AU2014268167A1 - An excavator rigging socket - Google Patents

Abstract

An excavator rigging socket that is adapted to releasably secure a cable to a rigging component is disclosed. The excavator rigging socket has an elongate body portion where the elongate body portion having opposed 5 sidewalls. The excavator rigging socket also includes a cradle extending longitudinally of the elongate body portion. The cradle has at least two pairs of cable retaining apertures spaced longitudinally of the elongate body portion, each pair of cable retaining apertures has a cable retaining aperture extending through a respective opposed sidewall of elongate body portion. 2134329vl CD co C'CD C'CD co co coJ

Description

1 TITLE "AN EXCAVATOR RIGGING SOCKET" FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an excavator rigging socket. In particular, 5 although not exclusively, the invention relates to an excavator rigging socket for use with dragline rigging cables BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Dragline excavators are commonly employed on mine sites for tasks to strip overburden to expose coal seams. Draglines have been in use for 10 approximately 100 years in this capacity. However, machine sizes, bucket styles and sizes and rigging arrangements have evolved as technology has advanced. Draglines have a high capital cost and significant ongoing maintenance costs and hence represent a substantial investment for the mine operator. Consequently, it is essential that the dragline has a high availability and 15 demonstrates efficiency of operation to ensure that the mine operator realizes an optimal return on investment. In order to optimise the productivity of a dragline it is desirable to minimize the time between each dig cycle, minimize maintenance cost of the dragline rigging and provide dragline rigging for optimum excavation capabilities. 20 The design of the dragline bucket has evolved to provide a bucket that fills more quickly and efficiently than more traditional buckets. For example, Australian Patent Application 2002301250 provides for a dragline bucket design that has a relatively low drag energy requirement during the fill portion of the dig cycle and thus reducing the required fill time than that previously observed whilst 25 also increasing the payload. 2134329vl 2 However, whilst bucket design has evolved, the rigging that controls the motion of the bucket has remained largely unchanged. The interplay between the dragline bucket and the rigging is an important factor in ensuring the dragline reaches optimal production. Furthermore, by increasing the life of the 5 components in the rigging, cost efficiencies may be achieved due to lower replacement costs and higher equipment availability. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above problems and/or provide the consumer with a useful or 10 commercial choice. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, the invention resides in an excavator rigging socket adapted to releasably secure a cable to a rigging component, the excavator rigging socket comprising: 15 an elongate body portion, the elongate body portion having opposed sidewalls; a cradle extending longitudinally of the elongate body portion; and at least two pairs of cable retaining apertures spaced longitudinally of the elongate body portion, each pair of cable retaining apertures having a cable 20 retaining aperture extending through a respective opposed sidewall of elongate body portion. Preferably in use, the cable is selectively secured within the cradle of the elongate body portion at a desired location by a cable retaining pin extending through a pair of selected cable retaining apertures and a securing portion of the 25 cable. 2134329vl 3 Suitably, the excavator rigging socket includes a clevis located at an end of the elongate body portion, the clevis adapted to receive a portion of the rigging component to thereby releasably secure the rigging component to the excavator 5 rigging socket Preferably, at least one barrier extends outwardly from at least one of the opposed sidewalls. In a preferred form, a barrier extends outwardly from each of the opposed sidewalls circumferentially about each cable retaining aperture. 10 Suitably, the cradle is adapted to receive a retaining portion of the cable. In a further form, the invention relates to a method of releasably securing a cable to an excavator rigging socket, the method including the steps of: locating an end of the cable within a cradle of the excavator rigging socket; 15 selecting a pair of cable retaining apertures from at least two pairs of cable retaining apertures spaced longitudinally of the excavator rigging socket, each pair of cable retaining apertures having a cable retaining aperture extending through a respective opposed sidewall of the excavator rigging socket into the cradle; and 20 locating a cable retaining pin through each cable retaining aperture of the selected pair of cable retaining apertures, the cable retaining pin passing through a securing portion of the cable to thereby releasably secure the cable to the excavator rigging socket. In yet a further form the invention relates to an excavator rigging socket 25 adapted to releasably secure a cable to a rigging component, the excavator 2134329vl 4 rigging socket comprising: an elongate body portion, the elongate body portion having opposed sidewalls; and a cradle extending longitudinally of the elongate body portion to a rear 5 abutment face at an end of the cradle; wherein, the cradle tapers inwardly toward the rear abutment face. Preferably, the cradle is partially defined by an inner face of each of the side walls. Suitably, an inner face of at least one of the opposed side walls tapers 10 inwardly of the cradle towards the rear abutment face. In a preferred form, the rear abutment face surrounds an opening adapted to receive a part of the cable. Preferably, the cradle is adapted to receive a retaining portion of the cable. 15 Suitably, the rear abutment face lies in a plane that is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cradle. Suitably, the cradle comprises: a first cradle portion having a ridge of at least one of the sidewalls extending into the first cradle portion; and 20 a second cradle portion having an enlarged section which extends from a stock section of the second cradle portion to the first cradle portion, wherein the enlarged section of the second cradle portion has an inner diameter between the inner faces of the opposed sidewalls at the enlarged section which is larger than the corresponding inner diameter of the stock section between the inner faces of 25 the sidewalls at the stock section. 2134329vl 5 In yet a further form, the invention relates to an excavator rigging socket adapted to releasably secure a cable to a rigging component, the excavator rigging socket comprising: an elongate body portion, the elongate body portion having opposed 5 sidewalls and a rear abutment face; a cradle extending longitudinally of the elongate body portion; and at least two pairs of cable retaining apertures spaced longitudinally of the elongate body portion, each pair of cable retaining apertures having a cable retaining aperture extending through a respective opposed sidewall of elongate 10 body portion; wherein, the cradle tapers inwardly toward the rear abutment face. Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15 To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG 1A shows a perspective view of an excavator rigging socket in 20 accordance with an embodiment of the invention; FIG 1 B shows a top view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 1A; FIG 1C shows a side view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 1A; 2134329vl 6 FIG 2A shows a perspective view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 1A at a stage in securing a cable to a rigging component; FIG 2B shows a plan view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 2A; 5 FIG 3A shows a plan view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 1A at a further stage in securing a cable to a rigging component; FIG 3B shows a close up perspective view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 3A; FIG 4A shows a plan view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 10 1 A in a final stage of securing a cable to a rigging component; FIG 4B shows a close up perspective view of excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 4A; FIG 4C shows a rear perspective view of excavator rigging socket as shown in FIG 4A; and 15 FIG 5A shows a perspective view of an excavator rigging socket in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; FIG 5B shows a top view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 5A; FIG 5C shows a perspective end view of the excavator rigging socket 20 shown in FIG 5A; FIG 5D shows a sectional side view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 5A; FIG 5E shows a sectional perspective side view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 5A 2134329vl 7 FIG 5F shows a further top view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 5A; FIG 6 shows a sectional view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 5A, sectioned along section line VI - VI of FIG 5F; 5 FIG 7 shows a sectional view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 5A, sectioned along section line VII - VII of FIG 5F; FIG 8A shows a perspective view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 5A securing a retaining portion of a cable located in a cradle of the excavator rigging socket; 10 FIG 8B shows a top view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 8A; FIG 8C shows a perspective view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 8A with the retaining portion located at a position for removal from the excavator rigging socket; 15 FIG 8D shows a perspective view of the excavator rigging socket shown in FIG 8C with an end of the retaining portion lifted from the excavator rigging socket during removal of the retaining portion from the excavator rigging socket. 2134329vl 8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG 1A shows a perspective view of an excavator rigging socket 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG 1B shows a top view of excavator rigging socket 100 and FIG 1C shows a side view of excavator rigging 5 socket 100. Excavator rigging socket 100 is preferably employed in dragline rigging applications in order to secure cables, such as dump ropes, to rigging components as will be discussed in greater detail below. Excavator rigging socket 100 has an elongate body portion 110 and a 10 clevis 120 formed at an end of body portion 110 from a pair of spaced clevis arms 121. Each clevis arm 121 has a retaining aperture 122 extending therethrough in order to receive a retaining pin (not shown) for releasably securing excavator rigging socket 100 to a rigging component as will be discussed in greater detail 15 below. Elongate body portion 110 has a cradle 111 extending longitudinally thereof. The cradle 111 has an opening 112 at an end of body portion 110 distal clevis 120. Cradle 111 has a first cradle portion 111A proximal opening 112 which extends into a second cradle portion 111 B. A ridge 113 extends into first 20 cradle portion 111A from an inner face of each side wall 114 forming an inner abutment face 11 3A as shown. A rear abutment face 11 3B is formed at an end of cradle 111 as will be discussed in greater detail below. Excavator rigging socket 100 further comprises a plurality of cable retaining apertures 130 spaced longitudinally on an outer face of each side wall 25 114 of body portion 110. Each cable retaining aperture 130 extends through one 2134329vl 9 side wall 114 and generally aligns with and corresponds to a respective cable retaining aperture 130 on an opposing side wall 114 of body portion 110. Furthermore, a barrier 131 extends outwardly from each side wall 114 and circumferentially about each cable retaining aperture 130 as shown. 5 In the embodiment shown in FIG's 1 to 4, three pairs of cable retaining apertures 130 are spaced longitudinally of body 110 are shown. Each pair of cable retaining apertures 130 is adapted to receive a cable retaining pin (not shown) as will be discussed in greater detail below. Suitably, the excavator rigging socket 100 of the invention has at least two pairs of cable retaining 10 apertures 130. In use, excavator rigging socket 100 is used to secure cables to other rigging components, preferably in dragline rigging, as will be discussed in greater detail below. By having a plurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of cable retaining 15 apertures 130, it is possible to selectively secure a cable within cradle 111 at a position in cradle dictated by the longitudinal location of the cable retaining aperture 130 along body 110. In this way, excavator rigging socket 100 of the invention caters for cables of differing lengths. Furthermore, when excavator rigging socket 100 is used to secure dump ropes, the carry angle of the 20 excavator bucket may be varied by selectively securing a cable within cradle 111 using a cable retaining pin (not shown) extending through a particular pair of selected cable retaining apertures 130. FIG 2A shows a perspective view of excavator rigging socket 100 at a stage in securing a cable 200 to a rigging component 300 and FIG 2B shows a 25 plan view of the excavator rigging socket 100 at a stage in the securing process. 2134329vl 10 Excavator rigging socket 100 is first secured to rigging component 300. In the embodiment, the rigging component 300 is in the form of a dump link. A skilled addressee will appreciate that other rigging components and links may be employed. 5 Rigging component 300 has a body portion 310 having a central aperture 311 extending therethrough. A pair of ears 312 extend from body portion 310 with each ear 312 having an ear aperture 312A extending therethrough. Each ear aperture 312 is adapted to receive a retaining pin (not shown) in order to secure the rigging component 300 to further rigging components or 10 cables as is known in the art. Body portion 311 of rigging component 300 is located between opposed clevis arms 121 of excavator rigging socket 100 such that retaining apertures 122 of clevis arms 121 generally align with and correspond to central aperture 311 of rigging component 300. 15 A retaining pin 320 extends through at least partially aligned retaining apertures 122 and central aperture 311 and releasably secures rigging component to excavator rigging socket 100 as is known in the art. A cable 200 is located within cradle 111 of excavator rigging socket 100 as shown. In the embodiment, cable 200 is in the form of a dump rope. A skilled 20 addressee will appreciate that cable 200 may take the form of any cable in the excavator rigging. Cable 200 has a main portion 210 and a retaining portion 220. Main portion 210 is preferably formed from twisted steel cable as is known in the art. Retaining portion 220 is formed from a body 221 having a blind cavity 222 25 extending therethrough and a securing portion extending from body 221 at an 2134329vl 11 eyelet end 226 of the body 221 as shown. In the embodiment, securing portion is in the form of an eyelet 223. The body 221 has an abutment face 224 at an abutment end 225 opposite the eyelet end 226. The retaining portion 220 is also referred to as a becket by persons skilled in the art of excavator rigging sockets. 5 Main portion 210 of cable 200 extends within blind cavity 222 of body 221 and is captively retained therein. In the embodiment, cable 200 is selectively located within cradle 111 of excavator rigging socket 100 at a position such that eyelet 223 aligns with and corresponds to the pair of cable retaining apertures 130 proximal clevis 120. In 10 this position, retaining portion 220 is located entirely within first cradle portion 111A. FIG 3A shows a plan view of the excavator rigging socket 100 at a further stage of securing cable 200 to rigging component 300. FIG 3B shows a close up perspective view of the excavator rigging socket 100 shown in FIG 3A. 15 Cable retaining pin 400 is then located through opposed cable retaining apertures 130 and eyelet 223 as shown. Cable retaining pin 400 is adapted to securely retain cable 200 within cradle 111 at the selected position. Cable retaining pin 400 limits rotation of the retaining portion 220 of the cable 200 within the cradle 111. The retaining pin 400 also aids in preventing the retaining 20 portion 220 from being ejected from the cradle 111. Cable retaining pin 400 is secured within a respective opposed cable retaining aperture 130 by a keeper pin 410 as is known in the art. Each keeper pin 410 is located within a respective barrier 131. Cable retaining pin 400 ensures that retaining portion 220 does not move 25 between spaced clevis arms 121 in use. 2134329vl 12 FIG 4A shows a plan view of excavator rigging socket 100 whereby excavator rigging socket 100 is in a position such that cable 200 is releasably secured to rigging component 300. FIG 4B shows a close up perspective view of excavator rigging socket 100 as shown in FIG 4A and FIG 4C shows a rear 5 perspective view of excavator rigging socket 100 as shown in FIG 4A. Stabilization members 500 as is known in the art are located within cradle portion 111 B as shown. Each stabilization member 501 has opposed abutment faces 510. The abutment face 510 of stabilization member 500 proximal retaining portion 220 of cable 200 bears against a face of retaining portion 220. 10 Furthermore, abutment face 510 of stabilization member 500 proximal opening 112 of cradle 111 bears against rear abutment face 11 3B of cradle 111 as shown. Furthermore, abutment faces 510 of stabilization members 510 bear against each other in use. The stabilization members 500 transfer the load exerted on them by the cable 200 to the rear abutment face 11 3B of the cradle 15 111. In this way, retaining portion 220 of cable 200 is maintained in a desired location within cradle 111 as discussed. Additionally, an upper face of each stabilization member 510 bears against inner abutment face 113A of ridge 113 to help locate stabilization member 500, and as such cable 200, in cradle 111. 20 Furthermore, stabilization members 500 help protect main portion 210 of cable 200 from abrasive wear. As such, excavator rigging socket 100 releasably secures cable 200 to rigging component 300. As mentioned previously, by having a plurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of cable retaining apertures 130, it is possible to 25 selectively secure cable 200 within cradle 111 at a position in cradle dictated by 2134329vl 13 the longitudinal location of the cable retaining aperture 130 selected along body 110. In this way, excavator rigging socket 100 of the invention caters for different carry angles and may also cater for cables of differing lengths. Furthermore, when excavator rigging socket 130 is used to secure dump ropes, 5 the carry angle of the excavator bucket may be varied by selectively securing cable 200 within cradle 111 using a cable retaining pin 400 extending through a selected pair of cable retaining apertures 130. FIG 5A shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an excavator rigging socket 600 according to another form of the invention. FIG 5B shows a 10 top view of excavator rigging socket 600, FIG 5C shows an end perspective view of excavator rigging socket 600, FIG 5D shows a sectional side view of excavator rigging socket 600 and FIG 5E shows a perspective sectional side view of the excavator rigging socket. FIG 5F shows another top view of excavator rigging socket 600 showing section lines VI - VI and VII - VII along 15 which the excavator rigging socket 600 is sectioned as shown in FIG's 6 and 7, respectively. Excavator rigging socket 600 is similar to excavator rigging socket 100, but notably has only one pair of cable retaining apertures 630. The cradle retaining apertures 630 are the same as the cable retaining apertures 130 of the 20 excavator rigging socket 100. The excavator rigging socket 600 secures the cable 200 to rigging equipment. Excavator rigging socket 600 has an elongate body portion 610 and a clevis 620 formed at an end of body portion 610 from a pair of spaced clevis arms 621. The clevis 620 and clevis arms 621 are the same as the clevis 120 25 and clevis arms 121 of the excavator socket 100. 2134329vl 14 Elongate body portion 610 has a cradle 611 extending longitudinally thereof. The cradle 611 is formed by inner faces 619 of spaced walls 614. The cradle 611 is adapted to receive the retaining portion 220 of the cable 200. The cradle 611 has an opening 612 at an end region of body portion 610 distal clevis 5 620. Cradle 611 has a first cradle portion 611A proximal opening 612 which extends into a second cradle portion 611B. A ridge 613 of each sidewall 614 extends into first cradle portion 611A forming an inner face in the form of abutment face 613A as shown. A rear abutment face 613B is formed at an end 615 of cradle 611 as will be discussed in greater detail below. The rear 10 abutment face 613B is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body portion 610. The rear abutment face 613B surrounds the opening 612. The second cradle portion 611 B has an enlarged section 616 and a stock section 617. The enlarged section 616 extends from the stock section 617 to the 15 first cradle portion 611A. The enlarged section 616 has an inner diameter "dl" partially defined by the inner faces of the opposed sidewalls 614 which is bigger than the corresponding inner diameter "d2" partially defined by the inner faces of the sidewalls 614 at the stock section 617. The inner diameters "dl" and "d2" are shown in FIG's 7 and 6, respectively. The enlarged section 616 provides for 20 ease of removal of the retaining portion 220 from the excavator rigging socket 600 as will be discussed in greater detail below. The first cradle portion 611A has the same inner diameter "dl" between the inner faces 619 of the sidewalls 614 as the inner diameter "dl" of the enlarged section 616, except at a tapered region 618. At the tapered region 618 25 of the first cradle portion 611A the inner faces 619 of the sidewalls 614 taper 2134329vl 15 inwardly towards the opening 612, narrowing the cradle 611 towards the rear abutment face 613B. The inner faces 619 at the tapered region 618 taper inwardly to where the inner faces 619 meet the rear abutment face 613B. The cradle 611 narrows toward the rear abutment face 613B along the tapered 5 region 618. That is to say the inner diameter of the first cradle portion 611A becomes progressively smaller closer to the rear abutment face 613B. The tapered region 618 is dimensioned to nestingly receive the abutment end 225 of the retaining portion 220. FIG 8A shows a perspective view of the excavator rigging socket 600 10 showing the retaining portion 220 in the form of a becket located in the cradle 611 in an abutment position wherein the retaining potion 220 abuts the rear abutment face 613B of the cradle 611. FIG 8B shows a top view of the excavator rigging socket with the retaining portion 220 in the abutment position. In the abutment position, the body 221 of the retaining portion 220 15 extends from the abutment face 613B and into the stock section 617 of the second cradle portion 611 B. The abutment end 225 of the body 221 is nestingly held in the tapered region 618 of the first cradle portion 611A. The eyelet end 226 of the body 221 is cradled in the stock section 617 of the second cradle portion 611 B. In the abutment position the eyelet 623 aligns with and 20 corresponds to the pair of cable retaining apertures 630. In use, the retaining portion 220 is repeatedly pulled back against the rear abutment face 613B of the cradle 611 by shock loads on the cable and the like. In prior art arrangements that do not have a tapered region 618 and tapered faces 619 these repeated impacts on the abutment end of the retaining portion, 25 as the retaining portion is pulled back against the rear abutment face of the 2134329vl 16 socket, causes the abutment end to expand, also referred to as mushrooming. Mushrooming makes it difficult to remove the retaining portion in the form of a becket from the socket because the dimensions of the abutment end of the retaining portion have circumferentially expanded. 5 In the present invention, the extent of mushrooming is limited or indeed eliminated due to the dimensions and presence of the tapered region 618 of the first cradle portion in which the abutment end 225 is located. Mushrooming is also limited by the taper of the faces 619 at the tapered region 618. The taper causes the abutment end to circumferentially contract, i.e. the internal diameter 10 of the cavity 222 of the body 221 at the abutment end 225 becomes smaller. This contraction is due to the compression forces the faces 619 of the tapered region 618 exert on the abutment end when the retaining portion 220 is repeatedly pulled back in the direction of the rear abutment face 613 B of the cradle 611. This inward circumferential deformation causes the abutment end 15 225 of the body 221 to be seated tightly in the tapered region 618. FIG 8C shows a perspective view of the excavator rigging socket 600 with the retaining portion 220 located at an ejection position for removal from the excavator rigging socket 600. FIG 8D shows a perspective view of the excavator rigging socket 600 with the abutment end 225 of the retaining portion 220 lifted 20 from the cradle 611 during removal of the retaining portion 220 from the excavator rigging socket 600. The main portion 210 of the cable 200 is not shown in FIG's 8C and 8D for clarity. The retaining portion 220 is rearwardly displaced in the cradle 611 from the abutment position to the ejection position. The retaining portion 220 is 25 dislodged from the abutment position by rearward axial force applied to the 2134329vl 17 retaining portion 220. The taper of the faces 619 at the tapered region 618 aids in dislodgement of the retaining portion 220 in the rearward direction. Once the retaining portion 220 is located at the ejection position shown in FIG 8C the retaining portion 220 can be lifted out of the cradle 611 by displacing 5 the abutment end 225 through the enlarged section 616 of the second cradle portion 611 B as shown. The tapered region 618 assists in reducing or eliminating entirely the outward circumferential deformation known as mushrooming of the abutment end 225 so that the abutment end 225 may pass easily through the enlarged 10 section 616 of the cradle 611. The tapered region 618 also aids in initial dislodgement of the retaining portion 220, where the retaining portion may have become stuck due to mushrooming had there been no tapered region 618. Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of 15 features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention. It will be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 20 2134329vl

Claims (6)

1. An excavator rigging socket adapted to releasably secure a cable to a rigging component, the excavator rigging socket comprising: 5 an elongate body portion, the elongate body portion having opposed sidewalls; a cradle extending longitudinally of the elongate body portion to a rear abutment face at an end of the cradle; a first cradle portion having a ridge of at least one of the sidewalls 10 extending into the first cradle portion; and a second cradle portion having an enlarged section which extends from a stock section of the second cradle portion to the first cradle portion, wherein the enlarged section of the second cradle portion has an inner diameter between the inner faces of the opposed sidewalls at the enlarged section which is larger than 15 the corresponding inner diameter of the stock section between the inner faces of the sidewalls at the stock section, and wherein the cradle tapers inwardly toward the rear abutment face.

2. The excavator rigging socket of claim 1, wherein the cradle is partially defined 20 by an inner face of each of the side walls.

3. The excavator rigging socket of claim 1, wherein an inner face of at least one of the opposed side walls tapers inwardly of the cradle towards the rear abutment face. 25 2134329vl 19

4. The excavator rigging socket of claim 1, wherein the rear abutment face surrounds an opening adapted to receive a part of the cable.

5. The excavator rigging socket of claim 1, wherein the cradle is adapted to 5 receive a retaining portion of the cable.

6. The excavator rigging socket of claim 1, wherein the rear abutment face lies in a plane that is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cradle. 10 2134329vl