Lock for securing a wear member

A lock that includes a pin and a collar. At least one of the pin and collar include a circular seal and a recess to store the seal. When the pin and collar are engaged in a locking manner, the surfaces of the pin and collar compress the seal such that a barrier is formed to limit ingress of fine earthen material. The lock assembly may be a component of a wear assembly. The lock assembly may be positioned into aligned holes to capture components of the wear assembly together, e.g. a point to an adapter or an adapter to a base. The recess of the pin may be located adjacent the head of the pin. The recess of collar may be located near the bottom of the collar. The application of both an upper and lower seal can further limit the ingress of fine earthen material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure pertains to a wear assembly for use on various kinds of equipment used in abrasive environments.

BACKGROUND

In mining and construction, wear parts are commonly provided along a digging edge of an excavating bucket. The wear parts protect the underlying equipment from undue wear and, in some cases, also perform other functions such as breaking up the ground ahead of the digging edge. During use, the wear parts typically encounter heavy loading and highly abrasive conditions. As a result, they must be periodically replaced. Speed and ease for such replacement are desired.

These wear parts usually comprise two or more components such as a base that is secured to the digging edge, and a wear member that mounts on the base to engage the ground. The wear member tends to wear out more quickly and is typically replaced a number of times before the base must also be replaced. One example of such a wear part is an excavating tooth that is attached to the lip of a bucket for an excavating machine. A tooth can include an adapter secured to the lip of a bucket and a point attached to the adapter to initiate contact with the ground. A lock is received in aligned openings of the point and adapter to hold the components together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure pertains to a wear assembly for use on various kinds of equipment including, for example, excavating machines, conveying means, comminution, etc.

In one embodiment, a lock for securing a wear member to a base includes a threaded pin received in an opening in the wear member having threads. The lock includes at least one seal between the pin and the wall of the opening to inhibit the ingress of fines and thereby mitigate the risk of fines binding the pin and impeding its rotation in the opening.

In another embodiment, the lock includes a threaded collar secured in an opening in the wear member and a threaded pin movable in the collar for securing the wear member to a base. One or more seals are located between the pin and the collar to hinder the ingress of fines into the threads.

In another embodiment, a lock includes a threaded, tapered pin received into a threaded opening in a wear member. The threads could optionally be provided by a collar secured in the opening. At least one seal is provided in the collar so as to be compressed as the widening pin is driven farther into the collar to form a barrier against the ingress of fines.

In another embodiment, a lock includes a threaded pin received into a threaded collar. The pin includes a widened head on the trailing end. A seal is compressed between the head and an outer surface of the collar to form a barrier against the ingress of fines.

In another embodiment, a lock includes a threaded collar and a threaded tapered pin received into the collar, where the collar and the pin each include a seal. Advancing the pin in the collar causes the pin to contact and compress the seal on the collar, and for the collar to contact and compress the seal on the pin to inhibit the ingress of fines into the threads.

In another embodiment, a lock includes threaded pin movable inward to secure a wear member to a base, which includes a thread space sealed from outside contaminants. In one example, the lock includes a threaded pin and threaded collar that engage each other—each with a seal that is compressed by the other of the pin and collar.

In another embodiment, a lock includes a tapered and threaded pin that is engaged in a threaded lock opening in a wear member. The pin has a leading end that engages the base to hold the wear member to the base, and a trailing end that is engageable by a tool. The pin widens at least partially along its length from the leading end toward the trailing end. The widening of the pin causes seals in the lock to compress between the pin and the opening wall to inhibit the ingress of fines into the engaged threads.

In another embodiment, a lock includes a tapered and threaded pin that is engaged in a threaded collar secured in a lock opening in a wear member. The pin has a leading end that engages the base to hold the wear member to the base, and a trailing end that is engageable by a tool. The pin widens at least partially along its length from the leading end toward the trailing end. The widening of the pin causes seals in the lock to compress between the pin and collar to inhibit the ingress of fines into the engaged threads.

In another embodiment, a method of protecting a lock from contaminants includes positioning a ring seal in a recess in a threaded pin and positioning a ring seal in a recess of a threaded collar. Then engaging the threads of the pin with the threads of the collar to advance the pin in the collar and compressing each seal between the collar and the pin as the pin advances.

In another embodiment, a tapered pin of a lock to secure a wear member to a base advances into a ring seal held in a recess of a collar so the increasing diameter of the pin compresses the ring seal in the recess to create a barrier to inhibit the ingress of fines.

In another embodiment, a tapered pin for securing a wear member to a base includes a ring seal in a recess under a head of the pin and the pin seal is compressed in the recess as the head of the pin meets a top surface of a collar secured in the lock opening of a wear member.

In another embodiment, a tapered pin for securing a wear member to a base includes threads and an O-ring. The O-ring is optionally in a recess of the pin adjacent a head of the tapered pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure pertains to a wear assembly for various kinds of earth working equipment including, for example, excavating equipment, comminution, conveying equipment, etc. Earth working equipment is intended as a general term to refer to any of a variety of machines used in mining, construction, mineral processing, and other activities. Examples include dragline machines, cable shovels, face shovels, hydraulic excavators, dredge cutters, crushing equipment, shear mining machines, continuous miners, etc. Earth working equipment also refers to the earth-engaging components of these machines that are working the earthen material such as the bucket, drum, etc.

Relative terms such as front, rear, top, bottom and the like are used for convenience of discussion. The terms front or forward are generally used to indicate the normal direction of travel during use (e.g., while digging), and upper or top are generally used as a reference to the surface over which the material passes when, for example, it is gathered into a bucket. Nevertheless, it is recognized that in the operation of various earth working equipment the wear assemblies may be oriented in various ways and move in all kinds of directions during use.

Referring toFIG. 1, in the illustrated example, a wear assembly10in accordance with the present disclosure is an excavating tooth10that attaches to a lip8of a bucket. Aside from the differences disclosed herein, the illustrated tooth10has the same general construction as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,222,243, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Briefly, tooth10includes an adapter12welded to lip8, an intermediate adapter14mounted on the adapter12, and a point (also called a tip or wear member)16mounted on adapter14. While one tooth construction is shown, other tooth arrangements are possible. As examples only, the wear assembly may have a nose projecting from the lip instead of adapter12, adapter12may be secured by a locking assembly, a point may fit directly on the nose or adapter without an intermediate adapter, the components may have different constructions, etc.

The intermediate adapter14includes a rearwardly-opening cavity14C to receive nose12A at the front end of adapter12. Adapter14includes a forwardly-projecting nose14A to mount point16. Point16includes a rearwardly-opening cavity16C to receive nose14A, and a front end to penetrate the ground. Locks20are used to secure wear member or point16to adapter14, and adapter14to base12.

A central hole16B is formed in wear member16that opens to the cavity16C. Nose14A of adapter14includes a hole14B that aligns with hole16B when wear member16is mounted on nose14A. Lock20is received into the holes16B and14B to hold wear member16to adapter14.

A hole14D is provided on each side of adapter14for receiving the respective lock20. Further, a hole12B, like hole14B, is provided in the opposite sides of nose12A. Holes12B are preferably closed but could be interconnected through nose12A. Holes12B,14D align when the adapter14is mounted to nose12A of the base14. Locks20are received into the aligned holes12B,14D on each side to secure the adapter14to the base12.

In this embodiment, all the locks20are the same, but they could have a different construction. For example, the locks securing the adapter to the base could be different in size and/or construction than the lock securing the point to the adapter. The locks are used to secure a wear member to a base. In regard to tooth10, point16may be considered a wear member that is secured to a base in the form of an intermediate adapter14. Similarly, intermediate adapter14may be considered a wear member that is secured to a base in the form of adapter12.

Referring toFIGS. 2-7B, in the illustrated example, a lock20can include a pin22and a collar26. Collar26includes an opening26A for receiving pin22. The opening26A includes threads26B to engage matching threads22B on the pin22. Collar26is preferably a single unit (one piece or assembled as a unit), and preferably a one-piece construction for strength and simplicity. In this example, an inner seal30is retained in a recess30A in the wall forming opening26A in the collar (FIG. 4B). Seal30may be an elastic O-ring, though other kinds of seals could be used. Alternatively, the threads26B could be formed in the walls of the lock openings14D,16B without a separate collar member. In such a case, recess30A would receive inner seal30(seeFIG. 7B).

Pin22includes a tool-receiving formation22C for turning the pin22. In the illustrated example, the formation22C includes a hole23with facets25in head22A for receiving, e.g., a hex wrench. The pin22can include a distal tapering shank24extending away from the head with threads22B. In this example, an outer seal28is retained in a recess28A inward of the head22A on pin22(FIG. 4). The outer and inner seal28,30provide a closed thread space for the assembled lock. The seals could be reversed so that the inner seal is on the pin and the outer seal on the collar. Either seal28,30could be positioned on the collar or the pin in alternative embodiments. As an example only, the seals can be positioned between 0 cm to 5 cm from top and bottom surfaces31,33, respectively (this is not intended to be limiting).

As pin22is received into collar26, threads22B engage threads26B; the pin22rotates to advance into opening26A of the collar. Tapered shank24advances into seal30such that the increasing diameter of the shank24engages the seal30to compress the seal30between the recess30A and the shank24. As the pin22advances further, an outer seal28contacts the collar outer surface26C and is compressed between the shelf surface31and the outer surface26C, such that a gap37is created (e.g. as a non-limiting example, between 0.01 cm to 5 cm, preferably between 0.01 cm to 1 cm). Alternatively, outer surface26C can be formed with a recess that receives outer seal28and provides increased surface area to fully engage the seal28without a gap. While it is preferred to compress the outer seal between the head and the collar, the head could be omitted, or the outer seal spaced from the head, so the seal is compressed between the pin and the collar. In another example, either inner or outer seal28,30could be a sole seal to limit intrusion of fines. With the pin22fully inserted in the collar26, the outer and inner seals28and30seal the engaged threads from the top and bottom of the lock assembly20. This seal arrangement limits intrusion of fines into the threads and limits binding of the threads. The seals28,30are compressed upon assembly of the lock20.

The seals28,30can have different arrangements. For example, the inner and outer seals28,30could both be secured to the collar26or both secured to the pin22prior to assembly. The outer pin28could be secured to the collar and the inner seal30secured to the pin. In one example, the pin22could be tapered to compress both an inner and outer seal28,30secured in the collar. While two seals28,30are shown in the drawings, additional seals could be optionally provided.

In another alternative, the pin shank24could have a cylindrical configuration. Seals28,30could be provided on both sides of the threads22B to limit the ingress of fines. A tapered shank24, however, is preferred because the use of a cylindrical body that slides into a cylindrical opening with O-ring seals that are compressed by an interference fit may only provide limited compression of the O-rings and therefore may not provide as complete a seal as can be obtained by advancing a tapered shank24through the inner seal30. Sealing is also improved by using a lid-type seal on the outer seal28(i.e., between the head and the collar). In the illustrated embodiment, the combined use of a tapered shank compressing inner seal30and a head compressing the outer seal against the collar provides a good seal such that limited fines will invade the thread space during operations. Other arrangements are possible.

Pin shank24is preferably unthreaded on its leading end27for receipt into hole14B in nose14A (or hole12B). Pin22is installed into collar26from outside the wear member so that pin end27is the leading end and pin threads22B engage collar threads26B. A hex socket23(or other tool-engaging formation) is formed in head22A, at the proximal end, for receipt of a tool to turn pin22in collar26. The leading end27when fully inserted will engage in hole12B or14B to secure the wear member to the base. The trailing end could be formed without a head, in which case the outer seal (if provided) would compress between the pin shank and the wall of the lock opening.

Referring toFIG. 5, the illustrated collar26can be installed in the holes14D,16B of the adapter14and the point16, respectively, in various ways including welding, a threaded collar and hole, an interference fit, tapered holes receiving a corresponding tapered collar26and other methods. The collar26can be secured in the lock opening14B,16B by lugs and a clip as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,222,243.

With reference toFIG. 8, a process200for assembling a lock assemble20that protects the lock assembly from contaminants is disclosed. In step201, a first seal is positioned into a first recess28A of a pin. The first seal may be ring shaped or an elastic O-ring. The first recess28A may be located adjacent the head22A of the pin or may be located lower. In step203, a second seal30is positioned within a second recess30A of a collar26. In step205, the pin22and first seal28are positioned within a bore23of a collar26. The lock assembly20is formed with the engagement of the pin22and collar26. In step207, the first seal28A is compressed against the collar26and a head27of the pin22(or between the pin and the collar if the seal is spaced from the head). In one example, the engagement between the collar26and the pin22may leave a gap37between the head22A and a top surface26C of the collar26. Alternatively, the engagement between the collar26and the pin22may fully engage between the head22A and a top surface26C of the collar26. In step209, the second seal30is compressed against a shank25of the pin22and the second recess30A. In some examples, the shank25may be tapered, such that as a wider portion of the shank25is descended further into the bore23of the collar26, the second seal30is further compressed. The seals28,30further limit fine earthen material from entering and jamming the lock assembly20. In step211, the lock assembly20is positioned within an aperture of a wear assembly10. Although steps207,209and211are discussed in terms of separate steps for ease of discussion, they preferably all occur at the same time; i.e., when leading end27is received into hole12B,14B the inner and outer seals are both simultaneously compressed. Nevertheless, the compression of a seal between the pin shank and the wall of the opening could occur before the leading end is fully seated in hole12B,14B.

In one embodiment shown inFIGS. 9-10, collar126includes lugs132,134and136extending radially from the outside surface of the collar. Holes in the wear assembly for receiving collar126can include a retaining structure (not shown) with shoulders that engage the lugs132,134and136of the lock collar126to hold the lock collar126in the hole. The collar126then receives a pin122that advances in the collar126to secure the components together. The pin126engages inner O-ring130as it advances in the collar and compresses outer O-ring128as the pin head122A engages the top surface126C of collar126as described above.

Threaded pin122can include a biased latching tooth or detent127, biased to protrude beyond the surrounding thread122B. A corresponding outer pocket or recess138is formed in the thread126B of collar126to receive detent127, so that threaded pin122latches into a specific position relative to collar126when latching detent127aligns and inserts with outer pocket138. The engagement of latching detent127in outer pocket138holds threaded pin122in a release position relative to collar126, which holds pin122outside of cavity16C (or at least outside of hole14B with sufficient clearance on nose14A), so that the wear member16can be installed on (and removed from) nose14A. Alternatively, the detent could be provided on the collar and the pockets or latch openings provided in the pin. The pin122is preferably shipped and stored in the release position so that the wear member16is ready to install.

Pin122is turned to thread into collar126to move the pin from the release position to the hold position, which is when latching detent127engages the threads126B of the collar. In one embodiment, there is a noticeable click or “thunk” as the detent127engages the pocket140providing haptic and/or audible feedback to a user that helps a user determine that pin122is fully latched in the proper service position. This haptic feedback results in more reliable installations of wear parts using the present combined collar and pin assembly120. Likewise, the pin122can be turned to move the pin outward for release of the lock for removal of the wear member from the base. The pin may be moved until latch127is again received in pocket138or until it is fully removed.

To limit ingress of fines into the threads122B,126B, pockets or recesses138and140preferably do not extend through the wall137,139of the collar126to open to the outer surface135. In some embodiments the recess138,140can extend through the wall137,139to open to the outer surface135of the collar126. A plug could optionally be used in such a recess138,140to limit ingress of fines.

While the illustrated embodiment is an excavating tooth, the features associated with the locking of wear member16on adapter14can be used in a wide variety of wear assemblies for earth working equipment. For example, shrouds, runners, liners, wear plate, picks, crusher tips, etc. could be secured with a lock such as disclosed herein. Such locks could be used to secure a wide variety of wear members to different kinds of earth working equipment including, e.g., dragline buckets, dippers, face shovels, buckets for hydraulic excavators, shear drum machines, continuous miners, roll crushers, chutes, conveyors, truck bodies and the like. Locks as disclosed herein could also be used in other abrasive environments where wear members are secured to bases such as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 2015/0314297, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. While the use of threads is preferred, the pin and collar could be secured in other ways such as by a retaining pin or set screw, or the pin could have a wedge configuration. In such alternatives, the use of seals to limit the ingress of fines could still be useful in easing and/or speeding the release of the lock (i.e., by removal of the lock or moving the lock to a release position).

The disclosure set forth herein encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. Each example defines an embodiment disclosed in the foregoing disclosure, but any one example does not necessarily encompass all features or combinations that may be eventually claimed. Where the description recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such description includes one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Further, ordinal indicators, such as first, second or third, for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate a required or limited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated.