Compactor Wheel Assembly

Abstract

A compactor wheel assembly includes a compactor rim. A modular guard assembly has a plurality of replaceable guard modules mounted, in a detachable manner, on the compactor rim, to inhibit the movement of wrapping-type debris inwardly towards an axle to which the rim is mounted, in use.

1 . A compactor wheel assembly that comprises: 
 a compactor rim; and    a modular guard assembly having plurality of replaceable guard modules mounted, in a detachable manner, on the compactor rim, to inhibit the movement of wrapping-type debris inwardly towards an axle to which the rim is mounted, in use.    
   
   
       2 . A compactor wheel assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the modular guard assembly includes a plurality of guard mounting members positioned circumferentially about the compactor rim, the guard modules being mounted on the mounting members.  
   
   
       3 . A compactor wheel assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the modular guard assembly includes fastening devices for fastening each guard module to at least one of the guard mounting members in a detachable manner.  
   
   
       4 . A compactor wheel assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the plurality of guard mounting members are fast with the compactor rim and extend radially from an operatively inner end portion of the compactor rim, each pair of adjacent guard mounting members being equidistant with respect to each other.  
   
   
       5 . A compactor wheel assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , in which each guard module is formed integrally from a strip of metal.  
   
   
       6 . A compactor wheel assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , in which each module has one end with a dog-legged lesser edge longitudinal profile and another end with a substantially straight lesser edge longitudinal profile with a post of each mounting member received between the dog-legged end of one respective module and the straight end of a consecutive respective module such that together the modules define a substantially uniform outwardly facing surface.  
   
   
       7 . A compactor wheel assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , in which each module defines an opening at each end and each post defines a corresponding opening, the openings being configured so that when the posts are received between associated ends of consecutive modules, the openings are in register with each other to permit the modules to be fastened to the posts, the fastening devices including elongate fastening components receivable through the registered openings.  
   
   
       8 . A compactor wheel assembly as claimed in  claim 7 , in which each fastening device includes the elongate fastening component in the form of a pin, the pin having a head and a shank defining an aperture, and a fastener that is receivable through the aperture, the fastener and the aperture being configured so that associated ends of the consecutive modules and the interposed post are compressed together between the fastener and the flared head.  
   
   
       9 . A compactor wheel assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , in which each fastener is a sprung member that is receivable in the aperture so that the associated ends of the consecutive modules and the interposed post are compressed together between at least one portion of the sprung member and the head.  
   
   
       10 . A compactor wheel assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , in which the sprung member is a spring plate that has a waveform profile with an apex that is receivable in said aperture and legs extending out of the pin to bear against one of the ends of the consecutive modules.  
   
   
       11 . A compactor wheel assembly as claimed in  9 , in which the sprung member is a spring plate with a longitudinal profile that defines a pair of apices interposed between a pair of legs, the pin being received in a trough defined between the apices and the legs extending out of the pin to bear against one of the ends of the consecutive modules.  
   
   
       12 . A compactor wheel assembly comprising: 
 a compactor rim; and    a plurality of guard mounting members positioned circumferentially about the compactor rim, the guard mounting members being configured to permit a plurality of replaceable guard modules to be mounted on the guard mounting members with fastening devices for fastening each guard module to at least one of the guard mounting members in a detachable manner, to inhibit the movement of wrapping-type debris inwardly towards an axle to which the compactor rim is mounted.    
   
   
       13 . A compactor wheel assembly that comprises: 
 a compactor rim;    a plurality of guard mounting members positioned circumferentially about the compactor rim;    a plurality of replaceable guard modules mounted on the guard mounting members and configured to inhibit the movement of wrapping-type debris inwardly towards an axle to which the compactor rim is mounted; and    fastening devices for fastening each guard module to at least one of the guard mounting members in a detachable manner.