Top Cover for Base Edge Protection

Abstract

The base edge protective top cover (300) defines a first fastener receiving void (304) disposed between a front ramp portion (314) and a rear edge (312) along a material flow direction (310). An upper convex ramp (318) of the top cover (300) defines a first material flow groove extending along the material flow direction (310) and includes a first flow ramp (324). A first material flow groove (322) is disposed adjacent to the first fastener receiving void (304) in a lateral direction (308) and along the material flow direction (310).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a working tool assembly such as a bucket assembly used in civil engineering, mining, construction machinery, etc. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an assembly that employs components to protect the base edge from wear.

Background Art

[0002] Machines such as wheel loaders and excavators employ a working tool assembly including a bucket assembly, a rake, pliers, etc. to which teeth or tips are attached. For example, the teeth or tips can be connected to the bucket assembly to help the bucket assembly penetrate the ground and facilitate scooping up soil onto the bucket or the like. An adapter is usually attached to the working end (e.g., bottom end, side end, etc.) of the bucket or other working tool, and different types of teeth or tips can be attached to the working tool. Also, when worn, the chip or tooth can be easily replaced by providing an adapter that connects to the working tool. Further, a base edge protector can be directly connected to the base edge to help prevent wear.

[0003] However, the base edge protector itself may wear over time or may not fully cover the base edge. Therefore, a top cover may be attached to the upper part of the base edge, and a bottom base edge protector may also be attached to the lower part of the base edge.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 959,807 discloses an edge protector or shroud including an upper leg, a lower leg, and a lock mechanism hole extending through the upper leg. The upper leg may be more prone to wear than the lower leg, and even if more than half of the edge protector is still functioning, it may be necessary to remove the entire edge protector. Also, debris during use may enter the lock mechanism, making it more difficult to remove the edge protector.

[0005] Therefore, a top cover for protecting the base edge that has a longer service life and is more reliably detachable is required. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a top cover for protecting a base edge may include a retrofit portion that defines a first fastener receiving gap, a vertical direction of the assembly, a lateral direction perpendicular to the vertical direction of the assembly, and a material flow direction perpendicular to the vertical and lateral directions of the assembly. The top cover may include a rear edge portion disposed along the material flow direction, a front ramp portion extending forward from the retrofit portion in the material flow direction and forming a front wear edge vertically downward, a top convex corner surface extending from the rear edge portion to the front wear edge, and a bottom concave corner surface extending from the rear edge portion to the front wear edge. The first fastener receiving gap is disposed along the material flow direction between the front ramp portion and the rear edge, and the top convex corner surface may define a first material flow groove extending along the material flow direction and include a first flow ramp. The first material flow groove may be disposed adjacent to the first fastener receiving gap along the lateral and material flow directions.

[0007] A top cover for protecting a base edge according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a retrofit portion that defines a first fastener receiving gap, a vertical direction of the assembly, a lateral direction perpendicular to the vertical direction of the assembly, and a material flow direction perpendicular to the vertical and lateral directions of the assembly. The top cover may include a rear edge portion disposed along the material flow direction, a front ramp portion extending forward from the retrofit portion in the material flow direction and forming a front wear edge vertically downward, a top convex corner surface extending from the rear edge portion to the front wear edge, and a bottom concave corner surface extending from the rear edge portion to the front wear edge. Further, a first lateral outer edge may extend from the rear edge to the front wear edge, and a second lateral outer edge may extend from the rear edge to the front wear edge. The top convex corner surface may define a first cutout region extending from an adjacent front wear edge to the first lateral outer edge and a second cutout region extending from the adjacent front wear edge to the second lateral outer edge.

[0008] According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the top cover for base edge protection may include a rear attachment portion that defines a first fastener receiving void, a vertical direction of the assembly, a lateral direction perpendicular to the vertical direction of the assembly, and a material flow direction perpendicular to both the vertical and lateral directions of the assembly. The top cover may include a rear edge disposed along the material flow direction, a front ramp portion that extends forward from the rear attachment portion in the material flow direction and forms the front wear edge vertically downward, a top convex corner surface that extends from the rear edge to the front wear edge, a bottom concave corner surface that extends from the rear edge to the front wear edge, a first lateral outer edge that extends from the rear edge to the front wear edge, and a second lateral outer edge that extends from the rear edge to the front wear edge. The bottom concave corner surface may include a plurality of fitting pads, a plurality of recesses, and a relief that connects the rear attachment portion to the front ramp portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be referred to in detail, and examples thereof will be shown in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings to indicate the same or similar components. In some cases, the reference numerals are shown in this specification, and the drawings show the reference numerals in a form such that an English letter follows, for example, 100a, 100b, or in a form such that a prime indicator follows, for example, 100’, 100’’. It should be understood that using a letter or a prime immediately after a reference numeral indicates that these features have similar shapes and similar functions, as is often seen when a geometric shape surrounds a plane mirror image. For the sake of facilitating the description in this specification, letters or primes are often not included in this specification, but may be shown in the drawings to indicate the duplication of features described in this specification. Briefly described are casting top covers according to various embodiments of the present disclosure provided for base edge wear protection of a bucket assembly or other types of work implement assemblies. The casting cover can have several features to promote uniform wear throughout the life of the part, a raised surface for protection of bolts and nuts to help remove the part at the end of its life, front and rear sloped ramps to promote the outflow of material from the bolts and nuts, release of the ramps for proper assembly, in some cases, omission of intermediate ramps to aid in manufacturing and securing a specific area of the gating used in the casting process, attachment of pads to ensure proper assembly, notches at the bottom of the part for weight reduction and improved manufacturability, etc. Note that in addition to casting, or instead of casting, other manufacturing processes such as various forms of forging, machining, etc. can be used.

[0011] Starting from FIG. 1, the work tool assembly 100 may take the form of a bucket assembly 100' that is used by a wheel loader and includes a housing 101 that defines an opening 102 that communicates with a substantially closed interior. As shown in FIG. 1, starting from the rear of the bucket assembly 100, the bucket assembly 100 includes a curved housing profile 104 attached to the rear wall 106 at the upper end of the shell 104. The other end of the shell is attached to the bottom plate 108 of the assembly 100. Two substantially flat end plates 114 are attached to the outflow guard 112, the top plate 110, the rear wall 106, the bottom plate 108, and the side edges of the shell 104.

[0012] The side edge assembly 115 is attached to each end plate 114, and the front edge assembly 116 is attached to the front edge of the bottom plate 108 of the bucket assembly 100. The front edge assembly 200 includes a base edge 202 (also called a front lip), a plurality of central adapters 204 attached to the base edge 202, a pair of corner adapters 205 attached to the base edge and the end plate(s), a plurality of tips 206 or teeth attached to the adapters, a plurality of bottom edge protectors 208 extending from the lower side of the base edge 202, and a plurality of top covers 300 that contact or substantially contact the bottom edge protectors to help provide the desired bottom edge protectors. The bottom edge protectors and the top covers are fixed to the bottom edge using bolts 210 and nuts 212. The free ends of the bolts and nuts are shown in FIG. 1. However, it is not shown that the heads of the bolts are on the lower side of the bucket assembly.

[0013] It should be understood that the work tool assembly may take other forms other than the bucket assembly including a rake assembly, a shear assembly, etc. Also, any of the embodiments of the cutting tips can be used with any of the other forms of work tool assemblies including bucket assemblies of other different configurations.

[0014] First, a top cover that achieves weight reduction and promotes the inflow and outflow of materials to the work tool assembly will be described.

[0015] Such top covers 300, 400, 500, 600 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-6. The top covers 300, 400, 500, 600 may include a rear attachment portion 302, 402, 502, 602 that defines a first fastener receiving void 304, 404, 504, 604 and a vertical direction 306, 406, 506, 606 of the assembly (the void 304 is so called because it can define a cylindrical shaft into which a bolt is vertically inserted for assembly). Similarly, there are a lateral direction 308, 408, 508, 608 perpendicular to the vertical direction of the assembly, and a material flow direction 310, 410, 510, 610 perpendicular to the vertical direction of the assembly and a lateral direction. The reason it is called the material flow direction is that it is the direction in which materials usually enter and exit the bucket or other work tools.

[0016] The top covers 300, 400, 500, 600 may also include a rear edge 312, 412, 512, 612 arranged along the material flow direction 310, 410, 510, 610, and a front ramp portion 314, 414, 514, 614 that extends forward from the rear attachment portion 302, 402, 502, 602 along the material flow direction and forms a front wear edge 316, 416, 516, 616 vertically downward.

[0017] Complementary shaped surfaces can define the general thickness of the top cover. For example, the top convex corner surfaces 318, 418, 518, 618 may extend from the rear edge 312, 412, 512, 612 to the front wear edge 314, 414, 514, 614, and the bottom concave corner surfaces 320, 420, 520, 620 may extend from the rear edge 312, 412, 512, 612 to the front wear edge 314, 414, 514, 614.

[0018] The first fastener receiving gaps 304, 404, 504, 604 are disposed between the front lamp portions 314, 414, 514, 614 and the rear edges 312, 412, 512, 612 along the material flow directions 310, 410, 510, 610, and the top convex corner surfaces 318, 418, 518, 618 can define first material flow grooves 322, 422, 522, 622 extending along the directions such as the material flow 310, etc. (This is the direction of the maximum range of the flow groove). The first material flow grooves may include first flow ramps 324, 424, 524, 624. Further, the first material flow grooves 322, 422, 522, 622 may be disposed adjacent to the first fastener receiving gaps 304, 404, 504, 604 along the lateral directions 308, 408, 508, 608 and the material flow directions 310, 410, 510, 610 (e.g., may be disposed obliquely to the gaps). This helps to keep the material away from the gaps and at the same time reduces the weight and cost of the top cover.

[0019] Furthermore, the first lateral outer edges 326, 426, 526, 626 may extend from the rear edge portions 312, 412, 512, 612 to the front wear edges 316, 416, 516, 616, and the second lateral outer edges 328, 428, 528, 628 may extend from the rear edge portions to the front wear edges. In some cases, the first fastener receiving gaps 304, 404, 504, 604 are disposed close to the first lateral outer edges 326, 426, 526, 626 and the rear edges 312, 412, 512, 612 (e.g., close to the corners). In other embodiments of the present disclosure, other configurations are possible. Further, these gaps 304, 404, 504, 604 may be surrounded by protrusions 330, 430, 530, 630 defining buried holes 332, 432, 532, 632. Therefore, the free ends of the bolts and nuts are recessed with respect to the upper surface of the top cover, and the intrusion of dirt, debris, wear, etc. can be minimized.

[0020] The protrusion may include a first inclined surface 334, 434, 534, 634 that extends from the adjacent front lamp portions 314, 414, 514, 614 along the material flow directions 310, 410, 510, 610 towards the buried holes 332, 432, 532, 632. The protrusions 330, 430, 530, 630 may at least partially define first material flow grooves 322, 422, 522, 622. Further, the first inclined surfaces 334, 434, 534, 634 may be arranged laterally adjacent to the first material flow grooves 322, 422, 522, 622. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, other configurations are possible.

[0021] Similarly, the protrusions 330, 430, 530, 630 may include second inclined surfaces 336, 436, 536, 636 that extend from the adjacent rear edges 312, 412, 512, 612 along the material flow directions 310, 410, 510, 610 towards the buried holes 332, 432, 532, 632. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, this may not be the case. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface may be laterally aligned as shown, but not necessarily so.

[0022] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 2 and 4 - 6, the top convex corner surfaces 318, 418, 518, 618 can define second material flow grooves 338, 438, 538, 638 that extend from the adjacent rear edges 312, 412, 512, 610 along the material flow directions 310, 410, 510, 610 towards the first material flow grooves 322, 422, 522, 622, and may include second flow lamps 340, 440, 540, 640 at the bottom of the flow grooves. In some cases, the second material flow grooves 338, 438, 538, 638 may be laterally aligned with the first material flow grooves 322, 422, 522, 622, but not necessarily so. This alignment can help the material flow through the buried holes.

[0023] In FIGS. 4 and 5, the first material flow grooves 422, 522 and the second material flow grooves 438, 538 are connected by channels 441, 541 extending along the material flow directions 410, 510. A pair of fastener receiving voids may straddle this channel.

[0024] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 4 - 6, the top covers 300, 400, 500, 600 may define second fastener receiving voids 342, 442, 542, 642 and third fastener receiving voids 344, 444, 544, 644. The third inclined surfaces 346, 446, 546, 646 may be disposed in front of the second fastener receiving voids 342, 442, 542, 642 along the material flow direction and the lateral direction. The fourth inclined surfaces 348, 448, 548, 648 may be disposed behind the second fastener receiving voids 342, 442, 542, 642 along the material flow directions 310, 410, 510, 610. The third inclined surfaces 346, 446, 546, 646 may be disposed laterally adjacent to the first material flow grooves 322, 422, 522, 622, and the fourth inclined surfaces 348, 448, 548, 648 may be disposed laterally adjacent to the second material flow grooves 338, 438, 538, 638. Further, the fourth inclined surfaces 348, 448, 548, 648 may be disposed laterally adjacent to the third material flow grooves 350, 450, 550, 650 disposed laterally between the second fastener receiving voids 342, 442, 542, 642 and the third fastener receiving voids 344, 444, 544, 644.

[0025] In FIG. 2, the third inclined surface 346 extends laterally in front of the third fastener receiving void 344 to a fourth material flow groove 352 symmetric to the first material flow groove 352. This larger inclined surface 346 can facilitate manufacturing by providing a riser location during the casting process. In other embodiments as shown in FIGS. 4 - 6, this may not be the case.

[0026] Generally, the top covers 300, 400, 500, 600 and all of their related features (including upper and lower features) may be symmetric about the central planes 354, 454, 554, 654. This may not apply to other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 to 6, a top cover that is lighter in weight and can wear more evenly will be described.

[0028] The top corner surfaces 318, 418, 518, 618 define a first cutout region 356, 456, 556, 656 that extends from the adjacent front wear edges 316, 416, 516, 616 to the first laterally outer edges 326, 426, 526, 626, and a second cutout region 358, 458, 558, 658 that extends from the adjacent front wear edges 316, 416, 516, 616 to the second laterally outer edges 326, 426, 526, 626.

[0029] The weight reduction of these regions is based on the material flow of a wear simulation that provides uniform wear throughout the life of the component. For this purpose, the first cutout regions 356, 456, 556, 656 may include first concave arc-shaped flow surfaces 360, 460, 560, 660 that extend from the adjacent front wear edges 316, 416, 516, 616 to the first laterally outer edges 326, 426, 526, 626 and assist in guiding the material during use. Similarly, the second cutout regions 358, 458, 558, 658 may include second concave arc-shaped flow surfaces 362, 462, 562, 662 that extend from the adjacent front wear edges, splines, polynomials, ellipses (plural possible), etc., e.g., 316, 416, 516, 616, to the second laterally outer edges 326, 426, 526, 626 for the same purpose.

[0030] As used herein, the term "arc" may include any curved shape formed from various geometric entities including, but not limited to, a radius or a series of radii, splines, polynomials, ellipses, etc.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the bottom concave corner surface 320 defines a first fastener receiving hole 364 (which can communicate with the first fastener receiving gap 304) that extends vertically through the rear connecting portion 302 and includes a first rectangular fitting pad 366 that is aligned around the first fastener receiving hole 362.

[0032] Furthermore, the bottom concave corner surface 320 may further define a first rectangular recess 368 disposed adjacent to the rear edge 312 and a first rectangular fitting pad 366 disposed along the material flow direction 310. This recess 368 may be concentric with the first rectangular fitting pad 366 along the lateral direction 308.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the first rectangular recess 368 can cut out a part of the first rectangular fitting pad 366, but not necessarily. Also, the first rectangular recess 368 may surround a boss 370 (also referred to as a rib) extending from the bottom surface of the first rectangular recess 368. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be otherwise.

[0034] Furthermore, the bottom concave corner surface 320 may define a second rectangular recess 372 disposed between the front lamp portion 314 and the first rectangular fitting pad 366 along the material flow direction 310. This recess 372 may be concentric with the first rectangular fitting pad 366 along the lateral direction 308, but not necessarily.

[0035] These recesses 368, 372 may be formed to reduce weight and cost without compromising the strength of the top cover. Accordingly, the first rectangular recess 368 may define a first recess width W368, the second rectangular recess 372 may define a second recess width W372, and the first rectangular fitting pad 366 may define a pad width W366. The ratio of the first recess width W368 to the pad width W66 may be within the range of 0.35 to 0.75, and the ratio of the second recess width W372 to the pad width W366 may be within the range of 0.95 to 1.05. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, other configurations are possible.

[0036] It should be understood that the lower or bottom concave corner surfaces 420, 520, 620 of the top covers 400, 500, 600 in FIGS. 4 to 6 may be configured similarly or identically to the concave corner surface in FIG. 3, except for some examples where fitting pads, a first rectangular recess, a second rectangular recess, and a fastener receiving hole may be added or omitted. Also, the above ratios can be adjusted according to the size of the top cover and the like.

[0037] Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, the lower side of the top cover 300 and its features can be characterized as follows. The bottom concave corner surface 320 may include a plurality of fitting pads (e.g., refer to 366), a plurality of recesses (e.g., refer to 368, 372), and a relief 374 connecting the rear attachment portion 302 to the front lamp portion 314.

[0038] The plurality of fitting pads may be arranged in a first linear array (e.g., can have 3 or 4 examples) of rectangular fitting pads 366, 366a, 366b arranged along the lateral direction 308 on the rear attachment portion 302.

[0039] Similarly, the plurality of recesses are arranged in a second linear array (e.g., refer to 368, 368a) of the rear attachment portion 302 and a third linear array (e.g., refer to 372, 372a) of the rear attachment portion 302, and the plurality of fitting pads (e.g., refer to 366) inserted along the material flow direction 310 between the first linear array and the second linear array may be arranged spaced apart from the first linear array along the material flow direction 310.

[0040] More specifically, the second linear array may include a plurality of pairs of recesses (e.g., refer to 368), and the second linear array may include 4 of the plurality of recesses (e.g., refer to 372). A plurality of holes extending vertically through the plurality of fitting pads (e.g., refer to 364) are centered with respect to the plurality of fitting pads and provide a stable interface during the fastening process. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, other configurations are possible.

[0041] Also, any ratios, dimensions, angles, surface areas, and / or ranges of configurations of various means, including those not specifically mentioned herein, may be changed as desired or necessary. Although not specifically described, blends such as fillets are shown connecting various surfaces. It should be understood that these may be omitted in other embodiments and, unless specifically stated otherwise, their presence may be ignored when reading this specification.

Industrial Applicability

[0042] In fact, machines, work tool assemblies, chip assemblies or wear member assemblies, chip and adapter assemblies, retainer sleeves, retainers and retainer sleeve assemblies, and / or any combination of these various assemblies and components can be manufactured, purchased, or sold for on-site modification of machines or work tool assemblies in an aftermarket environment, or alternatively obtained by manufacturing, purchasing, selling, or other means in an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) environment.

[0043] The above components may be manufactured from any suitable material, including iron, gray iron, steel, plastic, rubber, foam, etc.

[0044] The top cover may be manufactured by a casting process in which materials are allocated to the center of the part so that it wears evenly over the entire service life of the part. A raised surface is provided to protect the bolts and nuts, making it easier to remove the part when its service life has elapsed. Also, angled ramps can be provided at the front and rear to facilitate keeping the materials away from the bolts and nuts. As described above, in some embodiments, the flow grooves of the central material and the associated flow ramps can be omitted to facilitate manufacturing by the casting process and to secure the areas designated for the risers. The bevel relief can be provided to be correctly attached to the base edge. The fitting pads may also be provided to ensure accurate attachment to the base edge. Cutouts or recesses can be provided at the bottom of the part to reduce weight and improve manufacturability. For example, the thick parts of the material are reduced, reducing the risk of voids or porosity occurring during the casting process.

[0045] It should be understood that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed assemblies and techniques. However, it is expected that other embodiments of the present disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the present disclosure or its examples are intended to refer to the specific examples described in that regard and are not intended to imply any more general limitations on the scope of the present disclosure. All language of distinction and criticism with respect to a particular feature is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but is not completely excluded from the scope of the present disclosure unless otherwise stated.

[0046] Unless otherwise indicated herein, descriptions of ranges of values herein are intended solely as a concise way to refer individually to each value falling within the range, and each individual value is incorporated herein as if it were individually recited herein.

[0047] As used herein, the articles "a" and "an" are intended to include one or more items and can be used interchangeably with "one or more." When only one item is intended to be used, the term "one" or a similar term is used. Also, as used herein, terms such as "has," "have," "having," "with," etc. are intended to be unrestricted terms. Further, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "at least partially based on" unless otherwise specified.

[0048] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments of the apparatus and assembly method discussed herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the specifications and practices of the various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, some devices may have a configuration and function different from those described herein, certain steps of any method may be omitted, may be performed in an order different from that specifically recited, and in some cases may be performed simultaneously or in sub-steps. Further, specific aspects or features of the various embodiments may be modified or changed to create further embodiments, and the features and aspects of the various embodiments may be added to or substituted for other features or aspects of other embodiments to provide yet further embodiments.

[0049] Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the appended claims, as permitted by applicable law. Further, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly inconsistent with the context, any combination of the above elements in all possible variations thereof is included in this disclosure.

Claims

Claim 1 A top cover (300, 400, 500, 600) for protecting a base edge (202), comprising: a rear attachment portion (302, 402, 502, 602) defining a first fastener receiving void (304, 404, 504, 604), a vertical direction (306, 406, 506, 606) of the assembly, a lateral direction (308, 408, 508, 608) perpendicular to the vertical direction (306, 406, 506, 606) of the assembly, and a material flow direction (310, 410, 510, 610) perpendicular to the vertical direction (306, 406, 506, 606) and the lateral direction (308, 408, 508, 608) of the assembly, and including a rear edge (312, 412, 512, 612) disposed along the material flow direction (310, 410, 510, 610); a front ramp portion (314, 414, 514, 614) extending forward from the rear attachment portion (302, 402, 502, 602) along the material flow direction (310, 410, 510, 610) and forming a front wear edge (316, 416, 516, 616) directed vertically downward; a top corner convex surface (318, 418, 518, 618) extending from the rear edge (312, 412, 512, 612) to the front wear edge (316, 416, 516, 616); a bottom corner concave surface (320, 420, 520, 620) extending from the rear edge (312, 412, 512, 612) to the front wear edge (316, 416, 516, 616). The first fastener receiving gap (304, 404, 504, 604) is disposed between the front lamp portion (314, 414, 514, 614) and the rear edge (312, 412, 512, 612) along the material flow direction (310, 410, 510, 610), and the top convex corner surface (318, 418, 518, 618) defines a first material flow groove (322, 422, 522, 622) extending along the material flow direction (310, 410, 510, 610) and includes a first flow lamp (324, 424, 524, 624). The first material flow groove (322, 422, 522, 622) is disposed adjacent to the first fastener receiving gap (304, 404, 504, 604) along the lateral direction (308, 408, 508, 608) and the material flow direction (310, 410, 510, 610). A top cover (300, 400, 500, 600) for protecting the base edge (202).

2. A first laterally outer edge (326, 426, 526, 626) extending from the rear edge (312, 412, 512, 612) to the front wear edge (316, 416, 516, 616), and a second laterally outer edge (328, 428, 528, 628) extending from the rear edge (312, 412, 512, 612) to the front wear edge (316, 416, 516, 616), further comprising, the first fastener receiving voids (304, 404, 504, 604) are disposed adjacent to the first laterally outer edge (326, 426, 526, 626) and the rear edge (312, 412, 512, 612), and are surrounded by protrusions (330, 430, 530, 630) defining buried holes (332, 432, 532, 632), the protrusions (330, 430, 530, 630) include a first inclined surface (334, 434, 534, 634) extending along the material flow direction (310, 410, 510, 610) toward the buried holes (332, 432, 532, 632) adjacent to the front lamp portion (314, 414, 514, 614), the protrusions (330, 430, 530, 630) at least partially define the first material flow groove (322, 422, 522, 622), the first inclined surface (334, 434, 534, 634) is disposed laterally adjacent to the first material flow groove (322, 422, 522, 622), the protrusions (330, 430, 530, 630) include a second inclined surface (336, 436, 536, 636) extending along the material flow direction (310, 410, 510, 610) adjacent to the rear edge (312, 412, 512, 612) toward the buried holes (332, 432, 532, 632), the top convex corner surface (318, 418, 518, 618) extends along the material flow direction (310, 410, 510, 610) adjacent to the rear edge (312, 412, 512, 612) toward the first material flow groove (322, 422, 522, 622) and includes a second flow ramp (340, 440, 540, 640), the second material flow groove (338, 438, 538, 638) is aligned with the first material flow groove (322, 422, 522, 622) and the material flow direction (310, 410, 510, 610), the top cover (300, 400, 500,６００）。、

3. The top cover (300, 400, 500, 600) for protecting the base edge (202) according to claim 2, wherein the first material flow groove (322, 422, 522, 622) and the second material flow groove (338, 438, 538, 638) are connected by a channel (441, 541) extending in the material flow direction (310, 410, 510, 610).

4. a second fastener receiving gap (342, 442, 542, 642), a third fastener receiving gap (344, 444, 544, 644), a third inclined surface (346, 446, 546, 646) disposed at a front portion of the second fastener receiving gap (342, 442, 542, 642) along the material flow direction (310, 410, 510, 610), and a fourth inclined surface (348, 448, 548, 648) disposed at a rear portion of the second fastener receiving gap (342, 442, 542, 642) along the material flow direction (310, 410, 510, 610), wherein the third inclined surface (346, 446, 546, 646) is disposed laterally adjacent to the first material flow groove (322,), the fourth inclined surface (348, 448, 548, 648) is disposed laterally adjacent to the second material flow groove (338, 438, 538, 638), the fourth inclined surface (348, 448, 548, 648) is disposed laterally adjacent to the third material flow groove (350, 450, 550, 650), and the fourth inclined surface (348, 448, 548, 648) is disposed laterally adjacent to the third material flow groove (350, 450, 550, 650) disposed laterally between the second fastener receiving gap (342, 442, 542, 642) and the third fastener receiving gap (344, 444, 544, 644), the top cover (300, 400, 500, 600) for protecting the base edge (202) according to claim 2.

5. The third inclined surface (346, 446, 546, 646) extends laterally to a fourth material flow groove (352) that is symmetric about a central plane (354) with respect to the first material flow groove (322, 422, 522, 622) at the front of the third fastener receiving gap (344, 444, 544, 644), the top cover (300, 400, 500, 600) for protecting the base edge (202) according to claim 4.

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