Cast top cover for base edge wear protection

Abstract

The top cover defines a first fastener receiving void that is disposed along the direction of material flow between the forward ramp portion and the rear edge. The top male angled surface of the top cover defines a first material flow groove that extends along the direction of material flow, and includes a first flow ramp. The first material flow groove is disposed adjacent along the lateral direction and the direction of material flow to the first fastener receiving void.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A top cover for protecting a base edge comprising:
 a rear attachment portion defining:
 a first fastener receiving void, 
 a vertical direction of assembly, 
 a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction of assembly, and 
 a direction of material flow that is perpendicular to the vertical direction of assembly and the lateral direction,
 wherein the rear attachment portion includes a rear edge disposed along the direction of material flow; 
 
   a forward ramp portion that extends:
 forwardly from the rear attachment portion along the direction of material flow, and 
 vertically downwardly forming a front wear edge; 
   a top male angled surface that extends from the rear edge to the front wear edge;   a bottom female angled surface that extends from the rear edge to the front wear edge;   a first lateral outside edge extending from the rear edge to the front wear edge; and   a second lateral outside edge extending from the rear edge to the front wear edge,
 wherein the bottom female angled surface includes:
 a plurality of fitting pads, 
 a plurality of recesses, and 
 a relief cutout joining the rear attachment portion to the forward ramp portion. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The top cover of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fitting pads includes a first linear array of rectangularly shaped fitting pads. 
     
     
         3 . The top cover of  claim 2 , wherein the first linear array of rectangularly shaped fitting pads are arranged along the lateral direction on the rear attachment portion. 
     
     
         4 . The top cover of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of recesses includes:
 a second linear array on the rear attachment portion, and   a third linear array on the rear attachment portion.   
     
     
         5 . The top cover of  claim 4 , wherein the third linear array is spaced away from the first linear array along the direction of material flow with the plurality of fitting pads interposed between the first linear array and the second linear array along the direction of material flow. 
     
     
         6 . The top cover of  claim 4 , wherein the second linear array includes a pair of the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         7 . The top cover of  claim 4 , wherein the third linear array includes four of the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         8 . The top cover of  claim 1 , wherein the rear attachment portion defines a plurality of apertures that extend vertically through the plurality of fitting pads. 
     
     
         9 . The top cover of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of apertures are centered on the plurality of fitting pads. 
     
     
         10 . A top cover, comprising:
 a rear attachment portion defining:
 a first fastener receiving void,
 the rear attachment portion including a rear edge; 
 
   a forward ramp portion that extends:
 forwardly from the rear attachment portion, and 
 vertically downwardly forming a front wear edge; 
   a top male angled surface that extends from the rear edge to the front wear edge; and   a bottom female angled surface that extends from the rear edge to the front wear edge;
 wherein the bottom female angled surface includes:
 a plurality of fitting pads, 
 a plurality of recesses, and 
 a relief cutout joining the rear attachment portion to the forward ramp portion. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The top cover of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a first lateral outside edge extending from the rear edge to the front wear edge.   
     
     
         12 . The top cover of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a second lateral outside edge extending from the rear edge to the front wear edge.   
     
     
         13 . The top cover of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of fitting pads includes a first linear array of rectangularly shaped fitting pads. 
     
     
         14 . The top cover of  claim 13 , wherein the first linear array of rectangularly shaped fitting pads are arranged along the lateral direction on the rear attachment portion. 
     
     
         15 . The top cover of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of recesses includes:
 a second linear array on the rear attachment portion, and   a third linear array on the rear attachment portion.   
     
     
         16 . The top cover of  claim 15 , wherein the third linear array is spaced away from the first linear array along the direction of material flow with the plurality of fitting pads interposed between the first linear array and the second linear array along the direction of material flow. 
     
     
         17 . The top cover of  claim 16 , wherein the second linear array includes a pair of the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         18 . The top cover of  claim 16 , wherein the third linear array includes four of the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         19 . The top cover of  claim 11 , wherein the rear attachment portion defines a plurality of apertures that extend vertically through the plurality of fitting pads. 
     
     
         20 . The top cover of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of apertures are centered on the plurality of fitting pads.