Excavation tooth assembly

Abstract

An excavation tooth lock assembly to lock a first tooth member to a second tooth member, the first tooth member having a body that incorporates a socket which is configured to receive a nose portion of the second tooth member, a locking space provided when the second tooth member is received in the first tooth member, wherein the lock assembly comprises a lock which is configured to be inserted into the locking space in an operative position to lock the first tooth member to the second tooth member, and inter-engaging elements disposed on the lock and one or both of the first and second tooth members, the elements configured to engage to releaseably retain the lock within the locking space in its operative position.

1 . An excavation tooth lock assembly to lock a first tooth member to a second tooth member, the first tooth member having a body that incorporates a socket which is configured to receive a nose portion of the second tooth member, a locking space provided when the second tooth member is received in the first tooth member, wherein the lock assembly comprises a lock which is configured to be inserted into the locking space in an operative position to lock the first tooth member to the second tooth member, and inter-engaging elements disposed on the lock and one or both of the first and second tooth members, the elements configured to engage to releaseably retain the lock within the locking space in its operative position. 
     
     
         2 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A lock for locking a first tooth member to a second tooth member in assembling an excavation tooth, the lock comprising a body for inserting into a locking space formed between the tooth members and a recess for receiving a detent of the first or second tooth members to releaseably retain the lock in the locking space. 
     
     
         7 . A lock according to  claim 6 , wherein the lock comprises a resilient member and the recess is formed in the resilient member. 
     
     
         8 . A lock according to  claim 7 , wherein the resilient member is mounted to the lock body. 
     
     
         9 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A lock according to  claim 6 , wherein the recess is an elongate slot. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A lock according to  claim 6 , wherein the lock also comprises a groove which is configured to enable the lock to clear the detent when inserting the lock into and removing the lock from the locking space between the tooth members. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A lock according to  claim 13 , wherein the groove extends in the longitudinal direction of the lock body. 
     
     
         16 . A lock according to  claim 13 , wherein the groove comprises groove portions extending from either side of the recess. 
     
     
         17 . A lock according to  claim 16 , wherein a first groove portion widens at its distal end from the recess and a second groove portion widens at its proximal end to the recess. 
     
     
         18 . A lock according to  claim 7 , wherein the lock comprises a shoulder element for aiding the lock in passing over the detent as the lock is inserted into the locking space before the detent is captured in the recess. 
     
     
         19 . A lock according to  claim 18 , wherein the shoulder element is formed on the resilient member. 
     
     
         20 . A lock according to  claim 18 , wherein the shoulder element comprises a ramp surface which travels over the detent as the lock is inserted into the locking space. 
     
     
         21 . A lock according to  claim 6 , wherein the lock comprises a tooth member bearing surface for bearing against a surface defining the locking space. 
     
     
         22 . A lock according to  claim 21 , wherein the tooth member bearing surface is disposed on the portion of the lock incorporating the recess. 
     
     
         23 . A lock according to  claim 6 , wherein the lock comprises an insert which is inserted into a compartment in the lock body to assemble the lock for use, and wherein the recess may be formed in the insert. 
     
     
         24 . A lock according to  claim 23 , wherein the insert is retained in the compartment by a securing mechanism. 
     
     
         25 . A lock according to  claim 24 , wherein the securing mechanism comprises at least one tab formed on the insert or the lock body arranged to mate with at least one corresponding depression formed in the insert or the lock body. 
     
     
         26 . An excavation tooth member comprising a body incorporating a first end, an opposite second end that incorporates a socket configured to receive a nose portion of a further tooth member, and a surface that in use forms part of a locking space arranged to receive a lock, the surface including a detent that forms part of a lock assembly to releaseably retain the lock in the locking space. 
     
     
         27 . An excavation tooth member according to  claim 26 , wherein the tooth member comprises an ear that projects from the second end adjacent the socket and the surface which includes the detent is formed on the ear. 
     
     
         28 . An excavation tooth member according to  claim 26 , wherein the tooth member may have a forward end and a rear end and the surface which includes the detent may face laterally relative to the forward and rear ends. 
     
     
         29 - 41 . (canceled)