TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of earth moving machines. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to shrouds that are attachable to lips of earth moving machines without using a fixing pin.

BACKGROUND

Earth moving machines such as hydraulic excavators, cable excavators, draglines or loaders are commonly used for mining, construction, dredging and other applications. In general, earth moving machines include digging implements, like a shovel or bucket, in which the material is collected, or a cutterhead.

The digging implements include a lip welded to a surface thereof. The lip includes a plurality of projections, called noses or adapters, on which either a plurality of points or teeth are mounted, or a plurality of intermediate adapters are mounted for subsequent mounting of points or teeth. The lip is provided with protective elements called shrouds or lip protectors. The shrouds are mounted on the front of the lip, specifically in the space between the noses and, sometimes, beyond the corner noses such that they cover part of the lateral side of the lip. The shrouds protect the lip and also penetrate and scrape the ground off, although less than the points or teeth.

The shrouds have direct contact with the ground and the excavated material, so these elements are subjected to high stresses and forces, and also great wear. When the shrouds are worn off, they have to be replaced with new ones. The shrouds transfer both forces and torques applied thereto to the lip; the shape of the shrouds, the contact zones, surfaces or geometries between the shrouds and the lip, and the means of mounting the shrouds on the lip (e.g. with or without additional, separate members) both affect how the forces and torques are applied to the lip.

The design of shrouds has evolved over time yet fixing pins are typically used for keeping each shroud attached to the lip. For example, WO 2021/011993 A1 relates to a retainer system with one component securing a wear part to a mother part, and a locking pin locks the component in the securing position.

Known shrouds that do not use fixing pins are deemed to have unreliable fixing, and prone to fracture formation due to how exerted loads are distributed on the shroud and how said loads are transferred to the lip. For example, US 3621594 relates to a system in which front shrouds are coupled with the front of the lip by introducing a portion thereof in recesses of respective neighboring adapters. By way of another example, US 5526592 relates to a lip system having a front shroud held by mating lugs to the adapter and to an adjacent tooth pinned to the adapter; also, a lip bottom protector is a wear plate held by the front shroud on the front lip.

Also, known lateral shrouds without pins are described in the state of the art, for instance in document CA 2827089, which refers to a wing shroud for an earth moving machine bucket adapted to be positioned at least partially on a tooth adapter and/or at least partially on a lateral plate of the bucket for protecting wear sensitive bucket parts wherein the wing shroud comprises at least one self-lock mechanism for a detachable connection to the bucket.

There is an interest in providing shrouds for a front edge of a lip for digging implements of an earth moving machine and/or shrouds for a lateral edge of a lip that can be coupled with and decoupled from the lip in a simple manner, and not requiring fixing pins for attachment of the shrouds to the lip. It is also preferred to have shrouds that are capable of both withstanding forces and/or torques in a reliable manner and transferring the same to the lip effectively.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the disclosure relates to a shroud for a front edge of a lip of an earth moving machine, including a body adapted to couple with the front edge; the body including two opposite C-shaped members adapted for sliding each member along one nose of the lip to make the body contact the front edge.

The shroud does not include a fixing pin for attachment to the lip, and hence in the present disclosure it is also referred to as pinless shroud. Further, owing to the lack of fixing pins, the shroud preferably does not include any opening or through hole for receiving a fixing pin. And unlike other developments in the art, the shroud does not include a base thereof (or any other part) welded to the lip for attachment thereto. Welded parts are load concentrating parts, which as known in the art, mechanically weaken those parts consequently reducing the useful life of the shroud, not to mention that welded parts makes the repairment of the lip whenever necessary more difficult.

The shroud attaches to the lip, particularly to the front edge, by way of the sliding mechanism formed by the two C-shaped members, which keeps the shroud from moving along an axis that can be considered to be a vertical axis of the shroud and the lip.

The vertical axis is preferably defined by the direction of the shortest segment separating the two ends of each C-shaped member, and the vertical axis forms an angle with the sliding axis or sliding direction that is between 65° and 115°, and is preferably between 85° and 95°

The coupling of the body with the front edge keeps the shroud from moving along the sliding axis or sliding direction, and the coupling of points or teeth with the noses, along which the pinless shroud slides, also precludes the shroud from moving along the sliding axis but in a direction contrary to the sliding direction. More specifically, once each point or tooth is installed in the respective nose, the points or teeth themselves block the movement of the shroud. Typically, points and teeth are attached to the noses by way of fixing pins, which the shroud according to the present disclosure does not include.

Since the body is coupled with the noses by way of the C-shaped members, the body cannot move horizontally either because the noses block such motion.

When coupling the shroud with the front edge of the lip, the two neighboring noses that the C-shaped members embrace or will embrace has to be free from points or teeth, thereby making possible to introduce the noses through the openings of the C-shaped members. Then, the shroud is slid along the noses until the body mates to the front edge of the lip. Afterwards, the points or teeth can be mounted on the noses. Owing to its attachment to two neighboring noses of the lip, the shroud according to this aspect is also referred to as central shroud within the present disclosure.

When decoupling the shroud from the front edge of the lip, for instance when the shroud is worn off and needs replacement, or when the lip is worn off, the points or teeth on the noses, where the shroud is installed, shall be decoupled first to enable the sliding of the shroud along the sliding axis but opposite to the direction for sliding the shroud in.

In some embodiments, the body further includes two opposite straps for covering both a portion of a first surface of the lip and a portion of a second surface of the lip, the first surface being opposite the second surface.

The first and second surfaces can be regarded as top and bottom surfaces of the lip, i.e. the surfaces whose distance therebetween defines the thickness of the lip. The straps protect portions of both surfaces from the ground that is contacted during operation of the earth moving machine, thereby increasing the useful life of the lip.

Further, the protection of a bottom surface of the lip with the shroud is advantageous from a maintenance standpoint, especially when the earth moving machine is in the field or the quarry but also when the machine is in a maintenance facility. For safety reasons, personnel are forbidden from being or accessing the underneath of the digging implements. When the shroud is worn off at least from the side that protects the bottom surface of the lip, the shroud can be extracted from the machine by sliding it out from the front edge, and a new shroud can be installed, and no part of this process requires the personnel to be underneath the digging implements at any point in time.

In some embodiments, a distance between a ground-engaging edge of the shroud and a portion of each C-shaped member measured along a sliding direction is less than 30% of a length of the shroud measured along the sliding direction, the portion of each C-shaped member being either the closest to the ground-engaging edge or a portion adapted to contact a surface of the nose when the shroud is coupled with the lip. In some embodiments, the distance is less than or equal to 27% of the length, less than or equal to 25%, and/or less than or equal to 20% of the length. In some embodiments, the distance is greater than or equal to 15%, greater than or equal to 20% and/or greater than or equal to 25%.

A distance between the ground-engaging edge and said portion of each C-shaped member reduces the loads on the shrouds, and in turn reduces a reaction force and/or a torque exerted by the shroud on the lip when a force is applied to the shroud, especially when the force is applied to a portion of the shroud closest to the ground-engaging edge. An interior surface of the C-shaped members, i.e. the surface delimiting the opening thereof, is a surface that contacts the lip, particularly each respective nose or a portion of the lip adjacent to each respective nose. Therefore, the interior surface is a supporting point or supporting surface on the lip when transferring the force applied to the shroud. When the supporting point or supporting surface is closer to the ground-engaging edge, the reaction force and/or torque on the lip has smaller magnitude, thereby reducing the probability of fracture generation on the lip. These portions of the shroud may also reduce the likelihood of the pins fixing the teeth or straps of the shroud (if any) breaking during operation of the earth moving machine, and/or the level of wear in the portions where the straps are joined to the central part of the body of the shroud, and/or even increase the earth penetration capacity of the lip, especially when the portion does not outwardly project from the shroud.

The supporting point or supporting surface is behind the tooth or point or intermediate adapter, coupled with the respective nose, particularly at a distance from a rear end of the tooth or point or intermediate adapter that is less than or equal to 30% of the length, and preferably less than 27%. The rear end of teeth and points is opposite the ground-engaging end, hence it is the end facing the shroud.

Each such portion of the C-shaped members is preferably provided with a protrusion on the inner surface of the shroud, particularly on the inner surface of the respective C-shaped member. The protrusion(s) ensure the contact between the shroud and the respective nose to provide the supporting point or surface.

When the shroud is provided with a lifting eye at the ground-engaging edge, the distance is measured from the surface from which the lifting eye protrudes rather than from any point or portion of the lifting eye.

In some embodiments, a portion of the body from which the straps protrude or are joined thereto has a thickness ranging between 20% and 35% (the endpoints being included in the range) of a height of an opening formed by both straps, the opening being adapted to receive the lip and the height corresponding to a height or thickness axis of the lip, and the thickness of the portion of the body being preferably measured for a cross-section of the shroud defined by a plane containing the vertical axis and a central axis of the shroud extending from the rear end thereof to the front end thereof. In some cases, the thickness is equal to or greater than 22% and/or 24%, and equal to or less than 30% and/or 28% of a height of an opening formed by both straps.

The design of the shroud is such that enables the reduction in thickness of the joining portions between the body and the straps, which are the portions that typically break first during operation of the earth moving machine as a result of the forces exerted on the shroud. With a lower thickness in these portions, the volume and weight of the shroud may be smaller. Said joining portions are sometimes referred to as bevel zones or radius zones; the term bevel zones is generally used for referring to the joining portion for the upper strap, and the term radius zones is generally used for referring to the joining portion for the lower strap.

The reduced thickness furthermore might not compromise the mechanical durability of the shroud and, thus, its useful life owing to the transference of loads applied to the lip closer to the point of application on the shroud, especially in those embodiments in which the distance between a ground-engaging edge of the shroud and a portion of each C-shaped member (the portion of each C-shaped member being either the closest to the groundengaging edge or a portion adapted to contact a surface of the nose when the shroud is coupled with the lip) is less than 30%. In fact, in these cases, the joining portions between the straps and the central part of the body is beyond such distance, namely at a distance greater than e.g. 30%. Accordingly, less part of the loads applied to the shroud go through the joining portions up to the straps.

In some embodiments, the shroud is symmetrical with respect to a plane intersecting the shroud as if the plane were a plane of the lip when the shroud is coupled therewith, and/or is symmetrical with respect to a plane intersecting the shroud such that the plane has for normal vector a segment, with the segment being defined by a first point in one C-shaped member and a second point, identical to the first point, in the other C-shaped member.

The symmetry or symmetries make the shroud more cost-effective when it comes to production, storage and installation because fewer part numbers must be produced and kept track of.

A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a shroud for a lateral edge of a lip of an earth moving machine, including a body adapted to couple with the lateral edge; the body being C-shaped, the body including at least one recess on one of the two side portions, the at least one recess being adapted for sliding the body along a protruding guide of the lip, and an opening of the C-shaped body that gets larger in cross-section as more inwards in the lip, along the sliding direction, that the cross-section of the opening is taken.

The shroud does not include a fixing pin for attachment to the lip, and hence in the present disclosure it is also referred to as pinless shroud. Further, owing to the lack of fixing pins, the shroud preferably does not include any opening or through hole for receiving a fixing pin. The shroud neither includes a base thereof (or any other part) welded to the lip for attachment thereto. The shroud attaches to the lip, particularly to one of the two lateral edges between which the front and rear edges extend, by way of the sliding mechanism formed by the C- shaped body, which keeps the shroud from moving along an axis that can be considered to be a vertical axis of the shroud and the lip. The opening of the C-shaped body increases progressively in the direction of the sliding direction, this way the shroud slides along the lip until the funnel-like (or wedge-like) opening of the C-shaped body contacts the surfaces of the lip and provides coupling owing to the partial or complete mating between the shape of the C- shaped body and the shape of the lateral edge of the lip. In this sense, the funnel-like opening increases the friction between the shroud and the lip, thereby maintaining the shroud in its position. But it also eases the extraction of the shroud whenever necessary: during the extraction, under a first push over the rear part of the shroud, the friction between the shroud and the lip is reduced (due to less contact between the shroud and the lip) and then extraction of the shroud is easier.

The vertical axis is preferably defined by the direction of the shortest segment separating the two ends of the C-shaped body, and the vertical axis forms an angle with the sliding axis or sliding direction that is between 65° and 115°, and is preferably between 85° and 95°.

The at least one recess, which extends with respect to an axial direction of the body and also with respect to the sliding direction, keeps the shroud from moving horizontally. Further, the coupling of a point or a tooth with the corner nose of the lateral edge, where the pinless shroud is located, also precludes the shroud from moving along the sliding axis but in a direction contrary to the sliding direction. More specifically, once the point or tooth is installed in the respective corner nose, the point or tooth itself blocks the movement of the shroud. Typically, points and teeth are attached to the noses by way of fixing pins, which the shroud according to the present disclosure does not include.

When coupling the shroud with the lateral edge of the lip, the corner nose of the lateral edge where the shroud is to be mounted on has to be free from a point or tooth, thereby not blocking the sliding of the shroud into the lip. Once the shroud is coupled with the lateral edge of the lip, the point or tooth can be mounted on the corner nose. Owing to its attachment to the lateral edge of the lip, the shroud according to this aspect is also referred to as corner shroud within the present disclosure.

When decoupling the shroud from the lateral edge of the lip, for instance when the shroud is worn off and needs replacement, or when the lip is worn off, the point or tooth on the corner nose closest to the location of the shroud shall be decoupled first to enable the sliding of the shroud along the sliding axis but opposite to the direction for sliding the shroud in.

In some embodiments, the at least one recess includes first and second recesses, the first recess being on a first side portion of the body and the second recess being on a second side portion of the body.

The second recess enhances the attachment of the shroud to the lip, and also provides a second supporting point or supporting surface with respect to the lip for the transference of forces exerted on the shroud. The second supporting point or supporting surface makes the transference of forces smoother when the forces are exerted on the shroud from the side where the second recess is.

Accordingly, with two recesses, direct and indirect forces, i.e. forces applied to the top and the bottom parts of the shroud, are transferred to the lip more reliably and smoothly.

The two recesses also preclude the shroud from moving when mounted on the lip; that is to say, the shroud keeps the position on the lip once mounted at least because the two recesses force that position.

In some embodiments, an opening of each recess of the at least one recess gets larger in cross-section as more inwards in the lip, along the sliding direction, that the cross-section of the opening is taken.

The opening of each recess increases progressively in the direction of the sliding direction, this way the recesses slide along respective protruding guides of the lip until the funnel-like opening of each recess contacts the surfaces of the respective protruding guide and provides coupling owing to the partial or complete mating between the shape of the recess and the shape of the protruding guide. In this sense, the funnel-like opening increases the friction between the recess and the protruding guide, thereby maintaining the shroud in its position, but it also eases the extraction of the shroud whenever necessary because upon sliding the shroud along the extraction direction less contact exists between the shroud and the lip, thus less pulling force is required during extraction.

In some embodiments, one or each recess of the at least one recess has a variable depth. In some embodiments, the depth of the recess smoothens towards one end of the recess until the recess reaches a surface portion of the C-shaped body.

Preferably, said one end of the recess reaches the surface portion such that the recess has a smooth transition as if the recess disappeared towards the surface portion. That is to say, the recess is not a canal with two open ends through the C-shaped body, but it is rather a canal with one open end with a depth relative to at least one edge wall delimiting the recess, and with one end having a depth relative to the at least one edge wall that is close to zero, or at least less than 20% of the depth at the open end. Hence, in these cases, the depth preferably goes from one value at the open end to another value at the other end, preferably reducing the depth value and such that the recess disappears or integrates into the surface portion of the C-shaped body. This structure makes the body of the lateral shroud stronger.

In some embodiments, at least two ends of the C-shaped body of the shroud for a lateral edge are provided with projections for embracing a rear part of the corner nose, specifically the rear part of the rib. The embracing may extend up to a low part of the lateral wall in some embodiments.

These projections protect the rear part of the ribs of the lateral noses and, also, the low part of the lateral wall.

In some embodiments, the body further includes a protruding member on a central portion of the C-shaped body that protrudes in a same direction as the two side portions, the protruding member being adapted to slide along a recessed portion of the lip.

With the protruding member, the body can be regarded as E-shaped, with the central protrusion of the E being the protruding member.

The protruding member enhances the coupling of the shroud with the lip by being introduced in a recessed portion in the lateral edge of the lip because, on the one hand, it increases the friction between one or more surfaces of the protruding member and one or more surfaces of the recessed portion and, on the other hand, the end of the protruding member seen along the sliding direction can mate to an end of the recessed portion; the latter can thus block the movement (backwards) of the shroud along the sliding direction when the respective ends come into contact.

In some embodiments, the shroud is symmetrical with respect to a plane intersecting the shroud as if the plane were a plane of the lip when the shroud is coupled therewith.

The symmetry makes the shroud more cost-effective when it comes to production, storage and installation because fewer part numbers must be produced and kept track of. In fact, in this case, two same shrouds can be used to protect the two lateral edges of a same lip, thus two shrouds of a same part number are required.

A third aspect of the present disclosure relates to an assembly including: a lip for an earth moving machine, the lip including a plurality of noses; and one or both of the following: one or more shrouds according to the first aspect of the disclosure, namely one or more central shrouds, each central shroud detachably couplable or coupled with a front edge of the lip between two neighboring noses of the lip; and one or two shrouds according to the second aspect of the disclosure, namely one or two corner shrouds, each corner shroud detachably couplable or coupled with a lateral edge of the lip, in which case the lip also includes one to four protruding guides.

One or more central shrouds can be coupled with the front edge in a detachable manner. The number of central shrouds may be equal to or less than the number of noses minus one since each central shroud is coupled with a portion of the front edge of the lip between a different pair of neighboring noses, so there could be as many central shrouds as pairs of neighboring noses in the lip. Additionally or alternatively, one or two corner shrouds can be coupled with respective lateral edges in a detachable manner, particularly with a most external side of the corner nose. The protruding guide(s) may be one or two guides per corner shroud. More particularly, the lip has one protruding guide on portions of the lip adjacent to one or both corner noses of the plurality of noses, or two protruding guides on opposite surfaces on portions of the lip adjacent to one or both corner noses of the plurality of noses

The front edge and the plurality of noses may be adapted to receive the central shroud(s), and/or the lateral edges and the corner noses may be adapted to receive the corner shroud(s), in both cases both simplifying the sliding of the shroud(s) until coupling the same with the front and/or lateral edge and increasing the reliability of the fixing of the shroud with the respective edge. That is to say, at least portions of both the edge(s) of the lip and the noses can have external shapes partially or completely matching with internal shapes of at least portions of the central shroud(s) and/or corner shroud(s). With a greater matching between the shapes, the cooperation between the shrouds and the lip increases, thereby improving the sliding and fixing.

Each nose protrudes from the lip according to a ground-engaging end of the lip and is preferably integrally formed with the lip. Each nose is adapted to receive a point or tooth for an earth moving machine so that terrain can be engaged with the points and teeth protruding according to the ground-engaging end.

In some embodiments, each protruding guide of the lip gets larger in cross-section as more inwards in the lip, along the sliding direction, that the cross-section of the protruding guide is taken.

That is to say, each protruding guide is wedge-shaped with a first portion thereof having the greatest width being farther away from a front edge of the lip than a second portion of the protruding guide having the smallest width.

The increasing cross-section of the protruding guide(s) provides the guide(s) with said wedge shape that limits how much the shroud can be advanced in the sliding direction; the shroud cannot be advanced beyond what the cross-section of the opening of the recess and the wedge shape of the guide allows, something that likewise fixes the corner shrouds to the lip more reliably. The extraction of the shroud becomes easier due to the wedge shape of the protruding guide(s) as the shroud has a lower contacting area as it is slid along the extraction area and more free volume becomes available progressively as the shroud is extracted.

Moreover, the installation or mounting of the shroud is also easier because the rear end of the opening in the shroud that is to embrace the protruding guide must be wider that a front end of the protruding guide, otherwise the shroud cannot embrace the protruding guide in its entirety. As the opening is wider than the front-most part of the protruding guide, alignment of the shroud during introduction requires less accuracy. Once the shroud is partially introduced, the geometries of both the shroud and each guide automatically force aligned introduction of the rest of the shroud. Easing the installation process of a shroud is especially advantageous considering the weight of lips and shrouds, and the necessity of cranes or suspension systems, hence the easier installation reduces operational costs.

In some embodiments, each protruding guide of the lip is arranged on the lip such that the sliding direction forms an angle between 5° and 10° (the endpoints being included in the range) with respect to the respective lateral edge, the angle being formed inwards, i.e. towards the center of the lip.

The angle in the sliding direction may be attained by providing the protruding guide with either the angle with respect to the lateral edge. Alternatively, the angle may be attained by providing the protruding guide with a wedge shape with the edge that is farthest away from the lateral edge not being parallel to the lateral edge.

On the one hand, such angled protruding guide enables the introduction of the shroud in the lip more inwardly, with horizontal and transversal motion at the same time, so as not to just cover the lateral edge but also portions of the lip adjacent to the lateral edge on e.g. top and/or bottom surfaces thereof, which keeps the rear end of the shroud closer to the lip thereby increasing the stability. And, on the other hand, the angled protruding guide eases the decoupling and extraction of the shroud whenever it needs to be replaced because compacted material that could be introduced in the surroundings of the shroud while mounted on the lip do not block the sliding of the shroud in the extraction direction. The compacted material is released owing to continuous separation between the shroud and the portion of the lip where the shroud is mounted during the extraction.

In some embodiments, shape and dimensions of the one or two shrouds are both adapted to couple the respective shroud with the respective lateral edge such that a gap exists between the shroud and a respective lateral wall of the lip.

The gap between the shroud and the lateral wall eases the extraction of the shroud whenever necessary.

In some embodiments, and as described on pages 5 and 6 of commonly owned patent application EP21383213.2 as originally filed, at least one transmission surface between each nose and the lip (which includes at least a portion of a stabilization surface of the nose and a portion of the lip) has a slope variation of between 0° and 10° (both limit values being included in the range) in absolute value. The stabilization surface on the portion of the lip is on a main body of the lip from which the noses protrude.

The noses have a first side or end, also called the front or free end, and a second side or end, also called the rear end, fixed to the front of the main body of the lip. Each nose has two or more stabilization surfaces, these stabilization surfaces are the surfaces that at least partially contact the complementary surfaces of the cavity of a tooth or point and, in some embodiments, with surfaces of shrouds, which extend to the second end, specifically up to an attack front of the lip, creating a so-called constant transmission surface for the purposes of the present disclosure; the stabilization surfaces of each nose can extend from the first end. The stabilization surfaces are preferably located on the upper and lower surfaces of the nose and extend to the upper and lower surfaces of the attack front, thus having constant transmission upper and lower surfaces. To this end, preferably, at least one transmission surface between each nose and the main body (which includes at least a portion of a stabilization surface of the nose and a portion of the main body surface) has a slope variation of between 0° and 10° (both limit values being included in the range) in absolute value, preferably between 0° and 5°, and more preferably between 0° and 1°.

A transmission surface with a slope variation equal to or less than 10° is considered, for the purposes of the present disclosure, a constant transmission surface by causing the forces to propagate from the front portion of the lip towards the rear portion of the lip with smaller stress-concentrating areas or volumes. By reducing or minimizing said stressconcentrating areas or volumes, the probability of a crack or break in the lip is also reduced as forces flow more homogeneously through the lip. The term "transmission surface" or "force transmission surface" has been used for the sake of clarity, however, it should be understood that such surface may simply be referred to as a surface without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The wider the area of the at least one transmission surface with little or no slope variation, the more effectively the forces propagate and the less likely it is to crack or break.

In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a plurality of points or teeth, each point or tooth of the plurality being detachably couplable with one nose of the plurality of noses.

In some embodiments, each point or tooth of the plurality includes one or more openings or through holes adapted to receive a fixing pin, each nose of the plurality includes one or more openings or through holes adapted to receive a fixing pin, and the assembly further includes a plurality of fixing pins, each fixing pin of the plurality being introducible in both the opening or through hole of a point or tooth of the plurality and the opening or through hole of a nose of the plurality for attachment of the respective point or tooth to the respective nose.

The points or teeth are fixedly attached to the noses by way of fixing pins and, in turn, the shroud(s) become more reliably fixed to the lip because the points or teeth block the movement of the shroud(s) outwards from the lip, and without making the lip mechanically weaker or more fragile.

In some embodiments, when the points or teeth of the plurality are coupled with the respective noses and the one or two shrouds are coupled with the lateral edge(s), each shroud is contacting a point or tooth of the nose that the shroud is closest to. In contrast, other solutions are designed in such a way that corner shrouds are in contact with a shroud arranged on a lateral wall of the lip.

In some embodiments, the lip further includes one or more protruding ramps arranged on a surface from which two lateral walls protrude and adjacent to a shroud of the one or more shrouds when coupled with the front edge.

The number of protruding ramps does not exceed the number of shrouds in the one or more shrouds (i.e. central shrouds). The ramps protect the shrouds from the discharging of material during the operation of the earth moving machine. In this sense, the material that is discharged on the lip goes over the shrouds instead of pushing the shrouds from the back, something that would result in the pushing of the teeth or points by the shrouds.

A fourth aspect of the present disclosure relates to a lip for an earth moving machine. The lip includes two lateral walls, a front edge from where a plurality of noses protrudes, and a rear edge adapted to be coupled with digging implements.

In some embodiments, the front edge is adapted to receive coupling of one or more shrouds according to the first aspect.

In some embodiments, the lip includes one to four protruding guides adjacent to one of two lateral edges of the lip. In some embodiments, each protruding guide of the lip is arranged on the lip such that the sliding direction forms an angle between 5° and 10° (the endpoints being included in the range) with respect to the respective lateral edge, the angle being formed inwards, i.e. towards the center of the lip.

In some embodiments, one or two lateral edges of the lip include a recessed portion.

The noses, the lateral walls and the protruding guides (if any) are preferably integrally formed.

A fifth aspect of the present disclosure relates to digging implements for an earth moving machine including an assembly according to the third aspect of the disclosure or a lip according to the fourth aspect of the disclosure.

A sixth aspect of the present disclosure relates to an earth moving machine including digging implements according to the fifth aspect of the disclosure, or an assembly according to the third aspect of the disclosure, or a lip according to the fourth aspect of the disclosure.

A seventh aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method including: arranging one or more shrouds according to the first aspect of the disclosure; and, after the arranging step, sliding each shroud of the one or more shrouds along two neighboring noses of the lip until the respective shroud contacts the front edge of the lip.

In some embodiments, the lip is a lip according to the fourth aspect.

An eighth aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method including: arranging one or two shrouds according to the second aspect of the disclosure; and, after the arranging step, sliding each shroud of the one or two shrouds along the lip with each recess of the pinless shroud coupling with a respective protruding guide of the lip.

In some embodiments, the body of the one or two shrouds includes a protruding member on a central portion of the C-shaped body that protrudes in a same direction as the two side portions, the protruding member being adapted to slide along a recessed portion of the lip; and each shroud of the one or two shrouds is slid further with the protruding member of the shroud coupling with a respective recessed portion of the lip.

In some embodiments, the lip is a lip according to the fourth aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complete the description and in order to provide for a better understanding of the disclosure, a set of drawings is provided. Said drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate embodiments of the disclosure, which should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of the disclosure, but just as examples of how the disclosure can be carried out. The drawings comprise the following figures:

Figures 1 A and 1 B show, from top and bottom perspectives, a partial view of a lip with shrouds according to embodiments.

Figures 2A to 2D show, from different views, a shroud according to embodiments.

Figure 3 shows a partial view of a lip with teeth.

Figure 4 shows a shroud according to embodiments attached to a lip.

Figure 5 shows a partial view of a lip with two different shrouds according to embodiments.

Figures 6A and 6B show, from different perspectives, a partial view of a lip with a shroud according to embodiments attached to a corner nose.

Figures 7A to 70 show, from different views, a shroud according to embodiments.

Figure 8 shows a cross-section of a lip with shrouds according to embodiments and a tooth.

Figures 9A and 9B show, from different views, a partial view of a corner nose of a lip.

Figures 10 and 11 show side views of an assembly according to embodiments that has been respectively cut with a plane going through the center of the shroud, and with a plane going through a nose of the lip.

Figures 12A and 12B diagrammatically show application of forces on an assembly according to embodiments and how they are transferred to a lip.

Figures 13A and 13B diagrammatically show application of forces on a prior art assembly and how they are transferred to a lip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the sake of clarity only, X, Y and Z axes have been illustrated in the Figures. It will be appreciated that different axes and/or orientations could be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Figures 1A and 1 B show a partial view of a lip 1 with shrouds 10 according to embodiments. Figure 1A is a view from the top of the lip, and Figure 1 B is a view from the bottom of the lip. Top and bottom of the lip are considered according to the arrangement of the lip when mounted on digging implements, hence the bottom is usually closer to the ground than the top.

The lip 1 includes a plurality of noses 3a, 3b protruding from a main body of the lip 1 , and two lateral walls 7 protruding from the main body and being adjacent to lateral edges 5 of the lip 1.

Central shrouds 10 are coupled with a front edge 2 of the lip 1 by sliding them along pairs of neighboring noses 3a, 3b. For the sake of clarity only, a sliding direction 60 has been illustrated with an arrow. Portions 4 between pairs of neighboring noses 3a, 3b are protected, by the shrouds 10, from forces, wear, impacts and scooped material during operation of an earth moving machine using the lip 1.

The shrouds 10 have opposite C-shaped members or portions 13 (illustrated in Figures 2A to 2D) adapted for sliding the shrouds 10 along noses 3a, 3b for coupling the shrouds with the lip 1. The C-shaped members or portions 13 can extend up to a rib portion of the noses 3a, 3b as illustrated in Figures 1A and 1 B for more reliable coupling and transference of ferees and torques to the lip 1 ; in that case, projections 14 (illustrated in Figures 2A to 2D) are adapted to be slidable along the ribs.

Each central shroud 10 preferably protects a portion of a first main surface 1a of the lip 1 and a portion of a second main surface 1 b of the lip 1 opposite the first main surface 1a. The first and second main surfaces 1a, 1b are regarded as top and bottom surfaces. The term ‘main surface’ is meant to refer to the largest or the second largest surface of the lip 1 .

The central shrouds 10 cannot move horizontally towards sides thereof (along the X axis illustrated) owing to the noses 3a, 3b, nor transversally towards a rear edge (opposite the front edge 2) of the lip 1 (along the Z axis illustrated or a variant thereof depending on an angle of attack of a corresponding portion of the lip 1 as better illustrated in Figures 12A-13B) owing to the front edge 2.

The lip 1 further includes at least one protruding guide 8 adapted to receive corner shrouds (not illustrated in Figures 1A and 1 B). In this case, four protruding guides 8, two guides 8 per lateral edge 5 or corner nose 3b, with one guide 8 being on a first main surface 1a of the lip 1 and another guide 8 on a second main surface 1 b of the lip 1 opposite the first main surface 1a. The guides 8 are adjacent to the lateral edges 5 such that they are flush with the lateral edges 5; that is to say, the guides 8 may extend parallel to the lateral edges 5, particularly an edge of the guide 8 closest to the lateral edge 5 and protruding from a main surface 1a, 1b of the lip 1 , thus making the lateral edges 5 bigger along a thickness or vertical axis (the Y axis illustrated). The thickness or vertical axis can be defined, for instance, by a direction of a shortest segment (illustrated with reference number 17b in Figure 2C) separating the two ends of a C-shaped member or portion 13 of the central shrouds 10. The guides 8 are also beyond the respective lateral wall 7 relative to the X axis illustrated, that is to say, they are arranged between the lateral wall 7 and the end of the lip 1 where the lateral edge 5 is defined.

The lip 1 may also include, like in Figures 1A and 1 B, at least one recessed portion 9 adapted to receive corner shrouds. In this example, the lip has one recessed portion 9 per lateral edge 2.

Figures 2A to 2D show, from different views, a central shroud 10 according to embodiments.

The central shroud 10 preferably includes two straps 15a, 15b projecting from top and bottom surfaces of each shroud 10 to protect portions of first and second main surfaces of a lip.

The ends of the C-shaped members or portions 13 are the projections 14. The shape of an opening of each C-shaped member or portion 13 is preferably adapted to a shape of a nose of a lip for smoother sliding of the shroud 10 and attachment to the lip.

A front edge or portion 11 of the shroud 10 may be shaped for enhanced penetration into the ground to be engaged. An inner edge or portion 12 of the shroud 10 may be shaped to partially or completely match a shape of the portion of the lip to be protected by the shroud 10.

The shroud 10 includes protrusions 16a within the C-shaped members or portions 13 proximate to the front end of the shroud 10, which will provide supporting points or surfaces upon making contact with the surface of the noses. The protrusions 16a protrude towards the inside of the shroud 10, and towards the noses when the shroud is coupled with the lip.

The shroud 10 further includes protrusions 16b within the inner edge or portion 12 that are adapted to contact the surface of the lip and, hence, provide supporting points or surfaces. The protrusions 16a protrude towards the inside of the shroud 10, and towards the lip when the shroud is coupled therewith.

In this example, and as illustrated in Figure 2C, the shroud 10 has a symmetry plane 18. The plane is defined by a normal vector corresponding to a segment 17a between identical points of the two C-shaped members or portions 13. By way of example, in this embodiment the segment 17a is parallel to the X axis illustrated.

In this example, and as illustrated in Figure 2D, the shroud 10 has another symmetry plane 19 (only a dashed line is represented as the plane extends towards the inside and outside of the sheet). The plane 19 corresponds to e.g. a plane of a lip (or parallel thereto) when the shroud 10 is coupled therewith. By way of example, in this embodiment a normal vector of the plane is parallel to the Y axis illustrated

In some examples only one symmetry plane exists, whereas in some other examples there are no symmetry planes.

Figure 3 shows a partial view of a lip 1 with teeth 30 coupled on noses 3a, 3b.

Surfaces 6a on the noses 3a, 3b are supporting surfaces where a central shroud (once coupled with the lip 1) contacts the noses 3a, 3b for transference of forces and/or torques. As it can be seen, the surfaces 6a are adjacent to the rear end of the teeth 30 and are, at most, at a distance of 30% of a length of the shroud measured along the sliding direction.

Surface 6b on the first main surface 1a is also a supporting surface for the shroud on the lip.

Additional details about the effect of surfaces 6a, 6b will be described with reference to Figures 12A and 12B.

Figure 4 shows a shroud 10 according to embodiments attached to a lip.

A first distance 70 can be measured from a ground-engaging edge (without considering a lifting eye, if any) of the shroud to a closest supporting point of either the shroud 10 or the noses according to the supporting surfaces 6a. In shrouds 10 like those described in e.g. Figures 2A-2D, the supporting point in the shroud 10 is preferably the point of a protrusion 16a that is closest to the ground-engaging edge, hence the supporting point achieving lowest distance. The first distance 70 is preferably less than 30% of a length 72 of the shroud 10 measured along the sliding direction 60 (it is noted that the sliding direction can also be inferred from the shroud 10 itself even without the lip since the C-shaped members of the shroud define the sliding direction) or an axial direction of the shroud 10.

A second distance 71 can be measured from the ground-engaging edge of the shroud to a closest supporting point of either the shroud 10 on a strap thereof or the portion 4 of the lip between neighboring noses according to the supporting surface 6b. In shrouds 10 like those described in e.g. Figures 2A-2D, the supporting point in the shroud 10 is preferably the point of a protrusion 16b that is closest to the ground-engaging edge, hence the supporting point achieving lowest distance. The second distance 71 is preferably greater than or equal to 90% of a length 72 of the shroud 10 measured along the sliding direction 60 or an axial direction of the shroud 10, and less than or equal to 95%. A second distance 71 being as great as 90% or more reduces a reaction force when a force is applied on the shroud 10 at a front end as will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 12A-13B.

Figure 5 shows a partial view of a lip 1 with two different shrouds 10, 20 according to embodiments, particularly a central shroud 10 and a corner shroud 20. Also, a tooth 30 is attached to a corner nose of the lip 1 .

The corner shroud 20 is coupled with a lateral edge 5 of the lip 1 beyond the lateral wall 7.

As it can be appreciated from Figure 5, both the central shroud 10 and the corner shroud 20 are in contact with the illustrated tooth 30 when all these elements are coupled with the lip 1. Accordingly, the tooth 30 blocks the movement of the respective shrouds 10, 20 in an extracting direction opposite the direction for sliding the shrouds 10, 20 in.

The corner shroud 20 can only be coupled with the lip 1 while there is no tooth 30, whereas the central shroud 10 can only be coupled with the lip 1 when there is no tooth 30 in either of the two neighboring noses that the central shroud 10 slides along. For extraction of any of the shrouds 20, the tooth or teeth in front of the respective shroud must be extracted first.

Figures 6A and 6B show, from different perspectives, a partial view of a lip 1 with a shroud 20 according to embodiments attached to a corner nose 3b.

The corner shroud 20 has a C-shaped body as seen better in Figures 7A and 7B. The ends of the C-shaped body are projections 24 that embrace the corner nose 3b and may extend up to the rib of the nose 3b and/or part of the lateral wall 7. Projections 24, partly cover the rear part of the nose 3b, specifically the rear part of the rib of the nose and partly cover the front part of the lateral wall 7. The interior surfaces of the projections 24 have a complementary shape to the rear part of the nose 3b, the rear part of the rib and the front part of the lateral wall 7.

The projections 24 have the function to protect the front part of the lateral wall 7 and rear part of the nose 3b against wear and impacts produced when the bucket and the machine is working. Lateral noses and the geometry connection of that lateral noses with the lateral wall 7 are structural zones of the lip with high strength due to two factors, firstly because it is the end of the lip, and is too exposed to wear and high impacts, and also because the lateral noses are fixed to the lateral wall 7; this union is rigid and little flexible, for that reason it is a zone that concentrates a lot of strength. It is very important to protect that connection zone as much as possible.

Figures 7A to 7C show, from different views, a shroud 20 according to embodiments.

The corner shroud 20 has the C-shaped body and at least one recess 26 for mating to a protruding guide of the lip. In this example, the inner surface of both side portions of the C- shaped body has respective recesses 26 to couple with respective protruding guides of the lip that may be on the first and second main surfaces of the lip.

The opening of the C-shaped body gets larger in cross-section when moving along an axial direction of the shroud 20. The opening thus adapts to a progressively increasing thickness of the lip 1 at the portion where the shroud 20 is to be coupled therewith. In this example, the cross-section gets bigger when moving towards the right side, namely when moving towards the negative side of the Z axis illustrated. The opening of each recess 26 may likewise get larger in cross-section when moving along an axial direction of the shroud 20; in this case, towards the negative side of the Z axis illustrated. A progressively increasing opening matches with a progressively increasing crosssection of a protruding guide in those embodiments in which the guide is wedge-shaped.

In the examples of figures 7A and 7B, the recess 26 has a variable depth, from a first end thereof 27a at one end 22 (e.g. a first end 22) of the C-shaped body till the recess disappears at a second end 27b at a point close to the second end 21 (e.g. a second end 21) of the C-shaped body. In this sense, a depth di , d2 at the first end 27a is greater than a depth (not illustrated due to the smooth integration in the surface portion of the C-shaped body) at the other respective end 27b; particularly, the depth at the second end 27b is 20% or less than the depth at the first end 27a. In this example, the recess 26 is not a through recess, meaning that not the two ends 27a, 27b thereof reach the ends of the C-shaped body. In this example, the shroud also has a protruding member 25a on a central portion of the C-shaped body that protrudes in a same direction as the two side portions. The protruding member 25a mates to a recessed portion on a lateral edge of the lip. Preferably, the protruding member 25a has a rear portion 25b that is wedge-shaped such that it matches a wedge shape of a supporting surface (illustrated with reference number 6e in Figure 9A) in a recessed portion like recessed portion 9 described with reference to e.g. Figures 1 , 9A and 9B. Such rear portion 25b cooperates with said supporting surface to avoid excessive introduction of the shroud into the lip.

In this example, and as illustrated in Figure 7C, the shroud 20 has a symmetry plane 29 (only a dashed line is represented as the plane extends towards the inside and outside of the sheet). The plane 29 corresponds to e.g. a plane of a lip (or parallel thereto) when the shroud 20 is coupled therewith; the plane can be of either a portion of the lip that extends with an angle of attack or a portion corresponding to a nose.

Figure 8 shows a cross-section of a lip with shrouds 10, 20 according to embodiments and a tooth 30.

A sliding direction 61 for the corner shroud 20 is illustratively represented with an arrow for the sake of clarity only. The sliding direction 61 forms an angle with respect to a lateral edge 5 of the lip 1 (a dashed line 62 is represented to illustrate the footprint of the lateral edge 5), thus in this example it forms an angle with the Z axis illustrated. An angled sliding eases the extraction process of the corner shroud 20. The sliding direction 61 is inwards, namely towards the lateral wall 7 (thus relative to the X axis illustrated).

The tooth 30, which is fixedly attached to the corner nose 3b with fixing pins 31 , stands in the way of both the central shroud 10 and corner shroud 20 when coupled with the lip, thereby blocking the motion of the shrouds 10, 20 towards the ground-engaging end.

Figures 9A and 9B show, from different views, a partial view of a corner nose 3b of a lip 1.

The lip 1 includes protruding guides 8, for receiving recesses of a corner shroud, on both main surfaces beyond the lateral wall 7 shown. Analogous protruding guides 8 are present at the other side of the lip 1 beyond the other lateral wall.

The protruding guides 8 provide the shroud mounted thereon with stabilization, and longer protruding guides 8 provide stabilization over a greater volume of the shroud. In this sense, the protruding guides 8 may be adapted to provide stabilization both at front and rear ends (the front end corresponding to an end closest to a ground-engaging end of the lip, and the rear end corresponding to an end closest to the attachment to digging implements) of the shroud so that the shroud has little play during operation of the earth moving machine.

The provision of protruding guides 8 with angled sliding as described above eases the manufacturing and integration of the protruding guides on the lip. Without angled sliding, the protruding guides must be shorter and narrower because the horizontal and transverse introduction attained with the angled sliding cannot be reproduced with straight guides unless the dimensions are adapted to allow separate and subsequent horizontal and transverse motion. Shorter and narrower protruding guides provide the shroud with less stabilization, consequently the shroud would be more prone to horizontal and vertical motion either at the front end or at the rear end.

In this example, the lip 1 also includes a recessed portion 9 at the lateral edge 5 for receiving a protruding member of a corner shroud.

A supporting surface 6c for the corner shroud is illustrated on the stabilization surface extending from the corner nose 3b, and another supporting surface 6d is present on a lateral side of the protruding guides 8.

In some cases, the recessed portion 9 might likewise provide a supporting surface 6e for the corner shroud at the rear end of the recessed portion 9. The supporting surface 6e prevents the movement of the shroud towards the rear end of the lip 1 , in turn avoiding excessive introduction of the shroud into the protruding guide(s) 8 that could cause deformation of either the protruding guide(s) or the shroud itself. To this end, and to ease extraction afterwards, the supporting surface 6e is preferably wedge-shaped.

All the supporting surfaces 6c-6e can be a support for the corner shroud to transfer forces and/or torques to the lip 1 when forces and/or torques are exerted on the corner shroud, particularly when the corner shroud is contacting any of these surfaces 6c-6e. The surfaces 6c-6e act as horizontal and vertical stops that, when contacted, can also transfer part of the forces and/or torques to the lip 1 .

As it can be appreciated, in this example the protruding guides 8 are wedge-shaped, with the portion of greatest thickness being at a rear end, and the portion of smallest thickness being at a front end (closest to the ground-engaging end). This wedge shape forces an angled sliding direction as illustrated, for example, in Figure 8. In some other examples with angled sliding directions, the protruding guide(s) have constant thickness but are provided on the lip 1 so as to form an angle with respect to the lateral edge 5.

The recessed portion 9 may likewise have the recess formed in an angled fashion with respect to the lateral edge 5 whereby the corner shroud slides along in an angled manner. In that case, the angle of the recess is preferably the same as the angle provided by the protruding guide(s) 8. Angled recessed portions 9 and protruding guide(s) 8 do not require the formation of long, deep recessed portions 9 that reduce the volume and the resistance of the lateral edge 5. As lateral edges 5 suffer the effect of abrasion and hits during operation of the earth moving machine, any reduction in resistance at these edges reduces the useful life of the lip.

Figures 10 and 11 show side views of an assembly 90 according to embodiments that has been cut with X-Y planes. More particularly, in Figure 10 the plane goes through the middle of the shroud (for the sake of clarity only, said plane could be like plane 18 of Figure 2C), and in Figure 10 the plane goes through a nose of the lip.

As it can be seen, a body 1 of the lip of the assembly 90 has a first portion that is horizontal (extending according to one or more planes defined by X and Z axes illustrated) and a second portion that forms an angle relative to the first portion, particularly an angle of attack a; for the sake of clarity only, a dashed line has been represented as the middle line of the second portion to better illustrate the angle of attack a. The second portion, which can be seen as extending according to one or more planes defined by X and a axes illustrated, defines the front edge where the one or more shrouds 10 of the assembly 90 are coupled.

In Figure 10, first and second thicknesses 50a, 50b of a portion of the body 1 from which the straps 15a, 15b protrude or are joined thereto are illustrated, one per each strap 15a, 15b. A height 51 of an opening formed by both straps 50a, 50b is illustrated too. Preferably, each thickness 50a, 50b divided by the height 51 is between 20% and 35%.

In Figure 11 , the protrusions 16a, 16b of the shroud 10 illustrated contact the surface of the nose 3a. The arrangement of these protrusions 16a, 16b providing supporting points or surfaces with respect to noses 3a improves the transference of forces and torques from the shroud 10 to the lip 1 as it will be explained next.

Figures 12A and 12B diagrammatically show application of forces on an assembly 90 of a lip 1 and a shroud 10 according to embodiments and how they are transferred to the lip 1.

The lip 1 is shown with a central shroud 10 coupled on a front edge of the lip 1.

Supporting points or surfaces 45, 46 are diagrammatically illustrated and correspond to the points or surfaces where the shroud contacts a nose to transfer forces and/or torques. As described, for instance, with reference to Figures 2A-2D, protrusions 16a provide supporting points or surfaces 45, and protrusions 16b provide supporting points or surfaces 46.

In the example of Figure 12A, a force 40 is applied at the front edge of the shroud with the direction illustrated with the arrow. Owing to the law of the lever, the reaction force 41 will depend upon the supporting points or surfaces 45, 46. In this example, the distances of said points or surfaces 45, 46 to the front edge are such that the reaction force 41 will be 0,40 times the applied force 40.

This result can be compared, for instance, with the example of Figure 13A, which shows a prior art lip 100 with a prior art shroud 101 , which furthermore is coupled with the lip by way of a fixing pin 102. The same application force 40 is exerted on the front edge of the prior art shroud 101 , but the supporting points or surfaces 45, 46 in this case make the reaction force 41 to be 2,65 times the applied force 40. Hence, the prior art lip 100 will be subject to a more demanding load compared to the assembly of Figure 12A, thereby being more prone to failure.

In the example of Figure 12B, the force 40 is applied from underneath as illustrated with the arrow. The value of the reaction force 41 is similar since it is 0,41 times the applied force 40. By contrast, in the assembly of the prior art illustrated in Figure 13B, the reaction force 41 is 0,73 times the applied force 40, which again is greater than in the assembly of the example of Figure 12B. If the reaction force were to be calculated at the supporting point or surface 45 for both assemblies, the performance would also be better in the assembly of Figure 12B because the reaction force 41 would then be 1 ,47 times the applied force 40, versus a reaction force 41 in the assembly of Figure 13B that would be 1 ,73 times the applied force 40.

In this text, the terms “includes” and “comprises” and their derivations (such as “including”, “comprising”, etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc.

On the other hand, the invention is obviously not limited to the specific embodiment(s) described herein, but also encompasses any variations that may be considered by any person skilled in the art (for example, as regards the choice of materials, dimensions, components, configuration, etc.), within the general scope of the invention as defined in the claims.