Patent Description:
Machines such as wheel loaders, excavators, and the like employ work implement assemblies including bucket assemblies, rakes, shears, etc. that have teeth or tips attached to them to help perform work on a material such as dirt, rock, sand, etc. For example, teeth or tips may be attached to a bucket assembly to help the bucket assembly to penetrate the ground, facilitating the scooping of the dirt into a bucket. Adapters are often attached to the work edges (e.g. the base edge, the side edge, etc.) of the bucket or other work implement so that different styles of teeth or tips may be attached to the work implement. Also, the tips or teeth may be replaced easily when worn by providing a retaining mechanism that is used to selectively hold the tip onto the adapter or to allow the tip be removed from the adapter.

<CIT> discloses a wear assembly for use on various kinds of earth working equipment that includes a base with a supporting portion, a wear member with a cavity into which the supporting portion is received, and a lock to releasably secure the wear member to the base. The supporting portion is formed with the top and bottom recesses that receive complementary projections of the wear member. These recesses and projections include aligned holes so as to receive and position the lock centrally within the wear assembly and remote from the wear surface. The lock includes a mounting component that defines a threaded opening for receiving a threaded pin that is used to releasably hold the wear member to the base. A retaining clip is provided to prevent rotation of the mounting component.

However, the retaining clip in the `<NUM> patent does not solve all problems associated with the retaining mechanisms such as preventing the packing of mud or other material into the retaining mechanism, which may hinder its performance. Furthermore, the retaining clip in the `<NUM> may increase the force necessary to unlock the retaining mechanism to an undesirable extent, etc..

<CIT> discloses a ground engaging tool with a lock opening surface defining a lock opening extending from an interior surface, through the tool, to an exterior surface. The lock opening surface has a generally circular inner portion adjacent the interior surface, defining define a groove in the tool positioned circumferentially around the lock opening. <CIT> discloses a device for detachable fastening of two mechanical components. <CIT> discloses retainer systems for ground engaging tools. <CIT> discloses a ground-working apparatus.

The present disclosure provices a tip and adapter assembly according to the claims.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In some cases, a reference number will be indicated in this specification and the drawings will show the reference number followed by a letter for example, 100a, 100b or a prime indicator such as <NUM>', <NUM>"etc. It is to be understood that the use of letters or primes immediately after a reference number indicates that these features are similarly shaped and have similar function such as is often the case when geometry is mirrored about a plane of symmetry. For ease of explanation in this specification, letters or primes will often not be included herein but may be shown in the drawings to indicate duplications of features discussed within this written specification.

A work implement assembly using tips according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussed.

Starting with <FIG>, the work implement assembly <NUM> may take the form of a bucket assembly <NUM>' that may be used by a wheel loader and that includes an enclosure <NUM> that defines an opening <NUM> that communicates with a generally enclosed interior. Starting from the rear of the bucket assembly <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the bucket assembly <NUM> includes a curved shell profile <NUM>, which is attached to a rear wall <NUM> at the top end of the shell <NUM>. The other end of the shell is attached to the bottom plate <NUM> of the assembly <NUM>. A top plate <NUM> is attached to the top end of the rear wall <NUM>. The top plate <NUM> transitions to a spill guard <NUM> that is designed to funnel material into the interior of the bucket and prevent material from spilling out of the bucket. Reinforcing ribs <NUM> are provided that are attached to the top plate <NUM> and the spill guard <NUM>, providing reinforcement for strength. Two substantially flat end plates <NUM> are attached to the side edges of the spill guard <NUM>, top plate <NUM>, rear wall <NUM>, bottom plate <NUM> and shell <NUM>.

A side edge assembly <NUM> is attached to each end plate <NUM> while a front edge assembly <NUM> is attached to the front edge of the bottom plate <NUM> of the bucket assembly <NUM>. The front edge assembly <NUM> includes a base edge <NUM> that is attached to the bottom plate <NUM>, a plurality of center adapters <NUM> attached to the base edge <NUM>, and a plurality of tips <NUM> (may also be referred to as tools, teeth, etc.) with each one of the plurality of tips <NUM> being attached to one of the plurality of center adapters <NUM>. Also, two corner adapters <NUM> are also attached to the base edge and the side edges <NUM> of the bucket assembly <NUM>'. Tip <NUM> may also be attached to the corner adapters <NUM>.

Moreover, a plurality of base edge protectors <NUM> are also provided with each one of the base edge protectors <NUM> positioned between center adapters <NUM> and between a center adapter <NUM> and a corner adapter <NUM>. A side edge protector <NUM> is also provided that is attached to the side edge <NUM> proximate to a corner adapter <NUM>.

It is to be understood that the work implement assembly may take other forms other than a bucket assembly including rake assemblies, shear assemblies, etc. In addition, a differently configured bucket that is meant to be used by an excavator may also use various embodiments of a tip, retaining mechanism, adapter, spring, spring loaded retainer, tip assembly, and tip and adapter assembly, etc. as will be discussed herein.

A tip <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> that may be used with a spring loaded retainer <NUM> and a spring <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Starting with <FIG>, the tip <NUM> may comprise a body <NUM> that defines a longitudinal axis <NUM>, a vertical axis <NUM> that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis <NUM>, and a lateral axis <NUM> that is perpendicular to the vertical axis <NUM>, and the longitudinal axis <NUM>. The body <NUM> may include a forward working portion <NUM> disposed along the longitudinal axis <NUM> including a closed end <NUM>, and a rear attachment portion <NUM> disposed along the longitudinal axis <NUM> including an open end <NUM>. As best seen in <FIG>, the body <NUM> may define a vertical plane of symmetry <NUM>. This may not be the case in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Focusing on <FIG>, the rear attachment portion <NUM> defines an exterior surface <NUM>, an adapter nose receiving pocket <NUM> extending longitudinally from the open end <NUM>, and a retaining mechanism receiving aperture <NUM> in communication with the adapter nose receiving pocket <NUM> and the exterior surface <NUM>. An adapter nose lug receiving groove <NUM> may extend longitudinally from the open end <NUM> to the retaining mechanism receiving aperture <NUM>. At least one spring receiving slot <NUM> may be in communication with the retaining mechanism receiving aperture <NUM> and the adapter nose receiving pocket <NUM>.

Looking at <FIG>, the at least one spring receiving slot <NUM> includes a spring base receiving portion <NUM> extending laterally from the adapter nose receiving pocket <NUM> and terminating at a vertical face <NUM>. Also, a spring arm receiving portion <NUM> may extend vertically from the spring base receiving portion <NUM> and terminate laterally at a first vertical surface <NUM> disposed laterally between the adapter nose receiving pocket <NUM> and the vertical face <NUM>. The spring arm receiving portion <NUM> may also terminate laterally at a second vertical surface <NUM> disposed laterally between the first vertical surface <NUM> and the vertical face <NUM> of the adapter nose receiving pocket <NUM>.

The body <NUM> may define an upper vertical extremity <NUM> of the retaining mechanism receiving aperture <NUM>, and a lower vertical extremity <NUM> of the retaining mechanism receiving aperture <NUM>. The at least one spring receiving slot <NUM> may be disposed proximate to the upper vertical extremity <NUM> or the lower vertical extremity <NUM>. In some embodiments such as shown in <FIG>, two such slots are provided with one at the upper vertical extremity and one at the lower vertical extremity.

In some embodiments, the at least one spring receiving slot <NUM> may be disposed proximate to the lower vertical extremity <NUM>. The body <NUM> may include a lead-in surface <NUM> (e.g. a fillet or a chamfer, etc.) extending from the adapter nose receiving pocket <NUM> to the spring base receiving portion <NUM> of the at least one spring receiving slot <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the retaining mechanism receiving aperture <NUM> includes a first cylindrical portion <NUM> extending from the exterior surface <NUM>, a second cylindrical portion <NUM> extending from the adapter nose receiving pocket <NUM> to the first cylindrical portion <NUM>. Hence, the adapter nose receiving pocket <NUM> is in communication with the exterior of the tip <NUM> through the retaining mechanism receiving aperture <NUM>. For the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the first cylindrical portion <NUM> defines a first cylindrical portion radius <NUM>, and the second cylindrical portion <NUM> defines a second cylindrical portion radius <NUM> that is greater than first cylindrical portion radius <NUM>, forming the vertical face <NUM>. Other configurations are possible in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Next, referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, a tip assembly <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be discussed. The tip assembly <NUM> may comprise a tip <NUM> that is configured similarly to what has just been previously described herein. In addition, looking at <FIG>, <FIG>, the tip assembly <NUM> may comprise a spring loaded retainer <NUM> that is disposed in the retaining mechanism receiving aperture <NUM>. The spring loaded retainer <NUM> may be configured to be accessible from the exterior surface <NUM> so that a user may use a tool to drive or rotate the spring loaded retainer from an unlocked to a locked configuration, or vice versa. A spring <NUM> may be disposed in the at least one spring receiving slot <NUM> such that the spring <NUM> is interposed vertically between the body <NUM> of the tip <NUM> and the spring loaded retainer <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the spring <NUM> may also include a flange portion <NUM> disposed laterally between spring loaded retainer <NUM> and the adapter nose receiving pocket <NUM>, helping to keep the spring loaded retainer <NUM> properly retained in the tip <NUM>. Also, the spring <NUM> may include at least one spring arm <NUM> vertically disposed in the spring arm receiving portion <NUM> of the at least one spring receiving slot <NUM>, and laterally proximate to the first vertical surface <NUM>. Hence, the spring <NUM> is biased to be held in position while also holding the spring loaded retainer <NUM> in position. A base <NUM> may be disposed in the spring base receiving portion <NUM> of the at least one spring receiving slot <NUM>. The base <NUM> may contact the spring loaded retainer <NUM>, helping to take up any stack up tolerances between the spring loaded retainer <NUM> and the tip <NUM>, and to cause resistance from unintentionally rotating the spring loaded retainer <NUM>, etc. The spring arm receiving portion <NUM> also terminates laterally at a second vertical surface <NUM> disposed laterally between the first vertical surface <NUM> and the vertical face <NUM> of the adapter nose receiving pocket <NUM>, and the at least one spring arm <NUM> is disposed laterally proximate to the second vertical surface <NUM>, helping to prevent movement of the spring <NUM> toward the exterior of the tip <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the base <NUM> of the spring <NUM> may be spaced laterally away from the vertical face <NUM> a predetermined distance <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. This distance may be varied to be different in other embodiments of the present disclosure, or the base <NUM> may contact the vertical face <NUM> in other embodiments of the present disclosure such as when the second vertical surface <NUM> is coextensive with the vertical face <NUM>.

The at least one spring receiving slot <NUM> may take the form of a first spring receiving slot <NUM>' disposed proximate to the lower vertical extremity <NUM> of the retaining mechanism receiving aperture <NUM>. The at least one spring <NUM> may include a first spring <NUM>' that is disposed in the first spring receiving slot <NUM>' disposed proximate to the lower vertical extremity <NUM>. The body <NUM> of the tip <NUM> may include a lead-in surface <NUM> extending from the adapter nose receiving pocket <NUM> to the spring base receiving portion <NUM> of the at least one spring receiving slot <NUM>.

A second spring receiving slot <NUM>" may be disposed proximate to the upper vertical extremity <NUM>, and a second spring <NUM>" may be disposed in the second spring receiving slot <NUM>" that also contacts the spring loaded retainer <NUM>.

The first spring <NUM>' may be identical to the second spring <NUM>" but not necessarily so. Likewise, the first spring receiving slot <NUM>' may be similarly configured as the second spring receiving slot <NUM>'. That is to say, the slots are virtually identical except that they are bounded by an angled surface <NUM> forming the adapter nose receiving pocket so that the second spring receiving slot looks slightly different than the first spring receiving slot. This may not be the case in other embodiments and the configurations of the various springs and their associated slots may be tailored as needed to be different than what is shown in <FIG> for other applications, etc..

For example, in <FIG>, the spring loaded retainer <NUM> includes a first flat <NUM> and the base <NUM> of the spring <NUM> contacts the first flat <NUM> of the spring loaded retainer <NUM>. Furthermore, the spring loaded retainer <NUM> may include a second flat <NUM> and the second spring <NUM>" may contact the second flat <NUM>. In such an embodiment, <FIG> illustrates how the springs <NUM>', <NUM>" may be assembled into the tip <NUM> by rotating the spring loaded retainer <NUM> so that its flats <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned at the top and bottom positions. So, interference between the springs <NUM>', <NUM>" and the spring loaded retainer <NUM> is minimized, reducing the amount of assembly force necessary.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate that when two springs <NUM>', <NUM>" are used with a spring loaded retainer <NUM> having only one flat <NUM>, it is easier to assemble one spring <NUM>' after the flat <NUM> is aligned with the slot into which the spring is going to be inserted. Once the first spring <NUM>' is properly assembled, then the spring loaded retainer <NUM> is rotated so that the flat <NUM> is oriented with the opposite slot, easing the assembly of the second spring <NUM>" into that slot, or vice versa.

<FIG> show an embodiment where only a single spring <NUM> and flat <NUM> on the spring loaded retainer <NUM> are used. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a spring <NUM> contacting a spring loaded retainer <NUM> tangentially such as shown on the right side of <FIG>, while <FIG> illustrates the movement of the spring <NUM>, contacting the flat <NUM> of the spring loaded retainer <NUM> such as shown on the left side of <FIG>. When assembling the embodiment shown in <FIG>, it is easiest to have the flat <NUM> oriented as shown in <FIG>. Arrow <NUM> indicates that spring arm movement causes the spring <NUM> to be trapped in the slot <NUM>'.

Looking at <FIG> and <FIG>, various features of a spring loaded retainer <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described. The spring loaded retainer <NUM> may comprise a lug receiving portion <NUM> defining a first maximum outside dimension <NUM>, and a lug receiving slot <NUM> that extends partially through the lug receiving portion <NUM>, forming a first sidewall <NUM>, a second sidewall <NUM>', and a catch surface <NUM> (so called as it contacts or nearly contacts the lug of the adapter in use) connecting the first sidewall <NUM> to the second sidewall <NUM>'. The spring loaded retainer <NUM> may also include a drive portion <NUM> defining a second maximum outside dimension <NUM>. A first flat <NUM> may be disposed on the outside of the lug receiving portion <NUM> proximate to the first sidewall <NUM> or the second sidewall <NUM>'.

More particularly when looking at <FIG>, the lug receiving portion <NUM> may include a lug receiving cylindrical portion <NUM> including an outside cylindrical surface <NUM> defining a radial direction <NUM>, a circumferential direction <NUM>, and a cylindrical axis <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the first maximum outside dimension <NUM> may take the form of an outside cylindrical surface diameter <NUM> (see also <FIG>). Also, and the drive portion <NUM> may include a drive cylindrical portion <NUM>, and the second maximum outside dimension <NUM> may take the form of a drive cylindrical portion diameter <NUM> that is less than the outside cylindrical surface diameter <NUM> of the lug receiving cylindrical portion <NUM>. The configurations of these features may be something other than cylindrical in other embodiments such as conical, etc..

Still referring to <FIG>, the first flat <NUM> may be disposed on the outside cylindrical surface <NUM>, and may be circumferentially aligned with the first sidewall <NUM> as shown. Optionally, the spring loaded retainer <NUM> may further comprise a second flat <NUM> disposed on the outside cylindrical surface <NUM> that is also circumferentially aligned with the second sidewall <NUM>'. A stop projection <NUM> may extend axially away from the drive portion <NUM> that is circumferentially aligned with the first flat <NUM>. Other configurations are possible.

Turning now to <FIG>, a spring <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be discussed.

<FIG> shows that the manufacture of the spring <NUM> may start with a flat pattern <NUM> made from a metal (e.g. spring steel) that is bent via a progressive stamping die process or similar fabrication technique into the desired final shape. The flat pattern <NUM> is shown with bend regions <NUM> indicated that are turned by the folding process into the various arcuate portions of the spring <NUM> as will now be described.

In <FIG>, the spring <NUM> may be turned into a folded body <NUM> including a flat base <NUM>' defining a front face <NUM>, a rear face <NUM>, a first side edge <NUM>, a second side edge <NUM>, a top edge <NUM>, a bottom edge <NUM>, and a flat base thickness <NUM> (minimum dimension, see <FIG>) measured from the front face <NUM> to the rear face <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>.

A first spring arm <NUM> may extend from the first side edge <NUM> of the flat base <NUM>'. As best seen in <FIG>, the first spring arm <NUM> may include a first arcuate portion <NUM> extending rearwardly from the flat base <NUM>', and a first straight portion <NUM> extending from the first arcuate portion <NUM> that is disposed proximate to the rear face <NUM>. That is to say the first spring arm <NUM> is first folded toward the flat base <NUM>'. The first straight portion <NUM> may define a first external obtuse angle <NUM> with the rear face <NUM> ranging from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees, and a first straight portion length <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. Other configurations and dimensions are possible for any of these features in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the spring <NUM> may further comprise a second arcuate portion <NUM> extending rearwardly from the first straight portion <NUM>, and a second straight portion <NUM> extending from the second arcuate portion <NUM> that is disposed proximate to the first straight portion <NUM>. The second straight portion <NUM> may define a second external obtuse angle <NUM> with the first straight portion <NUM> ranging from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees, and a second straight portion length <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. Hence, the first spring arm <NUM> extends along a first serpentine path from the flat base <NUM>'. Other configurations are possible.

The spring <NUM> may further comprise a third arcuate portion <NUM> extending forwardly from the second straight portion <NUM>, and a third straight portion <NUM> extending from the third arcuate portion <NUM> that is disposed proximate to the first arcuate portion <NUM>. The third straight portion <NUM> may define a first external acute angle <NUM> with the second straight portion <NUM> ranging from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees, and a third straight portion length <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. So, a downward ramp angled toward the outside of the spring is formed that may aid in installing the spring <NUM> into the tip.

<FIG> depicts that the flat base <NUM>' may define a midplane <NUM> disposed between the first side edge <NUM>, and the second side edge <NUM>. The spring <NUM> may be symmetrical about the midplane <NUM> such that a second spring arm may extend from the second side edge of the flat base, forming a second serpentine path. This may not be the base for other embodiments. For example, there may only be one spring arm provided or differently configured spring arms may be provided, etc..

As alluded to earlier herein, <FIG> show that the spring <NUM> may have a flange portion <NUM> extending from bottom edge <NUM> of the flat base <NUM>'. The flange portion <NUM> includes a flange arcuate portion <NUM> extending from the bottom edge <NUM>, and a flange straight portion <NUM> extending from flange arcuate portion <NUM>. The flange straight portion <NUM> defines a right angle <NUM> with the flat base <NUM>'. The flange straight portion <NUM> may define a flange straight portion length <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. Other configurations and dimensions are possible in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

In <FIG>, the folded body <NUM> may also define a first bend relief cutout <NUM> disposed along the first side edge <NUM> between the first spring arm <NUM>, and the bottom edge <NUM>. A second bend relief cutout <NUM> may also be disposed along the second side edge <NUM> between the second spring arm <NUM> and the bottom edge <NUM>.

Looking at <FIG>, the flat base <NUM>' may define a flat base vertical length <NUM> measured from the top edge <NUM> to the bottom edge <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. <NUM>, and a flat base horizontal width <NUM> measured from the first side edge <NUM> to the second side edge <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In <FIG>, an insert <NUM> may be disposed between the first and the second spring arms <NUM>, <NUM> and the flat base <NUM>', being pressed against the rear face <NUM> of the flat base <NUM>' by the first and the second spring arms <NUM>, <NUM>. The insert <NUM> may comprise at least one of the following materials: Cellasto®, rubber, and foam. If foam is employed, the foam may be bonded to the flat base <NUM>'. The insert <NUM> may help to prevent mud or other debris from infiltrating into the spring <NUM>, which may hinder its performance.

<FIG>, and <FIG> thru <FIG> show an adapter <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with features that may help prevent mud packing or other debris from infiltrating into the adapter nose receiving pocket of the tip after the tip has been assembled onto the adapter. While a version of the adapter shown in these figures is a center adapter, it is to be understood that the adapter may have other configurations including as a corner adapter, etc. Also, the adapter may define a midplane of symmetry as shown in the figures but not necessarily so in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, the adapter <NUM> may comprise a body <NUM> that includes a nose portion <NUM> including a lug <NUM> extending from the nose portion <NUM>. The body <NUM> may also include a first leg <NUM>, a second leg <NUM>, and a throat portion <NUM> that connects the legs <NUM>, <NUM> and the nose portion <NUM> together. The first and the second legs <NUM>, <NUM> and the throat portion <NUM> define a slot <NUM> that includes a closed end <NUM> and an open end <NUM>. Thus, the slot <NUM> defines a direction of assembly <NUM> onto a work implement, a lateral direction <NUM> that is perpendicular to the direction of assembly <NUM>, and a vertical direction <NUM> that is perpendicular to the direction of assembly <NUM> and the lateral direction <NUM>.

Focusing on <FIG> and <FIG>, the nose portion <NUM> may further include a rail <NUM> disposed behind the lug <NUM> along the direction of assembly <NUM>. The rail <NUM> may include a front arcuate surface <NUM> defining a front arcuate surface radius of curvature <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. The front arcuate surface <NUM> may be spaced away from the lug <NUM> a first minimum distance <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>.

As best seen in <FIG>, the rail <NUM> defines a lateral height <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, and a vertical width <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>.

As best seen in <FIG>, the rail <NUM> defines a rail length <NUM> along the direction of assembly <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, and includes a rear portion <NUM> with a rear blend <NUM> connecting the lug <NUM> to the throat portion <NUM>.

It is to be understood that the configuration and dimensions associated with these features may be varied to be different in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring again to <FIG>, a tip and adapter assembly <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be characterized as follows. The tip and adapter assembly <NUM> may comprise a tip <NUM> and an adapter <NUM> with similar or identical configurations as previously discussed herein. The tip and adapter assembly <NUM> may further includes a spring loaded retainer <NUM>, <NUM>' mounted on the lug (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

As best seen in <FIG>, the rail <NUM> may be spaced away from the spring loaded retainer <NUM>, <NUM>' a first minimum clearance distance <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. This may help to ensure that the spring loaded retainer is free to rotate as needed.

In <FIG>, it can be seen that the rail <NUM> may be spaced away from the tip <NUM> in the adapter nose lug receiving groove <NUM> of the tip <NUM> a second minimum clearance distance <NUM> ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. This may help to ensure that the tip can be installed onto the adapter without interference while also helping to limit mud packing or other debris from entering into the adapter nose receiving pocket of the tip.

Again, it should be noted that any of the dimensions, angles, surface areas and/or configurations of various features may be varied as desired or needed including those not specifically mentioned herein. Although not specifically discussed, blends such as fillets are shown to connect the various surfaces. These may be omitted in other embodiments and it is to be understood that their presence may be ignored sometimes when reading the present specification unless specifically mentioned.

In practice, a machine, a work implement assembly, a tip, an adapter, a tip assembly, a tip and adapter assembly, a spring, a spring loaded retainer, and/or any combination of these various assemblies and components may be manufactured, bought, or sold to retrofit a machine or a work implement assembly in the field in an aftermarket context, or alternatively, may be manufactured, bought, sold or otherwise obtained in an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) context.

Any of the aforementioned components may be made from any suitable material including iron, grey-cast iron, steel, spring steel, plastic, rubber, foam, etc..

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed assembly and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.

Claim 1:
A tip and adapter assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a tip (<NUM>) that includes a body (<NUM>) that defines a longitudinal axis (<NUM>), a vertical axis (<NUM>) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (<NUM>), and a lateral axis (<NUM>) that is perpendicular to the vertical axis (<NUM>) and the longitudinal axis (<NUM>), the body (<NUM>) including:
a forward working portion (<NUM>) disposed along the longitudinal axis (<NUM>) including a closed end (<NUM>); and
a rear attachment portion (<NUM>) disposed along the longitudinal axis (<NUM>) including an open end (<NUM>);
wherein the rear attachment portion (<NUM>) defines
an exterior surface (<NUM>);
an adapter nose receiving pocket (<NUM>) extending longitudinally from the open end (<NUM>);
a retaining mechanism receiving aperture (<NUM>) in communication with the adapter nose receiving pocket (<NUM>) and the exterior surface (<NUM>);
an adapter nose lug receiving groove (<NUM>) extending longitudinally from the open end (<NUM>) to the retaining mechanism receiving aperture (<NUM>); and
at least one spring receiving slot (<NUM>) that is in communication with the retaining mechanism receiving aperture (<NUM>) and the adapter nose receiving pocket (<NUM>); and
an adapter (<NUM>) that includes a body (<NUM>) comprising a nose portion (<NUM>) that is configured to fit within the adapter nose receiving pocket (<NUM>) of the tip (<NUM>);
characterised in that the at least one spring receiving slot (<NUM>) of the tip (<NUM>) includes a spring base receiving portion (<NUM>) extending laterally from the adapter nose receiving pocket (<NUM>) and terminating at a vertical face (<NUM>), and a spring arm receiving portion (<NUM>) extending vertically from the spring base receiving portion (<NUM>) and terminating laterally at a first vertical surface (<NUM>) disposed laterally between the adapter nose receiving pocket (<NUM>) and the vertical face (<NUM>).