Expandable shim systems and methods
AssigneeSwilley Solutions, LLC
InventorTimothy Swilley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This document discloses an adjustable shim system. The adjustable shim system a first member defining an opening for receiving a shaft The first member can have a first side defining an outside surface and a second side generally opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side. The adjustable shim system can further include a second member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side generally opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side. The adjustable shim system can further include a fastener engaged with the first member and the second member, the fastener being configured to selectively fix the outside surface of the first member relative to the outside surface of the second member.
Claims14
A method for adjusting an excavator bucket attachment on a shaft, comprising:
- providing a first member defining an opening for receiving the shaft, a first side defining an outside surface, a second side opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side;
- providing a second member defining an opening for receiving the shaft, a first side defining an outside surface, a second side opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side;
- selectively contacting the outside surface of the second member with the excavator bucket attachment
- providing a fastener;
- engaging the fastener with the first member and the second member to selectively fix the outside surface of the first member relative to the outside surface of the second member, wherein the at least one wedge of the first member contacts the at least one wedge of the second member, and wherein the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a first direction increases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member, and wherein the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a direction opposite first direction decreases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member.
A method for adjusting an excavator bucket attachment, comprising:
- providing a shim set including a first plate having a first outer surface and a second plate having a second outer surface;
- rotating the first plate relative to the second plate to vary the distance between the first outer surface and the second outer surface;
- inserting a fastener into the shim set to secure the shim set in a first desired position;
- and
- removing the fastener from the shim set;
- rotating the first plate relative to the second plate to change the distance between the first outer surface and the second outer surface;
- and
- reinserting the fastener into the shim set to secure the shim set in a second desired position.
A method for adjusting an excavator bucket attachment on a shaft, comprising:
- providing a first member defining an opening for receiving the shaft;
- the first member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side;
- providing a second member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side;
- selectively contacting the outside surface of the second member with the excavator bucket attachment;
- and
- selectively fixing the outside surface of the first member relative to the outside surface of the second member, wherein the at least one wedge of the first member contacts the at least one wedge of the second member, and wherein the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a first direction increases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member, and wherein the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a direction opposite first direction decreases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.