Patent ID: 12252862

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the security devices as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions and shapes of the various components will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments may be enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity or illustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the components illustrated in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the compaction wheel assemblies disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention. Other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

FIG.1illustrates an exemplary earth-moving equipment or machine10having a compaction wheel unit or assembly12according to the present invention secured thereto. The illustrated earth-moving equipment or machine10is an excavator but can alternatively be any other suitable type of earth-moving equipment or machine such as, for example but not limited to, a backhoe, a skid steer, and the like.

FIGS.2to7show the illustrated compaction wheel unit or assembly12according to the present invention. The illustrated compaction wheel assembly12includes a support structure14, a laterally-extending shaft16rotatable relative to the support structure14, a plurality of compaction wheels18spaced apart along the shaft16and fixed to the shaft16for rotation with the shaft16, and at least one bushing assembly20between the shaft16and the support structure14to support the rotating shaft16. The illustrated compaction wheel assembly12includes two of the bushing assemblies20axially spaced-apart along the shaft16(best seen inFIG.4). Each of the bushing assemblies20includes a pair of split bushings22encircling the shaft16, facing each other, and axially spaced-apart along the shaft16to form a gap or space24therebetween in the axial direction (best seen inFIG.3A). Each of the split bushings22has an upper bushing half26, a lower bushing half28, an upper bushing housing30, and a lower bushing housing32(best seen inFIG.4A). The upper and lower bushing housings30,32are removably secured together with the upper and lower bushing halves26,28therebetween to clamp the upper and lower bushing halves26,28about the shaft16. At least one first shim34is located between the upper and lower bushing housings30,32at a front side of the shaft16and at least one second shim36is located between the upper and lower bushing housings30,32at a rear side of the shaft16to space the upper and lower bushing housings30,32and the upper and lower bushing halves26,28to provide a desired clearance between the shaft16and the upper and lower bushing halves26,28. At least one of the first and second shims30,32includes a slot38configured for feeding grease to the axial space24between the split bushings22(best seen inFIGS.6and7). The upper and lower bushing housings30,32are secured to the support structure14(best seen inFIGS.4and4A).

The illustrated support structure14includes a pair of brackets40which upwardly extend from the upper bushing housings30on both lateral sides of the center compaction wheel52to a location above the compaction wheels48,50,52. The illustrated brackets14are secured to the upper bushing housings30by welds but can alternatively be secured in any other suitable manner. A horizontally-extending header plate42extends over each of the compaction wheels48,50,52and is secured to the top of the brackets40. The illustrated header plate42is secured to the brackets40by welds but can alternatively be secured in any other suitable manner. The illustrated header plate42is provided with bolt holes44configured to cooperate with an implement mounting structure46of the earth-moving machine10so that the header plate42can be removably bolted to the implement mounting structure46. It is noted that the support structure14can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

As best shown inFIGS.8to10A, the illustrated rotatable shaft16is elongate with a circular-shaped cross section and laterally extends through three spaced-apart compaction wheels48,50,52. First and second or outer compaction wheels48,50are located near the ends of the shaft16. A third or center compaction wheel52is centrally located on the shaft16. The illustrated compaction wheels48,50,52are secured to the shaft16by welds so that the compaction wheels48,50,52and the shaft16rotate together in unison but can alternatively be secured in any other suitable manner. The illustrated compaction wheels48,5052each have a wheel rim54with a wheel boss56secured to at center of the wheel rim54. The illustrated wheel boss56secured to the wheel rim54by welds so that the wheel rims54and the wheel bosses56rotate together in unison but can alternatively be secured in any other suitable manner. The wheel bosses56each have an opening58extending therethrough for closely receiving the shaft16. The rim bosses56have lengths which provide suitable spaces therebetween to cooperate with the bushing assemblies20as described in more detail below. The illustrated wheel boss56of the center compaction wheel52has a length greater than the wheel bosses56of the outer compaction wheels48,50so that the bushing assemblies20are generally equally space between the center of the shaft16and the ends of the shaft16. The illustrated compaction wheels48,50,52each have a plurality spaced-apart tamper feet60secured to the outer periphery the wheel rim54with equal spacing. The illustrated tamper feet60are secured to the wheel rims54by welds so that the wheel rims43and the tamper feet60rotate together in unison but can alternatively be secured in any other suitable manner. The tamper feet60are sized and shaped to engage and compact the ground as the compaction wheels48,50,52roll along the ground. It is noted that the shaft16and the compaction wheels48,50,52can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

The illustrated compaction wheel assembly12includes two of the bushing assemblies20. The first bushing assembly20is located at the shaft between the first outer compaction wheel48and the center compaction wheel52and the second bushing assembly20is located between the second outer compaction wheel50and the center compaction wheel52. It is noted that a fewer or greater number of compaction wheels,48,50,52can alternatively be utilized. It is also noted that a fewer or greater number of bushing assemblies20can be utilized depending on the number of compaction wheels48,50,52utilized.

The illustrated bushing assemblies20each include the first and second side-by-side split bushings22encircling the shaft.16Each of the first and second split bushings22has identical upper and a lower halves26,28(best shown inFIGS.11to13). Each of the split bushings22have a central opening62sized and shaped to closely receive the shaft16and an outer flange64that engages the adjacent wheel bosses56of the compaction wheels48,50,52which allows the split bushings22to take thrust loads and keeps the first and second split bushings22axially separated or spaced-apart along the shaft16to form the axial space or grease groove24therebetween. The illustrated bushing halves26,38also have a central inset or cavity66on the outer side of the flange64that provides clearance for the weld securing the compaction wheel boss56to the shaft16and also holds grease. It is noted that the split bushings halves26,28can alternatively have any other suitable configuration. The illustrated split bushing halves26,28comprise Dura bar which is a ductile cast iron that contains about 10% graphite and has a strength and ductility similar to steel. It is noted that the split bushing halves26,28can alternatively comprise any other suitable material or materials.

The upper and lower bushing housings30,32are removably secured together with the first and second split bushings22therebetween to clamp the first and second split bushings22about the shaft16.FIGS.14to16show the illustrated upper bushing housing30for the first bushing assembly20. It is noted that the illustrated lower bushing housing32is substantially the same as the upper bushing housing30except that it does not have a grease hole68as described in more detail below. It is also noted that the upper bushing housing30for the second bushing assembly20is substantially the same as the upper bushing housing30for the first bushing assembly20except that the grease hole68is located near the opposite side so that it is near the bracket40of the support structure14as described in more detail below. The illustrated upper and lower bushing housings30,32each have a central portion70sized and shaped to engage the outer surface of the first and second split bushings22and forward and rearward flanges72,74extending from the central portion70. The illustrated flanges72,74each have a pair of spaced apart fastener openings76so that hexbolts and locknuts can be utilized to secure the upper and lower housings30,32together with the first and second split bushings22therebetween to clamp the first and second split bushings22onto the shaft16. Clamped in this manner, the shaft16, along with the compaction wheels48,50,52secured thereto, can rotate within the split bushings22.

The least one first shim34is located between the forward flanges72of the upper and lower bushing housings30,32at a front side of the shaft16and the at least one second shim36is located between the rearward flanges74of the upper and lower bushing housings at a rear side of the shaft to space the upper and lower bushing housings and the upper and lowe30,32r halves of the first and second split bushings22to provide a desired clearance between the shaft16and the first and second split bushings22(best shown inFIGS.5to7). The thickness of the shims34,36is sized to provide the desired clearance between the split bushings22and the shaft16. Because the first and second shims3436extend partially between the split bushing halves26,28, the shims34,36also create a space or gap78in the vertical direction between the split busing halves26,28of both of the first and second split bushings22. The illustrated embodiment has a stack of three identical first shims34and a stack of three identical second shims36. It is noted that any other suitable quantity and/or configuration of the shims34,36can be utilized.

At least one of the first and second shims34,36includes the slot or cut out38configured for feeding grease to the axial space or grease gap24located between the first and second split bushings22. The illustrated first and second shims34,36are all identical to reduce the number of unique parts and thus reduce costs. However, it is noted that only the slots38in the first shims34are utilized in the illustrated embodiment because only the forward flanges72of the upper bushing housings30are provided with grease holes openings68. The illustrated slots38are generally Y-shaped extend outwardly from an inner edge of the shim34located at the axial space24between the first and second split bushings22and then splitting into two arms in generally opposite directions but stopping short of the outer edge of the shim34. The two arms of the slot38are sized and shaped to cooperate with the grease holes68in the upper bushing housing30. It is noted that in the illustrated embodiment, only one of the two arms of the slot38is utilized depending on whether it is located within the first or second bushing assembly20which have the grease holes68on opposite sides. It is noted that the slots38can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

As best shown inFIGS.17and18, a grease line or hose80is secured to the upper or outer end of the grease bole or opening68in the upper bushing housing30and extends up along the outer side of the carrier plate or bracket40and then angles forward to a location near the forward edge of the carrier plate or bracket40. An upper end of the grease line or hose80is provided with a grease fitting82. Grease protectors or covers84are provided over the grease line or hose80and secured to the carrier plate or bracket40to protect the grease line or hose80.

To provide grease to the first and second split bushings22, grease is injected through the fitting82at the top of the grease line or hose60. The grease passes downward through the grease line or hose80and out the lower end of the grease line or hose90and into the top or inlet of the grease hole68in the upper bushing hosing30. The grease then passes down through the grease hole68and out the bottom or outlet of the grease hole68and into the outer end of the slot38in the first shims34. The grease then passes through the slot38in the first shims34and into the gap24between the first and second split bushings22. Once within the gap24, the grease spreads with the gap24between the first and second split bushings22, within the gap78between the split bushings halves26,28, and within the cavity66between the split busing halves26,28and the shaft16and the compaction wheel bosses56. It is noted that the grease path can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

To replace the split bushings22once they are worn, first the bolts are removed from the upper and lower bushing housings30,32so that the lower bushing housings32can be removed. The shaft16, with the compaction wheels48,50,52still secured thereto, is then dropped from the upper busing housings30The split bushings22are then removed and replaced with new split bushings22. The components are then put back together in reverse order of the above description. Finally, grease is injected into the split bushings22as described above. It is noted that the outer compaction wheels48,50do not need to be removed from the shaft16in order to replace the worn split bushings22. Alternatively, when there is more than one of the shims34,36, a shim34,36can be removed to tighten the worn split bushings22on the shaft16instead replacing the worn split bushings.22

Any of the features or attributes of the above-described embodiments and variations can be used in combination with any of the other features and attributes of the above-described embodiments and variations as desired.

From the foregoing disclosure it will be apparent that the illustrated compaction wheel assembly provides lower cost of manufacturing and improved and lower cost maintenance.

From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the benefit to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.