Releasable coupling assembly
First Claim
1. A lock adapted for receipt into an opening defined by two separable components in a wear assembly for excavating equipment, the lock comprising:
- a wedge having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending centrally through the first and second ends, and a rounded exterior surface about the longitudinal axis that tapers toward the first end for initial receipt into the opening, the exterior surface including a helical groove; and
a spool including a body and arms at opposite ends of the body, each arm including an inner surface that tapers outward in a rearward direction, a trough on the body having a generally concave surface for receiving the wedge, and a series of helical ridges in spaced apart relation along the trough to engage the helical groove on the wedge;
the wedge and the spool being threadedly coupled together in the opening by the engagement of the ridges in the helical groove such that rotation of the wedge about the longitudinal axis translates the wedge in the opening in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and along the trough of the spool to tighten the lock in the opening thereby causing the wedge and the spool to press the separable components in opposite directions to hold the two components together.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lock that includes a wedge that is used to releasably secure separable components of an assembly together. The wedge can be used with a spool. The wedge and spool are threadedly coupled together to drive the wedge into and out of an opening in the assembly without hammering or prying. The direct coupling of the wedge and spool eliminates the need for bolts, washers, nuts and other hardware so as to minimize the number of parts. As a result, the lock is inexpensive to make, easy to use, and unlikely to become inoperative because of lost or broken parts or due to fines or other difficulties encountered in harsh digging environments. Further, the wedge can be driven into the assembly to provide the degree of tightness necessary for the intended operation and/or to re-tighten the assembly after incurring wear during use. A latch assembly is preferably provided to securely hold the wedge in place and avoid an undesired loss of parts during use.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A lock adapted for receipt into an opening defined by two separable components in a wear assembly for excavating equipment, the lock comprising:
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a wedge having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending centrally through the first and second ends, and a rounded exterior surface about the longitudinal axis that tapers toward the first end for initial receipt into the opening, the exterior surface including a helical groove; and a spool including a body and arms at opposite ends of the body, each arm including an inner surface that tapers outward in a rearward direction, a trough on the body having a generally concave surface for receiving the wedge, and a series of helical ridges in spaced apart relation along the trough to engage the helical groove on the wedge; the wedge and the spool being threadedly coupled together in the opening by the engagement of the ridges in the helical groove such that rotation of the wedge about the longitudinal axis translates the wedge in the opening in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and along the trough of the spool to tighten the lock in the opening thereby causing the wedge and the spool to press the separable components in opposite directions to hold the two components together. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A lock adapted for receipt into an opening defined by two separable components in a wear assembly for excavating equipment, the lock comprising:
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a wedge having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending centrally through the first and second ends, and a rounded exterior surface about the longitudinal axis that tapers toward the first end for initial receipt into the opening, the exterior surface including a helical groove; and a spool including a trough having a generally concave surface for receiving the wedge, and a series of helical ridges in a spaced apart relation along the trough to engage the helical groove on the wedge; the wedge and the spool being threadedly coupled together in the opening by the engagement of the helical ridges in the helical groove such that rotation of the wedge about the longitudinal axis translates the wedge in the opening in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and along the trough of the spool to tighten the lock in the opening thereby causing the wedge and the spool to press the separable components in opposite directions to hold the two components together. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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- 12. A wear member for excavating equipment comprising a front end, a rear end, converging walls that converge toward the front end, side walls extending between the converging walls, a socket that opens in the rear end to receive a nose fixed to the excavating equipment, an opening extending through one of said walls to communicate with the socket, and a resiliently biased latch projecting into the opening and defining a thread formation to engage a threaded wedge to secure the wear member to the nose.
Specification