Locking pin apparatus

Abstract

A locking pin (100) for use captively retaining a tooth (14) on an adapter portion (12) of an excavating tooth and adapter assembly has a primary wedge member (110) with an integral spring (120) extending upward from the member's distal end (116). A first positive slop means (130) extends from the wedge member (110) while an opposing second positive stop means (122) extends from the integral spring (12). After insertion, the locking pin (100) prevents separation of tooth (14) from adapter portion (12) while the first and second positive stop means (130, 122) prevent accidental loss of the locking pin (100) from the assembly. To remove the locking pin, a force sufficient to separate the first positive stop means (130) from the pin (100) is exerted to drive the pin (100) from the assembly. In another embodiment, the integral spring extends from a lateral surface of the locking pin (700, 800). In another embodiment, the locking pin (900) comprises stop means (910, 912) which are radially extendable by spring means (908). In another embodiment (1000, 1100) a non-integral spring (1020, 1120) is attached to the locking pin and allows for the use of a different material for the spring.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.