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US 9,115,742 B2Granted
Pinned connections
AssigneeESCO Corporation
InventorsRobert McClanahan, Carolyn Shapiro, Robin K Churchill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Improved connection systems for pinned connections are disclosed. Although the connection systems may be utilized in dragline excavating systems, the connection systems may also be utilized for pinned connections in a variety of other types of mining, dredging, forestry, and construction equipment. An insert utilized in the connections systems has a frustroconical shape that joins with an aperture in an element being joined by the connection system.
Claims19
A pinned connection for earthmoving equipment comprising:
- a first connection element including a pair of spaced arms, each said arm defining an aperture such that the apertures are aligned with each other, each said aperture including a bushing, each bushing including a cavity, and at least one of said apertures having a tapered wall portion, and the arm with the tapered wall portion including a locking formation in communication with the aperture;
- a second connection element received between the arms of the first connection element and defining a hole aligned with the apertures;
- a pin having a pair of ends that oppose each other, and an exterior surface extending between the pair of ends, the pin extending into the cavity of one said bushing within one said aperture and through the hole in the second connection element and into the other cavity of the other bushing within the other said aperture to connect the first connection element to the second connection element;
- a retainer located within the at least one said aperture with the tapered wall portion to oppose one said end of the pin to limit axial movement of the pin, said retainer having an exterior surface including a tapered wall portion corresponding to the tapered wall portion of the respective aperture, wherein the engaged tapered wall portions of the aperture and the retainer include engagable helical projections and helical grooves to secure the retainers to the apertures during use and facilitate removal of the retainer for inspection;
- and
- a releasable lock received into the locking formation to contact the exterior surface of the retainer secured in the at least one said aperture to prevent removal of the retainer from the at least one said aperture.
3 more elements
A pinned connection for earthmoving equipment comprising:
- a first connection element including a pair of spaced arms, each said arm defining an aperture such that the apertures are aligned with each other, and at least one of said apertures having a tapered wall portion, and the arm with the tapered wall portion including a locking formation in communication with the aperture;
- a second connection element received between the arms of the first connection element and defining a hole aligned with the apertures;
- a pin having a pair of ends that oppose each other, and an exterior surface extending between the pair of ends, the pin extending into the apertures and through the hole to connect the first connection element to the second connection element;
- a retainer located within the at least one said aperture with the tapered wall portion to oppose one said end of the pin to limit axial movement of the pin, said retainer having an exterior surface including a tapered wall portion corresponding to the tapered wall portion of the respective aperture, wherein the engaged tapered wall portions of the aperture and the retainer include engagable helical projections and helical grooves to secure the retainers to the apertures during use and facilitate removal of the retainer for inspection;
- and
- an elastomer recessed within the locking formation of the aperture, wherein the elastomer contacts the helical projection or helical groove of the retainer to secure the position of the retainer within the at least one said aperture.
3 more elements
A dragline excavating system utilized in earth moving operations, the dragline excavating system comprising:
- a dragline bucket to collect earthen material;
- and
- rigging components to support and control the dragline bucket, the rigging components including hoist chains, dump ropes, and drag chains;
- wherein at least two said rigging components of the dragline excavating system are joined together through a pinned connection, the pinned connection comprising:
- a first connection element including a pair of spaced arms, each said arm defining an aperture such that the apertures are aligned with each other, at least one of said apertures having a tapered wall portion, and the arm with the tapered wall portion including a locking formation in communication with the aperture;
- a second connection element received between the arms of the first connection element and defining a hole aligned with the apertures;
- a pin having a pair of ends that oppose each other, and an exterior surface extending between the pair of ends, the pin extending into the apertures and through the hole to connect the first connection element to the second connection element;
- a retainer located within said aperture with the tapered wall portion to oppose one said end of the pin to limit axial movement of the pin, said retainer having an exterior surface including a tapered wall portion corresponding to the tapered wall portion of the respective aperture, wherein the engaged tapered wall portions of the aperture and the retainer include engagable helical projections and helical grooves to secure the retainers to the apertures during use and facilitate removal of the retainer for inspection;
- and
- a releasable lock received into the locking formation to contact the exterior surface of the retainer secured in the at least one said aperture to prevent removal of the retainer from the at least one said aperture.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.