Detachable corner protector for work implements
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to means for detachably mounting a protector on a corner of a work implement, such as a loader bucket, bulldozer blade or excavator bucket. The loader bucket, for example, comprises a pair of laterally spaced sidewalls having a forwardly disposed cutting edge secured therebetween. Each corner of the sidewall, adjacent to the cutting edge, is subjected to the highest rate of wear on the bucket and is oftentimes covered by a protector or router bit suitably pinned thereon. 
     In certain earthworking operations, it is further desirable to mount a hardened digging tooth on each corner of the bucket. A conventional digging tooth or tip is either welded at the corner of the bucket or releasably attached thereto by a plurality of bolts. The welded-on tooth cannot be replaced easily whereas the bolted-on tooth normally requires shear blocks or the like, integrated into the corner of the bucket, to alleviate shearing forces imposed on the bolts during bucket operation. Another disadvantage of the bolted-on tooth is that once it is removed, the mounting surface of the adapter therefor is subjected to wear and thus subsequent fit-up is adversely affected. 
     SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide an improved and interchangeable protector on the corner of a work implement, such as a loader bucket. The work implement comprises a pair of laterally spaced end walls having a cutting edge extending therebetween and secured forwardly on the work implement. A corner protector, disposed on a forward edge of each of the sidewalls and adjacent to the cutting edge, is slidably mounted on such sidewall in interlocking relationship therewith. 
     In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the corner protector is mounted on the sidewall by a tongue and groove arrangement whereby the corner protector is prevented from moving forwardly, rearwardly and sidewardly relative to the sidewall. A plurality of bolts are preferably employed to releasably attach the corner protector to the sidewall whereby the corner protector may constitute a router bit, per se, or an integrally combined router bit and a tip-adapter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a loader bucket with a combined corner protector and tip-adapter of this invention mounted thereon; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of arrows III--III in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but taken in the direction of arrows IV--IV in FIG. 3 to illustrate an inboard side of the corner protector; 
     FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating an alternate corner protector which constitutes a router bit; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of arrows VI--VI in FIG. 5. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a loader bucket 10 comprising a pair of laterally spaced end walls 11 (one shown) having an integral cutting edge 12 disposed forwardly on the bucket to extend between the end walls. A corner protector 13 is disposed on a forward edge 14 of a corner reinforcing plate 15, integrally secured to each sidewall to form a part thereof. It should be understood that the corner protectors may be mounted on the sidewalls of other work implements, such as bulldozer blades, excavator buckets and the like. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2-4, mounting means for slidably mounting the corner protector in interlocking relationship on the forward edge of the sidewall comprises tongue means 16 defined on such edge by a pair of outboard and inboard surfaces 17 and 18 which converge towards each other in a forward direction. The tongue means is further defined by a bearing surface 19 disposed at a rearward end of surface 18 to extend transversely therefrom towards surface 17. The tongue means thus defines a half-arrow shape when viewed in cross section in FIG. 3. 
     The mounting means further comprises an elongated groove means defined through the corner protector by a pair of forwardly converging outboard and inboard walls 20, and 21 respectively, which intersect at a forwardly disposed apex 22 of the corner protector. Wall 20 is substantially parallel to closely fitted surface 17 whereas wall 21 preferably converges rearwardly relative to surface 18 (FIG. 3). A strap portion 23 is formed integrally on a rearward end of wall 21 to engage bearing surface 19. 
     As shown above in FIG. 4, the lower and upper ends 24 and 24&#39; of wall 21 are relieved to facilitate insertion of the corner protector on tongue means 16 by sliding it downwardly thereon. Otherwise stated, the above-described mounting means solely permits the corner protector to be moved linearly along the forward edge of the sidewall. Fastening means preferably comprise a pair of standard countersunk bolts 25 extending transversely through outboard wall 20 and plate 15 to releasably attach the corner protector to the sidewall by nut 25&#39; threaded thereon. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, an adapter 26 is formed integrally on a forward and lower end of the corner protector. A hardened earthworking tooth or tip 27 is mounted on the adapter by a pin 28. The pin may be held in place by a split washer 29 or the like which frictionally engages the same. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an alternate corner protector 13a constituting a router bit adapted to be substituted in lieu of combined corner protector and tip-adapter 13. Identical numerals depict corresponding constructions, but with numerals depicting modified constructions in FIGS. 5 and 6 being accompanied by an &#34;a.&#34; 
     Corner protector 13a essentially differs from corner protector 13 sidewalls 20a and 21a and apex 22a of the corner protector are substantially straight throughout their length and do not have a tip-adapter integrally secured on a lower end thereof. The above-described tongue and groove type mounting means is also utilized for detachably mounting corner protector 13a on a sidewall of the bucket for clean-up operations wherein earthworking tips 27 and not required. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, a third square bolt receiving aperture 30 is formed through sidewall 20a of the corner protector, below bolts 25 and aligned therewith, to adapt it for reversible side-to-side interchange to the other sidewall of such bucket. Such interchange will increase the wear life thereof and also facilitates the use of identical router bits or protective members on both sidewalls of the bucket. In addition, a second cutting edge 31 may be bolted or otherwise suitably secured to an underside of general purpose or first cutting edge 12 to extend forwardly therefrom, if so desired. 
     Any appreciable amount of top or reverse loading imposed on the above-described protectors will not be transmitted to the bolts. Thus, the number of bolts utilized to attach the protective member to the bucket may be reduced over those required for attaching a corner protector not employing the above described mounting means of this invention therefor. Such is the case, primarily since side loads will be transmitted to the bucket without going through the bolts.