IP Library Patent Application 14959882
Patent Application
App. No. 14/959,882

LOCK FOR GROUND ENGAGING TOOL

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
14/959,882
Abstract

Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a lock for a ground engaging tool. The lock may have a body portion having a first diameter. The lock may also have a neck portion, which may have a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The neck portion may extend from the body portion along a rotational axis of the lock. The lock may also have a head portion, which may extend from the neck portion along the rotational axis. The head portion may have a surface facing the body portion. The lock may be rotationally symmetric about the rotational axis.

Claims (40)

1 . A lock for a ground engaging tool, comprising:

a body portion having a first diameter;

a neck portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and extending from the body portion along a rotational axis of the lock; and

a head portion extending from the neck portion along the rotational axis, and having a surface facing the body portion;

wherein the lock is rotationally symmetric about the rotational axis.

2 . The lock of claim 1 , wherein the lock is second order rotationally symmetric about the rotational axis.

3 . The lock of claim 1 , wherein the body portion includes a plurality of tool interfaces.

4 . The lock of claim 3 , wherein:

at least one of the tool interfaces is configured to receive torque to rotate the lock about the rotational axis; and

at least one of the tool interfaces is configured to receive force to translate the lock along the rotational axis.

5 . A lock for a ground engaging tool, comprising:

a body portion having a first diameter;

a neck portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and extending from the body portion; and

a head portion extending from the neck portion, the head portion including:

a bottom surface facing the body portion;

a top surface facing away from the body portion;

first and second generally planar end surfaces extending from the bottom surface to the top surface; and

first and second cam surfaces extending from the bottom surface to the top surface, and connecting the first and second end surfaces;

wherein a portion of the first cam surface adjacent the first generally planar end surface has a first radius of curvature, and another portion of the first cam surface has a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature.

6 . The lock of claim 5 , wherein the bottom and top surfaces of the head portion are generally planar.

7 . The lock of claim 6 , wherein the bottom surface of the head portion is approximately parallel to the top surface of the head portion.

8 . The lock of claim 7 , wherein the first and second generally planar end surfaces are approximately perpendicular to the bottom and top surfaces of the head portion.

9 . The lock of claim 7 , wherein the first and second cam surfaces are approximately perpendicular to the bottom and top surfaces of the head portion.

10 . The lock of claim 5 , wherein a portion of the second cam surface adjacent the second generally planar end surface has a third radius of curvature, and another portion of the second cam surface has a fourth radius of curvature larger than the third radius of curvature.

11 . The lock of claim 5 , wherein the neck portion extends from a generally cylindrical section of the body portion.

12 . The lock of claim 11 , wherein the neck portion is generally cylindrical.

13 . A lock for a ground engaging tool, comprising:

a body portion including:

a first section having a first diameter; and

a second section having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter;

a neck portion having a third diameter smaller than the second diameter, and extending from the second section;

a head portion extending from the neck portion, and having a surface facing the body portion; and

a biasing component surrounding the second section of the body portion.

14 . The lock of claim 13 , wherein the biasing component includes an elastomeric material.

15 . The lock of claim 14 , wherein the elastomeric material is rubber.

16 . The lock of claim 14 , wherein the biasing component includes a metal material separating the elastomeric material from the first section of the body portion.

17 . The lock of claim 13 , wherein the biasing component includes a coned-disc spring.

18 . The lock of claim 17 , wherein the spring is metal.

19 . The lock of claim 13 , wherein the first section of the body portion is generally cylindrical.

20 . The lock of claim 19 , wherein the second section of the body portion is generally cylindrical.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 4, 2015
From: BJERKE, NATHAN RICHARD; CONGDON, THOMAS M.; BETTS, EDWARD HARRY, JR.
To: CATERPILLAR INC.
Reel/Frame 037216/0651 →