Lock for ground engaging tool

Abstract

Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a lock for a ground engaging tool. The lock may have a body portion having a first diameter. The lock may also have a neck portion, which may have a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The neck portion may extend from the body portion along a rotational axis of the lock. The lock may also have a head portion, which may extend from the neck portion along the rotational axis. The head portion may have a surface facing the body portion. The lock may be rotationally symmetric about the rotational axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lock for a ground engaging tool, comprising:
 a body portion having a first diameter;   a neck portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and extending from the body portion along a rotational axis of the lock; and   a head portion extending from the neck portion along the rotational axis, and having a surface facing the body portion;   wherein the lock is rotationally symmetric about the rotational axis.   
     
     
         2 . The lock of  claim 1 , wherein the lock is second order rotationally symmetric about the rotational axis. 
     
     
         3 . The lock of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion includes a plurality of tool interfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The lock of  claim 3 , wherein:
 at least one of the tool interfaces is configured to receive torque to rotate the lock about the rotational axis; and   at least one of the tool interfaces is configured to receive force to translate the lock along the rotational axis.   
     
     
         5 . A lock for a ground engaging tool, comprising:
 a body portion having a first diameter;   a neck portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and extending from the body portion; and   a head portion extending from the neck portion, the head portion including:
 a bottom surface facing the body portion; 
 a top surface facing away from the body portion; 
 first and second generally planar end surfaces extending from the bottom surface to the top surface; and 
 first and second cam surfaces extending from the bottom surface to the top surface, and connecting the first and second end surfaces; 
   wherein a portion of the first cam surface adjacent the first generally planar end surface has a first radius of curvature, and another portion of the first cam surface has a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature.   
     
     
         6 . The lock of  claim 5 , wherein the bottom and top surfaces of the head portion are generally planar. 
     
     
         7 . The lock of  claim 6 , wherein the bottom surface of the head portion is approximately parallel to the top surface of the head portion. 
     
     
         8 . The lock of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second generally planar end surfaces are approximately perpendicular to the bottom and top surfaces of the head portion. 
     
     
         9 . The lock of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second cam surfaces are approximately perpendicular to the bottom and top surfaces of the head portion. 
     
     
         10 . The lock of  claim 5 , wherein a portion of the second cam surface adjacent the second generally planar end surface has a third radius of curvature, and another portion of the second cam surface has a fourth radius of curvature larger than the third radius of curvature. 
     
     
         11 . The lock of  claim 5 , wherein the neck portion extends from a generally cylindrical section of the body portion. 
     
     
         12 . The lock of  claim 11 , wherein the neck portion is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         13 . A lock for a ground engaging tool, comprising:
 a body portion including:
 a first section having a first diameter; and 
 a second section having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; 
   a neck portion having a third diameter smaller than the second diameter, and extending from the second section;   a head portion extending from the neck portion, and having a surface facing the body portion; and   a biasing component surrounding the second section of the body portion.   
     
     
         14 . The lock of  claim 13 , wherein the biasing component includes an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         15 . The lock of  claim 14 , wherein the elastomeric material is rubber. 
     
     
         16 . The lock of  claim 14 , wherein the biasing component includes a metal material separating the elastomeric material from the first section of the body portion. 
     
     
         17 . The lock of  claim 13 , wherein the biasing component includes a coned-disc spring. 
     
     
         18 . The lock of  claim 17 , wherein the spring is metal. 
     
     
         19 . The lock of  claim 13 , wherein the first section of the body portion is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         20 . The lock of  claim 19 , wherein the second section of the body portion is generally cylindrical.