阅读说明：本技术 弹簧钢套管设计 (Spring steel sleeve design ) 是由 C·M·韦尔斯 J·G·侏罗 E·T·辛 D·C·塞吕里耶 于 2020-03-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：弹簧(400)包括从平坦基部(406′)的第一侧边缘(418)延伸的第一弹簧臂(428),第一弹簧臂(428)包括从平坦基部(406′)延伸的第一弓形部分(430),从第一弓形部分(430)延伸并且经设置邻近后面(416)的第一笔直部分(432),第一笔直部分(432)与后面(416)限定第一钝角(434)以及第一笔直部分长度(436)。(The spring (400) includes a first spring arm (428) extending from a first side edge (418) of the flat base (406 '), the first spring arm (428) including a first arcuate portion (430) extending from the flat base (406'), a first straight portion (432) extending from the first arcuate portion (430) and disposed adjacent the rear face (416), the first straight portion (432) defining a first obtuse angle (434) with the rear face (416) and a first straight portion length (436).)

1. A spring (400) comprising:

the folding body (412) comprises

A planar base (406') defining a front face (414), a rear face (416), a first side edge (418), a second side edge (420), a top edge (422), a bottom edge (424), and a planar base thickness (426) measured from the front face (414) to the rear face (416); and

a first spring arm (428) extending from the first side edge (418) of the flat base (406 '), the first spring arm (428) including a first arcuate portion (430) extending rearwardly from the flat base (406'), a first straight portion (432) extending from the first arcuate portion (430) and disposed adjacent the rear face (416), the first straight portion (432) defining a first obtuse exterior angle (434) with the rear face (416), and a first straight portion length (436).

2. The spring (400) of claim 1, wherein the flat base thickness (426) measures from 0.25mm to 1.5mm, the first outer obtuse angle (434) ranges from 120 degrees to 170 degrees, and the first straight portion length (436) ranges from 4.0mm to 7.0mm,

and further comprises

A second arcuate portion (438) extending rearwardly from the first straight portion (432), and a second straight portion (440) extending from the second arcuate portion (438) and disposed adjacent the first straight portion (432), the second straight portion (440) defining a second external obtuse angle (442) ranging from 110 degrees to 160 degrees with the first straight portion (432) forming a first serpentine path, and a second straight portion length (444) ranging from 4.0mm to 7.0 mm;

a third arcuate portion (446) extending forward from the second straight portion (440), and a third straight portion (448) extending from the third arcuate portion (446) and disposed adjacent to the first arcuate portion (430), the third straight portion (440) defining a first acute external angle (450) ranging from 20 degrees to 60 degrees with the second straight portion (440) forming a ramp, and a third straight portion length (452) ranging from 0.75mm to 3.0 mm.

3. The spring (400) of claim 1, further comprising a flange portion (402) extending from a bottom edge (424) of the flat base (406');

wherein the flange portion (402) includes a flange arcuate portion (456) extending from the bottom edge (424), and a flange straight portion (458) extending from the flange arcuate portion (456), the flange straight portion defining a right angle 460 with the flat base (406').

4. The spring (400) of claim 1, wherein the folded body (412) defines a first bend relief notch (464) disposed along the first side edge (418) between the first spring arm (428) and the bottom edge (424).

5. The spring (400) of claim 4, further comprising a second spring arm (468) extending from the second side edge (420), and wherein the folded body (412) further defines a second bend relief cut (466) disposed along the second side edge (420) between the second spring arm (468) and the bottom edge (424).

6. The spring (400) of claim 5, further comprising an insert (474) disposed between the first and second spring arms (428, 468) and the flat base (406 '), the insert being pressed against the rear face (416) of the flat base (406') by the first and second spring arms (428, 468).

7. The spring (400) of claim 6, wherein the insert (474) comprises at least one of the following materials:rubber and foam.

8. A spring-loaded retainer (300) comprising:

a lug receiving portion (306) defining a first maximum outer dimension (308), the lug receiving portion (306) further defining a lug receiving slot (310) extending partially through the lug receiving portion (306) forming a first sidewall (312), a second sidewall (312 '), and a capture surface (314) connecting the first sidewall (312) to the second sidewall (312');

a drive portion (316) defining a second maximum outer dimension (318); and

a first flat portion (302) disposed on the exterior of the lug receiving portion (306) adjacent the first sidewall (312) or the second sidewall (312').

9. The spring-loaded retainer (300) of claim 8, wherein the lug-receiving portion (306) includes a lug-receiving cylindrical portion (320) including an outer cylindrical surface (322) defining a radial direction (324), a circumferential direction (326), and a cylindrical axis (328), the first maximum outer dimension (308) is an outer cylindrical surface diameter (318), and the drive portion (316) includes a drive cylindrical portion (332), the second maximum outer dimension (318) is a drive cylindrical portion diameter (334) that is less than the outer cylindrical surface diameter (330) of the lug-receiving cylindrical portion (320).

10. The spring-loaded retainer (300) of claim 9 wherein the first flat portion (302) is disposed on the outer cylindrical surface (322) and is circumferentially aligned with the first sidewall (312), and further comprising a second flat portion (304) disposed on the outer cylindrical surface (322) that is also circumferentially aligned with the second sidewall (312'), and a stop protrusion (336) extending axially away from the drive portion (316) that is circumferentially aligned with the first flat portion (302).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a retention mechanism for use on a work implement assembly, such as a bucket assembly employed by earth moving, mining, construction equipment, etc., for attaching a tip to an adapter of the work implement assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a retention mechanism that uses a spring steel sleeve design to retain a retainer of the retention mechanism in either a locked or unlocked configuration.

Background

Machines such as wheel loaders, excavators, and the like employ work implement assemblies including bucket assemblies, rakes, scissors, and the like, to which teeth or tips are attached to facilitate performing work on materials such as mud, rock, sand, and the like. For example, teeth or tips may be attached to the bucket assembly to facilitate the bucket assembly penetrating the ground to facilitate shoveling mud into the bucket. Adapters are typically attached to the working edge (e.g., base edge, side edge, etc.) of a bucket or other work implement so that different types of teeth or tips can be attached to the work implement. Further, the tip or tooth, when worn, can be easily replaced by providing a retaining mechanism for selectively retaining the tip on the adapter or allowing the tip to be removed from the adapter.

U.S. patent No. 9,222,243B 2 discloses a wear assembly for use on various earth working equipment that includes a base having a support portion, a wear member having a cavity that receives the support portion, and a lock that releasably secures the wear member to the base. The support portion is formed with top and bottom recesses that receive complementary projections of the wear member. These recesses and projections include aligned apertures to receive and locate the lock centrally within the wear assembly and away from the wear surface. The lock includes a mounting component defining a threaded opening for receiving a threaded pin for releasably retaining the wear member to the base. A retaining clip is provided to prevent rotation of the mounting member.

However, the retaining clip in the' 243 patent does not address all of the issues associated with the retaining mechanism, such as preventing mud or other materials from filling the retaining mechanism, which may hinder its performance. Further, the retention clip in' 243 may increase the force required to unlock the retention mechanism to an undesirable degree, and so on.

Disclosure of Invention

A spring according to one embodiment of the invention includes a folded body including a flat base defining a front face, a back face, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a flat base thickness measured from the front face to the back face; and a first spring arm extending from a first side edge of the flat base, the first spring arm including a first arcuate portion extending rearward from the flat base, a first straight portion extending from the first arcuate portion and disposed adjacent the rear face, the first straight portion defining a first outer obtuse angle with the rear face, and a first straight portion length.

A spring according to another embodiment of the invention includes a folded body including a flat base defining a front, a back, a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge, a bottom edge; and a first spring arm extending from a first side edge of the flat base, the first spring arm including a first arcuate portion extending rearward from the flat base, a first straight portion extending from the first arcuate portion and disposed adjacent the rear face, a second arcuate portion extending rearward from the first straight portion, and a second straight portion extending from the second arcuate portion and disposed adjacent the first straight portion, such that the first spring arm forms a first serpentine path.

A spring-loaded retainer according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a lug-receiving portion defining a first maximum outer dimension, the lug-receiving portion further defining a lug-receiving slot extending partially through the lug-receiving portion, thereby forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a capture surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall; a drive portion defining a second maximum outer dimension; and a first flat portion disposed on an outer side of the lug receiving portion adjacent to the first side wall or the second side wall.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work implement assembly using a bucket assembly, such as a tip, adapter, and retention mechanism having components configured in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tip and adapter subassembly of FIG. 1 shown separately from the work tool assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the tip of FIG. 2 without the adapter, showing the retention mechanism and its components according to an embodiment of the present invention in a locked configuration.

FIG. 4 is a rear cross-sectional view of the tip of FIG. 3 without any retaining mechanism shown, more clearly showing the retaining mechanism receiving aperture of the tip.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the tip of FIG. 4 showing the retention mechanism and its components assembled into the retention mechanism receiving aperture of the tip. The spring loaded retainer is shown in the unlocked configuration.

Fig. 6 shows the retention mechanism of fig. 5 fully assembled into the retention mechanism receiving aperture of the tip. The spring loaded retainer is shown in the unlocked configuration.

Fig. 7 is a side view of the tip and spring loaded retainer of fig. 6 with the spring loaded retainer rotated into a locked configuration.

Fig. 8 is a rear cross-sectional view similar to fig. 6, except that the spring loaded retainer is now in the unlocked configuration and a second spring is inserted into the retaining mechanism receiving aperture while the spring loaded retainer is in the unlocked configuration.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the spring loaded retainer of fig. 5-8 shown in isolation. This embodiment of the spring loaded retainer employs two flats.

Fig. 10 is a flat pattern of the springs of fig. 5-8 prior to bending into a desired shape.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the spring of fig. 5-8 after bending into a desired shape.

Fig. 12 is a front view of the spring of fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged partial top view of the spring of fig. 11, more clearly showing the configuration of the spring arms extending from the base of the spring.

FIG. 14 shows two springs configured the same as the springs of FIG. 11 for holding a spring-loaded retainer having only one flat according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 15 shows the spring in tangential contact with a spring loaded retainer, such as shown on the right side of fig. 14.

Fig. 16 illustrates the upward movement of the spring, contacting a flat portion of a spring-loaded retainer such as that shown on the left side of fig. 14.

Fig. 17 shows an insert inserted into the spring of fig. 11 between the spring arm of the spring and the base of the spring.

Fig. 18 shows the spring with the insert of fig. 17 fully assembled.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 2 shown in isolation, illustrating a track disposed behind a lug on the nose of the adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged side detail view of the lugs and track on the nose of the adapter of FIG. 19 so that the arcuate profile of the front portion of the track can be more clearly seen.

FIG. 21 shows the spring loaded retainer mounted on the lug of the nose of the adapter of FIG. 20, showing how the arcuate profile of the front portion of the track allows the spring loaded retainer to rotate while helping to prevent mud or other debris from entering the tip from behind the tip.

FIG. 22 is a rear cross-sectional view of the tip and adapter of FIG. 2, which enhances the understanding of how the periphery of the nose and the presence of the track of the adapter help prevent mud or other debris from entering the adapter nose receiving cavity of the tip without interfering with the assembly of the tip on the adapter nose.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In some instances, reference numbers will be indicated in this specification and the drawings will show the reference numbers followed by letters such as 100a, 100b or apostrophes such as 100', 100 ", etc. It should be understood that the use of letters or apostrophes immediately following the reference numbers indicate that the features have similar shapes and have similar functions, such as is often the case when the geometry is mirrored about a plane of symmetry. For ease of explanation in this specification, letters or apostrophes are generally not included herein, but may be shown in the drawings to indicate repetition of features discussed in this written specification.

A work tool assembly using a tip in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussed.

Beginning with fig. 1, a work implement assembly 100 may take the form of a bucket assembly 100', which may be used by a wheel loader and includes a housing 101 defining an opening 102 in communication with a generally enclosed interior. Beginning at the rear of bucket assembly 100 as shown in FIG. 1, bucket assembly 100 includes a curved shell profile 104 attached to a rear wall 106 at a top end of shell 104. The other end of the housing is attached to the bottom plate 108 of the assembly 100. A top plate 110 is attached to the top end of the rear wall 106. The top plate 110 transitions into a spill guard 112 designed to leak material into the interior of the bucket and prevent material from spilling out of the bucket. Reinforcing ribs 118 are provided that attach to the top plate 110 and spill guard 112 to enhance strength. Two substantially flat end plates 114 are attached to the side edges of spill guard 112, top plate 110, rear wall 106, bottom plate 108, and housing 104.

A side edge assembly 115 is attached to each end plate 114, and a forward edge assembly 116 is attached to the forward edge of the bottom plate 108 of bucket assembly 100. The leading edge assembly 116 includes a base edge 117 attached to the floor 108, a plurality of central adapters 118 attached to the base edge 117, and a plurality of tips 200 (which may also be referred to as tools, teeth, etc.), each of the plurality of tips 200 attached to one of the plurality of central adapters 118. Also, two corner adapters 120 are also attached to the base and side edges 122 of bucket assembly 100'. Tip 200 may also be attached to corner adapter 120.

Also, a plurality of base edge protectors 124 are provided, each base edge protector 124 being located between the center adapters 120 and the corner adapters 120. There is also provided a side edge protector 126 attached to the side edge 122 adjacent the corner adapter 120.

It should be appreciated that the work implement assembly may take other forms than a bucket assembly, including a rake assembly, a scissor assembly, and the like. Additionally, differently configured buckets to be used by an excavator may also use various embodiments of tips, retention mechanisms, adapters, springs, spring loaded retainers, tip assemblies, and tip and adapter assemblies, among others, as will be discussed herein.

A tip 200 according to embodiments of the present invention, which may be used with a spring-loaded retainer 300 and spring 400 according to various embodiments of the present invention, will now be discussed with reference to fig. 2-8, 15, and 16.

Starting from fig. 2-6, the tip 200 may include a body 202 defining a longitudinal axis 204, a vertical axis 206 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 204, and a lateral axis 208 perpendicular to the vertical axis 206 and the longitudinal axis 204. The body 202 may include a front working portion 210 disposed along the longitudinal axis 204 including a closed end 212 and a rear attachment portion 214 disposed along the longitudinal axis 204 including an open end 216. As best shown in fig. 4, the body 202 may define a vertical plane of symmetry 228. This may not be the case in other embodiments of the invention.

Focusing on fig. 3-6, the rear attachment portion 214 defines an outer surface 218, an adapter nose receiving cavity 220 extending longitudinally from the open end 216, and a retention mechanism receiving aperture 222 in communication with the adapter nose receiving cavity 220 and the outer surface 218. The adapter nose lug receiving slots 224 may extend longitudinally from the open end 216 to the retention mechanism receiving aperture 222. At least one spring receiving slot 226 may be in communication with the retention mechanism receiving bore 222 and the adapter nose receiving cavity 220.

Referring to fig. 5, the at least one spring-receiving slot 226 includes a spring base receiving portion 228 that extends laterally from the adapter nose receiving cavity 220 and terminates at a vertical face 230. Further, a spring arm receiving portion 232 may extend vertically from the spring base receiving portion 228 and terminate laterally at a first vertical surface 234 disposed laterally between the adapter nose receiving cavity 220 and the vertical surface 230. The spring arm receiving portion 232 may also terminate laterally at a second vertical surface 236 that is disposed laterally between the first vertical surface 234 and the vertical surface 230 of the adapter nose receiving cavity 220.

The body 202 may define an upper vertical end 238 of the retention mechanism receiving aperture 222 and a lower vertical end 240 of the retention mechanism receiving aperture 222. The at least one spring-receiving slot 226 may be disposed adjacent the upper vertical end 238 or the lower vertical end 240. In some embodiments such as that shown in fig. 5, two such slots are provided, one at the upper vertical end and one at the lower vertical end.

In some embodiments, at least one spring-receiving slot 226 may be disposed adjacent the lower vertical end 240. The body 202 may include a lead-in surface 242 (e.g., rounded or chamfered, etc.) extending from the adapter nose receiving cavity 220 to the spring base receiving portion 228 of the at least one spring receiving slot 226.

With continued reference to fig. 5, the retention mechanism receiving bore 222 includes a first cylindrical portion 244 extending from the outer surface 218, a second cylindrical portion 246 extending from the adapter nose receiving cavity 222 to the first cylindrical portion 244. Thus, the adapter nose receiving cavity 220 communicates with the exterior of the tip 220 through the retention mechanism receiving aperture 222. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the first cylindrical portion 244 defines a first cylindrical portion radius 248 and the second cylindrical portion 246 defines a second cylindrical portion radius 250 that is greater than the first cylindrical portion radius 248, thereby forming the vertical plane 230. Other configurations are possible in other embodiments of the invention.

Referring next to fig. 2, 3, 5 and 6, a tip assembly 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed. The tip assembly 500 may include a tip 200 configured similar to that just described herein. Additionally, referring to fig. 3, 5 and 6, the tip assembly 500 may include a spring-loaded retainer 300 disposed in the retention mechanism receiving aperture 222. The spring loaded retainer 300 may be configured to be accessible from the outer surface 218 such that a tool may be used to drive or rotate the spring loaded retainer from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration, or vice versa. The spring 400 may be disposed in at least one spring-receiving slot 226 such that the spring 400 is vertically inserted between the body 202 of the tip 200 and the spring-loaded retainer 300.

In fig. 5 and 6, spring 400 may also include a flange portion 402 disposed laterally between spring-loaded retainer 300 and adapter nose receiving cavity 220 to help retain spring-loaded retainer 300 in place in tip 200. Moreover, the spring 400 may include at least one spring arm 404 vertically disposed in the spring arm receiving portion 232 of the at least one spring receiving slot 226 and laterally adjacent to the first vertical surface 234. Thus, the spring 400 is biased to remain in place while also holding the spring loaded retainer 300 in place. The base 406 may be disposed in the spring base receiving portion 228 of the at least one spring receiving slot 226. The base 406 may contact the spring loaded retainer 300, helping to eliminate any stacking tolerances between the spring loaded retainer 300 and the tip 200, and causing resistance to inadvertent rotation of the spring loaded retainer 300, and the like. The spring arm receiving portion 232 also terminates laterally at a second vertical surface 236 that is disposed laterally between the first vertical surface 234 and the vertical surface 230 of the adapter nose receiving cavity 220, and at least one spring arm 404 is disposed laterally adjacent the second vertical surface 236 that helps prevent outward movement of the spring 400 toward the tip 200.

In fig. 6, the base 406 of the spring 400 may be laterally spaced from the vertical face 230 by a predetermined distance 502 from 0mm to 6.5 mm. This distance may vary to be different in other embodiments of the invention, or in other embodiments of the invention, such as when the second vertical surface 236 is coextensive with the vertical surface 230, the base 406 may contact the vertical surface 230.

The at least one spring-receiving slot 226 may take the form of a first spring-receiving slot 226' disposed adjacent the lower vertical end 240 of the retention mechanism-receiving aperture 222. The at least one spring 400 may include a first spring 400 'disposed in a first spring-receiving slot 226' disposed adjacent the lower vertical end 240. The body 202 of the tip 200 can include a lead-in surface 242 that extends from the adapter nose receiving cavity 220 to the spring base receiving portion 228 of the at least one spring receiving slot 226.

A second spring-receiving slot 226 "may be disposed adjacent the upper vertical end 238 and a second spring 400" may be disposed in the second spring-receiving slot 226 "that also contacts the spring-loaded retainer 300.

The first spring 400' may be identical to the second spring 400 ", but need not be. Likewise, the first spring-receiving slot 226 'may be similarly configured as the second spring-receiving slot 226'. That is, the slots are substantially identical except that they are defined by angled surfaces 252 that form the adapter nose receiving cavity such that the second spring-receiving slot appears slightly different from the first spring-receiving slot. This may not be the case in other embodiments, and the configuration of the various springs and their associated slots may be customized as desired to a configuration different from that shown in FIG. 6 for other applications and the like.

For example, in fig. 5 and 6, the spring loaded retainer 300 includes a first flat portion 302 and the base 406 of the spring 400 contacts the first flat portion 302 of the spring loaded retainer 300. Further, the spring-loaded retainer 300 may include a second flat portion 304, and the second spring 400 ″ may contact the second flat portion 304. In such an embodiment, fig. 5 shows how springs 400', 400 "are assembled into tip 200 by rotating spring-loaded retainer 300 so that its flats 302, 304 are in the top and bottom positions. Thus, interference between springs 400', 400 "and spring-loaded retainer 300 is minimized, thereby reducing the amount of assembly force required.

Fig. 8 and 14 show that when two springs 400 ', 400 "are used with a spring-loaded retainer 300 having only one flat 302, it is easier to assemble one spring 400' after the flat 302 is aligned with the slot into which the spring is to be inserted. Once first spring 400' is properly assembled, spring-loaded retainer 300 is rotated such that flat 302 is oriented with opposing slots, thereby facilitating assembly of second spring 400 "into the slots, or vice versa.

Fig. 15 and 16 show an embodiment using only a single spring 400 and flats 302 on the spring-loaded retainer 300. Specifically, fig. 15 shows the spring 400 in tangential contact with the spring loaded retainer 300, as shown on the right side of fig. 14, while fig. 16 shows the movement of the spring 400 in contact with the flat 302 of the spring loaded retainer 300, as shown on the left side of fig. 14. When assembling the embodiment shown in fig. 15 and 16, it is easiest to orient the flat 302 as shown in fig. 16. Arrow 504 indicates that movement of the spring arm causes the spring 400 to be trapped in the slot 226'.

With reference to fig. 3 and 9, various features of a spring-loaded retainer 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The spring-loaded retainer 300 may include a lug-receiving portion 306 defining a first maximum outer dimension 308; and a lug receiving slot 310 extending partially through the lug receiving portion 306, thereby forming a first sidewall 312, a second sidewall 312 ', and a catch surface 314 connecting the first sidewall 312 to the second sidewall 312' (so-called when it contacts or nearly contacts the lug of the adapter in use). The spring-loaded retainer 300 may also include a drive portion 316 defining a second maximum outer dimension 318. The first flat 302 may be disposed on an outer side of the lug receiving portion 306 adjacent the first sidewall 312 or the second sidewall 312'.

More specifically, when referring to fig. 9, the lug-receiving portion 306 may include a lug-receiving cylindrical portion 320 including an outer cylindrical surface 322 defining a radial direction 324, a circumferential direction 326, and a cylindrical axis 328. In such embodiments, the first maximum outer dimension 308 may take the form of an outer cylindrical surface diameter 330 (see also fig. 8). Also, the drive portion 316 may include a drive cylindrical portion 332, and the second maximum outer dimension 318 may take the form of a drive cylindrical portion diameter 334 that is less than the outer cylindrical surface diameter 330 of the lug-receiving cylindrical portion 320. In other embodiments, the configuration of these features may be other than cylindrical, such as conical, etc.

Still referring to fig. 9, the first flat portion 302 may be disposed on the outer cylindrical surface 322 and may be circumferentially aligned with the first sidewall 312 as shown. Optionally, the spring-loaded retainer 300 may further include a second flat portion 304 disposed on an outer cylindrical surface 322 that is also circumferentially aligned with the second sidewall 312'. The stop tab 336 may extend axially away from the drive portion 316 that is circumferentially aligned with the first flat portion 302. Other configurations are also possible.

Referring now to fig. 10 to 13, a spring 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed.

Fig. 10 shows that the manufacture of the spring 400 may begin with a flat pattern 408 made of metal (e.g., spring steel), the flat pattern 408 being bent into a desired final shape via a progressive stamping die process or similar manufacturing technique. The flat pattern 408 is shown with curved regions 410 that become the different arcuate portions of the spring 400 through a folding process as will now be described.

In fig. 11-13, the spring 400 may become a folded body 412 that includes a range of 0.25mm to 1.5mm defining a front face 414, a rear face 416, a first side edge 418, a second side edge 420, a top edge 422, a bottom edge 424, and a flat base thickness 426 (smallest dimension, see fig. 13) measured from the front face 414 to the rear face 416.

The first spring arm 428 may extend from the first side edge 418 of the flat base 406'. As best shown in fig. 13, the first spring arm 428 may include a first arcuate portion 430 extending rearward from the flat base 406' and a first straight portion 432 extending from the first arcuate portion 430 disposed adjacent the rear face 416. That is, the first spring arm 428 is first folded toward the flat base 406'. The first straight portion 432 may define a first outer obtuse angle 434 with the rear face 416 ranging from 120 to 170 degrees and a first straight portion length 436 ranging from 4.0 to 7.0 mm. Other configurations and dimensions are possible for any of these features in other embodiments of the invention.

With continued reference to fig. 13, the spring 400 may further include a second arcuate portion 438 extending rearwardly from the first straight portion 432, and a second straight portion 440 extending from the second arcuate portion 438 disposed adjacent the first straight portion 432. The second straight portion 440 may define a second outer obtuse angle 442 ranging from 110 degrees to 160 degrees with the first straight portion 432 and a second straight portion length 444 ranging from 4.0mm to 7.0 mm. Thus, the first spring arm 428 extends from the flat base 406' along a first serpentine path. Other configurations are possible.

Spring 400 may further include a third arcuate portion 446 extending forward from second straight portion 440, and a third straight portion 448 extending from third arcuate portion 446 disposed adjacent to first arcuate portion 430. The third straight portion 448 may define a first external acute angle 450 with the second straight portion 440 ranging from 20 degrees to 60 degrees, and a third straight portion length 452 ranging from 0.75mm to 3.0 mm. Thus, a downward slope is formed that angles toward the outside of the spring, which may facilitate installation of the spring 400 into the tip.

Fig. 13 depicts that the planar base 406' can define a midplane 454 disposed between the first side edge 418 and the second side edge 420. The spring 400 may be symmetrical about the midplane 454 such that a second spring arm may extend from a second side edge of the planar base, forming a second serpentine path. This may not be the basis for other embodiments. For example, only one spring arm may be provided or differently configured spring arms may be provided, etc.

As previously mentioned herein, fig. 11-13 illustrate that the spring 400 may have a flange portion 402 extending from a bottom edge 424 of the flat base 406'. The flange portion 402 includes a flange arcuate portion 456 extending from the bottom edge 424 and a flange straight portion 458 extending from the flange arcuate portion 456. The flange straight portion 458 defines a right angle 460 with the flat base 406'. The flange straight portion 458 may define a flange straight portion length 462 ranging from 2.0mm to 5.0 mm. Other configurations and dimensions are possible in other embodiments of the invention.

In fig. 11, the folding body 412 may further define a first flex relief notch 464 disposed along the first side edge 418 between the first spring arm 428 and the bottom edge 424. A second flex relief notch 466 may also be disposed along the second side edge 420 between the second spring arm 468 and the bottom edge 424.

Referring to fig. 12, the planar base 406' may define a planar base vertical length 470 ranging from 14.0mm to 20.5mm measured from the top edge 422 to the bottom edge 424, and a planar base horizontal width 472 ranging from 10.0mm to 14.0mm measured from the first side edge 418 to the second side edge 420.

In fig. 17 and 18, an insert 474 may be disposed between the first and second spring arms 428, 468 and the planar base 406 ', which is pressed against the rear face 416 of the planar base 406' by the first and second spring arms 428, 468. Insert 474 may include at least one of the following materials:rubber and foam. If foam is employed, it may be bonded to the flat base 406'. Insert 474 may help prevent mud or other debris from infiltrating spring 400, which may hinder its performance.

Fig. 2 and 19-22 illustrate an adapter 600 according to an embodiment of the invention having features that may help prevent mud packing or other debris from seeping into the adapter nose receiving cavity of the tip after the tip has been assembled to the adapter. While the version of the adapter shown in these figures is a central adapter, it should be understood that the adapter may have other configurations, including being a corner adapter, etc. Also, the adapter may define a mid-plane of symmetry as shown in the figures, but this is not necessary in other embodiments of the invention.

In fig. 2 and 19, the adapter 600 may include a body 602 including a nose 604, the nose 604 including a lug 606 extending from the nose 604. The body 602 may also include a first leg 608, a second leg 610, and a throat 612 connecting the legs 608, 610 and the nose 604 together. First leg 608 and second leg 610 and throat 612 define a channel 614 including a closed end 616 and an open end 618. Thus, the slot 614 defines an orientation of the assembly 620 onto the work tool, a lateral direction 622 that is perpendicular to the orientation of the assembly 620, and a vertical direction 624 that is perpendicular to both the orientation of the assembly 620 and the lateral direction 622.

Focusing on fig. 19 and 20, the nose 604 may further include a track 626 disposed behind the lug 606 in the direction of the assembly 620. The track 626 may include an anterior arcuate surface 628, the anterior arcuate surface 628 defining an anterior arcuate surface radius of curvature 630 ranging from 21.0mm to 25.0 mm. The front arcuate surface 628 may be spaced from the lug 606 by a first minimum distance 632 ranging from 7.0mm to 12.0 mm.

As best shown in fig. 22, the track 626 defines a lateral height 634 ranging from 10.0mm to 16.0mm, and a vertical width 636 ranging from 25.0mm to 32.0 mm.

As best shown in fig. 20, the track 626 defines a track length 638 ranging from 38.0mm to 48.0mm along the direction of the assembly 620 and includes a rear portion 640 having a rear engagement portion 642 connecting the lug 606 to the throat 612.

It should be understood that the configuration and dimensions associated with these features may vary in other embodiments of the invention.

Referring again to fig. 22, the tip and adapter assembly 700 according to an embodiment of the invention features as follows. The tip and adapter assembly 700 may include a tip 200 and an adapter 600 having similar or identical configurations as previously discussed herein. The tip and adapter assembly 700 may further include spring-loaded retainers 300, 300' (see fig. 2 and 21) mounted on the lugs.

As best shown in fig. 21, the track 626 may be spaced from the spring-loaded retainer 300, 300' by a first minimum clearance distance 702 ranging from 1.0mm to 8.0 mm. This may help to ensure that the spring loaded retainer is free to rotate as desired.

In fig. 22, it can be seen that the track 626 may be spaced apart from the tip 200 in the adapter nose lug receiving groove 220 of the tip 200 by a second minimum clearance distance 704 ranging from 1.0mm to 6.0 mm. This may help ensure that the tip may be installed onto the adapter without interference, while also helping to limit the ingress of mud packing or other debris into the adapter nose receiving cavity of the tip.

Also, it should be noted that any size, angle, surface area, and/or configuration of the various features may be varied as desired or needed, including those not specifically mentioned herein. Although not specifically discussed, joints such as fillets are shown to connect the various surfaces. These may be omitted in other embodiments, and it should be understood that their presence may sometimes be ignored when reading this specification unless specifically mentioned otherwise.

Industrial applicability

In practice, machines, work tool assemblies, tips, adapters, tip assemblies, tip and adapter assemblies, springs, spring-loaded retainers, and/or any combination of these various assemblies and components may be manufactured, purchased, or sold to retrofit a machine or work tool assembly in the field in an after-market environment, or may be manufactured, purchased, sold, or otherwise obtained in an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) environment.

Any of the above components may be made of any suitable material, including iron, gray cast iron, steel, spring steel, plastic, rubber, foam, and the like.

It should be understood that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed components and techniques. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the invention may differ in detail from the previous examples. All references to the invention or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that stage and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the invention more generally. All language of distinction and disparities 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 invention entirely unless otherwise indicated.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the apparatus and methods of assembly discussed herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the configuration and functionality of some devices may differ from that described herein, and certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in a different order than specifically mentioned, or in some cases simultaneously or in sub-steps. Moreover, certain features or aspects of the various embodiments can be changed or modified to create further embodiments, and the features and aspects of the various embodiments can be added to or substituted for other features or aspects of other embodiments to provide yet further embodiments.

Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.