Removable adapter assembly having a retractable insert
First Claim
1. A removable adapter assembly, comprising:
- a tapered body having a first end configured to receive a tooth horn, and a second end configured to receive a removable tooth;
the tapered body including first and second sides, which partially define a recess adjacent the first end; and
first and second interior surfaces of the first and second sides, respectively, having first and second gripping surfaces, respectively, the first and second gripping surfaces configured to cooperate with a retractable insert that is coupled with the tooth horn such that the tapered body is coupled with the tooth horn when the retractable insert is in a first extended position, and the tapered body may be removed from the tooth horn when the insert is in a second, retracted position.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A removable adapter assembly includes a tapered body portion having a first end configured to receive a tooth horn, and a second end configured to receive a removable tooth. The tapered body may include first and second sides, which partially define a recess adjacent the first end. First and second interior surfaces of the first and second sides, respectively, have first and second gripping surfaces, respectively. The first and second gripping surfaces are configured to cooperate with a retractable insert that is coupled with the tooth horn. The tapered body is coupled with the tooth horn when the retractable insert is in a first extended position, and the tapered body may be removed from the tooth horn when the insert is in a second, retracted position.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A removable adapter assembly, comprising:
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a tapered body having a first end configured to receive a tooth horn, and a second end configured to receive a removable tooth;
the tapered body including first and second sides, which partially define a recess adjacent the first end; and
first and second interior surfaces of the first and second sides, respectively, having first and second gripping surfaces, respectively, the first and second gripping surfaces configured to cooperate with a retractable insert that is coupled with the tooth horn such that the tapered body is coupled with the tooth horn when the retractable insert is in a first extended position, and the tapered body may be removed from the tooth horn when the insert is in a second, retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
the retractable insert;
wherein the retractable insert is configured to be received at least partially within a slot through the tooth horn, the insert including an elongate body including the opposing first and second ends of the insert;
wherein the third and fourth pluralities of gripping teeth extend outwardly and engage the first and second gripping teeth when the retractable insert is in the first position; and
wherein the third and fourth plurality of gripping teeth are retracted inward and disengage the first and second plurality of gripping teeth, respectively, when the insert is in the second position.
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4. The removable adapter assembly of claim 3, wherein the insert further comprises:
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a biasing element disposed between first and second portions of the elongate body, the first and second portions of the insert including the third and fourth pluralities of gripping teeth, respectively; and
the biasing element being operable to maintain the first and second portions in respective outwardly extended positions when the insert is in the first position.
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5. The removable adapter assembly of claim 4, wherein the insert further comprises:
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a threaded fastener coupling the first and second portions; and
wherein rotation of the fastener in a first direction causes movement of the second portion, relative to the first portion, such that the insert is retracted from the first position to the second position.
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6. The removable adapter assembly of claim 2, further comprising:
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the first and second sides including first and second removable racks, respectively;
the first and second racks each being at least partially recessed relative to the first and second interior surfaces, respectively; and
wherein the first and second racks include the first and second gripping teeth, respectively.
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7. The removable adapter assembly of claim 1, further comprising the retractable insert.
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8. The removable adapter assembly of claim 3, wherein the first and second gripping surfaces are tapered from the second end to the first end, and the third and fourth gripping surface'"'"'s are correspondingly tapered, such that movement of the tapered body toward the tooth horn tightens the coupling between the tapered body portion and the insert.
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9. The removable adapter assembly of claim 4, wherein the first portion of the insert comprises:
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a first shaped body configured to be received within a slot through the tooth horn, the first shaped body portion being moveable along the slot, with respect to the tooth assembly;
a first end of the first shaped body portion including a first recessed portion configured to receive a first end of the biasing element;
a first interior wall adjacent the first recessed portion being operable to engage the biasing element; and
a second end of the first shaped body defining a threaded fastener opening configured to receive a threaded fastener.
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10. The removable adapter assembly of claim 9, wherein the second portion of the insert comprises:
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a second shaped body configured to be received within a slot through the tooth horn, the second shaped body portion being moveable along the slot, with respect to the tooth assembly and the first shaped body;
a first end of the second shaped body portion including a second recessed portion configured to receive a second end of the biasing element;
a second interior wall adjacent the second recessed portion being operable to engage the biasing element; and
a second end of the second shaped body defining a shoulder configured to engage a fastener head.
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11. The removable adapter assembly of claim 10, wherein the insert further comprises a threaded fastener including:
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an elongate shaft having a threaded region and a fastener head opposite the threaded region;
the threaded region being operable to engage the first shaped body; and
the fastener head being operable to engage the shoulder, wherein rotation of the fastener in a first direction extends the insert to the first position and rotation of the fastener in a second direction retracts the insert from the first position to the second position.
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12. The removable adapter assembly of claim 4, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.
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13. The removable adapter assembly of claim 4, wherein the biasing element comprises an elastomer.
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14. An adapter assembly, comprising:
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a first end, a second end, and first and second sides;
a recessed portion adjacent the first end, the recessed portion defining a cavity configured to receive a tooth horn;
the first and second sides generally converging adjacent the second end;
a first rack coupled with the first side adjacent the recessed portion, the first rack including a first plurality of gripping teeth extending toward the recessed portion;
a second rack coupled with the second side adjacent the recessed portion, the second rack including a second plurality of gripping teeth extending toward the recessed portion;
an insert configured to be received at least partially within a slot formed through a tooth horn of an excavation equipment component, the insert including first and second structures, a biasing element, and a fastener; and
the insert including a first position in which the first and second structures extend outwardly relative to each other, and a second position in which the first and second structures are retracted inwardly relative to one another.
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15. A method for coupling an adapter assembly and a tooth horn, comprising:
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inserting an insert at least partially through a slot through a tooth horn, the insert comprising first and second shaped body portions, the first and second shaped body portions having respective gripping surfaces adjacent opposite sides of the tooth horn;
the insert including a fastener extending at least partially through first and second fastener openings disposed at least partially through the first and second shaped body portions, respectively;
the first shaped body portion including a first threaded region operable to engage a corresponding second threaded region of the fastener, the second shaped body portion including a shoulder operable to engage a fastener head at an end of the fastener opposite the threaded region;
the insert including a biasing member disposed between the first and second shaped body portions, the biasing member being operable to engage first and second surfaces of the first and second shaped body portions, respectively, forcing the first and second shaped body portions generally away from one another;
installing an adapter at least partially over the tooth horn until third and fourth gripping surfaces associated with first and second sides of the adapter are generally adjacent the first and second gripping surfaces, respectively; and
rotating the fastener in a first direction such that the first and second shaped body portions extend outwardly, until the first and second gripping surfaces engage the third and fourth gripping surfaces, and the adapter is secured in an installed position upon the tooth horn. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification