Excavating – Digging edge
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-08
2001-05-15
Batson, Victor (Department: 3671)
Excavating
Digging edge
C037S444000, C037S449000, C172S772500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230424
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an implement of a work machine, and more particularly to a base edge protection assembly for an implement of a work machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A work machine, such as an excavator, may include a bucket for moving or excavating dirt or other types of material. A number of teeth are typically attached to a base edge of the bucket in order to facilitate the excavating process. The teeth also help protect the base edge of the bucket from wear and tear encountered during the excavation process. Protection of the base edge extends the life of the bucket and reduces maintenance cost of the work machine. However, the teeth have to be periodically replaced due to the wear and tear they are subjected to during the excavation process.
Heretofore, some teeth have been secured to a bucket by first attaching an adapter to the base edge thereof and then securing the teeth to the adapter via a pin assembly. Typically, these pin assemblies include a number of parts which contact and exert a force on both the adapter and the tooth in order to effect the securement therebetween.
Another approach to secure teeth to a base edge of a bucket is to utilize a tooth bar. In particular, a tooth bar is designed to fit over the base edge of a bucket and a number of adapters are secured to the tooth bar. Replaceable teeth are then secured to the adapters with pin assemblies similar to the ones described above.
One disadvantage of having a pin assembly in contact with both the tooth and the adapter to effect securement therebetween is that the pin assembly may become loose as the tooth is subjected to substantial forces during a work operation. In particular, forces that are applied to the tooth during a work operation would then be transmitted to the pin assembly. Thereafter, forces which are applied to the pin assembly would be transmitted to the adapter. Consequently, the pin assembly would be subjected to a continuous compressing force during the work operation which may cause the pin assembly to become loose over a period of time. The presence of a loose pin assembly may cause inadvertent separation of the tooth from the adapter.
Furthermore, these types of tooth bars and pin assemblies typically include a relatively large number of parts which makes them relatively expensive, mechanically complex, and difficult to install.
What is needed therefore is a base edge protection assembly for an implement of a work machine which overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a base edge protection assembly for an implement of a work machine. The base edge protection assembly includes a digging plate having a forward edge with a pair of notches defined therein so that a tooth is formed from a portion of the digging plate that is interposed between the notches. The base edge protection assembly also includes a cover plate secured to the digging plate so that an edge slot is defined between the digging plate and the cover plate.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a bucket assembly for a work machine. The bucket assembly includes a bucket having a base edge. The bucket assembly also includes a base edge protection assembly having (i) a digging plate having a forward edge with a pair of notches defined therein so that a tooth is formed from a portion of the digging plate that is interposed between the notches and (ii) a cover plate secured to the digging plate so that an edge slot is defined between the digging plate and the cover plate. The base edge protection assembly is secured to the bucket such that the base edge of the bucket is positioned within the edge slot of the base edge protection assembly.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention there is provided an implement assembly for a work machine. The implement assembly includes an implement having a base edge. The implement assembly also includes a base edge protection assembly having (i) a digging plate having a forward edge with a pair of notches defined therein so that a tooth is formed from a portion of the digging plate that is interposed between the notches and (ii) a cover plate secured to the digging plate so that an edge slot is defined between the digging plate and the cover plate. The base edge protection assembly is secured to the implement such that the base edge of the implement is positioned within the edge slot of the base edge of the protection assembly.
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Reid James
Renski William
Sievers Ronald
Addison Bradford G.
Batson Victor
Caterpillar Inc.
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