Connection Assembly

Abstract

A coupling for connecting ground engaging tools to a lip of an excavator bucket or similar uses an eccentric rotating lock, whereby rotation of the lock alters the distance between bearing surfaces and thus allows tightening of the lock.

1 . A coupling for connecting a wear member to a base, the coupling including a lock having at least two positions: a locked position whereby the wear member is restrained from moving relative to the base and an unlocked position in which the wear member is able to move relative to the base in an unrestrained manner, and wherein moving the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position urges the wear member away from the base. 
     
     
         2 . A coupling for connecting a wear member to a base as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lock is rotatable, with the two positions corresponding to two angularly spaced positions of the lock, and with rotation of the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position causing movement of the wear member relative to the base. 
     
     
         3 . A coupling as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the movement of the wear member is substantially translational. 
     
     
         4 . A coupling as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the movement of the wear member is substantially radial relative to the lock rotation. 
     
     
         5 . A release mechanism for a wear member mounted onto a base, the release mechanism having at least two positions: a first position in which the wear member is able to be coupled to the base, and a second position in which the release mechanism urges the wear member away from the base. 
     
     
         6 . A release mechanism for a wear member mounted onto a base as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the release mechanism is rotatable, with the two positions corresponding to two angularly spaced positions of the release mechanism, and with rotation of the release mechanism from the first position to the second position causing movement of the wear member relative to the base. 
     
     
         7 . A release mechanism for a wear member mounted onto a base as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the movement of the wear member is substantially translational. 
     
     
         8 . A release mechanism for a wear member mounted onto a base as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the movement of the wear member is substantially radial relative to the release mechanism rotation. 
     
     
         9 . A release mechanism for a wear member mounted onto a base as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the base has a lock engaging recess having a proximal bearing face and a distal bearing face, whereby the lock bears against the distal bearing face in the locked position, and whereby moving the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position causes the lock to bear against the proximal bearing face. 
     
     
         10 . A coupling for connecting a wear member to a base as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base has a lock engaging recess having a proximal bearing face and a distal bearing face, whereby the lock bears against the distal bearing face in the locked position, and whereby moving the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position causes the lock to bear against the proximal bearing face.