US 5,205,057 A · Retaining mechanism for a tooth assembly

Abstract

Retaining mechanisms are normally utilized for securing a tooth to an adapter. Many times the forces necessary to secure the retaining mechanism in an assembled position is not high enough to maintain assembly during use. In the subject arrangement, the retaining mechanism includes a pin having a means thereon for forming a shoulder and a plurality of conical spring washers each having an inner surface defining an opening having a diameter of a predetermined size which is smaller than the outer diameter of the shoulder means. During assembly, the shoulder means of the pin is forced through the opening of the respective conical spring washers from a concave side thereof. In order to disassemble the pin, the shoulder means of the pin must be forced through the respective openings. In instances where the pin must be removed from the same side that it is installed, a much higher force is required to force the shoulder means through the opening of the respective first, second, and third conical spring washers. Consequently, a retaining mechanism is provided which has very high resistance to inadvertent disassembly during use.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A retaining mechanism adapted for use in securing a ground engaging tool to a work implement, the ground engaging tool having a rearward end portion defining a socket and first and second aligned openings defined in the rearward end portion and located on opposite sides of the socket, the work implement having a nose portion adapted to mate with the socket and defining a cross passage that registers, when assembled, with the first and second aligned openings and an annular recess having a bottom surface and being defined in the nose portion or in the rearward end portion concentric with the cross passage or the first and second aligned openings, the retaining mechanism, comprising:

a conical spring washer having a concave side, a convex side, and an inner surface defining an opening of a predetermined diameter, and being located, when assembled, in the annular recess;
and
a pin having a predetermined diameter and including means for forming a shoulder thereon having a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening of the conical spring washer, the pin being located, when assembled, in the first and second aligned openings, the cross passage, and the opening of the conical spring washer with the shoulder means being located adjacent the convex side of the conical spring washer.

A tooth assembly comprising:

a ground engaging tool having a rearward end portion defining a socket and first and second aligned openings defined therein and located on opposite sides of the socket;
a work implement having a nose portion operative to mate with the socket of the ground engaging tool, a cross passage defined in the nose portion that is generally in axial alignment with the first and second aligned openings, and an annular recess defined in one side of the nose portion concentric with the cross passage, and
a retaining mechanism including a conical spring washer having a concave side, a convex side, an outer peripheral edge on the convex side, and an inner surface defining an opening of a predetermined diameter, and a pin having a predetermined diameter and including means for forming a shoulder thereon having a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening of the conical spring washer, the conical spring washer being located in the annular recess and the pin being disposed in the first and second aligned openings, the cross passage, and the conical spring washer with the shoulder means being located adjacent the convex side of the conical spring washer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Retaining mechanism for a tooth assembly

Life of this patent

Retaining mechanism for a tooth assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25