Lock for ground engaging tool

Abstract

Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a lock for a ground engaging tool. The lock may have a head portion with at least one compressible detent projection. The lock may also have a C-shaped skirt extending from the head portion. The skirt may define a lock slot for receiving a post to be locked with the ground engaging tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lock for a ground engaging tool, comprising:
 a head portion including at least one compressible detent projection; and   a C-shaped skirt extending from the head portion, the skirt defining a lock slot for receiving a post to be locked with the ground engaging tool.   
     
     
         2 . The lock of  claim 1 , wherein the head portion and the skirt define an outer surface configured to be rotatably received in a lock opening of the ground engaging tool, and the at least one compressible detent projection, when not compressed, projects outward from the outer surface. 
     
     
         3 . The lock of  claim 2 , wherein the head portion includes two compressible detent projections. 
     
     
         4 . The lock of  claim 3 , wherein the compressible detent projections are spaced apart from one another by approximately 180 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The lock of  claim 2 , wherein the outer surface is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         6 . The lock of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one compressible detent projection includes an at least partially sphere-shaped portion. 
     
     
         7 . The lock of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one compressible detent projection includes an elastomeric portion biasing the at least partially sphere-shaped portion outward through the outer surface. 
     
     
         8 . The lock of  claim 7 , wherein the elastomeric portion includes a spring. 
     
     
         9 . A lock for a ground engaging tool, comprising:
 a head portion including at least one detent projection, the detent projection having an at least partially sphere-shaped portion; and   a C-shaped skirt extending from the head portion, the skirt defining a lock slot for receiving a post to be locked with the ground engaging tool.   
     
     
         10 . The lock of  claim 9 , wherein the head portion and the skirt define an outer surface configured to be rotatably received in a lock opening of the ground engaging tool, and the at least one detent projection projects outward from the outer surface. 
     
     
         11 . The lock of  claim 10 , wherein the head portion includes two detent projections. 
     
     
         12 . The lock of  claim 11 , wherein the detent projections are spaced apart from one another by approximately 180 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The lock of  claim 10 , wherein the outer surface is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         14 . A lock for a ground engaging tool, comprising:
 a head portion including:
 a top section; and 
 a bottom section having at least one detent projection; and 
   a C-shaped skirt extending from the bottom section of the head portion, the skirt defining a lock slot for receiving a post to be locked with the ground engaging tool.   
     
     
         15 . The lock of  claim 14 , wherein the bottom section and the skirt define an outer surface configured to be rotatably received in a lock opening of the ground engaging tool, and the at least one detent projection projects outward from the outer surface. 
     
     
         16 . The lock of  claim 15 , wherein the bottom section of the head portion has two detent projections. 
     
     
         17 . The lock of  claim 16 , wherein the detent projections are spaced apart from one another by approximately 180 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The lock of  claim 15 , wherein the outer surface is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         19 . The lock of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one detent projection is a compressible detent projection including an at least partially sphere-shaped portion. 
     
     
         20 . The lock of  claim 19 , wherein the compressible detent projection includes an elastomeric portion biasing the at least partially sphere-shaped portion outward through the outer surface.