Method Of Shipping A Wear Assembly

Abstract

A wear assembly for excavating equipment which includes a wear member and a base each with upper and lower stabilizing surfaces that are offset and at overlapping depths to reduce the overall depth of the assembly while maintaining high strength and a stable coupling. The nose and socket each includes a generally triangular-shaped front stabilizing end to provide a highly stable front connection between the nose and wear member for both vertical and side loading. The lock is movable between hold and release positions to accommodate replacing of the wear member when needed, and secured to the wear member for shipping and storage purposes.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A method of shipping an excavating wear assembly, the method comprising providing a lock, providing a wear member having a socket adapted to receive a nose fixed to excavating equipment and a through-hole in communication with the socket for receiving the lock, inserting the lock into the through-hole such that the lock is releasably retained in the opening with the insertion of the nose into the socket, and shipping the wear member with the lock retained in the through-hole. 
     
     
         42 . A method of shipping a wear assembly comprising providing a wear member for use with excavating equipment and a lock to releasably secure the wear member to the excavating equipment, securing the lock to the wear member so that the lock and the wear member are a single integral component, and shipping the integral component. 
     
     
         43 . A method in accordance with  claim 42  wherein the wear member includes a socket for receiving a base secured to the excavating equipment, and a through-hole in communication with the socket, and wherein the lock is secured in the through-hole in the wear member. 
     
     
         44 . A method in accordance with  claim 43  wherein the lock is movably secured within the through-hole for movement between a hold position where the lock holds the wear member to the base, and a release position where the wear member can be installed on and removed from the base. 
     
     
         45 . A method in accordance with  claim 44  wherein the lock is secured for pivotal movement in the through-hole. 
     
     
         46 . A method of shipping a wear assembly comprising:
 providing a wear member for use with excavating equipment, the wear member having a front end for contacting earthen material during operation of the excavating equipment, a rearwardly-opening socket for receiving a base secured to the excavating equipment, and a through-hole extending through the wear member to intersect the socket;   securing a lock in the through-hole for movement of the lock in the through-hole between a hold position where the lock retains the wear member to the base, and a release position where the lock permits the wear member to be installed and removed from the base; and   shipping the wear member and the lock in an assembled condition whereby the wear member and the assembled lock can be received, stored and installed as a single component.   
     
     
         47 . A method of shipping a wear assembly for excavating equipment, the method comprising:
 forming a wearable body having a wear surface to contact the excavated materials during use and protect the excavating equipment, and a cavity to receive a base fixed to the excavating equipment;   assembling a lock to the wearable body to form a wear assembly for use on excavating equipment such that the lock is movably secured to the wearable body between a hold position where the lock will engage the base when the wear member is mounted on the base to hold the wear member to the base and a release position where the lock permits installation and removal of the wear member onto and from the base; and   shipping the wear assembly with the lock assembled to the wearable body for use on excavating equipment.