Coupling for the teeth of excavators and the like

Abstract

A device for coupling a tooth and tooth-carrier. The device including three successive areas from the median portion of a coupling part to its free end. A first area comprises stepped straight guides that open on lateral outer surfaces of the coupling part. Following the first area is a second guiding area comprising revolution surfaces, opposed to one another. A third, terminal area is shaped as a prismatic rod having its axis coinciding with that of the coupling part.

1. A device for coupling a tooth having lateral wings to an excavator machine having a bucket with an active edge, said coupling device comprising:
 a tooth-carrying portion configured for coupling the tooth to the active edge of the bucket;  
 a projecting portion extending from said tooth-carrying portion and tapering towards an opposite free end substantially complementary in shape to seat the tooth, said tooth-carrying portion including a front edge that forms two recesses at an interface with said projecting portion for receiving and retaining a rear edge of a mouth of the tooth, the front edge forming an acute angle relative to an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal median plane of the tooth, said projecting portion having a plurality of successive areas disposed between the tooth and said tooth-carrying element  portion, said plural areas comprising: 
 a first area of stepped guiding profiles that open on lateral outer surfaces of said tooth-carrying portion to form longitudinally disposed grooves configured to receive complementary shaped profiles of the lateral wings of the tooth;  
 a second guiding area, following said first area, including a plurality of conically shaped revolution surfaces on opposites sides of an axial plane;  
 an end terminal area having a lateral cross section of irregular hexagonal shape;  
 an internal projecting block receivable in said grooves; and  
 a pin for engaging said internal projecting block in said grooves to retain said tooth on said tooth-carrying portion;  
 said tooth-carrying portion having at least one hole defined longitudinally therein for receiving the pin, the at least one hole being interrupted by the stepped guiding profiles of the first area and offset relative to the recesses of the front edge of said tooth-carrying portion.  
 
 
     
     
       2. The coupling device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the recesses extend along a widest portion of a mating area formed by the conically shaped revolution surfaces. 
     
     
       3. The coupling device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the recesses have an upper portion and a lower portion limited at its ends by the stepped guiding profiles. 
     
     
       4. The coupling device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the recesses are disposed at a widest part of the conically shaped revolution surfaces that are limited on its lateral sides by the stepped guiding profiles, the conically shaped revolution surfaces merging uninterrupted into the end terminal area. 
     
     
       5. The coupling device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the recesses form a first stop for receiving a rear edge of a mouth of the tooth and a second stop is formed by terminating walls of the stepped guiding profile that receive terminating ends of the lateral wings. 
     
     
       6. The coupling device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said pin is shorter in length that  than the at least one hole for receiving said pin so as to accommodate at least one of upper and lower removable covers for closing the at least one hole. 
     
     
       7. The coupling device in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said at least one of said upper and lower removable covers are  is partially seated in a corresponding upper and  or lower recesses  recess of the at least one hole. 
     
     
       8. The coupling device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the end terminating area has an irregular hexagon lateral cross sectional shape. 
     
     
       9. The coupling device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the pin is completely enclosed within the tooth-carrying element  portion and projecting portion so as to be protected against wear and external impact. 
     
     
       10. A tooth carrier (   1 ,  27   )  for connecting a tooth to a machine for moving materials, comprising:      a projecting portion  (   2 ,  31   )  configured to be located in a cavity of the tooth  (   17 ,  49 ,  61   ) , and an opening  (   9 ,  10   )  located on each side of said projecting portion configured to receive wings  (   18 ,  19 ,  50 ,  51   )  projecting backwards from the tooth on each side of the cavity, wherein said projecting portion has an at least partly decreasing cross section area towards a free end  (   8   )  of said projecting portion and along a connection direction of the tooth and said tooth carrier, wherein said tooth carrier has a lateral straight guide  (   22 ,  23 ,  45 ,  46 ,  58   )  extending in at least one of said openings  (   9 ,  10   )  and in the connection direction of the tooth and said tooth carrier, said guide configured to receive a stop member  (   54 ,  55   )  of one of the wings of the tooth, with the stop member projecting inwardly from the wing, said tooth carrier further comprises at least one hole  (   26 ,  30 ,  47 ,  48   )  for a retention pin  (   25 ,  36 ,  40 ,  59   ) , and said at least one hole extends from an upper surface of said tooth carrier and intersects said guide such that when the pin is in an inserted position, the pin locks the stop member and holds the tooth in a desired position on said tooth carrier; and wherein said at least one hole extends through said tooth carrier.     
     
     
       11. The tooth carrier according to  claim 10 , wherein said guide (   22 ,  23 ,  45 ,  46 ,  58   )  starts on a lateral surface of said projecting portion  (   2 ,  31   )  and ends behind said at least one hole  (   26 ,  30 ,  47 ,  48   )  for the retention pin.   
     
     
       12. The tooth carrier according to  claim 10 , wherein said guide and said opening have a stepwise character (   9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 22 , 23 , 45 , 46 , 57 , 58   ). 
     
     
       13. The tooth carrier according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one hole (   26 ,  30 ,  47 ,  48   )  for the retention pin is located in a body  (   3   )  of said tooth carrier at a position behind said projecting portion  (   2 ,  31   ). 
     
     
       14. The tooth carrier according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one hole (   26 ,  30 ,  47 ,  48   )  for the retention pin extends substantially parallel to a lateral inner surface  (   15 ,  16   )  of said opening  (   9 ,  10   ). 
     
     
       15. The tooth carrier according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one hole (   26 ,  30 ,  47 ,  48   )  for the retention pin extends in a substantially vertical direction that is transverse to the connection direction of the tooth and said tooth carrier.   
     
     
       16. The tooth carrier according to  claim 10 , wherein each of said openings is defined by walls and at least one part of said walls defining each opening (   9 , 10   )  projects on an outside of said respective opening forming said guide for the respective wing of the tooth.   
     
     
       17. The tooth carrier according to  claim 10 , wherein said projecting portion (   2 , 31   )  has a region with at least one curved surface  (   20 , 21 ; 20 ′, 21 ′ ). 
     
     
       18. The tooth carrier according to  claim 17 , wherein said at least one curved surface is a first curved surface (   20 , 20 ′ )  that faces upwards, and said projecting portion further comprises a second curved surface  (   21 , 21 ′ )  that faces downwards so as to oppose said first curved surface.   
     
     
       19. The tooth carrier according to  claim 18 , wherein said first curved surface forms part of an envelope surface of a first cone and said second curved surface forms part of an envelope surface of a second cone, and wherein symmetrical axes of said two opposed conical surfaces (   20 , 21 ; 20 ′, 21 ′ )  extend in a same vertical plane and at a vertical distance from each other.   
     
     
       20. The tooth carrier according to  claim 17 , wherein said at least one curved surface (   20 ,  21 ;  20 ′,  21 ′ )  forms part of an envelope surface of a cone.   
     
     
       21. The tooth carrier according to  claim 10 , wherein said projecting portion (   2 ,  31   )  has a region  (   24   )  at said free end  (   8   )  of said projecting portion with substantially a same cross section shape and size in two vertical planes at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of said projecting portion.   
     
     
       22. The tooth carrier according to  claim 21 , wherein said region (   24   )  at said free end  (   8   )  of said projecting portion  (   2 , 31   )  has a prismatic cross section shape.   
     
     
       23. The tooth carrier according to  claim 21 , wherein said region (   24   )  at said free end  (   8   )  of said projecting portion  (   2 , 31   )  has a cross section in a shape of a hexagon.   
     
     
       24. The tooth carrier according to  claim 10 , further comprising a body (   3   )  at a position behind said projecting portion  (   2 , 31   ) , and wherein said projecting portion  (   2 , 31   )  is connected to said body  (   3   )  of the tooth carrier by a surface  (   60   )  that is configured to contact the tooth  (   61   )  and that is at least partly inclined forward in relation to a plane perpendicular to the connection direction of the tooth and said tooth carrier.   
     
     
       25. The tooth carrier according to  claim 24 , wherein said connection surface (   60   )  has a curved shape.   
     
     
       26. A tooth (   17 , 49 , 61   )  for connecting to a tooth carrier  (   1 , 27   )  of a machine for moving materials, said tooth comprising:      a cavity configured to receive at least a part of a projecting portion  (   2 , 31   )  of the tooth carrier, and wings  (   18 , 19 , 50 , 51   )  projecting backwards from said tooth on each side of said cavity and configured to be located in lateral openings  (   9 , 10   )  in the tooth carrier, wherein said cavity has an at least partly decreasing cross section area from a mouth of said cavity towards an inner end of said cavity; wherein at least one of said wings  (   18 , 19 , 50 , 51   )  is provided with a stop member  (   54 , 55   ) , said stop member projecting inwardly from said corresponding wing for locating said stop member in a lateral straight guide  (   22 , 23 , 45 , 46 , 58   )  in one of the openings  (   9 , 10   )  in the tooth carrier, and wherein said stop member is configured to be locked in the straight guide by a retention pin  (   25 , 36 , 40 , 59   )  inserted in a hole extending through the tooth carrier in order to hold said tooth in a desired position on the tooth carrier; and        wherein said stop member forms a rib  (   55   )  extending in a connection direction of said tooth and the tooth carrier, and wherein said rib is interrupted by an opening for said pin.     
     
     
       27. A tooth (   17 , 49 , 61   )  for connecting to a tooth carrier  (   1 , 27   )  of a machine for moving materials, said tooth comprising:      a cavity configured to receive at least a part of a projecting portion  (   2 , 31   )  of the tooth carrier, and wings  (   18 , 19 , 50 , 51   )  projecting backwards from said tooth on each side of said cavity and configured to be located in lateral openings  (   9 , 10   )  in the tooth carrier, wherein said cavity has an at least partly decreasing cross section area from a mouth of said cavity towards an inner end of said cavity; wherein at least one of said wings  (   18 , 19 , 50 , 51   )  is provided with a stop member  (   54 , 55   ) , said stop member projecting inwardly from said corresponding wing for locating said stop member in a lateral straight guide  (   22 , 23 , 45 , 46 , 58   )  in one of the openings  (   9 , 10   )  in the tooth carrier, and wherein said stop member is configured to be locked in the straight guide by a retention pin  (   25 , 36 , 40 , 59   )  inserted in a hole extending through the tooth carrier in order to hold said tooth in a desired position on the tooth carrier; and        wherein each of said wings  (   18 , 19 , 50 , 51   )  is provided with stepped guides  (   52 , 53   )  at least at one of an upper and lower region of said respective wing.     
     
     
       28. A tooth (   17 , 49 , 61   )  for connecting to a tooth carrier  (   1 , 27   )  of a machine for moving materials, said tooth comprising:      a cavity configured to receive at least a part of a projecting portion  (   2 , 31   )  of the tooth carrier, and wings  (   18 , 19 , 50 , 51   )  projecting backwards from said tooth on each side of said cavity and configured to be located in lateral openings  (   9 , 10   )  in the tooth carrier, wherein said cavity has an at least partly decreasing cross section area from a mouth of said cavity towards an inner end of said cavity; wherein at least one of said wings  (   18 , 19 , 50 , 51   )  is provided with a stop member  (   54 , 55   ) , said stop member projecting inwardly from said corresponding wing for locating said stop member in a lateral straight guide  (   22 , 23 , 45 , 46 , 58   )  in one of the openings  (   9 , 10   )  in the tooth carrier, and wherein said stop member is configured to be locked in the straight guide by a retention pin  (   25 , 36 , 40 , 59   )  inserted in a hole extending through the tooth carrier in order to hold said tooth in a desired position on the tooth carrier; and        wherein said wing  (   50 , 51   )  provided with said stop member  (   54   )  is also provided with an aperture traversing said wing at a position corresponding to the pin when inserted in the hole extending through the tooth carrier to lock the stop member.     
     
     
       29. A tooth (   17 , 49 , 61   )  for connecting to a tooth carrier  (   1 , 27   )  of a machine for moving materials, said tooth comprising:      a cavity configured to receive at least a part of a projecting portion  (   2 , 31   )  of the tooth carrier, and wings  (   18 , 19 , 50 , 51   )  projecting backwards from said tooth on each side of said cavity and configured to be located in lateral openings  (   9 , 10   )  in the tooth carrier, wherein said cavity has an at least partly decreasing cross section area from a mouth of said cavity towards an inner end of said cavity; wherein at least one of said wings  (   18 , 19 , 50 , 51   )  is provided with a stop member  (   54 , 55   ) , said stop member projecting inwardly from said corresponding wing for locating said stop member in a lateral straight guide  (   22 , 23 , 45 , 46 , 58   )  in one of the openings  (   9 , 10   )  in the tooth carrier, and wherein said stop member is configured to be locked in the straight guide by a retention pin  (   25 , 36 , 40 , 59   )  inserted in a hole extending through the tooth carrier in order to hold said tooth in a desired position on the tooth carrier; and        wherein an inner shape of said cavity corresponds to an outer shape of the projecting portion  (   2 , 31   )  of the tooth carrier.     
     
     
       30. A tooth (   17 , 49 , 61   )  for connecting to a tooth carrier  (   1 , 27   )  of a machine for moving materials, said tooth comprising:      a cavity configured to receive at least a part of a projecting portion  (   2 , 31   )  of the tooth carrier, and wings  (   18 , 19 , 50 , 51   )  projecting backwards from said tooth on each side of said cavity and configured to be located in lateral openings  (   9 , 10   )  in the tooth carrier, wherein said cavity has an at least partly decreasing cross section area from a mouth of said cavity towards an inner end of said cavity; wherein at least one of said wings  (   18 , 19 , 50 , 51   )  is provided with a stop member  (   54 , 55   ) , said stop member projecting inwardly from said corresponding wing for locating said stop member in a lateral straight guide  (   22 , 23 , 45 , 46 , 58   )  in one of the openings  (   9 , 10   )  in the tooth carrier, and wherein said stop member is configured to be locked in the straight guide by a retention pin  (   25 , 36 , 40 , 59   )  inserted in a hole extending through the tooth carrier in order to hold said tooth in a desired position on the tooth carrier; and        wherein at least one of the rear surfaces of the tooth  (   61   ) , which is located between said wings, is configured to contact the tooth carrier and is at least partly inclined forwards in relation to a plane perpendicular to the connection direction of said tooth and the tooth carrier.     
     
     
       31. The tooth according to  claim 30 , wherein said connection surface has a curved shape. 
     
     
       32. A tooth assembly for a bucket of an earth moving machine, comprising a tooth carrier configured to connect to the bucket and a tooth connected to said tooth carrier;
   said tooth comprising:      a cavity that has an at least partly decreasing cross section area from a mouth of said cavity towards an inner end of said cavity;        wings  (   18 ,  19 ,  50 ,  51   )  projecting backwards from said tooth on each side of said cavity; and        a stop member  (   54 ,  55   )  formed on one of said wings; and          said tooth carrier comprising:        a projecting portion  (   2 ,  31   )  located in said cavity of said tooth  (   17 ,  49 ,  61   ) , and an opening  (   9 ,  10   )  located on each side of said projecting portion that receives said wings  (   18 ,  19 ,  50 ,  51   )  projecting backwards from said tooth on each side of said cavity, wherein said projecting portion has an at least partly decreasing cross section area towards a free end  (   8   )  of said projecting portion and along a connection direction of said tooth and said tooth carrier, wherein said tooth carrier has a lateral straight guide  (   22 ,  23 ,  45 ,  46 ,  58   )  extending in at least one of said openings  (   9 , 10   )  and in the connection direction of said tooth and said tooth carrier, said guide receives said stop member  (   54 ,  55   )  of one of said wings of said tooth, with said stop member projecting inwardly from said wing, said tooth carrier further comprises at least one hole  (   26 ,  30 ,  47 ,  48   )  in which a retention pin  (   25 ,  36 ,  40 ,  59   )  is inserted, and said at least one hole extends from an upper surface of said tooth carrier and intersects said guide such that said pin locks said stop member and holds said tooth in a position on said tooth carrier.     
     
     
       33. The tooth assembly according to  claim 32 , wherein the lateral straight guide extends an entire length of the corresponding wing of the tooth when the tooth is assembled with the tooth carrier. 
     
     
       34. A tooth carrier for connecting a replaceable tooth to a machine for moving materials, the tooth carrier comprising:
   a back area that has a back coupling configured to mount the tooth carrier to the machine for moving material; and        a front area that has a front coupling configured to have a tooth mounted thereon, the front coupling extends in a longitudinal direction of the tooth carrier away from the back coupling and towards a free end of the front coupling and has a top side, a bottom side, and two lateral sides;        wherein the front coupling comprises:      a male projecting portion that has an at least partly decreasing cross sectional area towards the free end of the front coupling in the longitudinal direction;        a straight guide defined by a groove that extends in the longitudinal direction on a lateral side of the front coupling; and        a hole for receiving a pin, the hole extends through the tooth carrier in a vertical direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction, the hole intersecting the straight guide such that when the pin is in an inserted position, the pin blocks free movement through the groove.       
     
     
       35. The tooth carrier according to  claim 34 , wherein the back coupling is a fork- shaped structure defined by two backwardly extending arms.   
     
     
       36. The tooth carrier according to  claim 34 , wherein the groove has a stepped cross section taken in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
       37. The tooth carrier according to  claim 34 , wherein the hole intersects a base of the groove. 
     
     
       38. The tooth carrier according to  claim 34 , wherein the hole extends from the top side to the bottom side. 
     
     
       39. The tooth carrier according to  claim 34 , wherein the straight guide extends backwards from the free end behind a point relative to the free end at which the cross sectional area of the male projecting portion partly decreases towards the free end; and
   wherein the hole extends vertically behind the point relative to the free end at which the cross sectional area of the male projecting portion partly decreases towards the free end.     
     
     
       40. The tooth carrier according to  claim 34 , wherein the projecting portion has a first curved surface that faces upwards and a second curved surface that faces downwards so as to oppose said first curved surface;
   wherein the first curved surface forms part of an envelope surface of a first cone and the second curved surface forms part of an envelope surface of a second cone, and        wherein symmetrical axes of the two opposed conical surfaces extend in a same vertical plane and at a vertical distance from each other.     
     
     
       41. The tooth carrier according to  claim 34 , wherein the free end of the projecting portion has a cross section in a shape of an irregular hexagon. 
     
     
       42. The tooth carrier according to  claim 34 , wherein a base of the projecting portion defines a contact surface for contacting the tooth, wherein the contact surface is at least partly inclined forward in relation to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
       43. A tooth assembly for a bucket of an earth moving machine, comprising:
   a tooth carrier according to    claim 34   ;        a retention pin inserted in the hole of the tooth carrier; and        a tooth that has an earth engaging front end and a back end connected to the front coupling of the tooth carrier, the tooth further comprising:      a cavity with a least a partially decreasing cross section towards the front end of the tooth in the longitudinal direction, the cavity receives at least a part of the projecting portion, and        a wing on a side of the cavity extending backwards away from the front end from the tooth and mating with the straight guide, the wing further comprising a stop member projecting inwardly from wing with a front surface abutting the retention pin so as to prevent the tooth from separating from the tooth carrier.       
     
     
       44. The tooth assembly according to  claim 43 , wherein the stop member is a rib extending in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the rib is interrupted by an opening with the retention pin passing therethrough. 
     
     
       45. A tooth carrier (   1 ,  27   )  for connecting a tooth to a machine for moving materials, comprising:      a projecting portion  (   2 ,  31   )  configured to be located in a cavity of the tooth  (   17 ,  49 ,  61   ) , and an opening  (   9 ,  10   )  located on each side of said projecting portion configured to receive wings  (   18 ,  19 ,  50 ,  51   )  projecting backwards from the tooth on each side of the cavity, wherein said projecting portion has an at least partly decreasing cross section area towards a free end  (   8   )  of said projecting portion and along a connection direction of the tooth and said tooth carrier, wherein said tooth carrier has a lateral straight guide  (   22 ,  23 ,  45 ,  46 ,  58   )  extending in at least one of said openings  (   9 ,  10   )  and in the connection direction of the tooth and said tooth carrier, said guide configured to receive a stop member  (   54 ,  55   )  of one of the wings of the tooth, with the stop member projecting inwardly from the wing, said tooth carrier further comprises at least one hole  (   26 ,  30 ,  47 ,  48   )  for a retention pin  (   25 ,  36 ,  40 ,  59   ) , and said at least one hole extends from an upper surface of said tooth carrier and intersects said guide such that when the pin is in an inserted position, the pin locks the stop member and holds the tooth in a desired position on said tooth carrier; and wherein said tooth - carrier further comprises a front edge that forms two recesses at an interface with said projecting portion for receiving and retaining a rear edge of a mouth of the tooth, the front edge forming an acute angle relative to an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal median plane of the tooth.     
     
     
       46. A tooth carrier (   1 ,  27   )  for connecting a tooth to a machine for moving materials, comprising:      a projecting portion  (   2 ,  31   )  configured to be located in a cavity of the tooth  (   17 ,  49 ,  61   ) , and an opening  (   9 ,  10   )  located on each side of said projecting portion configured to receive wings  (   18 ,  19 ,  50 ,  51   )  projecting backwards from the tooth on each side of the cavity, wherein said projecting portion has an at least partly decreasing cross section area towards a free end  (   8   )  of said projecting portion and along a connection direction of the tooth and said tooth carrier, wherein said tooth carrier has a lateral straight guide  (   22 ,  23 ,  45 ,  46 ,  58   )  extending in at least one of said openings  (   9 ,  10   )  and in the connection direction of the tooth and said tooth carrier, said guide configured to receive a stop member  (   54 ,  55   )  of one of the wings of the tooth, with the stop member projecting inwardly from the wing, said tooth carrier further comprises at least one hole  (   26 ,  30 ,  47 ,  48   )  for a retention pin  (   25 ,  36 ,  40 ,  59   ) , and said at least one hole extends from an upper surface of said tooth carrier and intersects said guide such that when the pin is in an inserted position, the pin locks the stop member and holds the tooth in a desired position on said tooth carrier; and wherein said projecting portion comprises an end portion having a cross section of irregular hexagonal shape.     
     
     
       47. A tooth carrier (   1 ,  27   )  for connecting a tooth to a machine for moving materials, comprising:      a retention pin; and        a projecting portion  (   2 ,  31   )  configured to be located in a cavity of the tooth  (   17 ,  49 ,  61   ) , and an opening  (   9 ,  10   )  located on each side of said projecting portion configured to receive wings  (   18 ,  19 ,  50 ,  51   )  projecting backwards from the tooth on each side of the cavity, wherein said projecting portion has an at least partly decreasing cross section area towards a free end  (   8   )  of said projecting portion and along a connection direction of the tooth and said tooth carrier, wherein said tooth carrier has a lateral straight guide  (   22 ,  23 ,  45 ,  46 ,  58   )  extending in at least one of said openings  (   9 ,  10   )  and in the connection direction of the tooth and said tooth carrier, said guide configured to receive a stop member  (   54 ,  55   )  of one of the wings of the tooth, with the stop member projecting inwardly from the wing, said tooth carrier further comprises at least one hole  (   26 ,  30 ,  47 ,  48   )  for the retention pin  (   25 ,  36 ,  40 ,  59   ) , and said at least one hole extends from an upper surface of said tooth carrier and intersects said guide such that when the retention pin is in an inserted position, the retention pin locks the stop member and holds the tooth in a desired position on said tooth carrier; and wherein, when the retention pin is in an inserted position, the retention pin is completely enclosed within the tooth carrier so as to be protected against wear and external impact.