MX2008008062A - Connection assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A connection assembly for connecting a first member to a second member, such as a wear strip to a portion of an excavating device, is described. The second member has a protruding boss and the first member has a recess complementary in shape to the protruding boss. The first member has an associated first bearing surface and the second member has an associated second bearing surface. The first and second bearing surfaces are, in use, opposed and separated by a tapered gap. The connection assembly further includes a wedge-shaped locking member. The wedge-shaped locking member is sized to locate within the tapered gap and is provided with a driving means to permit tightening or loosening of the locking member within the tapered gap.

Description

- - CONNECTION ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the connection of one mechanical part to another. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to the connection of a wear strip to a portion of the excavation device such as the shovel of an excavator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known that mechanical digging and excavating devices and earthmoving operations are subjected to significant wear caused mainly by high levels of friction and abrasion to excavator blades, tools in contact with the ground and similar components. Consequently, it is generally desirable to be able to replace only a portion of said component, instead of having to replace the entire device or the complete component. In order to counteract the wear of these components, it is known to join replaceable wear portions to the edges of the components where the edges or other surfaces are subjected to high wear. A common method for joining portions of wear - - It is simply to weld a portion of wear on the surface of the component. This has the disadvantage that the subsequent separation of the worn wear portion is relatively complex and is a time-consuming operation. This inevitably results in reduced efficiency and productivity due to the amount of time the component is not running while the worn portions are replaced. Mechanical means of joining the wear portions to a device has also been proposed, and typically involve the use of bolts or rivets. Such methods have also often proved not to be effective in practice since bolts or rivets tend to deform due to the forces that are established in the wear portions and the device to which they are attached. The deformation of the bolt or rivet typically makes it difficult to decouple the wear portion of the device again generating lost production time and general inefficiency. It is desirable to be able to attach portions of wear to an excavating device component such as a digging shovel, in a rigid member so that the wear portion does not come loose during operation. It is also desirable to have the ability to easily remove the wear portion, particularly after it has been removed. - - subjected to tensions during the operation. The present invention seeks to provide an efficient connection assembly which at least partially solves these drawbacks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a connection assembly for connecting a first member to a second member, the second member has a protruding protrusion and the first member has a recess of complementary shape, wherein the first member has a first associated bearing surface and the second member has a second associated bearing surface, the first and second bearing surface, when used, are opposed and separated by. a tapered spacing, the connection assembly further includes a wedge-shaped locking member, the wedge-shaped locking member is sized to be placed within the tapered spacing and a driving means positioned to tighten or loosen the locking member within the tapered separation. In a preferred embodiment, the first member is a wear portion or wear strip and the second member is a portion of a mechanical device component for which the wear strips are attached, such - - like the shovel of an excavator. Preferably, a pair of connection assemblies for attachment to each of the first member with the second member are provided. Advantageously, the present invention allows easy removal and replacement of the wear portions, even after subjecting the wear portions to substantial tension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 10, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a connection assembly in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 (a) is a top view of a wear strip that is connected by the connection assembly of Figure 1; Figure 2 (b) is a bottom view of the wear strip of Figure 2 (a); Figure 3 (a) is a side view of the connection assembly of Figure 1 shown before assembly; Fig. 3 (b) is a side view of a connection assembly of Fig. 1 which is shown a the - - assembled; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the connection assembly of Figure 1 during the insertion of a coupling member; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a connection assembly of Figure 1 a insertion of the coupling member; Figure 6 (a) is a partially exploded view of the connection assembly of Figure 1 during placement of the wear strip; Figure 6 (b) is a partially exploded view of the connection assembly of Figure 1 a the placement of the wear strip; Figures 7 (a), 7 (b) and 7 (c) are side views of a wedge-shaped locking member used in the connection assembly of Figure 1, shown sequentially during the insertion of the cap screw; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the connection assembly of Figure 1 shown during the insertion of the wedge-shaped locking member; Figure 9 (a) is a partially exploded view of the connection assembly of Figure 1 shown during the momentum of the immobilization member in wedge shape; Figure 9 (b) is a partially exploded view of the connection assembly of Figure 1 shown a driving the wedge-shaped immobilization member; and Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the connection assembly of Figure 1 in use.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED MODE With reference to Figures 1 to 10, a connection assembly 10 for connecting a first member such as a wear strip 12 to a second member such as an excavator blade 14 is shown. In the figures, two of said connection assemblies 10a and 10b are shown at opposite ends of the wear strip 12. Each connection assembly 10 includes a projecting protrusion 16 which is located on the excavator blade 14 and a complementary recess 18 within the wear strip 12. Each projecting protrusion 16 is substantially rectangular and is formed by a vertical wall 20. The wall 20 almost completely encloses an internal region 22. The wall 20 has a gap 24 which, in use, is oriented towards one end of the wear strip 12 once the wear strip 12 is connected to a portion of the blade 14 of - - excavator. Along each of the long arms of the rectangle forming the protrusion 16, the wall 20 has an outer side and an inner side. A first outer side 17 is on the portion of the wall extending away from the gap 24. A second outer side 19 is on the opposite wall portion. A first inner side 21a is on the same wall portion as the first outer side 17, oriented only towards the inner region 22. A second inner side 21b is opposite the first inner side 21a and is on the same wall portion as the second outer side 19. The inner region 22 is substantially rectangular, with the gap 24 extending out of the rectangle through a short arm. In addition to the gap 24, the rectangular shape of the inner region 22 is only interrupted by a small dowel 26 which extends internally from the inner region 22 at a location along the first internal side 21a. The wall 20 has a variable cross-sectional shape, as can best be seen in Figure 10. In particular, both the first external side 17 and the second internal side 21b of the protrusion 16 are tapered outward from a first flange 23. The second external side 19 is shaped to define a second flange 25 adjacent to the excavator blade 14. In a - - preferred embodiment, the second flange 25 consists of a bevel, which runs around the external part of the wall 20 so as to act as a weld preparation. In this regard, the angle of the second flange 25 may vary so as to provide a suitable solder preparation. The recess 18 can be better seen in Figure 2 (b) which shows the underside of the wear strip 12. Each recess 18 extends into an outer edge of the wear strip 12 with the respective recesses 18 of the two connection assemblies 10a, 10b located on opposite outer edges of a single wear strip 12. Each recess 18 has a size and shape so that it is located above and above the wall 20 of the associated protruding protrusion 16. The recess 18 includes an external partition 28 which is located at an outer edge of the wear strip 12. The external partition 28 has a size similar to that of the partition 24 of the wall 20 and is located such that, when used, it is aligned with the partition 24. The recess 18 further includes a support member 30. The bearing member 30 is substantially rectangular, with a length similar to the length of the inner region 22 and with a width approximately - - half of region 22 internal. When used, the support member 30 is located within the internal region 22 adjacent the second inner side 21b and outside an area of the inner region 22 aligned with the gap 24. The support member 30 includes a first surface 32 of support which, when used, is oriented towards the plug 26. The support member 30 has a side wall complementary to the second inner side 21b. The support member 30 extends outwardly from a base of the recess 18. The projecting protrusion 16 has a coupling member 34 associated therewith. The coupling member 34 is elongated, with an internal end 36 and an external end 38. The coupling member 34 has a key mouth 40 inside one side, which has a size and shape to fit around and engage with the plug 26. The side of the coupling member 34 opposite the keyhole 40 acts as a second surface 42 support. The coupling member 34 is tapered in its size, at least partially along the length thereof, from a widthwise size adjacent the inner end 36 to a narrower side at the outer end 38. As a result, when the coupling member 34 and the support member 30 are both in position, there is - - a tapered spacing 44 between the first bearing surface 32 and the second bearing surface 42, as shown in Figure 6a. The coupling member 34 has an opening 46 which receives an internally oriented threaded screw, in use, towards the gap 24. The connection assembly 10 further includes a wedge-shaped locking member 48. The immobilization member 48 can be better seen in Figures 7 (a) to 7 (c). The immobilization member 48 includes a wedge-shaped locking portion 50 which extends from the narrowest point at the inner edge 51 to a wider point adjacent the outer edge 52. There is a small notch 54 in the outer edge 52. The immobilization member 48 further includes a coupling portion 56 which extends in a manner substantially perpendicular to the immobilization portion 50. The coupling portion 56 has a central opening 58. The immobilization member 48 is sized such that the locking portion 50 is long enough to extend within the tapered spacing 44. The angle of the wedge of the immobilization portion 50 is similar to that of the tapered spacing 44 so that when the immobilization portion 50 is inserted into the - ¬ the tapered spacing 44, the locking portion 50 will engage the first and second surfaces 32, 42 support. The immobilization member 48 is associated with a driving means in the form of a cap screw 60. The cap screw 60 has an arrow positioned to pass through a central opening 58. The arrow has an elongated portion 64 adjacent to the head and an externally narrow threaded portion 66 remote from the head. The enlarged portion 64 is distributed to be received within a retaining ring 68 which, when used, is located within the notch 54. The externally threaded portion 66 is positioned to engage within the screw receiving opening 46. The retaining ring 38 may also be optionally threaded onto an internal surface thereof to facilitate coupling with the enlarged portion 64, however, any means suitable for coupling may be used. When used, the coupling member 34 is located within the inner region 22 with the key mouth 40 around the dowel 26. This is shown in Figures 4 and 5. The wear strip 12 is then placed downward toward the shovel 14 of the excavator in such a manner that the protruding protrusion 16 is located within the rebate 18. It will be appreciated that in order for the flanges 23 to engage with sides shaped in a complementary manner to the recess 18, the wear strip must lie on the protrusion 16 at an angle, and then twist in place. This is shown in Figures 6 (a) and 6 (b), with engagement of the flanges 23 which is best seen in Figure 10. The torsion of the wear strip 12 generates a tapered spacing 44. The immobilization member 48, with the cap screw 60 attached, is then inserted into the outer partition 28 and the partition 24 so that the locking portion 50 is located within the tapered spacing 44 and the externally threaded portion 66 The cover screw 60 is located within the screw receiving opening 46. The tightening of the cap screw 60 in this manner urges the locking portion 50 further into the tapered spacing 44 and ensures that the wear strip 12 is securely connected to the shovel 14 of the excavator. The separation of the wear strip is carried out by reversing the previous procedure. Modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and which are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (17)

- - CLAIMS

1. Connection assembly for connecting a first member to a second member, the second member has a protruding protrusion and the first member has a recess formed in a complementary manner, wherein the first member has a first associated support surface and the second member has a second associated bearing surface, the first and second bearing surfaces, when used, are opposed and separated by a tapered spacing, the connection assembly further includes a wedge-shaped locking member, the wedge-shaped locking member it has a size to be placed within the tapered spacing and a driving means positioned to tighten or loosen the locking member within the tapered spacing.

2. Connection assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the first bearing surface is located on a support member, the bearing member extends outwardly from a base of the recess.

3. Connection assembly as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the protruding protrusion is formed by a vertical wall, the wall substantially enclosing an internal region in which the support member can be received. - -

4. Connection assembly as described in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second member includes a detachable coupling member, the second bearing surface is located on a surface of the coupling member. Connection assembly as described in claim 4, wherein the coupling member has a keyhole on one side, the keyhole is distributed to engage with a dowel which extends from the protruding protrusion, and the second support surface it is distributed on an opposite side of the keyhole coupling member. Connection assembly as described in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the protruding protrusion has a spaced-in-use gap with the tapered spacing. 7. Connection assembly as described in claim 6, wherein the coupling member is tapered, has a narrower portion that is located toward the separation in the vertical wall so that when the coupling member and the support member are in position within the inner region, the tapered spacing is generated between the first and second bearing surfaces. 8. Connection assembly as described in - - any of the preceding claims, wherein the immobilization member has a wedge-shaped immobilization portion distributed to be received by the tapered spacing and a coupling portion extending substantially perpendicular to the immobilization portion. Connection assembly as described in claim 8, wherein the angle of the wedge of the locking portion is similar to that of the tapered spacing so that upon insertion of the locking portion within the tapered spacing, causes the immobilization portion to engage the first and second bearing surfaces. Connection assembly as described in claim 8 or 9, wherein the driving means is a cap screw, the cap screw has an arrow distributed to pass through an opening in the coupling portion of the immobilization member and engaging with a receiving opening at one end of the narrow portion of the coupling member. Connection assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the cap screw has an enlarged portion adjacent to the head of the screw and a narrow portion remote from the head, the enlarged portion can be received within a retaining ring That - - locates, when used, within a notch in the immobilization member. 12. Connection assembly as described in claim 11, wherein the notch is located on a base of the engaging portion adjacent to the immobilization portion. 13. Connection assembly as described in claim 10 or 12, wherein the narrow portion of the cap screw is positioned to threadably engage with the receiving aperture in the coupling member. Connection assembly as described in any of claims 3 to 13, wherein the sides of the vertical wall are shaped to define a flange, the flanges are substantially complementary to the respective portions of the first member. 1

5. Connection assembly as described in claim 14, wherein an inner side of the wall opposite the plug is substantially complementary in shape to a corresponding side of the support member. 1

6. Connection assembly as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first member is a wear strip and the second member is a portion of an excavation device. 1

7. Connection medium to connect a first member to a second member, wherein the first member is connected to the second member by a pair of connection assemblies as described in any of the preceding claims.