Patent Publication Number: US-11654438-B2

Title: Winged hammer tip

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/708,945, filed May 11, 2015, and issued on Sep. 22, 2020 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,780,441, titled “Production Plus Hammer Tip,” which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/993,335, filed May 15, 2014, titled “Production Plus Hammer Tip,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a hammer tip for releasable integration with a hammer, used in a size reducing machine. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Size reducing machines include rotary hammer mills, tub grinders, vertical and horizontal feed machines and the like. These machines include a plurality of hammers with replaceable hammer tips. Common design practice is for the hammer tips to be symmetrical with two top working edges. It is also common for the hammer tip to be attached to the hammer with two bolts and two nuts. U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,173 granted to Balvanz shows the symmetrical hammer tip and two bolt attachment. 
     One of the two hammer tip top working edges will encounter the brunt of the action and exhibit the most wear (the up position). The other symmetrical working edge is mostly out the action (the down position) and will exhibit only some wear. 
     Depending on the location of the hammer tip within the machine, it will exhibit more or less wear than other hammer tips. 
     During hammermill operation, it is important that the hammer tips are not too worn. Excessively worn hammer tips will reduce the mill operation throughput and increase the machine power consumption. Typically, the hammermill operator will inspect the hammermill tips for wear every 4 hours or as scheduled. 
     If a hammermill tip top working edge is observed to be worn, the two attachment bolts are removed. Typically in extreme conditions, both bolt heads are also worn and the bolts will be replaced. If both working edges of the hammermill tip are worn, the hammermill tip is replaced. If only one of the hammermill tips is worn, the hammermill tip is rotated end for end and reinstalled. 
     Because there are twice as many working edges (both ends of each hammer tip) compared to the number of hammers, the operator may try to overly optimize the position of the working edges. This repositioning of the working edges causes excessive downtime. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a hammer tip comprised of two sections. The production block is the upper portion of the hammer tip and includes the top working edge. The spacer block fills the space below the production block and secures the production block positioning. The spacer block also provides additional side working edges and flat front surface with carbide facing. In one embodiment, the spacer block further includes a pair of wings extending outwardly from the left and right sides, and forwardly from the front side, of the spacer block to form additional cutting edges and to provide more surface area. In this manner, the wings provide for additional sizing of the material being ground and help move (or push or carry) more material through the grates of the size reducing machine. This results in improved efficiency. 
     The maximum amount of working edge (top and side) and flat impact face of the production block is desirable for grinding throughput. 
     One of the objects of the invention is to have a single top working edge for each hammer tip. This simplifies the replacement procedure and eliminates downtime due to excessive repositioning of hammer tips. Replacement of production blocks requires 50% less downtime due to only a single bolt removal. For reassembly, the production block is placed on top of the spacer block. This positioning guide decreases the downtime in lining up the production block and bolt. 
     Another object of the invention is to increase the throughput of the size reducing machine by increasing the amount of working edge. In addition to the top working edge, there are also side working edges. The spacer block includes two full length side working edges. This is substantially more side working edge compared to a symmetrical hammer tip with two top working edges. The spacer block provides a full flat face that could be fully covered with a wear resistant coating such as Caden Edge. This increase in carbide covered flat face also increases throughput. As previously noted, in one embodiment, the spacer block further includes a pair of wings extending outwardly from the left and right sides, and forwardly from the front side, of the spacer block to form additional cutting edges and to create more surface area. In this manner, the wings provide for additional sizing of the material being ground and help move (or push or carry) more material through the grates of the size reducing machine. 
     Another object of the invention is to reduce the amount of high-grade steel material. It is anticipated that the production block would need replacing approximately 10 times before the spacer block would need replacement. By replacing only the worn production block most of the time, a large savings in total usage of high-grade steel material is realized. Two production blocks will last substantially longer in machine use than one symmetrical hammer tip. This is because the lower half of the symmetrical hammer tip is partially worn before it is inverted and reinstalled. 
     Another object of the invention is to reduce the number of replacement bolts and nuts. In one configuration of the invention, the nuts are eliminated with internal threads on the production block or spacer block. In another configuration, the bolt head is protected in the production block or spacer block with a wear resistant coating. 
     In another configuration of the invention, a saddle back shoulder is used to resist movement of the production block or spacer block relative to the hammer. This saddle back is important for secure attachment of these parts with a single bolt. 
     In another configuration of the invention, a locking ledge is used between the production plus block and support block. 
    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a prior art side view of a grinding machine assembly. 
         FIG.  2   a    is a prior art front view of a hammer assembly. 
         FIG.  2   b    is a prior art front view of a hammer assembly. 
         FIG.  3   a    is a side view of a production plus hammer assembly with bolts. 
         FIG.  3   b    is a front view of a production plus hammer assembly with bolts. 
         FIG.  3   c    is a top view of a production plus hammer assembly with bolts. 
         FIG.  4   a    is a front view of a production block with saddle back. 
         FIG.  4   b    is a side view of a production block with saddle back. 
         FIG.  4   c    is a bottom view of a production block with saddle back. 
         FIG.  5   a    is a front view of a spacer block with saddle back. 
         FIG.  5   b    is a side view of a spacer block with saddle back. 
         FIG.  5   c    is a top view of a spacer block with saddle back. 
         FIG.  6   a    is a side view of a production plus hammer assembly with nuts. 
         FIG.  6   b    is a front view of a production plus hammer assembly with nuts. 
         FIG.  6   c    is a top view of a production plus hammer assembly nuts. 
         FIG.  7   a    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with bolts. 
         FIG.  7   b    is a front view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with bolts. 
         FIG.  7   c    is a top view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with bolts. 
         FIG.  8   a    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with nuts. 
         FIG.  8   b    is a front view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with nuts. 
         FIG.  8   c    is a top view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with nuts. 
         FIG.  9   a    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with side saddle. 
         FIG.  9   b    is a front view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with side saddle. 
         FIG.  9   c    is a top view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with side saddle. 
         FIG.  10   a    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with lock ledge. 
         FIG.  10   b    is a front view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with lock ledge. 
         FIG.  10   c    is a top view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with lock ledge. 
         FIG.  11   a    is a front view of a production block with lock pocket. 
         FIG.  11   b    is a side view of a production block with lock pocket. 
         FIG.  11   c    is a bottom view of a production block with lock pocket. 
         FIG.  12   a    is a front view of a spacer block with lock ledge. 
         FIG.  12   b    is a side view of a spacer block with lock ledge. 
         FIG.  12   c    is a top view of a spacer block with lock ledge. 
         FIG.  13   a    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with Caden Edge bolt head. 
         FIG.  13   b    is a front view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with Caden Edge bolt head. 
         FIG.  13   c    is a top view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with Caden Edge bolt head. 
         FIG.  14    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with worn production spacer. 
         FIG.  15   a    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with sharp edge.  FIG.  15   b    is a front view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with sharp edge. 
         FIG.  15   c    is a top view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with sharp edge. 
         FIG.  16   a    is a front view of a production block with side Caden Edge. 
         FIG.  16   b    is a side view of a production block with side Caden Edge. 
         FIG.  16   c    is a bottom view of a production block with side Caden Edge. 
         FIG.  17   a    is a top view of a sweep with nose point Caden Edge. 
         FIG.  17   b    is a bottom view of a sweep with nose point Caden Edge. 
         FIG.  18   a    is a top view of a sweep with nose point and heel Caden Edge. 
         FIG.  18   b    is a side view of a sweep with nose point and heel Caden Edge. 
         FIG.  18   c    is a bottom view of a sweep with nose point and heel Caden Edge. 
         FIG.  19   a    is a top view of a hammer assembly with winged hammer tip according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  19   b    is a side view of a hammer assembly with winged hammer tip according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  19   c    is a front view of hammer assembly with winged hammer tip according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  20   a    is a top view of a bar hammer assembly with winged hammer tip according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  20   b    is a side view of a bar hammer assembly with winged hammer tip according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  20   c    is a front view of a bar hammer with winged hammer tip according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
       
         
           
             
                 
               
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   REFERENCE NUMERALS 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
              
                 
                     
                 
              
             
             
                 
                 
              
                 
                   10 grinder housing 
                   11 drum 
                 
                 
                   12 rotation direction 
                   13 hammer 
                 
                 
                   15 hammer tip 
                   16 distal working edge 
                 
                 
                   17 distal working edge 
                   18 nose 
                 
                 
                   20 bolt 
                   21 bolt 
                 
                 
                   22 proximal working edge 
                   23 bolt pocket 
                 
                 
                   25 nut 
                   26 nut 
                 
                 
                   28 wear resistant surface 
                   29 proximal working edge 
                 
                 
                   30 hammer 
                   31 production block 
                 
                 
                   32 support block 
                   33 bolt 
                 
                 
                   34 side working edge 
                   35 top working edge 
                 
                 
                   37 side working edge 
                   38 side working edge 
                 
                 
                   39 side working edge 
                   42 internal thread 
                 
                 
                   44 saddle back 
                   45 saddle back 
                 
                 
                   46 wear resistant surface 
                   52 internal thread 
                 
                 
                   53 saddle back 
                   54 saddle back 
                 
                 
                   61 production block 
                   62 spacer block 
                 
                 
                   63 bolt 
                   64 bolt 
                 
                 
                   65 nut 
                   66 nut 
                 
                 
                   70 bar hammer 
                   71 production block 
                 
                 
                   72 spacer block 
                   73 bolt 
                 
                 
                   74 bolt 
                   75 internal thread 
                 
                 
                   76 saddle back 
                   81 production block 
                 
                 
                   82 spacer block 
                   83 bolt 
                 
                 
                   85 nut 
                   86 nut 
                 
                 
                   87 saddle back 
                   90 production block 
                 
                 
                   91 spacer block 
                   92 top working edge 
                 
                 
                   93 side saddle back 
                   94 saddle 
                 
                 
                   101 production block 
                   102 spacer block 
                 
                 
                   103 lock ledge 
                   104 lock pocket 
                 
                 
                   111 saddle back 
                   126 saddle back 
                 
                 
                   131 bolt 
                   132 bolt 
                 
                 
                   141 worn production block 
                   143 worn top working edge 
                 
                 
                   145 top working edge 
                   151 sharp edge production block 
                 
                 
                   153 sharp edge spacer block 
                   155 top working edge 
                 
                 
                   156 side working edge 
                   157 side working edge 
                 
                 
                   160 production block 
                   161 side working edge 
                 
                 
                   163 top working edge 
                   171 sweep 
                 
                 
                   172 sweep attachment 
                   173 bottom Caden Edge 
                 
                 
                   174 nose 
                   175 nose Caden Edge 
                 
                 
                   181 sweep 
                   182 sweep attachment 
                 
                 
                   183 nose Caden Edge 
                   184 shank Caden Edge 
                 
                 
                   185 bottom Caden Edge 
                   1900 production block 
                 
                 
                   1904 top working edge 
                   1905 opening 
                 
                 
                   1906 bolt 
                   1907 spacer block 
                 
                 
                   1911 left side of spacer block 
                   1912 right side of spacer block 
                 
                 
                   1913 opening 
                   1914 bolt 
                 
                 
                   1915 lock pocket 
                   1916 lock ledge 
                 
                 
                   1917 wings 
                   1999 winged hammer tip 
                 
                 
                   2000 production block 
                   2004 top working edge 
                 
                 
                   2005 opening 
                   2006 bolt 
                 
                 
                   2007 spacer block 
                   2011 left side of spacer block 
                 
                 
                   2012 right side of spacer block 
                   2013 opening 
                 
                 
                   2014 bolt 
                   2015 lock pocket 
                 
                 
                   2016 lock ledge 
                   2017 wings 
                 
                 
                   2099 winged hammer tip 
                 
                 
                     
                 
              
             
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    is a prior art side view of a grinding machine assembly. The grinder housing  10  is stationary. The drum  11  is powered and has rotation direction  12 . The hammer  13  is affixed to the drum  11 . 
       FIG.  2   a    is a prior art side view of a hammer assembly. The hammer tip  15  is affixed to the hammer  13  with bolt  21 , bolt  20 , nut  25  and nut  26 . A bolt pocket  23  is incorporated into the hammer tip  15 . The hammer tip  15  includes distal working edge  16 , distal working edge  17 , proximal working edge  22  and proximal working edge  29 . 
     The nose  18  incorporated into the hammer  13  is intended to protect the distal working edge  17  from wear while in this position. After several hours of grinder operation, the distal working edge  16  would experience wear to the point that the grinder throughput is decreased. Then bolt  20  and bolt  21  would be removed, the hammer tip  15  would be inverted and the bolts replaced. 
     A wear resistant surface  28  such as Caden Edge is shown on the nose  18 , hammer tip  15  and the top of the hammer  15 . 
       FIG.  2   b    is a prior art front view of a hammer assembly. The working surfaces are all the rotating edges that provide grinding action. Note that as shown in  FIG.  2   b   , the working surfaces include distal working edge  16  and approximately half of proximal working edge  22  and proximal working edge  29 . The nose  18  is blunt and provides little working surface. The nose  18  also shields distal working edge  17  and approximately half of the proximal working edges. 
       FIG.  3   a    is a side view of a production plus hammer assembly with bolts. The hammer  30  no longer includes the nose  18  feature. The production plus hammer tip includes the production block  31  and the spacer block  32 . The production plus hammer tip could be installed on the hammer  13 , however the nose  18  would be vestigial feature. 
     The production block  31  and spacer block  32  are affixed to the hammer  30  with bolt  33  and bolt  36 . The production block  31  and spacer block  32  include clearance holes for bolt  33  and bolt  36 . Note how the surface plane between the production block  31  and spacer block  32  allow each of the blocks to provide support for the other. 
       FIG.  3   b    is a front view of a production plus hammer assembly with bolts. The production block  31  includes working surfaces top working edge  35 , side working edge  37  and side working edge  39 . The spacer block includes working surfaces side working edge  34  and side working edge  38 . Note that all of side working edge  37  and side working edge  39  are working surfaces. Also note that a high percentage of side working edge  34  and side working edge  38  are working surfaces. 
       FIG.  4   a    is a front view of a production block with saddle back. A wear resistant surface  46  such as Caden Edge is shown on the top working edge  35 , side working edge  39 , side working edge  37  and all of the face except near the internal thread  42 . 
       FIG.  4   b    is a side view of a production block with saddle back. The internal thread  42  is used by the bolt  33  to attach the production block  31  to the hammer  30 . 
       FIG.  4   c    is a bottom view of a production block with saddle back. The saddle back  44  and saddle back  45  provide rotation resistance of the production block relative to the hammer  30 . 
       FIG.  5   a    is a front view of a spacer block with saddle back. A wear resistant surface  46  such as Caden Edge is shown on the side working edge  35 , side working edge  34  and all of the face except near the internal thread  52 . 
       FIG.  5   b    is a side view of a spacer block with saddle back. The internal thread  52  is used by the bolt  36  to attach the spacer block  32  to the hammer  30 . 
       FIG.  5   c    is a top view of a spacer block with saddle back. The saddle back  54  and saddle back  53  provide rotation resistance of the spacer block relative to the hammer  30 . 
       FIG.  6   a    is a side view of a production plus hammer assembly with nuts. The production plus hammer tip includes the production block  61  and the spacer block  62 . The production block  61  is affixed to the hammer  30  with bolt  63  and nut  65 . The spacer block  62  is affixed to the hammer  30  with bolt  64  and nut  66 . 
       FIG.  6   b    is a front view of a production plus hammer assembly with nuts. The production block would include a feature such as bolt pocket  23  to prevent rotation of bolt  63 . The spacer block  62  would include a feature such as bolt pocket  23  to prevent rotation of bolt  64 . 
       FIG.  7   a    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with bolts. The bar hammer  70  provides a similar function to the hammer  30 . The bar hammer  70  is affixed to a drum  11  and provides attachment means for the production plus hammer tip. The production block  71  and spacer block  72  are affixed to the bar hammer  70  with bolt  73  and bolt  74 . 
       FIG.  8   a    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with nuts. The production block  81  is affixed to the bar hammer  70  with bolt  83  and nut  85 . The spacer block  82  is affixed to the bar hammer  70  with bolt  84  and nut  86 . 
       FIG.  9   a    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with side saddle. The spacer block  91  includes a saddle back feature with the bar hammer  70  to resist rotational movement. The spacer block  91  also includes a saddle  94  feature which protrudes above the upper surface. 
       FIG.  9   b    is a front view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with side saddle. The production block  90  includes two side saddle  93  features. These mate with the saddle  94  and resist rotational movement of the production block  90 . As shown in  FIG.  9   a   , the production block  90  does not include a saddle back feature, since rotational movement is covered by the side saddle. 
       FIG.  10   a    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with lock ledge, and  FIGS.  10   b  and  10   c    are front and top views, respectively, of the production plus bar hammer assembly with lock ledge. In this configuration, both the production block  101  and spacer block  102  include saddle back features. In addition, the spacer block  102  includes a lock ledge  103 . The production block  101  includes a lock pocket  104 . The lock ledge  103  prevents tilting motion of the production block  101 . This tilting motion is caused by the impact of grinding material against the top working edge  106 . 
       FIG.  11   a    is a front view, and FIB.  11   b  is a side view, of a production block with lock pocket. The lock pocket  104  is recessed into the front of the production block along the width of the front side of the production block. The lock pocket  104  and lock ledge  103  are precision machined to tightly fit. 
       FIG.  11   c    a bottom view of a production block with lock pocket. Note the saddle back  111  on the back of the part. 
       FIG.  12   a    is a front view, and  FIG.  12   b    is a side view, of a spacer block with lock ledge. The lock ledge  103  is formed as a ledge along the width of the back side of the spacer block and holds the bottom of the production block against the bar hammer  70 . 
       FIG.  12   c    is a top view of a spacer block with lock ledge. Note the saddle back  126  on the back of the part. 
       FIG.  13   a    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with Caden Edge bolt head. This is similar construction to  FIG.  8   a    with the exception of the bolts. 
       FIG.  13   b    is a front view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with Caden Edge bolt head. During operation, the impact of material on the production plus hammer tip causes wear on any forward-facing surface. The high impact surfaces of the production block  81  and spacer block  82  are covered with a wear resistant coating. As shown in  FIG.  8   b   , the heads of bolt  83  and bolt  84  are subject to high wear. As shown in  FIG.  13   b   , the heads of bolt  131  and bolt  132  are covered with a wear resistant coating such as Caden Edge. 
     In configuration A of  FIG.  13   b    the head of bolt  131  would have the wear resistant coating applied before assembly to production block  81 . This would keep the most flexibility in assembly/disassembly of the production block  81  to the bar hammer  70 . 
     In configuration B of  FIG.  13   b    the head of bolt  131  would have the wear resistant coating applied after assembly to production block  81 . The application of the wear resistant coating such as Caden Edge would permanently capture the bolt  131  to the production block  81 . The head of the bolt  131  would be welded to the bolt pocket  23  of the production block  81 . It is important that the bolt  131  be accurately aligned with the production block  81  during the welding (Caden Edge) process to facility assembly to the bar hammer  70 . It is possible with this configuration for the entire face (all front surface of production block  81  and bolt  131  head) to be covered with the wear resistant coating such as Caden Edge. 
     Configurations A or B would also have applicability to spacer block  82  and bolt  132 . 
       FIG.  14    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with worn production spacer. A spacer block  62  will wear at about 1/10 the rate of the production block  81 . In a production environment, there will be an excess of worn production blocks  141 . With the correct geometry, it is possible to allow worn production blocks  141  to be used as replacement spacer blocks  62 . The worn production block  141  is rotated and placed with the worn top working edge  143  at the bottom. 
     The correct geometry includes:
         a. not having the lock ledge feature   b. not having the side saddle feature and   c. both blocks having the same distance from bolt centerline to production block/spacer block contact surface.       

       FIG.  15   a    is a side view of a production plus bar hammer assembly with sharp edge. The sharp edge production block  151  includes a top working edge  155  and two side working edges  156 . The sharp edge spacer block  153  includes two side working edges  157 . For good wear resistance, the working edges and front face of sharp edge production block  151  and sharp edge spacer block  153  could be hardened to approximately HRC 60. These blocks could also have a thin wear resistant coating of carbide spray applied. 
       FIG.  16   a    is a front view of a production block with side Caden Edge. The production block  160  includes wear resistant coating such as Caden Edge on the top working edge  163  and two side working edges  161 . 
     Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2013/0252023 Caden Edge Welding Process shows the Caden Edge weld being applied to the bottom surface of a plow sweep blade. In combination with this bottom surface Caden Edge weld, it also enhances the wear life of the plow sweep blade to apply a Caden Edge weld to the nose tip.  FIG.  17   a    is a top view of a sweep with nose point Caden Edge. The sweep  171  is affixed to the implement via the sweep attachment  172 . The bottom Caden Edge  173  is shown in  FIG.  15   b   . The wear improvement is the nose Caden Edge  175 . 
     A typical sweep  171  overall length is 7 to 24 inches from nose  174  to sweep attachment  172 . The nose Caden Edge would be approximately 1 to 3 inches in length from the nose  174  to the weld end. 
       FIG.  18   a    is a top view of a sweep with nose point and heel Caden Edge. The sweep  181  includes bottom Caden Edge  185 , nose Caden Edge  183  and one or more shank Caden Edges  184 . In this configuration, it is desired to reduce the wear on the sweep shank area. The shank Caden Edge  184  would be approximately 1 to 3 inches in length and positioned between the nose Caden Edge  183  and the sweep attachment  182 . 
     In another embodiment of the hammer tip, as shown in  FIGS.  19   a - 19   c  and  20   a - 20   c   , the spacer block as previously disclosed, described and shown herein may further include a pair of wings extending outwardly from the left and right sides, and forwardly from the front side, of the spacer block to form additional cutting edges. In this manner, the wings provide for additional sizing of the material being ground and provide additional surface area to help move (or push or carry) more material through the grates of the size reducing machine. Such increased material flow increases efficiency of the size reducing process by pushing or carrying more material through the grates and into the conveyor in the same amount of time (as compared to a spacer block without wings). This embodiment of the hammer tip is referred to herein as the winged hammer tip. The winged hammer tip includes many of the features of the production block and spacer block as shown in  FIGS.  11   a - c  and  12   a - c    and as described above, which will not be repeated here in their entirety but which are incorporated by reference. 
       FIG.  19   a    is a top view,  FIG.  19   b    is a side view and  FIG.  19   c    is a front view of a hammer assembly with a winged hammer tip  1999 , the winged hammer tip having a production block  1900  and a spacer block  1907 . As shown in  FIGS.  19   a - 19   c   , production block  1900  comprises a body having a front side, a back side, a top working edge  1904  and an opening  1905  formed in the body and extending between the front side of the production block  1900  and the back side of the production block  1900 , the opening  1905  configured to receive a bolt  1906  to attach the production block  1900  to the hammer. 
     The spacer block  1907  comprises a body having a front side, a back side, a left side  1911 , a right side  1912  and an opening  1913  formed in the body and extending between the front side of the spacer block  1907  and the back side of the spacer block  1907 , the opening  1913  configured to receive a bolt  1914  to attach the spacer block  1907  to the hammer. 
     The production block  1900  and the spacer block  1907  each comprise a saddle back formed on their respective back sides and configured to engage with the hammer for releasable attachment thereto as described herein with respect to other embodiments. Also as described herein with respect to other embodiments of the production block and spacer block, the production block  1900  further comprises a lock pocket  1915 , the lock pocket  1915  formed as a recess along a width of the front side of the production block  1900 , and the spacer block  1907  comprises a lock ledge  1916 , the lock ledge  1916  formed as a ledge along a width of the back side of the spacer block  1907 . In this manner, the lock pocket  1915  of the production block  1900  is configured to matingly engage with the lock ledge  1916  of the spacer block  1907  when the production block  1900  and spacer block  1907  are attached to the hammer to hold the production block  1907  against the hammer and to prevent the production block  1907  from tilting away from the hammer when the top working edge  1904  of the production block  1907  is impacted by a grinding material. 
     In this embodiment of winged hammer tip  1999 , the spacer block  1907  further comprises a pair of side working edges, the side working edges formed as a pair of wings  1917  extending outwardly from the left side  1911  and right side  1912 , respectively, of the spacer block and forwardly from the front side of the spacer block. As discussed above, wings  1917  provide for additional sizing of the material being ground and help move (or push or carry) more material through the grates of the size reducing machine and into the conveyor in the same amount of time (as compared to spacer blocks without wings). This increased throughput improves efficiency of the size reducing machine. In some embodiments, wings  1917  may be partially, or substantially entirely, coated with a wear resistant coating to improve durability. 
       FIG.  20   a    is a top view,  FIG.  20   b    is a side view and  FIG.  20   c    is a front view of a bar hammer assembly with a winged hammer tip  2099 , the winged hammer tip having a production block  2000  and a spacer block  2007 . As shown in  FIGS.  20   a - 20   c   , production block  2000  comprises a body having a front side, a back side, a top working edge  2004  and an opening  2005  formed in the body and extending between the front side of the production block  2000  and the back side of the production block  2000 , the opening  2005  configured to receive a bolt  2006  to attach the production block  2000  to the hammer. 
     The spacer block  2007  comprises a body having a front side, a back side, a left side  2011 , a right side  2012  and an opening  2013  formed in the body and extending between the front side of the spacer block  2007  and the back side of the spacer block  2007 , the opening  2013  configured to receive a bolt  2014  to attach the spacer block  2007  to the hammer. 
     The production block  2000  and the spacer block  2007  each comprise a saddle back formed on their respective back sides and configured to engage with the hammer for releasable attachment thereto as described herein with respect to other embodiments. Also as described herein with respect to other embodiments of the production block and spacer block, the production block  2000  further comprises a lock pocket  2015 , the lock pocket  2015  formed as a recess along a width of the front side of the production block  2000 , and the spacer block  2007  comprises a lock ledge  2016 , the lock ledge  2016  formed as a ledge along a width of the back side of the spacer block  2007 . In this manner, the lock pocket  2015  of the production block  2000  is configured to matingly engage with the lock ledge  2016  of the spacer block  2007  when the production block  2000  and spacer block  2007  are attached to the hammer to hold the production block  2007  against the hammer and to prevent the production block  2007  from tilting away from the hammer when the top working edge  2004  of the production block  2007  is impacted by a grinding material. 
     In this embodiment of winged hammer tip  2099 , the spacer block  2007  further comprises a pair of side working edges, the side working edges formed as a pair of wings  2017  extending outwardly from the left side  2011  and right side  2012 , respectively, of the spacer block and forwardly from the front side of the spacer block. As discussed above, wings  2017  provide for additional sizing of the material being ground and help move (or push or carry) more material through the grates of the size reducing machine and into the conveyor in the same amount of time (as compared to spacer blocks without wings). This increased throughput improves efficiency of the size reducing machine. In some embodiments, wings  2017  may be partially, or substantially entirely, coated with a wear resistant coating to improve durability. 
     Although the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments and applications, persons skilled in the art can, in light of this teaching, generate additional embodiments without exceeding the scope or departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and description in this disclosure are provided to help the reader understand the invention, and do not limit the scope of the claims.