Adapter and tip coupling system

Abstract

A lock assembly for attaching a wear member to a base includes a threaded retaining block with a C-spring attached to the retaining block that fits into an aperture of the base. A threaded lock pin fits into the aperture of the wear member, and the threaded aperture of the retaining block, retaining the wear member onto the base. The threaded lock pin engages the C-spring that prevents unintentional rotation of the threaded lock pin so that the threaded lock pin is trapped in the aperture of the wear member, preventing its unintentional removal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tip and adapter assembly comprising:
 a tip that includes a body that defines a direction of assembly, a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the direction of assembly, and a lateral axis that is perpendicular to the vertical axis and the direction of assembly, the body including:
 a forward working portion disposed along the direction of assembly including a closed end; and 
 a rear attachment portion disposed along the direction of assembly including an open end;
 wherein the rear attachment portion defines
 an exterior surface; 
 an adapter nose receiving pocket extending longitudinally from the open end; and 
 a retaining mechanism receiving aperture in communication with the adapter nose receiving pocket and the exterior surface; and 
 
 
   an adapter that includes a body comprising a nose portion that is configured to fit within the adapter nose receiving pocket of the tip, the body including an outer surface defining a polygonal retaining block receiving aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the polygonal retaining block receiving aperture lacks a bottom pin receiving aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter further comprises a pry slot that extends from a side of the polygonal retaining block receiving aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the polygonal retaining block receiving aperture defines a perimeter having an octagonal configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the octagonal configuration includes a first side, a second side that is parallel to the first side, a third side that is perpendicular to the first side, and a fourth side that is perpendicular to the second side. 
     
     
         6 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the octagonal configuration includes a first angled surface that is oblique to the first side, a second angled surface that is oblique to the second side, a third angled surface that is oblique to the third side, and a fourth angled surface that is oblique to the fourth side. 
     
     
         7 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first angled surface is differently configured than the second angled surface, the third angled surface, and the fourth angled surface. 
     
     
         8 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a retaining block that is disposed in the polygonal retaining block receiving aperture such that the retaining block contacts the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side, but does not contact the first angled surface, the second angled surface, the third angled surface, and the fourth angled surface. 
     
     
         9 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the retaining block defines a threaded pin receiving aperture with a radial direction, a circumferential direction, and an axis of rotation, and a spring receiving notch that is disposed in the threaded pin receiving aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a C-spring that is disposed in the threaded pin receiving aperture, and the spring receiving notch, and a threaded pin disposed in the threaded pin receiving aperture, defining a spring receiving groove that receives the C-spring. 
     
     
         11 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the C-spring defines an inner diameter, and the spring receiving groove defines an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the spring receiving notch defines a C-shape with a first circumferential end surface, and a second circumferential end surface. 
     
     
         13 . The tip and adapter assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the spring receiving notch defines a C-shape with an outer circumferential surface that is spaced radially away from the C-spring, providing clearance between the C-spring and the retaining block. 
     
     
         14 . An adapter comprising:
 a body including a nose portion having an external surface defining
 a polygonal retaining block receiving aperture with a bottom seat surface, and a pry slot extending from a side of the polygonal retaining block receiving aperture. 
   
     
     
         15 . A retaining mechanism comprising:
 a threaded retaining block that includes an outer perimeter that has a surface of non-revolution, a pin receiving aperture defining an inner surface that is inwardly offset from the surface of non-revolution, and the pin receiving aperture defines a female thread.   
     
     
         16 . The retaining mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the female thread is a lead screw thread. 
     
     
         17 . The retaining mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the pin receiving aperture defines an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction, a first axial end, and a second axial end, and the female thread extends from the first axial end toward the second axial end, terminating short of the second axial end. 
     
     
         18 . The retaining mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the threaded retaining block further includes a spring receiving notch disposed axially adjacent to an axial end, and is spaced axially away from the female thread. 
     
     
         19 . The retaining mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the threaded retaining block lacks a flared portion. 
     
     
         20 . The retaining mechanism of  claim 15 , wherein the outer perimeter of the retaining block is polygonal.