Locking fixture
In one aspect of the invention, a degradation assembly comprises an impact tip brazed to a carbide bolster. A stem protrudes from the bolster, being adapted to be retained within a bore connected to a driving mechanism. A locking fixture is disposed within the bore and locking the stem to a wall of the bore.
1. A fastening method anchoring a fastening assembly to a degradation assembly, comprising the steps of:
providing a fastening assembly adapted to apply tension between a structural element and an anchor and at least one meltable spacer adapted to separate the structural element and the anchor;
anchoring the fastening assembly into a bore by pushing the assembly into the bore such that the anchor firmly engages a wall of the bore;
tightening the assembly by heating the at least one meltable spacer such that the at least one meltable spacer melts, allowing the tensioning assembly to pull the structural element closer to the anchor.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wall of the bore is substantially cylindrical.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the structural element is a bolster that supports an impact tip.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is a nut.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning assembly comprises a spring adapted to apply tension on the structural element and the anchor.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning assembly comprises a stem in mechanical communication with both the anchor and the structural element.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the stem is interlocked with the structural element through a snap ring.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the stem is interlocked with the anchor through a threadform.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the stem is interlocked with the structural element through at least one catch.
10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the stem comprises a radial protrusion.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the anchor comprises a complimentary recess adapted to interlock with the radial protrusion.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one meltable spacer comprises a metal selected from a group comprising lead, bismuth, tin, cadmium, wax, plastic or combinations thereof.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one meltable spacer is adapted to allow the structural element to move closer to the anchor when melted.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of tightening the assembly comprises applying heat to the meltable spacer through the impact tip.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is rigidly attached to the bore through a press fit.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of tightening the assembly comprises tightening such that a tapered portion of the structural element seats against a portion of the bore.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one meltable spacer melts at a temperature lower than the anchor.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is rigidly attached to the bore through a barb.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is rigidly attached to the bore through a threadform.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of anchoring the fastening assembly into the bore comprises press-fitting the assembly into the bore.