Tooth and adaptor assembly for a dipper bucket

Abstract

A tooth and adaptor assembly is provided for a dipper bucket. The assembly includes an adaptor having a rear portion for attaching to a dipper bucket, a tooth capable of releasable attachment to the adaptor and a retainer pin for securing the tooth to the adaptor. The adaptor has a tapered intermediate portion that narrows to a rectangular front portion and a planar surface on a portion of its intermediate portion. A groove traverses the planar surface, and extends perpendicular to the horizontal longitudinal axis of the adaptor. The tooth has a tip at its front end for digging and a socket at its rear end that is configured to receive the front and intermediate portions of the adaptor. When the tooth is coupled to the adaptor, an opening on the rear end of the tooth aligns with the groove to define a passageway that terminates within the socket of the tooth. The retainer pin is inserted into the passageway to secure the tooth to the adaptor and complete the assembly.

1 . A tooth and adaptor assembly for a dipper bucket, comprising: 
 a) an adaptor comprising:    i) a rear portion adapted for attaching to a dipper bucket;    ii) a front portion having a substantially flat front end, and    iii) a tapered intermediate portion having an exterior surface and a substantially circular base adjacent to said rear portion, said intermediate portion narrowing in cross-sectional area towards said front portion, said intermediate portion further comprising a substantially planar surface on a portion of its exterior surface and a groove traversing said planar surface, said groove substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis passing through the center of said front, intermediate and rear portions;    b) a tooth having a front tip portion adapted for excavating and an enlarged rear portion having a top surface, said enlarged rear portion forming a socket adapted to complement said front and intermediate portions of said adaptor, said socket having an entrance that is substantially circular to mate with the base of said intermediate portion, a bottom with a substantially flat surface to mate with the flat front end of said front portion and a tapered interior wall surface narrowing from said entrance to said bottom, a portion of said interior wall surface being substantially planar to mate with the planar surface portion of said intermediate portion whereby said tooth fits securely on said adaptor and engages substantially the entire outer surface of said front and intermediate portions of said adaptor, said tooth further comprising an opening on said enlarged rear portion that substantially aligns with said groove to define a passageway when said tooth is substantially engaged with said adaptor; and    c) a retainer pin adapted to be inserted through said opening into said passageway to secure said tooth to said adaptor.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said bottom of said socket and said front portion of said adaptor are rectangular in cross-section and are adapted to couple together in sliding fit.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said enlarged rear portion of said tooth further comprises a raised deflector extending around at least a portion of said opening for deflecting debris away from said passageway and retainer pin.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said planar surface portion of said intermediate portion is offset from a vertical axis sloping inwardly from top to bottom on said intermediate portion.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said retainer pin comprises a body conforming to the shape of said passageway and an enlarged head with a bottom surface adapted to cover said opening and mate with said top surface so as to prevent debris from entering said passageway.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said retainer pin further comprises a biasing element that compresses into said retainer pin as it is driven into said passageway, said biasing element extending outwardly into a complementary recess when said retainer pin is fully inserted in said passageway.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said retainer pin further comprises a magnet to urge said retainer pin downwardly in a latched position within said passageway.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said retainer pin further comprises a prying element on said enlarged head for prying said retainer pin out of said passageway.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said retainer pin further comprises at least one hole disposed through said body for containing a lubricant.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said passageway is rectangular in cross section and is further configured to receive said retainer pin therein.