Expandable Shim Systems and Methods

Abstract

This document discloses an adjustable shim system. The adjustable shim system a first member defining an opening for receiving a shaft The first member can have a first side defining an outside surface and a second side generally opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side. The adjustable shim system can further include a second member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side generally opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side. The adjustable shim system can further include a fastener engaged with the first member and the second member, the fastener being configured to selectively fix the outside surface of the first member relative to the outside surface of the second member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shim system configured to engage with at least one of a bucket, finger, or attachment on a shaft extending from an arm of an earth working machine, the shim system comprising:
 a first member defining an opening for receiving the shaft;   the first member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side generally opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side;   a second member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side generally opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side;   a fastener engaged with the first member and the second member, the fastener being configured to selectively fix the outside surface of the first member relative to the outside surface of the second member;   wherein the at least one wedge of the first member contacts the at least one wedge of the second member;   wherein the outside surface of the first member is configured to selectively contact the arm of the earth working machine and the outside surface of the second member is configured to selectively contact the at least one of a bucket, finger, or attachment; and   wherein the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a first direction increases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member and increases the distance between the arm of the earth working machine and the at least one of a bucket, finger, or attachment, and the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a direction opposite first direction decreases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member and decreases the distance between the arm of the earth working machine and the at least one of a bucket, finger, or attachment.   
     
     
         2 . The shim system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first member further comprises a first cylindrical sidewall;   the first cylindrical side wall forms a cavity; and   the at least one wedge of the first member is disposed within the cavity.   
     
     
         3 . The shim system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first cylindrical side wall further comprises a plurality of holes; and   the fastener extends through a first of the plurality of holes.   
     
     
         4 . The shim system of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of holes includes at least three holes and one of the at least three holes is radially offset from the other of the least three holes. 
     
     
         5 . The shim system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the second member further comprises a second cylindrical sidewall;   the second cylindrical side wall comprises a second aperture; and   the fastener engages the second aperture.   
     
     
         6 . The shim system of  claim 5 , wherein the second aperture extends into the at least one wedge of the second member. 
     
     
         7 . The shim system of  claim 2 , wherein the first cylindrical side wall comprises a slot and the fastener extends through the slot. 
     
     
         8 . The shim system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wedge of the first member is curved around the opening of the first member. 
     
     
         9 . The shim system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one wedge of the first member comprises a first protruding wedge that extends beyond an outer periphery of the first member; and   the at least one wedge of the second member comprises a second protruding wedge that extends beyond an outer periphery of the second member.   
     
     
         10 . The shim system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first protruding wedge comprises a first aperture;   the second protruding wedge comprises a second aperture; and   the fastener extends through the first aperture and second aperture.   
     
     
         11 . The shim system of  claim 1 , wherein the first member comprises a plurality of wedges and the plurality of wedges are substantially equally spaced about the second side of the first member. 
     
     
         12 . The shim system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member each comprise a helical taper. 
     
     
         13 . The shim system of  claim 1 , wherein an outer edge of first member is beveled and configured to receive an O-ring. 
     
     
         14 . A shim system configured for receipt of a shaft, the shim system comprising:
 a first member defining an opening for receiving the shaft;   the first member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side generally opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side;   a second member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side generally opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side;   a fastener engaged with the first member and the second member, the fastener being configured to selectively fix the outside surface of the first member relative to the outside surface of the second member;   wherein the at least one wedge of the first member contacts the at least one wedge of the second member; and   wherein the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a first direction increases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member, and at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a direction opposite first direction decreases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member.   
     
     
         15 . The shim system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first member further comprises a first cylindrical sidewall;   the first cylindrical side wall forms a cavity; and   the at least one wedge of the first member is disposed within the cavity.   
     
     
         16 . The shim system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first cylindrical side wall further comprises a plurality of holes; and   the fastener extends through a first of the plurality of holes.   
     
     
         17 . The shim system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of holes includes at least three holes and one of the at least three holes is radially offset from the other of the at least three holes. 
     
     
         18 . The shim system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the second member further comprises a second cylindrical sidewall;   the second cylindrical side wall comprising a second aperture; and   the fastener engages the second aperture.   
     
     
         19 . The shim system of  claim 18 , wherein the second aperture extends into the at least one wedge of the second member. 
     
     
         20 . The shim system of  claim 15 , wherein the first cylindrical side wall comprises a slot and the fastener extends through the slot. 
     
     
         21 . The shim system of  claim 14 , wherein each of the first member and second member is generally circular. 
     
     
         22 . The shim system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first member comprises a plurality of wedges and the plurality of wedges of the first member are substantially equally spaced about the second side of the first member; and   the second member comprises a plurality of wedges and the plurality of wedges of the second member are substantially equally spaced about the second side of the second member.   
     
     
         23 . The shim system of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of wedges of each of the first member and second member are curved around the center aperture. 
     
     
         24 . The shim system of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of wedges of the first member oppose the plurality of wedges of the second member. 
     
     
         25 . The shim system of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of wedges of the first member are substantially equally spaced about the second surface of the first member. 
     
     
         26 . The shim system of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of wedges of the first and second members comprise a helical taper. 
     
     
         27 . The shim system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the at least one wedge of the first member comprises a first protruding wedge that extends beyond an outer periphery of the first member; and   the at least one wedge of the second member comprises a second protruding wedge that extends beyond an outer periphery of the second member.   
     
     
         28 . The shim system of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the first protruding wedge comprises a plurality of apertures;   the second protruding wedge comprises a plurality of apertures; and   the fastener extends through an first aperture of the plurality apertures of the first protruding wedge and a second aperture of the plurality of apertures of the second protruding wedge.   
     
     
         29 . A method for adjusting an excavator bucket attachment, comprising:
 providing a shim set including a first plate having a first outer surface and a second plate having a second outer surface;   rotating the first plate relative to the second plate to vary the distance between the first outer surface and the second outer surface; and   inserting a fastener into the shim to secure the shim in a first desired position.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 removing the fastener from the shim set;   rotating first plate relative to the second plate to change the distance between the first outer surface and the second outer surface;   reinserting the fastener into the shim to secure the shim in a second desired position.