US 11,718,979 B2
Blank for fabricating wear member for a ground-engaging tool
Phillip John Kunz, Morton, IL (US); and Adam M. Dean, Morton, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Oct. 30, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/667,979.
Prior Publication US 2021/0131077 A1, May 6, 2021
Int. Cl. E02F 9/28 (2006.01)
CPC E02F 9/2883 (2013.01) 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A blank for fabricating a wear member for a ground- engaging tool comprising:
a one-piece block including a front end, a back end, an upper surface, a bottom surface, a first lateral side and a second lateral side;
a boss channel is formed in the one-piece block and is open at the bottom surface and at the back end;
a lock bore is formed in the one-piece block and extends downwardly from the upper surface to the boss channel, and the boss channel is open at the bottom surface at a location of the lock bore between the front end and the back end;
the one-piece block further including a peripheral edge that projects upon each of the first lateral side, the second lateral side, and the front end, and is located vertically between the upper surface and the bottom surface; and
the peripheral edge originates and terminates at the back end, such that the peripheral edge forms a continuous welding interface that is partially perimetric of the one-piece block, for welding the one-piece block to a body of a wear member for a ground-engaging tool,
wherein the boss channel includes a first rail slot extending in parallel with the first lateral side, and a second rail slot extending in parallel with the second lateral side.