(12) United States Patent
`Snyder
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,844,175 B2
`Sep. 30, 2014
`
`USOO8844.175B2
`
`(54) WEAR ASSEMBLY FOR EXCAVATING
`EQUIPMENT
`
`(75) Inventor: Christopher D. Snyder, Portland, OR
`(US)
`(73) Assignee: ESCO Corporation, Portland, OR (US)
`
`c
`- r
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any itself.
`patent 1s extended or adjusted under
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 447 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/913,071
`1-1.
`(22) Filed:
`
`(65)
`
`Oct. 27, 2010
`O
`O
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2011/0099862 A1
`May 5, 2011
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/256,561, filed on Oct.
`30, 2009.
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`E02F 9/28
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............. E02F 9/2858 (2013.01); E02F 9/2866
`(2013.01); E02F 9/2833 (2013.01); E02F
`9/2825 (2013.01)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`1,685,196 A * 9, 1928 Gilbert .......................... 172,703
`2,040,085 A
`5/1936 Fykse et al.
`2,050,014 A
`8, 1936 Morrison
`2,167.425. A
`7/1939 Page
`2.256,488 A * 9/1941 Murtaugh ....................... 37/455
`2,689,419 A
`9, 1954 Daniels et al.
`2,738,602 A
`3, 1956 Meeks
`2,874,491 A
`2f1959 Larsen
`2,904,909 A
`9, 1959 Ratkowski
`2.915,290 A 12/1959 Petersen
`2.919,506 A
`1/1960 Larsen
`3,012,346 A 12/1961 Larsen
`3,079,710 A
`3/1963 Larsen et al.
`3,196,956 A * 7/1965 Ratkowski .................... 172,713
`3,331,637 A
`7/1967 Krekeler
`3,444,633 A *
`5/1969 Hensley .......................... 37/452
`3,455,040 A
`7/1969 Ratkowski
`3,530,601 A
`9/1970 Steil
`3,623,247 A 1 1/1971 Stepe
`3,624,827 A * 1 1/1971 Liess et al. ........................ 37/92
`3,774,324. A 1 1/1973 Lafond
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`JP
`
`1Of 1975
`SO-132703
`8, 1986
`61176724
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner — Jamie L. McGowan
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Steven P. Schad
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`USPC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 37/452: 37/455
`
`Wear members for US in excavating include a Socket having
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ............................. 37/452, 453,455; 172/713
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3/1905 McCaskey
`784,116 A
`3, 1917 Dietz
`1,218,841 A
`1,438,001 A 12/1922 Buskirk et al.
`
`
`
`a front stabilizing end that includes a top Surface, a bottom
`Surface and side Surfaces. At least one of these Surfaces is
`formed with a transverse, inward projection and extends axi
`ally substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
`Socket. The Socket may include Surfaces that generally cor
`respond to exterior Surfaces of a nose on which it may be
`mounted and on which it may be connected to excavating
`equipment.
`
`21 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 1
`
`

`

`US 8,844,175 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`8, 1975 Helton et al.
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`6, 1984 Nilsson
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`4,510,706 A
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`9, 1986 Launder
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`3, 1988 Hahn
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`5, 1988 Olsen et al.
`D296,442 S * 6/1988 Broomhall ..................... D15/29
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`1, 1993 Klett
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`9, 1994 Launder et al.
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`12/1999 Launder et al.
`6,047,487 A
`4/2000 Clendenning
`6,240,663 B1
`6, 2001 Robinson
`6,247,255 B1
`6/2001 Clendenning
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`8/2001 Clendenning
`6,321,471 B2 11/2001 Fernandez et al.
`6,385,871 B1* 5/2002 Quarfordt ....................... 37/457
`6,393,739 B1
`5, 2002 Shamblin et al.
`6,430,851 B1
`8/2002 Clendenning
`
`8/2002 Ruvang et al.
`6,439,796 B1
`1 1/2002 Cornelius
`6,477,796 B1
`6,619,883 B2 * 9/2003 Livesay et al. ................ 404,124
`6,675,509 B2
`1/2004 Bierwith
`6,729,052 B2
`5/2004 Ollinger, IV et al.
`6,735,890 B2
`5/2004 Carpenter et al.
`6,745,503 B1
`6/2004 Moreno et al.
`6,836,983 B2
`1/2005 Moreno et al.
`6,839,990 B2
`1/2005 Leslie et al.
`6,865,828 B1
`3/2005 Molino et al.
`6,976,325 B2 12/2005 Robinson et al.
`7,523,572 B2
`4/2009 Pasqualini
`7,703,224 B2 * 4/2010 Karlsson et al. ................ 37/457
`7,730,651 B2
`6, 2010 Carpenter
`7,762,015 B2 * 7/2010 Smith et al. ..................... 37/455
`7,980.011 B2
`7/2011 Ruyang ...
`37,452
`8,061,064 B2 * 1 1/2011 Ollinger et al. ................. 37/453
`2001/0001352 A1
`5, 2001 Fernandez et al.
`2003,0005606 A1
`1/2003 Carpenter et al.
`2003.0024139 A1
`22003 Jones et al.
`2003.0089.003 A1
`5/2003 Ollinger, IV et al.
`2003/0101627 A1
`6/2003 Robinson et al.
`2004/OO93771 A1
`5/2004 Carpenter et al.
`2004/01 1802 Al
`6 2004 Renski
`2005/0050775 A1
`3/2005 Clendenning et al.
`2005/0055853 A1
`3/2005 Livesay et al.
`2005, 0120596 A1
`6/2005 Kasim
`2005, 0132619 A1
`6/2005 Robinson
`2006, OO13648 A1
`1/2006 Bernstein
`2007.0193075 A1
`8/2007 Carpenter
`2007/0227051 A1 10/2007 Carpenter et al.
`2008/0000114 A1
`1/2008 Bentley
`
`
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`04306329 A 10, 1992
`JP
`10183698 A
`7/1998
`JP
`WO 870331.6 A1
`6, 1987
`WO
`WO WO 2004035945 A1
`4/2004
`WO WO 2008. 140993
`11, 2008
`* cited by examiner
`
`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 2014
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`Sheet 1 of 9
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`US 8,844,175 B2
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`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 30, 2014
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`Sheet 2 of 9
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`US 8,844,175 B2
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`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 4
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`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 5
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`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 6
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 2014
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`Sheet 5 Of 9
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`US 8,844,175 B2
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`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 7
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 2014
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
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`US 8,844,175 B2
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`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 8
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 2014
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`Sheet 7 Of 9
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`US 8,844,175 B2
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`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 9
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 30, 2014
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`Sheet 8 of 9
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`US 8,844,175 B2
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`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 10
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 30, 2014
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`Sheet 9 Of 9
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`US 8,844,175 B2
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`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 11
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`

`

`1.
`WEAR ASSEMBLY FOR EXCAVATING
`EQUIPMENT
`
`RELATED APPLICATION DATA
`
`This application claims priority benefits to U.S. Provi
`sional Patent Application No. 61/256,561 filed Oct. 30, 2009
`in the name of Christopher Snyder and entitled “Wear Assem
`bly for Excavating Equipment, which application is entirely
`incorporated herein by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention pertains to wear assemblies for
`securing wear members to excavating equipment, such as
`wear assemblies that are Suited for attachment to and use on a
`dredge cutterhead.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Dredge cutterheads are used for excavating earthen mate
`rial that is underwater, Such as a riverbed. In general, a dredge
`cutterhead 1 includes several arms 2 that extend forward from
`a base ring 3 to a hub 4 (FIG. 1). The arms 2 are spaced about
`the base ring 3 and formed with a broad spiral about the
`central axis of the cutterhead 1. Each arm 2 is provided with
`a series of spaced apart teeth 5 to dig into the ground. The
`teeth 5 are composed of adapters or bases 6 that are fixed to
`the arms 2, and points 7 that are releasably attached to the
`bases 6 by locks 8.
`In use, the cutterhead 1 is rotated about its central axis to
`excavate the earthen material. A Suction pipe is provided near
`the ring 3 to remove the dredged material. To excavate the
`desired swath of ground, the cutterhead 1 is moved side-to
`side as well as forward. On account of Swells and other
`movement of the water, the cutterhead 1 also tends to move up
`and down, and periodically impacts the bottom Surface. Fur
`ther difficulties are caused by the operators inability to see
`the ground that is being excavated underneath the water, i.e.,
`unlike most other excavating operations, the dredge cutter
`head 1 cannot be effectively guided by the operator along a
`path to best suit the terrain to be excavated.
`During a dredging operation, the cutterheads 1 are rotated
`such that the teeth 5 are driven into and through the ground at
`a rapid rate. Consequently, considerable power is needed to
`drive the cutterhead 1, particularly when excavating in rock.
`In an effort to minimize the power requirements, dredge
`points 7 are typically provided with elongate, slender bits for
`easier penetration of the ground. However, as the bit becomes
`shorter due to wear, the mounting sections of the points 7 will
`begin to engage the ground in the cutting operation. The
`mounting section is wider than the bit and is not shaped for
`reduced drag. On account of the resulting increased drag the
`mounting sections impose on the cutterhead 1, the points 7
`usually are changed at this time before the bits are fully worn
`away.
`In view of the heavy loads and severe environments in
`which dredging equipment operates, the point 7 and base 6
`interconnection for the teeth 5 needs to be stable and secure.
`Unstable and insecure engagement between the points 7 and
`their bases 6 may result in undesired disengagement of the
`points 7 from the base 6, which increases time and expense in
`the dredging operation, e.g., due to lost parts, downtime for
`replacement of the points, etc. Accordingly, improved point
`and base interconnections in dredging and other excavating
`equipment would be a welcome advance in the art.
`
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`US 8,844,175 B2
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`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The following presents a general Summary of aspects of the
`present invention in order to provide a basic understanding of
`the invention and various example features of it. This sum
`mary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any
`way, but it simply provides a general overview and context for
`the more detailed description that follows.
`Aspects of this invention relate to wear members for use in
`excavating equipment, assemblies including a wear member
`engaged with a base for use with a piece of excavating equip
`ment, and excavating equipment that includes wear members
`and/or assemblies in accordance with this invention. More
`specific example aspects of this invention are described in
`more detail below.
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a wear
`member for excavating equipment includes a front Surface for
`engaging the material to be excavated and a rear Socket for
`receiving a base secured to the excavating equipment. The
`Socket has a front stabilizing end that includes a top surface,
`a bottom Surface and side Surfaces. At least one of these
`Surfaces is formed with a transverse, inward projection. In
`Some example structures according to this invention, the
`transverse, inward projection(s) will extend axially Substan
`tially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the socket. Addition
`ally, in some structures according to the invention, at least the
`top surface and the bottom surface will include the transverse,
`inward projections and/or the Substantially parallel axial
`extension direction.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
`wear member includes a socket for receiving a base, wherein
`the Socket has top, bottom and side surfaces, and wherein at
`least one of the surfaces is formed with a transverse inward
`projection extending Substantially along the entire length of
`the Socket.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
`wear member includes a socket for receiving a base, wherein
`the Socket has top, bottom and side Surfaces, wherein at least
`one of the Surfaces includes a first axial portion at a front end
`of the socket and a second axial portion proximate a rear end
`of the socket, and wherein each axial portion is formed with
`a transverse inward projection and extends axially Substan
`tially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the socket.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
`wear member includes a socket for receiving a base fixed to
`the excavating equipment, and the Socket has a front stabiliz
`ing end that includes a top surface, a bottom Surface, a first
`side surface, and a second side Surface. At least one of the top
`surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the
`second side Surface has a curved construction, e.g., a curved
`construction including a curved inward projection.
`In accordance with one aspect of this invention, a wear
`member for excavating equipment is provided with a socket
`that includes a pair of axially spaced apart stabilizing bands
`that extend substantially around the perimeter of the socket,
`with one band near the front end of the socket and another
`band near the rear end. The stabilizing bands are defined by
`stabilizing Surfaces that each extends Substantially parallel to
`the longitudinal axis of the wear member and/or the assembly
`in which it is included. In one preferred embodiment, each of
`the stabilizing bands defines a generally trapezoidal shape.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a wear
`member for excavating equipment is formed to minimize the
`drag associated with the digging operation and, in turn, mini
`mize the power need to drive the equipment. Reduced power
`consumption, in turn, leads to a more efficient operation.
`
`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 12
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`3
`In one other aspect of the invention, the wear member is
`provided with side relief not only in the working end, but also
`in the mounting end, to reduce drag, require less digging
`power, and provide a longeruseable life for the wear member.
`In another aspect of the invention, the wear member has a
`transverse configuration where the width of the leading side is
`larger than the width of the corresponding trailing side so that
`the sidewalls of the wear member follow in the shadow of the
`leading side to decrease drag. This use of a smaller trailing
`side is provided not only through the working end of the wear
`member but also at least partially into its mounting end. As a
`result, the drag experienced by a worn wear member is less
`than that of a conventional wear member. Less drag translates
`into less power consumption and a longer use of the wear
`member before it needs to be replaced. Accordingly, the
`working ends of the wear member can be fully or nearly worn
`away before replacement is needed.
`The wear member may have a profile that is defined by the
`collective transverse configuration of that portion of the wear
`member that is driven through the ground in any one digging
`pass. In one other aspect of the present invention, the profile
`is widest at the leading face and generally narrows rearward
`of the leading face for the portions of the wear member that
`will engage the ground during the life of the wear member.
`In another aspect of the invention, the exterior transverse
`profile of the wear member may be generally trapezoidal with
`the leading side defusing the larger width. The trapezoidal
`shape continues through the working end and at least through
`the front portion of the mounting end.
`The socket of the wear member is provided to receive a
`nose of a base member that may be fixed to the excavating
`equipment. In another aspect of the invention, the socket is
`formed with a transverse generally trapezoidal exterior shape
`to generally correspond to the exterior profile of the wear
`member. This general matching of the socket to the exterior of
`the mounting section eases manufacture, maximizes the size
`of the nose for a given outer profile, and enhances the strength
`to weight ratio.
`In a preferred construction, one or more of the top, bottom
`or side Surfaces of a trapezoidal shaped nose and the corre
`sponding walls of the Socket are each bowed to fit together.
`These surfaces and walls have a gradual curvature to ease
`installation, enhance stability of the wear member, and resist
`rotation of the wear member about the longitudinal axis dur
`ing use.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, both the
`Socket and nose include front and rear stabilizing Surfaces
`(e.g., stabilizing bands, as described above) that extend Sub
`stantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wear member
`and Substantially around the perimeter of the Socket and nose
`to resist rearward loads applied in all directions.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
`Socket and nose are formed with complementary front bear
`ing faces (or thrust faces) that may constitute an arc or section
`of a sphere to lessen stress in the components and to better
`control the rattle that occurs between the wear member and
`the base.
`In another aspect of the invention, the Socket and nose are
`formed with front curved bearing faces at their frontends, and
`with generally trapezoidal transverse shapes rearward of the
`front ends to improve stability, ease manufacture, maximize
`the size of the nose, reduce drag, stress and wear, and enhance
`the strength to weight ratio.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a wear
`assembly is provided that includes a base, a wear member that
`mounts to the base, and a lock or engagement system that
`holds the wear member to the base in a manner that is secure,
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`easy to use, and readily manufactured. The lock or engage
`ment system may be axially oriented that, in a compressive
`state, it holds the wear member to the base and can tighten the
`fit of the wear member on the base. In one preferred example
`structure, the wear assembly includes an adjustable axial
`lock.
`In another aspect of the invention, the wear member
`includes an opening into which the lock or engagement sys
`tem is received, and a hole that is formed in a rear wall of the
`opening to accommodate passage of a lock to stabilize the
`lock and to facilitate easy tightening of the lock.
`In another aspect of the invention, the base interacts with
`the lock solely through the use of a projecting stop. As a
`result, there is no need for a hole, recess or passage in the nose
`Such as is typically provided to receive a lock. The nose
`strength is thus enhanced.
`In another aspect of the invention, the locking arrangement
`for securing the wear member to the base can be adjusted to
`consistently apply a predetermined force to the wear member
`irrespective of the amount of wear that may exist in the base
`and/or wear member.
`In another aspect of the invention, the wear member
`includes a marker that can be used to identify when the lock
`has been adequately tightened.
`In another aspect of the invention, the wear member is
`installed and secured to the base through an easy to use
`process involving an axial lock. The wear member fits over a
`nose of a base fixed to the excavating equipment. The base
`includes a stop that projects outward from the nose. An axial
`lock is received into an opening in the wear member and
`extends between the stop and a bearing surface on the wear
`member to releasably hold the wear member to the nose.
`In another aspect of the invention, the wear member is first
`slid over a base fixed to the excavating equipment. An axially
`oriented lock is positioned with one bearing face against a
`stop on the base and another bearing face against a bearing
`wall on the wear member such that the lock is in axial com
`pression. The lock is adjusted to move and hold the wear
`member tightly onto the base.
`In another aspect of the invention, a lock to releasably hold
`a wear member to a base includes a threaded linear shaft, with
`a bearing end and a tool engaging end, a nut threaded onto the
`shaft, and a spring including a plurality of alternating annular
`elastomeric disks and annular spacers fit about the threaded
`shaft between the bearing end and the nut.
`Other aspects, advantages, and features of the invention
`will be described in more detail below and will be recogniz
`able from the following detailed description of example struc
`tures in accordance with this invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention is illustrated by way of example and
`not limited in the accompanying figures, in which like refer
`ence numerals indicate the same or similar elements through
`out, and in which:
`FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional dredge cutterhead;
`FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an example wear
`member in accordance with this invention;
`FIG. 3 is a side view of an example base for mounting a
`wear member in accordance with this invention;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example nose of a base
`for mounting a wear member in accordance with this inven
`tion;
`FIG. 5 is a front view of an example nose of a base for
`mounting a wear member in accordance with this invention;
`
`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 13
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`US 8,844,175 B2
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`5
`FIG. 6 is a vertical cross sectional view along line 6-6 in
`FIG. 2 showing the wear member mounted on a nose of a base
`in accordance with one example of this invention;
`FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view similar to that shown in
`FIG. 6 except that this example wear member is shown with
`out the base member and the lock, to better illustrate the
`internal structures of the Socket in this example wear member;
`FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view taken along line 7A-7A in
`FIG. 7 and illustrates a cross section of the working section of
`the wear member;
`FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view taken along line 7B-7B in
`FIG. 7 and illustrates a cross section of the wear member as it
`contacts ground during a digging operation;
`FIG.7C is a cross sectional view taken along line 7C-7C in
`FIG. 7 and illustrates a cross section of the mounting section
`of the wear member; and
`FIG. 8 is an end view of an example wear member in
`accordance with this invention, looking into the Socket.
`The reader is advised that the various parts shown in these
`drawings are not necessarily drawn to Scale.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`6
`In a dredge tooth, wear member 104 (which also may be
`referred to herein as a “point”) is provided with a working
`section 112 (also referred to herein as a “bit) in the form of
`an elongate slender bit and a mounting section 114 that
`defines a socket 120 to receive nose 108 of the base member
`102. Wear member 104 is rotated by the cutterhead such that
`it engages the ground in generally the same way with each
`digging pass. As a result, wear member 104 includes a leading
`side 122 and a trailing side 124. Leading side 122 is the side
`that first engages and leads the penetration of the ground with
`each rotation of the cutterhead. In the present invention, trail
`ing side 124 has a smaller width than leading side 122 (i.e.,
`along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 128 of
`wear member 104, see FIGS. 7 and 7A) through the working
`section 112 and at least partially through mounting section
`114 (see also FIGS. 7B and 7C). In some embodiments,
`trailing side 124 has a smaller width than leading side 122
`throughout the entire length of the wear member 104.
`As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7A, at least the working section
`112 of wear member 104 preferably has a generally trapezoi
`dal transverse configuration with a leading side 122 that is
`wider than trailing side 124. The term “transverse configura
`tion' is used herein to refer to the two-dimensional configu
`ration along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 128
`of wear member 104. On account of this narrowing of the
`wear member 104, sidewalls 130 and 132 follow in the
`shadow of leading side 122 during digging and thereby create
`little drag on the cutting operation (this reduction in drag
`feature is also called “side relief in this specification). In
`some constructions, sidewalls 130, 132 converge toward trail
`ing side 124 at an angle 0 of about 16 degrees (see FIG. 7A);
`however, other angular configurations are possible. The lead
`ing side 122, trailing side 124 and sidewalls 130, 132 can be
`planar, curved or irregular. Moreover, shapes other than trap
`ezoidal can be used that provide side relief.
`In use, the dredge wear member 104 penetrates the ground
`to a certain depth with each digging pass (i.e., with each
`rotation of the cutterhead). During much of the wear mem
`ber's useful life, the working end 112 alone penetrates the
`ground. As one example, the ground level in one digging
`cycle extends generally along line 7B-7B in FIG. 7 at the
`center point of a digging pass. Because only the working end
`112 penetrates the ground and because the working end 112 is
`relatively thin, the drag placed on the digging operation is
`within manageable limits. Nevertheless, with many dredge
`teeth being constantly driven through the ground at a rapid
`rate, power requirements are always high and reducing the
`drag even in the bit portion 112 of the wear member 104 is
`beneficial to the operation, especially when digging through
`rock.
`In some preferred constructions, sidewalls 130, 132 not
`only converge toward trailing side 124, but they also are
`configured so that the sidewalls 130, 132 lie within the
`shadow of the leading side 122 in the digging profile (FIG.
`7B). The term “digging profile' is used herein to mean the
`cross-sectional configuration of the portion of wear member
`104 that penetrates the ground along a plane that is (i) parallel
`to the direction of travel at the center point of a digging pass
`through the ground and (ii) laterally perpendicular to the
`longitudinal axis. The digging profile is a better indication of
`the drag to be imposed on the wear member 104 during use
`than a true transverse cross section. The provision of side
`relief in the digging profile is dependent on the angle at which
`the sidewalls converge toward the trailing side and the axial
`slope or expansion of the wear member Surfaces in a rearward
`direction. The intention is to provide a width that generally
`narrows from the leading side 122 to the trailing side 124
`
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`25
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`30
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`35
`
`The following description and the accompanying figures
`disclose example features of excavating equipment, includ
`ing wear member structures for excavating equipment in
`accordance with examples of the present invention as well as
`structures for mounting Such wear members.
`Some aspects of the present invention pertain to wear
`assemblies 100 for excavating equipment, and these wear
`assemblies may be particularly well Suited for dredging
`operations. In this application, the invention is described pri
`marily in terms of a dredge tooth adapted for attachment to a
`dredge cutterhead. Nevertheless, the different aspects of the
`invention can be used in conjunction with other kinds of wear
`assemblies (e.g., shrouds) and for other kinds of excavating
`equipment (e.g., buckets or the like for construction or mining
`equipment, etc.).
`The assembly 100 and/or portions thereof are at times
`described in relative terms such as “up,” “down.” “horizon
`tal,” “vertical,” “front” and “rear and the like. Such terms are
`not considered essential and are provided simply to ease the
`description. The orientation of a wear assembly 100 in an
`excavating operation, and particularly in a dredge operation,
`can change considerably. These relative terms should be
`understood with reference to the orientation of wear assembly
`100 as illustrated in FIG. 2 unless otherwise stated.
`Wear assembly 100 includes a base 102 secured to a dredge
`cutterhead (or other excavating equipment), a wear member
`104, and a lock or engagement system 106 to releasably hold
`the wear member 104 to base 102 (FIGS. 2 and 6). The lock
`or engagement system could be in the form of a known
`retainer or pin (not shown), but preferably has a construction
`as described below.
`Base 102 (which also may be referred to herein as an
`“adapter”) includes a forwardly projecting nose 108 onto
`which wear member 104 is mounted, and a mounting end 110
`(see FIG. 3) that is fixed to an arm of a dredge cutterhead (or
`other excavating equipment). The base 102 may be cast as
`part of the arm, welded to the arm, or attached by mechanical
`means. As examples only, the base 102 may be formed and
`mounted to the cutterhead such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
`4,470,210 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,052, each of which is
`entirely incorporated herein by reference. The mounting end
`110 may be sized and shaped to prevent rotation with respect
`to the cutterhead arm and to prevent the assembly 100 from
`unintentionally separating from the cutterhead arm.
`
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`DEERE & COMPANY, EX-1001
`PAGE 14
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`US 8,844,175 B2
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`7
`when considered from the perspective of the digging profile.
`Side relief in the digging profile preferably extends across the
`expected cutterhead digging angles, but benefit can still be
`obtained if such side relief exists in at least one digging angle.
`As one example only, the cross-sectional configuration illus
`trated in FIG.7B represents one digging profile for a portion
`of wear member 104 being driven through the ground. As can
`be seen, the working end 112 is still provided with side relief
`even in the digging profile as sidewalls 130, 132 converge
`toward trailing side 124 for reduced drag.
`As the working section 112 wears away, the ground level
`gradually creeps rearward so that more rearward, thicker
`portions of the wear member 104 are pushed through the
`ground with each digging cycle. More power is therefore
`required to drive the cutterhead as the working members
`wear. Eventually, enough of the working section 112 wears
`away Such that the mounting section 114 of the wear member
`104 is being driven through the ground with each digging
`pass. In at least Some example structures in accordance with
`the present invention, the mounting section 114 continues to
`include side relief at least at the front end of the mounting
`section (FIG. 7C), and preferably throughout the mounting
`section 114.
`As seen in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, mounting section 114 is larger
`than working section 112 to accommodate the receipt of nose
`108 into socket 120 and to provide ample strength for the
`interconnection between the wear member 104 and the base
`102. Sidewalls 130, 132 are inclined so as to converge toward
`trailing side 124. The inclination of sidewalls 130, 132 along
`line 7C-7C is, in this one example, at an angle C. of about 26
`degrees (FIG. 7B), but other inclinations can also be used. As
`discussed above, the desired side relief in the digging profile
`depends on the relation between the transverse inclination of
`the sidewalls 130, 132 and the axial expansion of the wear
`member 104.
`As noted above, in use, the working section 112 may be
`worn down to an extent where a portion of mounting section
`114 may be driven through the ground during rotation of a
`cutterhead. If desired, in at least Some example structures in
`accordance with this invention, the tapering of sidewalls 130,
`132 continues from front end 134 to rear end 136 of wear
`member 104. The presence of side relief in the mounting
`section 114 imposes less drag and, hence, requires less power
`to be driven through the ground. The reduced drag, in turn,
`enables the cutterhead to continue to operate with wear mem
`45
`bers 104 worn to the point where the mounting section 114
`penetrates the ground. In most conventional wear members,
`the mounting section does not have a trapezoidal transverse
`configuration with sidewalls that converge toward trailing
`side.