EXCAVATING TOOTH WEAR INDICATOR AND METHOD

• US 20140173948A1
• Filed: 08/26/2011
• Published: 06/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Ok, Suksan, Luft, Kevin F.
• Application Number:
  US14/236,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20140173948A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 37/452
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 6/00 Restoring or reconditioning objects straightening or restoring form of sheet metal, metal rods, metal tubes, metal profiles, or specific articles made therefrom B21D1/00, B21D3/00; repairing defective or damaged objects by casting techniques B22D19/10
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/267 Diagnosing or detecting failure of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2808 Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2825 using adapters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4973 Replacing of defective part

Abstract

The present invention relates to an excavating tooth for construction machinery and a method for replacing an excavating tooth of construction machinery. The excavating tooth is provided with a working end and a mountable end. The mountable end defines a means for receiving an adaptor mounted on a work tool. The working end defines a bore. A wear indicator is located within the bore and provided with a length that is less than an unworn length of the working end and a color that visibly contrasts with a color of the working end. As the excavating tooth is worn down during use, the wear indicator becomes visible to provide a visual indication of the need to replace the excavating tooth.

Claims

1. An excavating tooth for construction machinery, comprising:

an excavating tooth provided with a working end and a mountable end,

the mountable end defining a means for receiving an adaptor mounted on a work tool;

the working end defining a bore; and

a wear indicator that is located within the bore and provided with;

a length that is less than an unworn length of the working end; and

a color that visibly contrasts with a color of the working end.

2. The excavating tooth according to claim 1, wherein:

the wear indicator is a flowable material; and

the bore includes an inner end that is plugged to prevent the wear indicator from flowing into the mountable end.

3. The excavating tooth according to claim 1, wherein the wear indicator is an epoxy.

4. The excavating tooth according to claim 1, wherein the wear indicator is a metal.

5. The excavating tooth according to claim 1, wherein the wear indicator is a plastic.

6. The excavating tooth according to claim 1, wherein the wear indicator is a flowable adhesive.

7. A method of replacing an excavating tooth on a working tool of a construction machine wherein the working tool is provided with an adaptor, the excavating tooth is provided with a working end and a mountable end, the mountable end defines a recess that receives the adaptor, the working end defines a bore and is provided with a unworn length and a worn length, a wear indicator is located in the bore and includes a length that is less than the unworn length and a color that contrasts with a color of the working end, the method comprising the steps of:

abrasively wearing down the excavating tooth from the unworn length to the worn length, whereby the wear indicator becomes visible; and

replacing the excavating tooth after the wear indicator becomes visible.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein:

the wear indicator is a flowable material; and

the bore includes an inner end that is plugged to prevent the wear indicator from

flowing into the mountable end.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the wear indicator is an epoxy.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the wear indicator is a metal.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the wear indicator is a plastic.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the wear indicator is a flowable adhesive.

13. An excavating tooth for construction machinery, comprising:

an excavating tooth provided with a working end and a mountable end,

the mountable end defining an adaptor receiving recess;

the working end defining a bore; and

a wear indicator that is located within the bore and provided with;

a length that is less than an unworn length of the working end and greater than or equal to a worn length of the working end; and

a color that visibly contrasts with a color of the working end.

14. The excavating tooth according to claim 13, wherein:

the wear indicator is a flowable material; and

the bore includes an inner end that is plugged to prevent the wear indicator from flowing into the mountable end.

15. The excavating tooth according to claim 13, wherein the wear indicator is an epoxy.

16. The excavating tooth according to claim 13, wherein the wear indicator is a metal.

17. The excavating tooth according to claim 13, wherein the wear indicator is a plastic.

18. The excavating tooth according to claim 13, wherein the wear indicator is a flowable adhesive.