AU701175B2 - Locking clip pin arrangement - Google Patents

Description

f' Large scale earth moving equipment is large, bulky and required to perform in extreme environmental conditions. When replaceable parts of the equipment wear out it is necessary to manually remove the part and replace it with a new part or in the case of shackles and their associated pins remove and replace the pins so as to avoid unexpected failure.

This invention relates to earth moving buckets and the ground engaging parts of excavating equipment and in particular to locking devices for securing a replaceable excavating tooth or adaptor to a bucket or ground engaging part of excavating equipment. The invention may also be used for releasably securing the pins of a dragline jewellery assembly.

BACKGROUND

For the purpose of this description the fitment and removal of parts will use a tooth of an excavating tool as an example but there exist many other apparatus to which the invention could be applied.

"The tooth of an excavating tool is replaceably mounted directly onto the bucket or scraper of an excavating device or it may be replaceably mounted to an 20 adaptor which itself is replaceably mounted to the bucket or scraper of an excavating device.

Apertures through the parts to be mounted are substantially aligned when the V parts are fitted together and a locking device is placed into the aligned apertures so 25 as to force the replaceable part onto and against its mount, thereby retaining the replaceable mounted part during its use. When the replaceable mounted part needs to be replaced because of wear or damage the locking device is extracted from the apertures and the worn part discarded and replaced. Typically the locking device is also discarded and replaced.

Locking devices are typically of two forms pins, and spool and wedge.

Pins are available in two forms, flex and rigid.

Flex pins typically comprise two elongated metal members located side-byside and spaced apart by elastomeric material bonded to the facing surfaces of each metal member. The flex pin is longitudinally driven into the substantially aligned apertures of the replaceably mounted part and its mount. The elastomeric material is compressed during insertion and while inserted exerts a force separating the two elongated metal members, one of which abuts the replaceably mounted part and the other which abuts the mounted part thereby retaining one to the other.

Typically, indentations and tabs are provided on the outer surface of the two metal members which key into complementary shapes on the interior surface of the apertures of the replaceable part and its mount so as to resist any longitudinal forces which may dislodge the flex pin during use of the excavating equipment.

A disadvantage of the flex pin type of locking device is its tendency to be difficult to insert and its sometime greater difficulty to extract. The ingress of dirt and other material between the members as well as between the pin and the replaceable parts greatly increases the insertion and removal forces required. The difficulties S "associated with insertion of flex pin type locking devices can also result in damage to the elastomeric material as a result of uneven relative movement between the side- 20 by-side members of the pin and over-compression resulting in a reduction in the effectiveness of the elastomeric material.

Rigid pins are typically constructed of metal and are of the form of a unitary elongated body having surfaces arranged to ease its insertion and for guiding the pin 25 through the substantially aligned apertures. Metal tabs located on the surface of the S. pin are designed to stop the pin from being over inserted. The tabs are typically frangible so that the pin may be removed by the exertion of sufficient longitudinal forces to remove the tab.

Some rigid pins also have an integral spring-like member for providing a bias force not unlike the elastomeric material of the flex pin or for biasing the member so that its position restricts longitudinal displacement forces.

Rigid pins are known to have similar problems to those of flex pins as described above.

Spool and wedge locking devices typically comprise a tapered spool portion which is located in the substantially aligned apertures and a second tapered wedge portion which is subsequently driven into the apertures, so as to slide over the tapered spool and force the replaceably mounted part against its mount.

Wedge and spool arrangements typically rely on the friction between the abutting surface of the spool and the wedge to resist dislodgement or loosening of the tooth away from its mount. Typically the abutting surfaces of the spool and the wedge are also advantageously roughened, provided with ratchet-like engagement means or provided indentations and protrusions on their outer surface which key into complementary shapes in the replaceable part or mount.

An alternative arrangement of spool and wedge is disclosed in PCT Publication No WO 95/10481 which comprises first and second parallel longitudinally extending spool elements which are transversely displaced to engage the aligned side walls of the substantially aligned apertures through the replaceable part and its mount, and first and second wedge shaped elements which are interconnected by a longitudinally disposed screw threaded bolt mechanism which is tightened up to draw the first and second wedge elements together and force the first and second spool elements apart to lock the replaceable part against the mount.

25 It is also possible to use a spool and wedge arrangement which incorporates a wedge having an elastomeric element so as to increase the locking force of the pin.

However, spool and wedge arrangements can also be very difficult to remove especially after the ingress of dirt into the aperture adjacent the part engaging abutting spool and wedge parts.

It is typical to require the use of a hammer and great strength to dislodge all the abovementioned locking devices. This can be very dangerous to the person wielding the hammer since there is no choice as to when and under what conditions the tooth or teeth of an excavating apparatus will need to be replaced. It is necessary to maintain maximum ground engaging efficiency, therefore replacement operations may have to be done at night, in the wet and in awkward to access locations.

A further but lesser used type of locking device comprises a plurality of pneumatically or hydraulically driven pistons resident in the body of a rigid pin.

Such an arrangement is disclosed in Australian Patent Application No 74126/94.

Pneumatic or hydraulic force is provided by an external source and applied to the pin through an exposed nipple. The application of this force actuates a piston which is stroke limited and sealed against fluid (oil or gas) leakage. The piston is moveable to a position so that it contacts with the mount and forces the body of the pin against the removable part so as to fasten the two components together.

A disadvantage of this arrangement, is the likelihood of the malfunction of the piston seals due to them drying out, or the ingress of dirt. Furthermore, it is always necessary to have at hand a portable source of pneumatic or hydraulic power with S 20 which to activate and deactivate the locking device.

oot• The invention proposed provides an improved locking device and overcomes 0 or reduces some or all of the abovementioned problems, limitations and disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a broad aspect of the invention, a locking clip pin for use in retaining a replaceable mounted part onto a mount of an earth moving element comprises: a body having a forward portion shaped to forwardly guide said clip pin into substantially aligned apertures in said replaceable mounted part and said mount to thereby retain said mounted part to said mount, a first stop means which in use restricts rearward longitudinal movement of said body through said substantially aligned apertures; and an adjustable stop means located on said body which in a stop position restricts forward longitudinal movement of said body through said substantially aligned apertures, and when in a release position allows forward longitudinal movement of said body through said substantially aligned apertures.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in some further detail with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures. These embodiments are illustrative, and are not meant to be restrictive of the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig 1 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an excavating tooth and adaptor assembly and a locking clip pin apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig 2 depicts a perspective view of a locking clip pin according to the invention; 20 Fig 3 depicts a side view of a further embodiment of a locking clip pin; •Fig 4 depicts a partial cross-section 4-4 of a portion of the locking clip pin depicted in Fig 3; Fig 5 is a partial cross-section 5-5 of the locking clip pin of Fig 3; 6 Fig 6 is a side view of a further embodiment of a locking clip pin according to the invention; Fig 7 is a partial cross-section 7-7 of the locking clip pin depicted in Fig 6; Fig 8 is a partial cross-section 8-8 of the locking clip pin depicted in Fig 6; Fig 9 is a side view of a further embodiment of a locking clip pin according to the invention; Fig 10 is an end view of a further embodiment of a locking clip pin having a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape; Fig 11 is a side view of the locking clip pin depicted in Fig Fig 12 is section 12-12 of Fig 11; Fig 13 is section 13-13 of Fig 11; Fig 14 is section 14-14 of Fig 11; Fig 15 is section 15-15 of Fig 11; Fig 16 is a further embodiment of a locking clip pin which has an adjustable stop which in a stop position abuts a portion of the mount; Fig 17 is section 17-17 of Fig 16; Fig 18 is a further embodiment of a locking clip pin which has an adjustable stop which is located more medial of the aperture through the adaptor assembly; Fig 19 is a section 19-19 of Fig 18; and Fig 20 is a jewellery piece with two rigging pins and clip pins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to Fig 1, a locking clip pin 10 is shown located in aperture 12 which extends through each side wall of a replaceable mounted part in a replaceable tooth 14 as well as aperture 18 which extends through the adaptor mount 20. The adaptor mount may be attached to an earth moving bucket or a ripper tooth on a shank or any other suitably designed earth moving element.

o* The apertures 12 and 18 have been substantially aligned by the placement of the tooth 14 over the adaptor mount 20 which have complementary inner and outer wall shapes so as to provide substantial alignment of their respective apertures 12 and 18.

The body 10 of the locking clip pin has a forward portion 22 tapered and shaped to allow for the forward insertion of the pin into a first side of the substantially aligned apertures 12 and 18. The forward tapered portion may comprise one or more curved or planar surfaces arranged so as to guide the forward movement of the forward portion of the body into and through the substantially aligned apertures 12 and 18.

A first stop means comprising in this embodiment a locking spring 24 extends outwardly from a first surface 26 of the body 10 of the locking clip pin. In this embodiment the locking spring comprises an integral portion of the body of the locking clip pin where the pin itself is made of steel or similar metal such that the integral spring 24 cannot be easily overstressed but which is resiliently biased outward of the body During insertion of the locking clip pin through the aperture 12 of a side wall of the replaceable mounted part 14, the locking spring 24, is compressed towards the body of the locking clip pin and against the lower side wall of the aperture 12 thereby providing a means to temporarily narrow the effective width of the locking clip pin during insertion.

When the forward portion 22 of the body of the locking clip pin is adjacent the lower surface of the aperture 12 at the other side of the replaceable mounted part 14, the free end of the spring 24, biased as it is away from the body of the locking clip pin 10 moves to a position below the lower surface of the aperture 12. In this position the locking clip pin is restricted in its movement such that the pin cannot be moved rearwardly longitudinally through the substantially aligned apertures, since the free end of the spring means 24 would strike the inner surface of the replaceable mounted part 14 adjacent and/or below the lower surface of the aperture 12.

oo At the same time an adjustable stop 32 is depicted in a stop position and extends outwardly from a second surface 30 of the body 10 and is located so that the free end of the stop 32 would abut the outer surface of the mount 20 (for example an •:•:adaptor nose on a bucket of an earth moving machine) and thereby restrict any further forward longitudinal movement of the body 10 into the aperture 18 or :through the mount i In this embodiment the free end of the adjustable stop 32 is arranged to abut the outer surface of the mount 20, while the length of the second locking spring means and body to which it is integrally formed lie fully inside a side wall of the aperture in the replaceably mounted part 14. This arrangement ensures that the outer surface of the pin 10 does not protrude unnecessarily wherein it could become damaged during use of the earth moving element.

In this embodiment, the forward portion of the body 10 is truncated so as to lie within the outer surface of the replaceably mounted part 14. This is however a preferred feature only. The length of the locking clip pin is such that even after wear of the outer surface of the replaceably mounted part 14, the locking clip pin is still likely to be within the aperture 12 and minimally affected by the abrasive forces acting on the outer surfaces of the replaceably mounted part during its use.

The adjustable stop 32 is shown as being integral with the body of the locking pin. In this embodiment the stop comprises a spring-like element which in its uncompressed position acts as a stop to restrict forward longitudinal movement of the body of the locking pin into the substantially aligned apertures.

When the locking clip pin is required to be removed from the replaceably mounted part and its mount, the adjustable stop is designed so that it is possible to apply a tool which first applies a downward force to the upper surface 32 of the spring-like element of the adjustable stop so as to depress its free end lower than the 20 upper surface of the aperture 18. The tool then applies a forward movement to the locking clip pin passing it through the substantially aligned apertures 12 and 18 thereby removing the locking clip pin from both the replaceable mounted part and the mount.

ooze Thereafter, the replaceably mounted part can be disposed of and a new replaceable mounted part attached to the mount with a new locking clip pin.

S.A tool suitable for applying both forward movement of the locking pin and depression of the adjustable stop means may comprise a rod having a forward surface angled in a complementary fashion to the rear surface 34 of the locking clip pin so that a forward longitudinal force can be applied evenly across the surface 34.

A lug on the forward surface of the tool may be shaped so as to rest upon and depress the upper surface 32 of the second locking spring means, and in particular depress the free end thereof downward towards the body of the locking clip pin to an extent which brings the uppermost portion of the free end of the spring means below the upper surface of the aperture 18 through the mount 20 so that the locking clip pin 10 may then be provided with forward movement and thus be moved through the apertures.

Like elements of the locking clip pin depicted in Fig 1 are also depicted with the same numerals in Fig 2 which depicts a perspective view of the locking clip pin.

Fig 3 depicts a further embodiment of a locking clip pin showing a first integral stop means comprising a locking spring 24 having elastomeric means located between said spring means and said body 10, and further having a two part adjustable stop means comprising a metal element 44 and an elastomeric material 42 bonded in a known way to the body 10 of the locking clip pin. The first part of the two part adjustable stop is a metal element 44 typically the same type of metal as the locking clip pin body which is positioned so that an upper surface of the element 44 is located proud of the upper surface 46 of the body 10 of the locking clip pin.

20 The same tool as described previously may be used to depress the element 44 towards the body 10 against the compressible elastomeric material 42 located below it so as to bring the top surface of the element 44 at least flush with the upper surface 46 of the body 10 so that the locking clip pin can be forwardly longitudinally pushed through the aperture 18 of the mount 20 so as to extract the pin.

Furthermore elastomeric material 40 is optionally located between the integral locking spring 24 and the body 10 of the locking clip pin. The elastomeric material is S.compressed during insertion of the locking clip pin and while in place biases the integral locking spring means 24 away from the body 10 of the locking clip pin and proud of the lower surface of the body 10 of locking clip pin which thereby restricts rearward longitudinal movement of the body through the substantially aligned apertures in the manner described previously.

During extraction of the locking clip pin from the replaceable mounted part and its mount, the elastomeric material 40 is compressed so that the overall height of the locking clip pin is reduced thereby allowing the removal of the pin from the substantially aligned apertures.

The elastomeric material 40 merely assists the spring action of spring 24 as well as preventing dirt, stones and other incompressible materials entering the space between the body 10 and the spring element 24.

Partial cross-sections 4-4 and 5-5 of Fig 3 as depicted respectively in Figs 4 and indicate similar elements with similar identifying numerals to those depicted in Fig 3.

The elastomeric means, typically a vulcanized rubber compound, can be advantageously used anywhere on the pin as depicted for example in Fig 9, of a similar embodiment to that described previously so as to fill voids and prevent the ingress and compaction of dirt which could otherwise prevent movement of the spring means (24, 32).

20 Fig 6 depicts a further embodiment of a locking clip pin where similar elements from Figs 1 to 5 are indicated with similar identifying numerals. In this embodiment, the first locking spring means comprises a hinged metal element 48 ;rotatable about a pin joint 50. The element 48 has elastomeric material 52 adhered between its bottom surface and the body of the pin on both the sides 52 and 54 of the locking clip pin body Elastomeric materials 52 and 54 may comprise a suitable rubber and are adhered to the underside of the metal element 48 and the body of the locking pin in a known manner.

In this embodiment the depth of the elastomeric material 52 and 54 is such as to bias and locate a portion of the free end of the element 48 above the upper surface of the body 46 of the locking clip pin during insertion of the pin into the substantially aligned apertures of the replaceable mounted part 14 and the mount 20. However, when the clip pin is to be removed from the substantially aligned apertures, the element 48 is depressed, with a removal tool of the type previously described, towards the body 10 of the locking clip pin such that the free end of the element 48 is brought flush with or below the upper surface 46 of the body of the locking clip pin so as to allow forward longitudinal movement of the body through the substantially aligned apertures.

Partial cross-sections 7-7 and 8-8 of Fig 6 as depicted respectively in Figs 7 and 8 indicate similar elements with similar identifying numerals of the clip pin stop means to those depicted in Fig 6.

Figs 9-15 depict a further embodiment of a locking clip pin according to the invention where similar elements from Figs 1-8 are indicated with similar identifying numerals.

This particular embodiment has an overall trapezoidal cross-section with an section profile which is dimensioned appropriately for the size of the tooth and S: 20 adaptor for which the locking clip pin is designed.

9 A trapezoidal cross-section depicted clearly in Figs 10, 12-15 provides a shape which balances the resilience and strength of each of the spring means, and in this "embodiment allows the cross-sectional area of the spring means 24 to be twice that of the stop means 32.

In a yet further arrangement of the locking clip pin, the adjustable stop means is arranged in a stop position to abut a protrusion located on the mount or the replaceable mounted part and thereby restrict forward longitudinal movement of the body of the clip pin through the substantially aligned apertures.

The adjustable stop means of the locking clip pin is arranged in a release position to be spaced away from the protrusion located on the mount or the replaceable mounted part and thereby allow forward longitudinal movement of the body of the clip pin through the substantially aligned apertures.

An embodiment of this further arrangement is depicted in Figs 16 and 17.

Fig 16 shows a locking clip pin of the type depicted in Fig 9 with changes including, increased height 60 along its upper surface 46 which is shaped so as to accommodate a channel 62. This channel is depicted in Fig 17 which shows the crosssection 17-17 of the clip pin of Fig 16.

The increased height is not essential as long as a suitably proportioned and strong clip pin is used and the adjustable stop can be made to lie below the topmost level of the body of the clip pin while in its uncompressed stop position.

In this embodiment the aperture 18 in the mount 20 is made with a protrusion 64 which in the form displayed in Fig 16 comprises a ridge which extends laterally across part of the width of the mount The sloping broken line 66 represents a graduation of the ridge from its greatest depth at 64 to the main bearing surface defined by the aperture 18 in the mount 20. However, it is not essential that the ridge have this shape and the stop *may more simply comprise a protrusion designed to slide through the channel 62 located in the upper surface of the clip pin A yet further arrangement of the locking pin comprises the adjustable stop means being arranged so that the adjustable stop is located more medial of the pin as well as the aperture 18 through the mount 20. Therefore as the tooth and the pin wear, the strength or operability of the stop means is less likely to be affected.

An embodiment of this further arrangement is depicted in Figs 18 and 19.

Fig 18 shows a locking clip pin of the type depicted in Fig 1 with changes including a thickening of the upper and lower load bearing portions 68 and 70 as more clearly depicted in Fig 19 which is a partial cross-section of 19-19 of Fig 18 and a shift of the adjustable stop 32 to a position more medial of the pin.

The aperture 18 through the mount 20 is changed so as to have a ledge or groove 72, with the groove being preferably, located in its upper surface on one side so as to allow the repositioned adjustable stop 32 to lie approximately medial of the aperture when the pin is properly located in the aperture to retain the tooth 14 to the mount However the ledge or groove 72 may be located on both sides of the mount so as to allow the pin to be inserted from either side.

A yet further application of the locking pin is depicted in Fig 20 which shows a jewellery piece or as it is sometimes referred to an equaliser link 74 which requires regular replacement of its rigging pins and their associated locking pins which could be pins according to the invention so as to make replacement of the pins easier. The jewellery piece comprises a body 76 and two rigging pins 78 and 80 which pass 20 through an aperture 82 and 84 respectively, then through a link of a respective sturdy chain (not shown) and then through further apertures 86 and 88 located .oo° opposite apertures 82 and 84.

Presently, the keeper slots 90 and 92 respectively of rigging pins 78 and accommodate a locking pin arrangement, referred to as a "keevers keeper" which comprises two parts, a base half having upwardly facing ridges and a top half having downwardly facing ridges and a wedge shaped outer profile which when inserted into the slots wedge the keepers into place and restrict retraction of the rigging pins from the body of the jewellery piece. The keevers keeper is forceably knocked backwards out of the slots to remove them when the rigging pins need to be replaced. This operation is awkward and potentially dangerous.

However, the locking pin arrangement described in this specification is capable of being used in place of the keepers in the rigging pin keeper slots of the jewellery piece and thus provide ease of insertion and extraction which is not evident using the traditional "keevers keeper" arrangement.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. In particular a locking clip pin of the type described may also be used to retain an adaptor to a bucket. In these situations the dimensions of the locking clip pin are generally greater than those appropriate to the earlier described embodiments, however the proportions and principles of the invention will remain substantially similar.

Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiments with regard to the particular elements and/or features described herein. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention, therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications within its scope.

ooo S.i 0 0 o* o. o 91 THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A locking clip pin for use in retaining a replaceable mounted part onto a mount of an earth moving element comprises: a body having a forward portion shaped to forwardly guide said clip pin into substantially aligned apertures in said replaceable mounted part and said mount to thereby retain said mounted part to said mount, a first stop means which in use restricts rearward longitudinal movement of said body through said substantially aligned apertures; and an adjustable stop means located on said body which in a stop position restricts forward longitudinal movement of said body through said substantially aligned apertures, and when in a release position allows forward longitudinal movement of said body through said substantially aligned apertures.

2. A locking clip pin according to claim 1 wherein said first stop means is located on an opposite sides of said body to said adjustable stop means.

3. A locking clip pin according to claim 1 wherein said first stop means is located 20 on an adjacent side of said body to said adjustable stop means.

°o*o 4. A locking clip pin according to claim 1 wherein said first stop means is integral with said body.

5. A locking clip pin according to claim 1 wherein elastomeric material is located between one or both of said stop means and said body.

6. A locking clip pin according to claim 1 wherein said adjustable stop means comprises a spring means unitary with said body which in an uncompressed state is in a stop position and in a compressed position is in a release position.

Claims (7)

1. 7. A locking clip pin according to claim 1 wherein said adjustable stop means comprises an upper element having elastomeric material located between said upper element and said body so as to provide a stop position while said elastomeric material is uncompressed and a release position while said elastomeric material is compressed.
2. 8. A locking clip pin according to claim 1 wherein said mount or said replaceable mounted part have an integral stop located so that said adjustable stop in a stop position restricts forward longitudinal movement of said body through said substantially aligned apertures, and when said adjustable stop of said clip pin is in a release position said integral stop is positioned and shaped so as to allow forward longitudinal movement of said body through said substantially aligned apertures past said integral stop.
3. 9. A locking clip pin according to claim 8 wherein said body has a channel along which said integral stop can pass until and if said adjustable stop is in a stop position. A locking clip pin according to claim 9 wherein said adjustable stop when in a stop position is below an outer surface of said body.
4. 11. A locking clip pin substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
5. 12. A locking clip pin substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying Figs 1, 2 and 6. a
6. 13. A locking clip pin substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying Figs 3 and 9. a I
7. 14. A locking clip pin substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying Figs 16 and 17. Dated this 17th day of October 1996. MASON COX PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys MADDERNS, a 34** *1 9* a a ABSTRACT Locking clip pins (10) are used to retain a replaceable mounted part such as for example a tooth (14) to an earth moving bucket (20) because the tooth will eventually wear and require replacement. The earth moving bucket is made up of a number of parts and it is normal for the teeth to be replaced many times during the life of the bucket. This invention is directed to a locking clip pin (10) which has a body shaped to forwardly guide said clip pin into substantially aligned apertures (12, 18) in the tooth (14) and the mount (20) and thereby retain the tooth to the mount. The clip has a first stop (24) which in use restricts rearward longitudinal movement of the body through the substantially aligned apertures. Importantly the pin has an adjustable stop means (32) located on the body which in a stop position restricts forward longitudinal movement of the body ;through the substantially aligned apertures, and when the adjustable stop is in a release position the pin can be moved in a forward longitudinal movement through the substantially aligned apertures so as to allow the tooth to be removed and replaced. e•