Drilling assembly with pivot fastening system

Abstract

The lock assembly has a lock body with a bore extending from a top surface to a lateral side and a pin configured to be received in the bore. A wear member configured for use with the lock assembly has an upper leg, a passageway extending through the upper leg, and a fixed base recess formed in a lower side of the upper leg. The fixed base recess extends laterally between two opposing channels each having a lower side angled downwardly toward one another. A fixed base configured for use with the lock assembly has a central opening extending through the top surface and bounded at a front side by a lock wall configured to engage a portion of the lock. Opposing first and second wings extend upwardly and laterally outward away from the central opening and have lower sides angled downwardly toward the central opening.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to and the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 329,803, filed April 11, 2022, and U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 190,576, filed March 27, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety below and for all applicable purposes as if fully set forth herein.

[0002] The present disclosure is generally directed to a drilling assembly having a fastener assembly that secures a wear member component to the drilling assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a wear member system secured using a releasable fastening system having an improved locking assembly having a pivot lock assembly. [Background technology]

[0003] Material displacement devices or foundation structures such as excavation buckets and / or lips secured to excavation buckets found on construction, mining, and other earthmoving equipment often have replaceable wear members such as ground engaging teeth, adapters, wear runners, shrouds, etc. These wear members often become eroded and worn on contact with the ground or other material being displaced. For example, excavation tooth assemblies forming part of the material displacement device or attached to foundation structures such as excavation buckets or lips typically include a relatively large adapter portion that is suitably secured to the structure of the device such as the forward bucket lip. The replaceable teeth typically have an opening that releasably receives the nose of the adapter, and the teeth are secured to the adapter by a fastening mechanism.

[0004] To reduce wear or damage to the substructure between the tooth assemblies, which are typically spaced apart along the edges of the substructure, shrouds may be secured to the substructure between the tooth assemblies, and may be positioned along the sides or wings perpendicular to the edges of the substructure.

[0005] There are several different types of fastening mechanisms for fastening a shroud to a bucket lip or other underlying structure. One method of attaching a shroud to a bucket is to drill a series of holes vertically through the forward lip of the bucket lip. A corresponding series of holes are drilled vertically through the shroud, and with the shroud in place on the forward lip, the corresponding series of holes are aligned and a wedge is driven therethrough. However, there are drawbacks to the above-mentioned wedge method of attaching a shroud to an excavation bucket. For example, the wedge method removes material from the forward lip by drilling a series of holes extending through the bucket. This can weaken the forward lip and provide additional surface exposure where wear can occur. Additionally, these wedge methods may require the wedge to be hammered into place. The need to hammer and later drive the wedge out can be difficult and time consuming.

[0006] Various alternatives to the pound-in fastening mechanism have been proposed to releasably hold a shroud on an excavation bucket. While these alternative fastening mechanisms desirably eliminate the need for wedging in and out of the bucket lip, they typically present various other types of problems, limitations, and drawbacks, including but not limited to, complexity of construction and use, or undesirably high cost. In one example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,145 to Ruvan, a shroud having a generally C-shaped cross section is removably attached to the leading edge of an excavation bucket lip by first placing the leading lip edge inside the wear shroud such that the top and bottom legs of the shroud extend along the top and bottom sides of the lip, respectively. The trailing end of the top shroud leg is then removably secured to a base structure welded to the top side of the lip with a J-bolt inserted into the top leg after the shroud is positioned on the bucket lip. A nut threaded onto the J-bolt at the aft end of the top shroud leg and facing the welded foundation structure prevents forward removal of the installed wear shroud from the bucket lip. While this particular system has proven well suited for its intended purpose, there is room for improvement. For example, the system requires that a portion of each shroud have a relatively high frontal projection area that increases resistance to penetration of the shroud into the material being excavated. Additionally, the portions of the fastening system exposed to the material being excavated may be subject to undesirable abrasive wear.

[0007] Some types of fastening mechanisms have components that can rotate between locked and unlocked positions. However, continuous vibration, high shock, and cyclic loading of the shroud can result in the fastening mechanism inadvertently rotating from the locked to the unlocked position. This can cause excessive wear on the fastening mechanism and / or inadvertent release of the shroud, or affect the useful life of both the fastening mechanism and the shroud. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 5,713,145 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, there is a need for an improved shroud assembly fastening mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] As some examples, a locking assembly for securing a wear member to a support structure may include a locking body and a pin. The locking body may have a top surface, a first lateral side, and a bore extending linearly along an axis intersecting the top surface and the first lateral side. The pin may be configured to be received within the bore of the locking body. The pin may have a head, a tip, and a shaft extending between the head and the tip. The pin may have a retracted configuration in which the tip is retained within the bore and a seated configuration in which the shaft extends laterally outward from the bore beyond the first lateral side.

[0011] In some examples, the pin may be configured to transition between the retracted configuration and the seated configuration by rotation about an axis. The bore of the lock body may have a first set of threads and the shaft of the pin may have a second set of threads corresponding to the first set of threads. The lock body may have a pin detent mechanism. A portion of the pin detent mechanism may extend into the bore. The pin may have a first recess disposed along an upper portion of the second set of threads. The first recess may be configured to receive a portion of the pin detent mechanism when the pin is in the seated configuration. The pin detent mechanism may have a flexible member and a rigid member secured to the flexible member. The portion of the pin detent mechanism extending into the bore may have a portion of the rigid member. The pin may have a second recess disposed along a lower portion of the second set of threads. The second recess may be configured to receive a portion of the pin detent mechanism when the pin is in the retracted configuration. Engagement of a portion of the pin detent mechanism with the second recess can retain the tip of the pin within the bore and resist rotation of the pin.

[0012] In some examples, a first recess may be formed in a top surface of the lock body, with the bore opening into the first recess. A second recess may be formed in the lock body and extend between the bore and the first recess. The second recess may be configured to receive a flexible member of a pin detent mechanism. A head of the pin may be positioned within the first recess when the pin is in the seated configuration.

[0013] In some examples, the lock body has a second lateral side disposed opposite the first lateral side of the lock body and a bottom side extending between the first lateral side and the second lateral side. The bottom side may be planar. The first lateral side of the lock body may be wider than the second lateral side. The lock body may have a toe portion extending laterally outward from the second lateral side. The toe portion may have an upper side facing upward and away from the second lateral side and a lower side facing downward and away from the second lateral side. The toe portion may also define a channel at an interface between the upper side of the toe portion and the second lateral side, and a ridge at an interface between the upper side of the toe portion and the lower side of the toe portion. The lock body may have a front side extending between the first lateral side and the second lateral side, and a rear side disposed opposite the front side of the lock body. At least a portion of the front surface and at least a portion of the rear surface can be angled outwardly away from one another from the bottom surface to the top surface. At least a portion of the front surface of the lock body can be angled rearwardly from the first lateral side to the second lateral side.

[0014] In some examples, the lock body can have a biased detent mechanism extending outwardly from a front face of the lock body. The biased detent mechanism can have a rigid member secured to a flexible member. The flexible member can be disposed within a pocket formed through the front face and the rigid member can extend outwardly away from the pocket. The lock body can have a tab extending outwardly from the front face.

[0015] As some examples, the wear member assembly includes a wear member and a lock assembly. The wear member may have an upper leg extending rearwardly at the rear surface away from the front edge of the wear member. The passageway may extend from the top surface of the upper leg through the upper leg. The support structure recess may be formed in the lower side of the upper leg and may extend rearwardly through the rear surface of the upper leg. The support structure recess may be configured to receive the support structure when the wear member is secured to the drilling rig. The passageway may extend into the support structure recess. The lock assembly may include a lock body and a pin. The lock body may have a top surface, a first lateral side, and a bore extending linearly along an axis intersecting the top surface and the first lateral side. The pin may be configured to be received within the bore of the lock body. The pin may have a head, a tip, and a shaft extending between the head and the tip. The pin may have a retracted configuration in which the tip is retained within the bore and a seated configuration in which the shaft extends laterally outward from the bore and beyond the first lateral side.

[0016] In some examples, the wear member may have a guide channel extending along a wall of the passageway, and the lock body may have a tab extending outwardly from a side of the lock body. The tab may be configured to move within the guide channel when the lock body is inserted into the passageway from a top surface of the upper leg of the wear member. The lock body may have a biased detent mechanism extending from a side of the lock body. The biased detent mechanism may have a rigid member secured to the flexible member. The flexible member may be disposed within a pocket formed in the lock body, and the rigid member may extend outwardly away from the pocket. The wear member may have a mounting channel formed in a wall of the passageway. The mounting channel may taper inwardly toward the passageway in a direction extending from the top surface of the upper leg to the support structure recess. The biased detent mechanism may be configured to move along a surface of the mounting channel when the lock assembly is mounted through the passageway. The wear member may have a recess disposed adjacent a bottom end of the mounting channel. The recess may be formed deeper in the passageway wall than the bottom end of the installation channel. A biased detent mechanism may be configured to snap-fit ​​the lock body into the recess when installed.

[0017] In some examples, the lock body and passageway may be sized and shaped such that the lock body is installable within the passageway in only one orientation about the vertical axis. A central region of the upper leg may have an increased vertical profile relative to the portions of the upper leg on each lateral side of the central region.

[0018] In some examples, the lock body has a front surface, a bottom surface, and a rear surface. The front surface can taper outwardly from the bottom surface to the top surface of the lock body. The front surface of the lock body can be angled at an angle of about 1° to 10°, for example, about 2° to 4°, with respect to a vertical plane. The lock body can have a second lateral side disposed on an opposite side of the lock body from the first lateral side, and a bottom surface extending between the first lateral side and the second lateral side. The bottom surface can be planar. The first lateral side of the lock body can be wider than the second lateral side. The first sidewall of the passage can have a width corresponding to the first lateral side of the lock body, and the second sidewall of the passage can have a width corresponding to the second lateral side of the lock body. The width of the second sidewall of the passage can be less than the width of the first lateral side of the lock body.

[0019] In some examples, the lock body has a toe extending laterally outward from the second lateral side. The lock body can have a front surface extending between the first lateral side and the second lateral side and a rear surface disposed on an opposite side of the lock body from the front surface. At least a portion of the front surface of the lock body and at least a portion of the rear surface of the lock body can be angled outwardly away from one another from a bottom surface of the lock body to a top surface of the lock body.

[0020] In some examples, the support structure recess can extend between two opposing channels extending forward from the rear surface of the upper leg and can be configured to receive opposing wings of the fixed base. The wear member can be a shroud and can have a lower leg extending rearward away from the leading edge. The shroud can have a transverse channel formed between the upper leg and the lower leg. The transverse channel can be configured to receive the bucket lip. The shroud can have at least one engagement region extending rearward within the transverse channel. The at least one engagement region can be configured to engage a front surface of the bucket lip. In some examples, a portion of the lower leg adjacent a bottom surface of the lip that is spaced from or in contact with the bottom surface of the lip can be angled at an angle of about 10° to 20°, e.g., about 15°, relative to a portion of the upper leg configured to engage an upper surface of the lip. In some examples, the portion of the lower leg adjacent the bottom surface of the lip can be parallel to the portion of the upper leg configured to engage the upper surface of the lip. It is contemplated that the portion of the lower leg adjacent the bottom surface of the lip can be angled between about 1° and 35° relative to the portion of the upper leg configured to engage the upper surface of the lip.

[0021] In some examples, when the lock body is seated within the passage of the wear member, a top surface of the lock body may be positioned within the passage and a bottom surface of the lock body may be substantially flush with a bottom surface of the upper leg of the wear member.

[0022] In some examples, a wear member for a drilling rig may have a leading edge, an upper leg extending rearwardly away from the leading edge, a passageway extending from a top surface of the wear member through the upper leg, and a fixed base recess formed in a lower portion of the upper leg and extending through a rear surface of the upper leg. The fixed base recess may extend laterally between two opposing channels extending forward from the rear surface of the upper leg. Each of the two channels may have a lower surface. The lower surfaces of each of the two channels may be angled downwardly toward each other. The fixed base recess may be configured to receive a fixed base secured to a lip of the drilling rig with multiple wings of the fixed base received within the two channels. A portion of a bottom surface of the upper leg below each of the two channels may form a flat contact surface configured to engage the lip. In some examples, the portion of the bottom surface of the upper leg forming the flat contact surface may extend along a majority of the length of the upper leg.

[0023] In some examples, each of the two channels may have an upper surface. The upper surfaces of each of the two channels may be angled downwardly toward one another. The lower surface of each of the two channels may be angled downwardly at an angle of about 10° to 30°, such as about 18° to 22°, relative to a bottom surface of the upper leg. The two channels may be angled longitudinally inwardly toward one another from the rear surface toward the front edge. Each of the two channels may extend forward beyond a front wall of the passageway.

[0024] In some examples, the wear member may have a prying surface extending between a rear surface of the upper leg and a ceiling of the fixed base recess. At least one prying surface may extend between a top surface of the wear member and an inner wall of the passageway.

[0025] In some examples, the passage is generally shaped as a trapezoid with rounded corners. The guide channel may extend along a wall of the passage. The guide channel may extend upward through the top surface and terminate at a lower end within the passage. The mounting channel may be formed along a front wall of the passage. The mounting channel may taper inwardly toward a rear wall of the passage in a direction extending from the top surface of the upper leg to the fixed base recess. The recess may be disposed adjacent a bottom end of the mounting channel. The recess may be formed deeper in the front wall of the passage than the bottom end of the mounting channel.

[0026] In some examples, at least a portion of the front wall of the passageway can be angled relative to the rear wall of the passageway, forming a narrower opening at the bottom of the passageway than at the top of the passageway. At least a portion of the front wall can be angled at an angle of about 1° to 20° relative to the rear wall, such as about 2° to 16°. At least a portion of the front wall can be angled at an angle of about 6° relative to the rear wall.

[0027] In some examples, the portion of the upper leg configured to contact the lip can be angled at about 10° to 20° relative to the portion of the lower leg of the wear member configured to be positioned adjacent to the lip. In some examples, the portion of the upper leg can be parallel to the portion of the lower leg. At least one engagement region can be formed in a transverse channel between the upper leg and the lower leg. The at least one engagement region can be configured to engage with a front surface of the lip. The portion of the lower leg can be configured to engage with or be adjacent to a bottom surface of the lip. The portion of the upper leg can be configured to contact an upper side of the lip. The engagement region can extend between the portion of the lower leg and the portion of the upper leg.

[0028] The central region of the upper leg may have an increased vertical profile relative to portions of the upper leg on each lateral side of the central region. A raised region may be formed in a top surface of the upper leg in the central region. A passageway may extend through the raised region.

[0029] As some examples, the fixed base has a bottom surface, a top surface, a central opening extending through the top surface, and opposing first and second wings. The central opening can be bounded at a front side by a lock wall configured to engage a portion of the lock. Each of the first and second wings can extend upwardly and laterally outwardly away from the central opening. The first and second wings can have an underside that is angled downwardly toward the central opening.

[0030] In some examples, a rear opening can extend through the top and bottom surfaces at an extension extending from a rear side of the fixed base. The rear opening can be separated from the central opening by a lateral wall. The rear wall of the extension can have a prying surface extending between a top surface of the rear wall and a front surface of the rear wall. The lateral wall can have a prying surface extending between a top surface of the lateral wall and a front surface of the lateral wall.

[0031] In some examples, the first wing and the second wing can be angled from the front side of the fixed base to the rear side of the fixed base at an angle of about 1° to 10°, such as about 2° to 8°. The underside of each of the first wing and the second wing can be angled at an angle of about 10° to 30°, such as about 18° to 22°, relative to the bottom surface of the fixed base.

[0032] In some examples, the fixed base can have opposing first and second sidewalls. Each of the first and second sidewalls can support a respective one of the first or second wings. Each of the first and second sidewalls can define a locking recess that opens into the central opening. The locking recess can define a laterally inwardly extending overhang.

[0033] In some examples, the lock wall can be angled relative to the front surface of the fixed base such that a thickness of the lock wall adjacent the first wing is less than a thickness of the lock wall adjacent the second wing. An inner surface of the lock wall facing the central opening can be substantially planar. The inner surface of the lock wall can be angled outwardly relative to the bottom surface of the fixed base from the bottom surface to the top surface.

[0034] As some examples, the wear member assembly has a fixed base, a wear member, and a locking assembly. The fixed base may be disposed on the lip and positioned behind a leading edge of the lip. The fixed base may have a bottom surface, a top surface, a central opening extending through the top surface, and opposing first and second wings extending upwardly and laterally outwardly away from the central opening. The central opening may be bounded at the front side by a locking wall and laterally by opposing first and second side walls. Each of the first and second side walls may have a locking recess. The wear member may have an upper leg, a passageway, and a fixed base recess. The upper leg may extend rearwardly from a leading edge to a trailing surface of the wear member. The leading edge may be configured to engage the ground. The passageway may extend from a top surface of the upper leg through the upper leg. The fixed base recess may be formed in the underside of the upper leg and may extend rearwardly through the rear surface of the upper leg. The fixed base recess may be configured to receive the fixed base when the wear member is secured to the drilling rig. The passage may extend into the fixed base recess. The lock assembly may have a lock body and a pin. The lock body may have a top surface, a first lateral side, and a bore extending linearly along an axis intersecting the top surface and the first lateral side. The pin may be configured to be received in the bore of the lock body. The pin may have a head, a tip, and a shaft extending between the head and tip. The pin may have a retracted configuration in which the tip is retained in the bore and a seated configuration in which the shaft extends laterally outward from the bore beyond the first lateral side.

[0035] In some examples, the lock assembly may be positionable through a top surface of the upper leg of the wear member such that a lower portion of the lock body is disposed in the central opening of the fixed base and an upper portion of the lock body is disposed in the passage of the wear member. The lock assembly may be secured within the fixed base such that when the pin of the lock assembly is in the seated configuration, a tip of the pin is disposed within the locking recess of the first side wall and a portion of the lock body faces a first lateral side disposed within the recess of the second side wall.

[0036] As some examples, the wear member assembly may have a wear member having an upper leg extending rearwardly to a rear surface away from a leading edge of the wear member. A passageway may extend from the top surface through the upper leg. The lock assembly may have a lock body shaped to fit within the passageway. The lock assembly may have a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, with a portion of the top side having a greater width than a portion of the bottom surface. The lock assembly may also have a front side and an opposing rear side extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, with the front side angled relative to the rear side from a first lateral side of the lock body to a second lateral side of the lock body. A pin may be received within a bore in the lock body. The pin may extend from the lock body to prevent the lock body from being removed from the passageway.

[0037] In some examples, the pin can have a head, a tip, and a shaft extending between the head and tip. The pin can have a retracted configuration in which the tip is retained within the bore of the lock body and a seated configuration in which the shaft extends laterally outward from the bore beyond the first lateral side. In some examples, the bore can extend linearly along an axis that intersects the top surface and the first lateral side.

[0038] As some examples, a wear member for a drilling rig may have a leading edge, an upper leg extending rearwardly from the leading edge, and a passageway extending from a top surface of the upper leg through the upper leg. The passageway may have a leading wall and an opposing trailing wall, the leading wall being angled away from the trailing wall from one lateral side of the passageway to the opposing lateral side of the passageway. The passageway may be shaped to receive a portion of a locking assembly.

[0039] In some examples, the front wall may include a guide channel formed therein to receive a portion of the locking assembly. The passageway may include a recess shaped to interface with a portion of the locking assembly, the recess being disposed in a lower portion of the passageway adjacent an inner surface of the leg. The wear member may have a fixed base recess formed in an underside of the upper leg and extending through a rear surface of the upper leg. The fixed base recess may extend laterally between two opposing channels extending forward from the rear surface of the upper leg. Each of the two channels may have a lower side, the lower side of each of the two channels being angled downwardly toward one another. The fixed base recess may be configured to receive a fixed base secured to a lip of a drilling rig with a plurality of wings of the fixed base received within the two channels.

[0040] It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following drawings and detailed description are exemplary and explanatory in nature and are intended to provide an understanding of the present disclosure without limiting the scope of the disclosure. In that regard, additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.

[0041] The accompanying drawings illustrate implementations of the systems, apparatus, and methods disclosed herein and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drilling system embodying the principles of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross section through a lip shroud assembly of the drilling system of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example shroud according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shroud of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the shroud of FIG. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the shroud of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example lock body according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example lock body according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example lock body according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example lock body according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a top view of the example lock body of FIGS. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one example of a pin detent according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one example of a mounting detent according to the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view of an example pin according to the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an example of a locking assembly according to the present disclosure. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view of the lock assembly of FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a top view of an example fixed base according to the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the fixed base of FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the fixed base of FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of one example of a fixed base positioned on a bucket lip according to the present disclosure. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of assembling a lip shroud assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of assembling a lip shroud assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of assembling a lip shroud assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 24]FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of installing a locking assembly to a lip shroud assembly according to an example of the present disclosure. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of installing a locking assembly to a lip shroud assembly according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of installing a locking assembly to a lip shroud assembly according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of an example lip shroud assembly according to the present disclosure. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a lip shroud assembly according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a lip shroud assembly according to an example of the present disclosure. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a lip shroud assembly according to an example of the present disclosure. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 illustrates an example of a shroud according to the present disclosure. [Figure 32A] FIG. 32A illustrates an example of a locking assembly according to the present disclosure. [Figure 32B] FIG. 32B illustrates an example of a locking assembly according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 33] FIG. 33 illustrates an example of a fixed base according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] These diagrams will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description.

[0044] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations shown in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe them. Nevertheless, it will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is intended. Any changes and further modifications to the described apparatus, apparatus, method, and any further applications of the principles of the present disclosure are fully intended as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. In addition, the present disclosure describes some elements or features in detail with respect to one or more implementations or figures, and those same elements or features appear in subsequent figures without such high degree of detail. It is fully intended that features, components, and / or steps described with respect to one or more implementations or figures may be combined with features, components, and / or steps described with respect to other implementations or figures of the present disclosure. For simplicity, in some instances, the same or similar reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0045] Orientation terms herein may refer to directions corresponding to an installed drilling assembly based generally on the surface of the bucket lip. Terms such as "up," "top," and "above" may refer to directions extending generally away from the surface of the bucket lip, and terms such as "down," "bottom," "below," or "under" may refer to directions extending generally toward the bucket lip. The term "lateral" may refer to a direction extending along an axis generally parallel to the leading edge of the lip of the drilling assembly or toward a side of the lip. The term "front" may refer to a direction generally facing the leading edge of the lip, while the term "rear" may refer to a direction generally facing away from the leading edge or into the bucket in which the lip is positioned.

[0046] The present disclosure is directed to a drilling assembly that may have a fastening system for securing wear member components within the drilling assembly. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to a lip shroud assembly that may have a shroud secured to a fixed base that employs a releasable fastening system having a locking assembly having a locking body, a pin positionable within the locking body, and a detent mechanism for securing the locking body within the lip shroud assembly and the pin within the locking body. The locking body may be positionable within a portion of the shroud and a portion of the fixed base and may be secured to the shroud and fixed base with a snap-fit ​​detent mechanism. The pin may be advanced into the locking body and secured therein by a screw and a snap-fit ​​detent mechanism that may provide tactile feedback to a user and / or prevent accidental loosening or removal of the pin. A portion of the pin may extend into the fixed base or other drilling structure such that when so positioned, the pin prevents removal of the locking body from the fixed base and the shroud, and the locking body prevents removal of the shroud from the fixed base. Although described with respect to a wear member comprising a shroud and a support structure comprising a fixed base, it should be understood that the present disclosure may also be applicable for securing other wear members to a support structure, for example, a tooth to an adapter, a mid-adapter to an adapter, or a wear runner to a drilling structure.

[0047] Because the locking assembly employs mechanical interference to prevent accidental rotation of the pin, the locking assembly can withstand vibration, high shock, and cyclic loading while minimizing the chance of accidental unlocking. Additionally, the locking assembly of some embodiments may be configured to emit an audible noise, such as a click, when the various components achieve a locked or secured state. As such, users, such as machinery operators, may have an easier time installing new shrouds and replacing worn shrouds compared to traditional fastening mechanisms.

[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an excavation system 100 according to the present disclosure, which includes a bucket lip 102, which may be an integral part of the bucket or may be a separate component that may be secured to the bucket by welding or fasteners. The excavation system 100 also includes tooth assemblies 150 at spaced locations along the leading edge of the bucket lip 102. Between the tooth assemblies 150 are shrouds 104 secured to the bucket lip 102 with locking assemblies 106. On either side of the bucket lip are vertically extending wings with side shrouds 105. The side shrouds may be secured to the bucket lip 102 with the same or similar locking assemblies 106. The excavation system 100 may find particular utility on earth moving equipment. For example, the excavation system 100 may be used in construction, mining, excavation, and other industries.

[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section through the drilling system 100 of FIG. 1, specifically through one of the shrouds 104. A fixed base 108 is secured to the bucket lip 102. A locking assembly 106 is positioned to be partially positioned within the shroud 104 and partially positioned within the fixed base 108 to hold the shroud 104 on the bucket lip 102. Although described in connection with a shroud secured to the bucket lip, it should be appreciated that an assembly according to the present disclosure may have any type of wear member and corresponding support structure to which the wear member is secured with the locking assembly. The shroud 104 may be configured to engage a bottom surface of the bucket lip and a top surface of the bucket lip. The angle between the bottom surface and the top surface of the bucket lip may be between about 5° and 30°, for example, about 15° in the illustrated example. In some examples, the top surface and the bottom surface of the bucket lip may be parallel. The portions of the shroud 104 that are configured to engage the bottom and top surfaces of the bucket lip may be planar and may have an orientation within 0° to 4° of the corresponding top or bottom surface of the bucket lip.

[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a shroud 104. The shroud 104 has a transverse channel 114 extending across the aft side of the shroud and a leading edge 116 extending across the forward side. The channel 114 formed between an upper leg 120 and a lower leg 122 of the shroud 104 is configured to receive the leading edge of the bucket lip. In some examples, the shroud may have only one leg, such as only the upper leg 120 without a corresponding lower leg 122, or vice versa. When installed, the shroud 104 straddles the leading edge of the bucket lip such that the upper leg 120 is on the top side of the bucket lip and the lower leg 122 is on the bottom side of the bucket lip, as shown in FIG. 2. A transversely or laterally elongated passageway 110 extends along a central axis 111 from a top surface 118 of the shroud through the upper legs 120 to the channel 114 and is enclosed on all radial sides. The passageway 110 is configured to receive the lock assembly 106. On the lateral sides of the passageway 110, a pry surface 112 is formed on the top surface 118. The pry surface 112 extends at an angle between the top surface 118 and a wall forming a part of the passageway 110. The pry surface 112 is configured to allow a pry bar or other tool to be inserted into the passageway 110 to engage the lock assembly for removal. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface 118 has a raised region in which the passageway 110 is located. The raised region has an inclined side that extends from the passageway 110 to a side region of the upper legs 120 that forms the top surface 118. A portion of one of these angled sides may form a ridge where it meets the pry surface 112 to provide a fulcrum for a tool to lift the lock assembly 106 out of the passageway 110. Although one pry surface 112 is illustrated, it should be understood that fewer or more pry surfaces 112 may be formed around the passageway 110. Additionally, the pry surfaces 112 may be positioned at any circumferential location around the passageway 110, for example, behind or in front of the passageway 110.

[0051] 4-6 are rear and underside views of the shroud of FIG. 3. The bottom surface 119 of the upper leg 120 is disposed opposite the top surface 118, but is not necessarily parallel to the top surface 118. The upper leg 120 terminates rearwardly in a rear surface 126 that extends across the upper leg. A fixed base recess 121 is formed in the upper leg 120 extending upwardly from the bottom surface 119 to a ceiling 133 and forwardly from the rear surface 126. A prying surface 124 is angled and formed between the rear surface 126 of the fixed base recess 121 and the ceiling 133. The prying surface 124 may be configured to allow a prying bar or other tool to be inserted into the fixed base recess 121 to engage the fixed base to remove the shroud 104. The channels 128 are formed on either side of the fixed base recess 121 and are configured to receive corresponding wings of the fixed base. Each of the two channels may extend from the rear face 126 in a direction perpendicular to the rear face, or may be slightly angled from one another along their longitudinal lengths, to facilitate installation and removal from the fixed base. For example, the two channels may be angled inwardly at an angle of about 1° to 5°, preferably about 2°, relative to the plane of symmetry between them. The surfaces forming the top and bottom of each channel 128 may be parallel to the bottom face 119 of the upper leg 120, or may be angled upwardly relative to the bottom face 119 such that the channels 128 extend laterally outward. In other words, the lower surface of each channel may be angled toward the other channel at an angle of about 10° to 30°, preferably 20°, relative to the horizontal plane. The upper surface of each channel may be angled in a similar manner. The upper and lower surfaces of each channel may be parallel or may be oriented at different angles.

[0052] A central region 130 of the ceiling 133 of the fixed base recess 121 extends downwardly towards the channel 114, as does the raised region on the opposite top surface of the upper leg 120. This region has an increasing vertical profile relative to the areas of the shroud outside the central region.

[0053] Within the central region 130 are a pair of channels, a guide channel 135a and a mounting channel 135b. A recess 136 is formed below the mounting channel 135b and separated therefrom by a ridge having angled sides on either side. Within the channel 114 are two ribs 132 extending along the top side of the lower leg 122. The ribs 132 have a substantially flat top surface that may be configured to engage or spaced adjacent the bottom surface of the bucket lip when the shroud 104 is installed. Each rib extends upwardly on the front wall of the channel to form an engagement area 131 where the shroud 104 contacts and abuts against the front surface of the bucket lip during use. One or more portions of the lower leg 122 adjacent the bottom surface of the bucket lip, e.g., the top surface of each rib 132, can be parallel or angled relative to one or more portions of the upper leg 120 that are configured to contact the top surface of the bucket lip, e.g., a planar area disposed beneath a respective one of the two channels 128. In the illustrated example, the top surface of the rib 132 is angled at about 15° relative to the bottom surface of the upper leg 120. It should be understood that in some examples, one or more of the engagement region 131 and / or ribs 132 can be omitted.

[0054] The passage 110 has an asymmetric shape in both the lateral direction (left-right in FIG. 6) and the longitudinal direction defined by the front-rear direction (up-down in FIG. 6). This doubly asymmetric shape of the passage 110 may prevent installation of the lock assembly 106 in the passage 110 in an incorrect orientation. That is, a lock body of a lock assembly having a shape profile corresponding to the passage 110 will only fit into the passage in the proper orientation. The passage 110 is defined by a front wall 137 and an opposing rear wall 139. A side wall 140 and an opposing side wall 141 are oriented substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 139. Curves extend between adjacent pairs of the walls 137, 139, 140, and 141. Each curve may have the same radius or may have a different radius. The channels 135a, 135b and the recess 136 are formed in the front wall 137. However, it should be understood that one or both of these channels may be omitted or may be formed in different walls of the passageway 110. The passageway 110 is generally shaped as a trapezoid with rounded corners, with side walls 140 and 141 being substantially parallel in cross section along a horizontal plane, with a rear wall 139 being substantially perpendicular to the side walls, and a front wall 137 being angled relative to the rear wall. However, the passageway 110 may have any suitable shape depending in part on the shape of the locking assembly that the shroud is configured to use with. In general, it is desirable for the rear wall 139 to have an orientation and location that closely corresponds to the rear surface of the locking assembly for force distribution during loading.

[0055] 7-11 illustrate the lock body 152 of the lock assembly 106 that is configured to be received within the passageway 110. The lock body 152 is a block of rigid material, such as steel, and has a top surface 154 and an opposing bottom surface 155 that may be parallel to one another or angled relative to one another. Extending between the top surface 154 and the bottom surface 155 are a front side 158, a rear side 159, and opposing lateral sides 160 and 161. These sides of the lock body 152 are each defined by one or more surfaces that may be collectively referred to herein as the front side, rear side, or lateral sides, or the front, rear, and lateral surfaces. A tab 157 extends outwardly from the front side 158 to form an extension of the top surface 154. Toe portion 153 is formed on lateral side 161 with an upper surface spaced upwardly from lateral side 161 and a lower surface spaced downwardly from lateral side 161. The interface or intersection of the upper surface of lateral side 161 with the upper surface of toe portion 153 forms a V-shaped channel or groove that extends across lateral side 161 from front side 158 to rear side 159. The interface or intersection of the upper surface of toe portion 153 with the lower surface of the toe portion forms a ridge or ridge that extends across lateral side 161 from front side 158 to rear side 159.

[0056] The front side 158 and the rear side 159 can be parallel to each other as they extend from the bottom surface 155 to the top surface 154, or can be angled opposite each other. In the illustrated example, the front side 158 and the rear side 159 are angled outward from the bottom surface 155 at an angle of about 3° relative to a vertical plane (e.g., perpendicular to the bottom surface). In some examples, the front side 158 and the rear side 159 can be angled outward at different angles from each other and can be angled from about 1° to 15° relative to the vertical plane. One or both of the front and rear sides can be vertical (e.g., perpendicular to the bottom surface 155). The lateral side 160 is wider than the lateral side 161, and the front side 158 is angled backward from the lateral side 160 to the lateral side 161. At least a portion of the front side 158 may bend or warp to drive the lock body 152 toward the lateral side 160 during loading of the drilling system. In some examples, the lateral sides 160 and 161 may have the same width.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 16, lateral side 161 has an angle α with respect to a vertical plane. The upper surface of toe portion 153 has an angle β with respect to the horizontal plane. The lower surface of toe portion 153 has an angle γ with respect to the horizontal plane. Lateral side 160 has an angle δ with respect to the horizontal plane. In the illustrated example, α is about 0-5°, β is about 35°-60° (preferably about 37°), γ is about 30-60°, and δ is about 30-60°. The geometry of the various sides and faces of lock body 152 reduces the possible orientations in which lock body 152 can be inserted into passageway 110, simplifying installation and preventing improper assembly.

[0058] The lock body 152 has a recess 151 formed from the top surface 154. A bore 156 extends linearly from a planar wall forming a portion of the recess 151 through the lock body 152 to a lateral side 160. At least a portion of the bore is threaded with threads 166. A detent recess 145 is formed in the lock body 152 in the planar wall and in the curved wall forming the recess 151 and extends from an upper portion of the bore 156. A pin detent 164, as shown in FIG. 12, is positionable within the detent recess 145 and is biased radially inward toward the axis of the bore 156. The pin detent 164 has a flexible member 168 having a pentagonal shape and a projection 170 extending from the flexible member 168. Flexible member 168 may be formed from a resilient material, such as rubber or a polymer, to exert a biasing force on protrusion 170 when compressed, and protrusion 170 may be formed from a rigid material, such as steel or another metal. Protrusion 170 is partially embedded within flexible member 168 to join protrusion 170 and flexible member 168 to one another and extends through an outer surface of flexible member 168 oriented radially inward toward the axis of bore 156. Protrusion 170 may be positioned adjacent an upper end of thread 166, with a tip of the protrusion extending into bore 156.

[0059] The mounting detent 162 as shown in FIG. 13 is partially positionable within a pocket 146 formed in the front side 158 of the lock body 152. The mounting detent 162 has a flexible member 172 and a rigid member 174. The flexible member 172 can be formed from a resilient material such as rubber or a polymer, and the rigid member 174 can be formed from steel or another metal. The rigid member 174 can have a stem or other extension (not shown) embedded within the flexible member 172 to join the rigid member 174 to the flexible member 172. The mounting detent 162 can be positioned such that the flexible member 172 is disposed completely within the pocket 146 and the rigid member 174 is disposed at least partially outside the pocket. The flexible member 172 can have a width dimension that is smaller than the corresponding width of the pocket 146 to allow the flexible member 172 to compress and deform within the pocket when the rigid member 174 is pressed inwardly toward the pocket.

[0060] 11, the lock body 152 has a size and shape that closely corresponds to the shroud passageway 110. A front side 158, a rear side 159, and lateral sides 160, 161 are similarly positioned and sized as the front wall 137, rear wall 139, and side walls 141, 140, respectively, of the passageway 110.

[0061] FIG. 13 illustrates the pin 180 of the lock assembly 106. A head 181 defines the top of the pin 180, a tip 190 defines the bottom of the pin, and a shaft 192 extends between the head 181 and the tip 190. A portion of the head 181 has a hexagonal profile configured to be engaged by a socket for rotating the pin about its central longitudinal axis during installation or removal. A helical thread 186 is formed on the outer periphery of the shaft 192, corresponding to the thread 166 of the lock body 152. A recess 188a is formed in the shaft 192 at a lower region of the thread 186, corresponding to the unlocked position of the pin, and a recess 188b is formed in the shaft 192 at an upper region of the thread 186, corresponding to the locked position of the pin. The recess 188 may be formed along a helical path of a channel between adjacent threads. The recess 188 has a size and shape that corresponds to the protrusion 170 of the pin detent 164 of the lock body 152. In the illustrated example, the protrusion 170 and the recess 188 have a triangular shape. It will be appreciated that in some examples, the pin detent 164 can be received within the pin 180 and the recess 188 can be formed in the lock body 152. Additionally, in some examples, one or both of the recesses 188 can be omitted.

[0062] 15-16 show the locked configuration of the lock assembly 106. The pin 180 threads into the bore 156 of the lock body 152. The head 181 of the pin is fully disposed within the recess 151 of the lock body 152. The tip 190 of the pin 180 extends beyond the side 160 along a central axis 194. The projection 170 of the pin detent 164 is positioned within the locked recess 188b. Since a significant rotational force would be required to compress the flexible member 168 to remove the projection 170 from the recess 188b, the engagement of the pin detent 164 with the recess 188b resists rotation of the pin 180 during use. Since typical use of the assembly is unlikely to impart such rotational forces, the engagement of the pin detent 164 with the recess 188b helps prevent inadvertent backout (or unlocking) of the pin 180.

[0063] 17-19 show a fixed base 108 to which the shroud 104 can be attached using the locking assembly 106. The shroud 108 has a top side 195 and a bottom surface 197 configured to be secured to a bucket lip. A central opening 196 extends through the fixed base 108 from the top side 195 to the bottom surface 197. A rear opening 198 is positioned rearward of the central opening 196 and extends from a surface of the top side 195 to the bottom surface 197. A lateral wall 200 defines a rear portion of the central opening 196 and separates the central opening 196 from the rear opening 198, although in some instances the rear opening 198 can be formed as part of the central opening 196. The fixed base extends from a front side 201 to a rear side 202 and from a lateral side 203 to a lateral side 204. An extension 205 extends rearwardly from a central portion of the rear side 202 and defines at least a portion of the rear opening 198 .

[0064] The central opening 196 is bounded laterally by side walls 212 and 214. A front side of the central opening 196 is defined by a lock wall 206, at least a portion of which is shaped, dimensioned, and oriented to correspond to the shape, size, and orientation of the front side 158 of the lock body 152. The side walls 212 and 214 are angled outwardly away from each other. A recess 213 (or lock recess) is formed in each side wall 212 and 214, each recess having an overhang 220 with a generally downwardly facing surface toward the center of the fixed base. These downwardly facing surfaces may be angled at about 35° to 60° (preferably about 37°) relative to a horizontal plane (e.g., the bottom surface 197 of the fixed base). The lock wall 206, like the front side 158 of the lock body 152, is angled laterally or vertically (within 3° or less) in one or both directions.

[0065] A pry surface 208 is formed on the side wall 200 and a pry surface 210 is formed on the rear of the extension 205. Pry surfaces 208 and 210 are angled relative to the top surfaces of the side wall 200 and extension 205 to facilitate access to the central opening 196 and the rear opening 198 with a pry bar or other tool during removal of the shroud 104 and to provide a fulcrum for prying the shroud forward.

[0066] An outer surface 219 of each of the side walls 212 and 214 may be angled approximately 45° laterally outward and upward from the bottom surface 197, although it should be understood that the outer surface 219 may be perpendicular or at any suitable angle relative to the bottom surface. The inner surface of each side wall 212 and 214 extending outward from the central opening 196 may be parallel to the outer surface 219. The outer surface 219 and the inner surface of each side wall extend to wings 218 formed on each lateral side of the fixed base 108. The wings 218 extend laterally outward and upward away from the central opening 196. The wings 218 are sized and shaped to be received in the channel 128 of the shroud 104 and engage one or more surfaces defining the channel 128. Longitudinally (e.g., from top to bottom in FIG. 17), the wings 218 may be substantially parallel or otherwise angled relative to one another to accommodate the channels 128. In some examples, the wings 218 are angled outward toward the rear side 202 of the fixed base 108 to facilitate installation and removal of the shroud 104. The bottom surface of each wing 218, disposed laterally outward from the outer surface 219 of the sidewalls 212 and 214, may be horizontal or may be angled at an angle of about 10° to 45°, preferably about 20°, relative to the bottom surface 197 of the fixed base 108. Such upward angling of the wings may facilitate access for a welder to weld the fixed base 108 to the bucket lip around the perimeter of the bottom surface 197. The vertical profile of the fixed base 108 may have a depression between the wings 218 above the central opening, as seen in FIG. 19. The depression can accommodate a lowered central region 130 of a ceiling 133 within the shroud 104 .

[0067] FIG. 20 illustrates the fixed base 108 secured to the bucket lip 102. Typically, the fixed base 108 is secured to the bucket lip 102 by welding (which may be referred to as a "weld base"), although it is contemplated that one or more fastening mechanisms may be used to secure the fixed base 108 to facilitate removal and replacement of the fixed base. In some instances, the fixed base 108 may be formed as an integral part of the bucket lip or other support structure. As illustrated, the fixed base 108 is welded to the top surface of the bucket lip 102, which may also be described as "within" or "inside" the bucket. However, it will be appreciated that the fixed base 108 may be positioned in any suitable location on the bucket lip 102, including the bottom side or "outside" of the bucket, to secure the wear member in a desired location.

[0068] 21-24 show various stages of assembly of the shroud assembly. First, as shown in FIG. 21, the shroud 104 may be slid rearwardly onto the fixed base 108. A channel 128 extending forward from the rear face 126 of the shroud receives the wings 218 of the fixed base 108. In instances where the top and bottom faces of the bucket lip are not parallel (e.g., the top face of the lip is angled upward away from the leading edge of the bucket lip), the fixed base 108 is generally parallel to the top face, but not the bottom face. In this regard, the wings 218 may be angled upward. As the shroud 104 is slid onto the fixed base 108, the ribs 132 on the lower legs 122 of the shroud 104 may be drawn upwardly to near or even contact the bottom face of the bucket lip. The shroud 104 is slid aft until the engagement area 131 on the shroud contacts the bucket lip. In this installed configuration of the shroud as shown in FIG. 22, the rear face 126 of the shroud is generally aligned with the rear side 202 of the fixed base. The extension 205 of the fixed base having the rear opening 198 remains exposed behind the rear face 126 of the shroud 104. In this installed configuration, the passage 110 of the shroud 104 is aligned along a common axis that is aligned with a corresponding portion of the central opening 196 of the fixed base 108 to properly install the lock assembly 106. The lock assembly 106 can then be inserted from the top side of the shroud 104 through the passage 110 and into the fixed base 108. As shown in FIG. 23, the bottom surface of the lock body 152 of the lock assembly 106 is substantially flush with the bottom surface of the fixed base 108.

[0069] 24-26 show a cross section of the shroud assembly with the lock assembly 106 inserted. The lock assembly 106 can be assembled during manufacturing by first positioning the pin detent 164 in the recess 145. The tip 190 of the pin 180 is inserted into the bore 156 in the lock body 152 from the top surface 154 and threaded partially into the bore 156 along its central axis 194 until the protrusion 170 of the pin detent 164 snaps into the unlocking recess 188a, which may provide tactile feedback that the pin 180 is properly engaged. The lock assembly 106 may be stored and shipped in this unlocked (or "retracted") configuration shown in FIG. 24. In this configuration, the lateral side 161 of the lock body 152 may be first inserted into the stationary base with the tab 157 positioned in the guide channel 135a. The toe portion 153 may be inserted into the recess 213 and abut the overhang 220 of the side wall 214. The tab 157 may engage a bottom surface defining the end of the guide channel 135a when the lateral side 161 is properly positioned for rotation of the lock body 152. The other lateral side 160 may then be lowered to rotate the lock body 152 to a seated position in which the top channel of the toe portion 153 abuts the tip of the overhang 220. As the lock body 152 is rotated using the overhang 220 as a fulcrum, a mounting detent 162 extending from the front side 158 of the lock body 152 may ride along a surface within the mounting channel 135b. Because mounting channel 135b is angled so that its bottom end is closer to the center of passageway 110 than its top end, engagement of mounting channel 135b with mounting detent 162 compresses the flexible member of the mounting detent as lock assembly 106 is inserted. As lock assembly 106 approaches its fully seated position, mounting detent 162 reaches recess 136 (FIG. 5) below mounting channel 135b and snaps into place, providing tactile feedback confirming that the lock assembly is properly seated.

[0070] 25, the bottom of the lock body 152 rests on the bucket lip. The peaks of the toe 153 of the lock body 152 are received within a recess in the side wall 214 of the fixed base 108, with the lower surface of the toe 153 aligned with the inner surface of the side wall 214 and the upper surface of the toe 153 aligned with the downwardly facing surface of the overhang 220.

[0071] With the lock body fully seated, the pin 180 can be rotated to advance the tip 190 of the pin 180 further through the lateral side 160. With the flexible member 168 compressed and deformed, the protrusion 170 of the pin detent 164 can ride along the channel formed between adjacent threads 186, thereby urging the protrusion 170 radially toward the pin 180. As shown in FIG. 26, once the locked (or "extended" or "seated") configuration of the pin 180 within the lock body 152 is reached, the flexible member 168 can at least partially decompress as the protrusion 170 slides down the sloped surface of the recess 188b and snaps into place. The snapping of the protrusion 170 into the recess 188b can provide a user with tactile feedback confirming that the pin 180 is fully seated. Because a significant rotational force is required to compress the flexible member 168 to remove the projection 170 from the recess 188b, the engagement of the pin detent 164 with the recess 188b also resists rotation of the pin 180 during use. Because typical use of the assembly is unlikely to impart such rotational force, the engagement of the pin detent 164 with the recess 188b helps prevent inadvertent backing out (or unlocking) of the pin 180. In this fully assembled configuration of the shroud assembly (or other wear member assembly), the tip 190 of the pin 180 is in contact or near contact with the side wall 212 and the overhang 220. The overhang 220 on each side wall 212 and 214 of the fixed base prevents vertical lifting or rotation of the lock assembly 106 such that the lock assembly 106 is fixed in place and cannot be removed from the shroud assembly.

[0072] FIG. 27 shows a cross section through the shroud assembly along a plane transverse to that of FIGS. 24-26, showing the front side 158 of the lock body 152 engaged with the lock wall 206 of the fixed base 108. As will be appreciated, the interference provided by the lock body 152 prevents the shroud 104 from being disengaged from the bucket lip in response to forces that would otherwise tend to pull the shroud forward against the bucket lip, such as when the bucket moves to drag the shroud rearward along the ground. Such a load causes the shroud 104 to exert a forward force on the rear side of the lock body 152 which is transferred through the lock wall 206 to the fixed base 108 at its front side.

[0073] The rear or extension 205 of the fixed base 108 may be vertical or substantially vertical, but the front side along the front side 201 of the fixed base 108 is angled at approximately 20° to 50° relative to the bottom surface 197.

[0074] 28-30 show various stages of shroud removal. First, the pin 180 is rotated in the opposite direction to the installation direction, thereby retracting the pin tip from under the overhang 220 in the sidewall 212 into the lock body 152 until tactile feedback confirms that the pin detent 164 has snapped into the unlocking recess 188a, effectively returning the lock assembly 106 to the configuration shown in FIG. 25. As shown in FIG. 28, the pry bar 225 can then be inserted into the passage 110 of the shroud 104 along the pry surface 112. The pry bar 225 can be rotated about the pry surface to lift the lock assembly 106 from the fixed base 108 and the shroud 104. With the lock body 152 no longer impeding the forward movement of the shroud 104, the pry bar 225 can be inserted into the rear opening 198 of the fixed base 108, as shown in FIG. 29. The pry surface 210 along the rear wall of the extension 205 can be used to pivot the pry bar 225 forward against the rear pry surface 124 of the shroud 104, thereby sliding the shroud 104 forward. Once the shroud 104 has been slid forward sufficiently, the pry surface 208 on the side wall 200 is exposed, as shown in FIG. 30, allowing the pry bar 225 to be inserted into the central opening 196. Again, the pry bar 225 can be pivoted forward to further advance the shroud 104 from the fixed base 108.

[0075] FIG. 31 shows an example of a shroud 104'. The shroud 104' is similar to the shroud 104, so only some of the differences will be described with reference to the shroud 104'. In comparison with the shroud 104, the front wall 137' of the passage in the upper leg of the shroud 104' does not have the guide channel 135a. Furthermore, a central longitudinal channel or groove is formed, the ceiling 133' extending from the prying surface 124' to the front wall of the fixed base recess 121'. The central channel may be formed of a first central channel 147a and a second central channel 147b.

[0076] 32A-32B show an example of a lock assembly 106'. Lock assembly 106' is similar to lock assembly 106, and only some of the differences will be described with reference to lock assembly 106'. Front side 158' of lock body 152' does not have tabs 157. Additionally, lateral side 160' of lock body 152' has an undercut 199 configured to receive the tip of a pry bar or other tool to lift lock body 152' during removal.

[0077] FIG. 33 shows an example of a fixed base 108'. The fixed base 108' is similar to the fixed base 108, and only some of the differences will be described with reference to the fixed base 108'. The lateral wall 200' has a central longitudinal ridge 247a. The prying surface 208' extends to the central ridge 247a. Similarly, the locking wall 206' has a central longitudinal ridge 247b. In some examples, the central ridge 247a may extend higher relative to the bottom surface of the fixed base 108' than the central ridge 247b. For example, the central ridge 247a may extend above the top surface of the wings or may be flush with the wings. In some examples, the central ridges 247a, 247b may have the same height.

[0078] The central ridge 247a may be shaped and sized to be received within the first central channel 147a of the shroud 104', and the central ridge 247b may be shaped and sized to be received within the second central channel 147b of the shroud 104'. In this regard, in some examples, the central channels 147a, 147b may have the same depth, and in some examples, the first central channel 247a may be deeper into the ceiling 133' than the second central channel 247b.

[0079] The additional height of lock wall 206' provided by central ridge 247b, compared to the height of lock wall 206 of fixed base 108, may resist tilting of lock body 152' in response to forces tending to pull shroud 104' forward, such as dragging a bucket lip aft. This additional height may also improve distribution of loads over a larger surface area.

[0080] It should be understood that the features of the shroud 104', fixed base 108' and locking assembly 106' are not described as different from the corresponding features of the shroud 104, fixed base 108 and locking assembly 106, respectively, but are substantially the same.

[0081] Those skilled in the art will understand that the implementations encompassed by the present disclosure are not limited to the specific exemplary implementations described above. In that regard, while exemplary implementations have been shown and described, a wide range of modifications, changes, combinations, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. It is understood that such variations can be made to the foregoing without departing from the technical scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and consistent with the present disclosure.

Claims

1. 1. A locking assembly for securing a wear member to a support structure, comprising: The locking assembly includes: A lock body, The top surface and A first lateral side; a lock body including a bore extending linearly along an axis intersecting the top surface and the first lateral side; A pin configured to be received within the bore of the lock body, the pin comprising: Head and The tip and and a shaft extending between the head and the tip, the pin having a retracted configuration in which the tip is retained within the bore and a seated configuration in which the shaft extends laterally outward from the bore beyond the first lateral side.

2. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pin is configured to transition between the retracted configuration and the seated configuration by rotation about the axis.

3. 3. The lock assembly of claim 2, wherein the bore of the lock body includes a first set of threads and the shaft of the pin includes a second set of threads that correspond to the first set of threads.

4. 4. The lock assembly of claim 3, wherein the lock body further comprises a pin detent mechanism, a portion of the pin detent mechanism extending into the bore, and the pin further comprises a first recess disposed along an upper portion of the second set of threads, the first recess configured to receive the portion of the pin detent mechanism when the pin is in the seated configuration.

5. 5. The locking assembly of claim 4, wherein the pin detent mechanism comprises a flexible member and a rigid member secured to the flexible member, the portion of the pin detent mechanism extending into the bore comprising a portion of the rigid member.

6. 6. The locking assembly of claim 5, wherein the pin further comprises a second recess disposed along a lower portion of the second set of threads, the second recess configured to receive the portion of the pin detent mechanism when the pin is in the retracted configuration, wherein engagement of the portion of the pin detent mechanism with the second recess retains the tip of the pin within the bore and resists rotation of the pin.

7. 6. The lock assembly of claim 5, wherein said top surface of said lock body has a first recess formed therein, said bore opening into said first recess.

8. 8. The lock assembly of claim 7, wherein a second recess is formed in the lock body and extends between the bore and the first recess, the second recess configured to receive the flexible member of the pin detent mechanism.

9. The locking assembly of claim 8 , wherein the head of the pin is positioned within the first recess when the pin is in the seated configuration.

10. The lock body is a second lateral side disposed on the lock body opposite the first lateral side; The locking assembly of claim 1 further comprising a bottom surface extending between said first lateral side and said second lateral side.

11. The locking assembly of claim 10, wherein the bottom surface is planar.

12. The lock assembly of claim 10, wherein the first lateral side of the lock body is wider than the second lateral side.

13. 11. The lock assembly of claim 10, wherein the lock body further comprises a toe extending laterally outward from the second lateral side, the toe having an upper surface facing upwardly and away from the second lateral side and a lower surface facing downwardly and away from the second lateral side.

14. 14. The locking assembly of claim 13, wherein a channel is formed at the interface of the upper surface of the toe portion and the second lateral side, and a ridge is formed at the interface of the upper surface of the toe portion and the lower surface of the toe portion.

15. The lock body is 11. The lock assembly of claim 10, further comprising a front surface extending between said first lateral side and said second lateral side, and a rear surface disposed on an opposite side of said lock body from said front surface.

16. 16. The locking assembly of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of said front surface and at least a portion of said rear surface are angled outwardly away from one another from said bottom surface to said top surface.

17. 16. The lock assembly of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the front surface of the lock body is angled rearwardly from the first lateral side to the second lateral side.

18. 16. The lock assembly of claim 15, wherein the lock body further comprises a biased detent mechanism extending outwardly from the front surface of the lock body.

19. 20. The locking assembly of claim 18, wherein the biased detent mechanism comprises a rigid member secured to a flexible member, the flexible member disposed within a pocket formed through the front face, the rigid member extending outwardly away from the pocket.

20. 20. The lock assembly of claim 19, wherein the lock body further comprises a tab extending outwardly from the front surface.

21. In the wear member assembly: The wear member assembly includes: A wear member comprising: an upper leg extending rearwardly away from a leading edge of the wear member that is configured to engage the ground; a laterally oriented passageway extending through the upper leg from a top surface of the upper leg; a wear member comprising: a support structure recess formed in a lower portion of the upper leg and extending rearwardly through a rear face of the upper leg, the support structure recess configured to receive a support structure when the wear member is secured to a drilling rig, the passageway extending into the support structure recess; 1. A lock assembly comprising: A lock body, The top surface and A first lateral side; a lock body including a bore extending linearly along an axis intersecting the top surface and the first lateral side; A pin configured to be received within the bore of the lock body, the pin comprising: Head and The tip and a shaft extending between the head and the tip, the pin having a retracted configuration in which the tip is retained within the bore and a seated configuration in which the shaft extends laterally outward from the bore beyond the first lateral side.

22. 22. The wear member assembly of claim 21, wherein the wear member further comprises a guide channel extending along a wall of the passageway, and the lock body further comprises a tab extending outwardly from a side of the lock body, the tab configured to move within the guide channel when the lock body is inserted into the passageway from the top surface of the upper leg of the wear member.

23. The wear member assembly of claim 21 , wherein the lock body further comprises a biased detent mechanism extending from a side of the lock body.

24. 24. The wear member assembly of claim 23, wherein the biased detent mechanism comprises a rigid member secured to a flexible member, the flexible member disposed within a pocket formed in the lock body, the rigid member extending outwardly away from the pocket.

25. 24. The wear member assembly of claim 23, wherein the wear member further comprises a mounting channel formed in a wall of the passageway, the mounting channel tapering inwardly toward the passageway in a direction extending from the top surface of the upper leg to the support structure recess, and the biased detent mechanism configured to move along a surface of the mounting channel when the locking assembly is mounted through the passageway.

26. 26. The wear member assembly of claim 25, wherein the wear member further comprises a recess disposed adjacent a bottom end of the mounting channel, the recess being formed deeper in the wall of the passage than the bottom end of the mounting channel, and the biased detent mechanism is configured to snap-fit ​​into the recess when the lock body is installed.

27. 22. The wear member assembly of claim 21, wherein the locking body and the passage are sized and shaped such that the locking body is installable within the passage in only one orientation about a vertical axis.

28. 22. The wear member assembly of claim 21, wherein a central region of the upper leg has an increased vertical profile relative to portions of the upper leg on each lateral side of the central region.

29. The lock body is The front and The bottom surface and and a rear surface.

22. The wear member assembly of claim 21, wherein the front surface tapers outwardly from the bottom surface to the top surface of the lock body.

30. The wear member assembly of claim 29, wherein the front surface of the locking body is angled at about 1° to 10° with respect to a vertical plane.

31. The lock body is a second lateral side disposed on the lock body opposite the first lateral side; The wear member assembly of claim 21 further comprising a bottom surface extending between the first lateral side and the second lateral side.

32. The wear member assembly of claim 31 , wherein the bottom surface is planar.

33. 32. The wear member assembly of claim 31 , wherein the first lateral side of the lock body is wider than the second lateral side, a first side wall of the passageway has a width corresponding to the first lateral side of the lock body, a second side wall of the passageway has a width corresponding to the second lateral side of the lock body, and a width of the second side wall of the passageway is less than a width of the first lateral side of the lock body.

34. 32. The wear member assembly of claim 31, wherein the locking body further comprises a toe extending laterally outward from the second lateral side.

35. The lock body is a front surface extending between the first lateral side and the second lateral side; 32. The wear member assembly of claim 31, further comprising a rear face disposed on an opposite side of the lock body from the front face.

36. 36. The wear member assembly of claim 35, wherein at least a portion of the front surface of the lock body and at least a portion of the rear surface of the lock body are angled outwardly from one another from the bottom surface to the top surface of the lock body.

37. 22. The wear member assembly of claim 21, wherein the support structure recess extends between two opposing channels extending forwardly from the rear surface of the upper leg and is configured to receive opposing wings of a fixed base.

38. 38. The wear member assembly of claim 37, wherein the wear member is a shroud and further comprises a lower leg extending aft away from the leading edge, the shroud comprising a transverse channel formed between the upper and lower legs, the transverse channel configured to receive a bucket lip.

39. 40. The wear member assembly of claim 38, wherein the shroud includes at least one engagement region extending aft within the transverse channel, the at least one engagement region configured to engage a forward surface of the bucket lip.

40. 22. The wear member assembly of claim 21, wherein when the lock body is seated within the passage of the wear member, the top surface of the lock body is positioned within the passage and a bottom surface of the lock body is substantially flush with a bottom surface of the upper leg of the wear member.

41. In wear parts for drilling equipment, The wear member is A leading edge; an upper leg extending rearwardly away from the leading edge; a passageway extending through the upper leg from a top surface of the upper leg; a fixed base recess formed in an underside of the upper leg and extending through a rear face of the upper leg, the fixed base recess extending laterally between two opposing channels extending forwardly from the rear face of the upper leg, each of the two channels having a lower side, each of the two channels being angled downwardly towards each other, the fixed base recess configured to receive a fixed base secured to a fixed base secured to a lip of a drilling rig with a plurality of wings of the fixed base received within each of the two channels; a wear member, wherein a portion of a bottom surface of the upper leg underlying each of the two channels forms a flat contact surface configured to engage the lip, each said portion of the bottom surface extending along a majority of the length of the upper leg.

42. 42. A wear member according to claim 41, wherein each of the two channels includes an upper surface, the upper surfaces of each of the two channels being angled downwardly towards each other.

43. 42. A wear member according to claim 41, wherein the lower surface of each of the two channels is angled downwardly at about 10° to 30° relative to a bottom surface of the upper leg.

44. 42. A wear member according to claim 41, wherein the two channels are angled longitudinally inwardly towards one another from the rear face towards the leading edge.

45. 42. A wear member according to claim 41, further comprising a pry surface extending between the rear surface of the upper leg and a ceiling of the fixed base recess.

46. 42. A wear member according to claim 41, wherein the wear member further comprises at least one pry surface extending between the top surface of the wear member and an inner wall of the passageway.

47. 42. The wear member of claim 41, further comprising a central longitudinal channel formed in a ceiling of the fixed base recess, the central longitudinal channel being configured to receive a corresponding ridge of the fixed base.

48. 48. The wear member of claim 47, wherein the central longitudinal channel comprises a first segment and a second segment, the first segment having a greater depth than the second segment.

49. 42. The wear member of claim 41, wherein the passages are generally shaped as trapezoids with rounded corners.

50. 42. The wear member of claim 41, further comprising a guide channel extending along a wall of the passageway, the guide channel extending upwardly through the top surface and terminating at a lower end within the passageway.

51. 42. The wear member of claim 41, further comprising a mounting channel formed along a front wall of the passageway, the mounting channel tapering inwardly toward a rear wall of the passageway in a direction extending from the top surface of the upper leg to the fixed base recess.

52. 52. The wear member of claim 51, further comprising a recess disposed adjacent a bottom end of the mounting channel, the recess being formed deeper in the front wall of the passage than the bottom end of the mounting channel.

53. 42. The wear member of claim 41, wherein at least a portion of a front wall of the passage is angled relative to a rear wall of the passage forming a narrower opening at a bottom of the passage than at a top of the passage.

54. 54. The wear member of claim 53, wherein said at least a portion of said front wall is angled at about 1° to 20° relative to said rear wall.

55. 54. The wear member of claim 53, wherein said at least a portion of said front wall is angled at about 6 degrees relative to said rear wall.

56. 42. The wear member of claim 41, wherein a portion of the upper leg configured to contact the lip is angled at about 10° to 20° relative to a portion of the lower leg of the wear member configured to be positioned adjacent the lip.

57. 42. A wear member according to claim 41, wherein a portion of the upper leg configured to contact the lip is substantially parallel to a portion of a lower leg of the wear member configured to be positioned adjacent the lip.

58. 42. The wear member of claim 41, further comprising at least one engagement region formed in a transverse channel formed between the upper and lower legs of the wear member, the at least one engagement region configured to engage a forward surface of the lip.

59. 59. The wear member of claim 58, wherein a portion of the lower leg is configured to be positioned adjacent a bottom surface of the lip and a portion of the upper leg is configured to engage an upper surface of the lip, the engagement region extending between the portion of the lower leg and the portion of the upper leg.

60. 42. A wear member according to claim 41, wherein a central region of the upper leg has an increased vertical profile relative to portions of the upper leg on each lateral side of the central region.

61. 61. The wear member of claim 60, wherein a raised region is formed in the top surface of the upper leg of the central region, the passageway extending through the raised region.

62. 42. A wear member according to claim 41, wherein each of the two channels extends forwardly beyond a front wall of the passageway.

63. At the fixed base, The fixed base is The bottom surface and The top surface and a central opening extending through the top surface, the central opening being bounded at a front side by a lock wall configured to engage a portion of a lock; a fixed base comprising: opposing first and second wing portions, each of the first and second wing portions extending upwardly and laterally outwardly from the central opening, the first and second wing portions having lower surfaces angled downwardly toward the central opening.

64. 64. The fixed base of claim 63, further comprising a rear opening extending through the top and bottom surfaces at an extension extending from a rear side of the fixed base, the rear opening being separated from the central opening by a lateral wall.

65. 65. The fixed base of claim 64, wherein the rear wall of the extension has a prying surface extending between a top surface of the rear wall and a front surface of the rear wall, and the lateral wall has a prying surface extending between a top surface of the lateral wall and a front surface of the lateral wall.

66. 64. The fixed base of claim 63, wherein the first wing portion and the second wing portion are angled away from the front side of the fixed base toward the rear side of the fixed base at an angle of approximately 1° to 10°.

67. 64. The fixed base of claim 63, wherein the lower surface of each of the first wing portion and the second wing portion is angled at an angle of approximately 10 degrees to 30 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the fixed base.

68. 64. The fixed base of claim 63, further comprising opposing first and second side walls, each of the first and second side walls supporting a respective one of the first or second wings.

69. 69. The stationary base of claim 68, wherein said first side wall and said second side wall each define a locking recess that opens into said central opening.

70. 70. The stationary base of claim 69, wherein the locking recess defines a laterally inwardly extending ledge.

71. 64. The fixed base of claim 63, wherein the lock wall is angled relative to a front surface of the fixed base such that a thickness of the lock wall adjacent the first wing is less than a thickness of the lock wall adjacent the second wing.

72. 72. The fixed base of claim 71, wherein an inner surface of the locking wall facing the central opening is substantially planar.

73. 73. The stationary base of claim 72, wherein the inner surface of the locking wall is angled outwardly relative to the bottom surface of the stationary base from the bottom surface toward the top surface.

74. 64. The fixed base of claim 63, further comprising a central longitudinal ridge extending upwardly from said top surface.

75. 75. The stationary base of claim 74, wherein said central longitudinal ridge comprises a first segment and a second segment, said first segment having a greater height than said second segment.

76. In the wear member assembly: The wear member assembly includes: a fixed base disposed on the lip and positioned behind a leading edge of the lip, the fixed base comprising: The bottom surface and The top surface and a central opening extending through the top surface, the central opening being bounded at a front side by a locking wall and laterally bounded by opposing first and second side walls, each of the first and second side walls having a locking recess; a fixed base including opposed first and second wing portions extending upwardly and laterally outwardly from the central opening; A wear member, the wear member comprising: an upper leg extending rearwardly away from a leading edge of the wear member that is configured to engage the ground; a passageway extending through the upper leg from a top surface of the upper leg; a wear member comprising: a fixed base recess formed in an underside of the upper leg and extending rearwardly through a rear face of the upper leg, the fixed base recess configured to receive a fixed base when the wear member is secured to a drilling rig, the passage extending into the fixed base recess; A lock assembly, comprising: A lock body, the lock body comprising: The top surface and A first lateral side; a lock body including a bore extending linearly along an axis intersecting the top surface and the first lateral side; A pin configured to be received within the bore of the lock body, the pin comprising: Head and The tip and a shaft extending between the head and the tip, the pin having a retracted configuration in which the tip is retained within the bore and a seated configuration in which the shaft extends laterally outward from the bore and beyond the first lateral side; a wear member assembly, the lock assembly being positionable via the top surface of the upper leg of the wear member such that a lower portion of the lock body is disposed in the central opening of the fixed base and an upper portion of the lock body is disposed in the passage of the wear member, the lock assembly being fixed to a fixed base such that when the pin of the lock assembly is in the seated configuration, the tip of the pin is disposed in the locking recess of the first side wall and a portion of the lock body faces a first lateral side disposed in the locking recess of the second side wall.

77. In the wear member assembly: The wear member assembly includes: A wear member, the wear member comprising: an upper leg extending rearwardly away from a leading edge of the wear member that is configured to engage the ground; a wear member including a passageway extending from a top surface of the upper leg through the upper leg; A lock assembly, comprising: a lock body shaped to fit within the passage, the lock body comprising: a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, a portion of the top surface having a width greater than a portion of the bottom surface; a lock body including a front side and an opposing rear side extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, the front side being angled relative to the rear side from a first lateral side of the lock body to a second lateral side of the lock body; and a lock assembly comprising: a pin configured to be received within a bore of the lock body, the pin extendable from the lock body to prevent the lock body from being removed from the passage.

78. The pin is Head and The tip and 78. The wear member assembly of claim 77, comprising: a shaft extending between the head and the tip, the pin having a retracted configuration in which the tip is retained within the bore of the lock body, and a seated configuration in which the shaft extends laterally outward from the bore and beyond a first lateral side.

79. 78. The wear assembly of claim 77, wherein the bore extends linearly along an axis that intersects the top surface and the first lateral side.

80. In wear parts for drilling equipment, The wear member is A leading edge; an upper leg extending rearwardly away from the leading edge; a passageway extending from a top surface of the upper leg through the upper leg, the passageway having a front wall and an opposing rear wall, the front wall being angled away from the rear wall from one lateral side of the passageway to an opposing lateral side of the passageway, the passageway being shaped to receive a portion of a lock assembly.

81. 81. The wear member of claim 80, wherein the front wall includes a guide channel formed therein for receiving a portion of a locking assembly.

82. 81. The wear member of claim 80, wherein the passage comprises a recess shaped to interface with a portion of a locking assembly, the recess being located in a lower portion of the passage adjacent an inner surface of the upper leg.

83. 81. The wear member of claim 80, wherein the wear member comprises a fixed base recess formed in an underside of the upper leg and extending through a rear surface of the upper leg, the fixed base recess extending laterally between two opposing channels extending forwardly from the rear surface of the upper leg, each of the two channels having an underside surface, the underside surfaces of each of the two channels being angled downwardly toward each other, and the fixed base recess configured to receive a fixed base secured to a lip of a drilling rig with a plurality of wings of a fixed base received within the two channels.

Images