Bucket tooth

Abstract

Disclosed are options for a tooth of bucket for use in heavy earth moving equipment having a reduced hardness. In one application, multiple teeth of a bucket, such as teeth formed from forged steel, may be replaced with teeth of a reduced hardness for certain operations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bucket tooth, comprising:
 a structure adapted to be fastened to a bucket; and   an exterior of the structure having a durometer hardness not exceeding 65 on a Shore A scale.   
     
     
         2 . The bucket tooth of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a cavity to receive a shank attached to the bucket, the structure to cover and/or enclose at least a portion of a surface of the shank. 
     
     
         3 . The bucket tooth of  claim 2 , wherein the bucket tooth comprises a solid polymer to be in contact with an exterior surface of the shank and to provide an exterior to the bucket tooth. 
     
     
         4 . The bucket tooth of  claim 2 , wherein the structure comprises one or more metal layers to be in contact with the exterior surface of the shank, and one or more polymer layers forming an exterior portion of the bucket tooth. 
     
     
         5 . The bucket tooth of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises one or more holes to receive one or more nut and bolt assemblies to fasten the bucket tooth to an edge of the bucket. 
     
     
         6 . The bucket tooth of  claim 1 , wherein the bucket tooth is adapted to replace a solid metal shovel tooth on the shank. 
     
     
         7 . The bucket tooth of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior is formed from a polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The bucket tooth of  claim 1 , wherein the bucket tooth further comprises holes to receive a pin to secure the shovel tooth to the shank. 
     
     
         9 . The bucket tooth of  1 , wherein:
 the shank is secured to bucket shovel by one or more weld joints tooth; and   the bucket shovel is adapted to be secured to a dipper arm of a backhoe, excavator or mini excavator.   
     
     
         10 . The bucket tooth of  claim 1 , wherein the durometer hardness of the exterior of the structure is at least 55 on the Shore A scale. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 removing a hard tooth from a bucket; and   replacing the hard tooth by fastening a replacement tooth to the bucket, the replacement tooth comprising an exterior having a hardness not exceeding 65 on a Shore A scale.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein removing the hard tooth from the bucket comprises:
 removing a pin securing a metal shovel tooth to a shank attached to the bucket; and   removing the hard tooth to expose the shank.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein replacing the hard tooth further comprises:
 fitting the exposed shank into a cavity of the replacement tooth, the replacement detaching the metal shovel tooth from the shank to expose the shank;   aligning holes of the replacement tooth with a hole in the shank; and   placing the removed pin in the aligned holes to fasten the replacement tooth to the shank.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 removing the hard tooth from the bucket comprises removing one or more nut and bolt assemblies securing the hard tooth to the bucket; and   replacing the hard tooth comprises:
 aligning one or more holes of the replacement tooth with one or more holes on the bucket; 
 placing the removed one or more nut and bolt assemblies in the aligned holes; and 
 tightening the one or more nut and bolt assemblies to fasten the replacement tooth to the bucket. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the exterior of the replacement tooth is formed from an acetal resin polymer.