CN107075831B

CN107075831B - Implement wear member with wear indicator

Info

Publication number: CN107075831B
Application number: CN201580048991.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·M·小康登
Original assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Current assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Priority date: 2014-07-29
Filing date: 2015-07-10
Publication date: 2020-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-10
Also published as: AU2015296954A1; EP3628784A1; ES2774039T3; CA2956148A1; RU2680621C1; AU2015296954B2; WO2016018590A1; US20160032567A1; BR112017001811A2; EP3175047B1; EP3175047A1; CN107075831A

Abstract

A wear member (300) includes a body (301) having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, an inner side, and an outer side. The wear member (300) includes a front bottom edge (340), a front top edge (338) parallel to the front bottom edge (340), a front inner side edge (346), and a front outer side edge (344). The wear member (300) includes a front face (314), the front face (314) defined on the front portion (302) extending between a front inboard edge (346), a front outboard edge (344), a front top edge (338), and a front bottom edge (340). A lower wear indicator groove (381) formed in the front face (314) parallel to the front bottom edge (340); a lower wear surface (383) is defined between the front bottom edge (340) and a lower wear indicator groove (381). The body (301) is mounted to an earth-working implement so as to dispose the lower wear surface (383) between the mounting edge and the work surface.

Description

Implement wear member with wear indicator

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to ground engaging tools, and more particularly to ground engaging tools on buckets, shovels, and other work tools used with mining and construction machines.

Background

Different types of mining and construction machines, such as tractors, dozers, backhoes, excavators, motor graders, and mining trucks, typically employ earth working blades to move and level earth or material being excavated or loaded. During operation, earth working blades frequently experience extreme wear from repeated contact with highly abrasive materials encountered. Replacement of earth-working shovels and other implements used in mining and construction machinery can be costly and labor intensive.

Earth working blades may be equipped with Ground Engaging Tools (GET), such as a cutting bit, a set of cutting bits, or other wear members, to help protect the blade and other earth working tools from wear. Typically, the wear members may be in the form of teeth, edge protectors, tips, or other removable components that may be attached to the areas of the shovel or other tool where most damage occurs and repeated rubbing and impact occurs. For example, a ground engaging tool in the form of an edge protector may surround the cutting edge of the implement to help protect it from excessive wear.

In such applications, the removable wear member may be subjected to wear from abrasion and repeated impacts while helping to protect the shovel or other implement to which it may be mounted. When the wear member is worn by use, it can be removed and replaced with a new wear member or other ground engaging tool at a reasonable cost to allow continued use of the implement. By protecting the implement with the ground engaging tools and replacing worn ground engaging tools at the correct time intervals, significant cost and time savings can be achieved.

The cost and time savings achievable by using wear members to protect large machine implements can be further improved by: increasing the ability of the wear member to sever work material and extending the useful life of the wear member itself without significantly increasing the material required to make the wear member. Currently known wear members, particularly those constructed using standardized constructions such as the international organization for standardization (ISO), may encounter efficiency problems. One problem encountered with some wear members constructed by ISO standards is the "skiing effect", i.e. the newly installed wear member will only sweep over the top of the working surface until a sufficient portion of the wear member has worn away to effect proper working surface penetration. There is a continuing need in the art for improved wear member systems to increase wear efficiency and cutting effectiveness, thereby increasing the efficiency of earth working machines and increasing overall work productivity.

It should be understood that this background description was made by the inventors to aid the reader, and should not be taken as an indication that any of the indicated problems were themselves recognized in the art. While the described principles in some aspects and embodiments may alleviate problems inherent in other systems, it should be understood that the scope of the claimed innovation is defined by the appended claims rather than by the ability of any disclosed feature to solve any particular problem noted herein.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment, the present disclosure describes a wear member for an earth-working implement. The wear member includes a body having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, an inner side, and an outer side. The wear member includes a front bottom edge defined along at least a portion of a front bottom interface between the front portion and the bottom portion, the front bottom edge aligned with the longitudinal axis. The wear member includes a front top edge defined along at least a portion of a front top interface between the front portion and the top portion. The front top edge is substantially parallel to the front bottom edge. The wear member includes a forward inboard edge defined along at least a portion of a forward inboard interface between the forward inboard portion and the front portion, and a forward outboard edge defined along at least a portion of a forward outboard interface between the outboard portion and the front portion. The wear member includes a front face defined on the front portion. The front panel extends between a front inner side edge, a front outer side edge, a front top edge, and a front bottom edge. A lower wear indicator groove is formed in the front face generally parallel to the front bottom edge, and a lower wear face is defined between the front bottom edge and the lower wear indicator groove. The body is configured to be mounted to an earth-working implement so as to dispose the lower wear surface between a mounting edge of the earth-working blade and the work surface.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure describes a wear member for an earth-working implement. The wear member includes a body having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, an inner side, and an outer side. The wear member includes a front bottom edge defined along at least a portion of a front bottom interface between the front portion and the bottom portion. The front bottom edge is aligned with the longitudinal axis. The wear member includes a front top edge defined along at least a portion of a front top interface between the front portion and the top portion. The front top edge is substantially parallel to the front bottom edge. The wear member includes a forward inboard edge defined along at least a portion of a forward inboard interface between the inboard portion and the front portion, and a forward outboard edge defined along at least a portion of a forward outboard interface between the outboard portion and the front portion. The wear member includes a front face defined on the front portion, the front face extending between a front inboard edge, a front outboard edge, a front top edge, and a front bottom edge. The wear member includes: a front lower cutout edge disposed on the front face between the front top edge and the front bottom edge. The front lower cutout edge is substantially parallel to the front bottom edge. The wear member includes a front cutout formed in the front face and bounded by a front lower cutout edge and a front top edge. The wear member includes: a front lower surface defined between the front lower cutout edge and the front bottom edge, and a front cutout surface defined between the front lower cutout edge and the front top edge. The anterior cutout surface is offset from the anterior inferior surface in a direction along a normal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The wear member includes a lower wear indicator groove formed in the front lower surface generally parallel to the front bottom edge, and a lower wear face is defined on the front lower surface between the front bottom edge and the lower wear indicator groove. The body is configured to be mounted to an earth-working implement so as to dispose the lower wear surface between a mounting edge of the earth-working blade and the work surface.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure describes a wear member for an earth-working implement. The wear member includes a body having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, an inner side, and an outer side. The wear member includes a front bottom edge defined along at least a portion of a front bottom interface between the front and bottom portions, and the front bottom edge is aligned with the longitudinal axis. The wear member includes a front top edge defined along at least a portion of a front top interface between the front portion and the top portion. The front top edge is substantially parallel to the front bottom edge. The wear member includes a forward inboard edge defined along at least a portion of a forward inboard interface between the inboard portion and the forward portion. The wear member includes a forward outboard edge defined along at least a portion of a forward outboard interface between the outboard portion and the forward portion. The wear member includes a front face defined on the front portion. The front panel extends between a front inner side edge, a front outer side edge, a front top edge, and a front bottom edge. The wear member includes: a front lower cutout edge disposed on the front face between the front top edge and the front bottom edge. The front lower cutout edge is substantially parallel to the front bottom edge. The front upper cutout edge is disposed on the front face between the front top edge and the front lower cutout edge. The front upper cutout edge is substantially parallel to the front top edge. The wear member includes a front lower surface defined between a front lower cutout edge and a front bottom edge. The wear member includes: a front upper surface defined between the front top edge and the front upper cutout edge, and a front cutout surface defined between the front lower cutout edge and the front upper cutout edge. The anterior cutout surface is offset from the anterior inferior surface and the anterior superior surface in a direction along a normal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The wear member includes: a lower wear indicator groove formed in the front lower surface and generally parallel to the front bottom edge, and a lower wear surface defined on the front lower surface between the front bottom edge and the lower wear indicator groove. The wear member includes: an upper wear indicator groove formed in the front upper surface and generally parallel to the front top edge, and an upper wear surface defined on the front upper surface between the front top edge and the upper wear indicator groove. The body is configured to be mounted to an earth-working implement so as to selectively position either the lower wear face or the upper wear face between a mounting edge of the earth-working blade and a work surface.

Other and alternative aspects and features of the disclosed principles will be understood from the following detailed description and drawings. As will be understood, the principles relating to the end cutting tips disclosed herein can be implemented in other and different embodiments and can be modified in various respects. Accordingly, it is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the scope of the appended claims.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of an embodiment of a machine including an embodiment of an earth-working implement including a wear member constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the earth-working implement of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front left perspective view of an embodiment of a wear member constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a rear right perspective view of the wear member of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a right side view of the wear member of fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a front right perspective view of another embodiment of a wear member constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a front right perspective view of another embodiment of a wear member constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a front left perspective view of the wear member of fig. 3 including a lower wear indicator groove constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 is a right side view of the wear member of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a front right perspective view of another embodiment of a wear member having a lower wear indicator groove constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a front right perspective view of another embodiment of a wear member having a lower wear indicator groove constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 is a front right perspective view of another embodiment of a wear member constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a front right perspective view of another embodiment of a wear member constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a right side view of the wear member of fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a front right perspective view of an embodiment of a wear member having a lower wear indicator groove and an upper wear indicator groove constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 16 is a right side view of the wear member of fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a front right perspective view of the wear member of fig. 15 after the life of the first wear member.

Fig. 18 is a front right perspective view of the wear member of fig. 15 after the life of the second wear member.

Fig. 19 is a front right perspective view of another embodiment of a wear member having a lower wear indicator groove and an upper wear indicator groove constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 20 is a right side view of the wear member of fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a front right perspective view of the wear member of fig. 19 after the life of the first wear member.

Fig. 22 is a front right perspective view of the wear member of fig. 19 after the life of the second wear member.

Fig. 23 is a partial front left perspective view of the wear member of fig. 11 mounted to an earth-working implement in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 24 is a partial left side view of the wear member of fig. 23 engaging a work surface.

Fig. 25 is a partial side view of the wear member of fig. 19 engaging a work surface constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to ground engaging tool assemblies and systems, and in particular to earth-working implement wear members, cutting bits, or cutting edges for use in various types of mining, earth-working, and construction machines. Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a machine 50 in the form of a track-type tractor, the machine 50 may include an embodiment of an implement wear member 100 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Track-type tractors may be used to move and remove work material in a variety of surface mining or other construction applications, among other uses.

As shown in fig. 1, the machine 50 may include a body 52, the body 52 having a cab 54 for housing a machine operator. Machine 50 may also include an arm system 56, arm system 56 being pivotally connected at one end to body 52 or chassis and supporting earth-working implement assembly 60 at an opposite, distal end. In embodiments, implement assembly 60 may include any suitable implement, such as an earth-working blade, or any other type of suitable device that may be used with wear member 100. The illustrated machine 50 also includes a ripper assembly 62, the ripper assembly 62 having a ripper 64 opposite the implement assembly 60. Ripper 64 may be used to cut or break up work material for removal. The control system may be housed in the cab 54, which may be adapted to: allowing a machine operator to manipulate and attach implement assembly 60 and/or ripper assembly 62 for mining, digging, or any other suitable application.

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an implement assembly 60. Referring to fig. 2, implement assembly 60 may include an earth working blade 66, and earth working blade 66 may have a mounting edge 68, mounting edge 68 being adapted to engage the ground or other excavation or work surface. The mounting edge 68 may be adapted to receive a plurality of wear members, including a middle cutting bit or cutting edge 900 and

end cutting bits

300 and 500.

End cutting bits

300 and 500 may be disposed on mounting edge 68 at first scoop end 74 and second scoop end 72, respectively. In some embodiments, the end cutting tip 300 mounted to the first scoop end 74 of the mounting edge 68 may be symmetrical to the end cutting tip 500 mounted to the second scoop end 72 of the mounting edge 68. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate cutting edge 900 may be mounted along the mounting edge 68 between the

end cutting tips

300 and 500. Each intermediate cutting edge 900 may have a cutting edge 76, and the cutting edge 76 may contact the work material during machine operation. Although fig. 2 illustrates two

end bits

300 and 500 and three middle cutting edges 900, it is contemplated that any number of end bits and middle cutting edges of different shapes and sizes may be used. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that no intermediate cutting edge is used, and in other embodiments, it is contemplated that no end bit is used and that the intermediate cutting edge spans from a first end to a second end of an earth working blade or other implement. Through repeated use, the

end cutting tips

300 and 500, the intermediate cutting edge 900, or any other combination of wear members may be subject to wear and eventually may be replaced to allow further use of the implement assembly 60.

Although fig. 1 and 2 illustrate certain embodiments of wear members constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure for use with a shovel of a track-type tractor, many other types of implements and mining and construction machinery may also benefit from the use of the wear members described herein. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, wear members constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of other implements and/or machines.

Fig. 3-5 illustrate views of an embodiment of a wear member, particularly illustrating the end cutting bit 100. As will be discussed, the particular geometry of the end cutting insert 100 may provide increased wear life. Referring to fig. 3-4, the end cutting bit 100 may be formed from a body 101 that may have a generally trapezoidal shape. The body 101 may have a front 102, a back 104, a top 106, a bottom 108, an interior side 110, and an exterior side 112. There may be an interface between each adjacent portion. In particular, a front top interface 118 may exist between the top portion 106 and the front portion 102, and a front bottom interface 120 may exist between the front portion and the bottom portion 108. An antero-lateral interface 122 may exist between the anterior portion 102 and the lateral portion 112, and an antero-medial interface 124 may exist between the anterior portion and the medial portion 110. An outsole interface 126 may exist between the bottom 108 and the lateral side 112, and an insole interface 128 may exist between the medial side 110 and the bottom 108. Further, a posterior-lateral interface 130 may exist between the lateral portion 112 and the posterior portion 104, and a posterior-medial interface 132 may exist between the medial portion 110 and the posterior portion. A rear bottom interface 134 may exist between the rear portion 104 and the bottom portion 108, and a rear top interface 136 may exist between the top portion 106 and the rear portion. Finally, in some embodiments, an outer top interface 135 may exist between the outer side 112 and the top 106, and an inner top interface 137 may exist between the inner side 110 and the top.

In some embodiments, a plurality of mounting holes 109 may be formed in the body 101, creating a channel between the front 102 and rear 104 of the body. The mounting holes 109 may be adapted to receive mounting hardware, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or other mounting tools adapted to secure the end cutting-bit 100 to an implement. In some embodiments, the mounting holes 109 may be buried so as to provide a smooth flush surface on the front portion 102. While the embodiment illustrated in fig. 3-4 shows six mounting holes 109 adapted to receive six sets of mounting hardware, it is contemplated that any number of mounting holes may be used in other embodiments. It is also contemplated that alternative mounting methods may be used to mount the end cutting bit 100 or other wear member to an earth working blade or other implement.

Each interface on the body 101 may define one or more edges that may define a surface on the body. Specifically, the front top edge 138 may be disposed along the front top interface 118, and the front bottom edge 140 may be disposed along at least a portion of the bottom interface 120 between the inner side 110 and the outer side 112. A front outer side edge 144 may be disposed along the front outer side interface 122 between the front top edge 138 and the front bottom edge 140, and a front inner side edge 146 may be disposed along the front inner side interface 124 between the front top edge 138 and the front bottom edge 140. Further, the main body 101 may include: an outer bottom edge 148 disposed along the outer bottom interface 126 between the front bottom edge and the rear portion 104, and an inner bottom edge 150 disposed along the inner bottom interface 128 between the front bottom edge 140 and the rear portion. A rear lateral edge 152 may be disposed along the rear lateral interface 130 and extend between the top 106 and the outsole edge 148, and a rear medial edge 154 may be disposed along the rear medial interface 132 between the top and the insole edge 150. A rear top edge 156 may be disposed along the rear top interface 136 and extend between the outer and inner

rear edges

152, 154, and a rear bottom edge 158 may be disposed along the rear bottom interface 134 between the outer and inner rear edges. Further, in some embodiments, an outer top edge 160 may be defined along an outer top interface 135 between the front top edge 138 and the rear top edge 156, and an inner top edge 162 may be defined along an inner top interface 137 between the front top edge and the rear top edge. In some embodiments, the edges may be chamfered to form rounded edges and corners of the body 101. However, it is contemplated that the edges of the body 101 may have sharp corners, angled bevels, or any other suitable shape.

As best shown in fig. 3-4, the front portion 102 of the body 101 may define a front face 114. The front face 114 may extend between the front inner side edge 146, the front outer side edge 144, the front top edge 138, and the front bottom edge 140. The body 101 may be configured to mount to the mounting edge 68 of the earth-working implement 60 such that the front face 114 faces away from the earth-working implement. The front face 114 may include a front lower cutout edge 116 between a front bottom edge 140 and a front top edge 138. An anterior notch 115 may be formed in the anterior face 114. The anterior cutout 115 may be bounded by the anterior inferior cutout edge 116 and the anterior top edge 138, and the cutout surface 119 may be defined by the anterior cutout. A front lower surface 117 may be defined on the front face 114 between the front bottom edge 140 and the front lower cutout edge 116, and a front cutout surface 119 may be defined on the front face between the front lower cutout edge and the front top edge 138. In some embodiments, the front lower cutout edge 116 may be substantially parallel to the front bottom edge 140, although other geometric orientations are also contemplated. Front inner side edge 146 may include: an inner lower front portion 141 defined adjacent to the front lower surface 117 along the front inner side interface 124 between the inner side portion 110 and the front portion 102. A transition seam 121 may be formed in the front face 114 between the front lower cutout edge 116 and the front top edge 138. The anterior notch surface 119 may include: a forward transition cut-out portion 123 defined between transition seam 121 and forward lower cut-out edge 116, and a forward base cut-out portion 125 defined between transition seam and forward top edge 138. Thus, in some embodiments, front face 114 includes: anterior inferior surface 117, anterior transition cut-out portion 123 of anterior cut-out surface 119, and anterior base cut-out portion 125 of anterior cut-out surface. In some embodiments, front base cutout portion 125 may be substantially parallel to front lower surface 117, and transition cutout portion 123 may be connected to both portions at an angle such that the front base cutout portion is offset from the front lower surface in a direction toward rear portion 104. However, other non-parallel surface orientations are also contemplated.

The body 101 may also include a rear face 127 defined on the rear portion 104. Rear face 127 may extend between rear medial edge 154, rear lateral edge 152, rear top edge 156, and rear bottom edge 158. The rear face 127 may include: a rear lower cutout edge 129 disposed between the rear bottom edge 158 and the rear top edge 156. A rear cutout 139 may be formed in the rear face 127 and may be bounded by the rear lower cutout edge 129 and the rear top edge 156. The rear face 127 may further include: a rear lower surface 131 that may be defined between rear bottom edge 158 and rear lower cutout edge 129; and a posterior notch surface 133 that may be defined by a posterior notch 139 between the posterior inferior notch edge and the posterior top edge 156. Posterior cutout surface 133 may include posterior transition cutout portion 149 and posterior base cutout portion 151. In some embodiments, back base cut-out portion 151 may be substantially flat and substantially parallel to front base cut-out portion 125. Further, in some embodiments, rear lower surface 131 may be substantially parallel to front lower surface 117, although other non-parallel geometric orientations are also contemplated.

For purposes of illustration, the figures indicate a normal axis 80, a lateral axis 90, and a longitudinal axis 85, all of which are defined as being perpendicular to one another. In fig. 3-5, the body 101 of the end cutting bit 100 is aligned for illustration purposes such that the front bottom edge 140 is defined generally along the longitudinal axis 85 and the inner lower front portion 141 is aligned with the lateral axis 90.

Referring now to fig. 5, the following ratios between certain dimensional features of wear member 100 are not intended to be exhaustive, but are merely examples of geometric ratios of dimensions of wear members disclosed herein. The body 101 may have a body thickness a measured along the normal axis 80 between the front lower surface 117 and the rear face 127 (or more specifically, the rear lower surface 131). The main body 101 may have a main body height B measured as the distance between the front bottom edge 140 and the front top edge 138 along the lateral axis 90. The body 101 may have a transition seam height C measured along the transverse axis 90 between the front bottom edge 140 and the transition seam 121. The front lower surface 117 may have a front lower surface height D measured as the distance between the front bottom edge 140 and the front lower cutout edge 116 along the lateral axis 90. Rear bottom edge 158 may have a rear bottom edge height E measured along lateral axis 90 between front bottom edge 140 and rear bottom edge 158. The rear lower surface 131 can have a rear lower surface height F measured along the transverse axis 90 between the front bottom edge 140 and the rear lower cutout edge 129. The rear top edge 156 can have a rear top edge height G measured along the transverse axis 90 between the front top edge 138 and the rear top edge 156. The top cutaway depth H may be measured along the normal axis between the top cutaway edge 190 and the rear top edge 156. The bottom cross-sectional depth I may be measured along the normal axis 80 between the bottom wear edge 177 and the rear bottom edge 158. Body 101 may have a cut thickness J measured along normal axis 80 between front base cut portion 125 and back base cut portion 151. Anterior cutout 115 in anterior face 114 may have an anterior cutout depth K measured as the distance between anterior inferior surface 117 and anterior base cutout portion 125 along normal axis 80.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the anterior-inferior surface height D and the body height B may be in a range between about 1: 10 and about 3: 10, or in other embodiments between about 3: 20 and about 1: 5. In some embodiments, the ratio between the front lower surface height D and the body height B may be about 1: 5, or in other embodiments about 3: 20.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the anterior incision depth K and the body thickness A may be in a range between about 1: 10 and about 1: 5, or in other embodiments between about 2: 25 and about 4: 25. In some embodiments, the ratio between the anterior incision depth K and the body thickness A may be about 3: 22, or in other embodiments about 3: 25.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the body thickness A and the cut thickness J may be in the range of between about 1: 1 to about 2: 1 in some embodiments, or between about 1: 1 and about 3: 2 in other embodiments, or between about 5: 4 and about 3: 2 in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the ratio between the body thickness a and the slit thickness J may be at least about 3: 2. In some embodiments, the ratio between the body thickness A and the slit thickness J may be about 11: 8, or in other embodiments about 5: 4.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the rear lower surface height F and the body height B may be in a range between about 1: 10 and about 1: 4, or in other embodiments between about 3: 20 and about 1: 5. In some embodiments, the ratio between the rear lower surface height F and the body height B may be about 1: 5, or in other embodiments about 7: 40.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the top cutaway depth H and the body thickness A may be in a range between about 1: 2 and about 1: 1, or in other embodiments between about 1: 2 and about 3: 5. In some embodiments, the ratio between the top section depth H and the cut thickness J may be in a range between about 3: 4 and about 1: 1, and in other embodiments between about 7: 8 and about 1: 1, and in other embodiments between about 13: 16 and about 13: 19. In some embodiments, the ratio between the bottom section depth I and the body thickness A may be in a range between about 3: 4 and about 1: 1, and in other embodiments between about 7: 8 and about 1: 1, and in other embodiments between about 19: 22 and about 22: 25.

A wear member having the dimensions described herein may help to maximize the efficiency of the wear member by increasing the useful life of the wear member while minimizing weight and material. Various embodiments of the end cutting tip 100, for example, have a relatively narrow cut thickness J as compared to the body depth a. Such depth and thickness ratios may minimize the material used to make the wear member that is not exposed to areas repeatedly scraped and rubbed with the work surface, such as cut-out areas. In contrast, the area exposed to the work surface has an increased thickness to increase wear life. That is, many of the wear members disclosed herein (such as the end cutting bit 100 and the cutting edge 800) maximize the material in the areas most needed (such as the lower portion 108 of the end cutting bit 100) while minimizing the material exposed to less damaging use in the areas (such as the top portion 106 of the end cutting bit 100).

Fig. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a wear member, specifically another end cutting bit 200, which is generally symmetrical to the end cutting bit 100. The end cutting bit 200 may be formed from a body 201 that may have a generally trapezoidal shape. The body 201 may have a front 202, a back 204, a top 206, a bottom 208, a medial side 210, and a lateral side 212. Although not every feature of the end cutting tip 100 is represented on the end cutting tip 200 in fig. 6, it should be understood that the end cutting tip 200 includes features similar to those described and illustrated in fig. 3-5 for the end cutting tip 100. Because end cutting bit 200 is substantially symmetrical to end cutting bit 100, end cutting bit 200 may be configured to be disposed on an end of the earth working implement blade opposite end cutting bit 100.

Fig. 7 shows yet another embodiment of a wear member, in particular another embodiment of an end cutting bit 400. The end cutting bit 400 may be formed from a body 401 that may have a generally trapezoidal shape. The body 401 may have a front 402, a rear 404, a top 406, a bottom 408, an inner side 410, and an outer side 412. The body 401 may include a front face 414 defined on the front portion 402. Similar to the end cutting bit 100, the front face 414 forms a front cutout 415 bounded by a lower front cutout edge 416 and a front top edge 438. Front face 414 defines a front base cutout portion 425 and a front lower surface 417. Although not every feature of the front face 114 of the end cutting tip 100 is represented on the end cutting tip 400 in fig. 7, it should be understood that the front face 414 of the end cutting tip 400 includes features similar to those described and illustrated on the front face 114 in fig. 3-5 of the end cutting tip 100. Although the end cutting tip 400 has a rear face 427 disposed on the rear portion 404, the end cutting tip 400 differs from the

end cutting tips

100 and 200 in that the end cutting tip 400 does not include a rear cut formed in the rear face. Conversely, rear face 427 may be substantially flat and substantially parallel to front base cutout portion 425 of front face 414.

Fig. 8-9 illustrate another embodiment of a wear member, specifically another end cutting bit 300. The end cutting tip 300 is substantially similar to the end cutting tip 100 shown in fig. 3-5, except that the end cutting tip 300 includes a lower wear indicator groove 381 and a lower wear surface 383. Although not every feature of the end cutting tip 100 is represented on the end cutting tip 300 in fig. 8-9, it should be understood that the end cutting tip 300 includes substantially the same features as those described and illustrated with respect to the end cutting tip 100 in fig. 3-5, in addition to the wear indicator groove 381 and the lower wear surface 383. In particular, the end cutting tip 300 may be formed from a body 301 that may have a generally trapezoidal shape. The body 301 may have a front 302, a back 304, a top 306, a bottom 308, an inner side 310, and an outer side 312.

The main body 301 may additionally include a front bottom edge 340 defined along at least a portion of the front bottom interface 320 between the front portion 302 and the bottom portion 308. The front bottom edge 340 is aligned with the longitudinal axis 85. A front top edge 338 may be defined along at least a portion of the front top interface 318 between the front portion 302 and the top portion 306. The front top edge 338 may be generally parallel to the front bottom edge 340 or generally aligned with the longitudinal axis 85. A front inboard edge 346 is defined along at least a portion of the front inboard interface 324 between the inboard portion 310 and the front portion 302. An anterolateral edge 344 can be defined along at least a portion of the anterolateral interface 322 between the lateral portion 312 and the anterior portion 302. The front face 314 may be defined on the front portion 302. The front face 314 may extend between the front inner side edge 346, the front outer side edge 344, the front top edge 338, and the front bottom edge 340. The front lower cutout edge 316 may be disposed on the front face 314 between the front top edge 338 and the front bottom edge 340. The front lower cutout edge 316 may be substantially parallel to the front bottom edge 340. A front cutout 315 may be formed in the front face 314 and bounded by a front lower cutout edge 316 and a front top edge 338. A front lower surface 317 may be defined between the front lower cutout edge 316 and the front bottom edge 340. The front inboard edge 346 may include an inner lower front portion 341, the inner lower front portion 341 being defined adjacent the front lower surface 317 along the front inboard interface 324 between the inboard portion 310 and the front portion 302. Additionally, the anterior cutout surface 319 may be defined by an anterior cutout 315 between the anterior inferior cutout edge 316 and the anterior top edge 338. The anterior cutout surface 319 may be offset from the anterior inferior surface 317 in the direction of the normal axis 80. An anterior notch transition surface 323 may be defined between the anterior inferior surface 317 and the anterior notch surface 319. In some embodiments, the anterior inferior surface 317 may be generally parallel to at least a portion of the anterior cutout surface 319.

In fig. 8-9, for ease of illustration, the body 301 of the end cutting bit 300 is aligned such that the front bottom edge 340 is generally defined along the longitudinal axis 85 and the inner lower front portion 341 is aligned with the lateral axis 90. A lower wear indicator groove 381 may be formed in the front face 314 generally parallel to the front bottom edge 340. In some embodiments, a lower wear indicator groove 381 may be formed between the front bottom edge 340 and the front lower cutout edge 316. Although fig. 8-9 illustrate the lower wear indicator groove 381 as having a rounded soft profile, other profile shapes, such as a wedge or other angle, are also contemplated. A lower wear surface 383 may be defined between front bottom edge 340 and lower wear indicator groove 381. As shown in fig. 9, the lower wear indicator height L may be measured along the lateral axis 90 between the front bottom edge 340 and the lower wear indicator groove 381. Wear indicator depth X may be measured along normal axis 90 between front bottom edge 340 and the rear of lower wear indicator groove 381. In some embodiments, the ratio between the lower wear indicator height L and the body height B, as measured along the lateral axis between the front bottom edge 340 and the front top edge 338, may be in the range of about 1: 20 to about 1: 5, or in other embodiments in the range of about 1: 10 to about 3: 25. In some embodiments, the ratio between the lower wear indicator height L and the body height B, measured along the lateral axis between the front bottom edge 340 and the front top edge 338, may be at least about 1: 10. In some embodiments, the ratio between the lower wear indicator height L and the body height B, as measured along the lateral axis between the front bottom edge 340 and the front top edge 338, may be about 13: 100 or may be about 1: 10 in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the ratio between the wear indicator depth X and the body thickness A may be between about 1: 20 and about 2: 5, or in other embodiments between about 1: 10 and about 1: 5, or in other embodiments between about 1: 8 and about 1: 6. In some embodiments, the ratio between the wear indicator depth X and the body thickness A may be about 13: 100, or in other embodiments about 4: 25.

Wear indicator grooves, such as lower wear indicator groove 381, may play an important role in determining when end cutting tip 300 needs to be replaced with a new end cutting tip or other wear member. In embodiments having a lower wear indicator groove 381 such as in fig. 8-9, the body 301 may be configured to be mounted on an earth-working implement so as to position a lower wear surface 383 between the mounting edge of the earth-working blade and a work surface (such as the ground). Due to the use of earth-working implements (such as the blade 66 shown in fig. 3) equipped with end cutting bits 300, the base 308 may gradually wear away against the work surface. When the body 301 is mounted to the earth-working implement such that the lower wear surface 383 is disposed between the mounting edge of the blade and the work surface, an operator or other observer can easily visually observe when the bottom 308 has worn the entire lower wear surface 383 up to the lower indicator groove 381. Since the lower wear surface 383 is mounted below the mounting edge relative to the work surface, the mounting edge is not damaged by the work surface, which would otherwise result in expensive maintenance of the earth-working implement. The use of a visually observable wear indicator groove, such as that described herein, can help improve work efficiency by providing a simple way to determine when to replace a wear member without requiring a more detailed investigation of the degree of wear on the wear member. Additionally, in certain modes of operation, the front face 314 may be subjected to severe frictional contact with work material (such as stone, rock, dirt, or other material). In this mode of operation, material on the front 302 of the body 301 may wear away, degrading the front face 314. At some point where a sufficient portion of the body 301 has worn away, the wear indicator groove (such as lower wear indicator groove 381) will no longer be distinct from the front face 314. At this point, the operator or another observer may recognize that the wear indicator can no longer be seen and determine whether to replace wear member 300.

Fig. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a wear member, specifically another end cutting bit 500, which is generally symmetrical to the end cutting bit 300. The end cutting insert 500 may be formed from a body 501 that may have a generally trapezoidal shape. The body 501 may have a front 502, a back 504, a top 506, a bottom 508, an interior side 510, and an exterior side 512. Although not every feature of the end cutting tip 300 is represented on the end cutting tip 500 in fig. 10, it should be understood that the end cutting tip 500 includes features similar to those described and illustrated in fig. 3-5 for the end cutting tip 100 and in fig. 8-9 for the end cutting tip 300, including the lower wear indicator groove 581 and the lower wear surface 583. Since the end cutting bit 500 is substantially symmetrical to the end cutting bit 300, the end cutting bit 500 may be configured to be disposed on an end of the earth working implement blade opposite the end cutting bit 300.

Fig. 11 shows yet another embodiment of a wear member, specifically another embodiment of an end cutting bit 600. The end cutting bit 600 may be formed from a body 601 that may have a generally trapezoidal shape. The body 601 may have a front 602, a back 604, a top 606, a bottom 608, an interior side 610, and an exterior side 612. The body 601 may include a front face 614 defined on the front portion 602. Similar to the end cutting bit 300, the front face 614 forms a front cutout 615 bounded by a lower front cutout edge 616 and a front top edge 638. Front face 614 defines a front base notch portion 625 and a front lower surface 617. Also similar to the end cutting bit 300, the front face 614 may include a lower wear indicator groove 681 and a lower wear face 683. Although not every feature of the front face 314 of the end cutting tip 300 is present on the end cutting tip 600 in fig. 11, it should be understood that the front face 614 of the end cutting tip 600 includes features similar to those described and illustrated on the front face 314 of the end cutting tip 300 in fig. 8-9. Although the end cutting tip 600 has a rear face 627 disposed on the rear portion 604, the end cutting tip 600 differs from the

end cutting tips

300 and 200 at least because the end cutting tip 600 does not include a rear cut formed in the rear face. Conversely, rear face 627 may be substantially flat and substantially parallel to front base cutout portion 625 of front face 614.

Fig. 23-24 show an end cutting bit 600 disposed on a mounting edge 68 of an earth working implement, such as an earth working blade 66. As shown in fig. 24, body 601 is mounted on earth working blade 66 such that lower wear face 683 is disposed between mounting edge 68 and working surface 25 (such as earth, gravel, or any other suitable material). An imaginary work surface line 27 represents the work surface level at some point after the bottom 604 of the body 601 has been worn away by repeated contact with the work surface 25. As shown, the body 601 may be positioned such that when the work surface level reaches the level of the lower wear indicator groove 681, the mounting edge 68 of the earth working blade 66 remains out of contact with the work surface. Thus, when an operator or other observer recognizes that the end cutting bit 600 has worn to the level of the lower wear indicator groove 683, the end cutting bit 600 may be replaced without risk of damage to the earth-working implement. It should be appreciated that while fig. 24 illustrates the end cutting tip 600 having the lower wear indicator groove 681, it is contemplated that any of the wear member embodiments disclosed herein may have any type of wear indicator groove, such as the

end cutting tips

300, 500, 700, and that the cutting edges 900, 1000 may be mounted on an earth-working implement such as that shown in fig. 24 and have the same effect.

Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of a wear member, specifically an end cutting bit 700. The end cutting bit 700 may be formed from a body 701 that may have a generally trapezoidal shape. The body 701 may have a front 702, a back 704, a top 706, a bottom 708, an inner side 710, and an outer side 712. The body 701 may include a front face 714 defined on the front portion 702 between a top front edge 738 and a bottom front edge 740. Similar to the end cutting bit 300 of fig. 8-9, the front face 714 may include a lower wear indicator groove 781 disposed between the front bottom edge 740 and the front top edge 738. Additionally, front face 714 includes a lower wear face 783 disposed between front bottom edge 740 and lower wear indicator groove 781. In some embodiments, lower wear indicator groove 781 may be substantially parallel to front bottom edge 740, although other non-parallel embodiments are also contemplated. Unlike the

end cutting tips

300, 500, the end cutting tip 700 shown in fig. 12 forms neither a front nor a rear cut. Instead, the front face 714 is substantially flat and may be substantially parallel to the back face 727 formed on the back portion 704. It should be understood that, although not specifically shown in fig. 12, the dimensions and ratios associated with the lower wear indicator groove 381 of fig. 8-9 may also be applicable to the lower wear indicator groove 781 shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 13-14 show schematic views of another embodiment of a wear member, specifically a cutting edge 800. As will be discussed, the particular geometry of the cutting edge 800 may provide a longer wear life and multiple service lives. Referring to fig. 13-14, the cutting edge 800 may be formed from a body 801 that may have a generally rectangular shape. Body 801 may have a front 802, a back 804, a top 806, a bottom 808, a medial side 810, and a lateral side 812. An interface may exist between each adjacent portion. In particular, a front top interface 818 may exist between the top 806 and the front 802, and a front bottom interface 820 may exist between the front and the bottom 808. An antero-lateral interface 822 may exist between anterior portion 802 and lateral portion 812, and an antero-medial interface 824 may exist between anterior portion and medial portion 810. An outsole interface 826 may exist between the bottom 808 and the lateral side 812, and an insole interface 828 may exist between the medial side 810 and the bottom 808. Additionally, a posterior-lateral interface 830 may exist between lateral portion 812 and posterior portion 804, and a posterior-medial interface may exist between the medial portion and the posterior portion. A rear bottom interface 834 may exist between the rear portion 804 and the bottom portion 808, and a rear top interface 836 may exist between the top portion 806 and the rear portion. Finally, in some embodiments, an outer top interface 835 may exist between outer side 812 and top 806, and an inner top interface may exist between inner side 810 and top.

In some embodiments, a plurality of mounting holes 809 may be formed in the body 801 to form a channel between the front 802 and the rear 804 of the body. Mounting holes 809 may be used to receive mounting hardware, such as bolts, screws, rivets, or other mounting tools suitable for securing cutting edge 800 to an implement. In some embodiments, mounting holes 809 may be buried to provide a smooth flush surface on front 802. Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 shows 11 mounting holes 809 adapted to receive 11 sets of mounting hardware, it is contemplated that any number of mounting holes may be used in other embodiments. It is also contemplated that alternative mounting methods may be used to mount the cutting edge 800 or other wear member to an earth working blade or other implement.

The interface on the body 801 may define one or more edges that may define a surface on the body. Specifically, the front top edge 838 can be disposed along the front top interface 818 and the front bottom edge 840 can be disposed along at least a portion of the bottom interface 820 between the inner side 810 and the outer side 812. Front outer side edge 844 may be disposed along front outer side interface 822 between front top edge 838 and front bottom edge 840, and front inner side edge 846 may be disposed along front inner side interface 824 between front top edge 838 and front bottom edge 840. Additionally, the body 801 may include an outer bottom edge 848 disposed along an outer bottom interface 826 between the front bottom edge and the rear portion 804, and an inner bottom edge 850 disposed along an inner bottom interface 828 between the front bottom edge 840 and the rear portion. A rear lateral edge 852 may be disposed along the rear lateral interface 830 and may extend between the top 806 and the outer bottom edge 848, and a rear medial edge may be disposed along the rear medial interface between the top and inner bottom edges 850. A rear top edge 856 may be disposed along the rear top interface 836 and extend between the outer rear edge 852 and the inner rear edge, and a rear bottom edge 858 may be disposed along the rear bottom interface 834 between the outer rear edge and the inner rear edge. Further, in some embodiments, an outer top edge 860 may be defined along an outer top interface 835 between the front top edge 838 and the rear top edge 856, and an inner top edge may be defined along an inner top interface between the front top edge and the rear top edge. In some embodiments, the edges may be chamfered to form rounded edges and corners to the body 801. However, it is contemplated that the edges of the body 801 have a sharp corner, an angled bevel, or any other suitable shape.

As best shown in fig. 13-14, the front portion 802 of the body 801 may define a front face 814. Front 814 may extend between front inner side edge 846, front outer side edge 844, front top edge 838, and front bottom edge 840. The body 801 may be configured to mount to the mounting edge 68 of the earth-working implement 66 such that the front face 814 faces away from the earth-working implement. Front face 814 may include a front upper cutout edge 885 and a front lower cutout edge 816. A front upper cutout edge 885 may be disposed between the front top edge 838 and the front bottom edge 840, and a front lower cutout edge 816 may be disposed between the front upper cutout edge 885 and the front bottom edge 840. In particular embodiments, the front lower cutout edge 816 may be substantially parallel to the front bottom edge 840 and the front upper cutout edge 885 may be substantially parallel to the front top edge 838, although other geometric orientations are also contemplated. A front cutout 815 may be formed in the front face 814 and defined by a front upper cutout edge 885 and a front lower cutout edge 816.

A front lower surface 817 may be defined on the front face 814 between the front bottom edge 840 and the front lower cutout edge 816, and a front upper surface 887 may be defined on the front face 814 between the front upper cutout edge 885 and the front top edge 838. A front cutout surface 819 may be defined on the front face 814 by the front cutout 815 and extend between the front lower cutout edge 816 and the front upper cutout edge 885. In some embodiments, the front cutout surface 819 may be offset from the front lower surface 817 and the front upper surface 887 in a direction toward the rear 804 along the normal axis. In some embodiments, the front upper surface and the front lower surface may be substantially coplanar.

The front inner side edge 846 may include an inner lower front portion 841, the inner lower front portion 841 being defined adjacent to a front lower surface 817 along a front inner side interface 824 between the inner side portion 810 and the front portion 802. Lower transition seam 821 may be formed in front face 814 between front lower cutout edge 816 and front upper cutout edge 885, and upper transition seam 889 may be formed in front face 814 between lower transition seam 821 and front upper cutout edge 885. Forward cutout surface 819 may include a lower transition cutout portion 823 defined between lower transition seam 821 and forward lower cutout edge 816, and an upper transition cutout portion 891 may be defined between upper transition seam 889 and forward upper cutout edge 885. Forward base cutout portion 825 may be defined between upper transition seam 889 and lower transition seam 821. Thus, in some embodiments, front face 814 includes a front lower surface 817, a lower transition cutout portion 823 of front cutout surface 819, a front base cutout portion 825 of the front cutout surface, an upper transition cutout portion 891, and a front upper surface 887. In some embodiments, front base cutout portion 825 may be substantially parallel to front lower surface 817 and front upper surface 887, and upper transition cutout portion 891 and lower transition cutout portion 823 may connect front base cutout portion to front upper surface 887 and front lower surface 817, respectively, such that front base cutout portion is offset from front upper and lower surfaces in a direction toward rear portion 804. However, other non-parallel surface orientations are also contemplated.

The body 801 may also include a rear face 827 defined on the rear portion 804. Rear face 827 may extend between rear medial edge, rear lateral edge 852, rear top edge 856, and rear bottom edge 858. In some embodiments, the rear face 827 may be substantially parallel to the front lower face 817 and the front upper face 887, and in some embodiments, the rear face 827 may be substantially parallel to the front lower face 817, the front upper face 887, and the front base cutout portion 825 of the front cutout surface 819. In some embodiments, such as the cutting edge 800 shown in fig. 14, at least one depression 893 may be formed in the back face 827 and extend between the inner side 810 and the outer side 812. Although four depressions 893 are shown in fig. 14, embodiments having other numbers of depressions, including zero, are also contemplated. A recess 893 may be formed in rear face 827 to minimize the weight and material used to form body 801 and to ensure that a sufficient contact surface is available for cutting edge 800 to engage an earth-working implement, particularly at the mounting edge. In some embodiments, a recess 893 is provided on rear face 827 such that mounting holes 809 for receiving mounting hardware mount cutting edge 800 on the earth-working implement without overlapping recess 893. The inner bottom edge 850 can include an inner bottom wear edge 883, the inner bottom wear edge 883 being defined to extend along the inner bottom edge adjacent to the bottom wear surface 879 and between the front bottom edge 840 and the bottom wear edge 877.

A bottom surface 875 may be defined on the bottom 808. Bottom surface 875 may extend between front bottom edge 840, rear bottom edge 858, inner bottom edge 850, and outer bottom edge 848. Bottom wear edge 877 may be disposed on bottom surface 875 between front bottom edge 840 and rear bottom edge 858. Bottom wear edge 877 may extend between outer bottom edge 848 and inner bottom edge 850, and may be substantially parallel to front bottom edge 840 and rear bottom edge 858. Bottom surface 875 may include a bottom wear surface 879 that may be defined on the bottom surface extending between front bottom edge 840, bottom wear edge 877, outer bottom edge 848, and inner bottom edge 850. Bottom surface 875 may also include undercut cut surface 881, which may be defined on the bottom surface extending between rear bottom edge 848, bottom wear edge 877, outer bottom edge 848, and inner bottom edge 850.

In some embodiments, the body 801 may be configured to be mounted to a mounting edge 68 of an earth-working implement, such as the earth-working blade 66 shown in fig. 2, to selectively position a bottom 808 of the body between the mounting edge and the work surface, or a top 806 of the body between the mounting edge and the work surface. That is, because the cutting edge 800 is generally symmetrical, the cutting edge may be flipped from a first mounting position where the bottom portion 808 is positioned to engage the work surface to a second mounting position where the top portion 806 is positioned to engage the work surface. This flexibility between mounting locations allows the cutting bit 800 to have two wear lives, a first wear life and a second wear life, thereby increasing the efficiency and availability of each wear member.

In fig. 13-14, for ease of illustration, the main body 801 of the cutting edge 800 is aligned such that the front bottom edge 840 is generally defined along the longitudinal axis 85 and the inner lower front portion 841 is aligned with the lateral axis 90. The insole wear edge 883 is aligned along the normal axis 80.

Referring now to fig. 14, the following ratios between certain dimensional features of wear member 800 are not intended to be exhaustive, but are merely examples of geometric ratios of dimensions of wear members disclosed herein. The body 801 can have a body height M measured along the lateral axis 90 between the front bottom edge 840 and the front top edge 838. The front upper surface 887 can have a front upper surface height N measured along the lateral axis 90 between the front top edge 838 and the front upper cutout edge 885. The front lower surface 817 may have a front lower surface height O measured along the lateral axis 90 between the front bottom edge 840 and the front lower cutout edge 816. The body 801 may have a lower body thickness P measurable along the normal axis 80 between the front lower surface 817 and the rear surface 827. Body 801 may have a cross-sectional depth Q measurable along normal axis 80 between bottom wear edge 877 and rear bottom edge 858. The main body may also have a cross-sectional height R that may be measured along lateral axis 90 between bottom wear edge 877 and rear bottom edge 858. Lower transition cut portion 823 may have a lower transition height S that may be measured along lateral axis 90 between front lower cut edge 816 and lower transition seam 821. Anterior cutout 815 may have an anterior cutout depth T measurable along normal axis 80 between anterior lower surface 817 and cutout surface 819, specifically anterior base cutout portion 825 of the cutout surface. Body 801 may also have a cut thickness W measurable along normal axis 80 between anterior cut surface 819 (specifically, anterior base cut portion 825) and posterior face 827. The body 801 may have an upper body thickness Y measurable along the normal axis 80 between the front upper surface 887 and the rear surface 827. Bottom wear surface 879 may have a bottom wear edge depth Z measurable along normal axis 80 between front face 814 and bottom wear edge 877.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the front lower surface height O and the body height M may be in a range between about 1: 10 to about 3: 10, or in other embodiments in a range between about 1: 5 to about 1: 4. In some embodiments, the ratio between the front lower surface height O and the body height M may be at most about 3: 10, or in other embodiments at most about 1: 4. In some embodiments, the ratio between the front lower surface height O and the body height M may be about 1: 5, or in other embodiments about 1: 4.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the lower body thickness P and the cut thickness W may be in a range between about 1: 1 and about 3: 2, or in other embodiments between about 1: 1 and about 5: 4, and in other embodiments between about 1: 1 and about 22: 19 and about 19: 16. In other embodiments, the ratio between the lower body thickness P and the cut thickness W may be at least about 1: 1, or in other embodiments at least about 11: 10. In other embodiments, the ratio between the lower body thickness P and the cut thickness W may be about 19: 16, or about 22: 19 in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the upper body thickness Y and the cut thickness W may be in a range between about 1: 1 and about 3: 2, or in other embodiments between about 1: 1 and about 5: 4, and in other embodiments between about 1: 1 and about 22: 19 and about 19: 16. In other embodiments, the ratio between the upper body thickness Y and the cut thickness W may be at least about 1: 1, or in other embodiments at least about 11: 10. In other embodiments, the ratio between the upper body thickness Y and the cut thickness W may be about 19: 16, or about 22: 19 in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the upper body thickness Y may be substantially equal to the lower body thickness P.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the anterior notch depth T and the lower body thickness P may be in a range between about 0: 1 and about 3: 10, or in other embodiments between about 1: 10 and about 1: 5, or in other embodiments between about 3: 19 and about 3: 22. In some embodiments, the ratio between the anterior cut depth T and the lower body thickness P may be at least about 1: 10. In some embodiments, the ratio between the anterior notch depth T and the lower body thickness P may be about 3: 19, and in other embodiments about 3: 22.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the bottom wear edge depth Z and the lower body thickness P may be in a range between about 0: 1 and about 3: 10, or in other embodiments between about 1: 10 and about 1: 5, or in other embodiments between about 3: 19 and about 3: 22. In some embodiments, the ratio between the bottom wear edge depth Z and the lower body thickness P may be at most about 1: 5, or in other embodiments at most about 3: 20. In some embodiments, the ratio between the bottom wear edge depth Z and the lower body thickness P may be about 3: 19, and in other embodiments about 3: 22.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the cross-sectional height R and the cross-sectional depth Q may be in a range between about 1: 2 and about 1: 1, or in other embodiments between about 1: 2 and about 2: 3, and in other embodiments between about 11: 16 and about 11: 19. In some embodiments, the ratio between the cross-sectional height R and the cross-sectional depth Q may be up to about 3: 5, and in other embodiments up to about 2: 3. In some embodiments, the ratio between the cross-sectional height R and the cross-sectional depth Q may be about 11: 16, or in other embodiments about 11: 19.

It should be understood that the dimensional geometric ratios described herein with respect to the cutting edge 800 may be applied to any of the other wear member embodiments disclosed herein, as applicable. For example, although the end-cutting drill 300 shown in fig. 8-9 does not explicitly show a cross-sectional height R or a cross-sectional depth Q, it should be understood that similar features of the end-cutting drill 300 may also have the disclosed geometric relationships and ratios.

Fig. 15-16 illustrate another embodiment of a wear member, and in particular another cutting edge 900. Cutting edge 900 is substantially similar to cutting edge 800 shown in fig. 13-14, except that cutting edge 900 may additionally include a lower wear indicator groove 981 and a lower wear face 983, as well as an upper wear indicator groove 995 and an upper wear face 997. Cutting edge 900 may be formed from a body 901, which may have a generally rectangular shape. Although not every feature of the cutting edge 800 is represented on the cutting edge 900 in fig. 15-16, it should be understood that the cutting edge 900 includes features similar to those described and illustrated with respect to the cutting edge 800 in fig. 13-14, except for the upper and lower

wear indicator grooves

995 and 981 and the upper and lower wear faces 997 and 983. In addition, the body 901 of the cutting edge 900 may include a lower wear indicator groove 981 and a lower wear face 983, as well as an upper wear indicator groove 995 and an upper wear face 997. In particular, the cutting edge 900 may be formed from a body 901, which may have a generally rectangular shape. The body 901 may have a front 902, a back 904, a top 906, a bottom 908, an inner side 910, and an outer side 912.

The body 901 can additionally include a front bottom edge 940 defined along at least a portion of the front bottom interface 920 between the front 902 and the bottom 908. The front bottom edge 940 is aligned with the longitudinal axis 85. A front top edge 938 may be defined along at least a portion of the front top interface 918 between the front 902 and the top 906. The front top edge 938 may be generally parallel to the front bottom edge 940 or generally aligned with the longitudinal axis 85. A front inboard edge 946 is defined along at least a portion of the front inboard interface 924 between the inboard portion 910 and the front portion 902. A forward lateral edge 944 is defined along at least a portion of the forward lateral interface 922 between lateral portion 912 and forward portion 902. The front face 914 may be defined on the front portion 902. The front 914 can extend between a front medial edge 946, a front lateral edge 944, a front top edge 938, and a front bottom edge 940. Front undercut edge 916 may be disposed on front face 914 between front top edge 938 and front bottom edge 940. The front lower cutout edge 916 may be substantially parallel to the front bottom edge 940. A front upper cutout edge 985 may be provided on front face 914 between front top edge 938 and front lower cutout edge 916. The front upper cutout edge 985 may be generally parallel to the front top edge 938. A front cutout 915 may be formed in the front face 914 and may be bounded by a front lower cutout edge 916 and a front upper cutout edge 985. The front lower surface 917 can be defined between the front lower cut edge 916 and the front bottom edge 940, and the front upper surface 987 can be defined between the front upper cut edge 985 and the front upper edge 938. The front inboard edge 946 may include an inboard lower front portion 941 that is defined adjacent the front lower surface 917 along the front inboard interface 924 between the inboard portion 910 and the front portion 902. In addition, a front cutout surface 919 may be defined by front cutout 915 between front lower cutout edge 916 and front upper cutout edge 938. Front cutout surfaces 919 may diverge from front lower surface 917 and from front upper surface 987 in the direction of normal axis 80 toward rear 904. Lower transition notch portion 923 may be defined between lower front surface 917 and front notch surface 919, and upper transition notch portion 991 may be defined between upper front surface 987 and the front notch surface. In some embodiments, both front lower surface 917 and front upper surface 987 can be substantially parallel to at least a portion of front cutout surface 919. In some embodiments, the lower front surface 917 and the upper front surface 987 can be coplanar.

In fig. 15-16, for ease of illustration, the main body 901 of the cutting edge 900 is aligned such that the front bottom edge 940 is defined generally along the longitudinal axis 85, and the inner lower front portion 941 and the lateral axis 90 are aligned. A lower wear indicator groove 981 may be formed in front face 914 and generally parallel to front bottom edge 940. In some embodiments, a lower wear indicator groove 981 may be formed between the front bottom edge 940 and the front lower cutout edge 916. An upper wear indicator groove 995 may be formed in the front face 914 and generally parallel to the front upper edge 938. In some embodiments, an upper wear indicator groove 995 may be formed between the front upper edge 938 and the front upper cutout edge 985. Although fig. 15-16 show the upper wear indicator groove 995 and the lower wear indicator groove 981 having a rounded soft profile, other profile shapes, such as wedges or other angles, are also contemplated. A lower wear surface 983 may be defined between the leading bottom edge 940 and the lower wear indicator groove 981, and an upper wear surface 997 may be defined between the leading top edge 938 and the upper wear indicator groove 995.

As shown in fig. 16, a lower wear indicator height V may be measured along the transverse axis 90 between the front bottom edge 940 and the lower wear indicator groove 981, and an upper wear indicator height U may be measured along the transverse axis 90 between the front top edge 938 and the upper wear indicator groove 995. In some embodiments, the upper wear indicator height U is substantially equal to the lower wear indicator height V. The upper wear indicator groove 981 and the lower wear indicator groove 995 may have a wear indicator depth X that is substantially similar to the depth of the lower wear indicator groove 381 described above. Wear indicator depth X may be measured along normal axis 90 between front bottom edge 940 and the rear of lower wear indicator groove 981 or upper wear indicator groove 995.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the lower wear indicator height V and the body height M may be in a range between about 1: 20 and about 1: 5, or in other embodiments between about 1: 10 and about 3: 25, measured along the lateral axis between the front bottom edge 940 and the front top edge 938. In some embodiments, the ratio between the lower wear indicator height V and the body height M may be at least about 1: 10, measured along the lateral axis between the front bottom edge 940 and the front top edge 938. In some embodiments, the ratio between the lower wear indicator height V and the body height M may be about 13: 100, or in other embodiments about 1: 10, as measured along the lateral axis between the front bottom edge 940 and the front top edge 938. In some embodiments, the ratio between the wear indicator depth X and the lower body thickness P may be in a range between about 1: 20 and about 2: 5, or in other embodiments between about 1: 10 and about 1: 5, and in other embodiments between about 1: 8 and about 1: 6. In some embodiments, the ratio between the wear indicator depth X and the lower body thickness P may be about 13: 100, or in other embodiments about 4: 25.

In some embodiments, the ratio between the upper wear indicator height U and the body height M, as measured along the lateral axis between the front bottom edge 940 and the front top edge 938, may be in a range between about 1: 20 and about 1: 5, or in other embodiments between about 1: 10 and about 3: 25. In some embodiments, the ratio between upper wear indicator height U and body height M may be at least about 1: 10, measured along the lateral axis between front bottom edge 940 and front top edge 938. In some embodiments, the ratio between the upper wear indicator height U and the body height M may be about 13: 100, or in other embodiments about 1: 10, measured along the lateral axis between the front bottom edge 940 and the front top edge 938.

In some embodiments, the body 900 may be configured to be mounted to an earth-working implement, such as the earth-working blade 66 shown in fig. 2, to selectively position the bottom 908 of the body between the mounting edge and the work surface, or the top 906 of the body between the mounting edge and the work surface. In other words, because the cutting edge 900 is generally symmetrical, the cutting edge may be flipped from a first mounting position where the bottom portion 908 is configured to engage the work surface to a second mounting position where the top portion 906 is configured to engage the work surface. This flexibility between mounting locations allows the cutting bit 900 to have two wear lives, a first wear life and a second wear life, thereby increasing the efficiency and availability of each wear member. Fig. 17-18 illustrate examples of multiple wear lives suitable for cutting edge 900.

Fig. 17 shows cutting edge 900 after a first life during which body 901 may be mounted to an earth-working implement such that lower portion 908 may be positioned to engage a work surface. Finally, after repeated use of the cutting edge 900, the bottom 908 may be worn away such that the entire lower wear face 983 is worn away and the work surface is flush with the lower wear indicator groove 981. Upon observing the wear level shown in fig. 17, the operator or other observer may stop the operation to reverse the cutting edge 900 to begin the second life. During a second life, the body 901 may be mounted on an earth-working implement such that the top 906 of the body 901 is positioned to engage a work surface. Fig. 18 shows the cutting edge 900 after the second life. As shown, both the top 906 and bottom 908 are worn away to the extent that no lower wear surface 983 or upper wear surface 997 remains. When an operator or other observer determines that a wear member, such as cutting edge 900, has completed its second life, the fully worn wear member may be removed from the earth-working implement and replaced with a new cutting edge or other wear member to prevent damage to the earth-working implement.

Fig. 19-20 illustrate another embodiment of a wear member, specifically another embodiment of a cutting edge 1000. Cutting edge 1000 may be formed from a body 1001, which may have a generally rectangular shape. The body 1001 may have a front 1002, a rear 1004, a top 1006, a bottom 1008, an inner side 1010, and an outer side 1012. The main body 1001 may include a front face 1014 defined on the front portion 1002 between a front top edge 1038 and a front bottom edge 1040. Similar to cutting edge 900 shown in fig. 15-16, front face 1014 may include a lower wear indicator groove 1081 disposed between front bottom edge 1040 and front top edge 1038 and an upper wear indicator groove 1095 disposed between front top edge 1038 and the lower wear indicator groove. Additionally, front face 1014 also includes a lower wear face 1083 disposed between front bottom edge 1040 and lower wear indicator groove 1081 and an upper wear face 1097 disposed between front upper edge 1038 and upper wear indicator groove 1095. In some embodiments, lower wear indicator groove 1081 may be substantially parallel to front bottom edge 1040 and upper wear indicator groove 1095 may be substantially parallel to front top edge 1038, although other non-parallel embodiments are contemplated. Unlike cutting

edges

800, 900, cutting edge 1000 shown in fig. 19-20 has no anterior cut. Instead, the front face 1014 is generally flat and may be generally parallel to a rear face 1027 formed on the rear portion 1004. It should be understood that, although not specifically shown in fig. 20, the dimensions and ratios associated with upper wear indicator groove 995, lower wear indicator groove 981 of fig. 15-16 may also be applied to upper wear indicator groove 1095, lower wear indicator groove 1081 shown in fig. 19-20. In some embodiments, such as cutting edge 1000 shown in fig. 20, at least one depression 1093 may be formed in posterior face 1027 and extend between medial side 1010 and lateral side 1012. Although four depressions 1093 are shown in fig. 20, embodiments having other numbers of depressions, including zero, are also contemplated.

Body 1001 may also include a bottom surface 1075 defined on bottom 1008. The bottom surface may extend between the front bottom edge 1040, the rear bottom edge 1058, the inner bottom edge, and the outer bottom edge 1048. Bottom wear edge 1077 may be disposed on bottom surface 1075 between front bottom edge 1040 and rear bottom edge 1058, and may extend between outer bottom edge 1048 and inner bottom edge or inner side portion 1010. Bottom wear edge 1077 may be substantially parallel to front bottom edge 1040 and rear bottom edge 1058. Bottom wear surface 1079 may be defined on bottom surface 1075 between front bottom edge 1040 and bottom wear edge 1077. A bottom cutaway surface 1081 may be defined on bottom surface 1075 between rear bottom edge 1058 and bottom wear edge 1077.

Fig. 25 shows the cutting edge 1000 engaged with the work surface 25. Although not shown in fig. 25, it should be understood that the cutting edge 1000 may be mounted to an earth-working implement such that the cutting edge 1000 is positioned relative to the work surface 25 as shown. Referring to FIG. 25, a bottom cutaway surface angle AA may be measured as an obtuse angle between bottom cutaway surface 1081 and rear face 1027. In some embodiments, the bottom cutaway surface angle AA may be up to about 150 degrees. In other embodiments, the bottom cutaway surface angle AA may be in a range between about 90 degrees and about 150 degrees. In some embodiments, the bottom cutaway surface angle AA may be in a range between about 135 degrees and about 150 degrees. In other embodiments, the bottom cutaway surface angle AA may be in a range between about 140 degrees and about 145 degrees. In other embodiments, the bottom cutaway surface angle AA may be about 143 degrees.

The body 1001 may be configured to be mounted to a mounting edge of an earth-working implement to engage a work surface 25. Thus mounted, the cutaway work surface angle BB can be measured between the bottom cutaway surface 1081 and the work surface 25. In some embodiments, the cutaway worksurface angle may be less than about 3 degrees, and in other embodiments less than about 2 degrees. Further, when the body 1001 is mounted to an earth-working implement as shown in fig. 25, the rear face angle CC may be measured between the rear face 1027 and the work surface 25. In some embodiments, the posterior surface angle CC may be in a range between about 40 degrees and about 60 degrees, or in another embodiment between about 45 degrees and about 60 degrees. In some embodiments, the aft face angle CC may be about 47 degrees, and in other embodiments may be about 57 degrees.

Wear angle DD may be measured as an acute angle between a front face plane defined along front face 1014 and a cutaway surface plane defined along bottom cutaway surface 1081. In some embodiments, the wear angle DD may be at least about 30 degrees. In other embodiments, the wear angle DD may be in a range between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees. In some embodiments, the wear angle DD may be in a range between about 30 degrees and about 45 degrees. In other embodiments, the wear angle DD may be in a range between about 35 degrees and about 40 degrees. In other embodiments, the wear angle DD may be at least about 37 degrees.

It has been found that the above-described dimensions, ratios and angles with respect to the cutting edge 1000 produce a surprisingly positive effect in increasing the wear life of wear members (e.g., end-cutting bits or cutting edges) employing those dimensions. It has been found that the reduced thickness of bottom wear surface 1079 improves the ability of the wear member (e.g., cutting edge 1000) to cut into the work surface as compared to ISO and other standards. Furthermore, reducing the bottom cutaway surface angle AA and reducing the bottom wear edge depth Z may reduce sliding or "skiing effects" on the work surface, particularly when a wear member is recently installed. At the same time, reducing the cutaway work surface angle BB by increasing the bottom cutaway surface angle AA increases the wear material to join the work surface as early as possible. This allows the cutting edge, end cutting bit or other wear member to cut into the work surface more effectively and increases the operating time when the wear member needs to be switched, thereby increasing work efficiency.

It should be understood that the dimensional geometric ratios described herein with respect to the cutting edge 1000 may be applied to any of the other wear members disclosed herein, as applicable. For example, although the end-cutting drill bit 300 shown in fig. 8-9 does not explicitly show the bottom cutaway surface angular height AA, it should be understood that similar features of the end-cutting drill bit 300 may also include the disclosed geometric relationships and ratios.

Fig. 21-22 illustrate examples of a plurality of wear lives suitable for use with the cutting edge 1000. Fig. 21 shows the cutting edge 1000 after a first life during which the body 1001 may be mounted to an earth-working implement such that the lower portion 1008 is disposed to engage a work surface. Finally, after repeated use of cutting edge 1000, bottom 1008 may be worn away such that the entire lower wear surface 1083 is worn away while the work surface and lower wear indicator groove 1081 are flush. Upon observing the wear level shown in fig. 21, the operator or other observer may stop the operation to reverse the cutting edge 1000 to begin the second life. During a second life, the body 1001 may be mounted on an earth-working implement such that the top 1006 of the body 1001 is disposed to engage a work surface. Fig. 22 shows the cutting edge 1000 after the second life. As shown, both the top 1006 and bottom 1008 wear away to the extent that no lower 1083 or upper 1097 wear surfaces remain. When an operator or other observer determines that a wear member, such as cutting edge 1000, has completed its second life, the fully worn wear member may be removed from the earth-working implement and replaced with a new cutting edge or other wear member to prevent damage to the earth-working implement.

Industrial applicability

Industrial applicability of the wear member described herein should become apparent from the above description. The present invention may be applicable to any machine that utilizes an earth-working implement for excavating, shoveling, grading, digging, or any other suitable application involving engaging the ground or other work material. In machines used for such applications, end cutting bits, cutting edges, and other types of ground engaging tools may wear out quickly and require replacement.

Thus, the present invention may be applicable to many different machines and environments. One exemplary use of the wear member of the present invention may be in mining applications where machine implements may be used to cut, scrape, excavate, or remove various work materials (including rock, gravel, sand, dirt, and other materials) over time and with little downtime. In such applications, maximizing the wear life of the wear member while minimizing the risk of damage to the earth-working implement may be beneficial to maximizing work efficiency. As described above, the present invention has features that may increase the wear life of wear members while helping to determine the appropriate time to change or rotate the wear members on an earth-working implement.

It should be understood that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed systems and techniques. However, it is contemplated that other embodiments of the invention may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the invention or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at this point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the invention more broadly. All language of distinction and praise as to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude them entirely from the scope of the invention unless otherwise indicated.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. A wear member (300) for an earth-working implement, the wear member (300) comprising:

a main body (301) having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, a medial side, and a lateral side;

a front bottom edge (340) defined along at least a portion of a front bottom interface (320) between the front portion (302) and the bottom portion (308), the front bottom edge (340) aligned with a longitudinal axis (85);

a front top edge (338) defined along at least a portion of a front top interface (318) between the front portion (302) and the top portion (306), the front top edge (338) being generally parallel to the front bottom edge (340);

a front inboard edge (346) defined along at least a portion of a front inboard interface (324) between the inboard portion (310) and the forward portion (302);

a forward lateral edge (344) defined along at least a portion of a forward lateral interface (322) between the lateral portion (312) and the front portion (302);

a front face (314) defined on the front portion (302), the front face (314) extending between the front inner side edge (346), the front outer side edge (344), the front top edge (338), and the front bottom edge (340);

a lower wear indicator groove (381) formed in the front face (314) generally parallel to the front bottom edge (340); and

a lower wear surface (383) defined between the front bottom edge (340) and the lower wear indicator groove (381);

wherein the body (301) is configured to be mounted to the earth-working implement so as to position the lower wear surface (383) between a mounting edge of the earth-working implement and a work surface.

2. The wear member (300) of claim 1, further comprising:

a front lower cutout edge (316) disposed on the front face (314) between the front top edge (338) and the front bottom edge (340) and generally parallel to the front bottom edge (340); and

a front cutout (315) formed in the front face (314) and bounded by the front lower cutout edge (316) and the front top edge (338).

3. The wear member (300) of claim 2, wherein the lower wear indicator groove (381) is formed between the front bottom edge (340) and the front lower cutout edge (316).

4. The wear member (300) of claim 2, further comprising:

a front lower surface (317) defined between the front lower cutout edge (316) and the front bottom edge (340);

a front cutout surface (319) defined by the front cutout (315) between the front lower cutout edge (316) and the front top edge (338), wherein the front cutout surface (319) is offset from the front lower surface (317) in a direction perpendicular to a normal axis (80) of the longitudinal axis (85).

5. The wear member (300) of claim 4, wherein the front lower surface (317) is generally parallel to at least a portion of the front cutout surface (319).

6. The wear member (300) of claim 1, wherein a normal axis (80) is defined perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (85) and a rear face (383) is defined on the rear portion (304), and wherein a ratio between a wear indicator depth measured along the normal axis (80) and a body (301) thickness measured along the normal axis (80) between the front face (314) and the rear face (383) is in a range between 1: 20 and 2: 5.

7. The wear member (300) of claim 1, wherein a lateral axis (90) is defined perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (85), and wherein a lower wear indicator height measured along the lateral axis (90) between the front bottom edge (340) and the lower wear indicator groove (381) and a body (301) height measured along the lateral axis (90) between the front bottom edge (340) and the front top edge (338) are in a range between 1: 20 and 1: 5.

8. The wear member (300) of claim 1, further comprising:

an upper wear indicator groove (381) formed in the front face (314) generally parallel to the front top edge (338) between the lower wear indicator groove (381) and the front top edge (338); and

an upper wear face (383) defined on the front face (314) between the upper wear indicator groove (381) and the front top edge (338).

9. The wear member (300) of claim 8, wherein the body (301) is configured to be mounted to the earth-working implement to selectively position the lower wear surface (383) or the upper wear surface (383) between a mounting edge and a work surface of the earth-working implement.

10. The wear member (300) of claim 8, further comprising:

a front lower cutout edge (316) disposed on the front face (314) between the front top edge (338) and the front bottom edge (340), the front lower cutout edge (316) being generally parallel to the front bottom edge (340);

a front upper cutout edge disposed on the front face (314) between the front top edge (338) and the front lower cutout edge (316), the front upper cutout edge being substantially parallel to the front top edge (338); and

a front cutout (315) formed in the front face (314) and bounded by the front upper cutout edge and the front lower cutout edge (316).

11. The wear member (300) of claim 10, further comprising:

a front lower surface (317) defined on the front face (314) between the front lower cutout edge (316) and the front bottom edge (340);

a front cutout surface (319) defined by the front cutout (315) between the front lower cutout edge (316) and the front upper cutout edge; and

a front upper surface defined on the front face between the front top edge (338) and the front upper cutout edge;

wherein the anterior cutout surface is offset from the anterior inferior surface (317) and the anterior superior surface in a direction perpendicular to a normal axis of the longitudinal axis.

12. The wear member (300) of claim 11, wherein the front upper surface and the front lower surface (317) are substantially coplanar.

13. The wear member (300) of claim 8, wherein a lateral axis (90) is defined perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (85), and wherein an upper wear indicator height measured along the lateral axis (90) between the front bottom edge (340) and the upper wear indicator groove (381) and a body (301) height measured along the lateral axis (90) between the front bottom edge (340) and the front top edge (338) are in a range between 1: 20 and 1: 5.