US3252391A - Compactor tooth - Google Patents

Description

May 24, 1966 E- W. DlLS, JR

COMPACTOR TOOTH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 28, 1962 United States Patent 3,252,391 COMPACTOR TOtDTH Eugene W. Dils, Jr., Vancouver, Wash., assignor to Esco Corporation, Portland, Greg, a corporation of Oregon Filed Aug. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 219,946 3 (Ilaims. (Ci. 94-48) This invention relates to a compactor tooth, and, more particularly, to replaceable tooth wherein 'a new cap is readily applicable to the permanently-installedbase.

An environment to which the instantinvention has particular application is that of a compactor, i.e., a large roll or drum employed for compacting earth. These drums may be several feet in diameter and are equipped with projections arranged about the cylindrical surface. Heretofore, the projections were permanently fixed to the surface of the drum or, if replaceable caps were employed, the same were removed with difficulty. Also, the rate of wear on the projection caps was exceedingly high. A general object of this invention is to provide a novel type of tooth or projection for a Compactor which avoids the above-mentioned difliculties. In particular, the wear portion of the tooth is readily replaceable and is constructed so as to take the applied stress against selected surfaces so as to maximize the working life.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel tooth construction, especially suited for compactors, and

the like, wherein parts are readily interchangeable so as to extend the effective working life of the tooth, minimize down-time of the overall equipment, and to facilitate interchange of caps for different working conditions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be seen in the details of construction and operation set down in this specification.

The invention will be explained in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a compactor equipped with the inventive teeth;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, such as would be seen along the sight line 2-2 applied to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another fragmentary sectional view, this corresponding to that seen along the sight line 3-3 applied to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the base portion of the tooth;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cap portion of the tooth;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of a novel locking key employed in connection with the tooth for fastening the cap onto the base;

' FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the key of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the sight line 88 applied to FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a different form of cap employing a roof top design for rock breaking;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the construction of FIG. 9; and I FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a modified form of cap employing a bubble design for rock breaking.

In the illustration given and with particular reference to FIG. 1, the numeral 26 designates a compactor drum on which a plurality of teeth 21 are installed, the drum 2% being equipped with an axial shalt 22 suitably journaled in a bearing 23 provided as part of a Compactor frame 24. The construction thus described-is well known to the art and is set down here principally for environmental purposes, the invention being concerned with the tooth portion of the compactor and more particularly the replaceable cap part of the tooth. Such teeth are ad Patented May 24, 1966 vantageously employable on wheel tractors as well as on towed components, as shown.

In FIG. 2, the compactor drum 20 is seen in fragmentary form, and attached to the outer surface 25 of the drum 20 is a tooth base generally designated 26. The attachment may conveniently be achieved through welding as at 27 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The base 26 is equipped with a cap or wear portion generally designated 28, with the base 26 and cap 28 being releasably fastened together by means of a key generally designated 29.

The base 26, as seen in FIG. 3 in particular, includes a block-like body partially hollowed out as at 30. The base 26 is defined in part by a front wall 31 and a rear wall 32, the direction of rotation of the drum 20 being indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3. The upper surface 33 of the base 26 is cylindrical, the surface of revolution being generated by an axis extending through the point 34. The upper cylindrical surface 33 terminaes at the upper ends of the front and rear walls 31 as at 35 and 36. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the upper cylindrical surface 33 is interrupted by a longitudinally-extending slot 37 providing a receiving opening for the shank 38 of the cap 28.

The cap 28 includes a wear portion 39 having an angular upper surface as at 40 to define a peak as at 41. The undersurface 42 is cylindrical and conforms to the upper cylindrical surface 33 to provide a flush or butt fit all around the radius of curvature defining the surfaces 33 and 42. The lower cylindrical surface 42 is flanked by end surfaces 42a and 42b which confront the areas 35 and 36 provided on the base 26. However, the confronting surfaces are normally spaced apart, ie., the surfaces 42a and 36 may have a clearance ofthe order of which thereby permits the cap 28 to rotate on the base 26 as different stresses are applied, the surfaces 42 and 33 being in bearing contact. The surfaces 33 and 42 can be employed to resistthe total stress whenever that stress is in pure thrust, as would be the case of any applied force directed through the point 34, and such is designated by the symbol F in FIG. 3.

Normally, however, the applied force will be a mixture of thrust and beam components so thatin addition to the thrust component extending through the point 34, there will be an orthogonally related component to be resisted by surfaces described immediately below.

For the purpose of transmitting the beam component of any applied force such as thatdesignated F I provide surfaces 43 and 44 on the shank 38. These surfaces confront and coact with surfaces 45 and 46, respectively, on the base 26. The surface 43 extends generally parallel to the axis of generation 34 of the surfaces 33 and 42. For this purpose, the shank 38 (see FIG. 5) is equipped with side nubbins or lugs 47 which depend from the lower cylindrical surface 42. The nubbins are positioned between lugs or cars 48 provided on the interior vertical walls 49 of the base 26. .In actual practice, the fit between the surfaces 43 and 45 is a close fit, of the order of ,4 per side, or total clearance.

I have found, however, that this fit may be as great as /8" and still work satisfactorily, provided, however, that the fit between the surfaces 43 and 45 is less than the clearance between the confronting surfaces 36 and 42a, or 35 and 42b.

It will thus be seen that a portion of an applied force as at P is taken by the surfaces 43 and 45, this being the beam component. The coacting surfaces, i.e., those cooperating with 43 and 45 in resisting the beam component of the force F are those designated 44 and 46 in FIG. 3. Again, a fit of the order of ,6 per side, or ,5 total clearance, is provided where the lower portion of the 3 shank 38 fits within the mating recess 50 provided by the base 26.

The base 26, in the longitudinal slot portion 37, is longitudinally contoured as at 51 (see FIG. 3) to preclude any bearing contact between the surface 51 and the undersurface 52 of the shank 38. Thus, the cap 28, in side elevation, is essentially T-shaped and fits within a T-shaped opening in the base 26. The shank 38 of the cap 28 is transversely apertured as at 53 to receive the locking key 29, the base 26 being apertured as at 54 (see FIG. 2) in line with the opening 53 to permit insertion and removal of the key 29. The key 29 can be seen in FIG. 8 and is generally S-shaped in longitudinal elevational view. The S shape is developed by providing slots 55 and 56 which each extend in from the respective ends 57 and 58 of the key 29, partway along the length thereof. The slots 55 and 56 diverge as the ends 57 and 58, respectively, are approached. The key 29 is constructed of resilient metal and thus can be compressed transversely to the condition seen in FIG. 2 to develop a resilient locking action. The ends 57 and 58 are enlarged through the use of flanges 59 and 60, respectively, which serve to anchor the key 29 against movement out of the way developed by the aligned openings 53 and 54.

Where there is a reversal of the direction of the beam component of the force F it will be appreciated that other pairs of surfaces will be brought into operation. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper beam bearing surfaces, under this reverse condition, are those designated 45a and 43a on the base 26 and cap 28, respectively. The lower beam bearing surfaces under this reversed condition are those designated 46a and 44a for the base and cap, respectively. As indicated above, the spacing of the surfaces 44 and 44a is slightly less than the spacing of the surfaces 46 and 46a, the net difference in the spacing being in the order of However, as in the case of the upper beam bearing surfaces, this spacing can be increased up to about A" so long as the cap has sufficient freedom to move arcuately, i.e., pivot, about the point 34 when the direction of the beam component of an applied stress is changed.

In certain cases, the applied force will have a lateral beam component, as would be the case of the force designated F in FIG. 2.

The beam component of the force F is effectively resisted by upper and lower pairs of beam bearing surfaces, these lying generally perpendicular to the axis of generation 34. The upper surfaces are designated 61 on the shank 38 and 62 on the nubbins 48 (see also FIGS. 4 and The lower beam bearing surfaces under this sideways loading are designated 63 and 64 relative to the shank 38 and base 26, respectively.

In the instance of a reversal of the beam component from that provided by the force F the opposite upper beam bearing surfaces 61a and 62a come into play, and the lower surfaces 64a and 63a come into bearing contact. As before, a close fit, approximately ,6 per side or total clearance, is provided to accommodate the shift of the cap 28 on the base 26.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the shank 38, adjacent its lower end, i.e., the end adjacent the axis of generation 34 of the surfaces 33 and 42 or the axis 20a of the drum 20, is of generally rectangular cross section, being defined by the beam bearing surfaces 44, 44a, 63 and 63a.

The upper portion of the shank can also be considered to have a rectangular cross-sectional configuration, providing beam bearing surfaces 61, 61a, 43 and 43a.

In the operation of the device, the base 26 is permanently installed on the drum 20 as by welding at 27. As a cap becomes worn, the key 29 is removed and a new or different cap is installed. In some instances, it may be advantageous to use a different shaped cap such as those designated 128 or 228, respectively, in FIGS. 9 and 11. In any event, the base 26 will be somewhat worn, but I have found that the wearing of the base 26 is uniform and this is particularly true along the cylindrical surface 33. Thus, whichever type cap is installed, there will be a butt or full bearing fit between the arcuate surfaces 33 and 42, which permits the cap 28 to pivot relative to the base 26 upon a change in the direction of the beam component of an applied force.

Field trials thus far have shown that the inventive design produces little wear of the bearing surfaces after more than 800 hours of heavy duty operation. I find that the bearing surfaces of the bases fit as well after this extensive operation as they did at the beginning. The stresses on the lugs 48 are low because of the short lever arm from the lugs 48 to any force on the cap 28- inducing a resisting force couple in the lugs 48 and shank 38.

While in the foregoing specification I have set down a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, many variations in the details herein given may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A replaceable cap for a block-shaped compactor tooth base wherein said base has its inner surface secured on a cylindrical drum and wherein said base is equipped with a generally cylindrical outer surface having parallel axes, with the drum having a substantially greater curvature than said surface, said surface being centrally interrupted by a slot extending circumferentially perpendicular to the drum axis, said slot being centrally, laterally enlarged to provide opposed generally rectangular recesses and said base being equipped with laterally aligned openings below said recesses for the receipt of a locking key, said cap comprising a T-shaped element having an outer wear portion having an inner cylindrical bearing surface adapted to enter into surface bearing contact with said base outer surface, said cap further including an integral shank portion extending into said slot, said shank portion being apertured to receive said locking key when the shank aperture is aligned with said openings, said shank portion adjacent its inner end having a generally rectangular cross-section adapted to limitedly shiftably fit within a similarly contoured portion of said slot, said cap also including integral generally rectangular lugs on opposite lateral sides of said shank portion and interrupting said inner cylindrical bearing surface, said lugs being sized and adapted to limitedly shiftably fit within said recesses so as to engage confronting surfaces thereof whereby the component of said force other than the component passing through the last-mentioned axis is transmitted by radially spaced bearing surfaces on said shank portion and lugs to said base.

2. In combination, a block-shaped compactor tooth base having its inner surface secured on a cylindrical drum, said base being equipped with a generally cylindrical outer surface, the drum and cylindrical outer surface having parallel axes with the drum having a substantially greater curvature than said surface, said surface being centrally interrupted by a slot extending circumferentially perpendicular to the drum axis, said slot being centrally, laterally enlarged to provide opposed generally rectangular recesses and said base being equipped with laterally aligned openings below said recesses for the receipt of a locking key, a replaceable cap comprising a T-shaped element having an outer wear portion having an inner cylindrical bearing surface in surface bearing contact with said base outer surface, said cap further including an integral shank portion extending into said slot, said shank portion being apertured to receive said locking key with the shank aperture being aligned with said openings, a locking key extending through said aperture and openings, said shank portion adjacent its inner end having a generally rectangular cross-section adapted to limitedly shiftably fit within a similarly contoured portion of said slot, said cap also including integral generally rectangular lugs on opposite lateral sides of said shank portion and interrupting said inner cylindrical bearing surface, said lugs being sized and adapted to limitedly shiftably fit within said recesses so as to engage confronting surfaces thereof whereby the component of said force other than the component passing through the last-mentioned axis is transmitted by radially spaced bearing surfaces on said shank portion and lugs to said base.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which said locking key comprises an elongated unitary body constructed of 10 associated end is approached, and a transverse flange at 15 each key end.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Hyde 301-44 Hackney 301-44 Einfeldt 30144 Robinet 30l-44 Frenzel 301-44 Averette 9448 Palmiter 94-50 Averette 9448 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner. JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Examiner. N. C. BYERS, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A REPLACEABLE CAP FOR A BLOCK-SHAPED COMPACTOR TOOTH BASE WHEREIN SAID BASE HAS ITS INNER SURFACE SECURED ON A CYLINDRICAL DRUM AND WHEREIN SAID BASE IS EQUIPPED WITH A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL OUTER SURFACE HAVING PARALLEL AXES, WITH THE DRUM HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER CURVATURE THAN SAID SURFACE, SAID SURFACE BEING CENTRALLY INTERRUPTED BY A SLOT EXTENDING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE DRUM AXIS, SAID SLOT BEING CENTRALLY, LATERALLY ENLARGED TO PROVIDE OPPOSED GENERALLY RECTANGULAR RECESSES AND SAID BASE BEING EQUIPPED WITH LATERALLY ALIGNED OPENINGS, BELOW SAID RECESSES FOR THE RECEIPT OF A LOCKING KEY, SAID CAP COMPRISING A T-SHAPED ELEMENT HAVING AN OUTER WEAR PORTION HAVING AN INNER CYLINDRICAL BEARING SURFACE ADAPTED TO ENTER INTO SURFACE BEARING CONTACT WITH SAID BASE OUTER SURFACE, SAID CAP FURTHER INCLUDING AN INTEGRAL SHANK PORTION EXTENDING INTO SAID SLOT, SAID SHANK PORTION BEING APERTURED TO RECEIVE SAID LOCKING KEY WHEN THE SHANK APERTURE IS ALIGNED WITH SAID OPENINGS, SAID SHANK PORTION ADJACENT ITS INNER END HAVING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR CROSS-SECTION ADAPTED TO LIMITEDLY SHIFTABLY FIT WITHIN A SIMILARLY CONTOURED PORTION OF SAID SLOT, SAID CAP ALSO INCLUDING INTEGRAL GENERALLY RECTANGULAR LUGS ON OPPOSITE LATERAL SIDES OF SAID SHANK PORTION AND INTERRUPTING SAID INNER CYLINDRICAL BEARING SURFACE, SAID LUGS BEING SIZED AND ADAPTED TO LIMITEDLY SHIFTABLY FIT WITHIN SAID RECESSES SO AS TO ENGAGE CONFRONTING SURFACES THEREOF WHEREBY THE COMPONENT OF SAID FORCE OTHER THAN THE COMPONENT PASSING THROUGH THE LAST-MENTIONED AXIS IS TRANSMITTED BY RADIALLY SPACED BEARING SURFACES ON SAID SHANK PORTION AND LUGS TO SAID BASE.

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