Patent Publication Number: US-2023151589-A1

Title: Ground engaging tool locking system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/792,439, filed Feb. 17, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/699,453, filed Sep. 8, 2017 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,563,381 on Feb. 18, 2020, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/479,056, filed Mar. 30, 2017, and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/385,719, filed Sep. 9, 2016, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to ground engaging tools, and more specifically to a locking system for locking together two ground engaging tools on a mining machine. 
     Ground engaging tools (GET&#39;s) are commonly used on the dipper of a mining machine to absorb wear and damage as the mining machine digs through materials in a mine. Such GET&#39;s typically include one or more adapters that fit over the lip of a dipper, and/or one or more teeth that fit over the adapters or fit directly onto the lip. The adapters and teeth are removed and replaced as needed during the lifetime of the mining machine. Various systems have been developed to removably lock the teeth to the adapters, and/or to removably lock the adapters to the lip. However, many such systems include excessive numbers of components, are bulky, expensive, require excess amounts of time and effort to install and remove, and are otherwise undesirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one construction, a locking system includes a pin having a first, proximal head region and a second, distal end region spaced from the first, proximal head region along an axis. The pin includes a groove located between the first, proximal head region and the second, distal end region. A biasing element is disposed at least partially within the groove. 
     In accordance with another construction, a locking system includes a pin having a first, proximal head region and a second, distal end region spaced from the first, proximal head region along an axis. The pin includes a groove located between the first, proximal head region and the second, distal end region. The groove is configured to receive a biasing element. The pin includes helical ramped surfaces along a distal end of the first, proximal head region. 
     In accordance with another construction, a locking system includes an adapter configured to be coupled to a lip of a dipper on a mining machine. The adapter has an interior passage to receive a pin. The interior passage includes a first diameter where a distal end region of the pin is configured to initially enter the adapter, and a second diameter that is disposed further within the adapter. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. The adapter includes helical ramped surfaces configured to contact corresponding helical ramped surfaces on the pin. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a side view of a mining shovel. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a portion of a dipper of the mining shovel, illustrating an adapter and a tooth. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a locking system according to one construction that releasably couples the adapter to the tooth, the locking system including pins. 
         FIGS.  4  and  5    are perspective views of the locking system, illustrating removal of one of the pins. 
         FIGS.  6  and  7    are cross-sectional views of the locking system, illustrating removal of one of the pins. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of the locking system, illustrating a prying recess on a tooth point, and a prying notch on one of the pins. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a locking system according to another construction. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of a locking system according to another construction. 
         FIGS.  11  and  12    are perspective views of a pin of the locking system of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of a spring clip of the locking system of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of a portion of an adapter having ramped surfaces forming part of the locking system of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIGS.  15 - 20    are cross-sectional and perspective views of the locking system of  FIG.  10   , illustrating positioning of the pins in the adapter. 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limited. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a power shovel  10 . The shovel  10  includes a mobile base  15 , drive tracks  20 , a turntable  25 , a revolving frame  30 , a boom  35 , a lower end  40  of the boom  35  (also called a boom foot), an upper end  45  of the boom  35  (also called a boom point), tension cables  50 , a gantry tension member  55 , a gantry compression member  60 , a sheave  65  rotatably mounted on the upper end  45  of the boom  35 , a dipper  70 , a dipper door  75  pivotally coupled to the dipper  70 , a hoist rope  80 , a winch drum (not shown), a dipper handle  85 , a saddle block  90 , a shipper shaft  95 , and a transmission unit (also called a crowd drive, not shown). The turntable  25  allows rotation of the upper frame  30  relative to the lower base  15 . The turntable  25  defines a rotational axis  100  of the shovel  10 . The rotational axis  100  is perpendicular to a plane  105  defined by the base  15  and generally corresponds to a grade of the ground or support surface. 
     The mobile base  15  is supported by the drive tracks  20 . The mobile base  15  supports the turntable  25  and the revolving frame  30 . The turntable  25  is capable of 360-degrees of rotation relative to the mobile base  15 . The boom  35  is pivotally connected at the lower end  40  to the revolving frame  30 . The boom  35  is held in an upwardly and outwardly extending relation to the revolving frame  30  by the tension cables  50 , which are anchored to the gantry tension member  55  and the gantry compression member  60 . The gantry compression member  60  is mounted on the revolving frame  30 . 
     The dipper  70  is suspended from the boom  35  by the hoist rope  80 . The hoist rope  80  is wrapped over the sheave  65  and attached to the dipper  70  at a bail  110 . The hoist rope  80  is anchored to the winch drum (not shown) of the revolving frame  30 . The winch drum is driven by at least one electric motor (not shown) that incorporates a transmission unit (not shown). As the winch drum rotates, the hoist rope  80  is paid out to lower the dipper  70  or pulled in to raise the dipper  70 . The dipper handle  85  is also coupled to the dipper  70 . The dipper handle  85  is slidably supported in the saddle block  90 , and the saddle block  90  is pivotally mounted to the boom  35  at the shipper shaft  95 . The dipper handle  85  includes a rack and tooth formation thereon that engages a drive pinion (not shown) mounted in the saddle block  90 . The drive pinion is driven by an electric motor and transmission unit (not shown) to extend or retract the dipper handle  85  relative to the saddle block  90 . 
     An electrical power source (not shown) is mounted to the revolving frame  30  to provide power to a hoist electric motor (not shown) for driving the hoist drum, one or more crowd electric motors (not shown) for driving the crowd transmission unit, and one or more swing electric motors (not shown) for turning the turntable  25 . Each of the crowd, hoist, and swing motors is driven by its own motor controller, or is alternatively driven in response to control signals from a controller (not shown). 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the dipper  70  includes a lip  115  and at least one GET  120  coupled to the lip  115 . In the illustrated construction, the at least one GET  120  includes an adapter  125  coupled directly to the lip  115 , and a tooth point  130  coupled directly to the adapter  125 . While only a single adapter  125  and tooth point  130  are illustrated, in some constructions the dipper  70  includes plurality of adapters  125  and tooth points  130  disposed adjacent one another along the dipper lip  115  (e.g., in varying patterns). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 - 8   , the power shovel  10  also includes a tooth point locking system  135  that releasably couples the tooth point  130  to the adapter  125 . The tooth point locking system  135  includes at least one pin  140 . In the illustrated construction, the tooth point locking system  135  includes two pins  140 . Each of the pins  140  includes a first, proximal head region  145  and a second, distal end region  150  that is spaced from the first, proximal head region  145  along an axis  155  ( FIG.  3   ). The first, proximal head region  145  is radially larger than the second, distal end region  150 . In the illustrated construction, the second, distal end region  150  tapers in diameter along the axis  155  moving away from the first, proximal head region  145 , although other constructions include a second, distal end region  150  having a constant diameter or otherwise having a different shape than that illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 ,  6 , and  7   , the tooth point locking system  135  further includes biasing elements  160  (illustrated schematically) that are coupled to the pins  140 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , each of the pins  140  includes a groove  165  (e.g., a circumferential groove) located between the first, proximal head region  145  and the second, distal end region  150 . The biasing elements  160  are shaped and sized to fit in the grooves  165 , and positioned such that when the biasing elements  160  are in a natural, uncompressed state ( FIG.  6   ), portions of the biasing elements  160  are disposed within the grooves  165  and other portions of the biasing elements  160  extend radially outwardly away from the grooves  165 . In the illustrated construction, the biasing elements  160  are coil springs wound circumferentially around the pins  140 . However, other constructions include different types of biasing elements  160 . For example, in some constructions, the biasing elements  160  are O-rings, or other structures that exhibit a spring force and are compressible radially inwardly. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 ,  6 , and  7   , the tooth point locking system  135  further includes at least one interior passage  170  in the adapter  125  to receive the pins  140  and the biasing elements  160 . In the illustrated construction, the tooth point locking system  135  includes a single interior passage  170  that extends entirely through the adapter  125 . As illustrated in FIGS.  6  and  7 , the interior passage  170  includes a first diameter  175  where the second, distal end region  150  of the pin  140  initially enters the adapter  125 , and a second diameter  180  that is disposed further within the adapter  125 . The second diameter  180  is larger than the first diameter  175 . The tooth point locking system  135  additionally includes recesses  185  ( FIG.  3   ) in the tooth points  130  that are shaped and sized to receive the first, proximal head regions  145  of the pins  140 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 - 8   , each of the pins  140  is inserted into the adapter  125  simply by pressing and/or pushing on the pins  140  axially, along the axis  155  (each of the pins  140  being inserted along an opposite direction along the axis  155 ). As illustrated in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the pins  140  each have an outer diameter  190  between the first, proximal head region  145  and the second, distal end region  150  that is equal to or smaller than the first diameter  175 , such that the pin  140  may slide axially into the adapter  125 . When the pin  140  slides into the adapter  125 , the biasing element  160  is radially compressed into the groove  165  by an interior wall  195  of the adapter  125  that forms the interior passage  170 . The biasing element  160  compresses at least to a diameter equal to or less than the first diameter  175 , thereby allowing the pin  140  and the biasing element  160  to slide together within the interior passage  170  until the biasing element  160  reaches the second diameter  180 . 
     When the biasing element  160  reaches the second diameter  180 , the biasing element  160  expands radially outwardly within the adapter  125  and acts as a stop to inhibit axial movement of the pin  140  back out of the adapter  125 . If the pin  140  is pulled back axially, the biasing element  160  presses against an interior wall  200  that forms a transition between the first diameter  175  and the second diameter  180  within the adapter  125 . The pin  140  is thereby temporarily locked into the adapter  125 . As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , in this locked position the first, proximal head region  145  is nested within the recess  185  on the tooth point  130 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 - 7   , the adapter  125  further includes protrusion  205  extending from outer surfaces  210  that facilitate both insertion and removal of the pins  140 . In the illustrated construction, the protrusions  205  are wedges, each having an inclined surface  215 . The first, proximal head region  145  of the pin  140  has a corresponding notch  220  that is sized and shaped to fit over the protrusion  205  when the pins  140  are pushed into the adapter  125 . 
     To remove the pins  140  from the adapter  125 , the pins  140  are initially rotated about the axis  155 . For example, in the illustrated construction the pins  140  each include a tool engagement recess  225  along the first, proximal head regions  145 . While the illustrated tool engagement recess  225  has a generally square shape, other constructions include different shapes. In some constructions, a tool engagement projection is instead used to receive a tool. In the illustrated construction, a tool (e.g., wrench or other hand tool) is inserted into the tool engagement recess  225 , and is turned to cause the pin  140  to rotate about the axis  155 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , rotation of the pin  140  about the axis  155  causes the first, proximal head region  145  (in the area of the notch  220 ) to ride up along the protrusion  205 , thereby causing an axial displacement of the pin  144  along the axis  155  ( FIG.  7   ). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the axial displacement of the pin  140  along the axis  155  forces the biasing element  160  to move from the area of the interior passage  170 , having the larger second diameter  180 , to the area of the interior passage  170 , having the smaller, first diameter  175 . This movement compresses the biasing element  160  back into the groove  165 , allowing the pin  140  and the biasing element  160  to slide along the interior passage  170  and out of the adapter  125 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , in some constructions the groove  165  has a larger width than the biasing element  160 , such that the biasing element  160  may slide and move within the groove  165  as the pin  140  moves between a locked position (i.e., where the biasing element  160  has expanded within the larger second diameter  180  as shown in  FIG.  6   ) and an unlocked position (i.e., where the biasing element  160  has been compressed as shown in  FIG.  7   ). As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , in some constructions the groove  165  may be formed by a first wall  230 , a second wall  235 , and a third wall  240 . The first and second walls  230 ,  235  are parallel to one another, and the third wall  240  is inclined at an oblique angle relative to both the first and second walls  230 ,  235 . Other constructions include different shapes and sizes for the grooves  165  than that illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , in the illustrated construction the tooth points  130  also each include a prying recess  245 . In some constructions, the prying recess forms part of the recess  185  that is shaped and sized to receive the first, proximal head regions  145 . As illustrated in  FIG.  8   , the first, proximal head regions  145  each also include a prying notch  250  that is accessible and visible through prying recess  245  once the pin  140  has been rotated and has been axially displaced by riding up the protrusion  205 . In some constructions, the prying notch  250  is otherwise generally hidden and is not accessible. 
     Once the pins  140  have been rotated and axially displaced, a pry bar or other structure may be inserted through each prying recess  245  and into or under each prying notch  250 , to grasp hold of the pins  140  and pull the pins  140  fully out of the adapter  125 . Other constructions do not include a pry recess  245  and/or pry notch  250 . For example, in some construction, once the pins  140  have been initially rotated and axially displaced (and the biasing elements  160  have been compressed), the pins  140  may be pulled out by hand, or with a different tool (e.g., eyelet) that grasps portions of the pins  140  and is used to pull the pins  140  fully out of the adapter  125 . 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a tooth point locking system  335  that releasably couples the tooth point  130  to the adapter  125 . The tooth point locking system  335  includes the same pins  140  and biasing elements  160  as those described above, although other constructions may include different pins and/or biasing elements. As illustrated in  FIG.  9   , the pins  140  each include an internal aperture  340  that receives a tool to facilitate removal of the pins  140 . In the illustrated construction, the internal aperture  340  of each pin  140  is threaded, and receives a threaded tool  345  (e.g., a jacking bolt, etc., illustrated schematically in  FIG.  9   ). The threaded tool  345  is inserted axially through the internal aperture  340  of each pin  140  along the axis  155 . The tooth point locking system  335  additionally includes an internal wall  350  (illustrated schematically) within the adapter  125 . The internal wall  350  separates the interior passage  170  (e.g., creating two blind bores instead of a single through-passage as in the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 8   ). When the threaded tool  345  is inserted through the internal aperture  340  in the pin  140 , the threaded tool  345  eventually contacts the internal wall  350  and presses against the internal wall  350 . As the threaded tool  345  continues to rotate, the pin  140  is forced in an opposite direction axially along the axis  155  away from the internal wall  350 , thereby compressing the biasing element  160  back toward the groove  165 , and allowing the pin  140  and the biasing element  160  to slide along the interior passage  170  and out of the adapter  125 . In the illustrated construction, the protrusion  205 , the notch  220 , the prying recess  245 , and the prying notch  250  are not included in the tooth point locking system  335 . Rather, the pins  140  are removed solely by use of the internal apertures  340 , the threaded tool  345 , and the internal wall  350 . 
       FIGS.  10 - 20    illustrate a tooth point locking system  535  according to another construction of the invention, which releasably couples a tooth point  530  to an adapter  525 . The tooth point locking system  535  includes two pins  540 , although only one is shown in  FIG.  10    and further constructions could include a single pin  540 . Each of the pins  540  includes a first, proximal head region  545  and a second, distal end region  550  that is spaced from the first, proximal head region  545  along an axis  555  ( FIGS.  11  and  12   ). The first, proximal head region  545  is radially larger than the second, distal end region  550 . In the illustrated construction, the second, distal end region  550  is a cylindrical post that extends from the first, proximal head region  545 , although other constructions include a second, distal end region  550  having a varying diameter or otherwise having a different shape than that illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11 - 13   , the tooth point locking system  535  further includes biasing elements  560  that are coupled to the pins  540 . In the illustrated construction, the biasing elements  560  are spring clips. As illustrated in  FIG.  13   , the spring clip biasing elements  560  are metallic, and have a generally hexagonal shape, although other constructions include different materials, sizes and/or shapes for the biasing elements  560  than that illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11  and  12   , each of the pins  540  includes a groove  565  (e.g., a circumferential groove) located on the proximal head region  545 . The biasing element  560  is shaped and sized to fit in one of the grooves  565 , such that when the biasing element  560  is in a natural, uncompressed state ( FIGS.  11  and  12   ), portions of the biasing element  560  are disposed within the groove  565  and other portions of the biasing element  560  extend radially outwardly away from the groove  565 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 16   , the tooth point locking system  535  further includes at least one interior passage  570  in the adapter  525  to receive the pins  540  and the biasing elements  560 . In the illustrated construction, the tooth point locking system  535  includes a single interior passage  570  that extends entirely through the adapter  525 . As illustrated in  FIG.  16   , the interior passage  570  includes a first diameter  575  where the second, distal end region  550  of each pin  540  initially enters the adapter  525 , and a second diameter  580  that is disposed further within the adapter  525 . The second diameter  580  is smaller than the first diameter  575 . The tooth point locking system  535  additionally includes recesses  585  ( FIGS.  17  and  18   ) in the tooth point  530  that are shaped and sized to receive the first, proximal head regions  545  of the pins  540 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15  and  16   , each of the pins  540  is inserted into the adapter  525  simply by pressing and/or pushing on the pins  540  axially, along an axis  590  ( FIG.  15   ) that extends through the interior passage  570 . When the pin  540  slides into the adapter  525 , the biasing element  560  is radially compressed into the groove  565  on the pin  540  by an interior wall  595  of the adapter  525  that forms the interior passage  570 . In the illustrated construction, the interior wall  595  narrows in width or diameter moving inwardly along the interior passage  570 , although in other constructions the interior wall  595  has a constant width or diameter. The biasing element  560  compresses as it moves inwardly along the interior passage  570 , thereby allowing the pin  540  and the biasing element  560  to slide together within the interior passage  570  until the biasing element  560  reaches an internal groove  587  in the adapter  525 . When the biasing element  560  reaches the internal groove  587 , the biasing element  560  expands radially into the internal groove  587 , locking the pin  540  in place and inhibiting axial movement of the pin  540  back out of the adapter  525 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  15  and  17   , in this locked position the first, proximal head region  545  is nested within the recess  585  on the tooth point  530 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11 ,  12 , and  14   , the pins  540  each include three helical ramped surfaces  600  ( FIGS.  11  and  12   ) at a distal end of the proximal head region  545 . The ramped surfaces  600  are spaced equidistantly around the pin  540 . The adapter  525  includes corresponding helical ramped surfaces  605  ( FIG.  14   ) within the interior passage  570 . When the pins  540  are pressed into the interior passages  570 , the helical ramped surfaces  600  of the pins  540  align with and press against the helical ramped surfaces  600  in the adapter  525 . Thus, the helical ramped surfaces  600  of the pins  540  and the helical ramped surfaces  605  of the adapter  525  act as keyed surfaces that facilitate rotational alignment of the pins  540  within the interior passage  570 . Other constructions include different numbers and arrangements of ramped (e.g., helical) surfaces, or other keyed surfaces or structures that facilitate a particular rotational alignment of the pins  540  relative to the interior passage  570 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11 ,  12 , and  17   , the pins  540  each include an external groove  610  (or other marking) along a radially exterior side of the proximal head region  545  that identifies when the pins  540  have been fully inserted into the interior passage  570  and when the ramped surfaces  600  of the pins  540  are in contact with the ramped surfaces  605  in the adapter  525 . As illustrated in  FIG.  17   , the recess  585  of the tooth point  530  includes a notched region  615 . When the pin  540  has been fully inserted into the interior passage  570  and the ramped surfaces  600 ,  605  are in contact, the groove  610  is visible through the notched region  615 . 
     To remove the pins  540  from the adapter  525 , the pins  540  are initially rotated about the axis  555 . For example, in the illustrated construction, the pins  540  each include a tool engagement recess  620  along the first, proximal head regions  545 . While the illustrated tool engagement recess  620  has a generally square shape, other constructions include different shapes. In some constructions, a tool engagement projection is instead used to receive a tool. In the illustrated construction, a tool (e.g., wrench or other hand tool) is inserted into the tool engagement recess  620 , and is turned to cause the pin  540  to rotate about the axis  555 . Rotation of the pin  540  about the axis  555  causes the helical ramped surfaces  600  of the pin  540  to ride along the helical ramped surfaces  605  of the adapter  525 , thereby causing an axial displacement of the pin  540  along the axis  555  ( FIGS.  15 - 18   ). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15  and  16   , the axial displacement of the pin  540  along the axis  555  forces the biasing element  560  to be pulled out of the internal groove  587 . This movement compresses the biasing element  560  back into the groove  565  on the pin  540 , allowing the pin  540  and the biasing element  560  to slide along the interior passage  570  and out of the adapter  525 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11 ,  12 , and  18   , in the illustrated construction, the notched region  615  ( FIG.  18   ) is also a prying recess that provides access for another tool (e.g., pry bar) to be inserted to remove the pin  540  after the pin  540  has initially been rotated. As illustrated in  FIGS.  11  and  12   , the pins  540  each include a prying groove  625  sized and shaped to receive the pry tool. In the illustrated construction, the prying groove  625  is a circumferential groove. Other constructions include different shapes and sizes for the prying groove  625 . As illustrated in  FIG.  18   , the prying groove  625  becomes visible and accessible only after the pin  540  has been rotated and initially axially displaced from the interior passage  570 . Other constructions do not include a prying groove  625 . For example, in some construction, once the pins  540  have been initially rotated and axially displaced (and the biasing elements  560  have been compressed), the pins  540  may be pulled out by hand, or with a different tool (e.g., eyelet) that grasps portions of the pins  540  and is used to pull the pins  540  fully out of the adapter  525 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11 ,  12 , and  15   , the locking system  535  further includes sealing elements  630  coupled to the pins  540 . In the illustrated construction, the sealing elements  630  are rubber O-rings. Other constructions include different materials, shapes, or sizes than that illustrated. As illustrated in  FIG.  15   , the sealing elements  630  press against the interior wall  595  when the pins  540  are fully inserted into the adapter  525 , thus inhibiting sand, dirt, etc. from entering the interior passage  570 . 
     Although the invention has been described in detail referring to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.