Spring lock mechanism for a ground-engaging tool

Abstract

A spring lock mechanism for a ground-engaging tool, or bit. The spring lock mechanism is provided for engaging a bit into a positive engagement with a bit holder, thereby reducing the failure rate of the bit while also allowing the bit to rotate within the bit block. The spring lock mechanism is configured to be received about the shank of a bit between a support block and a retainer. The spring lock mechanism defines a frustoconical configuration having a selected inside diameter, outside diameter, and uncompressed height. The spring lock mechanism is fabricated from a resilient material to allow it to compress. When compressed, the spring lock mechanism biases the bit into the support block receptor.

1 . A spring lock mechanism for biasing a ground-engaging tool into a support block, the support block defining a receptor, the ground-engaging tool defining a bit at a proximal end and a shank adapted to be received within the support block receptor, the shank defining an annular groove proximate a distal end collar, the distal end collar defining a first diameter, a retainer being provided for being received within the ground-engaging tool annular groove, said spring lock mechanism being adapted to be received on the ground-engaging tool shank and between the support block and the retainer, the support block being disposed between the proximal end of the ground-engaging tool and said spring lock mechanism, said spring lock mechanism defining an opening for receiving the distal end collar, said opening defining a second diameter larger than the distal end collar first diameter said spring lock mechanism being adapted to bias the ground-engaging tool into the support block receptor.  
   
   
       2 . The spring lock mechanism of  claim 1  wherein said spring lock mechanism defines a frustoconical configuration having an upper end and a lower end, and defining an uncompressed height, one of said upper end and said lower end engaging the support block, and a remaining of said upper end and said lower end engaging the retainer, said at least one spring lock mechanism being compressed when disposed between the support block and the retainer in said assembly.  
   
   
       3 . The spring lock mechanism of  claim 2  wherein said spring lock mechanism includes a first spring lock mechanism and a second spring lock mechanism.  
   
   
       4 . The spring lock mechanism of  claim 3  wherein said lower end of said first spring lock mechanism is disposed proximate said lower end of said second spring lock mechanism.  
   
   
       5 . The spring lock mechanism of  claim 3  wherein said upper end of said first spring lock mechanism is disposed proximate said upper end of said second spring lock mechanism.  
   
   
       6 . The spring lock mechanism of  claim 3  wherein said first spring lock mechanism is nested within said second spring lock mechanism.  
   
   
       7 . The spring lock mechanism of  claim 1  wherein said spring lock mechanism is selected from at least a wave spring, a compression spring, and a tension spring.  
   
   
       8 . The spring lock mechanism of  claim 2  wherein said spring lock mechanism further defines a notch adapted to receive the ground-engaging tool shank, whereby said spring lock mechanism is removable from and insertable on said ground-engaging tool shank without requiring removal of said retainer.  
   
   
       9 . The spring lock mechanism of  claim 8  wherein said spring lock mechanism further defines a deformed portion adapted to be grasped by a user, whereby removal and insertion of said spring lock mechanism is simplified.  
   
   
       10 . A ground-engaging tool assembly comprising: 
 a support block defining a receptor;    a ground-engaging tool defining a bit at a proximal end and a shank adapted to be received within said support block receptor, said shank defining an annular groove proximate a distal end collar, the distal end collar defining a first diameter;    a retainer adapted to be received within said ground-engaging tool annular groove; and    at least one spring lock mechanism received on said ground-engaging tool shank and between said support block and said retainer, the support block being disposed between the proximal end of the ground-engaging tool and said at least one spring lock mechanism, said at least one spring lock mechanism defining an opening for receiving the distal end collar, said opening defining a second diameter larger than the distal end collar first diameter, said at least one spring lock mechanism being adapted to bias said ground-engaging tool into said support block receptor.    
   
   
       11 . The ground-engaging tool assembly of  claim 10  wherein said at least one spring lock mechanism defines a frustoconical configuration having an upper end and a lower end, and defining an uncompressed height, one of said upper end and said lower end engaging said support block, and a remaining of said upper end and said lower end engaging said retainer, said at least one spring lock mechanism being compressed when disposed between said support block and said retainer in said assembly.  
   
   
       12 . The ground-engaging tool assembly of  claim 11  wherein said at least one spring lock mechanism includes a first spring lock mechanism and a second spring lock mechanism.  
   
   
       13 . The ground-engaging tool assembly of  claim 12  wherein said lower end of said first spring lock mechanism is disposed proximate said lower end of said second spring lock mechanism.  
   
   
       14 . The ground-engaging tool assembly of  claim 12  wherein said upper end of said first spring lock mechanism is disposed proximate said upper end of said second spring lock mechanism.  
   
   
       15 . The ground-engaging tool assembly of  claim 12  wherein said first spring lock mechanism is nested within said second spring lock mechanism.  
   
   
       16 . The ground-engaging tool assembly of  claim 10  wherein said at least one spring lock mechanism is selected from at least a wave spring, a compression spring, and a tension spring.  
   
   
       17 . The ground-engaging tool assembly of  claim 10  wherein said spring lock mechanism further defines a notch adapted to receive the ground-engaging tool shank, whereby said spring lock mechanism is removable from and insertable on said ground-engaging tool shank without requiring removal of said retainer.  
   
   
       18 . The ground-engaging tool assembly of  claim 17  wherein said spring lock mechanism further defines a deformed portion adapted to be grasped by a user, whereby removal and insertion of said spring lock mechanism is simplified.