IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,312,776
Granted Patent B2
US 12,312,776 · App. 18/229,258 · Granted May 27, 2025

Anti-tipping features for a retaining mechanism

Inventors: Jason Grant Jura (Tremont, IL); Eric T. Sinn (Tremont, IL); Douglas C. Serrurier (Morton, IL); Corey Michael Wells (Peoria, IL)
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
E02F9/2833
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,312,776
App. No.
18/229,258
Granted
May 27, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wear member includes a body having a forward closed portion, and a rear open portion defining a cavity. The wear member also includes an exterior surface, an interior surface defining the cavity, and a retaining mechanism receiving aperture. The retaining mechanism receiving aperture includes an interior portion defined by the interior surface, an exterior portion defined by the exterior surface, and a ring dividing the interior portion from the exterior portion and defining a thru-slot that is in communication with the interior portion and the exterior portion.

Claims (39)

1. A wear member comprising:

a body including

a forward closed portion and a rear open portion defining a cavity;

an exterior surface;

an interior surface defining the cavity; and

a retaining mechanism receiving aperture including an interior portion defined by the interior surface, an exterior portion defined by the exterior surface, and a ring dividing the interior portion from the exterior portion; and

wherein the exterior portion includes a drive portion receiving aperture with an arcuate surface defining a first outer diameter, a radial direction, an axis of rotation, a circumferential direction, and a hook tab receiving slot that defines a second outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter and the ring extends radially inwardly from the second outer diameter, a first circumferential stop surface, and a second circumferential stop surface that is spaced circumferentially away from the first circumferential stop surface a predetermined angle that ranges from 160.0 degrees to 200.0 degrees.

2. The wear member of claim 1 , wherein the ring defines a thru-slot that is in communication with the interior portion and the exterior portion of the retaining mechanism receiving aperture.

3. The wear member of claim 2 , wherein the ring defines an inner diameter that is concentric with the first outer diameter and that is less than the second outer diameter, the second outer diameter is concentric with the inner diameter, and the thru-slot is spaced circumferentially away from the first circumferential stop surface with a ring portion disposed between the first circumferential stop surface and the thru-slot.

4. The wear member of claim 3 , further comprising a ramp on the ring facing toward the exterior surface that extends circumferentially from the thru-slot toward the first circumferential stop surface, the interior portion of the retaining mechanism receiving aperture includes a pair of radially angled surfaces relative to each other, forming an undercut along the axis of rotation, and a lug receiving groove extending from the interior portion of the retaining mechanism receiving aperture to the exterior surface.

5. A wear member assembly comprising:

a wear member having a body including

a forward closed portion and a rear open portion defining a cavity;

an exterior surface;

an interior surface defining the cavity; and

a retaining mechanism receiving aperture including an interior portion defined by the interior surface, an exterior portion defined by the exterior surface, and a ring dividing the interior portion from the exterior portion; and

a retainer sleeve including

a body including

an at least partially annular configuration defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction;

a radially inner annular surface defining a radially inner aperture;

wherein the retainer sleeve is disposed in the interior portion of the retaining mechanism receiving aperture with the ring radially overhanging the body of the retaining sleeve, and extends circumferentially an angle that is greater than 190.0 degrees.

6. The wear member assembly of claim 5 , wherein the ring defines a thru-slot that is in communication with the interior portion and the exterior portion of the retaining mechanism receiving aperture, the thru-slot extending radially outwardly short of the radially inner annular surface of the retainer sleeve.

7. The wear member assembly of claim 6 , wherein the thru-slot defines at least partially a polygonal perimeter projected onto a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

8. The wear member assembly of claim 6 , wherein the ring defines an inner diameter that is concentric with the radially inner annular surface of the retainer sleeve, and the thru-slot is in communication with a hook tab receiving slot that is defined circumferentially by a first stop surface and a second stop surface, and the thru-slot is spaced circumferentially away from the first stop surface with a ring portion disposed between the first stop surface and the thru-slot.

9. The wear assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a ramp on the ring portion facing toward the exterior surface that extends circumferentially from the thru-slot toward the first stop surface, the interior portion of the retaining mechanism receiving aperture includes a pair of radially angled surfaces forming an obtuse angle relative to each other, forming an undercut along the axis of rotation, and a lug receiving groove extending from the interior portion of the retaining mechanism receiving aperture to the exterior surface.

10. The wear assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a retainer with a drive portion extending axially past the ring of the wear member toward the exterior surface, and a skirt interposed axially between the ring of the wear member and a ring of the retainer sleeve with the ring of the wear member configured to axially contact the skirt.

11. The wear assembly of claim 10 , wherein the retainer sleeve includes a pair of radially outer surfaces that are complementarily shaped to the radially angled surfaces of the interior portion of the retaining mechanism receiving aperture.

12. The wear assembly of claim 10 , wherein the retainer further includes a hook tab that extends radially from the drive portion, forming a passageway extending circumferentially between the hook tab and the skirt, and the ring of the wear member is disposed radially in the passageway.

13. A wear member comprising:

a body including

a forward closed portion and a rear open portion defining a cavity;

an exterior surface;

an interior surface defining the cavity; and

a retaining mechanism receiving aperture including an interior portion defined by the interior surface, an exterior portion defined by the exterior surface, and a ring extending circumferentially about an axis of rotation and dividing the interior portion from the exterior portion;

wherein the ring includes a ramp facing axially outwardly toward the exterior portion,

wherein the exterior portion includes a drive portion receiving aperture with an arcuate surface defining a first outer diameter, a radial direction, the axis of rotation, a circumferential direction, and a hook tab receiving slot that defines a second outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter and the ring extends radially inwardly from the second outer diameter, a first circumferential stop surface, and a second circumferential stop surface that is spaced circumferentially away from the first circumferential stop surface.

14. The wear member of claim 13 further including a thru-slot in communication with the hook tab receiving slot.

15. The wear member of claim 14 wherein the thru-slot is defined circumferentially by the first stop surface and the second stop surface, and the thru-slot is spaced circumferentially away from the first stop surface with the ring between the first stop surface and the thru-slot.

16. The wear member of claim 14 wherein the ramp extends circumferentially from the thru-slot forward the first circumferential stop surface, stopping short thereof.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 2, 2023
From: JURA, JASON GRANT; SINN, ERIC T.; SERRURIER, DOUGLAS C.; WELLS, COREY MICHAEL
To: CATERPILLAR INC.
Reel/Frame 064463/0517 →
Continuity (2)
Division 17175044 · Feb 12, 2021
Related Publication 20230383503A1 · Nov 30, 2023
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