Patent Publication Number: US-2007101622-A1

Title: Edge protector assembly for bucket assembly

Description:
RELATION TO OTHER PATENT APPLICATION  
      This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/924,393, filed Aug. 24, 2004, with the same title, now U.S. patent Ser. No. ______. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present disclosure relates generally to bucket assemblies used with machines, and more specifically to edge protector assemblies for the bucket assemblies.  
     BACKGROUND  
      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, an edge protector for use with a bucket includes an edge protector with a wear surface contiguous with a back surface, a front surface, a lower surface, and an upper surface. The edge protector includes a tapered male mating segment with a fastener receiving bore therethrough. The lower and upper surfaces of the edge protector are parallel to each other.  
      In another aspect, an edge protector assembly includes an edge protector with a wear surface contiguous with a back surface, a front surface, a lower surface and an upper surface. The edge protector includes a tapered male mating segment with a fastener receiving bore therethrough. A connector bracket includes a bucket contact surface, a tapered female mating segment with a fastener receiving bore therethrough and sized for mating to the tapered male mating segment of the edge protector. A fastener assembly that includes a nut and a bolt clamps the mating portions together.  
      In still another aspect, a method of protecting an edge of a bucket includes attaching a connector bracket to a side of the bucket. The edge protector is positioned on the connector bracket by mating a tapered female segment to a tapered male segment. A bolt is advanced through the male and female tapered segments. The tapered segments are clamped together by attaching a nut to the bolt. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of a bucket assembly, according to the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 2   a  is a partial perspective diagrammatic view of an outer surface of an edge protector assembly attached to the bucket assembly of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 2   b  is a partial perspective diagrammatic view of an inner surface of the edge protector assembly attached to the bucket assembly of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional top diagrammatic representation of the edge protector assembly attached to the bucket assembly of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side diagrammatic representation of the edge protector assembly, according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 5  is an exploded diagrammatic view of a connector and fastener assembly of the edge protector assembly of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 6  is an exploded diagrammatic view of a connector and fastener assembly of an edge protector assembly, according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 7   a  is an isometric diagrammatic view of an edge protector included within an edge protector assembly, according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 7   b  is an isometric cross-sectional view of the edge protector of  FIG. 7   a  mated to a connector;  
       FIG. 8  is an isometric diagrammatic view of the connector of  FIG. 7   b;    
       FIG. 9  is an isometric diagrammatic view of a fastener assembly mated to a connector, according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;  
       FIG. 10  is an isometric diagrammatic view of a bucket assembly according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure; and  
       FIG. 11  is a sectioned view of the edge protector assembly of  FIG. 10 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a diagrammatic representation of a bucket assembly  10 , according to the present disclosure. The bucket assembly  10  is designed as a machine implement for use with various 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 assembly  10  includes a bucket  11  that is defined, in part, by two identical sides  47  separated from one another by a middle section  13 . Identical side bars  12  are attached to both sides  47 . The middle section  13  may be formed from one piece of material or several pieces welded to one another. The side bars  12  and middle section  13  are generally made from a relatively strong material, such as steel plate. Teeth can be attached across a front of the middle section  13  and the side bars  12  in order to help penetrate the material being loaded and moved. Each side bar  12  includes a width  12   a . The present disclosure contemplates side bars  12  of various widths, including, but not limited to, side bars up to and exceeding three inches thick. Each side bar  12  includes an inner side wall surface  14  with an edge  15 . Identical edge protector assemblies  16  are attached to each edge  15  of the side wall surfaces  14  by at least two connector brackets  17 . Each edge protector assembly  16  is attached to the edge  15  at a position where the bucket  11  repeatedly penetrates material and debris, and can be made from the same or different material than the side bars  12 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 2   a , there is shown a side view of an outer surface  16   a  of the edge protector assembly  16  attached to the bucket assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 . Although the present disclosure will be discussed for one edge protector assembly  16 , it should be appreciated that the discussion can apply to both edge protector assemblies. The edge protector assemblies  16  are identical to one another, and thus, can be switched between the two side bars  12 . The edge protector assembly  16  includes an edge protector  18  secured to the connector brackets  17  via fastener assemblies  19 . The connector brackets  17  can be attached to the side bars  12  in various ways, but preferably are welded to an outside surface of the side bars  12  via the single flange  20 . Although the present disclosure contemplates any number of connectors  17  per edge protector  18 , preferably there may be at least two connectors  17  in order to limit the movement of the edge protector  18  relative to the connectors  17 . The connectors  17  are illustrated as brackets. Although the brackets  17  are illustrated as including a single flange  20  and protective shield  21 , the present disclosure contemplates brackets without flanges or protective shields. The protective shield  21  is designed to protect from wear a portion of the fastener assembly  19  that extends past the edge protector assembly  16 . Although the edge protector  18  is 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 in  FIG. 7   a ).  
      Referring to  FIG. 2   b , there is shown a side view of an inner surface  16   b  of the edge protector assembly  16  attached to the bucket assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, the side bar  12  includes a corner  48  attached to the front of the bucket assembly  10  that includes the teeth. It is known in the art to attach a corner protector  49  onto the edge  15  of the corner  48  in order to protect the corner  48  when penetrating material and debris. In the illustrated embodiment, the edge  15  includes a front portion  50  that is serrated and mates with a corresponding serrated surface  51  of the protector  49 , and a top portion  53 . The edge protector assembly  16  preferably includes a tooth  52  that mates under a protrusion  54  of the corner protector  49  that extends over and protects the top portion  53  of the edge  15 . Because the tooth  52  fits against the protrusion  54  of the corner protector  49 , the corner protector  49  can share a side load with the edge protector assembly  16 . The load can be transferred between the edge protector assembly  16  and the corner protector  49 . It should be appreciated that the present invention contemplates the use of the tooth  52  with straight edge protector assemblies as shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b.    
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a partial cross-sectional top diagrammatic representation of the edge protector assembly  16  attached to the bucket assembly  10  of  FIG. 2 . The edge protector assembly  16  includes an overhang area  22  extending from the side wall surface  14  into the bucket  11 , a protection portion (not shown) covering a protection area  25  of the edge  15 , and an outer area  24  extending from an outer surface of the side bar  12  away from the bucket  11 . In all embodiments, the inner overhang area  22  is between zero (flush) and one half of the protection area  25  of the edge  15 . Although the inner overhang area  22  is illustrated as being one half of the protection area  25 , preferably, the inner overhang area of the edge protector assembly  16  is zero percent of the protection area  25 , meaning that the edge protector assembly  16  is flush with the surface side wall  14  and there is no inner overhang. Although the outer area  24  is also illustrated as one half of the protection area  25 , 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 width  12   a  of the side bar  12 , the more likely the edge protector assembly  16  will be flush with the side wall surface  14 . The greater width can provide more room for the brackets  17  that must be sufficiently thick to mate with and support the edge protector  18 . For instance, the present disclosure contemplates the edge protector assembly (as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 ) being flush with the side wall surface  14  when 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 bars  12 , similar to the side bars of wheel loaders, the edge protector assembly  18  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) can include up to the inner overhang area  22  that is one half of the protection area  25 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a cross-sectional side diagrammatic representation of the edge protector assembly  16 , according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Although the section is through one bracket  17 , it should be appreciated that the section through all of the brackets  17  mated to the edge protector  18  are identical. The bracket  17  includes a first or female mating portion  26  that is mated to a second or male mating portion  27  of the edge protector  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, there are as many second mating portions  27  as there are brackets  17 . However, it should be appreciated that the edge protector could include only one second mating portion extending between brackets. Although the first mating portion  26  of the bracket  17  includes a tapered cavity  29  and the second mating portion  27  includes a protrusion  30  with a tapered section  31  corresponding to the tapered cavity  29 , it should be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates the brackets including protrusions or male mating portion(s) and the edge protector including the tapered cavity or female mating portion(s) for receiving the protrusion. The tapered cavity  29  of the bracket  17  and the tapered section  31  of the protrusion  30  preferably include identical taper angles  32 . The identical taper angles  32  provide an increased contact surface area at an interface  28  between the bracket  17  and the edge protector  18 , thereby reducing stress at the interface  28  caused by loads acting on the assembly  16  during operation by spreading loads over a larger contact area. Because of the close fit between the bracket  17  and the edge protector  18 , a side load (as illustrated by the arrow) acting on the edge protector  18  can transfer to the brackets  17  without shearing the fastener assembly  19 .  
      The fastener assembly  19  includes a fastener  33  extending through a bore  34  defend by the first and second mating portions  26  and  27 , and a barrel member  35  mated to the fastener  33 . The fastener  33  preferably includes a bolt that is mated to the barrel member  35 , which preferably includes a nut. An inner wall  36  of the bore  35  and an outer surface  37  of the bolt  33  define an annular clearance  38 . Thus, the bolt  33  is not in contact with the edge protector  18 , thereby avoiding sheer loads on the bolt  33 . A load acting on a top of the edge protector  18  can be transferred to the side bar  12  through the brackets  12 , and not to the bolt  33 . Thus, the protector  16  and the bracket  17 , and not the bolt  33 , will wear. When secured, the fastener assembly  19  acts to clamp the protrusion  27  in the cavity  29 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown an exploded view of the bracket  17  and the fastener assembly  19  of  FIG. 4 . Although the disclosure is described for one bracket  17  and fastener assembly  19 , 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 bracket  17  is mated to the edge protector  18 , the protrusion  27  of the edge protector  18  is aligned in the tapered cavity  29  of the bracket  17 . The fastener assembly  19  includes a rotational locking feature  39  that is operable to prohibit rotation of one of the bolt  33  and the nut  35  relative to the brackets  17 . According to the first embodiment, the rotational locking feature  39  prohibits the rotation of the bolt  33  via an interaction between the bolt  33  and the bracket  17 . The portion of the bore  34  defined by the bracket  17  includes a receiving bore  40  and a counter bore  41 . The receiving bore  40  includes a square receiving portion  43  with a rotation stopping surface  42  and that accepts a correspondingly square shaped shoulder  44  of the bolt  33 . The bolt  33  is illustrated a conventional plow bolt which includes the square shaped shoulder  44  below a head  45  of the bolt  33 . A contact surface  46  of the square shoulder  44  of the plow bolt  33  mates with the rotation stopping surface  42  within the receiving bore  40 . Thus, one individual can mate the nut  35  to the bolt  33  with the use of a single tightening tool to rotate nut  35  while bolt  33  remains stationary. A second tool used to prevent the bolt  33  from rotating is not necessary. The plow bolt head  45  is flush with the edge protector  18  and bracket  17  when secured.  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown an exploded view of the bracket  17  and a fastener assembly  119 . It should be appreciated that when the bracket  17  is mated to the edge protector  18 , the protrusion  30  of the edge protector  18  is aligned in the tapered cavity  29  of the bracket  17 . The fastener assembly  119  of the second embodiment is similar to the fastener assembly  19  of the first embodiment in that a plow bolt  133  with the square shaped shoulder  44  is received into the receiving bore  40 . However, a nut of the fastener assembly  119  is not a conventional nut, but includes a threaded retainer  135  that includes a threaded bore  135   a . The threaded retainer  135  is received into the counter bore  41  defined by the bracket  17 , and a head  135   b  rests on a retainer shoulder within the bore  41 . The head  135   b  of the retainer  135  is flush with the edge protector  18  and defines a drive feature (not shown) to enable the flush retainer  135  to be rotated via a suitable tool. Thus, the fastener assembly  119  is flush with both sides of the bracket  17  when secured. The retainer  135  extends partially through the portion of the bore  34  defined by the edge protector  18  (not shown). A threaded portion  149  of the plow bolt  133  is operable to mate with the threaded bore  135   a  of the retainer  135  within the portion of the bore  34  defined by the edge protector  18  (not shown) in order to secure the edge protector  18  to the bracket  17 . Just as in the first embodiment, the contact surface  46  of the bolt shoulder  44  mates with the rotation stopping surface  42  within the receiving bore  40  in order to stop the rotation of the bolt  133 . A tool is used to rotate retainer  135  relative to bolt  133  to secure the same.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , there are shown a side view of the edge protector  218 , and a cross-sectional view of an edge protector  218  mated to bracket  217 , respectively, according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Whereas the second mating portion  27  of the edge protector  18  in the first and second embodiments includes the protrusion  30  with the tapered section  31 , a second mating portion  227  of the edge protector  218  in the third embodiment includes a tapered cavity  229  for each bracket  217 . The portion of the bore  233  defined by the edge protector  218  includes a receiving bore  240  and a counter bore  241 . The edge protector  218  is illustrated as curved and symmetrical with a first end  218   a  and a second end  218   b . Because both ends  218   a  and  218   b  of the edge protector  218  are identical, the edge protector  218  is 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 end  218   a  is positioned nearest the ground. In the second end wear position orientation, the second end  218   b  is positioned nearest the ground. During operation of the bucket assembly, it has been found that the end  218   a  or  218   b  nearest the ground is subjected to more wear than the end  218   a  or  218   b  farther from the ground. Thus, due to the symmetry of the edge protector  218 , when the end  218  or  218   b  nearest the ground wears, the edge protector  218  can be rotated rather than replaced. Moreover, due to the symmetry, the edge protectors  218  can be switched between side bars  12 . Not only does the symmetry extend the life of the edge protector  218 , it ensures proper attachment of the edge protectors  218  to the bucket assembly  10 . The curved edge protectors  218  are 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 to  FIG. 8 , there is shown an isometric view of the bracket  217 , according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. A first mating portion  226  of the bracket  217  includes a protrusion  230  with a tapered section  231  corresponding to the tapered cavities  229  of the edge protector  218  of  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b . Both the tapered section  231  of the protrusion  230  and the tapered cavities  229  include identical taper angles  232 , providing an increase contact surface area at an interface between the bracket  217  and the edge protector  218 . Although the bracket  217  is illustrated without a flange the bracket could include a flange. Without the flange, the edge protector  218  is flush with the bucket  11 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 9 , there is shown an isometric view of a fastener assembly  219  extending through the bracket  217 , according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that when the edge protector  218  is mated to the bracket  217 , the protrusion  230  is surrounded by the edge protector  218 . The fastener assembly  219  includes 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 assembly  219  is not a convention nut, but rather a threaded retainer  235  that defines a threaded bore  235   a . The retainer  235  is positioned within the portion of the bore  234  defined by the bracket  217 , and partially into the receiving bore  241  of the edge protector  218 . Thus, the retainer  235  is hidden in the assembled edge protector assembly  216 . The retainer  235  includes a contact surface  246  operable to mate with a rotation stopping surface of an inner surface of the edge protector (not shown). A head  245  of the bolt  233  includes a drive feature  245   a  that mates with a suitable tool that is operable to rotate the bolt  233 . Thus, a conventional bolt  233  can be threaded into the threaded bore  235   a  of the retainer  235  with a suitable tool as the retainer  235  is held stationary by the interaction between the contact surface  246  of the retainer  235  and the rotation stopping surface of the edge protector  218 . The fastener assembly  219  is flush with the edge protector  218  on both the sides of the edge protector  218 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 10 , a bucket assembly  310  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes an edge protector assembly  316  that is connected to the side  312  of bucket  311  via a single bracket connector  317 , rather than two connector brackets as in the previous embodiments. This embodiment recognizes that a majority of the wear occurs in the vicinity of corner protector  341  near the bottom of bucket  311 . However, by shaping the edge protector  319  to have a parallelogram shape, any number of edge protectors  319  can be mounted on one side  312  of bucket  311  to provide whatever length of wear protection is called for. In  FIG. 10 , a second edge protector assembly  350  is shown in shadow stacked on the first edge protector assembly  316 . The edge protector assembly  316  of  FIGS. 10 and 11  also differs from the previous embodiments in that the edge protector  319  includes a shield or eye brow  321  that protects the nut end of fastener assembly  342  from potential destructive collision with rocks or other material when the bucket is pushed through material during conventional operation. In other words, eye brow  321  deflects material away from collision with nut  344  and bolt  343 . As best shown in  FIG. 11 , edge protector  319  includes a wear surface  322  that is slanted across its width to urge material into bucket  311 , which also differentiates it from the symmetrical wear surfaces shown in the previous embodiments.  
      The wear surface  322  of edge protector  319  is contiguous with a lower surface  324 , and upper surface  323 , a front surface  326  and a back surface  325 . In order to better facilitate stacking of more than one edge protector assembly  316 , the lower and upper surfaces  324  and  323  are parallel to one another. This angle is also preferably such that it matches the angle of the corner of the upper surface of corner protector  341  as best shown in  FIG. 10 . Thus, the edge protector assembly  316  of  FIGS. 10 and 11  has versatility of its own and different features from that described earlier, but does not include the symmetry features described earlier so that the left and right edge protector assemblies would have mirror image shapes to one another, and are thus not interchangeable between sides as in the previous embodiments.  
      As with the previous embodiments, the edge protector  319  is attached to the bucket  311  by first positioning connector bracket  317  at a suitable location, such as at a location where the edge protector  319  will abut the upper surface of corner protector  341  as shown in  FIG. 10 . Next, the single flange,  331  of the bracket connector  317  is welded to the outer surface  312  of bucket  311 . Next, the male mating protrusion  330  is mated to the female mating cavity  338  to seat the tapered protrusion in the tapered cavity as in the previous embodiments. Next, a bolt of a fastener assembly  342 , which is preferably a plow bolt  343  with a square rotational locking feature is advanced through the fastener receiving bores  334  and  318  of the bracket  317  and edge protector  319 , respectively. A nut  344  is then mated to bolt  343  and clamps the mating portions  330  and  338  together as shown in  FIG. 1 . As in the previous embodiments, the fastener receiving bore  318  may be sufficiently large as to define a clearance area between the edge protector  319  and the fastener assembly  343  so that the two do not touch, thus avoiding the transfer of shear loads from the edge protector  319  to the fastener assembly  342 . Although not necessary, the front surface  326  as well as the inner surface of bracket connector  317 , head of bolt  343  are all flush with the inner surface  313  of bucket  311 .  
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , the operation of the present disclosure will be discussed for bucket assembly  10 . It should be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates the bucket assembly being attached to various types of 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 edges  15  of bucket assembly  10  will be discussed for only one edge  15 , it should be appreciated that the method is the same for protecting both edges  15 .  
      In order to protect the edge  15  of the bucket assembly  10 , the edge protector assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216  is attached to the edge  15 . The edge protector  18 ,  218  can be attached to the brackets  17 ,  217  by the work machine operator in the field, if necessary. The brackets  17 ,  217  are welded onto the side bar  12 , and the edge protector  18 ,  218  is mated to the brackets  17 ,  217 . In order to secure the edge protector  18 ,  218  to the brackets  17 ,  217 , the fastener assembly  19 ,  119 ,  219  extends through the bore  34 ,  234 . In the first and second embodiments in which the brackets  17  define the receiving bore  40  and the counter bore  41 , the plow bolt  33 ,  113  is inserted in the receiving bore  40 , and the nut, being either the conventional nut  35  in the first embodiment or the threaded retainer  135  in the second embodiment, is threaded onto the threaded portion  49 ,  149  of the plow bolt  33 ,  133 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 5 , the plow bolt  33  in the first embodiment extends through both the receiving bore  40  and the counter bore  41 , and the nut  35  is threaded to the plow bolt  33  in the outer area  24  of the edge protector assembly  16 . The rotational locking feature  39  prevents the rotation of the bolt  33  via the interaction between the contact surface  46  on the square shaped shoulder  44  of the bolt  33  and the rotation stopping surface  42  of the receiving bore  40 . Thus, the nut  35  can be secured to the stationary bolt  33  using a suitable tool, such as a wrench, to rotate the nut  35 . When the nut  35  is securely fastened to the bolt  33 , the fastener assembly  19  is flush with the inner surface of the edge protector  18 , but not the outer surface of the edge protector  18 .  
      Referring specifically to  FIG. 6 , in the second embodiment, the plow bolt  133  extends through the receiving bore  40  and the portion of the bore  34  defined by the protrusion  30  of the edge protector  18 . Within the bore  34 , the threaded bore  135   a  of the retainer  135  is linked with the threaded portion  149  of the bolt  133  by rotating the retainer  135  with 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 retainer  135  with the bolt  133  because the contact surface  46  of the square shaped shoulder  44  of the bolt  133  mates with the rotation stopping surface  42  within the receiving bore  40 . Thus, the rotational locking feature  39  prohibits the rotation of the bolt  33  via the interaction between the bolt  133  and the bracket  17  when the retainer  135  is being tightened. Both sides of the fastener assembly  119  are flush with the edge protector  18 .  
      Referring specifically to  FIG. 9 , according to the third embodiment, the operator can secure the edge protector  218  to the brackets  217  similarly to the first and second embodiments except that the receiving bore  240  and the counter bore  241  are defined by the edge protector  218  rather than the brackets  217 . The threaded retainer  235  is positioned within the portion of the bore  234  that is defined by the bracket  217 , and the bolt  233  is threaded into the threaded bore  235   a  of the retainer  235 . The threaded retainer  235  is prevented from rotating by the interaction between the contact surface  246  defined by the edge protector  218  and the rotation stopping surface  242  of the threaded retainer  235 . Thus, the fastener assembly  219  can be linked by rotating the bolt  233  with one suitable tool while the rotational locking feature  239  prevents the threaded retainer  235  from rotating. The fastener assembly  219  is flush with both sides of the edge protector  218 .  
      In all embodiments of  FIGS. 1-9 , the edge  15  of the bucket assembly  10  is also preferably protected by avoiding shear loads on the fastener assembly  19 ,  119 ,  219 , at least in part, by positioning the bolt  33 ,  133 ,  233  out of contact with either the edge protector  19 ,  219  or the brackets  17 ,  217 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 4 , the annular clearance  38  defined the inner surface of the bore  34  and the outer surface of the bolt  33  allows the loads acting on the edge protector assembly  16  to be transferred to the brackets  17  rather than the fastener assembly  19 . Loads acting on top of the edge protector assembly  16  will be transferred to the bucket side bar  12 , and will avoid the fastener assembly  19  due to the annular clearance  38 . Thus, the loads acting on the edge protector assembly  19  can be transferred to bucket assembly  10  through the edge protector  18  and not the fastener assembly  19 . Although the method of avoiding shear loads on the fastener assembly  19  is 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 in  FIGS. 7-9 ), the edge protector  218  defines the receiving and counter bores  240  and  241 , respectively, and thus, an annular clearance  238  is defined by the fastener assembly  219  and the brackets  217 . The fastener assembly  219  is preferably separated from the brackets  217  via the annular clearance  238 . In all embodiments, because shear loads on the fastener assembly  19 ,  119 ,  219  are avoided, the likelihood of premature failure of the fastener assembly  19 ,  119 ,  219  is reduced.  
      In all embodiments of  FIGS. 1-9 , the edge  15  of the bucket assembly  10  is preferably protected by reducing stress at the interface  28  between the brackets  17 ,  217  and the edge protector  18 ,  218 . The stress is reduced by contacting at the interface  28  identical taper angles  32 ,  232  of the corresponding mating portions  26 ,  226  and  27 ,  227  of the brackets  17 ,  217  and edge protector  18 ,  218 , respectively. Regardless of whether the mating portion  27 ,  227  includes the protrusion  30  or the tapered cavity  229 , the edge protector  18 ,  218  can be mated with the brackets  17 ,  217 . The identical taper angles  32 ,  232  increase the contact surface area at the interface  28 , thereby allowing the loads to transfer from the edge protector  18 ,  218  to the brackets  17 ,  217  welded to the bucket assembly  10 . Thus, a load acting along the length of the edge protector assembly  16 ,  216  can also be transferred to the brackets  17 ,  217  and avoid the fastener assembly  19 ,  119 ,  219  due to the close fit between the bracket  17 ,  217  and the edge protector  18 ,  218 . Moreover, in the embodiments including the straight edge protectors  18 , the tooth  52  that mates with the protrusion  54  of the corner protector  49  allows a load acting along the length of the assembly  16  to also be transferred to the corner protector  49 .  
      Referring specifically to  FIG. 3 , the edge protector assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216  protects the edge  15  of the bucket assembly  10  while also reducing carry back by limiting the inner overhang area  22  of the edge protector assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216 . Although preferably the edge protector assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216  does not include the inner overhang area  22 , and thus, is flush with the side wall surface  14  of the bucket assembly  10 , the present disclosure contemplates and is illustrated in  FIG. 2  as including the inner overhang area  22  that is up to one half of the protected area  25  of the edge  15 . Regardless of whether the inner overhang area is zero or half of the protected area  25  of the edge  15 , the inner overhang area  22  is sufficiently small that its extension into the bucket  11  does not trap a significant amount of material in the bucket  11 . Rather, the material can slide down the side surface wall  14  and the edge protector assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216 , and out the bucket assembly  10 . Because all the material being transported can be ejected from the bucket  11 , the productivity of the work machine having bucket assembly  10  is increased.  
      The present disclosure is advantageous because the edge protector assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216  not only protects the edge  15  of the bucket assembly  10 , but also can be replaced by one man with relative ease, absorbs the loads that may act on the assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216  during operation, and limits carry back. Because the edge protector assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216  is attached to the edge  15  at a position where the bucket assembly  10  engages material, the edge protector  18 ,  218  protects the edge  15  from rocks and debris that could damage the side bars  12 . Thus, over time, the edge protector assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216 , rather than the side bars  12 , will wear. It is more economical and less time consuming to replace the edge protector assemblies  16 ,  116 ,  216  than the side bars  12 . In fact, the curved edge protectors  218  can be rotated such that the end  218   a  or  218   b  that 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 protectors  18 ,  218 . Because each embodiment includes the rotational locking feature  39 ,  239  that prevents the rotation of either the nut  235  or the bolt  33 ,  133 , a second tool to hold the nut  235  or bolt  33 ,  133  stationary when linking the fastener assembly  19 ,  119 ,  219  is unnecessary. Thus, only one suitable tool used by one individual is needed. The fact that the edge protector assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216  can be replaced or rotated with relative ease by one person further reduces the amount of maintenance time and costs associated with the edge protector assemblies  16 ,  116 ,  216 .  
      Moreover, the edge protector assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216  does not adversely affect the productivity of the bucket assembly  10 . Because the edge protector assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216  is preferably flush with the side wall surface  14  and, at most, slightly extended into the bucket  11 , material that is being shoveled can be ejected from the bucket  11  without a portion being trapped between the inner overhang  22  and the side wall surface  14 . Thus, the present disclosure limits carry back of material and allows use of the maximum capacity of the bucket  11 , thereby increasing the productivity of the work machine having bucket assembly  10 .  
      The present disclosure also increases the life of the edge protector assembly  16  by avoiding shear loads on the fastener assembly  19 ,  119 ,  219  and reducing stress at the interface  28  between the brackets  17 ,  217  and the edge protector  18 ,  218 . The fastener assembly  19 ,  119 ,  219  is not designed to withstand the loads that the edge protector  18 ,  218 , the brackets  17 ,  217 , and the bucket assembly  10  can withstand. If the fastener assembly  19 ,  119 ,  219  fails, the edge protector assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216  will fail to protect the edge  15 . Thus, the present disclosure reduces the risk of premature failure of the fastener assembly  19 ,  119 ,  219  by separating the fastener assembly  19 ,  119 ,  219  from either the bracket  17 ,  217  or the edge protector  18 ,  218  by the annular clearance  38 ,  238 , thereby reducing the loads transferred to the fastener assembly  19 ,  119 ,  219 . Moreover, the present disclosure reduces the stress concentrated at the interface  28  between the bracket  17 ,  217  and the edge protector  18 ,  218  by increasing the contact between the tapered cavity  29 ,  229  and the tapered section  31 ,  231  of the protrusion  30 ,  230 . Regardless of whether the bracket  17 ,  217  or the edge protector  18 ,  218  includes the tapered cavity  29 ,  229 , the side loads acting on the edge protector  18 ,  218  can be transferred to the brackets  17 ,  217  rather than the bolt  33 ,  133 ,  233 . Thus, the present disclosure extends the life of the edge protector assembly  16 ,  116 ,  216 , thereby reducing costs.  
      Referring now specifically to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , its attachment and protection strategy of the bucket edge is somewhat similar to the previously described embodiments. For instance, the edge  315  of a bucket is protected by first attaching a connector bracket  317  to the outside surface of the bucket side  312 , preferably by welding the single flange  331  of bracket connector  317  to the outer surface of bucket side  312  at weld  335 . Next, the male and female mating surfaces  330 ,  338  are mated as shown in  FIG. 11 , in the preferred embodiment, these mating features include identically angled tapered male portion  330  for the edge protector  319  an identical tapered cavity or female mating portion  338  formed as part of bracket connector  317 . A bolt  343  is then advanced through the fastener receiving bores  334  and  318  of the female and male tapered portions  330 ,  338 , respectively. The male and female portions  330 ,  338  are then clamped together by attaching a nut  344  to the bolt  343 . The attachment of the nut  344  to the bolt  343  is better facilitated in the illustrated embodiment by holding the bolt  343  against rotation via an interaction between the connector bracket  317  and the bolt  343 , such as by utilizing a plow bolt and a counterpart surface as described earlier. The nut  344  and exposed end, if any, of bolt  343  are protected by a shield  321  formed on edge protector  319 , that causes debris to be deflected away from collision with the fastener assembly  342 .  
      If an extended length of protection is desired for the bucket assembly  310 , two or more identical edge protector assemblies  316 ,  350  can be stacked atop one another as shown in shadow in  FIG. 10 . As in the previous embodiment, the fastener receiving bore  318  through the edge protector  319  may be sufficiently large to avoid contact with the fastener assembly  342 , so as to avoid shear loads on the bolt  343  by maintaining the fastener assembly  342  out of contact with the edge protector  319 . The edge protector assembly  316  of  FIGS. 10 and 11  also provides for a slight increase to productivity by forming the wear surface  322  in a way to urge material into the bucket, rather than a symmetrical wear surface as shown in the previous embodiments. In order to better reduce carry back and ease of operation, the head of bolt  343 , the inner surface of bracket connector  317  and the front surface  326  of edge protector  319  may all be flush with the inner surface  313  of the bucket  311 .  
      It should be understood that the above description is intended for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. In addition, of the edge protector and the connector bracket may be reversed in any of the embodiments without department from the intended scope of the present disclosure. For instance, a taper according to the present disclosure could include one side parallel with the side of the bucket. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other aspects, objects, and advantages of the disclosure can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.