Bucket lip

Abstract

A bucket lip for an excavating bucket comprises a body sized to extend between opposite side walls of the bucket. A front side of the lip has a plurality of first wear member mounting locations and a plurality of second wear member mounting locations. Each of the second wear member mounting locations is between a pair of the first wear member mounting locations. A forward edge has a base radius defined to extend from a rearward center point on a longitudinal centerline defined along a center of the length of the body. At least one pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations is a first angled pair, wherein each of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations of the first angled pair is positioned at a first inwardly rotated angle rotated inwardly toward the longitudinal centerline.

Description

BUCKET LIPRelated Applications

[0001] This application claims priority benefits to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 631 ,406, filed April 8, 2024, and entitled “Bucket Lip,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] This application relates to excavating equipment for digging earthen material, and particularly to excavating equipment having buckets with a lip to which ground engaging tools or wear members are coupled.BACKGROUND

[0003] Excavating machines, such as used in mining, dredging, and construction operations, include hydraulic excavators, dragline machines, face shovels, loaders, backhoes, cable shovels, dredging equipment, and the like having digging implements, such as buckets, that are driven into the ground to gather a load of earthen material into a load container. The bucket is generally defined by a rear wall, a bottom wall, an upper wall, and side walls to define a cavity with an open front for receiving the excavated material. The front edge of the bottom wall is provided with a digging edge or lip to which ground engaging tools or wear members, such as teeth, adapters, and shrouds, can be coupled thereto to protect the lip against wear and to better break up the ground during digging. The lips can be formed of plate steel (referred to as plate lips) or by a casting process (referred to as cast lips). A plate lip or a cast lip is typically attached to the bucket by welding, i.e., to the front edge of the bottom wall and to the lower, front corners of each sidewall.

[0004] Cast lips are large steel structural members able to withstand impact and other heavy loading experienced as a bucket is driven through the ground, to resist undue wearing caused by high abrasion environments, and to securely support and hold the ground engagement tools in place during digging.

[0005] Some conventional lip configurations are limited because they require that unique tooth assemblies or unique shrouds are used in at least some of the mounting positions on the lip, which increases costs and makes servicing a bucket in the field more complicated.SUMMARY

[0006] Described below are implementations for bucket lips that address some of the shortcomings of conventional lip configurations.

[0007] According to one implementation, a bucket lip for an excavating bucket comprises a body having a length sized to extend between opposite side walls of the excavating bucket. A front side of the lip has a plurality of first wear member mounting locations and a plurality of second wear member mounting locations. Each of the second wear member mounting locations is between a pair of first wear member mounting locations. A forward edge of the bucket lip has a base radius defined to extend from a rearward center point on a longitudinal centerline defined along a center of the length of the body. At least one pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations is a first angled pair. Each of the first wear member mounting locations or second wear member mounting locations of the first angled pair is positioned at a first inwardly rotated angle rotated inwardly toward the centerline.

[0008] In some implementations, the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations comprise an outermost pair of mounting locations and at least one corresponding inner pair of mounting locations located closer to the centerline than the outermost pair of mounting locations. The at least one inner pair of mounting locations is stepped forward from the base radius by a selected step distance.

[0009] According to another implementation, a bucket lip for an excavating bucket comprises a body having a length sized to extend between opposite side walls of the excavating bucket. A front side of the lip has a plurality of first wear member mounting locations and a plurality of second wear member locations. Each of the second wear member mounting locations is between a pair of first wear member mounting locations. An outermost pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations defines an outermost forward edge segment having a base radius defined to extend from a first rear center point on a longitudinal centerline. The longitudinal centerline is defined to extend along a center of the length of the body. An inner corresponding pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations is positioned closer to the longitudinal centerline than the outermost pair. The inner corresponding pair of the first wear member mounting locations or second wear member mounting locations defines inner forward edge segments that are stepped forwardly in respective forward directions relative to the outer forward edge segments by a step distance.

[0010] In some implementations, at least one pair of the first wear member mounting locations or second wear member mounting locations is a first angled pair, wherein each of the first wear member mounting locations or second wear member mounting locations of the first angled pair is positioned at a first inwardly rotated angle rotated inwardly toward the centerline.

[0011] A bucket for moving earthen material, the bucket including a bucket lip having a body having a length sized to extend between opposite side walls of the excavating bucket. The bucket lip has a front side having a first plurality of first wear member mounting locations and aplurality of second wear member locations, wherein each adjacent pair of the first wear member mounting locations is interspersed with one of the second wear member mounting locations. The bucket lip has an outermost pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations defining an outermost forward edge segment having a base radius defined to extend from a center point on a longitudinal centerline extending along a center of the length of the body. The bucket lip has an inner corresponding pair of the first wear member mounting locations orthe second wear member mounting locations is positioned closer to the longitudinal centerline than the outermost pair, the inner corresponding pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations defining an inner forward edge segment having a base radius, and wherein respective inner forward edge segments for the inner corresponding pair are stepped forwardly in respective forward directions relative to the outermost forward edge segments by a step distance.

[0012] A bucket for moving earthen material, the bucket including a bucket lip having a body having a length sized to extend between opposite side walls of the excavating bucket. The bucket lip having a front side having a first plurality of first wear member mounting locations and a plurality of second wear member locations, wherein each of the second wear member mounting locations is between a pair of the first wear member mounting locations. The bucket lip includes a forward edge having a base radius defined from a center point on a longitudinal centerline extending along a center of the length of the body. At least one pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations is a first angled pair, wherein each of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations of the first angled pair is positioned at a first inwardly rotated angle rotated inwardly toward the centerline.

[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an excavating bucket showing a representative bucket lip.

[0015] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a new bucket lip having a radial rotated configuration and two exemplary wear parts shown relative to their mounting locations on the lip.

[0016] Figs. 3-8 are front, top, bottom, right side, left side and rear views, respectively, of the bucket lip of Fig. 2.

[0017] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a new bucket lip having a radial stepped lip configuration.

[0018] Figs. 10, 1 1 A, 1 1 B, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are front, top, additional top, bottom, right side, left side and rear views, respectively, of the bucket lip of Fig. 9.

[0019] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a new bucket lip having a radial stepped and rotated configuration.

[0020] Figs. 17-22 are front, top, bottom, right side, left side and rear views, respectively, of the bucket lip of Fig. 16.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Described below are implementations of a lip for excavating buckets such as used with dragline machines, dredging buckets, cable shovels, face shovels, hydraulic excavators and the like.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1 , an exemplary excavating bucket 100 having a cavity for receiving earthen material includes a bucket digging edge or lip 102 that is coupled to a body 104 of the excavating bucket 100, typically by welding. In some implementations, a back face 105 and wings or ears 107 of the lip 102 are welded to the body 104 to couple the lip 102 to the excavating bucket 100.

[0023] The lip 102 has an elongate construction extending between opposite sidewalls 103 of the excavating bucket 100 (i.e., across a width of the bucket, generally in an X-axis direction of a coordinate system 120). A centerline C of the excavating bucket 100 extends longitudinally (in a Y-axis direction of the coordinate system 120). A connection section 111 at a top of the excavating bucket 100 (in the Z-axis direction of the coordinate system 120) serves to connect it to a linkage (not shown).

[0024] The lip 102 has multiple ground engaging wear members 106 (or tools) coupled at defined locations on the front edge of the lip 102. In the illustrated implementation, the ground engaging wear members 106 include first wear members 108 and second wear members 110. In the illustrated implementation, one of the second wear members 110 is positioned between each adjacent pair of the first wear members 108, but other arrangements are also possible. The first wear members 108 can include tooth assemblies 112 (sometimes referred to as teeth), and the second wear members 110 are shrouds.

[0025] Among other considerations, the lip 102 is designed to position the first wear members 108 and the second wear members 110 to increase digging performance, provide wear resistance, and remain coupled to the lip 102 during use. As described below, the lip 102 can be configured to position the first wear members 108 and the second wear members 110 relative to a datum on the lip.

[0026] Figs. 2-8 show a new lip 202 in accordance with this disclosure. The illustrated lip 202 has a radial rotated configuration, as is described below in further detail. One of the first wear members 208 is shown spaced apart from its mounted location on a front portion 216 of the lip 202 (Fig. 2). The illustrated first wear member 208 is a tooth assembly 212 that is secured to the lip 202 by lock members 240. The tooth assembly 212 can be a multi-piece assemblyhaving a point (or tip) 242 secured to one or more adapters, such as an intermediate adapter 244 as shown, by lock members 246. One of the second wear members 210 is shown spaced apart from its mounted location on the front portion 216 (Fig. 2). The illustrated second wear member 210 is a shroud that is secured to the lip 202 by a lock member 248.

[0027] In some implementations, the tooth assembly includes a wear plate component (not shown) in addition to the tip and the one or more adapters. The wear plate component is fitted between adjacent shrouds.

[0028] The front portion 216 includes first wear member mounting locations 218 that define the mounted positions for the first wear members 208. The first wear member mounting locations 218 are generally aligned along body portions of noses 222 that project forwardly of the lip 202. In some implementations, the first wear member mounting locations 218 approximately correspond to rear surfaces of the noses 222. Similarly, the front portion 216 also includes second wear member mounting locations 220 that define the mounted positions for the second wear members 210 between the noses 222.

[0029] As shown, the lip 202 in the illustrated implementation lies substantially in the XY plane and has a curved forward edge. In addition to the curved forward edge in the XY plane, any of the lips described herein can also have a second curvature, such as in the XZ plane.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4, the first wear member mounting locations 218 and second wear member mounting locations 220 defined by the lip 202 have a forward (or leading) edge or forward edge segments 221 A, 221 B and 223A, 223B, 223C that lie along a base radius R, measured from a center point (also referred to as a base radius center point or origin center point), located rearwardly along the centerline C. Two or more of the mounting locations 218, 220 can be angled inwardly, toward the centerline C from the base radius R by a predetermined angle(s) an to define the radial rotated configuration so that the mounted position of each of the corresponding first wear member(s) 208 and / or second wear member(s) 210 is angled inwardly by the same angle(s). In some implementations, only the first mounting locations 218 are angled inwardly toward the centerline C.

[0031] In the illustrated implementation, a first angled pair 230A, 230B is angled inwardly toward the centerline C by a first rotation angle a1 . The first rotation angle a1 can be from 2.1 to 15 degrees. In some implementations, the angle a1 may preferably be from 2.5 to 5 degrees. In most implementations, a corresponding pair of wear members (i.e., two wear members equally spaced from the centerline C on opposite sides) will generally have same the same rotation angle, but other configurations are possible. The wear member closest to the centerline C, whether it is a tooth assembly or a shroud, can have a mounting location aligned along the radial direction (i.e., no rotation angle) or, in some applications, a rotated mounting location.

[0032] Also, the radial rotated configuration is defined if there is only a single angled pair 230A, 230B, as well as if there are multiple angled pairs. For example, there can be a second angledpair 232A, 232B that is angled inwardly by a second rotation angle a2. The second rotation angle a2 can be the same as or different than the first rotation angle a1. In some specific implementations, the second rotation angle a2 is less than the first rotation angle a1. The second rotation angle a2 can be from 2.1 to 15 degrees. In some implementations, the angle a2 may preferably be from 2.5 to 5 degrees.

[0033] As also shown in Fig. 4, an effective spade angle Q can be defined for the lip 202. The effective spade angle 0 represents an angle defined between a line parallel to the Y axis and a line extending between corresponding points beginning at an outer mounting location and extending to an inner mounting location. The effective spade angle 9 as illustrated thus defines an outward or convex curvature. The effective spade angle 9 can be from 2 to 20 degrees. In some implementations, the spade angle may preferably be from 5 to 10 degrees. In Fig. 4, the effective spade angle 0 is measured approximately at the forward surfaces of the noses 222, but the effective spade angle is the same when measured at corresponding tooth assemblies when mounted, provided that the tooth assemblies are of the same configuration at each mounting location.

[0034] If desired, the rotation angles (including the first rotation angle a1 , the second rotation angle a2 and any additional rotation angles) can be selected to allow use of first wear members 208 having a common configuration for any of the first wear member mounting locations 218. (Similarly, if the second wear members are also rotated, the rotation angles can be selected to allow use of second wear members 210 having a common size and shape for any of the second wear member mounting locations 220.)

[0035] It is noted that wing shrouds 113A, 1 13B, 115A, 1 15B at the ends of the lip and along sidewalls 103 of the bucket 100 (Fig. 1) may be individually configured for the respective left and right sides, or in some implementations they may have a common configuration. In a preferred implementation, at least the lower wing shrouds 1 13A, 1 13B are individually configured for the respective left and right sides because the outer pair of first wear members may be rotated inward.

[0036] In a lip for a conventional stepped spade configuration, the first and second wear member mounting locations are defined to extend parallel to the Y-axis. Commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 10,774,499, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a stepped spade lip. If the step size is sufficiently large to achieve desired spade angle, then there will likely be gaps between adjacent wear members, or adjacent wear members will need to be sized and shaped for specific positions (and thus not have a common configuration), which can be disadvantages. Gaps are a disadvantage because the underlying metal is open to wear. Requiring wear members to have a size and shape for a specific position is a disadvantage because maintaining sufficient inventory to make replacements requires stocking a greater number of parts. If the step size is kept smaller, the gaps can be kept smaller and it is possiblethat some common configurations can be defined, but the desired spade angle will not be achieved. If a desired larger spade angle cannot be achieved, then performance of the lip during earth moving operations may be reduced, which is a disadvantage. In a lip for a conventional radial configuration, common geometry for the first and second wear members is possible, but all of the wear members extend in radial directions, which can result in the outermost first wear members splaying outward to an undesirable degree when attempting to achieve a desired effective spade angle, which is a disadvantage. Therefore, the lip 202 with the radial rotated configuration allows a desired larger effective spade angle to be achieved while not producing the undesirably large splay angles for the outermost tooth assemblies that would result with a radial configuration.

[0037] Additional views of the lip 202 are shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8. The rear face 205 is opposite the front portion 216. A lower surface 260 (Fig. 5) of the lip 202 is opposite an upper surface 262 (Fig. 4). The lower surface 260 can have riser contacts 264 configured to assist in casting the lip 202. The ears 207 (Figs. 6 and 7) can extend upwardly and rearwardly for attaching the lip 202 to an excavating bucket, such as by welding the rear face 205 to the bucket.

[0038] A second new lip 302 is shown in Figs. 9-15. Features of the lip 302 in common with the lip 202 are identified with the same reference number plus 100. The lip 302 has a “radial stepped” configuration in which at least one inner mounting location (closer to the centerline C) is stepped forward relative to an outer mounting location (farther from the centerline C). The mounting locations are aligned along the respective radial directions extending perpendicularly from the respective radial segments.

[0039] For example, as shown in Fig. 1 1A, an outermost pair 334A, 334B of mounting locations have mounting locations defined at the base radius R and aligned in respective radial directions. In the example, the outermost pair 334A, 334B are for an outermost pair of the first wear member mounting locations 318. An inner pair 336A, 336B of mounting locations are for an inner pair of first wear member mounting locations 318 that are stepped forward of the outermost pair 334A, 334B by a step distance D. Thus, the forward edge segments for the inner pair 336A, 336B are defined by a radius R2 that is equal to the base radius R (or about equal or approximately equal to R), but has a different center point offset from the base radius center point by the distance D (and very slightly spaced from the centerline C). In other examples, R2 may be different in magnitude than the base radius R.

[0040] Referring again to Fig. 9, the lip 302 is also described as having a common angle 01 that positions (or separates) the first mounting positions 318 along their respective radial directions. Similarly, the lip 302 has a common angle pi that positions (or separates) the second mounting positions 320 along their respective radial directions. The common angles 01 and pi are also referred to herein as positioning angles.

[0041] There can be one or more additional inner pairs, such as the second inner pair 338A, 338B shown in Fig. 11A. The second inner pair 338A, 338B is stepped forward relative to the inner pair 336A, 336B by the distance D2. The forward edge segments for the second inner pair 338A, 338B are defined along a radius R3 that is equal to the base radius R but has a center point offset from the base radius center point by the distance D+D2. In the illustrated example, the distance D2 is equal to the distance D, but in other configurations, the distance D2 may be different than the distance D.

[0042] In the example described above, the radial stepped configuration is described for the first wear member mounting locations 318. It is also possible to have the radial stepped configuration defined for the second wear member mounting locations 320. Fig. 11B is a second top view of the lip 202 labeled to show second wear member mounting locations 320. In the example, the outermost pair 340A, 340B are for an outermost pair of the second wear member mounting locations 320. An inner pair 342A, 342B are for an inner pair of second wear member mounting locations 320 that are stepped forward of the outermost pair 340A, 342B by a step distance D3. Thus, the forward edge segments for the inner pair 342A, 342B are defined by a radius R4 that is equal to the base radius R, but has a center point offset from the base radius center point by the distance D3. In other examples, R4 may be different than the base radius R. There can be one or more additional inner pairs or an additional single inner location (the lip 302 has five second mounting locations 320), such as the second inner location 344 shown in Fig. 11 B. The second inner location 344 is stepped forward relative to the inner pair 342A, 342B by the distance D4. The forward edge segment for the second inner location 344 is defined along a radius R5 that is equal to the base radius R but has a center point spaced forwardly from the base radius center point along the centerline C by the distance D3 + D4. In the illustrated example, the distance D4 is equal to the distance D3, but in other configurations, the distance D4 may be different than the distance D3. Also, the distances D3 and / or D4 for the second mounting locations may be the same as or different than the distance D for the first mounting locations.

[0043] In Figs. 9-15, the radial stepped configuration is also defined for the second wear member mounting locations 320, and thus is defined for the first wear member mounting locations 318 and the second wear member mounting locations 320.

[0044] Because of the one or more steps in the forward direction, the radial stepped configuration with a base radius R allows a greater effective spade angle to be achieved compared to a radial configuration with the same base radius R, which is an advantage. If corner splay is held constant, then a pure radial configuration provides an effective spade angle of approximately 4.6 degrees, whereas a stepped or rotated configuration provides a greater effective spade angle of approximately 6.3 degrees, and a stepped and rotated configuration (see below) provides an even greater effective spade angle of approximately 7.5 degrees.

[0045] A third new lip 402 is shown in Figs. 16-22. Features of the lip 402 in common with the lip 302 are identified with the same reference number plus 100. The lip 402 has a “radial stepped and rotated” configuration in which at least one inner mounting location (closer to the centerline C) is stepped forward relative to an outer mounting location (farther from the centerline C) and rotated toward the centerline C.

[0046] For example, as shown in Fig. 18, an outermost pair 434A, 434B of mounting locations have mounting locations defined at the base radius R. In the example, the outermost pair 434A, 434B are for an outermost pair of the first wear member mounting locations 418. An inner pair 436A, 436B of mounting locations are for an inner pair of first wear member mounting locations 418 that are stepped forward of the outermost pair 434A, 434B by a step distance D. Thus, the forward edge segments for the inner pair 436A, 436B are defined by a radius R2 that is equal in length to the base radius R, but has a center point offset from the base radius center point by the distance D.

[0047] Referring again to Fig. 16, the lip 402 is also described as having a common angle (or positioning angle) 52 that positions (or separates) the first mounting positions 418 along their respective radial directions, and a common angle (or positioning angle) p2 that positions (or separates) the second mounting positions 420 along their respective radial directions.

[0048] In addition to having the inner pair 436A, 436B that is stepped forward relative to the outermost pair 434A, 434B, the lip 402 has two or more of the mounting locations 418, 420 that are angled inwardly toward the centerline C by a predetermined angle(s) a’n to define the radial stepped and rotated configuration so that the mounted positions of the corresponding first wear member(s) and / or second wear member(s) are angled inwardly by the same angle(s) a’n.

[0049] In the illustrated implementation, the outermost pair 434A, 434B is angled inwardly toward the centerline C by a first rotation angle a’1. The angle a’1 can be from 2.1 to 15 degrees. In some implementations, the angle a’1 can preferably be from 2.5 to 5 degrees. In most implementations, a corresponding pair of wear members (i.e., two wear members equally spaced from the centerline C on opposite sides) will generally have same the same rotation angle, but other configurations are possible. The wear member closest to the centerline C, whether it is a tooth assembly or a shroud, can have a mounting location aligned along the radial direction (i.e., no rotation angle) or, in some applications, a rotated mounting location.

[0050] Also, the radial stepped and rotated configuration is defined if there is only a single stepped and angled pair, as well as if there are multiple angled stepped and angled pairs. For example, the inner pair 436A, 436B can be a second stepped and angled pair that is angled inwardly by a second rotation angle a’2. The second rotation angle a’2 can be same as or different than the first rotation angle a’1 .

[0051] In the lips 202, 302 and 402, an effective spade angle sufficient for desired digging performance can be achieved, but without the disadvantage of outermost tooth assemblies thatare splayed outwardly (or “kicked out”) to an undesirable degree, thus reducing the risk that these tooth assemblies are damaged or worn prematurely. Also, the lips 202, 302 and 402 can be designed such that tooth assemblies and shrouds can have a common configuration (i.e., size and shape) for any of the multiple mounting locations along the lip. Moreover, the lips 202, 302, 402 have a greater strength to weight ratio than comparable lips having conventional configurations.

[0052] Any of the lips 202, 302 and 402 can be made of a material selected to be suitable for the operating conditions and requirements. For example, in some implementations, the lip is made of a cast steel material. In other implementations, the lip can be made of a plate steel. Given the typical tolerances observed in casting and the overall scale of buckets, distances within 25 mm and angles within 2 degrees are considered to be within a typical tolerance range for bucket lips described herein.

[0053] Any of the lips 202, 302 and 402 can have any number of wear number mounting positions of any type. In the described examples, there are first wear member mounting locations and second wear member mounting locations, but there could be additional types of wear member mounting locations. In the described examples, there are six first member mounting locations (such as for tooth assemblies) and five interspersed second wear member mounting locations (such as for shrouds), or five first wear member mounting locations with four second wear member mounting locations, but other combinations are also possible.

[0054] For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of examples of this disclosure are described herein. The disclosed methods and apparatus should not be construed as being limiting in anyway. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed examples, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The methods and apparatus are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed examples require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved.

[0055] Although the operations of some of the disclosed examples are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods and apparatus can be used in conjunction with other methods and apparatus.

[0056] As used in this application and in the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term “includes” means “comprises.” Further, the term “coupled” generally means physically, mechanically, chemically, magnetically, and / or electrically coupled or linked and does notexclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled or associated items absent specific contrary language.

[0057] As used herein, “e.g.” means “for example,” and “i.e.” means “that is.”

[0058] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing angles, dimensions, quantities of components, forces, moments, percentages, times, comparisons (including equality and others), and so forth, as used in the specification or claims are to be understood as being modified by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, implicitly or explicitly, the numerical parameters set forth are approximations that can depend on the desired properties sought and / or limits of detection under test conditions / methods familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art. When directly and explicitly distinguishing embodiments from discussed prior art, the embodiment numbers are not approximates unless the word “about” is recited.

[0059] Although various preferred embodiments of the disclosure are shown and described, it is to be distinctly understood that this disclosure is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:1 . A bucket lip for an excavating bucket, comprising: a body having a length sized to extend between opposite side walls of the excavating bucket; a front side having a plurality of first wear member mounting locations and a plurality of second wear member mounting locations, wherein each of the second wear member mounting locations is between a pair of the first wear member mounting locations; a forward edge having a base radius defined from a center point on a longitudinal centerline extending along a center of the length of the body, and wherein at least one pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations is a first angled pair, wherein each of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations of the first angled pair is positioned at a first inwardly rotated angle rotated inwardly toward the longitudinal centerline.

2. The bucket lip of claim 1 , wherein the first inwardly rotated angle for the first angled pair is between 2.1 degrees and 15 degrees.

3. The bucket lip of claim 1 , wherein the first inwardly rotated angle for the first angled pair is between 2.5 degrees and 5 degrees.

4. The bucket lip of any one of claims 1-3, further comprising a second angled pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations positioned at a second inwardly rotated angle different from the first inwardly rotated angle.

5. The bucket lip of any one of claims 1 -4, wherein the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations comprise an outermost pair of mounting locations and at least one corresponding inner pair of mounting locations located closer to the longitudinal centerline than the outermost pair of mounting locations, wherein the first angled pair is stepped forward from the base radius by a selected step distance.

6. The bucket lip of any one of claims 1 -5, wherein the first wear member mounting locations comprise tooth assembly mounting locations and the second wear member mounting locations comprise shroud mounting locations.

7. The bucket lip of any one of claims 1 -6, wherein the first wear member mounting locations comprise six tooth assembly mounting locations and the second wear member mounting locations comprise five shroud mounting locations.

8. The bucket lip of any one of claims 1 -7, where in the first wear member mounting locations comprise five tooth assembly mounting locations and the second wear member mounting locations comprise four shroud mounting locations.

9. The bucket lip of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the front side of the bucket lip is curved in a direction normal to the longitudinal center line.

10. The bucket lip of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the bucket lip comprises a rear side configured for welding to a front edge of a bucket.1 1. The bucket lip of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the bucket lip is formed by casting.

12. The bucket lip of any one of claims 1-1 1 , wherein the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations of the first angled pair are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline.

13. An excavating bucket, comprising: a bucket body having opposite side walls and a bucket lip mounting area defined between the opposite side walls; and a bucket lip according to any one of claims 1-12 coupled to the bucket lip mounting area.

14. A bucket lip for an excavating bucket, comprising: a body having a length sized to extend between opposite side walls of the excavating bucket; a front side having a first plurality of first wear member mounting locations and a plurality of second wear member mounting locations, wherein each adjacent pair of the first wear member mounting locations is interspersed with one of the second wear member mounting locations, wherein adjacent first wear member mounting locations are separated from each other by a first wear member positioning angle, and wherein adjacent second wear member mounting locations are separated from each other by a second wear member positioning angle; an outermost pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations defining outermost forward edge segments having a base radius defined from a center point on a longitudinal centerline extending along a center of the length of the body; andan inner corresponding pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations being positioned closer to the longitudinal centerline than the outermost pair, the inner corresponding pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations defining inner forward edge segments stepped forwardly in respective forward directions relative to the outermost forward edge segments by a step distance.

15. The bucket lip of claim 14, wherein the inner corresponding pair of first wear member mounting locations or second wear member mounting locations is a first inner corresponding pair and the inner forward edge segments are first forward edge segments, further comprising at least a second inner corresponding pair of first wear member mounting locations or second wear member mounting locations positioned closer to the longitudinal center line then the first inner corresponding pair, wherein respective second inner forward edge segments for the second inner corresponding pair are stepped forwardly in the respective forward directions relative to the first forward edge segments by a second step distance.

16. The bucket lip of any one of claims 14-15, wherein at least one pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations is a first angled pair, wherein each of the first wear member mounting locations or second wear member mounting locations of the first angled pair is positioned at a first inwardly rotated angle rotated inwardly relative to the respective positioning angle toward the centerline.

17. The bucket lip of claim 16, wherein the first angled pair comprises a first pair of first wear member mounting locations, further comprising at least one second angled pair of first wear member mounting locations, and wherein each of the second angled pair of first wear member mounting locations is angled inwardly toward the centerline from a respective positioning angle.

18. The bucket lip of claim 16, wherein the first inwardly rotated angle for the first angled pair is between 2.1 degrees and 15 degrees.

19. The bucket lip of claim 16, wherein the first inwardly rotated angle for the first angled pair is between 2.5 degrees and 5 degrees.

20. The bucket lip of claim 16, wherein the at least one pair of the first wear member mounting locations or the second wear member mounting locations is a first angled pair, further comprising at least one second angled pair of first wear member mounting locations or thesecond wear member mounting locations, wherein each of the first wear members or second wear members of the second angled pair is positioned at a second inwardly rotated angle different from the first inwardly rotated angle.

21. The bucket lip of any one of claims 14-20, wherein the first wear member mounting locations comprise tooth assembly mounting locations and the second wear member mounting locations comprise shroud mounting locations.

22. The bucket lip of any one of claims 14-21 , wherein the first wear member mounting locations comprise six tooth assembly mounting locations and the second wear member mounting locations comprise five shroud mounting locations.

23. The bucket lip of any one of claims 14-22, wherein the first wear member mounting locations comprise five tooth assembly mounting locations and the second wear member mounting locations comprise four shroud mounting locations.

24. The bucket lip of any one of claims 14-23, wherein the bucket lip comprises a rear side configured for welding to a front edge of a bucket.

25. The bucket lip of any one of claims 14-23, wherein the bucket lip is formed by casting.

26. An excavating bucket, comprising: a bucket body having opposite side walls and a lip mounting area defined between the opposite side walls; and a lip according to any one of claims 14-25 coupled to the lip mounting area.

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