AU2011200223A1 - An Attachment for Mounting Wear Parts - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract An attachment system for mounting wear a wear member to excavating equipment, the system including a support structure secured to the excavating equipment, a wear member mounted to the support structure, at least the support 5 structure and the wear member cooperatively defining a lock receiving opening, at least one portion of the opening defining a threaded formation, and a lock removeably received into the opening to releaseably secure the wear member to the support structure, the lock including at least two portions, each of which is at least partially threaded, each portion engageable within the opening to secure the wear member to 10 the support structure. Figure 7 Figure 8

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Invention Title: An Attachment System for Mounting Wear Parts Applicant: Norman Graham Haines The invention is described in the following statement: 2 An Attachment System for Mounting Wear Parts Field of the Invention. The present invention relates to mounting systems for mounting wear parts to earthmoving equipment and particularly to a mounting system for mounting 5 teeth to a bucket or similar. Background Art. One conventional method and apparatus for the mounting of wear parts relative to earthmoving equipment as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5. The wear part or digger tooth has an attachment box 6 to attach the 10 tooth to a mounting block on the earthmoving equipment. The attachment box has a transverse opening through two opposed sidewalls and is positioned such that the transverse opening aligns with an opening in the mounting block. Once positioned properly, an elongate pin 10 is inserted through the aligned openings. The pin normally has a head to abut one side of the attachment box 15 6 and a circumferential groove spaced from the opposite end in order that a circlip I1 can be attached to the pin, in the groove. The circlip I1 abuts the other side of the attachment box. Both the head and the circlip 11 are typically protected by a bolt or pin guard 3. Usually, a hammer or similar is required to drive the pin or bolt 20 through the aligned openings during insertion and/or removal. As can be seen from Figure 5 however, a problem exists in that when a plurality of teeth are present, the hammer cannot be used with any great practicality due to the proximity of the teeth. It is difficult to apply sufficient leverage to correctly secure the pin, particularly with a bolt guard on the wear tooth to protect the pin. This 25 in turn makes the process of fitting and replacing wear parts time consuming and difficult. One potential solution to this problem is to reposition the pin and the aligned openings such that the pin extends more or less vertically which allows access to all of the pins without obstruction from the adjacent teeth. However, this 30 positioning has complications as the openings, pin and circlip are more difficult to protect using pin guards. It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part 3 of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. Summary of the Invention. The present invention is directed to an attachment system for mounting wear parts to earthmoving or excavating equipment, which may at least partially 5 overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in an attachment system for mounting wear a wear member to excavating equipment, the system including: 10 a) a support structure secured to the excavating equipment; b) a wear member mounted to the support structure; at least the support structure and the wear member cooperatively defining a lock receiving opening, at least one portion of the opening defining a threaded formation, and 15 c) a lock removeably received into the opening to releaseably secure the wear member to the support structure, the lock including at least two portions, each of which is at least partially threaded, each portion engageable within the opening to secure the wear member to the support structure. The attachment system of the present invention will typically be used 20 for attaching teeth (for example digging teeth) to a bucket or similar. Preferably, the attachment system is used for removable attachment. A tool may be required in order to secure and release of the wear member relative to the excavating equipment. The present invention includes a support structure secured to the excavating equipment. Typically, the support structure will include a mounting block 25 or similar which is permanently attached to the earthmoving equipment. The mounting block may have any shape. There are a plurality of proprietary attachment systems available on the market. The main proprietary attachment systems are manufactured by Esco Corporation and Caterpillar Limited, which each include specifically designed proprietary mounting blocks to engage with 30 proprietary digging teeth. The attachment system of the present invention will be capable of interfacing with any of the proprietary attachment systems available on the market.

4 Typically, the mounting block is elongate and extending outwardly, normally forwardly from the excavating equipment. Each mounting block will preferably have an opening through the outwardly extending portion. The opening may extend in any direction but is preferably substantially horizontal. 5 The mounting block is typically received within an attachment box or shroud of the wear member. Normally, a plurality of spaced apart mounting blocks are provided on the forward edge of the earthmoving equipment such that a wear member can be attached to each mounting block. The opening in the mounting block is typically 10 positioned toward the equipment side of the mounting block for strength reasons. The present invention also includes a wear member mounted to the support structure. As mentioned above, the wear member is typically a digging tooth. However, other wear members may be attached using the attachment system of the present invention, such as cutter heads for example. 15 The wear member typically includes an attachment box or shroud at the rear of the wear member in order to at least partially receive the mounting block. In use, the attachment box is used to attach to the wear member relative to the earthmoving equipment, via the mounting block support structures of the earthmoving equipment provided and specifically adapted for this purpose. The mounting blocks 20 of the earthmoving equipment are typically provided in standard sizes and configurations in order that replacement wear parts can be provided and can be relatively quickly and simply exchanged for worn or unusable parts. The attachment box typically has an upper wall, and opposed lower wall and a pair of the sidewalls, these walls together defining an opening into which 25 the mounting block is received in use. Preferably, the upper and lower walls of the attachment box taper towards each other as they extend towards a blade portion of the wear part. The sidewalls of the attachment box are typically parallel to one another. As outlined above, the attachment box is typically adapted to receive a "standard" sized mounting 30 block therein and a substantially rectangular opening is typically defined via the rearmost edges of the walls. An opening is preferably provided in each of the sidewalls of the attachment box. The respective openings are normally provided about central axis.

5 These openings are typically adapted to receive a pin or other fastener therethrough in order to attach the wear member to the mounting block. It is preferred that the upper and/or lower walls of the attachment box are arcuate or curved. It is particularly preferred that both of the upper and lower 5 walls are convex. The wear member typically also has a forwardly extending, ground engaging blade member. In a preferred form, the blade member is generally rectangular in shape and has an upper surface, a lower surface, a pair of sidewalls, and a forward or leading surface. The blade member will typically be formed integrally 10 with the attachment box and therefore, will not have a rear wall or surface. There are many different shapes of blade members and the shape of the blade member is not to limit the scope of the present invention. The wear member will also typically include a bolt guard. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the bolt guard will preferably be at least 15 partially annular collar surrounding each of the openings through the attachment box. Preferably, a portion of the annular collar is removed at the rear of the bolt guard. The bolt guard will typically be braced into position in order to prevent deformation during use. Typically, a bolt guard will be provided on either side of the attachment 20 box. The openings in the sidewalls of the attachment box will preferably align with the opening in the mounting block when the wear member is fitted. Normally, at least part of the opening is threaded. For example, either the opening surrounds in the attachment box may be threaded, the mounting block opening may be 25 threaded, the bolt guard may include a threaded portion or a further member such as a threaded nut or similar may be provided, attached to the attachment box. According to a preferred embodiment, a threaded nut is provided adjacent either side wall of the attachment box and attached permanently thereto. The threaded nut is preferably provided within the bolt guard for protection and will 30 normally be welded to the attachment box. The present invention also includes a lock removably received into the opening to releasably secure the wear member to the support structure, the lock including at least two portions, each of which is at least partially threaded, each 6 portion engageable within the opening to secure the wear member to the support structure. Typically, the one or more portions may be provided for insertion into the opening from opposed sides of the attachment box. The lock is preferably provided in the form of a multipart pin or 5 similar. Typically, there are a least two portions and preferably, three portions to the lock. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, at least two portions are partially threaded rods or bolts, and a third portion is a central pin. Each of the partially threaded rods are typically threaded either over the entire length or more preferably, only a portion adjacent the head of the bolt in order 10 to prevent timely winding of the entire length of the bolt through the threaded portion of the opening. As is normal, each of the threaded rods or bolts will typically have an enlarged head end and a free end. Preferably, the head is shaped to engage a rotation tool and may be any of any shape. The shaped engagement may be an external or 15 internal shape such as a shaped depression, for example. Preferably, the free end of each of the threaded rods or bolts is also shaped to engage either the other threaded rod, a central pin, or a portion of the support structure, such as a part of the mounting block. Typically, each threaded rod or bolt will be approximately 1/2 to one 20 third of the width of the wear member attachment box. Preferably, each threaded rod or bolt will be threaded over at least approximately one third of its length. According to the most preferred embodiment, the free end of each threaded rod or bolt will be partially spherical, although other shapes may be used. According to the most preferred embodiment, a pair of threaded rods or 25 bolts is provided with a central pin. Typically, the central pin will be elongate and will normally be approximately one third of the width of the attachment box in length. The central pin will typically be substantially cylindrical with the ends of the central pin shaped to engage the shaped ends of the threaded rods or bolts. The shape of the ends of the central pin will therefore correspond substantially with the 30 shaped ends of the threaded rods or bolts. According to the preferred embodiment, each end of the central pin will include a partially spherical indentation or depression. The central pin is preferably located at least partially and typically completely, in the opening in the support structure or mounting block. The central pin 7 may be fixed (at least temporarily) or removable within the opening. Preferably, the central pin is dimensioned to closely fit in girth within the opening in the mounting block. It is preferred that the central pin can be retrofitted into an opening in a conventional mounting block. 5 In use, once the opening of the attachment box of the wear member is aligned with the opening in the mounting block, the central pin is then inserted into the opening and the preferred threaded rods are then inserted into the opening from either side. Due to the provision of the thread on the threaded rods, the rods are typically rotated perpendicularly to the pin or block rather than requiring force from a 10 coaxial direction in order to drive the threaded rod into or through the opening. Upon rotation of the threaded rods, the ends of the threaded rod will engage with the shaped depression of the ends of the central pin which will fix the threaded rods in position and fix the attachment box to the mounting block. The tool can then be used to tighten the threaded rods to prevent them working loose under 15 load. Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings. 20 Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end view of a conventional method of attachment for mounting digger teeth to a bucket. Figure 2 is a detailed side view of a pin with circlip according to the 25 conventional method of attachment illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a detailed end view of a pin with circlip according to the conventional method of attachment illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 4 is an end view of the pin and the circlip of the conventional method of attachment illustrated in Figure 1. 30 Figure 5 is an axonometric view of a bucket with a pin being removed illustrating the difficulty. Figure 6 is an end view of an attachment system according to the present invention.

8 Figure 7 is an exploded isometric view of the attachment system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is an exploded top view of the attachment system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 5 Figure 9 is an exploded end view of the attachment system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is a side view of the attachment pin according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure I1 is a rendered side view of the attachment pin according to a 10 preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is an exploded view of the attachment pin according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 is an axonometric view of a bucket with a pin being removed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 15 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, an attachment system for mounting wear parts is provided. The attachment system illustrated in Figures 6 to 13 includes a support structure in the form of a mounting block 12 secured to an excavating bucket 13, a 20 wear member in the form of a digging tooth 14 mounted to the mounting block 12, the mounting block 12 and the digging tooth 14 cooperatively defining an opening, at least one portion of the opening 5 having a threaded formation, and a lock 15 removeably received into the opening to 5 releaseably secure the digging tooth 14 to the mounting block 12, the lock 15 including a pair of bolts 1, each of which is at least 25 partially threaded, each engageable within the opening 5 to secure the digging tooth 14 to the mounting block 12. The attachment system of the present invention will typically be used for attaching teeth (for example digging teeth) to a bucket as illustrated in Figure 13. A tool may be required in order to secure and release the digging tooth relative to the 30 excavating bucket. The mounting block 12 may have any shape. The attachment system of the present invention is capable of interfacing with any of the proprietary attachment systems available on the market.

9 As illustrated in Figure 13, the mounting block 12 is elongate and forwardly extending. The mounting block has an opening 16 through the forwardly extending portion. The opening 16 illustrated is substantially horizontal through the mounting block 12. A plurality of spaced apart mounting blocks 12 are provided on 5 the forward edge of the earthmoving bucket 13 such that a digging tooth 14 can be attached to each mounting block 12. The opening 16 in the mounting block 12 is positioned toward the equipment side of the mounting block 12 for strength reasons. The mounting block 12 is received within the attachment box 6 of the digging tooth 14. 10 The attachment box 6 is at the rear of the digging tooth 14 in order to at least partially receive the mounting block 12. An opening 5 is provided in each of the sidewalls of the attachment box 6 about a central axis. These openings 5 are adapted to receive a pin or other fastener therethrough in order to attach the digging tooth 14 to the mounting block 12. 15 The digging tooth 14 has a bolt guard 3 about the opening in the sidewalls of the attachment box 6. According to the illustrated embodiment, the bolt guard 3 is at least partially annular surrounding the opening 5 through the digging tooth 14. A portion of the annular bolt guard 3 is removed at the rear of the bolt guard 3. 20 The bolt guard 3 is braced into position in order to prevent deformation during use by a bracing member 17 on either side of the attachment box 6. The openings 5 in the sidewalls of the attachment box align with the opening 16 in the mounting block 12 when the digging tooth 14 is fitted. According to a preferred embodiment illustrated, a threaded nut 2 is 25 provided attached to the attachment box adjacent the opening 5 in the attachment box 6. The threaded nut 2 is provided within the bolt guard 3 for protection and is normally welded to the attachment box 6. The present invention also includes a multipart lock 15 removeably received into the opening to releaseably secure the digging tooth 14 to the mounting 30 block 12. The preferred lock 15 is provided in the form of a multipart pin or similar as illustrated in Figures 10 to 12. There are two at least partially threaded bolts I and a third portion being a central pin 4.

10 Each of the at least partially threaded bolts 1 are threaded over the entire length or more preferably, a portion adjacent the head of the bolt 1 with the remainder unthreaded in order to prevent timely winding of the entire length of the bolt I through the threaded nut 2. 5 As is normal, each of the threaded bolts 1 have an enlarged head end of and a free end. Preferably, the head is shaped to engage a rotation tool (as illustrated in Figure 13 and may be any of any shape. According to the illustrated embodiment, the free end of each of the threaded bolts 1 is also shaped to engage the central pin 4. 10 According to the most preferred embodiment, the free end of each threaded bolt 1 is partially spherical. The central pin 4 as illustrated is substantially cylindrical with the ends of the central pin 4 shaped to engage the shaped ends of the threaded bolts 1. According to the preferred embodiment, each end of the central pin 4 includes a 15 partially spherical indentation or depression 18. As illustrated in Figure 9, the central pin 4 is located in the opening in the opening in the mounting block 12. The central pin 4 is dimensioned to closely fit in both length and girth within the opening. It is preferred that the central pin 4 can be retrofitted into an opening in a conventional mounting block. 20 In use, once the opening 5 of the attachment box 6 of the digging tooth 14 is aligned with the opening 16 in the mounting block, the central pin 4 is then inserted into the opening and the preferred threaded bolts I are being inserted into the opening from either side. Due to the provision of the thread on the threaded bolts 1, the bolts I are typically rotated perpendicular to the bolts 1 rather than requiring force 25 from a coaxial direction in order to drive the threaded bolt I into or through the opening. Upon rotation of the threaded bolts 1, the ends of the threaded bolts will engage with the shaped depression 18 of the ends of the central pin 4 which will fix the threaded bolts I in position and fix the attachment box 6 to the mounting block 30 6. The tool can then be used to tighten the threaded rods to prevent them working loose under load as illustrated Figure 13. In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated 1 integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present 5 invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in 10 language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by 15 those skilled in the art.

Claims (20)

1. An attachment system for mounting wear a wear member to excavating equipment, the system including a support structure secured to the excavating equipment, a wear member mounted to the support structure, at least the 5 support structure and the wear member cooperatively defining a lock receiving opening, at least one portion of the opening defining a threaded formation, and a lock removeably received into the opening to releaseably secure the wear member to the support structure, the lock including at least two portions, each of which is at least partially threaded, each portion engageable within the 10 opening to secure the wear member to the support structure.

2. An attachment system as claimed in claim I wherein the wear member is a digging tooth.

3. An attachment system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the wear member includes an attachment box at the rear of the wear member in order to 15 at least partially receive the support structure.

4. An attachment system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the attachment box has an upper wall, and opposed lower wall and a pair of the sidewalls, these walls together defining an opening into which the support structure is received in use. 20

5. An attachment system as claimed in claim 4 wherein an opening is provided in each of the sidewalls of the attachment box.

6. An attachment system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the wear member includes a bolt guard in the form of an at least partially annular collar surrounding each of the openings through the sidewalls of the attachment box. 25

7. An attachment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least part of the lock receiving opening is threaded.

8. An attachment system as claimed in claim 7 wherein a threaded nut or similar provided attached to the wear member and forms a part of the lock receiving opening. 30

9. An attachment system as claimed in claim 6 wherein a threaded nut is provided attached to the wear member within the bolt guard and forms a part of the lock receiving opening. 13

10. An attachment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the lock includes at least two partially threaded rods or bolts, and a central pin.

11. An attachment system as claimed in claim 10 wherein each of the threaded rods or bolts has an enlarged head end and a shaped free end. 5

12. An attachment system as claimed in claim I1 wherein each of the partially threaded rods or bolts includes a threaded portion adjacent the head of the rod or bolt.

13. An attachment system as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the head of the rod or bolt is shaped to engage a rotation tool. 10

14. An attachment system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the free end of each of the threaded rods or bolts is shaped to engage either the other threaded rod, a central pin, or a portion of the support structure.

15. An attachment system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein the free end of each threaded rod or bolt is partially spherical. 15

16. An attachment system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15 wherein the central pin is substantially cylindrical with the ends of the central pin shaped to engage the threaded rods or bolts.

17. An attachment system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 16 wherein the central pin is located completely in an opening in the support structure. 20

18. An attachment system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 16 further including a tool to engage the threaded rods or bolts to prevent them working loose under load.

19. A lock substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 10 to 12.

20. An attachment system substantially as described herein with reference to 25 Figures 6 to 13.