Patent ID: 7832129
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: E02F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A lock adapted for receipt into an opening defined by two separable components in a wear assembly for excavating equipment, the lock comprising: a wedge having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending centrally through the first and second ends, and a rounded exterior surface about the longitudinal axis that tapers toward the first end for initial receipt into the opening, the exterior surface including a helical groove; and a spool including a body and arms at opposite ends of the body, each arm including an inner surface that tapers outward in a rearward direction, a trough on the body having a generally concave surface for receiving the wedge, and a series of helical ridges in spaced apart relation along the trough to engage the helical groove on the wedge; the wedge and the spool being threadedly coupled together in the opening by the engagement of the ridges in the helical groove such that rotation of the wedge about the longitudinal axis translates the wedge in the opening in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and along the trough of the spool to tighten the lock in the opening thereby causing the wedge and the spool to press the separable components in opposite directions to hold the two components together.