Reliable connection system and assemblies and methods for using the reliable connections

A connector pin and nut assembly, comprising:

• a pin, the pin having a first end and a second end, the first end of the pin having an opening that elongates into the pin, the opening formed by a first portion which is threaded and located near the first end of the pin and a second portion adjacent said first portion, the pin having at least one piston hole penetrating the pin laterally to align with the second portion of the opening;
• at least one piston aligned within the at least one piston hole, the at least one piston being complimentary shaped to engage the at least one piston hole such that only a portion of the at least one piston can extend outward from the pin;
• a pressure element located at the second portion of the opening;
• an activator having a threaded shank adapted to coordinate with and extend into the opening to thereby apply a force to the pressure element;
• and
• a nut having a body and an aperture extending through the body, the aperture having a groove encircling said aperture and shaped to engage the at least one piston when the at least one piston extends from the pin,
• wherein, in operation, the force applied to the pressure element by the activator causes the pressure member to distort and apply pressure to the at least one piston to extend the at least one piston outward from the pin and into the groove to restrain the nut to the pin.

An adapter and tool assembly for attaching tools to earth moving equipment, the assembly comprising:

• an adapter comprising:
• a body having a first end configured to couple with a tool with an opening penetrating the body, the opening formed by a first portion located near the first end of the pin, a second portion adjacent said first portion, an axis, and a bottom surface, the body having a piston hole extending along an axis, the piston hole penetrating the adapter and aligned with the second portion of the opening;
• a piston located within the piston hole, being complimentary shaped to sit within the piston hole such that the piston can move along the piston hole axis;
• a first pressure member located within the second portion of the opening;
• and,
• an activator configured to coordinate with and extend into the first portion of the opening wherein the activator applies a force to the pressure member to distort the pressure member;
• and,
• a tool configured to compliment and couple with the adapter, the tool having an engaging portion shaped to align with the piston hole and coordinate with an end of the piston,
• wherein, in operation, the force applied to the pressure element by the activator causes the pressure member to distort and apply pressure to the piston to extend the piston outward from the adapter thereby causing the piston to interact with the engaging portion of the tool to restrain the tool to the adapter.

An adapter and bucket assembly for attaching tools to earth moving equipment, the assembly comprising:

• a locking clamp comprising:
• a body having a mating side, a clamping side and an opening that elongates into the body, the opening formed by a first portion which is threaded and located near the first end of the pin and a second portion adjacent said first portion,
• the body having at least one piston hole extending along a lateral axis, the piston hole penetrating the locking clamp on the clamping side and aligned with the second portion of the opening;
• at least one piston located within the at least one piston hole, being complimentary shaped to sit within the piston hole such that the piston can move along the at least one piston hole axis;
• a pressure member located in the second portion of the opening;
• and
• an activator configured to coordinate with and extend into the first portion of the opening wherein the activator applies a force to distort the pressure member;
• an adapter having a first engaging opening shaped to coordinate with the clamping and locking sides of the locking clamp;
• a bucket lip portion configured to compliment and couple with the adapter, the bucket lip portion having a second engaging opening shaped to coordinate with the clamping and locking sides of the locking clamp;
• and
• a clamping wedge having a clamping surface and an engaging surface opposite the clamping surface, the engaging surface being configured to align with the piston hole and coordinate with an end of the piston,
• wherein, in operation, the force applied to the pressure element by the activator causes the pressure member to distort and apply pressure to the at least one piston to extend the at least one piston outward from the locking clamp thereby causing the at least one piston to interact with the engaging surface of the clamping wedge to restrain the adapter to the bucket lip.

A method for securing a first component to a second component, the steps of the method comprising:

• connecting a first component to a second component wherein the first component comprises:
• an elongated member having an opening extending along and central axis the opening formed by a first portion a second portion adjacent said first portion, and a bottom surface,
• the elongated member having a piston hole extending along a lateral axis, the piston hole penetrating the first component and aligned with the second portion of the opening;
• a piston located within the piston hole, being complimentary shaped to sit within the piston hole such that the piston can move along the piston hole axis;
• a first pressure member located within the second portion of the opening;
• and,
• an activator configured to coordinate with and extend into the first portion of the opening wherein when activated the activator applies a force to the pressure member to distort the pressure member;
• wherein the second component is configured to compliment and mate with the first component, the second component having an engaging surface shaped to coordinate with an end of the piston, and
• wherein, in operation, the force applied to the pressure member by the activator causes the pressure member to distort and apply pressure to the piston to extend the piston outward from the first component thereby causing the piston to interact with the engaging surface of the second component to restrain the second component.