Replacement Part Assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a replacement part assembly for use in machinery. The replacement part assembly includes a replacement part for operative engagement with a fixed part. A resilient fastener is also provided which defines an apex to facilitate the operative engagement of the replacement part with the fixed part. In one embodiment, one or both of the replacement part and the fixed part define a cradle for receiving the apex of the resilient fastener.

1 . A replacement part assembly for use in machinery, the replacement part assembly comprising: 
 a replacement part for operative engagement with a fixed part; and    a resilient fastener defining an apex to facilitate the operative engagement of the replacement part with the fixed part, at least one of the replacement part and the fixed part defining a cradle for receiving the apex of the resilient fastener.    
     
     
         2 . A replacement part assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the replacement part and the fixed part define a cradle for receiving the apex of the resilient fastener.  
     
     
         3 . A replacement part assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an intermediate component defines another cradle for receiving the resilient fastener.  
     
     
         4 . A replacement part assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a sacrificial part that is receivable between the replacement part and the fixed part.  
     
     
         5 . A replacement part assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the replacement part is a cleat for fastening to a compactor wheel.  
     
     
         6 . A replacement part assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the cleat includes a tip for engaging the ground and a tail for extending through an opening in the compactor wheel.  
     
     
         7 . A replacement part assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the replacement part is a tooth and/or adaptor for the bucket of an earth moving, quarrying or mining machine.  
     
     
         8 . A replacement part assembly as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the tooth and/or adaptor includes a pair of arms.  
     
     
         9 . A replacement part assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein a leading edge of the bucket is receivable between the arms.  
     
     
         10 . A replacement part assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each arm defines an aperture for receiving the resilient fastener.  
     
     
         11 . A replacement part assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the leading edge of the bucket also defines an aperture so that the apertures in the arms can be aligned with the aperture in the leading edge.  
     
     
         12 . A replacement part assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the replacement part is a spacer for spacing adjacent teeth of the bucket.  
     
     
         13 . A compactor wheel assembly comprising: 
 a compactor wheel;    a cleat that can be operatively engaged with the compactor wheel and defining a cradle; and    a resilient fastener that defines an apex and that can be engaged in the cradle to fasten the cleat with respect to the compactor wheel.    
     
     
         14 . A compactor wheel assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , further including a sacrificial part which can be located between the compactor wheel and the cleat upon fastening.  
     
     
         15 . A compactor wheel assembly comprising: 
 a compactor wheel;    an adaptor that can be fastened to the compactor wheel;    a cleat that can be engaged with the adaptor; and    a resilient fastener that defines an apex and that can be engaged with the adaptor and the cleat to fasten the cleat to the compactor wheel.    
     
     
         16 . A compactor wheel assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the adaptor includes: 
 a body for being received in the cleat; and    a pair of resilient legs which extend from the body and for extending through the compactor wheel, each leg defining a trough for retaining the adaptor in engagement with the compactor wheel.    
     
     
         17 . A compactor wheel assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the adaptor further includes a guide located between the legs and for guiding the resilient fastener during fastening.  
     
     
         18 . A bucket assembly for earth moving equipment, the bucket assembly comprising: 
 a bucket in which earth to be moved can be provided;    one or more cleats that can be engaged with the bucket and each defining a cradle; and    one or more resilient fasteners that each define an apex and that can each be engaged in a respective cradle to fasten the cleats to the compactor wheel.    
     
     
         19 . A bucket assembly as claimed in  claim 18 , further including one or more spacers that can each be engaged with the bucket between a respective pair of cleats.  
     
     
         20 . A bucket assembly as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein each spacer defines another cradle, the bucket assembly further including one or more other resilient fasteners that can each be engaged in a respective one of the other cradles to fasten the spacers to the compactor wheel.