Wear element and support element of an earthmoving machine

Abstract

Wear element and support element of an earthmoving machine. The wear element (1) is assembled on a support element (2), said wear element (1) or said support element (2) comprising a cavity (4) wherein in said assembled position, a nose (6) present in the other one of said wear element (1) and support element (2) is housed in said cavity (4). The wear element or the support element comprises a retaining device (18) which, in turn, comprises a retainer (20) and fixing means (22). The retainer (20) is U-shaped and retains a pin (14) in a nose opening (12) and a through opening (10) in said assembled position, and the fixing means (22) are suitable for fixing the retainer (20) to the respective wear element (1) or support element (2).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention is comprised in the field of earthmoving machines.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a wear element of an earthmoving machine wherein in an assembled position of said wear element in said earthmoving machine, said wear element is assembled on a support element, said wear element or said support element comprising a cavity wherein in said assembled position, a nose present in the other one of said wear element and support element is housed in said cavity, wherein said cavity is bounded by side walls with at least one through opening arranged in one of the side walls, wherein the nose has a nose opening which, in said assembled position, is aligned with the through opening of the side wall, said nose opening and said through opening being suitable for housing a pin which, in said assembled position, fixes said wear element to said adapter and defines a longitudinal axis.

[0003] The invention also relates to a support element of a wear element of an earthmoving machine wherein in an assembled position of said wear element in said earthmoving machine, said wear element is assembled in said support element, said wear element or said support element comprising a cavity, wherein in said assembled position, a nose present in the other one of said wear element and support element is housed in said cavity, wherein said cavity is bounded by side walls with at least one through opening arranged in one of the side walls, wherein the nose has a nose opening which, in said assembled position, is aligned with the through opening of the side wall, said nose opening and said through opening being suitable for housing a pin which, in said assembled position, fixes said wear element to said adapter and defines a longitudinal axis.Prior Art

[0004] Earthmoving machines are used in excavation, loading, demolition, construction, mining, dredging and similar activities. In certain cases, these machines have a digging attachment such as a shovel or bucket that is subjected to high stresses and a lot of erosion. This shovel or bucket has wear elements that serve both to protect the shovel and to improve the penetration of the shovel into the ground. In general, these wear elements can be of various types, depending on the activity or application for which the earthmoving machine is intended.

[0005] Wear elements are subjected to high mechanical stress, plastic deformation and wear. For this reason, they are designed as replaceable elements. That is, when the wear element breaks or wears out, it is replaced with a new one. Wear elements can be assembled on other wear elements, support elements or directly on the lip of the shovel or bucket. They can be assembled by means of welding, which is more cost-effective but also more difficult to replace, or by means of mechanical elements, which is easier and faster to assemble and replace. It is important to be able to replace the wear element quickly, easily, safely and on site where the earthmoving machine is being used without the need for complex tools. Therefore, preferably, the wear elements are mechanically fixed in a removable manner by means of a blocking element such as, for example, a pin or locking device.

[0006] The wear element usually has a cavity into which a nose of the support element is inserted, although, in certain cases, it may be the other way around. Both the cavity and the nose have openings, which in an assembled position are aligned with one another, thus allowing the pin to be inserted. To prevent the pin from moving or coming out of place, which can lead to loss or breakage of the wear element, a retainer is used to retain the pin.

[0007] Document EP2730705, which also belongs to the applicant of the present invention, discloses a pin with a retaining element comprising at least one tightening element to allow the auto-fixing thereof by direct pressure on two surfaces opposite of the wear element or of the support element.

[0008] In general, there is a constant need to develop reliable retaining devices which allow a safe and simple assembly and disassembly and are low-cost.Disclosure of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of the invention is to provide a system which allows fixing in a removable manner a wear element to a support element of an earthmoving machine, keeping the system compact, low-weight, with a robust pin that bends less under working loads, and with a retaining device that retains the pin in its working position and allows removing the pin in an easy and safe manner. Furthermore, in this type of machines, the pin prevents movement between the wear element and the support element. Therefore, it is important for the retaining device, which is the element that retains the pin, to have certain movement to accompany the movement of the pin. The retaining device is thereby prevented from deforming or breaking.

[0010] This objective is achieved by means of a wear element of the type indicated above, characterized in that said wear element comprises a retaining device which, in turn, comprises a retainer, suitable for blocking said pin in said nose opening and said through opening in said assembled position, and fixing means suitable for fixing said retainer to said wear element, wherein said retainer is U-shaped, defining a retainer axis, with an open end, a closed end and two arms extending between said open end and said closed end, where said fixing means fix said retainer to said wear element at said closed end, and said fixing means fix said retainer to said wear element such that they prevent the movement of said retainer but allow the rotation of said retainer about an axis of rotation passing through the inside of said closed end. This geometry of the retainer is more flexible, thereby achieving low plastic deformation. So, the fixing means fix the retainer avoiding the displacement of the retainer, but it allows a certain degree of rotation around the closed end. During use, the pin may move within the through opening and the nose opening, transversally to the longitudinal axis, and the retainer pairs with the pin.

[0011] Based on the invention defined in the main claim, preferred embodiments the features of which are described in the dependent claims, have been provided.

[0012] In some cases, said nose opening is a through opening, said cavity has two through openings in two of said side walls opposite one another, wherein in said assembled position, said nose opening and the two through openings of the side walls are aligned with one another and said pin is housed in said nose opening and in the two through openings of the side walls, wherein said longitudinal axis has a direction of insertion, corresponding to the direction in which the pin is inserted into the through opening to achieve the assembled position, defining an inlet area and an outlet area. In these cases, preferably the support element comprises only one retaining device, either in said inlet area or in said outlet area. Alternatively, the wear element may comprise two retaining devices, one in said inlet area and one in said outlet area. In this latter case, since there are two retainers assembled, the pin is better retained.

[0013] Preferably, said nose or said side wall comprise a recess suitable for housing at least one part of said retainer in said assembled position. The wear element and support element assembly is thereby more compact and, accordingly, the assembly is more robust. Furthermore, the recess made in the wear element also guarantees that the retainer is positioned parallel to the Z axis (namely to the YZ plane). More preferably, said retainer is fixed to said wear element and said recess is in said wear element.

[0014] The invention also relates to a support element of a wear element of the type indicated above, characterized in that said support element comprises a retaining device which, in turn, comprises a retainer, suitable for retaining said pin in said nose opening and said through opening in said assembled position, and fixing means suitable for fixing said retainer to said support element, wherein said retainer is U-shaped, defining a retainer axis, with an open end, a closed end and two arms extending between said open end and said closed end, where said fixing means fix said retainer to said wear element at said closed end, and said fixing means fix said retainer to said support element such that they prevent the movement of said retainer but allow the rotation of said retainer about an axis of rotation passing through the inside of said closed end. As commented above, the fixing means fix the retainer avoiding the displacement of the retainer, but it allows a certain degree of rotation around the closed end. During use, the pin may move within the through opening and the nose opening, transversally to the longitudinal axis, and the retainer pairs with the pin. In fact, the retaining device according to the invention can be fixed both to the wear element and to the support element.

[0015] In some cases, said nose opening is a through opening, said cavity has two through openings in two of said side walls opposite one another, wherein in said assembled position, said nose opening and the two through openings of the side walls are aligned with one another and said pin is housed in said nose opening and in the two through openings of the side walls, wherein said longitudinal axis has a direction of insertion, corresponding to the direction in which the pin is inserted into the through opening to achieve the assembled position, defining an inlet area and an outlet area. In these cases, preferably the support element comprises only one retaining device, either in said inlet area or in said outlet area. Alternatively, the support element may comprise two retaining devices, one in said inlet area and one in said outlet area. In this latter case, since there are two retainers assembled, the pin is better retained.

[0016] Preferably, said nose or said side wall comprise a recess suitable for housing at least one part of said retainer in said assembled position. The wear element and support element assembly is thereby more compact and, accordingly, the assembly is more robust. Furthermore, the recess made in the wear element also guarantees that the retainer is positioned parallel to the Z axis (namely to the YZ plane). More preferably, said retainer is fixed to said support element and said recess is in said support element.

[0017] Preferably, each of the arms of the retainer has an inner side edge, close to the retainer axis. Preferably, these inner side edges are parallel to one another and parallel to the retainer axis.

[0018] Preferably, the retainer has an elongated shape, i.e., the length of the inner side edges, measured in the direction of the retainer axis, is greater than the inner diameter of the closed end of the retainer. In fact, preferably, the fixing means fix the retainer at its closed end, whereas the arms of the retainer retain the pin. To be able to perform both functions, a gap (in the direction of the retainer axis) which is achieved by making the retainer an elongated retainer, is necessary.

[0019] Preferred embodiments have also been provided for both the support element and the wear element, the features of which are described in the dependent claims and discussed below.

[0020] Preferably, said longitudinal axis and said axis of rotation form an angle between same that is smaller than 5°, and more preferably they are parallel, so the system works more efficiently.

[0021] Preferably, said fixing means comprise rotation limiting means that limit the angle by which said retainer can rotate about said axis of rotation. The retainer thereby remains in its optimal working position and assures that the pin can be inserted.

[0022] Preferably, the area of a cross-section of one of said arms is smaller than the area of a cross-section of said closed end. The cross-section of the retainer is designed based on the rotational stresses of the pin and on the resistance to removal of the axial pin. In this sense, when the cross-section of the closed end is greater than the cross-section of one of the arms, the retainer has optimal bending stiffness.

[0023] Preferably, the area of a cross-section of said retainer decreases progressively between said closed end and said open end. The bending moment that generates an opening force by contacting the pin when the pin is rotated increases linearly with the contact distance.

[0024] Therefore, the fact that the cross-section changes progressively, helps the retainer support to better withstand the stresses to which it is subjected.

[0025] Preferably, the tips of said arms at said open end are suitable for moving freely in an opening direction, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and to said retainer axis, thereby allowing the insertion and removal of the pin. Advantageously, this ability to move freely is maintained in said assembled position. That is, the geometry of the elements around the tips of the arms (in particular, the wear element and the support element) has, in said assembled position, a free gap which allows the movement of the tips by a sufficient amount so as to allow the blocking and unblocking of the pin.

[0026] Preferably, the tips of said arms at said open end are curved towards said retainer axis, partially closing said open end. Therefore, when the retainer is placed and has to be opened to insert the pin, the tips do not touch the wear element or the support element.

[0027] Preferably, said retainer is made of a plate, with a constant thickness, thereby facilitating its manufacturing process, since it allows adapting the retainer to different geometries according to the loads to which it will be subjected.

[0028] Preferably, in the junction area between said closed end and each of said arms there is a projection towards said retainer axis, partially closing said closed end. The angular position of the fixing means is thereby fixed when the pin is not yet assembled.

[0029] Preferably, in the junction area between said closed end and each of said arms, on the side opposite said projection, there is a sinkage. The cross-section of the arms is thereby kept constant.

[0030] Preferably, said fixing means comprise a plug made of polymer material, preferably an elastomeric material, with a head and a body, wherein said body is suitable for being housed in the inside of the closed end of the U-shaped part of the retainer, and said nose or said side wall has a fixing opening suitable for housing said body wherein in said assembled position, said body passes through the inside of said closed end and is housed in the inside of said fixing opening and said head retains said retainer, preventing it from moving according to a longitudinal direction parallel to said longitudinal axis. The head of the plug thereby prevents the retainer from moving in the longitudinal direction.

[0031] Preferably, said body comprises at least one flange protruding radially from said body, wherein said flange extends radially by a distance that is greater than the radius of said fixing opening. Since the flange is made of an elastomeric material, it is flexible and deforms when the body of the plug is inserted into the fixing opening, generating a retaining force which hinders the plug from coming out of the fixing opening. The fixing flange serves to fix the fixing means to the wear element or support element where the retainer is assembled. That is, the flange serves to fix the retainer by pressure. That is particularly important before the assembly is in its assembled position. In the assembled position, the plug will usually be "enclosed" between the nose and the side walls of the cavity, but before being assembled, the plug will be fixed to the nose or to the side wall but will not be "enclosed" (for example, when spare parts are being supplied). In this situation, it is particularly important for the plug not to come out of the fixing opening.

[0032] Preferably, wherein said fixing means comprise rotation limiting means that limit the angle by which said retainer can rotate about said axis of rotation, more preferably said rotation limiting means comprise a protrusion arranged in the junction area between said body and said head. The rotation limiting means limit the rotation of the retainer. Namely, the protrusion limits excessive rotation of the retainer.

[0033] Preferably, said fixing means comprise a bent plate, comprising a first end bent into a U shape, in the interior of which a segment of said closed end is housed, and a second end, also having a U shape, which, in said assembled position, surrounds a segment of the perimeter of said through opening in said side wall. In this embodiment, preferably, said fixing means comprise rotation limiting means that limit the angle by which said retainer can rotate about said axis of rotation, characterized in that said rotation limiting means are formed by an intermediate segment of said plate, arranged between said first end and said second end, which, in said assembled position, is arranged between said arms. The rotation limiting means limit the rotation of the retainer and ensure that the pin can be inserted.

[0034] The invention also comprises other detail features illustrated in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention and in the attached figures.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] The advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description in which, in a non-limiting manner with respect to the scope of the main claim, preferred embodiments of the invention are described in reference to the figures. Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a wear element assembled on a support element by means of a pin, a retainer and fixing means, which consist of a plug, according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the retainer and of the plug according to the first embodiment, in which the plug is not inserted into the retainer. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the retainer and of the plug according to the first embodiment, in which the plug is inserted into the retainer. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the retainer and of the plug according to the first embodiment, in which the rotation limiting means of the plug can be seen. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the wear element according to the first embodiment, in which the plug and the retainer are not housed in the wear element. Figure 6 is a perspective view like that of Figure 5, but in this case the plug and the retainer are housed in the wear element. Figure 7 is a section view, in which the adapter, the tooth, the plug and the retainer can be better seen in an assembled position. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a support element with a retainer and fixing means housed in a support element according to a second embodiment. In this case, instead of being a plug like those in Figures 1 to 7, the fixing means are a spigot plug which is inserted into a nose opening of the support element. Figure 9 is a perspective view like that of Figure 8 but with the retainer and the spigot plug not being housed in the support element. Figure 10 is an enlarged section of Figure 8, in which the manner in which the pin-plug and the retainer are housed in the support element can be better seen. Figure 11 is a section of an assembled position of a wear element in a support element according to said first embodiment, in which said wear element is assembled in said support element by means of a single retainer housed in the support element. Figure 12 is a section of an assembled position of a wear element in a support element according to a third embodiment, in which said wear element is assembled in said support element by means of two retainers housed opposite one another in the support element. Figure 13 is a section of an assembled position of a wear element in a support element according to a fourth embodiment, in which said wear element is assembled in said support element by means of two separate pins and two retaining devices, each of them used to retain one of the pins. Figure 14 is a perspective view of a retainer with fixing means according to a fifth embodiment, in which said fixing means are a bent plate. Figure 15 is a perspective view according to the fifth embodiment in which the retainer and the bent plate are housed in the wear element. Figure 16 is an enlarged, partial, section view, in which the adapter, the tooth, the pin, the bent plate and the retainer can be better seen in an assembled position. Figure 17 is a perspective view according to the fifth embodiment in which a pin is inserted into the retainer. Figure 18 is a perspective view of another plug according to the invention. Figure 19 is a perspective view of the retainer and of the plug according to Figure 18, in which the plug is not inserted into the retainer. Figure 20 is a perspective view of the retainer and of the plug according to figure 18, in which the plug is inserted into the retainer. Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

[0036] Figures 1 to 7 and 11 show a wear element 1 of an earthmoving machine according to a first embodiment of the invention, in which, in an assembled position of said wear element 1 in said earthmoving machine, said wear element 1 is assembled on a support element 2.

[0037] Said support element 2 has a nose 6 with a nose opening 12, in this case a through opening, and said wear element 1 comprises a cavity 4 which is bounded by side walls 8. Two through openings 10 are arranged in two of said side walls 8 opposite one another, each one in a side wall 8. Furthermore, one of said side walls 8 of said wear element 1 has a fixing opening 48 for the plug and also has a recess 36, and one of the outer side walls of the nose 12 has another recess 36, such that a retainer 20 will be housed at least partially in said recesses 36.

[0038] In an assembled position, said nose 6 of said support element 2 is housed in said cavity 4 of the wear element 1, such that said nose opening 12 is aligned with said two through openings 10 of the side walls 8 of said wear element 1. Said nose opening 12 and said through openings 10 are suitable for housing a pin 14 which, in said assembled position, fixes said wear element 1 to said support element 2. The pin 14 defines a longitudinal axis 16. The pin prevents the wear element from being able to move in direction Z of Figure 1. However, the wear element can be moved in rotation (the pin being the point of rotation). Therefore, when describing that the pin "fixes" the wear element to the adapter, it should be understood that it fixes it in a broad sense, since the wear element actually does have certain movement.

[0039] In this first embodiment, the nose opening 12 is a through opening and the cavity 4 of the wear element 1 comprises two through openings in two of said side walls 8 opposite one another, wherein in said assembled position, said nose opening 12 and the two through openings of the side walls 8 are aligned with one another and said pin 14 is housed in said nose opening 12 and in the two through openings of the side walls 8, wherein said longitudinal axis 16 has a direction of insertion corresponding to the direction in which the pin 14 is inserted into the through opening 10 to achieve the assembled position, defining an inlet area 32 and an outlet area 34 and wherein said wear element 1 comprises a retaining device 18. However, there are other alternatives. For example, there can be two retaining devices, one in said inlet area 32 and one in said outlet area 34, or the nose can have a single blind nose opening 12 and, therefore, the pin 14 is housed in a through opening 10 of the wear element 1 and in said blind nose opening 12. The nose can also have two blind nose openings 12 for housing, each of them, a pin 14.

[0040] Said wear element 1 comprises a retaining device 18 which, in turn, comprises said retainer 20 and fixing means 22. Figures 2 to 4 show the retaining device 18. Said retainer 20 is made of a plate and has a constant thickness and is suitable for retaining said pin 14 in said nose opening 12 and said two through openings 10 in said assembled position. Said fixing means 22 are suitable for fixing said retainer 20 to said wear element 1.

[0041] On one hand, said retainer 20 is U-shaped, defining a retainer axis 24, with an open end 26, a closed end 28 and two arms 30 extending between said open end 26 and said closed end 28. In the junction area between said closed end 28 and each of said arms 30 there is a projection 40 towards said retainer axis 24, partially closing said closed end 28, and a sinkage 62 on the side opposite said projection 40. The tips 38 of said arms 30 at said open end 26 are curved towards said retainer axis 24, partially closing said open end 26, and are suitable for moving freely in an opening direction, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis 16 of the pin 14 and to said retainer axis 24. Furthermore, the area of a cross-section of the arms 30 is smaller than the area of a cross-section of said closed end 28. Namely, the area of a cross-section of said retainer 20 decreases progressively between said closed end 28 and said open end 26.

[0042] On the other hand, said fixing means 22 of said retainer 20 comprise a plug 42 made of an elastomeric material such as, as a non-limiting example, PU. Said plug 42 comprises a head 44, a body 46 and a protrusion 52 arranged in the junction area between said body 46 and said head 44. Said body 46 comprises several flanges 50 protruding radially from said body 46 and extending radially by a distance which is greater than the radius of said fixing opening 48.

[0043] Figures 5 to 7 show the assembly of said retaining device 18 in said wear element 1. Said retainer 20 is housed at least partially in said recess 36 of said side wall 8 of said wear element and is fixed thereto by means of said plug 42. In this case, the recess 36 of the nose of the adapter completely houses the retainer. Namely, the body 46 of said plug 42 is housed in the inside of the closed end 28 of said retainer 20, such that in said assembled position, said body 46 passes through the inside of said closed end 28 and is housed in the inside of said fixing opening 48 of said wear element 1, and said head 44 of said plug 42 retains said retainer 20. The plug 42 fixes said retainer 20 to said wear element 1 such that it prevents the movement of said retainer 20, but allows the rotation of said retainer 20 about an axis of rotation passing through the inside of said closed end 28.

[0044] To limit rotation, the plug 42 has said protrusion 52, which limits the angle by which said retainer 20 can rotate about said axis of rotation, and said head 44, which prevents said retainer 20 from moving according to a longitudinal direction parallel to said longitudinal axis 16. Said axis of rotation and said longitudinal axis 16 are parallel to one another.

[0045] The wear element 1 is delivered to the user with said retaining device 18 assembled, such that the user only has to assembly the pin 14. To that end, first the cavity 4 of the wear element 1 is inserted in the nose 6 of the support element 2, the through openings of the wear element 1 being aligned with the nose opening 12 of the support element 2. Then, the user must insert the pin 14 through the through opening 10 of the side wall 8 of the wear element 1 opposite the side wall 8 of the retaining device 18. When the pin 14 is being inserted, the pin 14 will contact the arms 30 of the retainer 20, which will open and allow the passage of the pin 14. Lastly, the pin 14 is retained when the arms 30 of the retainer 20 fit into slots present in said pin 14. These slots of the pin 14 can be seen in Figure 1 and in Figure 17. To remove the pin 14, the user must rotate the pin 90 degrees for the arms 30 of the retainer 20 to come out of the slots of the pin 14. When the pin 14 is assembled, the assembly of the pin 14 and retainer 20 assembly is very tightly fixed. In fact, if the plug 42 was to break or fall out, the retainer 20 would continue to be housed in its position.

[0046] In this first embodiment, only one retaining device 18 is used. However, two retaining devices could also be used to retain one and the same pin 14, as can be seen in Figure 12, or two retaining devices could be used to retain two separate pins 14, as can be seen in Figure 13.

[0047] Likewise, the recess 36 in which at least one part of the retainer 20 is housed can be arranged in the outer side wall of the nose (see, for example, Figures 8 and 9), in the side wall 8 of the wear element (see, for example, Figures 5 and 6), or there can be a recess both in the outer side wall of the nose and in the side wall of the wear element. Furthermore, there can also be a recess on each side of the nose and / or wear element. Regardless of whether the retainer is completely or partially housed, when the recess is arranged in the outer side wall of the nose, this recess contributes to a more compact fit, and when the recess is arranged in the wear element, it also guarantees that the retainer is positioned parallel to the Z axis (namely to the YZ plane).

[0048] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the wear element 1 comprises the retaining device 18. Likewise, the possibility of the cavity 4 being arranged in the support element 2 and the nose 6, which is inserted into said cavity 4, being arranged in the wear element 1, is also contemplated.

[0049] Other embodiments according to the invention which share most of the features described in the preceding paragraphs are described below. Accordingly, only those elements that are different will be described hereinafter, whereas for common elements reference is made to the description of the first embodiment.

[0050] Figures 8 to 10 show a second embodiment according to the invention, in which the retaining device 18 is assembled in the nose 6 of the support element 2, instead of in the wear element 1 like in the first embodiment. The recess 36 for housing the retainer 20 is arranged in an outer side wall of the nose 6, the fixing opening 48 is a through opening 10 arranged in the nose 6, and the fixing means 22 are a pin-plug extending along said fixing opening 48. The pin-plug has, at its end opposite the end that is retained by the retainer 20, a notch which is snap-fit into the fixing opening 48 (see Figure 10). However, a plug like those in Figures 2 to 4 could also be used, and the fixing opening 48 could be a blind opening.

[0051] Figure 12 and Figure 13 show a third and a fourth embodiment according to the invention, respectively, in which the nose has two recesses 36 for housing two retainers 20 in two side walls 8 opposite.

[0052] Figures 14 to 17 show a fifth embodiment according to the invention, which differs from the first embodiment in the fixing means 22 of the retaining device 18. In this case, instead of comprising a plug, the fixing means 22 comprise a bent plate 54. The bent plate 54 comprises a first end 56 bent into a U shape, in the interior of which a segment of said closed end 28 of said retainer 20 is housed, and a second end 58, also having a U shape, which, in said assembled position, surrounds a segment of the perimeter of said through opening 10 in said side wall of the wear element. In this fifth embodiment, said plate 54 comprises rotation limiting means which are formed by an intermediate segment 60 of said plate 54, arranged between said first end 56 and said second end 58, which, in said assembled position, is arranged between said arms 30. These rotation limiting means that limit the angle by which said retainer 20 can rotate about said axis of rotation.

[0053] The fixing means 22 shown in Figures 18 to 20 comprises a plug 42 made of an elastomeric material such as, as a non-limiting example, polyurethane PU. Said plug 42 comprises a head 44, a body 46 and a protrusion 52 arranged in the junction area between said body 46 and said head 44. Said body 46 comprises several flanges 50 protruding radially from said body 46 and extending radially by a distance which is greater than the radius of said fixing opening 48. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4, the flanges 50 protrude approximately at about half the lateral perimeter of the body 44, while in the embodiment shown in Figures 18 to 20 the flanges 50 protrude along all the lateral perimeter of the body 44. This feature (protruding along all the lateral perimeter of the body 44), which is independent of the remaining technical features of the plug 42, is, in fact, a preferred embodiment. The plug 42 is more flexible. This allows an easier introduction of the body 46 in the fixing opening 48, and allows also to have less strict manufacturing tolerances.

Examples

first embodiment

[0036]Figures 1 to 7 and 11 show a wear element 1 of an earthmoving machine according to the invention, in which, in an assembled position of said wear element 1 in said earthmoving machine, said wear element 1 is assembled on a support element 2.

[0037]Said support element 2 has a nose 6 with a nose opening 12, in this case a through opening, and said wear element 1 comprises a cavity 4 which is bounded by side walls 8. Two through openings 10 are arranged in two of said side walls 8 opposite one another, each one in a side wall 8. Furthermore, one of said side walls 8 of said wear element 1 has a fixing opening 48 for the plug and also has a recess 36, and one of the outer side walls of the nose 12 has another recess 36, such that a retainer 20 will be housed at least partially in said recesses 36.

[0038]In an assembled position, said nose 6 of said support element 2 is housed in said cavity 4 of the wear element 1, such that said nose opening 12 is aligned with said two through ope...

fourth embodiment

[0051]Figure 12 and Figure 13 show a third and a fourth embodiment according to the invention, respectively, in which the nose has two recesses 36 for housing two retainers 20 in two side walls 8 opposite.

[0052]Figures 14 to 17 show a fifth embodiment according to the invention, which differs from the first embodiment in the fixing means 22 of the retaining device 18. In this case, instead of comprising a plug, the fixing means 22 comprise a bent plate 54. The bent plate 54 comprises a first end 56 bent into a U shape, in the interior of which a segment of said closed end 28 of said retainer 20 is housed, and a second end 58, also having a U shape, which, in said assembled position, surrounds a segment of the perimeter of said through opening 10 in said side wall of the wear element. In this fifth embodiment, said plate 54 comprises rotation limiting means which are formed by an intermediate segment 60 of said plate 54, arranged between said first end 56 and said second end 58, whic...

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention is comprised in the field of earthmoving machines.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a wear element of an earthmoving machine wherein in an assembled position of said wear element in said earthmoving machine, said wear element is assembled on a support element, said wear element or said support element comprising a cavity wherein in said assembled position, a nose present in the other one of said wear element and support element is housed in said cavity, wherein said cavity is bounded by side walls with at least one through opening arranged in one of the side walls, wherein the nose has a nose opening which, in said assembled position, is aligned with the through opening of the side wall, said nose opening and said through opening being suitable for housing a pin which, in said assembled position, fixes said wear element to said adapter and defines a longitudinal axis.

[0003] The invention also relates to a support element of a wear element of an earthmoving machine wherein in an assembled position of said wear element in said earthmoving machine, said wear element is assembled in said support element, said wear element or said support element comprising a cavity, wherein in said assembled position, a nose present in the other one of said wear element and support element is housed in said cavity, wherein said cavity is bounded by side walls with at least one through opening arranged in one of the side walls, wherein the nose has a nose opening which, in said assembled position, is aligned with the through opening of the side wall, said nose opening and said through opening being suitable for housing a pin which, in said assembled position, fixes said wear element to said adapter and defines a longitudinal axis.Prior Art

[0004] Earthmoving machines are used in excavation, loading, demolition, construction, mining, dredging and similar activities. In certain cases, these machines have a digging attachment such as a shovel or bucket that is subjected to high stresses and a lot of erosion. This shovel or bucket has wear elements that serve both to protect the shovel and to improve the penetration of the shovel into the ground. In general, these wear elements can be of various types, depending on the activity or application for which the earthmoving machine is intended.

[0005] Wear elements are subjected to high mechanical stress, plastic deformation and wear. For this reason, they are designed as replaceable elements. That is, when the wear element breaks or wears out, it is replaced with a new one. Wear elements can be assembled on other wear elements, support elements or directly on the lip of the shovel or bucket. They can be assembled by means of welding, which is more cost-effective but also more difficult to replace, or by means of mechanical elements, which is easier and faster to assemble and replace. It is important to be able to replace the wear element quickly, easily, safely and on site where the earthmoving machine is being used without the need for complex tools. Therefore, preferably, the wear elements are mechanically fixed in a removable manner by means of a blocking element such as, for example, a pin or locking device.

[0006] The wear element usually has a cavity into which a nose of the support element is inserted, although, in certain cases, it may be the other way around. Both the cavity and the nose have openings, which in an assembled position are aligned with one another, thus allowing the pin to be inserted. To prevent the pin from moving or coming out of place, which can lead to loss or breakage of the wear element, a retainer is used to retain the pin.

[0007] Document EP2730705, which also belongs to the applicant of the present invention, discloses a pin with a retaining element comprising at least one tightening element to allow the auto-fixing thereof by direct pressure on two surfaces opposite of the wear element or of the support element.

[0008] In general, there is a constant need to develop reliable retaining devices which allow a safe and simple assembly and disassembly and are low-cost.Disclosure of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of the invention is to provide a system which allows fixing in a removable manner a wear element to a support element of an earthmoving machine, keeping the system compact, low-weight, with a robust pin that bends less under working loads, and with a retaining device that retains the pin in its working position and allows removing the pin in an easy and safe manner. Furthermore, in this type of machines, the pin prevents movement between the wear element and the support element. Therefore, it is important for the retaining device, which is the element that retains the pin, to have certain movement to accompany the movement of the pin. The retaining device is thereby prevented from deforming or breaking.

[0010] This objective is achieved by means of a wear element of the type indicated above, characterized in that said wear element comprises a retaining device which, in turn, comprises a retainer, suitable for blocking said pin in said nose opening and said through opening in said assembled position, and fixing means suitable for fixing said retainer to said wear element, wherein said retainer is U-shaped, defining a retainer axis, with an open end, a closed end and two arms extending between said open end and said closed end, where said fixing means fix said retainer to said wear element at said closed end, and said fixing means fix said retainer to said wear element such that they prevent the movement of said retainer but allow the rotation of said retainer about an axis of rotation passing through the inside of said closed end. This geometry of the retainer is more flexible, thereby achieving low plastic deformation. So, the fixing means fix the retainer avoiding the displacement of the retainer, but it allows a certain degree of rotation around the closed end. During use, the pin may move within the through opening and the nose opening, transversally to the longitudinal axis, and the retainer pairs with the pin.

[0011] Based on the invention defined in the main claim, preferred embodiments the features of which are described in the dependent claims, have been provided.

[0012] In some cases, said nose opening is a through opening, said cavity has two through openings in two of said side walls opposite one another, wherein in said assembled position, said nose opening and the two through openings of the side walls are aligned with one another and said pin is housed in said nose opening and in the two through openings of the side walls, wherein said longitudinal axis has a direction of insertion, corresponding to the direction in which the pin is inserted into the through opening to achieve the assembled position, defining an inlet area and an outlet area. In these cases, preferably the support element comprises only one retaining device, either in said inlet area or in said outlet area. Alternatively, the wear element may comprise two retaining devices, one in said inlet area and one in said outlet area. In this latter case, since there are two retainers assembled, the pin is better retained.

[0013] Preferably, said nose or said side wall comprise a recess suitable for housing at least one part of said retainer in said assembled position. The wear element and support element assembly is thereby more compact and, accordingly, the assembly is more robust. Furthermore, the recess made in the wear element also guarantees that the retainer is positioned parallel to the Z axis (namely to the YZ plane). More preferably, said retainer is fixed to said wear element and said recess is in said wear element.

[0014] The invention also relates to a support element of a wear element of the type indicated above, characterized in that said support element comprises a retaining device which, in turn, comprises a retainer, suitable for retaining said pin in said nose opening and said through opening in said assembled position, and fixing means suitable for fixing said retainer to said support element, wherein said retainer is U-shaped, defining a retainer axis, with an open end, a closed end and two arms extending between said open end and said closed end, where said fixing means fix said retainer to said wear element at said closed end, and said fixing means fix said retainer to said support element such that they prevent the movement of said retainer but allow the rotation of said retainer about an axis of rotation passing through the inside of said closed end. As commented above, the fixing means fix the retainer avoiding the displacement of the retainer, but it allows a certain degree of rotation around the closed end. During use, the pin may move within the through opening and the nose opening, transversally to the longitudinal axis, and the retainer pairs with the pin. In fact, the retaining device according to the invention can be fixed both to the wear element and to the support element.

[0015] In some cases, said nose opening is a through opening, said cavity has two through openings in two of said side walls opposite one another, wherein in said assembled position, said nose opening and the two through openings of the side walls are aligned with one another and said pin is housed in said nose opening and in the two through openings of the side walls, wherein said longitudinal axis has a direction of insertion, corresponding to the direction in which the pin is inserted into the through opening to achieve the assembled position, defining an inlet area and an outlet area. In these cases, preferably the support element comprises only one retaining device, either in said inlet area or in said outlet area. Alternatively, the support element may comprise two retaining devices, one in said inlet area and one in said outlet area. In this latter case, since there are two retainers assembled, the pin is better retained.

[0016] Preferably, said nose or said side wall comprise a recess suitable for housing at least one part of said retainer in said assembled position. The wear element and support element assembly is thereby more compact and, accordingly, the assembly is more robust. Furthermore, the recess made in the wear element also guarantees that the retainer is positioned parallel to the Z axis (namely to the YZ plane). More preferably, said retainer is fixed to said support element and said recess is in said support element.

[0017] Preferably, each of the arms of the retainer has an inner side edge, close to the retainer axis. Preferably, these inner side edges are parallel to one another and parallel to the retainer axis.

[0018] Preferably, the retainer has an elongated shape, i.e., the length of the inner side edges, measured in the direction of the retainer axis, is greater than the inner diameter of the closed end of the retainer. In fact, preferably, the fixing means fix the retainer at its closed end, whereas the arms of the retainer retain the pin. To be able to perform both functions, a gap (in the direction of the retainer axis) which is achieved by making the retainer an elongated retainer, is necessary.

[0019] Preferred embodiments have also been provided for both the support element and the wear element, the features of which are described in the dependent claims and discussed below.

[0020] Preferably, said longitudinal axis and said axis of rotation form an angle between same that is smaller than 5°, and more preferably they are parallel, so the system works more efficiently.

[0021] Preferably, said fixing means comprise rotation limiting means that limit the angle by which said retainer can rotate about said axis of rotation. The retainer thereby remains in its optimal working position and assures that the pin can be inserted.

[0022] Preferably, the area of a cross-section of one of said arms is smaller than the area of a cross-section of said closed end. The cross-section of the retainer is designed based on the rotational stresses of the pin and on the resistance to removal of the axial pin. In this sense, when the cross-section of the closed end is greater than the cross-section of one of the arms, the retainer has optimal bending stiffness.

[0023] Preferably, the area of a cross-section of said retainer decreases progressively between said closed end and said open end. The bending moment that generates an opening force by contacting the pin when the pin is rotated increases linearly with the contact distance.

[0024] Therefore, the fact that the cross-section changes progressively, helps the retainer support to better withstand the stresses to which it is subjected.

[0025] Preferably, the tips of said arms at said open end are suitable for moving freely in an opening direction, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and to said retainer axis, thereby allowing the insertion and removal of the pin. Advantageously, this ability to move freely is maintained in said assembled position. That is, the geometry of the elements around the tips of the arms (in particular, the wear element and the support element) has, in said assembled position, a free gap which allows the movement of the tips by a sufficient amount so as to allow the blocking and unblocking of the pin.

[0026] Preferably, the tips of said arms at said open end are curved towards said retainer axis, partially closing said open end. Therefore, when the retainer is placed and has to be opened to insert the pin, the tips do not touch the wear element or the support element.

[0027] Preferably, said retainer is made of a plate, with a constant thickness, thereby facilitating its manufacturing process, since it allows adapting the retainer to different geometries according to the loads to which it will be subjected.

[0028] Preferably, in the junction area between said closed end and each of said arms there is a projection towards said retainer axis, partially closing said closed end. The angular position of the fixing means is thereby fixed when the pin is not yet assembled.

[0029] Preferably, in the junction area between said closed end and each of said arms, on the side opposite said projection, there is a sinkage. The cross-section of the arms is thereby kept constant.

[0030] Preferably, said fixing means comprise a plug made of polymer material, preferably an elastomeric material, with a head and a body, wherein said body is suitable for being housed in the inside of the closed end of the U-shaped part of the retainer, and said nose or said side wall has a fixing opening suitable for housing said body wherein in said assembled position, said body passes through the inside of said closed end and is housed in the inside of said fixing opening and said head retains said retainer, preventing it from moving according to a longitudinal direction parallel to said longitudinal axis. The head of the plug thereby prevents the retainer from moving in the longitudinal direction.

[0031] Preferably, said body comprises at least one flange protruding radially from said body, wherein said flange extends radially by a distance that is greater than the radius of said fixing opening. Since the flange is made of an elastomeric material, it is flexible and deforms when the body of the plug is inserted into the fixing opening, generating a retaining force which hinders the plug from coming out of the fixing opening. The fixing flange serves to fix the fixing means to the wear element or support element where the retainer is assembled. That is, the flange serves to fix the retainer by pressure. That is particularly important before the assembly is in its assembled position. In the assembled position, the plug will usually be "enclosed" between the nose and the side walls of the cavity, but before being assembled, the plug will be fixed to the nose or to the side wall but will not be "enclosed" (for example, when spare parts are being supplied). In this situation, it is particularly important for the plug not to come out of the fixing opening.

[0032] Preferably, wherein said fixing means comprise rotation limiting means that limit the angle by which said retainer can rotate about said axis of rotation, more preferably said rotation limiting means comprise a protrusion arranged in the junction area between said body and said head. The rotation limiting means limit the rotation of the retainer. Namely, the protrusion limits excessive rotation of the retainer.

[0033] Preferably, said fixing means comprise a bent plate, comprising a first end bent into a U shape, in the interior of which a segment of said closed end is housed, and a second end, also having a U shape, which, in said assembled position, surrounds a segment of the perimeter of said through opening in said side wall. In this embodiment, preferably, said fixing means comprise rotation limiting means that limit the angle by which said retainer can rotate about said axis of rotation, characterized in that said rotation limiting means are formed by an intermediate segment of said plate, arranged between said first end and said second end, which, in said assembled position, is arranged between said arms. The rotation limiting means limit the rotation of the retainer and ensure that the pin can be inserted.

[0034] The invention also comprises other detail features illustrated in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention and in the attached figures.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] The advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description in which, in a non-limiting manner with respect to the scope of the main claim, preferred embodiments of the invention are described in reference to the figures. Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a wear element assembled on a support element by means of a pin, a retainer and fixing means, which consist of a plug, according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the retainer and of the plug according to the first embodiment, in which the plug is not inserted into the retainer. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the retainer and of the plug according to the first embodiment, in which the plug is inserted into the retainer. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the retainer and of the plug according to the first embodiment, in which the rotation limiting means of the plug can be seen. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the wear element according to the first embodiment, in which the plug and the retainer are not housed in the wear element. Figure 6 is a perspective view like that of Figure 5, but in this case the plug and the retainer are housed in the wear element. Figure 7 is a section view, in which the adapter, the tooth, the plug and the retainer can be better seen in an assembled position. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a support element with a retainer and fixing means housed in a support element according to a second embodiment. In this case, instead of being a plug like those in Figures 1 to 7, the fixing means are a spigot plug which is inserted into a nose opening of the support element. Figure 9 is a perspective view like that of Figure 8 but with the retainer and the spigot plug not being housed in the support element. Figure 10 is an enlarged section of Figure 8, in which the manner in which the pin-plug and the retainer are housed in the support element can be better seen. Figure 11 is a section of an assembled position of a wear element in a support element according to said first embodiment, in which said wear element is assembled in said support element by means of a single retainer housed in the support element. Figure 12 is a section of an assembled position of a wear element in a support element according to a third embodiment, in which said wear element is assembled in said support element by means of two retainers housed opposite one another in the support element. Figure 13 is a section of an assembled position of a wear element in a support element according to a fourth embodiment, in which said wear element is assembled in said support element by means of two separate pins and two retaining devices, each of them used to retain one of the pins. Figure 14 is a perspective view of a retainer with fixing means according to a fifth embodiment, in which said fixing means are a bent plate. Figure 15 is a perspective view according to the fifth embodiment in which the retainer and the bent plate are housed in the wear element. Figure 16 is an enlarged, partial, section view, in which the adapter, the tooth, the pin, the bent plate and the retainer can be better seen in an assembled position. Figure 17 is a perspective view according to the fifth embodiment in which a pin is inserted into the retainer. Figure 18 is a perspective view of another plug according to the invention. Figure 19 is a perspective view of the retainer and of the plug according to Figure 18, in which the plug is not inserted into the retainer. Figure 20 is a perspective view of the retainer and of the plug according to figure 18, in which the plug is inserted into the retainer. Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

[0036] Figures 1 to 7 and 11 show a wear element 1 of an earthmoving machine according to a first embodiment of the invention, in which, in an assembled position of said wear element 1 in said earthmoving machine, said wear element 1 is assembled on a support element 2.

[0037] Said support element 2 has a nose 6 with a nose opening 12, in this case a through opening, and said wear element 1 comprises a cavity 4 which is bounded by side walls 8. Two through openings 10 are arranged in two of said side walls 8 opposite one another, each one in a side wall 8. Furthermore, one of said side walls 8 of said wear element 1 has a fixing opening 48 for the plug and also has a recess 36, and one of the outer side walls of the nose 12 has another recess 36, such that a retainer 20 will be housed at least partially in said recesses 36.

[0038] In an assembled position, said nose 6 of said support element 2 is housed in said cavity 4 of the wear element 1, such that said nose opening 12 is aligned with said two through openings 10 of the side walls 8 of said wear element 1. Said nose opening 12 and said through openings 10 are suitable for housing a pin 14 which, in said assembled position, fixes said wear element 1 to said support element 2. The pin 14 defines a longitudinal axis 16. The pin prevents the wear element from being able to move in direction Z of Figure 1. However, the wear element can be moved in rotation (the pin being the point of rotation). Therefore, when describing that the pin "fixes" the wear element to the adapter, it should be understood that it fixes it in a broad sense, since the wear element actually does have certain movement.

[0039] In this first embodiment, the nose opening 12 is a through opening and the cavity 4 of the wear element 1 comprises two through openings in two of said side walls 8 opposite one another, wherein in said assembled position, said nose opening 12 and the two through openings of the side walls 8 are aligned with one another and said pin 14 is housed in said nose opening 12 and in the two through openings of the side walls 8, wherein said longitudinal axis 16 has a direction of insertion corresponding to the direction in which the pin 14 is inserted into the through opening 10 to achieve the assembled position, defining an inlet area 32 and an outlet area 34 and wherein said wear element 1 comprises a retaining device 18. However, there are other alternatives. For example, there can be two retaining devices, one in said inlet area 32 and one in said outlet area 34, or the nose can have a single blind nose opening 12 and, therefore, the pin 14 is housed in a through opening 10 of the wear element 1 and in said blind nose opening 12. The nose can also have two blind nose openings 12 for housing, each of them, a pin 14.

[0040] Said wear element 1 comprises a retaining device 18 which, in turn, comprises said retainer 20 and fixing means 22. Figures 2 to 4 show the retaining device 18. Said retainer 20 is made of a plate and has a constant thickness and is suitable for retaining said pin 14 in said nose opening 12 and said two through openings 10 in said assembled position. Said fixing means 22 are suitable for fixing said retainer 20 to said wear element 1.

[0041] On one hand, said retainer 20 is U-shaped, defining a retainer axis 24, with an open end 26, a closed end 28 and two arms 30 extending between said open end 26 and said closed end 28. In the junction area between said closed end 28 and each of said arms 30 there is a projection 40 towards said retainer axis 24, partially closing said closed end 28, and a sinkage 62 on the side opposite said projection 40. The tips 38 of said arms 30 at said open end 26 are curved towards said retainer axis 24, partially closing said open end 26, and are suitable for moving freely in an opening direction, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis 16 of the pin 14 and to said retainer axis 24. Furthermore, the area of a cross-section of the arms 30 is smaller than the area of a cross-section of said closed end 28. Namely, the area of a cross-section of said retainer 20 decreases progressively between said closed end 28 and said open end 26.

[0042] On the other hand, said fixing means 22 of said retainer 20 comprise a plug 42 made of an elastomeric material such as, as a non-limiting example, PU. Said plug 42 comprises a head 44, a body 46 and a protrusion 52 arranged in the junction area between said body 46 and said head 44. Said body 46 comprises several flanges 50 protruding radially from said body 46 and extending radially by a distance which is greater than the radius of said fixing opening 48.

[0043] Figures 5 to 7 show the assembly of said retaining device 18 in said wear element 1. Said retainer 20 is housed at least partially in said recess 36 of said side wall 8 of said wear element and is fixed thereto by means of said plug 42. In this case, the recess 36 of the nose of the adapter completely houses the retainer. Namely, the body 46 of said plug 42 is housed in the inside of the closed end 28 of said retainer 20, such that in said assembled position, said body 46 passes through the inside of said closed end 28 and is housed in the inside of said fixing opening 48 of said wear element 1, and said head 44 of said plug 42 retains said retainer 20. The plug 42 fixes said retainer 20 to said wear element 1 such that it prevents the movement of said retainer 20, but allows the rotation of said retainer 20 about an axis of rotation passing through the inside of said closed end 28.

[0044] To limit rotation, the plug 42 has said protrusion 52, which limits the angle by which said retainer 20 can rotate about said axis of rotation, and said head 44, which prevents said retainer 20 from moving according to a longitudinal direction parallel to said longitudinal axis 16. Said axis of rotation and said longitudinal axis 16 are parallel to one another.

[0045] The wear element 1 is delivered to the user with said retaining device 18 assembled, such that the user only has to assembly the pin 14. To that end, first the cavity 4 of the wear element 1 is inserted in the nose 6 of the support element 2, the through openings of the wear element 1 being aligned with the nose opening 12 of the support element 2. Then, the user must insert the pin 14 through the through opening 10 of the side wall 8 of the wear element 1 opposite the side wall 8 of the retaining device 18. When the pin 14 is being inserted, the pin 14 will contact the arms 30 of the retainer 20, which will open and allow the passage of the pin 14. Lastly, the pin 14 is retained when the arms 30 of the retainer 20 fit into slots present in said pin 14. These slots of the pin 14 can be seen in Figure 1 and in Figure 17. To remove the pin 14, the user must rotate the pin 90 degrees for the arms 30 of the retainer 20 to come out of the slots of the pin 14. When the pin 14 is assembled, the assembly of the pin 14 and retainer 20 assembly is very tightly fixed. In fact, if the plug 42 was to break or fall out, the retainer 20 would continue to be housed in its position.

[0046] In this first embodiment, only one retaining device 18 is used. However, two retaining devices could also be used to retain one and the same pin 14, as can be seen in Figure 12, or two retaining devices could be used to retain two separate pins 14, as can be seen in Figure 13.

[0047] Likewise, the recess 36 in which at least one part of the retainer 20 is housed can be arranged in the outer side wall of the nose (see, for example, Figures 8 and 9), in the side wall 8 of the wear element (see, for example, Figures 5 and 6), or there can be a recess both in the outer side wall of the nose and in the side wall of the wear element. Furthermore, there can also be a recess on each side of the nose and / or wear element. Regardless of whether the retainer is completely or partially housed, when the recess is arranged in the outer side wall of the nose, this recess contributes to a more compact fit, and when the recess is arranged in the wear element, it also guarantees that the retainer is positioned parallel to the Z axis (namely to the YZ plane).

[0048] Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the wear element 1 comprises the retaining device 18. Likewise, the possibility of the cavity 4 being arranged in the support element 2 and the nose 6, which is inserted into said cavity 4, being arranged in the wear element 1, is also contemplated.

[0049] Other embodiments according to the invention which share most of the features described in the preceding paragraphs are described below. Accordingly, only those elements that are different will be described hereinafter, whereas for common elements reference is made to the description of the first embodiment.

[0050] Figures 8 to 10 show a second embodiment according to the invention, in which the retaining device 18 is assembled in the nose 6 of the support element 2, instead of in the wear element 1 like in the first embodiment. The recess 36 for housing the retainer 20 is arranged in an outer side wall of the nose 6, the fixing opening 48 is a through opening 10 arranged in the nose 6, and the fixing means 22 are a pin-plug extending along said fixing opening 48. The pin-plug has, at its end opposite the end that is retained by the retainer 20, a notch which is snap-fit into the fixing opening 48 (see Figure 10). However, a plug like those in Figures 2 to 4 could also be used, and the fixing opening 48 could be a blind opening.

[0051] Figure 12 and Figure 13 show a third and a fourth embodiment according to the invention, respectively, in which the nose has two recesses 36 for housing two retainers 20 in two side walls 8 opposite.

[0052] Figures 14 to 17 show a fifth embodiment according to the invention, which differs from the first embodiment in the fixing means 22 of the retaining device 18. In this case, instead of comprising a plug, the fixing means 22 comprise a bent plate 54. The bent plate 54 comprises a first end 56 bent into a U shape, in the interior of which a segment of said closed end 28 of said retainer 20 is housed, and a second end 58, also having a U shape, which, in said assembled position, surrounds a segment of the perimeter of said through opening 10 in said side wall of the wear element. In this fifth embodiment, said plate 54 comprises rotation limiting means which are formed by an intermediate segment 60 of said plate 54, arranged between said first end 56 and said second end 58, which, in said assembled position, is arranged between said arms 30. These rotation limiting means that limit the angle by which said retainer 20 can rotate about said axis of rotation.

[0053] The fixing means 22 shown in Figures 18 to 20 comprises a plug 42 made of an elastomeric material such as, as a non-limiting example, polyurethane PU. Said plug 42 comprises a head 44, a body 46 and a protrusion 52 arranged in the junction area between said body 46 and said head 44. Said body 46 comprises several flanges 50 protruding radially from said body 46 and extending radially by a distance which is greater than the radius of said fixing opening 48. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4, the flanges 50 protrude approximately at about half the lateral perimeter of the body 44, while in the embodiment shown in Figures 18 to 20 the flanges 50 protrude along all the lateral perimeter of the body 44. This feature (protruding along all the lateral perimeter of the body 44), which is independent of the remaining technical features of the plug 42, is, in fact, a preferred embodiment. The plug 42 is more flexible. This allows an easier introduction of the body 46 in the fixing opening 48, and allows also to have less strict manufacturing tolerances.

Examples

first embodiment

[0036]Figures 1 to 7 and 11 show a wear element 1 of an earthmoving machine according to the invention, in which, in an assembled position of said wear element 1 in said earthmoving machine, said wear element 1 is assembled on a support element 2.

[0037]Said support element 2 has a nose 6 with a nose opening 12, in this case a through opening, and said wear element 1 comprises a cavity 4 which is bounded by side walls 8. Two through openings 10 are arranged in two of said side walls 8 opposite one another, each one in a side wall 8. Furthermore, one of said side walls 8 of said wear element 1 has a fixing opening 48 for the plug and also has a recess 36, and one of the outer side walls of the nose 12 has another recess 36, such that a retainer 20 will be housed at least partially in said recesses 36.

[0038]In an assembled position, said nose 6 of said support element 2 is housed in said cavity 4 of the wear element 1, such that said nose opening 12 is aligned with said two through ope...

fourth embodiment

[0051]Figure 12 and Figure 13 show a third and a fourth embodiment according to the invention, respectively, in which the nose has two recesses 36 for housing two retainers 20 in two side walls 8 opposite.

[0052]Figures 14 to 17 show a fifth embodiment according to the invention, which differs from the first embodiment in the fixing means 22 of the retaining device 18. In this case, instead of comprising a plug, the fixing means 22 comprise a bent plate 54. The bent plate 54 comprises a first end 56 bent into a U shape, in the interior of which a segment of said closed end 28 of said retainer 20 is housed, and a second end 58, also having a U shape, which, in said assembled position, surrounds a segment of the perimeter of said through opening 10 in said side wall of the wear element. In this fifth embodiment, said plate 54 comprises rotation limiting means which are formed by an intermediate segment 60 of said plate 54, arranged between said first end 56 and said second end 58, whic...

Claims

1. A wear element (1) of an earthmoving machine, wherein in an assembled position of said wear element (1) in said earthmoving machine, said wear element (1) is assembled on a support element (2), said wear element (1) or said support element (2) comprising a cavity (4) wherein in said assembled position, a nose (6) present in the other one of said wear element (1) and support element (2) is housed in said cavity (4), wherein said cavity (4) is bounded by side walls (8) with at least one through opening (10) arranged in one of the side walls (8), wherein the nose (6) has a nose opening (12) which, in said assembled position, is aligned with the through opening (10) of the side wall (8), said nose opening (12) and said through opening (10) being suitable for housing a pin (14) which, in said assembled position, fixes said wear element (1) to said support element (2) and defines a longitudinal axis (16), characterized in that said wear element (1) comprises a retaining device (18) which, in turn, comprises a retainer (20), suitable for retaining said pin (14) in said nose opening (12) and said through opening (10) in said assembled position, and fixing means (22) suitable for fixing said retainer (20) to said wear element (1), wherein said retainer (20) is U-shaped, defining a retainer axis (24), with an open end (26), a closed end (28) and two arms (30) extending between said open end (26) and said closed end (28), said fixing means (22) fix said retainer (20) to said wear element (1) at said closed end (28), and said fixing means (22) fix said retainer (20) to said wear element (1) such that they prevent the movement of said retainer (20) but allow the rotation of said retainer (20) about an axis of rotation passing through the inside of said closed end (28).

2. The wear element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said nose opening (12) is a through opening, said cavity (4) has two through openings (10) in two of said side walls (8) opposite one another, wherein in said assembled position, said nose opening (12) and the two through openings (10) of the side walls (8) are aligned with one another and said pin (14) is housed in said nose opening (12) and in the two through openings (10) of the side walls (8), wherein said longitudinal axis (16) has a direction of insertion, corresponding to the direction in which the pin (14) is inserted into the through opening (10) to achieve the assembled position, defining an inlet area (32) and an outlet area (34), and wherein said wear element (1) comprises only one retaining device (18), either in said inlet area (32) or in said outlet area (34).

3. A support element (2) of a wear element (1) of an earthmoving machine, wherein in an assembled position of said wear element (1) in said earthmoving machine, said wear element (1) is assembled in said support element (2), said wear element (1) or said support element (2) comprising a cavity (4) wherein in said assembled position, a nose (6) present in the other one of said wear element (1) and support element (2) is housed in said cavity (4), wherein said cavity (4) is bounded by side walls (8) with at least one through opening (10) arranged in one of the side walls (8), wherein the nose (6) has a nose opening (12) which, in said assembled position, is aligned with the through opening (10) of the side wall (8), said nose opening (12) and said through opening (10) being suitable for housing a pin (14) which, in said assembled position, fixes said wear element (1) to said support element (2) and defines a longitudinal axis (16), characterized in that said support element (1) comprises a retaining device (18) which, in turn, comprises a retainer (20), suitable for retaining said pin (14) in said nose opening (12) and said through opening (10) in said assembled position, and fixing means (22) suitable for fixing said retainer (20) to said support element (1), wherein said retainer (20) is U-shaped, defining a retainer axis (24), with an open end (26), a closed end (28) and two arms (30) extending between said open end (26) and said closed end (28), said fixing means (22) fix said retainer (20) to said support element (2) at said closed end (28), and said fixing means (22) fix said retainer (20) to said support element (2) such that they prevent the movement of said retainer (20) but allow the rotation of said retainer (20) about an axis of rotation passing through the inside of said closed end (28).

4. The support element (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that said nose opening (12) is a through opening (10), said cavity (4) has two through openings (10) in two of said side walls (8) opposite one another, wherein in said assembled position, said nose opening (12) and the two through openings (10) of the side walls (8) are aligned with one another and said pin (14) is housed in said nose opening (12) and in the two through openings (10) of the side walls (8), wherein said longitudinal axis (16) has a direction of insertion, corresponding to the direction in which the pin (14) is inserted into the through opening (10) to achieve the assembled position, defining an inlet area (32) and an outlet area (34), and wherein said support element (2) comprises only one retaining device (18), either in said inlet area (32) or in said outlet area (34).

5. The wear element (1) or support element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said fixing means (22) comprise rotation limiting means that limit the angle by which said retainer (20) can rotate about said axis of rotation.

6. The wear element (1) or support element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the area of a cross-section of one of said arms (30) is smaller than the area of a cross-section of said closed end (28) and, preferably, the area of a cross-section of said retainer (20) decreases progressively between said closed end (28) and said open end (26).

7. The wear element (1) or support element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said nose (6) or said side wall (8) comprise a recess (36) suitable for housing at least one part of said retainer (20) in said assembled position.

8. The wear element (1) according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that said retainer (20) is fixed to said wear element (1) and said recess (36) is in said wear element (1).

9. The support element (2) according to claims 3 and 8, characterized in that said retainer (20) is fixed to said support element (2) and said recess (36) is in said support element (2).

10. The wear element (1) or support element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tips (38) of said arms (30) at said open end (26) are suitable for moving freely in an opening direction, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (16) and to said retainer axis (24).

11. The wear element (1) or support element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the tips (38) of said arms (30) at said open end (26) are curved towards said retainer axis (24), partially closing said open end (26).

12. The wear element (1) or support element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said retainer (20) is made of a plate, with a constant thickness.

13. The wear element (1) or support element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that in the junction area between said closed end (28) and each of said arms (30) there is a projection (40) towards said retainer axis (24), partially closing said closed end (28) and, preferably, in the junction area between said closed end (28) and each of said arms (30), on the side opposite said projection (40), there is a sinkage (62).

14. The wear element (1) or support element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said fixing means (22) comprise a plug (42) made of polymer material, preferably an elastomeric material, with a head (44) and a body (46), wherein said body (46) is suitable for being housed in the inside of the closed end (28) of the U-shaped part of the retainer, and said nose (6) or said side wall (8) has a fixing opening (48) suitable for housing said body (46), wherein in said assembled position, said body (46) passes through the inside of said closed end (28) and is housed in the inside of said fixing opening (48) and said head (44) retains said retainer (20), preventing it from moving according to a longitudinal direction parallel to said longitudinal axis and, preferably, said body (46) comprises at least one flange (50) protruding radially from said body (46), wherein said flange (50) extends radially by a distance that is greater than the radius of said fixing opening (48).

15. The wear element (1) or support element (2) according to claim 14, wherein said fixing means (22) comprise rotation limiting means that limit the angle by which said retainer (20) can rotate about said axis of rotation, characterized in that said rotation limiting means comprise a protrusion (52) arranged in the junction area between said body (46) and said head (44).

16. The wear element (1) or support element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said fixing means (22) comprise a bent plate (54), comprising a first end (56) bent into a U shape, in the interior of which a segment of said closed end (28) is housed, and a second end (58), also having a U shape, which, in said assembled position, surrounds a segment of the perimeter of said through opening (10) in said side wall (8) and, preferably, said fixing means (22) comprise rotation limiting means that limit the angle by which said retainer (20) can rotate about said axis of rotation, characterized in that said rotation limiting means are formed by an intermediate segment (60) of said plate (54), arranged between said first end (56) and said second end (58), which, in said assembled position, is arranged between said arms (30).

Images