Segmented cast wire guard

Abstract

We disclose herein a wire guard that is used to keep wire and other debris from wrapping around the axles of landfill trash compactors, thereby reducing the chance of damage to these axles and sealing systems. The wire guard is comprised of multiple segments that are individually welded to the edge of the wheel wrapper. The individual segments are through hardened and are, therefore, resistant to wear. Furthermore, they may include an overhanging lip that protects the edge of the wheel wrapper. This device is an improvement to other existing wire guards.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A wire guard comprising a plurality of individual segments that are affixed to a first edge of a compactor wheel wrapper, said compactor wheel wrapper comprising a first edge and a second edge, wherein said first edge is a lateral edge and wherein said second edge is a distal edge in relation to a compactor axle. 
     
     
         2 . The wire guard of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of individual segments is made of cast steel. 
     
     
         3 . The wire guard of  claim 2 , wherein each of said plurality of individual segments is additionally through-hardened by heat treatment. 
     
     
         4 . The wire guard of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of individual segments is comprised of a first side configured to face said first edge of said wheel wrapper and a second side configured to face said second edge of said wheel wrapper. 
     
     
         5 . The wire guard of  claim 4 , wherein said first side is tapered and wherein said second side is tapered. 
     
     
         6 . The wire guard of  claim 4 , wherein said first side is primarily flat and wherein said second side is tapered. 
     
     
         7 . The wire guard of  claim 6 , wherein each of said plurality of individual segments is further comprised of a cleat. 
     
     
         8 . The wire guard of  claim 7 , wherein each of said plurality of individual segments is further comprised of a flange on a first side and a flange on a second side of said cleat. 
     
     
         9 . The wire guard of  claim 8 , wherein said flanges include a terminal end configured to project an overlapping edge to an adjacent segment flange and to receive an overlapping edge from said adjacent segment flange. 
     
     
         10 . The wire guard of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of individual segments is affixed by welding each of said plurality of individual segments to an adjacent segment and to said wheel wrapper. 
     
     
         11 . The wire guard of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of individual segments comprises eight segments. 
     
     
         12 . A segment for constructing a wire guard, said segment comprising cast steel member configured to be affixed radially around an edge of a wheel wrapper. 
     
     
         13 . The segment of  claim 12 , wherein said segment is through-hardened by heat treatment. 
     
     
         14 . The segment of  claim 13 , wherein said segment is further configured to include a first side configured to face a first edge of said wheel wrapper and a second side configured to face a second edge of said wheel wrapper. 
     
     
         15 . The segment of  claim 14 , wherein said first side is tapered and wherein said second side is tapered. 
     
     
         16 . The segment of  claim 14 , wherein said first side is primarily flat and wherein said second side is tapered. 
     
     
         17 . The segment of  claim 12 , wherein said segment is further configured to include a cleat. 
     
     
         18 . The segment of  claim 17 , wherein said segment is further configured to include a flange on a first side and a flange on a second side of said cleat. 
     
     
         19 . The segment of  claim 18 , wherein said flanges include a terminal end configured to project an overlapping edge to an adjacent segment flange and to receive an overlapping edge from said adjacent segment flange. 
     
     
         20 . A compactor wheel comprising a wire guard, said wire guard comprising: a plurality of individual segments made of cast steel that are affixed to a first edge of a compactor wheel wrapper, said compactor wheel wrapper comprising a first edge and a second edge, wherein said first edge is a lateral edge and wherein said second edge is a distal edge in relation to a compactor axle. 
     
     
         21 . The compactor wheel of  claim 20 , wherein each of said plurality of individual segments is comprised of a first side configured to face said first edge of said wheel wrapper and a second side configured to face said second edge of said wheel wrapper. 
     
     
         22 . The compactor wheel of  claim 21 , wherein said first side is primarily flat and wherein said second side is tapered. 
     
     
         23 . The compactor wheel of  claim 22 , wherein each of said plurality of individual segments is further configured to include a cleat, a flange on a first side of said cleat, and a flange on a second side of said cleat. 
     
     
         24 . The compactor wheel of  claim 23 , wherein said flanges include a terminal end configured to project an overlapping edge to an adjacent segment flange and to receive an overlapping edge from said adjacent segment flange.