Abstract:
A wear member assembly may include a nose attachable to a bucket lip. The nose may include a rear portion having a first set of substantially planar surfaces including a first, second, and third subset of surfaces. The third subset of surfaces may be angled and positioned between the first subset of surfaces and the second subset of surfaces. The nose may also include a forward portion positioned forwardly adjacent to the rear portion, the forward portion having a second set of substantially planar surfaces including a fourth, fifth, and sixth subset of surfaces. The sixth set of surfaces may be angled and positioned between the first subset of surfaces and the second subset of surfaces. The wear member assembly may also include a wear member having a cavity comprising rear and forward bearing surfaces corresponding to the third and sixth subset of surfaces.

Description:
PRIORITY INFORMATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,789 filed May 13, 2016 and entitled “Wear Member Stabilization System with Octagonal Interface” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/441,779 filed Jan. 3, 2017 and entitled “Stabilizing Features in a Wear Member Assembly,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in the entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure is generally directed to ground engaging wear member assemblies including adapters for securing excavating wear members to bucket lips. More particularly, this disclosure is directed to stabilizing load bearing surfaces between adjacent wear members. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Material displacement apparatuses, such as excavating buckets found on construction, mining, and other earth moving equipment, often include replaceable wear portions such as earth engaging teeth. These are often removably attached to larger base structures, such as excavating buckets, and come into abrasive, wearing contact with the earth or other material being displaced. For example, excavating tooth assemblies provided on digging equipment, such as excavating buckets and the like, typically comprise a relatively massive adapter portion which is suitably anchored to the forward bucket lip. The adapter portion typically includes a forwardly projecting nose. A replaceable tooth typically includes a rear-facing cavity that releasably receives the adapter nose. To retain the tooth on the adapter nose, generally aligned transverse openings may be formed on both the tooth and the adapter nose, and a suitable connector structure is driven into and forcibly retained within the aligned openings to releasably anchor the replaceable tooth on its associated adapter nose. 
         [0004]    During normal operations, the tooth experiences loading in multiple directions. If the tooth is not positioned on the nose in a stable manner, the loads experienced by the tooth can cause additional wear on the adapter. A need accordingly exists for an improved adapter nose and corresponding opening in the tooth. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to some example implementations, a wear member assembly may include a nose attachable to a bucket lip. The nose may include a rear portion having a first set of eight substantially planar surfaces converging toward a longitudinal axis of the nose towards a distal end of the rear portion. The first set of substantially planar surfaces may include a first subset of surfaces having a top and bottom surface, a second subset of side surfaces, and a third subset of surfaces that comprise bearing surfaces. The third subset of surfaces being angled and positioned between the first subset of surfaces and the second subset of surfaces. The nose may also include a forward portion positioned forwardly adjacent to the rear portion, the forward portion having a second set of eight substantially planar surfaces converging toward the longitudinal axis of the nose towards the distal end of the forward portion. The second set of substantially planar surfaces may include a fourth subset having a top and bottom surface, a fifth subset of side surfaces, and a sixth subset of surfaces that comprise bearing surfaces, the sixth set of surfaces being angled and positioned between the first subset of surfaces and the second subset of surfaces. The wear member assembly may also include a wear member having a cavity opening toward a rearward end, the cavity comprising rear and forward bearing surfaces corresponding to the third subset of surfaces and the sixth subset of surfaces. 
         [0006]    According to some example implementations, a wear member includes a cavity having a rear portion having a first set of eight surfaces converging toward a longitudinal axis at a first angle towards a distal end of the rear portion. The first set of substantially planar surfaces may include a top and bottom surface, a set of side surfaces, and a set of diagonal surfaces that comprise bearing surfaces. The cavity may further include a forward portion positioned forwardly adjacent to the rear portion, the forward portion having a second set of eight surfaces converging toward the longitudinal axis at a second angle that is less than the first angle. The cavity may further include a set of pockets positioned at least partially along the diagonal surfaces, the pockets having inwardly facing vertical surfaces. 
         [0007]    According to some example implementations, a wear member assembly may include an adapter nose having a rear portion having a cross-sectional width and a cross-sectional height, the cross-sectional width being different than the cross-sectional height, the rear portion having two non-bearing surfaces and four substantially planar bearing surfaces, the two non-bearing surfaces being substantially horizontal in cross-section and the four substantially planar bearing surfaces being oblique in cross-section, a first two of the four substantially planar bearing surfaces being disposed on a first lateral side of the two substantially planar non-bearing surfaces, and a second two of the four substantially planar bearing surfaces being disposed on a second lateral side of the two substantially planar non-bearing surfaces, wherein at a distal end of the rear portion, the cross-sectional width of either of the two non-bearing surfaces is different than the cross-sectional width of any one of the four substantially bearing surfaces. 
         [0008]    According to some example implementations, a wear member includes a cavity having rear portion and a forward portion. The rear portion may have a cross-sectional width and a cross-sectional height, the cross-sectional width being different than the cross-sectional height. The cavity may have two substantially planar non-bearing surfaces and four substantially planar bearing surfaces. The two substantially planar non-bearing surfaces may be substantially horizontal in cross-section and the four substantially planar bearing surfaces may be oblique in cross-section. A first two of the four substantially planar bearing surfaces may be disposed on a first lateral side of the two substantially planar non-bearing surfaces, and a second two of the four substantially planar bearing surfaces may be disposed on a second lateral side of the two substantially planar non-bearing surfaces. At a distal end of the rear portion, the cross-sectional width of either of the two substantially planar non-bearing surfaces may be different than the cross-sectional width of any one of the four substantially bearing surfaces. 
         [0009]    The present disclosure is directed to a wear member assembly having a particularly shaped bearing surface disposed on a wear member nose, such as an adapter nose, and a corresponding shaped bearing surface on an additional wear member introduced over the nose. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following drawings and detailed description are exemplary and explanatory in nature and are intended to provide an understanding of the present disclosure without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In that regard, additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following. 
         [0010]    The present disclosure is directed to stabilizing load bearing surfaces on wear members that provide stability and support during ground engaging digging/material displacement operations. In some implementations, the present disclosure describes a hollow ground-engaging wear member attachable to a support structure may include a leading end arranged to engage ground and a rear end having a cavity formed therein. The cavity may have an inner surface and having a longitudinally extending axis and a front portion and having a rear portion adjacent the rear end. The inner surface may have horizontally separated opposing inner walls and having vertically separated opposing inner walls forming an upper inner surface and a lower inner surface. The upper inner surface and the lower inner surface may each have a centrally disposed, inwardly protruding bearing surface portion arranged to provide a bearing fit with the support structure. Each inwardly protruding bearing surface portion may be disposed in the rear portion of the cavity and may have a transverse width less than a longitudinal length and receivable in a depression of the support structure. The inwardly protruding bearing surface portion may be arranged to support vertically imposed loads at the leading end. 
         [0011]    According to some example implementations, the present disclosure is directed to a support structure arranged to receive a wear member, the support structure may include a nose arranged to receive a cavity of the wear member. The nose may include a front portion having a plurality of outwardly facing surfaces, the outwardly facing surfaces angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the nose at a first angle. The nose may further include a rear portion having two horizontally separated outwardly facing surfaces, and two vertically separated outwardly facing surfaces including an upward surface and a downward surface, the horizontally separated outwardly facing surfaces and the vertically separated outwardly facing surfaces being angled with respect to the longitudinal axis at a second angle that is different than the first angle. The nose may further include a first concave bearing surface positioned on the upward facing surface. The nose may further include a second concave bearing surface positioned on the downward facing surface. 
         [0012]    According to additional example implementations, the present disclosure is directed to a wear member may include a cavity arranged to fit over a nose of an adapter. The cavity may include a front portion having a plurality of inwardly facing surfaces, the inwardly facing surfaces angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cavity at a first angle. The cavity may include a rear portion having two horizontally separated inwardly facing surfaces, and two vertically separated inwardly facing surfaces including an upward surface and a downward surface, the horizontally separated inwardly facing surfaces and the vertically separated inwardly facing surfaces being angled with respect to the longitudinal axis at a second angle that is different than the first angle. The cavity may include a first convex bearing surface positioned on the upward facing surface. The cavity may include a second convex bearing surface positioned on the downward facing surface. 
         [0013]    According to yet more example implementations, the present disclosure is directed to a wear member assembly may include an adapter having a rear end arranged to secure the adapter to a bucket lip and a forward end having a nose. The wear member may also include an upward facing substantially planar surface at least partially circumscribing an upward facing concave bearing surface and a downward facing substantially planar surface at least partially circumscribing a downward facing concave bearing surface. The wear member assembly may also include a wear member having a forward end arranged to engage ground and a rear end having a cavity. The cavity may include a downward facing surface having a first outward protrusion extending therefrom, the first outward protrusion arranged to fit within the upward facing concave bearing surface. The cavity may include an upward facing surface having a second outward protrusion extending therefrom, the second outward protrusion arranged to fit within the downward facing concave bearing surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The accompanying drawings illustrate implementations of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is view of an earth engaging wear member assembly according to an example incorporating principles described herein. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an adapter nose with a bearing surface portion on a top and bottom surface according to an example incorporating principles described herein. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are diagrams showing longitudinal cross-sectional views of the bearing surface portion in the nose of the adapter according to an example incorporating principles described herein. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are diagrams showing transverse cross-sectional views of the bearing surface portion in the nose according to an example incorporating principles described herein. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the nose with a bearing surface portion according to an example incorporating principles described herein. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the nose with a bearing surface portion according to an example incorporating principles described herein. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a tooth having a protrusion corresponding to the bearing surface portion in the nose according to an example incorporating principles described herein. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7B  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the tooth with the protrusion according to an example incorporating principles described herein. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are transverse cross-sectional views of the tooth with the protrusion according to an example incorporating principles described herein. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a rear view of the tooth looking into the cavity according to an example incorporating principles described herein. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11A  is an exploded perspective view of an earth engaging wear member assembly according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11B  illustrates an adapter nose looking along the longitudinal axis of the nose according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11C  illustrates a side view of the adapter nose according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12A  illustrates the tooth looking into the cavity according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0029]      FIG. 12B  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the tooth assembly according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of the adapter nose according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0031]      FIG. 14A  illustrates an adapter nose with torsion control features according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0032]      FIG. 14B  illustrates a side view of an adapter nose with torsion control features according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0033]      FIG. 14C  illustrates a perspective view of an adapter nose with torsion control features according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0034]      FIG. 14D  illustrates a top view of an adapter nose with torsion control features according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  illustrates a diagram showing a tooth having a cavity designed to fit an adapter nose with torsion control features according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0036]      FIG. 16A  illustrates a cross-section of the adapter nose orthogonal to the longitudinal axis according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0037]      FIG. 16B  illustrates a cross-section of the adapter nose with torsion control features orthogonal to the longitudinal axis according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0038]      FIG. 16C  illustrates a cross-section of the forward portion of the adapter nose according to one example of principles described herein. 
           [0039]      FIG. 16D  illustrates a cross-section of the adapter nose with offset torsion control features according to one example of principles described herein. 
       
    
    
       [0040]    These Figures will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, instruments, methods, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In addition, this disclosure describes some elements or features in detail with respect to one or more implementations or Figures, when those same elements or features appear in subsequent Figures, without such a high level of detail. It is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one or more implementations or Figures may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other implementations or Figures of the present disclosure. For simplicity, in some instances the same or similar reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0042]    The present disclosure is directed to an earth engaging wear member assembly that includes an adapter nose securable to a bucket lip. The earth engaging wear member assembly also includes a tooth or other wear member, such as an intermediate adapter, that is securable to the adapter nose. The wear member includes a rear facing cavity designed to fit over the adapter nose. The nose may include a front set of surfaces and a rear set of surfaces, and in some implementations, both the front set of surfaces and the rear set of surfaces may form a substantially octagonal shape in transverse cross-section. Various surfaces of both the front set of surfaces and the rear set of surfaces may be fit (or bearing) surfaces while other surfaces of the front set of surfaces and rear set of surfaces may be non-fit (or non-bearing) surfaces. In some particular embodiments, the top surface and the bottom surface of the rear set of surfaces may be fit surfaces and include an interference bearing feature such as a protrusion on one of the tooth or adapter and a matching indent on the other of the tooth or adapter. These may cooperate to distribute vertical loading in a manner assisting with stability and alignment of the wear member on the adapter nose. As used herein, a fit surface is a load bearing surface. 
         [0043]    In some implementations, the adapter of the earth engaging wear assembly includes fit surfaces on angled side surfaces. These fit surfaces may be disposed in a manner that provides stabilizing contact on more than one fit surface when the earth engaging wear assembly is subjected to a vertical load or a horizontal load. For example, an applied vertical downward load may be supported by two angled fit surfaces, and an applied vertical upward load may be supported by two separate angled fit surfaces. Likewise, a left horizontal load may be supported by two angled fit surfaces and a right horizontal load may be supported by two angled fit surfaces. In some implementations, a set of angled fit surfaces are disposed at a distal or leading portion of the adapter nose and another set of angled fit surfaces are disposed at a proximal or trailing portion of the adapter nose. In this manner, a wear member, such as a tooth, may be supported by angled fit surfaces at both at the distal end and the proximal end of the adapter nose. 
         [0044]      FIG. 1  is view of an exemplary earth engaging wear member assembly  100  according to one example of the present disclosure. In the implementation shown, the earth engaging wear member assembly  100  includes a tooth (or wear member)  104 , an adapter  102 , and a locking pin  106 . In this example, the wear assembly  100  also includes a shroud wear member  108 . The adapter  102  includes a hole (not shown) for receiving the locking pin  106 . The tooth  104  also includes a hole through which the locking pin  106  can be inserted. The locking pin  106  may secure the tooth  104  onto the adapter  102 . The adapter  102  may also be referred to herein as a support structure since it provides stabilizing support to an additional component, which in this implementation is the tooth  104 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the adapter  102 . According to the present example, the adapter  102  includes a front end  201  and a rear end  212 . The front end  201  includes a nose  203  and the rear end  212  includes a pair of bifurcated legs  214   a ,  214   b  arranged to secure the adapter  102  to a bucket lip (not shown). A longitudinal axis  211  is shown through the front and  201  and the rear end  212 . A transverse axis  215  is shown for reference in a position that would run parallel to an edge of the bucket lip (not shown). 
         [0046]    According to the present example, the nose  203  includes a front portion  205 , a rear portion  207 , and an intermediate portion  209  extending between the front portion  205  and the rear portion  207 . The front portion  205  includes a forward facing end surface  220  and a plurality of outwardly facing surfaces  202  in an octagonal arrangement adjacent the end surface  220 . In this implementation, each of the surfaces  202  is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis  211 , Further, at least four of the surfaces are angled relative to the transverse axis  215 . In some examples, at least four of the plurality of surfaces  202  may be load bearing fit surfaces. For example, in some implementations, the surfaces  202  may include angled surfaces  202   a ,  202   b ,  202   c , and  202   d  as load bearing fit surfaces. In other implementations, the surfaces  202  may include vertical and horizontal surfaces  202   e ,  202   f ,  202   g , and  202   h  as load bearing fit surfaces. In some implementations, each of the surfaces  202  may be substantially planar, while in other implementations, only four of the eight surfaces  202  are substantially planar. In yet other implementations, a different number of the eight surfaces  202  are substantially planar. 
         [0047]    In the present example, the rear portion  207  also includes a plurality of outwardly facing surfaces  204  in an octagonal arrangement. Each of the surfaces  204  are angled with respect to the longitudinal axis. Each of the rear surfaces  204  may be angled differently with respect to the longitudinal axis. For example, the side surfaces  204   f ,  204   h  may be angled differently with respect to the longitudinal axis than are the top and bottom surfaces  204   e ,  204   g . In the present example, the rear surfaces  204  are angled with respect to the longitudinal axis at a different angle than the front surfaces  202 . Specifically, the rear surfaces  204  are angled at a greater angle with respect to the longitudinal axis than the front surfaces  202 . In the examples the various front surfaces  202  may have different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis. Likewise, the rear surfaces  204  have different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis. In such examples, the average angle at which each of the rear surfaces  204  converges toward the longitudinal axis may be greater than the average angle at which the front surfaces  202  converge towards the longitudinal axis. As shown in the perspective view of  FIG. 2 , the rear surfaces  204  include angled surfaces  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c . The opposing side of the nose  203  includes an additional angled surface  204   d , which is identified in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , for example. The rear surfaces  204  also include a top surface  204   e  and a side surface  204   h . The nose  203  also includes a bottom surface  204   g  and an opposite side surface  204   f  which are identified in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , for example. The rear surfaces  204  may also be bearing or fit surfaces. In some examples, each of the rear surfaces  204  may be bearing fit surfaces. In some examples, only the angled surfaces  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c ,  204   d  may be fit surfaces. In some examples, only the horizontal and vertical surfaces  204   e ,  204   f ,  204   g ,  204   h , may be fit surfaces. In some implementations, each of the surfaces  204  may be substantially planar, while in other implementations, only four of the eight surfaces  204  are substantially planar. In yet other implementations, a different number of the surfaces  204  are substantially planar. 
         [0048]    In the present example, the intermediate portion  209  includes a plurality of outwardly facing surfaces  216 . These outwardly facing surfaces  216  may extend between and intersect the surfaces  202  and the surfaces  204 . In some implementations, the surfaces  216  may be angled differently than the surfaces  202  and the surfaces  204  relative to the longitudinal axis  211 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the outwardly facing surfaces  216  may include a plurality of surfaces including, among other surfaces, an upper facing surface  216   a , a lower facing surface  216   b  ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ). In this implementation, the side surfaces of the intermediate portion  209  may contain a hole  206 . Additional angled surfaces  216   c ,  216   d ,  216   e ,  216   f  (best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ), are disposed about the intermediate portion of the nose. 
         [0049]    With reference to  FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B, 5, and 6 , the upper facing surface  216   a  of the intermediate portion  209  may extend at an angle different than both the adjacent upper surface  204   e  of the rear portion  207  and the adjacent top surface  202   e  of the front portion  205 . Accordingly, the upper facing surface  216   a  may be non-planar with the adjacent upper surface  204   e  of the rear portion  207  and non-planar with the adjacent top surface  202   e  of the front portion  205 . In a similar manner, the lower facing surface  216   b  of the intermediate portion  209  may extend at an angle different than both the adjacent bottom surface  204   g  of the rear portion  207  and the bottom surface  202   g  of the front portion  205 . 
         [0050]    In the present example, the top surface  204   e  includes a concave bearing surface  210  positioned thereon. In some examples, the top surface  204   e  circumscribes the concave bearing surface  210 . In some implementations, the concave bearing surface  210  bridges the intersection of the upper facing surface  216   a  and the top surface  204   e . The concave bearing surface  210 , in this implementation, is an indentation that may cooperate with a corresponding protrusion on the wear member  104  to provide load bearing stability as well as lateral stability. While not seen from this perspective view, the nose  203  may also have a similar concave bearing surface portion on the bottom surface that is opposite the top surface  204   e . In some implementations, the concave bearing surface on the bottom surface may be shaped identically to the concave bearing surface  210  on the top surface  204   e . In the present example, the concave bearing surface  210  is substantially elliptical in shape. Other shapes are contemplated as well. For example, instead of being elliptical in shape, the concave bearing surface  210  may be circular or may have some other configuration. 
         [0051]    The nose  203  also includes a hole  206  that extends from the side surface  204   h  to the opposing side surface (not shown in this perspective). In this implementation, the hole  206  is formed in the intermediate portion  209  of the nose  203 . The hole  206  is sized and shaped to receive a locking pin. In the present example, the hole  206  is positioned forward of the concave bearing surface  210 . In other words, at least a portion of the concave bearing surface  210  is positioned rearward of the hole  206 . In some examples, the entire concave bearing surface  210  may be positioned rearward of the hole  206 . In other implementations, the hole  206  extends only partially through the nose  203 . A corresponding hole  206  may be formed in the opposing side of the nose  203 . In these implementations, two separate locking pins may be used to secure the wear member  104  to the adapter  102  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0052]    The nose also includes torsion control surfaces  230   b ,  230   d . Torsion control surfaces  230   a ,  230   c  are illustrated in  FIGS. 4B and 6 . The torsion control features  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c , and  230   d  may be substantially planar surfaces that are outward facing and are sized and shaped to fit against corresponding surfaces within the cavity of the tooth, which will be described in further detail below. In the present example, the torsion control surfaces  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c ,  230   d  respectively intersect the angled surfaces  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c ,  204   d  of the rear portion  207 . Particularly, the torsion control surfaces  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c ,  230   d  intersect the angled surfaces  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c ,  204   d  near where such surfaces meet the vertical surfaces  204   f ,  204   h . In some examples, the torsion control surfaces  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c ,  230   d  may be flush with the vertical surfaces  204   f ,  204   h.    
         [0053]    In some examples, the angled surfaces of both the front surfaces  202  and the rear surfaces  204  may be bearing (or fit) surfaces. Specifically, surfaces  202   a ,  202   b ,  202   c ,  202   d ,  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c ,  204   d  may be bearing surfaces. Additionally, the horizontal and top surfaces of the front surfaces  202  and the rear surfaces  204  may be non-bearing (or non-fit) surfaces. Specifically, surfaces  202   e ,  202   f ,  202   g ,  202   h ,  204   e ,  204   f ,  204   g ,  204   h  may be non-bearing surfaces. Other combinations of bearing and non-bearing surfaces are contemplated as well. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are diagrams showing longitudinal cross-sectional views of a portion of the adapter  102 , showing the upper concave bearing surfaces  210  and a lower concave bearing surface  213 .  FIG. 3B  in particular shows the bearing surface portion  213  in the bottom surface  204   g  of the nose of the adapter  102 . In some embodiments, the top surface  204   e  and the bottom surface  204   g  may both be fit surfaces. In such a case, other surfaces, such as the side surfaces or angled surfaces may be either fit or non-fit surfaces. For example, it may be the case that all angled surfaces are non-fit surfaces while the top, bottom, and side surfaces are fit surfaces. As indicated above, some implementations of the concave bearing surface  210  bridge the intersection of the upper facing surface  216   a  and the top surface  204   e . In such implementations, the upper facing surface  216   a  may be a non-fit surface, while the concave bearing surface  210  forms a fit surface. In some examples, the concave surfaces  210 ,  213  may be non-bearing surfaces. In such examples, various combinations of the horizontal, vertical, and angled surfaces may be fit surfaces, and in some instances, only the angled surfaces are fit surfaces. It may be the case that all surfaces are fit surfaces. Other combinations of fit and non-fit surfaces are contemplated. For example, the angled surfaces may be fit surfaces while the horizontal and vertical surfaces are non-fit surfaces in a manner similar to that described below in the text accompanying  FIGS. 11A-16D . 
         [0055]    The bottom concave bearing surface  213  may be substantially identical to the top concave bearing surface portion  210 . In some examples, the position and shape of the bottom concave bearing surface portion  213  may mirror the position and shape of the top concave bearing surface portion  210 . Accordingly, similar to the arrangement described above, the bottom concave bearing surface  213  may bridge the intersection of the lower facing surface  216   b  and the bottom surface  204   g . In such implementations, the bottom facing surface  216   b  may be a non-fit surface, while the lower concave bearing surface  213  forms a fit surface. In some examples, the bottom concave bearing surface portion  213  may be longitudinally offset from the top concave bearing surface portion  210 . For example, the bottom concave bearing surface portion  213  may be closer or farther from the front of the nose than the top concave bearing surface portion  210 . 
         [0056]    The concave bearing surface portions  210 ,  213  in this implementation are formed as indents that have smooth rounded surfaces as the shape transitions from the concave surface to the flat upper surface  204   e . The indentation provides lateral stability to the rear of the wear member  104  when subjected to loading during use. In addition, when vertical loads are directed onto the leading tip of the wear member  104 , the indentation distributes the load at the rear portion of the wear member and the load is transferred through the concave bearing surface portions  210 ,  213  to the adapter (or an intermediate adapter if so equipped). In addition, the load bearing concave surface portions  210 ,  213  provide a smooth surface, with curved sides that aid in lateral stability. Accordingly, lateral loads at the leading tip of the wear member  104  that result in opposite loads at the end of the wear member may be alleviated to some extent by the curved lateral sides of the concave bearing surface portions  210 ,  213 . As can be seen, the indentations are formed on the top surface  204   e  that is longitudinally angled so as to face the leading end surface  220  of the adapter  102 . Accordingly, corresponding protrusions on the inner surface of the wear member  104  may fit directly into the indented bearing surface portion  210  and  213 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are diagrams showing transverse cross-sectional views of the concave bearing surface portions  210 ,  213  in the adapter  102 .  FIGS. 4A and 4B  also show each of the rear surfaces  204 . Specifically,  FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate upwardly facing top surface  204   e , outwardly facing side surfaces  204   f ,  204   h , and downwardly facing bottom surface  204   g .  FIGS. 4A and 4B  also illustrate outwardly facing angled surfaces  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c ,  204   d . In the exemplary implementation shown, the concave bearing surface portions  210 ,  213  are formed in the rear portion  207  only in the upwardly facing top surface  204   e  and the downwardly facing bottom surface  204   g , while the outwardly facing side surfaces  204   f ,  204   h  and the outwardly facing angled surfaces  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c ,  204   d  are all formed to be relatively planar. This may provide additional fit surface support for vertical loading on a supported tooth  104 , while providing standard support for horizontal or side to side loading. 
         [0058]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the nose  203  of the adapter  102 . The concave bearing surface portion  210  is shown extending into and across the intersection of the upper facing surface  216   a  and the top surface  204   e . In some examples, the transverse width  504  of the concave bearing surface portion  210  may be within a range of about 60-80 percent of the transverse width  508  of the top surface  204   e . In some examples, the transverse width  504  of the concave bearing surface portion  210  may be about 70% of the transverse width  508  of the top surface  204   e . The longitudinal length  502  of the concave bearing surface portion  210  may be similar to the transverse width  504  of the concave bearing surface portion  210 . In some examples, the longitudinal length  502  of the concave bearing surface portion  210  may be within a range of about 0-50 percent larger than the transverse width  504 . The concave bearing surface portion  210  may be sized to provide stability and increase the surface area of the top surface  204   e  while minimizing weakening of the adapter  102  through stress risers. Accordingly, the depth of the indented bearing surface portion may be selected to provide the necessary balance of stability and strength. In some implementations, the depth of the bearing surface portion is selected to be within a range of about 0.1 inch to about 0.625 inch, although other depths are contemplated. 
         [0059]      FIG. 6  is a front, slightly tilted view of the adapter  102  with the concave bearing surface portion  210 .  FIG. 6  also illustrates top surface  204   e  and top surface  202   e , and the top surface  216   a .  FIG. 6  also illustrates rear angled surfaces  204   a ,  204   b , front angled surfaces  202   a ,  202   b , and intermediate non-bearing surfaces  216   c  and  216   f.    
         [0060]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the wear member  104  that includes protrusions extending from inner surfaces of the cavity. The wear member  104  may also be referred to as a hollow ground-engaging wear member. Although the wear member  104  may also be referred to as a tooth, the wear member  104  may also form an intermediate adapter or other wear member configured to be supported by or to support other wear members. The wear member  104  includes a leading end  708  at the front end  701  of the wear member. The leading end  708  is arranged to engage or penetrate the ground, and may generally be referred to as the working end. The wear member  104  also includes a rear end, which has a cavity (shown in cross-section in  FIG. 7B ) that is sized and shaped to receive the nose  203  of the adapter  102 . 
         [0061]    In the present example, the side  709  of the wear member  104  includes a hole  711  that is sized and shaped to receive the locking pin  106  ( FIG. 1 ). In some implementations, the opposing side of the wear member  104  may include a similar hole. The hole  711  may be positioned such that when the wear member  104  is properly set on the nose  203 , the hole  711  is aligned with the hole  206  of the adapter  102 . Thus, the locking pin  106  may be inserted through both holes  206 ,  711  and set so as to hold the wear member  104  on the adapter  102 . 
         [0062]    In the present example, the wear member  104  includes a wear indicator  731 . The wear indicator  731  may be a divot or indentation in the wear member  104  that indicates to an operator when the wear member  104  should be replaced. Specifically, the wear member  104  wears as it is used for digging operations. When it wears to a point where the bottom of the wear indicator  731  is flush with the rest of the wear member  104 , then this indicates to an operator that it is time to replace the wear member  104 . The wear indicator  731  may be sized and shaped so that it has a depth associated with an expected amount of wear before the wear member  104  should be replaced. This expected amount of wear may be based on historical data that represents the manner in which the wear member  104  wears during normal operations. The wear indicator  731  may be positioned in other places on the wear member  104  as well. 
         [0063]      FIG. 7B  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the wear member  104  showing an upper protrusion  706  and a lower protrusion  707  arranged to correspond to the concave bearing surfaces  210 ,  213  on the adapter  102 . The wear member  104  includes the leading end  708  and a rear end  703 . A cavity  702  is formed in the rear end  703 , extending longitudinally inward from the rear end  703 . The cavity  702  opens to the rear of the wear member  104  and is shaped and sized to fit over the nose  203  of the adapter  102 . 
         [0064]    In some implementations, the cavity  702  is shaped to have surfaces corresponding with the various surfaces of the nose  203 . In some implementations, since not all surfaces are fit surfaces, only the fit surfaces of the cavity  702  and the nose  203  have the same shape. That is, the cavity  702  may be contoured so that fit surfaces of the cavity  702  match fit surfaces of the adapter  102 . Because of this, the descriptions applied herein relating to outer surfaces of the nose  203  are equally applicable to inner surfaces of the cavity  702  of the wear member  104 . Similar to the nose  203 , the cavity  702  includes a front portion  720 , a rear portion  722 , and an intermediate portion  724 . The cavity  702  also includes a longitudinal axis  718  that in this implementation is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the wear member  104 . A transverse axis  719  ( FIGS. 7A and 10 ) extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  718  and is arranged to lie substantially parallel to a leading end of a bucket lip. 
         [0065]    According to the present example, the cavity  702  includes a front portion  720 , an intermediate portion  724 , and a rear portion  722 . The front portion  720  includes a plurality of substantially planar inwardly facing surfaces  721   a ,  721   b ,  721   e ,  721   f ,  721   g  in an octagonal shape (not all eight surfaces are shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 7B ). These surfaces  721   a ,  721   b ,  721   e ,  721   f ,  721   g  may correspond to some of the outwardly facing surfaces  202  of the front portion  205  of the adapter  102 . As described above, some surfaces  202  of the front portion  205  may be fit surfaces while some may be non-fit surfaces. The fit surfaces of the adapter  102  may fit with the fit surfaces of the cavity  702  while the non-fit surfaces of the adapter  102  may have slightly different shapes than the non-fit surfaces of the cavity  702  or may be offset from the non-fit surfaces of the cavity  702 . 
         [0066]    The intermediate portion  724  includes a plurality of substantially planar inwardly facing surfaces  723   a ,  723   b ,  723   e ,  723   f ,  723   g  (not all surfaces are shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 7B ). These surfaces  723   a ,  723   b ,  723   e ,  723   f ,  723   g  may correspond to some of the outwardly facing surfaces  216  of the intermediate portion  209  of the adapter  102 . Specifically, the fit surfaces of the adapter  102  may fit with the fit surfaces of the cavity  702  while the non-fit surfaces of the adapter  102  may have slightly different shapes than the non-fit surfaces of the cavity  702  or may be offset from the non-fit surfaces of the cavity  702 . 
         [0067]    The rear portion  722  includes a plurality of substantially planar inwardly facing surfaces  704   a ,  704   b ,  704   c ,  704   d ,  704   e ,  704   f ,  704   g    704   h  in an octagonal shape (some surfaces are better shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B ). These surfaces include an upper inner surface  704   e  and a lower inner surface  704   g  (which are vertically separated, horizontally separated side surfaces  704   f ,  704   h , upper angled inner surfaces  704   a ,  704   c , and lower angled inner surfaces  704   b ,  704   g . These surfaces  704   a ,  704   b ,  704   c ,  704   d ,  704   e ,  704   f ,  704   g    704   h  may correspond to the outwardly facing surfaces  204  of the front portion  207  of the adapter  102 . Specifically, the fit surfaces of the adapter  102  may fit with the fit surfaces of the cavity  702  while the non-fit surfaces of the adapter  102  may have slightly different shapes than the non-fit surfaces of the cavity  702  or may be offset from the non-fit surfaces of the cavity  702 . 
         [0068]    The cavity  702  includes an upper inward facing surface  704   e  that is designed to fit with the upward facing surface  204   e  of the nose  203 . In some implementations, the upper inward facing surface  204   e  may be substantially planar. The upper inward facing surface  704   e  also includes an upper protrusion  706  extending therefrom. The upper protrusion  706  may also be described as an inwardly protruding bearing surface portion  706  since it protrudes inwardly toward a longitudinal axis  718  of the wear member  104  and the cavity  702 . The upper inwardly protruding bearing surface portion  706  is sized and shaped to fit with the concave bearing surface portion  210  of the nose  203 . Similarly, the cavity includes a lower inward facing surface  704   g  that is designed to fit with the downward facing surface  204   g  of the nose  203 . The lower inward facing surface  704   g  also includes an inwardly protruding bearing surface portion  707 . The cavity also includes other surfaces that correspond to the surfaces  202 ,  204  of the nose  203 . The inwardly bearing surface portions  706 ,  707  are convex and are arranged to support vertically imposed loads at the leading end. 
         [0069]    The protrusions  706 ,  707  may be centrally located on their respective surfaces  704   e ,  704   g . Thus, the protrusions  706 ,  707  may be circumscribed by planar portions of surfaces  704   e ,  704   g . Additionally, the protrusions  706 ,  707  may be laterally offset from each other if the corresponding concave bearing surface portions  210 ,  213  of the nose  203  are offset from each other. Both the upper protrusion  706  and the lower protrusion  706  may form a cross-sectional arc having tangents at oblique angles. In some examples, there may be only a single protrusion  706  on the upper surface  704  and only a single protrusion  707  on the lower surface  704   g . In some examples, however, there may be additional protrusions on each surface  704   e ,  704   g.    
         [0070]    In the present example, the surfaces of the protrusions  706 ,  707  may act as bearing surfaces against the bearing surface portions  210 ,  213  of the adapter nose  203 . Thus, the interference features that comprise the protrusions  706 ,  707  and the bearing surface portions  210 ,  213  may provide additional support for loads in various directions. Furthermore, by their curved nature, the protrusions and indentations provide lateral stability as well as act as vertical bearing surfaces. 
         [0071]    The cavity  702  may also include a hole  725  that aligns with hole  206  when the wear member  104  is placed on the adapter  102 . Such alignment allows for the locking pin to be inserted therethrough. In some examples, the wear member  104  may include a single hole on one side of the cavity and in some examples, the wear member  104  may include two holes, one on each side of the cavity  702 . 
         [0072]    The cavity  702  also includes inward facing torsion control surfaces  727   a ,  727   c . Torsion control surfaces  727   b ,  727   d  are shown in  FIG. 10 . The inward facing torsion control surfaces  727   a ,  727   b ,  727   c ,  727   d  are sized and shaped to fit against the outward facing torsion control features  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c ,  230   d  of the adapter nose. 
         [0073]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are transverse cross-sectional views of the tooth with the protrusion.  FIG. 8  illustrates vertically separated opposing inner walls  704   e ,  704   g , which correspond to walls  204   e ,  204   g  of the nose  203 .  FIG. 8  also illustrates horizontally separated opposing inner walls  704   f ,  804   h , which correspond to walls  204   f ,  204   h  of the nose  203 .  FIG. 8  also illustrates the transversely angled inward facing walls  704   a ,  704   b ,  704   c ,  704   d  that correspond to outward facing transversely angled walls  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c ,  204   d  of the nose  203 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 10  is a rear view of the tooth looking into the cavity  702 . Looking into the cavity, the surfaces  721   a ,  721   b ,  721   c ,  721   d ,  721   e ,  721   f ,  721   g ,  721   h  of the front portion  720  of the cavity  702  can be seen. Additionally, the surfaces  723   a ,  723   b ,  723   c ,  723   d ,  723   e ,  723   f ,  723   g ,  723   h  of the intermediate portion  724  of the cavity  702  can be seen. Furthermore, surfaces  704   a ,  704   b ,  704   c ,  704   d ,  704   e ,  704   g  as well as the protrusions  706 ,  707  may be seen. 
         [0075]    While the concave bearing surface portions  210 ,  213  and protrusions  706 ,  707  are substantially elliptical in shape, some embodiments may have polygonal shaped bearing surface portions and protrusions. In some examples, the bearing surface portions may be placed in the side surface near or adjacent the holes  206 ,  711  through which the lock pin is inserted. Because the protrusions  706 ,  707  are sized and shaped to match the size and shape of the concave bearing surface portions, the description of either one applies equally to the other. 
         [0076]    Although the indentations are described on the adapter  102  and the protrusions are described on inner surfaces of the wear member  104 , it should be noted that some implementations are oppositely arranged to have the protrusion on the adapter  102  and the indentations on the wear member  104 . 
         [0077]    The present disclosure is also directed to an earth engaging wear member assembly that includes an adapter nose securable to a bucket lip and a tooth. The nose includes angled bearing surfaces arranged to be received into a cavity of the tooth. The cavity includes bearing surfaces that correspond with and engage the bearing surfaces of the nose. According to some examples, the adapter nose may include a forward portion at the distal end of the nose and a rear portion at the proximal end of the nose. The rear portion may include eight substantially planar surfaces that converge towards the longitudinal axis of the nose. The forward portion also may include eight substantially planar surfaces that converge towards the longitudinal axis of the nose, but at a shallower angle. In some implementations, both the forward portion and the rear portion thus have substantially octagonal-shaped cross-sections. In some implementations, in the rear portion, the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the octagonal-shaped cross-section may be non-bearing surfaces and the angled surfaces (e.g., the non-horizontal and non-vertical surfaces) may be bearing surfaces. In the forward portion the angled surfaces may be bearing surfaces as well. 
         [0078]      FIG. 11A  is an exploded perspective view of an earth engaging wear member assembly  10 . According to the present example, the wear member assembly  10  includes a nose  1100  and a wear member  1200 . An exemplary implementation of the wear member  1200  is a tooth  1200 . In another implementation, the wear member  1200  is an intermediate adapter. Other wear members are contemplated. The nose  1100  includes a forward portion  1124  and a rear portion  1122 . In the example shown, the nose  1100  extends from a base structure that is shown as a block but represents any additional attachment structure that make support the nose including a bucket receiving portion having bifurcated adapter legs, similar to the adapter  102  in  FIG. 1 . In some implementations, the nose is securable to a bucket lip of an excavator. The nose may form a part of an adapter or an intermediate adapter, and may also be referred to herein as a support structure since it provides stabilizing support to an additional component, which in this implementation is the tooth  1200 . The nose  1100  also includes a hole  12  for receiving a locking pin. In the present example, the nose includes torsion control features  18 . The tooth  1200  also includes a hole  14  through which the locking pin can be inserted. Since any of a number of known locking pins may be employed here, details of the locking pin are not included. The tooth  1200  also includes a rear facing cavity (not shown in  FIG. 11A ) and a ground engaging end as a leading end  16 . An axis  1105  extends through the wear member assembly  10 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 11B  shows a view of the nose  1100  looking along the longitudinal axis  1105  of the nose  1100 .  FIG. 11C  shows a side view of the nose  1100 , looking along a transverse axis  1107 . The transverse axis  1107  is aligned in a position that would run parallel to an edge of the bucket lip (not shown), As described above, the nose  1100  may be secured to a bucket lip and includes a forward portion  1124  and a rear portion  1122 . The rear portion  1122  includes a set of eight substantially planar surfaces. Particularly the set includes a subset having a top surface  1108   a  and a bottom surface  1108   b , a subset of two side surfaces  1106   a ,  1106   b , and a subset of four angled surfaces  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c ,  1110   d . The top and bottom surfaces may be referred to as horizontal surfaces and the side surfaces may be referred to as vertical surfaces because such surfaces are horizontal and vertical in cross-section. The four angled surfaces  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c ,  1110   d  may be bearing surfaces arranged to contact and interface with surfaces of the tooth  1200 . Because each bearing surface is angled, each bearing surface is able to resist both horizontal and vertical loading. The angled surfaces may also be referred to as diagonal or oblique surfaces. Both the horizontal surfaces  1108   a ,  1108   b  and the vertical surfaces  1106   a ,  1106   b  may be non-bearing surfaces. 
         [0080]    In this exemplary implementation, each of the eight substantially planar surfaces converges towards the longitudinal axis  1105  of the nose  1100 . In some examples, the angle of the eight substantially planar surfaces with respect to the longitudinal axis  1105  may be within a range of about 5-25 degrees. In some examples, the angle may be within a range of about 8-15 degrees. Other ranges are contemplated as well. In this implementation, the top and bottom surfaces  1108   a ,  1108   b  may be wider than the side surfaces  1106   a ,  1106   b . Thus, the octagon-shaped cross-section may be different in width  1132  than in height  1134 . This helps with torsion control and stability. 
         [0081]    In the exemplary implementation shown, the forward portion  1124  also includes a set of eight substantially planar surfaces. Particularly the set includes a subset having a top surface  1114   a  and a bottom surface  1114   b , a subset of two side surfaces  1112   a ,  1112   b , and a subset of four angled surfaces  1116   a ,  1116   b ,  1116   c ,  1116   d . The four angled surfaces  1116   a ,  1116   b ,  1116   c ,  1116   d  may be bearing surfaces arranged to contact and interface with surfaces of the tooth  1200 . Because each bearing surface is angled, each bearing surface is able to resist both horizontal and vertical loading. The top and bottom surfaces  1114   a ,  1114   b  may also be non-bearing surfaces. In some examples, the side surfaces  1112   a ,  1112   b  may be bearing surfaces. In some examples, however, the side surfaces  1112   a ,  1112   b  may be non-bearing surfaces. In some implementations, the non-bearing surfaces of the front portion or  1124  or the rear portion  1122  may not be substantially planar. 
         [0082]    In some implementations, each of the eight substantially planar surfaces of the forward portion  1124  converges towards the longitudinal axis  1105  of the nose  1100  but at an angle that is shallower than the angle at which the eight substantially planar surfaces of the rear portion  1122  converge towards the longitudinal axis  1105 . In some examples, the angle of the eight substantially planar surfaces of the forward portion  1124  with respect to the longitudinal axis  1105  may be within a range of about 0-15 degrees. In some examples, the angle may be within a range of about 1-8 degrees. Additionally, the top and bottom surfaces  1114   a ,  1114   b  may be wider than the side services  1112   a ,  1112   b . Thus, the octagon-shaped cross-section is different in width  1132  than it is in height  1134 . This also helps with stability and torsion control. In some examples, the ratio of top or bottom surface width to side surface width is different in the forward portion  1124  than it is in the rear portion  1122 . For example, the ratio of top or bottom surface width to side surface width may be greater in the forward portion  1124  than it is in the rear portion  1122 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 12A  shows a view of the tooth  1200  looking into the cavity  1205 .  FIG. 12B  is a cross-sectional view of the tooth  1200  along the longitudinal axis  1105 , taken along lines  12 B- 12 B in  FIG. 12A . The cavity  1205  is formed in the rear end  1209  of the tooth  1200 , extending longitudinally inward from the rear end  1204 . The cavity  1205  has bearing surfaces that correspond to and interface with the bearing surfaces of the nose  1100 . It also has reference longitudinal axis  1105  and transverse axis  1107 . The cavity  1205  also includes a front portion  1224  and a rear portion  1222 . The rear portion  1222  includes a set of eight substantially planar surfaces. Accordingly, in this exemplary implementation, the set of substantially planar surfaces includes a subset of having a top surface  1208   a  and a bottom surface  1208   b , a subset of two side surfaces  1206   a ,  1206   b , and a subset of four angled surfaces  1210   a ,  1210   b ,  1210   c ,  1210   d . The four angled surfaces  1210   a ,  1210   b ,  1210   c ,  1210   d  may be bearing surfaces. Because each bearing surface is angled, each bearing surface is able to resist both horizontal and vertical loading that may be applied to the tooth  1200  during use. Both the top and bottom surfaces  1208   a ,  1208   b  and the side surfaces  1206   a ,  1206   b  may be non-bearing surfaces. In some examples, the non-bearing surfaces may not be substantially planar. For example, the non-bearing surfaces may be curved. 
         [0084]    The forward portion  1224  also includes a forward set of eight substantially planar surfaces. Particularly the forward set includes a subset having a top  1214   a  surface and a bottom surface  1214   b , a subset of two side surfaces  1212   a ,  1212   b , and a subset of four angled surfaces  1216   a ,  1216   b ,  1216   c ,  1216   d . The four angled surfaces  1216   a ,  1216   b ,  1216   c ,  1216   d  may be bearing surfaces. Again, because each bearing surface is angled, each bearing surface is able to resist both horizontal and vertical loading. The horizontal surfaces  1214   a ,  1214   b  may also be non-bearing surfaces. In some examples, the vertical surfaces  1212   a ,  1212   b  may be bearing surfaces. In some examples, however, the vertical surfaces  1212   a ,  1212   b  may be non-bearing surfaces. 
         [0085]    Referring now to  FIG. 11C , the nose  1100  includes a rear surface  1101  and a front octagonal-shaped abutment surface  1118 . The front abutment surface  1118  may have an octagonal shape. The front abutment surface  1118  may be a fit surface as it is designed to make contact with a front abutment surface  1218  of the cavity  1205  (shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B ). The front abutment surface  1218  of the cavity  1205  may also have an octagonal shape. The rear surface  1201  at the rear end  1109  of the tooth  1200  may or may not make contact with the rear surface  1101  of the nose  1100 . 
         [0086]    In some implementations, the nose  1100  and the tooth  1200  may be designed symmetrically so that the tooth can be rotated 180 degrees and still fit appropriately on the tooth. This allows the tooth  1200  to be flipped after a certain period of wear. The tooth  1200  may then continue to be used in the flipped position. This extends the life of the tooth  1200 . 
         [0087]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the nose  1100 . In addition to the substantially planar surfaces  1106   a ,  1106   b ,  1108   a ,  1108   b ,  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c ,  1110   d ,  1112   a ,  1112   b ,  1114   a ,  1114   b ,  1116   a ,  1116   b ,  1116   c ,  1116   d , both the forward portion  1124  and the rear portion  1122  may have curved surfaces positioned between the planar surfaces. In implementations having the rear surface  1101 , the nose  1100  may include surfaces  1302  disposed between and transitioning from the rear surface  1101  to the eight substantially planar surfaces  1106   a ,  1106   b ,  1108   a ,  1108   b ,  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c ,  1110   d  of the rear portion  1122 . The nose  1100  may also include elongated curved surfaces  1304  between adjacent edges of each of the planar surfaces  1106   a ,  1106   b ,  1108   a ,  1108   b ,  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c ,  1110   d ,  1112   a ,  1112   b ,  1114   a ,  1114   b ,  1116   a ,  1116   b ,  1116   c ,  1116   d  in both the forward portion  1124  and the rear portion  1122 . The nose  1100  may also include curved surfaces  1306  positioned between the planar surfaces  1106   a ,  1106   b ,  1108   a ,  1108   b ,  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c ,  1110   d  of the rear portion  1122  and the planar surfaces of the forward portion  1124 . The nose  1100  may also include curved surfaces  1308  positioned between the front abutment surface  1118  and the planar surfaces  1112   a ,  1112   b ,  1114   a ,  1114   b ,  1116   a ,  1116   b ,  1116   c ,  1116   d  of the forward portion  1124 . In some implementations, these curved surfaces may be fillets or rounds intended to minimize locational stress during use. The curved surfaces may also help provide clearance for the cavity of the wear member. 
         [0088]    In some examples, the cross-sectional width W 1  of the top and bottom non-bearing surfaces  1108   a ,  1108   b  is different at the distal end  1307  of the rear portion  1122  than the cross-sectional width W 3  at the proximal end  1305  of the rear portion  1122 . For example, the cross-sectional width W 1  of the top and bottom non-bearing surfaces  1108   a ,  1108   b  may be smaller at the distal end  1307  of the rear portion  1122  than the cross-sectional width W 3  at the proximal end  1305  of the rear portion  1122  or vice versa. Furthermore, the cross-sectional width W 2  of the bearing surfaces  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c , and  1110   d  at the distal end  1307  of the rear portion  1122  may be different than the cross-sectional width W 4  at the proximal end  1305 . For example, the cross-sectional width W 2  of the bearing surfaces  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c , and  1110   d  at the distal end  1307  of the rear portion  1122  may be smaller than the cross-sectional width W 4  at the proximal end  1305  or vice versa. Furthermore, the cross-sectional width W 1  of the top and bottom surfaces  1108   a ,  1108   b  at the distal end  1307  of the rear portion  1122  may be different than the cross-sectional width W 2  of the bearing surfaces  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c ,  1110   d  at the distal end  1307  of the rear portion  1122 . For example, the cross-sectional width W 1  of the top and bottom surfaces  1108   a ,  1108   b  at the distal end  1307  of the rear portion  1122  may be smaller than the cross-sectional width W 2  of the bearing surfaces  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c ,  1110   d  at the distal end  1307  of the rear portion  1122  or vice versa. Furthermore, the cross-sectional width W 3  of the top and bottom surfaces  1108   a ,  1108   b  at the proximal  1305  end of the rear portion  1122  may be different than the cross-sectional width W 4  of the bearing surfaces  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c ,  1110   d  at the proximal end  1305  of the rear portion  1122 . For example, the cross-sectional width W 3  of the top and bottom surfaces  1108   a ,  1108   b  at the proximal  1305  end of the rear portion  1122  may be greater than the cross-sectional width W 4  of the bearing surfaces  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c ,  1110   d  at the proximal end  1305  of the rear portion  1122  or vice versa. 
         [0089]      FIG. 14A  shows a view of an illustrative adapter nose  1400  with torsion control features  1402   a ,  1402   b ,  1402   c ,  1402   d  that resist torsional movement of the wear member  1200  with respect to the nose  1100 .  FIG. 14B  shows a side view of the adapter nose  1400  with torsion control features.  FIG. 14C  is a perspective view of the adapter nose  1400  with torsion control features.  FIG. 14D  is a top view of the adapter nose  1400  with torsion control features. In the exemplary implementation shown, the adapter nose  1400  includes the angled bearing surfaces described with reference to  FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 13 . For convenience, these bearing surfaces will not be described again with reference to  FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D . The torsion control features  1402   a ,  1402   b ,  1402   c ,  1402   d  comprise projections that extend from the nose  1400 . Each of the torsion control features includes a vertical, planar, outwardly facing surfaces  1404   a ,  1404   b ,  1404   c ,  1404   d . The torsion control features  1402   a ,  1402   b ,  1402   c ,  1402   d  are positioned near the rearward end of the adapter nose  1400 . The torsion control features  1402   a ,  1402   b ,  1402   c ,  1402   d  are also positioned such that the vertical surfaces  1404   a ,  1404   b ,  1404   c ,  1404   d  intersect the angled bearing surfaces  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c ,  1110   d  of the nose  1400 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14D , the vertical surfaces  1404   a ,  1402   b ,  1402   c ,  1404   d  are tapered towards the longitudinal axis. This allows the tooth  1200  to be removed from the nose  1100  more easily. 
         [0090]    As best seen in the side view of  FIG. 14B , the torsion control features  1402   a ,  1402   b ,  1402   c ,  1402   d  are contained within the boundary created by the planar surfaces  1108   a  and  1108   b . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the adapter nose  1400  includes torsion control features  1402   a ,  1402   b  disposed on an upper portion and includes torsion control features  1402   c ,  1402   d  disposed on a lower portion. In some implementations, the adapter nose  1400  includes torsion control features on only one of the upper portion or the lower portion. Also, in the implementation shown, the torsion control features  1402   a ,  1402   b  are shown vertically aligned with the torsion control features  1402   c ,  1402   d . In some implementations, the torsion control features are not vertically aligned. 
         [0091]      FIG. 15  is a diagram showing a tooth  1500  having a cavity  1505  designed to fit an adapter nose, such as the adapter nose  1400 , with torsion control features, such as the torsion control features  1402   a ,  1402   b ,  1402   c ,  1402   d . The cavity  1505  may include a number of pockets  1502   a ,  1502   b ,  1502   c ,  1502   d . The pockets  1502   a ,  1502   b ,  1502   c ,  1502   d  may be designed to receive the torsion control features  1402   a ,  1402   b ,  1402   c ,  1402   d  of the adapter nose  1400 . In the exemplary implementation shown, the pockets  1502   a ,  1502   b ,  1502   c ,  1502   d  include vertical, planar, inward-facing surfaces  1504   a ,  1504   b ,  1504   c ,  1504   d  that correspond to the vertical surfaces  1404   a ,  1404   b ,  1404   c ,  1404   d  of the adapter nose  1400 , Thus, the vertical surfaces  1404   a ,  1404   b ,  1404   c ,  1404   d  of the nose  1400  are designed to engage and interface with the vertical surfaces  1504   a ,  1504   b ,  1504   c ,  1504   d  of the tooth  1500  so as to resist twisting movement between the nose  1400  and the tooth  1500 . The tooth  1500  may have, as indicated with reference to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , planar bearing surfaces that interface with planar bearing surfaces on the adapter nose  1400 . 
         [0092]      FIG. 16A  shows a cross-section of the adapter nose  1100  orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (e.g.,  1105 ,  FIG. 11B ) in an assembled condition. Accordingly,  FIG. 16A  also illustrates the cross-section of the tooth  1200 . As illustrated, the angled bearing surfaces  1110   a ,  1110   b ,  1110   c ,  1110   d  of the nose  1100  fit against the angled bearing surfaces  1210   a ,  1210   b ,  1210   c ,  1210   d  of the tooth  1200 . These angled bearing surfaces minimize or prevent both vertical and lateral movement of the tooth  1200  relative to the adapter nose  1100 . In some examples, there may be a gap between the horizontal non-bearing surfaces  1108   a ,  1108   b  of the nose and the horizontal non-bearing surfaces  1208   a ,  1208   b  of the tooth  1200 . Likewise, there may be a gap between the vertical non-bearing surfaces  1106   a ,  1106   b  of the nose and the vertical non-bearing surfaces  1206   a ,  1206   b  of the tooth  1200 . In some examples, however, the non-bearing surfaces of both the nose  1100  and the tooth  1200  may make contact when the tooth  1200  is fit over the nose  1100 . Because of the angled bearing surfaces, both vertical and lateral movement may be minimized. 
         [0093]      FIG. 16B  shows a cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the adapter nose  1400  with torsion control features. As described above, the vertical surfaces  1404   a ,  1404   b ,  1404   c ,  1404   d  of the nose  1400  fit against the vertical surfaces  1504   a ,  1504   b ,  1504   c ,  1504   d  of the tooth  1500 . Thus, the torsion control features  1402   a ,  1402   b ,  1402   c ,  1402   d  are arranged to resist twisting movement and torsion between the nose  1400  and the tooth  1500 . This may help stabilize the tooth  1500  on the adapter nose  1400  during use. 
         [0094]      FIG. 16C  shows a cross-section of the forward portion of the adapter nose  1100 .  FIG. 16C  also illustrates the cross-section of the tooth  1200 . As illustrated, the angled bearing surfaces  1116   a ,  1116   b ,  1116   c ,  1116   d  of the nose  1100  fit against the angled bearing surfaces  1216   a ,  1216   b ,  1216   c ,  1216   d  of the tooth  1200 . In some examples, there may be a gap between the horizontal non-bearing surfaces  1114   a ,  1114   b  of the nose and the horizontal non-bearing surfaces  1214   a ,  1214   b  of the tooth  1200 . In the present example, the vertical surfaces  1112   a ,  1112   b  of the nose  1100  and the vertical surfaces  1212   a ,  1212   b  of the tooth  1200  are bearing surfaces and thus there is no gap between them. In some examples, however, there may be a gap between the vertical surfaces  1112   a ,  1112   b  of the nose  1100  and the vertical surfaces  1212   a ,  1212   b  of the tooth  1200 . In this exemplary implementation, the angled bearing surfaces  1116   c  and  1116   d  are adjacent to, but do not form a part of, a bottom surface  1114   b  of the adapter nose  1100 . This angled design may, in some instances, extend the useful life of the adapter nose  1100 . It is not uncommon during use for an operator to wear a bottom portion of a tooth away, inadvertently exposing and wearing a bottom surface of the adapter nose  1100 . In conventional systems utilizing a bottommost surface of an adapter nose as a bearing surface, such where may adversely affect the stability of a subsequent tooth placed on the adapter nose. A worn bearing surface may introduce wobble, further accelerating wear, and potentially permanently damaging the adapter nose. However, the exemplary implementation disclosed herein includes bearing surfaces on angled bottom surfaces, rather than a horizontal bottom surface. Because of this, if an operator inadvertently wears away a portion of a bottom surface of the adapter nose, the angled bearing surfaces may still provide stability to the tooth in both the horizontal and vertical directions. This may increase the useful life of the adapter nose because the tooth may be properly supported even with a worn bottom surface of the adapter nose. 
         [0095]      FIG. 16D  illustrates a cross-section of the adapter nose  1450  with offset torsion control features. For example, surface  1454   a  is offset from surface  1454   c . Similarly, surface  1454   b  is offset from surface  1454   d . The tooth  1550  includes corresponding surfaces  1554   a ,  1554   b ,  1554   c ,  1554   d . The offsets are such that the tooth  1550  can still be flipped upside down and fit on the nose  1450 . In other words, the tooth is engageable with the adapter nose  1450  in two rotational positions. 
         [0096]    Although described as having eight planar surfaces, some implementations of the adapter noses and the teeth described herein include four angled planar surfaces and less than four planar vertical or horizontal surfaces. In some implementations, the adapter noses and teeth described herein include a round or arcing outer surface connecting two adjacent planar angled surfaces. For example, some implementations do not include the side vertical, with rounds connecting the adjacent surfaces  106   a  and  1106   b . In these implementations, the surfaces  1106   a  and  1106   b  may be replaced with a round surface connecting planar bearing surfaces  1110   a  and  1110   c . The tooth may be formed to match. In some implementations, the adapter nose may be formed with eight planar surfaces, but the cavity of the tooth, such as cavity  1205 , may be formed with only six planar surfaces. In some examples, the vertical surfaces  1206   a  and  1206   b  described herein may be rounded, while the cavity  1205  may still be formed to engage and fit the planar angled bearing surfaces of the adapter nose. 
         [0097]    U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/441,756 filed Jan. 3, 2017 and entitled “Connector with Clamp Spring for an Earth Engaging Wear Member Assembly” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/335,424 filed May 12, 2016 and entitled “Fastener for a Wear Member Assembly,” are hereby incorporated by reference in the entirety. 
         [0098]    Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the implementations encompassed by the present disclosure are not limited to the particular exemplary implementations described above. In that regard, although illustrative implementations have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change, combination, and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. It is understood that such variations may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the present disclosure.