Accessory for an attachment of a machine

Abstract

The present invention is related to a cast accessory 1 for an attachment 100 of an excavator machine or earth working equipment, particularly suited for use along the digging edge of an excavating bucket or the like. The cast accessory 1 is configured to be locatable on a wing/side edge 111 of the attachment 100. The accessory has one or more hidden wear indicating arrangement 4 that is configured to become visible only when the wear level of the accessory 1 reaches a threshold value. The threshold value indicates the requirement of repair or replacement to prevent damage or additional wear to the accessory 1 and/or a main structure 101 of the attachment 100.

1 . A cast accessory for an attachment of a machine, the cast accessory being locatable on a wing/side edge of the attachment comprising one or more hidden wear indicating means being configurable to become visible only when a wear level of the accessory reaches a threshold value; wherein the threshold value indicates the requirement of repair or replacement to prevent damage or additional wear to the accessory and/or a main structure of the attachment. 
     
     
         2 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the accessory comprises an exterior surface subject to wear while the machine is in use; wherein the exterior surface being configurable for displaying the wear indicating means when the wear reaches the threshold value. 
     
     
         3 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the accessory with the one or more wear indicating means is formed as an integral assembly through a casting process. 
     
     
         4 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more wear indicating means are at least partially or fully embedded within the accessory at a depth corresponding to a depth indicating wear sufficient to result in replacement or repair of the accessory. 
     
     
         5 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the accessory comprises a main planar body formed for sitting flush to the outside surface of the wing/side edge of the side wall of the attachment. 
     
     
         6 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the accessory comprises a locating means protruding from the main planarly body for engaging with the wing/side edge of the side wall of the bucket; wherein the locating means provides a lip acting as the locating means for the accessory onto the attachment so that compressive forces do not detach the accessory from the attachment. 
     
     
         7 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more wear indicating means are exposed when the depth of the main planar body of the wear indicating means is worn down by 50%. 
     
     
         8 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the one or more wear indicating means are formed/located on an interior surface of the accessory; wherein the one or more wear indicating means extend from the interior surface to a plane spaced apart from the exterior surface towards the interior surface. 
     
     
         9 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the wear indicating means comprises at least one recess on the accessory; wherein the at least one recess is recessed to a depth into the accessory corresponding to a depth indicating wear sufficient to result in replacement or repair of the accessory. 
     
     
         10 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the wear indicating means comprises a plurality of recesses; wherein the plurality of recesses provides a visual indicating means to an operator of the vehicle that wear sufficient to result in replacement or repair of the accessory has occurred. 
     
     
         11 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more wear indicating means comprise a first end, a second end, and one or more sidewalls. 
     
     
         12 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the one or more wear indicating means has a depth that extends from the first end to the second end towards the exterior surface of the accessory; and wherein the wear indicating means comprises the depth between 4 mm to 15 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the accessory comprises one or more sides; wherein the one or more sides comprise a first side, a second side and two lateral sides; and wherein the accessory comprises a front surface and a back surface. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the second end of the one or more wear indicating means becomes exposed when an original width of the accessory is reduced to approximately half. 
     
     
         16 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the accessory is formed of abrasion-resistant metal. 
     
     
         17 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment is a bucket of excavator; wherein the attachment comprises one or more sidewalls; wherein each sidewall comprises one or more side edges; wherein the sidewalls are connected to a shell and an upper support to define the main structure of the attachment; wherein the shell defines a base and a back; wherein the base comprises a leading edge; and wherein the back has a curved shape wherein the back comprises an inner surface that defines a cavity of the bucket. 
     
     
         18 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the accessory comprises a head being locatable on a wing/side edge of an opening of the attachment; wherein the head comprises the lip being locatable on the side edge/wing of the attachment; and wherein the head has a specified width configurable to reduce to approximately one-fifth when the wear indicating means is displayed. 
     
     
         19 . The cast accessory as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the head of the accessory is to be shaped such that there is no gap between the accessory and a corresponding side/surface of a corner tooth attached to the leading edge of the attachment. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . An attachment of an excavator comprising one or more cast accessories as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         25 . A method for manufacturing the cast accessory as claimed in  claim 1 , the method comprising casting a wear indicating means into the accessory using a casting process, wherein the wear indicating means being configurable to become visible only when a wear level of the accessory reaches a threshold value; wherein the threshold value indicates the requirement of repair or replacement to prevent damage or additional wear to the accessory and/or a main structure of the attachment.