Pin joint for a machine

Abstract

A pin joint for a machine is provided. The pin joint includes a housing. The pin joint further includes a pin at least partly received within the housing, the pin having an outer surface. The pin joint also includes a bearing member coupled to the housing, the bearing member having an inner surface facing the outer surface of the pin. The pin joint further includes an insert member axially retained between the bearing member and the pin, the insert member having an inner surface contacting the outer surface of the pin and an outer surface contacting the inner surface of the bearing member. The inner surface of the insert member is configured to freely rotate relative to the outer surface of the pin and the outer surface of the insert member is configured to freely rotate relative to the inner surface of the bearing member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pin joint for a machine, the pin joint comprising:
 a housing;   a pin at least partly received within the housing, the pin having an outer surface;   a bearing member coupled to the housing, the bearing member having an inner surface facing the outer surface of the pin; and   an insert member axially retained between the bearing member and the pin, the insert member having an inner surface contacting the outer surface of the pin and an outer surface contacting the inner surface of the bearing member, wherein the inner surface of the insert member is configured to freely rotate relative to the outer surface of the pin and the outer surface of the insert member is configured to freely rotate relative to the inner surface of the bearing member.   
     
     
         2 . The pin joint of  claim 1 , wherein the insert member is disposed between the pin and the bearing member by a sliding fit. 
     
     
         3 . The pin joint of  claim 1 , wherein the insert member is disposed between the pin and the bearing member by a zero clearance fit, the zero clearance fit is configured to become a sliding fit during operation of the pin joint. 
     
     
         4 . The pin joint of  claim 1 , wherein the insert member is at least one of a roll formed bearing, machined metal tube stock bearing, extruded plastic tube stock bearing, laminated bi-metallic bearing, powdered metal bearing and composite non-metallic bearing. 
     
     
         5 . The pin joint of  claim 1 , wherein the insert member comprises at least one of a plurality of recesses and a plurality of channels, the plurality of recesses and the plurality of channels configured to receive a lubricant therein. 
     
     
         6 . The pin joint of  claim 1  further comprises a retaining system detachably coupled to the bearing member, the retaining system disposed adjacent to a first lateral surface of the insert member and configured to axially retain the insert member at the first lateral surface thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The pin joint of  claim 6 , wherein the retaining system comprises a retaining ring and a thrust washer. 
     
     
         8 . The pin joint of  claim 6 , wherein the retaining system comprises a plate coupled to the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The pin joint of  claim 6 , wherein the bearing member comprises a shoulder portion adjacent to a second lateral surface of the insert member distal to the first lateral surface, the shoulder portion configured to axially retain the insert member at the second lateral surface thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The pin joint of  claim 6 , wherein the pin comprises a shoulder portion adjacent to a second lateral surface of the insert member distal to the first lateral surface, the shoulder portion configured to axially retain the insert member at the second lateral surface thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The pin joint of  claim 1 , wherein the insert member further comprises at least one of a lubricant coating and a wear resistant coating disposed on the inner surface and the outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The pin joint of  claim 11 , wherein the lubricant coating is at least one of graphite, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and molybdenum disulfide 
     
     
         13 . The pin joint of  claim 11 , wherein the wear resistant coating is at least one of High Velocity Oxy Fuel (HVOF) chrome carbide, laser clad stainless steel, and composite coatings containing elemental molybdenum. 
     
     
         14 . The pin joint of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing member is press fitted to the housing. 
     
     
         15 . A machine comprising:
 a frame; and   an implement system coupled to the frame, wherein the implement system comprises a first implement member, a second implement member, a pin joint pivotally coupling the second implement member to the first implement member, the pin joint comprising:
 a first housing connected to the first implement member; 
 a second housing provided adjacent to the first housing, the second housing being connected to the second implement member; 
 a pin at least partly received within the first housing and the second housing, the pin having an outer surface; 
 a bearing member coupled to the second housing, the bearing member having an inner surface facing the outer surface of the pin; and 
 an insert member axially retained between the bearing member and the pin, the insert member having an inner surface contacting the outer surface of the pin and an outer surface contacting the inner surface of the bearing member, wherein the inner surface of the insert member is configured to freely rotate relative to the outer surface of the pin and the outer surface of the insert member is configured to freely rotate relative to the inner surface of the bearing member. 
   
     
     
         16 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the insert member is disposed between the pin and the bearing member by a sliding fit. 
     
     
         17 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the insert member is disposed between the pin and the bearing member by a zero clearance fit, the zero clearance fit is configured to become a sliding fit during operation of the pin joint. 
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the insert member comprises at least one of a plurality of recesses and a plurality of channels, the plurality of recesses and the plurality of channels configured to receive a lubricant therein. 
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the pin joint further comprises a retaining system detachably coupled to the bearing member, the retaining system disposed adjacent to a first lateral surface of the insert member and configured to axially retain the insert member at the lateral surface thereof. 
     
     
         20 . A method of assembling a pin joint having a housing, the method comprising:
 providing a pin at least partly within the housing;   providing an insert member between an inner surface of a bearing member and an outer surface of the pin, the bearing member being secured to the housing;   providing a sliding fit between an outer surface of the insert member and the inner surface of the bearing member;   providing a sliding fit between an inner surface of the insert member and the outer surface of the pin; and   axially retaining the insert member between the bearing member and the pin.