Patent Description:
The present invention pertains to a wear part for use with earthmoving equipment comprising a connecter to facilitate the lifting of heavy loads, and in particular wear parts for earthmoving equipment.

In mining and construction, wear parts (e.g., teeth, shrouds, and blades) are commonly provided along the digging edge of excavating equipment such as buckets for dragline machines, cable shovels, face shovels, hydraulic excavators, graders, dozers, and the like. The wear parts protect the underlying equipment from undue wear and, in some cases, also perform other functions such as breaking up the ground ahead of the digging edge. During use, the wear parts typically encounter heavy loading and highly abrasive conditions. As a result, they must be periodically replaced.

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

These wear parts are heavy and cannot be easily lifted. New wear parts are typically designed with cast lifting eyes integrally connected to the wear parts. As the wear parts contact the material to be excavated the integral lifting eyes are worn away leaving no way to gain an attachment point on the worn wear part. To remove the worn wear part some operators simply let the parts fall to the ground when the lock is removed, or use a hammer to knock the wear part from the base if fines prevent the release of the components. The uncontrolled falling of the wear part and the use of a hammer subject the operators to risks. Moreover, the operators are still left with needing to move the wear parts from the ground to a discard pile or bin. Another common way to remove the worn wear parts is with a complex rigging arrangement using chains, straps, or other mechanisms to secure the wear part. However, during removal, the installer can still be in potential risk if the rigging arrangements are unsecure and slip or create pinch points. Additionally rigging arrangements that require chains, straps, or other mechanisms to go under the worn wear parts can be problematic when rigging is removed. Once the wear part is moved to the discard pile the rigging arrangements may be under the wear part requiring the operator roll or move the worn wear part to remove the rigging arrangement. Another alternative way to maneuver the worn wear part is to weld a lifting ring onto the part. This is not desirable because mobile welding equipment is needed at the machine site. Welding on site is prohibited at many mine sites as welding imposes a risk of injury. In addition, wear parts tend to be composed of very hard steel which requires a careful and time consuming process to achieve a high quality weld. If there is a poor weld the lifting eye may be separated from the wear part causing uncontrolled movement of the wear part. These kind of removal requirements increase the amount of downtime required to replace wear parts and decreases productivity.

The present invention pertains to a wear part according to claim <NUM>.

A wear part according to the preamble portion of claim <NUM> is disclosed in <CIT>.

However, thanks to the features of the characterizing portion of claim <NUM>, the wear part of the instant case is easier to manufacture than one with an integral lifting eye.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the lifting connector attached to the wear part has a head in the form of a ring and a base in the form of a shank with threads to form a positive engagement with complementary threads on the wear part or an insert or collar secured to the wear part.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the connector has a recess in the base for housing a biased latching tooth to secure the connector in a locked position to maintain the head in a preferred orientation.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the connecter gives haptic and audible feedback once the connecter is properly engaged with the wear part.

To gain an improved understanding of the advantages and features of the invention, reference may be made to the following descriptive matter and accompanying figures that describe and illustrate various configurations and concepts related to the invention.

The present invention pertains to a wear part for use with earthmoving equipment comprising a connecter to facilitate the lifting of heavy parts by a lifting device. The lifting device may be, for example, a hoist. a crane, a robot, or other known lifting devices used to lift wear parts. The inventive aspects of the present invention are described in this application in relation to a lifting eye for use with a worn wear part used for earth working equipment. Further, in this application, relative terms are at times used, such as front, rear, up, down, horizontal, vertical, etc., for ease of the description. Nevertheless, these terms are not considered absolute; the orientation of a lifting eye can change considerably depending on the part to be lifted. These relative terms should be understood with reference to the orientation of connector <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> unless otherwise stated. In all figures, like components use similar numbering.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention shown in <FIG>, lifting connector <NUM> includes a head <NUM> and a base <NUM>. In one example, connector <NUM> is in the form of a lifting eye and base <NUM> is in the form of a shank (<FIG>). Head <NUM> comprises a load bearing ring <NUM> extending upward from base <NUM> for receipt of and connecting to approved rigging (not shown). The load bearing ring <NUM> allows the installer to utilize various approved forms of rigging for maneuvering the wear part quickly and safely without complex rigging arrangements. The ring <NUM> could be replaced with other rigging engaging elements such as a plate with a hole, a c-shaped loop with a spring loaded gate, a threaded socket, or an adapter that can be gripped by or otherwise secured to the lifting device.

Base <NUM> extends downward from head <NUM>. Preferably a securement mechanism in the form of threads <NUM>, or another means for positively engaging the wear part, extend along the length of base <NUM>. Threads may extend the entire length of base <NUM> or along only a portion of the base <NUM>. In this embodiment, L shaped recess <NUM> is located near the end of the thread on connecter <NUM> at the bottom of head <NUM> (as seen in <FIG>) though other locations are possible. Recess <NUM> opens in one side of threads <NUM> as can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, Recess <NUM> is oriented just offset from the central plane of the ring as can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG> but it could have other orientations. A latching detent <NUM> is placed in recess <NUM> and biased to protrude beyond the surrounding threads <NUM> (<FIG>, and <FIG>).

Latching detent <NUM> includes a body <NUM>, a U-shaped base <NUM>, and a step <NUM>. Detent <NUM> is preferably held in place within recess <NUM> of base <NUM> with an interference fit Alternatively detent <NUM> may be held in place within recess <NUM> with an elastomer (e.g., rubber member), adhesive, mechanical connecter, or other means (not shown). Base <NUM> of latching detent <NUM> is bent into a hook and is received in the narrow inner portion 362a of recess <NUM> (<FIG>). The hook Is slightly longer and flexes to bear against the inner portion 362a of recess <NUM>. This engagement keeps latching detent <NUM> in proper location relative to thread <NUM>. Step <NUM> supports the free end <NUM> of latching detent <NUM>, while allowing compression of latching detent <NUM> into recess <NUM>. The larger portion 362b of recess <NUM> provides a clearance for the inward flexing of detent <NUM>. A foam, silicone, or other kind of compressible elastomer (not shown) could be fit into the larger recess portion 362b, behind step <NUM> of detent <NUM> to avoid a fines build up resisting depression and/or to provide more outward bias. Detent <NUM> is preferably formed of sheet steel, but could be formed of other materials.

Wear parts in the form of points, intermediate adapters, adapters, shrouds, plates, and the like are cast or forged with a mounting configuration to facilitate its attachment to earthmoving equipment, and a wearable surface. Wear parts may have one or more holes <NUM> and, in this example, collars <NUM> within the wear part such as disclosed in <CIT>. In a preferred embodiment, collar <NUM> fits in hole <NUM> of a wear part and includes a bore or opening <NUM> with a securement mechanism <NUM> in the form of threads for receiving complementary threads <NUM> of lock <NUM>, but other securement mechanisms besides threads are possible. Hole <NUM> and collar <NUM> may be in a wear member <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>), an intermediate adapter <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>), an adapter, shroud (<FIG>), or other wear part. The collars <NUM> may be installed in the wear part at the time of manufacture so that they remain secured to the wear part throughout the life of the wear part or they may be installed in the wear part when the part is installed on the excavating equipment. The collar could be a part of the lock provided to releasably hold the wear part to the base or could be a component separate from any lock. The collar could alternatively be omitted and threads or partial threads formed in hole <NUM>. Holes <NUM> are adapted to receive a lock to secure the wear member to the earthmoving equipment.

In addition to hole <NUM>, wear parts may contain one or more holes <NUM> specifically provided for receiving a mechanical lifting connector. Hole <NUM> can be the same as hole <NUM> and could be fitted with a collar <NUM> or could have another securement mechanism (e.g., threads or partial threads) formed within hole <NUM>. The hole(s) receiving the locks <NUM> could be different from the hole(s) receiving the lifting connector <NUM> and the collars for receiving the lock to secure the wear member to the earthmoving equipment may be different than the collars used with the lifting connector <NUM>. A wear member with a hole to mechanically attach a lifting connector or lifting eye is easier to manufacture and cost less to manufacture than a wear member with an integral castor forged lifting eye. Often as wear members with integral cast lifting eyes are cast, the lifting eyes cool faster than the body of the wear part. This can lead to a variety of casting quality problems. In one example, shroud <NUM> has one retainer keyway <NUM> for receiving a lock and one hole e <NUM> for receiving a collar <NUM> and mechanical lifting connector <NUM> (<FIG>). Collar <NUM> Is similar to collar <NUM> which is discussed below. Connector <NUM> can be used along with approved rigging equipment and a lifting device to maneuver the wear part onto excavating equipment as will be discussed below.

Connector <NUM> is positively secured to a wear part utilizing preexisting holes <NUM> and/or <NUM> {<FIG>). In this example, collars <NUM> within the wear part fit in holes <NUM> and/or <NUM> of wear member <NUM> and includes a bore or opening <NUM> with threads <NUM> for receiving complementary threads <NUM> of connecter <NUM> (<FIG> and 9J16), but other securement mechanism are possible. Single or multiple lifting eyes and rigging equipment can be used to manipulate the wear member <NUM>, intermediate adapter <NUM>, adapter, shroud <NUM>, and the like. The collar could alternatively be omitted and could be a component of the lifting eye if not already in the wear part. Alternatively, the base could be configured to be secured in the hole in the same way as the collar.

In use, locking pin <NUM> is removed from the wear part and connecter <NUM> is installed in the former location of locking pin <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). If two locks are used, one lock is preferably changed at a time as discussed below. Utilizing the existing hole <NUM> and collar <NUM> helps ensure that the lifting eye will be installed in an area protected from wear so that base <NUM> can be securely connected to the wear part in a location that will provide adequate strength for lifting. Utilizing an existing hole where the lock was located also minimizes the amount of fines cleanout needed for installation of connecter <NUM> and maintains minimal holes in the wear part that might weaken the strength during normal operation. However, another hole on the wear part could be specifically designed for receipt of the lifting eye. Connector <NUM> is installed into collar <NUM> within the wear part from outside the wear part so that base end <NUM> is the leading end and securement mechanism <NUM> engages securement mechanism <NUM> (i.e., threads <NUM> of connector <NUM> engage collar threads <NUM>).

A latching formation in the form of an outer pocket or recess <NUM> is preferably formed in the thread <NUM> of collar <NUM> to receive detent <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, the recess may be the connector <NUM> and the detent may be in the collar. As connector <NUM> reaches an end of travel within collar <NUM> there is a noticeable "click" or "thunk" as detent <NUM> is engaged in outer pocket <NUM>. The "click" provides audible and haptic feedback to a user that helps a user determine that connector <NUM> is fully latched in the proper service position. This audible feedback results in more reliable installations using the present combined collar and lifting eye, because an operator is trained to easily identify the audible feedback as verification that connector <NUM> is in the desired position to maneuver the wear member <NUM>. Unlike traditional threaded lifting eyes, the use of a detent <NUM> enables connector <NUM> to stop at a fixed position with a predetermined orientation relative to collar <NUM>. Further, the latching formation maintains the connector in a preferred orientation so that if the wear part spins while secured to the lifting device the latching formation of connector <NUM> ensures that the wear part does not rotate or otherwise become separated from the connector (i.e., the latching formation prevents the connector <NUM> from rotating further into or out of the collar <NUM> as the wear part is lifted with the lifting device). Detent <NUM> also keeps connector <NUM> outside of hole <NUM> with sufficient clearance, so that the wear part can be removed (and installed). Other kinds of detents could be used that latch in other ways such as to engage the inner wall of the wear member cavity, Once connector <NUM> is fully latched in the proper service position, approved forms of rigging are attached to head <NUM> and connected to lifting equipment. The lifting equipment can maneuver the wear part onto or off of the earthmoving equipment in a controlled manner without the fear of connector <NUM> disengaging or shifting significantly in the wear part.

The above is a preferred embodiment of the invention. Other arrangements are possible. Other embodiments can include bases that have wear part engagement means with bearing surfaces besides threads. For example, the base can have other latches, jaws, flanges, or the like that positively engage and grip the preformed hole in the wear part and/or the surfaces adjacent the hole such that the connector is firmly held to the wear part to be removed or installed if there Is no pre-existing lifting eye. The base could include grips that engage the inner wall of the wear part and pull a rim against the outer surface of the wear part (or vice versa). The base could include projections that fit within recesses In the wear part The base could include grips that press outward against the peripheral wall of the hole, These are but examples and other arrangements could be used to positively engage the wear part.

In an alternative embodiment (<FIG> and <FIG>), connector <NUM> is similar In many ways to connector <NUM> with many of the same benefits and purposes. The following discussion focuses on the differences and does not repeat all the similarities that apply to connecter <NUM>. Connector <NUM> is primarily used during the removal of a wear assembly but in some cases may be used for installing a wear assembly as well. Lifting connector <NUM> includes a head <NUM><NUM> and a base <NUM>. In one example, connector <NUM> is in the form of a lifting eye and base <NUM> is in the form of a shank (<FIG> and <FIG>). Head <NUM><NUM> comprises a load bearing ring <NUM> extending upward from base <NUM> for receipt of and connecting to approved rigging for lifting equipment (not shown).

Base <NUM> extends downward from head <NUM><NUM>. Preferably threads <NUM>, or another means for positively engaging the wear part, extend along the length of base <NUM>. Threads may extend the entire length of base <NUM> or along only a portion of the base <NUM>. In this embodiment, a tower portion <NUM> of base <NUM> Is designed to extend into hole <NUM> to prevent removal of the wear member (like the designed lock for the wear member) so that a wear member and an intermediate adapter can be removed together as one piece. The threads define bearing surfaces that engage complementary threads in the hole in the wear part. The threads and the detent or latch cooperate to releasably hold the lifting connector in a generally immovable position with respect to the wear part. Connecter <NUM> could also be used in conjunction with connecter <NUM> to remove a wear member <NUM> and an intermediate adapter <NUM> (<FIG>), an intermediate adapter and adapter, or other combinations of wear parts.

In an alternative embodiment (<FIG>), connector <NUM> is similar in many ways to connector <NUM> with many of the same benefits and purposes. Connector <NUM> is primarily used during the installation of a wear part but in some cases may be used for removing a wear part as well. Connecter <NUM> includes a head <NUM> and a base <NUM>. In one example, lifting connecter <NUM> Is in the form of a lifting eye with a shank (<FIG>). Head <NUM><NUM> comprises a load bearing ring <NUM> extending upward from base <NUM> for receipt of and connecting to approved rigging. In one example, the load bearing ring <NUM> contains protrusions <NUM> on the front and rear of the connector. In this embodiment, one protrusion <NUM> faces the digging edge and one protrusion <NUM><NUM> faces the attachment end of the wear part. Protrusions <NUM> are designed to give a smooth transition between connecter <NUM> and the wear member when the parts are assembled to ease the flow of material into, for example, an excavating bucket. This embodiment is particularly useful when the connector is used to install the wear part onto the excavating equipment.

Base <NUM> extends downward from head <NUM>. Preferably threads <NUM>, or another means for positively engaging the wear part, extend along the length of base <NUM>. In this embodiment, base end <NUM> contains hole <NUM> extending upward along axis <NUM>. Hole <NUM> could be any number of various shapes such as square, rectangular, hexagonal, cross, and the like. Hole <NUM> could be filled with a means to prevent fines from entering the hole once head <NUM> is worn away as will be discussed below. Alternatively, base <NUM> may have a blind hole or a through-hole extending along axis <NUM>. The blind hole may extend upward from base end <NUM> or the blind hole may extend downward from ring <NUM> of head <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment (<FIG>), a plug <NUM> is similar in many ways to connecter <NUM> with many of the same benefits and purposes. Plug <NUM> includes a head <NUM> and a base <NUM>. Plug <NUM> minimizes the amount of fines that can enter holes <NUM> and/or <NUM> when a connector or locking pin is not in use. In one example, head <NUM> has a fiat surface <NUM> and base <NUM> is in the form of a shank (<FIG>). Head <NUM> may have a blind hole extending down from fiat surface <NUM>. The blind hole could be any number of various shapes such as square, rectangular, hexagonal, cross, and the like for inserting a tool for installation and removal of the plug. Plug <NUM> could be made out of various materials and could, for example, be plastic, metal, or a resilient member.

Base <NUM> extends downward from head <NUM>. Preferably threads <NUM>, or another means for positively engaging the wear part, extend along the length of base <NUM>. In this embodiment, base end <NUM> contains a blind hole or through-hole <NUM>. Blind hole <NUM> could be any number of various shapes such as square, rectangular, hexagonal, cross, and the like. Blind hole <NUM> could be filled with a means to prevent fines from entering the hole once head <NUM><NUM> is worn away as will be discussed below.

In some embodiments the wear part will not be provided with a collar that is integrally installed as a part of the wear part. In this case, a mechanical connector <NUM> may be an assembly comprising a lifting component <NUM> and a collar <NUM> for securing the lifting component to the wear part (<FIG>). In this embodiment, the wear p artis shown as an adapter <NUM>. The lifting component <NUM> is similar to connector <NUM> having many of the same features and benefits. Depending on the application, in alternative embodiments, the lifting component <NUM> may be similar to connector <NUM> or <NUM> having all of the same features and benefits (not shown).

Collar <NUM> includes a bore or opening <NUM> with a securement mechanism <NUM>. In the example shown, the securement mechanism in the form of threads for receiving complementary threads <NUM> on the lifting component. Collar <NUM> also includes a protrusion <NUM> for engaging a sloped wall <NUM> adjacent hole <NUM> in wear member <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> prevents the collar from spinning, In alternative embodiments, the collar <NUM> may be similar to collar <NUM>.

To install connecter <NUM> collar <NUM> is first placed in hole <NUM> in the wear member so that protrusion <NUM> abuts sloped wall <NUM>. Next, the lifting component <NUM> is installed in the collar <NUM> so that threads <NUM> on the lifting component engage the threads <NUM> on the collar. Lifting component <NUM> is rotated until the latching detent <NUM> of the lifting component <NUM> engages the latching formation <NUM> of the collar <NUM>. At this point the lifting connector <NUM> is secured to the wear part with the head <NUM> of the lifting component <NUM> secured in a preferred orientation.

In use, the various connectors disclosed can be used alone or in conjunction with each other to install and remove wear members, intermediate adapters, adapters, shrouds, plates and the like. The wear parts can be removed individually or in partial assemblies. In addition the mechanical lifting connectors may be installed in the wear parts at the time of manufacture so that it can be shipped, stored, and installed as an integral unit with the wear part, i.e., with the lifting connector maintained in the preferred orientation so that the wear part is ready to be lifted with the mechanical lifting connecter. Such a construction reduces inventory and storage needs, and eases the installation of the wear part. Nevertheless, if desired, the lifting connecter could be shipped separately from the wear part.

In one example, connector <NUM> (or <NUM>, or <NUM>) could be installed into a hole <NUM> in wear part <NUM> specifically designed for receipt of the connector or into the hole provided for the lock. Wear part <NUM> is lifted by attaching connecter <NUM> to approved rigging equipment and to a lifting device. In this example, a wear part <NUM> in the form of a point or tip is maneuvered onto intermediate adapter <NUM>. Preferably, while wear part <NUM> is still secured to connector <NUM> (i.e., in hole <NUM>) and the approved rigging equipment, locking pin <NUM> is installed in hole <NUM> of wear part <NUM> until locking pin <NUM> is fully engaged with intermediate adapter <NUM>.

In another example, wear part <NUM> and intermediate adapter <NUM> are installed and removed as an assembly. Wear part <NUM> and intermediate adapter <NUM> are assembled and secured with one or more locking pins <NUM>. Alternatively in some cases, connector <NUM> could be used in place of locking pin <NUM> to connect a wear assembly for installation and removal. One or more connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> are installed into preformed hales in wear part <NUM>. Preferably, two or more connectors <NUM> and/or <NUM> are installed into locking holes <NUM> on intermediate adapter <NUM>. The wear part <NUM> and intermediate adapter <NUM> secured together by locking pins <NUM> or lifting connectors <NUM> are lifted as an assembly with connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM>, approved rigging, and a lifting device. The assembled wear parts are maneuvered to a nose or adapter secured to the lip of a bucket. The intermediate adapter is slid onto the nose or adapter. Preferably, while the wear parts are still secured to lifting equipment, one connector <NUM> or <NUM> is removed from the intermediate adapter and a locking pin <NUM> is installed in its place (i.e., the same securement mechanism of the wear part is utilized to hold the lifting connecter <NUM> or <NUM> within hole <NUM> and utilized to hold the lock <NUM> within hole <NUM>; similarly, the same latching formation within the hole <NUM> of the wear part Is utilized to maintain the connector <NUM> or <NUM> in the proper service position and utilized to maintain lock <NUM> in the proper install and lock positions). Once one locking pin <NUM> secures intermediate adapter <NUM> to the nose or adapter the remaining connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> can be systematically removed one at a time and additional locking pins <NUM> can be installed in their place. In this way the wear part Is always secured during the installation process reducing the likelihood that intermediate adapter <NUM> will fall off the adapter or wear member <NUM> will fall off intermediate adapter <NUM> prior to the locking pins being installed. The removal process for dissembling wear member <NUM> and intermediate adapter <NUM> from the adapter is similar to the installation process but in reverse order.

In same cases, after the wear parts have been assembled connector <NUM> is not removed. Leaving connector <NUM> installed in the wear part helps minimizes the amount of fines that can enter the hale. As the wear parts contact the ground the head <NUM> of connector <NUM> is warn away so that hole <NUM> becomes accessible with a tool. as can be seen in <FIG> which illustrates wear member <NUM> with a worn connector <NUM>. In the case where hole <NUM> is a blind hole extending from the base end <NUM> inward toward the head (not shown), the connector is worn down until the hole is exposed,.

A tool that matches the shape of hole <NUM> is used to remove the worn connector <NUM>. A new connector such as connector <NUM> or <NUM> can be installed into the hole within the wear part and connected to approved rigging and a lifting device. The lock securing the wear parts Is removed. The wear part connected to the lifting device is separated and removed from the wear part secured to the excavating equipment.

Claim 1:
A wear part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for use with earthmoving equipment comprising a wearable surface (<NUM>), a mounting configuration to mount the wear part on the earthmoving equipment, and a lifting connector (<NUM>) mechanically attached to the wear part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the lifting connector (<NUM>) having a head (<NUM>) to facilitate connection with a lifting device and a base (<NUM>) to engage the wear member characterized by a hole (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) preformed in the wear part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the lifting connector base (<NUM>) secured in the hole.