Reversible locking block assembly and systems

Abstract

The present specification discloses a reversible locking block assembly useful for reversibly coupling one component to another component, a lip assembly and wear components configured to be reversibly coupled to the lip assembly using a reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein, a fastening system comprising a reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein, a lip assembly disclosed, and one or more wear components disclosed herein, and methods of reversibly coupling a wear component disclosed herein to a lip assembly disclosed herein using a reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein.

Description

REVERSIBLE LOCKING BLOCK ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEMS

[0001] This application is an international patent application that claims the benefit of priority and is entitled to the filing date pursuant to Article 8 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application PCT / US2025 / 024822, filed April 16, 2025, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention described herein generally relates to a locking block, assemblies and related systems for securely and reversibly connecting overlapping portions of two objects and being easily removable when separation of the two objects is desired.BACKGROUND

[0003] The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0004] Many construction and mining machines employ ground engagement implements, such as, e.g., a bucket, a shovel a blade, a ripper, a grader, or other earth-working tool, to excavate material like soil and rocks out of the ground or move such material from one location to another. For example, excavators, wheel loaders, track loaders, backhoe loaders, hydraulic mining shovels, cable shovels, bucket wheels, draglines, or other excavating machines make use of buckets to dig material out of the earth. Similarly, wheel dozers, crawler dozers, shiphold dozers, make use of blades to move material like soil and rocks from an area. However, a ground engagement implement can be subjected to extreme wear from the abrasion and impacts experienced during such operational use leading to damage of the ground engagement implement, reduced performance, and increased operational cost.

[0005] Leading edges, corners, and various surfaces of ground engagement implements can be protected against such wear by including wear components. Wear components are ground engaging tools that are fashioned as teeth, shrouds, corner shrouds, wing shrouds, heel shrouds, guards, adapters, lip assemblies, wear plates, edge protectors, and other components which are attached to a ground engagement implement in the area where the most damaging abrasion and impacts occur. For example, the cutting edge of a bucket can be protected with edge protectorsPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems like teeth and shrouds that wrap around and protect the cutting edge. As such, a wear component serves as wear implements that protect against undue abrasion and absorb the damaging impacts that would otherwise occur on the ground engagement implement. I n addition, a wear component can be designed to be removed when it has been worn and replaced with new wear members to ensure continued protection of ground engagement implement. Since ground engagement implements are expensive and time consuming to replace, it is more economical to wear out and replace a wear component than to wear out and replace an entire ground engagement implement.

[0006] As wear components are generally replaced after a period of use, releasable retention systems have been developed to reversibly couple a wear component to a ground engagement implement. Such releasable retention systems include a fastener that is configured to couple or decouple wear component from another component of a releasable retention system attached to a ground engagement implement. Although current releasable retention systems and their fasteners can expedient the attachment or disengagement of ear components, there are still drawbacks and opportunities for improvement.

[0007] For example, current releasable retention systems and their fasteners can be complicated to use or expensive to implement. In addition, construction and mining machines typically operate under extreme usage situations and severe environmental exposure that can cause components of a fastener to seize or otherwise become inoperable due to impacted debris, rust formation, and / or damaged components, making decoupling or disengagement of a fastener difficult and resulting in wasted time and resources. As such, easier and faster fasteners and associated releasable retention systems are needed to quickly and easily connect objects to one another that provides ease of engagement, disengagement, as well as removal if so desired.

[0008] The present specification discloses a locking block assembly useful for securely and reversibly coupling a first component to a second component in a quick and straightforward manner.SUMMARY

[0009] Aspects of the present specification disclose a reversible locking block assembly that can adopt a locked position or an unlocked position and is useful for reversibly coupling one component to another component. A disclosed reversible locking block assembly can comprise a fastener, a locking block, and a reversible attachment assembly comprising a retainer nut. A disclosed retainer nut can be inserted into a retainer nut housing in a first configuration or a second configuration In the first configuration, a retainer head of a retainer nut is seated within aPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems first retaining nut seat of a retainer nut housing in a manner that hold retainer held in place within the first retaining nut seat and the retaining flange is captured within the retaining flange seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining flange within the retaining flange seat and a bolt is securely and reversible attached to the retainer nut by a rotational force applied to the bolt head of the bolt. In the second configuration, a retainer head of a retainer nut is seated within a second retaining nut seat of a retainer nut housing in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining head within the second retaining nut seat and the retaining flange is captured within the retaining flange seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining flange within the retaining flange seat and a bolt is securely and reversible attached to retainer nut by a rotational force applied to the retainer head of the retainer nut.

[0010] Other aspects of the present specification disclose a lip assembly comprising a plurality of locking block sockets, with each of the plurality of locking block sockets being sized and shaped to receive a locking block of a reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein. A disclosed lip assembly further comprises a) a bottom plate comprising a bottom wear component engagement portion, the bottom wear component engagement portion comprising a plurality of bottom prongs and a plurality of bottom notches, each bottom notch of the plurality of bottom notches being located between two bottom prongs of the plurality of bottom prongs; b) a first side plate comprising a first wear component engagement portion, the first wear component engagement portion comprising at least two first side notches and one or more first side prongs, each first side notch of the at least two first side notches flanking either side of one first side prong of the one or more first side prongs; c) a second side plate comprising a second wear component engagement portion, the second wear component engagement portion comprising at least two second side notches and one or more second side prongs, each second side notch of the at least two second side notches flanking either side of one second side prong of the one or more second side prongs.

[0011] Yet other aspects of the present specification disclose wear components configured to be reversibly coupled to a lip assembly disclosed herein using a reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein. Non-limiting examples of a wear component include a lip shroud, a left corner shroud, a right corner shroud and a wing shroud.

[0012] Still other aspects of the present specification disclose a fastening system for securely and releasably coupling a wear component to a lip assembly. A disclosed fastening system comprises a reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein, a lip assembly disclosed, and one or more wear components disclosed herein.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0013] Further aspects of the present specification disclose methods of reversibly coupling a wear component disclosed herein to a lip assembly disclosed herein using reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate aspects of the disclosed subject matter in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are further defined in detail in the following description. Features, elements, and aspects of the disclosure are referenced by numerals with like numerals in different drawings representing the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects, in accordance with one or more embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles herein described and provided by exemplary embodiments of the invention. More generally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are schematic in nature and are not to be taken literally or to scale in terms of material configurations, sizes, thicknesses, and other attributes of an apparatus according to aspects of the present invention and its components or features unless specifically set forth herein. In such drawings:

[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded, front, top, left-side perspective view of an exemplary reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein;

[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded, front, top, left-side perspective view of an exemplary reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a front, top, right-side perspective view of an exemplary fastener disclosed herein;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a rear, bottom, left-side perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 3;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a right-side elevational view of an exemplary locking block disclosed herein;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a left-side elevational view of the locking block of FIG. 5;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the locking block of FIG. 5;

[0022] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the locking block of FIG. 5;PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0023] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the locking block of FIG. 5;

[0024] FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the locking block of FIG. 5;

[0025] FIG. 11 is a left-side elevational view of a first locking block portion disclosed herein;

[0026] FIG. 12 is a front, bottom, left-side perspective view of the first locking block portion of FIG. 11;

[0027] FIG. 13 is a left-side elevational view of a first locking block portion disclosed herein;

[0028] FIG. 14 is a front, bottom, left-side perspective view of the first locking block portion of FIG. 13;

[0029] FIG. 15 is a left-side elevational view of a fastener plate disclosed herein;

[0030] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the fastener plate in FIG. 15;

[0031] FIG. 17 is a front, bottom perspective view of the fastener plate in FIG. 15;

[0032] FIG. 18 is a front, bottom, right-side perspective view of the fastener plate in FIG. 15;

[0033] FIG. 19 is a left-side elevational view of a fastener plate disclosed herein;

[0034] FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the fastener plate in FIG. 19;

[0035] FIG. 21 is a front, bottom perspective view of the fastener plate in FIG. 19;

[0036] FIG. 22 is a front, bottom, right-side perspective view of the fastener plate in FIG. 19;

[0037] FIG. 23 is a right-side elevational view of an exemplary reversible attachment assembly disclosed herein;

[0038] FIG. 24 is a rear, top, right-side view of the reversible attachment assembly in FIG. 23;

[0039] FIG. 25 is a rear, top, right-side view of an exemplary gasket disclosed herein;PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0040] FIG.26 is a front, left perspective view of an exemplary wear component system disclosed herein comprising a reversible locking block system disclosed herein, a lip assembly disclosed herein and various wear components disclosed herein being used to couple the wear components on a lip assembly that is attached to a bucket of a bucket loader;

[0041] FIG. 27 is an exploded front, top, right-side perspective view of an exemplary wear component system disclosed herein;

[0042] FIG. 28 is a front, top, right-side perspective view of a lip assembly disclosed herein;

[0043] FIG. 29 is a magnified, top plan view of the lip assembly in FIG. 28;

[0044] FIG. 30 is a front, bottom, left-side perspective view of the lip assembly in FIG. 28;

[0045] FIG. 31 is a rear, bottom, left-side perspective view of the lip assembly in FIG. 28;

[0046] FIG. 32 is a front, top, right-side perspective view of a lip shroud disclosed herein;

[0047] FIG. 33 is a rear, top, right-side perspective view of the lip shroud in FIG. 32;

[0048] FIG.34 is a front, top, right-side perspective view of a right corner shroud disclosed herein;

[0049] FIG. 35 is a rear, top, right-side perspective view of the right corner shroud in FIG. 34;

[0050] FIG. 36 is a front, top, right-side perspective view of a left corner shroud disclosed herein;

[0051] FIG. 37 is a rear, top, right-side perspective view of the left corner shroud in FIG. 36;

[0052] FIG. 38 is a front, top, left-side perspective view of a wing shroud disclosed herein;

[0053] FIG. 39 is a rear, top, left-side perspective view of the wing shroud in FIG. 38;

[0054] FIG. 40 is a partially exploded, front, bottom, left-side perspective view of an exemplary wear component system disclosed herein;PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WQ Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0055] FIG. 41 is a magnified, cross-sectional view of an exemplary wear component system disclosed herein showing a lip shroud and a right corner shroud coupled to a lip assembly using a top block locking assembly disclosed herein;

[0056] FIG. 42 is a magnified, cross-sectional view of an exemplary wear component system disclosed herein showing a lip shroud and a left corner shroud coupled to a lip assembly using a top block locking assembly disclosed herein;

[0057] FIG. 43 is a magnified, cross-sectional view of an exemplary wear component system disclosed herein showing a lip shroud coupled to a lip assembly using a top block locking assembly disclosed herein;

[0058] FIG. 44 is a magnified, cross-sectional view of an exemplary wear component system disclosed herein showing a lip shroud coupled to a lip assembly using a top block locking assembly disclosed herein; and

[0059] FIG. 45 is a magnified, cross-sectional view of an exemplary wear component system disclosed herein showing a wing shroud coupled to a lip assembly disclosed herein.Listing of Reference Numbers Associated with DrawingsRef No. Element10 Reversible locking block assembly20 Fastner of reversible locking block assembly 1022 First end of fastener 2023 Second end of fastener 2024 Top of fastener 2025 Bottom of fastener 2026 First side of fastener 2028 Second side of fastener 2030 Arcuate portion of fastener 2032 Tip of arcuate portion 3034 Latching bolt engagement surface of arcuate portion 3036 Wear component engagement surface of arcuate portion 3040 Retaining portion of fastener 2042 Base of retaining portion 4044 First prong of retaining portion 4045 First tip of first prong 4446 Second prong of retaining portion 4047 Second tip of second prong 4648 Notch of retaining portion 4050 Locking block of reversible locking block assembly 10PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WOBierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems 52 First end of locking block 5053 Second end of locking block 5054 Top of locking block 5055 Bottom of locking block 5056 First side of locking block 5058 Second side of locking block 5059 Lip of locking block 5060 Internal compartment of locking block 5062 First end of locking block 5063 Second end of locking block 5064 Top opening of locking block 5065 Bottom of locking block 5066 First side of locking block 5068 Second side of locking block 5070 Latching bolt of internal compartment 6072 Planar surface of latching bolt 7074 Arcuate fastener surface of latching bolt 7076 Forward edge of latching bolt 7078 Rearward edge of latching bolt 7079 Access hole of internal compartment 6080 Wear component notch of locking block 5082 First portion of wear component notch 8083 Second portion of wear component notch 8084 Wear component socket opening of internal compartment 60 86 First socket shoulder of wear component socket opening 84 88 Second socket shoulder of wear component socket opening 84 90 Fastener access compartment of internal compartment 60 92 Wear component socket of internal compartment 6094 Forward end of wear component socket 9295 Rearward end of wear component socket 9296 Top of wear component socket 9297 Bottom of wear component socket 92100 Retaining seat portion of fastener access compartment 90 102 Retainer nut housing of internal compartment 60103 Attachment assembly aperture of retainer nut housing 102 104 First retaining nut seat of retainer nut housing 102106 Retaining flange seat of retainer nut housing 102108 Second retaining nut seat of retainer nut housing 102110 First locking block portion of locking block 50112 Internal surface of first locking block portion 110120 First Internal compartment of first locking block portion 110 122 First latching bolt boss of first internal compartment 120 124 Latching bolt boss mortise of first latching bolt boss 122126 First access hole of first internal compartment 120PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems128 First fastener access compartment of first internal compartment 120 130 First wear component socket of first internal compartment 120132 First retainer nut housing of first internal compartment 120133 First attachment assembly aperture of first retainer nut housing 132 134 First retaining nut seat of first retainer nut housing 132135 First retaining flange seat of first retainer nut housing 132136 First retaining nut seat of first retainer nut housing 132138 Retaining portion mortise of internal surface 112140 Second locking block portion of locking block 50142 Internal surface of second locking block portion 140150 Second Internal compartment of second locking block portion 140152 Second latching bolt boss of second internal compartment 150154 Latching bolt boss tenon of second latching bolt boss 152156 Second access hole of second internal compartment 150158 Second fastener access compartment of second internal compartment 150 160 Second wear component socket of second internal compartment 150 162 Second retainer nut housing of second internal compartment 150163 Second attachment assembly aperture of second retainer nut housing 163 164 Second retaining nut seat of second retainer nut housing 163165 Second retaining flange seat of second retainer nut housing 163166 Second retaining nut seat of second retainer nut housing 163168 Retaining portion tenon of second locking block portion 140180 Reversible attachment assembly of reversible locking block assembly 10 190 Fastener plate of reversible attachment assembly 180192 First end of fastener plate 190193 Second end of fastener plate 190194 Top of fastener plate 190195 Bottom of fastener plate 190196 First side of fastener plate 190198 Second side of fastener plate 190200 Hook portion of fastener plate 190202 Plate tab of hook portion 200204 First prong notch of hook portion 200206 Second prong notch of hook portion 200208 Bolt aperture of fastener plate 190209 Bolt head seat of bolt 208210 Retainer nut of reversible attachment assembly 180212 First end of retainer nut 210213 Second end of retainer nut 210214 Retainer head of retainer nut 210216 Body of retainer nut 210218 Retaining flange of retainer nut 210219 Bolt bore of retainer nut 210220 Bolt of reversible attachment assembly 180PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WCBierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems 222 First end of bolt 220223 Second end of bolt 220224 Bolt head of bolt 220226 Threaded portion of bolt 220230 Washer of reversible attachment assembly 180 231 Outer wall of washer 230232 Inner wall of washer 230234 Top of washer 230235 Bottom of washer 230236 Opening of washer 230240 Retaining washer of reversible attachment assembly 180 241 Outer wall of retaining washer 240242 Inner wall of retaining washer 240244 Top of retaining washer 240245 Bottom of retaining washer 240246 Opening of retaining washer 240248 Threaded surface inner wall 242250 Gasket of reversible attachment assembly 180252 First end of gasket 250253 Second end of gasket 250254 Top of gasket 250255 Bottom of gasket 250256 First side of gasket 250258 Second side of gasket 250259 Notch of gasket 250290 Wear component system300 Lip assembly of wear component system 290302 Front of lip assembly 300303 Back of lip assembly 300304 Top of lip assembly 300305 Bottom of lip assembly 300306 First side of lip assembly 300308 Second side of lip assembly 300310 Bottom plate of lip assembly 300316 First side plate of lip assembly 300318 Second side plate of lip assembly 300320 Bottom engagement portion of bottom plate 310 322 Prong of bottom engagement portion 320324 Notch of bottom engagement portion 320326 Root of notch 324328 Wear component stop of bottom plate 310330 First engagement portion of first side plate 316332 Second engagement portion of second side plate 318334 Slot of first and second engagement portions 330, 332PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WOBierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems 336 Prong of first and second engagement portions 330, 332 338 Notch of first and second engagement portions 330, 332 339 Root of notch 338340 Locking block socket of bottom plate 310400 Lip shroud of wear component system 290402 First end of lip shroud 400403 Second end of lip shroud 400404 Top side of lip shroud 400405 Bottom side of lip shroud 400406 First side of lip shroud 400408 Second side of lip shroud 400410 Main body of lip shroud 400412 Shroud edge of main body 410414 Top scallop of lip shroud 400416 Bottom scallop of lip shroud 400420 Top plate of lip shroud 400430 Bottom plate of lip shroud 400432 Engagement prong of bottom plate 430434 Fastener seat of engagement prong 432436 First side of fastener seat 436438 Second side of fastener seat 436439 Bottom surface of fastener seat 436440 Engagement compartment of lip shroud 400442 First prong slot of engagement compartment 440 444 Second prong slot of engagement compartment 440 446 Third prong slot of engagement compartment 440 450 First tab of engagement compartment 440452 First prong surface of first tab 450454 Second prong surface of first tab 450456 Root surface of first tab 450460 Second tab of engagement compartment 440462 First prong surface of second tab 460464 Second prong surface of second tab 460466 Root surface of second tab 460500 First (right) corner shroud of wear component system 290 502 First end of first corner shroud 500503 Second end of first corner shroud 500504 Top side of first corner shroud 500505 Bottom side of first corner shroud 500506 First side of first corner shroud 500508 Second side of first corner shroud 500510 Main body of first corner shroud 500512 Edge of main body 510514 Top scallop of first corner shroud 500PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems 516 Bottom scallop of first corner shroud 500520 Top plate of first corner shroud 500530 Bottom plate of first corner shroud 500532 Engagement prong of bottom plate 530534 Fastener seat of engagement prong 532536 First side of fastener seat 534538 Second side of fastener seat 534539 Bottom surface of fastener seat 534540 Side plate of first corner shroud 500542 Top of side plate 540546 First side of side plate 540548 Second side of side plate 540549 Corner tip of side plate 540550 Engagement compartment of first corner shroud 500552 First prong slot of engagement compartment 550554 Second prong slot of engagement compartment 550556 Third prong slot of engagement compartment 550558 First engagement portion slot of engagement compartment 550 560 First tab of engagement compartment 550562 First prong surface of first tab 560564 Second prong surface of first tab 560566 Root surface of first tab 560570 Second tab of engagement compartment 550572 First prong surface of second tab 570574 Second prong surface of second tab 570576 Root surface of second tab 570600 Second (left) corner shroud of wear component system 290 602 First end of second corner shroud 600603 Second end of second corner shroud 600604 Top side of second corner shroud 600605 Bottom side of second corner shroud 600606 First side of second corner shroud 600608 Second side of second corner shroud 600610 Main body of second corner shroud 600612 Shroud edge of shroud main body 610614 Top scallop of second corner shroud 600616 Bottom scallop of second corner shroud 600620 Top plate of second corner shroud 600630 Bottom plate of second corner shroud 600632 Engagement prong of bottom plate 630634 Fastener seat of engagement prong 632636 First side of fastener seat 634638 Second side of fastener seat 634639 Bottom surface of fastener seat 634PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems640 Side plate of second corner shroud 600642 Top of side plate 640646 First side of side plate 640648 Second side of side plate 640650 Engagement compartment of second corner shroud 600652 First prong slot of engagement compartment 650654 Second prong slot of engagement compartment 650656 Third prong slot of engagement compartment 650658 First engagement portion slot of engagement compartment 650660 First tab of engagement compartment 650662 First prong surface of first tab 660664 Second prong surface of first tab 660666 Root surface of first tab 660670 Second tab of engagement compartment 650672 First prong surface of second tab 670674 Second prong surface of second tab 670676 Root surface of second tab 670700 Wing shroud of wear component system 290702 First end of wing shroud 700703 Second end of wing shroud 700704 Top side of wing shroud 700705 Bottom side of wing shroud 700706 First side of wing shroud 700708 Second side of wing shroud 700710 Main body of wing shroud 700712 Edge of main body 710720 Top plate of wing shroud 700730 Bottom plate of wing shroud 700740 Engagement compartment of wing shroud 700742 First peg of engagement compartment 740744 Second peg of engagement compartment 740900 Wheeled bucker loader910 Bucket of wheeled bucker loader 900DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] A reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein is used to securely and reversibly couple a wear component to a lip assembly that is attached to a ground engagement implement such as, e.g., a blade, bucket, shovel, or other ground engagement implement of an earth moving or excavating apparatus, such as an excavator, wheel loader, wheel dozer, crawler dozer, shiphold dozer, track loader, backhoe loader, or other earth moving or excavating machines. Current locking block assemblies couple a wear component to a lip assembly using a coupling mechanism located on the top of the locking block assembly which is located on the surface usedPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems to engage earthen material. However, earthen material can become clogged within a top portion of current locking block assemblies and given the extreme weight of the earthen material and the intense force needed to move such material, the earthen material becomes impacted on top portion of current locking block assemblies becoming a hard, concrete like material. This impacted earthen material makes it incredible difficult and time consuming, if not impossible, to remove a locking block assembly when a wear component needs to be replaced or exchange with another wear component.

[0061] A reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein uses an attachment assembly that allows a reversible fastening mechanism that enables the fastening mechanism to be arranged in one of two configurations. In a first configuration, a fastening mechanism can be engaged from a top surface of a lip assembly while in a second configuration, the fastening mechanism can be engaged from a bottom surface of a lip assembly. This provides the choice of one of two alternative fastening configurations depending on the uses involved. In situations where replacement or exchange of a wear component is not unduly affected by impacted earthen material, a first configuration where a fastening mechanism can be engaged from a top surface of a lip assembly can be employed which provides for easier assess to a fastening mechanism of a reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein. On the other hand, in situations where replacement or exchange of a wear component is greatly affected by impacted earthen material, second configuration where a fastening mechanism can be engaged from a bottom surface of a lip assembly can be used where earthen material does not readily clog and become impacted. This enables a reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein to securely and reversibly couple a wear component to a lip assembly in a quick and straightforward manner regardless of the situational use.

[0062] In some embodiments, a reversible locking block assembly disclosed herein comprises a fastener, a locking block comprising a first locking block portion and a second locking block portion, and reversible attachment assembly. In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 1-2, a reversible locking block assembly 10 comprises a fastener 20, a locking block 50 comprising a first locking block portion 110 and a second locking block portion 140, and reversible attachment assembly 180.

[0063] In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 3-4, fastener 20 of reversible locking block assembly 10 has a first end 22 and a second end 23 opposite to and spaced apart from first end 22 to define a length of fastener 20, and a top 24 and a bottom, 25 opposite to and spaced apart from top 24 to define a height of fastener 20, and a first side 26 and a second side 28 opposite to and spaced apart from first side 26 to define a width of fastener 20. In some embodiments,PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems and as shown in FIGS. XX, fastener 20 has a curvilinear shape comprises a curved arcuate portion 30 located at first end 22 and a planar retaining portion 40 extending rearward from arcuate portion 30 and located at second end 28.

[0064] In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 3-4, arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 is an arcuate shaped structure ending in a tip 32 located at first end 22. Top 24 of arcuate portion 30 is concave in shape and has a radius, the curvature of which can have a constant radius (e.g., an arc of a circle) or a radius that is variable or not constant (e.g., an arc of an ellipse, a curvilinear shape) and having a radius. Bottom surface 25 of arcuate portion 30 is convex in shape and has a radius, the curvature of which can have a constant radius (e.g., an arc of a circle) or a radius that is variable or not constant (e.g., an arc of an ellipse, a curvilinear shape). Top 24 of arcuate portion 30 comprises a latching bolt engagement surface 34 while bottom 25 of arcuate portion 30 comprises a wear component engagement surface 36. The curvature of latching bolt engagement surface 34 is sized and shaped to slidably and reversibly engage with an arcuate fastener surface of a latching bolt disclosed herein. The curvature of wear component engagement surface 36 is sized and shaped to slidably and reversibly engage with a fastener seat of a wear component disclosed herein. In some embodiments, top 24 and bottom 25 of arcuate portion 30 taper or narrow towards each other along the length of arcuate portion 30 to give arcuate portion 30 a smaller height at tip 32. In addition, in some embodiments, first side 26 and second side 28 of arcuate portion 30 taper or narrow towards each other the length of arcuate portion 30 to give arcuate portion 30 a smaller width at tip 32.

[0065] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 3-4, retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 is a planar structure comprising a base, 42, a first prong 44, a second prong 46, and a notch 48, with notch 48 lying in between first and second prongs 44, 46. First prong 44 is a planar extension of first side 26 of base 42 of retaining portion 40 that ends in first tip 45 located at second end 23 while second prong 46 is a planar extension of second side 28 of base 42 of retaining portion 40 that ends in second tip 47 located at second end 23. First and second prongs 44, 46 are spaced apart from and are parallel to each other to define notch 48, a slot that ends at base 42. In some embodiments, top 24 and bottom 25 of first prong 44 taper or narrow towards each other along the length of first prong 44 to give first prong 44 a smaller height at first tip 45 and top 24 and bottom 25 of second prong 46 taper or narrow towards each other along the length of second prong 46 to give second prong 46 a smaller height at second tip 47. In some embodiments, first side 26 of first prong 44 can be a curvilinear shape that tapers or narrows towards along the length of first prong 44 to give first prong 44 a smaller width at first tip 45 and second side 28 of second prong 46 can be a curvilinear shape that tapers or narrows towards along the length of second prong 46 to give second prong 46 a smaller width at second tip 47.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0066] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 5-10, when locking block 50 is formed by assembly of first and second locking block portions 110, 140, locking block 50 of reversible locking block assembly 10 has a rectangular prism shape including a first end 52 and a second end 53 opposite to and spaced apart from first end 52 to define a length of locking block 50, and a top 54 and a bottom, 55 opposite to and spaced apart from top 54 to define a height of locking block 50, and a first side 56 and a second side 58 opposite to and spaced apart from first side 56 to define a width of locking block 50. A lip 59 extends perpendicularly from and runs circumferentially around first and second end 52, 53 and first and second sides 56, 58 of locking block 50 at top 54 to form a chamfered ledge. As described below, locking block 50 is sized and shaped to insert into a locking block socket of a lip assembly with lip 59 being sized and shaped to securely sit in a beveled edge surrounding the locking block socket, thereby locking centering locking block 50 within the locking block socket and preventing locking block 50 from falling through the locking block socket.

[0067] In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 5, 6 8( 9, a wear component notch 80 is located at bottom 55 of locking block 50 at first end 52 that forms an approximate L-shaped cutout having a first portion 82 spanning the distance from first end 52 to the vicinity of a rearward edge 78 of latching bolt 70 and a second portion 83 extending perpendicularly to and in a direction opposite top 54. Wear component notch 80 comprises wear component socket opening 84, an opening formed in first and second portions 82, 83 that enables access into wear component socket 92 of internal compartment 60. First side 56 of second portion 83 of wear component notch 80 forms a first socket shoulder 86 and second side 58 o of second portion 83 of wear component notch 80 forms a second socket shoulder 88, with first and second socket shoulders 86, 88 flanking wear component socket opening 84.

[0068] In some embodiments, and now referring to FIGS. 7 & 8, locking block 50 comprises an internal compartment 60. Internal compartment 60 has a rectangular prism shape including a first end 62 and a second end 63 opposite to and spaced apart from first end 62 to define a length of internal compartment 60, and a top opening 64 and a bottom, 65 opposite to and spaced apart from top opening 64 to define a height of internal compartment 60, and a first side 66 and a second side 68 opposite to and spaced apart from first side 66 to define a width of internal compartment 60.

[0069] In some embodiments, and now referring to FIGS. 7, 8 & 11-14, internal compartment 60 comprising a latching bolt 70, a fastener access compartment 90, and a wear component socket 92. In some embodiment, and as best seen in FIGS, 11-14, fastener access compartment 90PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems and wear component socket 92 are each a space of internal compartment 60, with fastener access compartment 90 and wear component socket 92 being in spatial communication with each other. Locking bolt 70 is positioned in front of fastener access compartment 90 and above wear component socket 92, with locking bolt 70 having an arcuate fastener surface 74 facing wear component socket 92 and an access slot 79, a channel that traverses from top 54 of locking block 50, 50’ and into wear component socket 92. Taken together, fastener access compartment 90, wear component socket 92, and access slot 79 define an internal space of internal compartment 60.

[0070] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 & 11-14, latching bolt 70 of internal compartment 60 is a curvilinear structure having a semi-circular shape that spans first and second sides 66, 68 near first end 62 of internal compartment 60, with a planar surface 72 of latching bolt 70 forming a surface flush with a surface of top 54 of locking block 50 and a curved portion forming arcuate fastener surface 74 having a radius. The curvature of arcuate fastener surface 74 is sized and shaped to slidably and reversibly receive latching bolt engagement surface 34 of fastener 20. As disused above, access slot 79 is a channel that traverses from top 54 of locking block 50 and into wear component socket 92, thereby establishing spatial communication between wear component socket 92 and access slot 70.

[0071] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 7 & 11-14, fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 in an interior space having a length defined by the space between second end 63 of internal compartment 60 and a rearward edge 78 of latching bolt 70 and a height defined by top opening 64 and bottom 65 of internal compartment 60. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 7 & 11-14, bottom 65 of fastener access compartment 90 comprises a retaining seat portion 100. In a locked position, first and second prongs 44, 46 are securely seated on retaining seat portion 100.

[0072] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 7 & 11-14, a retaining nut housing 102 is centrally located on retaining seat portion 100 of fastener access housing 90. Retaining nut housing 102 comprises an attachment assembly aperture 103, a first retaining nut seat 104, a retaining flange seat 106, and a second retaining nut seat 108 with retaining flange seat 106 positioned between first retaining nut seat 104 and second retaining nut seat 108. Attachment assembly aperture 103 is centrally located through hole of retaining nut housing 102 that traverses from bottom 65 of internal compartment 60 to bottom 55 of locking block 50. First and second retaining nut seats 104, 108 are each sized and shaped to reversibly receive a retainer head of a retainer nut disclosed herein. Retaining flange seat 106 is sized and shaped to securely receivePCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems and capture a retaining flange of a retainer nut disclosed herein in a manner that allows retaining flange to rotationally move within retainer seat flange 106.

[0073] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 & 11-14, wear component compartment 92 of internal compartment 60 is an internal space having a forward end 93 and a rearward end 94 opposite to and spaced apart from forward end 93 to define a length of wear component socket 92 and a top 95 and a bottom 96 opposite to and spaced apart from top 95 to define a height of wear component socket 92, and a first side 97 and a second side 98 opposite to and spaced apart from first side 97 to define a width of wear component socket 92. Forward end 94 of wear component socket 92 ends adjacent to first and second socket shoulders 84, 86 and participates with first and second socket shoulders 84, 86 in defining wear component socket opening 84. Wear component socket 92 is sized and shaped to reversibly receive and contain an engagement prong of a wear component disclosed herein.

[0074] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, & 11 -14, locking block 50 of reversible locking block assembly 10 comprises first locking block portion 110 and second locking block portion 140.

[0075] In some embodiments, and now referring to FIGS. 11-12, first locking block portion 110 comprises a first internal surface 112 that is opposite to and set apart from first side 56 of locking block 50 to define a width of first locking block portion 110. First internal surface 112 comprises a first internal compartment 120 that includes a first latching bolt boss 122, a first access hole 126, a first fastener access compartment 128, a first wear component socket 130, and a first retainer nut housing 132.

[0076] First latching bolt boss 122 of first internal surface 112 participates in the formation of locking bolt 70 and comprises a portion of planar surface 72 and arcuate fastener surface 74. First internal surface 112 of first latching bolt boss 122 comprises a centrally located latching bolt boss mortise 124. Latching bolt boss mortise 124 is a blind end bore sized and shaped to receive and slidably fit a latching bolt boss tenon of a second latching bolt boss which in combination serves to secure first locking block portion 110 to second locking block portion 140 and prevent rotational movement between first and second locking block portions 110, 140.

[0077] First access hole 126 of first internal surface 112 is a portion of access hole 79 and is formed by the gap defined between first end 62 of first latching bolt boss 122 of first internal compartment 120 of internal compartment 60 and forward edge 76 of latching bolt 70. First fastener access compartment 128 of first internal surface 112 is a portion of fastener accessPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems compartment 90 and is formed by the space defined between second end 63 of first internal compartment 120 of internal compartment 60 and rearward edge 78 of first latching bolt boss 122 of latching bolt 70. First wear component socket 130 of first internal compartment 120 is a portion of wear component socket 92.

[0078] First retainer nut housing 132 of first internal surface 112 is a portion of retainer nut housing 102 and comprises a first attachment assembly aperture 133, a first retaining nut seat portion 134 and a first retaining flange seat 135 and second retaining nut seat portion 136. First attachment assembly aperture 133 is a portion of attachment assembly aperture 103. First retaining nut seat portion 134 is a portion of first retaining nut seat 104, first retaining flange seat 136 is a portion of retaining flange seat 106 while second retaining nut seat portion 136 is a portion of second retaining nut seat 108

[0079] First internal surface 112 also comprises a retaining portion mortise 138 located near second end 53 of first locking block portion 110. Retaining portion mortise 138 is a blind end bore sized and shaped to receive and slidably fit a retaining portion tenon of a second retaining portion which in combination serves to secure first locking block portion 110 to second locking block portion 140 and prevent rotational movement between first and second locking block portions 110, 140.

[0080] In some embodiments, and now referring to FIGS. 13-14, second locking block portion 140 comprises a second internal surface 142 that is opposite to and set apart from second side 58 to define a width of second locking block portion 140. Second internal surface 142 comprises a second internal compartment 150 that includes a second latching bolt boss 152, a second access hole 156, a second fastener access compartment 158, a second wear component socket 160, and a second retainer nut housing 162.

[0081] Second latching bolt boss 152 of second internal surface 142 participates in the formation of locking bolt 70 and comprises a portion of planar surface 72 and arcuate fastener surface 74. Second internal surface 142 of second latching bolt boss 152 comprises a centrally located latching bolt boss tenon 154. Latching bolt boss tenon 154 is a projection arising perpendicularly from second internal surface 142 and is sized and shaped to reversibly and slidably insert into latching bolt boss mortise 124 of first latching bolt boss 122 which in combination serves to secure first locking block portion 110 to second locking block portion 140 and prevent rotational movement between first and second locking block portions 110, 140.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0082] Second access hole 156 of second internal surface 142 is a portion of access hole 79 and is formed by the gap defined between first end 62 of second internal compartment 150 of internal compartment 60 and forward edge 76 of second latching bolt boss 52 of latching bolt 70. Second fastener access compartment 158 of second internal surface 142 is a portion of fastener access compartment 90 and is formed by the space defined between second end 63 of second internal compartment 150 of internal compartment 60 and rearward edge 78 of second latching bolt boss 152 of latching bolt 70. Second wear component socket 160 of second internal compartment 150 is a portion of wear component socket 92.

[0083] Second retainer nut housing 162 of second internal surface 142 is a portion of retainer nut housing 102 and comprises a second attachment assembly aperture 163, a first retaining nut seat portion 164, a second retaining flange seat 165, and a second retaining nut seat portion 166. Second attachment assembly aperture 163 is a portion of attachment assembly aperture 103. First retaining nut seat portion 164 is a portion of first retaining nut seat 104, second retaining flange seat 165 is a portion of retaining flange seat 106, and second retaining nut seat portion 166 is a portion of second retaining nut seat 108.

[0084] Second internal surface 142 also comprises a retaining portion tenon 168 located near second end 53 of second locking block portion 140. Retaining portion tenon 168 is a projection arising perpendicularly from second internal surface 142 and is sized and shaped to reversibly and slidably insert into retaining portion mortise 138 of first locking block portion 110 which in combination serves to secure first locking block portion 110 to second locking block portion 140 and prevent rotational movement between first and second locking block portions 110, 140.

[0085] In some embodiments, and now referring to FIGS. 1 & 2, reversible attachment assembly 180 of reversible locking block assembly 10 comprises a fastener plate 190, a retainer nut 210, a bolt 220, and a gasket 250, and depending on which configuration disclosed herein is adopted, a washer 230 and a retaining washer 240. In some embodiments, and now referring to FIGS. 1 & 2, reversible attachment assembly 180 of reversible locking block assembly 10 comprises a fastener plate 190’, retainer nut 210, bolt 220, and gasket 250, and optionally washer 230 and retaining washer 240.

[0086] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 15-22, fastener plate 190 of reversible attachment assembly 180 has a first end 192 and a second end 193 opposite to and spaced apart from first end 192 to define a length of fastener plate 190, and a top 194 and a bottom 195 opposite to and spaced apart from top 194 to define a height of fastener plate 190, and a first side 196 and a second side 198 opposite to and spaced apart from first side 196 to define a width ofPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems fastener plate 190. A wedged-shaped rectangle, fastener plate 190 has a greater height at second end 193 relative to first end 192 caused by bottom 195 angling upward toward top 194. Fastener plate 190 is Fastener plate 190 comprises a hook portion 200 that perpendicularly extends from bottom 195 at second end 198. Hook portion 200 comprises a plate tab 202, a first prong notch 204 and a second prong notch 206 with plate tab 202 positioned in between first and second prong notches 204, 206. First prong notch 204 is sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive first tip 45 of first prong 44 of fastener 20 while second prong notch 206 is sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive second tip 47 of second prong 46 of fastener 20 with plate tab 202 sized and shaped to securely and reversibly insert in notch 48 of fastener 20.

[0087] In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 16-18, fastener plate 190 also comprises a bolt aperture 208, a through hole traversing from top 194 to bottom 195 of fastener plate 190. Bolt aperture 208 comprises a bolt head seat 209, a beveled edge located on top 294 that surrounds the circumference of bolt aperture 208. Bolt aperture 208 is sized and shaped to reversibly receive bolt 220 with a bolt head of bolt 220 reversibly seating upon bolt head seat 209. In addition, bolt aperture 208 is in alignment with plate tab 202 so that when bolt 220 is inserted through bolt aperture 208, bolt 220 inserts past notch 48 of fastener 20 and into attachment assembly aperture 103.

[0088] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 19-22, fastener plate 190’ of reversible attachment assembly 180 lacks bolt aperture 208 and instead bolt 220 is integrated onto a portion of bottom surface 198 of fastener plate 190’. Bolt 220 is located in the same position as bolt aperture 208 thereby enabling alignment of bolt 220 with attachment assembly aperture 103 of assembly housing 102 and operational engagement of bolt 220 of fastener plate 190’ with retaining nut 210, washer 230 and retaining washer 240.

[0089] In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 23 & 24, retainer nut 210 of reversible attachment assembly 180 has a first end 212 and a second end 213 opposite to and spaced apart from first end 212 to define a length of retainer nut 210. Retainer nut 210 comprises a retainer head 214, a body 216, and a retaining flange 218. Retainer head 214 is located at first end 212 of retainer nut 210 and is sized and shaped to be gripped by hand or to receive and secure an appropriate tool and can be of any useful standard industry or proprietary shape for engagement with and to provide purchase for a tool, such as a wrench (open or closed ended) or a socket of a socket wrench, for rotation of retainer nut 210. In some embodiments, retainer head 214 can be cylindrical and have a single head side or be multi-sided and have a plurality of head sides to provide additional snug purchase for a tool to facilitate rotation of retainer nut 210. In some embodiments, and referring to FIG. 24, retainer head 214 is hexagonal in shape and has six headPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems sides. Body 216 extends perpendicular from retainer head 214 with retaining flange 218 positioned around the circumference of body 216. A bolt bore 219 traverse retainer nut 210 from first end 212 to second end 213 and is a threaded hole sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive a threaded portion of bolt 220.

[0090] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 23-24, bolt 220 of reversible attachment assembly 180 has a first end 222 and a second end 223 opposite to and spaced apart from first end 222 to define a length of bolt 220. Bolt 220 comprises a bolt head 224 at first end 222 and a threaded portion 226 extending perpendicular from bolt head 224 and ending at second end 223. Threaded portion 226 of bolt 220 is sized and shaped to securely and reversibly screw into bolt bore 219 of retainer nut 210. In some embodiments, bolt 220 is a separate stand-alone component of attachment assembly 180 and is used in conjunction with fastener plate 190. In some embodiments, bolt 220 is joined to fastener plate 190’ and one integrated component where bolt 220 comprises threaded portion 226 but lacks bolt head 224.

[0091] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 23-24, washer 230 of reversible attachment assembly 180 is an annular ring defining a washer opening 236 of sufficient internal diameter to receive therewithin bolt 220 of reversible attachment assembly 180. Washer 230 comprises an outer wall 231 and an inner wall 232 opposite to and spaced apart from outer wall 231 to define a thickness of washer 230 and a top 234 and a bottom 235 opposite to and spaced apart from top 234 to define a height of washer 230. Washer 230 assists in stabilizing bolt 220 and dissipating the downward forces exerted on reversible attachment assembly 180 once bolt 220 has been inserted through bolt aperture 208 of fastener plate 190 and attachment assembly 180 is in a locked position.

[0092] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 23-24, retaining washer 240 of reversible attachment assembly 180 is an annular ring defining a washer opening 246 of sufficient internal diameter to receive therewithin bolt 220 of reversible attachment assembly 180. Retaining washer 240 comprises an outer wall 241 and an inner wall 242 opposite to and spaced apart from outer wall 241 to define a thickness of retaining washer 240 and a top 244 and a bottom 245 opposite to and spaced apart from top 244 to define a height of retaining washer 240. Inner wall 242 comprises a portion having a threaded surface 248. Threaded surface 248 of retaining washer 240 is sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive a threaded portion of bolt 220 and serves to hold washer 230 in place against bottom surface 195 of fastener plate 190, thereby securely and reversibly holding bolt 220 in place within bolt aperture 208 of fastener plate 190.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0093] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 25, gasket 250 of reversible attachment assembly 180 has a first end 252 and a second end 253 opposite to and spaced apart from first end 252 to define a length of gasket 250, and a top 254 and a bottom 255 opposite to and spaced apart from top 254 to define a height of gasket 250, and a first side 256 and a second side 258 opposite to and spaced apart from first side 256 to define a width of gasket 250. Gasket 250 serves a wedge that occupies any space within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 that lies between a top surface of base 42 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 and bottom surface 195 of fastener plate 190, 190’. In conjunction with fastening plate 190, 190’, gasket assists in cinching down on retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 against bottom 65 of fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60.

[0094] Reversible locking block assembly 10 is configured to adopt one of two configurations based on the positioning of retainer nut 210 of reversible attachment assembly 180 within retainer nut housing 102 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50.

[0095] In the first configuration, retainer head 216 of retainer nut 210 is seated within first retaining nut seat 104 of retainer nut housing 102 in a manner where retaining flange 218 is captured by and seated within retaining flange seat 106 in a manner that allows retaining flange 218 to rotationally move within retainer seat flange 106. In this orientation, body 216 at second end 213 of retainer nut 210 extends into second retaining nut seat 108 of retainer nut housing 102. In a first configuration, retainer head 216 is held in place by first retaining nut seat 104 and bolt 220 is securely and reversible attached to retainer nut 210 by a rotational force applied to bolt 220. As such, in a first configuration, a fastening mechanism can be engaged from top 54 of a locking block 50 of reversible locking block assembly 10.

[0096] To assemble locking block 50 in a first configuration, retainer head 216 of retainer nut 210 is seated within first retainer seat portion 134 of first retainer nut housing 132 of first locking block portion 110 in a manner where retaining flange 218 is seated within first retaining flange seat 135. In this orientation, body 216 at second end 213 of retainer nut 210 extends into second retainer seat 136 of first retainer nut housing 132. Second locking block portion 140 is then reversibly secured to first locking block portion 110. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by inserting latching bolt boss tenon 154 of second latching bolt boss 152 of second locking block portion 140 into latching bolt boss mortise 124 of first latching bolt boss 122 of first latching bolt boss 122 of first locking block portion 110 and inserting retaining portion tenon 168 of second locking block portion 140 into retaining portion mortise 138 of first locking block portion 110 in a manner where 1) retainer head 216 of retainer nut 210 is seated within first retaining nut seat portions 134, 164 of first and second retainer nut housings 132, 162, respectively, thereby forming first retaining nutPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems seat 104 of retainer nut housing 102; 2) retaining flange 218 is captured by and seated within first and second retaining flange seats 135, 165 of first and second retainer nut housings 132, 162, respectively, thereby forming retaining flange seat 106; and 3) body 216 at second end 213 of retainer nut 210 extends into second retaining nut seat 108 of retainer nut housing 102, which was formed by second retainer seats 136, 166 of first and second retainer nut housings 132, 162, respectively. It should be noted that assembly locking block 50 in a first configuration, can also be achieved by properly placing retainer nut 210 first within second retainer nut housing 162 and then reversibly securing first locking block portion 110 to second locking block portion 140. Thus, a process of assembling locking block 50 in a first configuration by properly placing retainer nut 210 first within first retainer nut housing 132 applies mutatis mutandis to process of assembling locking block 50 in a first configuration by properly placing retainer nut 210 first within second retainer nut housing 162.

[0097] In a second configuration, retainer head 216 of retainer nut 210 is seated within second retainer seat 108 of retainer nut housing 102 in a manner where retaining flange 218 is captured by and seated within retaining flange seat 106 and allows retaining flange 218 to rotationally move within retainer seat flange 106. In this orientation, body 216 at second end 213 of retainer nut 210 extends past first retainer seat 104 and into internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. In a second configuration, retainer head 216 is free to rotationally turn within second retainer seat 108 and bolt 220 is securely and reversible attached to retainer nut 210 by a rotational force applied to retainer nut 210. As such, in a second configuration, a fastening mechanism can be engaged from bottom 55 of a locking block 50 of reversible locking block assembly 10. In a second configuration, bolt 220 is prevented from rotationally moving when a rotational force is applied to retainer nut 210 in one of two ways. In some embodiments, where fastener plate 190 is part of reversible attachment assembly 180 instead of fastener plate 190’, then bolt 220 is prevented from rotationally moving when a rotational force is applied to retainer nut 210 by the engagement of a tool (or impacted earthen material) with bolt head 224 that restricts the movement of bolt 220. In some embodiments, where fastener plate 190’ is part of reversible attachment assembly 180 instead of fastener plate 190, then fastener plate 190’ prevents bolt 220 from rotationally moving when a rotational force is applied to retainer nut 210. The rotational movement of fastener plate 190’ is prevented because first side 66 of internal compartment 60 is adjacent first side 196 of fastener plate 190’ and second side 68 of internal compartment 60 is adjacent second side 198 of fastener plate 190’, thereby restricting the movement of fastener plate 190’.

[0098] To assemble locking block 50 in a second configuration, retainer head 216 of retainer nut 210 is seated within second retainer seat portion 136 of first retainer nut housing 132 of firstPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems locking block portion 110 in a manner where retaining flange 218 is seated within first retaining flange seat 135. In this orientation, body 216 at second end 213 of retainer nut 210 extends past first retainer seat 134 and into first internal compartment 120 of first locking block portion 110. Second locking block portion 140 is then reversibly secured to first locking block portion 110. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by inserting latching bolt boss tenon 154 of second latching bolt boss 152 of second locking block portion 140 into latching bolt boss mortise 124 of first latching bolt boss 122 of first latching bolt boss 122 of first locking block portion 110 and inserting retaining portion tenon 168 of second locking block portion 140 into retaining portion mortise 138 of first locking block portion 110 in a manner where 1) retainer head 216 of retainer nut 210 is seated within second retaining nut seat portions 136, 166 of first and second retainer nut housings 132, 162, respectively, thereby forming second retaining nut seat 108 of retainer nut housing 102; 2) retaining flange 218 is captured by and seated within first and second retaining flange seats 135, 165 of first and second retainer nut housings 132, 162, respectively, thereby forming retaining flange seat 106; and 3) body 216 at second end 213 of retainer nut 210 extends past first retainer seat 104 and into internal compartment 60 of locking block 50, with first retainer seat 104 being formed by first retaining nut seats 134, 164 of first and second retainer nut housings 132, 162 and internal compartment 60 being formed by first and second internal compartments 120, 150 of first and second locking block portions 110, 140. It should be noted that assembly locking block 50 in a second configuration, can also be achieved by properly placing retainer nut 210 first within second retainer nut housing 162 and then reversibly securing first locking block portion 110 to second locking block portion 140. Thus, a process of assembling locking block 50 in a second configuration by properly placing retainer nut 210 first within first retainer nut housing 132 applies mutatis mutandis to process of assembling locking block 50 in a first configuration by properly placing retainer nut 210 first within second retainer nut housing 162.

[0099] Reversible locking block assembly 10 is useful for securely and reversibly coupling a first component to a second component in a quick and straightforward manner. In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 is useful or securely and reversibly coupling a wear component to a lip assembly attached to a ground engagement implement such as, e.g., a blade, bucket, shovel, or other ground engagement implement of an earth moving or excavating apparatus, such as an excavator, wheel loader, wheel dozer, crawler dozer, shiphold dozer, track loader, backhoe loader, or other earth moving or excavating machines. With this in mind, the following examples serve to illustrate the functionality of reversible locking block assembly 10, regarding the coupling of wear components to a lip assembly attached to a ground engagement implement of an earth moving or excavating apparatus.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0100] To provide an overview perspective, FIG. 26 illustrates an exemplary system showing a lip assembly 300 attached to a bucket 910 of a bucket loader 900. Lip assembly 300 can be welded, bolted or otherwise attached to bucket 910 and is configured to securely and reversibly couple a wear component using reversible locking block assembly 10. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 26 & 27, a lip shroud 400, a first corner shroud 500, a second corner shroud 600, and a wing shroud 700 are shown coupled to lip assembly 300 using reversible locking block assembly 10. Although lip shroud 400, first corner shroud 500, second corner shroud 600, and wing shroud 700 are illustrated, any number of wear components, accessories, adapters, etc. can be securely and reversibly coupled to lip assembly 300 using reversible locking block assembly 10, including, an adaptor assembly for a tooth assembly.

[0101] Thus, the present specification discloses a wear component system comprising reversible locking block assembly 10, lip assembly 300, and one or more wear components. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 27, a wear component system 290 comprises locking block assembly 10, lip assembly 300, and one or more wear components including lip shroud 400, first corner shroud 500, second corner shroud 600, wing shroud 700, or any combination thereof.

[0102] A lip assembly disclosed herein is configured to receive and use reversible locking block assembly 10, and together a lip assembly disclosed herein and reversible locking block assembly 10 are employed to securely and reversibly couple a wear component to a lip assembly disclosed herein. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 28-31, lip assembly 300 has a front 302 and a back 303 opposite to and spaced apart from front 302 to define a length of lip assembly 300, and a top 304 and a bottom, 305 opposite to and spaced apart from top 304 to define a height of lip assembly 300, and a first side 306 and a second side 308 opposite to and spaced apart from first side 306 to define a width of lip assembly 300. Lip assembly 300 comprises a bottom plate 310, a first side plate 316, and a second plate 318. First side plate 316 extends upward from bottom plate at first side 306 of lip assembly 300 while second side plate 318 extends upward from bottom plate at second side 308 of lip assembly.

[0103] In some embodiments, and still referring to FIGS. 28-31, bottom plate 310 comprises a bottom engagement portion 320 configured to securely and reversibly receive a wear component, such as, e.g., lip shroud 400, first corner shroud 500, and second corner shroud 600. Bottom engagement portion 320 comprises a plurality of prongs 322 and a plurality of notches 324 located a front 302 of lip assembly 300 arranged in an alternating pattern prong 322, notch 324, prong 322, notch 324, prong 322, etc. As each notch of plurality of notches 324 is interspersed between two prongs of plurality of prongs 322, there will be one more prong than there are notches. Each prong 322 extends forward from front 302 is a direction substantially parallel to bottom plate 310,PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems with two prongs 322 forming notch 324 therebetween and a root 326 is formed at a base of each notch 324, with root 326 spanning the distance between the two prongs 322 flanking notch 324. In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIG. 27, plurality of prongs 322 can have differing widths configured to securely and reversible engage with a wear component, such as, e.g., lip shroud 400, first corner shroud 500, and second corner shroud 600. In some embodiments, plurality of prongs 322 can have uniform widths configured to securely and reversible engage with a wear component, such as, e.g., lip shroud 400, first corner shroud 500, and second corner shroud 600.

[0104] Although FIGS. 28-31 depict bottom plate 310 with 17 prongs, this is simply an exemplary representation of the number comprising a plurality of prongs 322. In some embodiments, plurality of prongs 322 can comprise, e.g., 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25 prongs. In other embodiments, plurality of prongs 322 can comprise, e.g., at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, at least 22, at least 23, at least 24 or at least 25 prongs. In yet other embodiments, plurality of prongs 322 can comprise, e.g., at most 10, at most 11, at most 12, at most 13, at most 14, at most 15, at most 16, at most 17, at most 18, at most 19, at most 20, at most 21 , at most 22, at most 23, at most 24 or at most 25 prongs. In still other embodiments, plurality of prongs 322 can comprise, e.g., about 10 to about 15 prongs, about 10 to about 20 prongs, about 10 to about 25 prongs, about 15 to about 20 prongs, about 15 to about 25 prongs, or about 20 to about 25 prongs.

[0105] In addition, although FIGS. 28-31 depict bottom plate 310 with 16 notches, this is simply an exemplary representation of the number comprising a plurality of notches 324. In some embodiments, plurality of notches 324 can comprise, e.g., 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25 notches. In other embodiments, plurality of notches 324 can comprise, e.g., at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, at least 22, at least 23, at least 24 or at least 25 notches. In yet other embodiments, plurality of notches 324 can comprise, e.g., at most 10, at most 11, at most 12, at most 13, at most 14, at most 15, at most 16, at most 17, at most 18, at most 19, at most 20, at most 21 , at most 22, at most 23, at most 24 or at most 25 notches. In still other embodiments, plurality of notches 324 can comprise, e.g., about 10 to about 15 notches, about 10 to about 20 notches, about 10 to about 25 notches, about 15 to about 20 notches, about 15 to about 25 notches, or about 20 to about 25 notches.

[0106] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 28-31, bottom plate 310 also comprises a plurality of locking block sockets 340, with each of plurality of locking block sockets 340 formedPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems through a thickness of bottom plate 310. Each locking block socket 340 is sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive reversible locking block assembly 10. Each locking block socket 340 is operationally positioned and aligned behind bottom engagement portion 320 so that when assembled, a wear component inserted onto a site on bottom engagement portion 320 can be properly coupled using reversible locking block assembly 10 contained within locking block socket 340 that is associated with that site In some embodiments, and still referring to FIGS. 28-31, each locking block socket 340 is operationally positioned and aligned directly behind every other prong 322.

[0107] Although FIGS. 28-31 depict bottom plate 310 with 8 locking block sockets, this is simply an exemplary representation of the number comprising a plurality of locking block socket 340. In some embodiments, plurality of locking block sockets 340 can comprise, e.g., 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 locking block sockets 340. In other embodiments, plurality of locking block socket 340 can comprise, e.g., at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, or at least 12 locking block sockets. In yet other embodiments, plurality of locking block socket 340 can comprise, e.g., at most 4, at most 5, at most 6, at most 7, at most 8, at most 9, at most 10, at most 11, or at most 12 locking block sockets. In still other embodiments, plurality of locking block socket 340 can comprise, e.g., about 4 to about 6 locking block sockets, about 4 to about 8 locking block sockets, about 4 to about 10 locking block sockets, about 4 to about 12 locking block sockets, about 6 to about 8 locking block sockets, about 6 to about 10 locking block sockets, about 6 to about 12 locking block sockets, about 8 to about 10 locking block sockets, about 8 to about 12 locking block sockets, or about 10 to about 12 locking block sockets.

[0108] In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIG. 30, a wear component stop 328 is positioned on either side of each locking block socket 340. Each wear component stop 328 is sized and shaped to abut against a back surface of a wear component when such a component is engaged with bottom engagement portion 320. Wear component stop 328 provides additional support to a wear component by providing the wear component with a greater surface area to engage with bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310. This design enables a wear component to distribute the resulting force to bottom 305 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300 that is created when digging and / or lifting earthen material.

[0109] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 28, 308( 31, first side plate 316 comprises a first engagement portion 330 and second side plate 318 comprises a second engagement portion 332. First and second engagement portions 330, 332 are configured to securely and reversibly receive a wear component, such as, e.g., wing shroud 700. In some embodiments, and now referring to FIGS. 28, 30 8( 31 , first and second engagement portions 330, 332 eachPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems comprise one or more slots 334. Each slot 334 is L-shaped channels located in an outside surface of first and second engagement portions 330, 332 and are configured to securely and reversible engage with a pin located within an engagement compartment of a wear component, such as, e.g., wing shroud 700. Although first and second engagement portions 330, 332 are each shown comprising two slots 334, first and second engagement portions 330, 332 can comprise from one to five slots 334.

[0110] In some embodiments, and now referring to FIGS. 28-31, first engagement portion 330 comprises one or more prongs 336 and at least two notches 338 located on a front 302 of lip assembly 300 arranged in an alternating pattern prong 336, notch 338, prong 336, notch 338, prong 336, etc. Similarly, second engagement portion 332 comprises one or more prongs 336 and at least two notches 338 located on a front 302 of lip assembly 300 arranged in an alternating pattern prong 336, notch 338, prong 336, notch 338, prong 336, etc. Each prong 336 extends forward from front 302 is a direction substantially parallel to first and second side plate 316, 318, with two prongs 336 forming notch 338 therebetween and a root 339 is formed at a base of each notch 338, with root 339 spanning the distance between the two prongs 336 flanking notch 338. In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIGS. 24-26, first and second engagement portions 330, 332 comprise a single prong 336 flanked by two notches 338 configured to securely and reversible engage with a wear component, such as, e.g., wing shroud 700.

[0111] Wear components are ground engaging tools attached to a ground engagement implement to protect the ground engagement implement against wear and damage that typically occurs to due to impact and abrasion forces occurring when earthen material is moved by an earth moving or excavating apparatus. Non-limiting examples of a wear component include teeth, shrouds, corner shrouds, wing shrouds, heel shrouds, guards, adapters, lip assemblies, wear plates, edge protectors, and other components which are attached to a ground engagement implement in the area where the most damaging abrasion and impacts occur. In some embodiments, a wear component capable of being used with reversible locking block assembly 10 and lip assembly 300 as part of a wear component system 290 include, without limitation, a shroud 400, a first corner shroud 500, a second corner shroud 600, and a shroud 700.

[0112] Referring to FIGS. 32 & 33, exemplary lip shroud 400 is a wear implement used to cover and shield a cutting edge of a ground engagement implement, enhance the durability and efficiency of the cutting edge, help prevent wear and abrasion caused by contact with the ground and various materials during excavation and loading operations, as well as increase productivity when excavating or loading. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 27, lip shroud 400 reversibly and securely couples to lip assembly 300 using reversible locking block assembly 10.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and SystemsIn some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 32 & 33, lip shroud 400 has a front 402 and a back 403 opposite to and spaced apart from front 402 to define a length of lip shroud 400, and a top 404 and a bottom, 405 opposite to and spaced apart from top 404 to define a height of lip shroud 400, and a first side 406 and a second side 408 opposite to and spaced apart from first side 406 to define a width of lip shroud 400. Lip shroud 400 comprises a main body 410, a top plate 420, a bottom plate 430, and an engagement compartment 440.

[0113] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 32 & 33, main body 410 of lip shroud 400 is a solid wedge-shape structure formed by top 404 of lip shroud 400 angling downward until it meets bottom 405 of lip shroud 400. A shroud edge 412 is formed at the junction of where top and bottom 404, 405 converge and serves to dig into and excavate earthen material. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 32, main body 410 comprises one or more top scallops 414, concave, accurate shaped depressions that serve as an anti-clogging feature that facilitates the dispersion of earthen material during use. In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIG. 40, main body 410 comprises one or more bottom scallops 416, rectangular prism shaped depressions that serve as an anti-clogging feature that facilitates the dispersion of earthen material during use.

[0114] In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 32 & 33, top plate 420 extends rearward from main body 410 from second end 403 at top side 404 of lip shroud 400 and bottom plate 430 extends rearward from main body 410 from second end 403 at bottom side 405 of lip shroud 400. Top plate 420 is opposite to and spaced apart from bottom plate 430 with the internal space there between defining engagement compartment 440. Bottom plate 430 comprises an engagement prong 432. Engagement prong 432 is an extension of bottom plate 430 that extends rearward from second end 403 of lip shroud 400. Engagement prong 432 is sized and shaped to securely and reversible insert through wear component socket opening 84 and fit into wear component socket 92. As shown in FIG. 32, engagement prong 432 comprises a fastener seat 434, a curved depression having a first side 436, a second side 438, and an arcuate bottom surface 439 having a radius. Fastener seat 434 is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive wear component engagement surface 36 of fastener 20.

[0115] In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIG. 32, bottom plate 430 comprising engagement prong 432 is substantially longer than top plate 420 which permits lip shroud 400 which enables a great surface area contact with bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 at bottom 305 of lip assembly 300. This design enables lip shroud 400 to resist large torque moments created when digging and / or lifting earthen material by creating of a long moment arm that distributes the resulting force to bottom 305 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0116] Engagement compartment 440 of lip shroud 400 is sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receives and engages with three adjacent prongs from plurality of prongs 322 and two notches 324 that are included therein of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 32 & 33, engagement compartment 440 comprises a first prong slot 442, a second prong slot 444, and a third prong slot 446, a first tab 450 and a second tab 460.

[0117] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 33, first prong slot 442 is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a portion of a first prong of plurality of prongs 322 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. Second prong slot 444 is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a second prong of plurality of prongs 322 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. Third prong slot 446 is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a portion of third prong of plurality of prongs 322 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300.

[0118] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 33, first tab 450 is a solid structure that extends rearward from main body 410 and into engagement compartment 440 and vertically joins top plate 420 and bottom plate 430 and delineates first prong slot 442 from second prong slot 444. First tab 450 comprises a first prong surface 452, a second prong surface 454 opposite first prong surface 452 and a root surface 456 that spans the distance between first and second prong surfaces 452, 454. First tab 450 is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a first notch 324 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. Similarly, second tab 460 is a solid structure that extends rearward from main body 410 and into engagement compartment 440 and vertically joins top plate 420 and bottom plate 430 and delineates second prong slot 444 from third prong slot 446. Second tab 460 comprises a first prong surface 462, a second prong surface 464 opposite first prong surface 462 and a root surface 466 that spans the distance between first and second prong surfaces 462, 464. Second tab 460 is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a notch 324 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300.

[0119] Referring to FIGS. 34 & 35, exemplary first corner shroud 500 is a wear implement used to cover and shield a cutting edge of a ground engagement implement, enhance the durability and efficiency of the cutting edge, help prevent wear and abrasion caused by contact with the ground and various materials during excavation and loading operations, as well as increase productivity when excavating or loading. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 27, firstPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems corner shroud 500 reversibly and securely couples to lip assembly 300 using reversible locking block assembly 10. First corner shroud 500 has a handedness and is configured to insert onto a corner formed by bottom plate 310 and side 316 of lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 34 & 35, first corner shroud 500 has a front 502 and a back 503 opposite to and spaced apart from front 502 to define a length of first corner shroud 500, and a top 504 and a bottom, 505 opposite to and spaced apart from top 504 to define a height of first corner shroud 500, and a first side 506 and a second side 508 opposite to and spaced apart from first side 506 to define a width of first corner shroud 500. First corner shroud 500 comprises a main body 510, a top plate 520, a bottom plate 530, a side plate 540, and an engagement compartment 550.

[0120] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 34 & 35, main body 510 of first corner shroud 500 is a solid wedge-shape structure formed by top 504 of first corner shroud 500 angling downward until it meets bottom 505 of first corner shroud 500. A shroud edge 512 is formed at the junction of where top and bottom 504, 505 converge and serves to dig into and excavate earthen material. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 34, main body 510 comprises one or more top scallops 514, concave, accurate shaped depressions that serve as an anti-clogging feature that facilitates the dispersion of earthen material during use. In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIG. 41, main body 510 comprises one or more bottom scallops 516, rectangular prism shaped depressions that serve as an anti-clogging feature that facilitates the dispersion of earthen material during use.

[0121] In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 34 & 35, top plate 520 extends rearward from main body 510 from second end 503 at top side 504 of first corner shroud 500 and bottom plate 530 extends rearward from main body 510 from second end 503 at bottom side 505 of first corner shroud 500. Top plate 520 is opposite to and spaced apart from bottom plate 530. Side plate 540 comprises a top 542 that is opposite to and spaced apart from bottom 505 of first corner shroud 500 to define a height of side plate 540 and a first side 546 and a second side 548 opposite to and spaced apart from first side 548 to define a width of side plate 540. First side 542 of side plate 540 extends upwardly from bottom plate 530 at first side 506 of first corner shroud 500 and spans the distance from bottom plate 530 to top 542 of side plate 540. Second side 544 of side plate 540 extends upwardly from top plate 520 near first side 506 of first corner shroud 500 and spans the distance from top plate 520 to top 542 of side plate 540. Together top plate, 520, bottom plate 530 and side plate 540 form and internal space defining engagement compartment 550.

[0122] Bottom plate 530 comprises an engagement prong 532. Engagement prong 532 is an extension of bottom plate 530 that extends rearward from second end 503 of first corner shroudPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems500. Engagement prong 532 is sized and shaped to securely and reversible insert through wear component socket opening 84 and fit into wear component socket 92. As shown in FIG. 34, engagement prong 532 comprises a fastener seat 534, a curved depression having a first side 536, a second side 538, and an arcuate bottom surface 539 having a radius. Fastener seat 534 is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive wear component engagement surface 36 of fastener 20.

[0123] In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIG. 34, bottom plate 530 comprising engagement prong 532 is substantially longer than top plate 520 which permits first corner shroud 500 to have larger surface area contact with bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 at bottom 305 of lip assembly 300. In addition, side plate 540 engages with first engagement portion 330 of side plate 316 of lip assembly 300. This design enables first corner shroud 500 to resist large torque moments created when digging and / or lifting earthen material by creating of a long moment arm that distributes the resulting force to bottom 305 of bottom plate 310 and side plate 316 of lip assembly 300.

[0124] In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIG. 34, side plate 540 extends forward from first end 502 at first side 506 to form a corner tip 549. Corner tip 549 serves to dig into and excavate earthen material.

[0125] Engagement compartment 550 of first corner shroud 500 is sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receives and engages with three adjacent prongs from plurality of prongs 322 and two notches 324 that are included therein of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300 and first engagement portion 330 of side plate 316 of lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 34 & 35, engagement compartment 550 comprises a first prong slot 552, a second prong slot 554, and a third prong slot 556, a first engagement portion slot 558, a first tab 560 and a second tab 570.

[0126] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 35, first prong slot 552 is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a first prong of plurality of prongs 322 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. Second prong slot 554 is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a second prong of plurality of prongs 322 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. Third prong slot 556 is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a portion of third prong of plurality of prongs 322 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. First engagement portion slot 558 is a cavity adjacent to first prong slot 552 and is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a front portion of first engagement portion 330.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0127] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 35, first tab 560 is a solid structure that extends rearward from main body 510 and into engagement compartment 550 and vertically joins top plate 520 and bottom plate 530 and delineates first prong slot 552 from second prong slot 554. First tab 560 comprises a first prong surface 562, a second prong surface 564 opposite first prong surface 562 and a root surface 566 that spans the distance between first and second prong surfaces 562, 564. First tab 560 is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a first notch 324 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. Similarly, second tab 570 is a solid structure that extends rearward from main body 510 and into engagement compartment 550 and vertically joins top plate 520 and bottom plate 530 and delineates second prong slot 554 from third prong slot 556. Second tab 570 comprises a first prong surface 572, a second prong surface 574 opposite first prong surface 572 and a root surface 576 that spans the distance between first and second prong surfaces 572, 574. Second tab 570 is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a notch 324 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300.

[0128] Referring to FIGS. 36 & 37, exemplary second corner shroud 600 is a wear implement used to cover and shield a cutting edge of a ground engagement implement, enhance the durability and efficiency of the cutting edge, help prevent wear and abrasion caused by contact with the ground and various materials during excavation and loading operations, as well as increase productivity when excavating or loading. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG.27, second corner shroud 600 reversibly and securely couples to lip assembly 300 using reversible locking block assembly 10. Second corner shroud 600 has a handedness and is configured to insert onto a corner formed by bottom plate 310 and side 318 of lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 36 & 37, second corner shroud 600 has a front 602 and a back 603 opposite to and spaced apart from front 602 to define a length of first corner shroud 600, and a top 604 and a bottom, 605 opposite to and spaced apart from top 604 to define a height of second corner shroud 600, and a first side 606 and a second side 608 opposite to and spaced apart from first side 606 to define a width of second corner shroud 600. Second corner shroud 600 comprises a main body 610, a top plate 620, a bottom plate 630, a side plate 640, and an engagement compartment 650.

[0129] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 36 & 37, main body 610 of second corner shroud 600 is a solid wedge-shape structure formed by top 604 of second corner shroud 600 angling downward until it meets bottom 605 of second corner shroud 600. A shroud edge 612 is formed at the junction of where top and bottom 604, 605 converge and serves to dig into and excavate earthen material. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 36, main body 610PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems comprises one or more top scallops 614, concave, accurate shaped depressions that serve as an anti-clogging feature that facilitates the dispersion of earthen material during use. In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIG. 40, main body 610 comprises one or more bottom scallops 616, rectangular prism shaped depressions that serve as an anti-clogging feature that facilitates the dispersion of earthen material during use.

[0130] In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 36 & 37, top plate 620 extends rearward from main body 610 from second end 603 at top side 604 of second corner shroud 600 and bottom plate 630 extends rearward from main body 610 from second end 603 at bottom side 605 of second corner shroud 600. Top plate 620 is opposite to and spaced apart from bottom plate 630. Side plate 640 comprises a top 642 that is opposite to and spaced apart from bottom 605 of second corner shroud 600 to define a height of side plate 640 and a first side 646 and a second side 648 opposite to and spaced apart from first side 648 to define a width of side plate 640. First side 642 of side plate 640 extends upwardly from bottom plate 630 at first side 606 of second corner shroud 600 and spans the distance from bottom plate 630 to top 642 of side plate 640. Second side 644 of side plate 640 extends upwardly from top plate 620 near first side 606 of second corner shroud 600 and spans the distance from top plate 620 to top 642 of side plate 640. Together top plate, 620, bottom plate 630 and side plate 640 form and internal space defining engagement compartment 650.

[0131] Bottom plate 630 comprises an engagement prong 632. Engagement prong 632 is an extension of bottom plate 630 that extends rearward from second end 603 of second corner shroud 600. Engagement prong 632 is sized and shaped to securely and reversible insert through wear component socket opening 84 and fit into wear component socket 92. As shown in FIG. 36, engagement prong 632 comprises a fastener seat 634, a curved depression having a first side 636, a second side 638, and an arcuate bottom surface 639 having a radius. Fastener seat 634 is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive wear component engagement surface 36 of fastener 20.

[0132] In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIG. 36, bottom plate 630 comprising engagement prong 632 is substantially longer than top plate 620 which permits second corner shroud 600 to have larger surface area contact with bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 at bottom 305 of lip assembly 300. In addition, side plate 640 engages with second engagement portion 332 of side plate 318 of lip assembly 300. This design enables second corner shroud 600 to resist large torque moments created when digging and / or lifting earthen material by creating of a long moment arm that distributes the resulting force to bottom 305 of bottom plate 310 and side plate 316 of lip assembly 300.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0133] In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIG. 36, side plate 640 extends forward from first end 602 at first side 606 to form a corner tip 649. Corner tip 649 serves to dig into and excavate earthen material.

[0134] Engagement compartment 650 of second corner shroud 600 is sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receives and engages with three adjacent prongs from plurality of prongs 322 and two notches 324 that are included therein of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300 and second engagement portion 332 of side plate 318 of lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 37, engagement compartment 650 comprises a first prong slot 652, a second prong slot 654, and a third prong slot 656, a second engagement portion slot 658, a first tab 660 and a second tab 670.

[0135] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 37, first prong slot 652 is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a first prong of plurality of prongs 322 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. Second prong slot 654 is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a second prong of plurality of prongs 322 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. Third prong slot 656 is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a portion of third prong of plurality of prongs 322 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. Second engagement portion slot 658 is a cavity adjacent to first prong slot 652 and is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a front portion of second engagement portion 332.

[0136] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 37, first tab 660 is a solid structure that extends rearward from main body 610 and into engagement compartment 650 and vertically joins top plate 620 and bottom plate 630 and delineates first prong slot 652 from second prong slot 654. First tab 660 comprises a first prong surface 662, a second prong surface 664 opposite first prong surface 662 and a root surface 666 that spans the distance between first and second prong surfaces 662, 664. First tab 660 is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a first notch 324 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. Similarly, second tab 670 is a solid structure that extends rearward from main body 610 and into engagement compartment 650 and vertically joins top plate 620 and bottom plate 630 and delineates second prong slot 654 from third prong slot 656. Second tab 670 comprises a first prong surface 672, a second prong surface 674 opposite first prong surface 672 and a root surface 676 that spans the distance between first and second prong surfaces 672, 674. Second tab 670 is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a notch 324 of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0137] Referring to FIGS. 38 & 39, exemplary wing shroud 700 is a wear implement used to cover and shield a side edge of a ground engagement implement, enhance the durability and efficiency of the a ground engagement implement, help prevent wear and abrasion caused by contact with the ground and various materials during excavation and loading operations, as well as increase productivity when excavating or loading. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 27, wing shroud 700 reversibly and securely couples to lip assembly 300 using reversible locking block assembly 10. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 38 & 39, wing shroud 700 has a front 702 and a back 703 opposite to and spaced apart from front 702 to define a length of wing shroud 700, and a top 704 and a bottom, 705 opposite to and spaced apart from top 704 to define a height of wing shroud 700, and a first side 706 and a second side 708 opposite to and spaced apart from first side 706 to define a width of wing shroud 700. Wing shroud 700 comprises a main body 710, a top plate 720, a bottom plate 730, and an engagement compartment 740.

[0138] In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 38 & 39, main body 710 of wing shroud 700 is a solid wedge-shape structure formed by top 704 of wing shroud 700 angling downward until it meets bottom 705 of wing shroud 700. A shroud edge 712 is formed at the junction of where top and bottom 704, 705 converge and serves to dig into and excavate earthen material.

[0139] In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 38 & 39, top plate 70 extends rearward from main body 710 from second end 703 at top side 704 of wing shroud 700 and bottom plate 730 extends rearward from main body 710 from second end 703 at bottom side 705 of wing shroud 700. Top plate 720 is opposite to and spaced apart from bottom plate 730 with the internal space there between defining engagement compartment 740.

[0140] Engagement compartment 740 of wing shroud 700 is sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receives and engages with slots 334 of either first side engagement portion 330 of first side plate 316 of lip assembly 300 or second side engagement portion 332 of second side plate 318 of lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 39, engagement compartment 740 comprises a first peg 742 and a second peg 744. First peg 742 is a solid boss that extends perpendicularly upward from an inner surface of bottom plate 730 and is sized and shaped to securely and reversibly insert into and engage slot 334 of first or second engagement portions 330, 332. Similarly, second peg 744 is a solid boss that extends perpendicularly upward from an inner surface of bottom plate 730 and is sized and shaped to securely and reversibly insert into and engage slot 334 of first or second engagement portions 330, 332. First and second pegs 742, 744 are each operationally positioned and aligned on an inner surface of bottom plate 730 and so that when assembled, first peg 742 is securely and reversibly inserted into one slotPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems334 of first engagement portion 330 and second peg 744 is securely and reversibly inserted into a second slot 334 of first engagement portion 330, thereby ensuring that wing shroud 700 is properly coupled first engagement portion 330 of first side plate 316 of lip assembly 300. Similarly, the same operationally positioning and alignment of first and second pegs 742, 744 on an inner surface of bottom plate 730 enables first peg 742 to securely and reversibly insert into one slot 334 of second engagement portion 332 and second peg 744 to securely and reversibly insert into a second slot 334 of second engagement portion 332, thereby ensuring that wing shroud 700 is properly coupled second engagement portion 332 of second side plate 318 of lip assembly 300.

[0141] In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 is used to securely and reversibly couple a lip shroud 400 to a lip assembly 300. As such, reversible locking block assembly 10 can adopt 1) a locked position when reversible locking block assembly 10 is used to securely couple lip shroud 400 to a lip assembly 300 and 2) an unlocked position when lip shroud 400 is to be decoupled from lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 adopts a locked position to securely coupled lip shroud 400 to bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 27 & 40-44, an exemplary coupling procedure of lip shroud 400 to lip assembly 300 using reversible locking block assembly 10 is illustrated.

[0142] In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 27 & 40, locking block 50 of reversible locking block assembly 10 is inserted into locking block socket 340 of lip assembly 300. Locking block 50 can be in either the first configuration or the second configuration depending on the configuration desired. Lip shroud 400 is then properly positioned onto bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. As shown in FIGS. 41-42, this can be achieved by inserting engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400 through wear component socket opening 84 of wear component socket 92 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50 until engagement prong 432 is properly seated into wear component socket 92 and inserting engagement compartment 440 of lip shroud 400 onto three adjacent prongs from plurality of prongs 322’, 322”, 322” and two notches 324’, 324”, that lay therein of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 until prongs 322’, 322”, 322” and notches 324’, 324” are properly seated into engagement compartment 440. Once positioned fastener seat 434 of engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400 is positioned underneath arcuate fastener surface 74 of latching bolt 70 of locking block 50 as best seen in FIG. 43, and as shown in FIGS. 41 & 42, a portion of prong 322’ is completely inserted into first prong slot 442 of engagement compartment 440 of lip shroud 400, prong 322” is completely inserted into second prong slot 444 of engagement compartment 440 of lip shroud 400, a portion of prong of 322’” is completely inserted into third prong slot 446 ofPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems engagement compartment 440 of lip shroud 400, first tab 450 of engagement compartment 440 is completely inserted into notch 324’, and second tab 460 of engagement compartment 440 is completely inserted into notch 324” adjacent the first notch 324.

[0143] In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIGS. 40, 43 & 44, once lip shroud 400 is properly positioned onto bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300, fastener 20 and attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and then this assembly is inserted into and engages with locking block 50 to securely and reversible couple lip shroud 400 to lip assembly 300.

[0144] In some embodiments, when locking block 50 is in a first configuration and fastener plate 190 is employed, fastener 20 and fastener plate 190 of attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 43, this can be achieved by 1) inserting arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 partially within fastener access compartment 90 in a manner where tip 32 of arcuate portion 30 is within fastener access compartment 90 and in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 434 of engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400 with latching bolt engagement surface 34 of arcuate portion 30 abutting arcuate fastener surface of latching bolt 70 and wear component engagement surface 36 of arcuate portion 30 abutting fastener seat 434 of engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400; 2) inserting first tip 45 of first prong 44 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into first prong notch 204 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190; and 3) inserting second tip 47 of second prong 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into second prong notch 206 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190.

[0145] In some embodiments, once arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 is partially within fastener access compartment 90 and first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 are place within first and second prong notches 204, 206 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190, bolt 200 and optionally, washer 230, are assembled and partially secured to retaining nut 210. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 43, this can be achieved by 1) inserting bolt 220 through bolt aperture 208 of fastener plate 190 and through opening 236 of washer 230; 2) positioning washer 230 on bolt 220 by inserting bolt 220 through opening 236 of washer 230 so that top 234 of washer 230 abuts bottom surface 195 of fastener plate 190; 3) inserting bolt 220 through notch 48 of retaining portion 40 in a manner where bolt 220 is located between first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 fastener 20; and 4) affixing threaded portion 226 at second end 223 of bolt 220 partially into retainer head 214 of retainer nut 210 using threaded bolt bore 219. In this way, top 234 of washer 230 faces bottom 195 of fastener plate 190, top 244 of retaining washerPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems240 faces bottom 235 of washer 230, and bottom 245 of retaining washer 240 faces first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 on top 24 of fastener 20.

[0146] In some embodiments, once bolt 220, and optionally washer 230, are assembled onto fastener plate 190 and bolt 220 is partially secured to retaining nut 210, gasket 250 can be optionally position between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 43, this can be achieved by inserting first end 252 of gasket 250 between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 in a manner where notch 259 of gasket 250 is adjacent to bolt 220.

[0147] In some embodiments, once fastener 20 and attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50, fastener 20 is securely and reversibly coupled to lip shroud 400 to lip assembly 300. As shown in FIG. 43, this can be achieved by securely and reversibly affixing bolt 220 to retainer nut 210 by rotationally turning threaded portion 226 of bolt 220 into threaded portion of bolt bore 219 of retaining nut 210 located in first retaining nut seat 104. This affixing creates a downward torque that pushes retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 downward onto retaining seat portion 100 of locking block 50. This downward force causes an upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 which further wedges accurate portion 30 in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 434 of engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400. This upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 further secures in place engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400 within wear component socket 92 of locking block 50.

[0148] In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 adopts an unlocked position to uncouple and remove lip shroud 400 from lip assembly 300. To adopt an unlocked position, bolt 220 of attachment assembly 180 is removed from locking block 50 by unscrewing bolt 220 from retaining nut 210 of attachment assembly 180. Fastener 20, fastener plate 190, washer 230, retaining washer 240, and if present, gasket 250, are then removed from fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. Once these components are removed, lip shroud 400 can then be pulled off of bottom engagement portion 320 of lip assembly 300.

[0149] In some embodiments, when locking block 50 is in a second configuration and fastener plate 190 is employed, fastener 20 and fastener plate 190 of attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, bolt 200 along with washer 230 and retaining washer 240 are assembled onto fastener plate 190. AsPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by 1) inserting bolt 220 through bolt aperture 208 of fastener plate 190 and through opening 236 of washer 230; 2) affixing washer 230 against bottom surface 195 of fastener plate 190 by threading retaining washer 240 onto threaded portion 226 of bolt 220 using through opening 246 of retaining washer 240, thereby holding bolt 220 and washer 230 in place. Fastener 20 is then assembled with fastener plate 190 and positioned within fastener access compartment 90. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by 1) inserting first tip 45 of first prong 44 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into first prong notch 204 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190; and 3) inserting second tip 47 of second prong 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into second prong notch 206 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190; 2) inserting bolt 220 through notch 48 of retaining portion 40 in a manner where bolt 220 is located between first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 fastener 20; 3) inserting arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 partially within fastener access compartment 90 in a manner where tip 32 of arcuate portion 30 is within fastener access compartment 90 and in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 434 of engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400 with latching bolt engagement surface 34 of arcuate portion 30 abutting arcuate fastener surface of latching bolt 70 and wear component engagement surface 36 of arcuate portion 30 abutting fastener seat 434 of engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400; and 4) affixing threaded portion 226 at second end 223 of bolt 220 partially into retainer head 214 of retainer nut 210 using threaded bolt bore 219. In this way, top 234 of washer 230 faces bottom 195 of fastener plate 190, top 244 of retaining washer 240 faces bottom 235 of washer 230, and bottom 245 of retaining washer 240 faces first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 on top 24 of fastener 20.

[0150] In some embodiments, once bolt 220, washer 230 and retaining washer 240 are assembled onto fastener plate 190 and bolt 220 is partially secured to retaining nut 210, gasket 250 can be optionally position between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by inserting first end 252 of gasket 250 between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 in a manner where notch 259 of gasket 250 is adjacent to bolt 220.

[0151] In some embodiments, once fastener 20 and attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50, fastener 20 is securely and reversibly coupled to lip shroud 400 to lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by 1) immobilizing bolt 220 by using a tool to grasp or otherwise attach to bolt head 224; and 2) securely and reversibly affixing bolt 220 to retainer nut 210 by rotationally turning retaining nut 210 located in second retaining nut seat 108 so that threaded portion 226 of bolt 220 is threaded into threaded portion of bolt bore 219 of retaining nut 210. As best seen in FIG. 44, this affixing creates a downward torque that pushesPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 downward onto retaining seat portion 100 of locking block 50. This downward force causes an upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 which further wedges accurate portion 30 in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 434 of engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400. This upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 further secures in place engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400 within wear component socket 92 of locking block 50.

[0152] In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 adopts an unlocked position to uncouple and remove lip shroud 400 from lip assembly 300. To adopt an unlocked position, bolt 220 of attachment assembly 180 is removed from locking block 50 by unscrewing bolt 220 from retaining nut 210 of attachment assembly 180. Fastener 20, fastener plate 190, washer 230, retaining washer 240, and if present, gasket 250, are then removed from fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. Once these components are removed, lip shroud 400 can then be pulled off of bottom engagement portion 320 of lip assembly 300.

[0153] In some embodiments, when locking block 50 is in a second configuration and fastener plate 190’ is employed, fastener 20 and fastener plate 190’ of attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. In some embodiments, and as shown FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by 1) inserting first tip 45 of first prong 44 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into first prong notch 204 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190’ and inserting second tip 47 of second prong 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into second prong notch 206 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190’ in a manner where bolt 220 is located between first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 fastener 20; and 2) inserting arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 partially within fastener access compartment 90 in a manner where tip 32 of arcuate portion 30 is within fastener access compartment 90 and in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 434 of engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400 with latching bolt engagement surface 34 of arcuate portion 30 abutting arcuate fastener surface of latching bolt 70 and wear component engagement surface 36 of arcuate portion 30 abutting fastener seat 434 of engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400. Note that washer 230 and retaining washer 240 are not needed when fastener pate 190’ is used, and therefor these are optional components.

[0154] In some embodiments, once arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 is partially within fastener access compartment 90 and first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 are properly positioned on fastener plate 190’, gasket 250 can be optionally position between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, this canPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems be achieved by inserting first end 252 of gasket 250 between fastener plate 190’ and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 in a manner where notch 259 of gasket 250 is adjacent to bolt 220.

[0155] In some embodiments, once fastener 20 and attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50, fastener 20 is securely and reversibly coupled to lip shroud 400 to lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by securely and reversibly affixing bolt 220 to retainer nut 210 by rotationally turning retaining nut 210 located in second retaining nut seat 108 so that threaded portion 226 of bolt 220 is threaded into threaded portion of bolt bore 219 of retaining nut 210. As best seen in FIG. 44, this affixing creates a downward torque that pushes retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 downward onto retaining seat portion 100 of locking block 50. This downward force causes an upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 which further wedges accurate portion 30 in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 434 of engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400. This upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 further secures in place engagement prong 432 of lip shroud 400 within wear component socket 92 of locking block 50.

[0156] In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 adopts an unlocked position to uncouple and remove lip shroud 400 from lip assembly 300. To adopt an unlocked position, bolt 220 of attachment assembly 180 is removed from locking block 50 by unscrewing retaining nut 210 from bolt 220. Fastener 20, fastener plate 190’, and if present, washer 230, retaining washer 240, and gasket 250, are then removed from fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. Once these components are removed, lip shroud 400 can then be pulled off of bottom engagement portion 320 of lip assembly 300.

[0157] In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 is used to securely and reversibly couple first corner shroud 500 to a lip assembly 300. As such, reversible locking block assembly 10 can adopt 1) a locked position when reversible locking block assembly 10 is used to securely couple I first corner shroud 500 to a lip assembly 300 and 2) an unlocked position when first corner shroud 500 is to be decoupled from lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 adopts a locked position to securely coupled first corner shroud 500 to bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 27 & 40-44, an exemplary coupling procedure of first corner shroud 500 to lip assembly 300 using reversible locking block assembly 10 is illustrated.

[0158] In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 27 & 40, locking block 50 of reversible locking block assembly 10 is inserted into locking block socket 340 of lip assembly 300. LockingPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems block 50 can be in either the first configuration or the second configuration depending on the configuration desired. First corner shroud 500 is then properly positioned onto bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. As shown in FIG. 41, this can be achieved by inserting engagement prong 532 of first corner shroud 500 through wear component socket opening 84 of wear component socket 92 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50 until engagement prong 532 is properly seated into wear component socket 92 and inserting engagement compartment 550 of first corner shroud 500 onto three adjacent prongs from plurality of prongs 322’, 322”, 322” and two notches 324’, 324”, that lay therein of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 until prongs 322’, 322”, 322” and notches 324’, 324” are properly seated into engagement compartment 550. Once positioned fastener seat 534 of engagement prong 532 of first corner shroud 500 is positioned underneath arcuate fastener surface 74 of latching bolt 70 of locking block 50 (this is the same arrangement as the one shown in FIG. 43 for lip shroud 400), and as shown in FIGS. 41, a portion of prong 322’ is completely inserted into first prong slot 552 of engagement compartment 550 of first corner shroud 500, prong 322” is completely inserted into second prong slot 554 of engagement compartment 550 of first corner shroud 500, a portion of prong of 322’” is completely inserted into third prong slot 556 of engagement compartment 550 of first corner shroud 500, first tab 560 of engagement compartment 550 is completely inserted into notch 324’, and second tab 570 of engagement compartment 550 is completely inserted into notch 324” adjacent the first notch 324.

[0159] In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIGS. 40, 43 & 44, once first corner shroud 500 is properly positioned onto bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300, fastener 20 and attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and then this assembly is inserted into and engages with locking block 50 to securely and reversible couple first corner shroud 500 to lip assembly 300.

[0160] In some embodiments, when locking block 50 is in a first configuration and fastener plate 190 is employed, fastener 20 and fastener plate 190 of attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 43, this can be achieved by 1) inserting arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 partially within fastener access compartment 90 in a manner where tip 32 of arcuate portion 30 is within fastener access compartment 90 and in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 534 of engagement prong 532 of first corner shroud 500 with latching bolt engagement surface 34 of arcuate portion 30 abutting arcuate fastener surface of latching bolt 70 and wear component engagement surface 36 of arcuate portion 30 abutting fastener seat 534 of engagement prong 532 of first corner shroud 500; 2) inserting first tip 45 of first prong 44 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into first prong notch 204 of hook portion 200 of fastenerPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems plate 190; and 3) inserting second tip 47 of second prong 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into second prong notch 206 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190.

[0161] In some embodiments, once arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 is partially within fastener access compartment 90 and first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 are placed within first and second prong notches 204, 206 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190, bolt 200 and optionally, washer 230, are assembled and partially secured to retaining nut 210. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 43, this can be achieved by 1) inserting bolt 220 through bolt aperture 208 of fastener plate 190 and through opening 236 of washer 230; 2) positioning washer 230 on bolt 220 by inserting bolt 220 through opening 236 of washer 230 so that top 234 of washer 230 abuts bottom surface 195 of fastener plate 190; 3) inserting bolt 220 through notch 48 of retaining portion 40 in a manner where bolt 220 is located between first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 fastener 20; and 4) affixing threaded portion 226 at second end 223 of bolt 220 partially into retainer head 214 of retainer nut 210 using threaded bolt bore 219. In this way, top 234 of washer 230 faces bottom 195 of fastener plate 190, top 244 of retaining washer 240 faces bottom 235 of washer 230, and bottom 245 of retaining washer 240 faces first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 on top 24 of fastener 20.

[0162] In some embodiments, once bolt 220, and optionally washer 230, are assembled onto fastener plate 190 and bolt 220 is partially secured to retaining nut 210, gasket 250 can be optionally position between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 43, this can be achieved by inserting first end 252 of gasket 250 between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 in a manner where notch 259 of gasket 250 is adjacent to bolt 220.

[0163] In some embodiments, once fastener 20 and attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50, fastener 20 is securely and reversibly coupled to first corner shroud 500 to lip assembly 300. As shown in FIG. 43, this can be achieved by securely and reversibly affixing bolt 220 to retainer nut 210 by rotationally turning threaded portion 226 of bolt 220 into threaded portion of bolt bore 219 of retaining nut 210 located in first retaining nut seat 104. This affixing creates a downward torque that pushes retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 downward onto retaining seat portion 100 of locking block 50. This downward force causes an upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 which further wedges accurate portion 30 in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 534 of engagement prong 532 of first corner shroud 500. This upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 further secures in place engagement prong 532 of first corner shroud 500 within wear component socket 92 of locking block 50.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0164] In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 adopts an unlocked position to uncouple and remove first corner shroud 500 from lip assembly 300. To adopt an unlocked position, bolt 220 of attachment assembly 180 is removed from locking block 50 by unscrewing bolt 220 from retaining nut 210 of attachment assembly 180. Fastener 20, fastener plate 190, washer 230, retaining washer 240, and if present, gasket 250, are then removed from fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. Once these components are removed, first corner shroud 500 can then be pulled off of bottom engagement portion 320 of lip assembly 300.

[0165] In some embodiments, when locking block 50 is in a second configuration and fastener plate 190 is employed, fastener 20 and fastener plate 190 of attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, bolt 200 along with washer 230 and retaining washer 240 are assembled onto fastener plate 190. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by 1) inserting bolt 220 through bolt aperture 208 of fastener plate 190 and through opening 236 of washer 230; 2) affixing washer 230 against bottom surface 195 of fastener plate 190 by threading retaining washer 240 onto threaded portion 226 of bolt 220 using through opening 246 of retaining washer 240, thereby holding bolt 220 and washer 230 in place. Fastener 20 is then assembled with fastener plate 190 and positioned within fastener access compartment 90. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by 1) inserting first tip 45 of first prong 44 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into first prong notch 204 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190; and 3) inserting second tip 47 of second prong 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into second prong notch 206 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190; 2) inserting bolt 220 through notch 48 of retaining portion 40 in a manner where bolt 220 is located between first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 fastener 20; 3) inserting arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 partially within fastener access compartment 90 in a manner where tip 32 of arcuate portion 30 is within fastener access compartment 90 and in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 534 of engagement prong 532 of first side shroud 500 with latching bolt engagement surface 34 of arcuate portion 30 abutting arcuate fastener surface of latching bolt 70 and wear component engagement surface 36 of arcuate portion 30 abutting fastener seat 534 of engagement prong 532 of first side shroud 500; and 4) affixing threaded portion 226 at second end 223 of bolt 220 partially into retainer head 214 of retainer nut 210 using threaded bolt bore 219. In this way, top 234 of washer 230 faces bottom 195 of fastener plate 190, top 244 of retaining washer 240 faces bottom 235 of washer 230, and bottom 245 of retaining washer 240 faces first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 on top 24 of fastener 20.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0166] In some embodiments, once bolt 220, washer 230 and retaining washer 240 are assembled onto fastener plate 190 and bolt 220 is partially secured to retaining nut 210, gasket 250 can be optionally position between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by inserting first end 252 of gasket 250 between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 in a manner where notch 259 of gasket 250 is adjacent to bolt 220.

[0167] In some embodiments, once fastener 20 and attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50, fastener 20 is securely and reversibly coupled to first corner shroud 500 to lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by 1) immobilizing bolt 220 by using a tool to grasp or otherwise attach to bolt head 224; and 2) securely and reversibly affixing bolt 220 to retainer nut 210 by rotationally turning retaining nut 210 located in second retaining nut seat 108 so that threaded portion 226 of bolt 220 is threaded into threaded portion of bolt bore 219 of retaining nut 210. As best seen in FIG. 44, this affixing creates a downward torque that pushes retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 downward onto retaining seat portion 100 of locking block 50. This downward force causes an upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 which further wedges accurate portion 30 in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 534 of engagement prong 532 of first corner shroud 500. This upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 further secures in place engagement prong 532 of first corner shroud 500 within wear component socket 92 of locking block 50.

[0168] In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 adopts an unlocked position to uncouple and remove first corner shroud 500 from lip assembly 300. To adopt an unlocked position, bolt 220 of attachment assembly 180 is removed from locking block 50 by unscrewing bolt 220 from retaining nut 210 of attachment assembly 180. Fastener 20, fastener plate 190, washer 230, retaining washer 240, and if present, gasket 250, are then removed from fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. Once these components are removed, first corner shroud 500 can then be pulled off of bottom engagement portion 320 of lip assembly 300.

[0169] In some embodiments, when locking block 50 is in a second configuration and fastener plate 190’ is employed, fastener 20 and fastener plate 190’ of attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. In some embodiments, and as shown FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by 1) inserting first tip 45 of first prong 44 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into first prong notch 204 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190’ and inserting second tip 47 ofPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems second prong 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into second prong notch 206 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190’ in a manner where bolt 220 is located between first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 fastener 20; and 2) inserting arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 partially within fastener access compartment 90 in a manner where tip 32 of arcuate portion 30 is within fastener access compartment 90 and in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 534 of engagement prong 532 of first corner shroud 500 with latching bolt engagement surface 34 of arcuate portion 30 abutting arcuate fastener surface of latching bolt 70 and wear component engagement surface 36 of arcuate portion 30 abutting fastener seat 534 of engagement prong 532 of first corner shroud 500. Note that washer 230 and retaining washer 240 are not needed when fastener pate 190’ is used, and therefor these are optional components.

[0170] In some embodiments, once arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 is partially within fastener access compartment 90 and first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 are properly positioned on fastener plate 190’, gasket 250 can be optionally position between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by inserting first end 252 of gasket 250 between fastener plate 190’ and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 in a manner where notch 259 of gasket 250 is adjacent to bolt 220.

[0171] In some embodiments, once fastener 20 and attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50, fastener 20 is securely and reversibly coupled to first corner shroud 500 to lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by securely and reversibly affixing bolt 220 to retainer nut 210 by rotationally turning retaining nut 210 located in second retaining nut seat 108 so that threaded portion 226 of bolt 220 is threaded into threaded portion of bolt bore 219 of retaining nut 210. As best seen in FIG. 44, this affixing creates a downward torque that pushes retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 downward onto retaining seat portion 100 of locking block 50. This downward force causes an upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 which further wedges accurate portion 30 in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 534 of engagement prong 532 of first corner shroud 500. This upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 further secures in place engagement prong 532 of first corner shroud 500 within wear component socket 92 of locking block 50.

[0172] In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 adopts an unlocked position to uncouple and remove first corner shroud 500 from lip assembly 300. To adopt an unlocked position, bolt 220 of attachment assembly 180 is removed from locking block 50 by unscrewing retaining nut 210 from bolt 220. Fastener 20, fastener plate 190’, and if present, washer 230, retaining washer 240, and gasket 250, are then removed from fastener access compartment 90PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. Once these components are removed, first corner shroud 500 can then be pulled off of bottom engagement portion 320 of lip assembly 300.

[0173] In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 is used to securely and reversibly couple second corner shroud 600 to a lip assembly 300. As such, reversible locking block assembly 10 can adopt 1) a locked position when reversible locking block assembly 10 is used to securely couple second corner shroud 600 to a lip assembly 300 and 2) an unlocked position when second corner shroud 600 is to be decoupled from lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 adopts a locked position to securely coupled second corner shroud 600 to bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 27 & 40-44, an exemplary coupling procedure of second corner shroud 600 to lip assembly 300 using reversible locking block assembly 10 is illustrated.

[0174] In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 27 & 40, locking block 50 of reversible locking block assembly 10 is inserted into locking block socket 340 of lip assembly 300. Locking block 50 can be in either the first configuration or the second configuration depending on the configuration desired. Second corner shroud 600 is then properly positioned onto bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300. As shown in FIG. 42, this can be achieved by inserting engagement prong 632 of second corner shroud 600 through wear component socket opening 84 of wear component socket 92 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50 until engagement prong 632 is properly seated into wear component socket 92 and inserting engagement compartment 650 of second corner shroud 600 onto three adjacent prongs from plurality of prongs 322’, 322”, 322” and two notches 324’, 324”, that lay therein of bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 until prongs 322’, 322”, 322” and notches 324’, 324” are properly seated into engagement compartment 650. Once positioned fastener seat 634 of engagement prong 632 of second corner shroud 600 is positioned underneath arcuate fastener surface 74 of latching bolt 70 of locking block 50 (this is the same arrangement as the one shown in FIG. 43 for lip shroud 400), and as shown in FIG. 42, a portion of prong 322’ is completely inserted into first prong slot 652 of engagement compartment 650 of second corner shroud 600, prong 322” is completely inserted into second prong slot 654 of engagement compartment 650 of second corner shroud 600, a portion of prong of 322’” is completely inserted into third prong slot 656 of engagement compartment 650 of second corner shroud 600, first tab 660 of engagement compartment 650 is completely inserted into notch 324’, and second tab 670 of engagement compartment 650 is completely inserted into notch 324” adjacent the first notch 324.

[0175] In some embodiments, and as best seen in FIGS. 40, 43 &44, once second corner shroud 600 is properly positioned onto bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lipPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems assembly 300, fastener 20 and attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and then this assembly is inserted into and engages with locking block 50 to securely and reversible couple second corner shroud 600 to lip assembly 300.

[0176] In some embodiments, when locking block 50 is in a first configuration and fastener plate 190 is employed, fastener 20 and fastener plate 190 of attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 43, this can be achieved by 1) inserting arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 partially within fastener access compartment 90 in a manner where tip 32 of arcuate portion 30 is within fastener access compartment 90 and in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 634 of engagement prong 632 of second corner shroud 600 with latching bolt engagement surface 34 of arcuate portion 30 abutting arcuate fastener surface of latching bolt 70 and wear component engagement surface 36 of arcuate portion 30 abutting fastener seat 634 of engagement prong 632 of second corner shroud 600; 2) inserting first tip 45 of first prong 44 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into first prong notch 204 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190; and 3) inserting second tip 47 of second prong 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into second prong notch 206 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190.

[0177] In some embodiments, once arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 is partially within fastener access compartment 90 and first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 are placed within first and second prong notches 204, 206 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190, bolt 200 and optionally, washer 230, are assembled and partially secured to retaining nut 210. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 43, this can be achieved by 1) inserting bolt 220 through bolt aperture 208 of fastener plate 190 and through opening 236 of washer 230; 2) positioning washer 230 on bolt 220 by inserting bolt 220 through opening 236 of washer 230 so that top 234 of washer 230 abuts bottom surface 195 of fastener plate 190; 3) inserting bolt 220 through notch 48 of retaining portion 40 in a manner where bolt 220 is located between first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 fastener 20; and 4) affixing threaded portion 226 at second end 223 of bolt 220 partially into retainer head 214 of retainer nut 210 using threaded bolt bore 219. In this way, top 234 of washer 230 faces bottom 195 of fastener plate 190, top 244 of retaining washer 240 faces bottom 235 of washer 230, and bottom 245 of retaining washer 240 faces first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 on top 24 of fastener 20.

[0178] In some embodiments, once bolt 220, and optionally washer 230, are assembled onto fastener plate 190 and bolt 220 is partially secured to retaining nut 210, gasket 250 can be optionally position between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 43, this can be achieved by inserting first end 252 of gasket 250 between fastenerPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 in a manner where notch 259 of gasket 250 is adjacent to bolt 220.

[0179] In some embodiments, once fastener 20 and attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50, fastener 20 is securely and reversibly coupled to second corner shroud 600 to lip assembly 300. As shown in FIG. 43, this can be achieved by securely and reversibly affixing bolt 220 to retainer nut 210 by rotationally turning threaded portion 226 of bolt 220 into threaded portion of bolt bore 219 of retaining nut 210 located in first retaining nut seat 104. This affixing creates a downward torque that pushes retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 downward onto retaining seat portion 100 of locking block 50. This downward force causes an upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 which further wedges accurate portion 30 in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 634 of engagement prong 632 of second corner shroud 600. This upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 further secures in place engagement prong 632 of second corner shroud 600 within wear component socket 92 of locking block 50.

[0180] In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 adopts an unlocked position to uncouple and remove second corner shroud 600 from lip assembly 300. To adopt an unlocked position, bolt 220 of attachment assembly 180 is removed from locking block 50 by unscrewing bolt 220 from retaining nut 210 of attachment assembly 180. Fastener 20, fastener plate 190, washer 230, retaining washer 240, and if present, gasket 250, are then removed from fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. Once these components are removed, second corner shroud 600 can then be pulled off of bottom engagement portion 320 of lip assembly 300.

[0181] In some embodiments, when locking block 50 is in a second configuration and fastener plate 190 is employed, fastener 20 and fastener plate 190 of attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, bolt 200 along with washer 230 and retaining washer 240 are assembled onto fastener plate 190. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by 1) inserting bolt 220 through bolt aperture 208 of fastener plate 190 and through opening 236 of washer 230; 2) affixing washer 230 against bottom surface 195 of fastener plate 190 by threading retaining washer 240 onto threaded portion 226 of bolt 220 using through opening 246 of retaining washer 240, thereby holding bolt 220 and washer 230 in place. Fastener 20 is then assembled with fastener plate 190 and positioned within fastener access compartment 90. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by 1) insertingPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems first tip 45 of first prong 44 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into first prong notch 204 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190; and 3) inserting second tip 47 of second prong 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into second prong notch 206 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190; 2) inserting bolt 220 through notch 48 of retaining portion 40 in a manner where bolt 220 is located between first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 fastener 20; 3) inserting arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 partially within fastener access compartment 90 in a manner where tip 32 of arcuate portion 30 is within fastener access compartment 90 and in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 634 of engagement prong 632 of second side shroud 600 with latching bolt engagement surface 34 of arcuate portion 30 abutting arcuate fastener surface of latching bolt 70 and wear component engagement surface 36 of arcuate portion 30 abutting fastener seat 634 of engagement prong 632 of second side shroud 600; and 4) affixing threaded portion 226 at second end 223 of bolt 220 partially into retainer head 214 of retainer nut 210 using threaded bolt bore 219. In this way, top 234 of washer 230 faces bottom 195 of fastener plate 190, top 244 of retaining washer 240 faces bottom 235 of washer 230, and bottom 245 of retaining washer 240 faces first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 on top 24 of fastener 20.

[0182] In some embodiments, once bolt 220, washer 230 and retaining washer 240 are assembled onto fastener plate 190 and bolt 220 is partially secured to retaining nut 210, gasket 250 can be optionally position between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by inserting first end 252 of gasket 250 between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 in a manner where notch 259 of gasket 250 is adjacent to bolt 220.

[0183] In some embodiments, once fastener 20 and attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50, fastener 20 is securely and reversibly coupled to second corner shroud 600 to lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by 1) immobilizing bolt 220 by using a tool to grasp or otherwise attach to bolt head 224; and 2) securely and reversibly affixing bolt 220 to retainer nut 210 by rotationally turning retaining nut 210 located in second retaining nut seat 108 so that threaded portion 226 of bolt 220 is threaded into threaded portion of bolt bore 219 of retaining nut 210. As best seen in FIG. 44, this affixing creates a downward torque that pushes retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 downward onto retaining seat portion 100 of locking block 50. This downward force causes an upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 which further wedges accurate portion 30 in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 634 of engagement prong 632 of second corner shroud 600. This upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 further secures in place engagement prong 632 of second corner shroud 600 within wear component socket 92 of locking block 50.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems

[0184] In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 adopts an unlocked position to uncouple and remove second corner shroud 600 from lip assembly 300. To adopt an unlocked position, bolt 220 of attachment assembly 180 is removed from locking block 50 by unscrewing bolt 220 from retaining nut 210 of attachment assembly 180. Fastener 20, fastener plate 190, washer 230, retaining washer 240, and if present, gasket 250, are then removed from fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. Once these components are removed, f second corner shroud 600 can then be pulled off of bottom engagement portion 320 of lip assembly 300.

[0185] In some embodiments, when locking block 50 is in a second configuration and fastener plate 190’ is employed, fastener 20 and fastener plate 190’ of attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. In some embodiments, and as shown FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by 1) inserting first tip 45 of first prong 44 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into first prong notch 204 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190’ and inserting second tip 47 of second prong 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 into second prong notch 206 of hook portion 200 of fastener plate 190’ in a manner where bolt 220 is located between first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 fastener 20; and 2) inserting arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 partially within fastener access compartment 90 in a manner where tip 32 of arcuate portion 30 is within fastener access compartment 90 and in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 634 of engagement prong 632 of second side shroud 600 with latching bolt engagement surface 34 of arcuate portion 30 abutting arcuate fastener surface of latching bolt 70 and wear component engagement surface 36 of arcuate portion 30 abutting fastener seat 634 of engagement prong 632 of second side shroud 600. Note that washer 230 and retaining washer 240 are not needed when fastener pate 190’ is used, and therefor these are optional components.

[0186] In some embodiments, once arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 is partially within fastener access compartment 90 and first and second prongs 44, 46 of retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 are properly positioned on fastener plate 190’, gasket 250 can be optionally position between fastener plate 190 and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20. As shown in FIGS. 40 & 44, this can be achieved by inserting first end 252 of gasket 250 between fastener plate 190’ and retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 in a manner where notch 259 of gasket 250 is adjacent to bolt 220.

[0187] In some embodiments, once fastener 20 and attachment assembly 180 are assembled together and positioned within fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50, fastener 20 is securely and reversibly coupled to second corner shroud 600 toPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by securely and reversibly affixing bolt 220 to retainer nut 210 by rotationally turning retaining nut 210 located in second retaining nut seat 108 so that threaded portion 226 of bolt 220 is threaded into threaded portion of bolt bore 219 of retaining nut 210. As best seen in FIG. 44, this affixing creates a downward torque that pushes retaining portion 40 of fastener 20 downward onto retaining seat portion 100 of locking block 50. This downward force causes an upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 which further wedges accurate portion 30 in between arcuate fastener surface 74 and fastener seat 634 of engagement prong 632 of second corner shroud 600. This upward movement of arcuate portion 30 of fastener 20 further secures in place engagement prong 632 of second corner shroud 600 within wear component socket 92 of locking block 50.

[0188] In some embodiments, reversible locking block assembly 10 adopts an unlocked position to uncouple and remove second corner shroud 600 from lip assembly 300. To adopt an unlocked position, bolt 220 of attachment assembly 180 is removed from locking block 50 by unscrewing retaining nut 210 from bolt 220. Fastener 20, fastener plate 190’, and if present, washer 230, retaining washer 240, and gasket 250, are then removed from fastener access compartment 90 of internal compartment 60 of locking block 50. Once these components are removed, second corner shroud 600 can then be pulled off of bottom engagement portion 320 of lip assembly 300.

[0189] In some embodiments, wing shroud 700 is securely and reversibly couples to a lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, wing shroud 700 is securely coupled to either first side plate 316 of lip assembly 300 or second side plate 318 of lip assembly 300. In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 27, 40 & 44, an exemplary coupling procedure of wing shroud 700 to lip assembly 300 is illustrated. Wing shroud 700 interchangeable component that can couple to first engagement portion 330 of first side plate 316 or can couple to second engagement portion 332 of second side plate 318. With this in mind, a process of coupling wing 700 to second engagement portion 332 of second side plate 318 as described below is substantially similar to a process of coupling wing 700 to first engagement portion 330 of first side plate 316, except that wing shroud 700 in attached to first engagement portion 330 of first side plate 316 and employs the components therein. Thus, a process of coupling wing 700 to first engagement portion 330 of first side plate 316 applies mutatis mutandis to process of coupling wing 700 to second engagement portion 332 of second side plate 318 as described below.

[0190] In some embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 27, 40 & 44, wing shroud 700 is properly positioned onto second side engagement portion 332 of second side plate 318 of lip assembly 300. As shown in FIG. 44, this can be achieved by inserting first peg 742 of wing shroud 700 into slot 334’ of second engagement portion 332 and second peg 744 of wing shroud 700 into slotPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems334” of second engagement portion 332 until first and second pegs 742, 744 are completely inserted and properly seated at an end of slots 334’, 334”. As shown in FIG. 44, once positioned, a portion of second engagement plate 332 adjacent to slot 334’ is completely inserted into engagement compartment 740 of wing shroud 700, a portion of second engagement plate 332 between slots 334’, 334” is completely inserted into engagement compartment 740 of wing shroud 700, a portion of second engagement plate 332 adjacent to slot 334” is completely inserted into engagement compartment 740 of wing shroud 700, first peg 742 of engagement compartment 740 is completely inserted into slot 334’, and second peg 744 of engagement compartment 740 is completely inserted into slot 334”. The weight of wing shroud 700 and gravity ensure that first and second pegs 742, 744 remain firmly seated within slots 334’, 334”, respectively. In some embodiments, coupling of second corner shroud 600, as described above, abuts against and engages with wing shroud 700 thereby locking wing shroud 700 in place and preventing any undesired removal of wing shroud 700 from second side engagement portion 332 of lip assembly 300.

[0191] In some embodiments, to uncouple and remove wing shroud 700 from lip assembly 300, second corner shroud 600 is removed from bottom engagement portion 320 of bottom plate 310 of lip assembly 300, as described above. Wing shroud 700 is then pulled off of second side engagement portion 332 of second side plate 318 of lip assembly 300.

[0192] Aspects of the present specification can also be described by the following embodiments: 1. A reversible locking block assembly comprising: a) a fastener, the fastener comprising an arcuate portion and a retaining portion, the retaining portion comprising a base, a first prong, and a second prong, the first prong being a planar extension of a first side of the base, the second prong being a planar extension of a second side of the base, the first prong extending in a direction parallel to the second prong, wherein the first prong is spaced apart from the second prong to define a notch that ends at the base; b) a locking block, the locking block comprising an internal compartment including a latching bolt, a fastener access compartment, and a wear component socket and a retaining nut housing; the fastener access compartment being in spatial communication with the wear component socket, the latching bolt being positioned in front of the fastener access compartment and above the wear component socket, the latching bolt having an arcuate fastener surface facing the wear component socket of the internal compartment, and the retaining nut housing comprising a first retaining nut seat, a retaining flange seat, and a second retaining nut seat, with the retaining flange seat positioned between the first retaining nut seat and the second retaining nut seat; c) a reversible attachment assembly, the reversible attachment assembly comprising: i) a fastener plate, the fastener plate being a wedged-shape rectangular plate with a first end and a secondPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systemsend opposite to and spaced apart from the first end to define a length of the fastener plate with the second end being of greater height than a first end, wherein the fastener plate comprises; a bolt having a threaded portion; and a hook portion, the hook portion being a perpendicular extension at the second end of the fastener plate and comprising comprises a plate tab, a first prong notch, and a second prong notch, with the plate tab positioned in between the first and second prong notches and being sized and shaped to securely and reversibly insert in the notch of the fastener, the first prong notch being sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive a first tip of the first prong of the fastener, and the second prong notch being sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive a second tip of the second prong of the fastener; and ii) a retainer nut, the retainer nut having a first end and a second end opposite to and spaced apart from the first end to define a length of the retainer nut, wherein the retainer nut comprises a retainer head located at the first end, a body extending perpendicularly from the retainer head to the second end, the body comprising a retaining flange located at the second end; wherein the retainer nut of the attachment assembly is sized and shaped to be insertable within the retainer nut housing in a first configuration or a second configuration; wherein in the first configuration, the retainer head of the retainer nut is seated within the first retaining nut seat in a manner that hold retainer held in place within the first retaining nut seat and the retaining flange is captured within the retaining flange seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining flange within the retaining flange seat; wherein in the second configuration, the retainer head of the retainer nut is seated within the second retaining nut seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining head within the second retaining nut seat and the retaining flange is captured within the retaining flange seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining flange within the retaining flange seat; wherein the arcuate portion of the fastener is sized and shaped to be insertable into the wear component socket of the locking block, with an upper surface of the arcuate portion adjacent to the latching bolt and a lower surface of the arcuate portion facing the wear component socket; wherein the retainer portion of the fastener is sized and shaped to be contained within the fastener access compartment; wherein wear component slot is sized and shaped to reversibly receive an engagement prong of a wear component; wherein the reversible locking block assembly can adopt a locked position or an unlocked position; and wherein, in the locked position, the arcuate portion of the fastener is inserted into the wear component socket below the latching bolt with the upper surface of the arcuate portion adjacent to and abutting against the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt, the first tip of the first prong of the fastener is inserted in the first prong notch of the fastener plate, the second tip of the second prong of the fastener is inserted in the second prong notch of the fastener plate, and the first and second prong are against a bottom ofPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems fastener access compartment due to a downward force of the upper flange of the retainer nut caused by the bolt being screwed tight into the retainer nut.2. The reversible locking block assembly according to embodiment 1, wherein, in the unlocked position, the bolt is removed from the retainer nut, the first and send prongs of the fastener are removed from the fastener access compartment, and the arcuate portion of the fastener is removed from the wear component compartment.3. The reversible locking block assembly according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the reversible attachment assembly further includes a gasket, wherein the gasket is sized and shaped to reversible insert between a top surface of the retaining portion of the fastener and a bottom surface of the fastener plate.4. The reversible locking block assembly according to embodiment 3, wherein the gasket has a wedged-shape rectangular form with a first end and a second end opposite to and spaced apart from the first end to define a length of the gasket with the first end being of greater height than a second end.5. The reversible locking block assembly according to any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein the internal compartment further includes an access slot located in front of and adjacent to the locking block, the access slot being in spatial communication with the wear component socket.6. The reversible locking block assembly according to any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein in the first configuration, the fastener plate comprises a bolt aperture, a through hole traversing from a top to a bottom of the fastener plate, the bolt is inserted through the bolt aperture in a manner that allows rotational movement of a bolt head of the bolt within the bolt aperture, the retainer head of the retainer nut is held in place by the first retainer seat of the retainer nut housing, and the bolt is securely and reversible attached to the retainer nut by a rotational force applied to the bolt head of the bolt.7. The reversible locking block assembly according to any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein in the second configuration, the fastener plate comprises a bolt aperture, a through hole traversing from a top to a bottom of the fastener plate, the bolt is inserted through the bolt aperture in a manner that a bolt head of the bolt is held in place within the bolt aperture, the retainer head of the retainer nut can rotationally move within the second retainer seat and the bolt is securely and reversible attached to retainer nut by a rotational force applied to the retainer head of the retainer nut.8. The reversible locking block assembly according to embodiment 7, wherein the bolt is held in place within the bolt aperture using a washer and a retaining washer.9. The reversible locking block assembly according to any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein in the second configuration, the bolt is permanently affixed to a bottom surface of the fastener plate that holds the bolt in place, the retainer head of the retainer nut can rotationally movePCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems within the second retainer seat and the bolt is securely and reversible attached to retainer nut by a rotational force applied to the retainer head of the retainer nut.10. A lip assembly comprising: a) a bottom plate comprising a bottom wear component engagement portion, the bottom wear component engagement portion comprising a plurality of bottom prongs and a plurality of bottom notches, each bottom notch of the plurality of bottom notches being located between two bottom prongs of the plurality of bottom prongs; b) a first side plate comprising a first wear component engagement portion, the first wear component engagement portion comprising at least two first side notches and one or more first side prongs, each first side notch of the at least two first side notches flanking either side of one first side prong of the one or more first side prongs; c) a second side plate comprising a second wear component engagement portion, the second wear component engagement portion comprising at least two second side notches and one or more second side prongs, each second side notch of the at least two second side notches flanking either side of one second side prong of the one or more second side prongs; d) a plurality of locking block sockets, each of the plurality of locking block sockets being located on a bottom plate of the lip assembly and sized and shaped to receive a locking block of a reversible locking block assembly, wherein the reversible locking block assembly contained within each of the plurality of locking block sockets is defined according to any one of embodiments 1-9; wherein each locking block socket of the plurality of locking block sockets is positioned behind the bottom wear compartment engagement portion of the bottom plate so that when assembled, an engagement prong of a wear component can be inserted onto a wear component socket of the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly and a subset of bottom prongs from the plurality of bottom prongs and a subset of bottom notches from the plurality of bottom notches of the bottom engagement portion can be inserted into an engagement compartment of the wear component.11. The lip assembly according to embodiment 10, wherein the plurality of bottom prongs comprises between 10 and 25 bottom prongs.12. The lip assembly according to embodiment 11, wherein the plurality of bottom prongs is 17 bottom prongs.13. The lip assembly according to embodiment 10, wherein the plurality of bottom notches comprises between 10 and 25 bottom notches.14. The lip assembly according to embodiment 13, wherein the plurality of bottom notches is 16 bottom notches.15 The lip assembly according to embodiment 10, wherein the plurality of locking block sockets comprises between 4 and 12 locking block sockets.16 The lip assembly according to embodiment 15, wherein the plurality of locking block sockets is 8 locking block sockets.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems17 The lip assembly according to embodiment 10, wherein the plurality of bottom notches is twice the number of the plurality of locking block sockets.18. The lip assembly according to embodiment 19, wherein the first wear component engagement portion comprises one or more slots, the second wear component engagement portion comprises one or more slots, or both the first and second wear component engagement portions each comprises one or more slots.19. The lip assembly according to embodiment 18, wherein the one or more slots of the first wear component engagement portion is two, the one or more slots of the second wear component engagement portion is two, or the one or more slots of the first wear component engagement portion is two and the one or more slots of the second wear component engagement portion is two.20. The lip assembly according to any one of embodiments 10-19, wherein the bottom plate further comprises a first wear component stop and a second wear component stop, the first wear component stop is positioned on a first side of each locking block socket of the plurality of locking block sockets and the second wear component stop is positioned on a second side of each locking block socket of the plurality of locking block sockets, wherein the first and second wear component stops is configured to abut against a back surface of a wear component when the wear component is engaged with the bottom engagement portion of the lip assembly.21. A wear component comprising a main body, a top plate, a bottom plate, and an engagement compartment; the bottom plate comprising an engagement prong sized and shaped to reversibly insert into and engage within a wear compartment socket of a reversible locking block assembly, wherein the engagement prong comprises a fastener seat sized and shaped to securely and reversible engage with a wear component engagement surface of a fastener of a reversible locking block assembly; and the engagement compartment sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive and engage with a subset of bottom prongs from a plurality of bottom prongs and a subset of bottom notches from a plurality of bottom notches of a bottom engagement portion of a lip assembly, wherein each bottom notch of the subset of bottom notches is located between two bottom prongs of the subset of bottom prongs.22. The wear component according to embodiment 21, wherein the subset of bottom prongs is three and the subset of bottom notches is two.23. The wear component according to embodiment 21 or 22, wherein the engagement compartment comprises a first prong slot, a second prong slot, a third prong slot, a first tab and a second tab; wherein the first prong slot is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a portion of a first bottom prong from the subset of a plurality of prongs, wherein the second prong slot is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a second bottom prong from the subset of a plurality of prongs and wherein the third prongPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems slot is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a portion of a third bottom prong from the subset of a plurality of prongs; and wherein the first tab is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a first notch of the subset of notches; and wherein the second tab is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a second notch of the subset of notches.24. The wear component according to any one of embodiments 21-23, wherein the wear component is a lip shroud, a left corner shroud, a right corner shroud or a wing shroud. 25. A wear component comprising a main body, a top plate, a bottom plate, and an engagement compartment; the bottom plate comprising an engagement prong sized and shaped to reversibly insert into and engage within a wear compartment socket of a reversible locking block assembly, wherein the engagement prong comprises a fastener seat sized and shaped to securely and reversible engage with a wear component engagement surface of a fastener of a reversible locking block assembly; and the engagement compartment sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive and engage with a subset of side prongs from a plurality of side prongs and a subset of side notches from one or more side notches of a side engagement portion of a lip assembly, wherein each side prong of the subset of side prongs is flanked on either side by a side notch of the subset of the one or more side notches.26. The wear component according to embodiment 25, wherein the subset of side prongs is three and the subset of side notches is two.27. The wear component according to embodiment 25 or 26, wherein the engagement compartment comprises a first prong slot, a second prong slot, a third prong slot, a first tab and a second tab; wherein the first prong slot is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a portion of a first side prong from the subset of a plurality of prongs, wherein the second prong slot is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a second side prong from the subset of a plurality of prongs and wherein the third prong slot is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a portion of a third side prong from the subset of a plurality of prongs; and wherein the first tab is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a first notch of the subset of notches; and wherein the second tab is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a second notch of the subset of notches.28. The wear component according to any one of embodiments 25-27, wherein the side engagement portion of the lip assembly is a left side engagement portion, a right side engagement portion, or a left side engagement portion and a right side engagement portion.29. The wear component according to any one of embodiments 25-28, wherein the wear component is a wing shroud.32. A fastening system for securely and releasably coupling a wear component to a lip assembly, the fastening system comprising: a) a reversible locking block assembly as defined in any onePCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems of embodiments 1-9; b) a lip assembly as defined in any one of embodiments 10-20; and c) one or more wear components as defined in any one of embodiments 21-29.33. A method of coupling a wear component to a lip assembly, the method comprising: a) inserting a locking block of a reversible locking block assembly into each locking block socket of a plurality of locking block sockets present on a bottom lip plate of a lip assembly; wherein the reversible locking block assembly is defined according to any one of embodiments 1-9 and the lip assembly is defined according to any one of embodiments 10-20; b) positioning a wear component onto a bottom engagement portion on a bottom plate of the lip assembly, wherein the wear component is defined according to any one of embodiments 21-24; c) positioning a fastener into a fastener access compartment, wherein the fastener comprises an arcuate portion and a retaining portion, the retaining portion comprising a base, a first prong, and a second prong, the first prong being a planar extension of a first side of the base, the second prong being a planar extension of a second side of the base, the first prong extending in a direction parallel to the second prong, wherein the first prong is spaced apart from the second prong to define a notch that ends at the base; d) securing the fastener to the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly so that the reversible locking block assembly adopts a locked position, thereby securely and reversibly coupling the wear component to the lip assembly.34. The method according to embodiment 33, wherein positioning of the wear component onto the bottom engagement portion in step (b) comprises: a) inserting an engagement prong into a wear compartment socket of the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly until the engagement prong is properly seated into the wear component socket and a fastener seat of the engagement prong is positioned underneath an arcuate fastener surface of a latching bolt of the locking block; and b) inserting an engagement compartment of the wear component onto a subset of bottom prongs from a plurality of bottom prongs and a subset of bottom notches from a plurality of bottom notches of the bottom engagement portion, wherein each bottom notch of the subset of bottom notches is located between two bottom prongs of the subset of bottom prongs.35. The method according to embodiment 33, wherein inserting a fastener into a fastener access compartment in step (c) comprises: a) inserting the arcuate portion of the fastener between a latching bolt of the locking block and a fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component so that a latching bolt engagement surface of the arcuate portion abuts the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt and a wear component engagement surface of the arcuate portion sits within the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component; and b) positioning the retaining portion of the fastener above a retaining seat portion of the fastener access compartment with the first prong flanking a first side of a bolt bore of the retaining nut and the second prong flanking a second side of the bolt bore of the retaining nut.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems36. The method according to embodiment 33, wherein securing the fastener to the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly in step (d) comprises affixing a bolt into the retainer nut by rotationally threading a threaded portion of the bolt into a threaded portion of a bolt bore of the retaining nut, wherein the affixing creates a downward torque that pushes the retaining portion of the fastener downward onto the retaining seat portion of the fastener access compartment, the downward force causing an upward movement of the arcuate portion of the fastener which further inserts the accurate portion of the fastener between the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt and the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component.37. The method according to any one of embodiments 33-36, wherein the wear component is a lip shroud, a left corner shroud or a right corner shroud.38. A method of coupling a wear component to a lip assembly, the method comprising positioning a wear component onto a side engagement portion on a side plate of a lip assembly, thereby securely and reversibly coupling the wear component to the lip assembly, wherein the lip assembly is defined according to any one of embodiments 10-20 and wherein the wear component is defined according to any one of embodiments 25-29;39. The method according to embodiment 38, wherein positioning a wear component onto a side engagement portion on a side plate comprises inserting a first peg of the wear component into a first slot of the side engagement portion and inserting a second peg of the wear component into a second slot of the side engagement portion until first and second pegs are completely inserted and properly seated within first and second slots.40. The wear component according to embodiment 38 or 39, wherein the side engagement portion of the lip assembly is a left side engagement portion, a right side engagement portion, or a left side engagement portion and a right side engagement portion.41. The method according to any one of embodiment 38-40, wherein the wear component is a wing shroud.42. A method of coupling a wear component to a lip assembly, the method comprising: a) inserting a locking block of a reversible locking block assembly into each locking block socket of a plurality of locking block sockets present on a bottom lip plate of a lip assembly; wherein the reversible locking block assembly comprising: i) a fastener, the fastener comprising an arcuate portion and a retaining portion, the retaining portion comprising a base, a first prong, and a second prong, the first prong being a planar extension of a first side of the base, the second prong being a planar extension of a second side of the base, the first prong extending in a direction parallel to the second prong, wherein the first prong is spaced apart from the second prong to define a notch that ends at the base; ii) a locking block, the locking block comprising an internal compartment including a latching bolt, a fastener access compartment, and a wear component socket and a retaining nut housing; the fastener access compartment being inPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systemsspatial communication with the wear component socket, the latching bolt being positioned in front of the fastener access compartment and above the wear component socket, the latching bolt having an arcuate fastener surface facing the wear component socket of the internal compartment, and the retaining nut housing comprising a first retaining nut seat, a retaining flange seat, and a second retaining nut seat, with the retaining flange seat positioned between the first retaining nut seat and the second retaining nut seat; iii) a reversible attachment assembly, the reversible attachment assembly comprising: a fastener plate, the fastener plate being a wedged-shape rectangular plate with a first end and a second end opposite to and spaced apart from the first end to define a length of the fastener plate with the second end being of greater height than a first end, wherein the fastener plate comprises: a bolt having a threaded portion; and a hook portion, the hook portion being a perpendicular extension at the second end of the fastener plate and comprising comprises a plate tab, a first prong notch, and a second prong notch, with the plate tab positioned in between the first and second prong notches and being sized and shaped to securely and reversibly insert in the notch of the fastener, the first prong notch being sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive a first tip of the first prong of the fastener, and the second prong notch being sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive a second tip of the second prong of the fastener; and a retainer nut, the retainer nut having a first end and a second end opposite to and spaced apart from the first end to define a length of the retainer nut, wherein the retainer nut comprises a retainer head located at the first end, a body extending perpendicularly from the retainer head to the second end, the body comprising a retaining flange located at the second end; wherein the retainer nut of the attachment assembly is sized and shaped to be insertable within the retainer nut housing in a first configuration or a second configuration; wherein in the first configuration, the retainer head of the retainer nut is seated within the first retaining nut seat in a manner that hold retainer held in place within the first retaining nut seat and the retaining flange is captured within the retaining flange seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining flange within the retaining flange seat; wherein in the second configuration, the retainer head of the retainer nut is seated within the second retaining nut seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining head within the second retaining nut seat and the retaining flange is captured within the retaining flange seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining flange within the retaining flange seat; wherein the arcuate portion of the fastener is sized and shaped to be insertable into the wear component socket of the locking block, with an upper surface of the arcuate portion adjacent to the latching bolt and a lower surface of the arcuate portion facing the wear component socket; wherein the retainer portion of the fastener is sized and shaped to be contained within the fastener access compartment; wherein wear component slot is sized and shaped to reversibly receive an engagement prong of a wear component; and wherein the reversible locking blockPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems assembly can adopt a locked position or an unlocked position; and wherein the lip assembly comprises a bottom plate comprising a bottom wear component engagement portion, the bottom wear component engagement portion comprising a plurality of bottom prongs and a plurality of bottom notches, each bottom notch of the plurality of bottom notches being located between two bottom prongs of the plurality of bottom prongs; b) positioning a wear component onto the bottom wear engagement portion on the bottom plate of the lip assembly, wherein the wear component comprises: i) a bottom plate, the bottom plate comprising an engagement prong including a fastener seat; and ii) an engagement compartment; wherein the engagement prong is seated within the wear compartment socket of the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly, wherein the fastener seat is positioned underneath the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt of the locking block; and wherein a subset of bottom prongs from the plurality of bottom prongs and a subset of bottom notches from the plurality of bottom notches of the bottom engagement portion of the lip assembly are inserted within the engagement compartment of the wear component; c) positioning the fastener into the fastener access compartment; d) securing the fastener to the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly so that the reversible locking block assembly adopts the locked position, thereby securely coupling the wear component to the lip assembly; wherein, in the locked position, i) the arcuate portion of the fastener is inserted into the wear component socket with the upper surface of the arcuate portion adjacent to and abutting against the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt and the lower surface of the arcuate portion adjacent to and abutting against the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component, and iii) the first and second prongs of the fastener are against a bottom of the fastener access compartment due to a downward force of the fastener plate caused by the bolt being screwed tight into the retainer nut.43. The method according to embodiment 42, wherein positioning the fastener into the fastener access compartment in step (c) comprises: a) inserting the arcuate portion of the fastener between a latching bolt of the locking block and the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component so that the upper surface of the arcuate portion abuts the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt and the lower surface of the arcuate portion sits within the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component; and b) positioning the retaining portion of the fastener above a retaining seat portion of the fastener access compartment with the first prong flanking a first side of a bolt bore of the retaining nut and the second prong flanking a second side of the bolt bore of the retaining nut.44. The method according to embodiment 42 or 43, wherein when the retainer nut is in the first configuration, the securing the fastener to the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly in step (d) comprises affixing the bolt into the retainer nut by applying a rotational force to the bolt head of the bolt to screw the threaded portion of the bolt into a threadedPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems portion of a bolt bore of the retaining nut, wherein the affixing creates a downward force on the fastener plate that pushes the retaining portion of the fastener downward onto the retaining seat portion of the fastener access compartment, the downward force causing an upward movement of the arcuate portion of the fastener which inserts the accurate portion of the fastener between the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt and the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component.45. The method according to embodiment 42 or 43, wherein when the retainer nut is in the second configuration, the securing the fastener to the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly in step (d) comprises affixing the bolt into the retainer nut by applying a rotational force to the retainer head of the retainer nut to screw the threaded portion of the bolt into a threaded portion of a bolt bore of the retaining nut, wherein the affixing creates a downward force on the fastener plate that pushes the retaining portion of the fastener downward onto the retaining seat portion of the fastener access compartment, the downward force causing an upward movement of the arcuate portion of the fastener which inserts the accurate portion of the fastener between the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt and the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component.46. The method according to any one of embodiments 42-45, wherein the wear component is a lip shroud, a left corner shroud or a right corner shroud.47. A method of coupling a wear component to a lip assembly, the method comprising securely positioning a wear component onto a side engagement portion on a side plate of a lip assembly, thereby securely and reversibly coupling the wear component to the lip assembly, wherein the wear component engagement portion comprises: i) at least two side notches and one or more side prongs, each of the one or more side prongs is flanked on either side by a side notch of the at least two side notches; and ii) one or more slots; and wherein the wear component comprises an engagement compartment including a first peg and a second pegwherein the first peg of the engagement compartment is insertably engaged with a first slot of the one or more slots of the wear component engagement portion and the second peg of the engagement compartment is insertably engaged with a second slot of the one or more slots of the wear component engagement portion.48. The method according to embodiment 47, wherein positioning a wear component onto a side engagement portion on a side plate comprises inserting the first peg of the wear component engagement portion of the wear component into the first slot of the one or more slots of the side engagement portion; and inserting the second peg of the wear component engagement portion of the wear component into the second slot of the one or more slots of the side engagement portion until first and second pegs are completely inserted and properly seated within first and second slots.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems49. The wear component according to embodiment 47 or 48, wherein the side engagement portion of the lip assembly is a left side engagement portion, a right side engagement portion, or a left side engagement portion and a right side engagement portion.50. The method according to any one of embodiment 47-49, wherein the wear component is a wing shroud.

[0193] In closing, foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is to be understood that, although aspects of the present invention are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these described embodiments are only illustrative of the principles comprising the present invention and such examples are not limiting thereto. As such, the specific embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the present invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0194] In addition, groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, steps and / or limitations of the present invention are not to be construed as limitations. Each such grouping may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other groupings disclosed herein. It is anticipated that one or more alternative embodiments, elements, steps and / or limitations of a grouping may be included in, or deleted from, the grouping for reasons of convenience and / or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the grouping as modified, thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims. In addition, all methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Therefore, it should be understood that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are in no way limited to a particular element, compound, composition, component, article, apparatus, methodology, use, protocol, step, and / or limitation described herein, unless expressly stated as such.

[0195] While aspects of the inventive subject matter have been described with reference to at least one exemplary embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the inventive subject matter is not limited thereto. For example, although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, thenPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that certain changes, modifications, permutations, alterations, additions, subtractions, and subcombinations thereof can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present inventive subject matter. Thus, while the inventive subject matter is susceptible of various modifications and alternative embodiments, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive subject matter to any specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the inventive subject matter is to cover all modifications, alternative embodiments, and equivalents falling within the scope of the claims. It is intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such changes, modifications, permutations, alterations, additions, subtractions, and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventive subject matter is not to be limited to that precisely as shown and described by this specification. Rather, the scope of the inventive subject matter is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the inventive subject matter.

[0196] Certain embodiments of the present inventive subject matter are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for conducting the inventive subject matter. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the present inventive subject matter to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this inventive subject matter includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the abovedescribed embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the inventive subject matter unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0197] The words, language, and terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, elements, steps and / or limitations only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present inventive subject matter, which is defined solely by the claims. In addition, such words, language, and terminology are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element, step or limitation can be understood in the context of this specification as including morePCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

[0198] The definitions and meanings of the elements, steps or limitations recited in a claim set forth below are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements, steps or limitations which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements, steps and / or limitations may be made for any one of the elements, steps or limitations in a claim set forth below or that a single element, step, or limitation may be substituted for two or more elements, steps and / or limitations in such a claim. Although elements, steps or limitations may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements, steps and / or limitations from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a subcombination. As such, notwithstanding the fact that the elements, steps and / or limitations of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the inventive subject matter includes other combinations of fewer, more, or different elements, steps and / or limitations, which are disclosed in above combination even when not initially claimed in such combinations. Furthermore, insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. Accordingly, the claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the inventive subject matter.

[0199] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in the present specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about” means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent above and below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term. Similarly, as used herein, unless indicated to the contrary, the term “substantially” is a term of degree intended to indicate an approximation of the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified, encompassing a range that can be understood and construed by those of ordinary skill in the art.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and SystemsAccordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical indication should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0200] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and values setting forth the broad scope of the inventive subject matter are approximations, the numerical ranges and values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical range or value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Recitation of numerical ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate numerical value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of a numerical range is incorporated into the present specification as if it were individually recited herein. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

[0201] Use of the terms “may” or “can” in reference to an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment also carries with it the alternative meaning of “may not” or “cannot.” As such, if the present specification discloses that an embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may be or can be included as part of the inventive subject matter, then the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is also explicitly meant, meaning that an embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may not be or cannot be included as part of the inventive subject matter. In a comparable manner, use of the term “optionally” in reference to an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment means that such embodiment or aspect of the embodiment may be included as part of the inventive subject matter or may not be included as part of the inventive subject matter. Whether such a negative limitation or exclusionary proviso applies will be based on whether the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is recited in the claimed subject matter.

[0202] The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar references used in the context of describing the present inventive subject matter (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, ordinal indicators - such as, e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. -for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate or implyPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems a required or limited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0203] When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the open-ended transitional term “comprising”, variations thereof such as, e.g., “comprise” and “comprises”, and equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof like “including”, “containing” and “having”, encompass all the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps, integers, and / or features alone or in combination with unrecited subject matter; the named elements, limitations, steps, integers, and / or features are essential, but other unnamed elements, limitations, steps, integers, and / or features may be added and still form a construct within the scope of the claim. Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of’ or “consisting essentially of” (or variations thereof such as, e.g., “consist of”, “consists of”, “consist essentially of”, and “consists essentially of”) in lieu of or as an amendment for “comprising.” When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, limitation, step, integer, or feature not expressly recited in the claims. The closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps, integers, and / or features and any other elements, limitations, steps, integers, and / or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Thus, the meaning of the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” is being defined as encompassing all the specifically recited elements, limitations, steps and / or features as well as any optional, additional unspecified ones. The meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps, integers, and / or features specifically recited in the claim, whereas the meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps, integers, and / or features specifically recited in the claim and those elements, limitations, steps, integers, and / or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” (and equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof) includes within its meaning, as a limiting case, claimed subject matter specified by the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” As such, the embodiments described herein or so claimed with the phrase “comprising” expressly and unambiguously provide description, enablement, and support for the phrases “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.”

[0204] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appendedPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WQ Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

[0205] Any claims intended to be treated under 35 U.S.C. §112(f) will begin with the words “means for,” but use of the term “for” in any other context is not intended to invoke treatment under 35 U.S.C. §112(f). Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to pursue additional claims after filing this application, in either this application or in a continuing application.

[0206] It should be understood that the methods and the order in which the respective elements of each method are performed are purely exemplary. Depending on the implementation, they may be performed in any order or in parallel, unless indicated otherwise in the present disclosure.

[0207] Finally, all patents, patent publications, and other references cited and identified in the present specification are individually and expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. These publications are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge from any country. In addition, where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. Lastly, nothing in this regard is or should be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any other reason. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of these documents are based on the information available to the applicant and do not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents.

Claims

PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and SystemsCLAIMS1. A reversible locking block assembly comprising:a) a fastener, the fastener comprising an arcuate portion and a retaining portion, the retaining portion comprising a base, a first prong, and a second prong, the first prong being a planar extension of a first side of the base, the second prong being a planar extension of a second side of the base, the first prong extending in a direction parallel to the second prong, wherein the first prong is spaced apart from the second prong to define a notch that ends at the base;b) a locking block, the locking block comprising an internal compartment including a latching bolt, a fastener access compartment, and a wear component socket and a retaining nut housing; the fastener access compartment being in spatial communication with the wear component socket, the latching bolt being positioned in front of the fastener access compartment and above the wear component socket, the latching bolt having an arcuate fastener surface facing the wear component socket of the internal compartment, and the retaining nut housing comprising a first retaining nut seat, a retaining flange seat, and a second retaining nut seat, with the retaining flange seat positioned between the first retaining nut seat and the second retaining nut seat;c) a reversible attachment assembly, the reversible attachment assembly comprising:i) a fastener plate, the fastener plate being a wedged-shape rectangular plate with a first end and a second end opposite to and spaced apart from the first end to define a length of the fastener plate with the second end being of greater height than a first end, wherein the fastener plate comprises;a bolt having a threaded portion; anda hook portion, the hook portion being a perpendicular extension at the second end of the fastener plate and comprising comprises a plate tab, a first prong notch, and a second prong notch, with the plate tab positioned in between the first and second prong notches and being sized and shaped to securely and reversibly insert in the notch of the fastener, the first prong notch being sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive a first tip of the first prong of the fastener, and the second prongPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systemsnotch being sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive a second tip of the second prong of the fastener; andii) a retainer nut, the retainer nut having a first end and a second end opposite to and spaced apart from the first end to define a length of the retainer nut, wherein the retainer nut comprises a retainer head located at the first end, a body extending perpendicularly from the retainer head to the second end, the body comprising a retaining flange located at the second end;wherein the retainer nut of the attachment assembly is sized and shaped to be insertable within the retainer nut housing in a first configuration or a second configuration;wherein in the first configuration, the retainer head of the retainer nut is seated within the first retaining nut seat in a manner that hold retainer held in place within the first retaining nut seat and the retaining flange is captured within the retaining flange seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining flange within the retaining flange seat;wherein in the second configuration, the retainer head of the retainer nut is seated within the second retaining nut seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining head within the second retaining nut seat and the retaining flange is captured within the retaining flange seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining flange within the retaining flange seat;wherein the arcuate portion of the fastener is sized and shaped to be insertable into the wear component socket of the locking block, with an upper surface of the arcuate portion adjacent to the latching bolt and a lower surface of the arcuate portion facing the wear component socket;wherein the retainer portion of the fastener is sized and shaped to be contained within the fastener access compartment;wherein wear component slot is sized and shaped to reversibly receive an engagement prong of a wear component;wherein the reversible locking block assembly can adopt a locked position or an unlocked position; andPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems wherein, in the locked position, the arcuate portion of the fastener is inserted into the wear component socket below the latching bolt with the upper surface of the arcuate portion adjacent to and abutting against the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt, the first tip of the first prong of the fastener is inserted in the first prong notch of the fastener plate, the second tip of the second prong of the fastener is inserted in the second prong notch of the fastener plate, and the first and second prong are against a bottom of fastener access compartment due to a downward force of the upper flange of the retainer nut caused by the bolt being screwed tight into the retainer nut.

2. The reversible locking block assembly according to claim 1 , wherein, in the unlocked position, the bolt is removed from the retainer nut, the first and send prongs of the fastener are removed from the fastener access compartment, and the arcuate portion of the fastener is removed from the wear component compartment.

3. The reversible locking block assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reversible attachment assembly further includes a gasket, wherein the gasket is sized and shaped to reversible insert between a top surface of the retaining portion of the fastener and a bottom surface of the fastener plate.

4. The reversible locking block assembly according to claim 3, wherein the gasket has a wedged- shape rectangular form with a first end and a second end opposite to and spaced apart from the first end to define a length of the gasket with the first end being of greater height than a second end.

5. The reversible locking block assembly according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the internal compartment further includes an access slot located in front of and adjacent to the locking block, the access slot being in spatial communication with the wear component socket.

6. The reversible locking block assembly according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein in the first configuration, the fastener plate comprises a bolt aperture, a through hole traversing from a top to a bottom of the fastener plate, the bolt is inserted through the bolt aperture in a manner that allows rotational movement of a bolt head of the bolt within the bolt aperture, the retainer head of the retainer nut is held in place by the first retainer seat of the retainer nut housing, and the bolt is securely and reversible attached to the retainer nut by a rotational force applied to the bolt head of the bolt.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems7. The reversible locking block assembly according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein in the second configuration, the fastener plate comprises a bolt aperture, a through hole traversing from a top to a bottom of the fastener plate, the bolt is inserted through the bolt aperture in a manner that a bolt head of the bolt is held in place within the bolt aperture, the retainer head of the retainer nut can rotationally move within the second retainer seat and the bolt is securely and reversible attached to retainer nut by a rotational force applied to the retainer head of the retainer nut.

8. The reversible locking block assembly according to claim 7, wherein the bolt is held in place within the bolt aperture using a washer and a retaining washer.

9. The reversible locking block assembly according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein in the second configuration, the bolt is permanently affixed to a bottom surface of the fastener plate that holds the bolt in place, the retainer head of the retainer nut can rotationally move within the second retainer seat and the bolt is securely and reversible attached to retainer nut by a rotational force applied to the retainer head of the retainer nut.

10. A lip assembly comprising:a) a bottom plate comprising a bottom wear component engagement portion, the bottom wear component engagement portion comprising a plurality of bottom prongs and a plurality of bottom notches, each bottom notch of the plurality of bottom notches being located between two bottom prongs of the plurality of bottom prongs;b) a first side plate comprising a first wear component engagement portion, the first wear component engagement portion comprising at least two first side notches and one or more first side prongs, each first side notch of the at least two first side notches flanking either side of one first side prong of the one or more first side prongs;c) a second side plate comprising a second wear component engagement portion, the second wear component engagement portion comprising at least two second side notches and one or more second side prongs, each second side notch of the at least two second side notches flanking either side of one second side prong of the one or more second side prongs;PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems d) a plurality of locking block sockets, each of the plurality of locking block sockets being located on a bottom plate of the lip assembly and sized and shaped to receive a locking block of a reversible locking block assembly,wherein the reversible locking block assembly contained within each of the plurality of locking block sockets is defined according to any one of claims 1-9;wherein each locking block socket of the plurality of locking block sockets is positioned behind the bottom wear compartment engagement portion of the bottom plate so that when assembled, an engagement prong of a wear component can be inserted onto a wear component socket of the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly and a subset of bottom prongs from the plurality of bottom prongs and a subset of bottom notches from the plurality of bottom notches of the bottom engagement portion can be inserted into an engagement compartment of the wear component.

11. The lip assembly according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of bottom prongs comprises between 10 and 25 bottom prongs.

12. The lip assembly according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of bottom prongs is 17 bottom prongs.

13. The lip assembly according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of bottom notches comprises between 10 and 25 bottom notches.

14. The lip assembly according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of bottom notches is 16 bottom notches.15 The lip assembly according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of locking block sockets comprises between 4 and 12 locking block sockets.16 The lip assembly according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of locking block sockets is 8 locking block sockets.17 The lip assembly according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of bottom notches is twice the number of the plurality of locking block sockets.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems18. The lip assembly according to claim 19, wherein the first wear component engagement portion comprises one or more slots, the second wear component engagement portion comprises one or more slots, or both the first and second wear component engagement portions each comprises one or more slots.

19. The lip assembly according to claim 18, wherein the one or more slots of the first wear component engagement portion is two, the one or more slots of the second wear component engagement portion is two, or the one or more slots of the first wear component engagement portion is two and the one or more slots of the second wear component engagement portion is two.

20. The lip assembly according to any one of claims 10-19, wherein the bottom plate further comprises a first wear component stop and a second wear component stop, the first wear component stop is positioned on a first side of each locking block socket of the plurality of locking block sockets and the second wear component stop is positioned on a second side of each locking block socket of the plurality of locking block sockets, wherein the first and second wear component stops is configured to abut against a back surface of a wear component when the wear component is engaged with the bottom engagement portion of the lip assembly.

21. A wear component comprising a main body, a top plate, a bottom plate, and an engagement compartment;the bottom plate comprising an engagement prong sized and shaped to reversibly insert into and engage within a wear compartment socket of a reversible locking block assembly, wherein the engagement prong comprises a fastener seat sized and shaped to securely and reversible engage with a wear component engagement surface of a fastener of a reversible locking block assembly; andthe engagement compartment sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive and engage with a subset of bottom prongs from a plurality of bottom prongs and a subset of bottom notches from a plurality of bottom notches of a bottom engagement portion of a lip assembly, wherein each bottom notch of the subset of bottom notches is located between two bottom prongs of the subset of bottom prongs.

22. The wear component according to claim 21 , wherein the subset of bottom prongs is three and the subset of bottom notches is two.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems23. The wear component according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the engagement compartment comprises a first prong slot, a second prong slot, a third prong slot, a first tab and a second tab;wherein the first prong slot is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a portion of a first bottom prong from the subset of a plurality of prongs, wherein the second prong slot is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a second bottom prong from the subset of a plurality of prongs and wherein the third prong slot is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a portion of a third bottom prong from the subset of a plurality of prongs; andwherein the first tab is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a first notch of the subset of notches; and wherein the second tab is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a second notch of the subset of notches.

24. The wear component according to any one of claims 21-23, wherein the wear component is a lip shroud, a left corner shroud, a right corner shroud or a wing shroud.

25. A wear component comprising a main body, a top plate, a bottom plate, and an engagement compartment;the bottom plate comprising an engagement prong sized and shaped to reversibly insert into and engage within a wear compartment socket of a reversible locking block assembly, wherein the engagement prong comprises a fastener seat sized and shaped to securely and reversible engage with a wear component engagement surface of a fastener of a reversible locking block assembly; andthe engagement compartment sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive and engage with a subset of side prongs from a plurality of side prongs and a subset of side notches from one or more side notches of a side engagement portion of a lip assembly, wherein each side prong of the subset of side prongs is flanked on either side by a side notch of the subset of the one or more side notches.

26. The wear component according to claim 25, wherein the subset of side prongs is three and the subset of side notches is two.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems27. The wear component according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the engagement compartment comprises a first prong slot, a second prong slot, a third prong slot, a first tab and a second tab;wherein the first prong slot is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a portion of a first side prong from the subset of a plurality of prongs, wherein the second prong slot is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a second side prong from the subset of a plurality of prongs and wherein the third prong slot is a cavity sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a portion of a third side prong from the subset of a plurality of prongs; andwherein the first tab is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a first notch of the subset of notches; and wherein the second tab is sized and shaped to securely and reversible receive a second notch of the subset of notches.

28. The wear component according to any one of claims 25-27, wherein the side engagement portion of the lip assembly is a left side engagement portion, a right side engagement portion, or a left side engagement portion and a right side engagement portion.

29. The wear component according to any one of claims 25-28, wherein the wear component is a wing shroud.

32. A fastening system for securely and releasably coupling a wear component to a lip assembly, the fastening system comprising:a) a reversible locking block assembly as defined in any one of Claims 1-9;b) a lip assembly as defined in any one of claims 10-20; andc) one or more wear components as defined in any one of claims 21-29.

33. A method of coupling a wear component to a lip assembly, the method comprising:a) inserting a locking block of a reversible locking block assembly into each locking block socket of a plurality of locking block sockets present on a bottom lip plate of a lip assembly;PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems wherein the reversible locking block assembly is defined according to any one of claims 1-9 and the lip assembly is defined according to any one of claims 10-20;b) positioning a wear component onto a bottom engagement portion on a bottom plate of the lip assembly, wherein the wear component is defined according to any one of claims 21- 24;c) positioning a fastener into a fastener access compartment, wherein the fastener comprises an arcuate portion and a retaining portion, the retaining portion comprising a base, a first prong, and a second prong, the first prong being a planar extension of a first side of the base, the second prong being a planar extension of a second side of the base, the first prong extending in a direction parallel to the second prong, wherein the first prong is spaced apart from the second prong to define a notch that ends at the base;d) securing the fastener to the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly so that the reversible locking block assembly adopts a locked position, thereby securely and reversibly coupling the wear component to the lip assembly.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein positioning of the wear component onto the bottom engagement portion in step (b) comprises:a) inserting an engagement prong into a wear compartment socket of the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly until the engagement prong is properly seated into the wear component socket and a fastener seat of the engagement prong is positioned underneath an arcuate fastener surface of a latching bolt of the locking block; andb) inserting an engagement compartment of the wear component onto a subset of bottom prongs from a plurality of bottom prongs and a subset of bottom notches from a plurality of bottom notches of the bottom engagement portion, wherein each bottom notch of the subset of bottom notches is located between two bottom prongs of the subset of bottom prongs.

35. The method according to claim 33, wherein inserting a fastener into a fastener access compartment in step (c) comprises:a) inserting the arcuate portion of the fastener between a latching bolt of the locking block and a fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component so that a latchingPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems bolt engagement surface of the arcuate portion abuts the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt and a wear component engagement surface of the arcuate portion sits within the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component; andb) positioning the retaining portion of the fastener above a retaining seat portion of the fastener access compartment with the first prong flanking a first side of a bolt bore of the retaining nut and the second prong flanking a second side of the bolt bore of the retaining nut.

36. The method according to claim 33, wherein securing the fastener to the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly in step (d) comprises affixing a bolt into the retainer nut by rotationally threading a threaded portion of the bolt into a threaded portion of a bolt bore of the retaining nut, wherein the affixing creates a downward torque that pushes the retaining portion of the fastener downward onto the retaining seat portion of the fastener access compartment, the downward force causing an upward movement of the arcuate portion of the fastener which further inserts the accurate portion of the fastener between the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt and the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component.

37. The method according to any one of claims 33-36, wherein the wear component is a lip shroud, a left corner shroud or a right corner shroud.

38. A method of coupling a wear component to a lip assembly, the method comprising positioning a wear component onto a side engagement portion on a side plate of a lip assembly, thereby securely and reversibly coupling the wear component to the lip assembly, wherein the lip assembly is defined according to any one of claims 10-20 and wherein the wear component is defined according to any one of claims 25-29;39. The method according to claim 38, wherein positioning a wear component onto a side engagement portion on a side plate comprises inserting a first peg of the wear component into a first slot of the side engagement portion and inserting a second peg of the wear component into a second slot of the side engagement portion until first and second pegs are completely inserted and properly seated within first and second slots.

40. The wear component according to claim 38 or 39, wherein the side engagement portion of the lip assembly is a left side engagement portion, a right side engagement portion, or a left side engagement portion and a right side engagement portion.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems41. The method according to any one of claim 38-40, wherein the wear component is a wing shroud.

42. A method of coupling a wear component to a lip assembly, the method comprising:a) inserting a locking block of a reversible locking block assembly into each locking block socket of a plurality of locking block sockets present on a bottom lip plate of a lip assembly;wherein the reversible locking block assembly comprising:i) a fastener, the fastener comprising an arcuate portion and a retaining portion, the retaining portion comprising a base, a first prong, and a second prong, the first prong being a planar extension of a first side of the base, the second prong being a planar extension of a second side of the base, the first prong extending in a direction parallel to the second prong, wherein the first prong is spaced apart from the second prong to define a notch that ends at the base;ii) a locking block, the locking block comprising an internal compartment including a latching bolt, a fastener access compartment, and a wear component socket and a retaining nut housing; the fastener access compartment being in spatial communication with the wear component socket, the latching bolt being positioned in front of the fastener access compartment and above the wear component socket, the latching bolt having an arcuate fastener surface facing the wear component socket of the internal compartment, and the retaining nut housing comprising a first retaining nut seat, a retaining flange seat, and a second retaining nut seat, with the retaining flange seat positioned between the first retaining nut seat and the second retaining nut seat;iii) a reversible attachment assembly, the reversible attachment assembly comprising:a fastener plate, the fastener plate being a wedged-shape rectangular plate with a first end and a second end opposite to and spaced apart from the first end to define a length of the fastener plate with the second end being of greater height than a first end, wherein the fastener plate comprises:a bolt having a threaded portion; andPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systemsa hook portion, the hook portion being a perpendicular extension at the second end of the fastener plate and comprising comprises a plate tab, a first prong notch, and a second prong notch, with the plate tab positioned in between the first and second prong notches and being sized and shaped to securely and reversibly insert in the notch of the fastener, the first prong notch being sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive a first tip of the first prong of the fastener, and the second prong notch being sized and shaped to securely and reversibly receive a second tip of the second prong of the fastener; anda retainer nut, the retainer nut having a first end and a second end opposite to and spaced apart from the first end to define a length of the retainer nut, wherein the retainer nut comprises a retainer head located at the first end, a body extending perpendicularly from the retainer head to the second end, the body comprising a retaining flange located at the second end;wherein the retainer nut of the attachment assembly is sized and shaped to be insertable within the retainer nut housing in a first configuration or a second configuration;wherein in the first configuration, the retainer head of the retainer nut is seated within the first retaining nut seat in a manner that hold retainer held in place within the first retaining nut seat and the retaining flange is captured within the retaining flange seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining flange within the retaining flange seat;wherein in the second configuration, the retainer head of the retainer nut is seated within the second retaining nut seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining head within the second retaining nut seat and the retaining flange is captured within the retaining flange seat in a manner that allows rotational movement of the retaining flange within the retaining flange seat;wherein the arcuate portion of the fastener is sized and shaped to be insertable into the wear component socket of the locking block, with an upper surface of the arcuate portion adjacent to the latching bolt and a lower surface of the arcuate portion facing the wear component socket;PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systemswherein the retainer portion of the fastener is sized and shaped to be contained within the fastener access compartment;wherein wear component slot is sized and shaped to reversibly receive an engagement prong of a wear component; andwherein the reversible locking block assembly can adopt a locked position or an unlocked position; andwherein the lip assembly comprises a bottom plate comprising a bottom wear component engagement portion, the bottom wear component engagement portion comprising a plurality of bottom prongs and a plurality of bottom notches, each bottom notch of the plurality of bottom notches being located between two bottom prongs of the plurality of bottom prongs;b) positioning a wear component onto the bottom wear engagement portion on the bottom plate of the lip assembly, wherein the wear component comprises:i) a bottom plate, the bottom plate comprising an engagement prong including a fastener seat; andii) an engagement compartment;wherein the engagement prong is seated within the wear compartment socket of the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly,wherein the fastener seat is positioned underneath the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt of the locking block; andwherein a subset of bottom prongs from the plurality of bottom prongs and a subset of bottom notches from the plurality of bottom notches of the bottom engagement portion of the lip assembly are inserted within the engagement compartment of the wear component;c) positioning the fastener into the fastener access compartment,PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems d) securing the fastener to the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly so that the reversible locking block assembly adopts the locked position, thereby securely coupling the wear component to the lip assembly;wherein, in the locked position,i) the arcuate portion of the fastener is inserted into the wear component socket with the upper surface of the arcuate portion adjacent to and abutting against the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt and the lower surface of the arcuate portion adjacent to and abutting against the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component, andiii) the first and second prongs of the fastener are against a bottom of the fastener access compartment due to a downward force of the fastener plate caused by the bolt being screwed tight into the retainer nut.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein positioning the fastener into the fastener access compartment in step (c) comprises:a) inserting the arcuate portion of the fastener between a latching bolt of the locking block and the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component so that the upper surface of the arcuate portion abuts the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt and the lower surface of the arcuate portion sits within the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component; andb) positioning the retaining portion of the fastener above a retaining seat portion of the fastener access compartment with the first prong flanking a first side of a bolt bore of the retaining nut and the second prong flanking a second side of the bolt bore of the retaining nut.

44. The method according to claim 42 or 43, wherein when the retainer nut is in the first configuration, the securing the fastener to the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly in step (d) comprises affixing the bolt into the retainer nut by applying a rotational force to the bolt head of the bolt to screw the threaded portion of the bolt into a threaded portion of a bolt bore of the retaining nut, wherein the affixing creates a downward force on the fastener plate that pushes the retaining portion of the fastener downward onto the retaining seat portion of the fastener access compartment, the downward force causing an upwardPCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WO Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems movement of the arcuate portion of the fastener which inserts the accurate portion of the fastener between the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt and the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component.

45. The method according to claim 42 or 43, wherein when the retainer nut is in the second configuration, the securing the fastener to the locking block of the reversible locking block assembly in step (d) comprises affixing the bolt into the retainer nut by applying a rotational force to the retainer head of the retainer nut to screw the threaded portion of the bolt into a threaded portion of a bolt bore of the retaining nut, wherein the affixing creates a downward force on the fastener plate that pushes the retaining portion of the fastener downward onto the retaining seat portion of the fastener access compartment, the downward force causing an upward movement of the arcuate portion of the fastener which inserts the accurate portion of the fastener between the arcuate fastener surface of the latching bolt and the fastener seat of the engagement prong of the wear component.

46. The method according to any one of claims 42-45, wherein the wear component is a lip shroud, a left corner shroud or a right corner shroud.

47. A method of coupling a wear component to a lip assembly, the method comprising securely positioning a wear component onto a side engagement portion on a side plate of a lip assembly, thereby securely and reversibly coupling the wear component to the lip assembly,wherein the wear component engagement portion comprises:i) at least two side notches and one or more side prongs, each of the one or more side prongs is flanked on either side by a side notch of the at least two side notches; andii) one or more slots; andwherein the wear component comprises an engagement compartment including a first peg and a second pegwherein the first peg of the engagement compartment is insertably engaged with a first slot of the one or more slots of the wear component engagement portion and the second peg of the engagement compartment is insertably engaged with a second slot of the one or more slots of the wear component engagement portion.PCT Patent Application UEBER1-0006WC Bierwith, Reversible Locking Block Assembly and Systems48. The method according to claim 47, wherein positioning a wear component onto a side engagement portion on a side plate comprises inserting the first peg of the wear component engagement portion of the wear component into the first slot of the one or more slots of the side engagement portion; and inserting the second peg of the wear component engagement portion of the wear component into the second slot of the one or more slots of the side engagement portion until first and second pegs are completely inserted and properly seated within first and second slots.

49. The wear component according to claim 47 or 48, wherein the side engagement portion of the lip assembly is a left side engagement portion, a right side engagement portion, or a left side engagement portion and a right side engagement portion.

50. The method according to any one of claims 47-49, wherein the wear component is a wing shroud.

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