Wear Assembly

Abstract

a wear assembly for earth moving equipment comprising a wear member having an outer surface; an opening for receiving the separable component and a hole extending from the outer surface to the opening; a lock in the hole for securing the separable component to the wear member, the lock including a collar and a pin adjustable within the collar such that the pin is movable inwardly to retain the separable component and outwardly to release the separable component; a magnet for securing the collar within the hole; and the lock may pivot outwardly into the hole.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 176,065, filed April 16, 2021, entitled "Wear Assembly," which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a wear assembly for earthmoving equipment, and a wear member, base, and / or lock of the wear assembly. [Background technology]

[0003] Earthmoving equipment, such as earthmoving buckets, are used in demolition, mining, earthmoving, and other similar heavy-duty applications. Wear parts may be attached to the earthmoving equipment to protect it from wear and / or to enhance the operation of the equipment. Such wear parts may include points, adapters, shrouds, and the like. Such wear parts are typically subjected to harsh conditions, heavy loads, and extreme wear. Thus, the wear parts wear out over time and often must be replaced under less than ideal conditions in the field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a wear member for a wear assembly for earthmoving equipment. The present disclosure also includes a wear member and a lock combined as a single integral component, i.e., the wear member includes a wearable body and a lock joined together. The present disclosure also relates to each of the lock, the wear member (e.g., points, adapters, shrouds, breaking hammers, runners, etc.), and the base.

[0005] In one other example, a wear assembly includes a wear member having a mounting portion for engaging a base to mount the wear member to earth moving equipment. The mounting portion has an inner surface for mating with the base and an opposing outer surface, a bore extending from the outer surface to the inner surface, and a lock integrally mounted from the inner surface to the bore. The lock is adjustable for movement between a locked position where the lock is positioned to contact the base to hold the wear member to the equipment and a release position where the lock is positioned to release the base while the lock remains in the bore. The lock includes at least one magnet for capturing the lock to the wear member.

[0006] In another example, a process of assembling a wear assembly includes providing a locking recess in a wear member having a cavity defined by an inner surface, magnetically attaching a collar of a lock from the cavity of the wear member to the locking recess, and inserting a pin through a bore in the collar of the lock.

[0007] In another example, a lock for securing a wear member to an instrument may include a collar having a threaded opening and a magnet, a threaded pin for engaging the collar, and a base for locking the wear member to the base. At least the magnet locks the collar to an inner surface of the wear member in the installed position. The wear member and the lock attached to the installed position may be shipped as a single wear assembly.

[0008] In a further example, a wear assembly includes a wear member having a mounting portion for engaging a base (to mount the wear member to earth moving equipment), the mounting portion having an inner surface for mating with the base and an opposing outer surface, a bore extending from the outer surface to the inner surface, and a lock integrally attached to the bore from the inner surface for movement between a locked position where the lock is positioned to contact the base to hold the wear member to the equipment, and a release position where the lock is positioned to release the base while the lock remains in the bore. The lock includes a collar having at least one magnet for capturing the lock on the inner surface of the wear member, and a movable pin that passes through the collar.

[0009] In one other example, a wear assembly includes a wear member having a mounting portion for engaging a base for mounting the wear member to an earth moving equipment and an exterior surface. The mounting portion has an inner surface for mating with the base, the inner surface defining a recess and a bore extending through the wear member from the exterior surface to the inner surface. The recess has a front wall having a support projecting into the recess for a lock to engage and swing outwardly to engage the wear member. The recess includes an opposite portion of the support for magnetically receiving a portion of the lock to hold the lock in a swinging position.

[0010] In another example, a process of assembling a wear assembly includes providing a locking recess in a wear member having a cavity defined by an inner surface, pivoting a collar of the lock around one side of the collar and magnetically attaching the collar of the lock from the cavity of the wear member on the other side of the collar to the locking recess, and inserting a pin through a bore in the collar of the lock.

[0011] In another example, the lock includes a collar having a bearing surface on one end having a magnet to hold the lock on the inner surface of the wear member, an opening, and a recess at one end that receives a support located on the inner surface of the wear member such that the collar rotates from the inner surface of the wear member to a installed position to removably hold the wear member on an instrument, and a pin that passes through the opening in the collar.

[0012] In a further example, a wear assembly includes a wear member having a mounting portion for engaging with a base for mounting the wear member to an earth moving equipment and an exterior surface. The mounting portion of the wear member has an inner surface for mating with the base, the inner surface defining a recess including a bore extending through the wear member from the exterior surface to the inner surface. The recess has a support protruding into the recess to engage and swing the lock outwardly to engage the wear member and partially retain the lock on the wear member from the inner surface of the mounting portion.

[0013] In one other example, a process of assembling a wear assembly includes providing a wear member having a cavity defined by an inner surface with a locking recess, pivoting a locking collar outwardly from the inner surface of the cavity, around one side of the collar, and inserting a pin through a bore in the locking collar.

[0014] In another example, the lock includes a collar having an opening and a recess at one end for receiving a support on the wear member that rotates from the inner surface of the wear member into an installed position, and a pin that passes through the opening in the collar to removably hold the wear member to the instrument.

[0015] In another example, a process for shipping a wear assembly includes providing a locking recess in a wear member having a cavity defined by an inner surface, magnetically attaching a collar of a lock to the wear member from the inner surface of the cavity and around at least one side of the collar, inserting a pin through a bore in the collar of the lock, and shipping the wear assembly.

[0016] In a further example, a wear assembly includes a wear member having an attachment portion for engaging a base for mounting the wear member to earth moving equipment and an exterior surface. The attachment portion has an inner surface for mating with the base. The inner surface defines a bore including a recess in the inner surface. A lock having a pin and a collar is trapped and supported between the wear member and the base. The collar having a through bore is threaded and sized and shaped to allow the pin to pass therethrough.

[0017] In one other example, the base includes a nose sized and shaped to mate with the cavity in the wear member. The base has a locking hole defined by an inner surface that is substantially circular and has two flat sections on one side for engagement by the pin of the lock.

[0018] In another example, the wear member includes a lock access recess in an interior surface having a lock hole that passes through the wear member and opens to the interior and exterior of the wear member. The lock access recess is sized and shaped to mate with a collar of the lock, with one side of the recess fully engaging the collar and the other side engaging only a portion of a side of the collar.

[0019] In another example, a wear assembly for earth moving equipment includes a wear member and a lock for releasably securing the wear member to a base, the lock being secured to the wear member by at least one magnet.

[0020] In another example, a wear assembly for earth moving equipment includes a wear member having a mounting cavity for receiving a base and a hole opening into the mounting cavity and an outer surface of the wear member. A collar is secured to the wear member by at least one magnet such that a through hole in the collar is aligned with a hole in the wear member. A pin is movably secured within the through hole to removably retain the wear member to the base.

[0021] In another example, a wear assembly for earthmoving equipment includes a wear member, a collar, and a pin. The wear member has a mounting cavity for receiving the base and a hole opening into the mounting cavity and an outer surface of the wear member. The collar includes a through hole aligned with the hole in the wear member for movably receiving and securing the pin such that the pin can removably hold the wear member to the base. The collar and wear member include complementary protrusions and recesses that allow the collar to pivot into position from the cavity. Optionally, at least one magnet can be included to hold the collar to the wear member.

[0022] In another example, a wear part for earth moving equipment has a mounting cavity for receiving a base, a hole opening into the mounting cavity and into an exterior surface of the wear part, and a projection or recess for cooperating with and pivoting at least a component of a lock into a mounted position from the cavity and within the hole. Optionally, at least one magnet can be included to retain the collar on the wear part.

[0023] In a further example, a first component of a wear assembly for earth moving equipment includes a mounting cavity for receiving a second component, a bore opening into the mounting cavity and an exterior surface of the first component, and a protrusion or recess for cooperating with and pivoting with at least a component of the lock from the mounting cavity to a mounted position within the bore. Optionally, at least one magnet can be included to retain the collar on the first component.

[0024] In one further example, a wear assembly for earth moving equipment includes a wear member including an exterior surface, an opening for receiving a separable component, and a bore extending from the exterior surface to the opening. A lock in the bore for securing the separable component to the wear member, the lock including a collar and a pin adjustable within the collar such that the pin is movable inwardly to retain the separable component and movable outwardly to release the separable component. A magnet for securing the collar in the bore.

[0025] In one example, a wear assembly for earth moving equipment includes a wear member including an outer surface, an opening for receiving a separable component, a bore extending from the outer surface to the opening, an outer portion adjacent the outer surface and an inner portion surrounding the outer portion forming a recess in the opening, and a pivot support on one side of the recess, the lock including an adjustable pin in the collar to move inwardly to retain the collar and the separable component and outwardly to release the separable component, the collar including a pivot formation that engages the pivot support to pivot the collar into the recess.

[0026] In another example, a wear member for earth moving equipment includes an outer surface, an opening for receiving a separable component, a bore extending from the outer surface to the opening, the bore having an outer portion adjacent the outer surface and an inner portion forming a recess within the opening surrounding the outer portion, and a pivot support on one side of the recess to facilitate pivoting a collar of a lock into the recess such that the lock can hold the separable component in the opening.

[0027] In a further example, a lock for securing a wear member for earthmoving work to a separable component, the lock including a collar including a body, at least one projection extending from one side of the body, a threaded opening extending through the body, and at least one magnet for holding the collar in an installed position against an inner surface of the wear member, and a threaded pin in the threaded opening in the collar adjustable within the collar for movement in and out of the separable component.

[0028] In one further example, a lock for securing a wear member for earthmoving work to a separable component, the lock including a collar including a pivot formation at one end of the collar to facilitate pivoting of the collar into a usable position against an inner surface on the wear member, a threaded opening extending through the collar, and at least one magnet to hold the collar to the wear member. A threaded pin within a threaded opening in a collar that can be adjusted inward and outward on the separable components.

[0029] A process for attaching a lock to a wear member for earth moving equipment, the process including: 1) providing a wear member having an opening for receiving a separable component and a transverse hole intersecting the opening; 2) placing a collar having a through hole within the opening and against an inner surface of the opening such that the through hole aligns with the transverse hole in the wear member; 3) providing a magnet and / or collar on the wear member to secure the collar to the wear member; and 4) inserting a pin into the through hole in the collar, adjustable toward and away from the opening.

[0030] The advantages of the presently disclosed lock and wear assembly will be more readily understood after consideration of the drawings and detailed description. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wear assembly including a wear member, a base, and a lock according to the present disclosure.

[0032] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the wear assembly of FIG.

[0033] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the base of FIG.

[0034] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lock of FIG.

[0035] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the lock of FIG.

[0036] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a top view of the lock of FIG.

[0037] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the interior of the wear member of FIG. 1 with a lock installed prior to attachment to the base.

[0038] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1 with the lock in the released position.

[0039] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1 with the lock in the locked position.

[0040] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of a second wear assembly including a wear member and a lock in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0041] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the lock of FIG.

[0042] [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the lock of FIG.

[0043] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a top view of the lock of FIG.

[0044] [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the interior of the wear member of FIG. 10 with the lock in the installation process, prior to attachment of the wear member to the base.

[0045] [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a partially exploded view of the wear member and lock of FIG. 10 prior to installation of the lock.

[0046] [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the lock in the release position.

[0047] [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lock in the locked position.

[0048] [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a rigging assembly according to the present disclosure.

[0049] [Figure 19] 19 is a partial exploded view of the rigging assembly of FIG. 18. FIG.

[0050] [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the lock of FIG.

[0051] [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the lock of FIG.

[0052] [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a side view of the lock of FIG.

[0053] [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view of the interior of the wear member of FIG. 18 prior to installation of the collar.

[0054] [Figure 24] 24 is a partial cross-sectional view of the interior of the bore of the wear member of FIG.

[0055] [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a partial perspective view of the interior of the hole of FIG. 24 with a collar installed.

[0056] [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 18 with the lock in the locked position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] The present disclosure relates to a wear assembly for earth moving equipment. Although the disclosure herein includes an example of securing a ground engaging tool (shown as a point in this example) to an adapter, the wear assembly according to the present disclosure may be used to secure other types of wear parts, such as intermediate adapters, shrouds, runners, picks, hammers, rigging components, etc. Similarly, while a mining bucket is disclosed herein as an earth moving equipment, other types of earth moving equipment may be used, such as dredge cutter heads, shredders, rigging equipment, roll crushers, chutes, truck bodies, etc. Relative terms, such as front, rear, top, bottom, etc., are used for convenience of discussion. The terms front or forward are generally used to indicate a normal direction in use (e.g., during mining), and up or top are generally used as a reference to a surface over which material passes when it is collected in the bucket, for example. Nevertheless, it is recognized that in the operation of various earth moving machines, the wear assembly may be oriented in various directions and move in all kinds of directions during use.

[0058] In the illustrated example of Figures 1-2, the wear assembly 10 includes two separate components and a lock, e.g., a wear member 12, a base or separable component 58, and a lock 14. Alternatively, the combination of the wear member 12 and lock 14 may be considered a wear assembly 10, which may optionally be sold, shipped, stored, and / or installed as a single unit. The wear member 12 is shown as having a working portion 12A that converges into a narrowed front end 12B for penetrating the ground during mining, and a mounting portion 12C having a rearwardly opening cavity 19 defined by an inner surface 21 for receiving the base 58. The working portion 12A is forward of the cavity 19 and the mounting portion 12C is rearward of the working portion 12A in the longitudinal direction A.

[0059] The base 58 may be an integral part of the earthmoving equipment (such as the digging edge of a bucket) or may be a separate component attached to such equipment (e.g., an adapter) by, for example, welding or mechanical attachment. The cavity 19 and base 58 received therein are complementary shaped to adequately support the wear member 12 during use. In this embodiment, the base 58 is the nose of an adapter or cast strip. In the illustrated example, the cavity and nose are generally as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,882,649 (incorporated herein by reference), although a wide range of cavity and nose configurations can be used. The nose 58 includes an opening 60 that receives the tip 27 of the pin 22 to secure the wear member to the base (FIG. 3).

[0060] Lock 14 is a coupling arrangement for securing two separable components during an earthmoving operation. With reference to Figures 4-9, lock 14 includes an attachment component or collar 26 and a retention component or pin 22. Lock 14 is received in a hole 17 that extends through the wall of the wear member and communicates with attachment cavity 19. In the illustrated embodiment, hole 17 passes through a side wall of point 12, but it may pass through other walls. By way of example only, hole 17 may pass through other side walls or the top wall of point 12. Multiple holes 17 (e.g., in each side wall) may be used to secure multiple locks to hold wear member 12 to base 58. In other wear members, hole 17 may pass through the bottom, top, or other walls of the wear member. In wear members having a shank (not shown) instead of an attachment cavity, hole 17 passes through a base having a cavity to receive the shank. In this arrangement, hole 60 is formed in the shank. In the illustrated embodiment, bore 17 includes an inner portion or recess 16 that opens into cavity 19, and an outer portion or passageway 18 that opens to the exterior surface of wear member 12. In this example, passageway 18 is narrower and defines a shoulder or concave surface 35 to retain collar 26 from moving outwardly, although other arrangements for retaining collar 26 (e.g., protrusions, fasteners, etc.) may be used. Also, in the illustrated example, recess 16 and passageway 18 each narrow in the outward direction (e.g., for manufacturing purposes), but could have other shapes.

[0061] The collar 26 fits into the recess or lock-receiving area 16 of the wear member 12 and has a body 25 including a bore or opening 26A. The bore shown includes threads 26B for receiving the pin 22 with matching threads 22B, although other non-threaded configurations for securing and moving the pin relative to the collar (e.g., prying latch, oil pressure, etc.) are possible. In the illustrated example, the body 25 includes an inner portion 31 received in the recess 16 and an outer portion 30 received in the passage 18. The inner portion 31 is elongated so as to be larger than the passage 18 to resist outward movement during use. The outer portion 30 is smaller for reception within the passage 18 to ensure alignment of the bore 26A with the hole 17 and / or to provide a longer threaded continuity. Nonetheless, other collar shapes are possible.

[0062] The collar 26 includes at least one magnet 11 for securing the collar 26 and / or the lock 14 in the recess 16. In the illustrated example, two magnets are located near each end 13, 13' of the outer surface 30 of the collar 26, although other locations and numbers of magnets 11 are possible. Each magnet 11 may be installed in an open hole 11A (which in this example is a blind hole) or may be otherwise secured to the collar 26. The magnets 11 and holes 11A are illustrated as cylindrical, but other shapes are possible. The magnets may alternatively be secured to the wear member in the hole 17. The magnet 11 may hold the collar 26 and the lock 14 in place in the wear member 12 once the pin 22 is installed during shipping, storage, and / or installation of the wear member 12. This arrangement may allow the wear member 12 to be installed on the base 58 without first moving or removing the lock 14 from the wear member 12. In some instances, it is preferred that lock 14 be retained on wear member 12 in a first or release position, with inner end 27 of pin 22 located within collar 26 so that lock 14 does not prevent installation of wear member 12 onto base 58 (FIG. 1). Inner end 27 can be inside collar 26 in the release position as long as the base is removed during installation (FIG. 8).

[0063] The pin 22 may be similar to the pins disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 671,096, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The pin 22 includes a tool receiving formation 22C for rotating the pin 22. In the illustrated example, the formation 22C includes a hole with facets 22D in the head 22A to receive, for example, a hex wrench tool. The pin 22 may include a distal tapered shank 24 extending away from the head having threads 22B. In this example, an outer seal 28 is held within a recess 28A located inside the head 22A on the pin 22 (FIG. 5). The outer seal 28 and inner seal 29 provide a sealed thread space for the assembled lock. The seals may be reversed such that the inner seal is on the pin and the outer seal is on the collar. Additionally, in alternative examples, either the seals 28, 29 may be positioned on the collar or the pin. In other examples, one or both seals 28, 29 may not be used.

[0064] In one preferred example, the threaded pin 22 includes an optional latch or detent 45 biased to protrude beyond the surrounding threads 22B. A corresponding outer pocket or recess 46 is formed in the threads 26B of the collar 26 to receive the detent 45 so that the threaded pin 22 is fixed in a particular position relative to the collar 26 when the latch detent 45 aligns with the outer pocket. The latch detent 45 is preferably located at the start of the threads 22B on the threaded pin 22, closer to the pin end 27 than the pin head 22A. The latch detent 45 is preferably formed of sheet steel and is held in place within a sump 52 within the pin 22, which may be resiliently secured to an elastomer 50. The elastomer 52 may be molded around the latch detent 45, for example, so that the elastomer 52 cures in place and bonds to the latch detent 45. The latch 45 may alternatively be within the pocket 46 of the collar 26 and pin 22.

[0065] The use of a single, integral wear member 12 and lock 14 reduces the number of parts kept in inventory. Such a construction reduces inventory and storage needs, eliminates dropping locks during installation (which can be a problem especially overnight), ensures that the proper lock is always used, and facilitates installation of the wear member. Nevertheless, the pin 22 can be removed at any time if desired. The collar 26 is preferably a single unit (assembled as one piece or a single body) and is preferably of one piece construction for strength and simplicity. Similarly, the pin 22 is preferably of one piece construction, a single unit, for strength and simplicity. Nevertheless, the collar and / or pin can be formed of multiple pieces. Although the collar and pin are preferably assembled to the wear member 12 at the time of manufacture, the collar 26 and pin 22 may be installed at other times. For example, the collar 26, with or without the pin 22, can be installed at the job site prior to installation on the base. If the collar 26 is installed without the pin 22, the pin 22 can be inserted from the outside to secure the wear member 12 to the base 58.

[0066] Recess 16 is an opening in inner surface 21 of wear member 12 and is configured to receive and cooperate with collar 26 of lock 14, i.e., the collar fits into bore 17 from within cavity 19. Recess 16 surrounds a passage 18 for receiving pin 22 and an inner portion 30 of collar 26 of lock 14. Recess 16 and / or passage 18 may be elongated and circular in shape defined by inner surfaces 33, 34, although other shapes are possible.

[0067] 7-9, to install the lock 14, the collar 26 is inserted into the recess 16 from within the cavity 19 so that the magnets 11 on the collar engage the concave surfaces 35 of the recess 16 on either side of the hole 17 and the outer portion 30 is received within the hole 17. Alternative locations for the magnets 11 are shown in phantom within the concave surfaces 35. The magnets 11 may be flush with the concave surfaces 35. The surfaces defining the recess 16 resist rotation of the collar 26 during installation and / or adjustment of the pin 22. The recess 16 also includes a front surface 33 and rear surfaces 34, 35 for supporting the collar 26. In the illustrated example, the rear surface 34 has a smaller inward extension than the front surface to accommodate the extension of the nose 58, although other arrangements are possible. Additionally, the rear surface 34 and / or front surface 33 provide a resistive coupling to cantilever and other loads imposed on the pin 22 during use. While the magnets 11 function to retain the collar 26 in the recess 16 at all times, they are primarily for retaining the collar during installation of the pin 22, as well as during shipping, storage, and / or installation of the wear member 12. When the wear member 12 is assembled on the base, the opposition of the nose 58 against the collar 26 prevents the collar 26 from becoming dislodged from the recess 16 during use.

[0068] The pin 22 may be installed in the collar 26 from outside the wear member 12, but may also be coupled to the collar 26 or installed in the bore 17 with the collar 26, such that the pin end 27 is the tip 27 and the threads 22B of the pin threadably engage with the threads 26B of the collar. The tip 27 is preferably unthreaded for receipt in a bore 60 in the side 56 of the nose 58. Engagement of the latch detent 45 in the outer pocket 46 holds the threaded pin 22 in the release position relative to the collar 26, which holds the pin 22 outside the cavity 19 (or at least outside the bore 60 with sufficient clearance for the nose 58). Thus, the wear member 12 can be installed in (and / or removed from) the nose 58 (FIG. 8). The pin 22 is preferably shipped and stored in the release position such that the wear member 12 is ready for installation while the collar 26 is captured in the recess 16, but need not be. In other examples, the pin does not include a latch detent and simply serves to lock the wear member 12 to the base.

[0069] Further application of torque to the pin 22 crushes the latch detent 45 from the outer pocket 46. An inner pocket or recess is optionally formed on the inner end of the threaded portion of the collar 26 to place the lock in the locked position (FIG. 9). The tip 27, when fully inserted, engages within the hole 60 to secure the wear member 12 to the base 58 (FIG. 9). Referring to FIG. 3, the base opening 60 may include two flat sections or flats 55A, 55B around at least a portion of the depth of the hole 60. The flats 55A, 55B are located at the forward end of the inner wall of the opening 60 to provide two contact points for the tip 27 of the pin 22, although other locations are possible. The flats 55A, 55B may reduce stress on the pin 22 and reduce lock hole wear from engagement of the lock during use and removal. Nevertheless, curved or other non-linear shaped sections may be used.

[0070] To remove the wear member 12 from the base 58, the pin 22 may be released using a torque applying tool (e.g., a torque wrench) that unscrews the pin 22 from the collar 26. The pin 22 can be removed from the collar 26, but only retracted to the release position without completely removing the pin 22. The wear member 12 can then be removed from the nose 58. The torque to unscrew the pin 22 can exert a substantial torsional load on the collar 26 that is resisted by the ledge 33.

[0071] Use of locks according to the present disclosure can provide many advantages: (i) the locks can be incorporated into the wear parts, allowing them to be shipped and stored in a ready-to-install location for less inventory and easier installation; (ii) the lock requires only a common driving tool (e.g., a hex tool) for ease of use; (iii) the lock does not require a hammer for safe operation; (iv) the lock provides simple tool access for quick installation and / or removal; (v) the lock can provide visual and / or tactile confirmation of correct installation; (vi) a new lock can be provided for each wear part to enhance reliability and / or convenience; (vii) the lock has a simple and intuitive operation that is easy to use; (viii) the lock may have an integration system built around a simple castable form, where the integration supports high loads and does not require special tools or adhesives, making for a permanent assembly; (ix) a magnet holds the collar on the wear part in a quick and easy installation position; and / or (x) the lock is located inside the wear assembly to protect the lock from wear and reduce the risk of lock ejection.

[0072] 10, the wear assembly 110 includes a wear member 112, a base 158, and a lock 114. The wear member 112 and base 158 are substantially similar to the wear member 12 and base 58, with the exception of certain distinctions that are discussed further below.

[0073] In the illustrated example, the wear member 112 is shown as having a working portion 112A in the form of a narrowed tip 112B for penetrating the ground during mining, and a mounting portion 112C having a rear-opening cavity 119 defined by an inner surface 121 for receiving a base 158.

[0074] The wear member 112 includes a cavity 119 generally shaped to receive the base 158 therein, and includes an opening 160 sized and shaped to engage the inner end 127 of the pin 122 to secure the wear member 112 to the base 158. The opening 160 may optionally include two linear sections, as discussed above.

[0075] Lock 114 is a coupling arrangement for securing two separable components together during an earthmoving operation. Referring to Figures 11-13, lock 114 is installed in a hole 117 in wear member 112. Hole 117 includes a recess or inner portion 116 and a passage or outer portion 118. Lock 114 includes an attachment component or collar 126 and a retention component or pin 122. Pin 122 is substantially similar to pin 22. Collar 126 fits into recess 116 in wear member 112 and has a body 125 including a bore or opening 126A. In the illustrated example, bore 126A includes threads 126B for receiving pin 122 having matching threads 122B, although other configurations are possible.

[0076] The collar 126 includes at least one magnet 111 for securing the collar 126 and / or the lock 114 in the recess 116. In the illustrated example, the magnet 111 is located near the end 113 of the body 125 on the top surface 172 of the collar 126, although other locations are possible. The magnet may alternatively be secured to the wear member 112 in the hole 117. The body 125 includes a coupling structure or anchoring mechanism 162 configured to cooperate with a complementary support mechanism 164 formed in the recess 116 (FIG. 14). The anchor 162 and support 164 are configured such that interaction of the anchor 162 allows the complementary support 164 and lock 114 to be seated from within the interior 121 of the wear member 112, after which the lock 114 may be pivoted generally outwardly toward the recess 116 about a locking axis of rotation B (FIG. 15). The anchor 162 and support 164 are preferably configured to facilitate rotation of the lock 114 about axis B. For example, the anchor 162 corresponds to a slot that interacts with the support 164 corresponding to a protrusion or ridge formed on the proximal wall of the lock recess 116 (see FIG. 14). The protrusion 164 may include an opening 164A such that the anchor 162 only engages the top and bottom of the support 164 (FIG. 15). The opening 164A may be included to reduce stresses in the manufacturing process. The slot 162 may alternatively be formed on a ridge on the wear member and the lock.

[0077] The presence of the support 164 and magnet 111 serves to accommodate the collar 126 or lock 114 in a first or release position such that the lock 114 does not impede installation of the wear member 112 on the base 158. The magnet 111 in combination with the support 164 holds the lock 114 in place within the wear member 112, allowing for shipping and storage of the wear member 112, and preferably further allowing the wear member 112 to be installed on a suitable base 158 without first moving or removing the lock 114 (e.g., either the pin 122 or the collar 126) from the opening 117. However, the base 158 is not required to hold the lock 114 in the first position, although resistance to the collar of the base during use prevents the collar from dislodging from the recess 116. Any outward movement of the lock 114 is resisted by the support 164 in the slot 162 and by the upper surface 172 of the end 113 of the lock 114 abutting the resistance surface 135 (FIG. 16).

[0078] The body 125 includes a bottom surface 174 of similar shape to the top surface 172. In one example, the top surface 172 has a longer length dimension than the bottom surface 174. The top surface 172 is adjacent to a proximal surface 176 and an opposing distal surface 177. The slot 162 defines a curved surface 178 adjacent to a lower surface 180 (FIG. 12). The lower surface 180 in the illustrated example is not engaged in the shipping and locking position by the wear member 112 or the base 158 (FIGS. 16-17). In other examples, the bottom surface 174 may engage the base 158. The body 125 includes a lateral side 179 and two sets of converging surfaces 181-184 that converge toward the ends 113, 113' of the lock 114. In the illustrated example, converging surfaces 182, 183 converge toward the proximal end 113 and are longer in dimension than converging surfaces 181, 184, which converge toward the distal end 113', although other configurations are possible. For example, converging surfaces 181, 184 could be longer. Also, a pair of surfaces 181-184 may converge, or none of the pairs may converge.

[0079] The recess 116 is an opening in the inner surface 121 of the wear member 112 and is configured to receive and cooperate with the collar 126 of the lock 114 (FIG. 15). The lock 114 may be physically coupled to the wear member 112 in the release position. The recess 116 surrounds a passageway 118 and receives an inner portion of the collar 126 of the lock 114. A hole 117 penetrates the wall of the wear member 112 to open to the outer surface and the inner surface 121. The passageway 118 may be an elongated circular shape defined by the inner surface 118, although other shapes are possible. The recess 116 includes a portion 133 that is sized and shaped to mate with the body 125 of the collar 126. The recess portion 133 includes upper and lower surfaces 187 and 188, converging surfaces 190, 193 tapering toward the rear, and converging surfaces 191, 192 tapering toward the front. The upper and lower surfaces 187, 188 and the converging surfaces 190-193 act as anti-rotation surfaces when the pin is rotated within the pass-through opening in the collar, although other arrangements are possible. The converging surfaces 190-193 reduce the size of the hole 117, aiding in point strength and manufacturability.

[0080] 14, to install the lock 114, the collar 126 is inserted into the recess 116 from within the cavity 119 of the wear member 112. The collar 126 rotates outwardly about the support 164 (along axis B) such that the magnet 111 magnetically engages the concave surface 135 of the recess 116 on the proximal side 113 of the lock 114, and an outer portion of the lock 114 is received within the passageway 118. The recess 116 includes a ledge 133 with which one end 113 of the collar 126 engages. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock 114 and magnet 111 set against the shoulder 135. However, the magnet may be positioned to set against other surfaces of the wear member. Furthermore, the cooperation of the ledge 133, shoulder 135, and ridge 164 provide a resistive coupling against cantilever and other loads imposed on the pin 122 during use. The opposition of the base 158 against the collar 126 when the wear member 112 is assembled on the base 158 prevents the collar 126 from becoming dislodged from the recess 116 during use. The pin 122 is then threaded into the collar 126. The collar and pin may be mounted as an adjustable unit in the bore 117 to provide clearance for the pin as the collar rotates into the recess 116.

[0081] 16-17, the lock 114 has two positions as discussed above. The pin 122 is installed in the collar 126 from the outside of the wear member 112 such that the tip 127 and threads 122B of the pin are threadedly engaged with the threads 126B of the collar. In the release or shipping position, the lock 114 is also constrained against outward movement by the ridge 164 received in the slot 162 and the magnet 111 attached to the ledge 135 (FIG. 16). If the magnet 111 fails, the pin 122 will stop the collar 126 from rotating outward. Twisting of the lock 114 in the installed position is resisted by the ridge 164 of the slot 162 and by the proximity of the peripheral walls 133, 135, 187, 188, 190-193 of the bore 117 containing the lock 114. Further twisting moves the pin 122 to a locked position where only a portion of the tip 127 engages with a hole 160 in the base 158, retaining the wear member 112 to the base 158 (FIG. 17).

[0082] To remove the wear member 112, the pin 122 may be released using a torqueing tool (e.g., a torque wrench) to unscrew the pin 122 from the collar 126 back to the released or shipping position ( FIG. 16 ) while remaining in the hole 117. The pin 122 can be removed from the collar 126, but only retracted to the released position without completely removing the pin 122. The wear member 112 can then be removed from the nose 158.

[0083] In the illustrated example of Figures 18-26, a rigging assembly 210 is shown including a wear member 212, a rigging pin or separable component 258, and a lock 214. In the illustrated example, the wear member 212 is shown as a Y-connector having arms 212A, 212B each having a respective opening 219A, 219B. Each of the openings 219A, 219B is defined by an inner surface 221A, 221B for receiving a rigging pin 258. In this example, the rigging pin 258 has a cylindrical body 258A and a head 258B with a flat portion 258C or other non-spherical configuration. Pins of other configurations may be used.

[0084] Base end 212C is provided at the opposite end of Y-connector 212. Rigging component 212 is typically part of a rigging assembly and is secured to other components (e.g., other rigging components, chains, bucket parts, etc.) via rigging pins 258 (i.e., between arms 212A, 212B and through openings in base end 212C). Although a Y-connector rigging component is used as an example, locks 214 can be used to secure the pins to other types of rigging components.

[0085] Each opening 219A, 219B may be generally shaped to receive a rigging pin 258. Hole 217 passes through arm 212A and intersects opening 219A. Hole 217 may also, or alternatively, be located within arm 212B (not shown). Hole 217 includes an inner portion or recess 217' that opens into interior 221 of opening 219A. Recess 217' is configured to receive and cooperate with body 225 of collar 226 of lock 214. An outer portion of hole 217 may be elongated and circular defined by inner surface 218, although other shapes are possible. Outer portion or passage 216 of hole 217 is sized and shaped to mate with at least outer portion 231 of collar 226 of lock (FIG. 25). Recess 217' may include opposed grooves 287, 288, which may include sides 290-293. The sides 290-293 may act as anti-rotation surfaces when the pin 222 rotates within the passage opening 226A of the collar 226, although other arrangements are possible (FIGS. 24-25). The hole 217 may further include a relief 232 in communication with the passage 218 and the recess 217' (FIG. 24).

[0086] The rigging wear member 212 is a coupling arrangement for securing two separable components during earthmoving operations. The lock 214 secures the rigging pin 258 to the wear member 212. With reference to FIGS. 20-22, the lock 214 includes an attachment component or collar 226 and a retention component or pin 222. The pin 222 may be substantially similar to the pin 22. The pin 222 is illustrated as having a longer shank 224 than the pin 22. A longer pin such as the pin 222 may optionally be used to secure the wear member to a base (e.g., an adapter nose) in the form of a ground engaging tool (e.g., a point). In such an arrangement, the pin may penetrate the base and engage both side walls of the point. Also, a shorter pin may be used for the rigging member. The collar 226 is placed in the hole 217 and recess 217' in front of the pin 222. In this example, the collar is placed through the open outer end of the arm 212A formed by the extension of the opening 219A to the outer side wall of the arm 212A. The pin 222 of the lock 214 passes through the hole 217 and into one of the openings 219A (FIG. 26).

[0087] The collar 226 has a body 225 that fits into the lock-receiving recess 217' of the arm 212A of the wear member 212 and extends into the passageway 218. The body 225 may be cylindrical and may include a bore 226A. In the illustrated example, the bore 226A includes a threaded portion 226B for receiving the pin 222 with matching threads 222B, although other configurations are possible. The illustrated bore includes a threaded portion 226B for receiving the pin 222 with matching threads 222B, although other non-threaded configurations for securing and moving the pin relative to the collar (e.g., prying off a latch, oil pressure, etc.) are also possible.

[0088] In the illustrated example, body 225 includes an inner portion 230 that is received in recess 217' and an outer portion 231 that is received in hole 217. Inner portion 230 is elongated so as to be larger than hole 217 to resist outward movement during use. Inner portion 230 is smaller for reception in hole 217 to ensure alignment of hole 217 with bore 226A and / or to provide a longer thread continuity. Nevertheless, other collar shapes are possible.

[0089] The body 225 may be further defined by at least two protrusions 215, 215' extending outwardly from the cylindrical portion of the body 225. The protrusions 215, 215' may be sized and shaped to fit within grooves 287, 288 in the lock-receiving area 217'. One of the protrusions 215, 215' may have a different length or shape than the other. In the illustrated example, the third protrusion 229 may be located in a relief 232 that extends from the hole 217 into the lock-receiving area 217'.

[0090] The collar 226 includes at least one magnet 211 for securing the collar 226 and thus the lock 214 within the recess 217'. In the illustrated example, two magnets 211 are located on the outer surface 30 of the two protrusions 215, 215' of the collar 226 near their respective ends 213, 213', although other locations and numbers of magnets 211 are possible. The magnets 211 are illustrated as being at different heights, such that one magnet 211 is higher than the other, but other configurations are possible. The magnets 211 are shown as being different sizes, but may be the same. Each magnet 211 may be placed in an open hole 211A or otherwise secured to the collar 226. The magnets 211 and holes 211A are similar to the magnets 11 and holes 11A described above. The magnets 211 may hold the collar 226 in place during shipping, storage, and / or installation of the wear member 212. This arrangement allows the rigging pin 258 to be installed on the wear member 212 without first moving or removing the lock 214 from the wear member 212, depending on the length of the shank 224 on the pin 222. In the example shown, the lock 214 is only positioned in a locked or unlocked position (FIG. 26). The pin end 227 can be inside the collar 226 in the released position, as long as the pin 222 does not extend far enough (not shown) to engage or interfere with the rigging pin 258 during installation.

[0091] The body 225 includes a bottom surface 274 that is similarly shaped as the top surface 272. In other embodiments, the bottom surface 274 may engage the rigging pin 258. The projections 215, 215' include sides 281-284. These sides may converge toward the ends 213, 213' of the lock 214. In the illustrated example, the converging surfaces 283, 284 converge toward the proximal end 215 and are longer in dimension than the sides 281, 282, although other configurations (e.g., diverging, flat, curved, etc.) are possible.

[0092] 23, to install the lock 214, the collar 226 is inserted into the recess 217' from within the interior 221 of the wear member 212. The collar 226 is slid into the hole 217 until the magnet 211 magnetically engages the concave surface 289 of the grooves 287, 288. Furthermore, the cooperation of the magnet 211 with the sides of the grooves 287, 288 provides a resistive coupling against cantilever and other loads imposed on the pin 222 during use. The rigging pin 258 is inserted into the rigging member 212 after installation of the collar. The collar can be installed at the time of manufacture, at the stock or in the field. When the rigging pin 258 is installed on the wear member 212, the opposition of the rigging pin 258 to the collar 226 prevents the collar 226 from disengaging from the recess 217' during use. The pin 222 is then threaded into the collar 226 (FIG. 26).

Claims

1. 1. A wear assembly for earthmoving equipment comprising: a wear member including an exterior surface, an opening for receiving a separable component, and a hole extending from said exterior surface to said opening; a lock in the hole for securing the separable component to the wear member, the lock including a collar and a pin adjustable within the collar such that the pin is movable inwardly to retain the separable component and movable outwardly to release the separable component; and a magnet for securing said collar within said hole.

2. The wear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the wear member is a ground engaging tool and the separable component is a nose for attaching the wear member to a mining edge of earth moving equipment.

3. The wear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the wear member is a rigging component and the separable component is a rigging pin.

4. A wear assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the magnet is fixed to the wear member.

5. A wear assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the magnet is fixed to the collar.

6. 1. A wear assembly for earthmoving equipment comprising: a wear member for earth moving equipment comprising an outer surface, an opening for receiving a separable component, a hole extending from said outer surface to said opening, said hole having an outer portion adjacent said outer surface and an inner portion forming within said opening a recess larger than said outer portion and defining a resistance surface for preventing outward movement of the lock, and a pivot support on one side of said recess; a lock in the bore, the lock including an adjustable pin within the collar to move inwardly to retain a collar and the separable component and outwardly to release the separable component, the collar including a pivot formation that engages the pivot support to pivot the collar into the recess.

7. The wear assembly of claim 6 , wherein the wear member is a ground engaging tool and the separable component is a nose for attaching the wear member to a mining edge of earth moving equipment.

8. The wear assembly of claim 6 , wherein the wear member is a rigging component and the separable component is a rigging pin.

9. A wear assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a magnet is secured to the wear member for securing the collar to the wear member.

10. A wear assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a magnet is secured to the collar for securing the collar to the wear member.

11. A wear member for civil engineering equipment, comprising: The exterior and an opening for receiving a separable component; a bore extending from said exterior surface into said opening, said bore having an outer portion adjacent said exterior surface and an inner portion forming a recess in said opening, said outer portion being narrower than said inner portion and defining a shoulder in said recess to hold a collar against outward movement; a pivot support on one side of the recess for facilitating pivoting of a collar of the lock into the recess so that the lock can retain the separable component within the opening.

12. The wear member of claim 11 , wherein the recess includes a magnet on an opposite side of the pivot support.

13. The wear member of claim 11 , wherein the wear member is a rigging component.

14. The wear member of claim 11 , wherein the wear member is a ground engaging tool.

15. A wear member according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the pivot support is a projection including an opening at its center.

16. A wear member according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the pivot support is a recess that interacts with a protrusion in the collar.

17. A wear member for civil engineering equipment, comprising: The exterior and an opening defined by an inner surface for receiving a separable component; a hole extending from the exterior surface to the opening; and at least one magnet in said bore adjacent said inner surface for retaining a lock on said wear member.

18. The wear member of claim 17 wherein the wear member is a rigging component.

19. The wear member of claim 17 wherein the wear member is a ground engaging tool.

20. 1. A lock for securing an earthmoving wear member to a separable component, comprising: a collar including a body, at least one projection extending from one side of said body, a threaded opening through said body, and at least one magnet for holding said collar against an inner surface of said wear member in an installed position; a threaded pin in the threaded opening in the collar that is adjustable within the collar for movement in and out of the separable components.

21. The lock of claim 20 wherein the magnet is positioned within the protrusion.

22. 21. The lock of claim 20, wherein the collar includes two of the protrusions on opposite sides, each protrusion including a magnet.

23. A lock according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the threaded pin is adjustable between a locked position in which the threaded pin holds the separable component to the wear member, and a released position in which the threaded pin releases the separable component.

24. 1. A lock for securing an earthmoving wear member to a separable component, comprising: a collar, the collar being pivoted into a usable position against an inner surface on the wear member; a collar including a swivel formation on one end of the collar to facilitate attachment to a wear member, a threaded opening through the collar, and at least one magnet for retaining the collar to a wear member; a threaded pin in the threaded opening in the collar that is adjustable inwardly and outwardly of the separable component.

25. 25. The lock of claim 24, wherein the collar includes a body and at least one protrusion, the magnet being positioned within the protrusion.

26. A lock according to any one of claims 24 to 25, wherein the threaded pin is adjustable between a locked position in which the threaded pin holds the separable component to the wear member, and a released position in which the threaded pin releases the separable component.

27. A lock according to any one of claims 24 to 25, wherein the pivot formation is a recess that mates with a protrusion in the wear member.

28. 28. The lock of claim 27, wherein the protrusion in the wear member includes a cut-out portion.

29. A wear member for civil engineering equipment, comprising:

1. A wear member for earth moving equipment comprising: a nose for mounting a second wear member in a cavity thereof, the nose having a lock hole for receiving a lock to secure the second wear member to the wear member, the lock hole having an inner surface having a substantially circular portion and two flat sections for engaging with the lock.

30. 30. The wear member of claim 29, wherein the lock includes a pin, and the two flat sections engage ends of the pin of the lock in two locations.

Images