Tooth and adaptor assembly

Abstract

A tooth and adaptor assembly for a dipper bucket includes an adaptor having a rear portion for attaching to the dipper bucket, a tooth capable of releasable attachment to the adaptor and a retainer pin for securing the tooth to the adaptor. The adaptor further includes a tapering intermediate portion that narrows to a rectangular front portion. The adaptor further includes a planar surface on a portion of its intermediate portion and a cavity on the planar surface for receiving the retainer pin. The tooth has a tip at its front end for digging and a socket at its rear end configured to receive the front and intermediate portions of the adaptor. A small opening on the rear end of the tooth aligns with the cavity when the tooth is seated on the adaptor. The retainer pin is urged outward of the cavity by a biasing element to engage the small opening on the tooth so as to secure the tooth to the adaptor.

1 . An adaptor for releasably attaching a bucket tooth to an excavation tool, the adaptor comprising:
 a) a rear portion adapted for attaching to an excavation tool;   b) a front portion adapted for a sliding fit with a corresponding socket disposed on a bucket tooth;   c) an intermediate portion comprising an exterior surface and a base adjacent to the rear portion, the intermediate portion narrowing a cross-sectional area from the base to front portion;   d) a substantially planar surface disposed on a portion of the exterior surface; and   e) a passageway extending from the planar surface at least partially into the adaptor, the passageway adapted to receive a retainer pin for releasably attaching the bucket tooth to the adaptor.   
     
     
         2 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the excavation tool is a tool selected from the group comprising a dipper bucket, a front-end loader bucket, a mining shovel bucket, an excavator bucket, a bucket wheel trencher, a chain trencher or a dredging cutterhead. 
     
     
         3 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the rear portion is U-shaped and adapted to attach to a lip of an excavation tool. 
     
     
         4 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end. 
     
     
         5 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end and the flat front end is disposed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the adaptor. 
     
     
         6 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end and the key has a cross-sectional area that is polygon-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end and the key has a cross-sectional area in the form of a polygon selected from the group comprising a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a trapezoid, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon or an octagon. 
     
     
         8 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end and the key has a cross-sectional area in the form of an ellipse. 
     
     
         9 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the base is substantially circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         10 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end and the intermediate portion is cone-shaped between the base and the key. 
     
     
         11 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end, the intermediate portion is elliptical in cross-section and the key is rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         12 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end and the substantially flat front end is disposed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the adaptor. 
     
     
         13 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end and the substantially flat front end comprises a planar surface that is disposed substantially vertical relative to a longitudinal axis of the adaptor. 
     
     
         14 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end and the substantially flat front end comprises a planar surface that is disposed substantially in parallel with a longitudinal axis of the adaptor. 
     
     
         15 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end, the substantially flat front comprises a planar surface and the passageway is disposed substantially perpendicular to the planar surface. 
     
     
         16 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the passageway is approximately rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         17 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the passageway is approximately square in cross-section. 
     
     
         18 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the passageway comprises rounded corners. 
     
     
         19 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the passageway is approximately circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         20 . The adaptor as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the base further comprises at least one stabilizing lug adapted to mate with at least one positioning slot disposed on the bucket tooth when the bucket tooth is substantially seated on the adaptor. 
     
     
         21 . A bucket tooth for releasably attaching to an adaptor attached to an excavation tool, the bucket tooth comprising:
 a) a longitudinal body comprising a front tip portion adapted for excavating disposed on one end and a rear portion disposed on an opposing end;   b) a socket disposed on the rear portion, the socket comprising a mouth, a side wall and an interior mating surface adapted for a sliding fit onto an exterior surface of an adaptor;   c) a substantially planar surface disposed on a portion of the interior mating surface;   d) an aperture disposed on the planar surface, the aperture adapted to substantially align with a passageway disposed on the adaptor; and   e) a catch disposed on the planar surface between the mouth and the aperture, the catch adapted to secure a retainer pin disposed in the passageway to the aperture, the retainer pin comprising a biasing element adapted to urge the retainer pin to engage the aperture when the tooth is substantially seated on the adaptor thereby preventing the tooth from being removed from the adaptor.   
     
     
         22 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the excavation tool is a tool selected from the group comprising a dipper bucket, a front-end loader bucket, a mining shovel bucket, an excavator bucket, a bucket wheel trencher, a chain trencher and a dredging cutterhead. 
     
     
         23 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the socket narrows in cross-sectional area from the mouth to a bottom key-way that substantially corresponds to a front portion of the adaptor. 
     
     
         24 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the socket narrows in cross-sectional area from the mouth to a bottom key-way and the bottom key-way comprises a bottom flat surface that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal body. 
     
     
         25 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the socket narrows in cross-sectional area from the mouth to a bottom key-way and the bottom key-way has a cross-sectional area that is polygon-shaped in profile. 
     
     
         26 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 25  wherein the polygon is selected from the group comprising a triangle, a square,a rectangle, a rhombus, a trapezoid, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon and an octagon. 
     
     
         27 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the socket narrows in cross-sectional area from the mouth to a bottom key-way and the bottom key-way has a cross-sectional area that is elliptically shaped in profile. 
     
     
         28 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the socket narrows in cross-sectional area from the mouth to a bottom key-way and the bottom key-way has a cross-sectional area that is circular in profile. 
     
     
         29 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the socket defines a cone-shaped opening as it narrows from the mouth to a bottom key-way. 
     
     
         30 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 29  wherein the cone-shaped is elliptical in cross-section and the bottom key-way is rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         31 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 29  wherein the bottom key-way comprises a bottom flat surface that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal body. 
     
     
         32 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end and the substantially flat front end comprises a planar surface that is disposed substantially vertical relative to a longitudinal axis of the adaptor. 
     
     
         33 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end, the substantially flat front comprises a planar surface and the passageway is disposed substantially perpendicular to the planar surface. 
     
     
         34 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the catch is a ramp that compresses the biasing element of the retainer pin when the retainer pin slides along the ramp as the tooth is seated onto the adaptor until the retainer pin is urged into the aperture by the biasing element thereby securing the tooth to the adaptor. 
     
     
         35 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 34  wherein the aperture is a frusto-conical opening. 
     
     
         36 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the aperture extends through the side wall to an exterior side of the longitudinal body to provide communication to the retainer pin whereby a tool can be inserted into the aperture and engage the retainer pin to compress the biasing element and allow the retainer pin to clear the catch thereby enabling the tooth to be removed from the adaptor. 
     
     
         37 . The bucket tooth as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the socket further comprises at least one positioning slot adapted to mate with at least one stabilizing lug disposed on the adaptor when the bucket tooth is substantially seated on the adaptor. 
     
     
         38 . A retainer pin adapted for releasably attaching a bucket tooth to an adaptor, the tooth comprising a socket having an interior surface and adapted for sliding fit on to the adaptor, the retainer pin comprising:
 a) a longitudinal body having first and second ends, the body being adapted for insertion into a passageway disposed on an adaptor;   b) a biasing element disposed on the first end; and   c) the second end adapted to seat in an aperture disposed on a socket interior surface of a bucket tooth when the retainer pin is inserted first end first into the passageway of the adaptor thereby retaining the tooth on the adaptor once the tooth is substantially seated on the adaptor.   
     
     
         39 . The retainer pin as set forth in  claim 38  wherein the second end is further adapted to slide along a ramped catch disposed on the interior surface as the tooth is being seated on the adaptor thereby compressing the biasing element until the second end passes over the ramped catch and the biasing element urges the second end towards the aperture when the tooth is substantially seated on the adaptor. 
     
     
         40 . The retainer pin as set forth in  claim 38  wherein the body is substantially rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         41 . The retainer pin as set forth in  claim 38  wherein the body is substantially square in cross-section and further comprises rounded out side corners. 
     
     
         42 . The retainer pin as set forth in  claim 38  wherein the body is substantially circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         43 . The retainer pin as set forth in  claim 38  wherein the biasing element is a spring. 
     
     
         44 . The retainer pin as set forth in  claim 38  wherein the biasing element is an elastomer plug. 
     
     
         45 . The retainer pin as set forth in  claim 38  wherein the biasing element comprises a first magnet disposed in the passageway and a second magnet disposed on the first end, the magnets configured to repel one another when the retainer pin is inserted into the passageway, the magnets having sufficient magnetic field strength to urge the second end towards the aperture when the tooth is substantially seated on the adaptor. 
     
     
         46 . A bucket tooth and adaptor assembly for an excavation tool, the assembly comprising:
 a) an adaptor comprising:
 i) a rear portion adapted for attaching to an excavation tool, 
 ii) a front portion adapted for a sliding fit with a corresponding socket disposed on a bucket tooth, 
 iii) an intermediate portion comprising an exterior surface and a base adjacent to the rear portion, the intermediate portion narrowing in cross-sectional area from the base to the front portion, 
 iv) a substantially planar first surface disposed on a portion of the exterior surface, and 
 v) a passageway extending from the planar surface at least partially into the adaptor, the passageway adapted to receive a retainer pin for releasably attaching the bucket tooth to the adaptor; 
   b) a bucket tooth adapted to releasably attach to the adaptor, comprising:
 i) a longitudinal body comprising a front tip portion adapted for excavating disposed on one end and a rear portion disposed on an opposing end, 
 ii) a socket disposed on the rear portion, the socket comprising a mouth, a side wall and an interior mating surface adapted for sliding fit onto the adaptor, 
 iii) a substantially planar second surface disposed on a portion of the interior mating surface adapted to line up with the planar first surface when the tooth is substantially seated on the adaptor, 
 iv) an aperture disposed on the planar second surface, the aperture adapted to substantially align with the passageway when the tooth is substantially seated on the adaptor, and 
 v) a catch disposed on the planar second surface between the mouth and the aperture, the catch adapted to urge a retainer pin disposed in the passageway to seat into the aperture when the tooth is substantially seated on the adaptor thereby preventing the tooth from being removed from the adaptor; and 
   c) a retainer pin, comprising:
 i) a longitudinal body having first and second ends, the body adapted to be inserted into the passageway, 
 ii) a biasing element disposed on the first end, the biasing element adapted to compress when the retainer pin is inserted into the passageway and the tooth is being substantially seated on the adaptor, and 
 iii) the second end adapted to pass over the catch and to seat in the aperture when the retainer pin is inserted in the passageway and the tooth is being seated onto the adaptor whereupon the biasing element urges the second end to seat into the aperture once the tooth is substantially seated onto the adaptor. 
   
     
     
         47 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the excavation tool is a tool selected from the group comprising a dipper bucket, a front-end loader bucket, a mining shovel bucket, an-excavator bucket, a bucket wheel trencher, a chain trencher and a dredging cutterhead. 
     
     
         48 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the rear portion is U-shaped and adapted to attach to a lip of an excavation tool. 
     
     
         49 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the front portion comprises a key having a substantially flat front end. 
     
     
         50 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 49  wherein the flat front end is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the adaptor. 
     
     
         51 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 49  wherein the key has a cross-sectional area that is polygon-shaped in profile. 
     
     
         52 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 51  wherein the polygon is selected from the group comprising a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a trapezoid, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon and an octagon. 
     
     
         53 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 49  wherein the key has a cross-sectional area that is elliptical in profile. 
     
     
         54 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the base is substantially circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         55 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 54  wherein the intermediate portion is cone-shaped as it narrows from the base to the key. 
     
     
         56 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 55  wherein the intermediate portion is elliptical in cross-section and the key is rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         57 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 56  wherein the key further comprises a substantially flat front end that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the adaptor. 
     
     
         58 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the planar surface is substantially vertical. 
     
     
         59 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 58  wherein the planar surface is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the adaptor. 
     
     
         60 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 59  wherein the passageway is substantially perpendicular to the planar surface. 
     
     
         61 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 60  wherein the passageway is approximately rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         62 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 61  wherein the passageway is approximately square in cross-section. 
     
     
         63 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 62  wherein the passageway comprises rounded corners. 
     
     
         64 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 60  wherein the passageway is approximately circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         65 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the socket narrows in cross-sectional area from the mouth to a bottom key-way that substantially corresponds to the front portion of the adaptor. 
     
     
         66 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 65  wherein the bottom key-way comprises a bottom flat surface that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal body. 
     
     
         67 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 66  wherein the cross-sectional area of the bottom key-way is polygon-shaped. 
     
     
         68 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 67  wherein the polygon is selected from the group comprising a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a trapezoid, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon and an octagon. 
     
     
         69 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 66  wherein the cross-sectional area of the bottom key-way is elliptical shaped. 
     
     
         70 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the mouth is substantially circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         71 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 65  wherein the socket defines a cone-shaped opening as it narrows from the mouth to the bottom key-way. 
     
     
         72 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 71  wherein the cone-shaped opening is elliptical in cross-section and the bottom key-way is rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         73 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 72  wherein the bottom key-way comprises a bottom flat surface that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal body. 
     
     
         74 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the planar surface is substantially vertical. 
     
     
         75 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 74  wherein the planar surface is substantially parallel to the longitudinal body. 
     
     
         76 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the catch is a ramp that compresses the biasing element of the retainer pin when the retainer pin slides along the ramp as the tooth is seated onto the adaptor until the retainer pin is urged into the aperture by the biasing element thereby securing the tooth to the adaptor. 
     
     
         77 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 76  wherein the aperture is a frusto-conical opening. 
     
     
         78 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 77  wherein the aperture extends through the side wall to an exterior side of the longitudinal body to provide communication to the retainer pin whereby a tool can be inserted into the aperture and engage the retainer pin to compress the biasing element and allow the retainer pin to clear the catch thereby enabling the tooth to be removed from the adaptor. 
     
     
         79 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the second end of the retainer pin body is further adapted to slide along a ramped catch disposed on the interior surface as the tooth is being seated on the adaptor thereby compressing the biasing element until the second end passes over the ramped catch and the biasing element urges the second end towards the aperture when the tooth is substantially seated on the adaptor. 
     
     
         80 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 79  wherein the body is substantially rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         81 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 80  wherein the body is substantially square in cross-section and further comprises rounded out side corners. 
     
     
         82 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 79  wherein the body is substantially circular in cross-section. 
     
     
         83 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the biasing element is a spring. 
     
     
         84 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the biasing element is an elastomer plug. 
     
     
         85 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the biasing element comprises a first magnet disposed in the passageway and a second magnet disposed on the first end, the magnets configured to repel one another when the retainer pin is inserted into the passageway, the magnets having sufficient magnetic field strength to urge the second end towards the aperture when the tooth is substantially seated on the adaptor. 
     
     
         86 . The assembly as set forth in  claim 46  wherein the base of the adaptor further comprises at least one stabilizing lug and the socket of the tooth further comprises at least one positioning slot whereby the at least one stabilizing lug is adapted to mate with the at least one positioning slot when the tooth is substantially seated on the adaptor.