of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 is used for Figure 1 An exploded view of an exemplary guard retention system for a work tool of FIG.

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of an exemplary shield of a shield retention system.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of an exemplary retainer plate of a shield retention system.

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional side view of the shield retention system.

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Bottom view of the shroud retention system.

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional perspective view of the shield retention system.

[0017] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional perspective view of the shield retention system.

[0018] Fig. 9A yes Figure 2 A perspective view of the shroud retention system.

[0019] Fig. 9B yes Figure 2 A perspective view of the shroud retention system.

[0020] Fig. 10A is a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a bracket.

[0021] Fig. 10B yes Fig. 10A Front perspective view of the bracket.

[0022] Fig.11A is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of a shroud retention system.

[0023] Fig. 11B yes Fig.11A A perspective view of the shroud retention system.

[0024] Fig. 12A is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a bracket and bolt.

[0025] Fig. 12B is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary embodiment of a shroud retention system.

[0026] Fig.13 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of attaching a guard to a work tool using a bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and illustrative only and do not limit the claimed features. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "includes," "including," or other variations thereof, are intended to encompass a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In this disclosure, relative terms such as, for example, "about," "substantially," and "approximately" are used to indicate possible variations of ±10% of the stated value unless otherwise indicated.

[0028] Figure 1 An exemplary work tool 10 for a machine (not shown) is shown. Work tool 10 may be embodied as any device for performing a task assigned to the machine. For example, work tool 10 may be a bucket (e.g., Figure 1 ), a blade, a shovel, a crusher, a grapple, a ripper, or any other material moving device known in the art. Work tool 10 may include side walls 12, 14 and a main wall 16, which may form a bottom of work tool 10. Main wall 16 may extend from side wall 12 to side wall 14. Main wall 16 of work tool 10 may also include an edge 18 extending between side walls 12, 14 (see Figure 2 ). The edge 18 may be detachable from the work tool 10, or it may be a fixed component of the work tool 10.

[0029] Work tool 10 may include a plurality of guards 22 (or wear members) attached to edge 18. Each guard 22 may be configured to protect edge 18 from wear and abrasion by reducing or preventing contact of exposed portions of edge 18 with earth materials. In some exemplary embodiments, guards 22 may be disposed between adjacent tool assemblies (not shown) attached to edge 18 to protect a portion of edge 18 between the adjacent tool assemblies from wear and abrasion.

[0030] For purposes of the present invention, attention will be focused on the manner in which the shroud 22 is attached and secured to the work tool 10. However, it is contemplated that the attachment methods and structures set forth in the present invention may be equally applied to tool assemblies (e.g., wear tooth assemblies), other wear components, and / or any other wear components known in the art.

[0031] Figure 2An exemplary guard retention system 30 for attaching the guard 22 to the work tool 10 is shown. The guard retention system 30 may include a joint 32, a spring assembly 34, a retainer bracket 36, and a bolt 38. The guard 22 may include a tip portion 40 and an attachment portion 42. The tip portion 40 may be generally U-shaped and may include a tip 44, an upper leg 46, and a lower leg 48. The upper leg 46 and the lower leg 48 may extend in a direction away from the tip 44. The upper leg 46 and the lower leg 48 may be spaced apart from each other to form an opening 50 that may be large enough to receive the edge 18 of the work tool 10. The attachment portion 42 may be attached to the upper leg 46 of the tip portion 40. Similar to the upper leg 46 and the lower leg 48, the attachment portion 42 may extend in a direction away from the tip 44. The attachment portion 42 may include a hole 52 configured to receive the bolt 38. The attachment portion 42 may also include an opening 54 that is configured to slidably receive the retainer blade 36 .

[0032] The connector 32 may be attached to the main wall 16 of the work tool 10. The connector 32 may be configured to be slidably received in the attachment portion 42. The connector 32 may include a hole 56 configured to receive the bolt 38. The spring assembly 34 may be disposed adjacent to the connector 32. The spring assembly 34 may be attached to the connector 32, but not to the main wall 16, and may include a spring damper 58, a sliding compressor 60, and a nut 62. Figure 2 As shown, the spring damper 58 can be disposed between the joint 32 and the sliding compressor 60. The spring damper 58 can include a hole 64 configured to receive the bolt 38. The sliding compressor 60 can be configured to be slidably received in the attachment portion 42. The sliding compressor 60 can include a hole 66 configured to receive the bolt 38. The sliding compressor 60 can also include a slot 68, which can be configured to receive the nut 62. The bolt 38 can pass through the hole 52 in the attachment portion 42 of the shield 22, the hole 56 in the joint 32, the hole 64 in the spring damper 58, and the hole 66 in the sliding compressor 60 to engage with the threads of the nut 62 disposed in the slot 68. The sliding compressor 60 can be configured to be slidably movable relative to the joint 32. For example, the sliding compressor 60 can be configured to slidably move toward the joint 32 when the bolt 38 is turned to engage with the nut 62, compressing the spring damper 58 disposed between the joint 32 and the sliding compressor 60.

[0033] Figure 3A perspective view of the shroud 22 is shown, and the shroud 22 may extend from adjacent the shroud proximal end 70 to adjacent the shroud distal end 72. The tip 44 of the shroud 22 may extend from adjacent the shroud proximal end 70 to adjacent the tip 74. The tip 44 may be generally wedge-shaped, and the thickness adjacent the shroud proximal end 70 may be less than the thickness of the tip 44 adjacent the tip 74. The upper leg 46 of the tip portion 40 may extend from the tip 74 to the upper leg distal end 76, and the upper leg distal end 76 may be disposed between the tip 74 and the shroud distal end 72. The lower leg 48 of the tip portion 40 may extend from the tip 74 to the lower leg distal end 78, and the lower leg distal end 78 may be disposed between the tip 74 and the shroud distal end 72. The upper leg 46 may be spaced apart from the lower leg 48, forming an opening 50 between the upper leg 46 and the lower leg 48. The upper leg 46 and the lower leg 48 may be wedge-shaped. For example, the thickness of the upper leg 46 adjacent the tip 74 may be greater than the thickness of the upper leg 46 adjacent the upper leg distal end 76. Likewise, the thickness of the lower leg 48 adjacent the tip 74 may be greater than the thickness of the lower leg 48 adjacent the lower leg distal end 78.

[0034] The attachment portion 42 can be attached to the tip portion 40. Figure 3 In one exemplary embodiment shown, the attachment portion 42 can be attached to the upper leg 46 and can extend from adjacent the tip 74 to the shroud distal end 72. The attachment portion 42 can include a channel 80 (see dashed line) that can extend from adjacent the tip 74 to the shroud distal end 72. The channel 80 can be configured to slidably engage the joint 32 and the sliding compressor 60. The attachment portion 42 can also include a channel front wall 82 adjacent the top end 74. The channel front wall 82 can include a hole 52, which can be a through hole. The hole 52 can be sized to receive the bolt 38, which can pass through the hole 52 and extend into the channel 80. Similarly, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the attachment portion 42 may include an opening 54 that may be configured to receive the retainer bracket 36. The opening 54 may be disposed across the width of the attachment portion 42 near the shield distal end 72. Figure 3 In one exemplary embodiment shown, the opening 54 may be disposed closer to the shield distal end 72 than the tip 74. The width of the opening 54 may be selected to allow the retainer blade 36 to pass through the opening 54 into the passage 80.

[0035] Figure 4A perspective view of an exemplary tray 36 according to some embodiments is shown. The holder tray 36 may have a holder front surface 192 disposed opposite to a holder rear surface 194. The holder tray 36 may include a holder portion 196 and a pull-out portion 198. The holder portion 196 may have a generally rectangular shape and may include a holder bottom surface 200, a holder top surface 202, a first holder side surface 204, and a second holder side surface 206. The holder bottom surface 200 may extend from the holder front surface 192 to the holder rear surface 194. The holder bottom surface 200 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the holder front surface 192 and the holder rear surface 194. The holder top surface 202 may extend from the holder front surface 192 to the holder rear surface 194. The holder top surface 202 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the holder front surface 192 and the holder rear surface 194. The first retainer side surface 204 may extend from the retainer front surface 192 to the retainer rear surface 194 and be located between the retainer bottom surface 200 and the retainer top surface 202. The first retainer side surface 204 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the retainer front surface 192 and the retainer rear surface 194 and the retainer top surface 200 and the retainer bottom surface 202. Similarly, the second retainer side surface 206 may extend from the retainer front surface 192 to the retainer rear surface 194 and extend between the retainer bottom surface 200 and the retainer top surface 202. The second retainer side surface 206 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the retainer front surface 192 and the retainer rear surface 194 and the retainer top surface 200 and the retainer bottom surface 202. However, it is contemplated that the retainer front surface 192, the retainer rear surface 194, the retainer bottom surface 200, the retainer top surface 202, the first retainer side surface 204, and the second retainer side surface 206 may be disposed substantially obliquely relative to one or more of each other.

[0036] The holder portion 196 may include a groove 208 that may extend from the holder front surface 192 to the holder rear surface 194. In some embodiments, the groove 208 may be approximately disposed in the middle between the first holder side surface 204 and the second holder side surface 206. The groove 208 may extend from the holder bottom surface 200 toward the holder top surface 202 to a groove end 210, which may be disposed between the holder bottom surface 200 and the holder top surface 202. The groove 208 may include a first groove portion 212 and a second groove portion 214. The first groove portion 212 may extend from the holder bottom surface 200 to a first groove portion end 216, which may be disposed between the holder bottom surface 200 and the groove end 210. The first groove portion 212 may be a substantially rectangular groove. However, it is contemplated that the first groove portion 212 may have a square or any other suitable shape known in the art. The second groove portion 214 may extend from the first groove portion end 216 to the groove end 210. The second slot portion 214 may have a substantially semicircular shape.

[0037] The pull-out portion 198 may have a generally trapezoidal shape and may extend outward from the holder top surface 202 of the holder portion 196. The pull-out portion 198 may be disposed approximately in the middle between the first holder side surface 204 and the second holder side surface 206 of the holder portion 196. The pull-out portion 198 may have a top wall 218 that may extend between the holder front surface 192 and the holder rear surface 194 of the holder blade 36. The top wall 218 may be disposed approximately parallel to the holder top surface 202 of the holder portion 196. The top wall 218 may be disposed above the holder top surface 202.

[0038] The pull-out portion 198 may have a first side wall 220 and a second side wall 222 disposed opposite to the first side wall 220. The first side wall 220 and the second side wall 222 may extend from the retainer front surface 192 of the retainer tray 36 to the retainer rear surface 194. The first side wall 220 and the second side wall 222 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the retainer front surface 192 and the retainer rear surface 194 of the retainer tray 36. The first side wall 220 and the second side wall 222 may connect the top wall 218 of the pull-out portion 198 with the retainer top surface 202 of the retainer portion 196. The first side wall 220 and the second side wall 222 may be inclined relative to the top wall 218 and the retainer top surface 202, so that the pull-out portion 198 may have a substantially trapezoidal shape.

[0039] The retainer support plate 36 may include a slot 224, which may be disposed between the slot end 210 and the top wall 218. The slot 224 may extend from the retainer front surface 192 to the retainer rear surface 194. The slot 224 may have a generally rectangular shape with a generally semicircular slot end 226. However, it is contemplated that the slot 224 may have a rectangular, oval, circular, or any other type of shape known in the art. In some embodiments, the slot 224 may be disposed approximately perpendicular to the slot 208. In some embodiments, the slot 224 may be partially disposed in the retainer portion 196 and partially disposed in the pull-out portion 198. However, it is contemplated that the slot 224 may be completely disposed in one of the retainer portion 196 and the pull-out portion 198.

[0040] Figure 5 A cross-sectional side view of an exemplary shield retention system including the retainer 102 in an assembled configuration is shown. Figure 5 As shown, the guard 22 may be attached to the edge 18 of the work tool 10 by a guard retention system. Figure 5 4, but the tip portion 40 can be toward the right side of the attachment portion 42. The joint 32 can be disposed on the upper surface of the edge 18. In some exemplary embodiments, the joint 32 can be fixedly attached to the edge 18 by a welded joint, a fastener, or using any other attachment means known in the art. The joint 32 can be disposed within the channel 80 of the attachment portion 42 so that the joint 32 can be slidably engaged with the channel 80.

[0041] The sliding compressor 60 may also be disposed within the channel 80 and may be slidably engaged with the channel 80. Figure 5 As shown, the spring damper 58 can be disposed in the passage 80 between the joint 32 and the sliding compressor 60. The nut 62 can be disposed in the sliding compressor 60. Figure 5 As shown, the retainer bracket 36 can be disposed within the channel 80 in the locked position. In the process of attaching the guard 22 to the work tool, as will be described below with reference to Fig.13 In more detail, when the bolt 38 ( Figure 2When the sliding compressor 60 is rotated within the nut 62 (shown), the spring damper 58 can be compressed against the joint 32. When the spring damper 58 is compressed, the retainer plate 36 can be disposed in the channel 80 so that the retainer plate 36 abuts the sliding compressor 60. The retainer plate 36 can be positioned within the channel 80 so that when the sliding compressor 60 is released from the compressed spring damper 58, the retainer plate 36 can be pressed against the inner surface of the attachment portion 42 by the sliding compressor 60. The force exerted on the inner surface of the attachment portion 42 and the corresponding friction force can maintain the retainer plate 36 in the locked position, thereby preventing the guard 22 from moving relative to the joint 32, and thus preventing the guard 22 from moving relative to the work tool. The bolt 38 can then be removed and the bracket 102 can be placed adjacent to the retainer plate 106. The bracket 102 may then be secured in place by inserting the bolt 104 into the bracket 102 , engaging the bolt 104 with the nut 62 , and rotating the bolt 104 to tighten it against the nut 62 .

[0042] Figure 6 and Figure 8 The action of the retainer blade 36 against the inner surface of the attachment portion 42 is further shown. As shown, the retainer blade 36 can have a greater lateral width than the sliding compressor 60. The attachment portion 42 can include an opening 54 corresponding to the retainer blade 36 that is wider than adjacent portions of the channel 80. Therefore, the force applied by the sliding compressor 60 on the retainer blade 36 can urge the retainer blade 36 against the inner surface of the opening 54 to hold the guard 22 in place on the work tool.

[0043] like Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, to prevent the retainer blade 36 from moving out of position and thus releasing the guard 22 from the work tool, the bracket 102 can be positioned within the channel 80 and can abut the retainer blade 36 opposite the sliding compressor 60. The bracket 102 can be held in place by bolts 104 and washers 106. The bolts 104 can extend through each of the bracket 102, the retainer blade 36, and the sliding compressor 60 to engage with the nuts 62 that fix the bolts 104. The washers 106 can be positioned between the rear surface 124 of the bracket 102 and the head of the washers 106 to distribute the load applied to the bracket 102 by the bolts 104. When the bolts 104 are tightened, the bracket 102 can exert a lateral force on the retainer blade 36, thereby urging it against the sliding compressor 60. The friction between the retainer blade 36 and the sliding compressor 60 and / or the friction between the retainer blade 36 and the bracket 102 can prevent the retainer blade 36 from moving out of the channel 80.

[0044] like Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Fig.11A As shown, the bracket 102 may include a top surface and a bottom surface that are generally parallel to the corresponding inner surfaces of the channel 80. Figure 6 , Fig. 10B and Fig.11A As shown, the bracket 102 may also include a retainer blade engagement surface 110. The retainer blade engagement surface 110 may be inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of the bracket 102 so that when the bracket 102 is assembled with the shield retention system and positioned within the channel 80, the retainer blade engagement surface 110 is parallel to the adjacent surface of the retainer blade 36.

[0045] The retainer plate engagement surface 110 may also include a protrusion 108. The protrusion 108 may be arcuate and may extend outward from the retainer plate engagement surface 110. In other words, the protrusion 108 may be an arc that intersects the retainer plate engagement surface 110. In some embodiments, the bracket 102 may include two protrusions 108, wherein the protrusions 108 are located on opposite sides of the through hole 120 relative to each other. It should be understood that although the embodiment shown in the drawings includes two protrusions 108, the present invention is not intended to be so limited, and any number of protrusions 108 may be included on the retainer plate engagement surface 110. In some embodiments, as Fig.11A As shown, the retainer blade 36 may include a detent 36A corresponding to the protrusion 108 .

[0046] In some embodiments, Fig.11A As shown, the retainer support plate 36 may include detents 36A and 36B extending inwardly from the front and rear surfaces of the retainer support plate 36, respectively. Fig.11A As shown, when the system is assembled so that the retainer tray engagement surface 110 abuts the retainer tray 36, the protrusion 108 can extend into the detent 36A. The engagement of the protrusion 110 with the detent 36A can inhibit the retainer tray 36 from moving out of the channel 80 in a direction parallel to the retainer tray engagement surface 110. In some embodiments, the retainer tray 36 can also include a detent 36B opposite to the detent 36A. The protrusion extending from the rear surface of the sliding compressor 60 can similarly engage with the detent 36B to further inhibit the movement of the retainer tray 36.

[0047] Although the protrusion 108 is described and shown herein as being arcuate, it should be understood that the protrusion 108 may be any other suitable shape, such as a rectangle, a trapezoid, a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, etc. The shape of the protrusion 108 and the corresponding detent 36A may be selected based on the desired degree of inhibition of movement of the retainer blade 36. For example, the protrusion 108 and the detent 36A may be rectangular to minimize the amount of movement of the retainer blade 36. On the other hand, as shown in the figures, the arcuate protrusion 108 may allow the shield retention system to be more easily disassembled.

[0048] like Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B As shown, bracket 102 may include a rearward surface 126. In some embodiments, rearward surface 124 may be recessed from rearward surface 126. The positioning of rearward surface 124 relative to rearward surface 126 may define a recess 128 in which the head of bolt 104 is enclosed when the shroud retention system is assembled. Recess 128 may protect bolt 104 and prevent bolt 104 from accidentally loosening during operation of work tool 10. In some embodiments, recess 128 may be formed to be only slightly larger than bolt 104. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B As shown, a notch 114 can be formed in the recess 128. For example, the notch 114 can be used to allow space to remove the bolt 104 from the recess 128 when the bolt 104 is loosened. The notch 114 can also be used, for example, to position and hold a cover (not shown) for covering the bolt 104 within the recess 128.

[0049] refer to Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B , the bracket 102 may also include side surfaces 130 and 132. The side surfaces may extend between the top surface and the bottom surface of the bracket 102 and / or between the retainer blade engagement surface 110 and the rearmost surface 126. The side surfaces 130, 132 may include a shoulder 116 formed thereon. The shoulder 116 may extend outwardly from the lower portion of each side surface 130, 132.

[0050] The attachment portion 42 may include a shoulder 122 positioned along the inner surface of the channel 80 and corresponding to the shoulder 116. The shoulders 116 and 122 may together help position the bracket 102 during assembly of the shield retention system. For example, the shoulders 116 and 122 may allow the bracket 102 to be attached to the shield. Fig. 9B The illustrated orientation allows insertion into the channel 80 and may prevent the bracket 102 from being inserted into the channel 80 in any other orientation. The shoulders 116 and 122 may thus facilitate proper engagement of the retainer blade engagement surface 110 with the retainer blade 36.

[0051] refer to Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B In some embodiments, the bracket 102 can be formed to include a wall 112 extending along the perimeter of the rear surface 124. In such a configuration, the rear surface 124 can occupy a much larger area than the rearmost surface 126. Such a configuration can allow for easier access to the bolt 104 when the bolt 104 is positioned within the through hole 120. Such a configuration can further reduce the amount of material used to manufacture the bracket 102.

[0052] The through hole 120 may be located at the midpoint between the side surfaces 130, 132. In addition, the axis of the through hole 120 may be parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the bracket 102 and / or the side surfaces 130, 132, so that when the bracket 102 is inserted into the channel 80, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the bolt 104 may extend toward and engage the nut 62 .

[0053] The bracket 102 may also include a notch surface 118. The notch surface 118 may intersect the surface 110 and the top surface of the bracket 102 and may be located above the through hole 120. The notch surface 118 may be a space for the pry bar to be inserted into the notch 224 (eg, Figure 4 When inserted into the recess 224, the pry bar can be used to pry the retainer tray 36 out of the opening 54, as described below with reference to Fig.13 Described in more detail.

[0054] refer to Fig.11A and Fig. 11B In some embodiments, the dimensions of the bracket 102 can be selected to provide a clearance fit between the bracket 102 and the channel 80. For example, the dimensions of the bracket 102 can be set so that there is a distance "D1" between the outer surface of the bracket 102 and the inner surface of the channel 80. D1 can be any suitable value, such as 0.1 mm, 1 mm, 10 mm, 25 mm, or any other value. For example, the value of D1 can be selected to provide a maximum clearance between the bracket 102 and the channel 80 while only allowing the bracket 102 to move along the shoulder 116 and the shoulder 122. Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B In some embodiments, D1 can be constant at the interface between the outer surface of the bracket 102 and the inner surface of the channel 80. In some embodiments, D1 can vary at the interface between the outer surface of the bracket 102 and the inner surface of the channel 80. D1 can generally be selected to facilitate insertion of the bracket 102 into the channel 80.

[0055] In addition, if Fig.11AAs shown, when the shield retention system is assembled, the bracket 102 can be retracted a distance "D2" from the rear surface of the attachment portion 42. D2 can be any suitable value, such as 0.1 mm, 1 mm, 10 mm, or any other value. In some embodiments, D2 can be greater than D1. D2 can be selected so that when the shield retention system is assembled with the bracket 102 in the channel 80, a cover (not shown) can be inserted on the bracket 102 to prevent soil and / or other debris from accumulating in the channel 80 and / or on the bracket 102.

[0056] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B An alternative embodiment of a bracket 302 according to the present invention is shown. In an alternative embodiment, the bracket 302 may have a simple trapezoidal cross-section with a retainer blade engagement surface 310 and a rear surface 324 opposite the retainer blade engagement surface 310. The retainer blade engagement surface 310 may be inclined relative to the rear surface 324. Fig. 12B As shown, the bracket 302 can be inserted into the channel 80 of the attachment portion 42 in the same manner as the bracket 102. The bolt 104 can extend through the bracket 302 into the nut 62 and can be tightened during assembly until the retainer blade engagement surface 310 abuts the retainer blade 36 and applies the desired force to the retainer blade 36. The bracket 302 can include or omit the protrusion located on the retainer blade engagement surface 310.

[0057] Industrial Applicability

[0058] The disclosed aspects of the bracket of the present invention can be used in various earth-moving engineering machines, such as hydraulic excavators, cable excavators, wheel loaders, front shovels, draglines, and bulldozers. Specifically, the shield retention system including the bracket can be used to connect the shield to the working tool of these machines to help protect the edge of the working tool from wear. A method of using the bracket 102 to retain the shield 22 on the working tool 10 will be described below.

[0059] Fig.13 A method 1300 of retaining the shroud 22 on the work tool 10 is shown. The method 1300 may include the step of attaching the spring assembly 34 to the joint 32 (step 1302). The sliding compressor 60 may be slidably attached to the spring damper 58.

[0060] Method 1300 may include the step of attaching shroud 22 (step 1304 ). Attachment portion 42 of shroud 22 may be positioned and pushed back toward edge 18 such that tab 32 and spring assembly 34 may be slidably received in channel 80 of attachment portion 42 of shroud 22 .

[0061] The method 1300 may include the step of compressing the spring assembly 34 (step 1306). To compress the spring assembly 34, the bolt 38 may be inserted through the holes 52, 56, 64, 66 of the shroud 22, the joint 32, the spring damper 58, and the sliding compressor 60, respectively, so that the bolt 38 engages with the threads of the nut 62 in the sliding compressor 60. Turning the bolt 38 may slide the sliding compressor 60 toward the joint 32, compressing the spring damper 58. The bolt 38 may be turned until the opening 54 in the attachment portion 42 of the shroud 22 is located behind the sliding compressor 60.

[0062] The method 1300 may include the step of inserting the retainer blade 36 into the opening 54 (step 1308). The retainer blade 36 may be pushed through the opening 54 until the bottom surface of the retainer blade 36 abuts the upper surface of the edge 18. When inserted through the opening 54 in this manner, the retainer blade 36 may be in an unlocked position because the retainer blade 36 may be pulled out of the opening 54.

[0063] The method 1300 may include a step of partially decompressing the spring assembly 34 (step 1310). To partially decompress the spring assembly 34, the bolt 38 may be rotated to loosen the bolt 38 from the nut 62. Rotating the bolt 38 in this manner may allow the sliding compressor 60 to be removed from the joint 32, decompressing the spring damper 58. When the bolt 38 is rotated to decompress the spring assembly 34, the spring damper 58 may exert a biasing force on the sliding compressor 60, pushing the sliding compressor 60 away from the joint 32. The biasing force of the spring damper 58 may cause the sliding compressor 60 to push the retainer tray 36 so that the retainer tray 36 may tilt to its locked position. The biasing force of the spring damper 58 and the tilt angle of the rear surface of the sliding compressor 60 may push the retainer tray 36 against the inner surface of the attachment portion 42. When the spring damper 58 is fully decompressed, the bolt 38 may be removed from the nut 62 and the rest of the assembly.

[0064] The method 1300 may include the step of attaching the bracket 102. Once the retainer tray 36 is in its locked position, the bracket 102 may first be aligned with the channel 80 so that the shoulder 116 is aligned with the shoulder 122. The bracket 102 may then be inserted into the channel 80 behind the retainer tray 36. The bracket 102 may be inserted until the retainer tray engagement surface 110 abuts the retainer tray 36. Once the retainer tray engagement surface 110 abuts the retainer tray 36, the bolt 104 may be inserted through the washer 106, the through hole 120, the slot 208, and the hole 66 and rotated until the threaded portion of the bolt 104 engages the nut 62. Because the bolt 38 has been removed from the nut 62, the nut 62 may be reused to engage with the bolt 104. The bolt 104 may then be tightened until the bolt 104 and the washer 106 apply a desired force to the rear surface 124.

[0065] Advantageously, the bolt 104 may be engaged with and secured by the nut 62, which also functions with the bolt 38 to compress the spring damper 58. By using the nut 62 for multiple functions, the total number of parts of the shroud retention system may be reduced.

[0066] To remove the guard 22 from the work tool 10, the bolts 104 may be loosened and disengaged from the nuts 62. The bolts 104 may then be removed from the holes 66, the slots 208, the through holes 120, and the washers 106. The bracket 102 may then be removed from the passage 80. A pry bar may be inserted through the opening 54 to push the front surface of the retainer plate 36 rearwardly so that the retainer plate 36 may be disengaged from the inner surface of the attachment portion 42. The pry bar may also be used to separate the bracket 102 from the retainer plate 36, if desired. The pry bar may then be inserted into the slots 224 in the retainer plate 36 to pull the retainer plate 36 out of the opening 54. Once the retainer plate 36 is removed, the guard 22 may be slidably disengaged from the sliding compressor 60 and the joint 32 by pulling the guard 22 toward the guard proximal end 70 and away from the edge 18 of the work tool 10.

[0067] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed system without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other embodiments of the system will be apparent to those skilled in the art by consideration of the specification and practice of the system disclosed herein. The specification and examples are intended to be considered exemplary only, with the true scope of the present disclosure being indicated by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A shield retaining system (30), comprising: A retainer support bracket (102) comprising: top surface; a bottom surface parallel to the top surface; a retainer blade engaging surface (110) extending between the bottom surface and the top surface, wherein the retainer blade engaging surface (110) is inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the top surface; a rear surface (124) opposite the retainer plate engagement surface (110); a through hole (120) extending through the retainer blade engagement surface (110) and the rear surface (124); and One or more protrusions (108) extend from the retainer blade engagement surface (110).

2. The shield retention system (30) of claim 1, wherein: The one or more protrusions (108) are arcs that intersect the retainer blade engagement surface (110).

3. The shield retention system (30) of claim 1, wherein: The one or more protrusions (108) include a first protrusion and a second protrusion, the first protrusion and the second protrusion being located on opposite sides of the through hole (120).

4. The shield retention system (30) of claim 1, wherein: The retainer support plate bracket (102) also includes: a first side surface (130) extending between the bottom surface and the top surface, the first side surface (130) being parallel to an axis of the through hole (120); and A first shoulder (116) extends outwardly from a lower portion of the first side surface (130).

5. The shield retention system (30) of claim 4, wherein: The retainer support plate bracket (102) also includes: a second side surface (132) opposite to the first side surface (130), the second side surface (132) being parallel to the axis of the through hole (120); and A second shoulder (116) extends outwardly from a lower portion of the second side surface (132).

6. The shield retention system (30) of claim 1, wherein: The retainer support plate bracket (102) also includes: A notched surface (118) intersects the top surface and the retainer blade engagement surface (110), the notched surface (118) being located above the through hole (120).

7. The shield retention system (30) of claim 1, further comprising: a connector (32) secured to a work tool (10); a compressor block (60) coupled to the joint (32) via a spring damper (58), the compressor block (60) comprising a compressor front surface and a compressor rear surface opposite the compressor front surface; and A retainer plate (36) is positioned to engage the compressor rear surface and retain the position of the compressor block (60) relative to the joint (32).

8. The shield retention system (30) of claim 1, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface extend from the retainer plate engagement surface (110) beyond the rear surface (124) such that the rear surface (124) is recessed relative to a rearmost portion (126) of the retainer plate bracket (102).

9. The shield retention system (30) of claim 1, wherein: The retainer support plate bracket (102) also includes: a first side surface (130) extending between the bottom surface and the top surface, the first side surface (130) being parallel to an axis of the through hole (120); and a second side surface (132) opposite to the first side surface (130), the second side surface (132) being parallel to an axis of the through hole (120); Each of the first side surface (130), the second side surface (132) and the top surface extends rearwardly from the retainer plate engagement surface (110) beyond the rear surface (124) such that the rear surface (124) is recessed relative to the rearmost portion (126) of the retainer plate support (102).

10. A shield retention system (30), comprising: A support (102) comprising: top surface; a bottom surface parallel to the top surface; a retainer blade engaging surface (110) extending from the bottom surface to the top surface, wherein the retainer blade engaging surface (110) is inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the top surface; and a rear surface (124) opposite the retainer plate engagement surface (110); Wherein, when force is applied to the rear surface (124), the retainer plate engagement surface (110) is configured to engage with the retainer plate (36) and inhibit movement of the retainer plate (36) through a plane parallel to the retainer plate engagement surface (110).

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