STEEL SLEEVE DESIGN FOR SPRINGS.

Abstract

A spring (400) includes a first spring arm (428) extending from the first lateral edge (418) of the flat base (406'), the first spring arm (428) including a first arcuate portion (430) extending from the flat base (406'), a first straight portion (432) extending from the first arcuate portion (430) and disposed close to the back face (416), the first straight portion (432) defining a first obtuse angle (434) with the back face (416) and a first straight portion length (436).

Description

STEEL SLEEVE DESIGN FOR SPRINGS FIELD OF INVENTION This description pertains to retaining mechanisms used in work implement assemblies, such as shovel assemblies used by earthmoving, mining, and construction equipment, and similar applications, to attach a tip to a work implement assembly adapter. More specifically, this description pertains to a retaining mechanism that uses a spring-loaded steel sleeve design to hold a retainer in a locked or unlocked configuration. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Machines such as wheel loaders, excavators, and similar equipment employ work implement assemblies, including bucket assemblies, rakes, shears, etc., which have teeth and points attached to them to assist in working with materials such as dirt, rock, sand, etc. For example, teeth and points may be attached to a bucket assembly to help the bucket penetrate the ground, facilitating material removal. Adapters are often attached to the working edges (e.g., the base edge, side edge, etc.) of the bucket or other work implement so that different styles of teeth or points can be used. CQQ7 LO / L7R7 / B / YI Ref. 327423 attached to the work implement. In addition, the tips or teeth can be easily replaced when worn by providing a retention mechanism that is used to selectively hold the tip in the adapter or to allow the tip to be removed from the adapter. U.S. Patent No. 9,222,243 B2 describes a wear assembly for use on various types of ground-work equipment, comprising a base with a support portion, a wear member with a cavity in which the support portion is received, and a locking mechanism to secure the wear member to the base so that it can be released. The support portion is formed by upper and lower recesses that receive complementary projections of the wear member. These recesses and projections include aligned holes to receive and position the locking mechanism centrally within the wear assembly and away from the wear surface. The locking mechanism includes a mounting component that defines a threaded opening to receive a threaded bolt used to secure the wear member to the base so that it can be released. A retaining clip is provided to prevent rotation of the mounting component. However, the retaining clip in patent '243 does not solve all the problems associated with retention mechanisms, such as preventing the compaction of mud or other material within the mechanism, which can impair its performance. Furthermore, the retaining clip in '243 can increase the force required to unlock the mechanism to an undesirable degree, etc. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A spring according to one embodiment of the present description comprises a folded body including a flat base defining a front face, a rear face, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a flat base thickness measured from the front face to the rear face; and a first spring arm extending from the first side edge of the flat base, the first spring arm including a first arcuate portion extending rearward from the flat base, a first straight portion extending from the first arcuate portion and disposed close to the rear face, the first straight portion defining a first external obtuse angle with the rear face and a first straight portion length. A spring according to another embodiment of the present description comprises a folded body including a flat base defining a front face, a rear face, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge; and a first spring arm extending from the first side edge of the flat base, the first spring arm including a first arched portion extending rearward from the flat base, a first portion CQQ7 LO / LZnZ / E / YILI straight portion extending from the first arched portion and arranged close to the rear face, and a second arched portion extending backward from the first straight portion, and a second straight portion extending from the second arched portion and arranged close to the first straight portion so that the first spring arm forms a first serpentine path. A spring-actuated retainer according to one embodiment of the present description comprises a gripper receiving portion defining a first maximum external dimension, the gripper receiving portion further defining a gripper receiving groove extending partially through the gripper receiving portion, forming a first side wall, a second side wall, and a gripping surface connecting the first side wall to the second side wall; an actuating portion defining a second maximum external dimension and a first flat part disposed on the outside of the gripper receiving portion adjacent to the first side wall or the second side wall. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work implement assembly such as a shovel assembly using tips, adapters, and retention mechanisms with components configured according to various modalities of the present CQQ7 LO / ίΖΠΖ / Β / ΥΙΛΙ description. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tip and adapter subassembly of FIG. 1 shown in isolation from the working implement assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side section view of the tip of FIG. 2 without the adapter showing a retention mechanism and its components according to one modality of the present description in a locked configuration. FIG. 4 is a view of a rear section of the tip of FIG. 3 without showing any retention mechanism, revealing more clearly the receiving openings of the tip retention mechanism. Figure 5 is a detailed, magnified view of the tip in Figure 4, illustrating a retention mechanism and its components being assembled into the receiving opening of the tip retention mechanism. The spring-loaded retainer is shown in an unlocked configuration. Figure 6 shows the retention mechanism of Figure 5 fully assembled in the receiving opening of the tip retention mechanism. The spring-loaded retainer is shown in an unlocked configuration. FIG. 7 is a side view of the tip and spring-activated retainer of FIG. 6 with the spring-activated retainer being rotated into a locking configuration. CQQ7 LO / LZnZ / E / YILI FIG. 8 is a view of a rear section similar to FIG. 6 except that the spring-activated retainer is now in the unlocked configuration and a second spring is being inserted into the receiving opening of the retaining mechanism with the spring-activated retainer in the unlocked configuration. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the spring-activated retainer of Figures 5 to 8 shown in isolation. Two flat parts are used for this type of spring-activated retainer. FIG. 10 is a flat pattern of the spring from FIGS. 5 to 8 before being bent into a desired shape. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the spring in FIGS. 5 to 8 after being bent into a desired shape. FIG. 12 is a front view of the spring in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a partial magnified top view of the spring in FIG. 11 showing the configuration of a spring arm extending from the base of the spring more clearly. FIG. 14 illustrates two springs that are configured identically to the spring in FIG. 11 used to hold a spring-activated retainer according to another embodiment of the present description with only a flat portion. FIG. 15 illustrates a spring coming into contact with a tangentially spring-actuated retainer as shown CQQ7 LO / ίZΖΠZ / Β / YΙΛΙ shows on the right side of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 illustrates the upward movement of the spring coming into contact with the flat portion of the spring-activated retainer as shown on the left side of FIG. 14. FIG. 17 shows an insert being inserted into the spring of FIG. 11 between the spring arms of the spring and the base of the spring. FIG. 18 shows the spring with the insert from FIG. 17 fully assembled. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 2 shown in isolation, revealing the rail disposed behind the handle on the nose of the adapter according to one embodiment of the present description. FIG. 20 is a detailed view of the enlarged side of the handle and rail on the nose of the adapter in FIG. 19 so that the arched profile of the front portion of the rail can be seen more clearly. FIG. 21 shows a spring-activated retainer mounted on the nose grip of the adapter in FIG. 20, illustrating how the arched profile of the front portion of the rail allows the spring-activated retainer to rotate while helping to prevent mud or other debris from entering the tip from behind the tip. FIG. 22 is a view of a rear section of the tip and adapter of FIG. 2, which improves the understanding of how CQQ7 LO / LZnZ / E / YILI The nose perimeter and the presence of the adapter rails help prevent mud or other debris from entering the receiving cavity of the tip adapter nose without interfering with the mounting of the tip onto the adapter nose. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference will now be made in detail to the various features described, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used in all figures to refer to identical or similar parts. In some cases, a reference number will be given in this description, and the figures will show the reference number followed by a letter, e.g., 100a, 100b, or a prime indicator such as 100', 100'', etc. It should be understood that the use of letters or primes immediately following a reference number indicates that these features have a similar form and function, as is often the case when geometry is mirrored around a plane of symmetry.For the sake of ease of explanation in this description, letters or primes will often not be included herein but may be shown in the figures to indicate duplicates of features described within this written description. A working implement assembly using points will now be described in accordance with several modalities of the present CQQ7 LO / L7R7 / E / YL description. Starting with FIG. 1, the work implement assembly 100 can take the form of a shovel assembly 100' that can be used by a wheel loader and includes a closure 101 that defines an opening 102 communicating with a generally enclosed interior. Starting with the rear of the shovel assembly 100 as shown in FIG. 1, the shovel assembly 100 includes a curved housing profile 104 that is coupled to a rear wall 106 at the upper end of the housing 104. The other end of the housing is coupled to the bottom plate 108 of the assembly 100. A top plate 110 is coupled to the upper end of the rear wall 106. The top plate 110 becomes a dump guard 112 that is designed to channel material into the interior of the plate and prevent material from leaking out of the shovel.Reinforcing ribs 118 are provided and attached to the top plate 110 and the pouring guard 112, providing reinforcement for their strength. Two basically flat end plates 114 are attached to the side edges of the pouring guard 112, the top plate 110, the back wall 106, the bottom plate 108, and the housing 104. A side rim assembly 115 is coupled to each end plate 114, while a front rim assembly 116 is coupled to the front rim of the bottom plate 108 of the spade assembly 100. The front rim assembly 116 includes a base rim 117 coupled to the bottom plate 108, a plurality of center adapters 118 coupled to the base rim 117, and a plurality of tips 200 (also referred to as tools, teeth, etc.), with each of the plurality of tips 200 coupled to one of the plurality of center adapters 118. In addition, there are two corner adapters 120 coupled to the base rim and the side rims 122 of the spade assembly 100. The tip 200 can also be coupled to the corner adapters 120. Furthermore, a plurality of base edge protectors 124 are also provided, positioned between the center adapters 120 and between a center adapter 120 and a corner adapter 120. In addition, a side edge protector 126 is provided, which is attached to the side edge 122 adjacent to a corner adapter 120. It should be understood that work implement mountings can take forms other than shovel mountings, including rake mountings, shear mountings, etc. Likewise, a differently configured shovel intended for use on an excavator may also use various types of tips, retention mechanisms, adapters, springs, spring-actuated retainers, tip mountings, and tip and adapter mountings, etc., as will be described herein. A 200 tip according to a modality of the present The description of CQQ7 LO / LZnZ / E / YILI will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8, 15 and 16, which can be used with a spring-activated retainer 300 and a spring 400 according to various embodiments of the present description. Beginning now with FIGS. 2 to 6, the tip 200 may comprise a body 202 defining a longitudinal axis 204, a vertical axis 206 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 204, and a lateral axis 208 perpendicular to both the vertical axis 206 and the longitudinal axis 204. The body 202 may include a front working portion 210 arranged along the longitudinal axis 204, including a closed end 212, and a rear joining portion 214 arranged along the longitudinal axis 204, including an open end 216. As best seen in FIG. 4, the body 202 may define a vertical plane of symmetry 228. This may not be the case for other embodiments of the present description. Focusing on FIGS. 3 to 6, the rear coupling portion 214 defines an outer surface 218, an adapter nose receiving cavity 220 extending longitudinally from the open end 216, and a retention mechanism receiving opening 222 communicating with the adapter nose receiving cavity 220 and the outer surface 218. An adapter nose grip receiving slot 224 may extend longitudinally from the open end 216 to the opening CQQ7 LO / įZРZ / B / YILI receiving mechanism of retention 222. At least one spring receiving slot 226 may be in communication with the receiving opening of the retention mechanism 222 and the receiving cavity of the adapter nose 220. Looking at FIG. 5, the spring receiving slot(s) 226 include a spring base receiving portion 228 that extends laterally from the nose receiving cavity of the adapter 220 and terminates on a vertical face 230. In addition, a spring arm receiving portion 232 can extend vertically from the spring base receiving portion 228 and terminate laterally on a first vertical surface 234 disposed laterally between the nose receiving cavity of the adapter 220 and the vertical face 230. The spring arm receiving portion 232 can also terminate laterally on a second vertical surface 236 disposed laterally between the first vertical surface 234 and the vertical face 230 of the nose receiving cavity of the adapter 220. The body 202 can define an upper vertical limb 238 of the receiving opening of the retention mechanism 222, and a lower vertical limb 240 of the receiving opening of the retention mechanism 222. The receiving slot(s) for the spring 226 can be arranged close to the upper vertical limb 238 or the lower vertical limb 240. In some embodiments, as shown in CQQ7 LO / įZРZ / В / YILI FIG. 5, two of the slots are provided with one at the upper vertical end and one at the lower vertical end. In some embodiments, the spring receiving slot(s) 226 may be arranged close to the lower vertical limb 240. The body 202 may include a guide surface 242 (for example, a fillet or a chamfer, etc.) extending from the nose receiving cavity of the adapter 220 to the base receiving portion of the spring 228 of at least one spring receiving slot 226. With continued reference to FIG. 5, the receiving opening of the retention mechanism 222 includes a first cylindrical portion 244 extending from the outer surface 218, and a second cylindrical portion 246 extending from the nose receiving cavity of the adapter 222 to the first cylindrical portion 244. Therefore, the nose receiving cavity of the adapter 220 is in communication with the outside of the tip 220 through the receiving opening of the retention mechanism 222. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the first cylindrical portion 244 defines a first cylindrical portion radius 248, and the second cylindrical portion 246 defines a second cylindrical portion radius 250 that is larger than the first cylindrical portion radius 248, which forms the vertical face 230. Other configurations are possible in other embodiments of the present description. CQQ7 LO / ίZРZ / В / YΙΛΙ Next, with reference to Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6, a tip assembly 500, according to one embodiment of the present description, will now be described. The tip assembly 500 may comprise a tip 200 configured similarly to that just described herein. Furthermore, with reference to Figures 3, 5, and 6, the tip assembly 500 may comprise a spring-activated retainer 300 disposed in the receiving opening of the retention mechanism 222. The spring-activated retainer 300 may be configured to be accessible from the outer surface 218 so that a user can use a tool to drive or rotate the spring-activated retainer from an unlocked to a locked configuration, or vice versa.A spring 400 can be arranged in at least one spring-receiving slot 226 so that the spring 400 is interposed vertically between the tip body 202 and the spring-activated retainer 300. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the spring 400 may also include a flange portion 402 arranged laterally between the spring-activated retainer 300 and the receiving cavity of the adapter nose 220, helping to keep the spring-activated retainer 300 properly retained on the tip 200. In addition, the spring 400 may include at least one spring arm 404 arranged vertically in the receiving portion of the spring arm 232 of at least one slot CQQ7 LO / LZnZ / E / YILI spring receiver 226, and laterally close to the first vertical surface 234. Therefore, the spring 400 is tensioned to remain in position while the spring-actuated retainer 300 is also held in position. A base 406 may be disposed in the spring-receiving portion 228 of at least one spring-receiving groove 226. The base 406 may be in contact with the spring-actuated retainer 300, helping to absorb any build-up tolerance between the spring-actuated retainer 300 and the tip 200 and causing resistance from unintentionally rotating the spring-actuated retainer 300, etc.The receiving portion of the spring arm 232 also terminates laterally in a second vertical surface 236 arranged laterally between the first vertical surface 234 and the vertical face 230 of the receiving cavity of the adapter's nose 220, and at least one spring arm 404 is arranged laterally close to the second vertical surface 236, helping to prevent movement of the spring 400 outward from the tip 200. In FIG. 6, the base 406 of the spring 400 may be laterally separated from the vertical face 230 by a predetermined distance 502 that varies from 0 mm to 6.5 mm. This distance may vary in other embodiments of the present description, or the base 406 may come into contact with the vertical face 230 in other embodiments of the present description. CQQ7 LO / ίZΖΠZ / Β / YΙΛΙ description such as when the second vertical surface 236 is coextensive with the vertical face 230. The spring-receiving slot(s) 226 may take the form of a first spring-receiving slot 226' disposed close to the lower vertical end 240 of the receiving opening of the retaining mechanism 222. The spring(s) 400 may include a first spring 400' disposed in the first spring-receiving slot 226' disposed close to the lower vertical end 240. The tip body 202 may include a guide surface 242 extending from the nose-receiving cavity of the adapter 220 to the base-receiving portion of the spring 228 of at least one spring-receiving slot 226. A second spring-receiving slot 226'' may be arranged close to the upper vertical limb 238 and a second spring 400'' may be arranged in the second spring-receiving slot 226'' which also comes into contact with the spring-activated retainer 300. The first spring 400' may be identical to the second spring 400'', but not necessarily. Similarly, the first spring-receiving slot 226' may be configured similarly to the second spring-receiving slot 226'. That is, the slots are virtually identical except that they are limited by an angular surface 252 that forms the receiving cavity of the mode adapter nose. CQQZ Ln / įZРZ / B / YILI that the second spring receiving slot has a slightly different appearance from the first spring receiving slot. This may not be the case in other embodiments and the configurations of the various springs and their associated slots may be customized as required to be different from what is shown in FIG. 6 for other applications, etc. For example, in Figures 5 and 6, the spring-activated retainer 300 includes a first flat portion 302, and the base 406 of spring 400 contacts the first flat portion 302 of the spring-activated retainer 300. Furthermore, the spring-activated retainer 300 may include a second flat portion 304, and the second spring 400'' may contact the second flat portion 304. In this embodiment, Figure 5 illustrates how springs 400' and 400'' can be assembled at tip 200 by rotating the spring-activated retainer 300 so that its flat portions 302 and 304 are positioned in the upper and lower positions. This minimizes interference between springs 400' and 400'' and the spring-activated retainer 300, reducing the amount of assembly force required. Figures 8 to 14 illustrate that when using two 400', 400'' springs with a spring-activated retainer 300 having only one flat part 302, it is easier to assemble one 400' spring after the flat part 302 is aligned with the groove CQQ7 LO / LZnZ / E / YILI into which the spring will be inserted. Once the first spring 400' is properly assembled, the spring-activated retainer 300 is then rotated so that the flat part 302 faces the opposite groove, facilitating the mounting of the second spring 400'' in that groove, or vice versa. Figures 15 and 16 show an embodiment where only a single spring 400 and flat part 302 are used in the spring-activated retainer 300. Specifically, Figure 15 illustrates a spring 400 making contact with a spring-activated retainer 300 tangentially, as shown on the right side of Figure 14, while Figure 16 illustrates the movement of the spring 400, which makes contact with the flat part 302 of the spring-activated retainer 300, as shown on the left side of Figure 16. 14. When the modality shown in the FIGS is assembled.15 and 16, it is easier to have the flat part 302 oriented as shown in FIG. 16. Arrow 504 indicates that movement of the spring arm causes spring 400 to be trapped in slot 226'. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 9, various features of a spring-activated retainer 300 will now be described according to one embodiment of the present description. The spring-activated retainer 300 may comprise a gripper-receiving portion 306 defining a first maximum external dimension 308, and a gripper-receiving groove 310. CQQ7 LO / įZРZ / B / YILI extending partially through the gripping receiving portion 306, forming a first side wall 312, a second side wall 312', and a gripping surface 314 (known to contact or nearly contact the grip of the adapter in use) connecting the first side wall 312 to the second side wall 312'. The spring-actuated retainer 300 may also include an actuating portion 316 defining a second maximum external dimension 318. A first flat portion 302 may be disposed on the external part of the gripping receiving portion 306 adjacent to the first side wall 312 or the second side wall 312'. More specifically, when considering FIG. 9, the gripper receiving portion 306 may include a gripper receiving cylindrical portion 320 that includes an external cylindrical surface 322 defining a radial direction 324, a circumferential direction 326, and a cylindrical axis 328. In this embodiment, the first maximum external dimension 308 may take the form of an external cylindrical surface diameter 330 (see also FIG. 8). Furthermore, the drive portion 316 may include a drive cylindrical portion 332, and the second maximum external dimension 318 may take the form of a drive cylindrical portion diameter 334 that is smaller than the external cylindrical surface diameter 330 of the cylindrical portion. CQQ7 LO / įZРZ / В / YILI handle receiver 320. The configurations of these features may not be cylindrical in other forms such as conical, etc. Referring to FIG. 9, the first flat portion 302 can be disposed on the outer cylindrical surface 322 and can be circumferentially aligned with the first side wall 312 as shown. Optionally, the spring-actuated retainer 300 can further comprise a second flat portion 304 disposed on the outer cylindrical surface 322 that is also circumferentially aligned with the second side wall 312'. A stop projection 336 can extend axially from the actuating portion 316 that is circumferentially aligned with the first flat portion 302. Other configurations are possible. With reference now to FIGS. 10 to 13, a 400 spring will now be described according to one embodiment of the present description. Figure 10 shows that the manufacture of spring 400 can begin with a flat pattern 408 made from a metal (e.g., spring steel) that is bent through a progressive stamping die process or similar manufacturing technique into the desired final shape. The flat pattern 408 is shown with curved regions 410 indicating that it is twisted by the bending process into various CQQ7 LO / ίZРZ / Β / YILI arched portions of spring 400 as will now be described. In FIGS. 11 to 13, the spring 400 can be converted into a folded body 412 that includes a flat base 406' defining a front face 414, a rear face 416, a first side edge 418, a second side edge 420, a top edge 422, a bottom edge 424, and a flat base thickness 426 (minimum dimension, see FIG. 13) measured from the front face 414 to the rear face 416 that varies from 0.25 mm to 1.5 mm. A first spring arm 428 may extend from the first lateral edge 418 of the flat base 406'. As shown in FIG. 13, the first spring arm 428 may include a first arched portion 430 extending rearward from the flat base 406' and a first straight portion 432 extending from the first arched portion 430, which is disposed close to the rear face 416. That is, the first spring arm 428 is folded first toward the flat base 406'. The first straight portion 432 may define a first external obtuse angle 434 with the rear face 416, ranging from 120 degrees to 170 degrees, and a first straight portion length 436, ranging from 4.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Other configurations and dimensions are possible for any of these features in other embodiments of the present description. With continued reference to FIG. 13, the spring 400 may further comprise a second arcuate portion 438 which is CQQ7 LO / įZРZ / В / YILI extends backward from the first straight portion 432, and a second straight portion 440 extends from the second arched portion 438, which is arranged close to the first straight portion 432. The second straight portion 440 can define a second external obtuse angle 442 with the first straight portion 432, varying from 110 degrees to 160 degrees, and a second straight portion length 444, varying from 4.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Therefore, the first spring arm 428 extends along a first serpentine path from the flat base 406'. Other configurations are possible. The spring 400 may further comprise a third arcuate portion 446 extending forward from the second straight portion 440 and a third straight portion 448 extending from the third arcuate portion 446, which is positioned close to the first arcuate portion 430. The third straight portion 448 may define a first acute external angle 450 with the second straight portion 440, ranging from 20 degrees to 60 degrees, and a third straight portion length 452 ranging from 0.75 mm to 3.0 mm. A downward ramp angled outward from the spring is thus formed, which may aid in the installation of the spring 400 toward the tip. Figure 13 illustrates that the flat base 406' can define a midplane 454 arranged between the first lateral edge 418 and the second lateral edge 420. The spring 400 can be symmetrical about the midplane 454 so that a second spring arm can extend from the second lateral edge of the flat base, forming a second serpentine path. This may not be the basis for other embodiments. For example, only one spring arm may be provided, or spring arms may be provided in different configurations, etc. As previously mentioned herein, Figures 11 to 13 show that the spring 400 may have a flange portion 402 extending from the lower edge 424 of the flat base 406'. The flange portion 402 includes an arcuate flange portion 456 extending from the lower edge 424 and a straight flange portion 458 extending from the arcuate flange portion 456. The straight flange portion 458 defines a right angle 460 with the flat base 406'. The straight flange portion 458 may define a length of straight flange portion 462 that varies from 2.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Other configurations and dimensions are possible in other embodiments of this description. In FIG. 11, the folded body 412 can also define a first fold relief cut 464 arranged along the first side edge 418 between the first spring arm 428 and the bottom edge 424. A second fold relief cut 466 can also be arranged along the second side edge 420 between the second spring arm 468 and the CQQ7 LO / LZnZ / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ lower edge 424. Looking at FIG. 12, the flat base 406' can define a vertical flat base length 470 measured from the top edge 422 to the bottom edge 424 that varies from 14.0 mm to 20.5 mm, and a horizontal flat base width 472 measured from the first side edge 418 to the second side edge 420 that varies from 10.0 mm to 14.0 mm. In FIGS. 17 and 18, an insert 474 can be arranged between the first and second spring arms 428, 468 and the flat base 406', being pressed against the rear face 416 of the flat base 406' by the first and second spring arms 428, 468. The insert 474 can comprise at least one of the following materials: Cellasto®, rubber, and foam. If foam is used, the foam can be bonded to the flat base 406'. The insert 474 can help prevent mud or other debris from infiltrating the spring 400, which could impair its performance. Figures 2 and 19 to 22 show a 600 adapter according to one embodiment of the present description, with features that may help prevent sludge compaction or other debris from infiltrating the receiving cavity of the tip adapter's nose after the tip has been assembled into the adapter. Although one version of the adapter shown in these figures is a center adapter, it should be understood that the adapter may have other configurations, including a corner adapter, etc. Furthermore, CQQ7 LO / L7R7 / E / YL the adapter can define a mean plane of symmetry as shown in the figures but not necessarily in other modalities of the present description. In FIGS. 2 and 19, the adapter 600 may comprise a body 602 including a nose portion 604, which includes a handle 606 extending from the nose portion 604. The body 602 may also include a first leg 608, a second leg 610, and a throat portion 612 connecting the legs 608, 610, and the nose portion 604. The first and second legs 608, 610, and the throat portion 612 define a groove 614 including a closed end 616 and an open end 618. The groove 614 thus defines a mounting direction 620 on a work implement, a lateral direction 622 perpendicular to the mounting direction 620, and a vertical direction 624 perpendicular to both the mounting direction 620 and the lateral direction 622. Focusing on FIGS. 19 and 20, the nose portion 604 may further include a rail 626 disposed behind the handle 606 along the mounting direction 620. The rail 626 may include a front arched surface 628 defining a front arched surface radius of curvature 630 that varies from 21.0 mm to 25.0 mm. The front arched surface 628 may be separated from the handle 606 by a first minimum distance 632 that varies from 7.0 mm to 12.0 mm. As best seen in FIG. 22, rail 626 CQQ7 LO / įZРZ / В / YΙΛΙ defines a side height 634 that varies from 10.0 mm to 16.0 mm, and a vertical width 636 that varies from 25.0 mm to 32.0 mm. As best seen in FIG. 20, the rail 626 defines a rail length 638 along the mounting direction 620 that varies from 38.0 mm to 48.0 mm and includes a rear portion 640 with a rear combination 642 that connects the gripper 606 to the throat portion 612. It should be understood that the configuration and dimensions associated with these features may vary and be different in other modalities of the present description. Referring again to FIG. 22, a tip and adapter assembly 700 according to one embodiment of the present description may be characterized as follows. The tip and adapter assembly 700 may comprise a tip 200 and an adapter 600 with similar or identical configurations as previously described herein. The tip and adapter assembly 700 may further include a spring-loaded retainer 300, 300' mounted on the handle (see FIG. 2 and 21). As best seen in FIG. 21, the rail 626 can be separated from the spring-activated retainer 300 by a first minimum separation distance 702 that varies from 1.0 mm to 8.0 mm. This can help ensure that the spring-activated retainer is free to rotate as required. In FIG. 22, it can be observed that rail 626 can CQQ7 LO / įZРZ / B / YILI be separated from tip 200 in the receiving groove of the nose of adapter 220 from tip 200 by a second minimum separation distance 704 that varies from 1.0 mm to 6.0 mm. This can help ensure that the tip can be installed onto the adapter without interference while also helping to limit the compaction of mud or other debris from entering the receiving cavity of the nose of the tip adapter. Again, it should be noted that any of the dimensions, surface areas, angles, and / or configurations of various features may vary as desired or required, including those not specifically mentioned herein. Although not specifically described, combinations such as fillets connecting the various surfaces are shown. These may be omitted in other embodiments, and it should be understood that their presence may sometimes be overlooked when reading this description unless specifically mentioned. Industrial application In practice, a machine, a work implement assembly, a tip, an adapter, a tip assembly, a tip and adapter assembly, a spring, a spring-activated retainer, and / or any combination of these various assemblies and components may be manufactured, purchased, or sold to outfit a machine or a work implement assembly of CQQ7 LO / LZnZ / E / YILI work in the field in a market context, or alternatively, it can be manufactured, purchased, sold or otherwise obtained in an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) context. Any of the above-mentioned components can be made of any suitable material including iron, gray cast iron, steel, spring steel, plastic, rubber, foam, etc. It will be appreciated that the preceding description provides examples of the assembly and technique described. However, it is understood that other implementations of the description may differ in detail from the examples above. All references to the description or examples thereof are intended to refer to the particular example being described at that time and are not intended to imply any limitation on the scope of the description in general. Any language of distinction or disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude them from the scope of the description entirely unless otherwise stated. The mention of value ranges herein is intended merely as a shorthand method for referring individually to each separate value within the range, unless otherwise stated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the description as if it were mentioned individually herein. It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications and variations to the embodiments of the apparatus and assembly methods as described herein may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the present description will become evident to those skilled in the art from consideration of the description and the implementation of the various embodiments described herein. For example, some parts of the apparatus may be constructed and operated differently from how described herein, and certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in a different order than specifically mentioned, or in some cases performed simultaneously or in sub-steps.Furthermore, variations or modifications can be made to certain aspects or features of various modalities to create more modalities and features, and aspects of various modalities can be added or replaced by other features or aspects of other modalities to provide additional modalities. Therefore, this description includes all modifications and equivalents of the object indicated in the appended claims as permitted by applicable legal regulations. Additionally, the CQQ7 LO / įZРZ / В / YΙΛΙ description encompasses every combination of the elements described above in all possible variations thereof, unless otherwise stated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by the context. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

Having described the invention as above, the following claims are claimed as property:

1. A spring characterized in that it comprises: a folded body including a flat base defining a front face, a rear face, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a flat base thickness measured from the front face to the rear face; and a first spring arm extending from the first side edge of the flat base, the first spring arm including a first arcuate portion extending rearward from the flat base, a first straight portion extending from the first arcuate portion and disposed close to the rear face, the first straight portion defining a first external obtuse angle with the rear face and a first straight portion length.

2. The spring according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat base thickness measures from 0.25 mm to 1.5 mm, the first external obtuse angle varies from 120 degrees to 170 degrees, and the first straight portion length varies from 4.0 mm to 7.0 mm.and further comprising a second arched portion extending backwards from the first straight portion, and a second straight portion extending from the second arched portion and arranged close to the first straight portion, the second straight portion defining a second external obtuse angle with the first straight portion that varies from 110 degrees to 160 degrees forming a first serpentine path and a second straight portion length that varies from 4.0 mm to 7.0 mm; a third arched portion extending forwards from the second straight portion, and a third straight portion extending from the third arched portion and arranged close to the first arched portion, the third straight portion defining a first external acute angle with the second straight portion that varies from 20 degrees to 60 degrees forming a ramp and a third straight portion length that varies from 0.75 mm to 3.0 mm.

3. The spring according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a flange portion extending from the lower edge of the flat base; wherein the flange portion includes an arcuate flange portion extending from the lower edge and a straight flange portion extending from the arcuate flange portion, the straight flange portion defining a right angle 460° with the flat base.

4. The spring according to claim 1, characterized in that the foldable body defines a first fold relief cut arranged along the first lateral edge between the first spring arm and the lower edge.

5. The spring according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises a second spring arm extending from the second side edge and wherein the folded body further defines a second fold relief cut arranged along the second side edge between the second spring arm and the lower edge.

6. The spring according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises an insert disposed between the first and second spring arms and the flat base, being pressed against the rear face of the flat base by the first and second spring arms.

7. The spring according to claim 6, characterized in that the insert comprises at least one of the following materials: Cellasto®, rubber and foam.

8. A spring-activated retainer characterized in that it comprises: a gripper receiving portion defining a first maximum external dimension, the gripper receiving portion also defining a gripper receiving groove extending partially through the gripper receiving portion, forming a first side wall, a second side wall and a clamping surface connecting the first side wall to the second side wall; an actuating portion defining a second maximum external dimension; and a first flat part disposed on the external part of the gripper receiving portion adjacent to the first side wall or the second side wall.

9. A spring-activated retainer according to claim 8, characterized in that the gripper receiving portion includes a gripper receiving cylindrical portion that includes an external cylindrical surface defining a radial direction, a circumferential direction and a cylindrical axis and the first maximum external dimension is an external cylindrical surface diameter and the actuating portion includes an actuating cylindrical portion and the second maximum external dimension is an actuating cylindrical portion diameter that is less than the external cylindrical surface diameter of the gripper receiving cylindrical portion.

10. The spring-actuated receiver according to claim 9, characterized in that the first flat portion is disposed on the outer cylindrical surface and is circumferentially aligned with the first side wall and further comprising a second flat portion disposed on the outer cylindrical surface that is also circumferentially aligned with the second side wall and a stop projection extending axially from the actuating portion that is circumferentially aligned with the first flat portion.

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