TOOTH ASSEMBLY AND METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tooth assembly for construction machinery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Construction work machines, including, for example, skid steers, excavators, dozers, loaders, may be provided with a work tool in the form of a bucket, blade, or ripper outfitted with one or more teeth. For purposes of securing the teeth to the work tool, the teeth typically mate with an adaptor provided on the work tool. By way of example, a forward lower lip on a bucket may be provided with a series of adaptors and teeth that extend along the length of the lip.

During use, the teeth are subjected to abrasive wear, which requires that the teeth be replaced from time to time. Failure to timely replace the teeth may result in damage to the adaptors, which are generally more expensive to replace than just the teeth.

The present invention is directed at an improved tooth assembly for construction machinery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a tooth assembly for a construction work machine includes an adaptor, a locking body, and a tooth. The adaptor is provided with a tooth interface that defines a tooth guiding channel. The locking body is provided with a leg located in the tooth guiding channel. The tooth is provided with an adaptor interface including a retaining tab provided with a leading side and a trailing side. The retaining tab is dimensioned to travel within the tooth guiding channel. As the retaining tab travels within the tooth guiding channel, the leading side of the retaining tab is adapted to contact, load, and deform the leg so that the leading side of the retaining tab is moveable past the leg. The trailing side of the retaining tab is adapted so that the leg is inclined to resiliently return to a pre-deformed shape and block the retaining tab from backing out of the tooth guiding channel.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for assembling a tooth assembly for a construction work machine includes the steps of providing an adaptor including a tooth interface that defines a tooth guiding channel, providing a locking body including a leg that is located in the tooth guiding channel, providing a tooth including an adaptor interface provided with a retaining tab including a leading side and a trailing side, locating the retaining tab within the tooth guiding channel, and rotating the tooth so that the leading side of the retaining tab contacts, load, deforms, and moves past the leg and so that the load is reduced and the leg is inclined to resiliently return to a pre-deformed shape and block the retaining tab from backing out of the tooth guiding channel.

ASPECTS

According to one aspect of the invention, a tooth assembly for a construction work machine comprises an adaptor, a locking body, and a tooth. The adaptor is provided with a tooth interface that defines a tooth guiding channel. The locking body is provided with a leg located in the tooth guiding channel. The tooth is provided with an adaptor interface including a retaining tab provided with a leading side and a trailing side. The retaining tab is dimensioned to travel within the tooth guiding channel. As the retaining tab travels within the tooth guiding channel, the leading side of the retaining tab is adapted to contact, load, and deform the leg so that the leading side of the retaining tab is moveable past the leg. The trailing side of the retaining tab is adapted so that the leg is inclined to resiliently return to a pre-deformed shape and block the retaining tab from backing out of the tooth guiding channel.

Preferably, the locking body is encapsulated within the tooth and adaptor when the leg blocks the retaining tab from backing out of the tooth guiding channel.

Preferably, the tooth guiding channel includes a terminal portion that is helical in shape.

Preferably, the helical shape of the terminal portion is adapted to force the tooth to back off the adaptor as the tooth is rotated in a removal direction.

Preferably, the tooth guiding channel includes a terminal portion that terminates at a wall that acts as a stop for the retaining tab.

Preferably, the locking body includes another leg that is located in the tooth guiding channel and extends upwards, abutting the wall.

Preferably, the leading side includes a chamfer that contacts a chamfer provide on the leg.

Preferably, the locking body 35 is fabricated from an elastomeric polymer material. According to another aspect of the invention, method for assembling a tooth assembly for a construction work machine comprises the steps providing an adaptor including a tooth interface that defines a tooth guiding channel, providing a locking body including a leg that is located in the tooth guiding channel, providing a tooth including an adaptor interface provided with a retaining tab including a leading side and a trailing side,

locating the retaining tab within the tooth guiding channel, and rotating the tooth so that the leading side of the retaining tab contacts, load, deforms, and moves past the leg and so that the load is reduced and the leg is inclined to resiliently return to a pre-deformed shape and block the retaining tab from backing out of the tooth guiding channel.

Preferably, the method further includes the step of encapsulating the locking body within the tooth and adaptor when the leg blocks the retaining tab from backing out of the tooth guiding channel.

Preferably, the tooth guiding channel includes a terminal portion that is helical in shape.

Preferably, the helical shape of the terminal portion is adapted to force the tooth to back off the adaptor as the tooth is rotated in a removal direction.

Preferably, the tooth guiding channel includes a terminal portion that terminates at a wall that acts as a stop for the retaining tab.

Preferably, the locking body includes another leg that is located in the tooth guiding channel and extends upwards, abutting the wall.

Preferably, the step of rotating the tooth includes the step of using a chamfer on the leading side to contact a chamfer provided on the leg.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a construction work machine, a work tool, and a tooth assembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a tooth assembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an adaptor according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an adaptor according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an adaptor according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an adaptor according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a locking body according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a locking body according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a locking body according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a tooth according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a tooth according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a tooth according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a tooth according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a tooth according to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of a tooth according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16A shows a sectional view of the tooth assembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16B shows a sectional view of the tooth assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 16C shows a sectional view of the tooth assembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16D shows a sectional view of the tooth assembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16E shows a sectional view of the tooth assembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows a side perspective view of the tooth assembly according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTON OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts a construction work machine 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, the construction work machine 10 may be a loader. Also shown, the construction work machine 10 is provided with at least one work tool 15, which in the present embodiment is shown as a bucket for excavating and/or moving a material, such as, for example, gravel or earth. As shown in FIG. 1, the work tool 15 is provided with at least one tooth assembly and preferably a plurality of tooth assemblies, as at 20.

Advantageously, in the present embodiment, the tooth assembly 20 is a three component assembly, which, as FIGS. 2 and 16A-E best illustrate, includes an adaptor 25 and a tooth 45, and a locking body 35. Turning now to FIGS. 3-6, an adaptor 25 according to one embodiment is illustrated. According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the adaptor 25 functions as an interface that releasably secures the tooth 45 to the work tool 15.

As shown, the adaptor 25 is provided with a first end 25a, which secures the tooth 45 to the adaptor 25, and a second end 25b, which, may, for example, secure the adaptor 25 to the forward lower lip of the work tool 15. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the adaptor 25 may be secured to the work tool 15 in any suitable manner, including welding or fastening.

Turning now to FIGS. 3-6, the first end 25a includes a tooth interface 26. As shown, the tooth interface 26 defines a tooth guiding channel 28. As shown best in FIGS. 16A-16E, the tooth interface surface 26 in the present embodiment is circular in cross sectional shape, and preferably includes one or more conical, frusto-conical or circular shaped surfaces.

According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the tooth guiding channel 28 is dimensioned to receive a retaining tab 48 on the tooth 45 during installation of the tooth 45 onto the adaptor. As shown in FIGS. 3-6 and 16A-16E, the tooth guiding channel 28 is recessed and formed in the tooth interface 26. Also shown, the tooth guiding channel 28 includes a terminal portion 28a and an entrance 28b. As shown, the terminal portion 28a is preferably helical in shape. As shown, the terminal portion 28a preferably terminates at wall 30, which may act as a stop for a retaining tab 48 on the tooth 45. Alternatively or additionally, more stops may be provided elsewhere, as at 27 (FIG. 4). The locking body 35 is preferably located in the terminal portion 28a in a retention pocket 29 formed into the tooth guiding channel 28.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-9, the locking body 35 according to one embodiment is depicted. According to another aspect of the present embodiment, the locking body 35 is preferably elastic. According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the locking body 35 is deformable. According to another aspect of the present embodiment, the locking body 35 is resilient. In the presently preferred embodiment, the locking body 35 is fabricated from an elastomeric polymer material.

As shown, the locking body 35 includes a first face 36 and an opposing second face

37. The first face 36 includes a leg 36a and preferably a second leg 36b. Turning now to FIGS. 16A-16E, the leg 36a is shown located in the tooth guiding channel 28 and extending upwards. Also shown, the second leg 36b is located in the tooth guiding channel 28 and extending upwards, preferably abutting the wall 30. The second face 37 is received in the pocket 29. As shown, the second face 37 is preferably shaped to generally correspond to the shape of the retention pocket 29.

Turning now to FIGS. 10-15, the tooth 45 according to one embodiment is shown. The tooth 45 has a mountable end 46 and working end 49. The mountable end 26 includes an adaptor interface 47 and a retaining tab 48. The adaptor interface 47 is preferably hollow and shaped complementary to the tooth interface 26 of the adaptor 25. As shown, the retaining tab 48 projects from the adaptor interface 47.

According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the retaining tab 48 is adapted to fit within the tooth guiding channel 48 and travel within the tooth guiding channel 28 during installation of the tooth 45 onto the adaptor 25. According to another aspect of the present embodiment, the retaining tab 48 is adapted to contact and load the leg 36a so that the leg 36a compresses and elastically deforms during installation of the tooth 45 onto the adaptor 25. According to yet another aspect of the present embodiment, the retaining tab 48 is adapted to reduce the load applied on leg 36a and accommodate movement of the leg 36a so that the leg 36a blocks the trailing side 48a of the retaining tab 48 from backing out of the tooth guiding channel 28.

FIGS. 16A - 16E illustrate the installation of the tooth 45 onto the adaptor 25 in the present embodiment. In the preferred embodiment, during installation, the retaining tab 48 is initially aligned with the entrance 28b of the tooth guiding channel 28 and the tooth 45 is urged onto the adaptor 25 so that the retaining tab 48 travels in the tooth guiding channel 28 towards the locking body 35. Advantageously, in the preferred embodiment, as this occurs, the helical shape of the terminal portion 28a draws the tooth 45 further onto the adaptor 25 as the tooth 45 is rotated in an installation direction, such as, for example, via a spanner wrench, and the retaining tab 48 travels in the tooth guiding channel 28 towards the locking body 35.

As the retaining tab 48 travels, eventually, as shown in FIG. 16C, a leading side 48b of the retaining tab 48 contacts the leg 36a of the locking body 35, which initially blocks further movement of the retaining tab 48 in the tooth guiding channel 28. As illustrated in the presently embodiment, during this initial contact, contact may occur between a chamfer 49 provided on the leading side 48 and a chamfer 39 provided on the first leg 36a. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that when the chamfers 39, 49 assist in compressing and flattening the first leg 36a.

As shown in FIG. 16D, after contact between the retaining tab 48 and the leg 36a, as the retaining tab continues to travel towards the wall 30, the retaining tab 48 loads and elastically deforms the leg 36a so that the leading side 48 of the retaining tab 48 travels past the leg 36a. Eventually, as the retaining tab 48 continues to travel, the trailing side 48 reduces the load exerted by the retaining tab 48 on the leg 36a. As a result, the leg 36a is inclined to resiliently return to a pre-deformed shape such that the leg 36a blocks the retaining tab 48 from moving towards the entrance 28b of the tooth guiding channel 28 and the tooth 45 is releasably secured to the adaptor 25.

As shown in FIG. 16E, in the present embodiment, when the tooth 45 is in the installed position, the retaining tab 48 may be seated on the first face 36 and interposed between the leg 36a and the wall 30 and preferably interposed between the leg 36a and the second leg 36b. Advantageously, once the tooth 45 is releasably secured to the adaptor 25, the locking body 35 is preferably encapsulated within the tooth 45 and the adaptor 25.

Advantageously, the encapsulation protects the locking body 35 from damage and prevents material from accumulating in the area of the locking body 35.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the tooth 45 may be removed from the adaptor by reversing the installation process shown in FIGS. 16A-16E.

Advantageously, in the preferred embodiment, as this occurs the helical shape of the terminal portion 28a forces the tooth 45 to back off the adaptor 25 as the tooth 45 is rotated in a removal direction, such as, for example, via a spanner wrench, and the retaining tab 48 travels in the tooth guiding channel 28 towards the entrance 28b. Accordingly, in situations where the adaptor 25 and tooth 45 may have become wedged together over many operating hours, the helical shape of the terminal portion 28a coupled with a rotational force will assist in backing the tooth 45 off the adaptor 25 even in the absence of a prying tool, such as a pry bar.

The detailed descriptions of the above embodiments are not exhaustive descriptions of all embodiments contemplated by the inventors to be within the scope of the invention. The present description depicts specific examples to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these examples that fall within the scope of the invention.

Persons skilled in the art will recognize that certain elements of the above-described embodiments and examples may variously be combined or eliminated to create further embodiments, and such further embodiments fall within the scope and teachings of the invention. It will also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the above-described embodiments may be combined in whole or in part to create additional embodiments within the scope and teachings of the invention. Thus, although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined from the appended claims and equivalents thereof.