Edge protector assembly for bucket assembly

An edge protector assembly is attached, via at least two connectors, to an edge of at least one wall surface of a bucket assembly. Each connector includes a first mating portion that is mated to at least one second mating portion of an edge protector of the edge protector assembly. One of the first and second mating portions includes a protrusion with a tapered section and the other includes a tapered cavity that receives the tapered section. A fastener assembly secures the edge protector to the connectors, and includes a fastener extending through a bore defined by the first and second mating portions. An inner wall of the bore and an outer surface of the fastener are out of contact with one another to avoid shear loads on the fasteners. The edge protector assembly includes an inner overhang area that is preferably zero percent, but up to one half of a protection area of the edge covered by the edge protector assembly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to bucket assemblies used with work machines, and more specifically to edge protector assemblies for the bucket assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Work machine implements, such as bucket assemblies for mining equipment, are subjected to high wear due to the harsh environment in which they operate. Specifically, portions of the bucket assembly, such as side bars, that penetrate the ground and/or material which is to be moved are subjected to the greatest amount of wear. A worn side bar can be relatively expensive and time consuming to replace. Because the side bars are generally made from steel and are welded to the bucket assembly, a worn portion of the side bar must be cut out of the bucket assembly and a new portion welded into place. Thus, many bucket assemblies include side bar protectors that are attached to an edge of the side bar that penetrates the material. The side bar protectors are much more economical and less time consuming to replace than the side bar, itself.

Often, side bar protectors are removeably attached to the edges of the side bars by connectors, such as brackets, that are welded or bolted to the side bars. For instance, a side bar protector assembly set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,365, issued to Robinson, on May 21, 1991, includes side bar protectors with U-shaped cross sections that are attached to mounts welded to a bucket assembly. The mounts fits inside of the side bar protectors and are secured by pins extending through aligned apertures of the mount and side bar protector. The U-shaped cross-section allows the side protectors to wrap around the bucket edge.

Although side bar protectors, such as the Robinson protector, protect the side bar edge from wear, many side bar protector assemblies are substantially wider than the side bar, and thus, create an overhang into the bucket assembly. The overhang of the protector can trap material between the protector and the side bar wall. The material trapped in the bucket is commonly referred to as carry back, and reduces the productivity of the work machine.

Moreover, although side bar protectors are more economical to replace than the side bar, the side bar protectors are also subjected to wear. During operation of the bucket assembly, the side bar protector will be repeatedly subjected to various loads and impacts. If the loads are not adequately transferred to the bucket assembly through the brackets, the loads can cause a fastener assembly, often consisting of a nut threaded to a bolt, to shear and fail. For instance, an interface between the mount and the Robinson side bar protector may not provide sufficient contact surface in order to adequately transfer the loads to the bucket assembly, rather than through the pin securing the assembly.

Further, due to wear, the side bar protectors must be periodically replaced or repositioned. The detachment and reattachment of the protectors can consume valuable time in which that the work machine could be operating. In addition, at least two tools are often required; one to hold a nut from rotating while another is used to rotate the bolt.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a bucket assembly includes a bucket including at least one wall surface with an edge. At least two connectors are attached to the edge and include a first mating portion that is mated to at least one second mating portion of an edge protector within an edge protector assembly. The edge protector assembly includes a fastener assembly that is operable to secure the edge protector to the connectors. The edge protector assembly covers a protection area of the edge, and includes an inner overhang area that is between zero and one half of the protection area.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a bucket assembly includes a bucket including at least one wall surface with an edge. An edge protector assembly is attached to the edge, and includes at least two connectors, and edge protector and a fastener assembly for each connector. A first mating portion of each connector is mated to at least one second mating portion of the edge protector, and the fastener assemblies secure the edge protector to each connector. Each fastener assembly includes a fastener extending through a bore defined by the first and second mating portions. An inner wall of the bore and an outer surface of the fastener being out of contact.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, an edge protector assembly for use with a bucket assembly includes at least two connectors, an edge protector and a fastener assembly that is operable to secure the edge protector to the connectors. A first mating portion of each connector is operable to mate to at least one second mating portion of the edge protector. One of the first and second mating portions includes a protrusion with a tapered section. The other of the first and second mating portions includes a tapered cavity that receives the tapered section.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, an edge of a bucket assembly is protected. One of a bolt and a nut included within a fastener assembly is prevented from rotating by an interaction with one of a connector and an edge protector. The fastener assembly is secured, at least in part, by rotating the other of the bolt and nut with a tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a diagrammatic representation of a bucket assembly10, according to the present disclosure. The bucket assembly10is designed as a work machine implement for use with various work machines, including, but not limited to, mining shovels, excavators and wheel loaders. Thus, although an excavator type bucket is shown, this disclosure contemplates other bucket types, such as loader buckets. As used in this document the term “bucket” also encompasses bulldozer blades that include side walls with edges for protecting from wear. The bucket assembly10includes a bucket11that is defined, in part, by two identical sides47separated from one another by a middle section13. Identical side bars12are attached to both sides47. The middle section13may be formed from one piece of material or several pieces welded to one another. The side bars12and middle section13are generally made from a relatively strong material, such as steel plate. Teeth can be attached across a front of the middle section13and the side bars12in order to help penetrate the material being loaded and moved. Each side bar12includes a width12a. The present disclosure contemplates side bars12of various widths, including, but not limited to, side bars up to and exceeding three inches thick. Each side bar12includes an inner side wall surface14with an edge15. Identical edge protector assemblies16are attached to each edge15of the side wall surfaces14by at least two connectors17. Each edge protector assembly16is attached to the edge15at a position where the bucket11repeatedly penetrates material and debris, and can be made from the same or different material than the side bars12.

Referring toFIG. 2a, there is shown a side view of an outer surface16aof the edge protector assembly16attached to the bucket assembly10ofFIG. 1. Although the present disclosure will be discussed for one edge protector assembly16, it should be appreciated that the discussion can apply to both edge protector assemblies. The edge protector assemblies16are identical to one another, and thus, can be switched between the two side bars12. The edge protector assembly16includes an edge protector18secured to the connectors17via fastener assemblies19. The connectors17can be attached to the side bars12in various ways, but preferably are welded to the side bars12. Although the present disclosure contemplates any number of connectors17per edge protector18, preferably there are at least two connectors17in order to limit the movement of the edge protector18relative to the connectors17. The connectors17are illustrated as brackets. Although the brackets17are illustrated as including a flange20and protective shield21, the present disclosure contemplates brackets without flanges or protective shields. The protective shield21is designed to protect from wear a portion of the fastener assembly19that extends past the edge protector assembly16. Although the edge protector18is illustrated as straight for use with bucket assemblies for work machines, such as relatively large wheel loaders, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates edge protectors with various other shapes, such as a curved shape (as shown inFIG. 7a).

Referring toFIG. 2b, there is shown a side view of an inner surface16bof the edge protector assembly16attached to the bucket assembly10ofFIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the side bar12includes a corner48attached to the front of the bucket assembly10that includes the teeth. It is known in the art to attach a corner protector49onto the edge15of the corner48in order to protect the corner48when penetrating material and debris. In the illustrated embodiment, the edge15includes a front portion50that is serrated and mates with a corresponding serrated surface51of the protector49, and a top portion53. The edge protector assembly16preferably includes a tooth52that mates under a protrusion54of the corner protector49that extends over and protects the top portion53of the edge15. Because the tooth52fits against the protrusion54of the corner protector49, the corner protector49can share a side load with the edge protector assembly16. The load can be transferred between the edge protector assembly16and the corner protector49. It should be appreciated that the present invention contemplates the use of the tooth52with straight edge protector assemblies as shown inFIGS. 2aand2b.

Referring toFIG. 3, there is shown a partial cross-sectional top diagrammatic representation of the edge protector assembly16attached to the bucket assembly10ofFIG. 2. The edge protector assembly16includes an overhang area22extending from the side wall surface14into the bucket11, a protection portion (not shown) covering a protection area25of the edge15, and an outer area24extending from an outer surface of the side bar12away from the bucket11. In all embodiments, the inner overhang area22is between zero and one half of the protection area25of the edge15. Although the inner overhang area22is illustrated as being one half of the protection area25, preferably, the inner overhang area of the edge protector assembly16is zero percent of the protection area25, meaning that the edge protector assembly16is flush with the surface side wall14and there is no inner overhang. Although the outer area24is also illustrated as one half of the protection area25, the present disclosure contemplates the edge protector assembly with an outer area being of various sizes, or no outer area. It should be appreciated that the greater the width12aof the side bar12, the more likely the edge protector assembly16will be flush with the side wall surface14. The greater width can provide more room for the brackets17that must be sufficiently thick to mate with and support the edge protector18. For instance, the present disclosure contemplates the edge protector assembly (as shown inFIGS. 7–9) being flush with the side wall surface14when attached to a three-inch wide side bar, like the side bars used in relatively large mining loaders, shovels and excavators. However, when used to protect one inch side bars12, similar to the side bars of wheel loaders, the edge protector assembly18(illustrated inFIG. 3) can include up to the inner overhang area22that is one half of the protection area25.

Referring toFIG. 4, there is shown a cross-sectional side diagrammatic representation of the edge protector assembly16, according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Although the section is through one bracket17, it should be appreciated that the section through all of the brackets17mated to the edge protector18are identical. The bracket17includes a first or female mating portion26that is mated to a second or male mating portion27of the edge protector18. In the illustrated embodiment, there are as many second mating portions27as there are brackets17. However, it should be appreciated that the edge protector could include only one second mating portion extending between brackets. Although the first mating portion26of the bracket17includes a tapered cavity29and the second mating portion27includes a protrusion30with a tapered section31corresponding to the tapered cavity29, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates the brackets including protrusions and the edge protector including the tapered cavity for receiving the protrusion. The tapered cavity29of the bracket17and the tapered section31of the protrusion30preferably include identical taper angles32. The identical taper angles32provide an increased contact surface area at an interface28between the bracket17and the edge protector18, thereby reducing stress at the interface28caused by loads acting on the assembly16during operation by spreading loads over a larger contact area. Because of the close fit between the bracket17and the edge protector18, a side load (as illustrated by the arrow) acting on the edge protector18can transfer to the brackets17without shearing the fastener assembly19.

The fastener assembly19includes a fastener33extending through a bore34defend by the first and second mating portions26and27, and a barrel member35mated to the fastener33. The fastener33preferably includes a bolt that is mated to the barrel member35, which preferably includes a nut. An inner wall36of the bore35and an outer surface37of the bolt33define an annular clearance38. Thus, the bolt33is not in contact with the edge protector18, thereby avoiding sheer loads on the bolt33. A load acting on a top of the edge protector18can be transferred to the side bar12through the brackets12, and not to the bolt33. Thus, the protector16and the bracket17, and not the bolt33, will wear. When secured, the fastener assembly19acts to clamp the protrusion27in the cavity29.

Referring toFIG. 5, there is shown an exploded view of the bracket17and the fastener assembly19ofFIG. 4. Although the disclosure is described for one bracket17and fastener assembly19, it should be appreciated that the following description applies to all of the brackets and fastener assemblies. Further, it should be appreciated that when the bracket17is mated to the edge protector18, the protrusion27of the edge protector18is aligned in the tapered cavity29of the bracket17. The fastener assembly19includes a rotational locking feature39that is operable to prohibit rotation of one of the bolt33and the nut35relative to the brackets17. According to the first embodiment, the rotational locking feature39prohibits the rotation of the bolt33via an interaction between the bolt33and the bracket17. The portion of the bore34defined by the bracket17includes a receiving bore40and a counter bore41. The receiving bore40includes a square receiving portion43with a rotation stopping surface42and that accepts a correspondingly square shaped shoulder44of the bolt33. The bolt33is illustrated a conventional plow bolt which includes the square shaped shoulder44below a head45of the bolt33. A contact surface46of the square shoulder44of the plow bolt33mates with the rotation stopping surface42within the receiving bore40. Thus, one individual can mate the nut35to the bolt33with the use of a single tightening tool to rotate nut35while bolt33remains stationary. A second tool used to prevent the bolt33from rotating is not necessary. The plow bolt head45is flush with the edge protector18when secured.

Referring toFIG. 6, there is shown an exploded view of the bracket17and a fastener assembly119. It should be appreciated that when the bracket17is mated to the edge protector18, the protrusion30of the edge protector18is aligned in the tapered cavity29of the bracket17. The fastener assembly119of the second embodiment is similar to the fastener assembly19of the first embodiment in that a plow bolt133with the square shaped shoulder44is received into the receiving bore40. However, a nut of the fastener assembly119is not a conventional nut, but includes a threaded retainer135that includes a threaded bore135a. The threaded retainer135is received into the counter bore41defined by the bracket17, and a head135brests on a retainer shoulder within the bore41. The head135bof the retainer135is flush with the edge protector18and defines a drive feature (not shown) to enable the flush retainer135to be rotated via a suitable tool. Thus, the fastener assembly119is flush with both sides of the bracket17when secured. The retainer135extends partially through the portion of the bore34defined by the edge protector18(not shown). A threaded portion149of the plow bolt133is operable to mate with the threaded bore135aof the retainer135within the portion of the bore34defined by the edge protector18(not shown) in order to secure the edge protector18to the bracket17. Just as in the first embodiment, the contact surface46of the bolt shoulder44mates with the rotation stopping surface42within the receiving bore40in order to stop the rotation of the bolt133. A tool is used to rotate retainer135relative to bolt133to secure the same.

Referring toFIGS. 7aand7b, there are shown a side view of the edge protector218, and a cross-sectional view of an edge protector218mated to bracket217, respectively, according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Whereas the second mating portion27of the edge protector18in the first and second embodiments includes the protrusion30with the tapered section31, a second mating portion227of the edge protector218in the third embodiment includes a tapered cavity229for each bracket217. The portion of the bore233defined by the edge protector218includes a receiving bore240and a counter bore241. The edge protector218is illustrated as curved and symmetrical with a first end218aand a second end218b. Because both ends218aand218bof the edge protector218are identical, the edge protector218is reversible between a first end wear position orientation and a second end wear position orientation with the bucket. In the first end wear position orientation, the first end218ais positioned nearest the ground. In the second end wear position orientation, the second end218bis positioned nearest the ground. During operation of the bucket assembly, it has been found that the end218aor218bnearest the ground is subjected to more wear than the end218aor218bfarther from the ground. Thus, due to the symmetry of the edge protector218, when the end218or218bnearest the ground wears, the edge protector218can be rotated rather than replaced. Moreover, due to the symmetry, the edge protectors218can be switched between side bars12. Not only does the symmetry extend the life of the edge protector218, it ensures proper attachment of the edge protectors218to the bucket assembly10. The curved edge protectors218are typically designed for use with relatively large shovels and excavators. Although not illustrated, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates the curved protectors including the tapered protrusions mating with tapered cavities of the brackets.

Referring toFIG. 8, there is shown an isometric view of the bracket217, according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. A first mating portion226of the bracket217includes a protrusion230with a tapered section231corresponding to the tapered cavities229of the edge protector218ofFIGS. 7aand7b. Both the tapered section231of the protrusion230and the tapered cavities229include identical taper angles232, providing an increase contact surface area at an interface between the bracket217and the edge protector218. Although the bracket217is illustrated without a flange the bracket could include a flange. Without the flange, the edge protector218is flush with the bucket11.

Referring toFIG. 9, there is shown an isometric view of a fastener assembly219extending through the bracket217, according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that when the edge protector218is mated to the bracket217, the protrusion230is surrounded by the edge protector218. The fastener assembly219includes a retainer system thoroughly described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,551 B2, issued to Livesay et al., on Mar. 30, 2004. The nut of the fastener assembly219is not a convention nut, but rather a threaded retainer235that defines a threaded bore235a. The retainer235is positioned within the portion of the bore234defined by the bracket217, and partially into the receiving bore241of the edge protector218. Thus, the retainer235is hidden in the assembled edge protector assembly216. The retainer235includes a contact surface246operable to mate with a rotation stopping surface of an inner surface of the edge protector (not shown). A head245of the bolt233includes a drive feature245athat mates with a suitable tool that is operable to rotate the bolt233. Thus, a conventional bolt233can be threaded into the threaded bore235aof the retainer235with a suitable tool as the retainer235is held stationary by the interaction between the contact surface246of the retainer235and the rotation stopping surface of the edge protector218. The fastener assembly219is flush with the edge protector218on both the sides of the edge protector218.

Industrial Applicability

Referring toFIGS. 1–9, the operation of the present disclosure will be discussed for bucket assembly10. It should be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates the bucket assembly being attached to various types of work machines, including, but not limited to, wheel loaders, mining shovels, excavators, and bulldozer blades with side edges. The present disclosure is also applicable to smaller buckets, including but not limited to skid steer loader buckets. Although a method of protecting the edges15of bucket assembly10will be discussed for only one edge15, it should be appreciated that the method is the same for protecting both edges15.

In order to protect the edge15of the bucket assembly10, the edge protector assembly16,116,216is attached to the edge15. The edge protector18,218can be attached to the brackets17,217by the work machine operator in the field, if necessary. The brackets17,217are welded onto the side bar12, and the edge protector18,218is mated to the brackets17,217. In order to secure the edge protector18,218to the brackets17,217, the fastener assembly19,119,219extends through the bore34,234. In the first and second embodiments in which the brackets17define the receiving bore40and the counter bore41, the plow bolt33,113is inserted in the receiving bore40, and the nut, being either the conventional nut35in the first embodiment or the threaded retainer135in the second embodiment, is threaded onto the threaded portion49,149of the plow bolt33,133. Referring specifically toFIG. 5, the plow bolt33in the first embodiment extends through both the receiving bore40and the counter bore41, and the nut35is threaded to the plow bolt33in the outer area24of the edge protector assembly16. The rotational locking feature39prevents the rotation of the bolt33via the interaction between the contact surface46on the square shaped shoulder44of the bolt33and the rotation stopping surface42of the receiving bore40. Thus, the nut35can be secured to the stationary bolt33using a suitable tool, such as a wrench, to rotate the nut35. When the nut35is securely fastened to the bolt33, the fastener assembly19is flush with the inner surface of the edge protector18, but not the outer surface of the edge protector18.

Referring specifically toFIG. 6, in the second embodiment, the plow bolt133extends through the receiving bore40and the portion of the bore34defined by the protrusion30of the edge protector18. Within the bore34, the threaded bore135aof the retainer135is linked with the threaded portion149of the bolt133by rotating the retainer135with a suitable tool, such as an allen wrench, mated to the drive feature. Similar to the first embodiment, only one tool is needed to link the threaded retainer135with the bolt133because the contact surface46of the square shaped shoulder44of the bolt133mates with the rotation stopping surface42within the receiving bore40. Thus, the rotational locking feature39prohibits the rotation of the bolt33via the interaction between the bolt133and the bracket17when the retainer135is being tightened. Both sides of the fastener assembly119are flush with the edge protector18.

Referring specifically toFIG. 9, according to the third embodiment, the operator can secure the edge protector218to the brackets217similarly to the first and second embodiments except that the receiving bore240and the counter bore241are defined by the edge protector218rather than the brackets217. The threaded retainer235is positioned within the portion of the bore234that is defined by the bracket217, and the bolt233is threaded into the threaded bore235aof the retainer235. The threaded retainer235is prevented from rotating by the interaction between the contact surface246defined by the edge protector218and the rotation stopping surface242of the threaded retainer235. Thus, the fastener assembly219can be linked by rotating the bolt233with one suitable tool while the rotational locking feature239prevents the threaded retainer235from rotating. The fastener assembly219is flush with both sides of the edge protector218.

In all embodiments, the edge15of the bucket assembly10is also preferably protected by avoiding shear loads on the fastener assembly19,119,219, at least in part, by positioning the bolt33,133,233out of contact with either the edge protector19,219or the brackets17,217. Referring specifically toFIG. 4, the annular clearance38defined the inner surface of the bore34and the outer surface of the bolt33allows the loads acting on the edge protector assembly16to be transferred to the brackets17rather than the fastener assembly19. Loads acting on top of the edge protector assembly16will be transferred to the bucket side bar12, and will avoid the fastener assembly19due to the annular clearance38. Thus, the loads acting on the edge protector assembly19can be transferred to bucket assembly10through the edge protector18and not the fastener assembly19. Although the method of avoiding shear loads on the fastener assembly19is described and illustrated for the first embodiment, it should be appreciated that the method operates similarly in all embodiments.

However, according to the third embodiment (as shown inFIGS. 7–9), the edge protector218defines the receiving and counter bores240and241, respectively, and thus, an annular clearance238is defined by the fastener assembly219and the brackets217. The fastener assembly219is preferably separated from the brackets217via the annular clearance238. In all embodiments, because shear loads on the fastener assembly19,119,219are avoided, the likelihood of premature failure of the fastener assembly19,119,219is reduced.

In all embodiments, the edge15of the bucket assembly10is preferably protected by reducing stress at the interface28between the brackets17,217and the edge protector18,218. The stress is reduced by contacting at the interface28identical taper angles32,232of the corresponding mating portions26,226and27,227of the brackets17,217and edge protector18,218, respectively. Regardless of whether the mating portion27,227includes the protrusion30or the tapered cavity229, the edge protector18,218can be mated with the brackets17,217. The identical taper angles32,232increase the contact surface area at the interface28, thereby allowing the loads to transfer from the edge protector18,218to the brackets17,217welded to the bucket assembly10. Thus, a load acting along the length of the edge protector assembly16,216can also be transferred to the brackets17,217and avoid the fastener assembly19,119,219due to the close fit between the bracket17,217and the edge protector18,218. Moreover, in the embodiments including the straight edge protectors18, the tooth52that mates with the protrusion54of the corner protector49allows a load acting along the length of the assembly16to also be transferred to the corner protector49.

Referring specifically toFIG. 3, the edge protector assembly16,116,216protects the edge15of the bucket assembly10while also reducing carry back by limiting the inner overhang area22of the edge protector assembly16,116,216. Although preferably the edge protector assembly16,116,216does not include the inner overhang area22, and thus, is flush with the side wall surface14of the bucket assembly10, the present disclosure contemplates and is illustrated inFIG. 2as including the inner overhang area22that is up to one half of the protected area25of the edge15. Regardless of whether the inner overhang area is zero or half of the protected area25of the edge15, the inner overhang area22is sufficiently small that its extension into the bucket11does not trap a significant amount of material in the bucket11. Rather, the material can slide down the side surface wall14and the edge protector assembly16,116,216, and out the bucket assembly10. Because all the material being transported can be ejected from the bucket1, the productivity of the work machine having bucket assembly10is increased.

The present disclosure is advantageous because the edge protector assembly16,116,216not only protects the edge15of the bucket assembly10, but also can be replaced by one man with relative ease, absorbs the loads that may act on the assembly16,116,216during operation, and limits carry back. Because the edge protector assembly16,116,216is attached to the edge15at a position where the bucket assembly10engages material, the edge protector18,218protects the edge15from rocks and debris that could damage the side bars12. Thus, over time, the edge protector assembly16,116,216, rather than the side bars12, will wear. It is more economical and less time consuming to replace the edge protector assemblies16,116,216than the side bars12. In fact, the curved edge protectors218can be rotated such that the end218aor218bthat was receiving less wear can be placed in the position in which it will receive the most wear.

The present disclosure further allows the work machine operator in the field to rotate the position, or replace, the edge protectors18,218. Because each embodiment includes the rotational locking feature39,239that prevents the rotation of either the nut235or the bolt33,133, a second tool to hold the nut235or bolt33,133stationary when linking the fastener assembly19,119,219is unnecessary. Thus, only one suitable tool used by one individual is needed. The fact that the edge protector assembly16,116,216can be replaced or rotated with relative ease by one person further reduces the amount of maintenance time and costs associated with the edge protector assemblies16,116,216.

Moreover, the edge protector assembly16,116,216does not adversely affect the productivity of the bucket assembly10. Because the edge protector assembly16,116,216is preferably flush with the side wall surface14and, at most, slightly extended into the bucket11, material that is being shoveled can be ejected from the bucket11without a portion being trapped between the inner overhang22and the side wall surface14. Thus, the present disclosure limits carry back of material and allows use of the maximum capacity of the bucket11, thereby increasing the productivity of the work machine having bucket assembly10.

The present disclosure also increases the life of the edge protector assembly16by avoiding shear loads on the fastener assembly19,119,219and reducing stress at the interface28between the brackets17,217and the edge protector18,218. The fastener assembly19,119,219is not designed to withstand the loads that the edge protector18,218, the brackets17,217, and the bucket assembly10can withstand. If the fastener assembly19,119,219fails, the edge protector assembly16,116,216will fail to protect the edge15. Thus, the present disclosure reduces the risk of premature failure of the fastener assembly19,119,219by separating the fastener assembly19,119,219from either the bracket17,217or the edge protector18,218by the annular clearance38,238, thereby reducing the loads transferred to the fastener assembly19,119,219. Moreover, the present disclosure reduces the stress concentrated at the interface28between the bracket17,217and the edge protector18,218by increasing the contact between the tapered cavity29,229and the tapered section31,231of the protrusion30,230. Regardless of whether the bracket17,217or the edge protector18,218includes the tapered cavity29,229, the side loads acting on the edge protector18,218can be transferred to the brackets17,217rather than the bolt33,133,233. Thus, the present disclosure extends the life of the edge protector assembly16,116,216, thereby reducing costs.