WO2017075663A1

WO2017075663A1 - Earthmover bucket corner

Info

Publication number: WO2017075663A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/051049
Authority: WO
Inventors: Neil Dennis
Original assignee: Talon Engineering Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2015-11-06
Filing date: 2016-11-03
Publication date: 2017-05-11

Abstract

An earth mover bucket corner includes a side wall having a sloped leading edge, and a forward projection which extends in a longitudinal direction away from the side wall leading edge. A corner shroud includes a complementary shaped aperture, and is arranged to lock into position about the earth mover bucket corner.

Description

"EARTHMOVER BUCKET CORNER"

Field of the Invention

[0001 ] The present invention relates to earth mover buckets. It has been developed in connection with buckets used in underground mining operations, but is considered to have broader application.

Background to the Invention

[0002] Buckets of excavating equipment are subject to significant abrasive wear during use. For this reason, replaceable ground engaging tools (GET) are located about the buckets in the areas most susceptible to wear. A number of different GET are used, including heel shrouds, lip shrouds, adaptors, wear plates, teeth and corner shrouds.

[0003] The connection of corner shrouds to bucket corners has presented a consistent challenge, and there are many different systems currently available which seek to perform this task in an efficient manner. Many of the systems use a locking pin, which passes through a bore of the bucket corner. Such an arrangement has an inherent problem in that the provision of a bore weakens the bucket, as well as encouraging stress concentrations within the bucket corner. In addition, locking pins have a tendency to bend in use, and removal of a bent locking pin may be difficult.

[0004] Other systems use a latching system. These are problematic in that there is usually no ability to adjust or tighten the connection, hence the corner shrouds are liable to become loose.

[0005] The applicants have developed a locking system for GET which is described in WIPO publication number WO2012075531 , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Application of this system to corner shrouds allows the connection of the shroud to the bucket to be tightened during use. [0006] Where corner shrouds are able to be tightened, this frequently leads to increased stress concentrations at contact points of the corner shroud.

[0007] The present invention seeks to provide a bucket corner and associated corner shroud which alleviates, at least in part, some of the above problems.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an earth mover bucket having a floor and a side wall, the floor and the side wall being joined at a corner;

the corner extending from a front of the bucket to a rear of the bucket in a longitudinal direction;

the side wall having a leading edge which slopes away from the corner at the front of the bucket;

wherein the corner includes a forward projection which extends in the longitudinal direction away from the side wall leading edge.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an earth mover bucket having a floor and a side wall, the floor and the side wall being joined at a corner;

the side wall defining a vertical direction perpendicular to the

longitudinal direction;

the floor defining a transverse direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction;

the side wall having a leading edge, the leading edge forming an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction;

the side wall leading edge having a front end closest to the front of the bucket;

the bucket floor having a leading edge which is forward of the side wall front edge in the longitudinal direction; wherein the corner includes a forward projection which extends in the longitudinal direction between the side wall leading edge front end and the bucket floor leading edge;

the forward projection having an upper lip which extends from the side wall leading edge in the longitudinal direction, the upper lip being spaced from the bucket floor in the vertical direction.

[0010] Preferably, the bucket floor has an entry region extending in the longitudinal direction from the bucket floor leading edge towards the rear of the bucket, the entry region being tapered in thickness. The entry region preferably includes a shoulder portion extending between the bucket leading edge and a main portion of the bucket floor. The shoulder portion may be parallel to the side wall leading edge, or may be within 15° of being parallel to the side wall leading edge.

[001 1 ] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an earth mover bucket having a floor and a side wall, the floor and the side wall being joined at a corner;

the corner including a curved portion having a radius of curvature; wherein the curved portion includes a forward end which extends in the longitudinal direction in front of the side wall leading edge.

[0012] Preferably the radius of curvature of the curved portion is at least 15mm.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an earth mover bucket having a floor and a side wall, the floor and the side wall being joined at a corner;

the corner extending from a front of the bucket to a rear of the bucket in a longitudinal direction; the side wall having a leading edge, the leading edge forming an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction;

wherein the side wall includes a thickened portion extending inwardly from a front portion of the leading edge.

[0014] It is preferred that the corner includes a locating structure for a coupling such as one described in WIPO publication WO 2012/074431.

[0015] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided an earth mover or excavator having a bucket as described above.

[0016] According a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a corner shroud which has an internal cavity complementary in shape to a bucket corner as described above.

[0017] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attaching a corner shroud to an earth mover bucket, the method including the steps of providing an earth mover bucket corner with a lock engaging region, locating a bearing member within the lock engaging region, mounting a corner shroud over the earth mover bucket corner, and activating a locking mechanism to bear against the corner shroud and the bearing member to maintain the corner shroud in position.

[0018] Preferably activation of the locking mechanism acts to place the bearing member into compression.

[0019] The bearing member may be formed from a material which is harder than that of the earth mover bucket corner. It is preferred that the bearing member be formed from a quenched steel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

[0021 ] Figure 1 is a perspective of a corner of an earth mover bucket in accordance with the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a cross section through the bucket of Figure 1 , looking in a transverse direction;

[0023] Figure 3 is a cross section through the bucket of Figure 1 , looking in a vertical direction;

[0024] Figure 4 is an elevation of the bucket of Figure 1 , looking in a longitudinal direction;

[0025] Figure 5 is a perspective of a corner shroud for use in conjunction with the bucket corner of Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 6 is a rear view of the corner shroud of Figure 5;

[0027] Figure 7 is a perspective of the corner of the earth mover bucket of Figure 1 during attachment of the corner shroud of Figure 5;

[0028] Figure 8 is a perspective of the corner of the earth mover bucket of Figure 1 following attachment of the corner shroud of Figure 5;

[0029] Figure 9 is a rear view of the corner of the earth mover bucket of Figure 1 during attachment of the corner shroud of Figure 5;

[0030] Figure 10 is a perspective of the corner of the earth mover bucket of Figure 1 showing the introduction of a bearing member;

[0031 ] Figure 1 1 a is a perspective of the bearing member from Figure 10;

[0032] Figure 1 1 b is a plan view of the bearing member of Figure 1 1 a; [0033] Figure 1 1 c is a side view of the bearing member of Figure 1 1 a;

[0034] Figure 12 is a cross section through the earth mover bucket of Figure 1 following attachment of the corner shroud of Figure 5, using the bearing member, looking in a transverse direction;

[0035] Figure 13 is a close-up view of a lock portion of Figure 1 1 ; and

[0036] Figure 14 is a cross section through the earth mover bucket of Figure 1 following attachment of the corner shroud of Figure 5, showing surface engagement close to a side wall of the earth mover bucket.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0037] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a corner of an earth mover bucket 10 to which a corner shroud 1 10 is to be attached.

[0038] The bucket 10 has a floor 12 which extends from a rear of the bucket 10 to a front lip 14. This direction can be identified as a longitudinal direction 16 of the bucket 10. The floor 12 extends from one side wall 18 to another side wall (not shown) in a transverse direction 20.

[0039] The bucket has side walls 18 which are generally perpendicular to the floor 12. The side wall 18 extends in the longitudinal direction 16 and away from the floor 12 in a vertical direction 22.

[0040] A corner 24 defines the connection between the floor 12 and the side wall 18.

[0041 ] The corner 24 has a rear portion 26, extending toward the rear of the bucket 10. The rear portion 26 is characterised by a relatively tight bend through the 90° between the floor 12 and the side wall 18. It is anticipated that this bend will have a radius of curvature in the order of 30mm.

[0042] The corner 24 has a forward portion 28, which may be characterised as a curved portion, extending in the longitudinal direction 16 inwardly from the front lip 14. The forward portion 28 has a radius of curvature at least half as much again as that of the rear portion 26. It is anticipated that the forward portion will have a radius of curvature up to 30mm.

[0043] The corner 24 has an attachment portion 30 located between the forward portion 28 and the rear portion 26. The attachment portion 30 is located along a plane which is angled at an obtuse angle relative to the transverse direction 20. The attachment portion 30 of the drawings is angled at about 170° relative to the floor 12. The attachment portion 30 includes lock engaging surfaces 32 for engagement with a lock 200.

[0044] The side wall 18 has a leading edge 40 which is angled at an acute angle (around 45° in the drawings) relative to the longitudinal direction 16 and the vertical direction 22. The leading edge 40 extends from a front end 42 in an upward and rearward direction.

[0045] The front end 42 is spaced from the front edge of the lip 14 in the longitudinal direction 16.

[0046] The forward portion 28 of the corner 24 includes a forward projection 44 which extends in the longitudinal direction 16 away from the front end 42 of the leading edge 40. The forward projection 44 includes an upper lip 46, which is generally parallel to the floor 12. The upper lip 46 extends between the front end 42 of the leading edge 40 and the front edge of the lip 14 in the longitudinal direction 16. The upper lip 46 is spaced from the floor 12 in the vertical direction 22.

[0047] The side wall 18 includes a thickened portion 50 extending internally of the leading edge 40. The thickened portion 50 extends longitudinally through to a rear of the attachment portion 30, and vertically by a similar distance. The thickened portion 50 is generally wedge-shaped in cross section, on the side wall 18 on an inner face of the bucket 10. [0048] The bucket floor 12 includes a main portion 54 and an entry region 56. The entry region 56 extends inwardly from the front edge of the lip 14 by a distance similar to that of the upper lip 46. The entry region 56 is tapered in thickness, being narrower at the lip 14. The entry region 56 thus has a shoulder portion 58 extending between the front edge of the lip 14 and the main portion 54 of the bucket floor 12. The shoulder portion 58 is angled at about 25° relative to the longitudinal direction 16.

[0049] The bucket floor has an underside 52.

[0050] The corner shroud 1 10 has a front end 1 12 and a rear end 1 14. The corner shroud 1 10 includes a cavity 1 16 extending inwardly from the rear end 1 14. The cavity 1 16 is generally 'L-shaped' in cross section, and extends through about half the length of the corner shroud 1 10 in the longitudinal direction. The cavity 1 16 opens onto an internally facing side wall 1 18 of the corner shroud 1 10 and onto a top wall 120 of the corner shroud 1 10.

[0051 ] The arrangement is such that the corner shroud 1 10 is arranged to be complementary in shape to the forward portion 28 of the bucket corner 24. The cavity 1 16 is arranged to locate about the forward portion 28 and the attachment portion 30 of the bucket corner 24, with an internal side wall 122 of the cavity 1 16 arranged to fit snugly against the thickened portion 50 of the bucket side wall 18.

[0052] The cavity 1 16 has an internal front wall 132 which is sized and shaped to bear against the front edge of the lip 14.

[0053] The cavity 1 16 has a floor 124 which is sized and shaped to locate against the underside 52 of the bucket floor, and a ceiling 126 which is sized and shaped to locate against the main portion 54 of the bucket floor 12. The ceiling includes an angled forward portion 128 which is complementary to the shoulder portion 58 of the bucket floor 12. [0054] The cavity 1 16 includes an inner step 130 adjacent the internal side wall 122. The inner step 130 is sized and shaped to locate against the upper lip 46 of the forward projection 44, with a front edge of the forward projection 44 arranged to locate against an appropriately shaped portion or the internal front wall 132.

[0055] The lock 200 is located within the corner shroud 1 10, and is arranged to rigidly connect the corner shroud 1 10 to the bucket corner 24.

[0056] It will be appreciated that when the corner shroud 1 10 is locked onto the bucket corner 24, as shown in Figures 8, 12 and 13, a variety of bearing surfaces will act against each other. These include:

the front edge of the lip 14 acting against the internal front wall 132 of the cavity 1 16;

the underside 52 of the bucket floor 12 acting against the floor 124 of the cavity 1 16;

the main portion 54 of the bucket floor 12 acting against the ceiling 126 of the cavity 1 16;

the upper lip 46 acting against the inner step 130 within the cavity 1 16; and

the internal side wall 122 of the cavity 1 16 acting against the thickened portion 50.

[0057] It will be appreciated not all of these bearing surfaces will

necessarily be simultaneously acting against each other, due to

manufacturing tolerances and also to external loads applied to the corner shroud 1 10.

[0058] This array of bearing surface interactions acts to stabilise and secure the corner shroud during use. Some of these interactions can be seen in the cross section of Figure 14, which represents a 'slice' through a mounted corner shroud 1 10; that is, the cross section is angled at about 15° with respect to the longitudinal direction 16. [0059] Other corresponding surfaces are arranged to have clearances to prevent seizing of the corner shroud, and the creation of stress

concentrations. These include:

the shoulder portion 58 of the lip 14 facing the angled forward portion 128 of the cavity ceiling 126; and

the forward portion 28 of the corner 24 facing a complementary shaped curved portion of the cavity 1 16.

[0060] A further aspect of the attachment of the corner shroud 1 10 to the bucket 10 is shown in Figure 10. The attachment portion 30 of the corner 24 includes a recess 212, immediately in front of the lock engaging surfaces 32. The recess 212 is generally square on a front edge, and arcuate and concave on a rear edge.

[0061 ] A bearing member 210 is sized and shaped to locate within the recess 212. The bearing member 210 is shown in detail in Figures 1 1 a to 1 1 c.

[0062] The bearing member 210 extends generally in the transverse direction, having a generally rectangular front wall 214, a convex rear locating wall 216 and a sloped, convex lock engaging wall 218.

[0063] The front wall 214 and the rear locating wall 216 are vertical, and are arranged to locate within the complementary recess 212 in the bucket corner 24.

[0064] The lock engaging wall 218 is arranged to locate above the recess 212, in use, and to cooperate with an engaging member of the lock 200.

[0065] The bearing member 210 is preferably formed from an oil-quenched steel. In this way, it is generally harder than the bucket 10. This presents two advantages to the construction: wear caused by the action of the lock 200 on the lock engaging surfaces is reduced, and when such wear occurs on the lock engaging wall 218 the bearing member 210 can be readily replaced. [0066] The bearing member 210 can be employed by the simple expedient of placing it into the recess 212 before the corner shroud 1 10 is slid into position. It is anticipated that a holding means, such as the provision of an adhesive, may be applied to maintain the bearing member 210 within the recess 212 during shipping of a bucket 10.

[0067] Grooves 220 are located on side walls of the bearing member 210 to assist in removal of the bearing member when required.

[0068] The engaging member of the lock 200 will act against the bearing member 210, placing it into compression. The force applied by the engaging member of the lock 200 will be distributed over the front wall 214 of the bearing member 210, reducing stress concentrations acting directly on the bucket 10.

[0069] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1 . An earth mover bucket having a floor and a side wall, the floor and the side wall being joined at a corner;

2. An earth mover bucket having a floor and a side wall, the floor and the side wall being joined at a corner;

the side wall defining a vertical direction perpendicular to the

longitudinal direction;

the bucket floor having a leading edge which is forward of the side wall front edge in the longitudinal direction;

wherein the corner includes a forward projection which extends in the longitudinal direction between the side wall leading edge front end and the bucket floor leading edge;

3. An earth mover bucket having a floor and a side wall, the floor and the side wall being joined at a corner; the corner extending from a front of the bucket to a rear of the bucket in a longitudinal direction;

4. An earth mover bucket as claimed in claim 3, wherein the radius of curvature of the curved portion is at least 15mm.

5. An earth mover bucket having a floor and a side wall, the floor and the side wall being joined at a corner;

6. An earth mover bucket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bucket floor has an entry region extending in the longitudinal direction from the bucket floor leading edge towards the rear of the bucket, the entry region being tapered in thickness.

7. An earth mover bucket as claimed in claim 6, wherein the entry region includes a shoulder portion extending between the bucket leading edge and a main portion of the bucket floor.

8. An earth mover bucket as claimed in claim 7, wherein the shoulder portion is within 15° of being parallel to the side wall leading edge.

9. An earth mover bucket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the corner includes a locating structure for a coupling.

10. An earth mover or excavator having a bucket as claimed in any preceding claim.

1 1 . A corner shroud having an internal cavity complementary in shape to a bucket corner as claimed in any preceding claim.

12. A method of attaching a corner shroud to an earth mover bucket, the method including the steps of providing an earth mover bucket corner with a lock engaging region, locating a bearing member within the lock engaging region, mounting a corner shroud over the earth mover bucket corner, and activating a locking mechanism to bear against the corner shroud and the bearing member to maintain the corner shroud in position.

13. A method of attaching a corner shroud to an earth mover bucket as claimed in claim 12, wherein activation of the locking mechanism acts to place the bearing member into compression.

14. A method of attaching a corner shroud to an earth mover bucket as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the bearing member is formed from a material which is harder than that of the earth mover bucket corner.

15. A method of attaching a corner shroud to an earth mover bucket as claimed in claim 14, wherein the bearing member is formed from a quenched steel.